In virtually every area of my life I am aware of myself and others struggling with important choices. It seems that in the church and in the presbytery, it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain a boundary around transformation, as our priority. To do that, we might have to use our time and resources differently, and because life is intended to be lived within limits, we can’t do it all. Something has to give. Some things – good and worthy and important things – may need to be given up, set aside, for a while.
Emerging from the Sabbatical season, I have some fresh perspectives about some new life-giving and potentially growth-inducing initiatives to which I am sensing God’s call. Web site development, building relationships outside the congregation, bringing new music experiences to the congregation, and leading the Session and Core team through a process of Communal Discernment around a bequest are four major new areas to which I can envision devoting major time and creative energy. However, to place boundaries around any of these new initiatives, I will have to make some changes. And the changes that I make will bump up against the way others experience their roles and responsibilities in the life of the church.
I have been daunted by the prospect of how to do this…but after God and I wrestled through the sermon last week, I am ready to begin. And I am now seeing that small, specific changes will get me on the way. For instance, I could pretty easily, sketch an outline of what I envision our web site might include, who I’d like it to reach, and how I’d like it to be used. Taking this to next week’s Session meeting might get the ball rolling on this initiative. At the same time, now that we are using a screen on Sunday mornings, do we really need printed bulletin announcements? Could I invite with my secretary and those preparing the powerpoint presentations to make a set of announcements slides that, once created, will require minimal time to update each week?
One small, specific change. That, I can do.
Blessings to all,
Cheryl
1 comment:
I identified with your thoughts on the enormity of tasks and problems we are facing in all areas of our lives.
Last night in one of my education graduate classes, a student asked a guest speaker a question along the lines of "if the problems are so large, what's the point, how can we make a difference?" The speaker thought for a second, and said, "While it might feel like throwing stones at a mountain, can you imagine living your life any other way? I can't."
We can only do what we can do - good luck with your website brainstorming!
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