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Dear beloved of God,
As we approach Epiphany, I am reflecting on the star that appears, drawing the magi on a long journey to discover the child Jesus. There is something so compelling about that star that they make a long and arduous journey bearing treasured gifts to share. It’s not just that it appears outside of their star charts or that they can connect it with the prophecy of a distant religious group heralding the birth of a new ruler. Something holy in that star draws them into the difficult journey to discover Jesus.
I wonder – what is happening in our communities that functions like the star? What are we doing – or more accurately what is God doing through us – that is drawing people to make a long journey of discipleship to discover the gift of Jesus that we have in our midst?
All of our congregations do the things that congregations do – they worship together, they provide opportunities to grow and deepen faith, and they serve their neighbors. And every church of every denomination is striving to do more or less those things. But what is the glowing spark in your community that draws people to ask more?
Are you the church that is especially good at mentoring new members into deeper community? Are you the church that is so generous with the community that people are curious about what motivates you to do that? Are you the church that cultivates music in a way that audibly calls people to faith? Are you the church that celebrates kids in a way that invites families to relax into God’s waiting arms?
We can do all the things churches do, but if there isn’t a spark there, a deep sense of purpose, a deep energy that drives our mission, it can feel flat at times – to ourselves and to the people we hope to reach. Let me be clear – God is still present, active, and at work, whether we feel it or not. But to thrive in the 21st century, our congregations need to think about what their unique star is that draws people in.
As we approach annual meetings, there is important work to be done in the administration of our congregations – numbers will be reported, budgets will be considered. But perhaps that is a moment to pause and reflect together on who you are as a community and why you gather as your particular congregation.
You might break up into pairs and ask one another, “Why are you a part of this church?” and then keep talking until you hear something that isn’t just what the church does but that spark that makes you perk up with curiosity and interest.
You might invite people in small groups to consider a scripture story or verse that they think speaks to where the congregation is in this moment of time. Perhaps a single story or two will emerge and give you something to explore in the coming year.
Or perhaps you will come up with some other way to help people in the annual meeting and in the life of the congregation to seek out that spark that is more than just doing the things of church.
I believe that God is present in our congregations and out in the community. And I believe that God is active in changing lives and transforming the world. And that God will continue to draw people both through us and our work and through mysterious and holy means. But I’ve found that coming to understand something about the guiding star that has drawn us to Jesus can enrich our own relationship of faith and help us invite others to make the long journey of discipleship with us.
Peace,
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