When I was much younger, I remember pondering the “big questions” of life:
Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?
These are the natural questions of someone who is maturing, developing an identity, and trying to figure out what path to take in life. And while these questions have lost some of the ambiguity and urgency of youth, I find that I still ask these questions of myself – who am I now, what am I meant to do in this time and place, where is God leading me?
St. James’ has been around for a long time, and at points in our history, we have asked these questions as a community. However, in days past, the questions about the identity and purpose of a Christian Church were much clearer. There was a time when the Church was the center of society, where civic duty was played out and where, for most people, primary relationships were established. It today’s world, the Christian Church has been unseated as the major institution of belonging and often we find ourselves struggling between what we once were and what we are becoming.
At the same time, I believe that we, the Church, are more relevant than we have ever been. The need for connection, community, a place of unconditional acceptance and love is the mother lode of a society that is geared towards isolations, individualism, and competition to be better than, set apart. This belonging offered by the Church can take many forms – forms identified in ministry, fellowship, culture, worship, and other aspects of religious life. So, asking the questions, once again, is appropriate:
Who are we? What has God called us to do? Who is our neighbor?
As part of the on-going vitality of our church, I am initiating a process of Strategic Planning to help us form answers to the above question. For the next several months (or longer), under the leadership of Mike Scrutton, a series of gathering and conversations will take place to help us ponder, dream, imagine, and listen to the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. At the end of this process, we may have solid answers – or not. We may have a set direction – or not. The end result is not as important as the conversations we will have; it is the sharing of stories, dreams and reverent listening that will give us clarity and help us form a strengthened and more vitalized community.
Stay tuned for more information, and for invitations into this Holy Conversation.
With great hope for who we are becoming,
Lori+