(This is the sixth of an 7-part series exploring the spiritual discipline of contemplative-action.)
Full disclosure…my primary concern these days is not in saving congregations. I sincerely hope that those reading this don’t think that I’m advocating for a new type of ministry program that will reinvigorate congregations. We’ve been trying to reinvigorate mainline congregations through programmatic development for the past 30 years only to experience consistent and continual decline. Clergy have been leaving parish ministries in droves largely because they work harder and see diminishing returns while also being overwhelmed by accelerating societal dis-ease where meanness, harshness, and cruelty have become the norm. Countless pastors and deacons have shared personally with me that they are afraid to preach progressive and evolving theologies such as the universal Christ and love for all for fear of the backlash. It’s not so much about getting fired as it is about having to deal with an unending barrage of public attacks through email and social media. It can feel as though everything we say in a sermon or bible study will be politicized in some way while labeling the pastor or deacon as an enemy-of-the-people who must be stopped through vitriolic rhetoric and personal assault.
My primary concern is the focus and efficacy of the church, the community of Christ, that is charged with the salvation of the world. When John the Baptizer saw Jesus coming toward him he declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NRSV) Notice that John doesn’t say “who takes away the sin from those who believe in him” or “who takes away the sin of those who go to church.” The Christ takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus didn’t hang out with prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, and others who had been pushed to the fringes by the religious elite of his time because he was trying to save them from their own sins. He was working to save them from the sin of the world that had generated systems and structures that reward a very few while oppressing and punishing others unjustly. He wasn’t there to condemn individuals, he was there to stand in solidarity with the poor and disenfranchised. All of Jesus’ condemning statements were aimed at those in positions of power and authority who had the capacity but refused to make systemic changes that would generate life and opportunity for all. Jesus, too, suffered unjustly on the cross at the hands of the power brokers. The crucifixion of the Christ is the ultimate act of solidarity with any and all throughout human history who experience systemic oppression and have had all opportunities for life stripped from them by those who wish to maintain their own power and control. The resurrection of the Christ is God’s emphatic “YES” to the creation that reveals that our God is a God of life who will never, ever, ever give up. As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:39, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Nothing means NOTHING!!!
“The important focus here must be on generating communities that can accept the prophetic message of resurrection, transformation, and reconciliation toward the healing of the world.”
Turning a congregation from an antiquated and destructive theological and ecclesiological mindset is not for the faint of heart. It pains me to say that in some instances it may not be possible. Jesus told his disciples that sometimes you may need to kick the dust from your feet and move on if people are unable to hear and accept the good news that God’s reign of love and life is near (Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:11). The important focus here must be on generating communities that can accept the prophetic message of resurrection, transformation, and reconciliation toward the healing of the world. Such communities may look like traditional congregations or may look quite different such as organic contemplative communities. The culture of the community, whatever it may be, needs to provide the space and structure that allows for people to be drawn into the contemplative journey of seeking to align their lives with God’s heart and passion for justice and life for all. This coincides with Elaine Heath’s third step of contemplative-action: making an intentional decision to participate in God’s activity.
So if we consider God to be concerned about the perpetuation of life for all, what is God up to in our world right now? What is breaking God’s heart? What stands in the way of the fulfillment of God’s vision that all be intimately connected to God, the creation, and all of humanity? What is God doing in your surrounding community and how can your congregation “lean into” what God is up to? How do you engage your congregation in contemplative-action to discern and heed the Spirit’s call to action? We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments below, or in a forum on our website (https://illumin8collective.com/forums/).
God bless you!
