Streams of Mercy

Recently, I came across an article in the PC(USA) News online. The author shared a Facebook post he came across that troubled him. It was a long lament about Presbyterian decline – “how perhaps God’s okay with it; how God’s winnowing us so other churches can thrive; how we pastors should accept our collective role as hospice chaplains for dying churches.” Just for the record, the post troubled me as well, so I took time to read the entire article.

I share part of it here.

“Having witnessed a 40-year decline from 4 to just over 1 million during my time as a Presbyterian, I’ve spent my career pushing back against such thought. On the hard days, I wonder if we’ve become an ecclesiastical version of Sears. From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, Sears dominated the U.S. (just as Presbyterians did). They sold everything from clothes, tools, washing machines, dishwashers and more. Then Walmart cut into their dominance, followed by Home Depot. Finally, Amazon sealed their fate. Sears stopped innovating and adapting, trying instead to hold onto what was, rather than adapting to the reality of what is. Having grown both churches and non-profits, I know decline isn’t inevitable, but it requires adapting an entrepreneurial mindset and practices. Entrepreneurs see obstacles as opportunities; they focus on what’s possible, not what’s impossible. Ultimately, entrepreneurs see problems as potential paths for creating new possibilities … Entrepreneurs resist the urge to say, ‘This is how I’ve always done it.’ … Entrepreneurs are eager to learn what they don’t know, even if it means learning from those they feel competitive with … Entrepreneurs know that true creativity uniquely integrates others’ ideas.” (“Have We Become Sears?”, by Graham Standish, May 23, 2023)

He shared about facing the problem of how/when to have Confirmation Classes, when Sunday morning sports meant families had to choose between athletics and confirmation classes. They chose to embrace the opportunity to revamp their confirmation program.

Based on the Great Commandment, they created a unique curriculum with three emphases – loving God, loving others, loving ourselves. They offered “loving others” mission activities at times other than Sunday morning. They taught “loving self “ by teaching personal prayer, Bible-reading, discernment and responsible living that prepared them for life beyond the church. They offered “loving God” Sunday classes that integrated film, music, videos and more to teach lessons about who and where God is. They turned a challenging problem into a creative program.

The article provided much food for thought and would lead to fruitful discussion in coming session meetings. Standish concludes his article with these words:

“Entrepreneurs always look for opportunities, want to grow, resist their own complacency, and embrace creativity. Maybe we’ve become irredeemably Sears, but I hope not.”

He spoke of the need for “adaptive leadership” and challenged those of us who follow manuscript, lectionary preaching, with formal liturgies in the bulletin, to be open to something new. He calls for “entrepreneurial pastoring”, boldly examining what’s ineffective and adapting to what is effective. It will be interesting to see what comes of it all!

Elizabeth

Streams of Mercy

Each Sunday before Memorial Day, we take time to name those we know who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We had very few folks in attendance on a stormy Sunday on a holiday week-end! Very few names were mentioned. We shared names, had a prayer and sang a patriotic hymn.

Today a friend texted a picture of two tombstones in the community cemetery, sharing that they were in memory of the McDuffie brothers, who were killed in World War II and buried in Luxembourg France. One was 27 years old, and the other only 20. They were the only children of their parents. She said her mother used to talk about how sad it was to lose the only children you had in a war. My friend regretted not remembering on Sunday and speaking their names during the service.

I’ve thought a lot about the McDuffie brothers today and I’m grateful for their sacrifice and saddened by the grief that came to their parents in their loss. I live in the community they lived in, walk the same roads they walked, look up at the same blue sky. I’m humbled by what they did that allows me to do what I am doing. The freshly-placed flags in the church graveyard blow in the gentle breeze, honoring the fallen we remember today.

This prayer by Dr. Jill Duffield is a blessing on this special day:

Lord, what we remember of the past shapes who we are today and influences how we will act tomorrow. On this Memorial Day we remember and give thanks for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. We grieve with those who grieve this day and pray comfort for those who mourn. We ask for the wisdom to allow the memory of those who died for a cause greater than themselves to form our words, opinions and decisions in ways that honor them. Help us to take seriously the cost of war and enter into combat only when every other option has been exhausted. May the sacrifice of those we remember this day not be in vain, but instead guide us to work tirelessly for peace, justice and freedom for all people. Amen.

In loving memory of the McDuffie brothers of Jackson Springs, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Elizabeth

Streams of Mercy

I’ve graduated and turned a tassel four times through the years. The speaker at each graduation challenged us to go out and make a difference. High school graduation challenged us to “Climb Every Mountain.” (Yes, “The Sound of Music came out that year!), amid echoes of President John Kennedy’s call- “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”.

College graduation came amid marches and protests and the looming shadows of the continuing war in Vietnam. We were challenged to work for peace, to do work that would benefit all people. I considered serving with the Peace Corps at one time, but decided my calling was teaching in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. Graduate school in Education encouraged us - “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” and I settled in to do just that!

Twenty year later, I found myself graduating from a Presbyterian seminary, having answered the call to ministry. That year’s graduation message was more open-ended: “Here I Am, Lord”. (Yes, “that hymn was written that year!) _ will go, Lord, where you lead me; I will hold your people in my heart” became the soundtrack for this season of my life.

I read this week that the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)’s General Assembly, the Rev. Dr. J. Hebert Nelson, delivered the baccalaureate address at David & Elkins College in West Virginia, sending graduates on the road forward with a reminder to look back sometimes.

“You will turn a tassel today, Nelson told the graduates, “but that tassel doesn’t make everything right. What makes it right is endurance- knowing that we don’t walk alone … Take a bow and give thanks, because now there is another mission: the world needs you …the world you’re about to enter is in a mess! We’ve got a lot to do in this world in which we live! … The challenge of 21st century living is how do we learn how to respect the ‘otherness’ of the other, to love people? I am convinced it will take your generational culture to transform the world… “Go out and do the best you possibly can… Be famous if you have to , but be willing to give back … learn to take the best of what you have and share it, love and care for people and say thank you for what we have and be reminded that what we have comes from the Lord.” (from PCUSA’s News Service)

I have a great grandson graduating from pre-school and heading to kindergarten, and a granddaughter graduating from high school and heading to college. “Climb Every Mountain”, “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin with Me’; and “Here I Am, Lord” - a good soundtrack for their lives as well….and “Bloom Where’re You’re Planted” is what we must do to be all God wants us to be!

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 – from pre-school to graduate school. Be all God want you to be … and give thanks for those streams of mercy carrying you through this life and into the life to come!

Elizabeth