Yesterday I ran into a former church member who has not been active in our community for several years. From a distance, I heard this person describing the recent merger of three Toronto congregations as “very sad.” I was interested, because I see the same event as very positive. There is wonderful energy in this new venture! There are children and youth, and the place is filled with life, hope and possibilities. Of course my friend would not know that because he has not been there for years. I sought to share some of that energy, but I am not sure he understood. He felt the church in this area is “just spiraling downward.” If someone sees things that way, I can understand why they would not want to be part of it. That is not, however, the way I see it.
I thought of that conversation again this morning as the reports came in of the good things that have happened in our mission centre over the weekend. Brantford congregation, intent on turning a dying congregation around, had more than triple their normal attendance. Faubert Drive had a very successful Jr. High retreat, filled with life, energy and bursting with potential. Living Waters, struggling recently with some problems, sang their hearts out as they offered praise and worship, then moved into a business meeting to choose their new leadership team for the coming year. LaSalle Road held their annual Christmas program and dinner, and had a full gym for the event. The list goes on and on.
Spiraling downward? I think not! If there is any spiraling going on, it is spiraling up!
There is a lot of good news happening in our mission centre. We need to get the word out and share it. What’s going on where you are? Any good news to share?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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Thank you Carman.
ReplyDeleteOne of our new Pastors-in-waiting tells me that there are several young adults in our congregation who have never been confirmed even though they were baptized years ago. Their confirmations are going to happen in the near future.
There are a number of young adults considering an Evangelist's blessing. That, also, is going to be in the near future.
YES,Carman, We are "spiraling up"!
Folks, come and be a part of the excitement!!
I have witnessed the positive aspect of church mergers, when the former Kimbal congregation and the Petrolia congregation merged to form the Lasalle Road congregation.
ReplyDeleteI currently attend one congregation, while my membership is at another, waiting for the two congregations to merge.
I have tried, and am still attempting to work as a bridge builder...that can be daunting, and sometimes discouraging.
from Doctrine and Covenants Sec 150:12 b.."Put aside petty differances and join together as never before that all may labour together according to the giftswith which I have endowed you and my Spirit will be with you now and forever more Amen"
I just want to expand on the youth retreat. If we could have had the conversations recorded we would have heard young teens express a faith in God, as their friend and companion and a faith in the Community of Christ. Sure there are things they would like to see changed, wouldn't we all but they are still confident about their faith community. It is now up to each of us to make sure we share our story of faith with them. This was the challenge given to the Congregation at the retreat on Sunday, talk and listen and hear the wonderful story of our youth. Yes, we are spiralling upward, we just need to soemtimes let go of the string and the pontential is limitless.
ReplyDeleteThanks to each of you for wonderful and encouraging comments. I appreciate your positive feedback based on your own experience.
ReplyDeleteThe future is before us. Whether it spirals up or down depends largely on us. Spiraling up may be more work, but it is also definitely more fun. Lets choose the upward path!