Future Church

As I drove to the Stratford Community of Christ last Sunday morning, my mind wandered to the fall of 1962 and my earliest experience with this congregation. In those days, the church met in a smaller, older building, I believe on the corner of Brunswick and Waterloo. Many will no doubt have pictures of the old building, but unfortunately I do not have even one to share with you here.

I do not know when the conversation started about building a new church. My parents would have been there, but they are no longer around for me to ask. We can be certain, however, that there was not universal agreement that building a new church was a good idea. Some would have been in favour, perhaps arguing that the congregation was outgrowing thier facility. There would also have been those who thought the old building was good enough. Equally certain is that there would have been others who thought they should not spend the money for a new building; it would just be too expensive. We can be quite sure of this because the same debate raged in various cities and towns during the expansive years of the ‘60s and ‘70s. In some cases the “build a new church” folks prevailed, and in others the “stay put” folks won out. It is interesting now, some forty plus years later, to compare the vitality of the congregations that chose those two different paths.

In any event, Stratford congregation chose the future and built a lovely new church on what was then almost the edge of town. It was a good decision. As I sat in the congregation last Sunday morning, I thought about how forward thinking and visionary that decision had proven to be. The congregation meets in an attractive, comfortable and accessible facility that is well positioned for years to come.

I had several reasons for being in Stratford last Sunday morning, but the dedication of the new piano was not one of them; in fact, I didn’t even know there was a new piano. I soon learned, however, that when my cousin Keith Williamson passed away about a year ago, he left the congregation a bequest, and they had decided to use the money for a lovely new grand piano.

As the service progressed, at least 13 people took their turn playing this fine new instrument; children, youth and adults. I was astounded by the number of musicians who were there!Experience levels varied from those who were early in their learning all the way to accomplished, professional musicians, but I cannot tell you which was the more enjoyable. All played well.

It happens that I enjoy listening to music much more than I enjoy singing, so this was my kind of service. The worship was full of music played on lovely instruments; the piano teamed with flute, saxophone and voice. There was even a humorous skit that involved the piano. Oh, there were hymns to sing, but more often we were afforded the opportunity just to listen and reflect.

Perhaps it was during that reflection that the thought came to me that Stratford congregation was once again positioning itself well for the future. They have acquired a lovely piano that young and old musicians will enjoy playing for years to come. In this they have proven themselves to be just as visionary as the generations that preceded them. Good job, Stratford. You are indeed a church with a future.

Posted by Carman

Toolbox

What do you keep in your toolbox? Or do you know someone else who has all the tools you need to borrow whenever you need them? Are you the kid who went off to set up an apartment on your own and so you needed to start your own toolbox? Maybe your mom or your dad gave you a nice "starter set" with a hammer, a multi-head set of screw drivers, maybe a pair of needle-nosed pliers or a little level or a square, or perhaps your own picture-hanging kit? Could be you needed a toilet plunger and a needle and thread. Even a decent pair of scissors was something you always had "at home" but realized the new kitchen drawers did not come equipped with even the most basic tools?

I'm thinking about toolboxes today after sitting quietly (for the most part) at the Mission Advocate weekend Carman reported to you yesterday. One of the tasks that has been mine for the better part of the past ten years or so has been as keeper of the toolbox.

The "tools" I've looked after have been the books, or the newsletters, or the workshops, or the websites, or the easy checklists to make this or that task smoother. You need to know how to run a retreat, or a meeting, or identify the right guest speaker or what your mentors need to know to be as effective as possible? "Give Marion a call" has become the advice that gets offered.

Not that you can't do it yourself. Most of you really do have access to that whole toolbox yourself. In fact, as I was looking around that room this weekend past, I was feeling pretty comfortable that this group are very, very well-equipped. They have experience; they have skills. There is a whole dynamic at work here with just so much know-how and wisdom that I feel just fine moving on to the next phase in my life--whatever that may look like. This job will be in good hands.

While I'm still around please feel free to avail yourself of any of the tools I'm still holding. I have begun to give away my books. I would love to have conversations with anyone interested in some of my most reliable sources. If a day should come when you really aren't sure exactly how to use some weird and wonderful tool you've seen me use, then give me a call and we'll chat about it.

But I'm pretty confident that you all have a whole box full of tools of your own that will serve you just fine in whatever adventure you undertake next. I especially liked the phrases shared this weekend, reminding us all that "your continuing faith adventure with God has been divinely led, eventful, challenging, and sometimes surprising to you. By the grace of God you are poised to fulfill God's ultimate vision for the church." (D&C 164:9a)

You have tools for the job. And as you go you'll add more to the box. Maybe the next Good Word needs to be "adventure."

Posted by Marion

Care

This is a word we've commented lots about at various times. In fact, when I did a search for the word care I got eighty hits! Eighty times we've had something to say about the notion of caring. And yet, this morning, I believe I'm thinking of it in a slightly different way. Maybe--maybe not. You decide.

I continue to hear a phrase that makes me, personally, very uncomfortable. It has even come to be part of the polling question that is asked and then that is reported upon. Bigger than the event itself is the element of just how little most people care about Canada's current election. I've managed to postpone even telling you what I'm writing about in order to perhaps hold your attention for a couple of paragraphs.

It was the "man on the street" question in my local newspaper this week. Four out of five people asked felt not a bit of shame to answer the question: No I don't care at all about this election.

If asked to say more, the most common explanations are versions of "it's too expensive" or "nothing will change" or "they're all crooks anyway."

Are the issues so remote that we really aren't concerned at all?

I do agree that there are things to be done about many of the things we do care about, and I'm sure hoping that we who claim to be concerned about our neighbours, our communities, the bruised and broken-hearted are finding concrete ways to help them. I wish that we of the "peace, reconciliation and healing the spirit" vision have found ways to encourage policies and priorities that promote those things as far and as widely as possible.

It seems to me, again this is my personal opinion, that many of the laws and practices of my government have an impact on those very things. If we who live in a democracy that people around the world are dying to acquire, it seems to me that the least we can do is at least care that the one we have works as well as it could.

If you're someone who has said about your vote, or your obligation to be informed, "I don't care" then I'd like to call on you to reconsider.

Posted by Marion

Hatches

All signals appear to be that we should be “battening down the hatches” in anticipation of some severe weather on its way here. All around me people are preparing for canceled meetings, lots of gas in the tanks, pantry stocked and plans made for kids at home for snow day—maybe even multiple days.

I’m thinking of ways this relates to an ongoing conversation we’ve been having around our CEM lunch table lately. It’s as if there’s something anticipated; no one is quite certain what it will look like, but there’s the definite sense that we’d better be getting prepared. One of the tasks of leadership is to cast the “long eye” into the future to try to discern the signs and signals and then to come up with some strategies to make ready. Whether this future is a stormy one or not, there’s still the need to get prepared.

The tendency is to look at the storm that’s already forming up on the near horizon. How do we meet this year’s budget? Who will take on the church school director’s job? Who will speak next week, next month, next year? How do we get more bums in pews? And we know that if we focus on all those urgent questions, we’ll find ourselves asking more serious questions. Is it time to sell this building? What happened to the next generation of leaders? How will we replace those faithful donors?

Of course in some instances the life-cycle of a congregation has indeed run its course and we will need to celebrate decades of ministry and blessing to a community and say a fond good-bye. That will happen. But sometimes it’s just lack of vision and strategic thinking and focusing on the “urgent” rather than the “important” that bring us to the brink of an unwelcome and unnecessary future.

Whether or not this blizzard hits us, there will be storms in our future. Our task as leaders and as members is to realize that we need to be ready. And being ready is long-range. It’s making sure the kids feel included and respected. It’s ensuring the youth get to connect with friends and have opportunities to expand their world into the broader church and into the wider community. It’s giving youth and young adults genuine roles and real responsibilities and making ready to hand off leadership to a new generation, already equipped with practical skills and experience and supportive networks to take over. It’s taking time out from the nitty-gritty of all those urgent things that need our attention to slow down and take the long look to make sure we have a future when it arrives.

I’d sure love to hear from you some of the things you’re doing in your congregation to look into this longer future. Maybe a couple of stormy days might give you just the opportunity you need to do that.

Posted by Marion

Bread & Butter

My blogging friend PeaceBangasked a question that stirred something in me. She’s been working with an Alban Institute vocation consultant who wanted her to think about “What are you a commitment to?” When PB explained that this is not the same as “what are you committed to?” I understood immediately.

Several years ago I went to a workshop with author and consultant Peter Block. His question was “What is your vision of greatness?” and he forced us to come to an answer. In order to tap into another part of our brains, he asked us to draw a picture of that vision and then to explain our picture to the other workshop participants. I can still see the picture I drew that day because it is the answer to that question: what are you a commitment to? It has guided all the work I have done since then and it remains my vision until today!

My picture was one of a loaf of bread and a pat of butter. My explanation went something like this. Whatever I do, whenever I teach a class or preach a sermon or write something or offer advice or do a consultation I want to be sure that what I offer is as basic and as immediately useful as bread and butter. Nothing fancy; just plain bread and butter, nourishing and nutritious. It’s always there driving what I do. It’s there when I’m preparing or doing research or reading. It’s so very present that I seldom think about it; it’s just the way I do business. I’m not suggesting I’ve always been totally successful. That’s the other side of the story and I need your input to answer that. But it’s there at source for me.

This week I’m preparing a couple of sermons and I’ll be teaching a Scripture workshop at Faubert Drive congregation this weekend (weather permitting!). I’ve been struggling all year to find a venue to do a Youth Worker training day. I’ve been at reunions and retreats and CPI gatherings and lots and lots of congregations or visits with pastors (and librarians, Sunday school teachers, worship planners, preachers, mentors, advocates…) and facebook encounters or email exchanges and it’s always, always there in what I try to offer. Is this as good and basic and helpful and immediate as bread and butter?

I pass along the challenge to you. What are you a commitment to? What is your personal vision of greatness?

And as Peter Block would say if someone claimed not to have such a vision: If you had a vision of greatness, what would it be?

Posted by Marion

Day-dreaming

I recently participated in a workshop where we were invited to day-dream about our ideal church congregation. We were encouraged to visualize a church community, not as it is but as it could become in ten to twenty years. We were told not to worry about whether it was an actual congregation or an imaginary one; we were simply invited to picture the highest ideal of what that congregation might look like that we could possibly imagine.

Accordingly, in response to this instruction, some began to converse together, some began to think silently, and others began to write. I was in the latter group, and here is what I wrote.

¨ Congregation = Community

¨ Open 24/7 maybe?¨

Ideal – a centre of active, swirling energy

o Community based

§ Feeding the hungry

§ Counseling

§ Comforting, loving, accepting

§ Safe for children and youth

§ Fellowship for seniors

§ Sharing and being Jesus

I studied my list for a few moments, and came to a startling realization about what was missing. Was this an oversight? No, it simply wasn't there! I reflected on this for a few moments and then wrote in brackets at the bottom,

(note: Does not necessarily involve Sunday a.m. worship!)

It was an interesting and somewhat surprising exercise.

So let me invite you, dear reader, to do a little day-dreaming of your own. What would your ideal congregation look like? If you could start from scratch and grow a church over 20 years, what would you see? I have posted my thoughts here for all to see. Are you willing to share your ideal with the rest of us?

Posted by Carman

Better

You've heard it. You've probably said it; I know I have. "I wish I were better at..."

You name it. We wish we were better golfers, writers, time managers, bookkeepers, housekeepers, better with children, better at making new friends. Being involved in some planning sessions, identifying visions, missions, setting goals and objectives, we're all wishing we had some better church planters, outreach specialists, creative worship planners, visionaries, transformation specialists, and on and on.

Today I found this list that really contains nothing much new , despite the fact it comes out of Harvard! It's pretty simple; if you truly want to get better at something, you can do it. Any human being can, in fact, develop any given skill or capacity in the same systematic way you do a muscle, by "pushing past your comfort zone, and then rest." We tend to fall back on the old assumption that some of us are just naturally gifted with certain talents and abilities. But this author Tony Schwartz says that's really just a cop-out. It's that we don't work hard enough at it.

His advice does speak about a need for passion and prioritizing and focusing. And if those are problems for you, you can fix that too.

It's that time when we're starting to think about going back--to school, to church. Is there some area you've been wishing for better? Look into this concept and see how it works for you.

Here it is again: Six Keys to Being Excellent at Anything, from the Harvard Business Review

Posted by Marion

Pastor

This week we have been having a fascinating conversation about church. It began with Tuesday’s post entitled Distinctives, and continued with Marion’s Wednesday’s post, Wisdom.

That conversation continues, and this morning I am thinking about a central figure in this discussion; the pastor. After all, it was the vision, and the passionate sense of calling of the pastor of the congregation described in Distinctives that brought that church to new life.

The stimulus for this morning’s pondering is probably Ann’s comment yesterday about paid pastors. Add to that, the situation of two of our congregations that are having difficulty finding a pastor, and you have the making of a whole lot of questions. Is a full-time, paid pastor the answer? We have that now in one CEM congregation. Is that the way we need to go in others?

Any conversation about paid pastors quickly leads to talking about money. For easy figuring, let’s assume we pay our pastor a modest salary of $50,000 per year. Add in the cost of benefits and pension contributions, then throw in a little expense money, and that quickly brings us to a total cost of $75,000 or more. How would we pay for that?

Fifteen years ago, a young woman of our acquaintance began attending a new church in Waterloo, ON. If memory serves, that congregation was started by eight families, each of whom pledged to give $10,000 a year for five years. Allowing a little for inflation, lets round that figure up to $1,000/month. Would you be willing to give that amount to cover the cost of a pastor?

At the recent World Conference, the Presiding Bishops provided some helpful facts. Eighty percent of church members give 20% of World Mission Tithes, and Twenty percent of members give the other 80%. Further, the average giving by the first eighty percent is $200/year while the twenty percent who carry the load gives $2,200. Of course that is only “World Mission Tithes,” so the total giving by both groups is at least double, but it still doesn’t seem like a lot of money does it?

Paid pastors are not the answer for many of our congregations, but it may be for some. If you think full-time pastors are the way of the future, are you willing to increase your giving to support that?

Please join this fascinating conversation!

Posted by Carman

Surprise

One of the words we talked about for a bit in the Fired Up! mission statement conversation was surprise. In the final version, this word didn't make the cut. But this is not to say that the concept isn't still very much alive and well, there and elsewhere!

The word the Fired Up! folk went with was "open." They want to remain open to whatever way God wants to speak to them, or to experiences and opportunities and to people who come their way. I applaud them. But I hope they are ready to be surprised. Because that's what I see happening all around. And I'm beginning to be convinced that the Spirit they're open to works by surprise.

People and congregations who try to stay in control, or on top of things, wary of moving too far out of the box, leery of spontenaity or unpredictability are most likely to speak of being weary or over-busy or stressed-out. But folks who are open to being surprised tend to feel more hope, to expect things to work out, to roll with the punches more easily.

Here's a link to a sermon about just this idea. Remember that sheet God surprised Peter with in Acts 11? That was just a small part of the surprises he and the new church had to deal with! History is filled with just such surprises; so why would we not expect the same?

Open your eyes; expect to be surprised! Then send us a note about what you're seeing that is surprising you today. Let's share our stories. I'm betting there are a ton of them. Can't wait to read yours!

Posted by Marion

Ideas

One of the perks of my job comes after evening meetings when I find myself driving home sometime after nine o'clock listening to CBC's Ideas radio program. I've been listening to Ideas for years and years and have come to appreciate the eclectic range of topics discussed there. If it does nothing else, Ideas offers many interesting or unusual facts to be injected into some future conversation.

But today, I'm considering the idea of ideas. Where do ideas come from? What is the spark of a truly new idea? How do visionary or imaginative people tap into that creative force that engenders a brand new thought?

You've likely heard the quotation: if you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you've always got.

I'm amazed at the number of folks I'm meeting or hearing from across our Mission who are actively seeking out new ideas, looking for new solutions to problems or challenges they've become aware of in their lives, or in their congregations. Maybe it's the ratcheting up of camp and reunion planning that has brought this notion to the fore, but I see it in other areas as well.

You've heard about Fired Up! leadership team who are trying very hard to make themselves into a congregation like no other. Not in negative or critical ways, but in creative and inspiring ways. They're looking for the ideas that will draw people into a new community where they can encounter a God-experience in new friendships, in opportunities for service and Spirit-led explorations. They expect to be surprised. They want to remain open to what comes. And they do expect new ideas to happen for them.

What are the challenges facing you? How do you get your best ideas? Do you have a story to share that we're waiting to hear?

Thinking

Do you remember that sign people used to have in their office? It just had one word: THINK.

Today, I'm thinking about thinking. On this Blog we've talked quite alot about goals and vision and setting priorities. You may have created some of those for yourself, or for your congregations. We here at this office urge you to do those things. They're good things to have. They set direction, give you focus, ensure you're working on "what matters most," also words you've often read here.

I've written, quite recently, about the importance of acting. But today, I'm thinking about how important it is to give yourself time to think.

I once had a boss who advised me to hold my phone to my ear if I were spending time in thought. She had learned that it was best to give the appearance of doing something! Fortunately, my current boss understands and values the time I spend in thought. (At least, if he doesn't, this post will give him the opportunity to raise his concerns to me.)

I feel blessed not to need to justify how much of my job entails spending time in serious thinking, not meditation, not stragegizing, not planning--although all those elements are also important--just thinking.

It's one of the lessons I've learned. Being overly driven to be engaged in some kind of activity without the prerequisite thought can be really, really counterproductive. There is a certain balance required. For the past few weeks I've been part of a group thinking about the future of our fledgling Fired Up! congregation. One of the insights we've gathered is that we believe we'll gain much by spending this early time waiting to act, finding our footing, discerning good directions for this group.

It's always a challenge to know when to stop thinking and start doing. But I believe there's more damage to be done by not spending enough time in thought. What do you think?

Posted by Marion

Greatness

This writing came about on one of those days when I start work very early at home, which sometimes results in my driving to the office very late. This time, however, this imbalance produced a joyous blessing. The radio broadcast I might normally listen to was long gone, and instead, I was surprised to hear Beethoven’s Piano Concerto # 5, The Emperor Concerto. With my car’s poor little radio pumped to the max, I could just see the great man conducting the orchestra, his hair flying wildly and his arms swinging with energy! I could see him scowling, demanding the absolute best from his musicians; probably more than they knew they had to give. The result is nothing short of magnificent!

Now I confess that I am not a great, knowledgeable fan of Classical music, and yet I find something wonderfully inspiring in Beethoven. It seems to me that he has heard the very music of creation itself, and poured his entire being into expressing it. In this I believe he has given us everything he has. I do not know if it was his growing deafness that produced such urgency in him, or if his passion simply demanded free reign. In any event, the resulting greatness is such that I do not have adequate superlatives to express my awe.

There is something very compelling about such a quest to be the absolute best one can be, and to deliver every note in the most expressive possible way. It produced such sheer brilliant greatness that beside it, my dreams feel tarnished and unworthy. To express my dreams in the same space as praise for Beethoven’s genius feels inappropriate and laughable. And yet, they are my dreams and they are the best I have to give. Here goes.

I want us to build great churches for God. Oh not the bricks and mortar sort, but the kind that inspires people to bless others and transform difficult lives. I want us to build churches that feed the hungry and clothe the naked, that visit the lonely and comfort the hurting. I want us to build churches that throw open doors instead of locking them so people can come in and be warmed and fed. I want us to build churches that understand what it really means to share the Peace of Jesus Christ in ways and dimensions that we haven’t even thought of yet. I want us to do that because we want to give the very best and the very most we have to God, and to God’s people.

I want us to build great churches, not merely good ones. It is not so much about size, endowment funds or sustainable balance sheets. It is about transformed lives and people whose existence has been blessed because the church was there for them at exactly their point of need. It is also about planning and preparing for so great a cause.

May God inspire us to see and build that kind of churches. May we open our lives to truly receive our own unique vision and calling to that level of greatness. Amen!

Posted by Carman

Vision

The genius who conceived the idea of Walt Disney World in Florida was Walt Disney himself. Unfortunately, Walt died long before the park was completed. He never saw this dream come true.

And yet, in another sense, he did see it. In fact, he could “see” it when there was nothing there to see. I am guessing that before he even committed to the project, he could see the whole thing in his mind’s eye. As he developed the plans and blue prints, he could envision every detail of how the park would look and work. His was the genius behind the plan, and it was this vision that allowed it to happen. That was Disney’s vision, and his vision inspired his leadership and creative genius.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Rick Warren always says, “Where there is no vision, the people move to another parish!”

Vision is a powerful and wonderful thing, yet vision is just imagination blessed with intention. Every child is born with imagination. We could all see great possibilities when we were young, and the visionaries among us still can. A leader is merely one who says, “I can see it, and we can do it!”

Some congregations are dying for lack of vision but it doesn’t have to be that way. We can envision and create a different reality. Which future can you see?

Instilled

“The challenges and opportunities are momentous. Will you remain hesitant in the shadows of your fears, insecurities, and competing loyalties? Or will you move forward in the light of your divinely instilled call and vision?” (January 17, 2010 Counsel to the Church, verse 9e)


There is something very encouraging in the last sentence of the above quote; “Or will you move forward in the light of your divinely instilled call and vision?”

For me, a vision of greatness for our congregations and for Canada East Mission is never really a problem. Sensing who we are called to be and what we need to do is not difficult. Ideas often bubble up freely, and it is easy for me to feel inspired by the excitement of the challenge. But still, there is always the nagging wonder if this is really the right path. Call it self-doubt or sober second thought, but I always have to ask myself, is this really what God would have us do, or is this just me?

Don’t misunderstand, I firmly believe this kind of self-questioning is a good thing, and getting feedback or support from others is critically important. One does not want to be deluded with arrogance or carried away with ideas that are misguided. Careful examination of one’s ideas along with thoughtful and prayerful reflection is time very well spent. Still, the doubts often remain.

Having spent time over the past couple of weeks in careful reflection on the words of Counsel to the Church (as you probably have), I have come to value a great many of its words and phrases. It was not until yesterday, however, that the full impact of this particular quotation hit me. Your divinely instilled call and vision...are You talking to me? Can we really take this personally?

I can readily attest to the fact that the challenges before us are enormous, and that the opportunities are equally as great. In fact, that enormity is the very reason for my hesitation. I do not want to ask the people of our mission to spend enormous energy and considerable funds to chase a vision that is not do-able. And yet it is do-able! Further, I firmly believe it is at least part of what we are called to do.

We simply must trust that God is with us. It is easy to say, but not always easy to do. It is, of course, what the Scriptures have always taught us, and yet it is still so easy to lose that confidence.

I find great comfort and encouragement in the counsel to “move forward in your divinely instilled call and vision.

Posted by Carman

Imagine

How’s your imagination? Can you picture something that isn’t? or at least that isn’t yet?

Much of the conversation that’s going on in various places is really asking us to do that. We keep getting asked to discern or to vision a new future. Have you heard something like that before?

Our Merrie Bande of Bishops is working hard to come up with a strategy for accomplishing the 2020 Vision Goals that we as a mission and YOU as congregation members are going to work on for the coming decade. One of the things they’ve noticed in their travels is the struggle some folks are having to figure out what it is they’re called to be and to do. It’s hard work finding just the right balance between “what we’ve always done” and “where we’re called to go” in some unknown future.

It calls for imagination! You might want to look around your congregation for the creative, imaginative types who can help with this task.

Remember that saying “honour our past while creating our future”? Turns out we’ve got lots of skill and practice with the “honour your past” part of that and not so much with the “create your future” bit. I’m thinking it’s something we’ll be working on along with the many things we’re working on as we forge into our discernment, dialogue, vision/mission, planning, strategy sessions.

Fear not! Make ready to be surprised! Expect to work hard. This might just be the place the generations meet. ( Check out this for an interesting discussion of our diverse generations.)

Locate your most energetic and creative generation X and Y and let the Baby Boomers provide the backup song. Now, all together, let’s sing a chorus of “Imagine!” That should help.

Leaders

In no particular order, let me share a few names with you.

Renee, Grant, Sarah, Andrew, Kevin, Heather, Annie, Joe, Derek, Keira, Alysa, Rachel, Bryce, Karen, Aaron, Kyle, Lija, Lauren, Lisa, Serenity, Duane, Christopher, Rebecca, Meredith, Marc, Jordan, Ryan, Robyn, Matthew, Irena, Taffia, Adam, Kristin, Scott, Dariq,
Tamara, Alfredo, Mark, Natasha, Rachel, Jon, Christine, Shawn…

These are but a few of the names of young adults we have observed leading, and wanting to lead, in Canada East Mission. The list is no where near a complete list. These young leaders are honing their skills, helping where they can, and looking for places they can fit in to offer their ministry. They are exceptional, outstanding young leaders. They do not know everything, but then again, who does? They have ideas, energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to try. You will, no doubt be able to think of more names when you put your mind to it.

(Young Adults, if you don’t find your name here, the fault is mine, not yours. We have not forgotten you!)

Young adult leaders also have frustration. Some have grown disillusioned, reporting not being listened to in their congregation, and sometimes not even being seen. Some have quit attending church, but will travel long distances to serve in our camping community, often at great personal sacrifice.

Still, they are here, they are willing, and they are able. They are the reason Young Adult Leader Empowerment (YALE) is the number one goal of Canada East Mission in the coming decade. It is number one in importance, not merely first on the list. We are blessed with a wealth of fine, young adult leaders. They may think, act, and dress a little differently than you (or not), but we definitely need their energy and ideas.

At Canada East Mission, we are looking hard for the young adults who will lead us into the next decade. We will be giving them important assignments, even if it seems they’re not really ready. Don’t be surprised. If you believe in this goal, we’ll need you to back us up. Out loud, and with real commitment.

We believe the future, under their leadership, will be amazing. Are you ready to give them a chance? Who are the young adults you are mentoring to fill your leadership roles?

Spiraling

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?

Frustration

I've been hearing a fair bit of frustration expressed around me of late. I've heard it as impatience or dissatisfaction with the status quo.

Sometimes it sounds like a lack of direction or purpose. Maybe the vision is there but the frustration is with those who appear to lack motivation for the task. At times, the frustration is with others who don't feel the same urgency as the speaker.

Often the frustration is with self for being out of balance or unable to deal with life's challenges. Too much to do; too many demands on too little time; a need to readjust priorities, to cut out some stuff.

How can I squeeze these square pegs into the round hole of "What's the Good Word" you ask?

I'm hearing a stirring of the waters. I'm feeling as if there are many people who are being prompted by some good spirit to re-examine their priorities, to make some necessary changes in their life. Many people who've shared these feelings of frustration appear to have come to the point that the status quo just isn't cutting it any more.

One good sister shared that she'd finally decided to listen to her own heart and look into the housing project near her church. She was sure there must be something she could do there. For months she'd felt frustrated by what she judged as a lack of concern in her congregation. But now she's not judging anyone. She just made the call herself! One day I'll tell you how it's going! Another good story.

But today, I'm focusing on frustration as a good word. What do you think? Are you one of those with a heart for mission that needs to make some changes in your own life and respond actively to what the Spirit is prompting you to do?

This is not about urging all you busy people to take on more. It's a call to some of you rare individuals out there whose frustration needs reinterpreting and redirecting and refocusing because you're sensing that it's really a call in a new direction. If this is you, I'd love to hear from you. We should talk.

VISION

There are 24 women and men in Canada East Mission who, by virtue of their calling to the High Priesthood, are charged with being “Ministers of Vision.” (This number does not include the eight Bishops and twenty-three Evangelists who have more specific roles as Ministers of Generosity and Ministers of Blessing.) For the twenty-four, what a daunting task! How does one really go about that?

The twenty-four persons in question are people who are highly regarded in the mission centre because of their maturity, experience and wisdom. Often, people look up to them as role models, which may well make them a little uncomfortable.

But the term “Minister of Vision” suggests something more than their stature in the community. It suggests the ability to see or anticipate that which could come to be; that which is possible, or that which might be achieved with an appropriate and concerted effort.

The key is their ability to see, not their ability to create a vision. For example, if the President of the Church articulates a goal for the church, it is the job of the High Priesthood to grasp its possibilities, and then help others to see, understand, and respond to the call. In this way, we have one vision being upheld by multiple people, not 24 different visions being articulated.

At the recent Canada East Mission conference, the leadership team outlined a fresh approach to what we have always been called to do. We are now calling on the twenty-four Ministers of Vision, inviting them to see the possibilities, articulate those goals, and help the church respond.

Rear-view mirror

One thing I've noticed at some of the reunions I've visited (and some congregations as well) is the tendency to dwell in the rear-view mirror. It gets just too easy for some of our wise elders to get into the swing of reminiscing and praising the ancestors who made "this wonderful place possible."

Unfortunately, however true and right the things they're saying, the mood does get a tad nostalgic and the message heard by younger ears is closer to: those days were better, past is good, present is not, future is unlikely!

Those are NOT the messages we want planted in those young ears, believe me!

Sometimes it seems to take a real effort to get older eyes turned away from the past and focusing forward -- to the future to which we are called. I really appreciated Don Robb's efforts in the Erie Beach adult class to remind us that the real reason we're here is not to celebrate the past so much as to speak of our vision for a better future.

The message to be putting in front of all those youth and children who truly ARE here in our midst is one of hope and confidence that together, we and they, can indeed create the peaceable kingdom but it's going to take work. And we can do it, working together.

Youth love to hear testimonies of real experiences with the Divine in your past and in your present, and they need to hear your hope for the future. If we get too focused on the rear-view mirror exclusively, we may just find ourselves riding alone.