In a recent article in The Presbyterian Outlook (Vol. 191 No. 5, October 19, 2009), the Rev. Clark Cowden, executive presbyter of The Presbytery of San Diego, voiced a fundamental obstacle to transformation of any kind. Namely, as he rightly points out, “we already have the church we want.” The church, like any other organization, has designed itself to achieve its current results. Therefore, if we really wanted things to be different, we would actually have to do different things. Things that make you go, “Hmmmm….”
We are a presbytery being transformed. We are not, in fact, happy with the results we have been getting out of our old models of operating. We are not happy with fewer members, dying churches, elders without a sense of being spiritual leaders of their congregations, or ministers of word and sacrament acting as Lone Rangers. So, we transform. We do things differently. And people don’t like it.
It’s human nature. We like things to be the same, especially in the church. We want the church to be a place we can count on, where things will last from one generation to the next, and where we find some measure of solace and peace in the turmoil of a society changing faster than we can handle. We like church to be the place we always have known. And certainly, we imagine, other people should come and appreciate that, too.
This presbytery transformation has been hard. It has been confusing. It has taken a lot of energy. We have felt lost and frustrated. We have grumbled in the desert and built some golden calves and been humbled. We have also felt grace and joy, hope and delight. We have celebrated and been surprised, played and laughed. We have sensed the movement of the Spirit and followed where God has led us. And we are not done. We continue on this journey, knowing that transformation is the journey and not a destination.
We now invite our congregations and members and friends and tribe members to wonder and wander together into the next part of this journey. You already have the church you want. What if you could have the church you need or the church you long for or the church you hope and dream for? We have some clues about how to do that. It is not a program, or a workshop, or even a quick fix. It takes energy and passion and grace and faithfulness. After all, we are changing how we do things in order to achieve different results. We will be rolling out some new opportunities for those who decide to take that leap. We hope you will find this gives you hope, and some bread for the journey.
Rev. Joelle Davis is the Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of Geneva.
Oct. 28, 2009 at 9:16 a.m.
Awesome Stuff Here!!!!!!!
I like the word “transformation”. Many times when we use this, an underlying cynicism seems to say, “Well… what you really mean is CHANGE”. While transformation certainly leaves us different than we once were, its focus lies more on a new way of being rather than a new way of doing things. Transformation implies that we exist differently than we once did and that new existence provides new perspective and a new outlook.
The hard work of metamorphosis is exactly what Paul has in mind in Romans 12: “No longer conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation is a process not a destination: so we are constantly in the state of renewal as we glorify Christ through following the Holy Spirit!
Many of us are excited, a little scared and slightly overwhelmed. Maybe that is just where God wants us?
Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:01 a.m.
True
The church is always a joy and a tripping stone.
So in one sense the question is:
Do we serve ourselves by maintaining the familiar or do we serve God whose sleves are rolled up and whose hands are at work in the world around us that we are not so sure we like.
Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:38 a.m.
“Therefore, if we really wanted things to be different, we would actually have to do different things.” That really make a lot of sense! Very insightful post. Thanks for sharing!
Nov. 16, 2009 at 11:51 a.m.
In my congregations, I’ve found the first step to transformation is admitting that something is wrong (or at least, isn’t as good as we want it to be). So I agree wholeheartedly that the opposite is also true – if people already have the church they want, that serves their own needs/desires, they become a stumbling block to any efforts at transformation. Broad vision and lack of self-centeredness are key to seeing that the world’s needs are not the same as one individual’s preferences.
Nov. 16, 2009 at 11:51 a.m.
Oops- that last post was mine. Not sure how to log in as myself instead of “directory.”
-Ellen Johnson
Nov. 18, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
When will we listen to this “voice in the wilderness”?
Transformation doesn’t mean we want to abandon all of the good things the church has been and done in the past. Transformation should build on the wonderful foundation that has been given to us and let us all grow closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ.