July 2010 – Rector’s Ruminations
In reading over my June “Rector’s Ruminations,” I was struck by how the Vestry/Staff discussions about the future shape of ministry at Emmanuel correlate and complement planning at the Diocesan level.Given that fact, I offer some highlights from our recent Diocesan Clergy Conference held at Alderbrook Conference Center on April 19th through the 20th.
The best part of the conference for me and many other clergy was the chance to engage Bishop Rickel and hopes for the Diocese. This was an especially timely opportunity given the fact that one hundred years ago on October 10, 1910, the Missionary District of Olympia became the Diocese of Olympia.
Bishop Rickel used a term that has become popular in referring to the opportunities and challenges that face the Episcopal and other “mainline denominations.” The term, “emergent Church and ministry” signal the fact that a new model and understanding of ministry is “emerging” given the demographic and cultural changes within our society.
The Bishop began his reflections by identifying some of what he considers “missional shift”; the shift from an internal focus of ministry to an external focus; the shift from program development to people development and the shift from church-based leadership to “kingdom leadership.” Given these shifts, he pointed to three focus areas for the Diocese. First, congregational leadership and development. Second, a focus on members and potential members under 35 years of age, and third an intentional plan and emphasis for stewardship in the broadest sense of the environment, people, money and resources.
He further articulated these “missional shifts” and focus areas by quoting a sociologist of religion by the name of James Wellman, who has identified 16 points for mainline churches to consider if they do not want to continue to be “sidelined”:
Wellman notes that we must:
1. Be bold
2. Boldly ask God
3. Share our spiritual life openly
4. Convert our kids
5. Start small groups for reflection and ministry
6. Be “kid-centric”
7. Retrieve an understanding of sin and the need to repent
8. Seek bold leadership
9. Turn to the Bible and not water it down
10. Be ambitious
11. Use technology
12. Be prophetic
13. Be demanding
14. Create beauty
15. Not be afraid
16. Revitalize religion
These provocative sixteen points emphasizing boldness need to be further discussed, translated and implemented at the diocesan and parish level.
A few concluding personal observations for further reflection. While historically we can point to major reformations within the Church approximately every five hundred years, the process of reformation and renewal has been ongoing since the Church’s inception at Pentecost. “Emerging Church” is the current expression of this historical, cultural, liturgical and theological fact. But the Church has always and will continue to emerge to address the historical and cultural shifts it is called to address if it is true to its mission. To emerge, reform, renew or die is not only the challenge before us today but has been a constant throughout the history of the Church’s ministry here on Orcas, in the Diocese, in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. As we enter the session of the spirit, the birth and rebirth of the Church associated with Pentecost and the “green season” following Pentecost, let us remember that this season is primarily about the Church in the world, the people of god called to emerge, to reform and to be renewed.
We as the Church are the incarnation of the abiding presence of God and Jesus through the Holy Spirit; in short, Emmanuel!
+Craig
By Bishop Craig B. Anderson