As I reflect back on the events of Big Tent and the interactions of so many people, I am once again deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in an even that was uplifting, hopeful, and Spirit-filled. Full reflections would take pages, so here are portions of the information that filled my mind and my heart during the Big Tent.
Mark Labberton got me to laughing in our opening worship as he pointed out that Matthew's gospel is like the "smelling salts gospel" an 'up the nose' gospel as it is so raw in its call for us to follow Jesus... raw and to the point that we are to follow how Jesus lived. He notes that "if the church makes things small, then we are not loving in Jesus' way... the way that is focused not with the church as our destination, but the kingdom of God as our destination... the way that shows the initiative of the character of Jesus' love." Labberton reminded us that being a follower of Jesus is not about being mild mannered, but how to live risky, faithful, and sacrificially in the world. It was an energizing opening worship for an energizing couple of days!
Serene Jones provided helpful calm in the turmoil of the changes in our denomination. Her 'social theory of just breathe' was a welcome balm. 'Just breathe' is a reminder for us to stay awake, cast off from our shoulders the ridiculous burden that it is all up to me/us. Just breathe and recognize that the person standing in front of us is a child of God. Jones referred to John Calvin as one whom in the midst of “a world cracking open” as one who stayed awake. Calvin refused to close his eyes to what was happening in the world around him and used scripture's stories to keep his eyes open. Keeping to the Big Tent theme, Jones notes that “the cross of Jesus is the center piece that holds up God's big tent!” “In our broken world, we cannot deny the broken symbol of the cross. … Yet the cross is empty and an empty cross is the abyss that has nothing upon it but an openness that we call grace. … And in that grace, we see the truth called love.” In returning home, and facing the turbulence of the times, it was a helpful message to be reminded to 'just breathe' and to remember that the person in front of me is a child of God.'
In one of the sessions I attended that shared myths and facts about growth in the PCUSA we were given information about positive and negative indicators for growth. Positive indicators included: caring for kids and youth; welcoming new people (many attendees had been there five years or less); and members participating in congregation life in different ways. Some of the negative growth indicators were: only working on growing spiritually (for only their members); only focusing on the external community; only working on sharing the faith within their church and worship life. Certainly food for thought as we seek to grow the body of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, I wish to share an insight from James Choung. He pointed out that each generation asks a different question of life and knowing these questions can better equip us to reach out to each generation. For Boomers (1946-64) the question is "What is true?" If you can find truth then everything surrounds truth... and it will change people's lives. For Gen Xrs (1964-1984) the question is "What is real?" Witness became about people sharing the most vulnerable parts of their lives and how God is in that. For Millennials (1984-2002) the question is "What is good?" Millennials are used to working together so want to get together and change the world. They are more willing to look to their elders for assistance and are civic minded, wanting to volunteer. Choung had so much more to say, but I'll refer you to "The Big Story" on youtube.com to hear his thoughts on that.
God was certainly blowing through the Big Tent, opening ideas and creativity with so many thoughtful insights into being the body of Christ in the 21st century. My prayer is that we can live into all the learning and ideas we brought home with us.
Enough for now... though I could go on for pages and pages. I guess what that means is that if you have an opportunity to go to the Big Tent next time... don't hesitate!!! It is so very worth your time!!
Yours in Christ,
Julie Peterson
0 comments:
Post a Comment