One of the great joys (that is an over exaggeration) is to attend the annual synod assembly. This year, Tom and Sue from church joined me. It is fun to see how they experience the church at a level that we don't often see in the congregation. We realize, and are reminded that the church is bigger than just us; and yet we are part of the church and the witness to Jesus.
It is also a time for me to catch up with colleagues I don't see very often. Tonight some of us sat around a table at dinner, with Sue and Tom--and I don't think they were too put off by some of the stories these church leaders shared--funny stories, not bad stories.
Our current bishop instituted one afternoon of "tracks" --so Tom and Sue went to Bethlehem church here in Grand Rapids and painted a mural. I stayed back and went to a mission track where Living Water Ministries reviewed their past couple years with intentional and deliberate study of the mission and vision, making hard decisions, but now seeing growth.
All this said, I have some ideas roaming around in my head on how to share with the congregation what our church on the larger scale does as a witness and how we are participating in the changing of the world.
Sometimes it is just a new environment, talking to others, laughing and dreaming, and the vision comes more into focus.
No comments:
Post a Comment