A person goes to see their minister to tell them they believe God is calling them to a church 2 miles away. It is the church in the community where they live, and the minister is of the view that people should. where possible, worship and serve within their own community. Trouble is, this person has a key role in the church's outreach work, reaching around 70 people a month, many of whom have no other church connection. Not withstanding that God just may be calling someone else to fill this gap, the project now looks incredibly vulnerable and the already overstretched minister simply cannot plug this gap. The upshot is that it is likely that this project may fold - and even though the minister is willing to be proved wrong, the implications have to be considered.
What does it say about God if this project, successful and well respected, having a positive impact on so many people's lives, has to close? What is the impact on the commerical enterprises who now have this project written into their business plans? What questions will be raised about the kind of God who would, seemingly, abandon this project in favour of something else, as yet unknown?
I am trying - and failing - to think of any Bible stories that speak of those who are left behind to pick up the pieces, trying to work out what might be an appropriate damage-limitation theology. I am wondering how I will explain to people who do not understand the idea of Christian calling, never mind calling away from good, Kingdom work, why this person has moved on. I am trying to work out what is the way forward for this initiative - and how the whole thing fits in the fragile, cliff-edge situation of my little congregation.
So, can anyone out there help me? I need something to help me reflect on this in a theolgocial way - and apart from a few good ranting pslams, I'm a bit stuck.
Comments
Hi Catriona.
Sometimes there isn't a text that fits the dilemma of other people's decisions, our disappointment and God's non-co-operative and even inconvenient rearranging of things. That said, I've always struggled with the idea that any one of us, as an individual, has the final say in what we do without weighing the view of the community to which we committed ourselves, and the impact on others of decisions we make 'because we feel called by God'. So I don't have a lot of immediate wisdom, and not even the beginnings of a book list on the subject!
But I am intrigued by two of your phrases - a theology of damage limitation, and the experience of being a vulnerable, cliff-edge little congregation. We do need to develop forms of theology that balance a theology of the cross with a theology of glory. In situations where a thriving work of Kingdom activity is threatened by lack of people or resources, it is easy for those left trying to keep it going to feel the weight of responsibility, even of guilt. And part of that is that in such an anxiety inducing situation, the doctrine of providence doesn't seem to fit.
It's the word 'little' that I found both moving and evocative - reminded me of Jesus tender words, 'Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.' Funny how Jesus often said fear not - to people who already were fearful. 'Fear not' was intended to be a perspective changing command'. Not so much about changing how we feel, but changing how we view the world, the future - a change of perspective. Maybe this work so near you heart will struggle, even close - maybe not. Whatever God's call on any one life, and however that one person's decisions affect the things close to our heart, the One who calls is faithful. It's just that it's so hard to see a good work that's making a difference in other lives have a question mark over its future. Every pastoral fibre in my makeup vibrates in sympathy with you, and with your 'little' congregation. Don't know what is ahead for you - but I do believe that it's the vulnerable cliff edge little people who get significant shares in God's attention - just wish it was more obvious sometimes!
Bless you and your folks, who are often included in my prayers.
Catriona, when you write this sort of post it's often hard to know what to say or whether saying anything will contribute what is needed. Jim's done a good job already. I recognise, from my own experience, issues and feelings that go with the discussion you describe. I hesitate to put any of that into words.
Please don't take silence (in this forum at least) as lack of solidarity and prayer.
Hi Andy, there are various kinds of silence aren't there. Sometimes it is enough to know, instinctively, that someone else is sharing it with you. Jim's kind and wise words have been really helpful, and a few others, like yourself, have sent messages of support & encouragement in various ways.
Life is still incredibly precarious here but the gracious God who cannot be constrained by or to anything or anyone is definitely at work and answering prayer. I think the next few weeks will make a lot of stuff clearer one way or another - and as the old ghetto prayer says, I believe in God though God be silent.