Pastor Terri Young |
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?The grace and peace of the Risen Lord to you! Those of you who could be in worship last Sunday (04/20/08) relished the message our Association Minister preached to the congregation. “The True Interim,” Curtis Ackley said, “is the Holy Spirit.” He then went on to say that the interim time -- and hopefully this interim time--- will be a time that is different from any interim time you have experienced before ... I sat there thinking, “Hmmmm .... “ I am not sure what kind of interim time you have had in your recent history. Let’s say that what will make this interim time completely different from what you have had before will be the Real Presence and Guidance and the Leadership of the Holy Spirit among you (yes, all caps). Now what does that mean? Far be it for me to assume that you have had otherwise! But for now, let’s agree that this interim time will be a Holy Spirit time and one that hopefully will ignite all that has been dormant, all that has been hidden, all that has been a yet unrealized potential. Now! Doesn’t that sound like something you would like to participate in over the next two years? The “classic chapters” in the Interim time were outlined over 20 years ago by the Interim Ministry Network and all the faithful who labored to bring Interim Ministry to its rightful place in parish work. Those chapters are 5 in number: 1.) Coming to terms with our history, 2.) Discovering a new identity, 3.) Finding new leadership, 4.) Reaffirming our ties with the wider church, 5.) Preparing for a new future/ committing to new directions. In my experience, the interim task is both broader and higher than the “classic five tasks.” To supplement the 5 tasks, I would add the centrality of the Gospel: the primary task of interim work (for all of us) is the task of renewal and re-centering our lives and the life of the congregation in Christ. This includes building bridges to those we have excluded or alienated, seeking healing and reconciliation, addressing the changes we all need to make, both personally and corporately (attitudes usually need to be changed first of all), reaffirming the church’s unique calling and discovering new mission and ministry. In short, the interim time is a time of transformation. Part of that transformation we have to accomplish. That is difficult. We like our ruts, our places of comfort, our little bastions of power. But for the most part, it is the work of the Holy Spirit among us, within us and all around us. Our most important work is to obey and lean on the power of Holy Spirit. Again, this is difficult. BUT, I believe that we can and will do it. For now, it is “all hands on deck”. We need your presence, participation and passion to help this wonderful Body of Christ move into the future God has planned for it. Won’t you join me, take my hand and help me to accomplish “something beautiful for God” (Mother Teresa) -- perhaps not something completely different after all?
Gratefully, |
Pastor Terri’s office hours M-T-W: 9:15 - 2:30 Appointments can be made at anytime. Her phone numbers are available through the church office. |
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