As I write, the window is blowing outside my window, and the autumn leaves that were already just on the point of falling, are being blown off trees at an alarming rate! The good news is the weather front that has brought this wind has also brought rain--much needed after a very dry season.
All of this has made me think about how any time of transition is a similar experience--the coming of needed things tied up with the harshness of transitions. Rain, for example, only happens when two fronts (and very different ones at that) slam into each other. The occurrance of rain, as renewing and refreshing as it is, is a pretty violent thing weather-wise.
We still need a lot more rain. And I know that as fall continues and winter comes, the wind will keep up, and rain will turn to snow. And ice even (let's hope not too much). Chris and I are already preparing for the chances of being stranded, or without electricity. We're getting our wood stove and chimney checked out, stocking up on gallons of water (the fun of being on a well!) and keeping dry goods on hand. There's a good chance we won't need much if any of it, but if we do, we'll hopefully be relatively prepared.
Times of transition almost always necessitate preparation of some form. I think we've forgetten that though. I mean, we live lives with so many conveniences that we are used to being able to get anything any time. Many people have no idea what fruits or veggies are "in season" and stocking up for anything seems foreign to us. After all, if we need more, we can just run to the store, right?
I think about early settlers living on "the western frontier"--yes, Missouri was once such an exciting, far-flung place--and all the ways they would be doing things differently right now. For them, preparing for the winter would have been a matter of life or death. The beautiful colors of autumn leaves and the crisp fall temperatures would serve as a warning and an encouragement to get serious about stock piling food, preparing the homestead, and preparing for a long cold winter. The transition would have been very distinct.
So I wonder whether we've lost the sense of the importance--and challenge--of transitions. Transitions are rough and scary things, and are the times we have to be working the hardest. This is as true of preparing for seasons of weather as it is preparing for the different seasons of our lives.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sunday's Faith Topic
In case you stopped by this blog to find out what Sunday's Faith Topic is, for the Sunday School class, please stop by later today. My husband Chris will be leading the discussion since I'll have to head to the Doubs/Epworth UMC Homecoming right after worship, and he's still thinking about topic ideas. Any suggestions?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Immigration
I am sitting here reading this morning's paper and didn't make it through page one before I got upset! As a member of our conference's Hispanic/Latino Advisory Board in this area, I was glad to see Millie Rivera made the paper. But I was angered to hear about proposal to count illegal immigrants in schools.
Now I understand we all have a different view of this issue, and there are a lot of reasons for that. I know that since illegal immigrants don't pay taxes (they can't, they're "off the books") it means local school systems have an added expense. I hear that the language thing upsets some people. I know there are many other reasons why good, smart people are very concerned about what they would describe as an illegal immigration problem.
But here is what I just don't get. We are all of us (except Native Americans, and we have still found ways to persecute them over the years) immigrants. And you know what, many of our ancestors were unwelcome, and were mocked and hated by others. My own family is nearly entirely German on one side. I know that Germans were vastly criticized for continuing to speak German instead of English when they came here. And the language thing was pretty major--as it is now.
There is a (probably apocryphal) story out of the Methodist tradition that goes something like this: Early in our nation's history, as Methodist blossomed and Otterbein's United Brethren did as well, it was pretty apparent to leaders of both churches the close connections between them. Otterbein had helped ordain Asbury, and Otterbein had adopted the Methodist Book of Disciple by merely translating it into German. As the story goes, two leaders, one from each of these churches, were talking one day. The Methodist asked why the United Brethren wouldn't just join them. The UB said, "Will you let us have German-speaking churches and conferences?" The Methodist replied no, saying the English was the language of the land and they could never allow that. Now look, over a hundred years later those two churches did join, and though there were other reasons for the separation before, it really is pretty much language that was the major difference. The irony is, within a generation or two, without making it an issue, the Germans adopted English. It was just easier for them.
Others in this area, if not of German descent (and really, those of us of German descent ought be be better students of our own history as regards to the divisions that have plagued our own people for hundreds and hundreds of years and how ridiculous it all looks now), there are also those of Irish, Scottish, even those of poor English descent.
What angers me most is the general lack of hospitality that has begun to characterize us. What I find unbearable is when I sit in Advisory Board meetings and I hear about people scared to leave their homes for fear of getting arrested. And what I think we should all find a bit unsettling is the way that our concern about illegal immigrants has turned us and our local government into people it's hard to be proud of---people who see the skin color of a person and ask ourselves first the question of whether they ought to be here or not. This is a prime example of racial profiling. I am told that people of hispanic-looking descent are routinely pulled over or questioned for minor offenses (offenses that I suspect many of us of European descent would rarely if ever be pulled over for, and I really doubt they'd ask us for our status, especially if we aren't the driver of the car).
There is nothing about this racial profiling that feels very Christian to me. That old, "What Would Jesus Do?" cliche ought to give us some pause here.
Now I am not a policy maker, and I know there are many issues tied into this that I am not expert on. But the general tone of it all is troubling to me.
I saw a video of Brian McLauren recently--he's a major church leader of the Emergent Church movement. Brian was talking about how we often like to think that God has blessed this nation, especially those who are reasonably comfortable, etc. But he points out that if you read the Gospels (I mean, you don't even have to read all that closely, it's pretty blatant), it becomes apparent that God doesn't have favorites, but if God did, it would be those who are persecuted, without, hunted, hiding, in prison, hungry, and suffering. I'm pretty sure that puts a lot of us on the wrong side. That doesn't mean God doesn't love us...but I think it calls us to be part of the ministry to those for whom God sorrows and those who are in such need of God's love and hope.
Now I understand we all have a different view of this issue, and there are a lot of reasons for that. I know that since illegal immigrants don't pay taxes (they can't, they're "off the books") it means local school systems have an added expense. I hear that the language thing upsets some people. I know there are many other reasons why good, smart people are very concerned about what they would describe as an illegal immigration problem.
But here is what I just don't get. We are all of us (except Native Americans, and we have still found ways to persecute them over the years) immigrants. And you know what, many of our ancestors were unwelcome, and were mocked and hated by others. My own family is nearly entirely German on one side. I know that Germans were vastly criticized for continuing to speak German instead of English when they came here. And the language thing was pretty major--as it is now.
There is a (probably apocryphal) story out of the Methodist tradition that goes something like this: Early in our nation's history, as Methodist blossomed and Otterbein's United Brethren did as well, it was pretty apparent to leaders of both churches the close connections between them. Otterbein had helped ordain Asbury, and Otterbein had adopted the Methodist Book of Disciple by merely translating it into German. As the story goes, two leaders, one from each of these churches, were talking one day. The Methodist asked why the United Brethren wouldn't just join them. The UB said, "Will you let us have German-speaking churches and conferences?" The Methodist replied no, saying the English was the language of the land and they could never allow that. Now look, over a hundred years later those two churches did join, and though there were other reasons for the separation before, it really is pretty much language that was the major difference. The irony is, within a generation or two, without making it an issue, the Germans adopted English. It was just easier for them.
Others in this area, if not of German descent (and really, those of us of German descent ought be be better students of our own history as regards to the divisions that have plagued our own people for hundreds and hundreds of years and how ridiculous it all looks now), there are also those of Irish, Scottish, even those of poor English descent.
What angers me most is the general lack of hospitality that has begun to characterize us. What I find unbearable is when I sit in Advisory Board meetings and I hear about people scared to leave their homes for fear of getting arrested. And what I think we should all find a bit unsettling is the way that our concern about illegal immigrants has turned us and our local government into people it's hard to be proud of---people who see the skin color of a person and ask ourselves first the question of whether they ought to be here or not. This is a prime example of racial profiling. I am told that people of hispanic-looking descent are routinely pulled over or questioned for minor offenses (offenses that I suspect many of us of European descent would rarely if ever be pulled over for, and I really doubt they'd ask us for our status, especially if we aren't the driver of the car).
There is nothing about this racial profiling that feels very Christian to me. That old, "What Would Jesus Do?" cliche ought to give us some pause here.
Now I am not a policy maker, and I know there are many issues tied into this that I am not expert on. But the general tone of it all is troubling to me.
I saw a video of Brian McLauren recently--he's a major church leader of the Emergent Church movement. Brian was talking about how we often like to think that God has blessed this nation, especially those who are reasonably comfortable, etc. But he points out that if you read the Gospels (I mean, you don't even have to read all that closely, it's pretty blatant), it becomes apparent that God doesn't have favorites, but if God did, it would be those who are persecuted, without, hunted, hiding, in prison, hungry, and suffering. I'm pretty sure that puts a lot of us on the wrong side. That doesn't mean God doesn't love us...but I think it calls us to be part of the ministry to those for whom God sorrows and those who are in such need of God's love and hope.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Godfather
Okay, so I had to write just a bit about my first experience watching "The Godfather." I know. Guys can't imagine I've lived so long and not watched it. But it just wasn't part of the teenaged girl's general experience!
So, since tomorrow is Chris' birthday but we'll be running around with conference meetings, I decided to make his birthday cake tonight...good news is it actually hasn't collapsed yet!
Apparently Chris has been wanting to watch "The Godfather" for a while, so that was tonight's excitement. Honestly, I've heard so many references to the film, that watching it, they all finally make sense. Like in context, the horse head thing fits at least. And "Leave the gun, take the cannolis," does as well.
I wonder what films out today--if any--will carry the same cultural influence of films like "The Godfather." I mean, hey, I hadn't watched the film but at least every few minutes I'd hear a line or see a scene that that had been talked about in some other movie, like "When Harry Met Sally," or "You've Got Mail." Of course, those are more my sort of movies...!
So I'm curious now...what are other film influences? And what will be the film influences of our generation?
So, since tomorrow is Chris' birthday but we'll be running around with conference meetings, I decided to make his birthday cake tonight...good news is it actually hasn't collapsed yet!
Apparently Chris has been wanting to watch "The Godfather" for a while, so that was tonight's excitement. Honestly, I've heard so many references to the film, that watching it, they all finally make sense. Like in context, the horse head thing fits at least. And "Leave the gun, take the cannolis," does as well.
I wonder what films out today--if any--will carry the same cultural influence of films like "The Godfather." I mean, hey, I hadn't watched the film but at least every few minutes I'd hear a line or see a scene that that had been talked about in some other movie, like "When Harry Met Sally," or "You've Got Mail." Of course, those are more my sort of movies...!
So I'm curious now...what are other film influences? And what will be the film influences of our generation?
What I Miss this Election Season
So our news is filled with all things political these days (well, when they're not talking the economy...or what celebrity is getting divorced now). For me, politics has always been in my blood. Even when I was a child, talking politics was part of our family's discussions, and it has continued to be so. As a teenager, I worked the polls at our local polling place along with my mother, who one year was the polling place coordinator for several sites...so I got one. I passed out flyers and for several primary and general elections, I had the joy or learning at the feet of more experienced associates---men who had been working in local and state campaigns for longer than my mother had been alive, it seemed! All of this was when I was planning to go into politics. It was exciting, and to be honest, it all still is. Through the Baltimore City student government, and as a student member on the school board, I got to see up close and personal the political world, which both excited and concerned me.
Then I heard a call to ministry. And I was reminded of our family's firm adherence to neutrality in public, especially for my father. You see, despite my mother's political involvement and my own father's passion on politicla issues, we never put a sign in our yard, on our car, or otherwise paraded our politics. My father preached on issues but never candidates. And let me tell you, when you are passionate about politics, it really is something to have to be that thoughtful. I mean, so many people parade around their politics, and if they remain "neutral" it's usually an effort at politeness. For a pastor, there are myriad reasons to be publically neutral...all of them very good ones that some pastors would perhaps be better served to take seriously.
So here I am...desperately wanting to wear t-shirts and have bumper stickers like my siblings, and well, a lot of other people. But this is also a reminder to me of the fleeting nature of even these elections. Because whoever wins, I will still be the pastor of people who are all going to vote a variety of ways. Goodness knows just talking about issues can ruffle feathers (I ventured to address the gambling/slots issue this past Sunday, and certainly some weren't thrilled). The other thing is, none of us really know what the future holds, and we all struggle--or at least should--to know whether the same qualities or beliefs that attract us to a candidate are actually indicative of their future leadership. Elections are in some ways an exercise in faith. Or hope at least. Hope that if we all try to be grown-ups about this and learn the issues (and not just the personalities) of the candidates, we will make a good choice. And of course, we all hope everyone else makes as wise of a choice (i.e. same) as us!
And when all of this is over, we still have to live together...so I hope we can all take a deep breath as we head into this campaign season...and maybe think a bit about how our behavior is seen by others during this whole process.
Then I heard a call to ministry. And I was reminded of our family's firm adherence to neutrality in public, especially for my father. You see, despite my mother's political involvement and my own father's passion on politicla issues, we never put a sign in our yard, on our car, or otherwise paraded our politics. My father preached on issues but never candidates. And let me tell you, when you are passionate about politics, it really is something to have to be that thoughtful. I mean, so many people parade around their politics, and if they remain "neutral" it's usually an effort at politeness. For a pastor, there are myriad reasons to be publically neutral...all of them very good ones that some pastors would perhaps be better served to take seriously.
So here I am...desperately wanting to wear t-shirts and have bumper stickers like my siblings, and well, a lot of other people. But this is also a reminder to me of the fleeting nature of even these elections. Because whoever wins, I will still be the pastor of people who are all going to vote a variety of ways. Goodness knows just talking about issues can ruffle feathers (I ventured to address the gambling/slots issue this past Sunday, and certainly some weren't thrilled). The other thing is, none of us really know what the future holds, and we all struggle--or at least should--to know whether the same qualities or beliefs that attract us to a candidate are actually indicative of their future leadership. Elections are in some ways an exercise in faith. Or hope at least. Hope that if we all try to be grown-ups about this and learn the issues (and not just the personalities) of the candidates, we will make a good choice. And of course, we all hope everyone else makes as wise of a choice (i.e. same) as us!
And when all of this is over, we still have to live together...so I hope we can all take a deep breath as we head into this campaign season...and maybe think a bit about how our behavior is seen by others during this whole process.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Election Fatigue
One of my favorite parts of the presidential debates is being logged in on Facebook and watching people's statuses throughout! You get to see who wanted to throw something, who marks one moment as a key moment, and who is just worn out by it all. Last night was no different. But one thing I saw last night for the first time was someone posting that they weren't watching the debate and really couldn't care less.
Indeed, aren't we all getting a bit worn out by it all? The campaign tied with the economic crisis seems to throws such highs, lows, and repetativeness at us that it's like we don't even know how to respond to anything anymore. And it's infecting all of us!
I'm actually interested to talk to the teachers I know--this week were parent-teacher conferences, and I'm interested to find out if teachers are seeing the same increase in stress and anxiety (which comes out as anger, illogical-ness and general grumpiness) in parents as other leaders like pastors are seeing with the people they work with. It was little suprise to most pastors when the American Psychological Association announced that stress level in our country have reach record heights, along with high levels of bad ways to cope with stress. What is perhaps most dangerous is the insiduous way stress wratchets up the tension all around us, so that we enter even neutral situations predisposed to stress, and are even less able to deal effectively and maturely with other difficult situations in our lives. Our nation truly does need to step back and take a deep breath!
A couple weeks ago, our DISCIPLE class at church read through the creation accounts, and as always, it was interesting to hear different takes on passages I've read before. One class member talked about reading the repetative "God said...and it was good" in the context of being a parent, and knowing how important routine and order is to children.--and how they need to be reassured. She pointed out that God's words here seem to offer that same comfort, "It's good. I've got it under control, and I know what I'm doing. It will be okay. It's good." I think that's a message we all need to hear right now.
Indeed, aren't we all getting a bit worn out by it all? The campaign tied with the economic crisis seems to throws such highs, lows, and repetativeness at us that it's like we don't even know how to respond to anything anymore. And it's infecting all of us!
I'm actually interested to talk to the teachers I know--this week were parent-teacher conferences, and I'm interested to find out if teachers are seeing the same increase in stress and anxiety (which comes out as anger, illogical-ness and general grumpiness) in parents as other leaders like pastors are seeing with the people they work with. It was little suprise to most pastors when the American Psychological Association announced that stress level in our country have reach record heights, along with high levels of bad ways to cope with stress. What is perhaps most dangerous is the insiduous way stress wratchets up the tension all around us, so that we enter even neutral situations predisposed to stress, and are even less able to deal effectively and maturely with other difficult situations in our lives. Our nation truly does need to step back and take a deep breath!
A couple weeks ago, our DISCIPLE class at church read through the creation accounts, and as always, it was interesting to hear different takes on passages I've read before. One class member talked about reading the repetative "God said...and it was good" in the context of being a parent, and knowing how important routine and order is to children.--and how they need to be reassured. She pointed out that God's words here seem to offer that same comfort, "It's good. I've got it under control, and I know what I'm doing. It will be okay. It's good." I think that's a message we all need to hear right now.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Economy
So this Sunday's Faith Topic is our economy...what it means for us as Christians and what we might be called to do.
I wanted to post some videos, but man, looking around YouTube, there is a ton of junk. It's tough to wade through. So I'll keep looking, but I wanted to give some other links for you to look over in case you're interested and/or wanting to prepare for our discussion Sunday (we will meet in the sanctuary immediately after worship).
The United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society: check out their link to a statement on the current economic crisis, but also, bookmark this site a good resource for future discussions, and just generally checking out what social issues our denomination is looking at at any given time (http://www.umc-gbcs.org)
Rev. Adam Hamilton speaks about the importance of simplicity to Christians (VIDEO): http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/blog/2008/10/adam-hamilton-revisiting-the-n.html
Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, on how fear is affecting so many, and how we can start talking about this together: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/a-pastoral-strategy-for-a_b_133370.html
Other Articles (I've posted a range, to get us all thinking...so even if you disagree with an article, check it out so you have an idea of some different perspectives):
http://www.christianity.com/Home/Christian%20Living%20Features/11582124/
http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2008/10/03/the-international-financial-crisis/
http://www.charismamag.com/cms/news/archives/100108.php
And let me know if you have any other interesting links to share...!
I wanted to post some videos, but man, looking around YouTube, there is a ton of junk. It's tough to wade through. So I'll keep looking, but I wanted to give some other links for you to look over in case you're interested and/or wanting to prepare for our discussion Sunday (we will meet in the sanctuary immediately after worship).
The United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society: check out their link to a statement on the current economic crisis, but also, bookmark this site a good resource for future discussions, and just generally checking out what social issues our denomination is looking at at any given time (http://www.umc-gbcs.org)
Rev. Adam Hamilton speaks about the importance of simplicity to Christians (VIDEO): http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/blog/2008/10/adam-hamilton-revisiting-the-n.html
Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, on how fear is affecting so many, and how we can start talking about this together: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/a-pastoral-strategy-for-a_b_133370.html
Other Articles (I've posted a range, to get us all thinking...so even if you disagree with an article, check it out so you have an idea of some different perspectives):
http://www.christianity.com/Home/Christian%20Living%20Features/11582124/
http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2008/10/03/the-international-financial-crisis/
http://www.charismamag.com/cms/news/archives/100108.php
And let me know if you have any other interesting links to share...!
The Economy: Ridiculous Panic (ala the Daily Show)
Check out this caricature (which is perhaps not all too off base for some people) of how some are reacting to the current markets.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F9CqNADGjQ
Planning
There is something quite theraputic in being able to plan. Now, on one level, that's kind of crazy to say...because planning can feel daunting and overwhelming. But on the other hand, we all need a direction, a point to head towards. Proverbs is right when it says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." I think this is as true for groups as it is individuals.
I certainly know the feeling when the pressing concerns of the immediate seem to bog down. The days, weeks, even months, when I have not engaged in much long term planning has dragged down everything else I try to do. That is one of the truths (and perhaps paradoxes) of leadership: to lead powerfully and with wisdom and excitement now, we have to always be thinking very intentionally about the future.
Here of late I've been facing the same challenge. Between charge conference, meetings, finances, short-term worship planning, visitation, sermon prep, getting things together for newsletters and bulletins, and all the other things that come to me throughout each day via phone, e-mails, etc., what has most energized me has been the far-out planning: thinking more intentionally about the format a multi-site congregation may take, attending the new church start conference in VA in November, being asked again to help with annual conference worship, etc., and just generally taking a few moments to look beyond the immediate (though those immediate things do need resolution and attention) helps keep me motivated. I suspect, then, that it truly is a very good question to ask a pastor (or any other leader) who is feeling burned-out and worn down, "What is your vision for the future?" on any number of levels. The ability to answer the question may help energize, and the inability to answer would be reflective of a deeper frustration that needs to be more fully addressed.
What is your vision for the future? This is the question that is also very timly in an election season. Indeed, it is a question we would all do well to ask ourselves daily, and certainly each time we make a major decision. What is your vision, and how does this or that action help (or hurt) your ability to see that vision come to fruition?
I certainly know the feeling when the pressing concerns of the immediate seem to bog down. The days, weeks, even months, when I have not engaged in much long term planning has dragged down everything else I try to do. That is one of the truths (and perhaps paradoxes) of leadership: to lead powerfully and with wisdom and excitement now, we have to always be thinking very intentionally about the future.
Here of late I've been facing the same challenge. Between charge conference, meetings, finances, short-term worship planning, visitation, sermon prep, getting things together for newsletters and bulletins, and all the other things that come to me throughout each day via phone, e-mails, etc., what has most energized me has been the far-out planning: thinking more intentionally about the format a multi-site congregation may take, attending the new church start conference in VA in November, being asked again to help with annual conference worship, etc., and just generally taking a few moments to look beyond the immediate (though those immediate things do need resolution and attention) helps keep me motivated. I suspect, then, that it truly is a very good question to ask a pastor (or any other leader) who is feeling burned-out and worn down, "What is your vision for the future?" on any number of levels. The ability to answer the question may help energize, and the inability to answer would be reflective of a deeper frustration that needs to be more fully addressed.
What is your vision for the future? This is the question that is also very timly in an election season. Indeed, it is a question we would all do well to ask ourselves daily, and certainly each time we make a major decision. What is your vision, and how does this or that action help (or hurt) your ability to see that vision come to fruition?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Another Monday
So Mondays are my day off, and Chris and I have been doing pretty good keeping those as full days off. Today, though, we both have had some things to do. For Chris, it was dealing with some facilities issues that needed to be looked at today. For me it has been working on some charge conference stuff and trying to finalize a newsletter insert---I'm torn between wanting to get the newsletter out, but also wanting to include some information like the nominations slate, that people will want to see.
I've really been struggling lately, as I hear most pastors have been in a very anxious time, and what's more, in my area, an era of great change in the community, to think through (on my own and with others) the path forward. One of the biggest factors of course is not so much the issues as how people deal with them. There are always those who will come with constructive criticism and even support at times (imagine that!) while there are others who seem to find behind the back ways to try to control things. This is what always wears leaders out. And it's always ironic that the very people who act that way are often the ones who, if successful, can most effectively destroy any organization. It's not their purpose but their manner. And while it is comforting to hear from other pastors and leaders that this is all to be expected, it's pretty ridiculous.
We see this in our nation--partly a lot of us are gossiping about what's happening because we can't actually go right to the president and ask questions or offer suggestions. And look what a panic we can cause! The truth is we don't actually know what the future holds. And the wisest financial minds among us are careful not to overstate their certainty of anything. What we all seem to agree on is we'll work through it. But that can end up meaning a lot of things. It mostly means, however, all just digging in and pushing forward together. Sometimes we face (in our lives, our families, our churches, our nation, and our world) situations that just have to be worked through--messy though it may be. At our best we can do this by evidencing all our best qualities of patience, commitment, teamwork and sacrifice. At our worst, we are marred by self-interest, panic, apathy, blame and passive-aggressiveness. I am convinced, however, that some crises can actually cause a group to change the way they deal with each other. A crisis that does, in the end, bring people together, can be an incredible (even though painful) thing.
So we'll see. We are hearing from all over that our nation's anxiety level is skyrocketing, and we seeit affecting all sorts of things. Perhaps once this election is over, even if we are still walking through a difficult financial time, we will really be able to take a few moments to just calm down, take a deep breath, and walk through this together...as our very best selves.
I've really been struggling lately, as I hear most pastors have been in a very anxious time, and what's more, in my area, an era of great change in the community, to think through (on my own and with others) the path forward. One of the biggest factors of course is not so much the issues as how people deal with them. There are always those who will come with constructive criticism and even support at times (imagine that!) while there are others who seem to find behind the back ways to try to control things. This is what always wears leaders out. And it's always ironic that the very people who act that way are often the ones who, if successful, can most effectively destroy any organization. It's not their purpose but their manner. And while it is comforting to hear from other pastors and leaders that this is all to be expected, it's pretty ridiculous.
We see this in our nation--partly a lot of us are gossiping about what's happening because we can't actually go right to the president and ask questions or offer suggestions. And look what a panic we can cause! The truth is we don't actually know what the future holds. And the wisest financial minds among us are careful not to overstate their certainty of anything. What we all seem to agree on is we'll work through it. But that can end up meaning a lot of things. It mostly means, however, all just digging in and pushing forward together. Sometimes we face (in our lives, our families, our churches, our nation, and our world) situations that just have to be worked through--messy though it may be. At our best we can do this by evidencing all our best qualities of patience, commitment, teamwork and sacrifice. At our worst, we are marred by self-interest, panic, apathy, blame and passive-aggressiveness. I am convinced, however, that some crises can actually cause a group to change the way they deal with each other. A crisis that does, in the end, bring people together, can be an incredible (even though painful) thing.
So we'll see. We are hearing from all over that our nation's anxiety level is skyrocketing, and we seeit affecting all sorts of things. Perhaps once this election is over, even if we are still walking through a difficult financial time, we will really be able to take a few moments to just calm down, take a deep breath, and walk through this together...as our very best selves.
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