For Heaven's Sake Someone's Sitting in my Pew!

I recently came across an article that I read a year ago in the Alban Institute’s quarterly publication, Congregations entitled “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Churches.” In an era of individualism in which our faith is constantly challenged, communities of faith divided and churches struggling to gain new membership, this article left me inspired and enthusiastic. We church folks are such creatures of habit, especially Episcopalians! (Remember the old joke? - In the Episcopal Church if we do something more than once then it becomes tradition). How true! We often miss the joy in life and new opportunities for ministry because we are so consumed with preserving our own needs, or those of the institution. I'll never forget one Sunday morning in church, my Grandmother insisting that someone move because they were sitting in "her" pew! Good grief! We get so bogged down in the silly minusia!

This list, composed by the United Church of Christ, is a beautiful reminder of how God calls us to live in community. It illumines the beauty of healthy change, and reminds us just how easy it is to become stuck in spiritual ruts.

It reads as follows:

1. Strive for excellent service to Christ. In other words, give God our best and continue to have fun, enjoying our ministry.
2. Cultivate a spirit of innovation and experimentation. Try new ministries and different approaches. Perhaps even try sitting in another pew on Sunday morning. Its really OK!
3. Take initiative to build relationships with people and groups in the wider community beyond our congregation.
4. Accept responsibility for mistakes; learn from them, and in all things LET GRACE ABOUND. Mistakes happen, so give each other a break and ourselves too! Our achievements are secondary to God’s abundant grace.
5. “Always be prepared to give an account of the hope that is within you.”
(I Peter 3:15). Find the places where love, energy and life flow and trust God to find ways to meet life’s challenges, even when we feel we can’t.
6. Find the willingness to allow folks have their feelings, and stay focused on the core mission of the parish. Love, compassion and acceptance of diversity are important spiritual elements in the life of a healthy congregation.
7. Splash it on! Finally, God loves cheerful givers. Spend your time, talent and money wisely, well and freely in God’s mission and ministry.

(For more inforamtion go to www.alban.org)

I express my sincere thanks to the United Church of Christ, the Alban Institute and it’s publication, Congregations for providing us with this simple but most effective way to grow and thrive spiritually in challenging times.