Transformation Together Through Jesus

The title for this column in the last issue of the Quarterly was “Continuing to Seek God’s Vision.” In all honesty, that could have been the title for this column as well, because continuing to seek God’s vision was our focus throughout the summer and into the Parish Retreat. And while we will continue to hone this vision throughout the remainder of the year, it does seem that the Spirit of God is beginning to reveal a picture of the vision, mission and ministry of St. Matthias’. This summer we were invited to take a parish health assessment survey. When asked to label the three ministry areas of strength, there were five that areas (Worship, God’s Presence, Administration, Stewardship, and Loving Relationships) that were rated far above the others. Conversely, when asked to name  the three areas of weakness, the other five areas (Spiritual Disciplines, Outreach, Leadership Development, Collaboration with other Churches, and Growing Together in Community) were listed as ones in need of improvement. That there was such a clear consensus on the areas we needed to improve to become a healthier congregation is a remarkable outcome. But it really pales in comparison to the results of our Parish Retreat “Big Dream” session on Saturday morning.

Over fifty parishioners were seated around eight tables and discussed and shared their “Big Dream” for St. Matthias’. Overwhelmingly, the most listed aspect was that St. Matthias’ would be viewed as a place of healing and welcome and sanctuary within the community. But, when listed as categories the “Big Dreams” involved: Spiritual Growth in Community, Outreach, Servant Leadership Development, and Community Involvement and Collaboration. These are the exact areas that were found to be in need of improvement. Perhaps, this is not unusual, and dreams naturally include those things which we do not currently possess. However, it may speak more to the ways in which the Holy Spirit was at work during the season of prayer and preparing the soil of our hearts for this process. 

I, for one, was surprised that Outreach was of the areas the parish listed as “need to improve upon.” After all our Matthias in Mission and our Lenten Giving has steadily increased over the past several years. Apart from financial support, we are invested in many other ways like CASA, Neighbors for Neighbors, and Good Shepherd in Eguase, Ghana. So why? I think it’s because people want to do more. They look around and see the needs in our community and want to meet those needs through the healing presence and power of Jesus Christ. A Roller Rink, community center, afterschool program, music school, homeless ministry, college ministry, seniors ministry, bi-lingual service and hispanic ministry, and an all around outreach to our neighbors of all faiths and ethnicities were littered on every poster board.

In areas that didn’t focus on outreach, it focused on spiritual growth and discipleship in order to grow in our faith and serve. To that end were many aspects about sharing community life, using our spiritual gifts, enhancing our pastoral care of one another, growing in our faith, and a general umbrella of doing community together. This involved everything from cooking and eating together, to praying and studying with one another, to caring for each other. This hunger and desire to grow in our discipleship in order to both know Christ in a deeper and more meaningful way, and to become Christ to the people around us is amazing. Again, I believe this is a result of the season of prayer and being together to seek God and pray for one another. 

There are a myriad of ways that we could take the next step in “Transformation Together Through Jesus” (our retreat, and really vision process, theme ), but I wanted to find a common starting place that would benefit our parish community. Being Disciples, by Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, is a short, six-chapter book that, I believe, will provide an excellent survey and foundation for our Spiritual Discipleship and Leadership Development. Beginning in Mid-October, there will be several in-person and online groups that will be meeting at various times of the day and week. It is my sincere desire that all of us will take part in one of these groups. This has been a tremendous and joyous process and I am grateful for this parish and your willingness to seek outside of ourselves in how we can bring Christ into the hurting and broken world that surrounds us.