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Presbytery

A LITANY TO BE USED AT A JUDICATORY MEETING

By February 15, 2019No Comments

A litany of Lament & Joy

To be used by judicatories in worship

 

L:  When a congregation refuses to forgive each other but engages in open arguments and fighting,

P   We lament that the public holds the church in ridicule & the Body of Christ is shamed.

L:  When sexual scandals are exposed in the church,

P:  We lament that the ethics of our faith have been violated & the attraction of the faith is tarnished.

L:  When a congregation ignores public judgment and restores a sinner with grace and forgiveness,

P  We rejoice, O Lord, at the joy in heaven over one who was lost and is found.

L:  When a congregation refuses to be constrained by bigotry and prejudice,

P:  Our tongues are filled with laughter at the joy of being ambassadors of reconciliation.

L: When a congregation is captured by greed and glitz,

P: We ignore Jesus promise, “Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

L: When a congregation demonstrates forgiveness of each other,

P: We rejoice that your grace has been shared.

L:  When a congregation is consumed by self-righteousness,

P  We lament that fear has triumphed over grace.

L:  When a congregation gives sacrificially to support ministry beyond themselves,

P: We feel the deep joy of being Christ’s Body.

L:  When a congregation is unafraid to do justice, love, mercy, and to walk humbly with our God,

P: We witness a people who trust God for their future.

L: When a congregation becomes self-centered in decision-making,

P:  We lament that unlike Christ, survival is more important than obedience.

L: When a congregation and pastor conflict,

P:  We lament that ears are deaf to the leading of the Spirit.

L  When pastors challenge prophetically and congregations grow in response,

P:  We are blessed to grow in faith.

L:  When Churches compete rather than cooperate in ministry,

P:  The Body of Christ does not love each other as Christ loved us.

L:  When pastors self promote and climb ladders of success,

P:  Congregations pay the price of being used rather than served.

L: When congregations are prophetic in mission,

P:  We rejoice that the Spirit is on the move.

L:  When Christians laugh at their pretentiousness,

P:  The Spirit is free to get a word in edgewise.

This litany is excerpted from the soon to be published Clergy Spiritual Health, Volume 8 of the 9 volume Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations.

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