SEVEN WORD REFLECTION

Sometimes less is more and fewer words dig deeper. A judicatory can encourage clergy to participate, or a pastor can invite members of the congregation. You can even try it as an ecumenical exercise.

The idea is simple. You are asked to respond to a theological topic in exactly seven words—no more and no less. Whoever initiates this exercise can collect the responses and compile a theological compendium for a given group.

How will members of your congregation respond to the topic of God in seven words?

What is the variety of expressions that might emerge among clergy on the topic of resurrection?

How might members of different denominations respond to a seven word comment on the Holy Spirit?

Would older clergy respond differently than younger clergy when responding to the topic of evangelism?

How might a group of seminary students respond to the topic of church?

Let me give you some of my personal examples to stimulate your thinking. In these examples, I’m giving one-word topics and including that word in the seven.

God
Greater than my belief.
God is!

Jesus
Infinity incarnated,
God expressed,
Humans addressed.

Church
God’s power
Expressed in
Human weakness.

Faith
Trust in God’s
Meaning for life.

Hope
Life has meaning.
Trust in future.

Humor
Interruption of seriousness
For a greater truth.

Clergy
Called by God
Judged by congregations.

Most of all, have some fun.  It’s your turn now. Go ahead and take a fifteen-minute break and refresh yourself.

Life is too short and our callings too stressful not to take some time to enjoy the mystery to which we have been called

this exercise is drawn from CLERGY SPIRITUAL HEALTH to be published in the Spring of 2019.