THROUGH MODERN TECHNOLOGY
In my previous blog, I suggested that one of the biggest lies we tell the world is that you can be a disciple of Jesus Christ and ignore Jesus’ urgent prayer that we love one another. I’ve preached that before in congregations and had members say to me, “Boy, I agree with you,” but then they walk out the door and do nothing to counter that lie. I have also talked to presbytery leaders that bemoan the splits in the church, but then we weep and go on with our work.
BEGIN WITH A CONVERSATION
I want to suggest a simple strategy that won’t demand a lot of energy but might be able to begin to chip away at our strangerhood. If you have read some of my recent blogs, you will recognize this is a similar strategy to that which I suggested for clergy to use in their congregations to enable their church to respond to conflict in a healthy manner. It won’t work for everyone in every situation, but it can be an invitation to stop living a lie and see what God will do with it.(I describe it in the Presbyterian context, but the same invitation can be implemented in whatever association you belong to.)
Most presbyteries have a list serve by which they can instantly communicate with their clergy. Begin with the clergy and later I want to suggest that you employ the same strategy with educators, secretaries/administrators, youth workers, etc.
In your first communication, share with them your concern about obeying Christ’s command that we practice love for one another. Be honest that you need their help if this is going to change. Admit that this is just a beginning, but that you want to make use of modern technology to help us build our relationship with each other.
The reason for beginning in this manner is that it allows people to participate without expending a lot of time and effort at the beginning. They can quickly type a response and share in a few minutes time. Later there may be more effort required but let the interest build first.
FAITH DIVIDES/UNITES US
Ask them as a beginning to read Ephesians 4:1-6. Building on the challenge of that text, ask them to respond by sharing a brief list of the factors that separate us as clergy and the cost of that separation. Caution them not to respond with an essay but simply four to five declarative sentences. Explain that the reason for this is that you want to build a consensus on the main factors and their costs. You will collate their responses and share with them a summary of what you have received.
CLERGY OUTSIDE OF CONGREGATIONS
One caution. Make sure that you include in your list both specialized ministries and retired clergy. You may want to begin by developing your communication with them as separate entities and allow them to build some community among themselves. Keep the entire group aware of the distinct context and later you can make use of that diversity to enrich the entire conversation.
If this idea interests you, I would encourage you to subscribe to this blog and join the conversation. Your responses are also solicited. I don’t know what are the answers are, but I do think we need to begin the conversation.
