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| Kent Siladi |
One of my favorite hymns from the “New Century Hymnal” (now a decade old!) is titled, “In the Midst of New Dimensions” (#391). The fifth verse of this hymn includes a stanza which prays:
Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain, May your blazing phoenix spirit resurrect the church again. God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagle’s soar, We your people, ours the journey now and ever, Now and ever, now and ever more.
One reason this hymn has become so well known in such a short time is that we are facing new challenges in our churches, challenges that require us to reassess how we understand our call to ministry and mission as the church of Jesus Christ in this new millennium. In many ways the “wandering in the wilderness” theme of this hymn highlights the transitions that so many of our churches are experiencing.
One of the things that I love about my ministry as a Regional Minister is my retreat work with leadership groups in local churches. As people introduce themselves they are asked to respond to this question: “How has your church changed you?” On a very personal level people often share how their lives have been transformed by being a member of their local church. We then move through a process of discernment around Scripture. Small groups are asked to locate their church in a story from the Bible that describes their church today. They are then invited to find a story that illuminates for them a vision of where they want the church to be in God’s future. Through these simple but often powerful conversations people begin to catch a glimpse of the “blazing phoenix spirit,” calling the church into a renewed sense of its own mission and ministry.
The challenges facing our churches today are many. We live in a polarized world where too often we dismiss those with whom we disagree. The cultural supports for the church are less prominent; the church finds itself at the margins of the society. Structures of church life have lost vibrancy. The question of Biblical authority around current social issues often is missed in heated debates. Lack of interest and knowledge about UCC history, theology and polity has often led to confusion and dissension in some of our own congregations. In some cases we have let the media and others define who we are as a church, rather than relying on our rich and distinct heritage. Dwindling resources invite us to re-examine our stewardship practices and our theology of money.
The church in every age faces challenges. We could view the challenges we face from a pessimistic viewpoint. We could choose to simply turn our ministries inward and “take care of our own”. We could ignore these changes and head into the future resistant to change. Or we could view these challenges as opportunities to discern where God is speaking to us. We could see our covenantal relationships as opportunities to learn from one another. We could turn to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church to lead us with the “phoenix Spirit” to a new and faith filled future. What an exciting time it is - a time filled with perils and possibilities!
I give thanks that on this journey of ministry there is support and encouragement from those with whom I am in partnership. The authorized ministers and congregations with whom I am blessed to work in the South Central Region daily remind me that God is present in our midst. I see renewed interest in our Associations to build deeper and stronger relationships and for this I am grateful. My Conference staff colleagues inspire and support my ministry in deep and abiding ways.
May we be transformed by God’s creative Spirit into faithful disciples of the One who bids us to “come, follow me.”
