Transformers

Recently I read an article in the newspaper about the expansion of Grace Chapel’s ministry in Lexington. They are “packaging” the same sermon in a variety of worship formats and various settings beyond the sanctuary. That same day I noticed the “Reflection for the Day” on the comics page: “We live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing. R. D. Laing”

 

When my children were small, I remember the “transformers” we played with. You could make these robotic toys into a variety of shapes, adding nothing, taking nothing away, simply twisting, turning, transforming the shape. Since the Transformation Conference in NYC, I’ve been thinking about the challenge of transformation in the local congregation.

 

To face the rapid pace of change, we must develop flexibility and responsiveness to an ever-changing context. It does not mean we give up the gospel, or necessarily add stuff in order to be relevant. But we do have to be able to bend and transform into a variety of shapes and forms that meet the challenges of our time.

 

This is not an easy assignment. It can be more effective when we practice working together: Presbytery resources partnering with the local church; several congregations partnering; ecumenical sharing. If you have some stories about transformation that can be shared, let me know so we can include them in future newsletters. If there are challenges that might call you into new partnerships, let us know. We have lots of resources from the conference, and we’d like to share our learnings.

Until next time,

 

Keep the faith, . . . and let the faith keep you.