Synod Assembly thoughts...

 

With Synod Assembly fast approaching, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking today about this concept of the body of Christ.  Beginning on Sunday, the ELCA body of Christ here in Upstate New York will spend three days together hearing about and sharing in a variety of ministries. 

We will celebrate the reception of a new congregation in our synod, Immanuel in Olean.  We will hear about how our gifts are being used to combat Malaria in Africa and hunger around the world and in our own streets.  We will engage in inspiring Bible studies which will remind us of what it means to follow a God whose love for us was poured out upon a cross.  We will hear from six nominees for the office of bishop who will share their love of the church with us as each lays out their vision for mission in Christ’s name.

There will be voting members from churches large and small, urban and rural, progressive and traditional, as different from each other as day and night.  But all of us will be in assembly, connected to each other by the waters of baptism – standing, sitting, praying, and singing at the foot of the cross.

Beginning on Sunday evening, we will gather together from across New York State visibly living out the reality that the church is one body with many parts.  We are one church with many sizes and many gifts.  If this is so, doesn’t it stand to reason that the body of Christ needs churches of all sizes?  Sure, I’ve had my moments when I’ve thought that just once I’d like to serve a congregation that is numerically growing through the roof.  Wouldn’t that prove that I’m somehow a great leader of a healthy congregation?

Sure, all healthy things grow. But I don’t believe that growth is ever as simple as healthy equals bigger. A pea will never be the size of a pumpkin and a rose will never reach the height of a redwood no matter how much you water them, fertilize them or teach them redwood growth principles. It’s just not in their DNA. All healthy, living things reach their optimal size at maturity, then they grow in different ways from that point on.  So again I ask the question, if this principle applies to churches doesn’t it stand to reason that the body of Christ needs churches of all sizes  - urban, suburban, and rural?

You are not a failure if your congregation reaches its optimal stage of maturity, then starts growing in ways other than butts in seats for weekend services.  Yes, we should always be striving to do church better.  But what works for one congregation may not and probably will not work for another.  In the body of Christ, one size does not fit all.  God doesn’t sell fast food franchises.

So here’s a radical thought:  What if Jesus doesn’t see small churches as part of the problem, but part of his plan? What if it’s been his idea all along to populate every corner of the globe with pockets of his followers – some large, most small – so that everywhere you go you find his people?

And what would happen if we realized this truth and got to work with Jesus on planting, supporting and multiplying healthy small churches, alongside our healthy big siblings?

I don’t pretend to have the answers for how to do ministry.  It just seems to me that if my toes were as large as my leg, it would be really hard to get around.   The body of Christ is a beautiful, living being uniquely gifted in more ways than any one of us could possibly imagine!

So I can’t wait to get to Synod Assembly this weekend.  I can’t wait to see how my sisters and brothers in Christ, from congregations both large and small are being poured out in love as they follow the One who makes all things new.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Doug