Imagine a young couple going to a 5-star restaurant. It is a restaurant without Styrofoam hamburger shells, chicken nuggets or soda fountains. This is a five star restaurant, the kind that makes a suit and tie for guys and dresses for ladies seem natural and appropriate. The couple enters and are greeted by maître dee who welcomes them and politely guides them to their table. A waiter comes and welcomes them again, learns their names, and a bit about where they are from and if this is special occasion. After a little bit of light humor and chit-chat, the waiter then shares the specials of the day and discusses each dish which he or she personally has tasted and can recommend, but then leaves to give them time to think, talk and savor the moment. Another server comes shortly thereafter to offer them a drink, fill water glasses and offer suggestions from their large selection of wines to compliment dinner. In the kitchen, behind the scenes, there are all kinds of cooks, dishwashers, preparers, cleaners and servers running around trying to make everything look easy. The waiter returns to take their order, gives it to the chef who prepares the food from years of training and with a passion for cooking with excellence and then gives it to a server who bring it all out in the proper order. There may even be someone playing a violin or perhaps a little piano in the background to give the candlelit room a special atmosphere. At the end of the meal the couple smiles at each other with an attitude of satisfied contentment, pay the bill, pick up their coats and hat, if they had one, and then head home. They were fed, obviously, but years from now they will not remember what they ate but they will never forget what was shared between them.
Reflection Q: Why was the couple there? Q: For the restaurant, how do they define a successful evening? Everyone who participates in the worship experience of our church does so at the invitation and calling of God in much the same way as the restaurant. We are not the main attraction but called and trained to create the proper atmosphere for each person to encounter the Presence of God in a personal and intimate way.It is really not about the food.
In the restaurant story above, the food provides a mechanism for the couple to spend time together in a special intimate way. It is not about the chef’s talents but about looking across the table into the eyes of someone special at and feeling like you have all of them. All of their attention, all of their desire, and all of their heart. The couple might talk about what they really want out of life, their dreams and their hopes. Perhaps it is the atmosphere of the restaurant that reminds them this place is different and so they discuss deeper things they cannot quite do any other place. In worship, just like the restaurant, all of us play a vital part in creating an environment that enables a deeper connection and conversation with God. We all have gifts and talents to share, but it is the connection with God that is at the heart of worship. We celebrate the part each person has been asked to play by God, knowing full well that we are part of a team. We need one another, because our gifts are dependent upon all the others. We currently have two services that offer worship experiences to different clientele, but the purpose is still the same, an intimate encounter with God. Our worship services are really two sides of the same coin which is First United Methodist, The Body of Christ. When one succeeds, we all celebrate and grow. When one is struggling, we all encourage and then pitch in. I realize that there have been some miscues, mistakes and messes in the past that have resulted from a lack of communication and consideration of others involved. As a result there are some hurt feelings and mounting tensions from a sense of loss and neglect. We need to forgive one another, offer grace to one another and pray for one another and our common purpose which is offering Christ and the Kingdom of God. I wonder… I wonder if part of the tension we face arises from anxiety that we fear losing our unique worship of God, -- an experience of God love we once had, -- an expression of who we are, or -- something we deeply believe in. Whether it is a tradition or a new expression of faith, I want to assure everyone that we are trying our best to protect and grow those experiences that bring people closer to God. I both value and honor each service as two sides of the same coin with valued Christians in each. Each service speaks to a diversity of human needs and is used by God in this place to heal broken relationships, comfort the hurting and inspire hope. I wonder if the tension in the church arises from a fear that what we love will be taken away. I wonder… I wonder if part of the tension arises from unresolved grief. I wonder if we’re still grieving the loss of people and a way of life that has guided this church for decades. I have heard on numerous occasions that we don’t know “those people” in the other service. There is a real anxiety that comes from new faces and a changing identity that is not perfectly resolved and still changing. For many years FUMC was guided by a group of key community leaders that guided the church consistently over many years. As things have changed lately, there is an overwhelming sense of uncertainty and perhaps anxiety for a way of life that is changing. Anxiety can also be felt when there is a desire to control the future. When life of the church is changing, groups develop to retain their own unique style. Other groups are seen as threats and assimilation cooperation is avoided. The authority of the church is secondary to the needs of the group. Our ValuesChrist Centered / Kingdom Focused / Mission Minded
Blessings,
I wonder…what would happen if you would choose to initiate and participate in a round-table dialogue with church members giving them an opportunity to verbalize their points-of-view?
Many of your wonderings may be reiterated, nothing new may be learned, and no changes may be capable of being made; but, at least, voices will be given an opportunity to speak, concerns will be given a chance to be vocalized, and unity may begin and/or grow as people sit down together; listen to what each other has to say; and grow in understanding and appreciation of each other’s preferences, fears, and concerns.
I wonder…since such a round-table discussion would deal with the worship of God, the life of the church, and the unity of the Body, would not the Holy Spirit be in and among each person in attendance, healing and unifying with each word spoken, even if such healing and unifying were, at times, not readily apparent?
I wonder…would Christ have done all He did if He had not been able to go to His Father, as many times as He did, in prayer?
…and what is prayer? Communication. Communication with God and all that involves: screaming, crying, arguing, surrendering. Any and every emotion that we are capable of expressing, He is willing to listen to and then to extend to each person His all-sufficient grace. All He wants is for us to share with Him, our hearts, what’s on our minds. All He wants is for us to communicate with Him.
I wonder…if God wants, so much, for us to communicate with Him; and if God proves to us His command for us to communicate with Him through the numerous references to prayer in His Word; then if communication works between man and God, will communication — face-to-face dialogue — in God’s name, not also work between man and man?
I wonder…what about communication?