welcome to our online discussion forum about emerging ministry at Peace
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
butterfly effects
What are the small changes, the seemingly small choices made at Peace that have magnified over time and been a blessing? Share your experience in a comment.
I hear the Spirit in this question. That made me hesitant to reply.. but.. that's silly. I think the 'butterfly effect' is directly related to the ways in which we have individually and collectively as Peace, allowed the Spirit of God to move us and guide us.
I think the small groups and triads have blessed those of us that have taken the plunge into interpersonal relationships with each other and God. And continue to manifest the Spirit through a stewardship of care.
I think allowing the Spirit of God to push us individually and collectively 'out of our boxes' no matter the force needed nor distance... has brought is into God's Will. The simple yet huge move to change leadership models, to re-think worship styles, to begin looking outward... huge.. moving...
I think that our move to intentionally bring prayer into our lives, individually as well as collectively is an effect that seems to me so self-evident and um..spiritually-evident(?) God-evident.. lol.. ya know what I mean.. that I feel so blessed to be part of it. And.. I think is a large part of what we should be doing as we individually and collectively wrestle with the next step(s).
The first Triad. They led the way. That experience has been multiplied over several times within Peace, across the VA Synod, the ELCA, and other non-Lutheran churches. Not every triad has turned out "right", but overall, they have been a blessing to the church. So I've been told, over and over again.
The first mission trip from Peace. This is literally the gift that keeps on giving. I admit to a personal bias, as one of those skeptics converted to a true believer. How do you even measure the ripple effects? One "small" decision from "why can't Peace do this?" to making it happen, involving the whole congregation.
Dicsipleship Matters. From going to a conference, to growing one. How awesome was that? The small decision, made on faith, not to be afraid, to take a risk, to "lead" from a position of vulnerability and humility, not as "experts", but as fellow journeyers. Being steady and true to our call, while being second-guessed...
Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. During an early discusion of core values, there was Prayer. Pastor John (correctly, of course) insisted that this be recognized as an aspirational value. Can anyone doubt that prayer -- personal, and corporate -- is real to many of us today? Peace has grown.
Answered prayer. Not a day goes by without it. We have the prayer journals and the stories to prove it. God is good.
Celebration. Oh how I long for, live for, those mountaintop moments in worship -- and there have been many, many of those here at Peace. If we find there is no longer room for them -- for whatever silly reason -- God will find a place for the "rest of us" somewhere else.
Relationships. Just be willing to take the chance. They can be difficult, yes. Complicated. Messy. But in my experience, the spiritual relationships encountered here are very powerful. I wouldn't trade three years with them for 51 years without.
The priceless moments -- the most beautiful butterfies -- have come and gone. Captured as memories, and in digital media as well. I give thanks for the missing five minutes of "tape" in Honduras (Yo contento con mi cuerpo...) for the dorm fellowship at PITS... for the house fellowship at the Peace Annex... for large small groups, and for small ones... for the comfort of prayer shawls... for Roberto Cabrero and serenades... for Wednesday prayer and Friday lunches with brothers and sisters in Christ... for PACEM, and homeless women 'brave" enough to come back again on Sundays to worship and learn and pray with us... for leadership and discipleship and stewardship learning... for experimenting... for grace that gives us permission to try and fail and pick back up, knowing that no matter what, there is nothing we can do to make God love us less... for countless moments that I see God at work, and now am awake enough, and bold enough, to name it.
4 comments:
I hear the Spirit in this question. That made me hesitant to reply.. but.. that's silly. I think the 'butterfly effect' is directly related to the ways in which we have individually and collectively as Peace, allowed the Spirit of God to move us and guide us.
I think the small groups and triads have blessed those of us that have taken the plunge into interpersonal relationships with each other and God. And continue to manifest the Spirit through a stewardship of care.
I think allowing the Spirit of God to push us individually and collectively 'out of our boxes' no matter the force needed nor distance... has brought is into God's Will. The simple yet huge move to change leadership models, to re-think worship styles, to begin looking outward... huge.. moving...
I think that our move to intentionally bring prayer into our lives, individually as well as collectively is an effect that seems to me so self-evident and um..spiritually-evident(?) God-evident.. lol.. ya know what I mean.. that I feel so blessed to be part of it. And.. I think is a large part of what we should be doing as we individually and collectively wrestle with the next step(s).
Small changes that have magnified over time?
The first Triad. They led the way. That experience has been multiplied over several times within Peace, across the VA Synod, the ELCA, and other non-Lutheran churches. Not every triad has turned out "right", but overall, they have been a blessing to the church. So I've been told, over and over again.
The first mission trip from Peace. This is literally the gift that keeps on giving. I admit to a personal bias, as one of those skeptics converted to a true believer. How do you even measure the ripple effects? One "small" decision from "why can't Peace do this?" to making it happen, involving the whole congregation.
Dicsipleship Matters. From going to a conference, to growing one. How awesome was that? The small decision, made on faith, not to be afraid, to take a risk, to "lead" from a position of vulnerability and humility, not as "experts", but as fellow journeyers. Being steady and true to our call, while being second-guessed...
Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. During an early discusion of core values, there was Prayer. Pastor John (correctly, of course) insisted that this be recognized as an aspirational value. Can anyone doubt that prayer -- personal, and corporate -- is real to many of us today? Peace has grown.
Answered prayer. Not a day goes by without it. We have the prayer journals and the stories to prove it. God is good.
Celebration. Oh how I long for, live for, those mountaintop moments in worship -- and there have been many, many of those here at Peace. If we find there is no longer room for them -- for whatever silly reason -- God will find a place for the "rest of us" somewhere else.
Relationships. Just be willing to take the chance. They can be difficult, yes. Complicated. Messy. But in my experience, the spiritual relationships encountered here are very powerful. I wouldn't trade three years with them for 51 years without.
The priceless moments -- the most beautiful butterfies -- have come and gone. Captured as memories, and in digital media as well. I give thanks for the missing five minutes of "tape" in Honduras (Yo contento con mi cuerpo...) for the dorm fellowship at PITS... for the house fellowship at the Peace Annex... for large small groups, and for small ones... for the comfort of prayer shawls... for Roberto Cabrero and serenades... for Wednesday prayer and Friday lunches with brothers and sisters in Christ... for PACEM, and homeless women 'brave" enough to come back again on Sundays to worship and learn and pray with us... for leadership and discipleship and stewardship learning... for experimenting... for grace that gives us permission to try and fail and pick back up, knowing that no matter what, there is nothing we can do to make God love us less... for countless moments that I see God at work, and now am awake enough, and bold enough, to name it.
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