Fr. Basil, the rector at St. Faith’s, has been on vacation since the end of June. In his absence I have stepped up to take on additional roles at the parish. One of these roles is to lead the parish’s weekly Wednesday Bible study. Over 20 people consistently participate in the Bible study. Their commitment and passion continues to floor me each week as we delve into the scriptures.
The characteristics that attracted me to St. Faith’s and that challenge me the most (their reputation as an evangelical and charismatic parish) are magnified during Bible study each week. Three weeks in we have settled into a groove in which we are aware of and respect one another’s differences and are not afraid to challenge each other’s understandings of the scriptures.
I have been learning a lot during these two hour weekly sessions about my leadership style, my reaction to theological differences, my ability to navigate group discussion, etc. I cherish the knowledge I am gaining and the various perspectives I am exposed to. As my time at St. Faith’s (and indeed in South Africa) winds down I cannot help but look to the future and wonder what parish life will be like at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Connecticut where I’ve accepted my first call as Assistant Rector.
I recently read an article entitled, Theology and the Church After Google by Claremont professor Philip Clayton. This article is chockfull of insight and perspective on the state of the Church and its inevitable future unless our way of doing church shifts. Episcopal Divinity School (EDS), my alma mater, instilled in me the importance of thinking outside the box. When I was considering seminaries to attend my rector described EDS as a place that prepares its graduates to minister to the church of the future, not the church that currently exists.
As I stand on the brink of the new ministry God calls me to, I am fully aware that the Church is in a dire condition. Congregations are dwindling, youth are despondent, budgets are in the red, and we are still trying to operate out of a way of doing church that worked in the 1950’s but cannot work in this new millennium. Times are changing and the church must also change. In fact, the Church should be at the forefront of that change, though sadly in most instances it is not.
Bible studies like the one I facilitate at St. Faith’s are growing less and less common in the U.S. People just aren’t in that space. And so, as I appreciate the provoking lessons gained in Bible study I also ponder ways to facilitate similar growth in new and innovative ways that branch outside the box. What does the 21st century Church look like? What should it look like? What could it look like?
As Clayton reminds his readers in his article, Jesus’ gospel message is more relevant today than it ever was. And so as a Church, how do we share this message in meaningful and pertinent ways to a world that so desperately longs for it?
The characteristics that attracted me to St. Faith’s and that challenge me the most (their reputation as an evangelical and charismatic parish) are magnified during Bible study each week. Three weeks in we have settled into a groove in which we are aware of and respect one another’s differences and are not afraid to challenge each other’s understandings of the scriptures.
I have been learning a lot during these two hour weekly sessions about my leadership style, my reaction to theological differences, my ability to navigate group discussion, etc. I cherish the knowledge I am gaining and the various perspectives I am exposed to. As my time at St. Faith’s (and indeed in South Africa) winds down I cannot help but look to the future and wonder what parish life will be like at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Connecticut where I’ve accepted my first call as Assistant Rector.
I recently read an article entitled, Theology and the Church After Google by Claremont professor Philip Clayton. This article is chockfull of insight and perspective on the state of the Church and its inevitable future unless our way of doing church shifts. Episcopal Divinity School (EDS), my alma mater, instilled in me the importance of thinking outside the box. When I was considering seminaries to attend my rector described EDS as a place that prepares its graduates to minister to the church of the future, not the church that currently exists.
As I stand on the brink of the new ministry God calls me to, I am fully aware that the Church is in a dire condition. Congregations are dwindling, youth are despondent, budgets are in the red, and we are still trying to operate out of a way of doing church that worked in the 1950’s but cannot work in this new millennium. Times are changing and the church must also change. In fact, the Church should be at the forefront of that change, though sadly in most instances it is not.
Bible studies like the one I facilitate at St. Faith’s are growing less and less common in the U.S. People just aren’t in that space. And so, as I appreciate the provoking lessons gained in Bible study I also ponder ways to facilitate similar growth in new and innovative ways that branch outside the box. What does the 21st century Church look like? What should it look like? What could it look like?
As Clayton reminds his readers in his article, Jesus’ gospel message is more relevant today than it ever was. And so as a Church, how do we share this message in meaningful and pertinent ways to a world that so desperately longs for it?
