It reminds me of what a congregation has to go through during transition times. Christ Church is not unique, and it is dangerous to think it is. In the smoothly running machinery before this time there were the known clergy, with predictable good and bad habits and ministry styles, who had baptized, buried and cared for many. They and the congregation knew what to expect and were known by them, and that's an important reality. Someone recently relayed to me that another parishioner had said it maybe wasn't worth the effort (to come to worship) since no one (i.e. clergy) would know whether or not he/she was even there. Lest we think that is an illogical reason for being in worship, listen to Jesus: "My sheep know me and I know them, and I call each one by name." We need to be known. It is fundamental to our humanity. So maybe you and I can understand just one of the many subtle reasons why nationwide interim period learnings predict a drop in attendance and that other things might lie fallow for awhile? We need to be known, and we resist being led into uncertain and loss of control.

We also need to know: that, for some, this time of transition in Christ Church will continue long after the interim clergy are gone. The Hebrews were led, kicking and screaming, from the familiar, a sad enslavement in Egypt, to the "promised" land. They got to the edge of the Jordan River valley and saw giants - with swords. Suddenly the interim leader, Moses, was incapable of helping them taste the new fruit. They needed a new leader. So almost a generation later of learning the new task of combat they followed Joshua who helped them fight the battle of Jericho, and "the walls come tumblin' down."

 On the forced march from Egypt, a place of enslavement, never a day's rest and early death, they were led by only a promise. And they didn't like it. But the interim rector, Moses, promised them that it was God who was leading them - not him. See, look: the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Be led by that! Ya gotta be kiddin' us, Moses! Moses, his elders and the followers could not stay where they were. But they had no choice. Even Moses' guts resisted this process of being led. Can you imagine his prayers at night?  "Show me the way, please!" Some others thought the milk and honey would fall in their laps if they only did this or did that (golden calf, ritual dances, silence Aaron and Moses, etc., etc.). Being led was not for sissies. Neither is interim time for Christ Church or any congregation.

Over the last 10 years or more I have been fascinated to see people fall in love with the hymn Lift High the Cross. It is being used repeatedly at funerals. The first word of the first verse is led.  If the casket is in front of the church, that makes a lot of sense. Our drive, our determination, leadership, control, choice and all the rest seem gone for good. Not even the activity of putting a clothespin on a piece of twine is left as a mark of how the indomitable human spirit works with our bodies to regain our independence.

So what's our duty as interim Christians in Christ church before we get to the land of milk and honey? Stay home? Circle the activity below like a plane waiting to land? Go back to the familiar golden calves of the Sunday morning golf course or the other golden calves? And even if it is our "duty" to come to worship while we're waiting for the milk and honey to reappear, then we will die inside - not because we miss a communion but because if it becomes "duty" then Holy Eucharist (thanksgiving in Greek) becomes Holy Duty. Note: some of us during this present pledging season like to remind ourselves that, "God loveth a cheerful giver, but God accepteth from a grouch." It brings a chuckle. But the sad reality is that the difference between the glass being half full and half empty is not in the glass. It is in the heart of the observer. God knows. God knows it is the difference between making it into the land of milk and honey with gratefulness or with cynicism. God knows it is the difference between knowing that one day putting a clothespin on a piece of twine will return to being a second-nature task as is was before. But sitting in one's room and watching TV instead of trying - even if the therapist is a drill sergeant or the interim rector is pushy... well it's said the difference between a rut and a grave is only its depth. God knows real life is in learning the art of being strong enough to be led - and that includes vestry and search committee - with a faith that it is God who is doing the leading.

So, Christ Church, I implore you to once again gird up your loins, "turn that page" (as I asked in my first article and early sermons last spring) and join the march. Be willing to be led.  I know, I know it's all about leadership. Maybe. Certainly the deification of secular CEO's makes it hard to contradict. But in a faith community it is about everyone, from the standard bearer to the murmuring, foot-dragging last-in-line doubter.

Bob New, your former interim rector, and I have been companions in ministry in the Diocese of Southern Virginia for decades. I saw him again just last week. Every time I see him I am reminded that Christ Church went through this before. And God led you to where you are now. Continue to be led. Continue to trust. It's true, you may come to worship and not be known because most of us, especially clergy, are still learning in your parish how to put a clothespin on a piece of twine. We've done it a million times before, but not with you. Give us time, even if it is to be a short one.

Open your hearts, open your hands, open your eyes to see the cloud by day and the fire by night. So let's rethink this together:  is it all just about our clergy and lay parish leaders or is it about being led?  The answer: your new rector's nighttime prayers will be the same as Moses': "Show me the way, please!"

I pray you get a new rector who is willing to be led. I hope your search committee prays daily for God to bring them such a person, rather than a "CEO" style leader only. This is a resource-size parish, but it is a faith community first and foremost. Every skill set in the secular world is necessary, but all are ultimately useless if the new rector does not have the qualities of Moses to shepherd you forward as a faith community and not as a business. If the search committee and the whole congregation have been led to affirm God's call of such a person, then you all will enter the land of milk and honey.

 But then, again, being led is not for sissies...

 "Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine."

Peter Hogg, Interim Rector
November, Friday the 13^th, 2009

 

I Admire...

A Day in the Life of Christ Church

I've nicknamed the top floor(s) during the week "Heaven's Gate." The middle floor "Middle Earth" and the basement as "The Grotto." Each level has a wonderful mix of talented and committed staff whom I admire...

I admire...those in Heaven's Gate:

...Jo Hardy. I cannot remember a time during the week she has not been on the premises and, for me, at most every meeting held here. She is the core engine that makes everything work so well.

...Diane Dixon. Diane is the longest-serving staff member at Christ Church. Nothing can happen unless she writes all the checks and keeps us all on track with balanced books!

...Dorene Durley. What doesn't she do from parish record keeping to room reservations to making sure that meeting's lunch is served? Her tasks are endless and so is her smile.

...The Choir and Brock Downward. Can you imagine the professionalism and size of the Adult Choir and Brock's touch on the keyboard of our organ and direction of the music? We have a program that befits a cathedral. I so admire them all...

...And the other choirs under Coco and Jennifer Moran's directions--wow, what angelic voices--and concisely shaped-by-the-masters--we get to hear.

I Admire... those in Middle Earth:

...THE Kitchen and all the places to prepare and gather!

...Lee Weaver prepping for the next event,

...Janice Adams getting' it all together,

...Martha Gray "cookin' up a [southern] storm" - just feel the "luv" for members and friends when activities start and especially when food is at the center. I so admire the "noise level" on Wednesday nights and even Sunday mornings when youth and adults are packed into the lobby and parish hall. Don't you know there are some parishes only wishing for those moments to happen? I so admire those who help make it happen, like...

...Nancy Haywood, planning and scheming to come up with even more events (and always explaining to me who's who and who's related to who!) as she hides away in that corner office by the library and cooks up her own "presentations."

...Cassie Struthers, the always-helpful door-keeper, "switch-board" operator and first-face smiler greeting everyone. And I admire how she can do that and still perform all the organizational computer work in the middle of grand-central as people pass by her to and fro every day.

...Al Moore on some days in his hide-away office where he hears the pleas of the poor and needy and helps them find what they're looking for.

...Lin Boyle who has six arms, three ears and whatever else she needs to field the phone calls from hospitals to mothers-of-the-brides as she supports the parish in liturgical plans and pastoral care and endless computer work. She even finds time to meet the clergy's needs as well.

...Jenny Brown in the office across from me, strategizing her visits and calls to the many members, writing those great sermons, attending meetings - you name it, she gets it all done in her part time position. How? Mysteries never cease.

...Connie Connelly - and her home and possessions still reside in Charlotte until the move at the end of the month, but she's here already learning the ropes and single-handedly managing her entire environment from where to live, how to move and becoming a priest in a new parish - already. Maybe admiration takes the form of, "I'm glad it's not me, 'cause I couldn't handle it single-handedly." We are lucky to be here at the start of her new ministry.

...The Altar Guild. I think the Sacristy is the most-used room in the parish. There's always a team in there preparing or cleaning-up. They're everywhere and always here!

...David Crabtree who, I think, has never not been in the robing room whenever we are all getting ready for the next worship service. How does he do the full-time anchorman work on TV and fulfill his diaconal ministry? I think God gives him more hours in a day than I get.

...and Wendy Daly who keeps the excited chatter in the Mother's Morning Out on high as they come and go into the Baker Wing. Who wouldn't want to be around here weekdays when the pre-school children arrive in eager-mode!

I Admire... those in The Grotto:

...Anna Smith & Liz Stroff with their sidekicks

...Carrie Johnson and Sandy Anthony - they are all creating surprises for youth and children almost every day, and they've got something up their sleeves from Sunday programs to ski trips and crafty thingamahdings, They live on energy.

...Kaye Culp is just an office away putting everything in print with fancy brochures and bulletins and electronic bulletins. Churchland turns on communication, communication, communication.

...and, I admire the dozens and dozens and dozens of parishioners who meet and work and teach and plan and pray here in Heaven's Gate, Middle Earth and The Grotto. And to think I get to watch it all happen (whenever I'm not reading my Bible and drinking coffee, of course).

Thanks Be To God. I just hope the new rector in 2010 knows how lucky he or she will be.

Peter Hogg +