On occasion I am asked to help with a parish that is in the process of hiring their next priest, and recently I was able to do a mock interview with a parish in the diocese who is going to start receiving names and wanted some practice. It is actually pretty fun to talk about the good things happening at St. John’s and give them some feedback about their questions.
One way or another I am always asked about the future of the church. There is a real anxiety in big and small congregations about what is coming. And every time I say that the future of the church is fabulous. That there is every possibility for good things to come. That there is no reason not to grow. There is plenty of good work to do.
In response, I see a mixture of relief and skepticism. Like someone is going to tell them they are failing because they think in some way that they are failing. And when I don’t say that, they don’t quite believe it. So I explain. We have to work for it, of course. We have to pray, to follow God’s call, to be out in our neighborhood being good neighbors. We have to be joyful, have worship that people want to come to, and be welcoming. It isn’t handed to us. Like all good things, community happens because we work at it.
This parish I spoke to is delightful, and they will be fine. And St. John’s is a gem, and we will also be all that God is calling us to be. It takes intention, and an open heart. God gives us the gifts we need. And as I start my 8th year here, I am more convinced than ever that all will be well. If we keep God in our hearts and use Jesus as our example, we will be effective signs of God’s love.
Join me in being grateful for all we have, and hopeful for all that will be.