Are we there yet? We probably think of kids asking this question during a road trip, but perhaps it reflects how some of us are feeling this November. Are we on the other side of isolation yet, are we closer to some sense of normalcy yet? While some of us are eager to get back to some sense of the way things used to be, some of us are happy with the way things are, and some of us are simply tired of where we are.
As one community how do we keep everyone together and happy? Maybe we can, and maybe we cannot. Being part of Grace Presbyterian Church means being part of a large congregation, where many folks, from various backgrounds, and different walks of life, call Grace home. We have diverse thoughts and opinions, which can lead to….shall we say interesting conversations?
Over the past couple of months we’ve looked at various references, and imagery, for community. The Apostle Paul wrote to early faith communities, including the one in Corinth, using imagery of the body: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…(1 Cor 12:12-13)
We are one body with many members. And, as mentioned above, having many members also means having many differences in thought and opinion. Sometimes even things that seem simple can prove to be divisive. Just look at the “controversy” of wearing a face mask in public. Some individuals do not feel comfortable being told by the government to do, or wear, something that they do not want to, which they might feel is an affront or challenge to their autonomy. On the other hand, others feel like wearing a mask is a considerate thing to do for those around them, even if it might be uncomfortable at times.
We have other topics that might have some folks feeling one way, and others another. The summation of the exit interview reports for Rev. Dr. Jean and Rev. Dr. Nick is one topic. Reopening the building and resuming in person worship is another topic which garners much discussion. And discussion is warranted! Thinking and talking with others is encouraged! But robust dialogue and debate should not be intended to divide. Unity does not mean uniformity. At Grace we are not all expected to think the exact same things. We do not all have the same exact spiritual gifts. We have a diversity of thought, an abundance of varying spiritual gifts, and an incredible faith community.
But in order for communities to excel and thrive, sometimes it means putting the needs of the greater good ahead of our own individual wants. Paul continued to write: that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. (1 Cor 12:25-26)
So, getting back to the original question, are we there yet? No, we’re not there yet, wherever there might be. But hopefully we can stick together on this journey. We’re in this together. We’re part of Grace together. We are feeling frustrated together, we’re feeling _________ together, however we might be feeling.
What unites us is Christ. The challenge in being a large congregation and keeping everyone happy is that we all want different things. The challenge in being one body, and keeping the members happy, is that each part may want something different than the other. My tastebuds may say, “Get the burger, with cheese and bacon” but my stomach is saying, “Oh no, not another one!”
What unites us is Christ. COVID-19 has been challenging in so many different ways for each of us. We know that if one member suffers, all suffer together with it. But we also know that God is faithful to us, and we are invited to be faithful to God, faithful to Grace, and faithful to our wider community.
As members let us continue to care for one another, recognizing that we might feel differently on certain topics, but are committed to Christ. Being part of a faith community is a joy and a challenge. We are centered on Christ, but recognize that we are still individuals with our own personal wants and desires. The challenge is to make sure priority is given to the former rather than the latter.
