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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
One Opinion:
It's a time to experiment, take risks - and ask questions
By Andrew Kinsey
The Church has entered a time of experimentation. There are now ministries offering the good news of Christ through a wide range of activities: the Companions in Christ experience, the Witness small-group journey, the Disciple Bible Study series, Christian Believer, the Alpha Course, the Walk to Emmaus and Volunteers in Mission, to name a few. They reflect what is happening throughout the Church.
At a recent gathering of clergy and laity, I became aware of the many ways churches are stepping out on faith. Initiatives to start new congregations and redevelop existing ones have taken hold: There is a willingness to take risks to begin new ministries with the growing Hispanic population and in multicultural settings. New district training events and the merging of congregations are occurring. Hiring a Director of Congregational Development in the South Conference has revealed what can happen when these initiatives are coordinated.
But what has struck me is how dynamism and diversity can collide to bring about something new. To be sure, United Methodism is going through changes. New models of ministry are being born. Satellite worship services, house churches, prison ministries, multiracial congregations, trailer park ministries - all point out that ministry must be about touching lives, experimenting.
At the heart of all of this is the question: Is this the Church? Is it United Methodist? The temptation is to call anything new, ministry; if it works, it must be good. We want success.
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'Dynamism and diversity can collide to bring about something new.' |
But at some point we'll need to ask a few questions: How are lives moving from acceptance of Christ to devoted discipleship? How are the means of grace being practiced? How are Scriptures being searched and shared? How are acts of justice and mercy being carried out? How is spiritual discipline being fostered?
There are no quick fixes, but new beginnings are happening. A few observations:
First, during a time of experimentation it is good to realize that there are treasures within our denomination's heritage to claim. A philosopher once wrote, "we live life forward, but we understand life by looking backwards." No one can outrun his or her family's past. As part of the Wesleyan family, we won't outrun ours, either. Nor should we.
Second, it is good to be living during a time of creativity. It only highlights that God is doing a new thing and we are now being called to be a part of it. Creating communities of celebration is what the Holy Spirit is beckoning us to do. It takes time, but it also requires commitment. Risk, and the rest will be added!
Finally, differences can frighten but they can also, through God's grace, be used to bring about what is new. There are helpful ways to discover hidden potential in each of us so that the Creator's image can be honored in all of us. The task, now, is to have the confidence in God to lead us.
During this time of experimentation in the Church, we also make an investment in the future by placing our trust in God. Let this be a day of new beginnings!
Last updated on 01/14/2004The Rev. Andrew D. Kinsey chairs the Section on New Church Development in the South Indiana Conference; he is the pastor of Community UMC in Vincennes.