Musings from Jean - “At the Train Tracks” (September 2011 newsletter)
I am in my eighth week among you and it seems like so much more time has gone by as a lot of things have occurred during that time. I am amazed at that we have been able to do and am looking forward to continuing our journey together over the next several years. As I have told you before, I am in this for the long haul.
We have begun our Visioning Process and are continuing to work both with the information you provided on Aug. 6 in our morning session with Kay Roberts, as well as what has emerged from each Meet and Greet (M/G). I have already made some small changes based on things that arose during those gatherings when they did not have budgetary or long term vision impact. For example - not using initials like “NA” or “SPRC” for meetings but spelling them out was a change as suggested by a newcomer who did not know what all the “alphabet soup” meant and so felt left out. That was one obvious change that could be done to be more hospitable and welcoming. Last Sunday, at the suggestion of one of our seniors, I turned around my position for doing Children’s Time from facing the kids frontwards to facing the congregation. I had been told when I came that you had a tradition of facing the altar, but that meant you folks in the pews couldn’t hear or see as well. Since I know many adults enjoy the Children’s Time (maybe you even like it better than the sermon?! J) I decided to make that turn around switch. Many people told me after the service that they appreciated that change. The staffing of the nursery came from both the M/Gs as well as my own knowledge of what makes churches more welcoming.
These are just some of the changes we have already made, along with providing you with more information in the newsletter and making sure everyone is aware of what is happening in the church in as many venues as possible. Remember, it takes people 13 times of hearing something to remember it. Telling people one time is never enough. To that end, and as part of our open communication efforts, we are working on updating our technology of emailing and web site overhaul and updates as part of our efforts to communicate not only to you, but those who might be interested in finding out who we are. We are gathering all of your suggestions and will be looking at what you have asked for and suggested as part of our visioning.
On Monday, Aug. 22 I completed my 12th (and I think last) Meet and Greet. I very much appreciate those who have taken the time to participate either by hosting and/or by attending. Those gatherings have been extremely helpful to me in not only getting to know you better as individuals, and giving me a better opportunity to learn names, but also to learn more about what you, as a church, are looking for in terms of what CUMC can and should be in the community. Sunday mornings can be more rushed and so this has been a good way to have some unhurried time to hear some of your stories and backgrounds. I know that some of you have been as surprised as I am by what you heard from people you thought you knew well! Some quiet folks have had some pretty interesting jobs in their past!
While there are some things that seem to be universal in terms of what people appreciate about CUMC (hospitality, Coffee Time, Choir, various outreaches), there are also other wide variations in what people want their church to be and what they think the future of the church should be. All of that is part of what the Visioning Team will be looking at as they work with Kay Roberts moving forward.
Yes, there will be changes and not everyone will agree with all of those changes. I trust and pray, however, that we can, as the body of Christ, work together in harmony knowing that we are working for the good of the whole and for helping God to create God’s realm here on earth. Change can be scary, but as I have told you in my examples above, change can also be positive in solving problems or making things easier for certain folks.
There may come a time when you do not agree with the decisions that the church has made in terms of vision, focus and direction. Not everyone’s favorite projects or areas will be picked as the main goals. Given the size of our church, we cannot be all things to all people. At that point you will have to decide if you can support, and not undermine, the decision(s) as the one(s) decided by the majority, even though you personally disagree, or if you will need to find a church whose vision is more in keeping with your own. I am not saying this as a threat or as a wish for anyone to leave, I am only stating the reality of what happens when a church determines its purpose and mission and becomes focused. New research has shown that the growing churches (in the midst of otherwise declining mainstream churches) are the ones whose focus and vision are very clear, where the people all know that vision and can articulate it, and where it is also very clear to the community. These churches run the whole theological gamut, but the clarity of their vision and purpose is key. Some people leave, but others join because of the vision.
Change can be risky, but change is required to also move forward into an unfolding new future. Any ultimate decisions will come before you as the congregation for vote. Nothing will be forced upon you “from on high” without your vote. Hopefully, by the time the vision is put before you there will be no surprises as we have been communicating with you all along the process. Please remember that in the United Methodist Church, majority vote rules.
The next several months are going to be exciting times. The future of this church is dependent upon what decisions are made and what vision is chosen. Are you willing to take the needed risks with your leadership, with your Visioning Team, with me? I hope you are. This is a great congregation and it deserves to be a positive, known and vital presence in the Cambridge and Isanti County community.
The train is in the station and ready to leave, hop on board!
Blessings, Pastor Jean
