In this article over at Best Practices for Ministry, the author reminds us that so much of good ministry is being visible in the community. And that doesn’t mean having well-lit signage. It means not just name recognition–not just being known–but being known for the right things.
Now, only a particular congregation knows what the “right things” are for their context, but rarely are they statements of belief, theology or (gasp!) even mission. In fact, they usually aren’t words at all, they are actions. Hmm…it seems the “old wives” were right again. It is our actions that create our reputation and our reputation is what is most visible in the world.
The article quotes Fr. Ron Pogue who lays out his hopes for how the public sees the Episcopal church. He hopes:
- When people in Lawrence, Kansas think of The Episcopal Church, we’d like them to think of the Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry, the BackSnack program, and the outstanding music ministry, all of which we share generously with our neighbors.
- When people in City Island, Bronx, NY think of The Episcopal Church, will they think of the Healthy Aging Program at Grace Church?
- When people in Raliegh, NC think of the Episcopal Church, we want them to remember that St. Mark’s Church there has an AIDS Care Team.
- When people in Tuscaloosa, AL think of The Episcopal Church, maybe they’ll be aware of the Arts and Autism after school program they sponsor.
- When people in Kansas City, MO think of the Episcopal Church, they’ll think of the St. Luke’s Hospital system with 11 hospitals and a hospice program, or, maybe they’ll remember that St. Paul’s Church just across the state line in the Diocese of Kansas, has a remarkable ministry of feeding the hungry.
It seems to me we should all be thinking about how we are seen (or not seen) in our communities. What are the acts that speak louder than words in our congregations? Can people in our cities, towns and neighborhoods tell what we believe by our actions? I’m proud that many Unitarian Universalists went to Arizona to protest SB 1070 because they believed it to be racist, unjust, and cruel. But I want to know what the people next door to our churches know about us.
Sadly, in my experience, the answer is “not much.” We most often hear “Why didn’t I know a place like this existed?” And I sometimes want to say, “Because we keep it to (and for?) ourselves.” We keep the sense of community, the warm welcome, the money and the volunteer hours to ourselves. We also spend hours arguing about what we should do, meanwhile getting very little done.
Contrast this with the Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA, who write on their website:
On October 5, 2008, the members of Rolling Hills voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining GOD in His redemptive work by selling her buildings and property, and using the proceeds to increase ministry and mission efforts in our community and beyond.
Sounds radical……but we’ve come to the conclusion that we want to invest more deeply in people rather than property. We’ve grown tired of investing more and more of our budget on mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc… at the expense of ministry and mission.
As Ed Stetzer says…”we’ve been so concerned with the barn that we’ve neglected the harvest.” We agree – Jesus never said anything about barns, but He seemed very concerned about the harvest.
If that example seems too far-fetched for Unitarian Universalists, look at this. And then go donate. It’s a chance to make a real difference–Standing on the Side of Love and justice in a hurting town.
I’m not saying we should all sell our buildings and give the money to the poor. (Though I do remember that advice being given to a certain wealthy man who wished to enter “the kingdom of heaven.”) But I do think our congregations need to think through what portion of our resources–especially time, money, and energy–we are using to serve those beyond ourselves. Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker challenges us to “Choose to bless the world.” Not just each other, but the world.
So, what are the things you hope people think of when they think of your congregation? What does the world know about your congregation? Do they know that you recycle? Do they know you feed the hungry? Do they know you rally for justice? Do they know you tutor children? Do they know you give money to the poor? Do they know you welcome the presence, gifts, and leadership of all people? Do they know you love to sing? Do they know, as the image of the truck on the Rolling Hills website proudly proclaims, that “The church has left the building?”
