Words from Thomas

On Tuesday last week, a group of Disciples clergy met for our monthly meeting. Part of our program that morning was a conversation about the joys and challenges of ministry in this day and age.

We talked about books that have shaped us and scripture passages that define our ministry. Then we shared what we like best about ministry, and here are some of the responses:

• Teaching Scripture in small group setting.
• Seeing the way people change when they have a real encounter with God.
• The privilege to serve with people along their journey – work with them at times during the lowest/ most humbling/weakest/intimate/exciting times.
• Coaching a student through tough times and the lights go off and they find a renewed sense of self and know they can do ministry.
• People.
• The energizing spirit of worship.
• Theological reflection and conversation around the messiness of life.

The next question was, "What do you like least about ministry, what do you find most frustrating?" Here are some of the answers:

• Dealing with negative people who complain about everything.
• Conflict, not putting God (love) first, idolatry, failure to love, being disrespected.
• Feeling devalued.
• God’s inaction when I think he should act.
• Hypocrisy – self included.
• Lack of openness to diversity of faith, thought and of people.
• Church structures and cultures that enable dysfunctional behavior.

The final question was, "What do you see as the greatest challenge(s) for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)."  Here’s a sampling of responses:

• Remaining faithful disciples! Being relavant to the broad culture.

Becoming comfortable with its vision of what it means to be churched; its message of unity.

• Accountability.
• Reaching postmodern people with integrity.
• Covenant: how to balance freedom and mutual accountability.
• Branding our unique spiritual & theological role in the community.
• Helping others see the gift in their midst.

What would your answers be? What do you like best about being part of Vine Street, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Church? What is the most frustrating thing about church for you? What do you see as the major challenges facing our denomination?

On November 9, Dr. Mark Toulouse will come to Vine Street to give the 2008 Wayne H. Bell lecture. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Professor of American Religious History at Brite Divinity School, Dr. Toulouse regularly conducts workshops for ministers and lay people on topics in American Christianity, Disciples history and theology, and theological education. He is is currently working on a book-length manuscript, tentatively titled: A Search for Wholeness: Christian Faith and American Public Life Since the Mid-1950s. He is doing research in twentieth century Disciples history in the context of American culture and religion.

On November 9, he will speak about the challenges of being Disciples of Christ in a time when attendance in mainline churches is declining and denominational ties are getting weaker. I feel very confident that he will not only address some of the questions we have about Disciples ministry in the 21st century, but also raise new ones. I hope you are planning to come and hear him.

The Wayne H. Bell Lectureship on Ministry was established in 1993 in honor of Vine Street Christian Church's former Senior Minister, Dr. Wayne H. Bell. Previous speakers include Dr. Wayne Bell himself, Dr. Fred Craddock, Dr. David Buttrick, Dr. Richard Hamm, Dr. Peggy Way, Dr. Duane Cummins, and Dr. Robin Jensen. We look forward to hearing Dr. Mark Toulouse give the 2008 Wayne H. Bell Lecture on November 9, 2008.