This week’s prompt focuses on the tension most ministry contexts face as they discern what elements of ministry are fundamental, “anchoring,” and worth sustaining (at least for now!), and what elements might need to be adjusted, shifted, or even dropped. This type of shared discernment is not easy, and context plays a huge, determinative role.
Karen Rohrer, Associate Academic Dean, Princeton Seminary, puts it beautifully: “I see ministry context as essential to anchoring and framing any good ministry work. The specificity of serving a particular group of people in a particular community (geographic or not) helps to remind us that we are not called to save the world, but only to be faithful–and that faithfulness is made up of concrete actions, step by step, many of them mundane. Faithfulness is not just making a big broad sweeping statement, but working out any statements we make alongside the people we make those statements to and with. Faithfulness to our callings is not being broadly right, but being locally trustworthy.”
Here’s the prompt: Amidst all the ministry innovation out there, what are some “anchoring” elements of ministry that need to be retained or recovered in your context? (part 1)
Matt Adair’s response to this prompt happens to provide a helpful, concise summary of the categories most responses fell under:
Matt Adair, https://transformdiscipleship.org/ – “1) Wisdom through biblical literacy and fluency; 2) Belonging through relational connection; 3) Holiness through a shared rhythm of life”
Today we’ll focus on responses that addressed the first and third of these categories; in a few weeks, we’ll note what people said about the different ways of connecting, both in worship and mission.
One common thread that clearly stood out was scripture engagement.
Megan Johnson, Pastor, Clairmont Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA. “In worship we are going chapter and verse through Exodus and in Sunday School we are going line by line through the Gospel of Mark. Consistent with our Reformed Heritage, ‘Sola Scriptura’ is an anchoring element for us. And we are marveling at the way in which the Exodus story is speaking directly into our context. There is deep compassion in Scripture for the wandering seasons in which we find ourselves. And there is expansive evidence of God’s enduring presence, divine power, equipping leadership, and tender mercy in the Exodus account, and the whole of Scripture, that we need to shore up our faith when everything around us feels as though it is falling apart.”
It was especially interesting how others expressed a similar sentiment, through from several different theological traditions and ministry contexts.
Albert Russell, Pastor Grace Cumberland Presbyterian, Millbrook, AL. Assistant Provost for Academic Program, Tuskegee University. “We must retain didactic teaching while using innovative methods to do so. We must retain the historical context of the scriptures so that the Word is rightly divided. We must retain sound doctrine such that our teachings are scripturally sound, they are Bible based, and they are in line with orthodoxy.”
But again, to the question of traditions and contexts:
Joe Scrivner, Pastor Brown Memorial Presbyterian, Dean of Stillman Chapel, Tuscaloosa AL. – “My observation will undoubtedly be due to my education and interests, but it seems believers aren’t given the tools to discern ‘good” vs. “bad’ uses of the Bible. Again, I know this differs among traditions and theologies. Still, given the church’s history with those in power using Christianity for their ends, it seems ministers might focus more on using Jesus’s conflicts in the gospels as a model for how one can respond to someone quoting a biblical text for self-serving interests. But I don’t see much of this kind of preaching and teaching. I’ve often said, ‘Everyone has a verse!’ The issue is how are they using that verse — is it to affirm love, life, and liberty, or is it to condemn, control, and constrict. I know this is easier said than done and no tradition or hermeneutic is sin-proof. Still, I’ve typically found that ministers and congregants don’t know how to ‘put their Bible together.'”
Engagement with scripture was complemented by another common thread. Spiritual rhythms and disciplines, especially prayer.
Katie Nakamura Rengers, Presiding Bishop’s Staff Officer for Church Planting at The Episcopal Church, noted both of the above: “Reading and reflecting on Scripture. Regular and fervent prayer, in which we feel liberated to ask God for what we really need, not just for what we think we’re supposed to need.”
Erica St. Bernard, LCMFT, Kingdom Fellowship AME, Bowie MD – “The practice of prayer individually and within community. During Women’s Season (AME Tradition), we hosted a virtual prayer room each Wednesday with a particular theme/focus. It was exciting to see 50+ women log in each week for 30-45 mins to participate in this guided prayer experience, complete with scripture and moments of silence. Many said it was helpful as they become more intentional about prayer on their own and within the context of community.”
Jonier Orozco, Pastor, Austell Presbyterian, Austell GA did as well, along with a few other categories that were well represented, and which we’ll take a look at in part 2 of this prompt in a few weeks. Jonier simply noted the necessity of “small group events; Bible studies, fellowship gatherings, prayer groups, the togetherness, the sense of unity, the original sense of a church.”
Where do these threads intersect with your ministry context? We’d love to hear from you!
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