In my Facebook update I called this one of the most spiritually intense staff meetings I have even been part of.
We got to talking about the state of our church. We had been dancing around issues by discussing budget woes and directions the Session may take in the next few days to try to remedy the situation.
Ultimately we got around to where the problem or the need is not the budget at all, but rather the spiritual state of ourselves as individuals and a staff, and the spiritual needs and hunger on the part of the congregation. Not really rocket science when you think about it, but we have all gotten so wrapped up in money troubles, and before that our Centennial celebration and before that the departure of our pastor and associate pastor that we have lost our focus and prime directive. There has been blame and plenty of excuses to go around, but we realize that none of that is helpful.
We re-committed to prayer in very specific ways and to lead better. We've kind of bought into the moan and groan about money and trying to find a new pastor, and see a need to set better examples for the congregation. We sensed that our church folks have gotten somewhat weary from our worship life simply mirroring the state of our culture. The economy has tanked; the church budget is troublesome. The nation needed new leadership; the church is seeking new leadership. People are loosing their jobs; the quickest way to fix our budget would be to eliminate staff.
We confessed amongst ourselves, I hope I don't betray confidences by writing this, that we must do better at presenting a "more excellent way." We must proclaim Jesus Christ to be the Solid Rock when other ground is sinking sand.
We almost let ourselves believe it was a "downer" of a staff meeting. But we know, because we are an Easter people, that it was a great meeting. Pray for the staff, and look for and be part of new things coming in the next few days and weeks.
