Power

There is a quote that says, "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure." Today as I listened to others talk about their view of power I realized again the fear that we so often have around our experience of power. Power in itself is neutral however it is so easily and often abused that to many of us power represents evil.

Especially as if we have been hurt by those in a position of power.

Our values of humility and servant hood just don't feel congruent with wanting and building power.

So try this statement out: "We want to build power so that we can act powerfully as a congregation."

What do you think? Isn't this what Moses did? Isn't this the story of Nehemiah?

Power is ultimately in the hands of God. God takes this power and decides not to control our decisions. Instead He allows and empowers each of us to choose their path and so God's power is shared with each individual. When a group of individuals come together to fight for the things that are close to God's heart this individual power becomes exponential.

This Tuesday we have an opportunity to act powerfully to give health care to every person. I believe it is God's vision for us as a society to provide for the sick and wounded, for the poor, the marginalized, and forgotten. He has empowered us to act in this free will system established out of his perfect love. I hope each one of us can see how our faith is expressed in these actions. That we can see in scripture that God has always cared about how we structure our society and government. That it is our responsibility to ensure these structures are built so that those who have less are not forgotten and do not suffer.

If you agree please join us at Blessed Sacrament Church at 9:45 for an action that will help move health care reform forward. Bringing us one step closer to God's vision of shalom for EVERY person in our community.

The Future Looking Back - PICO Training 1

Tonight at our first meeting Michael-Ray Mathews asked for volunteers to give a faith reflection one morning this week. The purpose was for us to learn about each of our different faith backgrounds and how those inform the work we do in our communities. He wanted a good representation of all the faith traditions of the 90 people that have gathered here this week. I thought about doing one of these, knowing that I was most likely the only Seventh-day Adventist in the group, but decided not to. I had the thought that our church history and tradition has not really contributed to my entry into organizing work and doesn't necessarily inform it now. Later after the meeting Michael-Ray asked me why I didn't volunteer to share the Adventist perspective. I told him my thought process and he said, "hasn't your local church informed your work?".

Good question.

He went on to describe how he saw our church as pioneers in our faith tradition. He said he believed as time went on looking back our little church would be seen as the beginning of something great in our denomination. Furthermore, the struggles we may face theologically and culturally within our denomination in respects to organizing are important to share with others and valued learning for those to come after us. I felt I had been 'blessed' in the Jewish sense of the word. That he had spoken a compelling vision over us as a church and denomination.

Sometimes it's hard to be out in front pushing the way forward. It can feel lonely and isolating at times. I was encouraged as I was reminded tonight that in many ways we are writing a new page in our church history. I thank God that we have this opportunity and that we have friends like Michael-Ray believing in us and helping me to see the future looking back.

Shalom,