The State of Our Union

A Message Shared with North Congregational Church by Nada Sellers

January 4, 2009

1 Corinthians 4:14-20 (Matt. 9:16-17)

Most of us are familiar with the special speech that the President of the United States gives each year in January, which is called “The State of the Union.” This annual message, given to a joint session of Congress, is mandated by Article 11, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, wherein: “The President shall from time to time give the Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Modeled after the monarch’s Speech from the Throne, during the State Opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom, this address was initially called “The President’s Annual Address to Congress” until after 1935 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt began using the more familiar phrase, “State of the Union.” Our State of the Union address is not required to be offered annually, although it typically does, and is usually used to outline the President’s legislative proposals for the upcoming year. (State of the Union Address. (2009, January 16). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:06, January 18, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=State_of_the_Union_Address&oldid=264525584)

It’s interesting to note, that certain states have a similar annual address given by their governor: For most it’s called the “State of the State” address. In Iowa, it’s called the “Condition of the State Address,” and in our fair state of Massachusetts, as with Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the speech is called the “State of the Commonwealth” address. No matter what you call it, the purpose is still very much the same: to provide updates and information, to make recommendations, and to communicate priorities or important considerations for the coming year. And so this morning, let’s try this out. Let’s suppose that the constitution of North Congregational Church reads as follows: “The Pastor shall from time to time give the Congregation information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as she or he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

Madam Moderator, Executive leaders, members and friends of North Church, and distinguished guests, I bring greetings at the beginning of the fifth year in which Pat and I have shared a co-pastorate here in this congregation! There have been a whole range of changes, some of which began just before we arrived to begin our service as interim ministers. Other changes have been implemented as a result of things determined during interim discussions, and since the events of October, 2007, when we were installed to the settled pastorate. I could briefly note the rearrangement of the organizational structures of the congregation, the initiation of new pathways for communication and decision-making, a reformatted budget that matches the new determination of this congregation to focus on a mission that is invitational, biblically-grounded, and Spirit-filled. I could also more specifically notice changes in worship leadership and participation, the growth of weekday gatherings for discussion and relationship-building, the increase in units of pledging over the last 3 years, and changes to our physical spaces. We might even notice that we have added 11 soon to be 12 new members, and lately, some regular attendees, praise God!

But none of this really gets at the heart of what I want to address today, and that has to do with where we find ourselves and what we need to be about in the next year. You may or may not be aware that the basis for our relationship as pastors and members of this congregation is set down in writing each year as a covenant, that is, as a sacred commitment in which each party – the congregation and the pastors – agrees to for the following year. Let me provide your with a hand-out with portions of this agreement. (Possible PowerPoint??)

You will note Goals that have been in place for us .... and then let me show you your congregational commitments

And finally, the Pastoral commitments

For now, I’m interested in focusing on a couple of items in what I’m calling our “State of our Union” address of 2009.

As pastors, we are charged to: “Offer guidance and discerning leadership that encourages the congregation to be attuned to the Spirit and attentive to the church’s vision,” (item #2 in list) a vision which includes priorities for growth and outreach, as well as, attention to Spirit-filled purposes in service as Christian disciples on local and global levels. This morning I want to share our thoughts in keeping with this charge.

We have made some progress in developing outreach events and connections with our neighbors in pursuit of these goals. We have also made some steps in the right direction as far as clarifying the framework by which this congregation takes up discussion, shares in decision-making, and takes action. But if I step back and take a hard look, there are ways in which we are not following-through with our stated purposes as a church: We have not increased our participation in all aspects of life or this congregation – there is a core of people who continue to work very, very hard on our behalf, while others are only sporadically present, and if present, fairly detached or non-committal when it comes to the nitty-gritty of making plans, following-through and building together in mutual ministry. All of us are called and given gifts for the building up of the body of Christ, according to the Apostle Paul, not just a few of us who have accepted named leadership roles. Nor have most of us been willing to accept that welcoming God’s increase and being people of extravagant welcome, means sacrificial giving of ourselves and our gifts for ministry in this place – that means all of who we are and what we have. It means, as brothers and sisters, we not only share in the ups and downs, but we are all responsible for inviting, attending, bearing witness, walking the walk as well as talking the talk, and being willing to lend our support in new directions, regardless of convenience or comfort-levels. The efforts that have been made to encourage the practices of hospitality, sharing our faith with others, and moving from the discussion and reflection stages into real, live behavior have mostly been treated with benign neglect. There is very little continuity in our lives together, and it has become harder and harder to mobilize the advance commitment needed to become involved in larger projects with more partners …

The challenge of the Gospel is to carry our cross DAILY, not just when we have the time, or the interest, or the energy. The crossed that Pat and I have been bearing on behalf of North Church get heavier and heavier, when we notice the difference between the energy levels that were present during the interim discernment years, and what North Church has settled into now in a week-in, week-out pattern. This ought not to be, friends. As we are in a covenanted relationship, to offer guidance and encouragement, what can be done? How might this “State of Our Union” message, shed some light toward those things “necessary and expedient” in the coming year?

As Eugene Peterson puts in, in the 1 Corinthians passage read this morning, “God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.” (4:20b) All that other stuff, where we think we know what’s best without committing to group discernment, or where we’ve got criticisms that do not constructively help build one another up in love, are called “hot air” by Paul. You might recall that Paul is dealing with an outright rebellion in the church at Corinth – a perversion of the gospel that fractured the body into following after different leaders, claiming superior knowledge and wisdom, and most of all, becoming highly critical in rejecting the humility of the Jesus way. (cf. G. Fee in NICNT (Eerdmans, 1987):4-20, 47-67) I am not aware of any such movement underway at North Church, thank God, and if there are any pockets of dissent or trouble I would trust that someone would let me know ...

What does resonate with our situation at North Church is Paul’s strong message, that right thinking simply is not enough. The gospel heard, shared, reflected upon, taught and discussed, must result in appropriate behavior as well. God’s kin-dom is not just a matter of words (or logos) but of power – that is dynamis, as Paul writes in Greek. (Fee, p183-192) Empowered living is evidence of faithfulness, and of a commitment to the call of Jesus on your life. Those who place their trust in Jesus are promised the presence of the Spirit, and the spiritual resources with which to share in the ministry of reconciliation! That’s what being a Christian is all about!! And as your pastors, that’s what we want to be about: you don’t put new wine in old wineskins. You don’t patch up ratty clothing with precious fibers. And you don’t go after change by doing the same old thing, and so, there are some new all-church projects on the near horizon ...

Over the next several weeks, you will begin to see changes in our patterns of worship, to the way in which decisions are brought to you for input and participation, and to the way you will be invited to be a part of new directions for the coming year. Next Sunday, we’ll welcome a new member and look to recommit ourselves around some new initiatives. By the end of the month, we’ll be sharing in monthly potlucks and engaging in a series of workshops for greeters, and visitors. Don’t worry, there will lots of explanation and information shared about what and why. But most of all, none of this will be of any help, if each of us is unable to welcome in a renewed sense of commitment and purpose in being the church together. That is, unless we are willing to refine our shared covenant in the areas that aren’t being accomplished.

And so I say to you, my fellow North Church congregants, take some time to review our covenant together; pray for God’s guidance as to what you will be doing about making a difference in your congregation, and let’s celebrate the start of a new year together. God bless you and God bless North Congregational Church!