Explorations V: down to business

I have written to you about the need for exploration and reflection after a century as a congregation.  Again this is not because there are major problems, but simply because reflection is necessary to sharpen and deepen our sense of purpose.  In these reflections we approach our church not as “problem” or “series of problems,” but as a “condition” or “number of conditions.” In other words the church is what it is. We do not seek to pass judgment on it. In fact things appear to be going quite well.

To recap, Titus Toyama has done a demographic survey based on our “rolodex” of names of people who reside in the Sacramento area which has become the basis for a list of names of people who are actively involved in Parkview’s life. I have used this list to form five reflection groups in five parts of the Sacramento metropolitan area (Elk Grove, Pocket, South Land Park, Land Park and Midtown and West Sacramento, East/ North Area). It is possible that names got left off. Let me be clear that there is no reason other than an oversight for people to be left off these lists.  Everyone who feels a connection with our church and wished to participate in its life is welcome. The only persons who will not be attending are those who in one way or another receive payment from Parkview (including myself of course).

These lists are posted on the bulletin board in the social hall.  Each group has a convener (the person who will contact you about meeting) and a facilitator (a person who will lead the meeting). At the meeting a note taker will also be appointed by each group. You will be contacted in the next few weeks by your convener to invite you to a meeting in your area.  There will be one meeting between October 20 and the end of November for each group.  This first meeting will focus on how you see our church as it is now.  There will be second meeting in the Spring where “what you want our church to be” becomes the focus. Hopefully a congregational meeting will be called some time in the summer to determine actions that should be taken based on the two meetings of each of the five reflection groups.  Consequently the session would be charged with implementing the actions determined.

Let me give you an example of what I personally might say if I were to attend one of the group meetings.  Let me give a little background.  Rachel Held Evans on her belief blog on the CNN website talked about millennials (people in their twenties) and why they are leaving the Church: “We want an end to the culture wars. We want a truce between science and faith. We want to be known for what we stand for, not what we are against. We want to ask questions that don’t have predetermined answers. We want churches that emphasize an allegiance to the kingdom of God over an allegiance to a single political party or a single nation. We want our LGBT friends to feel truly welcome in our faith communities. ..You can’t hand us a latte and then go about business to as usual and expect us to stick around. We’re not leaving the church because we don’t find the cool factor there; we’re leaving the church because we don’t find Jesus there.

If I were to describe Parkview in one way, I would describe it as a community where we do not see faith and inclusiveness as incompatible, where we do not see science as the enemy of faith, but as way to sharpen our understanding of life and faith…. I can’t wait to hear what you think. Thank you. May God bless our ministry. Aart