November 2, 2024 • 15 mins
All Together Now! Reimagining Church: Strategic Intentions, Fractals, and Flocking
In this fourth episode of our mini-series on reimagining the Episcopal Church, we delve into how integrating strategic intention, fractals, and flocking can transform our communal and relational dynamics. The discussion highlights the importance of shifting from individualism to a collective mindset, ensuring that we thrive together at every level—individuals, congregations, and dioceses. By fostering interconnectedness and shared resources, we can embody the teachings of Jesus Christ and the early church as depicted in the book of Acts, working collaboratively to face future challenges.
00:00 Introduction to Reimagining Church 00:26 Strategic Intention and Relational Shift 01:42 Commitment to Thriving at Every Level 03:56 Flocking Together for Strength and Resources 08:32 Challenges and Opportunities for Small and Large Churches 10:53 A Vision for Collaborative Ministry 14:43 Conclusion and Call to Action
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Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
Hey there, Episcopal Church.
this is the fourth part of this mini series on reimagining and thinking strategically about how we might be church.
I'd like to bring together the three concepts we've talked about in the last three videos. 4 00:00:15,250.001 --> 00:00:26,890.001 strategic intention, fractals, and flocking in order for us to begin thinking intentionally about what we might be, how we might interact together. 5 00:00:26,900.001 --> 00:00:37,150.001 So what if we had a strategic intention to be less individualistic and more connected and relational Going forward. 6 00:00:37,620.001 --> 00:00:39,0.001 I'm not talking about in everything. 7 00:00:39,10.001 --> 00:00:59,20.001 I'm not saying let's rewrite all our canons I don't have a big giant vision for how this would work I'm just starting small by saying I think in the future we will be better together than if we are apart I think if we remain kind of individualist focused, we will be isolated when threats come. 8 00:00:59,450.001 --> 00:01:08,670.002 whether those are economic or challenges with finding lay leaders I think if we band together, flock together, we will actually be stronger. 9 00:01:09,70.002 --> 00:01:12,840.002 And that's the goal to help the whole church thrive at every single level. 10 00:01:13,180.002 --> 00:01:14,720.002 So let's think through this. 11 00:01:15,190.002 --> 00:01:18,340.002 We would need to develop strategic intention. 12 00:01:18,705.002 --> 00:01:36,415.003 at every scale of church so that there would be a common sense of shared identity and commitment to shift from, being individualistic and separate, to we'd like to be a little bit more closely connected, right? So I'm asking for a small shift. 13 00:01:36,805.002 --> 00:01:42,300.002 could we imagine, committing to being more in close relationship? that's the first commitment. 14 00:01:42,620.002 --> 00:02:00,410.002 The second commitment I would suggest is that we need to commit to the thriving of all of us at every level, So I, as the Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, am committed to the thriving of the Diocese of New York and the Diocese of El Camino Real and the Diocese of Texas. 15 00:02:00,910.002 --> 00:02:04,580.002 I have an interest in the thriving of all of the diocese. 16 00:02:05,295.002 --> 00:02:11,945.002 At the congregational level, each congregation has a commitment to the thriving of all of the other churches. 17 00:02:12,535.002 --> 00:02:19,525.002 At the individual level, I have a commitment for the thriving of your spiritual life and your relationship with Jesus. 18 00:02:19,535.002 --> 00:02:23,035 When I stand up and say, I will support you in your baptismal covenant. 19 00:02:23,445.001 --> 00:02:26,325.001 When I stand up and say, I will support you in your marriage. 20 00:02:26,795.001 --> 00:02:32,825.001 Let's make that real by saying the church is going to wrap around and provide community. 21 00:02:33,270.001 --> 00:02:35,890.001 And I know we're already doing this in a lot of ways. 22 00:02:36,70.001 --> 00:02:41,970.001 So let's just ratchet it up a little bit, right? we support each other humanly and spiritually very well. 23 00:02:42,660.001 --> 00:02:46,420 How well do we support each other financially? That's less sure. 24 00:02:46,990.001 --> 00:02:49,450.001 during the pandemic, a lot of folk lost their jobs. 25 00:02:50,190.001 --> 00:02:56,770.001 I don't know that a lot of Episcopal churches made sure that those people didn't lose their houses or their mortgages. 26 00:02:56,930.001 --> 00:03:01,870.001 we are individualist when it comes to money, but we like community in other ways. 27 00:03:01,950.001 --> 00:03:12,350.001 what I'm saying is maybe this is just a shift to say, let us be more collaborative relationally engaged at every level. 28 00:03:13,250.001 --> 00:03:16,770.001 I'm going to care about the seven people closest to me in my church pew. 29 00:03:17,405.001 --> 00:03:20,395.001 I'm going to care about the seven churches closest to my church. 30 00:03:20,735.001 --> 00:03:24,285.001 I'm going to care about the seven diocese that are connected to my diocese. 31 00:03:24,615.001 --> 00:03:34,795 And then that is what's going to make the Episcopal church, which by the way, the Episcopal church then would be as committed to Canada and the diocese in Mexico, As we are to ourselves.
(03:35):
.001That's the fractals. 33 00:03:37,860.001 --> 00:03:55,400.001 The flocking is paying attention to the seven, The strategic intention is to be intentional about shifting things from an individualist value set to valuing our relationships and working together. 34 00:03:56,620.001 --> 00:04:00,430.001 Remember the advantages of being in a flock. 35 00:04:01,450.001 --> 00:04:05,140.001 It actually saves labor and energy. 36 00:04:06,30.001 --> 00:04:15,660.001 Instead of each bird having to fly all the way across its migration pattern, by flying together, they share the burden and they move faster. 37 00:04:16,420.001 --> 00:04:31,720.001 Instead of each congregation literally having to earn every piece of the money they spend, what if we shared more? There would be more of a sense that we're working together, instead of a sense that each congregation is isolated and on its own. 38 00:04:32,610.001 --> 00:04:35,460.001 So, flocking together saves energy. 39 00:04:35,860.001 --> 00:04:39,630.001 Flocking together also helps protect us from threats. 40 00:04:40,320.001 --> 00:04:48,810.001 When one congregation is threatened by economic insecurity, if it can rely on the rest of us, it doesn't have to be isolated and scared. 41 00:04:49,520.001 --> 00:04:58,150.001 If it knows it's part of a diocese that is actually there to help and support it, then that congregation doesn't have to fear scarcity in the same way. 42 00:04:58,960.001 --> 00:05:02,280 And the third thing that flocking does, is it helps us identify resources. 43 00:05:03,80.001 --> 00:05:13,790.001 Some congregations are really good at figuring certain things out, whether it's, Hey, we're really good at stewardship, or, Hey, we're really good at youth ministry, or, Hey, we are absolutely fabulous at outreach. 44 00:05:14,440.001 --> 00:05:27,335.001 If we share more about how we do our ministry, Congregations that want to grow in that area can rely on the expertise and experience of the other congregations in real time. 45 00:05:27,895.001 --> 00:05:33,785.001 Not waiting for the diocese to hold some kind of ministry fair, but in real time, you can reach out and find that. 46 00:05:34,575.001 --> 00:05:50,25.001 The diocesan staff can be the connectors to make sure that in real time, if you need help with your audit, or if you need help designing a curriculum for your middle school kids, that you have access to the people in the diocese who are really good at that. 47 00:05:50,945.001 --> 00:05:58,525.001 by paying attention to the flocking, we can find resources better for everybody. 48 00:05:59,75.001 --> 00:06:13,675 We can defend ourselves from scarcity and threat for everybody, and we can work less hard Instead of every congregation having to have a junior warden, and the junior warden is the only person who really works on the boiler. 49 00:06:14,320.001 --> 00:06:25,230.001 What if every junior warden was in connection with the seven other junior wardens closest to her and thus when there was a problem with the building, she's got seven people to help her solve that problem.
(06:26):
.001This is the kind of reimagining of the Diocese of the Rio Grande that I would like us to think about. 51 00:06:32,400.002 --> 00:06:37,40.001 And I offer it to the wider church too as a potentially helpful thing. 52 00:06:38,830.001 --> 00:06:54,500.002 if we were to work more together, concentrate on our relationships in a different way, be a little bit less individualistic, If we were to shift, I think that would actually be much more of an embodiment of the gospel of Jesus Christ than what we're currently doing. 53 00:06:55,810.002 --> 00:07:05,0.002 We've been reading through the book of Acts through the summer, and we're still reading through it as part of the daily office, and you will see time and time again that in the early church. 54 00:07:05,635.002 --> 00:07:12,665.002 They held all things in common so that none of them had lack, and out of joy, there was always more than enough. 55 00:07:13,535.002 --> 00:07:16,425.002 You've experienced this at every single church potluck. 56 00:07:16,935.002 --> 00:07:20,995.001 Every potluck, we bring not even enough to feed our own family. 57 00:07:21,405.002 --> 00:07:26,545.002 And every one of us comes out so stuffed full of everything that we can't eat again for another week. 58 00:07:28,305.002 --> 00:07:32,45.002 The loaves and fishes thing that Jesus talks about is not a fairy tale. 59 00:07:32,275.002 --> 00:07:33,535.002 It actually is real. 60 00:07:34,385.002 --> 00:07:37,455.002 God has provided way more than we need. 61 00:07:38,255.002 --> 00:07:53,625.002 It's just that we have a tendency to be individualist and out of our fear of scarcity We want to hold on to mine because i'm not sure if I share with you too much It might not have enough for me So we store up in barns, which jesus had a lot to say about that. 62 00:07:53,925.002 --> 00:07:57,385.002 Do not store up your riches Share them with each other. 63 00:07:58,365.002 --> 00:08:14,715.002 I think these ideas that i'm talking about flocking at every level of the fractals working through every scale of church And having a strategic intent to embody the Christ like way of Jesus. 64 00:08:15,365.002 --> 00:08:22,785.002 Which means we are more focused on our relationship and mutual thriving than on I get mine, whether or not you thrive. 65 00:08:24,85.002 --> 00:08:31,555.001 So what would that actually look like? How might we commit to that? Let me just flesh it out a little bit more. 66 00:08:32,705.002 --> 00:08:42,885.002 I am well aware I've worked a lot with congregations on the congregational level for decades and I am well aware that the needs of a large church are different from the needs of a small church. 67 00:08:43,535.002 --> 00:08:46,55.003 wait, no, let me modify that. 68 00:08:46,735.003 --> 00:08:50,875.003 The needs at a small church and the needs of a big church are the same needs. 69 00:08:51,215.003 --> 00:08:53,65.003 They're just happening at different scales. 70 00:08:53,705.003 --> 00:09:07,715.0035 in a big church, there is a responsibility to care for the spiritual formation of everybody in that church, to visit them all in the hospital to provide for weddings and liturgies and funerals for everybody to provide Christian formation for everybody. 71 00:09:07,895.0045 --> 00:09:12,235.0045 and to maintain the sacred worship space where that whole congregation gathers. 72 00:09:12,535.0045 --> 00:09:15,265.0045 And that takes a lot of resources in a big congregation. 73 00:09:15,265.0045 --> 00:09:16,235.0045 If you're looking after a. 74 00:09:16,575.0045 --> 00:09:25,465.0035 congregation that's got 500 members, the building's going to be bigger, the staff's going to be bigger, the number of hospital visits is going to be bigger. 75 00:09:25,505.0045 --> 00:09:27,255.0035 That's just a different scale. 76 00:09:28,515.0045 --> 00:09:37,255.0045 If you're working in a small church in the village where you've got 30 people in the community, You're still needing to meet the spiritual needs of every single one there. 77 00:09:37,645.0045 --> 00:09:43,855.0045 You're still needing to make sure that when people are in the hospital or in need of pastoral care that they have that. 78 00:09:44,375.0045 --> 00:09:47,315.0045 You're still needing to provide Christian formation for everybody. 79 00:09:47,775.0035 --> 00:09:52,825.0045 And you're still needing to make sure that the Sunday Eucharist is celebrated in every church all the time. 80 00:09:52,825.0045 --> 00:09:58,805.0045 So the small church needs priests and deacons just like the big church needs priests and deacons. 81 00:09:59,345.0045 --> 00:10:02,345.0045 It's the same ministry at a different scale. 82 00:10:03,465.0045 --> 00:10:11,845.0045 Right now, because of our emphasis on individualism, the small church has to provide for itself, and the big church has to provide for itself. 83 00:10:12,495.0035 --> 00:10:22,605.0045 But if we were to shift in this more relational direction, If for example, the small church was connected with the seven nearby, and maybe one of those is a bigger church. 84 00:10:22,895.0045 --> 00:10:29,115.0045 I'm not saying that the big church is now going to be responsible for the financial wherewithal of the smaller churches around it. 85 00:10:29,495.0045 --> 00:10:33,645.0035 But what I am saying is that the whole diocese can be aware. 86 00:10:33,965.0045 --> 00:10:52,545.0045 What does it need for that big church to thrive? And what does it need for that small church to thrive? can we not work together? With a commitment and a clear strategic intention that every church needs to thrive let's make sure that every church gets the resources it needs to thrive. 87 00:10:53,665.0035 --> 00:11:16,855.0045 That means we're gonna have to collaborate That means we're gonna have to share but that's what Jesus is talking about Anyway, to fully embody our intention to be followers of Jesus What I'm saying to you, Episcopal Church, is we need to start embodying that sharing, not only with our sense of community, but also with our sense of both human resources, and yes, financial resources. 88 00:11:17,835.0045 --> 00:11:38,245.0045 What if diocese began to really be intentionally committed, not only for their thriving as the individual diocese, but also committed in a new way, a deeper way, to the thriving of all the diocese in the Episcopal Church? we are now in a situation where some diocese can't afford a canon to the ordinary. 89 00:11:38,965.0045 --> 00:11:41,235.0045 And some have a staff of 30 or more. 90 00:11:42,105.0045 --> 00:11:46,625.0055 a big diocese like New York or Texas is operating on a different scale. 91 00:11:46,925.0055 --> 00:11:54,995.0055 than the Diocese of the Rio Grande But the Diocese of the Rio Grande and the Diocese of Texas both have a need to provide the same ministry. 92 00:11:55,95.0055 --> 00:11:56,895.0055 We've got to raise people up for priesthood. 93 00:11:57,175.0055 --> 00:11:59,105.0055 We've got to raise people up for the diaconate. 94 00:11:59,145.0055 --> 00:12:02,645.0055 We've got to provide lay leader formation and training. 95 00:12:02,935.0045 --> 00:12:09,35.0055 We've got to make sure that the buildings and the boilers and the air conditioners function in all of our churches. 96 00:12:09,535.0055 --> 00:12:24,905.0055 So it's the same ministry, but the scale is different from the scale of a Montana or a Nebraska or a Puerto Rico, but it's the same ministry. 97 00:12:25,745.0055 --> 00:12:53,919.906 if we were to pay more attention to our relationships with others with a more strategic intent towards the thriving of everybody, Instead of just talking about what's my assessment to the wider church, and should we adjust that a percentage up or down? Instead, let us do the harder work of intentionally committing to the thriving of everybody, Everybody's gonna get what they need, right? The big churches are gonna get what they need, the small churches are gonna get what they need. 98 00:12:54,490.006 --> 00:12:56,220.006 The big diocese are going to get what they need. 99 00:12:56,510.006 --> 00:12:58,410.006 The small diocese are going to get what they need. 100 00:12:58,490.006 --> 00:13:03,870.006 And we're going to create a structure that actually monitors that and makes sure that is happening. 101 00:13:03,880.006 --> 00:13:15,530.006 Instead of the structure we have right now, which ensures that everybody is paying their assessment to the wider church, and then that everybody gets representation to vote on the budget. 102 00:13:16,355.006 --> 00:13:25,725.006 Instead, we could reimagine how we are together, and what I'm saying is, as we face the financial stresses that are coming for all of us. 103 00:13:26,585.006 --> 00:13:34,685.006 The Diocese of New York has a ton of sacred buildings with lots of valuable stained glass that they're trying to heat and cool and keep the roof on. 104 00:13:35,525.005 --> 00:13:38,565.006 The Diocese of Rio Grande has fewer buildings. 105 00:13:38,995.006 --> 00:13:40,935.006 But we also have fewer resources. 106 00:13:41,95.006 --> 00:13:46,775.006 we are all facing the same trouble and we are all worried how we're going to survive it. 107 00:13:46,915.006 --> 00:13:50,295.006 There is plenty of resources. 108 00:13:50,735.006 --> 00:14:06,35.006 If we think about it together, but we would have to change that at every scale of being church from the individual congregation to the diocese, to the wider church, I think we could do it. 109 00:14:06,345.006 --> 00:14:07,615.005 it's an exciting vision. 110 00:14:07,935.006 --> 00:14:13,895.006 I know that if we flock together better, we will be able to face the challenges better than we can. 111 00:14:13,895.006 --> 00:14:20,55.006 If we are isolated and individualist, I know and can tell you that if we continue doing what we're doing. 112 00:14:20,370.006 --> 00:14:24,550.006 The small congregations are increasingly not able to meet their own needs. 113 00:14:25,410.006 --> 00:14:27,120.006 And so they will die out. 114 00:14:27,680.006 --> 00:14:42,960.0055 It's like, if all the flock decides to fly on their own, instead of flying in a V, not everybody's going to make it to the end, but if we fly in a V, there's less work, more protection, and more accessibility to resources for everybody. 115 00:14:43,980.0055 --> 00:14:46,940.0065 So my friends, let's think about this church that we love. 116 00:14:47,270.0065 --> 00:14:55,970.0065 Let's have a strategic intent to commit to being more relationally engaged with each other at every single level, every single scale of being church. 117 00:14:56,490.0065 --> 00:14:57,700.0065 Let's have a conversation. 118 00:14:58,250.0055 --> 00:15:00,950.0055 I think it will help us face the challenges ahead. 119 00:15:01,360.0065 --> 00:15:07,890.0065 And I know it will be more an embodiment of the book of acts and the teachings of Jesus Christ than what we're currently doing. 120 00:15:08,650.0065 --> 00:15:10,920.0065 Love to hear your comments about any and all of this. 121 00:15:11,230.0065 --> 00:15:12,640.0065 Please put them down below.
Hey there, Episcopal Church.
this is the fourth part of this mini series on reimagining and thinking strategically about how we might be church.
I'd like to bring together the three concepts we've talked about in the last three videos. 4 00:00:15,250.001 --> 00:00:26,890.001 strategic intention, fractals, and flocking in order for us to begin thinking intentionally about what we might be, how we might interact together. 5 00:00:26,900.001 --> 00:00:37,150.001 So what if we had a strategic intention to be less individualistic and more connected and relational Going forward. 6 00:00:37,620.001 --> 00:00:39,0.001 I'm not talking about in everything. 7 00:00:39,10.001 --> 00:00:59,20.001 I'm not saying let's rewrite all our canons I don't have a big giant vision for how this would work I'm just starting small by saying I think in the future we will be better together than if we are apart I think if we remain kind of individualist focused, we will be isolated when threats come. 8 00:00:59,450.001 --> 00:01:08,670.002 whether those are economic or challenges with finding lay leaders I think if we band together, flock together, we will actually be stronger. 9 00:01:09,70.002 --> 00:01:12,840.002 And that's the goal to help the whole church thrive at every single level. 10 00:01:13,180.002 --> 00:01:14,720.002 So let's think through this. 11 00:01:15,190.002 --> 00:01:18,340.002 We would need to develop strategic intention. 12 00:01:18,705.002 --> 00:01:36,415.003 at every scale of church so that there would be a common sense of shared identity and commitment to shift from, being individualistic and separate, to we'd like to be a little bit more closely connected, right? So I'm asking for a small shift. 13 00:01:36,805.002 --> 00:01:42,300.002 could we imagine, committing to being more in close relationship? that's the first commitment. 14 00:01:42,620.002 --> 00:02:00,410.002 The second commitment I would suggest is that we need to commit to the thriving of all of us at every level, So I, as the Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, am committed to the thriving of the Diocese of New York and the Diocese of El Camino Real and the Diocese of Texas. 15 00:02:00,910.002 --> 00:02:04,580.002 I have an interest in the thriving of all of the diocese. 16 00:02:05,295.002 --> 00:02:11,945.002 At the congregational level, each congregation has a commitment to the thriving of all of the other churches. 17 00:02:12,535.002 --> 00:02:19,525.002 At the individual level, I have a commitment for the thriving of your spiritual life and your relationship with Jesus. 18 00:02:19,535.002 --> 00:02:23,035 When I stand up and say, I will support you in your baptismal covenant. 19 00:02:23,445.001 --> 00:02:26,325.001 When I stand up and say, I will support you in your marriage. 20 00:02:26,795.001 --> 00:02:32,825.001 Let's make that real by saying the church is going to wrap around and provide community. 21 00:02:33,270.001 --> 00:02:35,890.001 And I know we're already doing this in a lot of ways. 22 00:02:36,70.001 --> 00:02:41,970.001 So let's just ratchet it up a little bit, right? we support each other humanly and spiritually very well. 23 00:02:42,660.001 --> 00:02:46,420 How well do we support each other financially? That's less sure. 24 00:02:46,990.001 --> 00:02:49,450.001 during the pandemic, a lot of folk lost their jobs. 25 00:02:50,190.001 --> 00:02:56,770.001 I don't know that a lot of Episcopal churches made sure that those people didn't lose their houses or their mortgages. 26 00:02:56,930.001 --> 00:03:01,870.001 we are individualist when it comes to money, but we like community in other ways. 27 00:03:01,950.001 --> 00:03:12,350.001 what I'm saying is maybe this is just a shift to say, let us be more collaborative relationally engaged at every level. 28 00:03:13,250.001 --> 00:03:16,770.001 I'm going to care about the seven people closest to me in my church pew. 29 00:03:17,405.001 --> 00:03:20,395.001 I'm going to care about the seven churches closest to my church. 30 00:03:20,735.001 --> 00:03:24,285.001 I'm going to care about the seven diocese that are connected to my diocese. 31 00:03:24,615.001 --> 00:03:34,795 And then that is what's going to make the Episcopal church, which by the way, the Episcopal church then would be as committed to Canada and the diocese in Mexico, As we are to ourselves.
(03:35):
.001That's the fractals. 33 00:03:37,860.001 --> 00:03:55,400.001 The flocking is paying attention to the seven, The strategic intention is to be intentional about shifting things from an individualist value set to valuing our relationships and working together. 34 00:03:56,620.001 --> 00:04:00,430.001 Remember the advantages of being in a flock. 35 00:04:01,450.001 --> 00:04:05,140.001 It actually saves labor and energy. 36 00:04:06,30.001 --> 00:04:15,660.001 Instead of each bird having to fly all the way across its migration pattern, by flying together, they share the burden and they move faster. 37 00:04:16,420.001 --> 00:04:31,720.001 Instead of each congregation literally having to earn every piece of the money they spend, what if we shared more? There would be more of a sense that we're working together, instead of a sense that each congregation is isolated and on its own. 38 00:04:32,610.001 --> 00:04:35,460.001 So, flocking together saves energy. 39 00:04:35,860.001 --> 00:04:39,630.001 Flocking together also helps protect us from threats. 40 00:04:40,320.001 --> 00:04:48,810.001 When one congregation is threatened by economic insecurity, if it can rely on the rest of us, it doesn't have to be isolated and scared. 41 00:04:49,520.001 --> 00:04:58,150.001 If it knows it's part of a diocese that is actually there to help and support it, then that congregation doesn't have to fear scarcity in the same way. 42 00:04:58,960.001 --> 00:05:02,280 And the third thing that flocking does, is it helps us identify resources. 43 00:05:03,80.001 --> 00:05:13,790.001 Some congregations are really good at figuring certain things out, whether it's, Hey, we're really good at stewardship, or, Hey, we're really good at youth ministry, or, Hey, we are absolutely fabulous at outreach. 44 00:05:14,440.001 --> 00:05:27,335.001 If we share more about how we do our ministry, Congregations that want to grow in that area can rely on the expertise and experience of the other congregations in real time. 45 00:05:27,895.001 --> 00:05:33,785.001 Not waiting for the diocese to hold some kind of ministry fair, but in real time, you can reach out and find that. 46 00:05:34,575.001 --> 00:05:50,25.001 The diocesan staff can be the connectors to make sure that in real time, if you need help with your audit, or if you need help designing a curriculum for your middle school kids, that you have access to the people in the diocese who are really good at that. 47 00:05:50,945.001 --> 00:05:58,525.001 by paying attention to the flocking, we can find resources better for everybody. 48 00:05:59,75.001 --> 00:06:13,675 We can defend ourselves from scarcity and threat for everybody, and we can work less hard Instead of every congregation having to have a junior warden, and the junior warden is the only person who really works on the boiler. 49 00:06:14,320.001 --> 00:06:25,230.001 What if every junior warden was in connection with the seven other junior wardens closest to her and thus when there was a problem with the building, she's got seven people to help her solve that problem.
(06:26):
.001This is the kind of reimagining of the Diocese of the Rio Grande that I would like us to think about. 51 00:06:32,400.002 --> 00:06:37,40.001 And I offer it to the wider church too as a potentially helpful thing. 52 00:06:38,830.001 --> 00:06:54,500.002 if we were to work more together, concentrate on our relationships in a different way, be a little bit less individualistic, If we were to shift, I think that would actually be much more of an embodiment of the gospel of Jesus Christ than what we're currently doing. 53 00:06:55,810.002 --> 00:07:05,0.002 We've been reading through the book of Acts through the summer, and we're still reading through it as part of the daily office, and you will see time and time again that in the early church. 54 00:07:05,635.002 --> 00:07:12,665.002 They held all things in common so that none of them had lack, and out of joy, there was always more than enough. 55 00:07:13,535.002 --> 00:07:16,425.002 You've experienced this at every single church potluck. 56 00:07:16,935.002 --> 00:07:20,995.001 Every potluck, we bring not even enough to feed our own family. 57 00:07:21,405.002 --> 00:07:26,545.002 And every one of us comes out so stuffed full of everything that we can't eat again for another week. 58 00:07:28,305.002 --> 00:07:32,45.002 The loaves and fishes thing that Jesus talks about is not a fairy tale. 59 00:07:32,275.002 --> 00:07:33,535.002 It actually is real. 60 00:07:34,385.002 --> 00:07:37,455.002 God has provided way more than we need. 61 00:07:38,255.002 --> 00:07:53,625.002 It's just that we have a tendency to be individualist and out of our fear of scarcity We want to hold on to mine because i'm not sure if I share with you too much It might not have enough for me So we store up in barns, which jesus had a lot to say about that. 62 00:07:53,925.002 --> 00:07:57,385.002 Do not store up your riches Share them with each other. 63 00:07:58,365.002 --> 00:08:14,715.002 I think these ideas that i'm talking about flocking at every level of the fractals working through every scale of church And having a strategic intent to embody the Christ like way of Jesus. 64 00:08:15,365.002 --> 00:08:22,785.002 Which means we are more focused on our relationship and mutual thriving than on I get mine, whether or not you thrive. 65 00:08:24,85.002 --> 00:08:31,555.001 So what would that actually look like? How might we commit to that? Let me just flesh it out a little bit more. 66 00:08:32,705.002 --> 00:08:42,885.002 I am well aware I've worked a lot with congregations on the congregational level for decades and I am well aware that the needs of a large church are different from the needs of a small church. 67 00:08:43,535.002 --> 00:08:46,55.003 wait, no, let me modify that. 68 00:08:46,735.003 --> 00:08:50,875.003 The needs at a small church and the needs of a big church are the same needs. 69 00:08:51,215.003 --> 00:08:53,65.003 They're just happening at different scales. 70 00:08:53,705.003 --> 00:09:07,715.0035 in a big church, there is a responsibility to care for the spiritual formation of everybody in that church, to visit them all in the hospital to provide for weddings and liturgies and funerals for everybody to provide Christian formation for everybody. 71 00:09:07,895.0045 --> 00:09:12,235.0045 and to maintain the sacred worship space where that whole congregation gathers. 72 00:09:12,535.0045 --> 00:09:15,265.0045 And that takes a lot of resources in a big congregation. 73 00:09:15,265.0045 --> 00:09:16,235.0045 If you're looking after a. 74 00:09:16,575.0045 --> 00:09:25,465.0035 congregation that's got 500 members, the building's going to be bigger, the staff's going to be bigger, the number of hospital visits is going to be bigger. 75 00:09:25,505.0045 --> 00:09:27,255.0035 That's just a different scale. 76 00:09:28,515.0045 --> 00:09:37,255.0045 If you're working in a small church in the village where you've got 30 people in the community, You're still needing to meet the spiritual needs of every single one there. 77 00:09:37,645.0045 --> 00:09:43,855.0045 You're still needing to make sure that when people are in the hospital or in need of pastoral care that they have that. 78 00:09:44,375.0045 --> 00:09:47,315.0045 You're still needing to provide Christian formation for everybody. 79 00:09:47,775.0035 --> 00:09:52,825.0045 And you're still needing to make sure that the Sunday Eucharist is celebrated in every church all the time. 80 00:09:52,825.0045 --> 00:09:58,805.0045 So the small church needs priests and deacons just like the big church needs priests and deacons. 81 00:09:59,345.0045 --> 00:10:02,345.0045 It's the same ministry at a different scale. 82 00:10:03,465.0045 --> 00:10:11,845.0045 Right now, because of our emphasis on individualism, the small church has to provide for itself, and the big church has to provide for itself. 83 00:10:12,495.0035 --> 00:10:22,605.0045 But if we were to shift in this more relational direction, If for example, the small church was connected with the seven nearby, and maybe one of those is a bigger church. 84 00:10:22,895.0045 --> 00:10:29,115.0045 I'm not saying that the big church is now going to be responsible for the financial wherewithal of the smaller churches around it. 85 00:10:29,495.0045 --> 00:10:33,645.0035 But what I am saying is that the whole diocese can be aware. 86 00:10:33,965.0045 --> 00:10:52,545.0045 What does it need for that big church to thrive? And what does it need for that small church to thrive? can we not work together? With a commitment and a clear strategic intention that every church needs to thrive let's make sure that every church gets the resources it needs to thrive. 87 00:10:53,665.0035 --> 00:11:16,855.0045 That means we're gonna have to collaborate That means we're gonna have to share but that's what Jesus is talking about Anyway, to fully embody our intention to be followers of Jesus What I'm saying to you, Episcopal Church, is we need to start embodying that sharing, not only with our sense of community, but also with our sense of both human resources, and yes, financial resources. 88 00:11:17,835.0045 --> 00:11:38,245.0045 What if diocese began to really be intentionally committed, not only for their thriving as the individual diocese, but also committed in a new way, a deeper way, to the thriving of all the diocese in the Episcopal Church? we are now in a situation where some diocese can't afford a canon to the ordinary. 89 00:11:38,965.0045 --> 00:11:41,235.0045 And some have a staff of 30 or more. 90 00:11:42,105.0045 --> 00:11:46,625.0055 a big diocese like New York or Texas is operating on a different scale. 91 00:11:46,925.0055 --> 00:11:54,995.0055 than the Diocese of the Rio Grande But the Diocese of the Rio Grande and the Diocese of Texas both have a need to provide the same ministry. 92 00:11:55,95.0055 --> 00:11:56,895.0055 We've got to raise people up for priesthood. 93 00:11:57,175.0055 --> 00:11:59,105.0055 We've got to raise people up for the diaconate. 94 00:11:59,145.0055 --> 00:12:02,645.0055 We've got to provide lay leader formation and training. 95 00:12:02,935.0045 --> 00:12:09,35.0055 We've got to make sure that the buildings and the boilers and the air conditioners function in all of our churches. 96 00:12:09,535.0055 --> 00:12:24,905.0055 So it's the same ministry, but the scale is different from the scale of a Montana or a Nebraska or a Puerto Rico, but it's the same ministry. 97 00:12:25,745.0055 --> 00:12:53,919.906 if we were to pay more attention to our relationships with others with a more strategic intent towards the thriving of everybody, Instead of just talking about what's my assessment to the wider church, and should we adjust that a percentage up or down? Instead, let us do the harder work of intentionally committing to the thriving of everybody, Everybody's gonna get what they need, right? The big churches are gonna get what they need, the small churches are gonna get what they need. 98 00:12:54,490.006 --> 00:12:56,220.006 The big diocese are going to get what they need. 99 00:12:56,510.006 --> 00:12:58,410.006 The small diocese are going to get what they need. 100 00:12:58,490.006 --> 00:13:03,870.006 And we're going to create a structure that actually monitors that and makes sure that is happening. 101 00:13:03,880.006 --> 00:13:15,530.006 Instead of the structure we have right now, which ensures that everybody is paying their assessment to the wider church, and then that everybody gets representation to vote on the budget. 102 00:13:16,355.006 --> 00:13:25,725.006 Instead, we could reimagine how we are together, and what I'm saying is, as we face the financial stresses that are coming for all of us. 103 00:13:26,585.006 --> 00:13:34,685.006 The Diocese of New York has a ton of sacred buildings with lots of valuable stained glass that they're trying to heat and cool and keep the roof on. 104 00:13:35,525.005 --> 00:13:38,565.006 The Diocese of Rio Grande has fewer buildings. 105 00:13:38,995.006 --> 00:13:40,935.006 But we also have fewer resources. 106 00:13:41,95.006 --> 00:13:46,775.006 we are all facing the same trouble and we are all worried how we're going to survive it. 107 00:13:46,915.006 --> 00:13:50,295.006 There is plenty of resources. 108 00:13:50,735.006 --> 00:14:06,35.006 If we think about it together, but we would have to change that at every scale of being church from the individual congregation to the diocese, to the wider church, I think we could do it. 109 00:14:06,345.006 --> 00:14:07,615.005 it's an exciting vision. 110 00:14:07,935.006 --> 00:14:13,895.006 I know that if we flock together better, we will be able to face the challenges better than we can. 111 00:14:13,895.006 --> 00:14:20,55.006 If we are isolated and individualist, I know and can tell you that if we continue doing what we're doing. 112 00:14:20,370.006 --> 00:14:24,550.006 The small congregations are increasingly not able to meet their own needs. 113 00:14:25,410.006 --> 00:14:27,120.006 And so they will die out. 114 00:14:27,680.006 --> 00:14:42,960.0055 It's like, if all the flock decides to fly on their own, instead of flying in a V, not everybody's going to make it to the end, but if we fly in a V, there's less work, more protection, and more accessibility to resources for everybody. 115 00:14:43,980.0055 --> 00:14:46,940.0065 So my friends, let's think about this church that we love. 116 00:14:47,270.0065 --> 00:14:55,970.0065 Let's have a strategic intent to commit to being more relationally engaged with each other at every single level, every single scale of being church. 117 00:14:56,490.0065 --> 00:14:57,700.0065 Let's have a conversation. 118 00:14:58,250.0055 --> 00:15:00,950.0055 I think it will help us face the challenges ahead. 119 00:15:01,360.0065 --> 00:15:07,890.0065 And I know it will be more an embodiment of the book of acts and the teachings of Jesus Christ than what we're currently doing. 120 00:15:08,650.0065 --> 00:15:10,920.0065 Love to hear your comments about any and all of this. 121 00:15:11,230.0065 --> 00:15:12,640.0065 Please put them down below.
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