Most of the books and articles on ‘church’ these days end up
talking about ‘engagement’ in one way or another. Most of the time, I feel like
I’m being given some kind of corporate model – like the one below. And
then, there’s another kind of ‘engagement’ – announcing a marriage. We all know
about that one: hearts and flowers, showers, rings and planning and planning
for the BIG day.
Neither word fits with my experience of church and church people.
Since we are part of the United Church of Christ, I think we have a better word
– Covenant. We usually describe relationships
with God, with each other and with other settings of the church in terms of our
covenants.
The Hebrew Scripture scholar, Walter Brueggemann says that we enter
into contracts to protect our own interests. (e.g., If I agreed to sell you my car, our contract
would stipulate the price you would pay and my understanding of the condition
of the car. If either of us fails to meet our end of the bargain. The contract
is null and void.) Brueggemann goes on
to state that we enter covenants for the
sake of the other. So, if we are working on a covenant, each person leads
with what he or she has to offer that will strengthen the relationship, the
project or the program. AND, she or he will commit to giving the ‘best’ possible
to this enterprise. That is always my best hope for the church: that we keep
working at these fragile relationships called covenants, because, as we find in
Hebrews 3:1 says, we are “holy partners in a heavenly calling.”
In this Interim Time it is good for all of us to reflect on the
covenantal relationships we have as members and friends of Good Shepherd, UCC –
with Christ, with others here and with those who need to hear their own holy
calling. It is a time to think about what you bring to the table to strengthen
this part of the Body of Christ. It is a time to become engaged – totally
involved – committed to the future and full partners in this holy calling.
Blessings Always – Laura Lee
