Saturday, October 15, 2022
The Rev. Rob Stevens
What’s the Story?
I recently experienced a great transformation. No there were not lightening bolts, but the effect was quite dramatic. I had formed an opinion of someone that well, let’s just say, this was someone that I viewed as a bit prickly. This person seemed to be always negative and sometimes outright nasty. I had learned to simply deal with it. Last week I was conversing with a mutual friend and I heard this person’s story. It was not tragic in the dramatic sense, but it was evident that life was not a bed of roses and many tough realities faced them daily. It was amazing how quickly my attitude changed. I went from wanting to avoid this person to having compassion for them. It was not pity, but rather I caught a glimpse of what it was like to be in their shoes. This person has not changed. They are still a bit prickly, but the change happened to me in the hearing of their story.
Have you ever noticed that when you know the story things are a bit clearer, especially when it comes to having compassion for people? Knowing the story allows for understanding and whether we agree or not enables our hardened hearts to soften a bit. However, the opposite is true as well. When we do not know the story or feel uninformed or “out of the loop” we can become hurt, defensive and even accusatory.
St. John’s has the gift and challenge of being one of the larger churches in our diocese. The gift is that we have an abundance of riches. No, the myth that we are the “rich church on the hill” supported by a few deep pockets has not been true for many decades, but we do have more than enough and have much to share with the world. We are blessed with a vibrant congregation of all ages and backgrounds and a rich heritage upon which to build. This is indeed Good News. The challenge is that as we grow it becomes more difficult for people’s stories to be told and heard. It does not just happen. It takes intentionality and it takes organization. Quite frankly, those are not two of the churches strong points historically. Another challenge for St. John’s is that being a large growing parish takes work and is often met with resistance whether conscious or not. It is the underlying fear and bewilderment that I hear in the comment made by a long time parishioner observing coffee hour, “Who are all these people?” When we open our doors to all people it can get uncomfortable from time to time. That discomfort could be seen as a positive if we remember that we are a church with a story to tell, not a club looking for the “right” members.
Telling our story is our primary responsibility on all levels. We will to continue to improve how we communicate with those who call St. John’s home so that we avoid the unintended impression that our “news” is for a select few. The Daily Reflections continue this story telling. It is the gift that keeps on giving. Again, I invite you to tell your stories here or elsewhere.
Listening to one another is where community begins. Let us listen well, especially to those stories as the margin and always seek to widen the circle to truly welcome all.
So tell me…what’s your story?