Wish list? Or reality check? – Mary-Anne Rulfs
What would you love to see happening around our church that isn’t? By church I mean both the community of people who are the body of Christ in this place, and the buildings in which we gather for worship, connection and outreach.
I wonder whether, like me, you’d love to see our street signage refreshed? Or significant roof leaks high in the vaulted ceiling repaired? Or the sliding door in Lakeview that opens onto the street replaced with doors that allow unimpeded flow from footpath to community space? Or the narthex revamped in a more contemporary style for current usage? Or more resources for ministry to children, young people and families? And more specialised ministry to older people whose needs are changing? Or more outreach to people – especially vulnerable people – in our nearby suburbs? Or more specialised equipment to enhance our multi-media projects, music production and live-streaming? …
These are all things on my wishlist. I think they would enhance opportunities for being a church that meets the needs of people who don’t regularly join us for worship as well as providing meaningful and generous ministry to people who have chosen our church as their place of belonging so they can grow in their Christian faith and life of service.
What would be on your wishlist? Maybe take a few minutes to think about this, and if you’d like to share your thoughts with any of the ministry team or wardens, please do so. Yours could be a really important initiative in our next steps towards being church for the benefit of others!
However … we all know that reality is the great leveller when it comes to the dreams we have about what we’d like. Reality regulates what’s possible. I’ve appreciated the clarity that both Stewart and Stephen have given to the reality of our financial situation through the last two blogs (11 June and 18 June). They have clarified that most of the things on my wishlist – certainly the building related expenses – are not possible in the current climate where our income is still falling short of our weekly expenditure.
That said, they also offered realistic ways we can help address this shortfall. For example, Stephen put out this invitation:
Do you have the time to spend a few hours per week helping at an Op Shop? If we had 8 more people willing to serve in an Op Shop, we could open an extra day per week. That in itself would significantly boost how we serve the local community and provide significant funds to support other ministries.
How exciting! How doable!
And Stewart also put out an invitation to talk more about money more than we do! For 2 reasons in particular. Firstly, Jesus did. Use of and attitude to money seemed more important to Jesus than some of the other things we spend an inordinate amount of time haggling over. And secondly, in the current climate when money is very much on people’s minds and part of their regular conversation, why should we not also address the issue of money as it relates to ministry and mission?
Stewart also invited us to do 2 things: pray. And live generously and authentically. Whatever that looks like in each of our unique situations. That’s a challenge I plan to accept. How about you?
And the reality is, as we continue to pray, live generously and talk about what’s really going on around us without losing hope, “wishes” come true. Through God’s faithful provision, ways can be found to generate more income. People can discover a passion to support a specific project. The joy of generosity can bubble over contagiously in life-giving ways. People can discover they have more in common with others than they first thought as they work together alongside others in a whole range of roles for the benefit of others.
Challenging times can be the most fruitful when faced together with courage, hope, vision and generous love. Challenges provide impetus for growth. Challenges draw us closer to the heart of God who is right there with us in the midst of the struggle, inviting us to participate in the ongoing work of building the kingdom of God, here and now. The presence of Christ – with us, for us, for others. That is what is really real.
Grace and peace,
Mary-Anne