The Quiet Spirit

If there is anything that I've learned over the last two years as the Associate Pastor is how to be on the lookout for the Holy Spirit moving.  I've learned to try to not be so invested in plans and theories and just watch how God works through the people in this congregation.

It's been cool to see how the Spirit has been moving in a church that so many think is out of energy and spent.  I've seen the Spirit in little kids, young parents and elderly grandmothers.  I've seen the Spirit in a Sunday School class with three little kids, a Wednesday night bible study where two 60-something women learn the Bible anew, a  from an 80-something woman who decided to start a new ministry.

I was reminded of how the Holy Spirit works in a recent blog post I found at the Christian Century.  Written by Steve Wooley, a retired Episcopal priest who goes by the name Country Parson, he writes about the endurance of small, rural congregations.  The last paragraph of this post could also apply to small, urban congregations as well:

It requires an openness to a subtle indwelling of the Holy Spirit. By subtle presence I mean an atmosphere of the Spirit’s presence, unseen and unheard, yet there. I don’t think you can make that happen whether by loud proclamation or through sophisticated consulting. A small rural congregation without that subtle presence may indeed be declining and dying, and we have all seen that happen. One with that subtle presence will probably continue from generation to generation as long as there are generations to be had.

Wooley is saying that what sustains a congregation, what makes it grow (not simply in numbers, but in faith) is that indwelling of the Spirit.  But the thing is, it doesn't happen in a loud way.  It doesn't happen in a way that anyone can see.  It also doesn't happen because of a special method that some transformation consultant is selling.  It happens in quiet and unbecoming ways that are not easy to see, but if someone has a heart that is willing, will see the Spirit and a glimpse of the kingdom of God.

I know that Wooley was talking about rural congregations, but I can see how this could apply to congregations like First Christian.  I've had to learn to put aside expectations for big numbers and just let the Spirit work and I have seen it work.

I think sometimes we can get so wrapped up in numbers, so wanting to find some program or path to change that will make the church what it once was, that we forget God.  In doing that, we miss out on the wonderful journey of God and we miss seeing how God's Spirit is still powering the church after all these years.

The gathered community called church is alive with the Spirit, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Wanted: Fire of Holy Spirit

The community of Springport in northern Henry County did not get underway until a railroad extension was built in 1869. By 1880, the village still numbered only 118 residents. Yet, the fire of the Holy Spirit burned to start a church in the small hamlet. A few faithful disciples had longed for a church, but there were not enough members to make a beginning.

A dedicated preacher arrived in 1879 from Frankton, Indiana, Rev Cornelius Quick, age 81. He came for the purpose of starting a church, but his efforts were cut short by his sudden death. Still, Rev. Quick's efforts were not without fruit. Another area minister, A.M. Weston, came to continue the effort. Sixteen people, believing that the church was an essential part of every community, met to charter the Springport Christian Church.
-From "Birth Stories," Christian Church in Indiana.

I remember when I was still in seminary and I had a passion to plant a church. Someone who attended a local Disciple congregation responded, that we (Disciples in Minnesota) were so weak that it seemed impossible to start a church.

I found that same spirit when I finally did start a church. While we did get a some help, not many from the other congregations helped us. There hasn't really be a fire from the Holy Spirit to get people moving. Hell, there hasn't even been any heartburn.

While I love and cherish the Disciples I meet in this Region, we are just so damn defeated. My former cantor would tell me how some people would complain that none of the new churches would survive and I know of many that seemed to talk about whatever existing church here in Minnesota as not long for this world.

The fact is, many of the churches here are not living in the Spirit. It's interesting that in the book of Acts there is a lot of talk of the Spirit sending people here and there. Somewhere along the way, I wonder if some us just stopped listening and even believing in the Spirit.

And now I want to try this again.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come
among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and
the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
-Book of Common Prayer

Update: I found this from an email I received from my alma mater. I think I need to use it some time:

Sisters and brothers, we are not dismissed.
We are not just free to go.
Christ sends us!
Go [forth] in the power of the Spirit
To love and serve the Lord.
Go to help and heal in all you do.
Thanks be to God!