As a new calendar year begins, it is a good time to evaluate who and where you are, and to set some direction for the new year. The same applies to the church. I read an article in a journal for spiritual formation called Weavings (published by The Upper Room) that I thought gives us a good framework with which to do such an evaluation as we begin a new calendar year. See what you think…
In his article titled “The Art of Loving”, Glenn Hinson writes of churches as schools of love. He quotes “the brilliant Jewish philosopher Martin Buber” – Buber said, “The greatest thing one can do for another is to confirm what is deepest in another.” Hinson goes on to observe that Jesus made “confirming what is deepest in another” the object of his life and ministry. Using the Zacchaeus story in Luke 19:1-10, Hinson describes Jesus modeling four facets of confirmation: attention, acceptance, association, and affirmation.
Hinson notes the following in that Zacchaeus story:
-Jesus paid attention to Zacchaeus up in the tree. That attention was a most precious gift – think of how inattention takes away our self-esteem and “shrivels our souls”.
-Not only did Jesus pay attention to Zacchaeus but he offered acceptance to Zacchaeus as he told him to come down from the tree and take Jesus to his house.
-Jesus risked his life and refutation by associating with Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and despised by everyone. Here’s Jesus not only paying attention to him but going to his house!
-Finally Jesus affirms Zacchaeus and his response of faith. “…on the basis of God’s infinite mercy and love, Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house…”
Hinson concludes his article with the following: As schools of love, churches can create a culture of confirming what is deepest in others by attention, acceptance, association, and affirmation.
So that bears the question for me, how are we doing at All Saints’? As we begin 2012 are we confirming what is deepest in others? How are we paying attention to those among us and to those around us? How accepting are we of others? Who do we associate with and is that who Jesus wants us to be associating with? How are we affirming the work of God in our own lives and in the lives of others? How are we a school of God’s love?
-Sue Ellen Nicholson, Minister of Administration and Discipleship
