Issue #1 of Journey On
Issue #1 of Journey On
A reminder, a case study, and an update.
Reminder: Formation Takes Time
At Faith Reformed, we recently finished 22 weeks of PILGRIM. In light of that, I want to provide a word of encouragement to the recent participants and all PILGRIM alumni (including myself):
work hard to resist any temptation to believe that the 22 weeks, as intense as they were, are sufficient.
Formation takes time, A LOT of time. There are some changes that come quickly (esp. when we welcome disruption — see Luke 19:1-10 and 2 Samuel 12:1-24), but most formation is slow—like the fruit of a vine or the clay being molded on a potter’s wheel.
If anything, we should not see the end of the 22 weeks as a finish line, but rather, the end of a particularly long hill on an adventurous pilgrimage. On the top of that hill, there is certainly time and reason to enjoy the view.
Not only can we enjoy that view, but on the backside of that 22-week hill, we can also enjoy the ease of the descent.
Yet, the journey is not complete. God’s not done with us yet. In fact, God’s just getting started. Thank God for the formation we’ve experienced so far. And thank God that if we keep making ourselves receptive to the Holy Spirit, there’s so much more formation yet to come!
What are you currently doing to abide in the Vine and put yourself in the hands of the Potter?
A Case Study in All Things PILGRIM
For those of you that are part of Faith Reformed, I hope you have noticed that the departure of Stephanie Wesley from church staff is a case study in all things PILGRIM. The situation, for various reasons, can stir up anxiety in all its various forms—anxiety about what led to this situation, anxiety about what cannot be shared/known, anxiety about the future, anxiety about change, etc.
It's a great time to practice our own work and at the same time, observe anxiety in the congregational system. So, what are you observing in yourself? What are you observing in those around you? Are you reacting based on anxiety or are you responding based on your deepest held values?
Allow me to share my personal experience: due to these circumstances and a whole host of other circumstances coinciding with it, I am experiencing plenty of anxiety these days. In the midst of it, I will freely admit that I am only doing a mediocre job of managing my anxiety—succeeding maybe 75% of the time? In other words, I am using my training in godly practices so that I prevent myself, about 75% of the time, from falling into some of the predictable patterns: conflict, distance, triangling, and over/underfunctioning.
Some of the experts in emotional maturity might classify 75% as “success” and yet, that other 25% leaves plenty of messes to be cleaned up. Unfortunately, I am only compounding the problem because in the face of the emotional immaturity, I am telling myself all sorts of stories that prevent me from getting into action and from doing the responsible thing of cleaning up my messes. These are stories about how I should know better, how people have permanently lost respect for me, how I’ll never measure up to maturity’s standards, how ashamed I should feel, etc. Needless to say, none of those stories are helpful. I am prayerfully trying to listen to some other voices:
"Who told you that you’re supposed to be perfect? esp. in the face of such wide-spread pressure?”
“Who told you that you have to ‘measure up’ in all circumstances?”
“Who told you that your temporary fits of emotional immaturity are the end of the story?”
“Who told you that my grace is insufficient for your weakness?”
These questions are helping me navigate this a little bit better. Instead of self-flagellation, I can step into the rhythms of God’s grace and the beauty of God’s design.
These questions are also helping me provide life-giving assistance to others. The more I can love myself and provide empathy & compassion for myself, the more I can offer it to others. As they inevitably do what anxious people do, I can reach out with understanding and grace.
How about you? How are you managing your anxiety (regardless of the source)? How are you responding when the people around you get anxious (again, regardless of the source)?
I hope we are all emissaries of the Kingdom — not by being perfect in all circumstances, but cleaning up our messes when we are imperfect.
For more information on “cleaning up messes,” check out Appendix B of the latest PILGRIM notebook — HERE.
An Update on ADVENTURER
On November 13th, we had our first meeting for ADVENTURER. We started the gathering by engaging an individual exercise: our “autobiography of mission” (see this file). After some time in personal reflection, we went around the circle sharing our autobiographies. It was a rich exercise and helped us found our place.
After that, we went through a document that lays out the format for the Adventure (see this file).
We will meet again on Monday, Dec. 11 at 6:30pm. If you are interested in joining us on the adventure, it is not too late. Please email both me and Drew Peterson with your interest.