Growing Disciples Monthly Reflections are written by a variety of leaders across our synod; as such, the language reflects the individual's personal theology. We give thanks to Pastor Pat Fish, Pastor at Becoming Oswego, our newest Synod Authorized Worshipping Community, for his reflection on inviting.
B.L.E.S.S. - ING our commUNITY
Boldly pray.
Listen.
Eat together.
Serve together.
God’s Story at the center.
-Adapted from Dave Ferguson
Two years ago we launched Becoming in Oswego, IL. It started with building a team. The early months were all about building a shared vision and core values. These consisted of:
- To be authentic.
- To be missional.
- To be family-centered
- To be unapologetically welcoming & affirming.
- To have a leadership team that reflects our diverse community.
- To intentionally reach the “dones” and “nones.”
Once we had a path forward and knew our collective “why,” the next step was to build up the body of Christ. This meant encouraging, equipping and empowering our team to do this work together. We dreamed BIG. We thought BOLDLY. And most importantly we prayed, discerned and listened. To one another, to the Spirit, and to our community.
After 300+ one-on-one conversations with non-profits, community stakeholders, businesses, and individuals, we were ready to build a community that took seriously what we heard. Yes, we had a strategic vision.
AND at Becoming, we also stress having strategic readiness. We strive to always leave space for the Spirit to breathe, move and disrupt. We call this our “- ing” culture.
Ideas are wonderful but if done in isolation, they have little impact. Programs are great but if they aren’t tied to God’s story, they fail. What we heard from our community included : (1) the need for temporary, emergency shelter; (2) public transportation; (3) affordable day care for families; (4) better access to mental health; (5) an affirming church that created safe spaces for our LGBTQIA+ community.
Encouraged by our collective vision,
Equipped with the knowledge of our neighbors,
Empowered by the creativity and activity of Holy Spirit,
Becoming is ready in this upcoming year to unleash the saints!
Our neighbors deserve a church community that isn’t confined to a building.
Our poor & marginalized deserve to be heard, seen and served.
Our young families are looking for a place to belong.
Our LGBTQIA+ community is tired and hurt by churches playing it safe.
This work. The work of following Jesus. The work of dwelling in God’s story.
The work of proclaiming the gospel. The work of making disciples.
This work is messy. This work is unfinished.
We didn’t have all the answers.
But, we weren’t afraid to fail. We weren’t afraid to try.
Collectively, we went to work and utilized our relationships.
And we left the rest to the Spirit believing God would provide.
In March, we hosted an event entitled “Hope in Action: A Community Day of Care.” Partnering with nonprofits and mission partners, we hosted a day for our unhoused community. We provided free transportation, free showers, free haircuts, medical checkups, free clothing, and a free meal. No strings. No lecture. No judgment. At our first event, we served 5 unhoused individuals. We just finished our second “Hope in Action” event. This time we served 15 unhoused folks. We have another planned for the start of the school year.
The awesome part is the amount of volunteers who came out this second time. We had over 50 volunteers ready to pull up their sleeves and join the work. Folks are looking for hope. Folks are seeking to serve. The Spirit is alive and active bringing people to our doors.
Are we listening to the Spirit and to our neighbors? Or are we speaking for the Spirit? Making decisions without the people we are trying to serve at the table?
This work isn’t easy.
There are a million reasons not to do this work.
- Not enough money
- Too old of a congregation
- Fear of losing your “way of doing church”
AND
The good news is God can work in and through all of it.
God doesn’t call the qualified. God qualifies the called.
The truth is:
Becoming doesn’t have the finances.
Becoming doesn’t have a lot of members.
Becoming doesn’t even have a church building.
AND
God provided. The Spirit moved. Jesus spoke in and through ordinary, everyday disciples.
When I get stuck on how to make disciples, I go back to the basics. I follow the example of Jesus and how he did it in his earthly ministry. What did he do?
He began in prayer. He listened to the Spirit and to the hurting around him. He ate with sinners. He served humanity. And he always situated himself in God’s story.
You and I can do that!
Boldly pray
Listen to the Spirit, my team, and my neighbors
Eat together
Serve together
Story of God and humanity working together
When we live out B.L.E.S.S. in our communities, we truly become a blessING.
In community,
Patrick Fish
Pastor at Becoming Church
