WE HAVE A PROBLEM

We have a problem

This is actually the first blog I ever wrote and I am glad to have had God sitting on my shoulder giving me guidance for it. My hope was and is to let this be a space for wondering about God, Jesus, the Spirit and the seasons of the sacred that we move through as we live our lives.

I'm thinking about our church's financial woes today. I actually think about them every day. Our church's struggle to survive has a bit an of impact on my life...and livelihood.

I recently used an online imaging program called Prezi (PREZI) that allowed me to put pictures of our church's ministries all on one page. I had pictures of: food shelf, relay for life, BUCC's Place, Taco Salad, Prison Ministry, Bring Mickey Home ministry, Sunday School, Worship (with people hugging at the passing of the peace), You Are Not Alone ministry to military families, Theater ministries, facebook ministries, web page ministries, tv ministries, CROP Walk ministry, denominational ministries (NIN and OGHS, plus the clergy group that I am a participant in). It was an exciting collage, especially since I knew in my mind that I was missing pictures for some of the things we do. Visiting the sick. Comforting those who are grieving. Baptisms. Weddings. A domestic abuse support group. A building that houses several agencies for change such as AA, Scouts, NarAnon, and Community Options.

Each one of these ministries fits our understanding of Jesus' open arms and extravagant welcome. Each one of these ministries fits our call to compassion and healing in His name. Each one of these ministries is a witness to who we believe God to be.

It is quite a picture...under which I wrote the words, "We have a problem." Because, we do. Unless something changes in our financial picture, we will soon be out of money.

We have a problem. As I look at the pictures I see people laughing, hugging, working together. I see people who are predominantly youngish (mid 30's) with a smattering of 50 year olds and a very few in their 80's and 90's. I see large groups of people coming together to put their faith into action. I see groups that are living their faith and inviting others to join in the fun.

And maybe that is where the problem lies....

When I look at the collage, I do not see any pictures of us passing the offering plate. I do not see any pictures of us coming together to make our "pledge" to the church. I do not see "fun" when I look for it around our sustained giving to BUCC...which is weird...because we have found a way to make virtually everything a party at this church. We have a culture of celebrating and inviting, and yet we have missed the confetti cannon opportunity on our cash flow!

I wonder what it would look like for us to celebrate the money we offer up in Jesus' name, for the continuation of this holy party we call The Belchertown United Church of Christ (BUCC)?  Would there be conga lines? Congo lines? Limbo sticks? Music? Snacks? Silly hats? A fun gesture that we give to one another to say, "yeah, I pledged today...how 'bout you?"

We have a problem. I have faith that with God's Spirit among us, we can turn this thing around. Congo lines? Maybe.

--todd