by Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast, Conference Minister, April, 2001
Monthly Reflections from The Pacific ~ News and Events of the NCNC United Church of Christ

ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM

Words of encouragement and support for those ministering "in the fields."

Antidisestablishmentarianism.

Smack in the middle of antidisestablishmentarianism, is "establishment," which can refer to any number of things, one of which is, "the established church." Technically, of course, that means a church officially recognized by the government and supported as a national institution. That isn't us. Nor, in the United States, is it any of our sister/brother denominations.

But in some ways it is us-some of us, anyway. Some of our churches were part of the social fabric when and where the label on that fabric could have read, "Content: 95% Christian; 5% Jewish" with no fear of contradicting any truth in representation guidelines. But that isn't the case anymore. The fabric content label today in Northern California Nevada reads more like, "50% on a personal spiritual quest; 40% opposed to organized religion; 20% members of a community of faith which might be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or other. Warning: fabric overload; components total 110%; overlap of categories possible."

How will churches grow in the 21^st Century? It won't be out of desperation; churches will not draw new members simply to fill an empty sanctuary or support a budget. It won't be because people will flock to fill slots on boards and committees It won't be by blending seamlessly into the weave of the social fabric.

In his letter to the Phillipians Paul reminds the church, "Our citizenship is in heaven." That perspective makes a world of difference for us as people of faith. It affects how we see things, and how we act.

"Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior." From there. Not from here. Ultimately, we put our trust in Something that thieves cannot steal, nor the stock market deplete, nor rust destroy, nor the grave contain. "God Most High is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I be afraid?" [Ps. 27: 1]

And we gather, every week, to sing, pray, wail, beat drums, dance, whisper, and clasp hands in testimony to that unique take on Reality.

The worshipping community is an oasis where people can reveal their pain and express their failures in a desert of obsession with success. In a harsh rocky land of competition, the worshipping community is a wellspring of abundance, where joy is not gloating, where people receive as well as give, "restore" more than "consume."

This is what we love about the church. This is what we want to extend to others.

The pastor of one of our growing congregations has commented that, "We keep pushing ourselves, asking who it is in our community that is on the margin, who can we just barely accept? And then we go to them and ask them in."

"Come and see," said the Samaritan to her compatriots after she had met Jesus at the well. "Come and see," we must say to all who are in need of the Savior's presence. "Come and see" that here, indeed, is the water of life that refreshes us all. Sink your roots into that aquifer and you will grow.

                                                                  ~ Mary Susan

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