The Forecaster: September 2018
Pastor’s Perspective:
It’s been a bit of a rough summer for religion in the news. The dominant story at the moment has to do with the revelation of abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania.
This unfortunate news has the potential to be big. One commentator remarked that they have made concealment into an art-form.
But the story from the previous news cycle hooked me emotionally. It brought up in me a feeling of Schadenfreude — a great German word meaning pleasure derived from another’s misfortune. It is a feeling I think is proper to confess.
I had been reading about the implosion of the Willow Creek Community Church, one of those mammoth and famous megachurches. The main church is just northwest of Chicago, but it then has eight satellite churches.
The spark for implosion was the sexual impropriety by their talented and famous senior pastor, Bill Hybels. As of this writing, he, his top two senior associates, and the entire board have resigned.
I’m weary of seeing this pattern. A gifted and silver-tongued pastor achieves rock-star status at a given church, and then, I presume, a cocktail of adulation, ego, and old-fashioned foolishness intoxicates the individual into destructive behavior that takes a personal toll, but also harms the church as well.
You might appreciate that I’m not going to give you several more examples of this pattern. But boy, I sure could.
But why schadenfreude, rather than just sadness or disappointment? The reason is that Willow Creek Church presumes to know the best way to do church, and they will be happy to teach you the proper way to do church if you sign up for one of their seminars, for a fee.
They presume to know what it is that a person needs from church, as well as the correct and bona fide version of the Gospel they need to hear, as well as the most effective way to connect the two — person and Gospel.
And it’s hard to argue back, because they have been so wildly successful, as measured by church attendance and money. But the bottom line is, they presume.
The arrogance of it I could normally just ignore. Except that there has been the constant refrain over the years from fellow clergy, parishioners, denominational folks:
“Art, you should go to one of their seminars. I hear they’re great. you could take your church to the next level. You should do it.”
So yeah, I’m a little happy. But I’m telling you this story for a different reason. Not to gloat, not to gossip, and not to take pleasure in another’s misfortune.
Rather, I would have you observe an important and profound distinction.
Like Willow Creek Church, we too will soon be in a search process. (Editor’s Note: the Rev. Dr. Suggs will soon be retiring.) And we have some blessings I don’t want you to take for granted.
True, we’re not loaded with money, and attracting people to Binghamton has sometimes been a challenge. But consider:
1. We have in place numerous dedicated, intelligent, and righteous lay leaders. And yes, I mean the word righteous — people interested in pursuing the Good, and themselves endowed with Goodness.
2. The structures within the church are inherently healthy. It literally would be impossible for what happened at Willow Creek Church to happen here. It’s laughable.
3. We have goodness and competence at the denominational level. I know that hasn’t always been the case, but it is now. You will be guided and advised well.
4. A potentially huge selling point is that our church has been on the leading edge theologically. Despite our tiny size and relative obscurity, what we are about and what we are doing is without equal in the Triple Cities. I will be trying to articulate that more and more in my remaining months.
5. You will be replacing a pastor who has been deeply beloved, but who has not been overly popular. Taking eleven years to take the church from 35 to 65 on Sunday morning is generally not seen as impressive. I know you will learn to love another, just as so many of you came to love me. And perhaps the new person might be more popular with some important groups: such as youth, young families, the LGBTQ community, and the “Spiritual but not Religious” folks.
6. Last but not least, we are all blessed with a Transition Team. I couldn’t be happier with the quality of people who will be assisting us in this way: Heidi Bowne, Tom Bucker, Chris O’Neill, Art Price, Marty Rorapaugh, and Jamie Walters.
Six reasons for hope, confidence, and optimism. And for the Transition Team specifically, please pray for them. Share with them your thoughts and feelings and especially your spiritual insight. Hold them in the light in your mind and heart.
Our church is well served, and serves well. Blessings upon you all,
Art Suggs
September 2018 Special Events
• Annual Ice Cream Social & Back-to-School supplies giveaway – Thursday evening, August 30th, 5-7 (raffle drawing at 6 p.m.)
• Qigong for Health – Thursday evening classes beginning September 6th in the Eden Room at First Congregational. Instructor Rick Gridley has been teaching Qi Gong since 2007. Cost: $12 per class.
For other events, multi-tradition and interfaith spiritual classes and services, contact FCC at (607) 723-8981 or email fcc@binghamtonwireless.com.