Pastor's Column February 2006

Renovating the Congregation
by K Karpen

What a time we've had the last four years: raising millions, renovating a basement and tackling an ailing façade. It's been a time-consuming, energy-consuming project; one that everyone around here has gotten involved in, in one way or another.

Now, I sit back, breathe for ten seconds (I don't want to overdo it), pray and ask, What next?

The answer that has popped into my mind is an obvious one. If we are done (for the moment!) renovating the building, what about renovating the congregation?

In a way, it's an odd time to think of needing to renovate the congregation. Energy is high, hopes are high, attendance is high, membership is at a 50-year high, giving is higher than ever before. So what needs renovating?

Well, I see three areas of renovation that it would be fun to work together on: renewing the spirit, renewing family ties, and finding new friends to partner with us on the journey.

Spiritual Renovation: The work we've been doing takes a lot out of us. Fundraising and construction are result-oriented tasks. You know what you need to raise. You know what you need to do. The spirit doesn't operate in such a clean and snappy way. But if we spend time and energy connecting in new ways to the source of life, you'd better believe we'll know the difference!

Lost Friends: How about those members of the SPSA family who have moved away over the past several years, or drifted off? The loss of each person leaves a hole behind, a hole that is not easily filled. We'll find ways to be in touch with the whole SPSA family, to see where people are, see how they are, let them know they are remembered and treasured as a part of our slice of the body of Christ.

New Friends: Who do you think is out there who would love to be a part of a place like SPSA, if they had any idea we existed? People who may have given up on the church, or think the church gave up on them. People who may assume we're like a lot of churches: a closed community of folks who have been together since the day Jesus left and intend to keep it that way until he gets back. But the gift of this place is that it always stays porous and open, ready and eager for the new life brought here by new people. Who do you know who would love to help bring new life to us?

I invite every one of you to join me in a year-long task of renovating the congregation. It's no less a challenge than renovating the basement or tackling the façade. And, it's no less fun.