Stop the Madness – before it begins again

Church World is rallying/kicking off/starting all the things this week – unless your congregation is among the eager ones who started everything in August.

It’s off to the races. But it doesn’t have to be.

Slow down. Take a deep breath (says the Pastor who is just back from a three month sabbatical.)

Read Alex Lang’s viral message “Why I Left the Church” if you haven’t already. And imagine giving yourself, your church staff, your congregation time to address things that feed the soul. (Spoiler alert: it’s not what we’ve been spending most of our time doing.)

Before we rush out of the door on the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, before we overfill our fall calendars, before restart/perpetuate destructive habits, can we train ourselves to ask this question over the course of our days:

How is this (meeting/event/conversation/moment) deepening my relationship with God and others?

Am I really listening? Am I open to changing my opinion? Am I aware this this person before me is a child of God?

It’s a start. Also Alex’s last sermon as the Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, IL is worth a listen. Breathe in. Breathe out.