Vision, Mission, Storytelling, & Hope

Dear Friends,

I see a church with a vision
I see a church on a mission.
I see a church who has made her mind up,
and she’s building her hopes on things eternal.
She’s holding to God’s unchanging hand.

The person who wrote those words is Rev. Bill Thomas. They come from a song he composed and wrote that is included in Chalice Praise. Bill Thomas was also one of the leaders at our region’s Annual Meeting at Asilomar this past weekend and is a talented musician, actor, and preacher. The other two leaders, no less talented, were Laura & Rick Hall. All three, Bill, Laura, and Rick, are part of the Church of the Valley, a DOC congregation in Van Nuys, CA.

Stories were much in evidence throughout the weekend: Laura’s journey into Christianity; Rick’s acting out a tale about his Baptist preacher grandfather; and Bill recounting his voyage from Ohio to New York to Los Angeles all in the context of the question “why me” based on an encounter he had with a pastor following a conference.

All three leaders knew the value of story and didn’t hesitate to use the power of story to get across thoughts and ideas about the church and what a life of faith might and can look like.

Are we a church with a vision? Is Chalice on a mission? Do we know that the power of story is going to help us build our hopes on things eternal?

Silence...not telling our stories...tells an even louder story; it is a story of our reluctance to share with others the Good News that is ours to tell. And really, who’d want to be involved with a church like that?

Yes, it is God who guides and holds our future. But to hold onto God’s unchanging hand, we have to reach up and grasp that sacred hand and then tell the story of the guidance and care God’s hand give us.

Peace,
Gerry

(Picture and text © Gerry Brague)