Whoever
does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you,
intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to
see whether he has enough to complete it? – Lk 14: 27-8
Luke
14: 25-33 has the reader reflect on the cost
of discipleship and the cost of living through times of transition. One is
asked to consider the devotion one has to Jesus’ mission and to what lengths
one will go to build and share the kindom of God. The passage is big picture!
One reflection of the passage sent to me reads:
This scripture is hard to hear when
we are told to love our neighbour and now, we are to hate our family and our
own life, to be Jesus' disciple. Very strong language is used to let us know we
are to give up everything to be Jesus' disciple. We can see examples in the
bible of people who were able to give up everything for God. Can you imagine
the ridicule Noah must have suffered building an ark in the desert? Look at
Abraham who had to leave everything and everybody he knew to be shown a strange
land. He was even asked to be willing to give up his son. Joseph, remained
faithful, even when sold into slavery and put into prison. The apostles carried
the gospel even when it meant prison and loss of life. Are we willing to give
up everything for Jesus including ourselves?
--- Mary
The
big picture can be translated to Resurrection’s present time of transition. For
Resurrection, we are in a period of estimating the cost. The community is discerning
what could be and what our contributions will be. Part of the process is to
consider Jesus’ mission, God’s kindom, and the community’s part in this. What
does it mean for the congregation to follow Jesus? Is it addressing housing
needs, partnering and sharing space, increasing interaction in the
neighbourhood, increasing what we each give (time, talent, treasures)? We have started by envisioning possible
options. All options mean change.
This
week you are invited to consider ‘the cost’ of being church and community. Action
and transition are ripe with consequences and a variety of emotions. You are
invited to create a list(s) that reflects where you, your spirit, and your
heart is when considering the future of the church, church community, and possible
options. Be creative in your list making!
You
might make a list of options with how you feel about each. You could make a
list of what losses or griefs you expect through this transition. A list could
be made of the legacy you wish the church community to continue when you are
gone. Perhaps you create a list of your contributions (time, talent,
possessions). What do you give to the community and what do you receive from
the community?
Another
form of list making is to do a cost-benefit analysis or a pro/con list; one
could do this for each possible option (property development, joining another
congregation, partnership in current space, sharing pastor…), or a big picture
cost-benefit analysis on
The cost of not acting and the benefits of
embracing transition.
Add
your thoughts and lists in the comments or send them to halifaxlutheranchurch@gmail.com
God,
Our
thoughts, words, and deeds; our actions and inactions are costly. Our choices
impact ourselves, our neighbours, our relationships, the church community, and
our walk with you. Open our eyes to your presence and your guiding. It is
costly to open our hearts to give and receive grace and love. It is costly to follow
Jesus and to participate in the building of God’s kindom. It is costly to give
ourselves (our resources) to be bread for the hungry, community for the lonely,
and God’s presence in a weary world. Fill us with courage, perseverance, and agency.
Amen.
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