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 “I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.”                John 14:12-14 CEB


IF INNOVATION IS THE NEW NORMAL  . . .

7/12/2020

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     We have all learned much during the past 12 weeks:
  • We can learn new skills at any age
  • We can be the Church with or without a building
  • Most people (but not all) care more about safeguarding the health of others than they do about personal inconvenience
  • We are more acutely aware today of inequities that cause suffering and even death
  • Innovation is the new normal
     What’s next?

     We are tempted to address the discomfort and resistance we may feel with quick fixes and nostalgia for the way things were.  We would be wiser stewards to spend time together asking how we got to this moment?  What narratives drive behaviors and attitudes in the Church?  Which ones are worth keeping?  Which ones need to go?  How do we find better narratives that will guide us where the Holy Spirit may be leading?
     Over the past twelve weeks, a group of pastors and lay leaders has met on Tuesday afternoons at 3 pm by Zoom. This was originally widely promoted.  We began with prayer, checked in with each other to offer mutual encouragement, and then began to examine the attitudes and assumptions that have shaped our congregations responses to what Rev. Dr. Rodney Williams calls the triple pandemic of COVID 19, racism, and poverty. Some responses have been outstanding.  Sadly, some have betrayed a latent confusion between civil religion and consumer culture and what Jesus meant when he said to his first disciples (and now to each of us): “Follow me.”
     All the positive narratives are rooted in the wisdom of the Bible. Loving God, loving neighbors, making and equipping new disciples, welcoming strangers, offering worship, building racial and economic equity, sharing what we have, etc.
     Sharing resources, we discovered, was a narrative that many congregations are now more ready than ever to lean into. It may be a starting point for a broader discussion that includes other, better narratives.
     This Tuesday at 3 pm, we will continue the conversation and stream it on Facebook so that more people will be able to participate.  Our hope is that more leaders from the wide diversity of our Region will take part.  (That is another, better narrative – that we more intentionally work more closely together in mutual respect when thinking theologically and acting as the Spirit leads.) 

     To find out how to access the Zoom meeting, click
here.​
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    Blog Author

    Rev. William (Bill) Rose-Heim serves as Regional Minister and President for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greater Kansas City

    View my profile on LinkedIn

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Location

9401 Johnson Drive, Merriam, Kansas 66203
913-432-1414
office@kcdisciples.org

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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Region & More >
      • Regional Staff
      • Personal Growth as a Disciple of Jesus Christ
      • Ministries and Missions We Share >
        • Bylaws
        • Church Administration and Planning
        • Cross-Cultural and Anti-Racism Experience
        • Ecumenism
        • Education and Leadership Development
        • Evangelism
        • Mission of the Church in the World
        • Pastoral Care
        • Proclamation
        • Spiritual Development
        • Stewardship
        • Theology
        • Biblical Knowledge
        • Ministry Innovation
        • Understanding of Heritage
        • Worship
  • INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
    • Updates
    • MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES >
      • Revised Ministry Opportunities within The Greater Kansas City Region
      • Ministry Opportunities Neighboring Regions
    • Links to COVID 19 DOC General Resources
    • Reopening Resources
    • Resources for immigrants
    • Financial Information
    • Worship Resources
    • Pastoral Care
    • Communications
    • Opportunities to Serve
    • Guideline Updates Unique to KC Metro
    • Developing a Plan for Operating During a Disaster
    • Cleaning Regimens
  • Calendar
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Groups
    • Regional Board
    • Staff Resources
    • Commissioned Ministers
    • Congregational Board Officers
    • Clergy & More >
      • 2022 ARPR & BOUNDARIES
      • Workshops and Retreats
      • O&S Application & Information Packet
      • Becoming Beloved Community
      • ARPR
      • GKC YOUTH PROGRAMS & CAMP
      • Disciples Men
      • Women
      • MOKAN
      • DMA
      • Convencion >
        • SomosUnoKC
      • Opportunities to Serve
      • Missions
      • Disciples Peace Fellowship
      • Poor Peoples Campaign
      • Families and Children
      • TriRegionalPartnershipInitiative
      • Voter Support
  • Donate
    • Greater KC Giving Campaign
    • Tall Oaks Donations
  • Zoom Meeting Info
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • Search Teams
  • Sharing Resources
  • BIBLE STUDY/BOOK STUDY/CLASS
  • RESOURCES REQUESTED
  • Facilities
  • MUSIC
  • Elder Resources
  • RMP Blog & More
    • Blogs and Podcasts
  • Tall Oaks Future: Resources for Discnerment