Sunday, January 13, 2008

A Fine Mess(age) We've Gotten Ourselves Into

Fellow Traveler and I stayed after church today for a congregational meeting.

The action items were voting on a budget and nominating new heads for three committees -- Stewardship, Property Management and Evangelism -- whose representation on the church council is ending this year. This weighty agenda meant that what's usually about a 15-minute rubber-stamp process turned into a tortuous talkathon that made me wish I were a Premillenialist who could hope in an imminent Rapture to spirit enough members away to force an early meeting adjournment. (Actually, I had a bullet-biting shoulder ache that was making me narly and unfocused, hence my bad attitude.) The budget discussion was finally tabled until next week, but the persons assembled were asked to break up into small groups and discuss possible nominees and committee members.

After this was all over, Fellow Traveler and I found ourselves on the Evangelism Committee. We don't want to "represent," mind you, because we're commuter members for whom attending council meetings is a responsibility we're not willing to assume -- but we are interested in helping our congregation get out there; letting people know who we are as a faith community.

When we got into the Jeep, my first words were, "What did we just get ourselves into?" But I think this will be an enjoyable challenge.

4 comments:

LoieJ said...

It will either be a "challenge" or it will be dull because you just talk and do nothing. I doubt it will be enjoyable. But maybe that's just me.

LutheranChik said...

Well, as long as we don't have to attend council meetings ourselves, I think it'll be fun. I told both our pastor and FT that I don't do church councils anymore, period...been there, done that, got the T-shirt 20 years ago and have no intention of going back.

imngrace said...

You've probably read "Evangelism for Normal People" It's all about reflecting your faith to others-you're already doing that and chances are the folks on the committee are, too. Getting out of ourselves is the hardest part. Good luck. I hope it goes really well for you both.

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