December 21, 2012

Dear Colleagues:

This morning at 9:30 a.m., when the bells of nearby congregations rang in memory of those whose lives were so senselessly ended last Friday in the shootings at an elementary school, I thought of my religious colleagues, of you, who have stood with your congregations during these recent days. I remembered that you also stand with them in all the expected and unexpected days of celebration and pain that occur over the course of a year in a congregation.

Each of you persist in your own way and within your own tradition to remind yourself in the company of others during this time of year that:

• The Light that candles can only symbolize will not be diminshed by the tyranny of violence.
• The birth of messianic Hopes within our hearts for a reign of justice cannot easily be pushed aside.
• The songs of Peace are not muffled but companion us as we renew our commitments to compassionate action

One colleague that I checked in with during the events of this last week replied, "It is during times like this that I feel most like a minister." Another colleague reminded me--and his congregation--that the spiritual practices that we do, allow us to hold these experiences collectively in our hearts, even though we might not know how to make sense of them.

In my coaching work, I often remind us that: "We become the practices that we do." So, as we near this turning point into a new calendar year, we might remind ourselves not just of our practices but also why we do the practices we do. In particular, we might each reflect upon:

What practices contribute to a strength of Spirit that I can cultivate every day?

I'm reminded of one of my clients, a rabbi, who nears retirement, and who is discovering anew a strength in the practice and rhythm of daily prayers. Or the minister who, told me recently, that he is discovering a new relationship with solitude--and the re-ordering of his life that this brings about.

Sometimes we have to recompose our practices. At a recent session, I led on clergy well-being, one person struggled with how over committed and exhausted he often felt because he agreed to too many requests.  We constructed a new practice: Never say "Yes," to a request on the spot. Instead, tell the person with a big smile, "I'll look forward to getting back to you about that." Then, during that interim time he will review his other commitments and whether this particular request aligns with what he feels called to do. In an over-committed culture, he may not just be saving himself--he also may be modeling for others another "way of being" in the world.

After the holiday services are completed, and the rush of the new calendar year of activity begins, I hope that you can take time to reflect upon your own calling. I have provided some exercises below.

May now--be the time, to renew practices and to develop new practices that sustain our spirits and connect us with the Spirit that sustains us.  

Blessings to you now and in the days ahead,

Larry

REVIEWING OUR SENSE OF PURPOSE AND CALLING

Lily Tomlin, in her one woman play, The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe, says, "When I was young I always wanted to be somebody. Now I know I should have been more specific."

Each of us have sensed our calling into religious leadership as a lure toward something more, toward God or God-liness, or toward a particular purpose to live and act toward.

In the days and years of ministry, we sometimes experience some of what originally inspired us, called us or lured us wane or become dull--even, if the pilot light never goes out.  

It may serve us at each season of our life and our ministry, to  reflect on our purpose or our "calling."  Here are a few reflective exercises:

Exercise 1: Connecting Our Being with Our Doing

On a page, draw three columns and ask:

It is not just our "calling" but our ongoing responses to that "calling" that give shape to who we are and what we do. We become the practices we do. 

Exercise 2: Revising My Calling

One of my teachers in a summer school course in theology school was the Liberation Theologian, Gustavo Gutierrez. I sometimes return to one of his statements: "They will be able to silence voices but they will not be able to make the voice of hope and of joy be still."  How can we keep those voices of hope and joy alive in us and within our ministries--or even among our staff or lay partners in minstry?

I am thinking about some of you that are starting new ministries in the new year or bringing a particular ministry to a close. I am realizing that some of you are on a sabbatical break--and others long for some precious sabbatical moments within a very demanding ministry. Wherever you are,  it might be a useful exercise to reflect upon your original hope, joy, luring or calling into ministry. 

1. Recall when you first became aware of your motivation toward ministry?
2. Is your first awareness still a major motivating factor in your ministry today?
3. How has your calling shifted or been honed over time?
4. Does your call sustain you today?
5. Does your call seem so far away that it has no real impact on your ministry?
6. What is calling you now?
7. How would you revise your calling right now?
8. What would be the first step you would take toward that re-vising of your calling?
9. How would someone other than yourself--know that revising has actually occurred? 

Exercise 3: Have an Inner Conversation

If you are brave and have an inclination toward the dramatic, here's another exercise. Find a photo of you at an earlier time of your ministry. Have an inner conversation (or journal)  with that earlier self, as if she or he was present right now. What lived experiences or wisdom resides in your earlier self or in your present verison of yourself that is worth harvesting?  What do you have to say to each other? As you reflect upon this conversation: What specific perspectives and practices can guide you in the year ahead?

As a special treat (ha, ha, ha)  I've included my photo (of me in my first years in ministry)  below! He has a lot to say to me now.

Have a happy and blessed holiday and new year,

Larry