And the Rains Came Down!

Yesterday was the first full day at the General Assembly -- and I overslept and missed the opening business session (I tend to skip as much of these sessions as possible anyway). But the assembly is a good opportunity to network, see old friends, and get information for the church.

I'm attending the 2 day workshop on congregational transformation, which has been interesting. Lots of information is being thrown at us, but it should be interesting. Today Alan Roxenburg will be a lead presenter, and I'm interested in what he has to say. The Disciples have shrunk over the years, but though there is still much pessimism, there is also great optimism.

I do believe that the Disciples message of freedom, unity, justice, and a Christ centered faith will have great promise in the coming years -- but transformation of a denomination and of congregations takes time. As Dick Hamm shared -- if you have a 2 year plan for congregational transformation, the only thing you'll change after two years is the pastor. Transformation is, I'm hearing, not a goal but a journey.

Our preacher last night, our moderator, William Lee, an African American Pastor from Virginia, gave a rousing sermon straight out of the Black Church tradition. It was a reminder not just of the diversity within the church, but that the Disciples continue to have a place for a variety of expressions of Christian faith.

As for the rains, just as we were getting into the restaurant for dinner, the sky opened up and with great thunder and lightening, the rains came down in a torrent. If only we could get a little of that into Southern California.

Well that seems like this will have to suffice for today!