As someone new to the staff, I’m still learning lots of vocabulary particular to our congregation. Terms like Pathways (when a lot of Sunday school classes come together for a special education offering at the 10:00 a.m. hour), Faithbook (a Bible study Carla leads, playing off the well-known social media site), and now the Gathering (an occasional get-together in the library on Sunday mornings for anyone interested in knowing more about joining). If I didn’t quite get all of the above correct, I’m guessing you can cut me some slack, grade on the curve or what have you.
Barbara George, who is on our staff, invited me to come last Sunday and be part of the Gathering. She and I, along with several members, hosted a handful of folks exploring our church and wanting to know more. Along with some grapes, pastries, and coffee, my task was to offer food for thought. Since the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) thinks of the church being constituted on three levels—denominational, regional, and local—I shared a brief word about each.
On the denominational level, for instance, I mentioned how our tradition was formed at a time when rationalism and revivalism were rival tugs in religious circles. Some congregations in our tradition lean toward one more than the other. (That would make for interesting conversation among our long-time members, which one you see us gravitating towards.) On the regional level, for example, I noted that Kansas City is unique, the most populous part of the country for DOC congregations and spanning a state line when so many other denominations do not cross such boundaries.
When it came to talking about our congregation, I listed three commitments initially: our appreciation of both beauty and justice, our love of God and critical thinking, as well as our traditions and innovations. Of course, I expanded on these before adding one final comment. I noted that while it would be unrealistic to claim Country Club is unlike any other congregation anywhere, my favorite part is the people. To be clear, in all those churches where I’ve been preaching as a guest, they had people. But getting to know you is what’s made it special. And of course, that’s what a church is in the final analysis, people.
