October 27thLetting Go and Holding On
A church I attended when I was growing up was housed in a building that had been constructed in the 1920s. A beautiful building it was (and still is), but in need of renovations. When renovations were first discussed, some people were opposed. Their reasoning was that they did not want the building's appearance to change. Renovations did take place; but not until several years after the discussions began. When people are presented with a possible change, beyond the details of the specific change lies the issue of the impact of change in general. Letting go of the familiar can be hard. Taking time to process and to incorporate people's concerns can help.
The structure of Mennonite Church Canada was changed four years ago in a way that puts more emphasis on regions and congregations. Part of the reason I accepted the call in 2019 to be on the board of Mennonite Church Canada, the Joint Council, was because of the possibility, and the challenge, of helping shape this new structure in its implementation. To evaluate how the new structure is working, a governance review is currently taking place. The review is examining the relationship between the branches of leadership to help ensure clear definition of roles and effective distribution of power. The tweaks needed take time to process with many voices included in the review.
In the course of time, buildings can fail, organizational structures can lose their effectiveness, and changes can come. Letting go of that which is familiar may be the only way forwards for the church's well being. However, not all is open to flux. The identity of the church in Christ remains the same. In Christ, the church is a place of hope and healing through which God's justice and mercy flow. Our caring for each other is our constant: God through Christ reveals that, “[t]his is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). In the midst of change, our security is in our compassionate relationships with each other and in the mission given in the name of Christ, which is love.