I have been struck by the dichotomy of news in recent days—Buddhist monks, and their dog, walking for peace and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents activating chaos and terror resulting in the unnecessary deaths of people. With either side or pole of this contradiction there are opposing viewpoints. As a society and culture, we have become polarized on anything and everything. We are living in turbulent times.
How can we make a positive impact? How can we make a difference?
At a very young age, I memorized a Bible Verse: You must love your God with all you heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength…You must love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22, Mark 12, Luke 10) I learned this as the greatest commandment, of course the second part, love your neighbor, is the second greatest. The first and second go together, they don’t happen in isolation; and, it is a practice. The more we practice, the more we grow in the practice of loving God and loving neighbor.
Congregations have an opportunity to change the current culture!
Congregations who are teaching and practicing the greatest commandments and nurturing their communities in this practice of loving God and neighbor will experience a stronger sense of community, meaning and purpose. Congregations who are growing in their sense of community, meaning and purpose are thriving congregations. Thriving, too, is a practice! Thriving is not a state to achieve and stay; it is an ongoing practice of engagement, meaning and purpose.
We can make a difference!
We must practice the greatest commandments. Loving God and loving neighbor are acts of peace. Engaging in faith community helps us to grow in our practice. Our world and our country need us practicing peace. I want to read the news of life changing impact for good! I encourage you to have a conversation today with someone from your faith community, share how you practice the greatest commandments and hear from the other person. Ask how you can support each other. Grow the conversation of peace and love.
The Center for Congregational Health works to help congregations and clergy thrive, your faithful practice is what leads to that.
Thriving congregations will change the world for good!