“But what are you actually doing?” A returning visitor asked me this recently and what he meant was this: what is the congregation doing beyond gathering for worship and fellowship? Good question, I thought. I fact I had been asking myself the same question for quite some time. When I first came to Christ the Good Shepherd more than 6 years ago, one of the things that really attracted me was that the congregation had a dream. The dream was all about being welcoming. Not just saying it, but to actually put the welcome mat out to everybody, and to make it abundantly clear that everyone is welcome here, whoever they are and wherever they are coming from. To remove any theological and cultural prejudices and obstacles that would put walls between people. And along with this to make worship inviting, inspiring and easy to follow; to make the buildings and grounds inviting, attractive and accessible; and to create a general atmosphere of friendliness and hospitality. And then the congregation put their heart and soul into this dream, and it shows. We are not perfect, and sometimes we slip up, and there are always areas that could be further improved, but in general we have realized the dream of welcome.

And now we are ready for a new dream.

But how does a congregation find its dream? The dream is given by God, but God does not shout it from heaven. It will bubble up here and there, in gentle nudges, in hunches, in yearnings, in moments of awe when we realize only later: wow, God was present there. Praying will help a lot, and also becoming quiet and listening to God. And then we must talk. We must talk and we must deeply listen to each other. One member of the personnel committee who has been helping me wrestle with these questions put it like this: “ We cannot grow and develop if everyone wanders around keeping their ideas, thoughts, and wishes a secret while wanting others to do something else.”

And so, over the summer we, the council, the personnel committee and the Natural Church Development Team want to provide you with lots of opportunities to talk. We have arranged for home gatherings (Summer Suppers) as well as for a more structured conversation between pastor and congregation which will be facilitated by the personnel committee. But informal conversations are often the most fruitful of all. Perhaps you and your friend find yourself talking about CGS as you sit over a cup of tea in your kitchen. And suddenly something strikes you. Do not discount such inspirations. Find a way to share them with others, share them with the council or with me.

May God bless us in this process of praying, dreaming, and discerning.

To contact us:

A new dream for CGS

I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, says God.

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your old men shall dream dreams,

and your young men shall see visions.

-Joel 2:28