Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Most of the time the name Ichabod summons images of a bony, apple-adamed schoolteacher racing from the clutches of the Headless Horseman. But theologian and Church of England priest Graham Tomlin offers another interpretation of Ichabod.

In 1 Samuel, Ichabod is described as a son of Phinehas, a priest in early Israel. His mother gave him the name Ichabod, which means “the glory of the Lord has departed.” Talk about low expectations and that kid needing some therapy later! 

Anyway, Tomlin shares how one church held a yearly “Ichabod meeting.” The purpose was to ask the question: “From which of our church’s activities has God’s glory departed?” Are there fundraisers, committees, organizations, events, and traditions that no longer build the mission or vision of the church? Have they long since become disconnected from God’s glory and now are tedious at best and destructive and time (money and opportunity) sucking at worst? Putting an end to something that is no longer building up the Body is an important practice. It won’t be easy, but saying no – or saying no more – can free up resources (people, money, time, and space) for expansion of current projects or for new initiatives.

God knows this. So do firefighters. That’s why they sometimes conduct controlled burns in dense woods. Removing the old and dead wood makes room for new growth. 

Just think: Ichabod meetings might be a way to bring fresh energy to a congregation, to (and excuse the pun) wake from a sleepy hollow.