Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

The problem is common: We get so focused on the details that we miss the big picture. Sometimes it takes a stranger, an outsider to put things into perspective.

I experienced this situation over the weekend. We had a guest preacher on Sunday. This retired priest travels around the country to share information and raise money for an international ministry. He sees a lot of different Episcopal churches.

And he was blown away by our congregation.

Sunday wasn’t particularly special; it wasn’t Easter or a baptism or a bishop’s visit. The junior choir sang, but they sing every other Sunday. They’re an integral part of regular Sunday worship, not just a special-occasion choir. Despite the ordinariness of the day, every pew was filled. The overflow section was nearly at capacity. Children from third to sixth grade filled three full pews. When they sang, I counted twenty-six. The youngest children came up from Wee Worship during the announcements, and as folks lined the aisles for Eucharist, every age range was represented.

Do you have any idea how blessed you are? The visiting priest asked. To have the sounds of babies, the music of children, generations of families sitting together. It’s remarkable.

Sometimes it’s hard to receive such praise. It’s like getting a compliment on your looks: You can only see the nose that’s too big, the hair that won’t lay right, the acne on the forehead. You can’t see the forest for the trees.

When you’re in a congregation, as part of its leadership, you notice the flaws, the problem spots, the “growing edges.” And it’s important to be able to identify places for growth, areas that need particular attention. After all, God doesn’t call us to remain as we are—God wants us transformed and transforming.