A FAITH COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS A MIRACLE (Post 147)
THURSDAY, APRIL 28
Post 147
All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
STILL! There are those who seem to have blind spots when it comes to what they don’t see within their faith communities. I remember when: every pew was filled … our youth ministry went everywhere … we had not just one, but five choirs … the offering plates were full … our building program boomed! In reality, as the saying goes, there are two directives: the rear-view mirror perspective or the windshield’s wide, forward-looking panorama. Could those empty seats, thin offerings, and unused rooms be opening up new possibilities for outreach, worship styles and times, and service to the community? Where does faith lead a congregation to move beyond the past?
Indeed, I am not bashing choirs, new meeting rooms, brimming offerings, and especially not youth ministries! Again, in reality, time can bring changes; and what was may not be what is today. However, in the lives of all peoples, there are still challenges of need, devastation, and hurt – plus plenty of room for recovery.
Previously, I have written about Christ Ministry Center in San Diego (https://www.cummc.org ). Once, it was a VERY large church with classrooms, offices, and meeting halls out the wazoo. Time then did bring changes – not only within the city but also American society. The 50s of packed worship services moved into the 60s and 70s of rebellion and skepticism. And yet, there were still needs, hurts, wants, and challenges. Finally, the church closed (discontinued); BUT immediately, a ministry center was born. Rev. Dr. Bill Jenkins, the pastor, became CMC Director. Now the meeting rooms and offices are filled; community outreach includes grocery needs, health clinic, office spaces, and worship services to multiple faith communities.
There are glimpses of heaven to us in every act, or thought, or word that raises us above ourselves.
Arthur P. Stanley
“A CHURCH THAT NEEDED A MIRACLE” was the title that caught my eye. I had been cleaning out (decluttering is more like it) files and resource materials when I came upon this title in the November 2006 edition of Addiction Professional(Vol. 4 No. 6, p.56) The full page article was on the renewal of Central Park United Methodist Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its rebirth came as a result of their new pastor, an individual in recovery. As the story goes, fellow recovery acquaintances of Rev. Jo Campe began attending worship. Eventually, a suggestion surfaced to conduct recovery-oriented services. Gradually, this pattern of worship grew from once each month to multiple services on the weekends. Moreover, throughout the week there developed recovery meetings and other aftercare groups and sessions. And yes, Central Park UMC became known as The Recovery Church.
I was curious. That was 2006 … could this (what I’ll term) recovery renaissance still be happening? So I checked. Sure enough, there is live streaming of Sunday morning services at (http://www.therecoverychurch.org ). Then too, the website includes a wonderful story of how the church had to move and how the congregation arose to the challenge.
The testimonies and responses clearly indicate an abundance of persons in recovery … individuals who are grateful for their recovery AND faith. The service has an engaging pattern filled with affirmation, sincerity, and deep-faith expression … and miraculous recoveries are apparent!
From Ephesians 3:20 (The Message), a parting thought:
God can do anything, you know – far more than anything you can imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
855-926-0761
For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:
From IGCCB’s Resources for Coping with COVID 19:
https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients (Online therapy preparation for clients)
https://gambling.easywebinar.live/replay (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
https://youtu.be/dYUEjIFtT8E (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues, go to:
www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.masscompulsivegambling.org