Resolutions of different sort have impact on whole diocese
Have you made any New Year’s resolutions yet? Many of us are wrestling with those traditional resolves to eat less and exercise more; to clean out those overstuffed closets and corners of the basement; to read more good books.
But let me suggest a few resolutions of a different sort. These have to do with those mission imperatives that we, as a diocese, adopted a few years ago and which drive our mission. These imperatives were chosen after a planning group met with every single congregation.
Such “big” goals can seem intimidating, even distant and institutional. But each one of them started close home somewhere in the diocese-maybe in your own congregation. And each of them has a side that can be “up close and personal” – a side that invites our individual response.
So here are some New Year’s resolutions that can start small and have a big impact:
- Invite – Welcome – Include
This is a no-brainer. Invite someone to church. Or, if you can’t think of anyone to invite, spot a newcomer and invite them to coffee hour or some other gathering and let them know that they are truly welcome.
Involve younger members
Who are the younger members of your church? Get to know them. Learn what opportunities your church has for children and young people. Offer to help. Pray for the children and young people in your congregation every day.
Faith formation for all ages
This is what we used to call “Christian education,” and it has to do with being a lifelong learner. If your congregation has a study or discussion group, join it. If you have a special interest, see about starting a group. Read a good book and share it with a friend.
Unify our diocesan community
Read the Inland Episcopalian carefully to learn what’s going on in other parts of the diocese. Visit the diocesan website [www.spokanediocese.org] and learn about programs and other congregations. Pray your way through the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.
Bold new ventures
What bold new thing can your congregation do in your community? Dream big dreams and find others who share your enthusiasm.
Strengthen Hispanic Ministry
Who are the Spanish-speaking people in your community? Find a way to meet them. Learn a little basic Spanish. Learn something about the Hispanic congregations in our diocese. Learn the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish.
Focused Outreach
What are the outreach efforts in your congregation? Find out and offer to help with one of them. Learn about the new things happening in the diocese in outreach and social justice ministries.
And, by the way, Happy New Year.
