02-07-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 7, 2023
Ministers Week began yesterday at TCU/Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. Now, I’m not a graduate of TCU or Brite, but they allow folks like me to attend. And along with seeing some former Cypress Creek folks (Gary & Judy Groves, and Renee Hoke), I was able to just worship last night. There was something about having absolutely no responsibility; no concerns about whether the microphone was going to work; no stress over whether I would make it from one space to the other in good time. The music was absolutely stunning, but what I noticed was the congregation singing. Most everyone there was clergy, and though I do not have a good singing voice, many of them do… many of those who were sitting immediately around me. And it almost felt as if some of them were cutting loose, overcome with the same relaxed attitude I was acknowledging. As a whole, clergy have not been known for their capacity to be in the moment. I would be one of those, but tasting just a hint of that last night reminded me of the importance of working on it. I think about Matthew 6, and the words: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself," but with a clergy spin: "Therefore do not worry about whether the LiveStream will work tomorrow as it should, for tomorrow’s Livestream will worry about itself" (you could replace LiveStream with a whole host of things, but I think you get the idea). I will conclude by giving thanks for some worshipful moments last night.

​There is plenty to do, and God, I’m sure many of those things will make themselves known. But if, by chance, I can find just a few moments to sit and breathe with you, I feel as if I might have a better chance of taking on the lengthy to-do list that awaits me. Amen.