Any time a group of people begin dreaming, there is potential for disagreement, which can lead to conflict.  UNLESS, we approach our dreaming and our hope for the future knowing that each and every person wants what is best for the church.  If we will stop and ask the question—What is God calling us to be and do as a congregation? 

Then, if we will be willing to embrace the answering of this question, through the dreams for the future and through the values and meaning of the past, then we can fully experience working together as a congregation—as a healthy unit, as a healthy system.  We have an opportunity to model for the world around us how to work together, embracing the value of each and every individual and his or her input to create a plan for moving into the future.

A congregation is a group of people, it is not an individual or even a few individuals making the decisions;  it takes ALL functioning as a group to be a congregation.  We must be willing to approach  togetherness with love and compassion, through our relationships with each other and with God.  And, we must be willing to, either, let go of or acknowledge when our feelings are hurt or we disagree.  It is through love and compassion that we must work together as a congregation seeking to share God’s love with each other and beyond. 

Beth Kennett November 2010