To See Thee More Clearly
7/25/02

I was ten years old when I began to wear glasses.  I can still remember the impact of putting on glasses for the first time and riding home in the car, amazed at what I could see.  I didn't know that other people were seeing things in focus that had been a blur to me.  Over night I became a better student, a better athlete, and far more coordinated than I had been.  After experiencing clear sight, I'd never go back to the blur again.  I feel much that way about my experiences with congregational renewal and The Jesus Connection Process.  Now that I have moved from my spiritual nearsightedness, and have seen many things more clearly, I would not consciously go back to the way things were before.  But I do because I become distracted and unfocused.
 
I recently had a week on my calendar that was relatively empty outside a few routine meetings and counseling sessions.  Then I had two unexpected funerals, and a forty-year-old woman in our congregation almost died during a minor surgical procedure, all requiring chunks of pastoral care time.   I took an extra day of call for the hospital chaplain so she could attend a family event only to be called in response to a three fatality accident, and an incident where a 70 year old man died in the midst of family gathering.  Since my calendar had looked empty, I agreed to trade dates for the local senior services, and had to work around three nursing home services in a suddenly cluttered calendar.  Also, as part of my avocation, I had to coach two soccer practices and three matches.  This happens to all of us.  It's the nature of congregational ministry.  It is so important to remain focused on the vision if transformation is to happen, but difficult when we are being pulled in various directions by circumstances, seen and unseen.
 
Accountability is important for keeping me focused on the vision.  I am accountable to The Jesus Connection network as a group of fellow travelers committed to a path of renewal.  I know when I get together with you in the "connection" or shoot e mails into cyber-space that I am going to be challenged and encouraged in my leadership of First United Church and our local efforts of spiritual and structural transformation.  I am accountable because I've been asked to write a monthly "Reflection" on my experiences with the TJC process.  It clarifies my vision to reflect on the important things happening in our process and my experience.  Receiving "Reflections" and newsletters, are periodic reminders that I am part of something that not only relates to the congregation I serve, but also to a group of pastors and leaders working together to renew and strengthen our congregations.
 
Accountability is also part of our congregational process that helps us focus on what we are doing together.  Those who are involved in First United ministry teams are committed to praying for each other and studying aspects of our vision and ministry together.  I also have the gift of a sharp-minded attorney in the congregation who is quick to tell me when he feels I'm losing focus in preaching and leadership.
 
In the midst of the distractions of ministry it is important for us all to be faithful with our own spiritual disciplines which help us focus on the Spirit, to see, hear, and feel where God is leading us next.  We ultimately stand accountable to the One who has called us into this important work.
 
Loren Olson - First United Church, Little Falls, MN