Which Risk?
12/02/02 

Congregations are by nature risk aversive.  They are far more likely to bury their talent in the ground than put it in full play with the hope of exponential gain.  Few long established congregations reap the returns that make headlines in denominational papers.

It is no surprise then, that when a pastor and/or congregation leaders present The Jesus Connection process as a method for spiritual and structural renewal, that the congregation is ready to bury it with other ideas, strategies, and programs in the backyard.  "Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt."

But most congregations have not been there.  Most of our members have not wrestled with the question of what their congregation would look like if it approached mission and ministry with a spiritual discernment, gift-evoking stance.  Many would feel at risk if the financial ledger was left home and instead of financial management, leadership meetings focused on identifying spiritual gifts and opportunities to be in ministry.  Many would feel at risk if challenged to live as disciples of Jesus instead of volunteers in a religious organization or church workers.

I think that the parable of the talents reminds us that the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of trying to multiply the talents.  The servant who does not risk the funds in money-making activities ends up losing the very thing that the servant was trying to protect.  Working in an ecumenical shared ministry, I work with two denominations that have not shown a year of growth since I was a child.  A lot of theories and excuses are offered but I think the truth is that our connection to Jesus has been weak, and we've buried our talents in the backyard instead of using them to build the realm of God in our midst.

Which risk will our congregations choose?  Will they choose the risk of putting their principle in play or the risk of hiding it away until some indeterminate future?  The Jesus Connection model sketches a path that will lead from the relative passivity of many traditional congregations to an active spirituality and affirmation that all are gifted for ministry.  Sure, there are risks inherent in becoming serious about Christian formation and ministry and becoming new wineskins, but it is better bet to risk ourselves with Jesus than to risk ourselves maintaining old wineskins that are not suitable for the work that needs to be done.

   - Loren Olson, First United Church (UCC/UMC), Little Falls, Minnesota