by: Rev. Anna Golladay
There’s an old saying: “We make plans. God laughs.”
There are too many times in my life as a Jesus follower where I have been certain of the path forward, only to come to a screeching halt when it becomes clear that the plan will certainly NOT work out the way I intended. I thought long and hard about sharing one specific antedote to illustrate this almost laughable tendency, but ultimately I realized that every one of us has a list longer than our arm where we can point to our plan being timely, or not so, thwarted by God’s desire for us to lean into something more.
I’ve been with Convergence for seven years now, which seems impossible to believe, as I came to partner with our beloved organization after being dismissed from the United Methodist Conference over my allyship and ultimate rule-breaking in support of the queer community in Chattanooga, TN. I can imagine that in those moments of heartbreak for me, God was both a parental comforter and shaking their head at my continued boundary pushing and stubborn nature.
Over the course of my time here, I have watched my team work diligently with congregations who have needed a variety of partnerships. Some have been in the midst of pastoral transitions, while others have found that the leadership of their congregation is lacking and they are searching for kind ways to shift. Some have just started their new community and want either individual coaching or strategic planning to help them envision all that is possible. Others realize they have quite possibly reached the end of their congregation’s vital days and are looking to close or merge with grace. Some are stalwart, historic communities whose longevity has brought them to a wondering of what the future holds. Others are small and faithful, knowing their days are not numbered, but also curious about how to move into the next phase of ministry. And others still are in crisis or conflict, and simply need someone to help them start talking to one another again in generative and love-filled ways.
The one thing that all these congregations have in common is their recognition that sometimes the work is simply too big to do alone. And if it isn’t too big, they simply don’t have the skill sets in their midst to effectively manage the task. Not one of them was stubborn.
Every one of you has some of your best days ahead of you. You are filled with a spirit of energy and hope that much of the world envies. I wonder what it might look like to lean into the future with a calm conviction toward possibility. If there is one word we love here at Convergence, it is possibility. Let us know when you are ready.