OCTOBER 2006

Last January 31 the Worship Committee proposed an experiment: for a month of Sundays, the two Sunday Services of Worship of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church would be combined into a single service. The main purpose behind this proposal was to increase congregational unity and to see if the congregation would benefit by moving to one Service of Worship each Sunday. Though not presented to the Administrative Council, this proposal was planned for the Sundays of September and announced to the congregation through bulletin inserts during August.

The proposal to experiment with one Sunday Service of Worship was discussed, at length, by the Administrative Council on August 24. Evenly divided on the proposal, the Administrative Council decided that a subcommittee would survey the entire congregation on the proposal and report its findings to the September 21 meeting of the Council.

The survey subcommittee -- which was composed of Joe Crowley, Sonia Lewis, Jay Smith, Vicky Williams, and the pastor -- drafted a brief survey and ran it in the September newsletter. Survey responses were collected and reviewed by the survey subcommittee on September 18. The initial question of the survey -- "What is your opinion of combining the Sunday Worship Services at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church?" -- drew these responses: Strongly Agree = 10, Agree = 15, Neutral = 3, Disagree = 10, and Strongly Disagree = 8. All written responses were read aloud, and many were discussed, by the subcommittee. After general discussion, the subcommittee agreed to recommend to the Administrative Council that the congregation continue its two Sunday Services of Worship.

The work and recommendation of the survey subcommittee were presented to the Administrative Council on September 21. After more discussion, the Council voted unanimously to affirm the recommendation of the survey subcommittee. Therefore, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church will keep its two Sunday Services of Worship.

That is the story of a proposal. Now let us turn to some reflections.

1. St. Peter’s United Methodist Church handled the discussion of this proposal very well. Seeking the good of the congregation, the Worship Committee made a bold proposal. The Administrative Council deliberated thoughtfully and thoroughly. The survey subcommittee efficiently accomplished its work. The congregation responded helpfully. All of this work was done in a way that honored God.

2. The church’s government exercised its authority in ways that reflected the love of God and the love of neighbor. Without acting too quickly or too slowly, the process invited discussion and response.

3. The actions of the Administrative Council reminded everyone of the importance of discussion among Christians. When the proposal was first considered by the Council, the overwhelming majority seemed to favor it. As deliberation continued, minds were changed. In meetings of the Administrative Council, we assume that the Holy Spirit is with the Council and with each member present. Therefore, each contribution to the discussion is gladly welcomed and seriously considered.

4. Controversial matters seemed to increase Administrative Council attendance. And that was good.

5. During the various discussions, we remembered that the Services of Worship, Sunday School, and fellowship activities have different purposes in congregational life. A written response to the survey recalled us to the truth that Services of Worship are for encountering God, who is revealed in the crucified and risen Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is, Services of Worship are not to be used as means to achieve other good goals that we might have. Sunday School is for studying the Bible and the Church’s faith, and for growing in discipleship. And fellowship activities are for serving, and getting to know, others. Worship, learning, and fellowshipping are all important to the congregation’s life.

6. The survey subcommittee concluded that St. Peter’s Church now has many, many activities beyond the Services of Worship and Sunday School. It is important that we participate in these activities as often as we can.

7. We have faced this fact of church life: when our congregation considers a proposal of any kind, everyone in the church benefits. We engage. We think. We participate. We speak. We listen. And we respect each other -- even if the proposal does not fare as we had hoped.