Letting the Spirit Speak

My wife and I like to watch mysteries. We have recently been getting up to date on Vienna Blood, a PBS series that features Max Liebermann, a young neurologist in early 20^th century Vienna, who is a disciple of Sigmund Freud. In addition to solving crimes with his police colleague, Detective Oskar Rheinhardt, Liebermann is an advocate of talk cure or therapy—dealing with psychological challenges and trauma through conversation.

There are many ways to think of the situation that many churches find themselves in these days. I suggest that one option is to think of the church as the victim of trauma. COVID, financial difficulties, burned-out clergy, departing members—all are traumatic experiences that need to be processed. One way to address these is through conversation.

As we engage in such conversations, we are not only hearing the personal stories of individuals, but we might very well be hearing the voice of the Spirit of God. In conversation with a trained therapist, the patient discovers new insights and a way forward. They are inspired (in the spirit) to chart a new course. I submit this can happen in the congregation as we both talk and listen to each other.

When do we take time to listen to the Spirit? We do we take time to listen to each other?

I have seen this happen in several ways.

First, in personal testimonies. One of the events I look forward to every year are the testimonies of individuals who have been elected to the office of deacon in our church for the first time. As I hear their personal experiences of decision, crisis, and growth, I am reminded of the unique way that the Spirit works in each life.

Second, during the pastoral interim in our church, we engaged in a discernment process. Part of this was sitting around tables talking and listening about what each of us valued about our church, what challenges we might engage, and how to move forward. In what we heard (and did not hear), the Spirit was speaking to us.

Third, for the past three years, Pinnacle has engaged with Central Seminary in offering 30 churches the opportunity to be part of the ReShaping Church process. A significant part of this is a small group experience where church members meet for several weeks, read scripture, and reflect on who they are as the people of God in their setting. In these groups, the Spirit is present and is speaking.

Alan Roxburgh, missional church guru, says, “The Spirit of God is among the people of God and will provide what we need to do the mission of God.” Our biggest challenge if taking time to listen to what the Spirit it saying to the church through its people. As we talk and listen together, as we converse with one another, the Spirit will lead us to the path of healing, discernment, and action.

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