Shouts of Joy and Sounds of Weeping

      Bishop Schnase wrote a blog prior to General Conference in looking at the Call to Action plan.  This book is a re-writing of that blog focused on congregations.  In this book he calls congregations and their leaders to ask questions and begin conversations about our ministry and how we are accomplishing our mission on Making Disciples for Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. 
     In the first reading, Bishop Schnase writes that the signs of change are shouts of joy and sounds of weeping.  When we recall the Book of Ezra, we read that once the foundations were laid for the new temple shouts of joy were heard throughout the land for such a great accomplishment.  At the same time the older generation was heard weeping, for the foundation was not like the previous temple by any means.  This story shows us the complexities of change and the range of emotions felt by change.  Even our founder John Wesley found himself feeling vile, when he began preaching in the streets and not from the pulpit; however, he felt great joy at the people he was able to reach now that he had left his comfort zone.  As we look at our church, our congregation and our community we realize that if we want to Make Disciples for Jesus Christ we have to change, but change takes courage.
     How might you address these questions?

• What are the sources of loss you have experienced as your congregation has changed its way of offering ministry of Christ?  As you conference has changed? What have been the sources of joy resulting from these changes?
• How does a desire for change sometimes feel disloyal to our forbears and mentors?
• Have you ever experienced an "Ezra moment" (joy and weeping at the same time in the face of change)? Have you ever experienced a "Wesley moment" (successfully experimenting with a ministry you would have avoided at an earlier point in you life)?

     If you want to go deeper, read Ezra 3: 10-13