Risking and Trusting

Book of Order
G 3.0400 Called to Risk and Trust
The Church is called to undertake its mission even at the risk
of losing its life, trusting in God alone as the author and giver of
life, sharing the gospel, and doing those deeds in the world that
point beyond themselves to the new reality in Christ.

There's always a precarious balance between tradition and newness. A community of faith MUST remain grounded in the reformed tradition which calls us to continually be guided by God-inspired scripture that has led our church fathers (and mothers!) to establish what we have today. However, a community of faith MUST also be continually committed to the NEW things the Holy Spirit is calling us to each and every day.

It is these new things that often demand we "risk losing our life" and "point beyond ourselves." How can the church better live out this calling in the book of order?

I am serving an internship year at Broad Street Ministry in downtown Philadelphia. Even in the month that I've been here, I've witnessed how this community risks and trusts.

Broad Street Ministry started around 5 years ago out of a church that had died, BSM grew out of a need to serve the downtown community. This turned into several feeding and social service programs for the poor and homeless, worship that incorporated artistic expression via university of the arts students around and musical expression via the rich diversity of musical backgrounds around, engaging speakers and performers who represented the voice of the city, and many other expressions of the faith community. This church in some ways looks quite different from the "church" many of us grew up in or know about (dressing up, organ music, hour-long service). BSM has taken the risk to be a worshipping community that is engaged in the city in many unique ways. There is no attention to the maintenance of the building, nor is there attention given to making sure membership quotas are met. These aspects, and many others, may be dangerous to not give more attention to. However, who ever said that following Christ was not dangerous?

I'm not saying BSM is a perfect model of what church should be. Rather, I am witnessing what it means to "risk and trust" in their work. Though it is not perfect, the basic premise of following the lead of the Holy Spirit into transformational new things is very present. They are very attentive to the needs of the urban community, and respond quickly to their needs as Christ would lead them.

What new things is the Holy Spirit calling you and your church to? What would it look like for you to truly risk and trust? Do we point to ourselves more than we point beyond ourselves to Christ?