Pastoral Thought--August 26

 In his book, The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr begins a long section with the following thought. He said:

“You can only reform things long term by unlocking them from inside—by their own chosen authoritative sources. Outsiders have little authority or ability to reform anything.”

By itself this is a powerful statement that speaks of something that is deeply living in each of us. My college mentor used to tell me that by the time we turn 20 we have set almost all of our major beliefs and choices into place. Mike would say that we can only modify small parts of ourselves or our psyches. At the time I believed that he was right, but now, with Richard Rohr standing beside me in his book, I wonder if more transformation and growth is possible? I wonder what it takes to truly, and deeply, change and grow as a Christian in the service of God? 

Rohr’s point illustrates why I believe so strongly in the power of story-telling and sharing as a more effective methodology training and equipping missional leaders in this world. By becoming willing to listen to someone else, willing to listen to their struggles without judgment, we accomplish many things: 

First, we take ourselves from the seat of authority and we grant permission to someone else to dictate the terms of our relationship. This weekend when I asked the young lady cutting my hair about how she and her husband were navigating the end of his military service, I was granting her permission to be honest with me and take the conversation in a directly that she felt comfortable with. I was out of control because I was listening first. . . 

Second, story-sharing and listening and sharing is a practice of discernment and non-judgmental living. The young lady who was cutting my hair had to trust that I would not judge whatever she said to me—and I did just listen to her. 

Finally, story-sharing and listening invites others into relationship with us that is on-going. It is one thing to stand in the checkout line at Giant Eagle or Wal-Mart and complain to someone about how hot it has been this week. It is a far different thing to confess to them, through a story, a challenge that is gripping your mind or heart. From my perspective the work of the church should not only be to evangelize directly—part of our calling is to listen, I believe. 

This listening helps grants the necessary permission to help people ‘reform things long term.’ But that calling is seldom linear, and linear thinking and living is desirable to most of us. 

I wonder what reflections Rohr’s quote from above sparks in your heart today? Who is the outsider that you can listen to and what happens when actively listen to them? 

Blessings

Rev. Derek