There was a special meeting of the congregation after worship yesterday. It was one of those difficult meetings, where some of the participants in the meeting were very passionate about their positions, but no one wanted to create division or dissension in the congregation. The choice before the congregation had to do with staffing. A previous budget decision had resulted ini the need to decrease the number of full time employees of the congregation. While that choice had already been made, the congregation is happy with the leadership of the church. People did not want to criticize or attack any of the leaders of the congregation. Still, there was a sense that the recommendation of the personnel committee wasn’t quite what people wanted. They struggled to come up with a solution that would address their concerns without rejecting the leadership. It is a complex situation and there were no easy solutions. I was proud of those who spoke. They were careful not to attack or to criticize. They expressed their opinions without rancor or anger. After a lot of conversation, the final vote was very nearly unanimous. They came up with a way forward that addressed concerns, respected differences, and did not disrupt.

Finally a motion was made, seconded, slightly amended and voted upon. The members of the congregation voted with a show of hands. Almost all of the hands went up in support of the motion. I think there were two or three abstentions, but the clear will of the majority was evident. There were no “no” votes. I noticed two young children, who had not been confirmed, raising their hands proudly. One of them was the son of the moderator of the meeting, the other a neighbor and friend of the young boy. Interestingly, they voted for the motion and also to abstain. I could hear the tellers commenting that they were not eligible to vote and I know that their votes weren’t included in the official count, but I was delighted with their passion and sense of participation in what they knew was an important decision.

After the meeting conversation between the moderator and his son was overheard and reported to me. The father said, “I saw you vote. What were you voting for?” The son replied, “I was voting for you.” “For me? What were you voting for me about?” “I was voting for you to be the pastor of our congregation.” “Oh. You know your aunt is a pastor. Maybe one pastor in the family is enough for us.”

I keep smiling when I remember those two young boys voting with enthusiasm, even though they weren’t quite sure what the vote was about. They were showing that they felt that they were a part of the conversation. They understood that the choice was important. They wanted to be a part of what was emerging.

I have to add that the father did a superb job of leading the congregation and guiding the conversation. He was careful to make sure that people had an opportunity to speak and to express their feelings. He was respectful of those who spoke and attentive to the process of decision-making. He understood the rules of order and followed them without being authoritarian or shutting down those who needed to speak. He deserves the pride and admiration not only of his son, but of all of us who love and care about the congregation.

Mostly, I am delighted to be a part of a congregation where a couple of children can feel so included that they are sure that the act of raising their hands when others do is important. They believe that their participation makes a difference for the good of the community. They understand that they belong.

I think that there are many more difficult decisions ahead for this congregation. Churches are struggling with a lot of different issues. The pandemic shifted participation patterns and has already left a mark on church budgets. Change was in the air before the pandemic hit. Leadership is difficult to find. I know of several congregations who are unable to find the leaders they desire. I know of the issues of decreased attendance at in person worship services, shifting patterns of donation and support, and budget struggles. Those big changes in the church are not over. They will continue and there are more difficult decisions ahead for many congregations. Ours is no exception. We are being forced to learn to live graciously and abundantly with fewer resources than before. Certainly we are fortunate. We have long-term leadership from settled pastors. We have a generous congregation that supports important mission and ministry. We are capable of making big decisions and raising significant contributions to support important projects. This congregation is going to be around for many more years of service. But we will have to make more difficult decisions. We will have to adapt and change as we journey together. We will have to listen carefully, respect differences, and there will be compromises ahead. We don’t yet have a completely clear picture of what the future will hold, and we may not have that vision for some time as we continue to adjust to major shifts in our community and the world.

Despite all of the pressures and difficult decisions, I am filled with hope and joy when I think of those two young voters, proudly raising their hands and feeling included in the process of making important decisions. I am looking forward to watching them as they grow. I hope I am around for their confirmations and full membership in the congregation. I want to be in the congregation and listening carefully when they are able to step into leadership and speak their faith and vision.

As a semi-retired pastor, I am very comfortable with sitting and observing the congregation. I didn’t feel a need to speak at the meeting and that was a relief for me. There have been plenty of difficult congregational meetings where I felt I had a deep personal responsibility. I took the words that were said personally and I had trouble keeping my passion to myself. Yesterday, I was comfortable and felt no need to speak. I was at the meeting to listen and observe. I am a fortunate person to have reached this stage in my life’s journey. And I am excited with the new leaders who are just emerging.

I am positive about our future as a congregation and about the future of the church. We may not yet be able to have a clear vision of the future, but we know how important our community is and how important it is for us to pay attention to one another as we journey together.