A Breath of Fresh . . . Challenge?
For too long our church although in hope named “Living Spirit” has been on life support! Deficit budgeting is one form as we draw on reserves to see us through from one year to the next. In conjunction with deficit budgeting relying in hope that someone will come through with a large enough donation to fill the annual financial hole has kept our heart beating and our lungs breathing. We don’t want Living Spirit to breath its last. We do not want Living Spirit to die. We are afraid we can’t keep it alive much longer. This note, however, is not about money – it is about what fear, anxiety and despair can do to us.
Fear changes us to where we can only do one of three things: fight, freeze, or flee – none of which are particularly helpful and all change our attitude and change how we breathe. Our attitude changes to reacting from responding and that change itself affects our breathing. The panic reaction, strong and intense or mild and chronic, makes our breathing go shallower and faster. That is why when we want to calm someone we encourage them to take a few deep breaths, and meditation methods focus on breathing. Psychiatrist Fritz Perls came up with a formula of sorts which is “anxiety plus oxygen equals excitement. Over the years we’ve heard that certain behaviours and actions “suck the air out of the room.”
So how does a church move from reacting to negative thoughts and fears to responding in faith? Responding in faith cannot happen in a fearful, anxious, despairing context. We need to keep our heads and hearts involved as we explore past and present realities and future possibilities. Remembering we are a church called to serve not just ourselves but the community around our building and where we reside can help us to pause and breathe more slowly deeply. Responding and acting are counters to reacting and help us be more connected and creative.
We are in a process of analysis with the Transition Team and our Interim Minister which will soon involve and engage the congregation in the work we need to do before we can determine our response. May all of this fill your lungs, hearts and muscles with the Holy Spirit, God’s healing, creating, enlivening breath.
