TRANSFORMATIONAL CONVERSATIONS
The church affords opportunities for people to stand in close proximity while subtly encouraging interactions. Frequently, are in close proximity without any expectation of an interaction beyond the simple acknowledgement of the presence of another person. For example, while traveling, attending a concert or simply gathering in a waiting area, it’s is typically assumed that you will be physically near other people, however, interactions are discouraged and to breach the social mores can sometimes result in a stern rebuke.
In the sixteenth chapter of the book of Acts, Luke describes an occasion in which Paul and Silas were traveling across the city to the place of prayer. They were verbally accosted by a woman who identified them as not only being similar to her because she described them as also being enslaved. The woman proclaimed that Paul and Silas offered the gift of salvation. For reasons that are not explained, Paul was very annoyed by the woman and he healed the woman of her ability that had caused her exploitation. Because she could no longer “tell fortunes” (or predict the future), her financial value was greatly reduced which angered those who had enslaved her. As a result, her enslavers charged Paul and Silas with disturbing the peace. Not only did they incite a mob to encourage Paul and Silas to be beaten, Paul and Silas were also jailed.
Several interesting questions can be raised about the transformative conversation between Paul, Silas and the enslaved woman such as “why was her name ever provided;” “why did she have to provoke Paul to release her from the spirit;” and “why was her enslavement and exploitation not considered disruptive to the peace of the community?”
As the Visioning Team continues to discuss ways to best fulfill the mission of the church to make disciples, the team continues to explore potential discipleship pathways and systems. One of the often repeated phrases introduces by Dr. Junius Dotson, the former General Secretary of the Board of Discipleship, is “discipleship begins with relationship.” We could also assert that relationship is facilitated by proximity and similarity—Paul and Silas were near the enslaved woman and she recognized one thing they shared in common.
Interestingly, it is the enslaved woman who appears to have initiated the interaction with Paul and Silas. She compels Paul to use his ability to grant her release. It seems that Paul’s transformative interaction only occurred because she refused to be ignored. How often are we in close proximity to individuals whose lives we can transform with carefully selected words? After Paul’s words are spoken to her, the focus of the scriptures shifts to the assault upon Paul and Silas. Nothing more is mentioned about the enslaved woman.
Each Sunday morning, we gather in close proximity to worship. We may often grossly underestimate the power of our words to provide hope, strength, courage or liberation. The words that Paul and Silas later spoke in the sixteenth chapter inspired a man and his entire household to be baptized. The mission of the church is to make disciples. We are also called to teach and to baptize. Our vision statement declares “At Christ United Methodist Church, we are a Christ-centered, multi-generational community where all feel welcomed, loved, and equipped to follow Jesus. We reach out to lead others to Christ, grow disciples, and serve together with purpose. Honoring tradition and embracing innovation, we strive to be a place where God’s grace transforms lives and every person, belongs, serves and thrives.”
Greet someone as you enter the sanctuary. Introduce them to another member of the church or a member of the staff. The words that you speak may inspire them to continue their journey of becoming a disciple.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
