Blog:FOREST LAKE TALKS

Dear Friends, 

I have often said that one of the things that I value most about our Church Community is the congregation’s willingness and flexibility to try new things.  I have learned that our congregation is normally willing to try most anything at least once.  If we don’t like it, I will hear about it, and not likely repeat it.  But I am grateful that our experiments in worship have been met with thoughtful, open hearts and minds. I call this having a generous spirit.  When we talk about generosity, most folks think first of money.  But a generous spirit is much wider and deeper than money, and is an essential marker of a people in whom God is at work. 

Generosity of spirit is the sign of the working of the Holy Spirit in our midst.  Generosity of Spirit means that we approach people or ideas with curiosity and a willingness to learn, instead of a need to judge someone or something on first contact!  A generous spirit means that we don’t assume someone means ill, but instead we assume that they mean to do good, even if their first approach is offensive.  A person with a generous spirit does not lead the conversation with complaints, but with affirmations of what is right before offering constructive criticism. This generosity of spirit is reflected in our willingness to experiment with worship, and in our welcome of guests and visitors, especially those who differ from us.  This generosity of spirit is also reflected in our financial stewardship.   

The fact that our Next 70 Capital Campaign exceeded our goal is a result of a congregation with a generous spirit.  We know that the generations that came before us have given of their substance to build and to maintain this place, and through this campaign we have done the same for those who come after us. But this Capital Campaign really shows the fruit of the congregation’s generous spirit.  Well done, Church! 

Just today, a resident of the neighborhoods on the Northeast side of Decker Blvd came to meet with Jodi Beckham to ask for help filling out the application for home repairs through our partnership with Home Works.  She got to know Jodi through our work in The Decker Collective!  The generous spirit of this congregation will apply $140 thousand dollars to accomplish home repairs in and around the Decker Corridor.  The generous spirit of this congregation will give weekends away to make those repairs and to get to know our neighbors.  The generous spirit of this congregation is what will allow us to make the changes that are necessary both to survive this era of chaos and disruption, and also (more importantly) to be useful to God in this place. 

The news in many corners of the world is dark and dire and scary.  If we have influence over that bad news, then we should be working to bring good news to that bad news.  But, if we do not have influence over that bad news, then I suggest we bend our prayers towards those who can influence that bad news, and we continue to bring good news where we have influence – right here in our own circles of friends and family, in our own neighborhoods, and in our own community.  May the generosity of spirit that is at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church be contagious in the best way!