Like

Church Dancing: Nostalgia And The Future

Philippians 3:13-14 "siblings, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 'Forgetting' what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Ecclesiastes 7:10 "Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this."



Nostalgia is that enchanting journey down memory lane, where we wistfully recall the "good old days" of the church community. It's a sentiment familiar to many, especially in congregations with a rich history like ours, where every pew and stained-glass window whispers tales of bygone eras. But here's the twist: nostalgia can be both a comforting friend and a formidable foe when it comes to shaping the future of the church... of any organization for that matter. 


The Pull of Nostalgia:

Nostalgia is a powerful force that can wrap people in a warm embrace, offering solace in moments of change and uncertainty. It allows us humans to relive cherished memories, to hear the echoes of familiar sounds, and to see the faces of those long gone. In the churches, it's the pews where we sat as children, the hymnals with worn pages, the old, tattered quilts, the creepy looking pictures, too many other artifacts, and the stories passed down through generations.


The Danger of Dwelling in the Past:


While nostalgia can be a source of comfort, it also carries the danger of trapping us in the past and feeding our fear of looking ahead. When we're too enamored with the "way things used to be," we risk missing the opportunities the wonder that can be. We may resist change, become complacent, or inadvertently exclude newcomers who don't share our memories.


The Importance of Remembering:

Don't get me wrong; remembering is a beautiful and essential part of our faith journey. We honor the sacrifices and vision of those who came before us, and we cherish the lessons learned from our history. Remembering is like tending to the roots of a mighty tree; it keeps us grounded and connected to our spiritual heritage. Remember as well, that those who started before us took a risk to do something new, different, and even strange. 




  

So, how do we strike the right balance between remembering and moving forward? It's a delicate dance, but one worth mastering.

1. Embrace Change with Grace: Change is inevitable, and it's often the catalyst for growth. Instead of fearing it, let's approach change with grace, recognizing that it can breathe new life into church communities.

2. Welcome Newcomers: Just as we hold dear the memories of the church's past, make room for newcomers to create their own memories. Extend a warm welcome, share stories, and invite them into the church family to help shape the stories of the future.

3. Preserve Traditions: Tradition can be a bridge between the past and the future. Preserve the traditions that hold healing meaning while remaining open to adapting them for a changing world. Honor the pioneers of the past by embracing their risk-taking courage. 

4. Focus on the Mission: The church's mission is never rooted in the past but in the timeless teachings of Jesus. By focusing on the mission, churches can move forward with purpose and conviction.

5. Learn from the Past: The past is a treasure trove of wisdom. Learn from it, both the good and the not so good, AND make informed decisions for the future. 


A Harmonious Blend:

Nostalgia need not be our enemy; it can be a guiding star. When we learn to blend the beauty of our memories with the promise of tomorrow, we create a harmonious church where the past enriches the present, and the future is embraced with open arms. It's a sacred dance, one that leads the church into a future as bright and enduring as its claimed faith. In leaning into my African heritage of the legend of the Sankofa, reach back and retrieve the lost good, and bring it to the future. No church will survive a decline and thrive with its heart and steps stuck in nostalgic repose. 

#nostalgia #churchstagnation #sankofa #churchdance #criticalthinking

Born and raised on The Gem of the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda), I am an immigrant living in the U.S. with my Fantastic Four and High School boops.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Courage Meets Cruelty

Image
We live in a world where hatred is wielded as a political tool, leaders exploit fear for personal gain, and  those tasked with reflecting the image of Christ too often choose silence (or cowardice). The other day, Bishop Budde chose courage and invited Donald Trump into acts of decency. Since then, her prophetic challenge in the form of a call for mercy on behalf of the undocumented, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others targeted by sweeping hate policies has been met with the expected hatred and cowardly retaliatory death threats. The response she has received reflects the depth of polarization in this country and the frightening reality of a faith community that has often chosen power over principle. I shudder (literally) when I think that religious leaders have once again chosen either to err on the side of ignorance and hatred, or cowardice and power-grab.  What kind of preacher/pastor/priest/decent human being would truly support the actions of the Trump administration? It takes...
Read more

Juneteenth: Elusive Freedom

Image
I was born in the colonized Caribbean island of Antigua and raised in the first village to receive the news of emancipation from slavery. Every summer, Antigua hosts its vibrant carnival to celebrate the emancipation that took place on August 1, 1834. Carnival comes alive with the sounds, colors, and joy of the island's African culture. According to the Monarch King Short Shirt, Antigua's carnival is "the greatest summer festival!" Additionally, on November 1 each year, Antigua celebrates its hard-fought independence from England. The British freed slaves in Antigua in 1834 as part of their broader move to abolish slavery in the Caribbean colonies, believing it hindered modernization. However, the lives of the formerly enslaved did not significantly improve. They continued to toil under conditions barely distinguishable from slavery. With no place to live, many remained in plantation housing, where residence implied an agreement to work on that plantation. They lacked...
Read more

Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome

Image
Did you know that Post-traumatic Slave Syndrome is a condition that many people of Color   are afflicted with?   So, when we have dialogues around systemic racism, oppression, and historical trauma, we should not overlook Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). The term draws parallels to the more widely recognized Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS), and treats the lasting effects of slavery on generations of African descendants. PTSS challenges the belief that slavery is a relic of the past, irrelevant to today's society, and was a teaching tool, by highlighting how the trauma endured by enslaved people continues to impact their descendants.  Many people react to the notion of PTSS with skepticism, and often dismiss it as an excuse for current societal issues or as a way to place blame on history, or as a way to continue to ignore the clear and present danger that is in front of them. These reactions, however, show varying levels of understanding and emotional enga...
Read more