"Being There"

In his next to last film appearance in "Being There" Peter Sellers played a simple-minded gardener named, Chance. Chance lived a rather isolated life until his rich benefactor died and he was thrust out into the world. A "chance" encounter with another rich couple thrust our gardner onto the national political stage. Now called Chauncey Gardner, he is sought after for advice. It matters little that all he knows and quotes comes from television, his demeanor and delivery of these snippets of knowledge come across as profundity.


Though I only saw this movie once when it first came out in 1979, memories of it come back every now and then. Last week, for instance, I thought of Chauncey when a pastor approached me and asked for a few minutes of time.


I usually have two conflicting feelings at such occasions. I am honored that someone might think that I have something of value to offer. And, I develop this little pinch in my gut from my own anxiety that I have very little of value to offer.


With the admission of this internal conflict in mind you may understand how anxious I became when the pastor introduced her dilemma with the words, "I need someone with a 'non-anxious presence' to provide me with some feedback."


Of course, I told myself that I didn't show this anxiety. As a professional conference staff person with many years of experience in ministry, I have learned to set aside my own feelings as I project a compassionate and understanding pastoral demeanor. Not only this but I've gone for specific training in group conflict mediation and have been taught how to be non anxious, how to differentiate my own feelings from those being expressed by the others in the room.


Perhaps you have imagined the tongue-in-my-cheek as I've written about these things. Those who know me may chuckle over the assertion that I can set my own feelings aside. If my tone of voice doesn't betray my emotions, the color of my cheeks does.


Still, every once in awhile I am able to slip into the mode and truly feel and project a non-anxious presence. Being "in the moment" is crucial. That is, the ability to listen to the other, respond to the other with out needing to interject easy solutions or offer unwanted or needed advice, is paramount to being there for the other person. Indeed, when we "are there" for others, we become freed the need to speak out of our own insecurities or offering advice out of our own need to help.


I remember a visit I made in my first year of ministry to a grieving family. I was terrified as I drove over to the house. What would I say to this family? How could I possibly minister to them? What words could I say that could offer healing and hope? I learned that night that there are no words. There is only the healing that comes from being there. And, being there is enough.


Non-anxious presence is a key to ministry in a world that not only is full of anxiety, but which relies upon and exploits it for its own sake. A ministry based upon non-anxious presence witnesses to and embodies the peace that Jesus proclaimed.


Our Common Global Ministries has based its work on our behalf on a related commitment to 'being there': critical presence. What does this mean? From the Global Ministries website comes this answer.

Global Ministries is committed to a ministry of Critical Presence where we
meet God's people and creation at the point of deepest need: spiritually,
physically, emotionally, and/or economically. But what does it mean?
Critical Presence Critical means Vital, Essential, Crucial... that which is MOST important. Presence is Companionship, Alliance... being there... in partnership.

To be critically present, in vital alliances and essential companionship... is to
be in partnerships at the point of deepest need - all types of need - spiritual
needs, physical needs, emotional needs, and economic needs where we meet God's
people and God's creation.

This is a much different approach than in previous generations of mission understandings. We now take the idea of partnership with our sister churches in other countries very seriously. No longer do we dictate what we will do with our partner churches. Rather, we enter into dialogue regarding our mutual needs in sharing the good news of God's love for all people.

Critical presence can be controversial.

Sometimes it means advocating for justice for the citizens where our partner churches are located, like Scott Couper advocating for the victims of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Sometimes the simple fact that our missionaries are present is controversial and dangerous, like it has been for Phyllis Byrd in Kenya.

Sometimes it can lead to misunderstanding among people in our own pews. Many think that our mission money should go toward evangelizing new Christians only. The fact that our ministries overseas normally goes to lift up the health, educational and economic economic conditions of those with whom we work is upsetting to some.

Being there for others is very important in ministry. How we are there for others can be problematic. I dare say that most would agree that a non-anxious approach to being present with people is very appropriate. I would venture to add that the idea of being critically present is less universally accepted.

Where the preacher is universally loved probably little effective mission and ministry is happening. This happens when the preacher challenges no one to grow, or change. I once knew a pastor like this. He was great. He always had a smile. He was as happy on the golf course as he was serving the coffee after church. Everybody just loved him, but little ministry happened.

Rather it's more often the case that effective ministry happens when the pot is always stirred, at least a little. There is a trick to this. If we don't stir the pot, then what's brewing will boil over and then we have to clean up the mess. But if we learn to stir the pot at just the right moments, the broth cooks just right. The aroma of it fills the room and we are hungry for more. Such can be the case for soup as well as for churches.

When we allow our souls to be stirred by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our love increases, our hearts and minds open up to justice and kindness, we have more energy, we feel more generous, and we come to know the peace that is beyond understanding.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles

P.S. On another note over the weekend John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, wrote a sober reflection of the most recent public appearances of Jeremiah Wright. Here is the link to his letter. http://www.ucc.org/news/thomas-speaks-to-broad-set-of.html

Journalist, Bill Moyers, has also written a thoughtful essay urging us to move beyond the immediate acceptance of simplistic answers to the controversy regarding Jeremiah Wright. Here is the link to his article. http://www.ucc.org/news/moyers-beware-the-terrible-s.html

In their own way each one urges a thoughtful dialogue on issues of race, and all that divides us. R