Revitalization Clarification
Since there seems to be some misunderstanding and even confusion over Cross of Christ's involvement in our District's Revitalization Program, I thought it might be helpful to bring some clarity to the whole issue. Let me begin by saying that we are not technically a "revitalization congregation," because when we took the initial vote, after the revitalization team was here, we did not have the two thirds majority necessary to officially and specifically be so classified. In other words, we had a majority (but not a big enough majority) who were willing to accept all five formulaic prescriptions suggested by the evaluation team of Dr. Terry Tieman and Rev. Jim Kirk. (Some of you may remember that it was an "all-or-nothing" acceptance of the entire report that we voted on.)
What happened then, after-the-fact-so-to-speak, was that the District Revitalization Team decided that our congregation could still participate in various aspects of the program, but that we were not obligated to or bound by the five prescriptions. In short, we could participate on a "volunteer-basis" in whatever parts we thought might be helpful to us: that's why we are having these community events like Normalpalooza and the May Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, why I've been attending the Learning Community gatherings in Loudon, and why we will occasionally use one of the books on the revitalization list for our Sunday morning Bible Class. Where this leaves us is having the continuing freedom to choose various portions of the prescriptions that fit our needs and desires without any mandate that limits those choices or forces us onto a certain path.
Please keep in mind that revitalization is not a magic formula, nor is it wrapped up in a single person that will somehow transform everything at Cross of Christ. It is a renewed perspective that allows each of us individually and all of us collectively to see that in God's eyes we do not exist for ourselves, but for both the present and eternal well-being of those outside our congregation - whether that's the co-worker, the classmate, or the person we have not yet met who needs to experience the love of God through us. Revitalization, simply stated, is nothing more or less than returning with greater urgency to our Savior's Great Commission to "go and make disciples," as we serve as His witnesses in our neighborhoods, community, and world by means of our actions and words. Throughout this Lenten Season and in all the seasons to come may we be open to the working of the Holy Spirit in and through us!
Pastor Hildebrandt
