What qualities do we need to develop in ourselves to move forward with our next bishop?
We’re aware that all of us in the diocese will be in partnership with our next bishop. To expect him or her to “do it all” is unrealistic and unhelpful. We realize that it would be foolish to sit back and be passive spectators of our next bishop, without our sharing in the building up of this diocese.
Some of the difficulties we’ve been through in the past years have been made worse by our tendency to become factional and self-preserving when we’re in a tense situation. We realize that we need to work on our own blind spots and weaknesses, in order to help a new bishop become the spiritual leader of this diocese. And we plan to do just that.
We know that we need to commit ourselves again to a clearer life of prayer and a more determined following of Christ. In focus groups we often heard variations of the old saying: “Lex orandi, lex credendi” or “Praying shapes believing.” We want to tap again into our own spirituality and find our center.
We realize that we’ve often been too quick to judge the actions of others and unwisely to put the worst construction, rather than best, on the decisions and actions we don’t understand or agree with. We want to begin to develop a greater tolerance and a more pronounced patience, qualities we think will assist our new bishop; ones that will build up and not tear down.
We hope to recover what we may have lost of civility and grace in recent years. We realize that we—as much as a new bishop—must help heal the diocese. Many of us realize that we need to pray for ourselves, for our bishop, and strive to forgive and to be forgiven “seventy times seven.”
Real words: What do we need to develop in ourselves?
We need to be honest about ourselves, warts and all.
We need to work on our finances. Be willing to give more than we have.
Forget the past and step forward with a strong measure of hope and trust.
Though burned, we can’t be afraid.
A bishop will not be a “do-all, be-all, end-all.” We have to make it work!
Be willing to be a part of the diocese. What we’re doing here tonight is a step in the right direction.
Don’t take ourselves so seriously. Lose our jadedness.
Get rid of “We always did it that way.” Take risks!
No more Us versus Them!
Work on strengthening our convocations and our communication between them.
We must let the Holy Spirit work. Talk less, pray more.
We need to learn to be comfortable with the whole family of New Jersey.
Develop flexibility and patience, recover trust and respect.
It’s
too easy to see others’ faults. Let’s see if we can learn
to see their gifts.
Remember that the bishop is a human being, just as we are. We’re all members of the same flock.
The same qualities we expect in a bishop we need to develop in ourselves. That way we all gain: personally, as parishes, and as a diocese.
Love each other, repent, and heal.