But Sunday is coming!
A family tradition in our house is watching Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) - Ted Neely is our preferred Jesus as I believe he captures the raw emotion of our LORD so very well with that 70s classic rock screech from time to time.
While I love so many scenes and songs from this version of the musical, The Last Supper is depicted oh so very well. Pausing just long enough for Jesus to survey his friends as they eat and drink and recognize devastatingly that he “must be mad thinking” that he would be remembered. And then doubling down on his disappointment by calling out those who will deny and betray him.
Disappointment happens. As ministry leaders, sometimes “The Church” will disappoint us. Truth be told, people will disappoint us. And even more honestly, we will likely be the source of someone’s disappointment at some point.
I love how Nadia Bolz-Weber describes her take on this in her previous ministry context when she writes:
“I have a regular spiritual practice of warning people that I will disappoint them. A couple times a year, we host a Welcome to House for All Sinners and Saints brunch for newcomers. Everyone goes around the room saying what drew them to this community or what keeps them here... I'm usually the last to speak at these events and when I do I always so how great it is to hear all of that, but that I need them to hear something. And that is that this church will disappoint you. Or I will fail to meet your expectations, or I’ll say something stupid and hurt your feelings. It’s not a matter of “If,” it’s When. Welcome to House for All Sinners and Saints. We will disappoint you.”
When I was in congregational ministry, I sought to keep in check my own striving to make everyone happy by reminding myself that the applause I hear now may quickly turn to boos. There is no way to meet everyone’s expectations. But even harder, I wonder, and maybe it isn’t fair to lay this expectation of difference on a community of faith as I wouldn’t want it laid on one of its leaders… but I do know the feeling and perhaps you do too… when you’ve gotten caught in the aspiration or hope that somehow The Church will act differently, be better, live into its highest calling.
Insert your particular example or aspiration here _________________.
And for those who provide leadership in communities of faith - that’s when we may want to run / walk away / be reactive / lash out.
And many do.
Perhaps we did.
*Cue the schmaltz… I hope not… but I sense my audience isn’t easily placated with what may feel like spiritual whitewashing. Please know it isn’t intended to be.
I remember being in an emotionally heavy conversation with a group of ministry leaders who were feeling just that kind of disappointment that Ted Neely was feeling… and it was getting darker and darker… more and more bleak and hopeless… and suddenly, I realized it was a Tuesday… it was Tuesday of Holy Week… and I said it… because, truthfully, I needed to hear it (I need to hear it today just as much!)…
as cheesy as it might have sounded to my audience… or even sounds now…
I said: “But Sunday is Coming!”…
and the speaker was a little taken aback - confused even…
and I repeated it…
and added, “Everything feels like Friday… and even more like its Saturday… but Sunday is Coming!”
And that makes all the difference… or so we all hope!
Ministry Forum Community, I see you in your Holy Saturdays and know what it is to wonder out loud what could possibly be “good” about Friday. But, Sunday is coming!
I’d love to know if this resonates with your experience at all.
Drop me a line.
I’m looking forward to having something to read when I return from South Africa.