Who Are We?

In Luke 9:18-20 we have a story about identity. Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him. He asked them “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The disciples gave a summary of the different characters: John the Baptist, Elijah, an ancient prophet from the past. But Jesus wanted to know their heart's answer so he asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter boldly answered, “the Christ of God!”

“In so many ways the world is asking the church today, ‘Who do you say that you are?’ The interim time is an ideal time to boldly consider what your answer to this question might be.”- Linda Lea Snyder

When a congregation experiences the departure of their pastor, they often realize that their identity has been tied in some way to the ministry of that pastor. Now that the pastor is gone, the congregation considers what life will be without him or her. Often, there is a time of grieving. As the congregation arises from its grief, it realizes that there are important decisions about its future that need to be made. This is an opportunity to examine who we are apart from the influence of the former pastor’s identity. This is also a gift of some time for discernment so that the congregation can listen to the Spirit’s leading. This is time to discover what a congregation’s identity is in God’s kingdom. Who are we? Whoever we are…we are children of God and we are seeking to do God’s will here on earth.