New Ways of Getting Together

What's a nice introvert like me doing running a relational ministry like Faith@Work? After all, F@W is nothing if not a people-getting-together organization. We gather for events and retreats; we encourage, train and support small groups; even our magazine has been called "a meeting in print."

Here is the problem: sometimes I just don't feel like getting together.

This is nothing new, by the way. I have always enjoyed solitude. My baby book includes an entry from my mother saying, "Doug's nursery school teacher reports that he seems most happy sitting on the slide by himself reading." All my life I have enjoyed solitude. So when I am in gatherings where the leader announces, "we are now going to spend time in small groups," a part of me wants to head for the exit.

However.... I must confess that more often than not I leave small group experiences grateful for the time. Especially if the questions are thoughtful and leave room for me to respond in a free way (as opposed to what Parker Palmer refers to as a "share or die" small group experience). If the reflecting with others has been genuine and authentic; if no one has tried to fix me; if I have had the chance to tell my story and hear others; then I'm glad I was there. Introverts do like to get together--we are just a little skittish at first.

Two or Three Gathered in New Ways

When we do get together, how do we do it? "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them," Jesus said. That is the constant. But how those two or three gather is forever changing. One of the exciting things about my job is to hear from people across the country new ways they are getting together in their churches and intentional communities. For instance:

• Contemplative Prayer Groups: More and more Centering Prayer or Lectio Divino groups are popping up in local churches. Silence and Scripture are central in these meetings. Something happens in the group silence that is different from individual silence.
• Faith and Politics: On Capitol Hill here in D.C., the Faith and Politics Institute is inviting Senate and House Members from across the political spectrum into small reflection groups. Readings from Thomas Merton, Abraham Heschel, May Sarton and others are used to provide opportunities to connect at deeper levels.
• Dream Work: Look through the Bible, and you see how often God uses dreams to speak. People inside and out of the church today are meeting to look at their dreams. In Chicago, CityQuest is a network of men and women who celebrate interfaith spirituality, community-building and acts of compassion. They are using dreams as one of the ways of getting beyond differences and finding common ground.
• Body Movement: Many churches are providing opportunities to link faith and embodiment. Breathing prayer, yoga, and movement exercises are combined with prayer, scripture and small group reflection.

Paul says in Galatians that where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are, the Spirit is. Whether it is in new ways or old, these are the fruits of the Spirit I have received as I was willing to risk getting together with others. Could it be that there are gifts God wants to give us that can only be received if we are willing to get together? Could it be that certain truths that can be learned only in community? Skittish introvert that I am, I do believe it.

Falling Into Fall

As the magazine arrives at your home I hope you are savoring the last bits of your summer. For many I suspect the pace has already picked up. No matter how many years it has been since I was in school, I always find this to be such a bittersweet time of endings and new beginnings. I am never quite ready for the Fall to begin; I never feel that I got all I needed from the summer. I relate to the words of the prophet Jeremiah: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

At the same time, Fall brings new opportunities for growth and getting together. God's peace and energy to you as you fall into Fall!