Change

One of the tools I have re familiarized myself with in coming to my new appointment has been "The thin book of Appreciative Inquiry." It is a great little resource and I am going to need it as we approach the inevitable changes at Mill Plain.

I have joked with the congregation that while I am not trying to change anything right away, the truth is as the new person I will accidentally change something and not even know what I was doing was a change. One recent non church event has reminded me how hard change can be.

In 1980 my family was taking my aunt to the airport who was flying home to San Diego, while waiting with her at the gate (remember when family could do that?) my dad and I notice that DENNIS JOHNSON was also going to be on my aunt's flight. Finally after much encouragement from my father I took a pen and paper from my mother and approached the star of the world champion Seattle Supersonics. I very shyly approached this tall man sitting alone and I said, "Mr. Johnson can I have your autograph?" He took my paper and signed it. I don't recall if he said a word to me but it was SO AWESOME, I got DJ's autograph, just wait until the guys at school hear about this! Of course instantly DJ became my favorite of all the Sonics. Previously my favorite was Gus Williams, the "short" guy on the team.

I remember where I was the previous year when the Sonics won the Championship. Sitting in the living room watching on a little TV with a snowy picture that was the best our antenna could do with the signal 90 miles away in Seattle. It was a great moment in my childhood.

Now the Sonics are gone. Stolen by a thief from Oklahoma City and the commissioner of the NBA. In my worst moments I want some disaster to befall the pair of them. In my best moments I realize that I haven't watched a Sonics game since 1993. (That is great story for another time, but I will say this FRONT ROW TICKETS BABY!)

Change is hard. While my childhood really hasn't been taken away yet, it hurts to have the Seattle Supersonics suddenly disappear in a whirlwind of dust.

I am trying to remember that as the church changes. AI says, "People have more confidence and comfort to journey to the future (the unknown) when they carry forward parts of the past (the known). AND. If we carry parts of the past forward they should be what is best about the past.

So when we talk about changing worship or some committee or something else about the way things have "always" been done I will try to remember the need each of us has to have roots while we grow.