Stability, Fidelity and Obedience

November 5-14, Pastor Tracey attended the first of a series of retreats for a program entitled Women Touched by Grace, a women’s clergy renewal program conducted by Benedict Inn and funded by Lilly.  20 women clergy from across the U.S. and Canada are a part of this group, representing nine denominations and 1 non-denominational church and coming from as far as Texas, Oregon and California.  This program includes five retreats spread out over 2 ½ years.  The second retreat (April 29 – May 8) will be the first activity of Tracey’s sabbatical, which begins April 25, 2019. 

Our first retreat in November focused on Christian community in the Benedictine tradition.  Benedict Inn is where I received my certification in spiritual direction so I have become very familiar (and appreciative) of this faith tradition in recent years.  In many ways, there are strong similarities between Benedict (who established his monastic order in the 500’s) and John Wesley, founder of Methodism. 

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 In Benedict’s time, it was not uncommon for people to go into the wilderness as hermits to seek God.  But Benedict believed strongly that we grow closer to Christ through relationship with one another.  John Wesley also believed that our faith grows best in the context of supportive and accountable Christian community.  The Methodist movement began when John and Charles Wesley formed their “holiness club” at Oxford University.  Early Methodism was structured around small grounds (named bands and societies).  One might consider Wesley the inventor of the small group movement!
Benedict established his monastery around three primary vows: stability, fidelity and obedience.

• Stability meant a lifelong commitment to remain in one place with one group of people.  When Benedictines join a monastic community, they remain with that same community throughout their life unless there is a very good reason for making a change.  Benedict reminds us that, wherever we go, the work of building Christian community is going to be difficult.  In our day, people sometimes hop from church to church looking for a church that will offer them everything they want.  But Christian community isn’t a product to be purchased; it is a relationship to be forged over time that joins our best efforts with the work of the Holy Spirit.  Benedict believed we grow best as we are “rubbed against one another’s rough edges.”
• (Building on this idea) fidelity to the monastic way of life required an openness to allow one’s self to be shaped and molded by the community; a willingness to listen to others and not run away when community becomes difficult.  It also meant a willingness to be satisfied with what our expression of Christian community has to offer.  Once again, sometimes people run from churches when there is the slightest hint of conflict.  But disagreement is an inevitable part of life and provides the opportunity for us to learn to love in the midst of differences.
• Obedience was related to each monk’s relationship to the abbot or prioress… which is obviously not applicable to a congregational setting.  However, this obedience was grounded in Benedict’s belief that each person must be welcomed as if they are Christ.  Benedictines are well known for their hospitality toward guests.  Jesus reminds us in the Parable we call The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) that the way we treat the most vulnerable among us is truly our response to Jesus.  He says, “just as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).  

One person recently remarked to me that, even as beautiful as our church building is, the real beauty is found in the people.  What does your experience of Christian community at Trinity mean to you?  I would love to hear your thoughts.