Raising the Sails

Over the past several weeks, our Elders and Trustees have begun reviewing the feedback you shared through our Listening Sessions and Congregational Survey. As we continue this process of discernment, I’ve been spending time with a book that has been shaping some of my thinking: *Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice* by Joan Gray, a PC(USA) pastor and former Moderator of the General Assembly.

You may remember the book’s central metaphor from my Pentecost sermon. Gray suggests that many congregations operate like rowboats. They identify a destination, develop a plan, and work hard to row together toward their goals. There is much to admire in that kind of commitment and effort.

But Gray invites churches to imagine something different. A sailboat church raises its sails to catch the wind of the Spirit. Rather than relying primarily on human strength and planning, sailboat churches seek to be guided and empowered by God. They are rooted in prayer, shaped by Scripture, attentive to discernment, and willing to follow where God leads.

What I appreciate most about the book is that Gray moves beyond the metaphor. She encourages congregations to cultivate sailors through prayer, discernment, obedience, trust, and a willingness to surrender some of our need for control. One of my favorite ideas is what she calls *expectant gathering* — approaching worship, Bible study, mission projects, committee meetings, and even Session meetings with the expectation that God is present and active among us.

Imagine how that changes our perspective. Instead of simply gathering to complete a task or conduct business, we gather expecting to encounter God. We come ready to listen, ready to learn, and ready to be surprised by the Spirit’s leading.

Gray describes the church as “a divine, even supernatural, community gathered by God to do God’s work.” Its mission, she writes, is “to partner with the Holy Spirit in what God wants to do for the world.” What an amazing invitation. We are not merely maintaining an institution. We are participating in God’s ongoing work of healing, reconciliation, justice, compassion, and hope.

As I have reflected on your feedback, one observation from the book has particularly resonated with me. Gray notes that in many congregations, 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. In contrast, sailboat churches seek to involve all members in meaningful ministry that both nourishes and challenges them, allowing God’s mission to move forward and bringing glory to God.

As I read those words, I found myself thinking about Grace.

Again and again, in your survey responses and listening sessions, I heard stories of participation, generosity, and shared ownership of ministry. I see it in our worship leaders, teachers, musicians, mission partners, Elders, Deacons, Trustees, volunteers, and countless others who faithfully share their gifts. Grace is a congregation where people show up. You offer your time, talents, and resources in service to God and neighbor.

That spirit of participation is one of Grace’s greatest strengths and one of the reasons I am hopeful about our future.

As we continue discerning where God may be calling us in the years ahead, my prayer is that we will keep raising our sails together — listening for the Spirit’s direction, trusting God’s guidance, and gathering with the expectation that God is still at work among us.

See you in church!

Peace, Grace, and Love,
Pastor Kevin