Beginnings and Endings in the Church

“All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.” With the benefit of hindsight, it is easy to see the truth to this Mitch Albom quote. Graduations, job changes, moves – these are all endings that quickly become the beginnings of new chapters in our lives. But sometimes when we are in the midst of change, it is hard to see what exactly is ending and what is beginning. Letting go of something we love and hold dear is difficult when we can’t clearly see what is coming next.

This is where I feel the church is now – in the midst of change that may bring some endings. And endings are accompanied by sadness, grief, regret, and many other feelings as we say goodbye to things that have been beloved. The challenge is to look with gratitude on what is ending and begin to look for the beginning that is also taking shape. With the new beginning, there is opportunity, promise, and the expectation of joy to come. What’s hard is that it is difficult to see the exact shape of the beginning while we are living in the midst of it. What new beginnings do you see or hope for in the church

Kelly