Pastor's Perspective

Part of last Sunday’s sermon dealt with the ancient Celtic symbol of the Holy Spirit—a wild goose and the invitation for us to consider and embody this symbol in a new spirit of Pentecost.  It wasn't that the ancient Irish and Scots didn't know about doves, the more traditional biblically-originating symbol of the Spirit.  The name of the sixth-century founder of the abbey at Iona, the man who first brought Christianity to Scotland, Columba, means 'dove'.  But, as lovely as doves might be, Celtic Christians decided the wild goose was a far more apt symbol of the Holy Spirit.  This one, cast in a studio in Ireland where Columba originated, and purchased at the abbey on Iona which he founded, hangs above the pulpit around which are carved the ominous words, "Where there is no vision, the people (and I would add, the church) perish". The word "vision" used here has to do with the Word of God.  Where there is no Word of God, where there is no message of life, the people perish, is the primary interpretation of this passage.

This wisdom comes to us from Proverbs 29:18 (KJV). It may seem a harsh and strong statement of reality , and indeed it is.  Both the goose and those words are a reminder and a warning to preachers and to the preached-to.  They are reminders that the Spirit of God cannot be tamed or contained.  They are reminders, when it comes to God, to expect the unexpected.

In Acts 2:17 we read, 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

Our Acts 16:5 Vision Team has begun its work and is meeting twice monthly to work through the basics of the Acts 16:5 Initiative. I give God thanks for the work already of Al Berry, Sharon Bittner, Rochelle Carter, Shirley Hegwer, Kristin Mueller, Bettye Tuten, and Tome Walters. Together we are seeking to show honor and appreciation for past and present ministries and at the same time work toward a defining vision for the future which will set the tone for all ministries by clarifying the vision that shapes and defines what we are seeking to do by God’s grace. At the heart of our defining vision is to worship God together joyfully and to serve the people within our faith community and beyond. Our hope is to encourage imaginative thinking about worship that engages the mind and spirit, fellowship in small groups and congregational celebrations, our growing as disciples, and ministry mobilization using our gifts and service.

We, of course, are not geese. There is the danger of pressing analogies too far.  But I find the wild goose image very compelling as we think about our life and ministry together as First Presbyterian Church. And let me remind you of one more thing about a goose. The wild goose is one of the most communal of creatures, drawing its life from the flock. As a vision team we seek to embody and remember that the Spirit, when it is holy Spirit, brings people together to support and travel life’s journey with each other. We covet your thoughts, prayers, and ideas and trust that our “honking” will be encouraging and strengthen our life together. God is doing a new thing and we are listening as best we can to hear God’s call to this congregation and its members.