Matthew Streib writes a post worth reading here at SOMA – one that made me reflect on some of the methods of “outreach” I’ve witnessed in the OC/IC community over the years.

“Be faithful” “Be church” – these are two phrases I’ve used off & on over the years to encourage people to simply be in community, in the moment, NOW – and not spend time and resources going on the attack – thinking that by picking apart the mistakes or differing opinions or practices of other sacramental bodies people will be attracted to my community, or for that matter feel compelled to stay once they arrive. The fact is – this simply does not work, and it ensures that the “community” never moves beyond a loose confederation of whingers.

This can be a tricky balancing act though because we do stand for something, and it is necessary to be able -  within the context of our focussing on the life and practice of THIS community, of striving to be Christ in the World – to express and explore relevant points and issues.

Streib mentions, what I think is a key element in being faithful and that is the role of fear in our attitudes, found in those congregations that do go on the attack. Fear, he observes is a defensive mechanism – one that, in the context of a religious community, strangles the life of faith. The reason for this of course is obvious – “faith” in its essence demands a degree of openness that can be a real struggle to maintain; “fear” is a retraction, a retreat inward on which we close the doors behind us.