Leading Ahead: Taking Care of Each Other
Every three years, ordained ministers in the synods of the ELCA are required to attend an “Awareness of Boundaries” workshop. Required is a bit of a harsh word, because the material covered in the workshop is of great value in the ministry of the pastor and the congregation served and the community in which one serves.
The workshop is a two-part session: The morning covers the topic of the boundaries of a pastor as he/she serves the needs of the congregation. For many it is a review of what we are already aware: how to maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves and for the people we are called to serve. However, I think these are areas we as individuals should also observe.
While the boundaries are important for healthy relationships, we observe that one may cross boundaries or violate boundaries. Sometimes the distinction is a very fine line.
Ultimately, one must decide the reasoning for crossing a boundary: is it for the sake and need of the person we wish to help, or, is it for our need. That is, are we doing it for them or for ourselves. Am I fulfilling a need for that person, or am I fulfilling my own need (to satisfy myself). If it is the former, we are crossing boundaries in a healthy way. If it is the latter, we are violating boundaries.
Jesus crossed many boundaries in his earthly ministry. He spoke to a woman, he addressed Samaritans, he even touched a leper or two. Why did he do it? Did he need to fulfill his own need in the crossing boundaries? No. He broke with the accepted norm of society in order to heal, to receive and call, or to open them up to the love and mercy of God. He didn’t need to do it for himself, but those people needed him to cross over to them.
Crossing boundaries is a good thing and is what Jesus showed us to do. But when we cross a boundary to satisfy our own needs physically, emotionally or otherwise, we are violating boundaries.
In the afternoon, the subject turned to Child Protection. It is recommended that churches perform background checks on anyone who might come in contact with youth and children within the context of congregational ministry. The question may be, “Why? We are a small town community. We’ve known each other, for years.” However, it was stated, and I will quote: “As important as background checks are, education on how to recognize sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect is extremely important.”
I would agree but with this addendum: recognizing the signs, not only in our own church members, but in anyone within our community. We cannot afford to be Cain: “Am I my brother’s (sister’s) keeper?’ Yes. We need to become aware. We need to become astute about neglect and abuse even in our own community. Not for our sake, but for the sake of those who are the victims and perpetrators. It is not as much about punishing as it is about getting help for the violator as well as the violated.
This falls right in line with the November 12th Old Testament text from Amos 5:24-
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
We are called to cross boundaries in a healthy manner, we are called to care for those around us, we are called to see to it that justice as God sees justice is carried out.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be you all.
~Pastor Kent