Many clergy and congregations long for their ministry to look differently than it currently does. Some want things to look like they “used to.” Others want to see changes in how the congregation is led, who participates, or what the congregation focuses on.
Many clergy and congregations fear they are going to lose something important to them (or have lost something important) as the congregation faces the future. These fears are a reality for congregations who have questions about whether or not they will exist for another generation. These fears are also a reality in congregations that are stable or thriving and want to keep things going the way they are into the future.
This spiritual practice invites participants to enter into a process of lamenting these longings and losses. Lamenting can create space for grieving losses and building trust in God’s direction for the future. This is framed according to the basic structure of a lament psalm. We invite you to work through it for yourself but also to consider using it with groups within your congregation.