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Monday

The Center for Progressive Renewal recently sponsored a conference in Atlanta called the New Church Leadership Institute . This was the fourth year for the event, and, with almost 200 people in attendance, it was the largest. The conference was created to equip leaders to plant new progressive churches. This year at least half of those attending were there to learn some tips for renewing congregations with new life, energy, vision and growth.

I kept thinking of how much difference an individual can make when they join together in a passionate community and turn their efforts outward. One issue that came up again and again was a reminder that we are servants of the Servant and, therefore, our life's mission is to serve those who don't know there is a place for them in the family of God.

I recently ended a sermon telling the story of Louis Pasteur. In Pasteur's day, thousands of people died terrible deaths from rabies. He believed he had developed a cure, so he was experimenting on himself. Then, a nine-year-old boy named Joseph Meister was bitten by a rabid dog. His mother, knowing death was certain, brought him to Pasteur and begged him to treat her son. Although Pasteur had some reservations, for 10 days, he gave the boy the experimental shots.

Decades later, after a long and productive life, when Louis Pasteur died, he asked for three words to be engraved on his headstone: Joseph Meister Lived!

Those of us who have found new life and hope in our faith have a moral obligation to share what we have found with those who are suffering fear, alienation, guilt and despair. It is how we change the world. To withhold what we have found is as unconscionable as Louis Pasteur declining to treat Joseph Meister.

Blessings,

Michael Piazza
President, Hope for Peace & Justice

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