It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
Last weekend was the New England regional fall conference of the UUA. Functionally, no one from Maine was there and only a handful of NH/VT folks. Several items had me thinking, and wondering if my conception of ministry is the same as others.
Is worship the most important thing our congregations do? I would say no at this point. Maybe that view will some day change, but the importance of congregations is bringing people together in relationship. Worship can be a mechanism of that function, and it is a fundamental element to the community. The greek terms for church life seem applicable, church is about leitourgia (worship), but also diakonia(service), koinonia(community), kerygma(proclamation), and didache(teaching). All of them are fundamental and none supercede the others.
Secondly, where does one draw the line between prophetic voice and pastoral presence? While it is important to speak the truth to power, how does it get said with rebuke in one hand and consolation in the other?