Trouble

It seems to me a surefire way for a parish priest to get in trouble ... suggesting someone might be better matched to a different worshiping community, Christian or even otherwise.  It seems part of my priestly ordination to help people find spiritual home.  I love the Episcopal Church, but it*s not for everyone.

I used to get in trouble

When people came to talk with me

And it was clear

They needed to find

A different community.

I would tell them about the Methodists

The Quakers

The Orthodox (Greek and Jewish).

I would mention the church down the street

That was doing the exact thing

They wanted our community

To do.

I would make sure they knew

Our welcome

But if they wanted a place to sit

In community and silence,

Speaking when they were led by the Spirit

To speak

I knew a possible place for them.

I used to get in trouble

For naming those other possibilities.

I did not seek to fill the pews or chairs

So we could count them

As ours.

Give it a try

I*d say

Let me know how it goes.