Collaborative Musings

Is it possible for a pastor to do ministry and do community development, engage in meaningful relationships with neighbors, seek the transformation of the community, to have his feet embedded in both the "sacred and secular"?

Such is the question some of us are asking ourselves.

In a series of meetings just started between Pastor John Van Schepen (Bethel CRC, Lynden, WA), Pastor Aaron Walters (Happy Valley Neighborhood, Bellingham, WA) and myself, we are looking at how this question may be answered in at least one local context, that in Happy Valley.

We are wondering, even struggling with how the sacred and secular, often "oil and water" repellents can indeed be emulsified so that both may bless each other. How can such engage in meaningful collaborative levels so the whole community moves positively forward as more and more people dream, build and act - together.

So the three of us, initially, will be working on a practical document that will help guide our efforts. Hopefully we'll have something ready in mid fall.

[Below, John, Aaron and Jeff]