A hard season for ecumenism

Among the hearty New Englanders with whom I serve and pastor, there are a few souls who refuse to close church on account of bad weather, ever. The Lord God created shovels and road salt and boots and wool socks as sure signs of the Almighty’s intention that we go to church. Some of these pastors hold deep theological convictions that the people of God should gather for worship every Sunday in rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Others are just defiant Yankee curmudgeons who would rather be assigned to eternal damnation than admit defeat by a winter storm.

Whatever the motivation, I love this stubborn streak within the church. For these individuals, bad weather and small numbers are insufficient justification to cancel church.

I work in the ecumenical movement, where many have a sense that we have had a mighty long stretch of bad weather. They see sure signs of institutional demise: councils of churches closing, reduced support from denominations and congregations, increased division over controversial issues, the decline of formation and seminary courses in ecumenism, a stalling out of full-communion agreements and other efforts at structural reconciliation. The weather is bad—and with the denominations that support ecumenical institutions struggling as well, the forecast isn’t looking better. It is easy to understand throwing one’s hands in the air and staying home.