I view a re-covenanting process as a way of shaking us out of our complacency, and doing something with our lives. This will require a change in our culture. While there is no argument that our attendance is down, our contributions are roughly where they were three years ago, before I came. Our budget has gone up, but our contributions have not kept track. We need to speak about conflict in an open and honest manner.
Conflict is an inevitable result of two ideas or personalities rubbing against one another.
The story of Cain and Abel is a reminder that some of our most vicious disputes are with those who are closest to us. In closing, I would like to return to the words of Maya Angelou, to remind you that with all of our difficulties and differences of opinion, we really are more alike my friends, than we are unalike. Let us have the courage to work out our differences, and create the congregation that our religion deserves, and our community expects. May we have the hope and the vision to find our way through the fog and uncertainty of conflict. May we have the love to sustain us, and hold us together when life becomes chaotic.