by Marjory Bankson

We are once again standing at a turning point in the life of The Church of the Saviour. The Potter’s House Church has set down its call, and the Eighth Day Faith Community, through the Banyan Tree Mission Group, has picked it up. For some, this time feels like death. For others, it is an exciting time of new birth.

When Peter and I arrived at The Church of the Saviour in 1976, we had read all of Elizabeth O’Connor’s books, and we eagerly anticipated a small, close-knit worshipping body that we could join. Instead, we found a rolling boil of change. The Church of the Saviour was giving birth to an unknown number of smaller churches. It seemed we had come just in time to bury The Church of the Saviour, and we were horrified!

At that time, worship and classes at the headquarters building sustained the inward journey, while the Potter’s House was spawning missions via countless conversations around the tables there. Nobody knew yet if the new little churches would become centers for spiritual formation or mission outposts. For some, it felt like death. For others, it was a time of new birth.

The original Church of the Saviour commitment statement did not give a list of prerequisites, rules and regulations. In fact, all that was required was that we have the kind of gratitude that inspires generosity, inclusiveness, largeness of heart. Listen to some of these promises:

Maybe it takes being forgiven much to make these kinds of lavish promises. I know that every year, when we are back in recommitment season, I am shocked at the wholehearted commitment it requires to say ‘yes’ once again—‘yes’ to Jesus’ life and teachings, ‘yes’ to Jesus’ death and whatever is dying at Seekers, ‘yes’ to resurrection and new forms of being church in this time and place. The good news is, God’s renewal plan involves death … and the promise of resurrection in a new form.

Endings do not trouble God. Death is part of the story. Death can be embraced. It took immense courage for the Potter’s House Church to lay down a fifty-year-old call. It was a real experience of death and ending. Too much focus on the disciplines of our commitment can keep us from seeing when it’s time to let something die. The disciplines can keep us from an intimate encounter with Christ rather than supporting us in growing closer.

At Seekers we have made some adjustments to the traditional Church of the Saviour disciplines. We now encourage people to join a mission group after taking two classes in our School to experiment with being in an intentional community. We trust the mission groups will be a place where people can grow in faith and learn to love one another while holding a common purpose. For many, it is a first experience of intentional community, a place where we can discover the sinner in ourselves as we live and work together. We find we have much to be forgiven … and much capacity to be forgiving.

Deep commitment brings deep healing, and deep healing brings deep generosity. Commitment allows us to take the lids off the jars that are our lives, and helps us to embrace drastic changes.

Marjory Bankson serves as moderator of the Ecumenical Council of The Church of the Saviour. She is a member of Seekers Church.