For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. –Romans 7:19

I joined a new small group this fall. It is called “Following Through” and is led by Brenda Morris. We meet in the Church Library on Friday’s from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The group name comes from a book we are reading together by Steve Levinson and Pete Greider. We are reflecting on the human phenomena that even the Apostle Paul described in Romans chapter 7. Why do we so often fail to follow through on our good intentions?

Our failure to follow through on our intentions has significant consequences for our well-being in any way you measure it – spiritual growth, financial security, relationships, parenting, physical health, job satisfaction, etc. Sometimes these consequences are immediate but many of the things we do not follow through on (like eating a healthy diet) have longer term consequences so it is easy to be lulled into a sense that that healthy lifestyle choices don’t really matter all that much. Plus, we all know people who do not do what they “SHOULD” do (like saving money, eating right, exercising) and things turn out okay for them. We also know people who do all the right things and still things go wrong for them or they die young. We pray and pray for strength to do the right thing and other people don’t even believe in God and yet we trip up and they seem to sail along.

The authors point out that these human conditions alone are enough to undermine us in following through on our intentions. Like others in the group, I find myself tempted to skim quickly over the early chapters which explain the dilemma and futility of what humans usually do. I’m tempted just to jump to the “How do I fix it” part. But we are all committed to trusting the process of letting this unfold in a very deliberate way in our lives.

I have found the book to be very grace-filled even though it is not an explicitly religious book. I can see from what I have read so far how futile and even undermining it is to punish and scold ourselves when we fail to follow through. It does not help and in fact makes things worse when we walk around in a cloud of guilt and self-recrimination. I am finding ways to look at our human condition through the lens of compassion.

Contemplating this “following through” dilemma has caused me to reflect on my own preaching and pastoral care. If often recommend that people adopt certain practices in response to various dilemmas. For example, we just finished a long sermon series on Conforming to the Image of Christ. We met nine modern day disciples and for each one, I suggested practices that would help this person heal and grow in spiritual, psychological and physical health. When people meet with me privately and express a yearning to feel more spiritual or to grow in faith, I generally suggest spiritual practices.

Emphasizing the importance of regular practices is at the very heart of the United Methodist tradition. People started calling John Wesley and his friends and followers “Methodists” because they subscribed to certain methods or practices for living as faithful disciples of Jesus in the world. Most people see the benefit of such practices. But most people find it difficult or even impossible to stick with the practice they intend to do. They see me later and blush or shrug in embarrassed self-defeat. Some avoid me and church all together when they fail to follow through. I think this book and small group experience will help me not only in my own desires to follow through on my intentions but also to be more effective in coaching and supporting others in their efforts.

We are just beginning a new series that ponders what it means to rethink “Church.” What if church was a verb rather than a noun? What if “Church” was not about a place we belonged or attended but described who we are and what we do? We are looking at Five Practices (there’s that word again!) that when we do collectively, helps us be a more fruitful congregation. These practices help us live church as a verb.
Yet, the same dilemma of follow-through can plague us as a congregation. One key difference is that in our collective practice, we have some built-in mechanisms for support, encouragement and accountability. I’ll continue to share with you as I learn more about following through.

Walking with you as we follow Jesus,
Debra