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Reboot the Mission

When I sit down daily to read the paper (and a few online papers) or delve into a book, I don’t go in thinking that I will find something about which to write an inspirational piece.  But so often, that is the case.  Something in an article or a point in a book becomes a focal point for some reflection.  With some reflection comes a connection to an aspect of the Spirit’s presence and work in our world.  Often this inspirational piece takes on a life of its own.
           
When Pope Benedict XVI resigned, it was clear the Roman Catholic Church was heading into interesting times.  I am one of the countless non-Catholics who are quite intrigued with what will happen.  Of course, we all know that a new Pope will come along and the Church will move forward.  I am Catholic enough (being a Benedictine oblate), I care deeply how the Church will respond to the leading of the Spirit.
           
So I was nearly taken aback when I read an article online that was entitled, “Catholicism Inc.”  The author, Bill Keller, has an understanding and sympathy for the Roman Catholic Church as a spiritual entity.  But he also posed the question, what if we also understand it like a business.  Of course that is different than saying it is a business.  Seeing it like a business allowed him to borrow some business perspectives as he looked at the institution.
           
He put it like this.  He says, “the business of the church is saving souls, but it is nevertheless a business: a closely held conglomerate with a work force of more than a million, 1.2 billion more-or-less regular customers, 10 times as many outlets as Starbucks, more real estate than Donald Trump dreams of and lobbying clout to rival that of any secular industry.”  I don’t know that I would have said the business of the church is saving souls, but that is sufficient to capture its mission.  No quarrels here.
           
His description of the Church as business was captivating.  It was clever to use the figures as he does.  To call parishioners “regular customers” is an unusual, but not bad, way to portray them.  The rest of his business-like description rings true to me.  And then he moves in to suggest what businesses do to enliven the business.  Thus he is suggesting at the same time this is what the Roman Catholic Church could do.  During the transitional time between Popes, the Church can prepare for what he calls “a serious relaunch.”
           
I think all institutions go through periods of renewal.  One does not have to be Roman Catholic to know this.  Both churches and businesses are institutions.  Hence both have renewal work to do---relaunching, if you will.
           
I was intrigued by Keller’s ideas.  In order to do this relaunching, he says, “it would help to have a pope with the drive and charisma to reboot the mission, someone with the gift of persuasion, a bit of media savvy and enough years ahead of him to follow through.”  He calls the Pope a CEO figure.  At one level, he is correct.  At another level, I am not sure the CEO model is appropriate.  Certainly the Pope is Head of the Church---the Vicar of Peter.
           
Pope aside, I was struck with Keller’s idea that what is needed is to reboot the mission.  This captured me and struck me as a great idea.  All of us who use computers know there are times we need to reboot our computers.  This is such a simple act, but I often forget the simple action, while I am searching for a more complex solution.  Simply reboot!
           
Of course the Church could reboot the mission.  After all, the world we live in is very different than the world in which Benedict XVI grew up, was educated and ministered.  In one sense the mission of the Church is centuries old: the business of saving souls.  The mission is clear.  What needs to happen is to reboot the mission.  One seeks to know how to execute the mission in the world and communities in which the 1.2 billion people live.  That mission (and rebooting) is just as much a Quaker concern and Methodist issue as it is a Roman Catholic opportunity.
           
But this is the place where rebooting may be simple, but it is not easy.  I reboot the computer by turning it off and, then, turning it on again.  It is not that simple or easy for the Church.  This is exactly where leadership comes in---the CEO (Pope) and all the other leaders.  The leaders will figure out how to execute that rebooting of the mission.
           
Here is where I will step in.  My own sense of disciples and the Church suggests that we are all leaders.  I may not have an office, i.e. be a priest, pastor, etc.  But I am a leader if the Spirit of God comes to me, speaks to me and has designs for me.  Let me offer a couple quick suggestions.
           
If the business is to save souls, we need to figure out in this 21st century, from what are we saving souls?  And secondly, to what are we savings souls?  My rebooting idea?  Perhaps we need to discard some ancient language like sin and salvation and reboot for new perspective and language.  More to come…  



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