The Church Business

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV) 

When I was transitioning from career to seminary to serving God through the church, I often referred to church as “the love business.” Love God, love your neighbor, and all that. It was a catchy phrase, if not also simplistic and a bit naive. 

Since then, I’ve also thought of church as “the justice and peace business,” which cannot succeed without “the love business” and “the community-building business.” 

Lately, however, I’ve been known to tell church leaders and staff members that we’re also in “the anxiety-management business” because, let’s face it, who isn’t anxious these days? 

While anxiety management may seem like an exceedingly low bar, can we really love God and one another, do justice, or build community if we’re not casting our cares on the Holy One instead of taking them out on each other? And how can we seek first the kin-dom if we think it’s all on us to fix our hot mess of a world? 

Our scriptures have a lot to say about anxiety because, of course, we’re anxious! And, of course, that doesn’t help.  

So how do we manage? The key, our tradition says, is trust—not in our clever catchphrases, sophisticated strategies, or timely techniques, but in the God who specializes in steadfast love.  

Make like a tree, Jeremiah says, and send down roots.  

Prayer
May I learn to trust you, O God, and be sustained by your ever-flowing love.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, in Amherst, Massachusetts, and a spiritual director.