10.11.23 - Matthew 18: 12b
I wonder what happens when those unsought 1s find each other. Maybe, together we change the world. How can you show up as a shepherd rather than a sheep today?
If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
Think, then act.
Imagine, then do.
If we notice something wrong, then try to fix it. If we notice something missing, we try to find it.
I just saw two graphs that aren't very surprising. The first one showed that we are returning to pre-COVID levels of church resistance to change. The second showed the median attendance of churches now hovers around 65 people, down from 130ish twenty years ago.
Sometimes we choose the safety of the 99 rather than risk finding the 1.
The 1, lost, lonely, separated from relationship, community, meaning, and connection.
I wonder what it says about us that we'd rather be sheep than shepherds. We'd rather huddle in the safety of a flock than seek what's missing.
I write this knowing that many of us are the 1, not part of the 99. I sure am.
I wonder what happens when those unsought 1s find each other. Maybe, together we change the world.
Who in your life needs you to be the shepherd who finds them? How do you want to show up so they feel welcome to connect?
--Jason Whitehead