Its All In The Verbs

    Over the years, I learned to listen very closely to the language used by an individual who sought me out for counseling.  In particular, I listened for the tense of the verbs the individual used when describing an incident that had caused him or her a great deal of pain.  When the individual used past tense verbs, I knew that individual was stuck in the past.  For example, if the individual continually said, “I should have done ...,” or “I should have said ...” I knew that individual was locked into what had happen.  The pain and the anger of the past was as intense today as it was when the incident occurred.  On the other hand, if the individual used future tense verbs, I knew that healing was occurring and that individual was moving beyond the painful incident.  For example, if the individual said, “The next time I will do ....” or “The next time I will say...”, I knew the pain and hurt of the past was being or would be replaced by a new and healthy future.  The tense of the verbs an individual used was key in understanding where that individual stood in dealing with hurt and pain in the past.
    Congregations are large corporate individuals.  Each congregations has its own unique personality and temperament.  Like individuals, congregational language indicates where that congregation is in its faith journey.  Therefore, I listen carefully to the language congregational members use to describe their congregation’s present state of mind and soul.  Following is an example of the verb tense used by the disciples at Epiphany to describe our congregation this Thanksgiving season.
    On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Joyce worshiped at Epiphany and then enjoyed a piece of pecan pie at Piefest.  She has been to Epiphany several times over the last year and has gotten to recognize many faces and learn some names.  Epiphany’s members have been very gracious in welcoming my wife.  Each time she has come to Epiphany, many have thanked her for letting me share and be a partner in Epiphany’s ministry.  The comments of Epiphany’s disciples are a heartfelt expression of gratitude.
    On Thanksgiving Day, Joyce and I talked about the worship service, the sermon, Piefest, and the conversations she had with many of our members.  In those conversation she said, “There was a difference in last night’s welcoming and appreciation.  Every conversation that had a thank you in it talked about the last year with past tense verbs.  For example, ‘We were in bad shape’ or ‘We needed help’.”  When present tense verbs were used, they always referred to “how good things are at Epiphany.”  When future tense verbs were used, they always referred to what we are going to do.
    One of my great joys is that Epiphany is not stuck in the past.  Oh, I’m sure some hurtful memories will raise their ugly heads now and then but I am also sure that the present and future tense verbs indicate that we are going to grow, we are going to be faithful when we love Jesus by serving others, and that we will follow wherever the Spirit leads indicating the positive spiritual state of Epiphany.  This was a good Thanksgiving not only for the worship, Piefest, and the turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  It was an especially good Thanksgiving for the gift of future tense verbs used as we describe where Epiphany is on its faith journey as it loves Jesus by serving others.
Pastor Pete