A Tale of Two Eriks

 Many years ago (I wasn't yet married), when I decided to go back to the church I had grown up in, the church was searching for a new minister.  I hadn't been happy with our previous minister, but I had been very happy with our interim.  Although I had become very active in the church, I decided that if I didn't like the new minister that the search committee had found, I would find a new church home.

This new minister's name was Erik.  And I did like him.  I loved him and his whole family.   We became friends.Needless to say, I not only stayed in the church, I became even more active.  I, along with another "older" parishioner, were in charge of a lay reader program.  (Which I was eventually in charge of solely until the end of last year).  He had me direct two children's plays.  (They were completely awful).  He was involved in the community.  (He had two children in the school system.)  He started some programs, both official and unofficial. there were successes (the men's Monday night basketball game) and  flops (the Saturday night worship program.)  The important thing was that he TRIED.  That new things were tried at the church, instead of just going along the same old way.He, along with my "aunt" Julie, (who would be ordained 2 days later) presided over my wedding.   He was part of my son's baptism and early "church" education.  He was my pastor for 20 or so years and when he retired (too soon in my book), it was upsetting.

I was asked to serve on the search committee and I agreed.  At the time, I didn't know what I was in for.  I, along with my fellow members, served for 3 long years.  The "sentence" was not the result of lack of work ethic on the committee's part. (We were extremely hard working.)  The process took so long because we were hindered (severely hindered) by church hierarchy and politics.  It should (sadly) come as no surprise that church leaders can be very unchristian.  We received very little help (okay, no help at all) and guidance.  And when we finally found a new pastor, we rejoiced.

The first year of our new pastor's tenure was good.  Somewhere along the way though things changed.  They changed drastically, and not in a good way.  It divided the church.  It drove people away.  Hearts were broken.  My spirit was broken.  Mine was not the only one.

Eventually this pastor chose to move on.  In many ways it was a relief.  I also felt angry and hurt.  I felt that my fellow committee members and the congregation had been short changed.  We'd been sold a bill of false goods and now we were back on the same path we had been on for so long.

Things were a bit different this time.  The church had some guidance.  There was an interim pastor who helped and made the process seem less intimidating.  (At least from my point  of view.)  When I was asked to serve on the search committee again, I declined.  But I believed in the people who were to serve and I trusted them.  Just as I had been trusted and perhaps let some people down.

What took my committee over 3 years, the new committee was able to complete in less than a year.  Just this weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting the candidate.  As you may have guessed from the title of this blog post, his name was Erik.  

Erik #2 was somewhat like Erik #1.  He was also very different.  But what I believe they both have/had in common, was a passion, dedication and belief.

In speaking with Erik #2, I felt something I hadn't felt for a long time;  hope.  Not just hope for the congregation (because as with many churches our congregation has been getting smaller), but hope for the world in general.  Just like Erik #1, Erik #2 will not be able to change the world, but he just might be able to change the community for the better.  Of course, he cannot do it alone.  No one can.  But I was inspired.  I think others were too.  

Erik #2 filled the pulpit today and after the service the congregation was to cast their votes as to whether he would be our new pastor.  Once again denominational hierarchy reared its ugly head and made things "difficult" but in the end, we cast our votes and next month Erik #2 will officially become our new pastor.

Being reflective, I have to wonder if we had to go through what we did to get to where we need to be now.  (I wonder if I had to go through all this "stuff" to understand and appreciate it.)   It has been more than a decade, but a new Erik will soon fill the pulpit.  It just might be what I needed, but couldn't find until this moment.  

At this moment I am full of hope.  While I still am not over the hurt and anger of the past (although it has faded somewhat), I am truly looking forward to a future.  For there IS  future.  And for that I am truly grateful.

(Note:  There is an excellent book that I read last year called Search by Michelle Huneven.  It's fiction, but a very realistic view of what goes into a search for a new pastor.  If you're interested in the process, I'd encourage you to check it out.)