THE VILLAGE ILWIDIOT
By Walt Wiltschek
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (God) does it not by pushing us around but by working within us.” —Eph. 3:20, MSG
I love Disney World. Perhaps that comes from growing up named “Walt.” It’s not perfect, of course, but there really is something magical about it and the atmosphere it creates (except for that time I got stuck on “It’s a Small World,” but that’s another story).
While I enjoy all the parks there, my favorite is EPCOT. The World Showcase fills my passion for all things international, and the futuristic flavors in the front section satisfy my interest in sci-fi and the wonders of outer space. They even have an aquarium and a ride talking about how important communication forms have been to world history. What’s not to like?
Tucked in one corner is a pavilion that’s not necessarily a favorite, but one that gets stuck in my head any time I visit: Journey Into Imagination. Taking riders on a trippy trip through the senses, it invites everyone to picture the things beyond what we think we can think. A goofy, slightly annoying, purple dragon-ish thing aptly named “Figment” leads the way. He regularly offers a song that I hear for days afterward, one with a line that includes: “Imagination, imagination … A dream can be a dream come true, with just that spark in me and you.”
What’s our spark, sisters and brothers? What allows us to imagine what might be possible, even as so much of what we think we’ve known as the church tumbles and turns around us?
This spring and over the next few years, I want us to embark on what I’m calling “The Imagine Project”: dreaming and re-imagining what church could and should look like in our rapidly changing reality. Some funds recently set aside by the Leadership Team and a grant from the denomination’s “Part-Time Pastor; Part-Time Church” program will plant the seeds of getting this started.
In April, we'll host creative church consultant Greg Davidson Laszakovits for our spring clergy retreat and the district Potluck Experience. We’re also encouraging people to attend the denomination’s New and Renew church planting and revitalization event taking place in Elgin in May, with free scholarships available. Our camps are doing good, creative, community-building work. Our new project in Madison is demonstrating another model for being church. Several congregations are intentionally engaging in deep thinking about re-shaping their ministries, as well. And we’re already musing about other possibilities ahead.
Jesus’ ministry constantly demonstrated that there’s far more possible than we think, even as he often turned the religious establishment upside-down. Do we dare to be that creative as we seek to continue to follow Christ? Let’s dream together, and then work to make our imaginations more than just a figment.
District executive schedule:
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (God) does it not by pushing us around but by working within us.” —Eph. 3:20, MSG
I love Disney World. Perhaps that comes from growing up named “Walt.” It’s not perfect, of course, but there really is something magical about it and the atmosphere it creates (except for that time I got stuck on “It’s a Small World,” but that’s another story).
While I enjoy all the parks there, my favorite is EPCOT. The World Showcase fills my passion for all things international, and the futuristic flavors in the front section satisfy my interest in sci-fi and the wonders of outer space. They even have an aquarium and a ride talking about how important communication forms have been to world history. What’s not to like?
Tucked in one corner is a pavilion that’s not necessarily a favorite, but one that gets stuck in my head any time I visit: Journey Into Imagination. Taking riders on a trippy trip through the senses, it invites everyone to picture the things beyond what we think we can think. A goofy, slightly annoying, purple dragon-ish thing aptly named “Figment” leads the way. He regularly offers a song that I hear for days afterward, one with a line that includes: “Imagination, imagination … A dream can be a dream come true, with just that spark in me and you.”
What’s our spark, sisters and brothers? What allows us to imagine what might be possible, even as so much of what we think we’ve known as the church tumbles and turns around us?
This spring and over the next few years, I want us to embark on what I’m calling “The Imagine Project”: dreaming and re-imagining what church could and should look like in our rapidly changing reality. Some funds recently set aside by the Leadership Team and a grant from the denomination’s “Part-Time Pastor; Part-Time Church” program will plant the seeds of getting this started.
In April, we'll host creative church consultant Greg Davidson Laszakovits for our spring clergy retreat and the district Potluck Experience. We’re also encouraging people to attend the denomination’s New and Renew church planting and revitalization event taking place in Elgin in May, with free scholarships available. Our camps are doing good, creative, community-building work. Our new project in Madison is demonstrating another model for being church. Several congregations are intentionally engaging in deep thinking about re-shaping their ministries, as well. And we’re already musing about other possibilities ahead.
Jesus’ ministry constantly demonstrated that there’s far more possible than we think, even as he often turned the religious establishment upside-down. Do we dare to be that creative as we seek to continue to follow Christ? Let’s dream together, and then work to make our imaginations more than just a figment.
District executive schedule:
In addition to regular meetings, Walt will be preaching at and meeting with Dixon Feb. 19, attending an Office of Ministry event at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin Feb. 24-26, meeting with Chicago First Feb. 27, visiting with the Madtown Brethren group in Madison March 4-5, visiting local congregations and helping to lead the closing service at Franklin Grove on March 12, and taking part in the district youth retreat at Camp Emmaus March 17-19.
Note: Walt will be on a mini-vacation Feb. 15-17.
Walt is available to visit your church, do pulpit supply, lead sessions, have conversation times, or otherwise connect with your congregation. Please contact IWDDE@outlook.com to schedule a time.
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