Imagining
by Canon Mike Orr
Imaginative theology is a powerful lens for innovation within our church context because it encourages creative reinterpretations of embedded beliefs. It lets us think of our beliefs in different ways. Imagine creating something new that you can’t see or touch right now. Theology is like looking at God as God looks at us, or when we behold God beholding us. When we use our imagination in theology, we think about God while looking at the world around us. This can help us think of new ideas when we’re stuck between everyday life and God.
Innovation is when we make something new that makes our world better. It can make things work better, be more effective, or have more value, especially in ministry. To be innovative, we have to be okay with changing the usual way of doing things, questioning what’s normal, and trying out new ways of thinking. Being innovative means always trying new things, being ready to change, and learning from what works and what doesn’t. It means even taking risks (I know this is scary for some of you!) But remember, God doesn’t just want us to be successful; God wants us to keep trying. God shows us the path, and we follow it, even if we don’t know what’s ahead. What we think is a success or a failure might just be the starting point for the next part of God’s plan. Using our imagination and being innovative are ways to talk to God and figure out “what’s next” on the path God has set for us.
Many of us are gifted linear thinkers and doers. And we have a hard time with visioning, or imagining, as we are calling it here in the Episcopal Church in Colorado. We want to skip over the “Why” and focus on “How” and the “What.” “What’s the plan? Just tell us your vision, Bishop! What’s next in this strategic process? Why aren’t we already building a timeline with measurable goals, timelines, and benchmarks?! This ‘imagining process’ seems a bit unnecessary…let’s just get to the plan!”
We have to slow down, be in prayer, and ask the Holy Spirit to inform and guide our imagination right now, in this space, and not rush immediately to the hows and the whats.
Canon Jon Anderson has likened our Imagining time to packing our suitcases and standing in the driveway waiting for God to pick us up. We don’t know about the destination or where we are going. But we instead are called to trust. We are called to trust like Abraham, leaving his homeland for an unknown land that God promised. Like Moses, standing on the sea’s edge, we are called to trust the waters to part so we can walk on dry land. Like Daniel, we are called to trust that we will be delivered safely from the lions’ den. We are called to trust like Mary, to believe the miraculous can and will happen.
Imaginative theology and innovation within our church are about being open to new ways of understanding and interacting with our faith. They require us to be bold and creative and to trust in God’s guidance even when the destination is unclear. Like Canon Jon’s metaphor of standing with packed suitcases, ready for a journey without knowing the endpoint, we are called to have faith. We trust that we will be provided for, that obstacles will be overcome, and that we will be led through challenges. This journey of faith and innovation is not about reaching a final destination or achieving a particular success; it’s about the process of continual growth, learning, and adaptation. We carry our beliefs like suitcases, ready to be filled with new understandings and experiences. By embracing imaginative theology and innovation, we actively participate in the unfolding of God’s plan, open to whatever wonders lay ahead, trusting in God’s eternal presence and provision along the way.
Building on the concepts of imaginative theology and innovation within the church, the metaphor of the Church as the Body of Christ speaks profoundly to the necessity of unity amidst diversity. Just as the human body consists of various parts with distinct functions, the Church comprises different individuals, each with unique gifts and roles. This diversity is not a barrier to unity but rather the way in which the Church can engage with the world in its fullness. Each member of the Church brings their own perspective and abilities to the collective mission of embodying Christ’s love and message.
In this present context, the Church is called to action through engagement. We, as the Body of Christ, are called to seek and serve Christ in everyone, recognizing the divine image within all persons. This means actively loving our neighbors, advocating for justice and peace, and respecting every individual’s dignity. In its rich diversity, the Church must unite to confront injustices, serve the marginalized, and uphold the sanctity of every life. As we navigate the complexities of modern society, the Church’s engagement in the world becomes a testament to its commitment to living out the call to love as Christ loved, serving without prejudice, and striving for a world that reflects the Kingdom of God.
The vitality of the Church as the Body of Christ depends on its capacity to innovate and imagine new ways of being and doing. It requires an openness to the Spirit’s leading, a willingness to step into the unknown, and a readiness to adapt. When the Church embraces its diversity and unites in its mission, it becomes a powerful witness to the transformative love of Christ. This unity in diversity is crucial for the Church’s relevance and effectiveness. It’s about living out our faith actively and authentically in a way that speaks to the needs of the world today and being a living, breathing example of Christ’s inclusive and unfailing love.
MIKE ORR is the Canon for Communications & Evangelism for the Episcopal Church in Colorado.
