In our work with congregations, we are incredibly blessed by the people we work alongside. This was the prayer that was written by a member of a search committee for a church in Colorado we had the opportunity to work with this weekend. It was a reminder that data is a way to listen deeply, think creatively, and move forward together. And that God is in all things.
A Prayer for the CAT Interpretation:
God, we give thanks for each and every member of our parish family. We are grateful to those who completed the survey. We love and support those for whom the survey was outside their comfort zone.
We gather this morning to see our parish family as they see themselves. We know that you touched every heart as they contributed their individual voices to this compilation. Help us to hear their wants, needs, hopes, fears, wishes, and longings. Help us to accept where this information tells us we are. Help us to understand where this information can take us. Help us to recognize the limitations of the information. Help us to embrace the possibilities of what and where we are called by you to grow.
Establish in us clarity to put into words that express who and what we are, who and what we want to become so that the one you have chosen for us will recognize us as the flock for them. Establish in them the clarity to put into words who and what they are, who and what they want to become so that we with recognize the one you have chosen for us as ours.
In Jesus name we pray.