What IS the opposite of faith?

Last week I attended a recruitment event for a new Cub Scout Pack. The group of leaders had passed out a ton of information and were hoping to get 6 to 10 families at their join night event. Two families showed, the main organizer looked at me, forlorn and said, “I’m disappointed more people didn’t show up.” I reminded him that only two families showed up, but they had recruited 6 kids and each of those families had one more kid that was one year too young for the program, they hadn’t entered Kindergarten yet.
 
On top of that, the Mom of one of the families was on the PTO at a School that is willing to work with the Pack to get the word out about Scouting. The possibility is immense for that young Cub Scout Pack and living in disappointment only sabotages its future.
 
St Edward’s is in a similar situation, a long rich history of amazing events and mission. A history many of you remember with fondness. But the reality today is not what it was 10 years ago. But if you look around, you start to see the makings of possibility. Every Sunday I see new faces, old parishioners returning to Church AND new faces that have never attended services.
 
When I look around I see a few youth, engaged and welcomed as part of the community, youth that can be the beginnings of a rich youth ministry program. In talking with Deacon Chip, I understand that a number of local community organizations are open and willing to partner and work with us to maintain and grow our outreach program. Just about every day I am in the office someone is working on the church grounds.
 
“The opposite of faith isn’t doubt”, one of my seminary professors would say “doubt is the threshold to belief. The opposite of faith is apathy, the willingness to do nothing in the face of God’s possibility.” I can’t tell that Scout leader that God is at work in the community and providing opportunities that will be transformational, but I can tell you that God is at work in our midst, and God is asking you to join in the dance. To participate in the mission that God is already doing among us. You may not have the mobility you once had or the time to volunteer in the capacity you once could, but you all do have the capability to ask, to express your dream for St Edwards and your willingness to participate in the Mission of God as it is manifesting itself.
 
So let’s start dreaming and let’s start taking those baby steps that will lead to our running once again in joy with God.

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