“Effervescence” is the wrong word
by Craig Morton, Meridian, Idaho
In reading Ed Diller’s, “‘Effervescence’ is a Wonderful Word” (Leadership, June 17), I was grateful to read of the clear wisdom of Robert Kreider. Many of us have received his words of insight tempered by a playful and warm regard for those who have gone on before us. However, I am not sure if the words of Robert Kreider are being used appropriately in this context.
While a statement can “sing” and exude “effervescence,” the recent proposals for restructuring Mennonite Church USA run completely counter to the metaphor.
I have experienced the proposal—as a reader of Mennonite periodicals—as a distant observer. I do not believe the “distance” has to do with my geographical proximity but to the closed nature of the process. While I hear the rumblings from friends who serve the church in various agencies, participate in the Constituency Leaders Council or serve as conference ministers, I have yet to hear an open invitation to haggle, barter or debate the merits of the Executive Board’s proposal. In fact, much of what I read is quite the opposite of partnering to develop a faithful structure.
In part, this is a crisis of ecclesiology. Are we a church that is willing to behave as it believes? That the Spirit of God is among the people as we actively listen to God’s word through Scripture and listen to one another? Or, for bureaucratic expediency, have we relinquished our role as the community of discernment to those on our governance boards?
The Executive Board action comes across as a dictate or a fait accompli.
As I read the Executive Board’s proposal in its vague verbiage, the metaphor of Robert Kreider is being misused. “Effervescence” is formed by two Latin words that literally mean “to boil out.” Merriam-Webster proposes that it should be defined as “to bubble, hiss and foam as gas escapes; to show liveliness or exhilaration.” Effervescence, then, is about expansion and not about centralizing boards and decision-making.
Centralization tries to put “that wonderful moment when a soda is opened and the aromatic flavor jumps out,” back into the bottle.
The Executive Board’s proposal sounds more like putting a lid on it than allowing the Holy Spirit and the work of God’s people to show “liveliness or exhilaration.”
Associated Issue: Rest for the soul - June 17, 2008
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