Who’s on first?

The gospel of John (which we don’t spend a lot of time in, because it doesn’t have a year dedicated to it in the Revised Common Lectionary like Matthew, Mark, and Luke) includes a well-known set of seven “I AM” statements by Jesus, concerning his own divine identity. 

What if we took each of those “I AM” statements, and the surrounding context for each, and applied them to Galileo Church’s life together in the co-conspiracy? Could we find and celebrate the seven “marks of co-conspiracy” within them, and thereby add to our understanding of those seven practices?

The sharing of resources: “I am the bread of life,” John 6:35. Jesus insists that wherever he is, everyone has enough (and more than enough). It’s about resources both physical and spiritual – food and mercy. He ties this abundance to the practice of the eucharist (6:51), the eating of his flesh. In the church, we practice a “eucharistic economy” by sharing resources so that everyone has enough, an economy that inspires both generosity and gratitude.

Jesus knows who he is, and who he isn’t. Jesus knows whose words matter, and whose don’t. Whose words will you choose to listen to? The Rev. Dr. Irie Lynn Session brings us a word from John 8, and Apprentice Evangelist Remi Shores shares some communion thoughts. You would do well to listen.

Extension of the church’s welcome: “I am the gate,” John 10:9. Jesus here describes himself as a threshold, an opening in the boundary between “us” and “them,” a way in. How does the church emulate his “open door” way of being? How can Galileo Church continually prop our door open, so that we are a gateway to God’s own heart? I.e. it’s not about getting people in the church; it’s about generating access to God.

Gracious receipt of care: “I am the good shepherd,” John 10:11. We literally get the term “pastoral care” from the work of shepherding. What would it look like for the whole church, the body of Christ, to take up this work of shepherding, in a turn-taking model that means some of us, some of time, are receiving care while others are giving it? What does it mean to give in to our sheepy-ness, sometimes?

Discernment for our next steps together: “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” John 14:6. Let’s imagine our life together as a journey rather than a destination, the same way that following Jesus is meant to make us light on our feet rather than stuck in static doctrine, practice, and tradition. If our life together is meant to be progressive, moving us toward God’s beautiful future, we need some lookouts for the blaze that marks the trail.

Presence, physical and emotional, at gatherings of the church: “I am the resurrection and the life,” John 11:25. Katie and Remi engage in a dialogue about what it means to be present in gatherings of the church in the age of virtual connection and community. In part they’ll riff about Martha and Mary’s accusation of Jesus: “If you’d’ve been here, our brother would not have died.”

Cultivation of spiritual gifts: “I am the true vine,” John 15:1. And we are the branches, intended to “bear much fruit,” i.e. be useful in the field! How can the church help each branch flourish? What ways do we have of recognizing and encouraging the giftedness of each other? This is the day that we say “yes” to the co-conspiracy, commission our leaders, and celebrate our 8th birthday!