In the weeks that led to the Special Convention in April, I wrote to the diocesan household several times. On every occasion I sought to express the serious nature of the challenges we face; each time I found myself laying a bit more of the foundation for us to embrace the reality of change. As the title of this column suggests (borrowed from the Bob Dylan song), we are in a time of change—one might even posit: a time of radical change.

For longer than I can remember, one phrase has defined the process through which we attempt to work with change: “think outside the box.” To me, this suggests that the “box” is somehow a place of comfort—the foundation—where we go to characterize our methodology for dealing with various situations we face on life’s journey. It is a phrase that has been used to draw us out of the trap of doing things “the way we’ve always done them” into seeing challenges as opportunities, concerns as advantages, or simply another perspective. I believe we have sought to “think outside the box” for so long that even that exercise has become part of our comfort place, our foundation, a tired and overused part of our methodology in facing into unexpected life occurrences.

The economic crisis that touches our lives most particularly here in Michigan is forcing us to look at a new paradigm, one that I believe calls us to live outside the box—perhaps even to flatten the box, take it to a recycling center, and move into a whole new way of being. In the words of one bishop colleague when the phrase “think outside the box” is uttered: “what box?”

In the Diocese of Michigan, the changes that are now upon us are really about living outside the box and forgetting the box entirely. We are moving into another whole way of being the people of God in Southeast and South Central Michigan. As we make this move, we must also move our mindset from a place of simply letting dollars control our interface with the community around us to a place of being faithfully responsive to God’s call to us; faithfully responsive to our baptismal promises. As a household we must move together in a direction that asks “what does God want” rather than approaching ministry from the more selfish place of “what do I/we want.”

This will not be an easy change. It will mean that pet projects and favorite activities may have to be curtailed or ended. It will mean that as a household we must continue to set priorities for our mission and ministry that are about God’s project and our desire to respond to God. It will mean that together we must choose our living legacy as the Episcopal Church in this region —our witness to God’s saving power—to those among whom we live and move and have our being. It means we have to find ways to reawaken our relevance to a society that has increasingly lowered its expectations of religious people. Our message is still relevant, but the audience is more skeptical. Adding to the challenge, of course, is the current economic climate: a challenge I choose to see as an important opportunity.

Having said this, what almost needs no verbalization is that change, regardless of intentionality or necessity, is never easy. For me, one of the most difficult parts of living outside the box is when that which changes involves people—or more specifically, the departure of people. By now, everyone has had some time to wrap their thoughts around our need to say thank you and adieu to four faithful diocesan colleagues. My decision to eliminate the positions held by Canon Jo Gantzer, the Rev. Canon John Keydel, Ms. Kristine Miller and the Rev. Deacon Sharon Watton was both professionally and personally gut wrenching. Giving thanks for their combined 35 years of tireless service does not come close to expressing the deep gratitude I have for their commitment to our mission and ministry and their loyal companionship as I have served as the bishop of this diocese. I believe it is a testament to their faithfulness that none of these wonderful people hesitated to agree to stay until May 31 to assist us with the transition.

Jo, John, Kristine, Sharon, thank you; and may God continue to bless and guide your ministry!

In last few lines of the last verse of the Dylan song referenced in my title above, he sings:

“…as the present now
will later be past
the order is
rapidly fadin’.
And the first one now
will later be last
for the times they are a-changin’.”

More change is upon us. An additional departure is also about to happen. It is my sad duty to inform you that our tireless and faithful chancellor of 13 years has indicated his intention to step down from that post. Seth Lloyd has advised the Bishop, Standing Committee, Convention and Executive Council of this diocese in legal matters since the Spring of 1996. His knowledge and experience of the Canons of the Episcopal Church has been of great assistance over the years. In the recent past, Seth gave much needed guidance to the complete revision of our Diocesan Canons and has been instrumental in helping this bishop wade through the mountains of suggested revisions to the disciplinary canons of the Church.

I am tremendously grateful that Seth has been a most accessible companion in my early journey as the bishop of this diocese. The high regard that others in the Episcopal Church have for him is second only to my belief that we have been represented and served by the best. Seth, thank you for your faithful service as chancellor. I look forward to other ways that you now may choose to live and work outside the box with us.

My sisters and brothers, ministry is about community and mission. I have heard it said that community without mission burns out and mission without community dies out. Let us not burn or die (inside the box); let us live boldly (outside the box). May it be so!

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