A Church for a Complex World: Discernment in 2064 – Geoff Wehmeyer

In 50 years, our church and our spiritual lives will be messier than ever. I say this because I believe that the major problems facing our world in 2064 will be more complicated and difficult to solve than even the issues that dominate our prayers today. This challenge may also be a blessing, for I think that the PC(USA) is well positioned to frame these complex problems through a lens of compassion and social justice.

We can see some of these challenges in the struggles against injustice that demand our attention in 2014. Folks who dedicate their time to securing human rights, making advances in medicine and technology, advocating for responsible environmental practices, or trying to make ends meet for themselves and their loved ones are constantly engaged in extremely complex decision making processes. As we work toward improving quality of life, rejecting interpersonal and state-sponsored violence, and becoming more responsible stewards of the land, these major social issues will continue to be intertwined and interdisciplinary, requiring extraordinary emotional strength and perseverance on the part of those who want to see change.

We know that people of good faith often come to very different conclusions about what compassionate action looks like in these complex situations. I think that implementing faithful solutions entails a deep understanding that goes beyond “common sense,” and that the spiritual environment of the Presbyterian Church will be a place to nurture the attitudes and paradigms that lead to a more just society in our time.

For example, I study mechanical engineering. I spend my days thinking about how to utilize scientific knowledge to better understand and control energy processes so we can more efficiently utilize our resources. I also know that decisions about energy sources and distribution must also take into account economic, political, cultural, environmental, and historical factors in addition to technical specifications. Though politicians and companies are often responsible for making these decisions, the repercussions clearly affect us all. How can the non-specialist thoughtfully engage and evaluate proposals that impact the common good? When comparing solutions that all appear to have significant downsides, is there a clear path forward for those who want to behave ethically and faithfully?

I believe these questions of discernment will only become more pressing over the next half-century, and that the church’s ability to facilitate discussion on these issues will also become more prominent in response. Continuing to blend scripture and personal meditation with conversations about spiritual action can open up new avenues of investigation outside church walls. Most importantly, the church’s ability to place issues within a historical and spiritual framework can provide context to help community members make difficult faithful decisions. Within worship and scriptural study, I also find that incorporating meditations from the arts and sciences can also shed a brighter light on a topic, and would encourage church leaders to collaborate with experts from other fields in order to probe a spiritual question from multiple perspectives. Churches that embrace, utilize, and develop the talents of their congregants are essential to accomplish the goals God has set out for us.

The structure of church gatherings may change as leaders and members experiment with new methods to achieve social change. I could envision congregations that place intense focus on specific mission projects – such as making commitments to environmental action, achieving gender equality in all spheres, or developing sustainable international partnership programs – crucial components of their long-term plans and central aspects of their member retention and recruitment efforts. I also think that increased connection between professional and religious worlds could bring together activists and community members from a variety of backgrounds to help work through complex issues. Whether these discussions happen under the aegis of the national church or through new collaborative institutions, I have faith that the Presbyterian commitment to faithful action will endure and thrive in new environments.

I love hearing about congregations and interfaith communities that have made long-term commitments to partnership and service, and I thank God for the millions of people who work tirelessly to make a positive difference. Talking to members of my community leads me to believe that the problems we will face in the future won’t be easy and that the solutions won’t be tidy. It will take time to change minds and laws that discriminate, but I pray that life is easier and safer in 2064 for people of all gender identities. I think we will still be figuring out how to reconcile societies that were built on racist and sexist foundations, but I pray that we will have put a halt to practices such as the mass incarceration of African-American men on drug offense charges. We will still be trying to balance human needs with our impact on the natural environment, but I pray that we can better appreciate the repercussions and costs of human action. Whatever changes are to come, I think that the church of my generation is preparing to accomplish more than I can imagine. I also know that the world we leave for the next generations will be filled with problems and injustice that we tried and ultimately failed to address. Love will endure; compassion and cruelty will be ever competing; and all we can do is live faithfully. Thanks be to God for the opportunity.

Response Caroline Barnett

Geoff puts into words what I think we all say- that whatever the problems that will face the church for the next fifty years, we will have to address them with immense creativity. There is no silver bullet. How, then, can we learn to recognize the voices of those who are not politicians or companies when searching for new solutions?

Response Owen Gray

I’ve seen my fair share of groups within the church (individual churches, that is) that are FIRMLY dedicated to their way of doing things, and they often take suggestions for change personally. Do you know of resources or strategies that have proven effective in bringing about those types of changes that could be shared with others?

Response Jessie Light

I 100% buy in to the idea that the church of the future will stay relevant only if it is able to engage in an interdisciplinary context by taking advantage of the many diverse talents of faithful congregants.  How can we empower and educate lay leadership of various backgrounds who will help lead our churches, and how or where can we give them space within our congregations to address complex societal issues faithfully?

Response Nathan Lusk

As one of the few non-seminary tract writers, your views as an engineer really helped give another perspective. I love the idea of getting people from many different professions and backgrounds working to solve problems. Do you think problems will be messier with continued advances in technology or will they be easier?

Geoff Wehmeyer is a mechanical engineering graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. Geoff graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where he majored in mechanical engineering and minored in English literature. Geoff was born outside of Dallas, TX, and attended high school in Overland Park, KS. Geoff enjoys reading fiction, attending concerts, and hiking the hills of Berkeley in his free time.