new church life: september/october 2017
David then invited groups to discuss the issues in these four areas, and what
to do about them. After the small groups, a brief general discussion affirmed
several approaches of the paper, with a dissenting view suggesting that the
discouraging growth in the West is exactly what the Writings predicted, and
that the future of the New Church is rosier in Africa and Asia.
Caring Wisely
After lunch, the Rev. Dr. Raymond J. Silverman introduced the Rev. John L.
Odhner and his workshop, based on his paper: “Spiritual Care.” John expressed
hope that in the workshop we would work for each other, meeting the variety
of needs we may have.
He spoke of the hunger of the disciples when they fished all night but
caught nothing. With slides and statistics, he showed that the members of the
General Church are such a tiny proportion of the world population (one in a
million) that they appear as nothing – like one pixel on a slide with a million
pixels.
He said he was not at all concerned about this, for the Lord said the
New Church would be among a few, and illustrated how powerful one-in-a-
billion can be, by comparison with the life-saving effect of minute dosages of
medication. The Lord can save by a few. But still the disciples were hungry to
catch fish. The Lord told them to cast on the right side, which is to teach the
good of charity, which would gather people in.
John then turned our attention to the duties to six kinds of the neighbor
which represent the whole doctrine of charity and which were discussed
in detail in his paper. They are described according to their needs: hungry,
thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and bound in prison. (See Matthew 25:34-36;
New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine 107.)
He spoke of the need to diagnose before treating patients, so that helpful
medicines can be given. The internal of charity uses such discernment in
conferring benefits. (See Arcana Coelestia 9209:2.) One way to know what
others need spiritually is to ask about those needs, and one way to know what
to do is to practice.
John then directed us to form groups and use worksheets he provided.
First individuals were to use the side labeled, “What Do I Need?” and check
the boxes beside phrases representing the needs of those who are spiritually
hungry, thirsty, etc. which described themselves. Second, groups were to use
the side labeled, “How Can We Help Each Other Right Now?” by reviewing the
needs checked, selecting one area such as hunger or thirst, and then using the
suggestions provided on the worksheet in the boxes labeled, “Help for Spiritual
Hunger,” “Help for Spiritual Thirst,” etc.
After this exercise, 10 responses to the experience or paper were given.
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