Interactions vs Encounters

This week I attended a webinar on church trends. What stood out for me was a question the presenter asked: How do we move from an interaction to an encounter? How do we as a faith community shift our worship so that people don’t simply interact, but have an encounter? Simply put, an encounter isn’t just about what happens, it is about what is revealed and what is changed in that moment. Epiphany is the season when we experience mystery revealed - that being the word made flesh, when God is encountered in the human form of a child.

I think it is safe to say that as humans we are far more comfortable with interactions. Interactions tend to be more surface level. From a spiritual perspective an interaction is functional and transactional. An interaction focuses on roles, words, or actions, probably without vulnerability or openness. This makes me think of the coffee hour after church. I often hear people talk about the weather, day to day activities that they are involved with, or even politics. Conversation at times goes deeper as people share something that was challenging that week, or something they are struggling with, or something that they are celebrating. These interactions often happen without a deep awareness of God’s presence. Even in worship I think that we can recite a prayer without really engaging our heart, we hear the scripture more as information rather than invitation. These are important activities for people of faith, but these interactions at times are missing something, that I think is vital. Interactions don’t necessarily disrupt, awaken or reorient a person. I guess what I’m saying is that we are pretty good about talking about God, but when it comes to experiencing or encountering God, I don’t know that we allow ourselves the space to go there?

An encounter is about presence. An encounter touches one’s soul. I think the other thing to keep in mind is that interactions are plentiful in our lives. Encounters are special, and it would be unrealistic to believe they would happen as frequently. Encounters are often so powerful, inspiring and healing that results in the effects lasting a long time. An encounter demands a response: “go,” “change,” “follow,” “trust.” All are words that Jesus would use with the people he encountered. 

When he saw James and John fishing, he said, “follow me!” During the years that Jesus walked on the earth, he often commanded his disciples to “go” with instructions to heal, or find, or proclaim the good news. Take a moment to reflect on this question: When did a prayer unexpectedly name your deepest truth? When did someone in your life see deep into your soul, providing you with comfort and unconditional love?

When we feel heard, when we feel known, we can’t help but be changed by this encounter. It is similar to the moments when suddenly your ideas start to click, or you have a great revelation about something in your life, or in the world around you. I wonder how we can better prepare ourselves to move from interactions to encounters, in worship, during coffee hour or a visit, and especially while we serve others?

I hope and pray that you may encounter God this week and that you will feel the transformation in your soul! May this season of Epiphany reveal God’s presence to you.

Blessings,

Rev. Karen