Friends,
I’m musing about our identity as St. Mark these days. And I can’t get out of my head an old philosophical conundrum about “Theseus’ ship.” Theseus was a mythical hero, known for defeating the Minotaur on the island of Crete. After he returned home to Athens, Plutarch said the Athenians preserved Thesus’ ship over many years by replacing every worn or rotting plank with an identical one. That description raised questions about identity for philosophers: Is this the same ship through the years, even while it constantly changes? Or, is it different when the first plank is changed? Or, when a majority of planks are changed? What is the relationship between the ship’s identity as Theseus’ ship and its parts?
Years later, Thomas Hobbes played with another possibility. What if every worn or rotting plank that had been removed from the ship were preserved and over time re-assembled, eventually reconstructing the original ship? Now we have two ships. One is the functioning ship that has been constantly renewed piece by piece, while the other is not a sea-worthy ship, but entails all of the original components of the ship, disassembled then reassembled over time. Now we ask, “Which of these ships is actually Theseus’ ship?”
We can muse about this conundrum at a personal level, if we think of ourselves as children and ourselves as we are now, through constant changes in body and mind. For now, I am focused on the question of our identity as St. Mark. We were established in 1962, with only a very few of the original pioneers still with us. I am the fifth senior pastor, with numerous other pastors on the staff along the way, but I believe the identity of the church has always been our calling, as it has been embodied in our members. The “Our History” page of our website says, “Our founders chose the name of St. Mark because the Gospel of Mark has always been a radical call to discipleship – how you grow in Christ, how Christ is formed in you and in all aspects of your life. The Gospel of Mark gives a new vision of the present, limitless, redeeming power of Christ.” What an inspired and inspiring beginning! Fueled by way the present, limitless, redeeming power of Christ, we are called to be disciples in the fullest sense imaginable.
So, circling back to the conundrum of Theseus’ ship, particularly as Thomas Hobbes described it, I’m leaning toward this response. The original planks of the ship, after being
disassembled then re-assembled, might be called “Theseus’ ship” if the purpose is to create a museum exhibit honoring the mythical history. But the purpose of a ship is to sail on the sea. For that to happen, it needs constant renewal to be seaworthy. In that sense, “Theseus’ ship” is the constantly renewed ship, wisely and skillfully being refurbished for the purpose of seaworthiness. Likewise, if our call is to create radical disciples by the redeeming power of Christ, change is a constant part of who we are. We built a new campus when the former one was no longer able to accommodate our ministry and outreach; we have retired beloved traditions when hearing a call to different ways; we have honored those who move “from the church militant to the church triumphant” just as we welcome the gifts of those who newly join. Driven by the present, limitless, redeeming power of Christ, we try to take each step deliberately and wisely, living into our call to be radical disciples.
My hope is that each one of you feels invested and empowered in this call to radical discipleship. Whether you are, or have been, elders, making critical decisions and taking on the responsibility of curating how we respond to our calling; Deacons, taking the energy of our call and reaching out to our community in works of care and compassion; part of our Care Team, Choir, commissions, and other groups, you have been empowered by Christ to the call of radical discipleship. And if you have ever thought of yourself as “just a member” because you have not been part of our organizational structure, I invite you to think of “just” as a four-letter word. Every plank in the ship is needed, every member of a body has purpose, and if a regular part of your life consists of gathering for worship to glorify God and enjoy God forever you are achieving what the Westminster Catechism calls “the chief end of humanity.” You are not a passenger, along for the ride. You are the ship, however minor you feel your role is.
So, yes, I am musing about our identity, and it fills me with joy. The redeeming power of Christ continues to enable us to be radical disciples. Thanks be to God.
See you in worship,
Mark of St. Mark
