“Rules for White Water Rafting and Congregational Life”

1. It’s what you came for. Enjoy it.
2. Rest in the calm places. There will be more white water soon.
3. Never stop paddling, even when it seems hopeless.
4. When you’re in trouble, don’t panic.
5. If you go under, let go. You’ll come back up.
6. Don’t be surprised if the raft doesn’t go where you want it to go.
7. Everyone paddles furiously, but it’s still the current that takes you.
8. The more activity on the right, the more the raft goes left, and vice versa.
9. Decide who is going to steer, the person in the bow or the person in the stern.
10. Balance, balance, balance.

— PATRICK O’NEILL