Embracing Noble Failures
In a world that celebrates success stories and clear victories, what does it mean to live faithfully when outcomes remain uncertain? This question formed the heart of our recent conversation, recorded on the eve of the United Church of Canada's General Council 45 … a historic gathering marking the denomination's first steps into its second century.
The timing couldn't have been more significant. As the United Church stands at this threshold, it faces declining numbers, shifting societal attitudes toward institutions, and growing challenges from various ideological corners. Yet within this reality lies a profound spiritual question: How do we remain faithful when resurrection doesn't come in the ways we expect?
Our conversation with Sarah Charters, President of the United Church of Canada Foundation and Executive Officer of the United Church of Canada Philanthropy Unit, revealed that one of the hardest truths facing church communities today is that we cannot wait any longer for someone else to devise solutions. The time for incremental change may have passed, and the capacity to dream big—truly big—has become essential. Too often, communities limit their vision to small adjustments rather than transformative possibilities.
This tension between revolutionary change and incremental progress emerged repeatedly in our discussion. While some advocate for "burning it all down" and starting fresh, others recognize the pastoral importance of bringing people along gradually toward a larger vision. The challenge becomes finding the balance between honoring existing spiritual communities while pushing toward necessary transformation.
What makes this conversation particularly relevant beyond church walls is how it reflects broader societal struggles. Whether in unions, community organizations, or personal lives, we all face moments when our best efforts fall short of our hopes. The question then becomes not just "How do we succeed?" but "How do we find meaning when success remains elusive?"
Perhaps most compelling was our exploration of theological responses to failure. Traditional comfort phrases like "God needed another angel" or "Everything happens for a reason" often ring hollow in moments of genuine pain. Instead, a more authentic theology recognizes that God is present in suffering without needing to explain it away. God is the first to cry with us, not the cosmic puppetmaster arranging our pain for some greater purpose.
The concept of "noble failure" offers a different paradigm. Rather than measuring success by growth metrics or traditional benchmarks, what if faithfulness itself becomes the measure? What if the meaningful struggle toward justice and inclusion matters regardless of the outcome? This perspective doesn't erase the real grief of failure but contextualizes it within a larger narrative of purposeful living.
As we navigate uncertain futures—whether in religious communities, social movements, or personal journeys—perhaps the most important realization is that hope and despair are not mutually exclusive. We can hold both simultaneously, acknowledging the real challenges while remaining attentive to moments of joy and possibility that emerge even in difficult times.
The United Church's commitment to ensuring "everyone has a place at the table" stands as a countercultural witness in an increasingly divided world. This commitment doesn't guarantee institutional survival or dramatic growth, but it represents a faithful expression of what the church believes about God's expansive love. And in a world increasingly defined by exclusion and division, that witness matters profoundly—whether it "succeeds" or not.