Symbolic Activity. A people of any age may worship, and symbolic activity is a different mode of knowing and acting, not a developmental stage. Worship can pull together the previous activities and point to a level of awareness beyond the four we have mentioned. All symbols are multi-dimensional, and life presents mystery beyond our ability to explain or articulate.

Congregations are particularly equipped to help people relate their lives to the unseen mystery; they need not become simply educational or political institutions. Unfortunately, when churches deal with public issues, they often begin at the level of ideas and opinions. The issue is introduced into an adult study group or forum, often in the form of a debate—which guarantees that it will be dealt with at the level of opinions and that there will be disagreement.

On the other hand, activist groups sometimes bombard people at the feeling level, trying to move people to action through fear or guilt. They don't recognize that we add to the brokenness of the world when we act from fear. We become driven by the "fear which has torment, rather than the love which makes us fearless."

The church could contribute greatly to the world by helping people to move from fear to hope as a basis for action. Doing so would offer little comfort to those who insist on the church taking a particular political stance, but pastoral and prophetic ministry need not be at odds. Issues effect people, and people present issues. If we take individuals seriously, we will create contexts into which people can bring all their hopes, fears, stories, commitments, and ideas. When we allow all of reality to be dealt with in the religious context we find that both issues and people are transformed.