Then ministry meant significance. Even the decision and the process led to days of intense journeying with God, soul-searching, and deep discussions with faithful companions. Anyone who has taken the steps toward ordination in the UMC will know that as you kneel before the Bishop and receive the call to "take thou authority" and enter into full-time, fully-credentialed ministry in the UMC, you really feel like you've accomplished something. I will always remember that day and the people with whom I shared it.
A life of local church ministry can give the days a true significance. It can be an adventure in building relationships with people you never knew you'd meet. It can mean powerful moments filled with the Holy Spirit, loving Sacred words shared in what could be awkward moments.
Let me be clear that I'm not speaking of the celebrity type of significance. I'm not longing to be the next television preacher or anything...(though I do think I'd do pretty well on Survivor). I am longing to be part of God's work and movement in the world and to know that I've done all I can to leave the world a more loving place than I found it. I am seriously beginning to wonder if this can happen within the structure and organization of the church.
In the wake of all of these UMC discussions I have really started to question my life-decisions thus far. I do not question that God can use my life to bring glory to God's name, or that I have done my best to be faithful to my calling. It is just that so often life in the church feels quite insignificant. Ministry can quickly become more about pleasing people and keeping up numbers than it is about the significant call God has placed on all of our lives. We're called to "go" and share and be like candles that light up the darkness. We are called to love our neighbors as we would like to be loved. We are called to be about bringing justice.
The Methodists began as a movement. What happens when a movement becomes a "church" and no longer appears to be moving? What happens when young pastors who have dedicated their lives to this ministry begin to wonder if this is really what God had in mind? We are so caught up in maintaining the "rules" of who is "in" and who's "out" that we sit still. When everyone's more concerned about being right nothing can happen. (Just look at the Govt.)
I was thinking about the Pharisees today. I was leading a study on John a while back when we got to joking about how no matter what we read it always ended with the Pharisees showing up and turning things a negative direction. Jesus would do something amazing...the Pharisees would show up and be angry. Jesus would heal in a miraculous way...and the Pharisees would miss the miracle because it was the Sabbath. The Pharisees had always been the good guys. They knew the rules and they did their best to get the people to stay within the boundaries of faith. They were good until something better came along...the one who cared more for the person than for the rules. The Christ, who broke down all social barriers in order that all people know the love of God, the power of forgiveness, and the way to eternal life. Jesus didn't ask for credentials first and then work, he allowed the Spirit to work through him for all.
People were excited about Jesus...they're not so excited about the church. People were willing to die for their faith...we fight about the color of the carpet and the music choices on Sundays. Significance comes in moving with the Spirit, responding to God's call and Jesus's example.
I want to be significant.
Wow, Devin. Are we really fighting about such insignificant things as carpet color and music? This post makes me feel like I don't really know what's happening in my own church. Maybe I don't want to know. I'm so busy ministering in areas of God's calling for me I don't even notice such petty things. As pastor I guess you can't escape it. I will add "significance" to my prayers for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Roger, we personally are not fighting about carpet...though we probably could use some new carpet. I'm sure you are aware of the continuous struggle in the worship world over things like music. I am glad that you don't see those struggles happening in our church. I find ministry to be an interesting beast when I take time to recognize the various opinions and values of the people in the congregation. There are people who feel strongly about every side of nearly ever issue, namely those issues that involve politics and inclusiveness. I have been challenged repeatedly about the church perpetuating "socialism" and not holding people accountable for their own choices.
ReplyDeleteIn the larger church context these issues only escalate thus preventing us from actually DOING anything because we're so caught up in the fight. This is what makes me struggle with significance I suppose.
Hello Devon,
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere the other day that our 'young people' are leaving or have left the Methodist Church because they feel it doesn't have the 'guts' to stand up for 'needed change' and the 'old ones' are holding the denomination back. After thinking on this I wonder if some of the reasons our 'young people' and 'old ones,' too, are leaving is because there doesn't seem to be a surrendering to the Word of God, a humbling of ourselves not to judge, but to boldly, in love, hold to the things that made our denomination a life-changing organization in the first place. Yes, yes, yes, we are to love ALL people because God says so! In my life being loved has meant some very dear friends lifting me up before God in prayer and holding me accountable, in love. Then God did and still does the work in my spirit, always wooing me back into right relationship with Him. The greatest love I can show someone else is to want God's best for them. To find out what God would say is best is to read, read again, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life. I would not be a good friend if I said nothing. I fear we are being duped by the enemy of our souls into thinking all is okay, everything is good because all we want is love, love, love...peace, peace, peace. I feel we need to be very prayful and careful not to assume, "God's silence means His acceptance of how we life our lives." Is it possible that after some time of rejecting his guidance(written or otherwise) that any of us are vunerable to our own devices. I so do not want to be a stumbling block to anyone..but I also so want to be an example of His love...loving enough to say 'hard things.' God...guide us as a denomination as we come together next week! Kathy Breithaupt
Hi Kathy! (First, I miss you).
ReplyDeleteMy question in response to your post would be: What tenets of Scripture do you believe that Wesley clung to when inspired to step out of the church he was in at the time? I have always felt that Wesley was moved by the Spirit to make it a Gospel for all people. He did struggle with sin, almost to the point of categorizing it into small and big...he paid the price often for declaring someone's sin a reason to bar them from the Communion table.
I don't believe that our discussions about inclusiveness (which is what you are talking about, really) are the devils way of making us "conform to the world" (thank you Paul). We are not talking about saying that murder is ok, we are talking about a part of someone's life, someone's created being. This is where the fight begins, you see. Is someone's sexual preference their choice? Are people born straight and some born homosexual? This is the root of the discussions...if we say it is a choice then we can label it a sin.
As for young people leaving the UMC I believe that what you read is exactly what is happening and will continue to happen. It is not only because the UMC resists changes on this issue...it is because the UMC (aside from our mission involvement) may be losing relevance and integrity. For me it isn't the decisions that were made that cause the most frustration, it's the way they were made. It's the inability to have honest, open, discussions of respect. It's the camps that campaign to be right.
Saying the hard things is uncomfortable...so I would ask, "Which side is it that is saying the hard truth?"
Just my thoughts...
I enter a period near the end of my life and finally hear words that bring true meaning. thanks Devon.I simply believe God is with anyone who seek him and also many who are not aware of him until then. any rules men make do not change God.
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