August 24th

As Methodists we are so methodical at times that we always want things to be the same.

I can remember where my grandparents sat in church: 3rd pew on the right side facing the pulpit at the isle end—every Sunday. Heaven forbid anyone be in that seat, or the seat behind them where the so-and-so's sat, or the seat next to them where Mr. and Mrs. you-know-who sat. Methodical. Traditional. The same. Nothing ever changed for them and so it was ok (comfortable).

Winston is lecturing right now. He spent the first bit of his lecture talking about being invitational. Invitational doens't mean standing by the door on Sunday morning saying 'hi' to those who come in—that's greeting. Being invitational is for the entire congregation—not just the greeters with their various name-tags. I can't remember Jesus being a greeter. Being invitational isn't approaching a person with the intentions of telling them about all the programs the church has to offer. There's a problem with invitation disguised as advertising—we're not trying to 'win' folks. Winston asked us when was the last time we got up from our pews and sat next to a visitor. When was the last time we helped a new person navigate our bulletin or a hymnal—the only place in the world we gather to sing and use a book to do it is church—if someone has never been to church, they may honestly not know how to navigate a hymnal. When have we taken the time to walk someone new around the building—not as a tour guide—but in hopes they'd open up to us so that they'll know it's safe and so that we will honestly know who they are? When was the last time the pastor did it? When was the last time I did it? You? We cannot wonder why the church is dying and at the same time we cannot care as much about losing the institution. Our work as pastors is not about committees, seats on pews, or advertising programs—it is about souls. It is not about what our Bishop instructs us to do, making sure all of our paper-work is turned in to our District Superintendents (Lord, don't strike me down)--it is about furthering the Kingdom. When was the last time we dropped all the other nets and evaluated our Kingdom building?

Statistically, if a person makes a genuine relationship, first thing, their very first day, with 7 others in church, they will be back. And in that we've not 'won' a member—we've not boosted our roster--we don't simply have another apportionment payer (pastors...). We have opened the door for another person in this life to come to know Christ—we have strived to fulfill our call in the Great Commission. Wow. The beautiful thing is, that it's not that hard and in the end, you have a new friend who will change your life and who's life you will change as well.

We get lost in the method, in the tradition, in the high church meetings where we listen to the choir and the preacher. We socialize with each other but our faith-voices are not heard. Things are so systematic. No one thinks about the problem with saying that we need to “advertise” that program. When did being invitational become advertising or information sharing? We cannot wonder what the problem is—it's staring us in the face!

When was the last time we focussed on helping our congregation to face outward? As a pastor we spend a lot of time taking care of the folks that are already there in hopes that we don't step on toes and they won't leave. There is an entire community outside the walls. When was the last time we invited a congregant to report on what's going on in the community? When was the last time we invited a congregant to share what God has done for them or someone else they know this week—and not just in the life of some program in the church? When was the last time we actually shared? Is this not a way of witnessing to what God has done? Is this not a way of getting away from what the CHURCH has done? It is not, not, not, not, not, not, not about the institution. It cannot be—not if we're going to fulfill our call to be missional, apostolic, people of God.

We're afraid to take risks. Jesus said, “drop your nets,” did he not? We don't take risks if it means losing someone who pays the apportionments. We don't take risks if that one, highly-influential member won't like it. We don't take risks if it involves challenging our members to be more than a social club or more than an academic establishment. We're not asking anything of Christians. When we commit our lives to Christ, though, we take up a cross. With that cross comes a responsibility. As pastors we take up a cross that involves challenging others to remain faithful. If we do none of this, as a Christian and as a pastor then we are simply being irresponsible concerning our commitment.

Are we culturally relevant? We've spent a lot of time asking that but not acting on that. This cultural relevance isn't JUST for the youth. Without cultural relevance how do we expect congregants to leave and for anything we've said to be applicable? Youth are SCREAMING for it today. We can't just feed them in their youth meetings. We want to effect them in “Big Church.” A HUGE focus of our ministry needs to be about reaching them because when we lose them, we lose the church and we lose the Kingdom.

Winston amazes me. He's passionate beyond belief and for him excuses aren't necessary or acceptable. I wonder what it would be like in our churches if excuses weren't necessary or acceptable. I wonder what church would be like if we had faith that God makes God's plans work, therefore we need not dispute every suggestion because lack of funds (volunteers, space, etc.). What would really happen if we honestly let go in our ministry trusting that it being ordained by God in it's creation will indeed happen and will indeed be beautiful. Let go. Really. Just—Let—Go.