Pastors notes for 'The Journey'
Throughout the past few weeks, and for the next month or so, I am endeavoring to meet with and listen to as many people within our congregation as I am able. I want to hear the stories of your faith journeys, to learn more about what is important to you for ongoing spiritual growth and development as Christian disciples, and to learn more about how you may be of most service to and be best served by the ministries of our church. I have had wonderful conversations with old-timers, newcomers; children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, couples and singles. What I have learned so far is that the people of Community UMC have a great desire to learn, to serve and to grow.
People have been sharing with me many their desires and concerns for themselves and for our church. Some of these include the desire for a first rate youth group; the addition of a weekday Christian education program for children; additional Sunday school classes for adults; more opportunities for children to participate in worship; more small groups and covenant circles tor adult Bible study, prayer, spiritual development, exploration and renewal; the development of a drama ministry, an FRC campus outreach ministry, a clothing ministry, an evening worship service; and much, much more. People have also expressed concern about practical matters such as the need to paint our facilities, to improve our sound system, to add more effective external lighting, and to increase the energy efficiency of our buildings.
Folks have told me that they also have some concern about not having enough time in their busy schedules, not enough talent, or insufficient financial resources to see those desires fulfilled. Our culture is one that encourages to think and live, in many ways, as though there just isn't enough ....of anything. You see, the world would have us believe that we don't have enough of much of anything to really make a difference anywhere. But it simply and plainly is not true!
You all know the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, don't you? Jesus and his entourage find themselves at dinner time with a crowd of about five thousand folks.. ..and no food. The disciples say, "All we've got is five barley loaves and two fish. Lets just send them home, OK? We simply don't have enough." But Jesus took the loaves and the fish and started passing them out. And suddenly, magically, wonderfully and powerfully, there was enough. In fact, there was more than enough. Jesus shows us that there is not only enough, but there is plenty.
We have enough! We have more than enough! We have plenty of everything. All we need to do is take our own five barley loaves and fishes and start passing them out. The rest will come. There is enough time in our lives, talent in our hands, and money in our bank accounts for us to do the things we are called to do... Enough to fund a youth ministry in this church which could serve hundreds of young people. Enough to provide college students and young adults with a spiritual home which will sustain them as they move through a tumultuous time in their lives. Enough to do and to become ail that that God asks of us, and all that we hope for in our faith community. Each one of us comes to this community of joy and wonder with powerful things to contribute. The real question before us and before the our church today isn't the one everyone is asking. The real question isn't "Where will find the time, the talent and the financial resources?" The real question is "How do we unleash the abundance that God has given us?" How do we come together as a beloved and loving community to unleash the incredible blessings God has bestowed on each and every one of us? How do we martial the forces of our material and spiritual lives so that we become a blessing, not only to each other, but to this community, this town, and this world? I have absolute confidence in the Lord to empower us to see all of hopes and dreams of this faith community fulfilled.
