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Ministry Beyond Our Ability

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* Sermon notes for 082116

Ministry beyond our ability

Jeremiah 1:4-10;  Also: Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56

God calls us to ministry that is beyond our ability, and often beyond our confidence and comfort. At such times we naturally say, “Not me Lord. I / We can’t possibly do that. I / We are not __________ enough. Call someone else.” We may simply doubt the call and think we simply got someone else’s email. When this happens, God promises to bless us with all that we need, in ourselves an in those around us who will accompany us into ministry.

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What obstacles stand in your way of being who you know, down deep, you could be? Even who you are called by God to be? What’s present in your self-talk, your self-understanding, that limits your possibilities and undermines your courage.

Ministry BeyondOur Ability (1)I am not talking about ignoring limitations. Jeremiah was correct in saying that he was young, and that he was not practiced as a compelling public speaker. True and True. The problem that God addresses in the text that Jeremiah is allowing this to hold him back. Scripture does not suggest that any one of us has everything needed to accomplish something great. Rather, that we are called and formed to be one body, where each member contributes particular gifts to the whole. Where one is weak, others are strong. And where we are weak, there God’s power is able to work more fully in and through us in the world.

For me, it is pretty simple. I know my self-talk pretty well and how it limits me.

  • I am an introvert. This has taken multiple colors over the years, from:
    1. being very withdrawn, to
    2. severe insecurity, to
    3. self-doubt, to
    4. “nobody likes me everybody hates me think I’ll eat some worms,” to
    5. “I don’t really like people,” to
    6. “I’m invisible”
    7. And so on…
  • I have not experienced effectiveness at attracting people toward an idea, an event, a community. This is related to all the things above, at least in my head. Which drives the other or how they play on one another I’m not sure. Either way, I have plenty of negative self-talk around this.

SL Trinity Circle Synchronous LifeThese two things have been particularly problematic for me in the last 3+ years as I have attempted to build a business and a non-profit – both focused on individual and organizational vitality. I hold onto mottos like “We are companions for your journey. Wherever your road leads, you don’t have to travel alone.” And, “Don’t just survive, Thrive!” I developed a very solid theory for a coaching approach that addresses the various aspects of human life taken as a whole, not as siloed segments. I have written other really good material for individual and group work and for congregational transformation. What I can’t seem to do is get the word out so that those who would benefit from it can see, hear, understand and engage.

One could call it a failure of marketing and sales, and that would be true.

But there is something deeper going on. I can’t seem to get out of my own way. Perhaps you can relate.

The question is how do you see yourself in the Jeremiah text? What excuses are you giving yourself and God for not fulfilling the dream you have in your heart and mind? For not accomplishing the life giving and life transforming work you imagine?

Complete this sentence for yourself:

“I would do ___________________ for God,

if only I were more ___________________

or less ____________________.”

What stands in your way? What is your self-defeating inner dialogue? What sentences and paragraphs show up in your written journals or prayer diaries, year after year?

It is important also that we try to distinguish between something we would like to do or experience (I want to own a 50+ foot yacht and sail offshore.) and separate that from the seed of a dream that is God’s kingdom work within us.

The latter is that thing which disturbs your heart and mind, and for which you imagine a solution, or at least a response, but you hold back from pursuing it because it seems too big and you feel too small. A mentor friend of mine says,seed2

“The life-transforming dream within you
is a seed of the kingdom of God.
God placed it there, and
with your help and permission
God will bring it to blossom and bear fruit.”

Take a moment and write down a few key words, or draw a picture, that symbolize the dream within you. That passion that troubles your mind and won’t let you rest because “Someone needs to do something…”

  • Is it senior adults who are isolated and alone?
  • Is it children who are abandoned or abused?
  • Is it those with some special physical, mental, emotional or learning need?
  • Is it a particular racial or ethnic group?
  • Is it an issue of gender or sexual orientation or identity?
  • Is it a concern for creation – plants or animals?
  • Is it the lack of meaningful and sustainable employment?
  • Is it a general lack of health and wellness among one or another population?
  • Is it people who live in the midst of violence and civil unrest?
  • Is it people who live without hope?
  • Is it people who live in extreme poverty and some particular aspect of that?

This list could go on and on. There is, I am assuming and hoping, something that burdens you as it burdens God. All of these things and more weigh on God’s heart in a way that is incomprehensible to us. If we attempted to shoulder it all we would no doubt be crushed. So Go in Wisdom gives us one or two things that really stir us, make us want to act, to change or improve the situation in a measurable and meaningful way. Or at least to try.

I’ll say too that when it comes to a church, there are several ways of looking at this question.

  • We could ask, “What is the one issue that as a congregation we want to pursue with great energy and resource?” I’m in relationship with a pastor whose congregation has identified “early childhood education for our city’s poorest and most vulnerable children” as the population and the specific project or program to which they will dedicate themselves. This means their programming and building and budget are being radically reallocated to respond to this need. AND it means they are partnering with the local school district and several nonprofits to bring a collaborative approach to addressing these issues with the families of these children.
  • We could ask, “What is each person’s passion, burden or concern, and how can we as a church undergird and support the development and pursuit of these ministries?”
    I have developed two resources that follow this second approach, and which may also over time result in the emergence of the first.

    1. Ministry Internships – this process supports individuals in an intentional, intense and ongoing action / reflection study of their personal vocations – who and what God is calling and equipping them to be and do.
    2. Dream Discovery Process – this 12 month program walks a congregation through a study of scripture and their community to allow them individually and collectively to see how and where their strengths and the communities needs intersect. Along with how the congregation’s needs and the community’s strengths overlap. You see we are surrounded by people who want their lives to mean something – they want to make a difference and one of the greatest gifts a congregation can give its neighbors is space to explore and develop that dream.

The reality is that these are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary and interdependent. Any large ministry focus of a congregation will require many within the church to see it as their personal calling and to be able to find their place in it. At the same time, many will also long to address things outside that main program focus, and so the congregation will want to address those passions as well.

My entire ministry is really about these two conversations, their intersection, and supporting the clergy and laity who are leading the discussion and providing the resources. I recognize that doing this kind of work is difficult and lonely and frustrating at times, while also being energizing and life-giving.

I love to come alongside leaders who are dreaming something new and discovering how I can support them, and how I can connect them with others on complementary paths. I can’t do it enough. Literally. If I could I would gather every pastor and lay leader together in a room and ask, “What do you need in order to pursue the dreams that God has placed within you and your people?” and then I would set about helping them find and access what they needed, whether it comes from within them, around them, or above them.

What about you? Look again at that piece of paper where you wrote or doodled a few ideas. What is the vision that floats before your eyes?

hand up rock climbing 1Now write briefly what stands in your way or holds you back. (Not the stuff outside of you – no doubt there may be plenty of that.) What is within you – thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, fears, inner dialogue, self-talk – what stops you from doing that which perhaps God has called and will gift you to accomplish.

Notice again what God says to Jeremiah:

“Do not say ‘I am only a youth.’”

  • Stop the negative self-talk. Stop taking what is factually true and using it as an excuse.

“I formed you. I knew you. I consecrated you. I appointed you.”

  • You are qualified and able because of me and who I am, not because of you and who you are. My strength, and your identity in me, will more than overcome any limitations in you.

“You shall go to whom I send you. You shall speak the words I give you.”

  • I am the one who sends you. I will provide what you think you are lacking, if in fact you need it and if in fact it is absent now.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

  • I know you feel inadequate. I understand, and it will be OK. You are not alone.

Then, God touches Jeremiah and says, “Now I have put my words in your mouth.”

  • There is both a physical and a spiritual experience for Jeremiah – a holistic response from God who recognizes that fear and self-doubt manifest in mind, body and spirit.

“See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

  • Some things that exist now will need to end, to make room for what is next.
  • Some objects, ideas, programs no longer bear fruit – they must go.
  • Some systems hold on to the past too tightly and hinder new growth – they must go.

All the way through God says, “If you will walk forward, I will meet you at your point of need. It is time for the community to be transformed, and the dream I have put within you will work toward that transformation. No, I don’t expect you to do it on your own. You couldn’t even if you wanted to for the very reasons you have said. But I, I will do what I have promised.

AND: “My word which I sent will accomplish the purpose for which it went out, and will not return to me empty.” (Isaiah 55:11)

quadro-decorativo-we-not-me_1God is with us. We are not alone. Allow yourself to dream again, to imagine what God desires to do, what blessing you desire to see in the world around you. And remember that God calls and commissions us for ministry beyond our ability. If we know now how can do it on our own, then it is not from God and is not where we are to be investing our lives anyway.

If we will open ourselves to this hope, then God will provide the resources, the knowledge, the energy, the people, to accomplish that which God dreams for us and through us for the world.

 

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Ministry BeyondOur Ability

Worship Notes for Sunday 8/21/16

Psalm 71 sv

Leader: In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
People: In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.
Leader: Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
People: Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
Unison: For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

PoC:  36A

Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Title: “Ministry beyond our ability”
Also: Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56

God calls us to ministry that is beyond our ability, and often beyond our confidence and comfort. At such times we naturally say, “Not me Lord. I / We can’t possibly do that. I / We are not __________ enough. Call someone else.” We may simply doubt the call and think we simply got someone else’s email. When this happens, God promises to bless us with all that we need, in ourselves an in those around us who will accompany us into ministry.

Our Vision as Disciples of Christ

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Our Vision as Disciples of Christ:
To be a faithful, growing church,
that demonstrates true community,
deep Christian spirituality,
and a passion for justice.

“Learning to see the kingdom in the church with God’s eyes.”

Vision is about what we see as we look into the distance, out onto the horizon of our faith and future. The weather report often includes “visibility = 7 miles” which is really about how far pilots can hope to see while still below the clouds. How clear is the view? Can you glimpse the shining city of God in the far distance, or only the middle and near geography? Vision is less about what we are, than what we aspire to be – a snapshot, a “future story.” Its like asking the questions, “What do we want to be when we grow up?” only the focus is on God’s will and desire for us – we want to be whatever God has created, called, and charismed us to be.

At the beginning of the restoration movement which birthed the Disciples of Christ was a vision for unity of the Body of Christ – a vision born from reading and praying through the scriptures and hearing the call of God in the words of John 17 and Ephesians 4. Seeking this unity, Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone joined with other reformers of the church in quoting: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” The question remained, of course, “What are the essentials?” They practically concluded that the most practical answer was the narrowest, focusing on the simple profession of Jesus as the Christ to be the cornerstone of shared Christian faith. Agreeing that there certainly must be more to say, however, these early reformers proceeded to emphasize a focus on a scholarly study of the scriptures, believing that if faithful people would study the New Testament, they could come to agreement on its meaning. This proved to be naïve.

The early divisions in the movement were over church practice and structure, specifically whether to organize for mission and whether to use musical instruments in worship – as neither of these are specifically prescribed in the New Testament. One group sought to do only that which is commanded or expressly permitted, while the other believed faithful practice included avoiding those things expressly prohibited, and using reason to discern those things neither commanded nor prohibited. These groups began with the same vision, and took the same approach toward it, but ended up with very different conclusions on how to live out their faith. Only since the 1990s are these two streams of tradition coming back together for dialogue and growing in mutual appreciation.

While we as Disciples of Christ continue to aspire to the vision of Christian Unity, we also have an increasingly focused vision through which to pursue that calling:

true community,
deep Christian spirituality, and
a passion for justice.

True Community: The biblical witness to God’s work in the world focuses on the formation of a people set apart. Beginning with the call of Abraham and Sarah (GN 12) this peculiar people (1 PTR 2:9) understood their role as receiving blessings so as to be a blessing to the world. They grew to understand that this was not a gift and calling given to each individual, but a shared ministry and mission given to the community. Only as we grow to be “true community” are we able to fulfill our mission – “to be and to share the good news of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving, from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.” Jesus said that the way we love each other will be a direct witness to the world of Jesus’ active presence in our lives (JN 13). Paul talks at length about serving one another (1 PTR 4:10), honoring one another (RM 12), bearing with one another (COL 3), submitting to one another (EPH 5-6) out of love for Christ and each other. I think these virtues are particularly difficult to practice in cultures that are so individualistic and highly valuing of privacy and autonomy. We do not want other people in our affairs, and frankly would just assume stay out of theirs in the particular, even if we like to prescribe rules for others generally. The precondition for the specific submission of any one person to another is the shared commitment to practice mutual submission (EPH 5:21). Jesus models this submission for us in the incarnation itself, submitting his divinity to our humanity (PHL 2) and by the Master coming as a servant (LK 22). This service is foundational for our shared life as the Body of Christ (1 COR 12) as exemplified in the Last Supper when he washed the disciples’ feet (JN 13).

Deep Christian Spirituality: Many of teachings found in Exodus through Deuteronomy focus on how people are to treat their neighbors (LEV 19). Still others focused on how the people were to relate to God – i.e. to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength” (DEUT 6). Israel was given religious rituals, worship forms, acts of sacrifice, and prayers to shape their practice. Most of the Christian community has assumed that the specifics of those laws are left behind under the new covenant, though their spirit remains. The New Testament only has a very few specific mentions – such as the end of keeping a kosher diet (MK 7; ACTS 10), and the removal of the need for sin sacrifice with the death of Jesus (HEB 10). Many other spiritual practices are left for us to discern – prayer, fasting, study, singing, offerings of first fruits, tithe, devotion and vow. Jesus teaches on some of these, for instance in MTW 6 and LK 11. A deep Christian spirituality follows the example and teaching of Jesus, and is consistent with the spirit of the practices of Israel and the early church, even if it is not identical. Jesus regularly went to worship with others (LK 4) and regularly took time by himself to be with The Father in prayer (MK 1, 6). There is room for much variety of opinion regarding how we are to practice these spiritual disciplines. What is without doubt is that we are to take this aspect of our lives seriously and that our practice is to be both individual and communal.

A Passion for Justice: The bible recognizes a difference between helping those in need and doing justice. Both are called for. LEV 19 focuses on both by legislating that the fields must not be picked clean so that the poor have some access to gather food, and that business practices must be fair and impartial, not oppressing one group or favoring another. Economic practices that oppress the poor and favor the rich were apparently so common that these themes are repeated in DEUT 25, PROV 20, MIC 6, The two main sins of the Israelites, were idolatry, and oppressing the poor (2 Kings 21 & ZECH 7). In ISA 58 we hear the people complain that God does not honor their prayer, fasting and worship. The prophet names their sins of idolatry and oppression as hindering them from receiving God’s blessings – “9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.”

Though the church seems to have been unable or unwilling to maintain the practices with the same intensity, the descriptions offered by Luke at the end of Acts 2 and 4 are often held up as models of how the church should look, of a vision of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Luke said this:

ACTS 2: 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

ACTS 4: 32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

We might ask ourselves why the church has not maintained this way. Whether we are meant to live our shared faith in quite that way, we certainly are called to be a peculiar people set apart through our faith in Jesus Christ to offer the world a new way to live in covenant love with self, God and one another. As we seek to grow to maturity in Christ, we will

become true community,
practice deep Christian spirituality,
and live our a passion for justice.

Dream Discovery Process Update from 06052012

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The group met Tuesday to make progress on the “Member Care” conversation. This grows out of the “Internal Needs” area of our diagram. At present, we are working on strengthening our response to internal needs, not because we are turning inward, but because we are aware that we cannot “love our neighbors as ourselves” unless we love ourselves, and self-love means self-care. If the Body of Christ is not internally healthy, then we have little to offer others. If we fail to “love one another as I have loved you,” then how can the world trust our words about God’s love for them?

The discussion included:

  1. How do people get connected to the congregation (New folks, or those who have been here a while but are [or are feeling] disconnected/neglected)?
    1. We need to know people enough to know what they can and desire to do
    2. We need to invite people to participate
    3. Some of us need to be willing to initiate contact through phone calls and other connections. We recognize that not everyone is comfortable with this aspect.
    4. People need to be empowered to take responsibility for their own involvement
  1. How will we care for the folks who are currently participating in the
    1. Coordination of meals in time of need – illness, bereavement, life crisis.
    2. Calling the congregation with time critical news – clarify what rises to the level of ‘time critical news’ and who needs what kind of contact – phone, email, text
    3. Prayer ministry expansion – begin the conversation and then spin it off to those who wish to develop it further
    4. Updates on participants so those providing/coordinating care have awareness of needs – this will involve coordination with clergy and elders
    5. Reaching out to people drifting away – again, how will we become aware of this? How frequently will this conversation happen and who will participate. Then, what are the follow-up options – who will contact and how

THE PLAN

WHO:     The Member Care committee – currently composed of TF (Chair), CK, KR & SS – and whoever they invite.

WHAT:     will meet to discuss and develop a plan for each of these items. They are encouraged to then share that plan with the elders and clergy for input and to see how they and others may be invited to participate in these plans.

WHEN:        Before July 10th

FOLLOWUP:    Will provide an update in two weeks (6/19) to fgccdreamdiscoveryprocess@yahoogroups.com

Notes from Tuesday night’s DDP meeting…5/22 – by SJ

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A good vision for FGCC, that we have had around us, but didn’t name and recognize until now, goes something like this :

“FGCC is a part of the body of Christ,
gathered together, growing disciples
from curious onlookers
towards spiritually mature ministers.”

As a foundational part of this vision, we see creating a scope and sequence of growing disciples at FGCC through teaching, preaching, and open discussion inclusive of diverse opinions.   Where scripture speaks we speak, and where scripture is silent we will  prayerfully with love and conversation embrace our diversity together.

This means we support inclusive coverage of scripture (entire OT and entire NT) in sermons in tandem with guided group studies.

Suggested topics for the “back to basics” which is envisioned as the first part of the scope/sequence –  basic faith foundation kinds of topics:  for example, if Ken could take some of the creeds and preach a series on each thing mentioned there – not as a statement of faith for us, but as a guide for a topic list, and we could also in tandem study them in SS.  Also, interpretation of scripture, and an overview of the Bible were mentioned.

After we cover the basic faith foundation topics, moving on to difficult topics is desired as an additional part of scope/sequence. We feel guided, small group discussions/studies done in tandem with the sermons are a necessity (or highly recommended) – We do not want to tiptoe around difficult topics (based in 2 Tim 4:1-5), and we seek a deeper prayer life together.   An authentic, shared prayer life that is spiritually stirring is desired.

Suggestions:

Let’s let the topic of spiritual gifts rest for awhile.  The group feels that topic has been covered more fully than other topics in recent memory.
For summer, and perhaps longer, maybe a year? – basic belief sermon series and guided study series
After that – move to advanced topics built on the basic beliefs, inclusive of difficult topics that are pervasive in our culture.
Additional suggestions for next week’s agenda:
Revival in the fall?
CA and CK to continue to work out details of their ideas for hospitality, etc. so we can implement those soon.

Dream Discovery Process Conversation – 05012012

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Jeremiah 29

The Lord promises that he will redeem and restore the people of God. In the meantime, we are called to bless those around us –for “your welfare depends on the welfare of your community around you.”

THE FOUR STEP PROCESS

Our Quest From Numbers 1-3 & 13, we are instructed to “take a census of the people” (making an assessment of our group/congregation), and to “scout out the land” (making an assessment of our neighbors).

  1. Taking the Census: Compile the congregational data on internal needs, resources, and current energy focus.
  2. Scouting the Land: Gather community demographic information from Link2Lead and other sources. Survey the community regarding “ministry gaps” and untapped resources – door to door in the surrounding neighborhood, among our own neighbors and friends and our circles of acquaintance.
  3. Articulate a focused vision: within this vision diverse folks can find a place to be served and to serve.
  4. Determine how to live into that dream: In light of the needs and resources of congregation and community, (#1 & #2 above) how will we fulfill God’s call on our congregation (#3 above) – God’s dream for us of “a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11)? This will be a concrete plan with action steps to be carried out by a variety of smaller teams (the ministry and administrative committees, for instance) gathering probably monthly for celebration and calibration to keep on track.

PRAY: All of this of course is bathed in prayer and guided by biblical and theological reflection.

NEXT STEPS:

  1. Internal
    1. Needs – CA and CK
    2. Gifts – GP and TF
    3. Energies – KR and JM
  2. External
    1. Gather Demographic Info – KC
    2. Describe the “Door to Door” survey process – SJ & GW

*** Meet on Tuesday, 5/8 from 6:30-8pm at FGCC to share our results of this work and decide what’s next

In the meantime, we’ll keep in mind: a) How to get buy in from the congregation? If we are engaging them fully in the process, this won’t be a problem because the vision will be shared by them and grow from what God has placed in their own hearts and minds. B) Don’t take on too much. We will need to understand how the vision honors the capacities of the congregation – an honest assessement of “Internal Needs and Resources” will take this into account. C) Getting “back to basics”. The essence of our life of faith together is represented by our ministry areas – Worship, Fellowship, Member Care, Discipleship, Evangelism and Outreach – each of these need to be lived out deeply. D) To be “fed spiritually”. We need to recognize that this means different things for each of us. How do we help each person take responsibility for their own spiritual growth while also attending to the needs of one another?

THE DREAM: What do we recognize now as a part of God’s Dream/Vision for FGCC? Whatever else is true, it will be marked by: 1) a strong and central commitment to serving those outside the congregation – the church exists for the sake of the world. It will also be 2) rooted and grounded in a comprehensive life of prayer, bible study and theological reflection – the basics of formation for Christian discipleship.

Dream Discovery Process Conversation 05012012 pdf