Lent: 3/25/09
March 25, 2009
Genesis 50:15-26
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Mark 8:11-26
“Whole in Our Brokenness”
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
The Church is a complex living organism. It shares the mysterious incarnational nature of her Lord. The Church is born of the Spirit, but takes on human flesh and is present in the midst of humanity.
The Church is a sign, foretaste and instrument of the Kingdom on earth. The Church founded on the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord we are told will prevail even against the gates of Hell itself. The Church is indestructibly ancient and eternally new.
However, the Church is also a very human institution made-up of fragile and frail human beings. The Church can be a visible reminder of human brokenness; fear, sin and humanities need for divine grace and forgiveness. This is not always a liability or fatal flaw. It is precisely in our weakness that the strength of God might be experienced. It is in our foolishness that the wisdom of God might be revealed. It is in our brokenness that God might bring forth a wholeness that exceeds our human capacity. It is as a people of God that we lay claim to many of the promises of Jesus found throughout the Gospels. Hidden in the blandness of our English translations of Scripture are covenant oaths made not to individuals but to the Church. A prime example of this is found in Matthew 28:20 where Jesus says, “And remember, I am with you (plural) always (beginning now and continuing forever), to the end of the age.” This promise of the abiding presence of Christ is not made to just the disciples gathered in the presence of the newly resurrected Lord, but is an eternal word of God to the Church in all times and places.
The power of the Church in any age and location is found in the complementary gifts of the Holy Spirit. To be the Church that we are called to be, (the Church that the world needs us to be) requires every member to work together for the common cause of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Too often we have to be reminded that one person or one group of people are not the Church. All baptized Christians are ministers of the Gospel. Every member is important and necessary for us to live out our destiny. When one member suffers, we suffer together. When one group is ignored or marginalized, we become weakened in our witness and effectiveness to lead others to Christ.
It has been said that it takes a village to rear a child; well, it takes a congregation to rear a healthy and whole Christian. The responsibility of the Church from age to age is to help cultivate the Spiritual gifts unique to each individual and employ them in such a manner as to build up the members, the Church, and the Kingdom. This is done in the ancient three-fold practice of noticing, naming and nurturing.
As a community of faith, the church has a power of discernment that exceeds the ability of an individual to identify latent spiritual gifts. It is over time and in various settings and acts of ministry that the church starts to notice where an individual’s interest, passion, and inclinations intersect with the needs for the community and the Gospel. It is through continual participation in many different acts of worship and service that the congregation comes to notice where a certain individual is able to bring a greater level of excellence to the ministry of the church. It is for this reason that we are continually obligated to have as many persons as possible engaged in as many different types of ministry as possible. To this end the church must become creative and patient so as to open the doors of ministry to everyone.
Having notice a potential of excellence in an individual, it is the duty of the church to name the gifts and graces that have been exhibited in the life and ministry of the church. It is often the case that what is obvious to the congregation, is obscure to the individual. Naming takes place informally in conversations and small group settings and formally in nominations to various committees and commissioning for various ministries. Naming can be informal like an offhand comment in a sermon or request for an individual to take the lead on a certain project or formally in ordination or instillation into a church office.
Having first noticed and then named a spiritual gift manifested in the life of an individual, the church then turns to the process of nurturing the gifts and graces of an individual from bud to flower to mature fruit. This can be a life long process that requires patience and perseverance from both the congregation and the individuals in question. Each of us mature at different rates and most of us are in the process of nurturing several different spiritual gifts at different stages of our life or even at the same time. It is here that the church must give special attention and opportunity for latent gifts to become overt. We all need opportunities to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from both success and failure. Here the church must balance support with accountability in order for us to grow competent and confident in our unique fields of ministry.
If we are faithful in our responsibilities of noticing, naming and nurturing; we discover the church to be more vital in worship, active in missions, and effective in ministry than would be possible other wise. We discover a church that is stronger, larger and much more effective than just the sum total of our individual, frail and all too human parts. This is the will of God for the Church, the world, and each of us who would be disciples of Jesus Christ.
This day let is meditated on the ways in which God is building the body of Christ through the unique gifts of the Spirit bestowed on each individual. How are we noticing, naming and nurturing each other for the building-up of the Kingdom? How can we provide greater opportunities for each person to bring their gifts to fruition in the life and ministry of the local church and the Church universal? Where is God causing your gifts and graces to overlap with the needs and opportunities for service to and proclamation of the Gospel? How can you become more effective and active in the service of Christ? What opportunities or training do you require in order to become an integral part of the congregation? Consider talking to your pastor about these things. You might be surprised how willing they are to put you to work! Often it is avaiblity that opens the door to ability. It has been said that God seldom calls the qualified, but qualifies the called.
Let us pray…
Blessed Jesus, Head of the Body:
To all laity who give leadership to the church
grant faith and understanding
such that they may guide your people
with a spirit of gentleness
and with their eyes fixed upon your glory.
Let them do nothing for personal gain
or reputation,
but everything to fulfill the mission
you have set before us.
To all clergy who have taken responsibility
for the care of your church,
give a love for the people of God
equal to a love of the Gospel.
Let no discouragement of spiritual weariness
overtake them
and no temptation be put in their way
that they cannot resist.
Enable them to trust you
and serve your with gladness
all the days of their lives,
This we ask for the sake of the world you love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
– Adapted from Laurence Hull Stookey’s
This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer
An additional request for prayer…
As you may know, Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for Church Membership and for renewal or our covenant with God. Therefore, I ask you join me in prayer over the coming days for those who are preparing for Church Membership. Lift each confirmation class and it members and leadership. Remember those who are considering making a public confession of faith and receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Support and affirm those who feel called to remember their baptism or renew their commitments to Christ and the Church. Pray for those who are looking for ways to deepen their relationship with God and expanding their ministries within the church and community.
Easter Morning is the most appropriate time to receive persons into the body of Christ by baptism and profession of faith. It is also the perfect opportunity to recommit ourselves to the task that lies before us. But the road between here and Easter runs through the wilderness, the cross, and the grave. Pray for me and my clergy brothers and sisters. Pray for each other and for the Church.
Consider sponsoring a new member. Consider renewing your own covenant with God. Consider how God might bring forth new life for us all this coming Easter. And of course I will be praying for each of you.