what do you see?
July 29, 2018
John 6:1-21
A couple of days ago I posed a question (via email) to our church staff, and I chose email because I really wasn’t looking for immediate answers. Instead, my hope, as I shared in our staff meeting the next day was for us to begin dedicating time each week to discuss our thoughts in response to the question asked. It’s a question that I believe we all should at least think about, and once we think about it, I believe good healthy discussion should follow. Such good healthy discussion is exactly what happened as we began discussing our thoughts on the question I posed - “What makes a church GREAT?”
Like most questions I ask, quick answers were not my goal, as I really wanted everyone to think about it. I really wanted everyone to have an opportunity to sit with the question. So, I posed this question at the end of one day and let everyone know my intent was to take some time the following day to discuss, but as I said a second ago, this is a question that I hope we will continue to discuss in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
As our discussion began, I would say the thoughts being shared were more akin to broad generic statements and while these initial statements (a place that welcomes everyone, a place where everyone knows they are loved, etc.) were all true, I was looking for and continue to look for something more grounded and practical. The thing is in the midst of listening to those initial type thoughts, something beautiful happened. Something that left me full of wonder. In other words, something wonderful.
This wonderful thing began when Mark shared his belief that a church must continually ask itself why it exists, or why it is here because a GREAT church exists to be a reflection of Christ in everything it does. Whether it be a meeting, or VBS, or Community Night, or Choir Rehearsal, a GREAT church must remain focused on its mission of reflecting Christ and to do that it must be willing to ask why its here. Sadly, it seems, this question has a way of getting lost as we go about our days, which turn into weeks and months and years and then all of a sudden what was intended to be a church has in reality become a group more willing to reflect self, instead of being a reflection of Christ.
So, during our first small discussion on this large question, those of us present were reminded that a GREAT Church is one that must routinely ask itself why its here because it must routinely remind itself of being called to reflect the presence of Christ within the community it serves. In fact, everything we do should reflect the character of Christ. Questioning our very existence has profound implications if we are willing to reflect on the choices we have made and the choices we are currently in the process of making. Being forced to reflect on such a critically important question can lead to transformation and resurrection when we are open. On the other hand, if you discover that your answers are rooted in self-interests, or self- preservation, or just simply self, then a different, yet all important question will arise. Namely, are we willing to make the choices necessary to begin reflecting the Character of Christ, or will we keep trucking along serving our own self-interests until the wheels fall off.
For those willing to change to reflect the character of Christ, then it goes without saying that they must first be able to describe the character of Christ, and I believe the stories that make up our text for today offer pretty remarkable insights. Namely, in Jesus’ world those who are hungry get fed and those in need and scared never have to feel alone because he is present.
********************************
Before we go there though, I want us to imagine for a moment “… that Jesus has posed his test (vv. 5–6) in a typical contemporary congregation. Well in that scenario one might expect the (Deacons or the) trustees to echo Philip’s money–management concern, pointing out that the congregation does not take in enough revenue to support such a project. Those in charge of outreach might reinforce Andrew’s position, stating that the congregation has earmarked only a small percentage of its income for mission giving and the proposed project’s needs far exceed the allocated amount. The groups responsible for discipleship and worship may not even offer an opinion, as they are busy preparing for a fast-approaching religious festival. The building and grounds group may assist with seating everyone on the lawn, although some members might worry about the effects of this event on the property’s landscaping. It is likely that none of the congregation’s boards or committees would expect to participate in a miracle, as that is not what they signed on for.” [1] Those who do serve within the church, as well as those who show up to help, are more than likely serving out of a sense of duty. And when this is the overall reason for serving, reflecting the presence of Christ within the community isn’t even so much as a passing thought.
Sadly, in this hypothetical contemporary congregation, those who gather to do the work of the church don’t view that work as a venue for God’s glory and mercy to break forth in the world. They view it as a means to facilitate the congregation’s survival as an organization. “Their expectations and activities have lost their prophetic edge.” Their focus turns to their own survival, with the tiniest bit of hope that God will perform a miracle. The thing is, acting in that way isn’t a reflection of the presence of Christ. That is not what Jesus did in these stories. Jesus saw people in need and saw that it was possible to serve them.
For some, these stories begin and end with miracles, but what if the miracles are different than what we first thought. What if it was less about five loaves and five thousand people and more about the miracle that those who are hungry get fed when Christ is present? What if it was less about Jesus walking on water and more about the miracle of Christ’s presence when you are afraid?
What if we understood the character of Christ in this way? Would our work together be different if we deliberately shared in Jesus’ goal of revealing God’s power through each act of ministry? Would we make difficult choices about our worship and outreach activities if pointing to Christ’s abundance in response to human hungers was our ongoing mission? These stories suggest that the focus of ministry is not simply what good people decide is reasonable to undertake in order to meet basic needs. These stories suggest that ministry is about multiplying resources so that what might have been a social handout becomes a revelation of amazing grace. You see, “ministry should leave people exclaiming that prophets of transformation are active in the world, bringing hope to souls weary of oppressive social systems and values.” Ministry should be about seeing all of the possibilities when it comes to serving others. This is how ministry reflects the presence of Christ wherever it finds itself.
***************************
Over the past few days, I’ve seen numerous instances of great things happening when there is at least one person who sees the possibilities. Some of these instances are fictional, like the story of Donna seeing how a dilapidated farm house on a Greek island can become a beautiful hotel in the new Mama Mia movie. While others are true, like story of Robin Cavendish, as depicted in the movie Breathe. For those who don’t know, or have never heard of Robin Cavendish, he was stricken polio at the age of 28 and even though he was given only a few months to live, actually enjoyed a full life until his death at the age of 64. His polio left him paralyzed from the neck down and even though he initially wanted to die, with the amazing help of his wife, Diana and her vision of what their life could be, he… no they chose to live. Not only did they live, they lived life to the fullest and primarily because from that day forward Robin could see all that was possible. Not only for himself, but for others too. He also realized that everything he needed he already had. Whether that be family or friendships with people who could and would help, everything was already there. For instance, one day Robin sees his wife pushing their infant son in his stroller and upon seeing that he immediately sees a new invention that would change not only his life, but the lives of thousands of disabled people. What Robin saw that day became the first ever wheelchair with a mechanical ventilator, The Cavendish Chair and it did change the lives of the disabled.
And while neither of these movies is about being the presence of Christ within one’s community, I can’t help but see the similarities. Within all of them, someone has eyes to see the possibilities to serve others. Within all of them, someone has eyes to see that everything they need is right in front of them.
****************************
If we take seriously the call to reflect Christ within our community then our ministry should foster within us, an exploration of God’s ability to act, through us, in surprising ways. Our ministry should create environments which transform human expectations. Our ministry should be less about some sort of hocus pocus miracle and more about recognizing the needs right in front of us and figuring out what resources we have to meet those needs. Our ministry should be less about serving because we feel its our duty, and more about serving because someone needs us to and we are able. Our ministry should be less like the naysaying disciples who can’t see the possibilities, and more like Christ who looks around, sees the need, and then takes the necessary steps to meet that need. Our ministry should be less about doing what we’ve always done, and more about embracing new possibilities that present themselves. Our ministry should be less about our own reflection and more about our ability to reflect Christ.
Christ saw needs and Christ saw that it was possible to meet those needs. The question for all of us, today and everyday really, is what do you see?
Amen!
[1] All Quotes are attributed to Karen Marie Yust's Commentary found in Feasting on the Word Commentary, John 6:1-21, Pastoral Perspective
John 6:1-21
A couple of days ago I posed a question (via email) to our church staff, and I chose email because I really wasn’t looking for immediate answers. Instead, my hope, as I shared in our staff meeting the next day was for us to begin dedicating time each week to discuss our thoughts in response to the question asked. It’s a question that I believe we all should at least think about, and once we think about it, I believe good healthy discussion should follow. Such good healthy discussion is exactly what happened as we began discussing our thoughts on the question I posed - “What makes a church GREAT?”
Like most questions I ask, quick answers were not my goal, as I really wanted everyone to think about it. I really wanted everyone to have an opportunity to sit with the question. So, I posed this question at the end of one day and let everyone know my intent was to take some time the following day to discuss, but as I said a second ago, this is a question that I hope we will continue to discuss in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
As our discussion began, I would say the thoughts being shared were more akin to broad generic statements and while these initial statements (a place that welcomes everyone, a place where everyone knows they are loved, etc.) were all true, I was looking for and continue to look for something more grounded and practical. The thing is in the midst of listening to those initial type thoughts, something beautiful happened. Something that left me full of wonder. In other words, something wonderful.
This wonderful thing began when Mark shared his belief that a church must continually ask itself why it exists, or why it is here because a GREAT church exists to be a reflection of Christ in everything it does. Whether it be a meeting, or VBS, or Community Night, or Choir Rehearsal, a GREAT church must remain focused on its mission of reflecting Christ and to do that it must be willing to ask why its here. Sadly, it seems, this question has a way of getting lost as we go about our days, which turn into weeks and months and years and then all of a sudden what was intended to be a church has in reality become a group more willing to reflect self, instead of being a reflection of Christ.
So, during our first small discussion on this large question, those of us present were reminded that a GREAT Church is one that must routinely ask itself why its here because it must routinely remind itself of being called to reflect the presence of Christ within the community it serves. In fact, everything we do should reflect the character of Christ. Questioning our very existence has profound implications if we are willing to reflect on the choices we have made and the choices we are currently in the process of making. Being forced to reflect on such a critically important question can lead to transformation and resurrection when we are open. On the other hand, if you discover that your answers are rooted in self-interests, or self- preservation, or just simply self, then a different, yet all important question will arise. Namely, are we willing to make the choices necessary to begin reflecting the Character of Christ, or will we keep trucking along serving our own self-interests until the wheels fall off.
For those willing to change to reflect the character of Christ, then it goes without saying that they must first be able to describe the character of Christ, and I believe the stories that make up our text for today offer pretty remarkable insights. Namely, in Jesus’ world those who are hungry get fed and those in need and scared never have to feel alone because he is present.
********************************
Before we go there though, I want us to imagine for a moment “… that Jesus has posed his test (vv. 5–6) in a typical contemporary congregation. Well in that scenario one might expect the (Deacons or the) trustees to echo Philip’s money–management concern, pointing out that the congregation does not take in enough revenue to support such a project. Those in charge of outreach might reinforce Andrew’s position, stating that the congregation has earmarked only a small percentage of its income for mission giving and the proposed project’s needs far exceed the allocated amount. The groups responsible for discipleship and worship may not even offer an opinion, as they are busy preparing for a fast-approaching religious festival. The building and grounds group may assist with seating everyone on the lawn, although some members might worry about the effects of this event on the property’s landscaping. It is likely that none of the congregation’s boards or committees would expect to participate in a miracle, as that is not what they signed on for.” [1] Those who do serve within the church, as well as those who show up to help, are more than likely serving out of a sense of duty. And when this is the overall reason for serving, reflecting the presence of Christ within the community isn’t even so much as a passing thought.
Sadly, in this hypothetical contemporary congregation, those who gather to do the work of the church don’t view that work as a venue for God’s glory and mercy to break forth in the world. They view it as a means to facilitate the congregation’s survival as an organization. “Their expectations and activities have lost their prophetic edge.” Their focus turns to their own survival, with the tiniest bit of hope that God will perform a miracle. The thing is, acting in that way isn’t a reflection of the presence of Christ. That is not what Jesus did in these stories. Jesus saw people in need and saw that it was possible to serve them.
For some, these stories begin and end with miracles, but what if the miracles are different than what we first thought. What if it was less about five loaves and five thousand people and more about the miracle that those who are hungry get fed when Christ is present? What if it was less about Jesus walking on water and more about the miracle of Christ’s presence when you are afraid?
What if we understood the character of Christ in this way? Would our work together be different if we deliberately shared in Jesus’ goal of revealing God’s power through each act of ministry? Would we make difficult choices about our worship and outreach activities if pointing to Christ’s abundance in response to human hungers was our ongoing mission? These stories suggest that the focus of ministry is not simply what good people decide is reasonable to undertake in order to meet basic needs. These stories suggest that ministry is about multiplying resources so that what might have been a social handout becomes a revelation of amazing grace. You see, “ministry should leave people exclaiming that prophets of transformation are active in the world, bringing hope to souls weary of oppressive social systems and values.” Ministry should be about seeing all of the possibilities when it comes to serving others. This is how ministry reflects the presence of Christ wherever it finds itself.
***************************
Over the past few days, I’ve seen numerous instances of great things happening when there is at least one person who sees the possibilities. Some of these instances are fictional, like the story of Donna seeing how a dilapidated farm house on a Greek island can become a beautiful hotel in the new Mama Mia movie. While others are true, like story of Robin Cavendish, as depicted in the movie Breathe. For those who don’t know, or have never heard of Robin Cavendish, he was stricken polio at the age of 28 and even though he was given only a few months to live, actually enjoyed a full life until his death at the age of 64. His polio left him paralyzed from the neck down and even though he initially wanted to die, with the amazing help of his wife, Diana and her vision of what their life could be, he… no they chose to live. Not only did they live, they lived life to the fullest and primarily because from that day forward Robin could see all that was possible. Not only for himself, but for others too. He also realized that everything he needed he already had. Whether that be family or friendships with people who could and would help, everything was already there. For instance, one day Robin sees his wife pushing their infant son in his stroller and upon seeing that he immediately sees a new invention that would change not only his life, but the lives of thousands of disabled people. What Robin saw that day became the first ever wheelchair with a mechanical ventilator, The Cavendish Chair and it did change the lives of the disabled.
And while neither of these movies is about being the presence of Christ within one’s community, I can’t help but see the similarities. Within all of them, someone has eyes to see the possibilities to serve others. Within all of them, someone has eyes to see that everything they need is right in front of them.
****************************
If we take seriously the call to reflect Christ within our community then our ministry should foster within us, an exploration of God’s ability to act, through us, in surprising ways. Our ministry should create environments which transform human expectations. Our ministry should be less about some sort of hocus pocus miracle and more about recognizing the needs right in front of us and figuring out what resources we have to meet those needs. Our ministry should be less about serving because we feel its our duty, and more about serving because someone needs us to and we are able. Our ministry should be less like the naysaying disciples who can’t see the possibilities, and more like Christ who looks around, sees the need, and then takes the necessary steps to meet that need. Our ministry should be less about doing what we’ve always done, and more about embracing new possibilities that present themselves. Our ministry should be less about our own reflection and more about our ability to reflect Christ.
Christ saw needs and Christ saw that it was possible to meet those needs. The question for all of us, today and everyday really, is what do you see?
Amen!
[1] All Quotes are attributed to Karen Marie Yust's Commentary found in Feasting on the Word Commentary, John 6:1-21, Pastoral Perspective
