Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Flying Forward, Looking Back

Oh, you must worship with us this weekend as we Dare To Fly! Once again, you might be hard pressed to find the connections between our theme and scripture, but trust me, they are there and we will be blessed as we explore them together. Additionally, we will celebrate Mother's Day, and I encourage you to bring not only your moms to church, but also bring all of the special people who have nurtured and inspired and been "like a mother" to you. And of course, I offer a special invitation to all of you who are mothers, who show through your words and actions the amazing love of Mother God.

We have all that to look forward to, but I'd like to change directions and invite you to look backward with me for just a moment.

Last month, our MCC Board of Elders met in what we were led to expect would be a landmark meeting in respect to the challenges that our denomination is facing and the changes that might need to be made. We were asked to pray specifically for our Elders to have the courage and wisdom to let themselves be inspired--filled with and moved by the Spirit.

I think all of us who heard Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson's sermon on the Sunday immediately following and then read her pastoral letter on that Monday believed that indeed, the Sprit had moved among our leaders and they were renewed and refocused and ready to lead us into a new day.

Since then, Rev. Elder Wilson has released another
pastoral letter, this one with more detailed information about what our new provisional structure will look like and how our elected leaders will work with other denominational staff and with churches to enact some of the changes they have envisioned.

I remind you of all this for several reasons. First, I want you to know that this is not about "they" or "them" but about "we" and even "I." If you give of your time, talent, and treasure to an MCC church, you are not only part of but an important part of MCC. MCC Churches are first and foremost a fellowship in which all of us are welcome to bring our gifts and voices to the communion (common) table. If you don't know in your heart that you are vital and included in our dream of "Tearing Down Walls, Building Up Hope," then you just haven't "gotten" it yet. But don't worry, we'll stick with you till you do!

Second, I remind you of all these significant events so that you will continue praying. Many of us are more "acute" pray-ers than we are "chronic" pray-ers. In other words, something comes up that freaks us out or demands our attention and we start to pray. However, when the immediate crisis is eased, we often turn our prayers to other needs or even drop them altogether. This time, let us be chronic pray-ers, and let's pray for our fellowship and our leaders without ceasing.

Finally, I raise these thoughts because I want you to know that the health, mission, and vision of MCC Churches is very important to your local MCC Austin leaders. What happens at the denominational level matters to us greatly, and we are committed to offering input on, responding thoughtfully to, and supporting prayerfully and practically our denomination and our leaders. This does not mean that we accept all decisions and directions without questions or even, when appropriate, challenges. Rather, it means that we constantly affirm that we share the same goals for our united ministry and that we encourage and demand the best that can be offered from our leaders and ourselves.

I leave you with these three questions today: First, will MCC Churches succeed in Tearing Down Walls and Building Up Hope because MCC Austin is helping lead the way by becoming a Church Without Walls? Or will MCC Austin succeed in becoming a Church Without Walls because MCC Churches are helping lead the way by Tearing Down Walls and Building Up Hope? And finally, does it matter?

I can only answer the third question. It doesn't matter at all how these things are accomplished as long as they are. May we continue as individuals and as a body to be led and inspired and graced by God.

Dios Te Bendiga,