Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you a different kind of fishermen. You will bring in people, not fish.” Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:19-20

My challenge today – and this happens often with my Monday morning post – is to make sure that what I write about church is not so much reporting as it is heart-level response.

I aim to share something that is new and fresh in my life because I was in worship, because I am experiencing community. The point of doing church is, yes, to worship God, but also very much to be open to the presence, and the touch, and the leading of the Spirit.

This week our congregation ordained and installed new elders to serve as leaders. This involves one of my favorite moments from the church year, when a first-time elder kneels at the front of the sanctuary, and we lay hands on him/her while Rebekah prays a powerful “prayer of ordination.”

There is always a positive charge of energy present that – typically – finds its way through the hearts and then the hands of those surrounding the new elder; something powerful and unarguably real happens, it flows through the hands of those praying, it moves into the person receiving ordination, and the presence of God is palpable.

Message:

Rebekah’s message focused on what it means to respond to God’s call – for any one of us; I have often thought about the fact that the essential beauty of Christianity is that God pursues us. 17th Century theologian/mathematician Blaise Pascal put it this way: “Jesus says, ‘Console yourself; you would not seek me if I had not found you.”‘

In the culture where Christ lived and taught it was common for students to consider the options and to select their Rabbi, to follow the one who most appealed to them. However, Rebekah pointed out, that’s not what happened with Jesus. It was Jesus who did the choosing. He said – he still says, “Follow me…” and the fishing people put everything else aside and they became disciples.

Likewise, and this message was very much directed at our church leaders, the church does not need volunteers, it needs people who listen to God and then respond to God’s call.

A favorite story:

Like one of my favorite stories. Rebekah was walking into her office and looked up to notice one of the church members – David – working on the roof.

• “What are you doing up there?” Rebekah called out.
• “I’m cleaning out the gutters,” he replied.
• “Why are you cleaning out the gutters?” she continued.
• “I’m cleaning out the gutters because I love Jesus!” he called back, confidently.
• “Wonderful,” she said. “Carry on.”

David understood the leadership culture Rebekah was cultivating. He wasn’t a volunteer, he was on the roof because he loved Jesus; and – in consequence – he followed Jesus. David knew the right answer.

Because we don’t want people cleaning out the gutters, or handing out bulletins, or making coffee, or working with the youth, or any other thing in the life of the church unless they are doing it in response to God’s calling on their life, doing it because they love Jesus… doing it because they follow Jesus.

We came to church Sunday morning to worship God. We installed a new class of elders. We shared the bread and the wine in communion. We shared the peace of Christ. This is church. If this is not your experience, please consider becoming a part of an authentic faith community and make your decision – renew your decision – to follow Jesus.

– DEREK