(audio version: click here)
Here we are, talking abouit light, again! Two weeks ago, we celebrated PCMK's calling as a "more light" church. Now we're reflecting more broadly and deeply on how we shine our light in the world. It's an exciting and challenging opportunity, "Daring Discipleship."
Some years ago, Hans Rudi Webeter wrote little book called "Salty Christians." It was almost an oxymoron. Ask any minister: SALTY is the last thing anybody expects from a clergy person. Even at PCMK, I've had people appologize to me for saying "damn." I once knew a minister who had a mouth (as they say) like a sailor. But we're not salty, like that.
But are we daring? Do we take risks? Preachers like to tease congregants to loosen up and take chances. But we don't expect much to happen. Like when I preached my first sermon here and invited you to move forward to fill in the front pews. Two people moved. And look here....
So today I'm NOT going to ask you to be "daring disciples." I want to challenge you, to plead, to cajole you into daring (verb, not adjective) discipleship. Try it!
As Gilbert K. Chesterton said, "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and not tried."
I had a phone call the other day from someone representing a Messianic Christian group who wanted to come talk about their mission to convert Jews to faith in Jesus. We had an interesting talk when I took the time to tell her WHY I didn't think it would work. I could have avoided it by politely saying "No thanks." But I wanted to be true to my own understanding. After some interesting discussion, I picked up on something she put out about the differences in our theory of the atonement, and said I thought she'd stated clearly where we differed and thanked her for her time.
Discipleship is simply being a follower of Jesus. Taking Jesus as our teacher. Enrolling in the Life-Lesson Academy. Adopting a set of values and views that are different from the values and views of our culture.
It has always been this way. It is first a process of formation in which we learn the basic Way Jesus taught. We become "Followers of the Way." And it is a process of re-formation as we examine our conduct in the light of Jesus' teachings.
It's tempting to imagine that discipleship is about believing certain things. But it's not about what we believe. It's how we live. The earliest disciples of Jesus were not called Christians but "Followers of the Way." It wasn't about theology but practice. To this day, I believe, God doesn't care what religion we follow. What matters is the way that we live.
It as interesting to discover that there is a fair amount of theological diversity within PCMK. Although none of us would say we're theologically "very conservative," we do have a range of views. A large majority of us disagree with the statement "Only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved." But 21% of us who have children at home would tend to agree, compared to 11% without children. While most of us believe that "God is directly involved in worldly affairs," there's a significant difference again between those who have kids at home. Those who would say God is not directly involved: 22% of those without children at home, 6% of those with children.
Is it necessary for us all to agree on theological questions in order to dare discipleship together? I don't think so. If discipleship means having orthodox beliefs, then maybe so, but as I've been saying, the heart of the matter is being students together with Jesus as our teacher.
So then, is it necessary for us to practice the same way? Again, I don't think so. There are many paths and practices associated with Christian life: prayer, meditation, scripture reading, participation in private and public worship, sacraments, doing good works. All of these are part of the practice of discipleship.
Salt of the earth! It's come to mean humble. Not a bad rep. for Christians. Light of the world? Has to do with truth and clarity. Seeing things as they are. This church IS both salt and light.
Sure, we got concerned when our score of 31% on our survey questions related to spiritual growth put us in the 6th percentile of all congregations. It doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with us. I don't think we're ready to be thrown out and trampled under foot. Of course we want to be above average in everything. And, yes, there's room for us to deepen and broaden this church's ministry.
We're getting close to Lent--quite late this year. (How we calculate it...)
One of the ways to deepen your discipleship is to take on some discipline as part of your preparation for Easter. I encourage you to attend the Lenten series on the Golden Rule. Share in the Wed. CD Supper and Study.
Indeed, if I could persuade you to try one thing to deepen your discipleship it would be to plan on attending the Lenten series.
Do unto others as you would have them... love your neighbor... don't do... There are so many versions. What I look forward to is exploring with you what that means.
We can dare discipleship together, without all needing to walk in the same theological paths. Thanks be to God!
Let us pray. O God, enliven our church for its mission. May we be salt for the earth and light to the world. Breathe afresh into your people, and we will live. Make us a community that shines with the light of Jesus and reveals your love in every word and action. Amen.
--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor
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