Psalm 135:1-21
2 Samuel 17:24-18:8
Acts 22:30-23:11
Mark 11:12-26
Psalm 97:1-12
In Mark's gospel Jesus makes the fig tree wither - from the inside out, from its root. The fig tree people have depended upon for fruit and nourishment. "It's not the season for figs," he says, and Jesus kills it. Next, he turns the robbers out of the temple, killing the enterprise of their religious institution. Then he calls the people of God to "have faith in God," and pray for all the nations. And he promises these prayers will be answered if there is no doubt about God's power. God's power alone.
I spent the last 5 days with over 1,000 PC(USA) Presbyterians at back-to-back conferences. One about reforming the denomination, from the inside out. The second fleshing out what it means to be missional, from the inside out. Many of the same people were at both.
I was lifted up at the second put on by a new movement called Presbyterian Global Fellowship. I attended last year at the first conference they held. I was renewed and restored there, for as some of you know, I have been hurt and discouraged by some of the actions in our Presbytery, and the responses to them, from all sides. It was a joy to be with pastors, elders from other Presbyteries, and Christians from all over the globe, who are joyful. Who are working together putting their prayers, energy and time in bringing the Kingdom to bear over all the nations, rather than wrangle about dominion. We spoke little about matters PC(USA), and heard about the fruit of missional hearts and minds in other places and Christian fellowships and ministries: Australia, the middle east, inner cities and suburbs, China, Mexico, Africa. How much bigger is the Kingdom than one Presbytery, or USA denomination! I know that, but I needed a witness, Amen!
In the context of mission to the world, Jesus says whatever we pray for, it will come to be, by faith in God, the Misseo Dei, the God who goes out and calls us out of what binds us. Sex slaves will be freed, their oppressors brought to justice, fresh water will reach thirsty people in Africa, India, there will be peace in the Gaza, the Chinese Christian church will continue to grow, the crack addicts will find hope, and fatherless children will be loved. It will happen by faith in God alone, not faith in any institution, no matter how much fruit it has born in the past. Perhaps it is no longer the season for denominations as we know them. I think God is providing new fruit for the missionaries of the gospel to feed upon, and it tastes sweet to me.
I was excited to be affirmed in many of the things we're doing at SBPC: small groups, covenanting to read the Bible, and fostering new partnerships in mission. What struck me more than anything was to be reminded that mission happens through investment in authentic relationships, reaching out to bless and eat with strangers, leaving the comfort zone, and letting the Lord kill what is no longer bearing fruit in ministry and in hearts. It happens by loving each other and the world, and loving and forgiving each other.
I gathered with Presbyterians who repented of our ignorance and arrogance, who are willing to let the Lord kill the roots of institutionalism, risk dying from the inside out, and trust God alone. I needed that and thank God for His grace and encouragement in the midst of my angst.
On another note, I know many, many people are reading this now from my blog stats. This blog is indeed a public forum, of sorts, and a kind of personal journal of the heart. It is not intended to be always rational, always correct, and always agreeable, because it is human. It is intended to be a place I can be honest about my pain and anger, as well as my joys and love of Jesus, and what I discern to be happening around me. Personal honesty is not always kind, as we see from Jesus' actions many times. As well as the disciples, who got it wrong more than once too. One of you suggested after I disclosed my feelings, that I wait and write my blog when I'm not so discouraged or tired and angry when I can misconstrue motives. I'm sorry if I have miscontrued anyone's motives who love Jesus. And I do write when I'm uplifted and filled with hope and joy and peace. I commend that reading to you as well.
But I will continue also to share my heart - misguided as some of you might believe it is. I regret deeply that the only time I ever hear from most of you is on my blog, mostly through anonymous comments when I'm being controversial, or perceived as divisive or wrong. You are attacking each other anonymously too on my blog. Meanwhile, there is no real reaching out going on to each other.
I'd love this to be a forum for sharing the love and hope of Christ together, and caring for each other once in awhile in the middle of cosmic change in our world, as we all wait the final coming of the Kingdom. Then we'll learn how much we all really missed the mark.
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4 comments:
Pasor Lyn -
I love your blogs. In a world that is beset with sensationalism (just watch the news), it is no surprise that people most often respond when it deals with controversial issues regarding faith. Although many of us praise, worship and work in groups and congregations, ultimately faith is personal. People therefore take it personally if an opinion is different than theirs.
Your blog shows your humanity. Pastors face the same joys and frustrations as the rest of the world. The Trinitarian God leads us with the help of very human pastors. Thank you for honestly sharing your love for the Lord, your passion for mission, and at times your frustration with the beaucracy that we humans have created.
Jan Sparling-Herring
Thanks Jan - May God be with us all as we see where God is leading SBPC and the church. Thanks for your grace and your care. Please continue to pray for the church - the whole church universal, and our faithfulness to the radical Christ.
Pastor Lyn, Jan hit the nail on the head: SBPC is led by a human with all the frailties that accompany humankind. We are fallen but filled with the Holy Spirit. We often feel we are in the dark, yet according to scripture, walk in light. We stumble around, yet the way has been made smooth. Contradictions are a part of Christian life. The tension between the now and the not yet. You are one among countless believers who lives in that reality. Your honesty is welcome, even if it is uncomfortable for some. And God leads you and loves you just as you are. Of that I am certain.
I checked out the missional article about the church being a terminal to launch folks into the world. It was awesome. It is true that we concern ourselves with numbers rather than equipping people to serve Jesus in the world, making a difference there. People will come to the church to be discipled if we go out and draw them in like Jesus told his disciples to do in his parable about the banquet in which people from the highways and countryside were compelled to come and feast.
When all have dined, we can again go out and search for more who need to feed on Christ. God will provide for the church that is missional. Church growth and missions go together. It will take a shift in thinking to get there, but we can do it.
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