Mark 1:14-20 (click on the scripture to read it)
Proclaiming is NOT enough!
The Church is a complex system of relationships. I’m not just talking about St. Paul’s; I’m talking about the Church worldwide; I’m talking about all the people who believe in Jesus Christ. We are a part of that complex system of relationships, a system that started with the words, “Follow me”.
Jesus came to Galilee and proclaimed the good news of God saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." First, John proclaimed this message and then Jesus proclaimed it too. Jesus proclaimed it; however, if proclaiming the good news was enough, all we would read about in the Gospels was how Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the good news. Then he went to Samaria and proclaimed the good news… and Capernaum proclaiming the good news, and Bethany and Caesarea Philippi and Jerusalem proclaiming the good news.
Proclaiming is not enough; simply telling people something is not enough. Jesus knew the importance of us to be in an actual relationship with God as well as actual relationships with each other. With this, Jesus takes a bold step and says, “Follow me.”
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, and James and John and as they walked away from the boats on the beach Jesus was no longer one; now Jesus was five.
As Rector, it is my job to report on how well we responded to Jesus when he invited us into relationship, when he said to us, “Follow me”.
The first step in following Jesus is to Worship. We are called to worship.
The 2011 Average Sunday Attendance was 135. This is the first time in at least the past 3 years that our attendance at Sunday worship has increased. This is good news. Our worship together builds our relationship with God and each other. The first and foremost reason this building exists is to give this community a place to gather together and worship. An Average Sunday Attendance of 135 is great…we are growing and our growth has to continue. The Average attendance for the first three weeks of December was more than 135 (excluding Christmas)…it was 153. (with Christmas is 176).
We need to celebrate our growth and we need to focus on our potential. Our previous Easter attendance is the measure of our current potential and our current potential is 350. We can celebrate 135 but what would it be like if we reached our current potential? What if we reached 350? To reach our potential we have to continue what Jesus started; as we are walking along we have to share our experiences of Christ and our experiences of St. Paul’s with others. We have to invite others into relationship. One of the other things Jesus said was “Come and see”. We can’t be afraid to say “Come and see”…it is simply an invitation, but if you are feeling really bold you can say, “Follow me”….walk with them and guide them into this new experience.
How are we doing with our Christian Formation/Education? This is has been a struggle for the clergy. We design classes and offer them. There have been some that were well attended, but more often just a few attend, or even at times none show up. I think because of this, we have offered fewer adult formation opportunities, and I take responsibility for this. If we don’t offer them you can’t take them. I will strive to do better in this area.
How is our outreach? How are we at taking our faith outside these the church walls? From what I see, as a parish we are going great things. Through the food pantry we fed over 32,000 people this year and that is 10,000 more that last year. This is good news! But the good news is not just coming from our food pantry. What I have learned in being in relationship with you is that you are participating in outreach ministry beyond the things associated with St. Paul’s. You are doing ministry in your everyday lives. This is good news.
What about our fellowship? I think for a lot of us we are doing this quite well, but I know there is growth to be had. We need to continue to share our lives with each other beyond Sundays and beyond special parish events. When we get to know each other and strengthen our relationships, we strengthen the Body of Christ.
How are we serving God in general? What is your ministry? Some of you have more than one. Does your ministry give you joy and energy? It should…we don’t do ministry out of obligation; we do ministry out of response to God grace. If your ministry does not bring you joy then it is time to explore a new ministry. We all are ministers of Christ, and we all need a ministry. Some ministries are behind the scenes like altar guild or prayers and squares quilting group. Other ministries are more out in front and physical like working in the food pantry or acolyting. All ministries are equal we just have to find the right one for each of us.
If you did not have an answer when I asked about your ministry, then it is time to find one…it is who we are called to be.
Every Church in every denomination is struggling right now. They too are struggling with membership and finances. They too are having to cut positions and clergy. The communities that will survive will be those who continue to remember who they are called to follow. Those who survive will not get locked up in fear about what might happen or guilt about what they should or should not have done. The faith communities who survive will keep their eyes, ears, hearts, and hands open as they stay focused on following Christ…and then have the courage to not only follow, but to lead God’s people by word and example into a healthy relationship with God.
Amen.
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