the SIGNIFICANCE of insignificance

So I watched someone die last night…

Three weeks ago, I sat with a woman at the oncologist’s office and listened as he gave her 6-8 months of survival with her advanced cancer.  Last night, I got a call from a neighbor and sped to her home to spend the last 90 minutes of her life crowding around her bed and praying with her loved ones.

I’ve watched someone pass away before, but something struck me about last night.  Frances Wilkerson was THE matriarch of Mt. Bethel UMC (my church).  In the six months that I knew her, I came to know her as a strong woman that loved everyone she met and opened her doors to masses of people out of hospitality and genuine care.

I really believe she planned, to the day, when she would die.  I’ve never met anyone that had that kind of control, but she did.  After meeting with doctors and going through surgeries and tests, I believe she decided that she wanted to spend one more Christmas with her husband and her family and would pass on before her cancer could take her.  She even died with the same grace and beauty that she did everything else.  In about two hours time, she eased into the next life, painlessly and peacefully.

We go through life almost fearing death.  I’ve always heard people say that everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go tonight.  When you can be in the presence of someone that makes this transition and can be the one to commend her to Christ’s care, that fear disappears.  Sure, there’s hurt and it’s not the most fun I’ve had all year, but what an amazing moment in time when there is certainty that there is no more pain, no more sickness, no more uncertainty.  I smiled last night when Frances entered into the fullness of God.

If you are afraid of death or dying, why?  Is it because of the way you might go, or the where you might go?  Frances had no fear of either (I know this because we talked about it) and that she trusted Christ to take care of her, ESPECIALLY to the end.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” -Matthew 5:3

If you go back two weeks, I talked about beginning a series of posts about the crucial vision that I believe God has given me for Mt. Bethel.  Today, I begin part one of that vision.  Should you read this and have some additional insight, PLEASE don’t hesitate to make comments or to email me.

The interesting thing about vision is  that there is always a prophetic element to it.  As I prepare my sermon for Sunday, I’m studying Isaiah and his prophecies concerning the remnant of Israel, the judgement of Assyria, and the peace that will pervade the world.  There is no question that on spiritual gifts assessments, across the board, this is the area that  I always test the highest.  I certainly don’t say that to brag, as it tends to be more frustrating than exciting.  And I certainly don’t say that to deduce that I am a fortune-teller. 

As I contemplate this vision and how to communicate it to the church, I see that there are options:  the first is continued complacency and eventual death, the second is new methods and a new heart.  Neither option is  pretty, but God has declared that if we refuse to, he will make the rocks cry out instead.  Basically, if we choose not to take on a new life as a congregation, God will make a new start without us.  Our community is too ripe for harvesting for our self-centeredness to deny God’s will.

So, for this vision:  The first essential element in new life as a congregation will be  establishing and equipping strong and transformative leadership.  A protective leadership that is in survival mode will no longer do for this vision.  Leadership must exhibit the hope that is found in Christ and also the power. 

This need for leadership is the hinge on which the entire  vision is developed.  This year, we have made strides in establishing new leadership that will begin to look more objectively and optimistically at the future and current ministries of Mt. Bethel.  In some cases, this has meant moving some of the old guard into new, unfamiliar leadership roles where they will use past experience to re-learn ministry.  In  other cases, it has meant retiring some of the old guard and bringing in new leaders who have never been considered for any leadership position.  My new SPRC Chair had to be convinced that he has leadership qualities and would be better than one of the six eligible veteran candidates!  Older members have asked me from the first day why there haven’t been any younger leaders in the congregation since  they were young and my answer to them is this:  If you, as a leader, don’t disciple someone and call them into those roles, they’ll never have the confidence or awareness to do so. 

My challenge to all of my older members who want to retire from official leadership positions is to take 3 younger people, inside or outside the church - doesn’t matter, and disciple them. Take some time and go for coffee or buy them lunch.  Invite them into your life as you would a son or daughter and teach them what you know.  Compare the disciples early in the Gospels to the disciples  as  they ventured out in Acts and see the difference that discipleship makes.  Read through Timothy and see what it takes to bring up the next generation of leaders.

Our strong lay-leadership is vital to setting the communal vision, and keeping focus on Christ as we move into the future.  Without leadership, we are destined to wander in the wilderness and lose identity as a church.  With key leadership, we fulfill the great commission and live the greatest commandments.

That’s SIGNIFICANT.