January 2010:
A new year brings with it new possibilities and opportunities. As we enter a new decade, I invite you to journey with me on an exodus to freedom. As a community of faith we have spent the past two years together struggling to overcome adversity. We have dealt with dwindling monetary reserves. We have dealt with a 16 year trend of declining attendance and membership. We have mourned as faithful members move to distant communities. In essence, we have experienced the pain of bondage - controlled by circumstances beyond our control.
Many wonderful steps have been taken to overcome our situation. New members have been welcomed, attendance has grown, monetary resources have allowed us to meet obligations, and there seems to be a new energy among us. A sense of hope continues to be realized in conversations as new ideas are shared with enthusiasm. Still, we find ourselves in bondage to many circumstances.
As I meditated on these thoughts I was reminded of the Israelite people suffering through the bondage of Egyptian slavery. The people entered Egypt in joy, finding salvation in that land. Unfortunately, just a few generations later found the people in servitude to a ruthless, oppressive government. The people were in bondage to circumstances beyond their control. It was into that situation that God sent a word of hope from Moses.
It is that word of hope that captivates me at this time of year. The people were told that bondage was not the intent of God. Instead, the intention of God for the people was freedom. Therefore, the people embarked on an exodus to discern God's desire for them as individuals and a community of faith.
It is that spirit that I have committed myself to spend this coming year in exodus. I want to discover what God is calling the community of faith called Covenant United Methodist Church to live out in the world. I don't think God wants us to be in bondage to circumstances that inhibit our ability to minister. God's word of hope comes in the liberating voice of Jesus, who calls us to be faithful disciples.
This journey will not be easy. There will be times of difficulty, and we will be challenged to overcome adversity. There will be moments of doubt, when we will admit that it would be easier to simply stay where we are and get by as best we can. There will also be times of uncertainty as we seek to discern God's will.
My sermons throughout 2010 will concentrate on the theme of exodus, and be guided by the lectionary passages. It is my hope that as a community of faith we will discover the new lace that God needs us to be as a people. I invite you to walk with me on this journey and allow God's Spirit to inspire us to more faithful discipleship.
Printer Friendly Format