A Church On The Move

So what does it take to move a church from its 57 year old resting place to a new location? Well, you can ask officials at North Carolina Central University in Durham. That's because Holy Cross Catholic Church, one of the oldest African American Catholic Churches in the state, is moving from its former resting place on Alston Avenue to a new home on the corner of Formosa Avenue - two blocks away. I am amazed that a stone structure can be moved at all, much less in one piece, but such is the case with this historic structure. This causes me to reflect on the tendency for churches to become

immovable, unchanging and unwilling to adapt. Someone has noted that the mantra of many churches is: WE'VE NEVER DONE IT THAT WAY BEFORE! How is it possible that a movement that started 21 centuries ago under the name of THE WAY can become like the sign on a small town church cemetery gate? The wrought iron fence of the cemetery contained a message to aid drivers, but a prophetic message for us as well: DEAD END EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS. What will it take to move us out from behind closed doors for fear of _____? Yesterday a ministerial colleague told me about a providential trip he made the same day to a local pawn shop. His practice is to wear a clergy collar when he makes hospital visits. The stop at the pawn shop was to help pay a utility bill for a family in need, but the results of his visit were monumental. The collar made him enough of a target to enter into a 40 minute conversation with two persons in the store. In actuality, he was given a 40 minute opportunity to join Jesus in a pawn shop. The dialogue (witness) which ensued is one he hopes to build on in the days and weeks to come. Through his experience, Wesley's words, "The world is my parish." have taken on new meaning for both of us. What does it take to move the church from a specific address to a mobile, merciful, missional influence?? The answer is as close as the mirror in your bathroom. Take a long look and you'll see the answer.....

The church is not a building.
The church is not a steeple.
The church is not a resting place.
The church is a people

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In Christ,

Jon(themethodist)

Rebuild?

In December I traveled to Biloxi/D'Iberville, Mississippi, and witnessed the state of affairs since the hurricane altered reality for so many almost five years ago. This photo stands as a reminder of the norm more than the exception. In this neighborhood, the neighbors are all but gone. The houses which once were homes are slow in returning. Lot after lot looks just like this......Sidewalks...leading to steps....with porches.....and nothing attached. There are decisions to be made, and there are decisions already made. Those without adequate insurance whose busineeses closed as a result of the storm have moved away.....trying to start anew...... somewhere. Others have stayed in the area, but are losing hope of a day when a house can once again be attached to their sidewalk and steps. This seems to take the spit and shine off of "The American Dream", huh? In the 6th chapter of Nehemiah we read of the Hebrew leader (Nehemiah) who is exiled with his people in Persia. The city of their faith (Jerusalem) has been left desolate and fallen in disrepair since their captivity. But one day Nehemiah gains the favor of the Persian King. Soon he finds himself returning to the "homeland" on a mission from God. Job #1 is restoring the broken down walls which surround the city. He enlists the aid of many in his quest for restoration.

As with any mission there are detractors within and without. It's the outside detractors who pose Nehemiah with the greatest challenge. There are those who stand to profit from the plummeting real eatate values if the market remains in a state of disrepair. And so it is in the 6th chapter that Nehemiah is called by these detractors to leave his mission and come to meet with them on the plains of Ono. Nehemiah's famous response to their unholy plans is classic

:I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?

The Raleigh District pledged to the people of D'Iberville that we would not come down until the great work we are partnering in is finished. There are temptations to do so, but we press on in this mission to rebuild. In the months and years ahead I hope many will join those who are steadily taking on this monumental task. Will you join us on the wall???

Still In ONE Peace,

Jon(themethodist)

Theology of The Hammer

What a great day for a Habitat For Humanity house dedication! This morning at 10am the churches comprising "The Power of Seven" gathered on Pineview Drive in Garner for a celebration of the completion of the Karogi family's new home. The driveway was practically full of participants as Veronica Bitting and the Wake Habitat leadership guided our time. The congregations of 1st UMC Garner, 1st UMC Fuquay-Varina, Hollands UMC, Holly Springs UMC, Mt Zion UMC, St Andrews UMC, and Sunrise UMC linked their hearts, hands and resources to make this dream come true for a family that arrived in the Triangle only three years ago from their homeland of Kenya. All the pastors were present and several members from each church. The Mayor of Garner, Ronnie Williams, and a Town Council member were present as well. It was a day of dreams celebrated and lots of laughter shared. These seven congregations are to be commended for pointing the way. Today we celebrated the connection of UMs in the best of ways. What would happen if the other churches in our District decided to do the same? What is possible when churches choose to partner intentionally for the sake of others???? As we concluded our dedication celebration and worship, all who gathered shared in the following affirmation. I hope it challenges you in the same ways it is challenging me.

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people so that we may work for economic justice for all people.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, hunger, homelessness and rejection so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy, and may God bless enough with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what many claim cannot be done.

Still In ONE Peace,

Jon(theMethodist)