“State of the Church Address”
Colossians 3:12-17
Wakelee United Methodist Church
Pastor Greg Buchner
January 25, 2004
Purpose: As 2004 begins, we need to celebrate what we’ve accomplished, admit there are challenges that we face, and decide, in light of our mission statement, our response to those challenges.
Introduction –
In light of the state of the union, and state of the state addresses, I thought it would be intriguing to attempt a “state of the church address.” However, there will be some differences.
1. This message has nothing to do with politics, although it may challenge your political thought.
2. I am not running for re-election, although I am in many ways a representative of this church.
3. I do not expect applause or standing ovations, but an “amen” when you feel so led will suffice.
4. And last, but not least, I don’t expect this message to last 53 minutes, (this is where one of those amen’s would fit nicely).
This morning we’re going to look at three distinct things as we prepare ourselves as a congregation for the new year…
1. What we’ve done.
2. What challenges we face.
3. Our response to those challenges in 2004.
First, what we’ve done.
I took my 2003 calendar out to try to put some sort of list together. Over the past twelve months, as a congregation we have…(in no specific order)
…invited special speakers to our worship and Sunday school experiences from around the globe.
…we’ve prayed and seen answers to our prayers.
…we’ve been there when families, inside and outside of our congregation, needed us.
…we’ve celebrated the new birth of children with those in our community
…we’ve held district and conference classes.
…we’ve found ways to raise money in fun ways and even experiments with corn beef and cabbage.
…we’ve celebrated the baptism of our children
…we’ve been represented and participated in activities in other congregations.
…we’ve met for worship over sixty times in this sanctuary.
…we’ve met with in this building and others to be in prayer for ourselves and our community.
…we’ve sent representatives to conferences to learn, grow, and report back to us.
…we’ve supported the community around us through blood drives, emergency need help, Relay for
Life, CROP Walk, parenting seminars, CPR classes and other activities.
…we’ve had special programs provided by our children to remind us of the true meaning of the Easter
and Christmas holidays.
…we put on an awesome Vacation Bible School!
…we’ve packed bags for the Cass County Fair tent ministry, for door-hangers at Easter, for food at
Thanksgiving, and food and gifts at Christmas.
…we’ve met in meetings that provided direction for our ministry.
…we’ve invited those outside our church walls to join us for times of food and fellowship.
and the list could go on and on…
In many ways, the Wakelee United Methodist Church has “let the word of Christ dwell in us so richly…that whatever we’ve done in word or deed, we’ve done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Christ.”
In short, 2003 has been a busy year.
Second, what challenges we face.
And I expect that 2004 will be busy as well, bringing with its days opportunities and challenges that we will either respond to or neglect.
Just coming off two weeks of vacation, when we were enjoying that hot, Florida weather (ha!), my mind began to think back to 1998. As a fresh student, going into his first full-time charge, I am now able to say I may have been a little naïve.
The opportunities taken and challenges we faced together that year, and in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 are ones that I hope have made me a better pastor as well as Wakelee being transitioned into healthier congregation. I would like to think we’re moving toward perfection, as Wesley would say, together.
But there are some things that I’m not naïve about anymore…
1. I cannot do it alone nor can anyone else.
We, as a church, need to move beyond giving particular responsibilities to certain people, and
them let them suffer as they try to live out those responsibilities. If you’re sick of the phone calls, volunteer. If you want to experience helping others, not just to look good yourself, but to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Christ” then look for ways to link up to the Nurturing, Reaching Out, and Witnessing of which this church is apart.
Starting this year, I’m asking that each person who claims Wakelee Church as their church to find a place to be in ministry. Following a membership class starting next month, a four-part class will be offered starting in July that will deal directly with spiritual gifts and how those gifts fit into Wakelee’s mission.
In response to this shift in thinking, our nurture, outreach, witness, and education chairpersons have lost their chairperson titles. They are now nurture, outreach, witness, and education facilitators. Not people who oversee meetings and to-do lists, but those who assist others in the mission of our congregation.
In that same light, I am learning that my job as your pastor is not to fill the church calendar. My job is to facilitate those who call themselves the Wakelee Church to be better disciples, helping them to take their next step on their journey of faith. Paul said “let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body.” We are that body, together.
2. The second challenge we face is to make sure that everyone is represented and cared for in this body of Christ.
As I speak, the pastor-parish committee is beginning their search for a part-time assistant/youth pastor whose primary duty will be to build a solid youth program at Wakelee Church.
Those who are regular attenders, but not necessarily members, those people are often extremely active in the life of our church, deserve some representation in the decision making. To that end, the church council has placed a “non-member” member-at-large position on the church council/
And the last group, are those who once attended regularly, but no longer do. This week I will be
starting to telephone each home listed in our roster. First, to connect with those who may feel disconnected. Second, to give people the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings with their pastor.
When Paul told the Colossians to “put on love, the bond of perfection” this will be my attempt to accomplish just that. We need to make sure that everyone is represented and cared for in this body of Christ.
3. And our third challenge, which may be the hardest of them all, is to let God work through us instead
of us just working….
Bishop Lee in a recent article on the story of David and Goliath wrote,
“As we face the Goliaths, the challenges of our time, it is important for the people of God to know who we are. It is important that the Church be clear about what “fits” us, and what isn’t right for us.
It is a critical time for us to be authentic, as David was, and to continue to use the tools we have and know how to use, even in facing Goliaths. No matter how small and simple those tools may appear to be to others, or to us, at times, in confronting the challenges of our times they still work.
The tools of faith, prayer, hope and love never lose their power. They are still the most important elements of change, healing and transformation on the planet. Let us continue to use them with confidence knowing that it is God who gives the overcoming power.”
Our confidence doesn’t come from our own abilities and experiences. (Amen?) Our confidence lies in the One who created, the One who sustains, the One who redeems. As the bishop said, “faith, prayer, hope, and love never lose their power.” Let it be as we continue into this new year.
What will our response be.
The US Constitution says that “The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient….” (Article II, Section 3).
In that vein, this morning, I’d like to offer two “measures” as our corporate response to the message to the state of our church this morning. Both of these will be explained further in your next newsletter.
The first is called, “plus one.”
Over the next year I’m inviting each person to consider “plussing one” in the life of our church.
For example, invite one more person to church on Sunday than you did in 2003
or give one more hour to the church ministries
or attend church one more Sunday
or give an extra 1% more in tithes and offerings.
Find some ways that you can “plus one” in your Christian life in this new year.
The second proposal I make is actually an extension of our ten-mile outreach.
(the picture is of a satellite photo of Wakelee, approximately 1 mile in radius.)
At the church council retreat, I asked our church leaders to consider a five-mile radius around their homes as their ministry area. Today, I’m asking the rest of the church to do the same.
If you see a need, contact those in the need to see if we can help. And don’t hesitate to call me once you do.
Doing a five-mile outreach area may mean having a get together with all your neighbors inviting church folk to come along and mingle.
Doing a five-mile outreach area may mean having to get to know our neighbors.
Doing a five-mile outreach may open the door for someone to come and experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
I believe that 2003 was an awesome year for Wakelee Church. In it, we accomplished many things. In it, we nurtured one another, reach out to others, and witnessed to our faith.
But I will not believe that God is finished with us yet. In Wesleyan terms, we are still moving toward perfection. It is my hope that as we work with one another, as we make sure that everyone has a voice and is cared for, and as we allow God to continue to work through us, God will have something special for Wakelee to experience.
For great things he has taught us, great things he has done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son. But Purer and higher, and greater will be, our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let us, the Wakelee church rejoice! May we come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, and may what we do, think, and say give him the glory, great things he has done.
May God bless the people and the ministry of Wakelee United Methodist Church.
Will you join me in prayer?
Heavenly Father,
We give you thanks for the successes and challenges of a year past.
We give you thanks for the future successes and challenges of a year before us.
May all that we do, within this walls, and at work, home, and play, glorify you.
In the name of Christ we pray…Amen.
Closing Song - #98 – To God Be The Glory
Benediction
Grant us, O Lord, that what has been said with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and that what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Note: If for any reason you did not find this sermon helpful, please let me know by contacting me at gb@clergy.net. Your input will help me personally and my congregation as I learn professionally.
