We need leaders in the church--and I insist that every baptized person is a Christian leader somewhere--who know how to lay down their lives for others. We need leaders whoare engaged in daily ministry in the world, we need ordained leaders, and we need those who blur the boundaries. - p. 23
Did you leave the womb, or the family home, expecting to go where you are today? What odd places has God asked you to visit? What strange and wonderful ministries have beckoned you? - p. 26
Sometimes reality just smacks you in the face! ++Katherine's description of some of the parishes in the Diocese of Nevada sounds surprisingly like our own, here in Northwestern Pennsylvania. We are challenged, and we are small in number. While some of the urban parishes, and even parishes in small towns and bouroughs are holding steady and even growing, most of our smaller parishes in towns experiencing economic challenge or declining populations may not see out the decade.
And while we can all hope for numbers, and may experience positive results from church growth models and programs, the reality is this: we should not determine our success or failure by the numbers in the pews, but by our effectiveness as Christians working in the world. It is no longer the job of the ordained to merely guide you through worship on Sunday morning and then do the work of the church the other six days of the week. You are also Christ's hands in the world.
We are, each of us, called to respond to Jesus' call with whatever gifts or talents we are given, to make the world better than when we found it. At the end of the day, my prayer is always,
"Please, Lord, let me not only not break it worse than it was when I woke this morning, but also gift me in such a way as to make it somehow better, both for those whom I serve and for those who are yet to come."
We are Christians: ergo we are CALLED to MINISTRY. What is your ministry? To whom do you minister? How did you make the world better today than it was when you woke this morning?
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2 comments:
You have been asking some very difficult questions, Shawn. It has taken me a while to attempt to sort all this out and figure out where I fit in. This particular sermon has one phrase that really "got me"..."we need those who blur the boundaries".
I like to think I am one who blurs the boundaries. What I do in my ministry is quiet. I don't like to toot my own horn because what I do to make a difference is very private to me. So, when asked what did I do to make the day better, I can't answer that. I just know in myself that I did something that made the day better for someone.
My husband's late Mother used to say (and I carry her words with me every day now) "He/She might be Jesus." You just never know. Gives me goose bumps thinking that this one person could be Jesus.
What is my ministry? What have I been called to do in my life? I know that the talents I have help people on a daily basis. I am good at my job, which is important to people who need what I do. There is no room for error. This could be fatal.
I have experienced a calling from God, no questions were asked, I never hesitated. I was not afraid, I just did what He asked of me. And as a result, I have experienced deep humbelness, in taking my skills and ministering to the most needy people. Any one of those tens of thousands of people I saw in those few short days, could have been Jesus. I know you and John want to hear my story, want to learn of my experience. I still can't tell it yet. It is so private to me.
Funny thing though, I feel there is more. I believe I have had another calling. This one I haven't faced head on. This one I don't quite feel worthy. Who am I to say? But it becomes more clear every day. This one will take me from who blurs the boundaries into something less private.
Peace
K.
Praise God! I will keep you in my prayers for continued strengthening and growth in the Spirit. God's not in any hurry--be happy that you're on the path!
Peace,
Father Shawn+
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