Opportunity

What? Another blog post on the situation in the United Methodist Church? From someone who left the United Methodist Church? Can’t you please just move on?

Yes, I probably should move on, but honestly, it’s hard to simply walk away from an institution that was an integral part of my life for over 50 years…an institution that shaped me spiritually and theologically…an institution in which I still have many friends and acquaintances…an institution that I loved for so, so long. That, and when I write a blog about the United Methodist Church, my readership generally explodes, so there’s that!

Everyone (well, almost everyone) who reads my blog is reasonably familiar with the recent decisions of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church that has many UM traditionalists reassessing their prospects of remaining United Methodist, so I’m not going to rehash those General Conference decisions here. You can find all the information you want here and here if you need to revisit those decisions.

What I am going to suggest to my traditionalist friends who adopted the “wait and see” approach (and now find themselves considering what’s next) is that you may be in a season of wonderful opportunity, and to encourage you to embrace the opportunity that lies before you. I’m suggesting there really is a bright side to the situation in which you find yourself.

Opportunity #1

If you are a traditionalist in the United Methodist Church, the recent decision of General Conference has forced you to the margins of both the institution and the culture. Being on the margins is a good thing. The Church has always flourished best on the margins.

You are now in conflict with “the system.” Well, that’s exactly where Jesus was when he established His ministry on earth. The “power” dynamic has flipped. That’s a scary (and terribly uncomfortable) place to be. Traditionalists have been accustomed to palace living. What do I mean?

Ever since the Edict of Milan in 313 A. D. (when Emperor Constantine “legalized” Christianity), the institution of the Church has enjoyed relatively “favored” status in the culture. The palace (the power structure) looked favorably on the Church. Likewise, traditionalists were part of the structures that maintained the institution. It is relatively safe to say with GC’s recent decisions, that is no longer the case. You are on the margins.

Should you and your congregation choose to remain in the United Methodist Church, you and your congregation can be like “a voice crying in the wilderness” (John 1:23, et. al), or as a remnant left behind in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52) to tend the vineyards and till the soil.

Opportunity #2

If you are a traditionalist congregation in the UMC, you may now be forced to deal with your “edifice complex.” You now have to assess just how much your property is worth to you. That is a good thing.

The Church has never been about a building or property. The Church has always been about people.

Yes, I know it is sad that you, your forefathers and foremothers poured your life and soul into a building and property. You made the investments. You raised the money. You made the commitment to pay the debts.

Your parents and grandparents were buried there. Your children were baptized there. You were married there. There are too many memories to count. That property carries a ton of emotional weight and the prospect of walking away from it generates an equal amount of grief.

Considering the emotional worth of your property forces a reflection on the purpose and mission of the Church, and that is a very good thing.

It can take the focus off the parking lot and put the focus on people. It can take the focus off the color of the carpet and place it on the process of discipleship. It can provide the opportunity to create new spaces that will be attractive to new people.

Can you imagine what a church budget would look like if 50% of it was dedicated to evangelism rather than light bills and maintenance?

Yes, leaving your property will require sacrifice (and it will seem totally unjust), but what is the Christian life apart from sacrificial living? The greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessing. What is the price of faithfulness?

And, who knows? Walk away from your property for a season and you might be able to purchase it back in the future for pennies on the dollar. I recall a time in the not too distant past when a particular Annual Conference was begging cemetery associations to form legal entities so it could unload abandoned properties and get them off the AC’s books.

Tons of abandoned properties will soon be an albatross around the necks of many Annual Conferences. Some have even explored the possibility of hiring additional Conference staff just to manage the properties. That will get old (and expensive) really quickly.

Seriously, beyond a few properties (mostly in downtown areas valued by real estate developers), there is little value in church property, especially if there is a cemetery attached to it.

You are being given that opportunity to revisit the purpose and mission of your congregation. Embrace the opportunity.

Opportunity #3

I believe that traditionalist congregations in the UMC are now being given the opportunity to rely on God in a new way. In the past, congregations had a power structure (the Annual Conference) that it depended upon for direction and connection. A departure from the power structure brings a new freedom to listen to the Lord for direction.

In the past, top down decisions dictated the direction and the leadership of a congregation. I am intimately familiar with one former UMC congregation who is living this reality even now. In the “good old days,” if they needed a pastoral change they conferred with the District Superintendent and the issue was resolved.

Now, in their search for a new pastor, the prayer life of the congregation has increased dramatically. Everyone is praying for the congregation’s leadership as they navigate the new waters of pastoral selection. They are living in an era of reliance on God in ways they never had to before. That is an amazingly good thing!

The congregation is out of its comfort zone, and that is the place where great things can happen.

One Consideration

One thing that I’ve been reflecting on has me concerned. It may surprise you. It is the name “Methodist.” Yes, what an amazing heritage and history! I have always been honored to be called Methodist, even if (or especially because) it was originally a derogatory reference.

I am concerned for all in the Wesleyan family who carry the name Methodist because the observing world doesn’t distinguish between those in the Methodist family. The world doesn’t know the difference in a United Methodist, an Evangelical Methodist, a Free Methodist, a Wesleyan Methodist or a Global Methodist. The world only sees “Methodist.”

The challenge is for all of us to be intentional in communicating who we are to a watching world. Of course, that should have been the challenge all along.

A Final Word

There are probably more opportunities for congregations. These are just the ones I’ve thought about as I’ve reflected on the situation. If you know more, please include them in the comments for others who might read the blog.

Traditionalists, you wanted to “wait and see.” Well, you waited and now you’ve seen. It is time to make a decision about where God is calling you in the future. Embrace the season. Embrace the challenge. Embrace the opportunity. But always, keep looking on the bright side!

Until next time, keep looking up…

Here are a couple of questions to ponder:

What obstacles are in your path today? What is keeping you from making the changes you know need to be made in your life?

I don’t believe there are any of us who doesn’t need to change something in our lives. At the very least, we should want to be a better example of a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that invariably necessitates change.

Others who are reading this may be exploring faith, investigating whether you’ll accept the claims of Christ, and place your trust in Him. You know something needs to change in your life, but you’re uncertain what it may be. Some others are thinking about priorities in your life, knowing there are changes that need to be made. Still others are struggling with job issues, or relationship issues that call for something to change.

The Difficulty of Change

Change is difficult, even under the best circumstances. I won’t belabor that point here. I’ve written about that the previous two weeks (click here or here), but change is made more difficult after, having prayed, made the decisions and taken the first steps of faith, we encounter obstacles that seem too big to overcome.

It happens to us individually. After we’ve come to faith in Christ, having been assured our lives will be better, we soon discover that life didn’t get much better at all. We actually discover there are more challenges after coming to faith than there were before we came to faith.

Change is difficult for organizations, too. Having in recent years purchased an existing business and inheriting a staff, I’ve discovered how hard it is for organizations to adapt to new leaders (and new leaders to adapt to existing staff).

It’s also true of churches that make decisions to change directions, or to make transitions in worship or facilities or leadership. Weeks, months, or even years of planning go into getting ready for the changes, and as soon as that “cross-over” is made, the obstacles spring up, seemingly out of nowhere.

Life is filled with obstacles that keep us from being all God called us to be, either individually or corporately. How do we face the challenge of overcoming the obstacles life puts in our way? That’s the question I’m pondering this morning.

Israel’s First Obstacle

The Old Testament book of Joshua tells the story of the nation of Israel “crossing over” to possess the Promised Land. They have encountered changes both in leadership and in their culture. Their leadership changed from Moses to Joshua, from a shepherd/manager to a military general, and the change brought its own degree of uncertainty as the nation crossed over into the Promised Land.

Soon after crossing over, the people faced their first obstacle. I first learned the story in Sunday school from the African-American spiritual Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho. If we know the song we know the Israelites won the victory. What were the keys to victory, and what might we discover for overcoming the obstacles that keep us from making the changes we need to make in our lives?

6 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
²Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. ³March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.⁴Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. ⁵When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
⁶So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.”
Joshua 6: 1 – 6 (NIV)

The Intimidation Factor

One reason we struggle so greatly in overcoming the obstacles in our own lives is because we are intimidated by them. We feel like we can’t overcome them, we don’t have the strength or the courage. Obstacles take many forms, and for the nation of Israel the obstacle is a city called Jericho. Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest cities on earth. Jericho has actually existed on three different sites through the centuries, all in relative proximity, and all 15 – 17 miles northeast of Jerusalem.

I’m certain the nation of Israel felt intimidated facing Jericho. The walls of the city were anywhere from 30 to 60 feet high and from 12 to 45 feet thick, depending on which archaeologist is consulted. The city wall was wide enough that a chariot could be driven along the top, and we know Rahab had her house there. The city gates were reinforced with iron and were impenetrable. Jericho was an imposing obstacle. The people had followed Joshua, crossed over the Jordan, and once in the Promised Land encounter this overwhelming obstacle. Obstacles can loom as an imposing wall in all our lives that prevent us from moving forward. They can seem too big to overcome.

Not only were Jericho’s walls intimidating, but remember, this was a nation of men who had not known what it was to fight a battle. If we read Chapter 5, we’d discover that all the men old enough to bear arms when they left Egypt were dead. Israel’s army was untrained and unproven, with only Joshua and Caleb who had any experience at all.

The nation of Israel had to overcome the obstacle of Jericho for several reasons.

First, it was strategic from a military perspective. Why couldn’t the nation just go around the city and be done? Because the city was allied with the other cities and kings around Canaan. If the nation bypassed Jericho, they would literally leave their rear flank open to attack in the future.

Second, it was important spiritually. Jericho represented everything that was foreign to the culture of Israel. Jericho’s primary god was the “moon god,” and without overcoming this obstacle, the nation took a chance on adopting the spiritual culture of Canaan.

Finally, it was important from a morale perspective. This was Israel’s first challenge and if they lost, it would be disastrous.

We can’t be overwhelmed or intimidated by our obstacles. Perhaps one of the greatest obstacles any of us have to face is our attitude. We face an obstacle and think, “I can’t do this.” Or, “I don’t want to do this,” or, “Why would God ask me to do this.” We think we can “cross-over” to faith and life will be great.

Don’t think life in the Promised Land will be without challenges. There will always be challenges in life. Don’t necessarily believe the center of God’s will is the safest place to be. It’s the best place to be, even if it’s not the safest or most comfortable. Just ask Jesus. No one was ever more in the center of God’s will, and it carried him all the way to the cross.

Attitude is everything. Zig Ziglar said, “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude.” Unfortunately, too many of us have negative attitudes, but I remind us that bad attitudes are like flat tires. If we don’t change them, we’ll never get anywhere. When we face obstacles, what do we see? Rather than obstacles, why not see opportunities? A positive attitude says there are no obstacles, only opportunities. Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow in faith and obedience.

The Opportunity of Faith

Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow in faith. Hebrews 11:30 says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down…” Joshua and the Israelites didn’t have anything but faith on their side. We have to trust God to guide us through the obstacles of life. This is a bit cliché, but what God has brought us to, God will bring us through.

Recall this poem:

Doubt sees the obstacles; faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the darkest night; faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step; faith soars on high;
Doubt questions, “Who believes?” Faith answers, “I.”
Anonymous

We’ve got a God who says all things are possible, and if we’ve got a God who says all things are possible, then all things are possible. That’s faith. Obstacles present us opportunities to grow in faith.

The Opportunity of Obedience

Every obstacle is also an opportunity to obey. God can ask us to do some of the silliest things. March around the city every day for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day, and then we’re supposed to shout? That’s silly. But, that was God’s plan.

Rarely do God’s plans make sense to us. What happens is we make our plans, ask God to bless them, and then scratch our head when He doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense to conquer a city just by walking around it. It doesn’t make sense to turn the other cheek when somebody is bullying us. It doesn’t make sense to humble ourselves so God can lift us up. It doesn’t make sense that if we try to save our life we’ll lose it, but if we give up our life for His sake we’ll find it. It doesn’t make sense that God would undergo torture and death, and it doesn’t make sense that God would turn around and trust frail, weak, half-hearted humans to share the message that brings redemption to God’s creation.

I had the opportunity to hear a colleague speak about the folly of the Gospel. That’s what he meant–God’s plan doesn’t always make sense. It’s folly to think God would use us. I guess that’s why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” If we wait for God to make sense when we’re facing obstacles, we could be waiting a long time. If we wait until we figure out what God is doing before we move, we may never move.

“God, you’re telling me to quit my job and go the mission field. That doesn’t make sense, but I’ll do it.”
“God, you’re calling me to speak to the person who hurt me so badly. That doesn’t make sense, but I’ll do it.”
“God, you’re calling me to volunteer to lead a small group or a bible study. That doesn’t make sense, but I’ll do it.”
“God, you’re calling me to give more money? That doesn’t make sense, but I’ll do it.”

Do we believe Jeremiah 29:11? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Want to know God’s plan for our lives? Then start obeying the part we already know because God doesn’t show us more of his plan until we obey the parts we already know. Mark Twain said, “It’s not the part of the Bible I don’t understand that bother me. It’s the parts I do understand.”

We already know God’s plan includes trusting Him, forgiving others, turning from sin, and sharing the Gospel. Let’s start there. Maybe he’ll reveal the rest of His plan.

There is an old story of a king who had a boulder placed on a roadway. The king hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it, many of them loudly blaming the king for not keeping the roads clear, but not one did anything about getting the big stone out of the way.

Then, a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. As he approached, the peasant laid down his load and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

Spiritual obstacles are in fact an opportunity to grow in faith and obedience. We overcome obstacles when we see them as opportunities to trust and obey.