The Rev. Gary Jones
I was in the church office the other day and picked up a business card. Really a very handy thing to have – it talks of location and service time, and the most important parts of all: the question, “Do you need prayer?” And the quote from John 6:47 (do you remember it?): “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”
That’s the crux of the matter – that’s what Easter is all about. (See how I did that?) The fundamental practical matter of Easter is that the cross brings eternal life to those who believe. I know that you know this, just as much as I do. The Church of the Redeemer has been the place of the great, sovereign work of God for a long, long time. In the short time I have been with you, you have shared stories that were examples of how many people have been healed, emotionally, physically and spiritually. That your gifts are song and music, worship and dance, prayer and witness.
Lyn and I came to you two months ago, under very tragic circumstances. This is my last Sunday as your Celebrant. So this isn’t going to be your typical Easter Sunday sermon. I apologize to anyone who expected a “stone rolled away from the tomb” sermon. I want to speak very humbly and simply from my heart to you for just a few minutes, and this is the venue I have to use.
I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and to be able to worship with you. The part I have enjoyed the most is your music and your spirituality. You pray like you know God…and that is refreshing. I have served many congregations where there seems to be no sincerity and no love of God. Your prayers are beautiful, and I don’t like saying that you have something unique to share, but surprisingly, even in the church, you do have something unique.
But, I’ve heard something else too. I have heard an undertone of grief and sadness about the way things used to be. I know that my perception might be off a bit, in no small part because of the circumstances under which the bishop asked me to be with you for a couple of months.
Beyond that, though: if any of the sadness that I have heard has to do with the building at 4411 Dallas Street; or the dwindling size of the congregation; or with any part of the past, I have a message to share: let it go. Look back only with gratitude for the love and grace that God bestowed.
Easter is a time of new hope and life and looking to the future. My question for you is: What do you want your future to look like? Start dreaming dreams again and claiming the Kingdom of God in your midst.
Here is one very practical suggestion: When I was the rector of a parish, I would take the parish leaders away for a couple of days, and we would dream and pray and dream and pray. We would paint a picture, or tell a story of what we wanted our next year to look like. Then we would revisit this image every month, and as the dream changed a bit we would revise as we went.
Another suggestion: You need to set aside time to listen for God to speak, as a community of the faithful. And then ask some hard questions like: “What needs to change, for us to reach what we want our future to look like?”
- Take some risks
- Develop some new skills
- Put yourselves “out there” and meet some new people
We all need to make some changes to make our dreams come true. The most important part is that you do this as a whole community, gathered and listening to the word of God.
Here’s another key (at least, it has been for me): Look for the spark of the divine. I have always been told to “follow my passion”; that what the world needs is passionate people. I want to adjust that just a little. I believe that what we need to follow is what gives us “LIFE.” If I only did what I was already passionate about, I’d never listen, I’d never follow the small sparks of the divine. I have found that the really big message from God always started as a “still small voice.” Listen for the next small spark (voice) that gives you life, and fan it into a flame for God.
What gives you life? AND look around you: what is giving the community life? As I have shared with you these past few weeks, I have found that your sharing of the moments you felt closest to Christ has given me life. Where do you find God’s life around you?
As I have come to appreciate your worship, I really like that you have maintained your Episcopal Church traditions; and I feel that you should add more time for silence, remembering that we need to create space to observe and listen. We are bombarded in our world with constant movement and constant noise … our lives are about to become one large “commercial”! Make space during the best part of your day and your worship time to be observant and to listen to God. Become obsessed with listening!
At the end of each day, I leave a little reflection time, to review what happened during the day and how I reacted. I have to be very mindful, and ask myself questions like: What gave me energy today (when did I feel closest to God)? What took energy away (when did I feel farthest from God)? What was a problem for me today, and how did I choose to resolve it? How was I closer to my goals for the day? If my goal was to be closer to God, did I make it? If not, what needs to change? Be active in reaching your spiritual goals. Inspiration without implementation is unfulfilled, unrealized spirituality.
One more thing. I want to end my life being able to say that I followed Christ where He led me. I know that I haven’t been perfect in that, or that at times I turn away, but at the end I want to say that I have “run the race,” I have taken the small steps and not been overwhelmed by the bigness of what God wants for me. Choose one small thing, every day, and do it to the best of your ability to reach your spiritual goals and the combined goals of this community.
Did you hear me say, “to the best of your ability”? That’s because the other thing that keeps me from reaching my spiritual goals is my own perfectionism. To do things “to the best of my ability” gives me a measure of grace. That’s a real challenge for me, and I need to continue to work on that.
Share your dreams for this church with others. Not only will you be sharing the vision and the blessings, but you will be taking steps to more closely be accountable for what happens here, all in the name of the one who redeems us, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.