If Not Now, Tell Me When

In response to a question from Facebooker and Disciples pastor, Guido Climer, I wrote the following back on August 6. Guido's question to all: Where did the Holy Spirit move at GA?

"If not now, tell me when."

There were many Holy Spirit moments in Indianapolis. But one happened "beneath the radar" of most GA participants.

In a pre-Assembly event intended to take the place of the National Evangelism Workshop that failed to materialize in '09, four keynoters and several workshop leaders challenged participants to develop their own evangelism story based upon the particular "face" of Jesus that they see most in their walk with the Lord, and to consider strategies for survival, renewal and transformation...God's way. "Ministry in Hard Times," held at Geist Christian Church -- North Campus in Fishers, IN on July 28 and 29, was filled with "Holy Spirit moments" for participants to evaluate and respond to.

Another Holy Spirit moment at GA happened at the other end of the week when Carrie Newcomer took command of the entire General Assembly stage and with one melodious and penetrating voice, one guitar and one piano for back-up, asked us all, "If not now, tell me when." As she ended that final song of her performance, there needed to be at every microphone people prepared to pray with participants who were ready to answer that question with the answer, "The time is now, and we are the ones we have been waiting for." At that moment each participant could have written or spoken a commitment to one change he or she hoped to implement in the world to make the vision of General Assembly 2009, "becoming a movement for healing in a fragmented world," one small step closer to reality. We needed a moment of personal accountability and we needed a witness: to hear us make and promise to keep our commitment. Instead, in one of the more awkward and jarring transitions of the entire week, we were taken back to loud volume music and a shouting preacher performer, Mr. Lawrence, who clearly did not share that same vision, as he didn't appear to have been actually listening to what had gone before. I and all the other Assembly participants were "off the hook." I didn't have to tell anyone what I would do "for the healing of the nations," and we all left Indianapolis with only thoughts that, like dreams upon waking, quickly slipped back into our subconscious. Many of us may have ended up praying for "revival" and hoping that God will do all the work.

I am one of those people who agrees that you need to pray as if everything depends upon God, but then act as if everything depends upon us. As we return to our homes and ministries with nearly two years until the next extraordinary expenditure of resources known as General Assembly, we need to ask, "Who will hold us accountable?" Let us who follow this blog pray that God will place us back on the commitment "hook" and ask us daily, "What are you doing today to make my vision a reality in your corner of my creation?"

"If not now, tell me when."

Making Disciples, Two By Two

"(Jesus) called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority

over the unclean spirits. ⁸He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff;

no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; ⁹but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

—Mark 6:7-9

Summer is now here…in all its heat and humidity, and many of us are considering a trip to a place that’s cooler, or drier, or at least where there are family whom we miss seeing during the year! But could we go on the journey Jesus invited His disciples to undertake?

I know when I plan a trip I usually fill a large suitcase and then also carry a smaller duffel. The disciples were urged to take nothing except a walking stick. It’s hard to imagine going on a trip of unknown duration to places you’ve never been without a map or a compass to guide you. The disciples were simply sent out, two by two, and they expected to be guided by the other person and by God’s Spirit.

This summer, whether you are “sent” one-by-one or two-by-two, consider how God wants you to behave: as someone who listens for God’s voice, and then responds fully to all that God commands.

Jesus commanded his first Disciples to go out to proclaim, heal and anoint:

¹²So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³They cast out

many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:12-13)

So if you are able, please consider the open invitation Jesus gives us.

And be “a remarkable disciple of a remarkable Savior.”

I look forward to greeting you at the church door and in other places where we meet for ministry,

Pastor Paul

Pentecost 2009: Be the Church

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." – Acts 2:1-4

In my travels, I often pass a rural church with a sign out front whose message often changes. This week, it read “Don’t go to church! Be the church.” This got me to thinking about Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit descended upon everyone of the believers who had gathered. First, I went to church in my mind. I thought of our congregation and my mind moved from pew to pew. I recalled a couple who are both faithful sixty-plus year members and who still come to worship every Sunday. I saw a young family with small squirming children of various ages who sat near the front, hopefully, expectantly, waiting and seeking the message that will enable them to carry on in a time of financial and personal crisis. I saw choir members getting ready to sing their anthem. Someone preparing a story for the children. Elders praying. Deacons serving. Trustees unlocking doors and turning on lights.

I am grateful for all who go to church, and who share fellowship with me and one another every Sunday. The presence of each person refreshes and encourages me.

Then my mind expanded to envision people being the church in a variety of places. I am even more grateful that our ministry doesn’t end at the church door but extends to all the places we go during the week. I thought of people who prepare a meal, or wait a table, or serve homebound communion, or make a visit, or call a friend who’s absent, or pray with a special person who is despairing or hold the hand of one who is surrendering at the end of life’s journey in a hospice room. And I thought of Rosamond Kemmerer, whose week is not complete unless she has visited at least a dozen people in the nursing homes and called many others, attended at least two Bible Study classes, and perhaps baked some brownies for a church event. Recently, Rosamond, who is only ninety-five years young, was hospitalized, yet she spent her hospital days talking to the nurses and attendants about our church, inviting them to visit church, and encouraging and complementing them in the caring service they were doing.

I let my mind wander a little more, and I imagine an entire congregation who all share Rosamond’s passion for bringing the gospel to someone every day, for being the face and hands and heart of Jesus. That would truly be Pentecost. May it be so for us.

I look forward to greeting you at the church door, or at one of the many places where God invites us to be in ministry together!

"Pastor Paul"