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“Birthed, adopted, called”
Dialogue Message preached on
May 27, 2018
Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Glen Arm, Maryland USA
based upon
John 3:1-17,
Romans 8:12-17, &
Isaiah 6:1-8
I’d like to try something a bit
different this morning – a message that is more like a conversation
between two persons. Call it a “dialogue.” Sermons should actually be more
like a dialogue between the preacher and the congregation, with God
somehow part of the conversation through our interacting with the Word in
scripture, empowered by the Holy Spirit’s presence. I say it “should” be,
though more often it is a monologue. Just one person speaks. Everyone else
listens.
Dialogues can be nerve-wracking,
because a conversation can move in numerous directions. You may start out
thinking you know where it will end up, but along the way things can shift
to an altogether different location. Take Nicodemus and his dialogue with
Jesus. Where he started out in this nighttime encounter was not where
things ended up. From this conversation many of us have memorized a
pivotal verse about God so loving the world and giving his Son and a
deep-seated trust that leads to eternal life. The words, however, are not
for a bumper sticker. It takes a lifetime to unpack them or, better put,
for this faith to be brought to birth in us through the work of the
Spirit. Faith, trust, belief – this is a dialogue, not a monologue.
To be honest, I’m a bit nervous
about this morning’s message, because I’m not sure where it will end up. I
was delighted this week to have our sister Meghan back as part of a
worship team. I’ve missed her input. As you may know, she is slowly, but
surely (I hope) moving toward a call to ministry. I thought it might be
helpful for the two of us to talk about that. Perhaps, if we (and you) are
comfortable enough, we can widen the dialogue and receive some questions
you might have. I trust that since it says in our bulletin that the
ministers of this church are the people, talking about our call to
ministry is not just for those in what we call “set-apart” ministries,
like being a pastor. Truthfully, all are called, just as being born from
above is the Spirit’s work in us all. Furthermore, spiritually we are all
adopted by God, given a great inheritance by our heavenly Abba, not just
the preachers and teachers among us.
The scripture immediately before
this message was about Isaiah’s call to being a prophet of God. It’s
marvelous to encounter, yet a little daunting to consider next to our own
sense of call. I don’t have such a dramatic vision story to tell about my
own formation as a minister. Just like there is not a Damascus Road,
blinded-by-the-light-as-the-apostle-Paul-was tale to be told about my
coming to Christ. The Spirit has moved in my life, however. Just as I know
it has in yours, Meghan.
Why don’t we start there, keeping
it simple?
Possible questions
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Pete for Meghan: |
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1) When did you first became aware of God as an important part of
your life, when Jesus was more than just a name, when you sensed
the presence of the Holy Spirit?
2) Likewise your sense of being called by God for some kind of
ministry. Can you pinpoint some times when this started being more
than "maybe I could do this."
3) Do any of the scriptures used in this service give you a way of
talking about any of the above? - being born from above, God
adopting you, God calling you (even if you don't feel worthy). |
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Meghan for Pete: |
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1) When did you first experience the call to set-apart ministry?
2) Was there ever a time that you felt discouraged or feel like
you couldn't follow through or continue with ministry? If so, how
did you cope with the discouragement?
3) How does God impact you in your ministry? |
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The process from here for Meghan (new denominational polity):
1. Congregation submits name to the Calling & Credentialing Ministry Team.
2. Receive paperwork. returns “Discerner Information Form.”
3. Enters into the Discernment process, puts together a Calling Cohort.
4. Cohort meets at least 4 times during the year.
5. At the end of the discernment year, if continuing is right, fill out a
Pre-licensing Interview Guide and submits it to the Ministry Interviewing
Task Team.
6. Does Readiness for Ministry.
7. undergoes background check.
8. fills out a Covenant of Accountability that outlines educational goals
and activity in the life of the church.
9. Ministry Interviewing Task Team interview.
10. which makes their recommendation to Calling & Credentialing Ministry
Team, and upon approval, the congregation votes on the candidate.
11. Licensing Service held in congregation.
12. During the licensing period, licensed minister continues to meet with
Calling Cohort.
Congregation questions?
Possible ending
As with any process, the Spirit
moves through it - as it will (just like the wind which blows, from where
to where we never fully know). God is God, after all. There will be dry
times, moments of doubt, personal testing (40 days in the wilderness),
times we do not consider ourselves worthy to the task (unclean lips), and
times when the coal fire burns. Yes, there is “paperwork,” as always, but
the process at heart is the work of the Holy Spirit moving among God’s
people. Notice, it’s not just about one person. Calling is the church’s
Spirit-work.
Please understand, this is not
just about one person answering God’s call. We all are invited to stand
with Meghan, such that when God asks, “Whom shall I send, who will go for
us?” we are all invited to speak up with her, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
©2018
Peter
L. Haynes
(you are welcome to borrow and, where / as appropriate, note
the source - myself or those from whom I have knowingly borrowed.)