Here are some excerpts from last Sunday's sermon (for those of you who declined to visit the sauna that was the sanctuary). We recognized our great Mississippi Mission Team (take 2) 2008 -- the 15 people who spent a week in Waveland Mississippi the week after Easter. (Go to www.hollywoodumc.org to see a video of their adventures.)
Being in mission is not only about providing mercy. Being in mission is working for justice – such as Stephanie did when she helped a family in Waveland cut through red tape to get their electricity restored.
Being in mission is knowing that God has entrusted us to bring forth hope and wholeness for all God’s people. And then rolling up our sleeves to do the hard work of speaking truth to power.
But lately, and too often lately we as the church have abdicated our responsibilities; we’ve left it to others to do the work for us. We’ve said – Injustice towards gay and lesbian persons? Racial intolerance? Prejudice towards immigrants? Towards poor people? No need to worry – we live in the United States. A Christian nation. The government will take care of it, will work it all out -- someday. We don’t have to worry about it. And then -- we have seen first hand what our collective inaction has meant to our brothers and sisters.
Our Bishop, Mary Ann, referenced this complacency in her e-column this week:
For me, what stands out is how much the roles of church and state—in this instance at least—have switched places from where we were in the 1960’s. In that era, the Protestant church was a socially activist leader in the civil rights movement. ….pastors and church leaders [were] at the forefront and in the news, their statements and actions analyzed as closely as any presidential candidate today.
The context of the Bishop’s comments were the actions of the California Supreme Court this past week, overturning the ban on same gender marriages in California, which we celebrate abundantly as justice long overdue. Amen.
The court had the chance to do good, and they did. And we rejoice. But what has caused me pain this week: there’s something wrong when the government gets it right and the church continues to get it wrong. We the church should be leading and modeling the reality that all persons are created in the image of God and are equally loved by God – we the church should be setting the bar for society, the bar that says that everyone has the right to marry their beloved regardless of gender.
Being in mission is knowing that God has entrusted us to bring forth hope and wholeness for all God’s people. And then rolling up our sleeves to do the hard work of speaking truth to power.
But lately, and too often lately we as the church have abdicated our responsibilities; we’ve left it to others to do the work for us. We’ve said – Injustice towards gay and lesbian persons? Racial intolerance? Prejudice towards immigrants? Towards poor people? No need to worry – we live in the United States. A Christian nation. The government will take care of it, will work it all out -- someday. We don’t have to worry about it. And then -- we have seen first hand what our collective inaction has meant to our brothers and sisters.
Our Bishop, Mary Ann, referenced this complacency in her e-column this week:
For me, what stands out is how much the roles of church and state—in this instance at least—have switched places from where we were in the 1960’s. In that era, the Protestant church was a socially activist leader in the civil rights movement. ….pastors and church leaders [were] at the forefront and in the news, their statements and actions analyzed as closely as any presidential candidate today.
The context of the Bishop’s comments were the actions of the California Supreme Court this past week, overturning the ban on same gender marriages in California, which we celebrate abundantly as justice long overdue. Amen.
The court had the chance to do good, and they did. And we rejoice. But what has caused me pain this week: there’s something wrong when the government gets it right and the church continues to get it wrong. We the church should be leading and modeling the reality that all persons are created in the image of God and are equally loved by God – we the church should be setting the bar for society, the bar that says that everyone has the right to marry their beloved regardless of gender. And sadly, we are not. Not yet. But hear the words of Jesus -- I am with you always…..so we walk with Jesus as we focus some of our mission emphasis on ourselves, on our beloved United Methodist Church. There is much to be done to change hearts in the next four years, followed by minds and in 2012 the Book of Discipline. How? By continuing as a congregation to model the greatest commandment: love God, love our neighbor – and reach those in Hollywood – gay and straight alike -- who desperately need to feel the love of God. That is our calling, our charge, our mission.
Our mission is clear. Create a church with truly open minds, hearts and doors that offers the love of Jesus Christ. Continue to be God’s hands and feet in the broken and hurting places of our city, our country, and our world – bringing hope and rebuilding lives. Be proactive leaders, not complacent followers, in the pursuit of God’s justice on earth. Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Know that God has a purpose for each of our lives. And know that God – father, son and holy spirit -- is with us always –offering us daily the chance to do good.
Let's work to make sure the wonderful and groundbreaking actions of this conservative Court are not reversed at the ballot box this November.
No comments:
Post a Comment