It's time for the annual 'Don't forget your church' Pastor's Corner! What do I mean by that? Well, just that: Don't forget your church. At times, our church becomes an afterthought at best during the summer months. We may be gone for extended periods of time, whether on vacation or spending time in a summer residence somewhere away from the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Whatever the reason, the presence of the church may recede to the backs of our minds.
Please don't let that happen. We have expectations of our church such as that it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. We expect that the lights will work, as will the sound system and video projection. We expect the staff to be available for things we may need or questions to be answered. While we're aware that all of this takes money, and for insurance, apportionments, and so many other things as well, it may not be top of mind when we travel.
The church has not always been so dependent upon the generosity of its members. In its earliest days - before it was 'church', it was a missionary enterprise. The intent was to bring the good news (from the Greek work, euangelion, from which we get the word 'evangelism'), to heal the sick, cast out demons, among other things. 'He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics' (Mark 6:8). The church has come a long way from those days.
Once it began to be apparent that Jesus was not going to return any time soon, what we know of as 'church' began to evolve. It became more institutionalized, with more formality and ritual. That evolution continued throughout the next almost 2000 years, producing the church we have today. Needless to say, the complexity of it could never have been imagined, much less, the financial obligations it would take to run it. But, regardless of costs, the church still is - and always will be - the divine instrument of God on earth.
Isn't it interesting that when we travel, we insure that all of our personal bills are taken care of. We'll carry bills with us to mail so that we won't incur any late fees. Sound familiar? We do this, and I would venture to guess many of you do this, too. So, why not do this for your church? Why not make arrangements before embarking on that once-in-a-lifetime trip? Your church would be most grateful. I pray you will enjoy your summer travels. See you on the road, and upon your return to Hunt UMC!
Grace and peace,
Mike
July 12, 2015