I confess to being one of those people who prefer a paper calendar over the digital variety. And I delight in opening one on a brand-new year: every day’s square so clean and open. There’s really no substantive difference between December 31 and January 1, but a new calendar suggests a fresh start and new resolve to live faithfully and joyfully (and to work out more often).
My 2025 calendar means something more, as it reflects my final month of pastoral ministry and our time together. Since announcing my retirement at our annual meeting last January, we’ve engaged in some “leaving” tasks: a transition team outlined a “synchronous search” process; you elected a Pastor Nominating Committee currently conducting second and third interviews with a promising short list; together, you and I have spoken words of apology and forgiveness, and received God’s reconciling peace; we have expressed our gratitude and deep appreciation for mutual blessing; we have named some highlights of service to our downtown community, and remembered saints no longer with us, but whose witness has indelibly marked this congregation.
For my final Sundays as your pastor (and as A pastor), I would like to turn our focus from the past and toward the future and imagine how to thrive amid uncertainties, challenges, unforeseen circumstances and serendipities as God’s people. Using the three initiatives of the Presbyterian Church’s “Matthew 25” movement, I will offer what I believe are the most important insights on how to translate imagination into action; dreams into reality; ideas into living truth. Oh, and throw in some baseball too.
Our text was chosen for its straightforward declaration of what the church is. The apostle Paul sent this first letter to congregations he had established in the bustling Greek seaport city of Corinth, and it’s chockful of advice about practical aspects of becoming community: how to serve the Lord’s Supper, for example, questions about a distinctive Christian witness in an environment indifferent or even hostile to it; resolving conflicts that had arisen over marriage, lawsuits, food and drink, leadership. Humorously, things that still show up on our session agenda.
This particular passage concludes a longer section, and reiterates the heart of the matter; what constitutes a vital church community. A reading from the first letter to the Corinthians, chapter twelve, verses 27 through 31. Listen for God’s Word to Central. [I CORINTHIANS 12:27-31]
A vital congregation is, first and foremost a spiritual entity, called together by God to embody the values, practices, and presence of Jesus Christ. Every single person (member or not) belongs. Every single person has a function that is essential and irreplaceable. The apostle’s exhortation to “strive” reveals a church to be a body in motion; not static or paralyzed but on the move, pursuing God’s work and way. The star words you drew in worship last week (many more are available in the narthex-lobby today) are meant to help us consider our lives and the life of our church when guided by the living, lively Spirit of God.
Next Sunday’s unveiling of the refreshed Shepler Heritage Center will offer the perfect opportunity to see what happens when a congregation does that. Thanks to the vision and research of elder Chris Primus (ably assisted by Jon Dreux, Anne Bond and others), new display cases will highlight ministries to Chinese immigrants in the early part of the 20th century, mission engagement in Guatemala, Thailand, Cuba, and in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Collaborative efforts to address the legal and material needs of newcomers to our state. Hard work undertaken to change the reality of gun violence in our nation.
Chris wanted to update the Center to reflect what’s happened since it’s last renovation in 2013. But I think it will also inspire you to keep your gaze forward, considering bold new ways to serve one another, especially vulnerable people in our community and beyond.
A vital congregation is renewed through worship and faith formation, at all ages and stages. Commit to a practice of gathering weekly to hear the story of God’s unconditional love gets it down to the cellular level till you know it by heart. Very little will become more important than connecting to the spiritual source of life. And while this commitment may begin as a personal choice, participating in a faith community recognizes God’s intention that we live in interdependence, rather than as “rugged individualists,” lone rangers whose so-called freedom is really self-preoccupation.
Friends, cultivating a sense of belonging will serve as both vaccine and antidote for the epidemic of loneliness and mental health challenges in which we find ourselves today.
I don’t pretend this is easy. One of our youngest members acknowledged this truth recently (and his parents gave me permission to share it with you). Josh and Libby Trimble bring their 4 ½ year old son Miles to church every week. He hears the Bible Stories, engages in “Godly play,” negotiates interactions with other little kids, and congregates eagerly at the snack bar.
One Sunday after church, Miles was miffed at one of his fellow Sunday school scholars, and declared that he loved Mom and Dad but not this particular kid. His dad saw it as a teachable moment, and responded, “Well, Miles, we learn in church God wants us to love everyone, not just the ones who are good to us.” Miles paused for a moment before exclaiming, “Everyone? That’s just crazy!”
He gets it. The preposterous notion that “church” welcomes and cares for . . . well, everyone. We hew to an inclusive gospel to reflect the example of Jesus: who didn’t simply tolerate but reached out to those regarded as “sinners,” and those with distorted understanding of God’s love. Even the one who grabs the toy (or the power) and refuses to share.
So, baseball. Another resource for building a vital congregation. I learned recently that every single ball used in Major League Baseball has been coated with mud. They say it’s a special mud harvested from a top-secret location along a tributary of the Delaware River in New Jersey.
Researchers have only recently been able to analyze and identify the secret ingredients with dual benefit: smooth lubrication and rough friction that together effectively doubles the contact adhesion (aka “stickiness”) between the ball and the pitcher’s hand. [The New York Times, November 7, 2024, page B6] Mud, people. Plain old dirt and some water.
The stuff of homeruns and no-hitters, nailing the runner at home and blooping a pretty bunt.
Friends, the living Body of Christ is made of mud and water. Messy. Human. Ordinary. Yet extraordinary when applied to a community which intends to play ball.
I know you are that kind of community, and I am so grateful for playing on your team for a time. Today I invite us all to commit or recommit ourselves to this glorious game—no, not baseball, but life lived in obedience to the God of love. The waters of baptism (whether or not you are baptized) identify us as beloved children of God.
At the Table we feast on spiritual food to strengthen us for all that lies ahead. In between, we’ll receive an invitation to consider participation in a campaign to fund an enhanced fire detection system required by the City, and to upgrade lighting here in the sanctuary for improved visibility and performance flexibility. Oh, it’s so unspiritual!
But is it, really? A vital congregation supports a space to live out its mission, welcoming and protecting a wider community.
And that “more excellent” way the apostle mentioned? It leads to a full chapter description of . . . . what else? Love. Love that is patient, kind, not irritable or resentful, that doesn’t insist on its own way. Love that is more important than knowledge, belief, or sacrifice. Love that practiced over a lifetime, reveals the mystery of God in the body of Christ in all its muddy humanity.
Build it, friends.
