I am at a national gathering of United Methodists deacons and diaconal ministers in Orlando. In addition to dialogue, worship, outreach and Sabbath time, we are celebrating the thirtieth year of the office of diaconal ministers and the tenth year of the order of deacons in the UMC. From the time Ron and I left Myrtle Beach, it has been an experience of observation and reflection.
From radio news accounts along our I-95 journey, we concluded that it is far easier to buy a gun in this country than to get good mental health care. After traveling with the multitude of large trucks, we realized that no one must buy locally produced food or merchandise. The environmental footprint of motor homes and travel trailers must be quite large from the number we saw.
Meeting and greeting is always an important part of our gatherings. Sharing our stories and learning of new opportunities within the ministry of a deacon become points of reflection. Many deacons in attendance are shaping their roles to meet the emerging needs of the congregations and places in which they serve. Although I sense that I am doing something important within First UMC, perhaps we (clergy and laity) need to be in dialogue about my role? I have no preconceived thoughts about what any change might be.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
When we read "The Steeple", we wondered why you were not participating in the service. Now we know.
I pray your experience will be both positive and uplifting. As to what you should be doing at First UMC, I would vote that you continue to do what you do so well: challenge us to learn more and more. No one is more exemplary of the role of deacon than you.
If, as you say, many deacons are shaping their roles to meet the emerging needs of those they serve, I would offer that they are following your lead! In fact, you possess the God-given gift to assess those needs before they even emerge!!
I agree with George that you continue to do what you are doing so beautifully within our congregation as you provide example and instruction in being faith-centered and God-shaped. God bless you for what you do and mean to all of us!
emerging needs? What are the emerging needs of FUMC? I wonder if they are outside of the church. Of course, that means involvement with other entities and those things might not be easy to control, but it's worth a thought.
I do think emerging needs are
connected to how we understand our relationship with the world beyond First UMC. It means tearing down the walls that have kept us from taking the Gospel into the world.
When you tear down walls, expect to have a few stones fall on you. It is just part of the deconstruction. An easier way would be to carefully consider whether a construction of any kind, whether real or metaphoric, is ever needed. No walls up equals no walls down. No walls down equals no stones.
Post a Comment