February 2016
The Spire Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
WHY UNITED METHODISTS? What makes a church a church and not just another civic organization? I have to admit that in some cases it can be hard to tell! I think a church is best defined by what people believe about life, what they do and what they desire to become in light of eternity. Churches answer the basic question, what is life about? At its core, the church is a community of Christ-followers who are inspired in worship to become something more, they are intentional about learning and doing what Jesus taught and commanded and by their very presence they impact the world by their service and witness. This, in a nutshell, is the core of the United Methodist Church. You may be surprised to learn that I did not grow up in a United Methodist church, but was confirmed into a Lutheran church in my home town in Pennsylvania. So why the change? Does it really matter? Perhaps you’re in the same boat and have questions about what United Methodist believe. Beginning Sunday, February 21 at 6:30 pm, we will host a Starting Point conversation during Lent that will address fundamental questions about God, faith, and church. I hope you’ll join me! So let’s get started. What is a United Methodist, anyway? Well, I suppose I could give you a big definition, but I like word pictures better. So here’s my attempt to engage theology and have some fun at the same time! Enjoy! We are part salmon. Essentially, we’re all homesick for a place we’ve never been. And so we live as nomads, journeying together toward a destination we can’t quite define. The best way I know to explain this desire is with the analogy of a salmon. Against all odds and at great personal sacrifice, a salmon leaves the open waters of the sea only to struggle against the current of a conventional wisdom. Salmon will expend all their energy to return to a place of their origin, a place they’ve never known, guided by a force they do not understand. From our perspective it seems absurd. But inside there is a driving need to return home. I hope I’m not taking this analogy too far, but as United Methodists we too are on a journey home, struggling against the current of a consumer culture to a place we know exists though we’ve never been there. We are guided by a Spirit we do not fully understand but feel compelled to do what at times seems impossible. For us, becoming a Christian is not the end of the journey, but the beginning a whole new one. It is the beginning of a whole new, exciting adventure home. We are part of a hive. Bees are fascinating little creatures. They work in complete harmony, each doing their part, doing what each bee was designed to do for the good of the hive. I don’t imagine there are many bees who walk around the hive saying they haven’t found their niche yet, and neither do we. Bees live in a beautiful connectional system, living, working and growing all because they are part of something bigger than themselves. In the United Methodist Church, we are all part of a local church that functions through the prayers, presence, gifts and service of each person as we do our part to reflect the glory of Christ. The church is not just a place you go, it is something you become. This is why I love to talk about our partnership here at Mt. Pleasant, everyone doing their part. When asked about her success, Mother Teresa said “I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” That pretty much sums it up. Finally, we’re all a bit like worms. How’s that grab ya? Perhaps I should clarify. Actually I think we’re a bit like caterpillars to be precise. All you can see now is our ordinary, boring caterpillar lives; what you don’t see, but you may someday, is our glorious lives God is revealing in us as we live (or are perfected) beyond the worm stage. We are not bound by our ‘worminess’ but experience our true radiance and glory in worship and through the sacraments. Someday we will undergo a metamorphosis and receive a body you would never guess by looking at us now. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 That promise makes United Methodists the most joyful, most hopeful and them most grace filled people around. We don’t focus on the frailties and faults of people now, but a stage we grow through into the beauty and the perfection Christ is bringing out in us. Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church is a great place to learn how to be a salmon, a bee and worm all at the same time. How’s that for advertisement! It’s a place where no one is ordinary, no one is without a purpose and no one feels lost, alone or useless. If this is what you’ve been looking for and feel ready to take the next step, I look forward to seeing you at the Starting Point. Blessings,