Things Change in March

Things change in March.  Just as the seasons find new direction and purpose in March, so our lives have the capacity and possibility of change every year through the season of Lent.

We find as we mature that change is a constant partner in life.   Attempts to mitigate and minimize change is perhaps or first reaction. However, a time of reflection can be helpful to calm our hearts and help us realize that this new development in our lives, once we are acclimated, may lead us to an even better path.  Lent can be just such a time or season.  Lent, this time of waiting before Easter arrives, mirrors our lives in waiting for Christ to return. Lent offers a perspective, a time to heal, a time consider the past and the future.  Lent is valuable for those who are serious about reflecting the kingdom of God in their daily lives. 

My grandmother Ruth always said March is the month of mud. And so it is, and with Lent as well.  Clear as mud at times, our path forward through the 40 days of Lent can be difficult and tiring.  And yet to stay put, hunkered down in fear of what might happen, is to live devoid of faith and hope.  The greatest of gifts; faith and hope.  They are the wonder-workers of Lent.  Let us gather in faith and look forward with hope, letting go of all fear, knowing Christ Jesus, our goal and partner, will not disappoint, will not leave us orphaned in the cold mud of March.  Things change in March.  John 14.

Holds February

Just halfway through the season of winter, holds February.

Solid as ice, frozen as the frost line 36 inches deep, without compromise or apology February brings its winter mix to bear in four fleeting weeks.  Even as the days linger briefly longer each evening, the sun has also cut a new course inches higher in the daytime sky.  We feel the fullness of the winter landscape, the load of snow under foot, and listen to the cry of the wind following old slicked up routes into depths of our souls.  But surely we do not despair.  God is present, even in the deep winter.

We take a break from moving and lean against the South facing concrete block wall of the garage as we find the sun a warming friend.  The dog would like his ears scratched and we notice the ice is melting and evaporating from the dark wet pavement on the hiway leading back into town. The smell in the air is one of winter snow but is also tinged with a spring like scent.  Yes, we can smell it, as well as see the changes taking place in our world.  We feel the warming, the melting, the frost as it begins to move.  

“Not long now,” the old timer who drops off pig starter from the Coop says about the coming of spring.  “Not long now,” you think as you notice the mud which has found its way onto your chore boots.  “Not long now,” you begin to sing as the sun drops in the Western sky with hues of colors saved only for the sight of Gods and angels.  “Not long now,” you hum as you hang your coveralls in the basement closet.  The smell of soup, fresh bread, and strong coffee overpower your thoughts and you are thankful.

And as quickly as it came, February is gone once again.  It is a month to be experienced, a month of changes, some subtle, others quite profound.  The baby arrives, one season is finding completion as another is beginning, and grandmother says a final farewell. Live well each day of February and find the glory of God in every footstep of the grand parade taking place, right in our own backyard.  Discover again who truly holds February.

Bring People to Christ

“Bring People to Christ” is our mission statement.  In the January meeting The Administrative Council approved a re-tooling of our statement from “To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World” to a more compact and simple statement of “Bring People to Christ.”  The new statement is only four words and yet carries the meaning and intent of our former statement.   Because the new statement is easier to remember and carry with us we will find it useful in helping the church focus our ministry efforts. 

Everything we attempt as a congregation should relate back to the mission and Bring People to Christ.  We will learn to hold ourselves accountable as we ask a couple of questions.  How does this activity Bring People to Christ?  We should be able to make a list or name the ways.  We also can begin to set goals, SMART goals, which have a way of allowing us to measure our work.  For example, just how many people should we expect to be brought to Christ by our Sunday worship services in a year?  How will we know?  There are many great questions which we will want to ask as we work together so that as the end of the season or end of the year the simple question, “How is it going?” may have profound responses.

This new activity will take new discussions and new energy related to our mission.  We will need to be vulnerable and direct in our communication.  This will also requires relationship building and trust building as key pieces to our life together.  We will slowly begin taking steps to deepen our relationships focusing on our discipleship as the key.  The Spiritual health of the congregation is always a place to begin again.  We cannot give what we do not have.  We cannot bring others to something we do not attend to ourselves.  The first people we will need to bring to Christ may be ourselves.

Knoxville First United Methodist is a great church, one which has offered Christ for generations. This new season of re-focusing our mission has the possibility of bringing surprising new life along with old souls made new again by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As a new year begins, may we begin a new season with a new joy in our hearts offered through a refreshed mission to “Bring People to Christ.”