On Mark 6:1-13

The reflections below are very specific to issues that the congregation I am pastoring face. They may or may not relate to your situation. However, there may be something helpful for you. If anything else, these reflections give you an insight into what the congregation I pastor faces these days.

As we celebrate our independence as a nation this weekend, we celebrate while in the midst of hard economic times. Some communities went without a big fireworks display. Ours in Mt. Healthy seemed shorter this year. The national unemployment rate is now at 9.5%, the highest level in 26 years. Our economy is still dragging. Many states have huge budget deficits they have to contend with, forced to pass balanced budgets. California is issuing IOUs. Our state’s budget is forcing our government to have to make some painful cuts and concessions. Townships and cities are also having to tighten their belts. Our congregation faces similar challenges because we don’t receive enough in offerings to cover all our expenses and our endowment funds are dwindling. We have begun to make adjustments to our spending and will continue to do so while we look for more creative ways to increase our income. The Kroger card program has been a real shot in the arm for us and I encourage all of you to be involved in this simple fundraiser. The extra income is a help, but we still have some belt tightening to do around here so that as a congregation we are more sustainable financially.
So these are anxious times. Downsizing and sacrificing are difficult. Not knowing how much to cut because of the uncertainty of how much income you might receive makes decision making a sort of gamble on the future. Then the question arises as to whether there is even enough for basic expenses. Financial uncertainty definitely creates anxiety. But, these times are also an opportunity to focus on the basics, to get lean, to commit to being servants rather than being served, and to be creative about accomplishing our purpose in ways that require fewer material resources.
Our purpose as a congregation is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our challenge is to accomplish this purpose with fewer material resources and money. The Scriptures give us examples of what is possible with little resources.
The disciples traveled light. When Jesus left his hometown, where he was not able to do much because he was too familiar with the people, he went to the nearby villages to preach and heal. In order to cover more territory, he sent out his disciples two by two. He commanded them to travel light. No money. No bag. One cloak. One staff. As far as material possessions went, the disciples had very little. But Jesus did give them something that is more priceless than anything else, a great treasure that cannot be stolen, rust or fade. Jesus gave His disciples the Holy Spirit.
And the disciples did awesome ministry. They fulfilled their purpose of proclaiming the message that the kingdom of God was near and that people need to repent. They healed people and cast out demons. They bore much fruit, healing people and transforming lives. And it cost virtually nothing. Because what made things happen was the power and authority they had been granted and their faithfulness to the command they had been given.
What lesson is there for us as we struggle financially as a congregation?
We do not have a lot of material wealth in comparison to other churches or in comparison to what we used to have. As a congregation we are smaller and poorer; although it must be said that, in comparison to other congregations, we have a lot of people and resources. Size is relative. We do have wealth, just not as much as we used to and we will likely shed even more resources in the next few years. However, we do have something that cannot be taken away or lost or liquidated. It is a great treasure, a pearl of great price, the very life of this congregation. We do have the Holy Spirit and the authority to speak and act in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that counts for something. The power and authority of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us as a congregation is the greatest treasure we possess. It is the Holy Spirit that is the real engine that drives this congregation. With the Holy Spirit we can speak, we can touch, we can pray for healing, we can come alongside those that are hurting and are possessed by demons. We can become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and participate in the transformation of the world without a lot of material resources. Lack of resources does not equal lack of effectiveness. It means that we live out our discipleship as Christians in ways that don’t require money. Talking to people doesn’t take money. Coming alongside people who are lonely or struggling doesn’t take money. Praying for people and for our community doesn’t take money. Treating every person with the dignity they possess as ones created in the image and likeness of God, that doesn’t take any money but has the power to transform lives and transform the world. Really, it is amazing to realize what a difference it can make in our world if we treated every person with the dignity each is due as ones made in the image of God.
There is another part of the scripture reading for today that we need to take note of. Notice how Jesus’ ministry effectiveness was limited when he was among familiar surroundings and around people who knew Jesus when he was a kid. It really is amazing that in this community, where Jesus was too familiar, too well known, that He couldn’t be heard and could heal only a few. Jesus displayed great power outside the familiar surroundings of home. But here, it just wasn’t happening. Jesus himself was amazed. It seems the people, who knew Jesus when he was kid, knew where he came from as a carpenter, they just couldn’t get past that to allow for the possibility that Jesus was anything other than Joseph the carpenter’s son. Their familiarity with Jesus had locked him in a box which limited his effectiveness among them. He was too well known.
Perhaps here is a lesson for us. Perhaps we would be more fruitful, more powerful, in our ministry as disciples of Jesus if we were engaging with strangers rather than always relating to family and friends. Perhaps we would discover that if we take the care, concern, and support that we give to our family and friends and make it available to strangers, that we might participate in the transformation of lives. It is possible that there are people outside of our family and social networks who don’t have any support, who are sort of out there on their own. They don’t have anybody who really cares about them. They are lost, like the sheep who strayed from the 99. Could it be that if each of us were more willing to build relationships with strangers rather than spending our time only with family and friends, that we might make a greater difference in the world? We may be surprised at how influential we can be in the lives of others who aren’t familiar with us. Among family and friends we are known as a buddy, a brother, or so and so’s daughter. To a stranger whom we have reached out to and blessed, we become known as a life saver, a saint, a woman of God, a hero.
The scripture also teaches this morning that when we get out there among strange, unfamiliar surroundings, that we should go two by two. Doing ministry or helping people out all by yourself has some unnecessary risk attached to it. You might get caught in a compromising situation. You could more easily be taken advantage of. Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs for a couple reasons. One was so that they could encourage each other and remind each other why they were doing this. The other was so that they could hold each other accountable for what they say and do. Besides, it is both safer and more fun exploring new and strange territory with a friend.
So, let’s pull this all together. As a Christian, having been baptized, you have received the Holy Spirit. You have the authority to participate in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. With the Holy Spirit, you have the power to speak and to act in order to fulfill the mission. You are sent out to the surrounding villages outside of your familiar home to share the good news and to heal the sick. Your faithfulness is the question that you must answer. The question is not about money. It is not about your skill set or physical health. The question is not about your intellectual ability. The question to be answered is how faithful are you able to be. With the Holy Spirit, the grace of God, and with your brothers and sisters in Christ, you have what you need. The mission, to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is clear. How will you respond? This is the question that you must answer and will be judged by. Will you be faithful?