This has been a busy weekend of ministry for me, and I give
thanks for these opportunities. On
Saturday I met with Christian Church (DOC) leaders for their annual leadership
conference. We thought together about
“Re-thinking Ministry for a Changing Church,” recognizing that the context in
which churches minister has shifted radically in the past few decades. The results of the cultural marginalization
of the church are evident in all our congregations, and creative engagement is
urgent.
Members of
the host church, Hillcrest Christian, sported tee shirts with this message:
“the church has left the building.” I
think they got that exactly right. All
ministries cannot be accomplished at the church house. It is as the Body of Christ scatters within
the larger community that Christ’s transformative presence is made known.
Third
Baptist Church in St. Louis hosted me for a Central Day yesterday. Partnering churches are inviting members of
the faculty, staff, and student body to share in worship leadership and offer
an update on the growing mission of Central.
Anchored in mid-town, this historic congregation not only finds ways to
use their sprawling building in redemptive ways, but also engages the urban
festivals and street fairs that happen on their doorstep. (The church sidewalk was strewn with glitter
yesterday, a reminder of the dancing groups that had pranced by on Saturday.) “Being
in the City for Good” is a watchword that shapes their ministry, and the church
seeks to share life with their neighbors.
When I
visit Third, I make it a practice to attend my favorite Sunday School class,
The Prayer Partners. Comprised of
persons of differing abilities, this class engages faith at the most practical
and robust level. As members offer
testimony to needs met by God, their witness kindles the flame of my prayer.
Truly, their life together is a sustaining lifeline for them—and others.
Terrell
Carter, a Doctor of Ministry student at Central, is functioning as Interim
Minister of Administration. A seasoned
and gifted pastor, he said: “I am putting what I am learning at Central into
action every day.” He understands that
while there are basics in pastoral leadership, there are also much needed
adaptations to achieve congregational health.
Providing stable leadership and guidance during the tender time of
pastoral transition, he is calling the church to be the hands and feet of
Christ, indeed, the very presence of Christ.
As I
conversed with Disciple and Baptist leaders, I sensed more concern to be
faithful followers of Jesus than to preserve existing structures. This is the right pathway. As the Epistle reading for next Sunday
encourages: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready
to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for
the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life” (1
Timothy 6:18-19).
Molly T. Marshall
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