Life and Change

How many Methodists does it take to change a light bulb? At least once a year, someone forwards an e-mail to me depicting how many Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, Baptists, etc., are needed to change a light bulb. Many of you probably receive a similar e-mail. Methodists needed several committees (one for long-term planning, one to arrange the farewell potluck dinner, one to consider recycling possibilities), Episcopalians never changed the bulb – they remembered how much better the old one was. Catholics preferred candles. And, a Baptist shrieked, “Change?!?” Change can be easy. Consider Jesus’ calling of Simon (whom Jesus later renames Peter) and Andrew. In that moment, change occurred unhesitatingly: As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men’. And at once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18, The Jerusalem Bible) Change can be hard. When Jesus begins to teach his disciples about the suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection he must face as God’s Messiah, Peter feels that he must remind Jesus of the Messianic expectations held by the Jews of his day. Peter loves Jesus, reveres Jesus – but Peter needs for Jesus to live up to his expectations, so he takes Jesus aside to correct him. Jesus’ response to Peter, his friend and the rock on which he will build the church, is painful and prophetic: ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’ (Mark 8:33, The Jerusalem Bible) Changes are coming: To St. Charles Church – eight of our “children” are preparing to become full members (adults?) of our congregation by receiving God’s gift of Confirmation; three of our members are actively considering their calling to ministry in and through The United Methodist Church; God is leading us into new expressions of ministry, even as we continue vital ministries of worship, education, fellowship, outreach, and service; To The United Methodist Church – Louisiana will receive a new Bishop on September 1; New Orleans will receive a new District Superintendent on July 1; our Annual Conference and the entire Church are actively considering how God is leading us in ministry in these times. Change is the most constant feature of God’s Creation. Indeed, one of the creeds we use claims, “We believe in God, who has created and is creating.” But will we be blessed to follow in God’s way and not be limited by our own thinking? Pray that we may face life and change in the Spirit of Christ. Pray!