A New Journey

Moving is a way of life for Methodist preachers, at least that's what I've been told. "Like the military," I hear people say. This is my 6th church and 8th home in 15 years of marriage/ministry. You would think I am better at packing; I am not. Upon arriving at a new appointment or station of ministry, I have learned that there are some things you simply inherit. Time may (or may not) come for you to change those things, but for now they are yours by virtue of the fact that you have arrived. At each move, we have inherited a few books, a few pieces of cast off furniture or decor, and a host of friends, relationships, stories, and life lessons. We are richer, for sure.
One of the things I have just inherited is a wonderful congregation of worshipers who call themselves Compass. I won't tell their story; maybe they will be brave enough to post it on here. But it is my inheritance this season. I receive it from other pastors who have journeyed this way and who have followed their path to other places. So now I join in with band of travellers who are finding direction in God's word. I love to travel! Compass meets on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. in the Christian Life Center at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport. Worship and preaching are the main focus, with only a minimum of liturgy. The worship style is what some would refer to as "contemporary." Overhead screens display the lyrics to praise music written in the last 2 decades versus hymnbooks containing verses and scores penned over the last 2 centuries. The worship is led by a couple of vocalists, some guitars, drums, and keyboards instead of a choir director and organ. It's a style.
My job is to preach. I went to school a pretty long time in order to get this job, but I've known for longer that preaching is what I am supposed to do. I just was wired to preach. Bishop Clay Lee says that preaching isn't just expounding on theology. Preaching says, "I'm human just like you're human and that's okay because God's plan for salvation is for humans." Preaching theologically is bringing God to humans and vice versa, and so it is a humble thing. Bishop Lee also says that the purpose of preaching is to help people understand what they believe about God. We need to acknowledge that we don't have a complete understanding of God, but that doesn't prevent us from a relationship with God. As a matter of fact, it is that relationship with the Spirit of God that gives us courage to understand God in a more authentic way. Lastly, Bishop Lee says that whatever we preach, we are to preach faith. We preachers are to lay it on the line and tell our congregations that they can lay it on the line too; bet your life that God is exactly whom God says He is as He is revealed in Jesus Christ. We preach with integrity when it is God's reputation that we stake our word on. So as a preacher, my job is to deliver a message with humility, authenticity, and integrity. My job is to reveal God to the listener as He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ by challenging all of us to draw closer, even in our human-ness, to putting our whole trust in God. Pretty simple job description, huh?
At least I am confident there will always be a need for preachers.