Saying Goodbye
[Preached June 8, 2008; Based on Acts 20: 36-38 and Matthew 7: 24-29]
“Let’s remind ourselves of the importance between the terms grief and mourning. Grief is the internal thoughts and the feelings of loss and pain, whereas mourning is the outward, shared expression of that grief – or grief gone public. All bereaved families grieve when someone they love dies. But if they are to heal, they must have a safe, accepting atmosphere in which they can mourn.” (Alan Wolfelt)
Whenever anyone starts working here at the church, we enter a time of orientation. We begin letting them know about the ins and outs of working in the church, the pluses and the minuses... and we feel really good when... they come back after lunch! That’s a good sign, isn’t it? We might even give them a standing ovation.
Transitions to or from employment can be difficult even when there is a sense of God’s providential guidance. We all struggle with major change. This is such a time.
The words of meditation this morning deal with grief and mourning. Grief is what happens on the inside; mourning is what is done publicly. The Purdys have grieved over the past three months and have even mourned a time or two. You helped us with this at a Farewell Reception – thank you. You help me with this right now because I fully believe this is “a safe, accepting atmosphere.”
There will be a time when you need such a place and I urge you to come to this church when you need it. Also, there is hardly ever a Sunday when someone else is not grieving, so pay attention to those around you. Worship regularly so they will become your friends.
Every organization has a system of training leaders and filling positions. We are a part of a denomination that has developed a rather unique system. Historically, we have had more churches than clergy and so it is necessary to combine several churches in a particular area. Historically, we have called this series of churches a circuit though it is more common now to say a two-point or three-point charge. The preacher used to be called a “circuit rider” but now we simply call him or her a pastor. With fast paced change, preachers were reassigned regularly – for the benefit of the entire Church. With time, preachers began to stay put (relatively speaking) and this was called a “station.”
Other denominations handled things differently and while it might seem preferable, perhaps you have seen how much hurt comes to an independent local church when a preacher is suddenly fired or accepts another call and leaves a church “high and dry.” Churches literally go months and even years without adequate pastoral leadership.
The United Methodist Church has definite flaws but: There is something consistent with biblical teaching when one local church sends its pastoral leader to another church to help that one deal with its problems or face the future in a stronger way. Once upon a time, leaders like Peter and Paul and Barnabas and Timothy traveled and were not stationed at one place. They followed the Spirit in trying to help any church and all churches through their difficulties.
The United Methodist Church attempts to do the same. Yes, the system is political – remember the word political comes from the Latin polis (people). Yes, sometimes the Bishop and District Superintendents are strongly influenced by the larger churches that pay more apportionments, but do not forget that First Church Harlingen is one of those larger churches. The Bishop and Cabinet want First Church Harlingen taken care of – you are receiving a great team! By the way, Pastor Eddie may have been at the microphone longer than any other at Annual Conference, as he gave the Board of Ordained Ministry report and then the pastoral and congregational effectiveness report. He is recognized as a leader! Katy has accomplished quite a bit in her 25 years!
So, on the one hand, there is something comforting about turning to a well-known pastor whenever challenges face us. “On the other hand, there comes a time for each of us to say, “Regardless of my pastoral leader, I choose to serve Christ and make the most of every situation I am in to serve him.” Right?
I truly believe that the Bishop and District Superintendents want the very best for our church and their motivation is to please God in each appointment. With 365 or so churches, this cannot be an easy assignment!
All of this said, the bottom line for us is that with today’s events, I will cease being your pastor. Officially, I am already senior pastor of First United Methodist Church Seguin, but I preach today and then I will preside at a graveside and memorial service tomorrow on behalf of Pastor Eddie, who is likewise presiding at a funeral on behalf of Dr. Jenna Heart who is saying goodbye at St. Mark, McAllen. After tomorrow, I will be the pastor of another station and Pastor Eddie will be here as your Senior Pastor. Pastor Katy will be here as a 2nd full-time Associate Pastor... a 3rd Associate Pastor.
Now, I will still pray for you and be your Christian friend, but when there are births, baptisms and marriages – another pastor will celebrate with your family; when there are illnesses, surgeries and deaths – another pastor will comfort and pray with you. I will not be able to return to Harlingen in such times because I will have pastoral responsibility for other folks. Your new pastors will be quite capable to do this and I guarantee that you will love them and they will be blessings to you!
With 100% certainty, I am convinced that God is planning good things for your future! I can and will continue to hold you in my prayers.
Now, just in case someone happened to wander into First United Methodist Church today not knowing this was a transition Sunday, let me make a comment about the Scripture.
Matthew chapters 5-7 are Matthew’s recollection of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount! Thus, our text is the final section of the Sermon on the Mount!
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Jesus boldly states two major points about applying his teaching:
So, all the great teachings of the Sermon on the Mount:
These are beautiful teachings… but unless we hear them and put them into practice, we have nothing more than an illusion that will crumble with the storms of life.
What is the foundation that will withstand life’s storms? The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord! Get to know his teachings and put them into practice… and, one more thing… get to know Jesus Christ himself because Jesus Christ will never be reappointed to another flock! Jesus Christ is “stationed” with you at all times! If you forget me, you have lost nothing; if you forget Jesus, you’ve lost it all.
“Regardless of what others do, I choose to serve Christ and make the most of every situation I am in to serve him.”
I thank God for:
Yes, I thank God for our accomplishments, but what I’ll remember is not our accomplishments but rather I’ll remember you! Thank you for the great love you’ve poured upon me and my family... and for your faithful attendance after bad sermons.
Let me specifically mention Pastors Aaron and Jet and my Administrative Assistant Darlene Topp –
· You have been my friends & colleagues.
· You have been my partners & co-laborer in God’s vineyard. Aaron and Jet, you did not become Associate Pastors to escape some weakness or area of dislike in the pastoral role... you are both capable to pastor on your own, but you honor spiritual authority. You, as well as Darlene, have been generous in spirit and my armor bearers.
Vickie and I will always remember our time in Harlingen as an exceptional time. Six years of seeking God’s guidance and fulfilling it with great and generous people who truly care about reaching others with the Gospel. We have sought God’s dream together with you. There is no reason that the last two years before the Centennial Celebration will not be the best of the entire Century of existence.
I will remember:
We believe that reaching beyond the local church’s typical reach and intentionally and purposefully reaching out to others that we’ve not historically reached is the key to invigorating the church and transforming our communities. The Annual Conference said they believed that this past year we have done this better than any of the other 360+ churches in our alliance.
The Annual Conference recognized the faith of FUMCH in beginning Valley Praise. Way to go church!
They recognize that parenting new churches is the best way to expand the kingdom, even as parenting infants into a family is the best way to grow Christian families. We have parented a baby church that is growing noticeably.
My brothers and sisters, in this morning’s reading of My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote: Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been.
The Apostle Paul was leaving the place of his longest service and said: "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified....' (Acts 20:32)
And after recalling the teaching of Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive...' he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.
Now, I’m not advocating all the weeping, embracing and kissing, but I want you to know that I will miss you!
Don’t stay in the harbor. Go out and find others who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ! Remember: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Yes, remember Jesus’ teaching, but whatever else you do: remember Jesus and put his teaching into practice!
“Regardless of what others do, I choose to serve Christ and make the most of every situation I am in to serve him.”
Benediction
As I got dressed this morning, I decided to wear a shirt given me early on in my appointment here. It says “First United Methodist Church, HARLINGEN, TX” on one side and “Steve, Heart & Soul” on the other. “Heart & Soul” is the name of the Praise Band at the 8:30 worship service. Its gift was intended as a symbol of my inclusion in their ministry – my acceptance. It felt good.
My prayer is that “Heart & Soul” also describes what I have given this church. I’m sure that I have not completed all the projects that I might have and certainly that I have not made all the visits and phone calls there were to make... but I pray I have given my best. Undoubtedly, some days I did and some days I didn’t. Regardless, I have loved living in the Rio Grande Valley and I have nearly always loved being Senior Pastor of “First United Methodist Church, HARLINGEN, TX.”
I pray that you will look for ways to include your new pastors in this church and in your lives... and while you’re at it, look around and include someone else! May God bless this church abundantly in the future as you give your “Heart & Soul” in the name of Jesus Christ!