October 12, 2009

All Are Called to Ministry

Preachers are not indispensable. That is a lesson that the late Dr. P. Harold Gray learned early in his ministry.

Dr. Gray was in his first pastoral appointment in South Carolina. He wanted to move but he didn’t want “to hurt” the congregation he was serving by seeking another appointment.

One day he visited one of the elderly parishioner. As they sat on the front porch he told this “mother of the church” that he thought the bishop was going to move him. She made no reply so he repeated his concern. Again no response. This was a surprise because he thought she would be upset that her preacher might move. Surely she thought the church would suffer if this gifted young pastor left.

After one more attempt at having his ego stroked, the woman stopped rocking and said, “Well, preachers come and preachers go.”

She knew what Dr. Gray would come to understand. The laity are the church.

The third Sunday of October is designated as Laity Sunday in the United Methodist Church. It is a time to focus on the ministry of all lay Christians. The Protestant doctrine of the priesthood of all believers reminds us that all Christians by our baptism are called to ministry.

I do not intend to demean clergy or to diminish their role. Clergy leadership is absolutely essential. Called, committed, and gifted clergy are needed. But the Church at its best is a partnership between clergy and laity. Each has its place and each is important. Bishop Michael Coyner suggests that “Wesley would urge us to drop our pretences about clergy/laity differences and to work together.”

“The United Methodist system functions best as a creative balance between an ordained ministry that upholds certain values and commitments and boldly represents them, in word and deed… and a committed laity that articulates and enacts the gospel within thousands of localities across our nation. A revitalized United Methodist Church requires that we trust the laity to perform their unique ministry and that the laity trust themselves to minister.” (Rekindling the Flame, William H. Willimon and Robert L. Wilson)

What would the Church be without faithful laity who serve as ushers, nursery workers, choir members, liturgists, youth counselors, Sunday School and Bible study teachers, cooks for Wednesday night supper, office volunteers, Stephen Ministers? What kind of witness would Christianity have without laity who make up mission work teams, serve in soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless, visit nursing homes and jails, respond compassionately to natural disasters, and share the Gospel in their workplaces and communities?

There is an advertisement currently on television during the Major League Baseball Playoffs. It shows players who are exerting exceptional effort and making outstanding plays. The tag line is “Beyond Devotion.” I know of a host of laity in churches who fit that description, don’t you?

I hope you will join others in worship next Sunday as we celebrate the ministry of the laity.

Jamie Jenkins, jjenkins@ngumc.org

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Advocate Offers Big Incentives to Subscribe or Renew This Month

Subscribe to the new-and-improved Advocate newspaper and send your pastor to paradise! Well, paradise on Earth, anyway. As part of the Advocate's fall 2009 subscription drive – which runs from Oct. 6 until Nov. 9 -- the North Georgia Advocate is offering some special incentives, including a week at a Gulf Coast beach home for the pastor of the church that sells the most new subscriptions or renewals. Additionally, $5 for every annual subscription sold at $28 will go back to the local church to support missions and ministries. For more information and promotional material, visit www.ngumc.org/advocate.

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Upcoming Events

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations 10/12/2009 - 10/14/2009
Communications Workshop - Gainesville First 10/13/2009
Communications Workshop - Newnan First 10/14/2009
AROS District Committee on Ordained Ministry 10/15/2009
Board of Connectional Ministries Executive Committee Meeting 10/15/2009
Board of Laity 10/15/2009
Mentor Training Session 10/15/2009
Lay Mission Training 10/17/2009 - 10/18/2009
Sexual Ethics Seminar 10/17/2009
Justice and Mercy Ministry Expo 10/18/2009
Laity Sunday 10/18/2009

Entire Conference Calendar

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Lectionary Scriptures
Sunday, October 18

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45
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