June 29, 2015

“I fear that perhaps I may come and find you not what I wish, and that you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my G*d may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned before and have not repented…” 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

“Any show of ill-temper, partiality, or prejudice is to be scrupulously avoided… They must not be over ready to believe ill of anyone, nor too hasty with their censure; being well aware that we all of us owe the debt of sin. If we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we ourselves must be forgiving; we are all under the eyes of our Lord and G*d, and every one of us must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, where each will have to give an account of himself.” Polycarp (69-155) Letter to the Philippians “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 161)

I was reading a newspaper article the other day — it was the announcement of an ordination service for a member of the Clergy. The article was three or four columns long describing everything this person has ever done in their ministerial educational process and in their work life. Being ordained in the church for Jesus Christ is a second or third career for this individual. What made me stop to read the article, beside the joy of having another clergy in the Church, no matter that I just recently celebrated my 10th year of ordination, what made me stop and read it was the length this person went to list everything they have ever done – every church they have served – every field-education requirement as part of their seminary experience, and every other kind of experience they have had in their lives.

Paul tells the people in Corinth that he hopes that G*d will “humble me before you” — he is hoping to come to them in a manner of humble service. As Polycarp says, it is in front of G*d that we will stand to make an accounting of our deeds. Until then, as pastors, we are called to humble service — we will have our time to tell G*d what we have done at the end of our lives — of course G*d will already know.

Pastor Dave