"The Relational Church"
Sermon Transcript for October 27, 2002 By Rev. Mike Beck
The man’s needs were very real. He had been a cripple since birth. There were no governmental assistance programs in that day; so like many others, he sat in public places begging for help from those who passed by. Peter and John were on their way that day to the temple to pray. The beggar called out to them asking for money. These two disciples could have walked on by; for after all, this was just one of numerous such beggars who lined the streets. But Peter and John stopped. In the spirit of their Lord, they saw the man and made themselves available to "one of the least of these". The beggar must have been disappointed at what he heard first: "We don’t have any money to give you." But the crippled beggar was soon to discover that Peter and John possessed something far more valuable that they wanted to pass on to him. And the miracle that was about to be performed, and the gift that was about to be given, was centered around the person of Jesus.
"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!. And taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up. The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. And he went with Peter and John into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God! When all the people saw him walking and praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the Temple Gate. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him"
This wonderful story is a beautiful illustration of the heart of what the "Care Ministry" we are implementing in November is all about. Note the progression of the story.
1. There is a person with a need.
2. God’s people are sensitive to the need.
3. They meet his need by offering him (not ritual, religion, or rules), but by "offering him Christ".
4. The crippled man becomes a "disciple". He followed Peter and John in to the Temple.
5. The surrounding community takes notice
6. The Kingdom of God continues to grow.
What we see here is the "relational church" at work. I want to share this morning about three types of relationships that are to be present as we carry out the mission of Christ.
1. Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ. First of all, we are to be related to God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It was this understanding of faith that was at the heart of John Wesley’s teaching and the birth of the Methodist movement. Wesley was rooted in the ritual and practices of the 18th Century Church of England. He was devoted to a life of piety, believing that his good works and self-discipline could somehow earn him God’s favor. But inside, Wesley realized that, despite all of his devotion to "religion", he was spiritually bankrupt. He longed for a relationship with God. And on that night of May 24, 1738 at a church on Aldersgate Street in London, Wesley felt his heart "strangely warmed". And his life and his ministry changed forever.
Let me use these simple graphics to illustrate what I mean when I speak of a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Contrast between those who say they believe in God—vague theism—and those who trust in the person of Christ as Savior and Lord. The following elements are present in a relationship—love, commitment, trust, sacrifice, time, communication, and joy.
2. Related to one another in love and shared ministry. Secondly, in the relational church we are to be related to one another in love and shared ministry. The relational church stresses the importance of small groups. Why? Because lives are best transformed in small groups. In these kinds of settings, we have the opportunity to learn from and to get to know one another. In doing so, we are better able also to care for one another. The relational church understands "shared ministry" and the "priesthood of all believers".
This morning we received new members into the fellowship of our church. Membership, in its purest sense, involves entering into a covenant of relationships and ministry where we mutually agree to be joined one to another. In that covenant relationship, we rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, and bear one another’s burdens. We encourage one another, believe in one another, give one another the benefit of the doubt, and extend grace one to another. Love is to be at the heart of everything we do and say. The little chorus says it all: "They will know we are Christians by our love".
In that context, allow me a moment of personal privilege to say a word about the next to last point in my sermon last week on the mission-driven church. The point was totally valid: "Mission-driven churches place a greater emphasis on the local church than on denominational or inter-church activities". However, I didn’t illustrate that point in the spirit of love that I should have. I’m afraid I came across pretty hard related to our denomination and that was not my intent. I grew up in the Methodist Church and chose to be ordained into our connectional system of ministry. That system has been extremely good to my family, and me, and to countless persons here at Grace Church. In almost every city and hamlet in our land, you will find a United Methodist Church sharing the love of Christ and ministering to the needs of hurting people. From a worldwide perspective, the sun never sets on the healing ministries of the United Methodist Church literally around the world. That can’t be said of many independent churches. And it is because of my love for the United Methodist Church that at times I get overly passionate that it not settle for "maintenance" ministry but be rekindled with the fire of God’s Holy Spirit.
I want you to know my heart. My passion is that Grace Church, with its rich history and wide diversity, will be a model to our denomination of a vibrant, healthy, caring, Spirit-filled and grace-centered church! I hope you will join us for the sermon series we’ve just begun on Wednesday evening. That series, "First Love", reminds the church of its continual need for "self-examination", "repentance", and "change" to remain faithful to the Lord of the church, Jesus Christ.
Friends, we are so blessed here at Grace Church. "To whom much is given, much is expected." The prayer of your pastors is that the same vision and sense of mission that God used here at Grace to launch the ministry of the Franklin United Methodist Community in the 1950’s will be ours today at the beginning of the 21st century as we boldly step out in faith and love to minister "help, hope, and home" to persons of all ages in the rapidly growing community of Franklin.
Networks of Caring Relationships to Bring Others to Wholeness of Life in Christ. Which brings me to the third and final point, that the relational church uses networks of caring relationships to bring others to wholeness of life in Christ. One of my greatest joys in ministry is when I can "connect" persons in need with other individuals in our family of faith, so they might be the "body of Christ" to meet those needs. Each week here at Grace, we will see five to ten newcomers visit our church for the first time. Fifty new family units have been added to our church roster in the past year. Up to this point, the welcoming and assimilation process of these newcomers has been primarily dependent on Rev. Dan, Sandy, and myself. That’s not a healthy model for the church to follow. It’s simply impossible for the three of us to provide the "glue" of relationship that is needed for these individuals.
That’s why we are mobilizing for mission with the implementation of the Care Ministry. Imagine the needs that can be met, the healing grace that becomes available, when 80-100 persons are trained and equipped to "be a miracle" in someone else’s life! That’s what the Care Ministry is all about. And the benefit is not only to newcomers, but also to the persons who are led of God to become a part of this ministry. How your life will be changed! "It is in giving that we receive".
I bring you back to our Scripture in closing. The story began with a crippled man’s need. Peter and John’s availability gave God an opportunity to do a miracle in this man’s life. The man’s life was transformed, both physically and spiritually. Others around took notice, and the Kingdom of God spread. God wants that same thing to happen here at Grace church through networks of loving relationships.
E-mail Comments to: Reverend Dan Sinkhorn