The Wilderness Way #36

In the recent past I visited two congregations in Central Texas that lifted up a crucial theological conviction that will be a hallmark of the wilderness way. The first church was Sardis United Methodist Church in the Waxahachie District. Under Pastor Dale Wilbanks this small church has gone through remarkable growth in professions of faith (conversions), growing involvement in young families, mission outreach and the spiritual development.

At the very opening of the worship, Pastor Wilbanks invited people to share “God sightings” from the past week. A wide variety of people rose to spontaneously share how God had been active in their lives, in the lives of loved ones, and in the life of the community. There was a palpable sense of God active and at work in our midst.

The second church we visited was Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Waco. Like Sardis UMC it too is an “outlier” in terms of growth in professions of faith, worship attendance, spiritual development and mission engagement. Under the leadership of Pastor Denise Blakely, a work of God is taking place.

Jolynn and I were greeted warmly when we arrived. Serving a two-point charge, the worship actually opened without Pastor Blakely present. The service was alive and had an attitude of expectation and excitement. Pastor Blakely soon joined the service. At one point she announced that someone was to share a story of a God miracle that had taken place in her life. In a brief powerful witness, a lovely lay woman shared a personal witness about how God had been active in her life through a healing the past week. It was a powerful witness of God in action. Similar to Sardis UMC, the good people of Mt. Zion UMC expected and knew that God was in action!

In the wilderness way of our time, biblical and theological faithfulness will be hallmarked by a vibrant sense of the presence of God. In recent Wilderness Way articles I have highlighted the crucial role of a strong Christology. The combination of these two elements delivers us from the twin dangers of a graceless legalism and a pallid deism. God is real and active! Vibrant, faithful and fruitful Christians and Christian congregations will reflect this central theological conviction.

The Apostle John in that great opening overture of his gospel states: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”[1] The phrase “lived among us” means literally that the Lord pitched His tent in our midst.

I find that mind blowing. God is not out there and up there but here. Think about it. God Incarnate (in the flesh) in the person of Jesus has taken up residence in our neighborhood – next door.

Intellectually at least, we affirm the perspective that God is with us. It is deeply ingrained in us as a part of the Christian culture of America. And yet, functionally, we often (I often!) operate as if God is watching us at a distance; unengaged and uninvolved. At its vital core the Christian faith has always asserted the conviction of a God is who intimately involved and active in human affairs. This is a core conviction for the wilderness way of our time.

On another subject if you have not considered the following, may you receive an encouragement from me to do so:

Can You Give Church Growth a Few Minutes?

Who we are: Gary Lindley, Director of Church Growth & Development

Vicki Eldredge, Administrative Assistant

About us: Dedicated to church growth. Willing to drive. Strong desire to talk (to others).

Our commitment: Gain 2,010 more shareholders to help us offer Christ to the many in need.

Our desire: We would love to come to your church on the Sunday of your choice to talk about the SHARES Program and Church Growth and Development. Our calendars are open beginning the first part of May (we’re happy to say that we have churches booked up to that point!).

Our hope: To give every member of our conference the chance to have a SHARE in starting a new church!

How: Call Vicki at 817-877-5222 or 800-460-8622 or email at vicki@ctcumc.org.

[1] John 1:14

By: Bishop Mike Lowry On 5/10/2010