(Informal Saturday evening service in the Parish Hall with parishioners sitting around tables in groups)
First some instructions and some background. This evening we’re going to talk together about how the lesson from Acts might be similar to what is going on at St. Andrew’s in this interim period. A modified form of “sermon ball.” Each of you has the scripture in your bulletin. Even though you’ve just heard it read, I’d like your group to read the lesson from Acts aloud again – so choose one person to read it aloud again to your group. When you’ve finished reading, please sit silently and think about what you’ve heard until all the groups are ready.
(let groups read and wait until all are done; then move to flipchart) Here are some questions to discuss with your group: What stands out to you? What puzzles you or seems strange? Why? (record answers on flip chart)
Ok- that’s great. Now, the person sitting to the right of the one who read the lesson a few minutes ago, shall read the lesson again. Be quiet and listen to the Word of God. (let groups read and wait until all are done)
Here are some questions to discuss this round: Did you notice anything additional this time? Were any of your questions answered? Any “a-ha’s”? (record new information on flip chart)
The Acts of the Apostles is something we read during Easter Season. It is the period of time in the very earliest church when Jesus has been resurrected and returned to be with the believers for 40 days. Ascension was Thursday, so Jesus has now returned to God. The believers are going to have to figure out how to proceed without Jesus being physically present.
For some of us at St. Andrew’s, Bill Wieland was the only priest they knew as he was with you for more than 23 years. You got used to doing things the way he did them. Now, you’ve had a chance to see a few different ways of doing things – and some are the same- during the last 11 months of this interim. Each way honors our tradition even when Bill’s approach and my approach as priest might be slightly different. You now have a chance to reflect on what you like and what is maybe “not so much”. That reflection should help you as you begin the next phase of the interim and consider the gifts and talents and qualities St. Andrew’s wants and needs in the next rector.
Jesus has spent those 40 days helping the believers figure out what to do next- how to keep the ministry that Jesus started going. In fact, Jesus has told the believers that they must go to the ends of the earth and spread the Good News. The Good News of God in Christ is not to be kept quiet but rather spread by these people who have been with Jesus during his earthly ministry.
This is true of St. Andrew’s during this interim period. This is a time of internal reflection while it is also a time to continue the good work in the community. It is a time to try some new things such as this Saturday evening informal service. We don’t have to like everything new. But it might help us open our hearts to the way the Holy Spirit is moving amongst us now.
The passage from Acts talks about the 12 apostles – and then 11 with Judas Iscariot gone- but notice this passage mentions that there have been about 120 people with Jesus. We know that the group of believers has been with Jesus during his time on earth because the writer of Acts tells us that the one to replace Judas must be one of those who has been with Jesus since his baptism and up until his ascension.
Notice also that Judas “was allotted his share in the ministry.” Notice that the method of deciding between Joseph Barsabbas and Mathias was to “cast lots.” I’m hoping that the Search Committee will not “cast lots” when the time comes to make a decision about which candidates to interview and then ultimately to recommend to the Vestry. But it does point out that there are different ways of making decisions. What worked in ancient times might not be seen in the same light today. Pray for the Search Committee and all others involved in this search process. Trust that the ones you have selected to be on the Search Committee represent your best interest – and don’t hesitate to tell them what you’re thinking about our journey and what this parish needs.
Here are a couple of questions for you to think about in connection with St. Andrew’s and our period of transition. These are questions to reflect about yourself and the answers not to be shared with your group at this time: (a) Is there anyone here at St. Andrew’s who has been a faithful follower but perhaps hasn’t been raised up to a leadership role (this might be you!). What might the reasons be? Would you be comfortable nominating that person(s) for a leadership role? Why or why not? (b) Is there or has there been in your time at St. Andrew’s someone who is no longer coming that might have felt “pushed out” or “unwelcome”? Why do you think that is so? What might be done to mend fences? (c) What might be comparable to “casting lots” in how we operate at St. Andrew’s today? Is there another way of promoting leadership that we ought to consider? (allow a period of time to consider these questions)
The final question for reflection is “do you see this portion from the Acts of the Apostles applying to your life today?” Or, put another way “where are you in this reading from Acts”?
This lesson and the rest of the Acts of the Apostles give us good lessons in how to get a start-up going. They remind us that all was not sweetness-and-light. In fact, they had major disagreements that threatened to tear the whole new movement apart. They called a council at Jerusalem to discuss what was necessary for someone to become a follower of the “way” – what this fledging movement was called using the imagery of “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
The dissension was so bad that Peter, the one to whom Jesus had entrusted the church, took the mission to the Jews and Paul took the mission to the gentiles. They disagreed about so many things, including what was ok to eat and to who the Word of God should be shared. Sounds a lot like some of the things going on in the world today and even within our denomination, sad to say. Even with all their disagreements, though, they still worked to spread the Gospel. The church took hold and here we are today. Not without rocks and bumps in the road. But we are together, sitting at the same table, sharing the bread and the wine.
As we move forward into the next phase of our transition period, with the Search Committee drafting materials for potential candidates to review, pray that we remain open to the call of the Holy Spirit on our life and on this ministry. Each time we gather for worship and we exchange the peace, we have an opportunity to ask for forgiveness from others with whom we disagree. We have an opportunity to hold up the ministry of each other person present. We have an opportunity to get to know the person on the other side of the handshake and learn what gifts and talents they possess that might be used for the glory of God. Never forget that while Jesus has ascended to be with God, we are blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
We can learn much from those early apostles – not just the 12 or the 11, and not just the 120, but all of those who have gone before us in the faith. Ponder the Word of God and how it applies to your life and to the life of St. Andrew’s. God is good and gracious and merciful. Even to the one named Judas, the one who guided those who arrested Jesus. Remember that Judas “was allotted his share in the ministry.” Never give up on anyone no matter how deep your disagreement with them. They are loved by God and you should do no differently. Amen.
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