Gospel's Relevance

 In the last 11 years, my understanding of the ministry that I am called to has continuously evolved. Responding to an inner urging, I entered seminary. It was more than challenging. The world view from Berkeley is much different than it is from the rural communities that I have roamed over the years. More than that, my understanding of church would be deconstructed and remolded. A challenge was declared and it was this. 

In the face of momentous decline, in spite of unparalleled disinterest, with the growing obstacle of theological disagreement in the church; how will you make the gospel of Jesus Christ relevant to the communities that you are appointed to serve? 

 “Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’”

I was appointed to  a community where more than 30% of the people were unemployed, a community where more than 20% of the contributors to  our society felt unsafe being counted in a census because a lack of legal documentation threatened the security of their family, a community where the children of migrant workers seeking belonging, social status, and pathways to upward mobility were more likely to find them in a gang than in the churches and after school programs, a community where access was always an issue – food deserts in poor neighborhoods, schools unequally equipped, obesity rates that more than doubled the national average. Ironically a valley that is relied upon to be a resource to feed the nation fails to be an adequate resource to the families that sustain it.

God equips us. I was truly honored to be used by God in this time. The United Methodist Church joined with twelve of churches in the community and became a resource. We became HOPE Sanger. HOPE was an anagram that cried out, Help Our People Emmanuel. The cries of the people were heard. We were able to provide hot meals by the hundreds on a weekly basis. A member of the community donated a building and the co-op found ways to provide clothing, shelter under extreme conditions, prayer, services for children and community health. The church encouraged me to join the local Rotary Club and during my presidency we made a dream come true. We were able to raise funds for a community learning center. Local taxes were donated to the Rotary foundation so that we would be able to fund Wilson Elementary School’s need for a technology center. $142,000 was poured into the oldest school and poorest neighborhood in our town. Over 400 families are being served by this neighborhood school. In a community where food security is a significant issue, internet access is hard to prioritize in a household. For these kids to have the same access as other students, it would cost $250,000 per year to connect these households. Today adult technology classes are being held, teachers and parents with language barriers are able to communicate through email that has translation capability, adult ESL and adult diploma remediation are taking place and students have access to internet resources for homework until 7pm.

 

“Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’”

Even though we had some fantastic results, I wouldn’t say the ministry that took place was about results at all. God is acting in our communities right now: God in the margins, God in the struggle, God in the beauty of each of us, and God in the relationships. It was the relationships all along where ministry bloomed. The urge to be a source of love and support already existed in the people of Sanger. When we came together and dreamed together, we were coordinated in the Spirit of love – we were being made perfect in love as a community (is there any other way?). 

“Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

July 1^st began a new adventure. I am now appointed to Merced. The Big city (we have a taxi, 2 in fact). This community has a growing UC, built a new hospital, and struggles to be a tapestry of cultures. Various social migrations have continuously disrupted the status quo since the 17^th century: missionaries, 49ers, lumber harvesters, land barons, water brokers, dairy families, braceros, growers, and refugees – political, economic, and social. What do these migrants all seek but to find a place of belonging? Can we be a place of belonging, a place that nurtures the seed of community, a place that boldly seeks to be touched by/ warmed by/shaped by the new blanket of humanity that God has provided for God’s land?

The evolution that I have experienced in ministry is this.

The challenge that I experienced in seminary was revised by the mission field.

It is not about how I/we can make the Gospel of Jesus Christ relevant to the communities that I/we are appointed to serve. The challenge is how will I let the gospel of Jesus Christ, make ME relevant to the communities that I am appointed to serve?

Herein lies the joy and the power of ministry in my recent experiences.