Moses was old—120 years old. He was tired, bone-weary tired I expect. And he knew that there was no way under heaven that he would be able to endure what lay before the people of Israel. For forty years he had been their leader. Now, as Israel entered into a new era in her life, it was time for someone else to take up the mantle of leadership. Joshua was the chosen one. Reading and preaching on this text could be considered a dangerous thing to do. It is rife with possibilities for misunderstanding. First of all, Mac McCall, flowing white beard not withstanding, is not Moses, and Spencer Parks is not Joshua, and we are neither concluding forty years of wandering in the wilderness nor preparing to enter into any promised land. While the lesson may be fraught with potential misunderstandings, it still has a word for us and for Spencer at this particular moment in time and juncture in history. Like Joshua, Spencer did not so much choose this ministry as he was chosen for it. I sat with the Pastor Nominating Committee whose search brought Spencer to share life and ministry with us. They read hundreds of pages of resumes from interested candidates from across the country and even a couple from other countries. They crossed all the t’s and dotted all the i’s both in terms of ecclesiastical requirements (and they are many) and civil law. They conducted numerous telephone interviews with potential candidates and hosted four on site interviews. But the most important thing this committee did throughout their long process was to pray that God would lead them and lead the servant whom God had already chosen for this ministry to find each other. And God did. Like Joshua, Spencer is following a faithful and successful leader. And, like Joshua, Spencer will be leading us into a new era in our life and ministry through Menucha. There are, to be sure, a variety of styles of leadership. There is the leader who understands her role as primarily managerial—keeping the organization running smoothly and effectively. There is the “enabler”—which was the leadership buzz-word thirty years ago when I was in seminary—or the “coach,” as Elton Trueblood termed it—someone who helps each member of the team and the team as a whole to be the best they can be and together to succeed. There is also the visionary—the leader who sees the big picture and whose vision shapes the organization, its goals, its very identity. People have asked me on occasion what my vision for First Church might be. I’ve given a great deal of thought to that and have even written my own personal vision statement for the church—which I would be happy to share with any of you who may be interested—but it is not my vision that matters or even your vision that matters, but our mutual understanding of God’s vision for the church that matters. That vision is ascertained not by a single leader reading, reflecting, and then pontificating from on high a vision for all to embrace, but by our praying together, studying the Bible together, talking to and listening to one another, and together seeking to discern God’s will and purpose for us as the body of Jesus Christ in this time and place. My first pastorate was in a little town about ninety miles from my family’s home in South Carolina. Every month or so Mary and I and our then one-year-old son would drive over for a visit. For months we watched the progress of a home being built along the way by the owner and friends. The progress was slow, but steady. One Saturday morning as we approached the site, we could see from a distance that a huge hand-made plywood sign had been nailed to a tree in front of the partially finished house. As we drew closer the large black letters loomed into view. It said simply: “THIS IS IT, HAROLD!” I have no idea who Harold was or what he was supposed to do, but there was no way for him to miss the place where he was supposed to do it. Sometimes God’s will and purpose for us, God’s vision for us, is just that plain. Sometimes, though, discerning that vision take as little more work. In truth, such discernment in an ongoing process. The leader’s task is, first of all, to help us discern that vision, God’s vision, and, secondly, to lead us forward towards its realization. Sometimes that puts the leader out front blazing the trail. At other times leadership is exercised from within as the leader moves among those for whom he has responsibility, listening, talking, praying, working alongside them. And sometimes leadership will put you somewhere in the rear looking for stragglers, encouraging, admonishing, listening still, and praying. The leader or leaders share the journey with the people. Effective leadership cannot be provided from a distance. That was the charge Moses gave to Joshua. “Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their ancestors to give them; and you will put them in possession of it.” Ultimately where the Lord leads is what matters. The leader’s task is to help us discern that vision, keep our vision focused there, and with strength and boldness to lead us forward. Leadership in Christian ministry, though, is always a shared privilege and responsibility. It is not all up to the pastor or pastors or the professional staff or the elders and deacons. The work of Christian ministry belongs to all the baptized. In our baptism each one of us is called and claimed as Christ’s own, and we are commissioned and empowered for the work of ministry. You see to belong to Christ and to Christ’s people is also to serve for Christ. The font is where our ministry in Christ’s name and for Christ’s sake begins. Part of that ministry is fleshed out in the world—in the life you share with your family and your friends, in your work, in your community involvement, in every sphere of your being. But part, a very important part, also finds expression here in the shared work of the body of Christ. The Bible tells us that each of us is endowed by the Holy Spirit with some gift or gifts to be shared in the common ministry of Christ’s church. You may be pretty clear about what those gifts may be in your life. You may have no idea at all and find the thought of your possessing a spiritual gift as being a bit humorous. You may also be surprised to discover what gifts others see in you. My hope is that within the next six months to a year that we will commit here at First Presbyterian to helping each one of you identify your spiritual gifts and helping you find the place for investing them in the life and ministry of the church. Every member of the body of Christ is gifted and for the body to be the best that it can be, in order for the body to serve Christ and his purpose optimally, in order for the body to move ahead towards the fulfillment of God’s will and purpose, the gifts of each are needed. Spencer Parks has come to share with us in the ministry of Jesus Christ, to give leadership in our retreat and conference ministry through Menucha. Join hands with him, with me, with Anne, with Tom, with Jon, with Hillary, with each other in the work of ministry we share in this church. Offer up the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to you to share, and together let us walk forward into the future God has planned for us. And remember, especially when the way grows difficult or fraught with uncertainty, God’s own promise to us: “be strong and bold, have no fear or dread . . . because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” J. Dudley Weaver |