“God’s Creation is in crisis.” This is the opening sentence of a pastoral letter adopted by the Council of Bishops [COB] of The United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. This pastoral letter addresses the subject of God’s creation. The exact title of the letter is “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action”.

I was pleased to join with my colleague bishops in adopting this pastoral letter, similar to the Council’s landmark 1986 call, “In Defense of Creation: The Nuclear Crisis and a Just Peace.”

The letter declares that “our neglect, selfishness, and pride have fostered: [1] pandemic poverty and disease; [2] environmental degradation; and, [3] the proliferation of weapons and violence.” The notion that God’s creation is in crisis is no exaggeration. If this is the current reality concerning God’s creation, what does the future hold for humankind, unless we mend our care of God’s creation? Indeed, God has entrusted the care of God’s creation to all of God’s people. The critical problem that confronts us is that “we have turned our backs on God and on our responsibilities.”

The bishops said: “With a resurrection spirit, we look forward to the renewal of the whole creation and commit ourselves to that vision. We pray that God will accept and use our lives and resources that we re-dedicate to a ministry of peace, justice and hope to overcome poverty and disease, environmental degradation, and the proliferation of weapons and violence.” We bishops have pledged ourselves to the multifaceted task of helping to make a difference in the care of God’s creation.

There are three resources available to the church: [1] Pastoral Letter [2] Foundation Document (with Preface), and the [3] Pastoral Letter in Liturgical Setting. The documents will be available on the Internet in just a few days  at wvumc.org and hopeandaction.org.

 

Yes, God’s creation is in crisis and we must act in partnership to end this crisis.

All new cars come with certain standard equipment, with the opportunity for the prospective buyer to purchase certain optional equipment. There are two items that are never optional. Every car is manufactured with a windshield and a rear-view mirror.

The windshield usually spans from the driver’s side of a car to the passenger side of the car. The purpose of the windshield is to provide a means for the driver of the automobile to be able to have a maximum view of what is in front of the car. A car must have a clear path and the driver must be able to see that the path is free from any obstacles. When the windshield gets dirty, it behooves the driver to clean the glass, so that there is an unobstructed line of sight.

The windshield, located in the front of a car, enables a driver to move in a forward direction, while seeing everything that might be in the intended pathway of the car. Obviously, one cannot drive a car safely when the windshield is obstructed.

On the other hand, one cannot safely drive a car in a forward direction without the ability to look backward. Rear-view mirrors enable the driver of a car to see what is behind a car. It comes in handy, when the driver wants to back up the car. It is also a useful device when a driver gets ready to pass another car while driving in a forward direction.

The point is that a car needs a windshield and a rear-view mirror. These items are included as standard equipment in a new car. What does this have to do with living life?

The Christian life requires a posture of looking to the future. God led the children of Israel as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God led these folk into a future with hope. At certain times, the children of Israel wanted to go back to Egypt. That was a rear-view mirror theology. Things look good the way they use to be, but Moses was leading them forward. Now that was a windshield theology, a practical theology.

It is important to note that the windshield is a large space, while the rear-view mirror is a small object that provides a limited view. This is more than a matter of perspective; it is a matter of reality. We do not necessarily need to see all that is behind us, but it is imperative that we see everything that is in front of us.

Think about it!

All Saints Day is a special day of celebration in the life of the Christian church. It is a time when we remember and honor the saints of the church who now rest from their labors. The saints are our loved ones. They are pilgrim disciples who have sought to be faithful to God and God’s people.

When I was a district superintendent in the Raritan District [The former Northern New Jersey Annual Conference], we had an annual district All Saints Day jazz worship service, New Orleans style. It was always a memorable celebration. The district churches would bring a list of their members who had died since the last celebration. These names were read with respect and joyful appreciation for their labors in their church.

I cannot help but remember the saints who have been a part of my life. One of those persons was Mr. Ernest Jones. He was a role model, mentor and friend. Mr. Jones, a ham radio operator himself, tutored me in preparation for obtaining my ham radio license. I have fond memories of my Saturday visits to his home where I would sit in his basement and listen to him tell stories about his experiences as a ham radio operator, answer my questions about radio theory or show me how to build a radio transmitter. He and his wife always welcomed me into his home, extending warm hospitality. He was never too busy to spend some time with me. I consider Mr. Jones to be one of the saints in my life.

On All Saints Day, 2009, the Council of Bishops [The United Methodist Church] remembered some of the saints. It is customary for the Council to begin its meetings with a memorial service. During this service we memorialized five persons: one retired bishop and four spouses of bishops. It was a wonderful celebration.

I believe that it is important and significant to remember the saints. We should know what they stood for and worked for as they labored in the church. Not only do we learn from the saints, we are inspired by the saints.

Let us give thanks to God for all the saints who now rest from their labors here on earth.

Today, I read an article entitled “The Good Life” [“AARP Magazine”, November & December 2009]. The article suggests that “older Americans are enjoying their later years with a nod toward God.” In other words, when Americans reach their senior years, there is a spiritual shift – toward God.

According to the article, 70% of people at age 75 and beyond say that religion is very important in their life. At age 65-75, it is 62%. At age 50-64, it is 61%, and 54% from age 30-49. Finally, at age 18-29 it is 44% who say religion is very important in their life. This is only one analysis, but it does have some interesting conclusions.

Are there any surprises for you? Are these statistics reflected in the community where you live and in the congregation where you worship God?

This Pew Center Research survey is titled “Growing Old in America.” The study also suggests that somehow, life gets better as one grows older. The seniors surveyed said that there is “more time with family, less stress, and more financial security.”

Now, I wonder: Why don’t churches creatively evangelize [share the Good News of Jesus Christ] among senior citizens?

The United States and the nations of the world are traveling through some extremely difficult economic times. We witness the loss of jobs and thousands of home foreclosures. There are some economists who now say that they believe the recession is starting to abate slowly. There is not unanimous agreement on this matter, so the pundits continue to engage in their unscientific forecasts.

Each day the media engages in discussions about the economic situation. Many of these debates are between Democrats and Republicans, and conservatives and liberals. Somewhere in the middle, we might here from a few moderates. So the debates rage on a daily basis.

It is rare, if ever, that I hear a spokesperson from the religious community included in the media debates. Does not the religious community have anything to say on economic matters?

The United Methodist Church has made a cogent statement about the economic community that is well worth our consideration [‘The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2008,” page 118]. Please give the following statement a careful reading:

We claim all economic systems to be under the judgment of God no less than other facets of the created order. Therefore, we recognize the responsibility of governments to develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies that provide for the economic life of individuals and corporate entities and that ensure full employment and adequate incomes with a minimum of inflation. We believe private and public economic enterprises are responsible for the social costs of doing business, such as employment and environmental pollution, and that they should be held accountable for these costs. We support measures that would reduce the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. We further support efforts to revise tax structures and to eliminate governmental support programs that now benefit the wealthy at the expense of other persons.

This statement is based on the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, who challenges us to care for our brothers and sisters.

You might want to share this United Methodist statement with your local congregation.

The United States Congress is fiercely debating the matter of health care. Various interest groups have their own perspective. Individual citizens have a variety of opinions about this important mater.

Do you know what the United Methodist “Social Principles” say about health care? The “Social Principles” say: We believe it is a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care.

The operative word in the UM statement is “all” citizens.

The statement is contained in the “Social Principles [The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008, page 118].

Think about it!

Each day, among other things, I pray for the clergy and laity in the West Virginia Conference. On the weekends, I ask God to anoint our ministers and laity who will lead congregations at worship on Sunday and at other times during the coming week. Ministry is an awesome service and those who engage in ministry deserve our appreciation.

October is Clergy Appreciation month. We have the opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to all of our clergy who labor in local churches, work on Conference staff, or work in an extension ministry.

I want to say THANK YOU to all of our clergy who are a part of the West Virginia Annual Conference. Too often we forget to say thank you to our clergy. I greatly appreciate the faithfulness of our clergy as they do the work of ministry and mission in partnership with the laity.

It is my hope that every congregation will determine a way to express gratitude to your pastor[s] during this special month. There are a variety of ways to express gratitude and thanks – cards, personal note, flowers, gift card, fruit basket or an invitation to share a meal together. In addition, perhaps the most significant expression of gratitude is a personal thank you, expressed verbally in person.

Finally, let us remember our pastors in our daily prayers, asking God to surround them with love and peace. Dear God, please surround the clergy of the West Virginia Conference with your abundant love and abiding peace. Grant them spiritual strength for their daily journey. Help them to know that they are never alone, as they follow the light of Christ. Guide the clergy and laity as they labor together in partnership. Amen.

When I was a child, my parents taught me and my siblings that we must respect other human beings, especially our elders. We had to address all adults with a title, such as Mr., Mrs., Aunt, Dr., Rev., Bishop or some other title. We would never address an adult by his/her first name. Never! It was a matter of respect.

Such a demonstration of respect was not just reserved for children, but it was practiced by adults in relation to very special people, such as one’s family physician, or pastor, or teacher or the president of the United States. It was a matter of respect.

I now am wondering, whatever happened to a little respect?

What is happening in our nation when a member of Congress fails to manifest respect for the president of the United States?

What is respect? In some instances the matter of respect has to do with the high level office that a person holds. More importantly, respect has to do with the high esteem that one has for a person.

Respect is a matter of character, honor and decency. Respect should never be trivialized. Respect is due at all times. It is perhaps a matter of good manners. We practice good manners at all times and in all places.

Indeed, we must respect ourselves as well as respect others. Jesus calls us to love God, our neighbors and ourselves.

Well, I am still wondering, whatever happened to a little respect – at home, in the work place, at church, at school, in the halls of congress, and in all places where people gather?

Think about it!

I reported to the hospital about 6:30 AM on Friday, July 17, 2009, as directed by the medical staff. When I received my hospital bracelet, I became an official patient, exchanging my clothing for a hospital gown. Based on the type of surgery that I was to undergo, it was believed that my stay in the hospital would last three or four days.

After surgery, I spent some time in recovery where my family greeted me and everyone assured me that all was well. From there I went to a room in the Intensive Care Unit. The next day or so, I was taken to a room on the “floor.” The next move would be to go home; instead, I was taken back to the ICU. Surprise! Complications had developed, and I would remain in the hospital for a total of 21 days.

While in the hospital, one is expected to act as a patient, while being treated as a patient. A patient, of course, is one who is receiving medical treatment of some kind. On the other hand, staying in the hospital requires one to be patient. Now, I confess that it takes all the faith and courage that one can muster to be patient under any circumstances. Knowing that I needed to be patient, I prayed to God and asked God to grant me patience, because I wanted to get well and go home.

We know that patience is a fruit of the Spirit: “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” [Galatians 5:22]. John Wesley often referred to this passage of scripture in his preaching and teaching. Fruits of the Spirit are produced as we invite and allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives. So, a significant part of my prayer life has always been to ask God for patience; but during my hospital stay, I pleaded with God to grant me a deeper portion of patience.

God answered my prayer. God enabled me to endure the long wait and God wrought healing in my body during that wait. A long time favorite passage of scripture is this: “but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” [Isaiah 40:31].

Day by day, God is renewing my strength. I am not running yet, but I am walking a few miles each day. I am still waiting for my “new” wings.

Job was a patient man. He endured much pain and suffering. In the midst of all his trials and tribulations, he waited on God. In God’s time, God acted in his life, doing God’s will.

So too, I believe that God will act and does act in our lives. We need the patience to wait. May it be so!

I remember a rock song back in the late fifties that had a line which went something like this: “it’s all over; it’s back to school again.” With the passing of Labor Day, summer is unofficially over and our children are back in school, public and private. For the next nine months, school children will focus on their secular education. It is also time for our children to be enrolled in Sunday School, where they can focus on their Christian education.

Sunday School is the ageless vehicle for training our children about the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. We teach our children about human relationships and Christian values. Children have the opportunity to learn about Christian discipleship.

Sunday School is for life, because we never become too old to learn about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, far too many children become Sunday School dropouts at an early age. We implore our children not to drop out of their secular education endeavor, urging them to graduate from high school. Yet, we see so many of our children dropping out of Sunday School before they reach high school.

Sunday School is for children and adults. Sunday School is for life. There is so much to learn about pilgrim discipleship and the wonderful ideas of Jesus.

Let’s encourage our children to stay in Sunday School, while we encourage them to remain faithful to their secular education, through high school and beyond.

What would our congregations be like if so many parishioners were not Sunday School dropouts?

What do you think about this?

Are you a Sunday School dropout? If so, what are you going to do about it?