Reverend Ref +

PENTECOST 20 - PROPER 24 - YEAR C (KIND OF)

Traditionally the post-convention sermon focuses on what happened at, or the big issues of, convention. In light of how I experienced convention, I think that this is a good tradition to follow, especially for us today.

As you are all well aware, and if you aren't I can fill you in on the details later, that our bishop is walking into a very difficult situation, and it is his job to help us recover and reconcile with each other. This recovery, and his position, requires trust, and he asked us to trust him. It's a new day in our diocese -- a new bishop, a shipload of new clergy, and a new attitude that even I picked up on.

First, a little bit about the bishop. Montana elected Frank to be its leader and chief pastor. We now need to trust him in that role. All ordinands at all levels promise to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church. Bishops are also charged with guarding the faith, unity and discipline of the church. This means that he must sometimes, as he said, "lay down the law." But it doesn't mean that he doesn't love and care for us, nor does it mean that we can't disagree with him. Personally, I disagree with him on several issues. However, disagree or not, we need to respect his position. He is, afterall, our bishop.

Second, a little bit about the diocese. The diocese is both a family and a body. We hear these analogies played out in scripture with words like, "Brothers and sisters in Christ," and "the Body of Christ." This is an important concept to remember. Families have a certain air about them. They love each other; they tolerate each other; they support each other; they disagree with each other. Our diocese works the same way; and, like it or not, we are part of the family called the Diocese of Montana.

And speaking of dioceses (diocesi?? dioceeses?? whatever) it is important to remember that the diocese is the basic unit of the church, in ancient times right up to today. One way to look at this whole arrangement is that the diocese is the body of the church. The parishes are the body parts. The parishioners are the individual cells. We are intimately united. And for the body to be healthy, the parishes must be healthy. For the parishes to be healthy, you and I must be healthy.

In other words, everyone here in this building is the diocese. What this means is that we can no longer ask, "What is the diocese going to do," or, "How will the diocese help us," as if the diocese is some foreign entity or governmental big brother. The diocese, our diocese, gets its lifeblood from the individual parishes and parishioners that make up the church. This isn't to say that we are totally on our own, for that would be congregationalism; but it is to say that we all have a part in making our parishes and our diocese successful.

I said earlier that it's a new day in the diocese. You could almost touch the positive energy at convention emanating from the people who were excited about the bishop, the future and their new clergy. A great example of this is when I ran into the head of the search committee from Anaconda-Deer Lodge-Philipsburg, as well as some other parishioners from that cluster. As you may remember, that was one of the places where I interviewed. They were excited about the man they had called to be their priest. But they were also excited to find me here in Virginia City & Sheridan. And they were just as excited for our future as for their own. It's a new day in the diocese.

And like all new days, the promise lies in the future. Think about those days when you wake up, the sun is shining, the air is crisp, not a cloud in the sky, a day that just screams "FOOTBALL!!" -- days like most of what we have been having around here lately, and you just know it's going to be a good day. You look forward to what it will bring. That's the attitude I'm getting from the people of the diocese. Anything is possible.

Part of attaining that possibility is to work from a theology of abundance. I've talked about this before in past sermons. Let me tell you . . . when the bishop discusses a theology of abundance in his convention sermon, you know you're in good company. And it's true, isn't it? All things come from God. God works from a theology of abundance. From creating life to caring for his people to offering forgiveness to dying for us on the cross to the resurrection and beyond, God gives.

The church, instituted by God, should also work from that same theology of abundance. From serving its members to ministering to the community to thanking and praising God, everything the church has and stands for comes from God. Therefore, abundance trumps scarcity.

And we, the people of the Church and the children of God, also need to work from that theology of abundance. Remember, we are the church -- we are the diocese. The question isn't, "How much can I spare to give?" The question is, "How much more could we accomplish if I gave?" It's a new day. Think big. Think abundandly.

If we did that -- lived abundantly with big thoughts -- our accomplishments would be legendary. And that's what the bishop wants us to do, to accomplish big things. To that end he has instituted a plan that calls for every parish in the diocese to be self-supporting in five years. Now before you jump out of your seats, think about this: 2/3 of the diocesan budget goes towards supporting fewer than 15 parishes. That's money that could be used for Episcopal Relief and Development, or local outreach and mission work, or financially supporting seminary students (something I think highly of). Part of this five year plan is that, beginning with the 2006 budget, there will be a 20% reduction in aid per year to assisted parishes.

Is that doable? I don't know. The naysayers will say, "That can't be done!" They will say, "We've never done it that way before." They will ask, "How can the diocese do that do us?" Well, here are a few answers. First, whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right. I challenge you to think we can. Second, they are correct in regards to the fact that we've never done it that way before. But remember this: the only difference between a rut and a grave is how deep it is and how long you're in it. It's time for us to get out of our rut before it becomes our grave. Third, we are the diocese. Just like everyone in this building wants to be self-sufficient, shouldn't our parishes be the same?

It's a new day. We need to start thinking abundantly. We need to start thinking big. Imagine this building full of people. Imagine needing two services. Imagine inviting friends, family or acquaintances to church. Imagine them staying. Imagine filling up the food basket every Sunday. Imagine a youth program, a Sunday school program, a literacy program, a breakfast program, a day care program. Imagine God's Kingdome come!

A theologian once said, "If we truly knew what we were praying for in church we'd don crash helmets and equip our pews with seat belts." We need to think big, and if that requires crash helmets and seatbelts, then so be it.

Before you think I've gone off the deep end, remember this: I wasn't called to this parish to preside over its funeral. I was called to preside over its life. I was called because you were thinking about the future. I was called because you were thinking big. If you believe that, then let's get to work. Let's put the naysayers to rest and show the diocese, this town, and ourselves that we can think big and live abundantly.

It's a new day. Alleluia! Christ is Risen!