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Effective Leaders
NFC October 2022 Newsletter
Relational Discipleship
by Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett
Throughout the gospel of Luke, including our lectionary texts for this summer, Jesus challenges individuals and communities to reconsider how they engage in relationships with each other and with God. The story of the Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8) explores themes of fear of the other, and how one community fears authentic transformation in a person who is “not like them.” In another story (Luke 18), Jesus challenges preconceived notions of holiness and reminds his listeners that someone’s status, a Pharisee or a tax collector, does not automatically determine the authenticity of one’s relationship with God.
One of the central stories of Luke’s gospel is the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A lawyer stood up to test Jesus, asking him what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks him what the law says, and the lawyer replies, “Love the Lord your God … and love your neighbor as yourself.” When Jesus said the man had answered correctly, the man asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replies by sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan, a story which challenges social, religious, and political stereotypes and invites those who are paying attention to live out their religious commitments by showing mercy to all of God’s children.
One of the primary emphases of our new faith communities is co-creating new places for new people to engage in relational discipleship. Discipleship is inherently a relational practice. It is in our relationship with God and our relationships with others inside and outside our communities of faith where we are challenged to grow as followers of Jesus.
For the Church at Spring Forest (featured in this newsletter), relational discipleship occurs in-person and virtually as the community pays attention to rhythms of prayer, work, table, and neighbor. For Hope Recovery Church, relationships happen when people are invited to consider that we all are recovering from something, and people from all walks of life gather to experience God’s promises of liberation together. For Six:Eight Church, relationships happen in barber shops, on college campuses, and by paying attention to the social dynamics which shape the community. For Storied Church, relationships happen when people share their lives in “tov communities” and focus on inviting all people into authentic friendships. Mosaic Church is exploring ways to create new places online as emerging technologies are helping people connect in more authentic ways in local communities and around the world.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of our new faith communities. By helping to co-create new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ, you are participating in personal and community transformation. May God’s kingdom come (Luke 11).
As always, thank you for your support. To make a financial contribution for 2022, please visit us online, https://nccumc.org/new-faith-communities/.
Thoughts from National Young People’s Ministry Gathering (Part 2)
On September 26-28, the Rev. Jason Villegas, our Conference Director of Youth Ministry, went to a gathering of other youth ministry leaders from other United Methodist Annual Conferences. He reflects on the gathering in this series of posts. Read part 1 here.
My own contribution to the conversion with other Conference youth ministry directors centered on creatively and craftily looking toward the future. But also, as I thought about the future, I thought of the past…“The thing that causes me the most pain is also what brings me the most hope,” I thought.
Consider this: our Church has been responsible for so much good, so much grace – helping people to know the prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying gift of God in Jesus Christ. And also, as the so-called American frontier was being settled a mere couple hundred years ago, with Native Americans being murdered and resettled, Methodists, along with many other Christians, co-signed on the US government’s actions. Methodist pastors sometimes gave theological justification to the practice of enslavement. And so I also thought, “Maybe as part of the Church dies, the Doctrine of Discovery and the demon of white supremacy can also die.”
And so, as we talked about the life of the Church, we thought of the type of church that might be honest about Christian history. We dreamt of a Church that might be open to an uncertain Christian future in which the Holy Spirit refuses to be entertained inside sanctuaries where the light is filtered through stained glass spectrums. We thought of a church in which Spirit dances through natural rainbows of her own making, painted untamed on the ground.
My pulse quickened in hope and fear as I thought about this, as I thought about my three children being members of a generation where more than 95% of them will probably not be in Church. This sets me up to think about one of the most significant challenges and opportunities ahead of us.
Institutions, including churches, are kind of like living things. They don’t want to die, and they’ll do whatever they can to survive. When humans become institutionalized, we will also do what we can for our institutions to survive, including holding onto resources. And this is one of the challenges of being a Christian: we are called to be giving, but when we enter a world of scarcity–where we don’t have what we used to–we are tempted to hoard our stockpiles of stuff.
As we talked about wanting to use resources to empower youth, I thought about how at the root of so much of the institutional church’s sin (or hamartia in Greek, for “missing the mark”) is the theological justification for us to have our resources and for others not to have them. This goes back to the Doctrine of Discovery (us having the land and not the Native Americans), enslavement (“us” being in charge of these bodies), and even the schisms (us having these buildings and resources).
As we move into the future, so many more possibilities open up if we move past the mentality to hoard. If we are open-handed, we may lose some of our material things, but we may gain connection with others. We could connect with other Christians in this world of disconnection and growing secularity. But also, if we better embrace our younger members than our tightly held Methods, we might hear ideas of how we could partner cross-sector, whether with youth activists or other organizations that influence their lives.
The third and final part of Jason’s reflection will be posted next week.
An Encouragement for October
The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Grayson Dye, associate pastor at Millbrook UMC in Raleigh, NC. Anyone can sign up to receive these monthly emails here.
It seems there is so much tension in the air. Disagreements are at every turn…on the news, on talk shows, on social media, in our churches, and sometimes within our own families. Disagreements over things big and small, from theology to politics to the most heated debate of them all, “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” Of course, pineapple has no place on pizza, but still, we argue about it.
All kidding aside, it seems we are so quick to debate and argue in the face of disagreement. Recently, at the Center for Leadership Excellence and the NCCUMC Christian Unity committee’s event, I was reminded of the very timely words of Paul in Ephesians 4.
Read: Ephesians 4:2-4
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.
Reflect: Above all else, we are called to bear with one another in love. In the face of disagreement, we are first called to be patient and completely humble. What a breath of fresh air this posture would be in our communities.
Unity does not require uniformity. That is wonderful news. We can celebrate our diversity, celebrate our unique perspectives, and hold each other accountable for loving one another through all disagreements. This is often easier said than done. But I find peace knowing that we can be a united force through Christ’s unfailing love even when we do not always see eye to eye.
How can you seek peaceful reconciliation in your life? How can you foster a spirit of humility, patience, and love in spaces full of disagreements? How have you done this work already?
Take Action: I encourage you this week to highlight people in your life who are living into this calling well. Tell them how their humble and patient stance has inspired you.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
Check out these events open to women clergy and laity alike.
COSROW Book Club
NCC COSROW
October 17, 2022
Just Energy 4 All Monthly Webinar
United Women in Faith
October 19, 2022
Faith Talks
United Women in Faith
October 20, 2022
Voices From the Field: Ukraine
United Women in Faith
October 25, 2022
Insight to Youth Stories
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Important Reminder – While testimonies can be uplifting and heart-warming, they can also trigger difficult and unpleasant emotions or memories for those who relate closely to them, particularly if the similar struggle is ongoing or feels unresolved in some way. Sometimes, this can move someone to change or grow in a positive way. It’s important, as leaders, to support youth by validating difficult emotions (using words and body language to confirm that how they feel is justified) and allowing them a safe space to feel heard by listening without judgment.
- Bailey talks about hearing loss, feeling lonely and distant from God, and realizing the world is not a supportive place (feeling othered). She describes the pandemic as a time of isolation and darkness. She goes on to reframe her hearing loss as a blessing and encourages others to trust God to work all things together for good. This testimony may trigger difficult emotions in those who have any physical or emotional disability. Particularly for individuals who may be feeling isolated or othered by a physical disability or do not view the disability as a blessing. It may also be difficult for those who also experienced isolation and/or distance from God in the pandemic. Finally, this testimony may cause very difficult emotions for those who lost a loved one in the pandemic and as such, do not feel that this time (the pandemic) has worked out for the best.
- Amani shares about a succession of losses (grandparents) and distance from God followed by social rejection and toxic relationships that led her to a dark place. She shares that finding Christian community unintentionally changed her life for the better. Amani’s testimony may trigger difficult emotions for those who are experiencing grief or loss of some kind. It may be difficult for those who are feeling socially rejected or isolated (lonely), are in unhealthy, toxic relationships, or are experiencing heart ache from the end of a relationship or lack of relationship. Finally, this testimony may be difficult for those who have not found or are longing to find healing Christian community, particularly for those who feel socially rejected or isolated in some way.
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Devotionals
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Friday Night Devotion: Healing Takes Community
The paralytic
Mark 2:1-12
After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. 2 So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. 3 Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. 4 They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
6 Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, 7 “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”
8 Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? 9 Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk’? 10 But so you will know that the Human One[a] has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, 11 “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”
12 Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his mat and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Reflection by Catherine Stallsmith, 2022 Graduate of Elon University
Maybe some of us have heard this scripture before – what I remember most from learning this passage growing up was the faith of paralytic. He believed that Jesus would heal him and so he was healed. This faith is important and it matters, but today I want to focus on a different part of the story – the friends who helped the paralyzed man get to Jesus.
The scripture tells us that the place where Jesus was was so crowded that no one could get in the door. We can infer that a lot of people had heard of the healing power of Jesus and wanted to be healed. The paralytic man was not alone in that – he shared the beliefs of many, though society at large still questioned Jesus as a figure of change and justice.
We don’t learn much about the four people who carried the man to Jesus. We don’t know if they were friends or strangers or if they believed in Jesus’ healing powers or not. Whatever their motivations, they wanted to see this man healed. Regardless of their backgrounds, the man could not have been healed without them.
Healing takes community. The paralyzed man believed that Jesus would heal him, but he was paralyzed – he couldn’t get to Jesus on his own. Regardless of how strong his faith was, he couldn’t do it alone. He had to trust his community – whoever it was – to help him become healed.
Our community will look different depending on our season of life and depending on our needs in each specific situation. Sometimes our community will be our close friends and family – those we trust, and who have complete context and empathy for our situation. Other times, our community will be strangers, even those who we might assume are against us instead of for us.
God calls us to be in community with one another – we are not called to be Christians alone. That is why we gather at connectional events like Pilgrimage – to be with each other. Do you have friends that live far away that you look forward to seeing at Pilgrimage every year? Those friends are your community. We cannot do God’s work alone, and we were not designed to. That is why we are connected in ministry through our churches, districts, and wider UMC connection.
It is always okay to ask for help. We cannot live this life or walk this path by ourselves. Your youth pastor, youth group members, parents/guardians, family members, and church members are all examples of people you can turn to for help whether you need spiritual or physical healing.
Discussion Questions:
- Who is your community?
- Can you think of a time where you needed healing and someone (or multiple people) helped you to get what you needed?
- Is it easy for you to ask for help? What prevents you from asking for help when you need it?
Prayer to Close:
O God, by the grace of the Holy Spirit
you poured the gift of love
into the hearts of your faithful people.
Give your servants who are gathered here,
the health of body and soul and mind,
that they may love you with all their strength,
and moved by love, do what pleases you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted from Gregorian Sacramentary)
Saturday Night Devotion: Self-Advocacy and Healing
The Woman Who was Healed
Mark 5: 21-43
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Reflection by Freya Dahlgren, Meredith College Junior
The woman who has been bleeding for 12 years knew Jesus could heal her so she sought Jesus out in the crowd and touched his robe. Jairus, the synagogue leader, sought out Jesus to heal his daughter. The woman’s touch immediately miraculously healed her. The woman pursued what she needed and advocated for herself and her necessary healing. In verse 34, Jesus says “Daughter, your faith has healed you; go in peace, healed from your disease.” The woman’s faith in Jesus is the catalyst for her healing found in the touch.
However, faith alone cannot fully heal. Healing takes action and self-advocacy for what you need. Healing is a long, drawn out, intense process and is not accomplished in a day. In her book, Searching for Sunday, Rachel Held Evans states that, “there is a difference between curing and healing, and I believe the church is called to the slow and difficult work of healing. We are called to enter into one another’s pain, anoint it as holy, and stick around no matter the outcome.”
So often, pain and suffering are seen as unholy and a failure of faith. But I want you to know that boldly facing pain and suffering is one of the most holy acts you can take. Jesus performed miracles, he didn’t provide cures. Evans also states that, “the church doesn’t offer a cure. It doesn’t offer a quick fix. The church offers death and resurrection. The church offers the messy, inconvenient, gut-wrenching, never-ending work of healing and reconciliation. The church offers grace.”
The grace of God is here to pick you up in your brokenness and love you fully through your struggle. Leaning on and supporting your siblings in Christ through hard things is what we are called to do as Christians. No one walks their faith journey alone.
Healing is hard. Healing is intense. Healing is no small feat.
In this passage, the woman acknowledges that she was fearful leading up to her touching Jesus’ coat but that fear lead to peace. Our healing is like that, too. Jumping into healing is scary. Not knowing how healing will affect us and how we will change because of it can be terrifying. But, Jesus encourages us to seek healing and to take the leap of faith to find such holy peace.
It’s our job as Christians in accordance with our brothers and sisters to be loving to our neighbors, no matter what stage of healing they are in or what they may need. Everyone is made by God, for God and is precious in God’s eyes. We are called to see this and to live, love, serve, pray, and witness God every day and in doing so, we embrace everyone in the everlasting love of Christ.
I want you to know that Our God is an almighty and powerful God who does no harm and will always love you. Use that knowledge today and every day as you seek to serve God in our brokenness and support our siblings in Christ in their healing.
Discussion Questions:
- How are you in need of healing?
- Have you already started healing from something? How did you do that?
- How can your siblings in Christ be supporting you in your healing journey?
Possible Quotes on Healing to Discuss:
- “No one really teaches you how to grieve the loss of your faith. You’re on your own for that”
- “Churches should be the most honest place in town, not the happiest place in town” – Walter Bruggermann
- “Food is the language of care, the thing we do when traditional language fails” – Shauna Neiquist
- “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share in our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand” -Henri Nouwen
- “But there is a difference between curing and healing, and I believe the church is called to the slow and difficult work of healing. We are called to enter into one another’s pain, anoint it as holy, and stick around no matter the outcome”
- “The thing about healing, as opposed to curing, is that it is relational. It takes time. It is inefficient, like a meandering river. Rarely does healing follow a straight or well-lit path. Rarely does it conform to our expectations or resolve in a timely manner. Walking with someone through grief, or through the process of reconciliation, requires patience, presence, and a willingness to wander, to take the scenic route.”
- “The church doesn’t offer a cure. It doesn’t offer a quick fix. The church offers death and resurrection. The church offers the messy, inconvenient, gut-wrenching, never-ending work of healing and reconciliation. The church offers grace”
- “I went to church thinking it would be like an epidural, that it would take the pain away…But church isn’t like an epidural; it’s like a midwife…I thought faith would say, ‘I’ll take away the pain and discomfort,’ but what it ended up saying was, ‘I’ll sit with you in it.’” – Brene Brown
Prayer to Close:
O God, by the grace of the Holy Spirit
you poured the gift of love
into the hearts of your faithful people.
Give your servants who are gathered here,
the health of body and soul and mind,
that they may love you with all their strength,
and moved by love, do what pleases you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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