Those of us who claim ourselves as Christians are called for a life that as described in Ephesians, "for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has created beforehand (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). Therefore our faith isn't supposed to be stagnant, but should be ever moving. How often do we forget that? In today's society, it seems we witness more divinity than unity.
Where can we as Christians set an example for the rest of the world? I think we need to look no further than the example set by those family members (and congregation members) at Emmanuel AME in Charleston, and the grace of God's forgiveness in the form of unconditional love they demonstrated towards PURE evil in the wake of the massacre. There was an example of unity in grace and love that can only be extended from the hands of Christ.
His hands were that which served those around him. I sometimes like to think of how Jesus must have looked as a preacher of the Word. My mental image is that of a gentle man who speaks with a soft-spoken authority about the Good News. Were his hands ones that moved with each breathe he took? Did they motion up and down with excitement and anger? Did they outline in the air the the dimensions of the kingdom come as he talked in parables or his teachings? I imagine a dynamic speaker whose hands were directing the divine orchestra of spreading the Gospel and redeeming this world.
His hands were also the same ones who came in hours before he was to be betrayed. Then he knelt down and washed the feet of everyone who would soon desert him. John 13 sets a scene of the Messiah getting his hands dirty in an act of humility that we all can learn from. This is the greatest proclamation of faith: through actions.
This was the ministry lesson that Thursday, I was to learn. Angela asked if I would mind running an errand of delivering birthday flowers to those 80 + congregation members of her church celebrating that week. Of course I said yes. It meant more time with her, and why on earth would I turn that down? It was also an opportunity to see the day to day duties of a pastor. God would take this opportunity though and run with it.
Ministry (both for the ordained and laity), is about more than what occurs in the four walls of the church building. A fact I know but often forget until you see it demonstrated as it was that Thursday afternoon. The CHURCH in it's spiritual sense is what occurs when the people of the CHURCH who ARE the church, act with kindness towards one another. I had been forgetting about this vital component - human connection.
There were two stops we made that day that reminded me of the power of the faith family and it's greatest responsibility of its clergy: reaching out to physically be with your laity and meet their need for human connection.
Ministry is taking the time to sit in the home of a grandmother and listen to her stories. Not rushing out but allowing her to welcome us with open arms and a hair full of rollers, in ultimate hospitality. A judgement free zone to simply connect with an ordinary goodness that is showing your visitors simple treasures of a hand painted scene of Italy by your husband and pictures of your grandchildren. An ordinary that comes across as extraordinary. Then ministry is to sit in the rehab center room of a recently turned 90 year old woman who cannot remember the date of her birthday to celebrate. Yet she finds this peace in seeing that her Mama, who probably long ago died, is with her; at one point physically and other times spiritually. A presence that she states is the best birthday gift she could receive if indeed it is her birthday. Ministry is watching your mentor sit patiently and answer each question, repeated constantly, with a gentle answer. No matter how many times you answer with the same gentle answer, you still sit there and meet that need.
This ministry lesson was one that will stay ingrained in my mind and spirit. It is one I will remember in my future clerical role as a deacon; that it will no only be I do in word but if not more importantly what I do in action. How do I meet the needs of my surrounding brothers and sisters with that needed human connection that reminds them that they are not alone. I was given a gift that day through the example of those dear, elderly souls I encountered in our home visits. A reminder that sometimes words do not need to be spoken, our only requirement may be to show up. Just simply show up and wash the metaphorical feet of our brothers and sisters - acts of servitude that God can take care of to levels we cannot even comprehend.
