The Gospel of Peace
Dr. Sathianathan Clarke delivered the lecture "The gospel of peace in a world of competing religious fundamentalism" on Capitol Hill in October. Below is a very brief excerpt from this significant lecture.
...Dirty hands and feet are the marks of peace-makers; antiseptic living is not a requirement for table-fellowship in God's peaceable kingdom. I believe this insight is extremely important for pastors, theologians and policymakers. If we don't understand what is involved in reconciliation, it can be very difficult for us to understand what works, to bring people to the table of peace. Board room planning both in the church and for the government can be best informed by peace practitioners. God is working for peace among all God's children in an era in which religions are spreading violent conflict. Christians have a Gospel for this conflictive 21st century: God sent God's peace child to teach all of humanity a new way of life. God's reign, involving reconciliation with our loving creator and peace among all God's children, is at hand in Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is recruiting peace bearers, peace makers and peace dreamers.
Faithful Lives in Shared Ministry
By Dr. Janie Mitchell
I serve as minister of discipling and congregational care at Cameron United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. My staff position was created eighteen months ago, as were other ministry positions, joining the pastor in shared ministry. Together with the congregation we are listening to the call of God to be faithful to our baptismal promises of prayer, presence, gifts and service. Each person is listening for the call to ministry as we open more and more to God's grace. Each person means the little ones who can be faithful in attending Sunday school. It means older youth who can be faithful in their service at Vacation Bible School. And it means the older men and women who can be faithful in ministries of welcome and witness, mission, education and so much more.
Shared ministry is a change from the way things have been done. In the past, people would have said they volunteer at church. No, to be in ministry is to hear God's call to use your life and your gifts for God's purposes. It is a "yes" to God's love and grace. In the past people would have said they supported the pastor and staff who did ministry. No, all of us in the church are in ministry together and the pastor and staff offer support to those who are called and engaged in ministry. That support is seen in how the pastor and staff encourage, empower and equip others for faithful service.
Old ways are hard to change. Especially old ways deeply practiced. The entrenched use of the word and idea of "volunteer" is still heard. Thinking we are called to "minister" in the church, the community, and the world as disciples of Jesus - well, that just can't be me! People are familiar with pastor-centered churches. They may not have lived the ways of shared ministry in which clergy and laity:
- share care of the congregation
- prepare and lead worship
- gather for study and spiritual formation around scripture
- risk in living lives in mission and
- center all in Jesus and his love for us
An instrument we have used to help the people of Cameron Church better understand shared ministry is a booklet listing all the ministries of the church -- it is called A Call To Serve (ACTS). Each person at Cameron has received this ACTS booklet and has been invited to pray. In prayer over time we are to listen to God's call to ministry. Some will answer yes and hear a call to something they may never have considered in years past. Others who are homebound will say yes to prayer ministries. There are many ways to welcome the gifts and service, the prayers and presence of our young children and searching teens. Each one is invited to say how they are called to be a faithful disciple in ministry.
So we trust in God at work in us. To pray and listen. To have holy conversation with others as we consider how God calls us to ministry. To ask questions. To wonder and remember the God nudges. To risk. To know a joy. To be glad. To be faithful. To be in shared ministry with others who are our brothers and sisters bound together in the empowering love of Jesus.
Dr. Mitchell graduated from Wesley with her Master of Theological Studies degree in 1997 and Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007.
Lay Education Courses Starting in January
Wesley's Equipping Lay Ministry program has a stellar schedule of courses lined up for spring 2008. Courses include: Foundation in Urban Ministry, Developing a Healing Ministry, Churches in Transition: Getting your Church in Gear, Pastoral and Congregational Care in Suicide, For the Good of All: Family Ministry in the Church, Living Worship: The Arts and Creativity in Worship, Biblical Foundations for Ministry and more. Some scholarships are available. For a complete schedule, more information or to register, go to http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/ and click on Equipping Lay Ministry, or call (202) 885-6482.
Grad News and Notes
For and About Wesley Alums
Please send information you'd like to share with other Wesley alumni to Graduates@wesleyseminary.edu.
The Rev. Faith Fairchild Lewis, M.Div. '04, associate pastor of Greater Metropolitan Parish UMC in Washington, D.C., and her husband Douglass Lewis celebrate the birth of their daughter Sophia Douglass, on November 4. Sophia weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces. The proud grandparents are Shirley and the Rev. G. Douglass Lewis, retired president of Wesley.
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