20th Sunday after Pentecost 2008 Proper 21

September 28, 2008

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Ezekiel 18:1-4 & 25-32; Ps. 25:1-8; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32)

ITS OUR TURN NOW

St. Christopher’s, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

I have an image ... which is not scriptural .... an image of Jesus at His accession. Jesus has been teaching for about 3 years, walking around with the disciples following ... frequently confused disciples and now Jesus is about to ... not desert us because He is still with us in a very special way but at the ascension roles change.

My image is Jesus turning to the disciples and saying: “now its your turn”.

Jesus turning to us and saying: “now its your turn”

It’s our turn now. Certainly Jesus and the Holy Spirit are still very much available to us but we have been given more responsibility.

What do we do?

In 2005 and 2006 I called together a group of people from St. Christopher’s to consider: “What does God want St. Christopher’s to be in 2011?” — that is five years. They produced a wonderful vision which was discussed with the congregation and then adopted by the Vestry. Copies of the summary pages are in the Narthex on yellow paper and the full document, with lots of planning details, is on white pages.

As with any such vision or plan some things have happened, some have not, and some have changed. The renovations to the Parish House for example were a wonderful surprise gift and that changed some things.

Now, about half way through the five years seems like an especially good time to step back and ask if we heard God correctly and if we are following God’s lead. You will be invited to one of four small group meetings. We very much want your input whether you were here the first month or this is your first month!

In essence what has happened over the past few years is that St. Christopher’s has focused on building the kingdom of God through people ... the church is the people and not the buildings ... while also seeing some wonderful and exciting physical improvements.

Before mentioning a few things, allow me a moment to acknowledge that everything that has happened is possible only because of the foundation built by and maintained by people who have been here since St. Christopher’s early days. People who began in the 1960's or 1970's, made it through the very difficult 1980's, and still are important to this community are the foundation and whenever I think about these things I do so with great thanks for their efforts. I will not name names because I will miss someone! But you know who you are — thanks!

I did not spend a great deal of time researching chronology so if I get something out of order, please excuse me! And I am starting before 2005.

Among the physical improvements — did you know this room had an orange carpet? And no place for the choir, or the organ, or a central door? And a third fewer seats?

And not long ago the parking lot was gravel? .... Or there was only one restroom downstairs? .... And the downstairs had basically one and a half meeting areas whereas now we have four classroom spaces? ... Of course the renovations in the Parish Hall are recent enough that many people did see them happen but don’t forget 18 months ago the majority of that building was dark, frankly a bit dingy, and without accessible restrooms or even heating or air conditioning!

Physical improvements are only important as they support what the people are doing — the programs. In somewhat chronological order: the biggest budget impact was having a full time priest. Then we: made dramatic improvements in the 9am music with a high quality organ and professional organist. We later added a choir director. Those positions have now morphed into what many churches would call a music minister in Mark Hill. (The 5pm music is by volunteers.)

We began to put more focus on Christian Education for our youth and our adults. I have been asking around and no one knows of another church which pulls off two complete Sunday School programs every week! We invested in a part time Christian Formation Coordinator, in Godly Play, and then in a very part time person to work with teenagers. The impact and results are amazing!!

Furthermore, that position helped support some of the adult activities to get them started and on their way. I am not exactly sure how many adult groups we now have meeting! But it is a large number.

We decided to reach out to a new group of people with a second service at an unusual time and with a different style. Now 35-40% of our attendance is at that service.

A couple years ago the Vestry decided to increase our expenditures outside St. Christopher’s. We do lots of things but were not contributing much financially. The primary way this increase is happening is by combining our funds with funds from other churches to support various Diocesan outreach programs.

I could go on but that gives you a taste. Lots has and is happening! I sincerely believe St. Christopher’s is moving in the directions God wants, and the directions many of the founding people dreamed about.

One major question is how we should use the savings God has put at our disposal. In 2003 a large donation gave us some flexibility. It has always been the intention to not use any principle for operating expenses and until this disastrous year for financial markets we have been able to accomplish that.

In extremely, deliberately broad terms we have four options for this money. Obviously there can be combinations. First, we could invest by building a new building – maybe a fellowship building. Second, we could invest by continuing to build on our programs such as Christian Formation and outreach. Third, we could keep our money and build our financial balance through investments. Fourth we could invest in the community outside St. Christopher’s by giving it all away. ...... Notice I worked the words “invest” and “build” into every choice because each could be an investment.

The central question is what we believe God wants, and what we are willing to contribute – financially and otherwise. Similar comments could be made at a group supporting the zoo. For us, for a Christian community there is the very important spiritual component. We give, not just because we like what is happening but because God has done so much for us.

And do so in the spirit we heard expressed in the Philippians reading: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. .... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

With that attitude ..... A few years ago a friend said something that annoyed me. He asked if I tithed, and when I said “yes” he asked if the congregation knew. I told him in no uncertain terms my financial giving was a private issue!! He sadly said, “then it does not matter”. His point was that Shirley and my tithe mattered in the budget but not in the sense of leading the congregation.

So I will tell you, a bit reluctantly and not enjoying the lack of privacy, that we do tithe - give 10% or more. Last year when Shirley took a big pay cut we decided to maintain our giving level. We did so not out of obligation. And certainly not for lack of ideas on how else to spend our money! There are a number of places we would love to visit. There are a number of things we would love to buy. And a nicer car would be – nice.

But instead I get to walk around here and see the children — and thank God I have the blessings to be able to be part of that.

I get to be in the services and see you all worshiping God ... and thank God I have the blessings to be part of that.

I get to see one of the best diocesan youth programs in the nation and very possibly the best college chaplaincy program in the nation and thank God I have the blessings to be part of that.

I get to watch what is happening after a hurricane or in the famine and know my national church has been helping, and thank God I have the blessings to be part of that.

Sure there are other ways to spend our money. And sure God tells us to give 10% --- to tithe. But more importantly God allows us to be part of such wonderful things.

Before I close and turn this over to a couple of your friends for their reflections, I want to repeat what I have told several of you — both those who think St. Christopher’s is doing what God intends and those who have other thoughts. And each time I emphasize that I am only one person and that I am fully and completely aware I could be hearing God incorrectly.

With that caveat, if I get hit by a truck today and face God’s judgement there are a number of things in my life I hope God over looks! In many things I can only depend on God’s mercy.

But, I also believe I can go with pride and excitement to the judgement seat and tell God “I was a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in High Point, NC!!”

That said, you may hear God suggest things that will improve what we do even further. Please share those. Jesus says, it is our turn to lead.

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)