In Christ’s Circle

What if…?

Perspectives on Hope

What if we work as UNITED rather than untied Christians?

My eldest son loves to watch Discovery Channel types of shows, many relating to real life working situations. One such show is Deadliest Catch which depicts the struggles and triumphs of the king crab fishing industry. [I am more hesitant to eat king crab after watching the show.] My son implored me to watch one repeat episode wherein one of the workers was swept overboard and saved only by the watchful willingness of a “competing” fisher crew.

Both boats were in turbulent waters, seeking to keep their own vessels afloat and as effectively prosperous as possible, given the difficult environment they were in. We watched as one worker on the opposing boat went into the frigid waters while attempting to secure the crab pots. The previously competing boat immediately responded, turning toward the downed fisherman, putting every effort into assisting in getting him to safety. Without this boat and crew being willing to help, the worker was lost because of the time it would take to turn the other boat around. It strikes me that they were choosing life, not simply self-survival or self-advancement. It reminded me of the line from a very old song, “Throw out the lifeline, someone is sinking today!” Collaboration and a willingness to focus all resources on grabbing hold of life brought about a new hope and possibility.

There is no question that many of our local churches are in difficult waters, yet some continue to find ways to thrive in the midst of the challenges. They exhibit the generative capacity of God With Us, adapting as necessary to the changing waters, rather than simply dropping anchor to ride out the storm.

A number of years ago the conference I was then serving in voted to require all local United Methodist churches to be part of Mission Area Ministries. The intent was to expand ministry capacity and impact in shared geographic areas. A clustering of local churches would have the freedom to define what their Mission Area Ministry looked like and what the primary focus in the shared parish area would be, but all were required to work together.

I confess that I do not like being told what to do, even if I think it is a great idea. I wrestled with it prayerfully, and was convicted and convinced that we would be stronger together than we would be alone. Over a period of two years we developed a county-wide partnership, both United Methodist and ecumenical. New justice programs emerged, outreach programs developed, media impact became more feasible, public visibility and good will was enhanced, and every local church was strengthened. Every local church, regardless of size, had something to offer. Every church had a lifeline to throw out. There began to be a shift out of survival and isolation into self-giving strength. We became United rather then being untied.

I am reminded of the story often referred to as the feeding of the 5,000. The version of the story found in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 6:30-44) has Jesus challenging his disciples to not turn away from what seems to be overwhelming needs in the community, but rather to gather the resources or assets that are in the midst of the community so that all can be cared for. It was a sharing that moved from scarcity to abundance. It was choosing life rather than comfort and isolation.

Many of our local churches already collaborate on basic daily missional needs in their geographic areas. What if we expanded this to the sharing of insights, best practices, leadership skills, visioning, evangelism efforts, social transformation, etc.? What if we allowed the connection to be truly connected?

The story of the feeding of the 5,000 is one of the few passages that is in all four of the gospels. It makes me think that the early church really wanted us to get this message. Interestingly, it is only in the Gospel of John where we learn that the five loaves and two fish, the lifeline, does not come from the core disciples but from a young boy in the community. In times of great need every resource within a larger community is needed. Collaboration and a willingness to focus all resources on grabbing hold of life can bring about a new hope and possibility.

Rejoice in your mission area ministry!

In Christ’s circle,

Jerry DeVine