I preached my very first sermon as the Aldersgate lead pastor on Sunday, July 5, 2020. Like other newly appointed pastors in the Free Methodist Church who were also located during a global pandemic, my first sermon was pre-recorded while alone in my living room. Some days it seems like a moment ago; on other days, a lifetime ago. I love people, and as I talk with you, I know there is a desire for Aldersgate to be a church that helps our community, and perhaps some remember what this looked like in days gone by. There's no doubt that COVID disrupted things, but one thing I'm sure of, the COVID crisis has given us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become laser-focused on our one thing that matters: The One, Jesus Christ.
In my new role as pastor, the one thing I craved and valued was relationships, community time, and Sunday lunches at Culvers. As it turned out, the virus had other plans for my picture-perfect environment, and it didn't take long for me to realize I was out of my element. I was an extrovert forced to work alone (cue the dramatic music). Being with people is how I breathe underwater. The very characteristic about me that has always been a strength was neutralized at best. I kindly reminded God of this many times. Finally, after dramatically grieving what I felt like was the loss of me, I settled into a quiet understanding that God was obviously up to something beyond muting my personality type, so I dug in for the long haul.
Attempting to make sense of the whole global pandemic and its effects on people, businesses, and churches, I explained what I was thinking and feeling as a pastor to my friend and mentor. My friend said, "You are unqualified." I nodded in agreement; yes, I am! Wait! What? Unqualified? Me? I mean, I might be a bit unprepared, and I was caught off guard, but certainly not unqualified. After all, I reasoned, I have multiple degrees, a strong speaking, and a leadership record, not to mention I have a real shepherd's staff, so I'm qualified, right?! No! I'm not, the point is, my friend was correct. I am unqualified.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "We are not sufficiently competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us…" (2 Corinthians 3:5a, Amplified). If anyone could be qualified, it was Paul. He knew even being raised on the right side of the railroad tracks, his pedigree, education, and his own works were nothing but filthy rags in God's eyes. Even with the grace of God, we are unqualified in makeup for the deficit with human resources and strength. The word competent in this verse literally means "fit," as in physically fit, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally fit. Earthly gyms and practices can be of some value, but in God's realm, godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. So, where does that leave us? It leaves us helpless before God, which is where we need to live, dependent on God.
Paul acknowledged that we are powerless without God. The church's power comes as we grow in our faith as maturing believers, deep-diving disciples, and passionate lovers of God and people right here, right now, individually, and corporately. Second Corinthians 3:5b goes on, "… but our competency comes from God."
To be clear, we are fearfully and wonderfully made, but not one iota of our competency comes from us. It doesn't matter if we have great ideas, are culturally cool, or young and hip, or old and mature. It doesn't matter if we're crafty or strategic or how many degrees, titles or certifications we hold.
Our competency (our fitness) comes when we:
- Lean into an intimate relationship with Christ
- Allow the Holy Spirit to saturate our lives
- Overflow Jesus to every person we meet
Some time ago, I asked you to pray with me that many would share in our Resurrection Sunday community gathering, either in person or online, and that out of those would be many who would give their lives to Christ. The closer we get to Easter, the more excited I become because I am definitely unqualified to draw anyone to Christ where they choose to follow Him. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. But here's the thing, if we were competent, capable, and had all things in our control, we would miss the greatest experience in the history of humankind. We would miss the Yahweh God of the universe doing great things through unqualified people powered by the Holy Spirit.
Please join me in prayer for souls to find Jesus this Resurrection season, but let's also pray that God would first move in us as we lean into a more intimate relationship with Christ. Let’s recognize we’re unqualified and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us fully.
