Let is be so now

 I read this autobiography, "Little and Often: a Memoir" by Trent Prezler last month about a man who grew up on Western South Dakota on a ranch and when he move to New York he became estranged from his father. After about 15 years, the father calls him to invite him for Thanksgiving and tells the man that he has cancer. Before he can visit again, the father dies. The son inherits his father's toolbox even though he has not done any wood working since helping his father. He lives on the shore and decides to use his father's tools to build a canoe. Fast forward towards the end when it's mostly complete, but also not perfect, as it is his first time. Feeling dejected that it won't be perfect, he reads a book called "The nature and Art of Workmanship" by David Pye. The author gives him the wisdom that there is the workmanship of certainty, where every boat looks exactly the same made by machines, and there is the workmanship of risk that is done by hand in which everything looks and is a little different, imperfect, but even more beautiful. 

We are working on our mission statement and I do believe that we are leaning more toward the workmanship, the church, the mission of risk. In proclaiming that all are welcome, that means we don't know who is going to walk through those doors and come and visit us, worship with us, join our church. 

I believe that Jesus' life and ministry was also one of risk, not certainty. Today, when Jesus begins his ministry by being baptized by John. He puts himself in John's hands and in the living, flowing river of Jordan. He doesn't take over as John offers, but humbles himself, submits himself instead. He is giving affirmation in the Spirit coming down and the voice proclaiming him God's beloved child. But then lead to the wilderness to face temptations. If the outcome was certain, then they wouldn't be temptations, just little stage shows and talking points. Why did Jesus wait 30 years to begin his ministry? Why not start when he became and adult at thirteen, did he miss his chance now the John the Baptist was so huge? 

All throughout Jesus' ministry there is risk, he calls lowly fishermen, rebels, and tax collectors to be a part of his inner circle. He eats with the wrong people, heals and touches those who are deemed unclean, and the one time he sets up a boundary to say that he came only for Israel, a Syro-Phonecian woman reminds him that scraps from him are allowed to be taken, now heal her daughter. 

Jesus took a huge risk in not setting up the rules for what ministry and religion would look like, how to organize, and what should be the focus. Many claim that Jesus didn't start the church, which means we should all be Jewish. Many claim that the church was co-opted by power, which has caused many to leave and maybe the wrong ones to stay. But he trusted that the disciples would know enough to get started, that the early church would focus on loving God and neighbor, and that reformation would be a part of church life, even today as we try to gather and live in a compassionate and justice seeking community. 

The United Church of Christ has made many mistakes, this church has made many missteps. But, however, nonetheless, we find ourselves again looking to take a risk that doesn't bring about certainty, but opens us up to new ideas, new ways of loving our neighbors, and risking our future.  By not locking down who is in and who is out in our constitution and in the crafting of our mission statement, we are placing ourselves into the hands of the baptizer and in the living, flowing water. Let it be so for now.