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The Pastor Ponders

Pentecost is May 11 this year. It is always 50 days after Easter, and it is the holy day that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. One of my favorite hymns about the Holy Spirit is a fairly new one, UMH No. 544 "Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song." The third verse reads, With the healing of division, with the ceaseless voice of prayer, with the power to love and witness, with the peace beyond compare: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Healing, prayer, power and peace are gifts of the Holy Spirit that we long to experience. In any organization, family, institution, community, team, gathering of folk, there is division at times. We do not all have the same opinion, perspective, understanding. Even as Christians in the church we do not all agree. And one of the subjects we especially do not agree about is the pastor. Some folks like the personality; some do not. Some really appreciate the preaching; some are left cold. Some feel really supported and nurtured; some do not. Some value the administrative skills; others care more about pastoral care. No one person is going to make everyone happy and meet all needs. So, we disagree, and it is hard to make decisions about whether a particular person is the right fit for the congregation at a particular time in the growth of the congregation.Are folks being picky or too idealistic about what anyone person can do? Is it time for a change so that new needs are met? Hopefully, such decisions are made prayerfully and with great consideration of all souls involved. One of the factors that figure in all of our conflicts at church is the underlying anxiety that tends to live in congregations. In fact, we live in a very anxious society these days; maybe humans always do. When we get anxious and worried and uneasy about something, we want to relieve that anxiety however we can.  And sometimes the relief is not really the most effective relief. If we do not face the anxiety and relieve it in some healthy . way, it goes underground and will cause a congregation to be prone to feeling anxious pretty easily. These patterns happen all the time in our individual lives, families, as well as in churches. The Christian story is a challenge to our human tendencies to handle dIfficulties WIth violence and resentment. Jesus died for our SillS, but he dIed forgiving US, "Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus shows us a new way to deal with the anxiety in our lives: to face the truth and allow the truth to set us free. The solution to our anxiety lies within our own ability to live as forgiven and forgiving people. The Charlotte District spring seminar was on the topic of "Leadership and Anxiety in the Church: A Family Systems Perspective."  The seminar looked at the challenge presented by rising levels of anxiety being experienced in churches today, as well as the role that self-differentiated leadership can play in calming such anxiety. I want to bring some of the information that three of us gained in the seminar to Mouzon. So, a seminar is scheduled for May 31,9 am-2:30 pm for all church leaders and interested members. The leader is Cheryl Greenwood, who lives in Huntersville and has been trained by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (the presenters of the district seminar). The seminar description that she has provided is as follows: Conflict is inevitable and normal. Everyone experiences conflict. This workshop is designed to help Christians respond well to personal and congregational differences. During the workshop, conflict in the New Testament will be explored as well as personal styles of handling conflict and healthy ways to handle congregational differences. The aim of the workshop is to increase healthy skills to clear the way for a vital and dynamic sense of mission and purpose. Before I leave as your pastor, I would really like Mouzon to move a bit further toward developing a strong sense of identity and purpose. Mouzon is a vital place for ministry and mission no matter who the pastor may be. And whatever gifts a particular pastor lacks (and all of us lack some of them), the laity can fill the gap. So please consider comIng to the semInar to learn some new skills and perspectives that will in- form your life together as a congregation as well as skills that can be used at home and at work as we continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to be human and Christian.  The Holy Spirit is ever ready to give us heal-. ing, prayer, power, and peace. Come, Holy Spirit! Blessings, Pastor Lisa

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Was battered and scarred, and the auctioneerThought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile.  “What am I  biddin’, good folks?” he cried. “Who’ll start the biddin’ for me?” “A dollar? A dollar.  Then two? Only two? Two dollars and who’ll make it three?” Three dollars once.  Three dollars twice! Going for three...but no. From the room far back, a gray haired man came forward and picked up the bow. Then wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loosened strings, He played a melody, pure and sweet, as the caroling angels sing.  The music ceased, and the auctioneer, in a voice that was quiet and low, Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?” And he held it up with the bow. “A thousand dollars?! And who’ll make it two? Two thousand! And who’ll make it three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice, and going and gone!” said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We don’t quite understand. What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply, “The touch of the master’s hand.” And many a man with  life out of tune, and battered and scarred by sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd much  like the old violin. A mess of pottage, a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on. He’s going once, and going twice, he’s going and almost gone. But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never quite understands, The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought by the touch of the Master’s hand. (Author unknown)