UMC Just Changed What is Regionalization? Pros & Cons

"Absolutely No"

Okay so there were no repercussions from that "absolutely no" incident to which I am a little surprised, however, the one in charge of hospitality has become a little distant, not just from me but from the congregation as well. She leaves without saying a word to anyone after service. I hope she comes to grips with the fact that some people will say "no" and that shes okay with that. I mean I have to deal with people saying no all the time when I ask them to participate in different things or to contribute in some way. I mean, if this is your area of ministry (that the Lord has given you) sometimes you have to press on and not wear your emotions on your sleeves (I had to learn that in recent days). So my prayer is that all of us wont take it personal when our area of ministry is not someone elses area of ministry and we are told "absolutely no" we wont do it.

I Drew the Line

okay I just finished seminary. I'm feeling like God wants to do something in and through me. I know He does. However, at my church this past weekend, I was asked to serve food at the picnic, rubber gloves and all. Now I don't think I'm a high minded person but when do I draw the line. I want to be seen in a different light. I paid a lot of money to go to seminary, a lot of time sweat and effort to learn biblical truths for me to now be relegated back to the kitchen...hmmm. I declined the offer to spoon out beans, macaroni salad and the like which was not a popular decision among those who were dishing up the tasty morsels nor those who sought to strong arm me into doing the deed.

I have a couple of reasons for my decline. First, its just plain ole hot outside. I dont even do that at my own home and I dont like doing it even indoors in the cool, however, I will tolerate it. but in 90 degree heat it just wasnt going to happen. I'll do something else for the cause, which I did do -- make a dish and help some with clean up. I dont think anything other than serving up food with those ugly rubber gloves (sorry they are) would have sufficed their need for my submission.

Secondly, as a woman preacher when do you decline certain tasks so that people can respect you in the light of a minister. In Acts deacons were appointed for the daily needs and service of the church so that ministers could attend to soul business. Its already hard enough particularly as a woman in ministry to have people respect you as a laborer in the gospel. I drew the line. We'll see what happens next.

Lesson Learned

As I think about what the sphere is for this blog, the Lord has given a word of caution. First, not to reflect on the actions of others and my superiors. He has cautioned me not to be critical of my leaders and those in authority but rather to reflect upon my own growth in the process of bringing to maturity in ministry. When we are critical of leaders, we are saying that God doesn't know what He is doing for He is ultimately the one who allowed that leader to be in place. When we have such criticism, we are saying that we can do a much better job that God and that just can't be true.

When things are not to our liking we must bathe our attitudes and dispositions in prayer. We don't want to be found self righteous and foolish in the sight of God, so even though we may not understand God's methods, our adverse situations should push us to seek the face of God that He may help us learn the lesson He is teaching us.

The second thing He is helping me to see (which corresponds with the first) is to have honor for authority. A preacher I heard this weekend said that honor means "not to treat as common". I was like WOW! You mean that when we try to get buddy buddy with our pastors and leaders that we are treating them as common... like a friend. Well, the bible says that we are to give honor to whom honor is due and this is not predicated on whether we think they deserve our honor or whether they have earned our respect, it is because God has placed them in a specific place of authority whether we agreed to it, voted for them, went to high school with them, or knew them before they were appointed to authority.

That's what God showed me this weekend. Thanks God because when He shows us something, its for our good and that of the ministry.