[Jesus said,] “Whoever
welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive the prophet’s reward;
and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will
receive the reward of the righteous person.”
(vs. 41)
Not long after I was elected Bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma
Synod someone said to me, “welcome to the dark underbelly of the church.” Sadly, there is some truth in that. One of the roles of the bishop is to walk
with congregations and other ministries during difficult and conflicted
times. I admit I have seen Christians
treat one another in very un-Christian ways in these last years. I understand when a person who is no longer a
part of a church laments, “Why would I want to belong to a church? Look how they treat one another!” I weep when I hear the painful story of
someone who has been deeply hurt by people in the church and wants nothing to
do with us. I get it when someone
accuses churches of being judgmental and hypocritical. I’ve experienced it live and unedited.
A church, as a community of sinners, sometimes sins all over
each other.
So, why would anyone want to be a part of a community of
faith?
In my ministry as bishop, I am also privileged to see the
blessings that come from belonging to a community of faith. In this ministry, I get a much broader view
of the church than I ever did as a parish pastor. Even after six years I still wonder at the
breadth and the depth of the good Christians do in the name of Jesus all across
the world. I have witnessed churches
surround total strangers with care in a time of loss or tragedy or crisis. I have seen churches stand in solidarity with
the outcast, the oppressed and the rejected of the world. Christians have founded hospitals and schools
in places no one else would dare to go.
I have heard many stories of kindness, compassion, generosity and
forgiveness from people whose lives have been saved and transformed and renewed
and healed in communities of faith.
A church, as a community of saints, sometimes – oftentimes
-- embodies the holy in a hurting world.
In Matthew 10, Jesus describes the challenges and trials the
disciples will face as they carry out his mission of proclaiming the kingdom of
heaven and his ministry of healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the
lepers and casting out demons.
(10:7-8) Following in the Way of
Jesus is not always easy. But he also
promises a reward. Oh, not of wealth or
power or prestige. No. But in knowing him, and knowing the One who
sent him. In knowing the love and grace
of the God who created the heavens and the earth and you and me. That’s the value added of walking in this
wonderful, challenging, joyful, difficult, often imperfect and always holy way
of life Jesus invites us to travel with him and with one another.
Peace,
Bishop Mike
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