When Mission Saves the Church

This morning, the screens didn't work in our 9am service (you know, the screens that project ALL the lyrics and ALL the liturgy). We did not realize this until 15 minutes before the service began.To make things more complicated, our church office is relocating, so all the office computers and printers were boxed up. This meant we had neither the time nor the equipment to print song lyrics.

However--and this is where I quote Romans 8 and say that God works all things for good--our church has a Tuesday outreach ministry that also happens uses laptop/printer equipment. (we have an incredible team of volunteers that works to help homeless folks acquire birth certificates and IDs--which means printing forms and combing through DMV websites).

Also, because our church did an intricate prayer walk for good Friday, I had previously asked to borrow these laptops and just happened to know the computer password... 

Moreover, this Tuesday ministry has shifted to include a worship/testimony time wherein our music minister leads a few songs (the same songs, in this case, as the Sunday service)...which means the song-sheets already happened to be typed and sitting in someone's e-mail box...

In less that 15 minutes, we had over 200 songsheets printed (with appropriate creeds and misc. liturgy added). The congregation was invited to participate in worship because our church has been actively inviting homeless folks into our hearts. In short, the outreach ministry saved the day.

I realize that worship does not depend on song lyrics.
I'm sure we would have found a way to work it out without the tech support, but this is how the morning went. This is what the Lord provided--and it was so good!

To make things even better, the Romans 8 passage about things working together for good--the passage about nothing separating us from God's love, nothing standing against us--that was the sermon text! It was right and good that such a perfect word should be proclaimed in such an 'imperfect' setting.

Even (especially) when things don't go as planned; Even (especially) when we're challenged to our very depths--God works for good. Worship still happens. I couldn't have planned it better if I'd tried. That's the Spirit.

From the Founder....

Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth.                                                                                               ~John Wesley

from his letter to Alexander Mather (August 6, 1777)

(and the above quote led me to this one--which I found profoundly convicting)

' It has been affirmed that none of our present preachers are so much alive as they were seven years ago. I fear many are not. But if so they are not fit for the work, which requires much life. Otherwise your labors will be tiresome to yourself, and of little use to the people: tiresome, because you will no longer serve Christ and the people, willingly and cheerfully; of little use, because you will no longer serve them diligently, doing it with your might. I have several reasons to fear it is so with many of you. But let your conscience be the judge,-- Who of you is exemplary, so much alive to God, so as to carry fire with Him wherever you go? Who of you is a pattern of self-denial in little things? Who of you drinks water? why not? Who of you has not four meals a day? Who of you fasts on Friday? why not? Who of you goes through his work willingly and diligently, and on no account disappointing the congregations? Who visits the people on Mr. Baxter's method? Is your heart in the work wholly, not giving way to indolence or unconcernedness, not yielding to the fear of men? '

(also Wesley)
Conversation at the conference at Leeds in 1755:
See Sutcliffe's manuscript History of Methodism, p. 468

Things I'm thankful for and amazed by at this particular moment:

• I'm thankful that, after an entire day of migraine-force headache, a friend offered to share some dark chocolate and delicious conversation.  My head is lifted (and so is my heart).
• I'm amazed that, after eight weeks of car problems, I was always able to be in the right place. I'm thankful for friends who offered rides--one friend even gave me her keys for the day and let me drive all the way to the other end of town! (and she is only one of several folks who offered to lend their vehicle). I never thought I would take such satisfaction in driving from one meeting to another meeting four blocks down! ...and the convenience of having my own car enabled me to stay late after a meeting. 
• I'm thankful for almost-retired women who stay up until 1:30am--sharing wine and faith. (God bless you Kathy. You are, indeed, tons of fun!)
• I'm thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ who are willing to share stories of loss, stories of growth, and beautiful moments of humility. 
• ...and I'm awed and edified by friends who give honest answers when you ask, "how can I pray for you?'  (Especially when those prayer requests help shape your own prayers. Seriously, every pastor (every person) should pray for these: 

• Focus and clarity of my mind upon the important details 

• A filter that helps to keep me from all the things we could do, but stays on the things we should do.  

• Budget health. May the money follow the vision and lay a good foundation for transformation in lives and communities.