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August 6, 2008
Dear Church Family,
What do you fear most?
Those who study such things say that most of us have a distinct fear of falling …that if we have a nightmare, falling is almost always included in the terror. I don't know how they are able to quantify those conclusions, but that is what most who research such things conclude.
Years ago, Jeffrey and I were headed into Baton Rouge when we saw a painter walking along the girder above the I-10 bridge crossing the river. We watched this man as long as we could. No rope. No harness. Obviously, there was no safety net.
“You’d have to go hungry, son,” I told Jeffrey. “Huh?” he answered. I told him that if that were the only job left in order for me to get a paycheck, I couldn't do it. The family would have to go hungry, first, I suppose, before I’d try to scale such a height.
In the Gospel text for this Sunday, Peter leaves a boat with his fellow disciples in it, and steps out on the sea toward Jesus, Who is walking toward them. He’s “walking on water” until he realizes “Hey, I’m walking on water!” and sinks like a stone. His faith was instantly displaced by fear. And fear is never part of a formula for success. Ask any recovering cancer patient. Ask any pilot at the controls of a plane or any surgeon who picks up the scalpel to begin operating on a patient. Ask any parent whose children have “turned out right.” Ask any successful batter in baseball or receiver in football. Ask any widowed person who returns to spiritual and emotional good health. Operating out of fear produces confusion, panic, and often the very opposite of what is desired.
Churches are no different. For too long, churches have fought to survive when they wanted to thrive. Longing for the good “ole” days when attendance was up and youth classrooms were full, they become fatigued with regret and failed to develop a sense of what their mission is today.
Look again at Simon Peter. This Sunday’s sermon is titled, “Why Did the Disciple Cross the Sea?” (I’ll tell you the answer: “To get to the other side.”) Fear gripped him and he failed.
Where are we in this story? Who are we?
I’ll see you in your place this Sunday.
Steve Caraway
July 23, 2008
Dear Church Family,
Since this is our first Messenger in over two months, you’ll notice some “catching up” on news and information. This lapse in issues was due to two circumstances: the cost of producing a newsletter twice-a-month; and Lonette’s seven week absence from the secretary’s office because of illness that required extensive hospitalization. She has since returned on a limited basis as she recovers.
But though this issue dabbles in the past a bit, I want to direct your attention to the immediate future. Vacation Bible School begins Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m., and continues through Wednesday evening. Our director, Melanie Gassiott, is a gift of vision, compassion, and energy for Mangum Church. And while help from the rest of us has been slow in coming, she and those who have volunteered to assist her will provide a wonderful experience for the children in our lives. Would you let those children in your family and your neighborhood know about Mangum’s VBS?
I also want you to mark the dates September 21-23 on your calendar. Dr. Tom Fuller, who was our Ashram preacher last year, will return to present the Amazing John Wesley then.
United Methodism continues to lose members every year. This is due, in part, to the way we keep membership rolls. While not precise, they are pretty accurate when compared to the way other traditions keep their records.
But, Dr. Fuller’s approach is that we have lost ground over the years because we have lost our Wesleyan focus. John and Charles Wesley, our denominational forefathers, saw the Methodist movement as a disciplined approach to living the Scriptural teachings of caring for our own spiritual health while extending the faith witness to those at life’s margins. You’ll remember Tom as being an inspirational as well as entertaining preacher. I hope you’ll plan to be with us.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you in your place this Sunday.
Steve Caraway