Viewpoint


What’s our unique calling if we don’t work to save souls?

The heyday of missions was in the 19th century when we proudly sang, “O Zion Haste.” That hymn propelled us out into the world to save those who were perishing.
Today we are no longer motivated to save lost souls because we no longer believe they are perishing. Thus the drive for missions has become the improvement of the environment, such as building water wells, raising better crops, combating disease etc.
However, secular agencies are doing these good things. So what is our unique calling in this century when we no longer believe souls are perishing?
We don’t have a unique calling. We have lost it. But when we find it again, we will discover that it is the same as what motivated the church in the 19th century. But what is that?
For me it is the rediscovery of the truth contain in the old hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.” It speaks of Jesus’ love that satisfies our longing as nothing else can do.
Now I know that preaching is not the sole medium for missionary activity. The pew has also to be illuminating God’s love.
But when we preachers lose this truth, the pew dies. The church dies, and missionary zeal becomes defunct.
I know this truth of Jesus’ love is true because 44 years ago I was sitting in the Carousel Club with Jack Ruby two weeks before he shot Lee Harvey Oswald. My family and I underwent an FBI investigation and were cleared.
Later, I left that way of life, and my life turned around. What did it for me? The love of God was shed abroad in my heart through the Holy Spirit.
Afterwards, the Methodist church opened its heart to me. It sent me to seminary, supported me for years in the ministry and gave me my wife of almost 40 years.
Today when I’m in retirement, it still continues to take care of me. Sure, I could have been a Baptist, an Episcopalian or a Roman Catholic and on some days might wish I had.
What I am saying is that the love of God through his Holy Spirit has the power to transform lives. This truth should inform all of our church life, including missions.

Letters to the editor

I saw God at work in our election of 2008 delegates
This year was the second that I was privileged to represent my congregation at our annual conference in Corpus Christi.
I came away from the conference thinking that I had surely experienced God at work in our Southwest Texas Conference as we elected the delegates to General and South Central Jurisdictional conferences (“We didn’t offer Christ to all during our conference,” July 13; “Let’s stop worrying about diversity, start saving souls,” July 27).
We sought God’s will and asked for discernment and wisdom in voting through private and public prayer. I experienced wonderful times of worship through the music, speakers and participating in Holy Communion.
Being surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses was humbling. There were many high, holy moments, and I considered the conference to be a mountain-top experience.
For me the greatest example of Christ’s humility and love was late Friday night, when Charles Akins, ahead by many votes, graciously stepped down, making way for Mark Nerio, a Hispanic layperson, to be elected as a General Conference delegate.
Dr. Akins was ahead by many votes, and it was incredible that he would put aside his personal ambitions. It was an unforgettable moment.
I agreed with some of the decisions made at annual conference, and with some, I did not; but I know God is sovereign, and what he wanted to happen happened.
I appreciate the democratic process employed by United Methodists and am thankful to have been part of the process.
Chrissie Smith
San Antonio

I give thanks to God for our Clergy Wellness Program
When I first heard of the Clergy Wellness Program, I thought “Just something else to take up my time.”
But being obedient to the conference (and my wife’s insistence), I enrolled, took a physical, went to a blood screening, filled out forms, had a wellness coach—who called me once a month to remind me to eat well—and had a session with a wellness counselor.
So far, no big deal. I was in good health and felt well.
About two months ago I began experiencing shortness of breath. I moved up this year’s physical to August instead of September.
The doctor told me I had recently had a silent heart attack. He said it was a good thing I had come in last year. That’s because he was able to compare the two EKGs and determine what I had suffered.
I remember seeing the number of pastors who had participated in the program last year, and it wasn’t many. I encourage my brothers and sisters in ministry to take part in this year’s program.
Had I not participated, there is a chance I would not have known what was wrong with me. In the near future I will be undergoing further tests to determine what should be done.
Keep me in your prayers as I thank God for the Clergy Wellness Program.
Gerald Harvey
Utopia

Multigenerational classes help develop new leaders
When an old church with an aged population determines that God is calling it to make a new start, keeping up with the Holy Spirit’s movement takes stamina and determination. The New Testament calls it perseverance.
As transformation begins, the church must muster energy and find financial resources. The tried and true ways of “doing church and Sunday school” have to be rethought.
Nothing seems to fit as neatly as it did before.
New members coming by professions of faith from unchurched or de-churched backgrounds bring special needs. Naturally, when the new families come in, the church expects to find children needing a Sunday school teacher and a nursery care provider, but the adults that come with them need a strong Christian foundation, too. How can they teach or lead what they don’t know?
One step toward helping new members begin their journey of spiritual transformation is multigenerational Bible study and confirmation classes. The value is far more reaching than simply meeting a need for leadership. The Holy Spirit moves in a mighty way in multigenerational settings, and in these classes an awesome dynamic unfolds.
Oftentimes the children ask questions adults are hesitant to ask. Conversation is stimulated, resulting in a deeper understanding of the lesson for everyone. Christian community begins to take shape, and families come through with stronger bonds—in their faith, with God and with one another.
With prayer and a little ingenuity, both new member and confirmation classes can be presented in such a manner as to include all the generations.
Vanessa LeVine
San Antonio