From the Pastor’s Pen
January 2013
"For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy and its people as a delight." ~ Isaiah 65:17-18
I have been with you all for a little over one year. In that time together, we have faced natural disasters, financial difficulties and those personal problems that come from simply living. It has not always been easy, but we have come through. I have learned that the members of the Prospect United Methodist Church are talented, committed and deeply caring. It is a joy working with you all.
I would like to take a few moments to talk about our future. Prospect UMC is facing challenges and difficulties that many of our sister congregations are facing. We live in a time of over-extended lifestyles. Between work, school schedules and extracurricular activities which involve parents, there seems to be little time left for church. The information age has brought us new opportunities, but it has also brought with it the possibility of totally isolated lives. Every voluntary organization has to face this new reality.
In the past, it was possible to keep a congregation going simply by relying on family ties. People who would attend a church would be the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren of past members. I was once blessed by officiating at a wedding of a family that was a part of the community since the early 1700's, and they all were loyal Methodists since it was legal in Connecticut to be a Methodist! But, times change, and this is now the exception and not the rule.
As painful as it may be, we have to change and reach out to new people in our community. We need to share Christ. We need to — using a word which terrifies members of mainline congregations — do evangelism. I know it sounds intimidating, but for Prospect UMC to survive in the future, we need to reach out to the families around us. We are called to move beyond our comfort zone for the sake of God's realm.
There are some very simple things that we can do which will produce much fruit, but it's not easy. There are three things which speak to a new generation: a relaxed and casual form of worship, music which they can relate to, and a message which applies to their everyday life. I have, during the past year tried, with varying degrees of success, to meet those new expectations. But it is important to recognize that we all have to work at it.
I believe our Vacation Bible School and Sunday School have been leading the way. The music that we sang in VBS made its way into our worship service and filled our hearts with joy. The messages shared with our children have touched a deep need in our children's lives and ours. And, let's face it, have you ever tried to be really formal with 20 children? The Sunday School has given us a little taste of our future and we need to build on it.
So here is our challenge. We are all asked to step out of our comfort zones for the sake of God's realm. We all have to be a little more flexible (and I'm not talking about the motions to "Father Abraham") as we deal with each other. We may, for the sake of God's realm, have to show patience and understanding with the people who walk through our doors.
The test will come when we've had a busy week, and we are feeling really, really, drained. So, we drive off to church because it is a place where we feel safe and comfortable and at home. You sit down in the beautiful sanctuary and start to feel a sense of peace. And then the music starts, and it's a hymn that you've haven't heard before, let alone sang. And, there is a family seated in the pew immediately in front of you, and you've never seen them in church before. And, the children are starting to fuss and move around like … children. What do you do?
When we do the good and decent and loving thing, we are doing evangelism. When we recognize that we are called to reach out in love to strangers — when we show patience and understanding — when we are willing to try new things — all because we need to reach a new generation, then we are doing God's work. It is, after all, exactly what the Wesley brothers did in the 1700's. We will face tests, both personal and as a congregation, but if we care about our church and God's realm, we will respond to those test with flexibility, compassion and love, and Prospect United Methodist Church will have a future.
Grace and Peace,
Bob Sorozan
Grace and Peace,
Bob Sorozan
