“Too much, or not enough?”

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.”  Luke 14: 25-27 The Message

One of the things I love about the United Methodist Church is that we are connected to other United Methodist Churches and, as a pastor, I have connections with other UM pastors.  As part of that connection, I am expected to meet with a group of pastors in our area (called a hub) at least once a month for a time of check-in, spiritual and professional growth, and prayer.  I have been designated as the hub leader, which means it is my responsibility to convene these meetings and attempt to find a time for everyone to attend. 

If you have ever tried to herd a group of cats, that’s what it can feel like trying to find a common time for 10 pastors to meet together.  Over the past 2 years, we have attempted to meet during the day, in the evening, for a meal, over Zoom, and any other thing that might work.  No matter what we’ve tried, finding a monthly time where the majority actually attended has been elusive. 

We met yesterday for our Christmas celebration (6 weeks after Christmas–because we kept having to reschedule).  As we were brainstorming ideas of what might help us to better commit to this meeting, I asked if monthly meetings were just too much to expect in the midst of our chaotic schedules.   After some discussion, we decided to try a different tactic and instead of reducing our meeting frequency, we are going to increase it–gathering together each week. Maybe the problem wasn’t that a monthly meeting was asking too much, but that it was expecting too little.  Others mentioned that getting into a weekly pattern of meeting would help to make it a higher priority.  So, our group is going to try to hold one another accountable to weekly gatherings, asking more of one another in an effort to help all of us grow.

This got me thinking about our discipleship efforts and the commitments we seek in the church.  Sometimes, when attendance at small groups, choir practices, ministry team meetings, and even worship declines, we have the tendency to think that perhaps we are seeking too high a commitment.  But when we look at what Jesus says to those who sought to follow him, he never considered that he might be asking too much.  He explained that those who sought to follow him were expected to make that their highest priority.  Jesus made clear that expectations of his disciples were sky high and he never considered that he might be asking too much. 

This is something I discuss with folks when they enquire about church membership.  Put simply, when it comes to membership in a local church, it involves a high-level commitment.  We expect all members to commit to supporting the church in their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.  When I explain what that means in practical terms (weekly worship attendance, sacrificial financial giving, serving both inside and outside the walls of the church, living in a way that reflects Jesus’ life, participation in some form of spiritual growth opportunity like a Bible study or small group) I sometimes wonder if it is asking too much.  But perhaps, by decreasing expectations and asking for less commitment, we are cheapening what it means to follow Jesus. 

I thank my “hub” group members for reminding me that perhaps the key to real growth is giving (and expecting) more, not less.  I invite you to consider what spiritual practice or element of your faith life needs a little more, rather than less commitment.  How might you increase your commitment to help you grow closer to God?

It is, as always, a blessing to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing God!

Blessings, Chris

Mission

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Vision

Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ.  We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.

Priorities

Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth

Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups

Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond

Worship This Week

This Sunday we will continue our “Becoming More” message series.  This week, the fruit of the Spirit we will consider Gentleness.  Our scripture lesson is from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 18, verses 15 through 18:

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.  If they listen to you, you have won them over.  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Our services will begin with the song Relate by for King and Country.  Our hymns for the morning include There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy and Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands.  Our praise song for the morning will be Come As You Are. 

Virtual Worship Information

In addition to in-person worship, each Sunday we will live-stream our 10:20 worship service. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page.  The service will start at approximately 10:25 following our gathering song.  We will continue to post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon.  We are excited to be able to extend our worship services in these ways.

COVID Updates

Covid is in full force around us.  The Church Administrative Board reviewed the Covid data and our current practices at their recent meeting.  They would like to reiterate their encouragement to follow as many safeguards as you feel are necessary including masking, distancing, and hand washing/sanitizing.  We would also like to encourage you to take notice of the behavior of others and respect their potential desire for more distance or less touch. 

Masks remain optional for everyone and encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated or are feeling any symptoms of any illness.  The Board is committed to continuing to monitor the latest COVID conditions and will discuss any further changes at upcoming meetings.  If you are ill or not feeling well, please consider staying home and worshiping with us through our live-stream. 

Announcements

Kids Host Valentine’s Lunch February 13 – Make plans to attend the Annual Valentine’s Lunch hosted by Nelson Kids on Sunday, February 13th, following the 10:20 service.  The kids are going to be serving a spaghetti lunch. This will be a free will offering, so please make plans to attend, and share in love and fellowship with our church family.

Mission Trip Coming Up – On December 10, 2021, a violent, long-tracked tornado moved across western Kentucky producing severe to catastrophic damage in numerous towns, including Mayfield, Kentucky.  We are now forming a team of men and women to travel to Mayfield to complete clean up and rebuild projects.  Our tentative dates will be March 13 through March 18.  If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Larry Long, Bob Koch or Bill Salyer for details.  Sorry – no one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the work sites. 

Winter Family Outing – Dust off your ice skates and make plans to attend our winter outing! This year we are planning an ice-skating outing on Sunday, February 27th from 1:00 -3:30 at the Washington Park Ice Arena in Jefferson City. We will meet for a pizza lunch in Fellowship Hall after church and carpool to the Ice Rink.  Everyone is welcome for the afternoon of fun and fellowship.  You can reach out to Melissa Baker or Chelsea Jackson if you have any questions.

Blessing Bags – The Youth have prepared 100 Blessing Bags and invite you to pick some up and distribute them as you see a need.  They are in various places around the church.  Please take one or two (or more) and leave them in your car.  As you see someone needing food or help, share this bag with them.  This is a great (and easy) way to help people in need.  Thank you to the youth group for preparing these and giving us this opportunity!

Events this week:

Saturday, February 12: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, February 13: Education ministries Spaghetti Luncheon Fundraiser, 11:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Financial Peace University, Noon, Church Lounge

Monday, February 14: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, February 15: Administrative Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, Church Lounge and Zoom

Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Wednesday, February 16: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, February 17: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Church Annex

Friday, February 18: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

I saw that giving even all my life to God (supposing it possible to do this and go no further) would profit me nothing unless I gave my heart, yea, all my heart, to Him. – John Wesley