I spent President’s Day weekend with nine of my favorite preteens on the FFUMC Confirmation Retreat to Saint Simons Island. A big part of this retreat was discovering and testing out the Spiritual Gifts of these young people. As they begin the process of joining the church, we want them also to start thinking about what their roles will be in the body of Christ.
One of the ways we did this was by having them engage in several different team-building activities, the first of which left tempers heated and emotions high. Our students were tasked with making a specific structure out of toothpicks and gumdrops. The catch was that only one of them could see the structure and had to describe it to a mediator who delivered messages but was unable actually to help put the gumdrop creation together.
It sounds like fun, and it could be fun and enjoyable if everyone had been using their gifts lovingly. As it was, some were overstepping, some were disengaged, some were spoken over, some were distracting, and some were not being heard. It was a perfect example of how churches seem to work.
All of us who belong to the Body of Christ are tasked with the job of ministry. But what is ministry? What is it supposed to look like? How is it supposed to work?
Just like the gumdrops and toothpicks, every church begins with the same materials for ministry: worship, service, community, scripture. But each church puts those materials together in a unique way. Well-functioning churches can understand God’s plan, organize effectively, and work together towards God’s vision for their community. Well-functioning churches are able to first and foremost practice love, and only after this harness their gifts to do ministry.
Paul famously calls this “the more excellent way” in 1 Corinthians 12, and encourages people to desire love above all else.
As the weekend went on, our students became much better at the other team-building challenges. Students began to internalize the values of teamwork, communication, listening, but ultimately they were better understanding how to love each other. They finished their final challenge of putting together pieces of a painting with cheerful attitudes and extreme patience.
This weekend, there is a Called General Conference in The United Methodist Church, and I have spent a little time preparing my students for what this conference will mean for the church. When I think about the tears, frustrations, and apathy our Confirmands experienced building a simple gumdrop structure, I cannot fathom how difficult this event will probably be.
My prayer is that Conference attendees will ultimately attend to a more excellent way. I hope that the cacophony of loveless, fearful gongs and cymbals will be silenced. That we would have equal concern for one another. I hope that we would protect one another, trust one another, and persevere with one another. And I pray, just as I prayed for our Confirmands, that a generous unity would win the day so that the Lord’s will can be done.
Kena Hawkins Newkirk 