The World Church

 

In the February issue of the Southeast District News I introduced a document developed by the Cabinet titled “Characteristics of Pastoral Leadership – Minnesota Annual Conference.” This month I continue to talk about another characteristic taken from the document:

 

Loves God’s world: Embraces the world as their parish and, therefore, expects to be connectional in ministry, awake to the large, diverse world in which we live and deeply engaged in working towards God’s shalom for all.

 

Describe a mission opportunity you have been involved in.

How do you see the church interacting with the world around you?

 

There is a purpose for the existence of your church.  The purpose is to be in love with the world in which we were placed.  The church does not exist apart from the world but stands in the midst of God’s creation.  The church is not an island unto itself but a harbor for committed Christians to move into the world.

 

A few years ago I read the book, “Who Moved My Church.” The book was a spin off of “Who Moved My Cheese.”  “Who Moved My Church” was a story about a church that lost its relevance in the community.  The church lost its purpose and therefore lost its mission.  The church became so irrelevant that it simply disappeared from the community.

 

We are placed in this world for a reason.  The reason is to serve God’s people and God’s creation.  We are not restricted by geographical boundaries.  We are only limited by our love for the world and the people of God.

 

I attended a gathering of leaders in Winona shortly after the floods in southeast Minnesota.  I was amazed how people from other communities were responding to our needs.  Wells Fargo Bank was present with a check for $100,000.00.  The Catholic Charities in Mississippi were going to take an offering for us the next Sunday.  Mission teams were being formed in New Orleans to travel to the affected areas in Minnesota.  Your UMCOR had sent seed funds to help with immediate needs.  Our Conference Disaster Response Team was working hand-in-hand with the Jewish Response team.  Our Bishop and Conference Communication Director, Victoria Rebeck, came down to personally meet and support parishioners that were affected by the flood.  My answering machine and email was filled messages from people who wanted to help.

 

We are all citizens of this small blue planet.  Learning to care for the planet and God’s people is part of our mission as the church.  Perhaps that mission becomes more visible when we are the ones in need of care and love.

 

Blessings,

 

Mike Wuehler

SE District News

November 2007

SE District Office - MN Annual Conference UMC

Published monthly for the leadership of the United Methodist Churches in the SE District