RAISING THE BAR

For years many churches lowered the bar of expectations for their members. “Oh don’t worry. You won’t have to do much! Just join the church and show up once in a while!” “It’s OK. You don’t have to make a pledge. We just want you to be with us.” “Really, there’s not much to it. Just serve on a committee and you’ll be fine.” You’ve heard this, or something like it before, haven’t you? In some cases this was done out of a genuine desire to be welcoming and to take down barriers that might repulse or keep people away. In other cases it was done out of a sense of quiet desperation as numbers dwindled gradually over the last fifty years. “We don’t care what you do! Just come to Church!”

Well, of course, we do care. In fact, we care a great deal. Whatever the reason for this tyranny of lowered expectations, the truth is that we have ended up with a situation where we simply don’t ask much of people. It's almost like we don't want to inconvenience anyone with the process of practicing their faith.

We follow a Savior who went to the cross for us. What is it that we do beyond showing up on Sundays and maybe staffing a church committee. No. We really don’t ask a whole lot of our community. We claim to live out a Gospel that is rooted in self-giving love and self-sacrifice, but how much of ourselves do we really give? What do we sacrifice for the sake of others?

No. This isn’t a guilt trip. Really.

I am not trying to go there. But I do want to re-examine our Christian commitment. I do want raise the bar a bit and articulate some expectations about what it means to be a practicing Christian in this community of Christians.

For starters, maybe we could suggest that a practicing Christian gets involved with practicing the spiritual disciplines. How often do you pray? Do you pray every day? Do you spend time with the Bible every day? Do you give time to serving the poor every day? Is there a group of people with whom you share your faith? If so, will this group hold you lovingly accountable for living out this faith we share? Would you give an hour a week to a group like that?

At Temple UMC we are beginning the process of establishing Covenant Groups. The purpose of these groups is to provide support and mutual accountability for people who want to raise the bar. We begin training leaders for these groups in June, and we look forward to seeing groups emerge this fall.

A Covenant group writes a faith covenant together. Then they meet weekly for an hour to support one another in keeping that covenant. A typical covenant might go something like this.

1) I will attend worship every week.

2) I will spend thirty minutes in prayer every day.

3) I will participate in studying Holy Scripture on a regular basis.

4) I will give a minimum of three hours a week to serving the poor.

5) I will tithe (that means give 10% of your earnings) to my Church.

6) I will not remain silent in the face of injustice.

7) I will cease all complaining.

Maybe these seven things would be something to start with as we approach these summer months? Perhaps there's someone in the faith community with whom you could have coffee and see how you're doing with keeping these seven items going in your life. What parts are difficult? What things are rewarding? How does this covenant take you deeper in faith?

Then this fall when the Covenant groups start meeting you'll be practiced and ready!

I'm always happy to bounce these things around with you and hear your input and ideas! Toss me an email if you like. pastor@tumcpeace.org.