Push Ups

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart". Hebrews 12:1-3

We are headed to “boot camp” tomorrow. The proper name is “Church Planting Boot Camp” and some folks from our church will be in Plano, Texas to learn more about the best ways to go about planting a new worship community in Clear Springs, Texas. Of course, the vision I get about “boot camp” comes from watching too many movies. Young recruits in a row doing pushups until they collapse, or marching in rows with full packs or standing at attention as a drill instructor yells at them. I never served in our military, so I have no real idea about what happens there. I sense it is not very pleasant, though, and is a tough physical and mental test. But, I wonder if the recruits ever think about the men and women who have served before them? The heroes and heroines whose names are legends, like General George S. Patton, Lt. Annie Fox, General Douglas MacArthur, Jimmy Doolittle, Jacqueline Cochran and Lt. Audie Murphy. Perhaps more likely, the recruits think about fathers, mothers, grandfathers, brothers and sisters who honorably answered our nation’s call. Those thoughts, examples and witnesses very well may help them survive boot camp, and then inspire them as they serve.

Although the schedule looks demanding, our “boot camp” will not physically challenge us in that way. That is just as well since it has been a few years since my last push up exercise. We will probably just drink way too much coffee and wear ourselves out trying to absorb all of the material being offered. But just as our soldiers may be inspired by those who served before them, we will be inspired by that “great cloud of witnesses” who have faithfully served Christ before us. In the early history of the United Methodist Church, there were very few ordained ministers to go around, so they rode a circuit of churches and camp meetings on horseback. Thomas Coke, Francis Asbury, Isaac Smith, Thomas Vasey and Richard Whatcoat are historic names . In Texas, we had Littleton Fowler, Martin Ruter and Robert Alexander riding circuit in the early 1800s. Stephen F. Austin, an early Texas colonist of note, did not particularly want Methodist preachers in his colony as he thought their excited way of preaching would bring trouble. These early preachers endured physical hardship that we cannot imagine. The pay was negligible or non existent, the conditions deplorable, disease and Indian attacks were common and the congregations less than appreciative at times. William B. Dewees, an early settler, wrote in his journal in 1819 about a “camp meeting” where certain elements in the congregation got more than a little intoxicated and when the preachers objected, were run out of the camp with an axe.

It was against these odds that the United Methodist church was established and spread like wildfire in the United States and Texas. These men (and certainly, a number of lay women), ran the race with perseverance and laid the foundations for our church. I imagine that every denomination has similar stories. We remember these faithful witnesses as we head off to our “boot camp” and set in for the long run of planting the church in Clear Springs. We will no doubt run into difficulties in the weeks and months ahead. The path will not always be easy and there will be tangles and snares to throw off. But I don’t think that the Indians are going to attack, or that the horses will buck us off. As with all United Methodists, there will be plenty to eat. With God’s help, we will fix our eyes on Jesus as we work; trusting that what we learn this week will help us persevere. The words “Refresh, Redeem, Renew and Restore” have worked their way into the mission statement for this new church plant. Our vision is that it will be a highly relevant, mission minded church. It will be a family friendly, multi generational church with a welcoming, casual atmosphere. It will be a church where the Sacraments are celebrated and a place where we praise God with music, prayer, visual imagery, teaching, worship, art, drama and nature. It is going to be a great church to raise children in, to meet new people, to fellowship with friends, explore faith and learn how God works in each of our lives. It is going to be a church that the “great cloud of witnesses” would have been proud of.

Joy!

Bill