Remembering Our "Great Responsibility" (Memorial Day Reflection from a UMC Elder)

As Memorial Day is a remembrance of the fallen military women and men who died while protecting democracy. 

It's also true too many tombs are filled with well meaning military personnel and innocent civilians who died for the sake of "nationalism" which truth be told is an oft misguided notion leaving us to wonder, why and for what did our loved ones die?  

Hence, this Memorial Day, I find myself reflecting on leadership.

Given the solemnity of this holiday and the despair that accompanies the loss of life, I have concluded with certainty the necessity for sober, courageous, thoughtful and humble leaders who are mindful that death is a very possible implication of their decisions.

This Memorial Day reminds me within my present context as an Elder in the United Methodist Church (which is a hierarchical Church-Ecclesial system that operates similarly to the government), spiritual deaths commonly occur in the name of "God", "Jesus" and/or the "Book of Discipline". 

Reflecting upon known and unknown losses vividly pronounces the "Great Responsibility" we-church leaders (Bishops, Deacons, District Superintendents, Elders, Laypersons and Local Pastors) owe to God, the followers of Jesus and not yet followers of Christ. 

Across our Connection, there's a painful witness of tombs, many cloaked as churches both nearly empty and filled to capacity with well-meaning Christians and innocent church goers (attenders). With honesty, confession and in some cases repentance, we have to recognize these churches are the results of our decisions (Bishops, Deacons, District Superintendents, Elders, Laypersons and Local Pastors). 

Considering death and her constant proximity, we (leaders) are challenged through fear and trembling to courageously provide life-giving leadership. Jesus exhorts us to weigh the outcomes of our decisions, thus, we mustn't take lightly any of our resolutions as unlike any other leaders our actions/inactions have both earthly and Eternal consequences. 

As we remember the saints we've lost and acknowledge the deaths (of dying and closed churches), our response should be to lead with greater commitment and conviction toward Jesus' vision of the church - "a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out." 

While we (church leaders) hold the memory of past deaths, successes and missteps nigh, may we enthusiastically launch into not yets, emboldened by unrelenting Hope, anchored to the Holy Spirit and inspired by Love provide leadership which guides our churches to God's preferred future. So that all of God's people regardless of their faith, race, gender, ethnicity, social location, sexual orientation, country of origin, etc. will know that we United Methodist Christians freely worship Jesus and full-heartedly preach and teach freedom, as we announce for everyone to hear:

"Good News to the poor,

Pardon to prisoners, 
Recovery of sight to the blind,
The oppressed and battered are free, 
AND
“This is God’s year to act!”"

Let not our memorial be in vain, but because of courageous leadership from Bishops, Deacons, District Superintendents, Elders, Laypersons and Local Pastors, all people will see the church anew and attest that "God’s home is too among the People called Methodists! Yes, God lives with them, and they too are God's people. (It's clear) God is present and guiding the United Methodist Church."

This is my commitment, hope and prayer as an Elder in the United Methodist Church.

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

(205) 440-2879