There is a great deal of creative energy related to our financial situation right now. What else would cause so many meetings of small groups, soul searching, brainstorming to find ways to keep our church strong, meetings to pray, and pruning to the essential activities? What else would cause so many of us to evaluate our resources and look deep in our hearts to determine our priorities? What else would generate such sacrificial giving among some of our members?

A winnowing spirit is blowing through our church – if we can recognize it. For some of us this is the first time to face a financial crisis and it’s frightening. Some of us will turn away. Life is hard enough. We come to church to escape those things not face more of them. God go with you. When you need us, and you will, we will welcome you back in love. Those who remain are embarking on a spiritual adventure from which we and this church can emerge stronger in the faith with a clearer understanding of Christian stewardship, more in love with FUMC, and blessed. It may not feel like it right now, but if we take this as God’s opportunity to build us as Christians, it will be so.

But what if we fail? What if there are not enough of us who accept this mission or it to succeed? Then this church will complete its place in history and it will be time to make room for a congregation with the passion and will to respond to God’s calling.

Let us be clear. This isn’t John’s problem, or Jim Weaver’s problem or the Finance Committee’s problem. This is our call, each one of us, to fulfill our vows of membership, respond to God’s call, and further our own spiritual growth. Now is our hour and this is our story.

FUMC has a calling, we have resources, we have people. Will we make the best use of our financial and human resources? What is the best use? It will take love and discernment to agree on the answer to that question. Perhaps we should engage together in an exploration of discernment, what it is, and how to carry it out. Hint: It is not brainstorming nor debate nor blind adherence to any legalistic interpretations nor manipulating to get someone convinced of your point of view. It is prayerfully and honestly seeking to listen for God’s direction.

All crises within the church, in life for that matter, are spiritual. They come in the guise of buildings or committees or worship styles or even carpet selection, but what they really are is our opportunity to learn about the nature of man, our own individual selves, the nature of God, and how to live out our faith through God’s body in the world, the church.

Let me ask you this question. If you saw God lying sick and hurt by the road, what would you do? Oh, that’s a parable isn’t it? Brothers and sisters the church is God’s body in the world. FUMC is wounded and in danger. Who will you be in this modern parable?