2 Sam 5:1-5, 9-10
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
Mark 6:1-13
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Two stories about leadership this morning: the first is about David, the would-be Shepherd King; the second is about Jesus and the ups and downs of being a Hometown Prophet.
Let’s recap. A long time ago there was a king named Saul. Saul was a good king and cared for the people well. When he died, the people were bereft and somewhat directionless, until someone remembered something that happened some years before. Someone said, “Wait, do you remember when Samuel blessed David? Samuel told David that he would one day be king. This must be the time! David will be the new king.” Some wondered if being a shepherd in any way qualified David to be king, much in the way some wondered if being an actor in any way qualified Reagan to be President, but both were commended to office.
Turns out that David, although not without his faults—there is much difficulty and bloodshed in David’s story, and there was actually some debate over his entitlement to the throne, but that being said—David turned out to be a good king. He learned to help the people. He learned to build a beautiful city. And all the time David was learning to be a king, scripture tells us that God was with him. David’s God-given charisma, intelligence, and grace … they really worked for him. In fact it was these very qualities made him the powerful and enduring symbol of Israel’s hopes for generations to come. People could see that God was indeed at work in David and the people got behind him nearly 100%.
Such is not the case in the Gospel reading from Mark this morning. The power of God at work in Jesus was not something the people of his hometown of Nazareth could seem to wrap their minds around. What most of us know from experience is that it’s a lot easier to do things when people believe we can do them and when they offer encouragement. And it’s much harder to do things when people are critical, when they cross their arms, sit back and wait for us fail. So the story goes that Jesus went back to the town where he had grown up, and tried to teach the people about God. But those who had known him growing up found it hard to believe that he might now have something to teach them. “Hey!” people said. “Isn’t that Mary and Joseph’s boy? The carpenter’s son—we knew he would never amount to much. Who does he think he is, coming in here like he owns the place?” (Sound familiar?)
Now, Jesus didn’t exactly give up, but as a result of his experiences he moved on to other places where he thought his work might command a little more respect. (Ah … some of us have gone that route.) Having been round the block a couple of times, Jesus had some practical advice for the disciples he sent out to do God’s work. He told them not to loose heart. “Some people will welcome you, some people won’t. Some people will like you, some people won’t. But God will be with you. Carry on, and spread the good news.”
Two leaders—both extraordinary—one mortal, one Divine—both doing their best to live into their Calling, some days with better luck than others. Regardless, God is always with them, every step of the way.
So what is in here for us this morning? What nuggets of wisdom do these stories have to inspire us and send us on our way? Well, here is something I have noticed … over the last three months this small but mighty congregation has sent over fifteen of its members to national churchwide events. Thirteen more are on their way to West Virginia even as we speak (three adults, nine youth). Whether is it was the Annual Recreation Workshop that Wendy attended in North Carolina, Dream On Sisters, or the Coalition Gathering in Indianapolis, nearly one third of our membership has responded to the invitation to go to another setting, to learn something new and bring it back to our congregation.
Having seen or talked to most of these folks in action, in those various locations, I can assure the rest of you that each one of them experienced a new found confidence in themselves, a sense of renewed purpose, and perhaps most importantly in the long run, they were ready to return home with leadership ideas and inspirations. We heard from some of those folks last week, and next week we’ll hear from Margo Bertram who will speak from her perspective as a young adult about her experience at the National Coalition gathering.
What’s in the scripture for us this morning? Well, I have a question for you.
I wonder, for the other two thirds who stayed and kept the home fires burning so to speak: is it easy or hard to receive the good news of those who are returning to us? Is it easy or hard to receive those who are returning to us with new ideas about shaping and challenging this community? Will we anoint them or will we find it hard to take them seriously? If they do not receive our support, will they stick it around or move on seeking another community where their gifts might be received with more respect?
I ask this question because if the ideas that these folks are bringing back to us are to take root, it will be crucial that they receive our ongoing encouragement. For some of us that is not easy an easy thing to give. Over the years, the way in which we have been either affirmed or discouraged has colored how we encourage or discourage others. It isn’t hard for most of us to call up memories of those who have been the voice of discouragement in our own lives. Nor is it hard to recall the ways in which our ideas and inspirations have been challenged or discredited. I think, however, if we can become conscious of the ways in which this has been done to us … we are one step closer to not doing it to someone else. Jesus experienced a major setback in the town of his origin. For some that might have been enough to give up all together. Scripture tells us God was with Jesus, just as God is with us. That truth gave Jesus courage to be God’s disciple and to teach others about being disciples.
How does our congregation affirm leadership? I have some idea that the way we affirm it is by giving that person more work to do. But that is only part of the formula for success. How do we assure those who are being called to lead at OPUCC that God is with them, and so are we? One of the ways we have done this in the past is by investing money from the Leadership Grant to support those who want to learn and lead more. What I know about leadership development is that a great deal of it has to do with access.
Access to different points of view, access to new knowledge and a place to articulate what is being learned, that is how leaders develop.
You have heard me refer to OPUCC as a teaching congregation. I feel strongly that this is one of the greatest gifts we have to offer … a safe place for people to come into their own voices, an encouraging place for people to try out new ideas, to take risks, to preach their passions.
The kind of leadership that I am about and that I think we are about at OPUCC, is not leadership for power's sake. It is leadership that is grounded in empowering others. Jesus lived for 33 years, and in that time he devoted his leadership to teaching others how to lead. His ministry was about encouraging others. Discipling means to encourage the leadership of others.
Liberationist Theology is one wherein a leader comes into a community that is in need of formal leadership, and works to empower the community to lead from within. That is that way Jesus led, that is the way I was taught to lead, and that is the way I hope we will teach others to lead.
So, I leave you this morning with an invitation. If you are feeling inspired to do so, I invite you to lead. Lead with an eye to empowering others. And if you are not feeling inspired to lead, right now, then follow with a spirit of support. Be the best supporter you can be. Nothing wears out a leader faster than a group of followers who drag their feet. On the positive side, nothing grows a leader faster than a group of people who are willing to take flight. Called as disciples, called to disciple others, God is with us every step of the way.
Amen