Connection Takes on New Meaning

Journal-Review
July 3, 2009

“Connection” is one of those words we United Methodists throw around all the time. I’m writing this article at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where the first Indiana Annual Conference is taking place. Pastors, lay members, equalization members and guests from both the former North and South conference have come together to form a new conference.

Fresh on my mind and heart, though, are the 34 Jenny and I left behind in Hollywood, South Carolina, where I had the honor and privilege to participate in the 22nd annual mission trip to assist Rural Mission, Inc., in its outreach to the Sea Islands area. It was an amazing five days in the low-country and we both were blessed to be a part of such a massive effort.

To me, connection is the word we use to describe the on-going ministry of Jesus Christ to the world. It is when the Church works together to make the love of Christ real in a world full of hurt.

I have seen examples of “connection” everywhere. Worshipping with the loving congregation of Wesley United Methodist Church in Hollywood was a pure delight. Pastor Julius McDowell was leading his last worship service at “Big Wesley,” completing eight years of ministry. I am all too familiar with the emotions surrounding a “final sermon” at a church, so it was a privilege for me to be presiding with Julius and sense the love he had for his people. It was a jam-packed service, with about 185 people squeezing into the sanctuary.

Folks have said for years the most segregated hour in the world is on Sunday morning at worship. Seated at the front behind the pulpit in a place of honor and respect, I saw people with my skin interacting with those with much different skin. We came to South Carolina to serve God and along the way we were enriched. I saw tears of gratitude from both the folks at Wesley and our mission team for a beloved pastor. This, my friends, is what I mean by connection.

Here in Muncie, 2,004 pastors, lay members and equalization members registered for the first meeting of the Indiana Conference. On Saturday, we were divided into our 10 new districts and literally hit the streets of Muncie to perform community service in the name of Jesus Christ. We spent the warm Saturday afternoon picking up trash along residential streets near College Avenue United Methodist Church. Many were wearing red t-shirts with the theme of this year’s conference, “Re-Think Church,” printed on them. Pat Miller, our lay member of annual conference, joined a group visiting residents at a nearby nursing home. Others from our new West District did some yard work at a family crisis shelter and prayed for the needs of the community by prayer-walking the neighborhood.

Imagine the scene as folks from all over Indiana – places such as Terre Haute, Covington, Crawfordsville, Brazil and Vincennes – spending an afternoon ministering to Muncie. Like many Hoosier cities, Muncie has been hard hit by the collapse of the automotive industry.

In South Carolina, a group from Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Indianapolis put a new roof on Maurice Smalls’ house the week prior and we were able to begin the installation of new drywall, reinforce the sagging floor of the kitchen and haul away a large dumpster of debris. Soon, another Indiana church, Castleton United Methodist Church, will be staying at Wesley to begin a week’s worth of mission work.

Rural Mission reported there were 400 serving in South Carolina during our mission trip week. They were being the hands and feet of Jesus in a place full of need. This is true connection: love in action.

Our first reaction to the reality of God’s love through Jesus Christ is to love others. When we get in touch with how much God deeply loves us, then it is easier to love other people. If, however, our view of God is warped, then it is nearly impossible to love others.

So take a few moments today to begin an assessment. What is your love quotient today? How are you relating to others? Do you find yourself getting grumpy? Is there a short-circuit in your relationship with others?

Get in touch with that first line of 1 John 4:11: “Since God so loved us…” Allow this truth to sink in. It is truly amazing when you think about how the creator of the universe truly loves us. Our love for one another as followers of Christ flows from the love God shows by sending Jesus into the world. This love, known as “agape” love, involves putting others above your own needs. It means a bunch of little things – being polite, affirming and encouraging. It means listening. It means laughing with others.