The Gift Of A John The Baptist
Stories
Object:
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Gift of a John the Baptist" by David O. Bales
"Are You Serious?" by John Smiley
"The Oil of Gladness" by John Smiley
What's Up This Week
What is the gift of prophecy, really? It's a multi-faceted phenomenon -- much more than merely the ability to foretell the future. In the case of John the Baptist, one important function he served was to "upset the apple cart," to get people thinking in a whole new paradigm that would prepare them for the One to come. In this edition of StoryShare, David Bales tells of a pastor with an unusual and thought-provoking cover letter who performs a similar task for a pastoral search committee. While she is ultimately rejected for the position, her forthright honesty helps the committee think about what they really want -- in a way that only those with "the gift of a John the Baptist" will really know. John Smiley also contributes a pair of insightful pieces: in "Are You Serious?" he draws some important life lessons from a woman who truly exemplifies Paul's admonition to constantly rejoice and give thanks despite her own pain and suffering; while in "The Oil of Gladness" he shares his seminary research project into Christ's presence... and his sudden urge to sort of "overdo" an anointing.
* * * * * * * * *
The Gift of a John the Baptist
by David O. Bales
John 1:6-8, 19-28
"Did everyone read through your dozen resumes this week?" Pat Ochsner asked the rest of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. The eight others nodded.
"Well, you know the drill. You don't have to explain why you instantly reject a resume. Flip them over here on the to-be-shredded heap." The members handed around stacks of resumes to one another and into the pile at Pat's end of the church library table. "Now, let's go to your one and two picks," Pat said, and the group did, reporting names of applicants, education, and experience.
The group spent a routine half-hour until Lewis said, "You know what, Pat? We're not into it tonight. All these bright people to be considered as associate pastor, yet I don't feel a spark in any of us about what we've read."
"I hadn't really noticed," Maxine spoke up. "But it's true." She looked to the chairperson, Pat, who was, along with everyone else, looking rather blank.
"I admit I've had a hard time concentrating," Gus said. Pat looked slowly around the large table, which was now littered with resumes. Everyone stared back at her.
"What is it," she said, "the weather?"
"I'm distracted, Tracey said. "I can't stop thinking about one woman and what she wrote. It was so strange. I didn't discard it, but she's not in my top two."
Gus bent toward Tracey and asked, "Who?"
"Judith Williams."
Gus slapped the table. "Same with me."
Lewis smiled, "I was intrigued, too."
Within a minute, everyone was smiling with relief. "Okay," Pat said. "Let's look at her. Tracey, will you read the part of her resume that's got you thinking? We'll all follow along. Everyone dig out Judith Williams. What page? Three. All right."
Tracey read:
Dear Friends,
In asking for consideration to be called as your associate pastor, I want first to state that I'm not a pied piper. If you want someone to come solve your problems, it's not I. I'm disappointed in churches that hire paid staff to come do the congregation's work. I truly believe in the priesthood of all believers, whether anyone else does or not. I know plenty of pastors who say they do, yet whose style of leadership betrays not the slightest concern for the gifts of the laity. As a Labrador Retriever is genetically predisposed to run after something, grab it, and bring it back, so I am a genetically predisposed to be an associate pastor.
I didn't learn this all at once. Like many women right out of seminary I basically had two choices: be a small church pastor or an associate. In my case, being an associate chose me; however, I served as an associate the way most associates do -- waiting for the chance to be head of staff.
I served under a head of staff who was, wonder of wonders, a woman: Alexandra Bracken. I wanted to be like her. So, after four years I sought another call as solo pastor, and a church called me. I won't go into the details, but in the next three years I realized that I am hard-wired to be an associate. That's not second-rate nor is it a personality deficiency. As I identified the gifts and abilities of the lay people I ministered to, I began better to identify my own. My conclusion: I need to work on a team. It's not only helpful but downright necessary to have those, like John the Baptist, who points to the ministry of another, who with enthusiasm supports someone else's ministry.
Let someone else design the dress -- I'll sew it and enjoy doing it. Or, as my brother would say, someone else can carry the football -- I'll block and not complain about it. In God's orchestra second fiddle is fine to play, because that's the harmony.
Again, this isn't an awareness I came upon quickly or easily. But now I know, after having been an associate for more than 20 years, that such is the kind of position God calls me to, because such are the gifts and temperament God has given me. Thus, I offer my resume for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Judith Williams
Tracey put down the resume and smiled. "I like her and I want to talk more with her."
Lewis said, "I've been mulling her introductory letter all day."
"Pat," Gus said, "why don't we go ahead and contact Judith Williams now? I'm not saying she's the one God would have for us, but she's certainly the kind of person I think we need."
Four months later, at a wonderful worship service on a Sunday evening, the congregation celebrated the call of their new associate pastor: Leonard Gutierrez. The next day the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee met for the last time. Because their work was done in confidentiality, they needed to hand in all notes and written material to be shredded.
Gus turned to Tracey and said, "Here's Judy Williams' resume. Feels kind of sacred."
Tracey replied, "Exactly."
The committee members smiled to one another. Because of the confidentiality, they would never tell anyone that their new associate pastor listed The Reverend Judith Williams as a professional reference. But, even if they could tell others about the extraordinary Judy Williams, only those with the gift of a John the Baptist would understand.
David O. Bales was a Presbyterian minister for 33 years. Recently retired as the pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Ontario, Oregon, he is also a freelance writer and editor for Stephen Ministries and Tebunah Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, and Interpretation, and he is the author of the CSS titles Scenes of Glory: Subplots of God's Long Story and Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace.
Are You Serious?
by John Smylie
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Who in their right mind could take these words seriously? Who really believes that the will of God in Christ Jesus is for us to behave like this? Could God be out of touch with reality? Does God want us to act as if hardship does not exist? "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances...."
I don't think God reads the newspaper; honestly, I don't think God needs to read the newspaper because God is already aware of the beginning and the end. God not only is able to see the smallest detail of our lives -- even the open parking space we look for at this time of year -- but God is able to see the first moment of creation right up to its fulfillment. Only God can grasp eternity, and from God's perspective we are invited to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances."
Patty was nearing the end of her days. She lived a long and a good life. She had three children and several grandchildren, and though her husband had died many years before she was making the most of living in an assisted living center. Recently she was diagnosed with the disease that would cause her to find eating difficult, and as the days and weeks and months progressed she found her body growing weaker as she became more and more isolated in her room, separated from the fellowship of the other residents who lived in the center.
Her children, now mature adults with children and grandchildren of their own, each of them with busy lives, chose to take turns taking care of Mom. It was the least they could do; she had done so much for them that it was more than duty or obligation that caused them to adjust their lives to assist their mother -- rather, it was out of love that they desired to serve her.
Patty had always been one of those people who looked at the glass as being half-full rather than half-empty. Many of us have met people like this, people who refuse to complain, people who are always ready to give thanks in all circumstances. Even though Patty was experiencing pain and suffering, separation from her church community, and a weakened condition, all she could see, at least all she could talk about, were the positive connections she was making with members of her family and those who came to visit. The only words that would ever come out of her mouth, it seemed, were words of thanksgiving to God for the numerous blessings that were a part of her everyday life. Her focus was always on those who came to be with her; she always hoped to give them an encouraging word with her cowgirl humor and indomitable spirit.
You know, it's hard to die when you have so much to be thankful for, when you realize how precious life is and when you connect to the blessing of each moment. Patty hasn't had an easy time moving toward the end of her life, but rather than focusing on the pain and suffering that is ravaging her body, her mind is absolutely focused upon the blessing of relationships with those she loves and on the blessings that she continues to receive by being open to her Lord and maker.
Perhaps the key to Paul's words in the epistle to the Thessalonians -- "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances" -- perhaps the key to living into these words is to look beyond oneself and to focus on others.
Is Patty naive? Is Patty foolish to be so caught up in thanksgiving for the care of her children and grandchildren, for the visits of her friends, for the opportunities that she has to receive the body and blood of Christ with her priest? Or are we naive when we think that to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances is some pie-in-the-sky, by-and-by dream for the overly spiritual who have no touch with reality?
I suppose the only way we can live into this truth is to allow the God of peace himself to sanctify us entirely, so our spirit and soul and body may be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded by Saint Paul that the one who calls us is faithful, and it is he who will do this within us. Knowing this when we meet folks like Patty who on the surface would appear to have every right to complain, to grumble, to be bitter -- perhaps in moments like these we will recognize that we are in the presence of God. And this recognition can strengthen us to join with them in rejoicing, and in praying without ceasing, and in giving thanks.
The Oil of Gladness
by John Smiley
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
When I was in seminary, which I hate to admit was about 30 years ago, I had an opportunity to design a couple of projects during my second year. They were to be a kind of research project, and something that I was passionate about. I wanted to explore the ministry of inner healing to discover if it was connected -- how it was connected to the ministry of reconciliation. Another way of understanding the ministry of reconciliation is by exploring the sacrament of confession and absolution.
Another friend and I took on this project, and we explored as best we could the presence of our Lord in the moments of our lives. We spent time particularly focusing on those times and places in our lives where the presence of God was not so obvious -- dark moments; moments that were defined by abandonment, pain, or abusive behavior; moments in relationships where one experiences betrayal; as well as moments of the deep expressions of our flawed human nature.
In these moments we sought to discover where and how Christ was present. This was a powerful and healing process for each of us. There was a particular moment when we felt that we ought to explore the idea of oil: oil as a sign of blessing; oil as a symbol of abundance; the oil running down Aaron's beard; the oil of gladness.
Now, you need to know that the two of us were 30 years younger then than we are now, and there was a certain wonderful wildness in the two of us as we engaged in our Lord's presence in those very deep and vulnerable prayers. While praying for one another on this particular occasion I found myself pouring a jar of olive oil over my friend's head -- a jar that likely contained about 10 ounces of olive oil. I think my friend thought that I was going to simply do as clergy do and touch my thumb to the oil and make the sign of the cross upon his forehead. For some reason a much wilder spirit had taken hold of me and I just dumped the whole bottle right over his head.
All I can remember now is the absolute shock in the expression of his face -- the waves of joy and laughter that overcame us. In many ways that moment was very much like the word in this week's scripture from Isaiah: "he gave us a garland instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit" (61:3). And you know, it seems to me as we live into the abundant blessings that God offers, when we engage in his presence, we are able to be "called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory."
Perhaps this week we can take a risk and bless another with the abundance of God as we celebrate God's presence, as we discover Jesus with us in the present moment and learn how he has been with us in every moment even before we were conceived and found in our mothers' wombs.
John Smylie is the rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming. Previously he served as the dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, Washington. He is a published author and storyteller as well as a singer-songwriter. Smylie recently completed Grace for Today, a collection of 25 stories that explores how grace, loss, and restoration are part of the same fabric.
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply email the story to us at storyshare@sermonsuite.com.
**************
StoryShare, December 14, 2008, issue.
Copyright 2008 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 517 South Main Street, Lima, Ohio 45804.
What's Up This Week
"The Gift of a John the Baptist" by David O. Bales
"Are You Serious?" by John Smiley
"The Oil of Gladness" by John Smiley
What's Up This Week
What is the gift of prophecy, really? It's a multi-faceted phenomenon -- much more than merely the ability to foretell the future. In the case of John the Baptist, one important function he served was to "upset the apple cart," to get people thinking in a whole new paradigm that would prepare them for the One to come. In this edition of StoryShare, David Bales tells of a pastor with an unusual and thought-provoking cover letter who performs a similar task for a pastoral search committee. While she is ultimately rejected for the position, her forthright honesty helps the committee think about what they really want -- in a way that only those with "the gift of a John the Baptist" will really know. John Smiley also contributes a pair of insightful pieces: in "Are You Serious?" he draws some important life lessons from a woman who truly exemplifies Paul's admonition to constantly rejoice and give thanks despite her own pain and suffering; while in "The Oil of Gladness" he shares his seminary research project into Christ's presence... and his sudden urge to sort of "overdo" an anointing.
* * * * * * * * *
The Gift of a John the Baptist
by David O. Bales
John 1:6-8, 19-28
"Did everyone read through your dozen resumes this week?" Pat Ochsner asked the rest of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. The eight others nodded.
"Well, you know the drill. You don't have to explain why you instantly reject a resume. Flip them over here on the to-be-shredded heap." The members handed around stacks of resumes to one another and into the pile at Pat's end of the church library table. "Now, let's go to your one and two picks," Pat said, and the group did, reporting names of applicants, education, and experience.
The group spent a routine half-hour until Lewis said, "You know what, Pat? We're not into it tonight. All these bright people to be considered as associate pastor, yet I don't feel a spark in any of us about what we've read."
"I hadn't really noticed," Maxine spoke up. "But it's true." She looked to the chairperson, Pat, who was, along with everyone else, looking rather blank.
"I admit I've had a hard time concentrating," Gus said. Pat looked slowly around the large table, which was now littered with resumes. Everyone stared back at her.
"What is it," she said, "the weather?"
"I'm distracted, Tracey said. "I can't stop thinking about one woman and what she wrote. It was so strange. I didn't discard it, but she's not in my top two."
Gus bent toward Tracey and asked, "Who?"
"Judith Williams."
Gus slapped the table. "Same with me."
Lewis smiled, "I was intrigued, too."
Within a minute, everyone was smiling with relief. "Okay," Pat said. "Let's look at her. Tracey, will you read the part of her resume that's got you thinking? We'll all follow along. Everyone dig out Judith Williams. What page? Three. All right."
Tracey read:
Dear Friends,
In asking for consideration to be called as your associate pastor, I want first to state that I'm not a pied piper. If you want someone to come solve your problems, it's not I. I'm disappointed in churches that hire paid staff to come do the congregation's work. I truly believe in the priesthood of all believers, whether anyone else does or not. I know plenty of pastors who say they do, yet whose style of leadership betrays not the slightest concern for the gifts of the laity. As a Labrador Retriever is genetically predisposed to run after something, grab it, and bring it back, so I am a genetically predisposed to be an associate pastor.
I didn't learn this all at once. Like many women right out of seminary I basically had two choices: be a small church pastor or an associate. In my case, being an associate chose me; however, I served as an associate the way most associates do -- waiting for the chance to be head of staff.
I served under a head of staff who was, wonder of wonders, a woman: Alexandra Bracken. I wanted to be like her. So, after four years I sought another call as solo pastor, and a church called me. I won't go into the details, but in the next three years I realized that I am hard-wired to be an associate. That's not second-rate nor is it a personality deficiency. As I identified the gifts and abilities of the lay people I ministered to, I began better to identify my own. My conclusion: I need to work on a team. It's not only helpful but downright necessary to have those, like John the Baptist, who points to the ministry of another, who with enthusiasm supports someone else's ministry.
Let someone else design the dress -- I'll sew it and enjoy doing it. Or, as my brother would say, someone else can carry the football -- I'll block and not complain about it. In God's orchestra second fiddle is fine to play, because that's the harmony.
Again, this isn't an awareness I came upon quickly or easily. But now I know, after having been an associate for more than 20 years, that such is the kind of position God calls me to, because such are the gifts and temperament God has given me. Thus, I offer my resume for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Judith Williams
Tracey put down the resume and smiled. "I like her and I want to talk more with her."
Lewis said, "I've been mulling her introductory letter all day."
"Pat," Gus said, "why don't we go ahead and contact Judith Williams now? I'm not saying she's the one God would have for us, but she's certainly the kind of person I think we need."
Four months later, at a wonderful worship service on a Sunday evening, the congregation celebrated the call of their new associate pastor: Leonard Gutierrez. The next day the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee met for the last time. Because their work was done in confidentiality, they needed to hand in all notes and written material to be shredded.
Gus turned to Tracey and said, "Here's Judy Williams' resume. Feels kind of sacred."
Tracey replied, "Exactly."
The committee members smiled to one another. Because of the confidentiality, they would never tell anyone that their new associate pastor listed The Reverend Judith Williams as a professional reference. But, even if they could tell others about the extraordinary Judy Williams, only those with the gift of a John the Baptist would understand.
David O. Bales was a Presbyterian minister for 33 years. Recently retired as the pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Ontario, Oregon, he is also a freelance writer and editor for Stephen Ministries and Tebunah Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, and Interpretation, and he is the author of the CSS titles Scenes of Glory: Subplots of God's Long Story and Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace.
Are You Serious?
by John Smylie
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Who in their right mind could take these words seriously? Who really believes that the will of God in Christ Jesus is for us to behave like this? Could God be out of touch with reality? Does God want us to act as if hardship does not exist? "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances...."
I don't think God reads the newspaper; honestly, I don't think God needs to read the newspaper because God is already aware of the beginning and the end. God not only is able to see the smallest detail of our lives -- even the open parking space we look for at this time of year -- but God is able to see the first moment of creation right up to its fulfillment. Only God can grasp eternity, and from God's perspective we are invited to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances."
Patty was nearing the end of her days. She lived a long and a good life. She had three children and several grandchildren, and though her husband had died many years before she was making the most of living in an assisted living center. Recently she was diagnosed with the disease that would cause her to find eating difficult, and as the days and weeks and months progressed she found her body growing weaker as she became more and more isolated in her room, separated from the fellowship of the other residents who lived in the center.
Her children, now mature adults with children and grandchildren of their own, each of them with busy lives, chose to take turns taking care of Mom. It was the least they could do; she had done so much for them that it was more than duty or obligation that caused them to adjust their lives to assist their mother -- rather, it was out of love that they desired to serve her.
Patty had always been one of those people who looked at the glass as being half-full rather than half-empty. Many of us have met people like this, people who refuse to complain, people who are always ready to give thanks in all circumstances. Even though Patty was experiencing pain and suffering, separation from her church community, and a weakened condition, all she could see, at least all she could talk about, were the positive connections she was making with members of her family and those who came to visit. The only words that would ever come out of her mouth, it seemed, were words of thanksgiving to God for the numerous blessings that were a part of her everyday life. Her focus was always on those who came to be with her; she always hoped to give them an encouraging word with her cowgirl humor and indomitable spirit.
You know, it's hard to die when you have so much to be thankful for, when you realize how precious life is and when you connect to the blessing of each moment. Patty hasn't had an easy time moving toward the end of her life, but rather than focusing on the pain and suffering that is ravaging her body, her mind is absolutely focused upon the blessing of relationships with those she loves and on the blessings that she continues to receive by being open to her Lord and maker.
Perhaps the key to Paul's words in the epistle to the Thessalonians -- "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances" -- perhaps the key to living into these words is to look beyond oneself and to focus on others.
Is Patty naive? Is Patty foolish to be so caught up in thanksgiving for the care of her children and grandchildren, for the visits of her friends, for the opportunities that she has to receive the body and blood of Christ with her priest? Or are we naive when we think that to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances is some pie-in-the-sky, by-and-by dream for the overly spiritual who have no touch with reality?
I suppose the only way we can live into this truth is to allow the God of peace himself to sanctify us entirely, so our spirit and soul and body may be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded by Saint Paul that the one who calls us is faithful, and it is he who will do this within us. Knowing this when we meet folks like Patty who on the surface would appear to have every right to complain, to grumble, to be bitter -- perhaps in moments like these we will recognize that we are in the presence of God. And this recognition can strengthen us to join with them in rejoicing, and in praying without ceasing, and in giving thanks.
The Oil of Gladness
by John Smiley
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
When I was in seminary, which I hate to admit was about 30 years ago, I had an opportunity to design a couple of projects during my second year. They were to be a kind of research project, and something that I was passionate about. I wanted to explore the ministry of inner healing to discover if it was connected -- how it was connected to the ministry of reconciliation. Another way of understanding the ministry of reconciliation is by exploring the sacrament of confession and absolution.
Another friend and I took on this project, and we explored as best we could the presence of our Lord in the moments of our lives. We spent time particularly focusing on those times and places in our lives where the presence of God was not so obvious -- dark moments; moments that were defined by abandonment, pain, or abusive behavior; moments in relationships where one experiences betrayal; as well as moments of the deep expressions of our flawed human nature.
In these moments we sought to discover where and how Christ was present. This was a powerful and healing process for each of us. There was a particular moment when we felt that we ought to explore the idea of oil: oil as a sign of blessing; oil as a symbol of abundance; the oil running down Aaron's beard; the oil of gladness.
Now, you need to know that the two of us were 30 years younger then than we are now, and there was a certain wonderful wildness in the two of us as we engaged in our Lord's presence in those very deep and vulnerable prayers. While praying for one another on this particular occasion I found myself pouring a jar of olive oil over my friend's head -- a jar that likely contained about 10 ounces of olive oil. I think my friend thought that I was going to simply do as clergy do and touch my thumb to the oil and make the sign of the cross upon his forehead. For some reason a much wilder spirit had taken hold of me and I just dumped the whole bottle right over his head.
All I can remember now is the absolute shock in the expression of his face -- the waves of joy and laughter that overcame us. In many ways that moment was very much like the word in this week's scripture from Isaiah: "he gave us a garland instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit" (61:3). And you know, it seems to me as we live into the abundant blessings that God offers, when we engage in his presence, we are able to be "called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory."
Perhaps this week we can take a risk and bless another with the abundance of God as we celebrate God's presence, as we discover Jesus with us in the present moment and learn how he has been with us in every moment even before we were conceived and found in our mothers' wombs.
John Smylie is the rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming. Previously he served as the dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, Washington. He is a published author and storyteller as well as a singer-songwriter. Smylie recently completed Grace for Today, a collection of 25 stories that explores how grace, loss, and restoration are part of the same fabric.
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply email the story to us at storyshare@sermonsuite.com.
**************
StoryShare, December 14, 2008, issue.
Copyright 2008 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 517 South Main Street, Lima, Ohio 45804.
