Stepping Out

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

[Jesus] said, “Come.”

So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29

Dear Friends,

Several years ago, Philip Yancey created a video study series called, How can you walk on water if you never step out of the boat? The title is a very insightful way of zooming in on one of the primary aspects of faith… actually stepping out in faith! Now, I must confess, that I have never walked on water. [If any of you have, I’d love to hear that story!] On the other hand, I’ve never discerned that Jesus was calling me to do that. For me, this is one of the key aspects of the story of Peter walking on water: Jesus told him to “come.”

As Christians, it would be marvelous if everything we tried turned out to be miraculous! Just imagine if we got together at Glenmore Reservoir and then just took a stroll from one side of the lake to the other. That would certainly get us some attention and create interest in what we are up to at First Lutheran! For me, what is missing is the discernment that that is what God is calling us to do. God is ready to bless our efforts but only if they are aligned with God’s will. How do we get clear on what God is calling us to do? That’s where the real spiritual discernment work needs to be.

As a congregation, we spent a couple of years discerning our core values (uplifting, connecting, inviting and dynamic) and our core purpose (making life-giving connections). These continue to be a helpful starting point and guide for me and the Council as we make ministry choices AND they continue to “feel right” as far as the history, gifts, and soul of the congregation. Within making life-giving connections, there is a lot of latitude to embrace your particular passions, experience and giftedness.

Going back to the story of Peter stepping out of the boat… This story is a powerful metaphor for the Church and its life of faith. The interior architecture of many church buildings looks very similar to the inside of a boat. This makes a lot of sense because the same support structure that can keep a boat afloat on water can also keep wind and rain at bay in a building! The metaphor of a boat has traditionally been used to describe the Church. It can provide safety and community in a somewhat turbulent world while it carries on the proclamation of the Gospel through the ages. When taken too far as a metaphor, however, it seems to encourage a view of the world that the world is a dangerous place that you have to hide away from and be protected from. In the story about Peter, Jesus is NOT in the boat but out in this stormy, windy world. And Jesus says to Peter, “Come.”

As I reflect on the ministries and activities we have here at FLC, we are strongest in our worship, faith formation and other inreach activities. It seems clear to me that our weakest area is in Outreach. It makes complete sense because it is always easiest to stay with things and people that are familiar. Jesus, however, was always looking to expand the sense of “us” and to make new, life-giving connections… He was always seeking to invite people to experience the joy and love of God’s kingdom.

As you continue your praying and dreaming about where you would like to be involved at FLC in preparation for ReConnection Sunday (Sept. 13), I pray that you may be open to Jesus’ invitation to step out of the boat…

Peace,

Pastor Phil