Sam Barber
My perspective of the church has expanded in the past eighteen months as a superintendent. Our district is represented by a diverse demographic of folks from nearly every walk of life. SCO represents, I think, a snapshot of the Kingdom in all its differing beauty.
I’m seriously considering a little emphasis called, “D.S. for a Day,” where I invite a different pastor to join me on a Sunday in a church very different from the one they pastor. My reasoning for this is that my view of God and God’s work has expanded greatly as I’ve witnessed the faithfulness of Nazarenes in these very different settings. I’m encouraged that people are being saved, sanctified, discipled, and called in our churches. I wish I had appreciated this sooner and I think every pastor would benefit from this experience.
Recently I arrived at a church a bit early, found the entrance, and walked into the worship space. One lady sat near the front, but it was two others that captured my attention. Joe (not his real name) sat behind a sound board. His pink beard, ear gauges, and tattoos were a kind of human billboard for professional wrestling. This may shock you, but I’m not a wrestling fan, however, since Joe was, we spent several minutes discussing the finer points of the Fireman’s Carry and other details related to the sport. I learned a lot!
Next to Joe was Sue (not her real name, either). Sue resembled the quintessential Nazarene grandma. She had snow white hair complete with bobby pins, a print dress, and a cardigan sweater. I had her pegged for the Sunday School chairperson and said as much, but she kindly corrected me and told me she was the song leader. She and Joe were seated next to one another, each one preparing for their leadership in the service. I wish you had been there. It was a beautiful scene.
Today, as I read Luke’s account of the Shepherds who witnessed the angel chorus, I kept stopping to consider this, “Why shepherds?” I suppose there are many reasons some obvious and some only discovered through exegetical study. After musing on this for a while I remembered that the Shepherds had some later counterparts in the fishermen of Galilee. Both, in obedience to God, carried forward the message of Jesus.
I’m glad that Nazarene’s can have pink beards and tattoos. I’m glad that they can have white hair and cardigans…and I’m glad that both, like the shepherds and fisherman of Luke’s gospel, can carry forward the mission of Jesus. As we step into the third week of Advent, let’s have our eyes open for those who are carrying the mission of Jesus forward and celebrate the Good News!
