a simple desire

A scripture on ministry and leadership:

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-13)

I woke up laughing, because I had this dream: I had just got a lead role in a musical comedy that required singing and dancing, and my friend (who had had this role on Broadway some time in the past) was coaching me. Was it all right, I asked, if I used my left leg as my main leg, instead of the right leg. (I am left-legged, you see). If you know me, you’ll be aware how ridiculous this is: I’m no dancer, and no one is likely to pick me to star in a show; when you have two left feet, which one to lead on is the least of your problems.

God’s decision to make the church into something which attains ‘to the who measure of the fullness of Christ’ is, on the surface, likewise silly. But God gives us more than dancing lessons: God sends his very Spirit to dwell in us and gives us particular gifts to further our ability to do “works of service” and increase in maturity. So, something so miraculous will just happen because God gifts the church with the gifts the church needs to fulfill its purposes. And part of the reality of this is that if we go ahead and do what God gifts to be good at, the church will, in fact, grow.

So, if God gives you the grace and style of Gene Kelly, then sing and dance like Gene Kelly. I think in my dream I had something like the role of Donald O’Connor singing Make ‘Em Laugh. In real life, I’m no Gene Kelly, and I’m not even Donald O’Connor. But I am someone given the Spirit and given particular spiritual gifts,

And in the words of that immortal buddy
Samuel J. Snodgrass, as he was about to be lead
To the guillotine:

Make ‘em laugh
Make ‘em laugh
Don’t you know everyone wants to laugh?

Be about whatever gift God gives you, however ridiculous the goal, or how ridiculous it seems.

A scripture on church discipline:

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)

At times, Paul’s pastor’s heart comes to the fore, as in this scripture. He loves the people he writes to, and longs for their good, even when he’s talking about hard things like church discipline.  The King James Version reads that the griever should not be “swallowed up” with sorrow, and Paul’s concern that he be forgiven and comforted is touching.

So, we too should be comforting and forgiving to others (and ourselves) even when we need to bring some kind of disciplining action. Even better, of course, if reconciliation can occur without discipline.