What's Next?

 What’s Next? 

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
6:1 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

6:2 David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim.

6:3 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart

6:4 with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark.

6:5 David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

6:12b So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing;

6:13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.

6:14 David danced before the LORD with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod.

6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

6:16 As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

6:17 They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD.

6:18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts,

6:19 and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.

 

I have made it my practice to entitle most, if not all, of my “first” sermons in each new church to which I was appointed, “What’s Next?” That question is one that “begs” to know what the change in pastoral leadership will bring, in each appointment. It’s a legitimate question for the people of the church, as they now have a “new” preacher and clergy leader, and they must “scope out” this new person to see what will indeed “come next.” Meanwhile, the new pastor must begin to learn his new congregation, its sitz im leben, and help discern what GOD has “next” for them all. As a retired pastor, I figured this “What’s Next?” dance between pastor and congregation was over, but this week, I began my new “assignment” as part-time pastor of the Faith Community United Methodist Church in Rochester, PA. This message—or at least a version of it—will be my first one in this “new” congregation. Why this week instead of the first Sunday in July, when these things typically take place? Those of you who follow me on Facebook know that Dara and I have been in Alaska since June 18, visiting our son, and that we just returned home this past Tuesday. This trip had been planned for over six months, so it preceded the appointment to Rochester. It was during this trip, however, that I came across a wonderful metaphor for how a pastor—or any person, for that matter—may approach the “What’s Next?” question.

 

Our son, Evan, works for the Bureau of Land Management in their Fire Protection Services. He coordinates medical services for the wildfire fighters in Alaska, and while we were visiting with him, he gave us a tour of their office, warehouse, and facilities located at the Wainwright Army Base in Fairbanks. Alaska, as our largest State, geographically, and one that has multiple climates, actually has a “wildfire season” that begins in the Spring and is usually winding down in mid to late July. Wildfires are a fact of life in heavily-wooded lands, and in Alaska, where much of the wooded area is Boreal forest, this type of forestation NEEDS wildfires to survive and flourish. Hence, those who fight wildfires have decisions to make. In Alaska, aircraft are widely employed to survey wildfires in order to get the “big picture” of newly detected fires. Next, a decision is made whether to deploy Smoke Jumpers (firefighters who parachute from the spotter aircraft). If the wildfire seems to be natural in origin, and is not endangering people or structures, it may be left to burn. However, if “up close” surveillance is needed, the smoke jumpers exit the aircraft, after careful decisions are made regarding where they may land safely away from the fire, but close enough they may view its surroundings and scope. Smoke Jumpers are highly trained to access the situation, and jump with initial equipment to begin fighting—or “steering”—the fire, if they deem this necessary. Then, if they call for more help, larger stores of equipment including chainsaws may be parachuted down to them. And finally, if more “manpower” is needed to contain the fire or protect people or structures, “Hotshots” may be transported in. Like the Smoke Jumpers, Hotshots are specialized personnel trained to fight wildfires. They do not jump from airplanes, but may be trucked in or arrive by helicopter transport. If the wildfire is considered to need more serious controlling, large water-bearing aircraft are used to dump water on the fire in strategic spots. All of this activity must be coordinated by veteran wildfire managers who, as Kenny Rogers use to sing, know when to “hold and fold.” As mentioned earlier, some of these fires need to be left to burn, for the health of the forest, while others must be vigorously fought, either to protect inhabited areas, valuable structures, or younger forests. And all of this is to be done with as little risk to the firefighters as is possible. Our son’s teams provide medical support for these courageous firefighters, often at great risk to themselves, being flown in by helicopter to set up aid stations close to the fire lines, in many cases.

 

If you are (or were) a pastor reading this summary, you have probably already “placed” what we do when “parachuting” into a new appointment among these job descriptions of wildfire fighters! While not all church “forests” we land in are on fire, all of them require assessment, on our part, as to what the most pressing needs are, as we put “boots on the ground.” Sometimes, we DO put out fires, metaphorically, as some crisis in the church has precipitated the change of pastoral appointment. In other cases, the fire is “natural and needed,” in that it is just time for a change, and/or our predecessor has asked for a move, for personal or professional reasons. Like the wildfire that is helpful, our role, in this case, is just to receive the “baton” from her or him, and do our best to keep things moving forward without creating or feeding any drama. Either way, we may take on the role of “Smoke Jumper,” landing ourselves in a safe place—always the first priority for these specialists—and then accessing the scene. We rely on the “aircraft” flying overhead to help us get the lay of the land—God, the Holy Spirit, maybe even the district superintendent. We also should be asking helpful questions of the staff and lay leadership of the church, trying to understand the “forest” we are now called to manage and nurture. Might we find we need other resources? They are available through the Annual Conference, continuing education opportunities, or specialists who may be able to address specific problems or situations. I like to think the Annual Conference is a resource, but I have seen a few times when “those on high” have inadvertently “dumped cold water” like one of those tanker aircraft on a church situation that may have been better left to “burn itself out.” This turns the pastor into a kind of “Hotshot” who must then smooth over the deluge released ill-advisedly by some other “manager.” And if things get dicey, smart pastors know when to call in the “fire medics” to address issues of health, wholeness, and caring. I have served on such a Conference “Care Team” that may be employed to sooth hurts and pains that sometimes accompany a change of pastors. Of course, ALL Christian pastors are advised to “radio the spotter aircraft” (God!) flying overhead, as it is always in the best position to describe the emerging “big picture!”

 

Today’s text has new King David wanting to make an impression upon his charges. He chooses 30,000 top men, and has them accompany him as he passionately “dances before the Lord” before the Ark of the Covenant, the literal presence of God among God’s people. What better way to make an impression? AND, David had them put the Ark on a “new” cart. Again, what a wonderful metaphor of what we pastors want to do when we address a new congregation:

 

--find new ways to bear the Word of God to our people, so they may renew their desire to grow in their faith and discipleship

 

--“dance” passionately before the Lord in our own witness, hoping to inspire our people to rejoice in the Lord, as well

 

--“feed” our people with good, spiritual food, that they may, in turn, feed the community they serve as an act of justice, compassion, and witness

 

And, like modern wildfire fighters, we aim to light “prescribed burns” to bring heat and light to our congregations in a day when so many things are seeking to dampen and lessen their impact!

 

For all of those pastors beginning new assignments, and congregations welcoming new pastors, may you find exciting, passionate, and strategic answers to the question of the day: “What’s NEXT?” Amen.