I certainly don’t have to tell you, my dear Methodist friends, that any time a new pastor shows up, he or she shows up with ways of doing things that are different from the pastor before. Sometimes, the new pastor’s ways of doing things may be different from any pastor you’ve known before. As a (technically) “Full Member of Another Denomination (OF)” serving as your pastor, this is likely to be especially the case with me. I’m intent on honoring the Methodist way of doing things as your pastor, but some things will just be, well, different.

I’ve had some polite and loving questions about some things that I do or have done. I’ve tried to address these on Sunday mornings but not everyone is here every Sunday and some things need more explanation. So, here are a few items that I suspect could use further illumination. I’ll be happy to add to this list as need be.

1. What’s Pastor Chris’ problem with the Lord’s Prayer? Well, none, really. It’s just that I’ve never before been part of a church that said it weekly. In my Baptist heritage, both Southern and American, it’s always been a part of the Communion service which, like the one at St. Andrew’s, was a monthly occurrence. And, although different Baptist churches use “trespasses” or “debts” (or other translations) almost interchangeably, I’ve just come from 16+ years at a church that used “debts” exclusively. Please excuse me if I stumble over the words or forget to end our time of prayer with this prayer.
2. Why aren’t we hearing all of the Lectionary passages every Sunday? I like the discipline that the Lectionary puts on clergy and laypeople alike. The concept of making sure that everyone reads as much of the Bible as possible in a three-year period is near to my heart, as is the hedge the lectionary puts up against the preacher falling into his or her own “Top 40” of scriptures. But the idea that a worship service should flow from beginning to end, building a “through-line” to the major theme of the sermon is also important to me. That’s nearly impossible to do with four passages of scripture, especially since the committee that created the Revised Common Lectionary clearly didn’t have that as a goal. So, most Sundays, I’m going to choose one scripture reading to preach on and Nancy, Larry, and I will work together to find music that supports my theme. Sometimes, I may be able to utilize two, three, or even all four Lectionary passages, so you’ll hear that many of the passages read. Sometimes (rarely), I may go off Lectionary altogether. I don’t like to be too predictable!
3. Why does Pastor Chris sit with the congregation and not on the dais? As good Protestants, both Methodists and Baptists put a great emphasis on the concept of the priesthood of all believers. Taking my place among the rest of the congregation, except for when I am to speak, is my way of symbolizing that spiritual truth. As a minister, I am “called out” of the congregation to do a specific job on behalf of the congregation. I am not spiritually superior or closer to God than any worshipper at St. Andrew’s. I come from among you, do my part, and return to my place among you. That’s the theological reason. I also have a personal reason – when I became a pastor, my kids were still in school. I wanted to sit with them and with Connie on Sunday mornings. I still want to sit with Connie on Sunday mornings. I’m glad she still wants to sit with me!

That’s it for now! Blessings!
Pastor Chris