Unfinished Business: To Serve the Present Age

In 2008, Bill Gates, the third richest man in the world, made a life-changing decision.  He left Microsoft to serve full-time in his $30.2 billion Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (8.28.09 USA Today, p. 2A)  At age 53, Gates decided to use his time left on earth differently.  Eschewing a multiplicity of worthy causes, Bill has focused on “global health, notably malaria prevention, HIV/AIDS and education,” particularly in Africa.  At the same time, Gates and Melinda are determined to teach their children (Jennifer 13, Rory 10, and Phoebe, 6) to serve others although they have enough “moolah” to have others serve them, in perpetuity.  To drive the message home, the Gates family has served meals at a downtown soup kitchen and traveled overseas to be in ministry with their brothers and sisters in impoverished African villages.

America just laid to rest a rich man who exhibited the same commitment.  Civil, human and voting rights, government aid for people in need of health care, education and a road out of poverty took center stage during his 47-year tenure in the Senate.  Whatever his shortcomings, the late Senator Edward Kennedy used his power, privilege and money to help folk live life more abundantly.

 

Our Lord said as much to his disciples en route to his crucifixion, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.  The mother of James and John wanted privileged positions for her sons in his kingdom.  Her request infuriated the ten.  Instead of criticizing the mother, our Lord refocused the dialogue.  Using his Messianic role as an object lesson, Jesus suggested that greatness is related to service not position.  In fact, “the son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” (Mt. 20:28)  Is this not using the power, privilege and position of Jesus in the Godhead to bring transformation on earth?

 

Perhaps two lottery winners who received $4 million and $314 million dollars respectively declared that it ruined their lives, had not fully grasped the value of using great wealth to serve others, not themselves.  Indulging themselves with expensive gifts, cars, luxury vacations, clothes, parties, plastic surgeries and drugs didn’t do it.  Self-indulgence with their sudden fortunes caused nothing but unhappiness.  It turned out to be a curse.  Using their good fortune to serve others might have made all the difference in the world a la Gates and Kennedy.

 

Rich or poor, serving others can be vital, exciting, fulfilling and growth producing.  Seven of us who went to the New District Superintendent/Directors of Connectional Ministries (DS/DCM) Orientation at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina, an event which a lay friend of mine calls “Charm School”, are still glowing about a presentation linking the rich, poor and the middle class in the service of others.

 

In Columbus, Ohio, there is a United Methodist Free Store.  It is the most public face of an organization called Community Development for All People (CD4AP), the sister organization for the Church for All People.  Free clothing and household goods are available for anyone who needs them.  By the end of 2008, $1.7 million worth of clothing and household goods were given away to 20,000 different persons.  Its free stock comes from a gaggle of homes and organizations.  Volunteers from churches, mosque and synagogues serve needy clientele.  Fear of the other, so-called least and lost, the stranger, problems in the city are yielding to the good work and good will of organizations and people making a difference by serving others.  Because of its success, United Methodist Free Stores are popping up across Ohio and beyond.

 

There is more good news.  The Free Store has had a ripple effect on the Church of All People.  It has spawned additional venues for serving others like meals for the hungry, a parish nurse program, a growing worship attendance and affordable housing.  More importantly, these ministries have provided constant opportunities for persons to serve others by sharing their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  Best of all; “All the ministries (began) small with the passion of individuals who (were) willing to invest the first and best portions of their God given resources to achieve a dream of positive change.”  Others joined them.  As a result, the Church and their Community Organization have and are transforming the Southside of Columbus, Ohio.

 

When you see Joanne Bartelt, Tamara Williams, Eugene Blair, Robert Hundley, Benton Heisler, Jerry DeVine or the Bishop, ask them about it.  The seven of us attending the DS/DCM Orientation Event were convinced the United Methodist Free Store can grow in the soil of Michigan.

 

Serving God is a huge responsibility.  How so?  There are more of God’s people to serve than we have the personal capability of reaching.  For instance, 29.1 million people are un-churched in America.  And the front page of the 8.28.09 edition of the USA Today claims that 227,000 people are added to the world’s population daily.  But we have an awesome God alongside for support – a God that feeds 5,000 with five loaves and two fish and transforms and convicts a global audience on the day of Pentecost with the preached word of a flawed disciple.  May Charles Wesley’s hymn convict you daily as it does “yours truly.”  “To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage, to do my Master’s will.”

By: Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton On 10/1/2009
Topics: Bishop