Date: November 27, 2011
Scripture Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Sermon: Testing. Testing.
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells
Testing. Testing. We use this phrase to see if audio equipment is functioning properly. Is everything connected and working as it should? Are the sound levels balanced. Testing. Testing.
Twenty years ago, on the first Sunday of Advent in1991, I began my tenure as pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ. And the arrangement was set up as a test of sorts. Typically, when a pastor leaves a church, the church calls an interim pastor to serve while the church evaluates its situation and goes through the rather lengthy process of seeking and calling a new pastor. The interim pastor provides transitional leadership and is not eligible for the permanent position. A new, settled pastor is called who serves until further notice. After the brief, rather tumultuous pastorate of the my predecessor, Lakewood, in consultation with the Florida Conference, decided not to hire an interim, but instead to hire someone to serve as pastor on a contractual basis for two years. The arrangement provided for a review after 18 months to ascertain if the pastor and church wanted to continue the arrangement indefinitely, or if the church would appoint a search committee at that time to seek a new permanent pastor. Testing. Testing. Are things working in this relationship? How is the balance? The mix? Is it a good fit?
By pursuing the contractual arrangement, Lakewood was departing from the norm. And there were good reasons to do so at the time. This shows an openness to the Spirit. As for my circumstances, our family had moved to St. Petersburg in November of 1990, and after almost a year as a stay at home mom, I was ready to resume my career as a pastor. So, I informed the Florida Conference that I was interested in seeking a position right about the time that Lakewood had decided to hire someone for two years on contract. Having come from northeast Ohio, where there were roughly 100 UCC churches within an hour of our home, to Florida, where there were about 100 churches in the whole state, I figured I would just have to take what I could get. This little church coming out of several years of severe conflict, well, beggars can’t be choosers! I hasten to add that the church may have had a similar outlook. Down on its luck and finances, who could they expect to attract to the position of pastor? I was here and available. So, for two years, we’d give it a go. Testing. Testing. Was it working?
When the 18 month point came, we met, and decided by mutual agreement to continue our relationship indefinitely. I was officially called as pastor. There was a beautiful installation service and I have served as pastor ever since. When I was installed, numerous colleagues commented to me that if they had had to withstand an eighteen month trial period, they would never have gotten a call! They were impressed that I had passed the test. Hmmm. Testing. Testing.
The initial eighteen month period that I served as pastor was a time of testing. But as I look back on it, I do not think we were testing each other as much as we were testing the authenticity of this faith community. I think we were doing what Paul suggests in the verses we heard today from the letter to the Thessalonians. To this new faith community that is being persecuted, Paul advises: “Don’t stifle the Spirit. But test everything and accept only what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.” In another translation, we’re told, “Don’t quench the Spirit.” The testing, the assessing, the evaluating, and scrutinizing is done with the expectation that the Spirit is moving in the faith community. Expect it. Don’t miss it! Be on the look out. Testing. Testing. We were testing our ministry, our mission, our life together according to the values of the Gospel to be sure that we were open to the Spirit. In our first eighteen months as pastor and people, and ever since, we have continually been testing our community, our faithfulness, our social action, and our
worship, not in judgment. Not in a spirit of condemnation. Not trying to promote
exclusivism. But trying to sort out what is good? What is needed? What is faithful? What is consistent with our concept of God? We are testing, testing to keep ourselves open to the Spirit.
When we do not question, or do not test, do not examine, do not assess, we are in danger of quenching the Spirit. Times change. We have a concept of a living God equipping us for new circumstances and challenges. When we cling to dogmatism, tradition, literalism, and fixed theological tenets, we may not be holding fast to our faith, we may be quenching the Spirit. What has always impressed me about this church is its openness. The willingness to test things according to Gospel values and see what it truly good and what is not. And then, to take action accordingly. This applies to our worship life, to our mission projects, to our hospitality, and to our life as a community. We have chosen over the years to evolve into a democratic, bottom up, community of equals because we expect the Spirit to bubble up through everyone in the congregation. We are learning and sharing and growing and testing together. Our openness shows in our receptivity to the Spirit. It also is a testimony to our faith. We are anticipating the spirit to move in our midst and to lead us in new directions and on new paths of faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As one of our UCC slogans puts it, “Our faith is 2000 years old, our thinking is not.” We are open to testing things. Seeing what is right for today, for these circumstances, for this setting. What is needed of us? Testing. Testing. What is working? What is not? What needs to be changed?
This first Sunday of Advent begins what can be seen as a time of great testing. The Holidays. It can be a time that tests our patience. Our pocketbook. Our endurance. Our good will. Our family bonds. Our ability to multi task. Shopping can seem like a test, seeking the best deal, the lowest price, the right timing. Scheduling can be like a jig saw puzzle trying to fit everything in. This lead up to Christmas can be a season that tests us!
We want to remember the testing encouraged in Thessalonians. “Test everything
and accept only what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.” This is a time to test the authenticity and the integrity of our holiday celebrations. Is it really in keeping with the birth of the King of Peace to purchase war toys, guns, and games perpetuating violence? Is it in consistent with the story of the birth of Jesus, who was poor, to give more to those who already have too much? Is it compatible with Christian values to over indulge in the drunken revelry at the office party that’s held every year? Are we really keeping Christmas by consuming and creating garbage that is compromising the existence of the planet? This season, we are encouraged to test our traditions and observances according to the values of Jesus and the story of his birth. We are told of his humble, really homeless, beginnings. Of his family in a strange place dependent on the generosity and hospitality of others. We are told of old people whose wisdom reveals the ways of God. We are told of love that transcends human boundaries and separations. We are told of heaven and earth coming together. Testing. Testing. What are we doing to reflect that spirit in our celebrations today? What is working? What needs to be changed?
This is a time for testing. A time to be open to the Spirit. To expect something new to happen in our lives. To wait on God to birth new hopes and new dreams in us and for us. It is a time for expectation, wonder, and awe. We don’t necessarily know what the Spirit will do – for it is ever unpredictable and uncontrollable. But we must be open, so that it can work on us, lest we
stifle or quench the Spirit.
Rigidity and legalism, that quenches the Spirit. Fixed thinking that cannot receive new information, or appreciate the validity of differing views, or assess new perspectives, that quenches the spirit. It is like depriving a flame of oxygen. It goes out. But openness, questioning, seeking, and testing invites the Spirit. Engages the Spirit. Expects the Spirit. Like open air that feeds a flame. I believe it is this attitude of openness and testing and looking for the Spirit to be present among us doing new things, that has kept us together and flourishing as pastor and people for the past 20 years. We have not been testing each other, but testing our experience, testing the challenges and opportunities that we face, to see what is of God, and what is expected of us. What is true to the Gospel? This testing has kept us learning and growing together in the Spirit. It is exciting and engaging. It is not dull or boring. It is not about stagnation. It continues to be new and fresh because we are open and expectant.
Testing. Testing. Paul tells the Thessalonians, “Don’t stifle the Spirit.
Test everything and accept only what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.” This constant assessing is not about dividing the world up into naughty and nice. It is not about judging and branding people. Those that are going to heaven and those that are not. Those who are saved and those who aren’t. Testing life according to the values of Jesus is about creating alternative communities of hope, joy, justice and peace that spread the transforming power of love in the world. Testing. Testing. It’s about, as Three Dog Night put it, bringing, “Joy to the world, all the boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and to me!”
Amen!
A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.
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