Speaking the Truth in Love
But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 (excerpt from Ephesians 4:1-16)
Speaking the truth in love is not easy. We don’t really enjoy speaking it because we already know how it is too often received. We don’t often enjoy hearing a truth spoken in love either, as it will likely require us to do some self-examination. The author of the letter to the Ephesians knows the importance of speaking truth in love. If we are willing to speak and hear truth in love, it can bring grace and new life to a situation or a relationship. This can happen in our personal life, in our family, in our work environment, and even in church.
This summer I’ve had the blessing of conversations with a number of you individually, as part of ministry teams, and with the Vestry. Our parish sabbatical time has given us some time and space to explore the ministries that happen here. Truth in love has been spoken in places that are challenging, and honest dialogue has brought some clarity and new ideas.
Interim clergy come to a parish and find joy in seeing people using their gifts. They might also name some new gifts and encourage parishioners to share them. Usually there are some places where it would be helpful for the interim clergy to speak the truth in love. Going out on a limb here, I am going to speak some truth in love to the amazing people of St. John’s. Maybe I should save this for my last message, but the Spirit has given us the Ephesians passage this week. I want to speak to two groups of parishioners and will allow the Spirit to help you decide to which of these groups you belong. Both groups are filled with the children of God, and all children of God need some truth in love sometimes.
The first group is made up of parishioners who are doing many things and finding that they are tired, maybe even inching toward burnout. Maybe they think they cannot step away from a ministry because no one else would do it. Maybe life responsibilities have shifted and there is less time for their current ministry. Perhaps they see a need for a new ministry but cannot add that to their plate. Speaking truth in love to those of you in this group, I want to remind you of God’s command to observe the Sabbath, and to remind you that God’s will for you is not exhaustion, stress, or feeling responsible for everything. It’s okay to say, “no, I am not able to do all these things.”
The second group is made up of parishioners who have been attending St. John’s but are not engaged in a ministry. Perhaps they are not sure yet what their gifts are or how they might fit into parish life. Maybe they have not been invited to share their gifts. Maybe they don’t think they know enough about the parish or the Episcopal Church, or scripture or theology, so they don’t feel qualified to say yes to a ministry. Speaking truth in love to those of you in this group, I want to remind you, as the Ephesians were reminded, that Christ has given all of us gifts to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Together we are the body of Christ, joined and knit together by every ligament. It’s okay to say, “yes, I would like to try a ministry and share some of my gifts.” It’s also okay to say, “yes, but I have no idea what my gifts for ministry are.”
Here’s the thing - if each part is working properly, this promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. If we are all sharing our gifts, often referred to as time, talent, and treasure, then none of us gets too exhausted, none of us sits in the pew wondering where we fit in, and all of us are making the reign of God visible, the love of God tangible.
Consider sharing your gifts by engaging in a ministry at St. John’s. Stay tuned for more information on ways to do this. It takes many gifts to make a church run smoothly. One of my favorite things is talking with people to discern where they might share their gifts. If you want to become more involved in the life of the parish, I hope you will come talk with me, or with a Vestry member. In August we begin our planning for the upcoming program year, and every gift shared will be a blessing to St. John’s. I see these gifts in you, and God has given St. John’s more than enough, which is why I am speaking truth in love!
