That’s true for every single disciple, and in a uniquely illustrative way is true for those in Christian ministry—which is partly the focus of this morning’s sermon. In some of the announcements and conversations about the search for an interim Senior Minister, it has been noted that Donna and I have worked well together as the clergy serving this church. Now I have to tell you, Donna and I do not see eye to eye about everything, not even close. You would not believe some of the crazy ideas she has. But the reason I absolutely agree with the assessment that we work so well together is because she and I share a conviction at the foundation of our ministries: we believe that it’s not about us. We have plenty of personal opinions and ideas and reactions just like everyone else, but when we step into this privileged role of minister of the gospel, we set those aside because we each believe our work is to empower others in Christ’s name, not necessarily to make them think or believe or feel the way we do.

Donna and I preach the gospel as best we can, and then allow God to shape whatever happens in the heart of the hearer. We help others find a way to come to the board table and then set them loose to add their particular talents and opinions to the mix of those groups, and not to represent ours. We encourage members of the congregation to find their own voices, to discover their own faith, not to become copies of us. Our work as ministers is not to tell you what to think or what to believe or who to vote for or what side in a cause to take, as much as it is to inspire you to figure out—between you and your God—what it is that you think and what it is that you believe and what the faithful choices for you are. That is servant leadership, the kind that Christ lived out so completely, and the kind, in a far more modest form, which has allowed our shared ministry to be effective.

But, in my second-to-last sermon, I need to pause and talk to you today personally about two facets of our life together at the Rocky Hill Congregational Church—not because I have now changed my mind about the nature of servant leadership and I’m now going to do what I am absolutely convinced effective ministers don’t do, but because as a member of this congregation I love and care for, I want you to know how I see things as an individual just like you—in no small measure because, though I am leaving, this will still be Sam and Skyler’s church, and as their father I want the very best for them and for their church family.

Before all else, friends, hear this: this is a healthy and faithful church, and the future here is going to be great. Donna and I and a few other leaders debated long and hard about whether or not I should preach such a sermon as this, so committed have we been to this concept of servant leadership, of the clergy putting aside personal opinions so as to avoid polarizing or alienating any single person in the church. And after I leave, you can expect Donna to continue to do as we have done together for these 5 years: for your sake, and for the sake of Christ’s gospel, she will set aside her own opinions and remain neutral about potentially polarizing issues so as to be the strongest and most faithful, inclusive leader she can be. You should expect that of her, and I hope you will expect whoever fills this pulpit going forward to offer you the same servant leadership, leadership that puts your faith needs above any personal agenda.

But for a few moments I’m going to take off this stole, which is really the symbol of the towel Jesus used to wash the disciples feet, one image of servant leadership. [stole off] I’ve taken it off because what I’m about to say are words from Jonathan, from a church member speaking from the heart, and not for once from the Senior Minister trying to be the neutral leader. I want to talk about two things I think need to happen to keep this congregation strong, and faithful, and moving forward with the momentum and spirit we’ve been enjoying. If those things don’t happen, if all of you decide to act differently than I hope, that is just the Holy Spirit guiding the body of Christ in another way. It doesn’t mean I think God will be any less present. Living in covenant means that, as Jesus told Peter, it’s not always about us getting what we want. Sometimes things go our way and sometimes they don’t, but covenant people stick together regardless, trusting that God’s way, God’s desires become clear.

The first issue for me really isn’t that complicated: by whatever process comes to pass, I hope this church decides to become an Open and Affirming congregation. I know, as you do, there are very strong feelings in many directions about this, and some will be disappointed no matter what happens. But here’s why I feel the way I do. I believe the Bible is the living word of God, the guide for my life, but after all is said and done, I am not persuaded by the arguments against homosexuality in Scripture. We have to take into account the context and the culture in which those statements were written, far different from our own. And we can’t read those particular passages literally unless we choose to read all of Scripture literally, which cannot realistically be done.

Some have said they are open to be welcoming of people with different sexual orientations, but aren’t so sure about the affirming part. There may be uncertainty about affirming homosexual behavior, but I believe that if God holds us accountable for the things we affirm in this life, God will be far more upset with us for continuing to affirm the place of economic privilege we as Americans enjoy while so many, not only on the other side of the globe, but right here among us, have barely enough to survive; far more upset with us for turning our religion into one among many equally competing interests in our lives; far more upset with us for practicing the cold shoulder injustice that judgments about any other person really is.

I’m certain that some of you will take issue with what I’ve just said, and that your faith leads you to see things much differently. That’s what this two year process has been all about, and we’ve tackled all this before. But after all that debate and analysis, after all the good biblical study and sometimes really hard conversations, what it comes down to for me is that if I imagine the church in which Skyler’s and Sam’s faith will continue to be shaped, the community from which they will leap out into a complicated world, I’m certain I’d want that church family to err on the side of compassion and inclusion for all. If becoming ONA is a mistake, then God will most certainly let you know, because God will continue to love and guide this congregation regardless of the choices it makes. And if it’s the right thing—which I believe it is—you’ll see and feel that just as clearly. Grace is never cut off because of decisions we make. And if the ONA issue comes to a vote, which I hope it does, and the vote doesn’t go the way you like, please don’t cut yourself off from that grace by leaving this church. As members of this congregation, you are in covenant with one another, you are bound to each other, and no congregational decision, no matter how strongly you might disagree with it, should ever sever that bond. It might test it, but don’t let it break it.

In all honesty, I’ve lost more sleep over the next issue I wanted to share with you this morning than I have over ONA. This one is much older, more entrenched, and, I believe is even more critical for sustaining the good and faithful momentum I feel in this place. With others I have really tried, but it’s been harder over these seven years with you to empower honest, sustained conversation about money than it has been to empower conversation about human sexuality. And because I care deeply about this church, I have to try one more time, not with guilt or clever persuasion, but simply by describing what is.

Right now, with about 600 members, 10 pledgers are paying 36% of the total amount given to this church this year, and that is just not fair. And every year, we use more and more interest on our investment to help fund that budget, and that’s just not smart. Because we are blessed to have an endowment, and because we have some incredibly generous givers, there is the ongoing illusion that we are financially stable. But we are not. That is a very risky way to do business, and the current economic climate is driving that reality home in a very concrete way. If we were to lose one of those big givers, or if our investments don’t perform, which at the moment they’re not, we will find ourselves in a hole that we need not be in.

This isn’t merely dollars and cents; this is all about what kind of church this congregation can be and wants to be and is called to be. The good news is that we’ve come this far—282 years far, and the good news is also that we have the smarts and the resources and the commitment and enthusiasm within this congregation to figure it out. We just need to choose to want to figure it out.

Please understand me: the way through this challenge is not as simple as just “Give more!” Some of you are on fixed incomes, I know; some have lost work, and some of us have real financial limitations. The way through has more to do with talking about what’s most important to you, about what ministries and people and programs in which you want to invest your treasure, about setting priorities and then realistically assessing how they can be responsibly paid for without unnecessary fear and trembling each year. The solution to the challenge is to figure out new ways to make what money church members can give, do give, could give work best. The annual fund-the-budget campaign is really only a part of the picture; planned giving—remembering your church in your will, thoughtful attention to the way we spend our money each day, creatively imagining ways to make the congregation’s vision—whatever it may be—real—all those need to be front and center, not just because the economy is bad right now, but because it’s part of what disciples do, because as much as we like to think so, especially when it comes to our money, every now and then Jesus turns around and shouts “It’s not about you!”

I want Sam and Skyler to experience a church in which conversations about money matters don’t create anxiety, they cause excitement about possibilities. And as idealistic as that may sound these particular days, it really is possible with everyone, regardless of your bank account right now, paying faithful attention to the church budget situation as it really is, not as we merely hope it is. You will be having conversations about how much and what kind of staff would best serve this church. And I pray that the dreaming about that future, the naming of what’s most important to each of you, is not limited before imaginations even get fired up because of numbers on a page, real as they are and as seriously as they must be taken. Let the faithful dream come before the finances, and then the power of that vision you all agree on will drive the money matters—not as in pulling teeth, but as in the natural follow-up to an idea about which a people is excited and invested.

And in the longer view, one of the best gifts you can give this church you love is not just your pledge this coming May, but making a plan that benefits your church when you’re gone. There are so many ways to do that which benefit both family and church—if you’ll just choose to do it. We all can’t give as others give, but there are creative ways to each bear part of the burden, if not now, then later. [stole on]

So… one of the things I have loved about serving this church is that the members do indeed rise to respond when needs of all sorts appear, in really inspiring, fun, sometimes round-the-barn kinds of ways. So many times I have sat at a table with others with an opportunity or a problem before us, and ideas start to flow, and you can sense movement, progress unfolding until there is a sense that the end has been reached, the good faith effort has been made, and the next step is agreed upon. I love when that happens, and I hope I can experience something like that in my new work. But that happens as frequently as it does in this particular congregation because you all are willing to set aside your own desires for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of your church, for the sake of all those who need good news.

“It’s not all about you!” Jesus said to Peter, it’s all about what God needs to have happen. My hope and prayer for you, the congregation that has been my home for these years, is that you will continue to embrace that faithful mindset, to know by firsthand experience that putting God’s priorities first will always bring more abundant life, even if sometimes it means not having everything the way we want.