Sermons by Bishop Paul V. Marshall
At the Ordination of Terry Matthews
And her Institution as Rector of St. Mark's, Moscow, PA
October 23, 1999
Bishop Paul V. MarshallIsaiah 6
Ephesians 4
John 12It is a very special and solemn moment when we come together to ordain. As a representative of the universal church, and together with my colleagues the presbyters, I have the privilege to say the words and impose the hands to set aside Terry Matthews as a priest in Christ's one Church. But just as importantly, did you know that from the New Testament Church on, it is the prayers of the congregation and your AMEN that are essential to the ordination. So after we sing a hymn calling on the Holy Spirit, the prayer book has us all pray in silence, and that silence will go on. Pray for Terry, for St. Mark's, and the mission we have to spread the gospel and care for the faithful in Moscow.
If you sneeze, you will miss the transition, but there will be one: immediately after Terry is made a priest, she will be instituted as rector of St. Mark's, taking up the duties of sacramental ministry and pastoral leadership here. So as we think about the lessons she has chosen, there is a lot on our minds.
Isaiah was probably the only prophet who was also a priest, and he reminds us that those who speak for God have a call from God, and experience of God by reporting a vision given him in the temple. Amidst the clouds of incense, Isaiah's temple routine was interrupted by a vision of God revealed in all the splendor of heaven. This was not the miniature, domesticated, cuddly version of God we like to keep around for emergencies, but the Creator of the Universe, the one to whom that universe cries, "Holy." Imagine that, the One who makes and governs all things, takes an interest in individuals, and in this case one individual, Isaiah.
What Isaiah is aware of in the presence of God is the fact that he is out of his league; contact with pure holiness makes him aware of his sin--and that of his society. But God isn't interested in human groveling-God has too much work for Isaiah to do and interrupts Isaiah's self-deprecation. So a burning coal is brought to Isaiah, so that as it sizzled against his lips, he would know that sin isn't the last word about him or humanity. Forgiveness brings power to respond to the Mighty One, and when the call comes, he says to God, "Here I am, send me."
So here you are, Terry, because you know God as being above and beyond all we are or can imagine, and also know God as coming to us in Jesus Christ, the bringer of grace, mercy, and truth. All of which is to say that today we come together not especially dealing with your ambition or diocesan personnel needs. We come here believing that God's will for the Church and for you is that you take on the burden and the joy of priesthood in and for the Church.
Ephesians gets in our faces about this a bit. A priest and rector comes to equip, to build up, so that the members of the church become mature in faith and action. About 100% of us would prefer not to be mature. Maturity is each of us taking the responsibility for working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Maturity is each of us taking responsibility to know what sound doctrine is so that we can build lives and action on it. Maturity means knowing that change and growth are often not going to feel good at first.
This is where many leaders fail. They speak their vision clearly, and work towards it, with the verbal agreement of the parish, and are perhaps even given a mandate. But all change, even good change, hurts a bit because old familiar patterns and relationships have to change if we are all to take mature responsibility for our common mission. So people get antsy, and may complain about things that have little to do with the issues before the church, or walk around announcing that their feelings are hurt. Many priests have let the devil install a button in them that is pushed by just saying the words, so-and-so is hurt, and they abandon the vision for sake of everyone feeling good. Well, Terry, when people are hurting because they have been asked to mature, I expect and require you to be on the side of pain.
That is, it is essential to love God's people, to equip them, and lead them, but you also must respect them and leave the responsibility for the congregation's mission with all the baptized. For instance, if somebody comes to you shortly before a meeting or service and says they didn't do what they were supposed to do, don't scurry to cover for them; say gently, "Goodness, I wonder what YOU are going to do about that." It will kill you the first few hundred times, but in the long run, everybody will mature when they know that their priest and leader really believes what she says about every baptized person having the responsibility of ministry.
Every congregation falls into habits, and habits are comfortable. At Saint Mark's very healthy and brave change from old habits began well before you arrived, Terry. Now with a nearly full-time priest on board, there might someday be the temptation to go back to the old paths. Because you love your brothers and sisters here, help them to stay on the path they have chosen to follow. You are in the coal business, a good thing to say in Pennsylvania. Isaiah's vision of a coal is wonderful. It purges, but it also glows, inspires; in Isaiah's case, it also set him free to respond. As faithfully, bit by bit, Sunday by Sunday, you lay out the word of God and celebrate the sacraments, you are bringing (not heaping) coals. In word and sacrament God comforts and strengthens, forgives and challenges, and sends us out with work to do. Give coals, not toasted marshmallows; Christ as tiger and lamb, never as teddy bear. If you ever become absolutely comfortable in the pulpit or at the altar, it is time for a sabbatical (fully paid).
In the Gospel Jesus says that he lays down his life-nobody takes it from him. He chose his battles. When the time comes for you to take a stand, make sure you know in your heart that it is worth it.
TERRY, Love God's people at St. Mark's with the wisdom of a serpent and the gentleness of a dove. Equip them, lead them in mission, and also leave with them the dignity of being responsible for how their ministry to Moscow turns out. When you are wrong, don't make excuses, but show people how one lives by grace and grows. When others are wrong, speak the truth in a way that encourages their growth. Above all trust the Great Good Shepherd: he chose you, you did not choose him. The one who calls you is faithful; he will do it.
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