Sometimes I get asked about what exactly it is that a pastor does each week? You know, those hours we work besides Sundays. Looking back at my calendar, this week would include premarital counseling, mid-year reviews, a men's golf group, volunteer onboarding, staff chapel, a conversation about religious exemptions and vaccines, filming curriculum, writing a devotional, planning for ministry events, interviewing potential new staff...and a lot of simply talking with people.
I share my list because each week we're all confronted with numerous situations where we must decide, "how does my faith shape my actions in this moment?" Those are some of mine.
I can remember years ago being introduced to, "Three Simple Rules" of John Wesley's that were popularized by retired Methodist Bishop Rueben Job in a book with the same name. Put plainly, they are 1) do not harm, 2) do good, and 3) stay in love with God.
Simple frameworks like this can be helpful when we need a lens or a filter to keep our faith in front of us in ever-changing weeks and circumstances.
A sports psychologist who has worked with Olympians posted on social media recently about how instead of tweeting at folks our disappointment that an athlete doesn't win gold, or even medal - that perhaps simply thanking them for their incredible effort to get to the Olympics and to represent our country might be a better approach. He wasn't writing about Simone Biles even - his comments were more general given the incredible pressure that Olympic athletes feel and face. It felt like a reminder of these rules to me.
We're all walking around carrying something; anxiety about Covid, sending our kids back to school, worries about how to find enough workers, what is next for the economy, wondering how to keep people safe, and what church even looks like right now. And as someone involved in the decision to return to strongly encouraging masks - how to keep people safe and connected to their faith.
As we talked and prayed, I found myself returning to Wesley's rules and wondering how to put them into practice in this situation and so many others. I know some will be upset, but encouraging masks again feels like the most faithful response to us. Where might you use these three simple rules? And how might God use you through them to be and give hope to others?
Know that I'm praying for you and grateful that you're a part of this church called St. Luke's. Stay safe; we hope to see you Sunday.
Pastor Eric