Leaders with Spirit

 Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Mark 9:38-50

How do we choose our leaders? I want to make it clear today that although these remarks could be applied to choosing a president, a senator, or a mayor, I am more concerned with choosing leaders for the Church, for the congregation. I want us to consider how we choose a pastor, a council president, a musician.

The stories from Numbers and Mark’s Gospel remind us in powerful ways to allow room for the Spirit to work. We can make lists of qualifications. We can design a clear and precise ad for Indeed, the job search website. We can rule out those who don’t seem to fit the qualifications. But we can’t control the Holy Spirit. The story of how Len Cremisio came to be our music director is a clear example of the Spirit at work.

… Let’s look at the scriptures: Moses was exhausted. He had assumed the responsibility of the entire encampment – from finding food to resolving disputes between people. It was simply too much, and he was DONE! So he went to God and kvetched about it. “These people whom you gave me…!” And he listed his grievances. God said, “It’s time for you to learn to delegate! Find leaders, I’ll take some of my spirit that rests on you, and put it on them, and all will be well.”

We note there is a parallel story in Exodus when Moses’ father-in-law Jethro is the wise advisor. The point is not who said it, but the recommendation to delegate the work.

So, Moses did as he was told. But there were 2 men who were hanging out on the fringe of the group who also received the spirit, and demonstrated its power. Some people were upset, and tattled on them. “These two men had broken the rules. They weren’t supposed to have this spirit!” But Moses said, “I wish many more had the spirit on them and could prophesy in God’s name.”

A similar situation occurs in the gospel reading. Although – Let’s call him Billy – although Billy is not a follower of Jesus, he is able to heal people in Jesus’ name. Once again, he is breaking the rules, and the disciples tattle on him. But Jesus is happy about it, and tells the disciples to leave him alone.

… Since I am the dean of Pinelands Conference, I know more than other pastors about the congregations and candidates they are interviewing. This past year, I have observed the Spirit at work in so many ways! A pastor wanting to serve one day a week called the Synod office about serving at First, Brooksville. A pastor who wants to do campus ministry, and who thinks outside the traditional church box, asked about interviewing at University, Gainesville.

And call committees said, “We need to give this a try! We need to let a new pastor lead us in new ways.” Because of congregations trusting God’s Spirit, Pr Lindsey has been at University for a few weeks, and First votes today to call Pr Brenda.

… I have been around the church and paying attention for a long time. The year I graduated from college, 1970, 54 years ago!, women were first given the right to serve as pastors. But just because we had the right doesn’t mean we had the opportunity. During seminary, I was told to avoid getting sent to one particular synod because the Bishop didn’t believe in ordaining women. It was hard to get a first call there, and even harder to get a second call.

For many congregations, anywhere in the church, this is still true. Some congregations refuse to call women to serve. The same is true for pastors who are Black or Latine or LGBTQ. The shame is that these congregations don’t know what gifts they are missing out on.

… So a story. The pastor had accepted a new call and Bishop Hansen came to talk with the council about the call process. He made it clear that there might be women or people of color on the call list of candidates to interview. We would be required to give equal attention to all candidates, and to choose prayerfully the best one for the congregation.

And then Bishop Hansen told us a story about First Lutheran in Rural Anytown, Michigan. They reluctantly voted to call Pr Jill, but only because she was the only pastor who wanted to serve in that remote location. Five years later, the council told Bishop Hansen that he had better not consider having Pr Jill interview for any other churches. They loved her and wanted to keep her forever.

… You have a few months to go before it’s time to interview pastors for call. I hope you will be as open-minded as University and First have been when you interview again.

In the meantime, we have a congregation to care for. I know for a fact that many people over 65 or 75 come to Florida and say, they want to sit on the beach or play golf, and never serve on a committee or congregation council or teach a class or be on the stewardship committee. They say, “Been there, done that. Not gonna do it again.” Unfortunately, that means that this congregation is missing out on the gifts God gave them. And they are stifling those same gifts or other gifts and interests. 

Now, I encourage you all to remember the source of those gifts – God’s Holy Spirit – and to find ways to use them for God’s purposes. This is important because we will soon be electing new leaders to serve on the congregation council. We will want to form a call committee in a few months. And I love to work with committees, so we need committee members for them.

Please pray to find ways to serve, to use your gifts for God’s purposes. Please be open to the urging of the Spirit. And say “yes” when you are asked or urged by the Spirit to serve in some ways at Gloria Dei. Amen