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October 28, 2007
Scripture: John 16: 4b-15
Title: "Holy Spirit"

This past week, I found myself sitting in another meeting. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to this meeting. I kept thinking: It is going to be just another meeting. So needless to say, I didn’t have the best attitude when I drove up to the Regional office in Lexington for my new church ministry team meeting. As I walked into the building, I kept asking myself, “Why did I sign up for this? Why did I sign up for this committee? I have a list that is a mile long of things that have to get done this week. Why am I going to another meeting?”

I had tried to fool myself thinking, Well, maybe this meeting won’t go on long. I don’t know of any real business that we have to do today. I’ll just go in, sit in the meeting, and then be able to go and really get done all the things that I need to get done.”

We opened our meeting with prayer and Scripture. And then the agenda was handed out. I was shocked! There were able 8 new church starts on our list, each one doing something different, and each one opening itself to the Holy Spirit.

I started to perk up a little bit. 8 possible new church starts right here in KY! I began to read the descriptions of each one. There is a new church start in Paris, KY that is reaching out to those in that community who are struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol. This church has created a safe place for some of God’s own least of these and creating a haven of recovery.

There was a description of a church in Northern KY who heard God’s called to create a multi-site church. Basically one church, different campuses of ministry. One campus that would a downtown church, ministering to the unique needs of that area and the other campus would be out in suburbia, ministering to the unique needs of that area.

There is a possibility of a new Latino/Latino congregation in the Cardinal Valley section of Lexington.

There is a possibility of 8 new church starts right here in KY. I was a little overwhelmed. I started to get excited about the ministry possibilities for these congregations and what these new ministry possibilities would mean for the existing churches of KY. Maybe our ministries would be pushed beyond our comfort zone. Maybe our ministries would be challenged and we would begin living out our mission as people of God.

And suddenly I was no longer sitting in just any meeting. I was a part of a new creation. I was a part of a process that has welcomed the Holy Spirit and has invited the Holy Spirit to show us our mission as the Church. I knew that I was a part of something much bigger than myself.

Suddenly I knew that the Holy Spirit was moving among across the Region of KY, pushing the limits, stirring our souls to ministry, showing us how to reclaim our vision and our mission as people of faith.

The Holy Spirit was guiding us into the Truth of our purpose as people of God.

And that is what Jesus promises his disciples in our Scriptures today. Jesus is trying to prepare the disciples for what will happen when he leaves them. They have all gathered in that upper room for the Passover feast. Jesus has washed their feet and begins to prepare them for the upcoming events. He knows that this is the last time that all the disciples will be together with him. And like any good coach, Jesus is trying to give that one last talk before the players take to the field. He is trying to fill in the gaps.

“Things are going to change for you. I am no longer going to be here. Don’t worry. You will not be left alone. Once I am gone, I will send you an Advocate, The Holy Spirit to guide you and to show you how to be the church. I have told you things and you don’t understand what I am saying now, but in time, the picture will be made clear to you. The Holy Spirit will be there to teach you the Truth of my words. The Holy Spirit will not let you forget all that I have taught you. The Holy Spirit will not let you back away from your calling as my disciples. The Holy Spirit give you the strength for the journey.”

And you know that all the disciples were sitting at that table, looking confused. “Jesus, where are you going? Jesus, what are you talking about? Jesus, you are not making any sense. Jesus, you’ve been acting strange tonight. You washed our feet and you keep saying that you are going send an Advocate to us. Sorry, Jesus, you have lost us. Jesus, we don’t understand. You can tell us about it later.

But later never comes. Jesus is betrayed. And then: Jesus is crucified. And then: Jesus is raised from the dead. And the disciples are left alone, with only their memories of their teacher, with only their recollections of what Jesus said to them.

“I will not leave you alone. The Spirit of Truth will come and he will guide you into all the truth.”

And the Holy Spirit comes, moving amongst the disciples, challenging their ministries, pushing the disciples out of their comfort zone, showing the disciples how to be the Church in their turbulent world.

The Holy Spirit moved among the disciples, asking them: How are you going to make the church relevant today? What is the meaning of Jesus Christ today?”

The Holy Spirit would not let the disciples rest. The Holy Spirit would not let the disciples give easy answers to these questions. The Holy Spirit would not let the disciples forget all that Jesus had taught them or their mission and purpose as people of faith.

And now the Holy Spirit is moving among us today. And the Holy Spirit is moving among us as disciples now. The Holy Spirit is asking us how are you going to make the church relevant today in our turbulent world? How are you going to take the teachings of a man who lived over two thousand years ago and make them relevant to the people who are sitting in the pews, the people who have never been to church, to the people who have never heard the stories of Jesus Christ?

Disciples, how are you going to make Jesus Christ relevant for the people today in our society?

And soon we realize that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. And soon we start to get a little excited about the possibilities of ministry that are presenting themselves to us as people of God. And soon we realize that we are a part of a new creation.

The Holy Spirit is moving among us, guiding us, teaching us, and showing us how to be the church in our turbulent world.

The Holy Spirit is moving among us, guiding God’s people in the Truth and in the way of Jesus Christ. Teaching God’s children to discover their passion for ministry. The Holy Spirit is moving and guiding us into the Truth as people of God.

The Holy Spirit is moving among us!

We are called to remember all that we have learned about Jesus Christ and share it with the people we meet. We are called to go out into the world and heal the hurting. We are called to be the living voice of God in our turbulent world today. We are called to be the Body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is moving among us, challenging us, pushing us out of our comfort zones, showing us our mission and purpose as people of God.

Are we ready to be open to the possibilities? Are we ready to show the world what it means to live a life of faith? Are we ready to go and be the Church that is relevant in our world today?

Are we ready?

The Holy Spirit is moving!

Are we ready?

Rev. Heather McColl
Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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