Rebuild My Church

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Western North Carolina Annual Conference at beautiful Lake Junaluska along with TC Homesley, Broad Street’s lay delegate, and Allen and Maryette Bost, who served as Appalachian District delegates. Surrounded by the mountains, the lake, and the familiar rhythms of this sacred place, thousands of United Methodists gathered for worship, learning, celebration, discernment, and the work of the church. The theme this year was “Rebuild My Church.”

As I made our way to Annual Conference, I found myself thinking about The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy and her companions followed the yellow brick road believing that somewhere ahead there was a wizard who could give them what they needed. The Scarecrow wanted a brain. The Tin Man wanted a heart. The Lion wanted courage. Dorothy wanted a way home.

Sometimes I think we arrive at Annual Conference with similar expectations. We hope someone has the answer. We hope there will be a presentation, a report, or a vision that will tell us exactly what the church needs to do next.

Yet every year I leave with the same realization: there is no wizard behind the curtain.  Instead, there are faithful people.

There are clergy and laity who have devoted their lives to serving Christ. There are churches feeding hungry people, tutoring children, building relationships, caring for the lonely, and sharing the gospel in ways both large and small. There are disciples who continue showing up, even when ministry is hard. There are congregations that refuse to give up on the belief that God is still working through the church.

One of the highlights of the week was the worship. There is something powerful about gathering with thousands of voices in song and prayer. The music filled the auditorium. The preaching challenged and inspired us. Communion reminded us that before we are members of committees, delegates, pastors, or lay leaders, we are disciples gathered at Christ’s table.

Annual Conference is also a time of celebration. We celebrated new clergy entering ministry. We honored those who are retiring after years of faithful service. We commissioned and ordained leaders who are answering God’s call. We remembered clergy and spouses who entered the Church Triumphant this past year. Those moments always remind me that we are part of a story much larger than ourselves.

I was especially grateful for the spirit that seemed to permeate the conference this year. There was certainly business to conduct and decisions to make. There always are. But what I experienced most was collaboration. People listened to one another. They shared ideas. They celebrated ministry. They talked about possibilities. In a world that often feels divided and cynical, it was refreshing to spend time with people who genuinely want to see the church thrive.

The theme, “Rebuild My Church,” was talked about throughout the week. Rebuilding is not about recreating the past. It is not about longing for some imagined golden age. Rebuilding is about listening for where God is calling us now and faithfully responding.

As I listened throughout the week, I found myself thinking about Broad Street.

I thought about our worship services and Bible studies. I thought about our children and youth. I thought about our mission work, our staff, our volunteers, and the countless acts of kindness and service that happen every week. I thought about our upcoming Vacation Bible School.  I thought about the new people who have found a church home among us and the faithful saints who continue to guide and encourage us.

Annual Conference reminded me that rebuilding the church does not happen because a wizard appears with all the answers. It happens because ordinary people trust God enough to take the next step. It happens when people show up. It happens when people serve. It happens when people give. It happens when people pray. It happens when congregations choose hope over fear and mission over maintenance.

As I left beautiful Lake Junaluska and made my way home, I thought again about Dorothy. At the end of her journey, she discovered that what she needed wasn’t found in the wizard after all. The journey itself had changed her. She returned home with a deeper appreciation for what had been there all along.

I came home feeling much the same way.

I came home grateful for TC, Allen, and Maryette and for the opportunity to share the week with them. I came home grateful for the worship, the conversations, and the friendships. I came home encouraged by the ministries happening across our conference. Most of all, I came home grateful for Broad Street United Methodist Church and hopeful about what God is continuing to do in and through us.

The yellow brick road eventually ends.  But the journey of faith continues.  And thanks be to God, we do not walk that road alone.  See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy