God Is Always Optimistic About The Harvest

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be ever acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and redeemer. Amen

At a recent church meeting about finances I spoke positively about the future of the church. One person present responded “but you have to be positive and optimistic -- that’s kind of your job.” That comment caused me to think about my job. The ordination service in this denomination lists the roles of ministry as pastor, preacher, and teacher. It did not list cheerleader. Perhaps, it should be added to this list for, I believe, ministry compels me to be and I am optimist about the future of the church in general and specifically about this one. Please give me a minute so I can get into my other uniform. Now everyone stand up so I can lead you in some cheers (if there are any former cheerleaders here you can give me a hand). “2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, a dollar -- everyone for FCC stand up and holler.” “Go FCC” again louder! “Gimme an "S" give me a "T", give me "E" …give me "P" -- what does it spell “Stewardship” “Louder!” [You can be seated]

Now I know what you are thinking “My God – he really is desperate. This is one tough time for Stewardship Sunday.” And of course timing is everything. Could there be a less favorable Sunday, week or month in recent memory on which to kick off our Stewardship Campaign? These are times of unprecedented challenges for us, our nation and our world. One would have to be a fool or a recent inter-galactic visitor not to be worried and concerned and, of course, I am. This economic disaster will mean pain, dislocation and hardship for some in the months to come.

And yet on the most fundamental level I am optimistic. I am optimistic about the future and particularly on this Stewardship Sunday about the future of this church. And it’s not because I am paid to be a cheerleader or because I am naïve. No, I am optimistic because our faith compels me to be so.

Think of the history of our faith. The Hebrew bible chronicles the story of God’s people. Talk about tough times -- some self created and some not – think of what the Israelites went through: from slavery in Egypt to the highs of political independence and power; from the lows of centuries long exile to the return to the Promised Land. Through it all with the help of God’s prophets these people held it together with optimism and a trust in God’s promise of a better future. And God did not abandon them ever!

Think of Job. He lost everything, including his beloved family. Moreover, he was struck down by illness, lost his land and possessions -- perhaps in the bursting of some ancient economic bubble. And yet he never abandons his faith or loses hope -- though he does get very angry with God. Finally, he realizes through God’s unwavering voice, answering him out of the silences, that God has not abandoned him. Reassured, Job picks up with his life and moves gloriously forward.

Think of the history of the Christian church built on optimism and trust in God. How did it begin? With one special unique person who called out to a small group of ordinary people to follow him. And they did against all odds and common sense. What an act of trust? Slowly other small groups began to join together and to hear the message. These communities of faith thrived even in the face of persecution from the Emperors’ armies and the established elite. And they built an institution that has not simply lasted for 2000 years but has continued to grow against enormous odds. – persevering against princes and principalities. The Church may not be perfect but I submit the world would be a barren, selfish and even more violent place without it.

Think of the history of this church. Against the odds in 1912 12 courageous and optimistic people -- fired by belief -- started a church here in Chappaqua. And they made it work and it grew despite the Great Depression and the World Wars. Our optimistic and courageous forbearer then in the late 40s decided to build this building, displaying remark trust and faith. No one knew for sure what the future held but they moved forward and in stages built this remarkable building.

And yes, our recent decision to replace the roof is an act of optimism and courage. No, not simply the decision to replace the roof -- that had to be done. But in deciding to put on a slate roof with a 75 to a 100 year useful life, we made a decision that is the essence of optimism and trust in our future. To be sure it was also an act that honors the gift of this building from those who -- through their hard work and stewardship -- bequeathed it to us. But if that were all there was to it – we would have gone to synthetic slate or asphalt – both less expensive and with a much shorter life. No, embedded in our decision was an optimism about the future of this church that -- I believe, even if we do not talk about it specifically -- comes from our shared belief that God is with us here and now and in the years to come.

To paraphrase a great writer -- the real turning point in history was not the day the wheel was invented, the Roman Empire fell, the Berlin Wall came down, or penicillin was discovered –all important to be sure -- but the day a boy was born to a Jewish couple in a small town in Judea.[1] The trajectory of history has never been the same. So yes, I am optimistic despite unprecedented terrorism in our world, despite disappointing greed and arrogance that have combined to imperil our economic structures to their foundations.

I am also optimistic about the church because I think we reap what we sow here in our own special and important way. As you heard -- Paul wrote to the Corinthians

That is, of course, “conventional” wisdom. The more you put into something, the more you get in return. Farmers know that the quantity and quality of the seed is critical to the harvest. That is true of the church as well. What we put in is critical to the harvest. Last year it took $1668 a day to open the doors, to turn the lights on and to do the work of being this church. Those are the seeds that lead to our harvest -- a harvest that is uniquely bountiful and important in our world.

At Bible study this week we were talking about this church and why it is important – why it makes difference. One participant said it is because the church is like the person who helps the starving young man -- not by giving him a fish -- but in teaching him to fish for himself. The more I thought about that the more I thought that’s right but only half right. If you think about it we do both. We give fish and we help people to be become fishermen and fisherwomen.

There are times when we come here -- each of us -- in need of sustenance. Sometimes it is for peace through silent meditation, sometimes to have our moral compasses re-centered through the words of a sermon, sometimes to have our spiritual batteries recharged through scripture or inspiring music. Sometimes we come in need of a hello and a smile, for the opportunity to share a problem with a friend. And sometimes we need a call, a meal or visit when we are ill or anxious. This church provides sustenance – fish as it were -- to the hungry. More than once in my life I have been in need and the church has nourished me.

But this church is also special because here we become fishers of human beings. The faith that undergirds this church is one that compels us to look out for others – to love our neighbors even our enemies. In this church we reach out to others. Think of our young people who discover here in Sunday school how to think of others besides themselves. Think of our young adults who went to Pine Ridge and want to go back. Whatever happens in their lives – whether they stay connected to the organized church or not -- they will be better citizens and they will have a fuller understanding of who their neighbors are – neighbors to love and care for -- because of their time here. Out harvest is multiplied beyond our imagination. Frederick Buechner whimsically defined the church this way:

Think of them as two circles. The optimist says they are concentric. The cynic says they don’t even touch. The realist says they occasionally overlap.[2]

How should you specifically respond to the Stewardship campaign this year? I know you are thinking he finally is getting around to it – the preverbal stewardship hammer. In all seriousness I would not presume to answer that question for anyone but myself. How many seeds you choose to give is your decision and yours only.

As I make my decision this year I will keep in mind the famous epigram of John Chrysostom, the 4^th century saint, “[M]oney is like water. It goes bad if it stands still.”[3] To go back to Paul’s agricultural metaphor -- seeds do not grow in one’s pocket -- at best they lie dormant at worst they rot away. They only grew when sown in the field where the sun can warm them and the rains can nourish them. Here in this place your seeds will be nourished lovingly and will bring forth a harvest that, I believe, makes a critical difference in the lives of many. In difficult times planting seeds and bringing in the harvest becomes even more important. Times are, indeed, difficult. It seems to me that our harvest has never been more important and, thus, our seeds too. Amen

[1] Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking A Seeker’s ABC (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993) p.45

[2] Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking A Seeker’s ABC, p.17

[3] Loring Chase, The Cornerstone (Washington, DC: Westmoreland Congregational Church, 1982) p. 263

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, Galatians 7-10, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-12