Summer Worship Reflections – Part 9

Here’s What Folks Are Saying!

Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship.  The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive.  I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 28th  the scripture was Deuteronomy 34:1-5.   Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.

What does this passage suggest about transitions in ministry?

• We do this for others and future generations. Time to pass the torch. Drawing boundaries. Don’t always get what you see. The promise is still valid.
• It’s the responsibility of the leader to pass pm tp descendants the current ministry.
• TRANSITION will continue beyond our lifetime
• TRANSITION DOES NOT DEPEND ON ONE PERSON.
• God has a role in establishing leadership.
• Moses suffered and didn’t experience final outcome – possibly unfair.
• Transition far beyond our vision and there is more to come.
• God knows outcome before we do.
• The outcome may not be what everyone wants.
• Religion and spirituality vs a mystery
• God’s plan includes transitions
• Moses may have been exhausted and relived to relinquish leadership.
• Leadership is tough – lots of waiting a thankless job but necessary. 
• Boundaries
• We need ro leave it in the past.
• Will leave the results to the descendants
• We’re not always here to see the results of our work.
• Our work is not completed by one generation but continues from generation.
• Always moving – one location to another and is spreading, going from leader to leader.
• When there is a transition – you (the leader) don’t get to keep going.
• They Had a job to do, did it – Wasn’t there to celebrate But went to heaven.
• See the whole land and path.

What wisdom does this story offer about beginnings and endings in ministry?

• Continued Journey
• Way to Heaven? Gives guidance for next steps.
• Natural, indefinite, keep going, pass on to the next generation.
• Faith that it will keep going.
• “A new broom sweeps better” (new)
• One ending is not necessarily the end of everything.
• We have a chance to see our future, but it isn’t only in one person’s hands.
• My plan may not be God’s plans.
• Can’t always get what we want But, you do get what you need
• Disappointment may happen if you don’t get the result you wished/prayed for.
• Have to have faith if you aren’t there to see the end result, it will work out and be okay.
• Ministries don’t end. They are passed on.
• There is never an end the story continues. Look to god for guidance for when it’s time to begin or end.

What do you imagine it was like for Moses to lead for so long only to hand off his ministry before it was “completed”?  Why might God ask this of him?

• Moses may be happy that he did his job, but upset that he doesn’t get to finish perhaps – hopeful that his work will continue beyond him. The work doesn’t belong to Moses, but to God. So it’s time for someone else.
• Maybe others need a turn to engage or maybe another’s special talents were needed for the completion of the work. 
• The work of Moses was done. Others will need to carry on. They might need some evangelism to bring in the non-believers.
• God made Moses realize his humanity.
• Moses was telling his people what to do and they may have seemed to worship Moses as a God.
• Heroes of the Bible are all humans and make mistakes, but God still uses them – so he can use us, too!
• He saw the future – we must have faith in ours. Don’t get too attached to one person; we all have a stake in this.
• His ministry is not completed – time for new leadership.
• Leader knows his role is done – Joshua there to continue ministry
• His minority will continue through others.
• God hoped he could do it.
• Reward was going to Heaven. 
• Plant the seed.