Why I Remain by Rev. Joshua Lemons
Pressing On - the Stories of Young(er) Clergy
The great theologian Stanley Hauerwas once wrote: “Whatever it means to be a Christian, it at least involves the discovery of friends you did not know you had.”1
One of the great joys of United Methodism is friendship, and, over the years, I have continually discovered Hauerwas’s words to be true. Take, for instance, Rev. Joshua Lemons.
Josh and I attended the same undergrad. I was a year older and, while our paths certainly crossed and overlapped, we were more acquaintances than friends. After graduation, our journeys took us to different parts of the country - me to North Carolina, Josh to Texas. We reconnected years later through the discovery that we shared a mutual friend, Hannah (a most wonderful pastor herself!). And then, again, when Pastor Josh and his family returned to Indiana.
Pastor Josh, his wife, and family are a gift to the Church and the Indiana Conference. I am grateful to call him both friend and colleague! Josh is an engaging speaker, a Christian-intellectual, leader, husband, father, and so much more. I am grateful for Josh’s willingness to share why he remains in pastoral ministry and am eager for you to hear what he has to say. Before doing so, however, I want to share with you one other piece Josh wrote. It was a few days before Easter Sunday. And it was in the aftermath of someone who threw a large stone through “The Resurrection Window” at the church he serves.
A crushing blow - quite literally. But Josh’s spirit and imagination have been formed by Christ. Take a look at his response below and then continue reading more about why Pastor Josh “sticks it out” in ministry, even when Easter windows get smashed.
Last night someone threw a big 'ol rock through the Resurrection Window behind the altar. Womp, womp. Not fun.
I've been thinking about the significance of this today. In just a few short days we will gather for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday this Holy Week. It is that time of year when we reflect on the suffering of our Lord. And I keep thinking about that rock going through the Resurrection Window.
It's as if the world can't comprehend Resurrection.
It's as if the world can't understand Resurrection.
It's as if the world's posture is one of opposition to Resurrection.
It can't believe it. Doesn't believe it. Wants to throw a rock through it's promise and shout -- "No Way! Not possible!"
The world thinks that what you see is what you get, and that in the end -- that's it -- it's the end. That death wins. That the violence perpetrated upon beauty is all that stands.
But. That. Is. Not. How. God. Works.
Admittedly it looked pretty bleak on that Thursday when Jesus was betrayed. And it looked worse on that Friday with Jesus dead.
But Sunday is coming. And God ain't done yet.
So, to the person who hucked that rock through our Resurrection Window. Thank you.
Thank you, for causing me to pause and reflect on the beauty and promise of (ironically) the Resurrection as we approach this Easter Sunday.
I hope you'll join us as we celebrate the power of Resurrection.
It's more powerful than rocks through glass.
The parish ministry is not for the faint of heart. CEO. Counselor. Fundraiser. Priest. Lead Christian. Moral Exemplar. Community Engagement. Teacher. Theologian. Bible Expert. Sociologist. Psychologist. The list goes on. We wear many hats and the pressures are very real. Just look at the data. It’s staggering.
But I choose to stay. For a number of reasons: 1) a sense of call, 2) a sense or purpose, and 3) a sense of duty.
1) a sense of call. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Don’t get me wrong — I’ve tried — and it ended poorly. God, for some reason, has called me to “lead his people”. That’s what I felt and heard a *long time ago* and the calling that was placed on my life is vocational ministry. It is the perfect alignment of my gifts and talents with the great needs of the world. I feel most alive when I’m doing what I’m called to do.
2) a sense of purpose. I greatly sense that the Church needs laborers. I think Jesus said something about that a while back — and I feel a sense of purpose when I put my shoulder to the wheel and do the work…as opposed to…insurance or mortgage backed securities or something else. I digress.
3) a sense of duty. I believe that working in the church provides a space for me to use my gifts and talents for the betterment of my family and community. Grow where you’re planted and all of that good stuff. I have a duty to the people, my people, and my community.
That’s why I stick it out. - Joshua
From Hauerwas’s lovely little memoir, Hannah’s Child.