Matthew 28:18-20 - “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.
District Superintendent Reflections:
I was in conversation with the Kansas Bishop, Scott Jones, about being a new District Superintendent and he made a statement that I thought was clever, but now I realize the truth in it: “the tyranny of the urgent.” He went on to speak of making a “life plan” for the whole year so that you can be certain to move forward on your personal priorities.
I find myself being so caught up in “urgent matters” that I have yet to stop and remind myself of those things which I believe will be the definitive factors that will bring meaning to my contributions. I am easily distracted by cries for immediate attention even if they are not vital. The choices I make fall into the category of choosing “this day whom you shall serve.” I end up serving my impulses but not my calling. One is temporary, the other eternal.
A life plan is like a “discipleship plan,” which pastors and congregations are developing to insure against being caught up in “the tyranny of the urgent.” True, the roof needs to be replaced if the church is to be sound structurally; yes, the doors in the sanctuary need to be painted and the pews padded to make the church more presentable for the company we are inviting to come. But, are these the things that give meaning to lives and ministry? What are the essentials of being a church? Is it comfort? To what has God called us to be a people?
You have been hearing much of covenants and covenant groups in the past three years. These are a part of a design against the tyranny of the urgent. These are meant to be invitations, not impositions, to help one another accomplish the desirable. Are you in a covenant relationship? A major piece in a covenant relationship is the practice of a spiritual discipline, which positions us to stay open to the will and ways of God for our lives. Let us live our lives responding to the Spirit, not reacting to the urgent.
Blessings,
Dr. Harold D. Backus
Your District Superintendent
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