For me, one of the most comforting and life giving words in our faith is “mystery.” I believe that when we admit our inability to fully understand all that we long to know, then we begin to grow in fullness of life as a child of God. Pentecost is all about mystery.

The writer of Acts tells us:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
                                                                         Acts 2:1

In our liturgical year, Pentecost is considered the climax of the Easter season. It is a day when by all rights we should enter the church with a bit of fear and trembling . . . the only day that we display our red paraments. This is the day when we send our children down the aisles with red streamers and throw caution to the wind.

In the second chapter of the book of Acts we are given an account of what happened on that day. We read that the disciples were transformed from fearful, timid followers to bold witnesses. On that day, they were given a Holy Boldness.

I first heard the term Holy Boldness from a Methodist colleague. It was a phrase he used to describe the attitude of those early Christians after the day of Pentecost. In those days the followers of Jesus were dealing with some difficult issues. They were trying to sort through the events of the previous days. They were fearful and full of grief. They had been given a command by Jesus, to wait in Jerusalem for the gift that was promised by the Father. And so they waited, thoughtfully, fearfully, prayerfully.

These early Christians could have quietly walked out the door, seeking to be unknown and unnamed, following their master silently in their hearts. But something happened that day that caused them to choose another path, a path that would require committed discipleship and the hardships and difficulties that came with the territory. Something happened that gave them a Holy Boldness.

As we read the description found in the second chapter of Acts, we encounter a scenario that sounds like a script for a blockbuster movie. Violent wind, tongues of fire, and a communication event that defied natural order. Exactly what went on in that place and time, we are left to ponder. Scholars and theologians have tried to explain it. Preachers have tried to describe it. Sunday school teachers have used balloons and crepe paper and powerful fans to help students imagine what it might have been like.

Sometimes we refer to this day as the birthday of the Church. On this day the Spirit of God breathed life into the church. On this day, a small group of timid and frightened disciples became a bold and unstoppable force that moved out into the world and faced extraordinary odds to spread the Gospel. These witnesses were sent out with courage and spunk. They were sent out to be bold and obedient, committed to the task they were given and fortified with the power that they needed to do so. Yes, on this day, the church began in the midst of chaos, wind and fire. Not quietly and mildly and weakly, but with a sound and a fury.

I once read a story about a pastor who noticed on a very expensive sports car in the parking lot of a local supermarket a bumper sticker that read “I am a Generic Christian.” The minister was so intrigued with the message that he waited for the owner to come out of the store. “What is a generic Christian anyway?” he asked. The man replied: “Well, I want to go to heaven, so of course I want to be a Christian, but I don’t want to get involved in any congregation or denomination or any specific church or group, so I just call myself a generic Christian.”

As I think about our life together as the congregation gathered in what was only sixty years ago a Pea Patch, I believe that there is not one generic Christian in our midst. I see faithful commitment from every pew. I see those who have pledged to work with our children and youth. I see those who gather weekly for prayer and Bible study. I see those who work tirelessly in the Food
Closet. I see those who gather faithfully for worship. I see those who pray daily for the health and well being of God’s children throughout the world. And as I recall your faces and remember your commitment, I find myself thanking God for all of you!

Holy Boldness, that’s what Pentecost is all about, and it did not come to just a few. The Holy Spirit was not just poured out upon a few individuals; it was poured out on many. The Spirit’s power came to a congregation, the Body of Christ. The boldness extends to each of us.

As we approach this Pentecost Sunday, June 12, may we continue to experience the Spirit’s power. May we seek new ways of serving, and may we be willing to be moved from our comfort zones by a wind that is sometimes
discomforting, lifting us out of our seats and sending us into the world.

Come Holy Spirit,

Margaret

Perhaps you have read recently in the news about the changes to our Book of Order relating to requirements for ordination. As with many news items, the message can be confusing and sometimes even a misrepresentation of the truth, so if this is something that interests you or concerns you, I invite you to contact me for further discussion. As a cradle Presbyterian, I am grateful to be part of a denomination committed to working together — listening to all voices, calling upon the Holy Spirit to be with us in times of discernment, making decisions in our life together as the Body of Christ.

This brief explanation about Amendment A, which passed recently, came from our denominational office:

Amendment A includes new language outlining the gifts and requirements for ordained service. It reads: Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination
shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

This decision begins with an unequivocal affirmation that ordained office will continue to be rooted in each deacon, elder, and minister’s “joyful submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.”

As a pastor, I am encouraged that the new language focuses explicitly on the candidate's faithfulness, spirituality, preparation, and readiness for service and places greater responsibility on those with the closest knowledge of the candidate: on sessions as they train and examine officers for ordination and on presbyteries as they examine Ministers of Word and Sacrament. I welcome your thoughts and comments and look forward to talking to you about other aspects of our life together as well.

Serving Christ Together,

Margaret