– Kim R. Smith, Sound District Lay Leader
On a crisp Sunday morning, my cold feet moved quickly past the historic cemetery of Beaufort, where I would typically wander for hours. Just as a breeze forced me to pull my sweater around me more snugly, I noticed two things that made me stop in my tracks. An elderly couple walking down the sidewalk toward the sanctuary caused my heart to skip a beat. There is nothing more beautiful to me than two people who have loved each other and God so well for so long. Just beside them was a butterfly garden still covered with gorgeous purple blooms even now, as winter was knocking on the door of this coastal community.
Entering the building of Ann Street UMC, which was built in 1854, I could feel and hear the heat moving through the historic sanctuary. The morning sun cast colorful rays of light through the vibrant stained-glass windows. Children giggled behind me. The fragrance of woodwork that had survived coastal hurricanes, battles, and floods seemed oddly comforting on this Sunday morning. As the clock struck worship time, the bell tolled, and the congregants readied themselves. The cathedral-style pipe organ sent shockwaves down my spine in a good way as the melody of the prelude began.
Glancing through the bulletin, it was evident that the historical roots of this congregation were merging in meaningful ways with the world today. Greeters had welcomed me with information and a devotion book that everyone would be reading together for Advent. Notices were given that the service would be live-streamed. In other words, people WILL see and hear you as they watch from around the neighborhood and around the world. The words of the scriptures, prayers, and hymns were shown up on the sanctuary wall for all to follow along with ease. You could put your offering in the plate as it was passed or set up your automatic tithe online.
In front of the altar were boxes of food that the children’s Sunday School classes were collecting. There were prayer groups, women’s circles, and Bible studies all offered during multiple times of the day and week that would make at least one convenient for all. The youth celebrated where they had seen Jesus. A diverse group of people were baptized and joined in membership that morning. This was church.
As Reverend Dena White stood to give the message, I wondered what my great aunt, who had played the organ there many years ago, would have thought about a woman in the pulpit. I think she probably would have shouted out loud with joy! Her message was entitled, “Worth the Risk?” I would say the risks they have taken as a congregation are paying off right now.
Almost at the exact moment she began to speak, the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee wafted through the air. The children’s ministry team had a neon blue food truck called “The Surfing Pig” parked outside to celebrate teachers from their ministries and the local community following church. The constant meshing of historical traditions with new energy was powerful and hard to miss.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a risk if we are doing it right. If we are stepping out to try new ways to reach people, it can be scary. We all want to be successful in everything we do in life. That’s arguably one of the reasons why so many have mental health issues these days. We have lost the ability to fail and embrace the learning experience. We should be considering a risk-taking attempt at doing something good, as time well invested. We also have weird metrics that we use to measure success, like what the world thinks instead of what God thinks about our efforts.
We can have the traditional church that shaped many of us today and be risk takers who envision new and different ways to reach and equip people. Our goal isn’t just to be disciples…it is to create disciples too. Jesus was a creative and out-of-the-box thinker himself. I imagine he would be able to appreciate the meshing of old and new to meet people where they are today.
If your church is struggling to find your wings while valuing your historical roots, reach out to Ann Street United Methodist Church in Beaufort and let them help you find that wonderful balance between where you were and where you want to be for the kin-dom.