July 25, 2024
Dear Central Church,
A friend of mine recently introduced me to a book by Dr. Shirley Mullen entitled, Claiming the Courageous Middle: Daring to Live and Work Together for a More Hopeful Future. Just mentioning the title had my full attention. What Mullen calls “the courageous middle” appears to be a forgotten space in our world, but it’s there for those with “eyes to see and ears to listen.”
When navigating a way forward between two opposing positions, taking the “middle road” may sound like a way of compromise or akin to a “lukewarm” position that has little value. This is not the courageous middle. Our friend, Jeren Rowell, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, explains:
…A faithful response to the polarizations with which we have become painfully familiar is to reclaim a very Wesleyan idea: the via media, or the “middle way.” Wesley was strong in his convictions about the gospel, but he remained open to authentic engagement with Christians who thought differently about things. In his well-known sermon, “Catholic Spirit,” Wesley said, “Hold you fast that which you believe is most acceptable to God, and I will do the same.” However, this was not offered in any spirit of rigid exclusion, but of warm-hearted fellowship.
Nazarenes have always been this kind of people. We are resolute in our positions and doctrine but mindful of the posture we take in holding them. This is a timely reminder, especially as we endeavor to be a people of “the table,” where radical hospitality is experienced and practiced.
I began this sermon series last week, and I believe God is using this journey to do more than fill our minds with a few “good ideas” about what happens when Jesus comes to dinner. These stories of Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors feels more like a “rule of life,” something that can only be practiced by those who are seeking the courageous middle between orthodox positions and compassionate postures.
As I think about the tables where Jesus eats, I wonder if we could corporately commit to the following “rule of life.” As people of radical hospitality:
1. We listen to the stories of those at our table.
2. The only label we put on anyone is “child of God created in His image.”
3. We are students, not critics. “Tell me more,” is our favorite phrase.
If you look at the history of the Nazarenes, our most effective days of ministry have been when we have kept our positions and posture in the proper balance, being people of hospitality who are willing to stand in the courageous middle. This is a place of faithful and fruitful ministry and God is calling us there again for “such a time as this.”
I hope to see you on Sunday. There’s a place at the table for you!
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark