Prophet Margins - July 2022 Newsletter

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What might we learn if we took the risk to listen? If we took the risk to let these holy ones of God become our traveling companions on our summer journey? We might be troubled, and we will be, but we might also be lifted up. We might be challenged, but we might find reasons for hope, or we might find a renewed vision that inspires us for all the journeys we make. So, what do you say? Are you up for a journey this summer, a journey to the edge of our faith? Then you’re ready for “Prophet Margins.”

I understand that this is a play on the phrase "profit margins", which are a business assessment tool to determine what percentage of their income is, on average, more than their expenses. The higher a profit margin, the more a company can keep or reinvest in their business. Profitability is a good sign for the health of a company. 

But how do we determine whether the church is profitable or not? Do we really have a good or service that we are “selling”? I’d like to think everyone is coming because they want to, not because they expect a service to be provided, or that they’ve been sold on a way of life that depends on how faithful they are. 

The prophets from the Old Testament, though deal with something else entirely. I think of prophets and fortune telling comes to mind, or “seeing the future”. It seems like it’s a little out of place for a book of scripture.  These people were more than just simple fortune tellers or an act out of a carnival. The prophets each had a unique encounter with God, and then were commissioned to speak on God’s behalf. There are 15 books toward the end of the Old Testament that usually get lost in the whole biblical story, but are pretty important. 

God cared about his relationship with the Israelites, and they worshiped him in return. It was a partnership that was secured because of Moses and the escape from Egypt. God wanted the Israelites to be a nation of justice and generosity. Their leaders - the priests and kings - led the people astray because of their own thirst of power or other reasons, and this partnership was broken. 

Then the prophets came along to remind the people who God is and how much God loves them. Their goal was to inspire repentance among the Israelites to get back into favor with the God of their ancestors. But most of this, much like today, went unheard and the prophets were pushed to the edges of society. That is, until their exile into Babylon. 

Through the work of the prophets, there can be hope that God will come through for us, doing what he promised our ancestors and providing a way to end the exile. This happens through Jesus, but even today it feels like we are back into another exile of our hearts. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, can give that hope and help realign our lives into one that pleases God, so we also can be a people of justice and generosity. 

Join us as we journey through the difficult time of Israel’s history, through the eyes of the prophets. Maybe we can find out how we can be inspired to become modern prophets, standing up for injustice, offering mercy and love. Taking care of our people is one way the church can really increase its profitability to its community, not just as a gathering place on Sunday. 


Grace and peace, 

Pastor Dan


PASTOR’S PICKS

Read: “The Reason” by Lacey Sturm (in Bethany library) - I know of Sturm’s music - she sang in a band called Flyleaf; and it was interesting to dive deeper into her story and how she came to faith. This one made me an even bigger fan. 

Watch:  “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” (Netflix) [TV-MA for language] - Dave Letterman hosts several seasons of interviews with interesting people. Some conversations are light, while some get pretty deep. My favorite episode - comedian Dave Chapelle. 

Listen: the Compass Podcast - I’ve been listening to this podcast since its beginning and the two guys who produce it are entertaining and inquisitive, which helps their interviews. This is a UMC-sponsored podcast, but it really strikes where we all can find the divine in the ordinary. 


Location: Fort Wayne, IN, USA

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