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Sometimes
it is very helpful to know whether we are Up-Front or Out-Back. The following
true story will give us some interesting perspectives about this.
Once
upon a time . . . a congregation was formed from part of the leadership and
members of another congregation. For several years the new congregation met in
the facilities of the host congregation. They began with a membership base of a
little more than one hundred people and a priesthood support base of about
twenty.
The
new pastor and leadership team decided, with the support of the priesthood, to
have a monthly priesthood gathering on the last Saturday evening of each month,
just prior to the congregation sharing in the first Sunday sacrament of the
Lord’s Supper.
After
doing this each month for more than two years, the pastor felt a need to make a
difficult decision. At the close of one of the monthly priesthood gatherings, he
shared the following declaration. He indicated his deep appreciation for those
who were striving to fulfill their calling in ministry. He, however, shared his
deep concern for those who seemed to function only if they were asked to be
Up-Front (i.e., to preside at a worship service, read scripture, share an
invocation or benediction, preach, serve Communion, or receive the offertory).
Some were merely not willing to serve Out-Back. Rarely, if ever, were they
available to visit in ministry in the homes of members and friends. Rarely, if
ever, were they available when people were in pain due to the loss of a loved
one, or a tragedy in the family or neighborhood. Rarely, if ever, were they
visiting the sick in area hospitals. Rarely, if ever, were they available to
build neighborhood relationships and partnerships.
So
the pastor announced that for a time he would not be inviting those who were
apparently not serving Out-Back to be sharing Up-Front. The closing hymn was
sung and a prayer offered.
Before
the pastor could leave the church to return home, three of the priesthood
confronted him and for what seemed an eternity (but was probably fifteen
minutes), they let their pastor know how they felt. They let him know in no
uncertain terms that they had never shared in a congregation where a pastor took
such action. They loudly confronted him with the assurance that they would
report him to his supervisor. Further, they indicated that they were personally
offended by his edict, and that they had never been addressed in such a manner
since receiving their priesthood. The pastor chose to listen, thanked them for
sharing their concerns, left the church, and returned home.
It
was of some interest to the pastor (and a number of the dedicated, functioning
priesthood) that the following week all three of the very upset priesthood were
observed ministering in the homes of families. Yes, my friends, there really is
a need to bridge what we enjoy doing Up-Front with what we equally enjoy
Out-Back.
(2003) |
