Bishop Duecker says church needs shot of adrenaline

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Saying the church needs a good shot of adrenaline for the soul, set the pace for retired Bishop Sheldon Duecker's comments during the June 2 annual memorial and communion service to honor the lives of 36 North Indiana Conference clergy members and spouses.

Using Hebrews 12:1-3 as his text, Duecker, of Fort Wayne, outlined three points for the conference to remember. He said we need to:

Honor the past,
Look to Jesus and
Get on with the work.

Faith is the example of those who have gone before us, Duecker said. They survived the worst and kept the faith. A cord passes from Abel to Moses, David to Abraham; a cord passes through history to Jesus Christ. The preacher in Hebrews says we are in a great stadium of saints. They are cheering us on today. These we remember join that unbroken cloud of faith. The true communion of faith bears witness to us today in these we remember. Thank God for their lives and ministry in Northern Indiana.

Duecker said, the preacher tells us that our energy comes from Jesus, too. Jesus never lost his faith. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the one who kept faith.

Duecker asked his listeners to keep their devotional life present. He said our faith in Christ is essential to our mission. If we are to be effective, we need to know who and what Christ did for us. The central core of our faith is that God was in Christ. Look at Jesus' ministry item by item. What did Jesus do? He preached good news, healed the sick, called the righteous and overturned the tables of injustice.

We serve a challenging, biblically illiterate world, said Duecker. Our culture doesn't know Christianity. We live in an age that believes in anything. Our American culture used to support ministry. Today it is hostile toward the church. The days of triumphal Protestantism are gone.

Consider the earliest Methodists in America, said Duecker. They came to reform the continent and spread scriptural holiness. They changed lives by speaking out against slavery, gambling and drinking. What is our missional purpose? - to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Why? I believe we are to make disciples to transform the world - to make a difference.

It's not enough just to stand or take a stand, but I think the theme for this generation is "Let's roll," the words of the victims that crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11. Let's lead a winning race. Hold that vision in front of you. We are part of that unbroken line, Duekcer said.

Following the sermon, the names of clergy and spouses who died since June 2004 were read. As each name was read, a candle was lit in his or her memory.

Remembered on Thursday, morning June 2 were PASTORS: Glenn Campton, Robert Cahoon Jr., James Price, Willis Syphers, Marcus Blaising, Wilson Parks, Jean McCan, Glen Howenstine, Burkett Smith, Paul Hill, Phillip Frew, Philip Hillsamer, James Byrd, Sylvan Nussbaum, Ruby Bushee; SPOUSES: Melba Henry, Lucille Hendrix, Clyde Kershaw, David Miller, Thelma Custer, Robin Goings, James Kruse, Grace Keller, Mary Stalions; SURVIVING SPOUSES: Veenice White, Geraldine Baker, Thelma Jennings, Evelyn Shake, Doris Luttrull Reynolds, Louise Myers, Mildred Hanawalt, Marjorie Sayre, Edwinna Manley, Joy Kreig, Ruth Ellen Royster Yunker, Ellen Frazure Plott.

The service ended with the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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