Whitewater Rafting and Church

Author: Mark Fenstermacher
November 12, 2021

We were about to raft the Snake River outside Jackson Hole. The good news was that we would be traveling with an expert guide. The surprise was that we each were given a paddle. We were given a paddle not to hold, study, and give back but we were given a paddle to use. If someone could not physically paddle, they were welcome to join us for the ride but everyone else was going to be a very active participant.

Before we got into the boat, the river guide assigned us to spots in the boat. He then instructed us about paddling, the commands directed to those on the left or then the right side of the boat. There were times, he said, when we would be told to go strong or go easy. There were times when we would be told to paddle forward and other times when we would be told to paddle in reverse. He would guide us, he would shout out the instructions as he surveyed the water and rocks ahead of us, and together we would make sure the boat was going left, straight or right. We would sit on the inflated sides of the boat and we would all be ready to put our paddles in the water.

We are in the middle of our Pathways to Generosity emphasis at First United Methodist. It occurred to me that our Pathways’ conversation is certainly about the joy of giving, the why of giving, and God’s character as a generous giver but it is also—work with me, here—about whitewater rafting with Jesus.

Being a disciple, and being connected to a congregation, is about all of us having our paddles in the water and all of us playing a key role as God leads you from today into tomorrow.

Soon after I arrived in Auburn, the Holy Spirit kept bringing me back to the word “we” as an important key to our church life. For God to do even greater things through First UMC, we needed to ask God to give us a deeper sense of “WE.” The mission, our life, is all about what we do. 

In other words, sitting in the boat thinking the paddling—the teaching of Sunday school, the welcoming of friends and newcomers, the making and serving of coffee, making a joyful noise through our music ministries—should be done by others was seriously limiting what God can do in us and through us.  

You may be as surprised as I am to learn that over 200 households affiliated with First UMC gave not a dollar to the mission and outreach work we did for Christ last year. The number (206) not giving a dollar actually outnumbers the 187 households who give. 64 of the 187 giving households give less than from $1 to $500 per year.

The takeaway for me had less to do with the amount of money given and more to do with the number of people who have yet to grab a paddle and jump in the boat that is the church. This is, after all, the church people promised to uphold by their presence, prayers, gifts, and service.

Speaking of boats, when Jesus calls the disciples (Luke 5:10) he says “from now on you will fish for people.” Following him is going to be something. Following Jesus is an active thing. Faith is always a verb you discover when you hang out with the Carpenter.

Oh, and here is something I found out about having a paddle in your hand: the trip down the river is way more fun when you are a part of the adventure, spinning the boat away from rocks and finding the chute where the water runs fast. There is an exhilaration that comes with being in the middle of the action!

It’s about WE.

It’s about gladly grabbing the paddle that God gives you.

It’s about being a part of the adventure.

See you Sunday at 8:45 or 10:45 am online or in-person for worship as we continue the Pathways to Generosity.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Mark

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THINGS TO KNOW:

• Brown Bag Sunday, November 14: Pick up a bag and fill it with items needed for our community pantries and bring it back on November 21.
• Friendsgiving: Help prepare a holiday Thanksgiving meal for others on Tuesday of Thanksgiving week and/or help serve on Thanksgiving Day.
• Deck the Halls, November 21st at 4 pm: Join others in decorating God’s church for Advent/Christmas.
• Pathways to Generosity Sunday, November 21st: Expressing our love for God as we complete our Path to Generosity cards.
• Christmas City: An online family activity provided by First UMC to help you and your family join together one evening a week at home preparing for Christ.

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