Service of Worship and Consecration

God Keeps Covenant and Faith

Deuteronomy 7: 7-11

The Rev. Stephen Camp, March 8, 2008

Thomas Mann, a recently retired Southern Conference pastor and also an Old Testament assistant professor at Princeton Theological Seminary said in his written commentary on Deuteronomy 7 that "Moses would not be a good choice for the speaker at an interfaith banquet." Moses was single minded about his faith in YHWH. Pluralistic acceptance was not Moses' strongest suit, nor his highest priority. Tom Mann was saying only a bit jokingly, that chapter 7 is essentially a conversation Moses was having, or a sermon he was preaching about religion and culture, about what it means to be an Israelite instead of an antagonistic Canaanite. For us in the UCC, this same passage is about how we live out our faith in a world that often describes us as not being very authentic. Tom Mann's scholarship suggests that this passage was particularly relevant for Moses' audience, given the fact that they were soon Canaan bound. He was asking his hearers to live a genuine faith going forward, in the midst of a culture with IRS inquiry and declining trust in the powers that be. It was in the midst of a culture that surely would not share their faith understanding. Their faith perspective was a distinct alternative to the usual ways that faith was expressed and justice was realized in their day. How often have we had to interpret our sense of faith to a culture that frowns on radical diversity and ever-widening inclusion?

Walter Brueggemann says that the people of Israel might have thought that they were especially chosen because Israel is large and impressive; but that was not so. The reason, Brueggemann suggests, for the special status by God is not to be found in Israel, but in God. God was willing to enter into a covenant with Israel; it was to be an ancient oath, something God honored, even though and because Israel was prone to bouts of amnesia. They often forgot the terms of the covenant, but God we know, never forgets.

The chapter raises deeply religious questions for us. The scripture not only asks about where we fit into the culture, but more deeply, it asks where we in fact belong. Not only where we belong, but asks what do we yearn? These are religious questions, question that tie us to our work. The questions and yearnings of those we serve are within these questions for us. It reminds us that we know all too well, reminds us how to live in the midst of an often unfriendly culture, and still not be fully suited to that culture. In this culture, in this society, our authenticity is questioned often. Yet our motives in Christ are clear. It is in Christ that we know we belong, not the culture. In Christ, our yearnings get met. The question is; is it time that we saw our unique authenticity as a badge of honor, truly something to be celebrated? We belong. We each matter. In Jesus Christ, the work we do - belongs. In Jesus, the work we do, matters.

A subtle turning might reveal a different question for us, that is, "how do we relate to the world." How do we relate to the culture we are in? Is the least, the lost and the left out, truly at the core of our work? In our attempts to be authentic human beings, authentic Christians in our language, in how our institutions operate, in our corporate decisions, in what we value, the question begs a consistent answer from us, as to whether we are suited for a culture that may not share our faith, may not come to our conclusions, given the ministry we are in and the conviction and assurance we proclaim...

Sometimes it becomes a matter of our seeing the falling away for us, the choices some make to sever and separate. Sometimes it is in choosing between maintaining the culture and in forging new paths. Change is tough and cooperation is essential. This is surely something we know something about and have endured here in the Southern Conference. Falling away, the notion that Israel was chosen by God and the personal need for Israel to make choices moving forward, choices that illuminated, heightened even focused the relationship God had with them. Falling away, falling from any old deities and still older ways, embracing a picture of the future Israel, a future that defied threats of defeat and destruction. "The Lord did not set God's affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples," the scripture says, "But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath God swore to your fore-parents... because God brought you out..." the scripture declares.

One of the deeper questions the Southern Conference had to face over the last few years has been this notion of covenant, that is, whether the Southern Conference was being faithful, given our denominations' directions and pronouncements. The question of covenant was difficult here, as it asked us personally, were we beyond, even out of bounds culturally, out of sink with what God required of us? Had we broken the covenant God made with us by our support of General Synod action? Many churches as you know; fell away from us, citing the notion that we had somehow broke the covenant between the conference, its churches and God. CHHSM lives with this tension every day. God's covenant and God's expressed direction for the church was rigid and clear to some, while for many others; like me, God was still speaking, still leading and directing our path into the future. What has been clear have been our relationships, our covenants and our quest for agreements, our attempts to strengthen the bonds of the church and the faith shared among us is what matters.

My point is, that as we celebrate communion today, our decided and proposed actions going forward, have significant implications for our common faith and life. As life continues, be careful, the passage says, to keep your covenants. God is faithful and just. God keeps promises made; we are rooted in God's own love. Our covenants demonstrate our relationship with God. Our covenantal actions outlive us.

There is a story told of a man who met God and asked, "What is a million years to you?" "Like a second," God answered. "What is ten million dollars to you?" was the next question. "Like a dime," came the answer. "Well then," the man continued, "Can I borrow a dime?" God responded, "Just a second."

Friends, your work here this week is worth millions, we are part of an ancient oath, and our covenantal actions will impact the years beyond our span. And because of the covenant you hold with God, because of the faith you affirm and the authentic relationship with Jesus you posses; you may say that every day used and every dime spent is worth it, and your decisions have eternal implications and filled with heavenly hope. In these days of challenge and great change, God still speaks. In the bread and wine shared this day, if only in the sight of God, a covenant with the still speaking God is being made with you - strength for your journey ahead.