Bishop Williamson says we must "go a little farther" to go from Good to Great
If there was any doubt that Houston, TX CMEs were ready to provide a dynamic atmosphere for worship, it was dispelled last night at the Service of Holy Communion for the 20th CME Convocation. The Galleria Ballroom was jam packed as well over 2,000 in attendance participated in this anniversary service of the celebration of the sacrament during this annual event. Senior Bishop William H. Graves, who processed into the service carrying his recently obtained African staff of shepherd leadership, served as liturgist for the evening. Other members of the College of Bishops who assisted were Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Bishop Kenneth W. Carter, Bishop L.L. Reddick III, Bishop Dotcy I. Isom (retired), and Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr. Bringing greetings and welcoming remarks was host Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham. Music was provided by the 8th Episcopal District Choir.
In his role as Secretary of the College of Bishops, Bishop L.L. Reddick III introduced the leaders of the Church. In doing so, he made note of the fact that the College of Bishops had been in meetings since Saturday planning the programs that will define the Church in this new quadrennium. One new approach in which the College will engage are new administrative roles being played by the retired bishops. In announcing the committees and commissions over which members of the College serve, several positions were held by our retired leaders. Bishop Reddick said it is important that the Church continue to take advantage of their wisdom and wealth of knowledge.
The speaker for the Holy Communion Service was Bishop Henry M. Williamson, prelate of the 9th Episcopal District. Following an introduction of the speaker by Senior Bishop Graves, Bishop Williamson rose for his sermon. He began by thanking members of the College, especially those who had significant impact on his life and ministry. He included thanks to Chairman of the College of Bishops, Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., who would have been the speaker for the evening, but who deferred to Bishop Williamson. Bishop Williamson used as his scriptural text Matthew 26:36-39. Here we see Jesus, who went to a place called Gethsemane along with Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, beginning to be troubled about what was to come. After Jesus informed his followers, he commanded them to remain there and keep watch over him. In verse 39, the writer says "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed for God’s will to be done." The title of Bishop Williamson’s sermon was "He Went a Little Farther," and it was in keeping with our focus on the Convocation theme, "From Good to Great: Developing Effective Servant Leaders." Bishop Williamson began by noting that the 26th chapter of Matthew is full of very important events, including the plot to kill Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, the Lord’s Supper, and Jesus’ agonizing over the things he must face. But the scripture helps us understand that if we are going to go from good to great, we must go a little farther. If we are to develop effective servant leaders, we must go a little farther like Jesus. We must go from membership to relationship with Christ. We must train persons who look to us for leadership to become disciples of Christ, to grow into maturity in the faith. We must give them the knowledge to share their faith with others; to train them to become compassionate servant leaders who care and who are not afraid to name Jesus at work, in the stores, or everywhere. We must equip these servant leaders to bring new souls into the CME Church.
Bishop Williamson said we must get others to "C-ME" for justice; "C-ME" for civil rights, etc. He said that, in the words of a young man he spoke to at Carter Metropolitan in Ft. Worth, TX, "CME" stands for "Christ Means Everything." And Christ should mean everything to us. He is our light, our way out of no way. He is everything.
Bishop Williamson then told the story about growing up in Mercer, TN. When District or Annual Conference time came around, the people would scrape up money for someone to go because everyone could not go. The idea was that if one person went they would bring back information for the church. He said the people would eagerly await the return of their members from conference to share information. As such, those who are in attendance this week should see themselves as ambassadors. "Take back information to your local church. Get with your pastor and ask for a time you will be able to report the news." Take this good news back to your local church—the DVDs, the CDs, and other materials.
"Be able to show that there really were 2,000 people in the Westin Galleria giving praises. As we used to say a long time ago, ‘Who would’ve thunk it?’ A good God has brought us a mighty long way. We’ve come a little farther. So tonight, we need to go a little farther—from good to great!"
Bishop Williamson said that in considering the life of Jesus in the text, we recognize the good job done by Bishop Hoyt on Monday evening in his message. Bishop Williamson said Bishop Hoyt’s message on compassion gave him confirmation that he was on the right track. Bishop Williamson had three points.
First, he said Jesus went a little farther in compassion. Jesus demonstrated this by healing the leper, bringing healing to cripple folk. Bishop Williamson said that, as a church, we go a little farther with education. But we must send more of our young people to our CME campuses. We must have a leadership development process that sends young people to Lane, Miles, Paine, and Texas College. And we must send more to the Phillips School of Theology, our seminary. He said that we take the position that everything is "just grown folks’ business. No! Jesus said suffer little children…also, except you develop a spirit like these children…" So, we must have a similar spirit as the little children, said Bishop Williamson. He said grown folk hold grudges, but children get mad at each other and in the next moment they’re playing again. He said all of us have hurt someone, but we must move on.
We must disciple our children, not discourage them. To often we discourage children when they want to be saved, which is a different response for when there are other things they want to do. If they want to become a doctor or lawyer, we rightly encourage them. But when they want to be saved, or be baptized, or go to Sunday school, we find ways to discourage them. Children may know more about what they want to do than we realize.
With One Church One School, we want every church to partner with a school. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the rural or urban community. Every church is close to one school. As One Church One School Director Mrs. Phedonia Johnson says, "Just go down to the street to the school and introduce yourselves." Who is in greater danger than African American children? One Church, One School says we can go a little farther.
Second, Jesus went a little farther not only in compassion, but in commitment. He says, "Deny yourselves. Take up the cross and follow me." We need people to be like a candle, have a steady light. He asks us as he asked the rich man, "Are you willing to give up all of your riches?" The rich man could only drop his head and walk away sorrowful. We must sell out to smallness, sell out to negative things. Sell out to the "grass hopper" complex—small mindedness—green with envy, jumping to conclusions, and spitting out (negatives).
Don’t castigate your own church. He said this is the same church that calls you by the many titles a person can hold in the church. God wants us to make a great commitment. He said we should be committed to tithes as well as offering. We must go a little farther. We can’t let our church down. Jesus said, "Not my will, but thy will be done." It’s going to take prayer and fasting.
Third, Jesus went a little farther in courage. Jesus had the courage that, given his impending circumstances, he went on to face the Cross alone. Like Jesus, we must have the courage sometimes to fight all by ourselves. He went on and prayed, "Let this bitter cup pass from me, but nevertheless, I have the courage to face what I’m going to face. He had told the disciples, "This is my blood. This is my body." He had told them a new Passover is coming into being. He told them that in a few days, no longer will they need the sacrifice of animals. "I am the sacrificial lamb." Jesus was courageous and willing to go all the way to face his detractors. But he didn’t blame Pontius Pilate. He didn’t blame Judas. Be willing to go a little farther, to go all the way.
Courage kept Jesus on the cross. But he went a little farther and died. He descended into hell. But he went a little farther. He rose from the dead. For 40 days, he walked on earth. Then he ascended into heaven. But he went a little farther. He said, "Go ye, to all of the earth…" If you have compassion, commitment, and have the courage, you can always go a little farther for Christ. Because he is coming back again.