Sermon: "Easter Faith in Action"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

Have you been paying attention since Easter? Are you aware that each Sunday we have read from the biblical book of Acts or - more completely - The Acts of the Apostles? And have you heard and felt the excitement of those early Christians after they came to know the reality of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead?

If you have been paying attention, then you know that what we read in Acts involves the Easter faith at work. Faith, as depicted in the book of Acts is vital, fulfilling, and life-giving. Faith for those early Christians was not an isolated part of life, to be worked in somehow. Rather, their faith - in a real sense - was their lives. Those folks were much aware of the Holy Spirit and of being led through life by that Spirit. In a very real sense, that kind of faith is what we in the 21^st century often seek, but too seldom believe that we find.

Thus, we do well to look closely at the book of Acts - to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this important book. It is extremely important in terms of church history, and it is at least equally significant in terms of our faith. More particularly, our reading today points us to a momentous time for the early Church - and for us, as descendants of those ancestors in the faith.

The Church in Jerusalem included some called "Hebrews" - Aramaic-speaking people, most of whom were from Palestine - and others called "Hellenists" - church people who spoke Greek. Given the news in our day, it is not surprising that church groups were having disagreements in that part of the world a long time ago. In our reading, one group had things to say about what the other group was doing - or, not doing. And, from our own experiences, we can imagine that the second group probably was not entirely happy with the first one either.

In this particular instance, the Hebrews were neglecting their widows in the distribution of food. And apparently the Hellenists engaged in the time-tested technique of "murmuring" … a technique not entirely unknown in our day either, by the way. In fact, if there are differences among church groups, we can be fairly certain that each group will murmur against the other one. And, usually those murmurings are pretty destructive of the fellowship of the community.

However, in this case, the murmuring did have one good effect - the Hebrews started taking better care of their widows. And, in order to accomplish this task, the Church expanded its ideas about the practice of ministry - who the ministers were and what the ministers did. Thus, certain people were identified and called forth to do a particular ministry. These were not the Twelve, those apostles especially commissioned by Jesus. Rather, they were from among the members of the congregation.

As the ministry was expanded in this way, two interesting results occurred. In the first place, more complete ministry was accomplished. Things were done by the larger group that the original apostles could not do by themselves. And secondly, as a result of this more complete ministry, the Church grew. We read that "the number of the disciples increased greatly"(6:7).

As we read this passage - and others in Acts - we can sense the excitement of the early Church. As people reached out to others - being faithful to the command and the calling of Christ - then they became aware of the power of the Holy Spirit helping them in their task. Others, too, were touched by this ministry, and they wanted to be included. And, the Church grew. Of course, then it could do even more ministry … and it continued to grow.

The message for the continuing Church is clear. When we are faithful to the ministry of our Lord, then we are called out of ourselves, in care and in love toward others. And as we exercise that ministry, then we ourselves are blessed - first, in the awareness of the Holy Spirit at work with us; and secondly, as other people join us in the ministry we share.

In terms of this continuing Church, then, we each have a story to tell and a ministry to offer. For instance, I have not been bishop in East Tennessee for long - just a bit over three years, in fact. But, in that time, some changes have taken place in the ministry here at St. Andrew's Church. In fact, your rector arrived just prior to my own move. Next, an assistant rector was added. And more recently, a deacon now serves on the staff. Thus, a great deal can be learned about ordained ministry as you consider the church staff of St. Andrew's.

However, the ministry of the Church involves much more than that of ordained people - much, much more. Surely the message from the book of Acts underscores and emphasizes that ministry involves all of us. Were you paying attention? I hope so.

Today we recognize and highlight the ministry of those candidates for confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation of baptismal vows. In a few minutes they will come forward to confirm their acceptance of their parts in the ministry of the Church. And we will pray God's blessings on them and on their ministries.

But, if you pay attention, you will notice that in this service today we all lay claim to our ministries. We all will affirm the covenant - the agreement - of our Baptism. And in that covenant are included doctrines of faith and disciplines of service. Thus, we - all of us - confirm our ministries today.

In conclusion, then, we are part of the continuing history of the Church … a wonderful and blessed history that includes the resurrection of Jesus, the acts of the apostles who walked in the way of our Lord, and the varied and faithful ministries of the people of St. Andrew's Church in Maryville, Tennessee! Thanks be to God!

Copyright © 2002 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee