Do You Have a "Stretcher Bearer"?

I was at a United Methodist clergy gathering last month and experienced a real "thin place" that gave me the vision for the worship focus for Sunday here at Ft. Collins First United Methodist.  There were about 200 of us, so we were talking in small groups, prompted by discussion starters thrown out to us by the leader for that night, Loren, a colleague whom I really respect and appreciate.

As we were talking, Loren pulled out his smart phone and read to us a couple of verses from Luke's Gospel (Luke 5:17-19) having to do with a few men who were carrying their friend on a stretcher so he could be healed from his ailments by Jesus.  You probably know the story: Because the way was blocked by the crowds pressing in around Jesus in all directions, the men climbed up on top of the house, tore through the roof (which I'm sure they repaired upon leaving, although the story doesn't tell us that!), and lowered their sick friend down through the hole in front of Jesus so that He might attend to the sick one's needs.

Loren followed his reading with this simple, but profound question: "Who are stretcher bearers for you?"  The room fell silent followed by the gradual build up of a deep and powerful buzz of sharing as we all considered not only who served us in this way but as we first had to come to terms with our brokenness and need for such a friend.  It was amazing, and I thought, "This can't stop with us...the congregation back home needs to experience this, too."

So, that's what we'll be considering this Sunday: Who are your stretcher bearers?  And...for whom do you serve in this sacred role from time to time?

During the service(s), we'll also be commissioning a new class of "Stephen Ministers" and celebrating those at Ft. Collins FUMC who are currently serving as Stephen Ministers.  Stephen Ministers are persons who commit themselves to being "stretcher bearers" for folks in the congregation (primarily, though not exclusively) who are experiencing brokenness, i.e., tough times due to loss, illness, relationship difficulties, change, etc., who express a need for someone to come along beside them for a time and help by simply listening and sharing the love of God in Christ.  But first, they commit to 50 hours of training that helps to equip them for situations they might face in care giving relationships and then they commit to monthly or semi-monthly group supervision and ongoing training/education meetings.  Definitely NOT a trivial commitment or one you do in your "spare time".  But bearing stretchers rarely is a spare time endeavor.

If you have any stories about being a stretcher bearer that you'd like to share with me that would be good for the congregation to hear (anonymously, of course), I'd be glad to hear from you.

God's blessings in the week ahead - be on the lookout for unattended stretchers!

Steve
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