The first symbol of the Christian church was a boat at sea.  The disciples were fishermen, after all.  Our gospels feature stories of the disciples together in boats on water much like Christians are gathered in the church in time.  

One of those stories has been particularly meaningful to Christians navigating in other tumultuous times. 

After Jesus feeds the multitude, needing some time alone to pray, he sends the disciple ahead of him in a boat.  While he prays through the night, the boat is “battered by the waves… for the wind was against them” (Matt 14:24b).  

As the sun rises, Jesus “came walking toward them on the lake” (Matt 14:25b).   We might well expect the disciples, of all people, to recognize Jesus coming to their rescue and to be relieved when they see him.   Instead they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear (Matt 14:26).  

Their cries are a form of prayer as familiar to us as is the comfort Jesus gives them:: “Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid’” (Matt 14:27b).

There are twelve disciples, but only “Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water’” (Matt 14:28).

Peter believes he does not need to be afraid like the others.  He speaks for  those times when we ourselves recognize discipleship is about stepping out of the boat and into tumultuous seas believing Christ will meet us there. 

Jesus said, “‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water and came towards Jesus” (Matt 14:29). 

Alas, when Peter “noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ Matt 31-33

Peter demonstrates the conflict of discipleship, the courage to take the first step toward our fears and the thrill of discovering again the power of faith to sustain us, and in taking a second step finding anew we cannot make it on our own.  

This vision of discipleship is put into verse in a familiar hymn:

Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
saying, "Christian, follow me."

We are sailing tumultuous waters in our homes, in our schools, in our national politics, and in the church.  It is our natural, human tendency to look for safety however we can find it, even if it means believing other powers can calm the troubled seas, or that discipleship requires neither risks nor courage nor stepping out in faith.  

We emerged from 2023 dripping wet, like Peter.  Jesus has reached out and taken us by the hand, and rescued us yet again, as always.  We have learned a lot about faith and discipleship along the way.  

Though we began the year with a deficit budget, we ended the year with a surplus.  Our members are participating in the worship life of the church as never before–our Serving in Worship program is thriving.  Our Council emerged through the tumult with a plan for two steps of faith our congregation will take in the coming year.

First, we will begin a Conflict Transformation Process. Our goal is to transform conflict into energy for growth and renewal through change.  Second, it is time for our congregation as a body to clearly define who we are and where we are going together–our Vision and Mission.  Working toward this clarity will enable us to constructively and cooperatively plan for our future.

Finally, and speaking of steps of faith, Bob Mutton completes his service as our moderator after guiding our Church Council with courage and compassion these past two years.  Bob would love to serve as our Moderator for another two-year term, but other important matters call him away from us.

We are grateful to Bob for his passion, humor, and discipleship.  We are thankful the Spirit called him to serve as our Moderator, and trust the Spirit will guide him as he answers the call to leave us to sail other seas. 

God bless you Bob. We love and are grateful for your faithfulness.  

Yours in Christ,
Pr. Craig