From John Wesley and B.T. Roberts to GC15 and Beyond– Part 1
“Still Fishing”
B.T. Roberts, one of the key founders of the Free Methodist Church, wrote a book entitled, “Fishers of Men.” The book is perfectly and thoroughly arranged according to its title’s obvious intent. We must not forget that one of the reasons Roberts was so difficult for church authorities to censure is not because of his position against slavery or in favor of women’s full gifting or requiring no fee for the poor to gain access to church services. Those were distinctives he insisted upon that caused the censure. But, what made him so hard to suppress or push aside as they might others who were less fruitful in ministry was his successful ministry to save souls. That is what brought him relative notoriety in the first place and maintained a growing audience in the long run. He saw the fruit of salvation in every post to which he was assigned.
He was not first an agitator or an author. He was a pastor who sought to see others come to life in Jesus Christ. And, he did see them come- many of them. Speaking social justice only matters if the whole of life of those finding justice is transformed by God for eternity. Roberts knew that and never ceased to witness to the goodness and love of God.
It would be worthwhile for us to note that we must be about the same thing in this day. I am thrilled that we will gathering together at General Conference 2015 to hear from the Lord and better understand the mission of Jesus for his church. I am grateful for the great leaders who will be teaching every day and for the events surrounding General Conference. But, I am hopeful that we are aware of and committed to those who still need to be saved- people in every community. And, in that commitment, I am hopeful that we will go the extra mile, shed the light of Jesus Christ in every possible place and share our faith in Jesus Christ in every possible way to all that need him dearly.
Roberts said in that book, “However disinterested may be his motives and his conduct, he who labors for the good of others with the expectation of receiving a graceful appreciation for his toil and sacrifices, will be sorely disappointed. Where he deserved thanks he will sometimes receive censure. But love will give you patience to endure all, without complaining, and will enable you to persevere to the end. . . . Unless you have an unusual measure of . . . grace, you will get tired of being misrepresented and persecuted, frequently by those for whom you have done the most. . . ” (page 107). And, so it is today. We share Christ. Sometimes people respond with enthusiasm and acceptance. Other times, we are met with reluctance or resistance. The response is not what should motivate us. The love of God and the need of the lost should.
Please join me in doing all that you are able to introduce others to the life-giving hope that we have in Jesus Christ. For those who come to General Conference, please bring a fresh story of life change with you. You have about 20 days.