Before a United
Methodist clergy is ordained, they are required to answer a series of
historical questions posed by John Wesley almost two hundred fifty years ago to
those being dedicated as Methodist pastors, missionaries and workers. In the 21st century such questions may seem
quaint or odd. Yet it is very meaningful
to those who seek ordination to think that we stand in the line of saints that
have gone before answering these same questions and the call to ministry.
The process of
ordination is arduous to say the least, requiring, in most cases, 4 years of
undergraduate study, three years of graduate study, and a minimum of 8 years of
probation before full membership in the Conference and ordination is
conferred. When the candidate stands
before the Annual Conference Session and answers the historical questions
recited by the Bishop, they have passed all the tests, earned all the degrees
and proven to their peers that they are ready to be ordained. Although the questions may seem archaic,
answering them is a high and holy moment for the clergy-to-be.
The moment comes
as the candidates stand before a Conference of a thousand people. One of the questions inevitability raises
eyebrows and not a few chuckles when it is asked each year; "Are you in
debt so as to embarrass you in your work?"
The question may
have been born in the Wesley home as John and Charles grew up when their father
Samuel, rector of the Church of England parish in Epworth, England, was twice
in debtors' prison. This caused the family
great embarrassment and inconvenience to be sure.
The Wesleys were
also keenly aware that clergy financial stress could encourage corruption and
theft within the church. After years of
painful lessons, today we keep the ordained as far away from the church's money
as we can; in the life of a local congregation clergy may not deposit funds,
sign checks or make contracts with vendors.
Each pastor is bonded by the Conference in case of malfeasance.
Today, college
and advanced degree graduates come out of school with thousands of dollars of
student debt. Consumer credit has become
a standard means of living in our culture and it is all-too-easy to let it
become a huge challenge. The intent of
the historical question remains relevant.
How we manage
money says a lot about our spiritual and moral commitments. That is true for pastors but it is also true
for laity, isn't it? "Are we
embarrassed by our debt? Is it getting
in the way of our living?" We are
all called to Christian stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to us,
and that includes how we handle debt.
Consider the
pervasive challenge of debt today and its impact on our lives:
-Average
credit card debt per household with credit card debt: $15,956
-609.8
million credit cards held by U.S. consumers.
-Average
number of credit cards held by cardholders: 3.5, as of year-end 2008
-Average
APR on credit card with a balance on it: 12.78 percent, as of November 2011
-Total
U.S. consumer debt: $2.5 trillion, as of December 2011 (CreditCards.com)
With the Great
Recession, these statistics are on the decline which is a good thing on some
levels. But debt is a very personal
thing. Do we feel embarrassed by our
debt? Do we argue with those we are
living with about money matters? Are we
honest about our finances especially with ourselves? Do we feel we have no options other than to
stay in our current unsatisfying job because of the money? Do our bills keep us up at night with worry?
And if we don't
consider money issues to be a spiritual matter, listen to Jesus again (Matthew
6):
Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and
where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in
and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
No
one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the
other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
wealth.
Jesus talked
about money more than he did Heaven and Hell combined. Jesus talked about money more than anything
else except the Kingdom of God; 11 of Jesus' 39 parables are about money.
If these
questions intrigue you, take a Financial Peace University class; the course
content, when applied, can be liberating.
If these questions bring you pain, consider working with a non-profit
consumer credit agency, such as California Consumer Credit. They offer classes and individual
counseling. They will also work with you
and your creditors to lower interest rates and stretch out payments if you are
in trouble.
I speak from
experience. Fifteen years ago I was not
only embarrassed about our debt I was ashamed.
Now Bonnie and I have dug ourselves out of a terrible hole and it feels
great to be debt free.
So debt, savings,
earnings and charitable giving have everything to do with the spirit. It’s a significant spiritual question: are we managing our money or is it managing
us?