Pulpit Exchange Sunday (April 30, 2023)

(*Christ on the Mount of Olives by Giovanni)

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, admonished the preachers that they should be ready to preach, pray, or die at the moment of notice. Here I believe Wesley was saying that we should always live in the presence of God 24/7 – whether we are at work or on vacation, whether we are awake or asleep.

This Sunday we celebrate Pulpit Exchange Sunday. Some of us may wonder why we are doing this. I think pulpit exchange is a great way to demonstrate unity and celebrate diversity in the body of Christ. For me personally, pulpit exchange is also a great reminder that the church I dearly treasure is not “my” church, but “our” church and “His” church. It helps me to be ready to preach, pray, abide, move, or die at a moment’s notice and travel light.

Pray that all the traveling preachers this Sunday may preach the good news of Jesus Christ boldly and joyfully. And please join me in the Wesley Covenant Prayer as we prepare together for our Sunday service in one spirit:

“I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”