"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore we want to invite you to a workshop that will set your church on its feet and your community on its ear!" Invitations like that cross my desk from time-to-time, inviting me to attend a "Church Growth Workshop." In a society which is becoming increasingly secular ... and even hostile to religious belief; in a world which proclaims in one way or another, that Christians are brainwashed at best and brain-dead at worst; in a world top-heavy with wolves - these workshops seem just what the bishop ordered.

But wait a minute! Jesus would have been a Church Growth Workshop washout. I've got to think that if you want to attract people to a church ... you have to offer attractive things. Yet the TV preachers proclaiming a so-called Prosperity Gospel, "claim Christ, and claim your riches," are preaching a false Gospel. The more abundant life promised by Jesus has nothing at all to do with an abundance of material goods and everything to do with the sense of well-being, and yes even joy, at being the servants of Jesus for the sake of the world.

Listen again to the words of Jesus to thirty-five pairs of followers, as he sends them two-by-two into the communities of Galilee. He does not say, "Go on your way. almighty God shall send legions of angels to protect you, and gobs of gold as well." He does say, "See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves."

One of the great hymns of the Church is Onward Christian Soldiers. When we sing it, we usually sing it with great gusto, "Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war...." With great gusto we sing, knowing full well we will soon leave our pews, and return to the comfort of our homes. The biggest war on that homeward journey might well be the Battle of the Merge, as two lanes become one heading east! But as lambs, God has for us bigger plans.

A pastor well-known in preaching circles writes, "Almost every evening the news reports harrowing and heart-warming stories of soldiers who willingly put themselves into "harm's way" for you and for me. This is the Fourth of July, when we honor those who put their lives on the line that we may be safe in our armchairs and lawn chairs. We enjoy beaches, ball games, and barbecues because a long line of soldiers swore to "protect and defend," and in doing so to put themselves in "harm's way."

It takes special people to willingly put themselves in harm's way for the sake of others ... and Jesus calls us to be such special people. But his premise promises no picnic. In a sense, the liturgy for Baptism ought to include somewhere: "I Baptize you in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - that you might be lambs among wolves! That you might be sent into harm's way for the sake of the Gospel!" And let's be honest with one another: this whole thing about being sent out as lambs in the midst of wolves doesn't sound very appetizing ... unless, you happen to be the wolf.

I hate to tell old jokes from the pulpit, but I have trouble remembering the new ones. You may be familiar with the story about a Moscow zoo several years ago. An American visitor was eager to visit what was called the "Peace Exhibit." What she saw was a lamb and a lion lazily lying down - together - in the very same cage. When she expressed her amazement, the zoo keeper explained, "Of course, twice-a-day we have to put in a new lamb!" Lambs fare little better with lions than they do with wolves.

To be sure, we were young, most of us, when we were Baptized. But we are less young now. We know the implications of following Christ. Some of us, many of us, perhaps all of us at one time or another have put ourselves in harm's way as we did the right thing on behalf of the Gospel. Turned the right cheek (or the left), for the sake of the Gospel. Extended the right hand of fellowship, for the sake of the Gospel. Yes - even yielded the right-of-way, for the sake of the Gospel. Did you know what you were getting into when you first decided to follow Jesus? Whatever. You are here this morning to hear again the implications - and God bless you for it!

A man once came upon a butterfly beating its wings and struggling wildly to get through the narrow neck of its cocoon. The man took out his knife and split the cocoon, and the butterfly immediately emerged. But its beautiful coloring never developed, and the soaring wings never expanded. The butterfly crept aimlessly about for a while - then died. The furious struggle with the cocoon was nature's way of developing the beautiful wings and sending vital fluids through the body until every particle blushed with heavenly hues and shades.

Churches which offer a cross-less Christ and a "have it your way" Christianity are like the man showing the butterfly a shortcut. It is the daily struggle of sharing Christ and serving others that brings out our true colors. Sure, people may well think we are strange. They may well shake the dust from their feet as they seek to put distance between them and us. But we keep on going - serving. For we recall that the dusty feet of Jesus were also bloodstained. Not for the "good" people alone - but for the world. A world in which we are a part of the sickness. A world into which Jesus sends us - to be part of the cure! And if the struggle seems daunting, don't be deterred. Hold firm to the promise and "rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

To put it mildly, this has been a very difficult week for the family of Eddie Sukup. Had things been different, he and Carol might well have been sitting in their accustomed pew, two rows beyond the Baptismal Font. But things are what they are, and a week ago, several yards off a beach in Grenada, Eddie got caught in an undertow. He died of a heart attack, in his struggle to reach the shore.

During the funeral liturgy here yesterday, I mentioned the terrible irony of Eddie Sukup losing his life in the water, given the fact that long ago he was given the promise of life eternal - in the waters of Baptism. That irony, I pray will be a source of comfort to Eddie's family. Sixty years ago, Eddie was Baptized - commissioned as a lamb among wolves. And for sixty years he lived in the covenant of his Baptism. Now his journey is over; no longer in the world as a lamb in the midst of wolves, no longer in harm's way. Eddie is a part of the Kingdom of God, a realm top-heavy with lambs. May he rest in peace; may we continue to serve!