With Jesus, There Are No Big I’s or Little You’s

By Rev. Dr. Alethea Smith-Withers

The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony so that we can do God's will.

On April 23, 2023, I was blessed with the divine charge of baptizing four teens. For many clergy, this blessed duty occurs in simple and expected ways. However, for small congregations, the stories are frequently logistically complex; yet, strikingly revelatory of God’s grace. For the youth of Pavilion of God Baptist Church, baptism is a tribute to shared ministry.

I attended the DCBC Justice Forum in February. It was replete with lessons about justice and provided tools to evaluate various areas of congregational health. One of my take-aways was that our work toward justice should not cause leaders to sidestep the critical spiritual needs of their congregation I was also reminded of the extraordinary benefit for small churches partnering with other churches.

For 15 years, the Pavilion of God Baptist Church has partnered with New Community Church, a multidenominational expression of the Body of Christ in the tradition of the Church of the Saviour. Rev. Jim Dickerson is the pastor of New Community Church, located at 614 S Street, NW. New Community Church is not a Baptist church, but our congregations share similar commitments to urban ministry and to racial justice and equity. Rev. Dickerson and I have built and sustained a loving collegial relationship over the years. We have exchanged pulpits on Sundays, performed weddings and funerals together, and led retreats together. In addition, our congregations have shared Bible study, Lenten services and numerous fellowship activities.

Approximately 10 years ago, our congregations formed Young Christian Power (YCP), a youth group for middle school and high school youth, which includes youth from our congregations and from the wider community. YCP meets twice a month for Bible study, fellowship and fun, periodically, the youth go on retreats and engage in community service projects.

Three years ago, the Pavilion of God formed a similar relationship with Sixth Presbyterian Church, located at 5413 16th Street, NW, and led by Pastor Rose Wayland. Amazingly, the Pavilion’s Church Administrator, Stacie Hill, is also the Church Administrator at Sixth Presbyterian Church! She introduced me to Pastor Wayland As God would have it, Pastor Wayland and I are kindred spirits. In addition, Sixth Presbyterian Church is also committed to urban ministry, racial justice and equity, which opened the door for our congregations to collaborate in vibrant and creative ways. For example, members from the Pavilion of God support Sixth Presbyterian’s food pantry; our churches prepare a fun “Holyween” event for the children with games, food and a moon bounce; and Pastor Wayland and I tag-team preach for Christmas and Easter services which are followed by a shared meal and fellowship.

Recently, the Pavilion of God Baptist

Church, New Community Church and Sixth Presbyterian Church embraced an exciting theological endeavor. This undertaking became a true example of dynamic urban/shared ministry. We organized an eight-session baptism/confirmation class for youth. We structured the curriculum to include denominational comparisons; that is, comparisons between baby dedication and infant baptism and between baptism by submersion and confirmation.

The youth studied the Word of God and learned the basis for the traditions from their respective denominations. We discussed their experiences with race and racism, gun violence and drugs. They had numerous opportunities to share their prayers, hopes and dreams and to examine and share their faith in Jesus as their personal Savior In addition, the youth not only embraced the significance of becoming full members of their denomination, but they also came to understand that they are members of the larger body of Christ.

It has been a joy for our small congregation, to partner with New Community Church and Sixth Presbyterian Church. However, after completing the eightweek baptism preparation, we faced the challenge of where to baptize our youth! The Pavilion of God rents space that does not have a baptismal pool, New Community Church does not have a baptismal pool and Sixth Presbyterian does not practice baptism by submersion. Blessedly, Rev. Patti Fears opened the doors of Fellowship Baptist Church for the Pavilion of God’s service of baptism. Thanks be to God for the joy of baptizing four youths who confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

I am thankful that I attended the Justice Forum. It was provocative and was also an opportunity for me to look at the health of the Pavilion of God and determine what is working for us. I saw that partnering with other congregations, HALLELUJAH, is working for us!

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. (Ephesians 3:17)

I believe the Pavilion of God’s story is important because we are striving to be a learning community, where we pursue a more expansive, and liberating vision of our Christian faith in the world. We’re not measuring our ministry by the numbers of members on our roles or by the balance in our bank account. In our hearts, when we collaborate with other congregations, we are collaborating with Jesus. It is an act of faith that enables us to live into the mission God has given us. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, with Jesus, there are no big I’s and no little you’s! Amen!

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)