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McDowell Offers Tips on Successful 'Mountain Climbing'
RIDGECREST, NC (August 5, 2001) - By Patty Retamal and Don Meyer
The 25th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Evangelical Covenant Church was a highlight of Saturday evening's worship celebration as part of Triennial X, sponsored by Covenant Women Ministries (CWM).
All ordained women present at the service were asked to come forward by CWM Executive Minister Ruth Hill. Ten responded and introduced themselves to the more than 900 people filling Spilman Auditorium in the Ridgecrest Conference Center. Hill then offered a prayer on behalf of women clergy.
A second highlight came with a musical presentation by well-known Christian artist Kim Hill, who moved the audience with an arrangement of her popular "Be Magnified" song and personal comments on her walk of faith. (See accompanying photo).
The final installment of the "free shoes" skit again helped set the stage for worship speaker Cindy Secrest McDowell. Earlier skit segments highlighted the difficulty a shoe storeowner has in trying to give away free shoes. People are skeptical - nothing in life is free. A shopper in the Friday evening segment offers to pay for the shoes or accept them in exchange for good deeds to others. The final installment finds an enthusiastic shopper who accepts the shoes joyfully and can't wait to tell all of her friends about this tremendous offer. The storeowner then looks outside and sees many people making their way to the store to accept the free gift offer.
The message remained consistent: God's grace is a free gift. Listeners were encouraged to "keep in step with the Spirit" - this year's Triennial theme - and not to become discouraged in sharing the good news of Jesus with others who will be interested in the free gift of God's forgiveness.
McDowell again complemented the event theme by likening the Christian experience to mountain climbing.
The first step in climbing mountains is to choose the right gear, McDowell said. She selected the analogy of a tar heel - an animal familiar to anyone living in the state of North Carolina, which is known appropriately as the "tar heel" state. "When we want to climb a mountain, we need to be like a tar heel, because this goat can stand practically sideways on a mountain without falling," McDowell explained.
"There are literal and figurative mountains to climb," McDowell said. "We need the right equipment to do this." She referenced the passage in Ephesians 6:14-15 in describing the kind of equipment required. "Choose the right gear and keep in step with the Spirit," she said, following with the question, "What are you doing now in your spiritual life to prepare for the climb ahead?"
Once the proper gear has been selected, it is important to remember that the challenge is to climb and reach the top. That requires perseverance, she noted. Quoting from Isaiah 2:3, McDowell said, "Our life is about persevering until we get to the summit. What we do on the way to the summit is so important." She reminded listeners that each mountain is unique and each individual has to tailor the climb to their specific circumstances. "We as Christians have to be careful not to give up on the way to the summit, but also not to be diverted."
Noting the unusual characteristics of a tar heel's hind feet that provide such strength and stability, McDowell observed that the actual climb is what will develop similar strength and stability in an individual's Christian walk. "You have to go down this path with God as a companion to reach the top," she said, noting that "the Lord will help us develop hind feet." The climb is tough and requires considerable stamina, grace and flexibility, she said, "Will you allow God to do whatever it takes for you to develop hind feet?"
What goes up must come down is more than a popular saying, McDowell said in addressing her final point. "We can't stay on the mountain top forever," she said, noting the temptation most face in wanting to remain at the top. Using the illustration of Moses leading the Israelites to the promised land, the speaker challenged her audience to "take possession of your land." She encouraged listeners not to remain where they are simply because current problems suggest no other alternative. "You are not going forward in your own power - God goes with you."
Editor's note: Patty Retamal, who is representing the Department of World Mission at Triennial X, also is reporting on behalf of the Department of Communication, working with Editor Don Meyer (writer) and graphics specialist Heidi Griepp (photo pages) in Chicago.
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