I was preaching yesterday morning about the hard world we live in. John 3:16 says God so loved the world. I was wondering what in this world God loved. I was sharing some statistics like, 1 of 8 Americans is addicted to drugs or alcohol, 1 of 10 Americans admit to being addicted to on-line pornography, and there are around 16,000 murders in our country a year. As I was talking about this hard world one state over a pastor was being shot and killed in front of his congregation at the beginning of the worship service he was about to lead.
As a pastor this was shocking news. Reports say the pastor held up his Bible as a shield, but of course it was no match for the bullets of the gun. I wonder what hardened this gunman so much that he felt the need to walk into a church service and shoot the pastor?
After some of the shock wore off I also need to confess some hard hearted thoughts. I began to wonder what this pastor had done to cause this to happen. It could have been some random act of violence. But too often when the full story appears their is a reason behind the hardness. Had this pastor failed this gunman in some way? Had he caused him or his family some hardship or pain? I still do not condone the actions of the gunman, there is never a time to take someone's life like that, but is there a reason?
I do confess a hard heart when pastors fail in major ways. I am not saying pastors cannot make small mistakes. I have my own difficulties. I make bad decisions. I say the wrong thing. I hurt someone's feelings. But it pains me to see pastors, who are to be serving this awesome, loving God get caught up in some unloving situations. Pastors who betray the dignity of being a minister of Jesus Christ frustrate me, but at the same time I know they too are sinners in need of God's grace. We cannot be perfect, except by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, we will see what story appears from this tragedy. I am praying for the families involved that God may surround them with comfort. And I pray that God will use his miraculous power to use this situation to soften the hearts of those who need his touch. Mine included.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Be the Expert of your own faith
Yesterday we looked at the story of Nicodemus from John 3. He came to Jesus at night to find out what Jesus was teaching. Coming at night gives some evidence to Nicodemus' caution of coming to Jesus. He is not sure he wants everyone to know he is talking with Jesus. At the same time, he wanted to come and talk to Jesus face to face instead of just hearing the stories from other people about what Jesus was teaching.
I appreciate Nicodemus making his way to Jesus to learn for himself what Jesus was teaching. I am one who will often find my way to an "expert" to help me in many situations. For instance, if I need something fixed around the house or with our vehicles I will go to an expert. I do know some about home repair and cars. I can change my own oil. I have tried to fix my faucets. But normally I will go straight to a professional instead of making a bigger mess myself.
Unfortunately, I also think in our faith we often rely too much on "experts." We listen to the pastor or other teachers and just accept what they teach about God. Instead of studying the Bible and learning what it teaches for ourselves, we let someone else study it and tell us what they learned.
As a pastor, I am not trying to disqualify our teaching. I hope there is benefit in learning from religious "experts." But along with learning from experts, I am encouraging everyone to also go straight to the source. Get into your Bible and study it, so you can know what it says. Become an expert at your own faith. Take in from God's Word what God wants you to know.
If you find something that is confusing ask me about it or look for information about the passage in a Bible commentary. As we ask questions of God's Word, as we read it and study it, God will draw us close and remind us of who he is. He is the God who gave his Son Jesus so that we will have eternal life. Study and know the truth found in John 3:16.
I appreciate Nicodemus making his way to Jesus to learn for himself what Jesus was teaching. I am one who will often find my way to an "expert" to help me in many situations. For instance, if I need something fixed around the house or with our vehicles I will go to an expert. I do know some about home repair and cars. I can change my own oil. I have tried to fix my faucets. But normally I will go straight to a professional instead of making a bigger mess myself.
Unfortunately, I also think in our faith we often rely too much on "experts." We listen to the pastor or other teachers and just accept what they teach about God. Instead of studying the Bible and learning what it teaches for ourselves, we let someone else study it and tell us what they learned.
As a pastor, I am not trying to disqualify our teaching. I hope there is benefit in learning from religious "experts." But along with learning from experts, I am encouraging everyone to also go straight to the source. Get into your Bible and study it, so you can know what it says. Become an expert at your own faith. Take in from God's Word what God wants you to know.
If you find something that is confusing ask me about it or look for information about the passage in a Bible commentary. As we ask questions of God's Word, as we read it and study it, God will draw us close and remind us of who he is. He is the God who gave his Son Jesus so that we will have eternal life. Study and know the truth found in John 3:16.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hug Time
I shared in my message yesterday that I am not much of a hugger, so I wanted to thank all those who came up after the service and hugged me. It is nice to be missed and I enjoy being picked on because that shows you care.
As I continued to think about embracing Christ and being embraced by him I do not need to look far for a picture of what this looks like. Helen loves to be hugged. She cannot get enough hugs, and so she often has time to just sit with our kids and hold them in her arms. They even have a name for this time, which I will not share because it is their time, but Jamison asks for this special time with his mom.
Although I again am not a big hugger, I can remember the times I have felt the need to crawl into my Heavenly Father's lap and be embraced by him. It as often been in times of pain and hurt. Times of disappointment and depression. I have need his embrace. There were also times of joy and excitement that I had to jump into his arms and celebrate.
Always remember the Lord wants to embrace you in good times and bad. Our Father wants that special time with you daily to hold you close and remind you that he is with you always.
As I continued to think about embracing Christ and being embraced by him I do not need to look far for a picture of what this looks like. Helen loves to be hugged. She cannot get enough hugs, and so she often has time to just sit with our kids and hold them in her arms. They even have a name for this time, which I will not share because it is their time, but Jamison asks for this special time with his mom.
Although I again am not a big hugger, I can remember the times I have felt the need to crawl into my Heavenly Father's lap and be embraced by him. It as often been in times of pain and hurt. Times of disappointment and depression. I have need his embrace. There were also times of joy and excitement that I had to jump into his arms and celebrate.
Always remember the Lord wants to embrace you in good times and bad. Our Father wants that special time with you daily to hold you close and remind you that he is with you always.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Discipleship
The final book I have been waiting to read during my spiritual renewal time is Bill Hull's "The Complete Book of Discipleship." He starts the book with a thought-stopping quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." Read that again.
His point is that if we do not have discipleship, learning from and following Christ, then we do not really have a Christian faith. God is still there and we believe in God, but if we are not following Christ, meaning striving to be more like Christ, then we are not really living the Christian life.
I have been trying to figure out a way to be sure our congregation is a disciple making congregation. (Do not get me wrong here, I believe we have many people that are following Christ. I believe as the pastor I have tried to disciple people, mostly through small groups and messages in worship.)
At this time we do not really have a good grasp of being able to show our discipleship is effective? Can we see that people have come to know God and then moved closer to God? Again I think this is happening, but as our congregation grows I think we need to get a coordinated system in order to both mark people's progress, but more important to help show people the direction in discipleship.
I want someone who is new to the faith to know what small groups to attend, what books to read, and what actions of service will help them get started in discipleship. I want someone who has followed Christ for 50 years to know what small groups to attend, what books to read, and what actions of service will help them continue in discipleship.
This book has promised to lead me in personal, small group and congregational discipleship. So I hope when I get back, working with the Education Ministry Team, we can develop a map on how to make disciples of Jesus Christ, so that we can continue to be a church where you can SEE Christ.
PS - If you would like me to personally disciple you please let me know and we can come up with a plan.
PPS - I will be away from the Internet for the next week, a little time away from technology will not hurt, so this will be my last blog until then.
God Bless.
His point is that if we do not have discipleship, learning from and following Christ, then we do not really have a Christian faith. God is still there and we believe in God, but if we are not following Christ, meaning striving to be more like Christ, then we are not really living the Christian life.
I have been trying to figure out a way to be sure our congregation is a disciple making congregation. (Do not get me wrong here, I believe we have many people that are following Christ. I believe as the pastor I have tried to disciple people, mostly through small groups and messages in worship.)
At this time we do not really have a good grasp of being able to show our discipleship is effective? Can we see that people have come to know God and then moved closer to God? Again I think this is happening, but as our congregation grows I think we need to get a coordinated system in order to both mark people's progress, but more important to help show people the direction in discipleship.
I want someone who is new to the faith to know what small groups to attend, what books to read, and what actions of service will help them get started in discipleship. I want someone who has followed Christ for 50 years to know what small groups to attend, what books to read, and what actions of service will help them continue in discipleship.
This book has promised to lead me in personal, small group and congregational discipleship. So I hope when I get back, working with the Education Ministry Team, we can develop a map on how to make disciples of Jesus Christ, so that we can continue to be a church where you can SEE Christ.
PS - If you would like me to personally disciple you please let me know and we can come up with a plan.
PPS - I will be away from the Internet for the next week, a little time away from technology will not hurt, so this will be my last blog until then.
God Bless.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Leadership
Over the weekend I read “Church Leadership” by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.. He admits that leadership is a difficult subject to nail down. Some people think leaders are born, but others say leadership can be learned. Some think leaders are only a certain personality style, while others think a leader can be any style of personality. We also often focus on leadership as an individual, but to be a true leader a team is needed. Personally I stand in the middle of most of these where it takes a little from both sides.
As Weems talked about leadership he started by defining two words associated with leadership which are administration and management. He said, “Administration is doing things right.” “Management is doing the right thing.” He said these can be a part of leadership, but also just because you are a good administrator or manager that does not mean you are a leader. He then gave a nice three line definition of leadership, which I summarize as leadership is casting a picture of the right vision and helping others to follow that vision.
I was reminded as Weems spent one-third of his book focusing on vision that vision is a vital piece of leadership. He spends the other two-thirds of the book talking about team, culture and integrity. As our congregation is focusing on our vision this month I am praying God would help us to clarify our vision and come up with more specific steps to follow our vision. The vision actually will then become our leader instead of a person. (Although our vision is to help people SEE the person of Jesus Christ.)
So I want to find a question or questions that you will hear often when we are making decisions at St. Paul’s UMC. These questions will remind us to hold up everything we do to our vision to be sure they are in line with each other. I am not sure what that question will be yet, but it might be, “Will this help others to SEE Christ?” If the answer is “no” then we will not move forward with that idea, ministry or action. If the answer is “yes”, then we will continue to move forward. My hope as I repeatedly ask that question is that soon others will be asking it as well.
Leadership is a team effort of creating a culture where we follow God’s vision for us with integrity. I think Lovett Weems would be proud of that definition.
As Weems talked about leadership he started by defining two words associated with leadership which are administration and management. He said, “Administration is doing things right.” “Management is doing the right thing.” He said these can be a part of leadership, but also just because you are a good administrator or manager that does not mean you are a leader. He then gave a nice three line definition of leadership, which I summarize as leadership is casting a picture of the right vision and helping others to follow that vision.
I was reminded as Weems spent one-third of his book focusing on vision that vision is a vital piece of leadership. He spends the other two-thirds of the book talking about team, culture and integrity. As our congregation is focusing on our vision this month I am praying God would help us to clarify our vision and come up with more specific steps to follow our vision. The vision actually will then become our leader instead of a person. (Although our vision is to help people SEE the person of Jesus Christ.)
So I want to find a question or questions that you will hear often when we are making decisions at St. Paul’s UMC. These questions will remind us to hold up everything we do to our vision to be sure they are in line with each other. I am not sure what that question will be yet, but it might be, “Will this help others to SEE Christ?” If the answer is “no” then we will not move forward with that idea, ministry or action. If the answer is “yes”, then we will continue to move forward. My hope as I repeatedly ask that question is that soon others will be asking it as well.
Leadership is a team effort of creating a culture where we follow God’s vision for us with integrity. I think Lovett Weems would be proud of that definition.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
All Things
This morning during my devotional time I was reading the end of the 9th chapter of 1 Corinthians. I was struck by Paul talking about becoming all things to all people. To reach a Jewish person he would speak like a Jew. To reach a Greek person he would speak like the Greek. He would find whatever connection he could in order to spread the gospel message.
I think if this idea is taken too far it can be more harmful than helpful. I thought back to a recent conversation with one of the members of my congregation. This person had discussed with some others why I no longer wore my clerical robe while leading services on Sunday mornings. (I was very pleased this person would bring the concern straight to me instead of just complaining about it.)
As I talked with this person I shared how I wore my robe every Sunday at first because I thought it gave me some authority in the eyes of the congregation. I also thought a 26 year-old could use some help at looking "pastoral." However, I have never felt I was a robe-wearing pastor. A robe, to me, is too formal. I am more relaxed. So I felt the robe was not who I was and I wanted to be genuine with the people of the congregation. I did learn that day the importance of wearing my robe for those who appreciate it on communion Sundays, which I will be more mindful to do in the future.
However, I do not want to appear like all things to all people in the sense that I put on a false exterior to try to get on the inside with someone. I know I must be genuine and sincere when I try to connect with people, so I look for other connections. I often use my fondness of sports to connect with people where I can often talk about any one's favorite team and what is happening with their team. I also use locations to connect with people and share stories of when I have been to places they connect with or at least my knowledge of that location.
Most of all, I think I try to relate to people that I make mistakes just like they do. Although I am a pastor I am in no way perfect or the judge of their imperfection. I am who God made me to be and the more I can connect with that reality the more God will use me in all things. He will do the same with you.
I think if this idea is taken too far it can be more harmful than helpful. I thought back to a recent conversation with one of the members of my congregation. This person had discussed with some others why I no longer wore my clerical robe while leading services on Sunday mornings. (I was very pleased this person would bring the concern straight to me instead of just complaining about it.)
As I talked with this person I shared how I wore my robe every Sunday at first because I thought it gave me some authority in the eyes of the congregation. I also thought a 26 year-old could use some help at looking "pastoral." However, I have never felt I was a robe-wearing pastor. A robe, to me, is too formal. I am more relaxed. So I felt the robe was not who I was and I wanted to be genuine with the people of the congregation. I did learn that day the importance of wearing my robe for those who appreciate it on communion Sundays, which I will be more mindful to do in the future.
However, I do not want to appear like all things to all people in the sense that I put on a false exterior to try to get on the inside with someone. I know I must be genuine and sincere when I try to connect with people, so I look for other connections. I often use my fondness of sports to connect with people where I can often talk about any one's favorite team and what is happening with their team. I also use locations to connect with people and share stories of when I have been to places they connect with or at least my knowledge of that location.
Most of all, I think I try to relate to people that I make mistakes just like they do. Although I am a pastor I am in no way perfect or the judge of their imperfection. I am who God made me to be and the more I can connect with that reality the more God will use me in all things. He will do the same with you.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
What is God up to?
Helen and I began our spiritual renewal leave with a conference event in Shueyville where the United Methodist Church there was teaching some pastors what they have done in ministry and how God has led them in ministry. It was there we received the blessing of knowing in April our congregation will be the teaching church to share what God has done in Williamsburg.
Then we got the surprise that my step-mom was sick, so going to Kansas City as planned on Friday afternoon was not going to work. She did not want to gives us an illness to battle while on spiritual renewal time. So, instead of our plans to spend the first four days of our time in Kansas City, we moved that to the back end of our trip. We then began to drive to Tennessee. We were not sure how far we would go because instead of a 5 hour drive we had a 12 hour drive and left Williamsburg around noon. We thought we might get a hotel somewhere, but in the end we drove all the way to Crossville arriving at 12:30 am.
God has already changed our well thought out plans, so I am wondering what he is up to? Then I began my personal reading today with a classic "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This man's life is just amazing as he lived in Nazi Germany and decided instead of running away from the evils in his home country, he would stand for God's truth. This led to his death in a concentration camp where he was executed. As I was reading about our need for personal time of meditation he gave a specific word to pastors. He said when pastors have their quiet time they should not be thinking about how to communicate God's Word to others or how they will teach or preach the text. He said pastors should be asking what the passage they are focused on has to speak to them.
Now I knew some of my spiritual renewal time would be for me, but mostly I was planning to be preparing how I can teach or preach better. Now I hope to really see what God wants me to learn so that I may grow closer to him and rely more on his Holy Spirit. I do pray that as God teaches me I can pass on that learning as well, but only as an added bonus of God's work.
So in my time away as God teaches me, my prayer will also be that everyone back in Williamsburg will be learning their personal lessons from God as well and we will have much to share with each other when we are back together.
Then we got the surprise that my step-mom was sick, so going to Kansas City as planned on Friday afternoon was not going to work. She did not want to gives us an illness to battle while on spiritual renewal time. So, instead of our plans to spend the first four days of our time in Kansas City, we moved that to the back end of our trip. We then began to drive to Tennessee. We were not sure how far we would go because instead of a 5 hour drive we had a 12 hour drive and left Williamsburg around noon. We thought we might get a hotel somewhere, but in the end we drove all the way to Crossville arriving at 12:30 am.
God has already changed our well thought out plans, so I am wondering what he is up to? Then I began my personal reading today with a classic "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This man's life is just amazing as he lived in Nazi Germany and decided instead of running away from the evils in his home country, he would stand for God's truth. This led to his death in a concentration camp where he was executed. As I was reading about our need for personal time of meditation he gave a specific word to pastors. He said when pastors have their quiet time they should not be thinking about how to communicate God's Word to others or how they will teach or preach the text. He said pastors should be asking what the passage they are focused on has to speak to them.
Now I knew some of my spiritual renewal time would be for me, but mostly I was planning to be preparing how I can teach or preach better. Now I hope to really see what God wants me to learn so that I may grow closer to him and rely more on his Holy Spirit. I do pray that as God teaches me I can pass on that learning as well, but only as an added bonus of God's work.
So in my time away as God teaches me, my prayer will also be that everyone back in Williamsburg will be learning their personal lessons from God as well and we will have much to share with each other when we are back together.
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