We arrived home late Saturday evening after an eventful flight from Dallas to Portland, via an unscheduled stop in Denver. The flight from Louisville to Dallas was uneventful, but the next leg of our journey was, to be blunt, scary. About 2/3 of the way to Portland someone on the plane developed serious health issues. The flight attendants asked for a doctor (no, I did not offer my services- though my degree was near at hand so I could demonstrate that indeed I am a doctor...). The doctor who treated the passenger indicated that his/her condition was serious enough that we needed to land as soon as possible. That meant Denver. The descent into Denver was unlike anything I have ever experienced on an airplane. Imagine the most violent amusement park ride- a bumpy and jerky roller coaster - and you have some idea of what our descent felt like. Later the pilot called it a 'dive' into Denver. But, as you can see, we survived. I wish I could offer some profound spiritual insight- but I was too scared to do anything but pray and offer quiet strength to my lovely, frightened wife.
After coming home Sunday was a good day- capped by a graduation party which included many friends from far and near (thanks again to Don and Carol Reeves who drove down from Corvallis).
Monday at 4:00am I woke up feeling as though a freight train had hit me. A head cold-that lingers through even today (Wednesday, Dec 16) with little or no sign of improvement.
Again, I wish I had some significant spiritual insight---something that would warrant ooh's and aahh's from my fellow travelers along the life God has called us to. What I do have is a strong and powerful word of encouragement. God is faithful. God is good. God is at work. God is...there really is nothing more profound than the fact of His presence and power!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Frustrations and Fumings
The past couple of Sunday's have been interesting. You won't find any audio of the messages- due to ongoing construction the computers have been down and not quite ready for Sunday's. I have been a little (no, scratch that, a lot)overwhelmed. And, to be quite honest, I've missed the sense of wonder and awe that needs to chracterize genuine worship. Now, the problem is not the church, it is a problem in me. But enough of that- -. A busy week. This evening I am in Vancouver, WA for a meeting tomorrow of new Exec Board members of the NWBC. Drive home tomorrow, take Cindy out for birthday dinner. then Tuesday, meet with some men in the church at 6:30am, pastor's for breakfast at 7:30am, then a day in the office, a full Commission on Children and Families meeting at 5:30pm. Then, Wednesday we leave early in the am for Louisville, KY where Josh will join us and I will graduate from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Then home on Saturday, and a very busy two weeks till Christmas.
Now, to my real challenge. First, I have to learn how to 'go with the flow' when things don't go according to schedule or plan. My flexibility is limited at best. Secondly, I have to find a way to reconnect with a sense of awe and wonder at who God is, what He is in Jesus, how the Spirit works, so that I can do more than lead worship, but so that I can worship. Second, as leader I need to look at structrual issues as to how our church can more effectively reach our community. Newcomers are rare- yet we live in a highlu unchurched community. We have the best gift- life in Christ- that has ever been given and yet, too often our church feels like an enclave for the saved, a place where we can be comfortable. There is value in that, but...sometimes I feel our comfort gets in the way of what our genuine function is. Third, I am trying to build accountablilty into my life- that I desperately need. As a single staff pastor I have grown far too accustomed to making sure everything gets taken care of...except me. I need to delegate- and give authority with the assignment. I need to focus on what our church's core values and dreams are all about.
That's a big agenda. So, let's aim for the prize, forgetting the past, letting go what was and learn to live focused on what God is doing- bringing us to completion and maturity in Christ.
Help me, hold me accountable. I'll help you...together we will be what God has called us to be!
Now, to my real challenge. First, I have to learn how to 'go with the flow' when things don't go according to schedule or plan. My flexibility is limited at best. Secondly, I have to find a way to reconnect with a sense of awe and wonder at who God is, what He is in Jesus, how the Spirit works, so that I can do more than lead worship, but so that I can worship. Second, as leader I need to look at structrual issues as to how our church can more effectively reach our community. Newcomers are rare- yet we live in a highlu unchurched community. We have the best gift- life in Christ- that has ever been given and yet, too often our church feels like an enclave for the saved, a place where we can be comfortable. There is value in that, but...sometimes I feel our comfort gets in the way of what our genuine function is. Third, I am trying to build accountablilty into my life- that I desperately need. As a single staff pastor I have grown far too accustomed to making sure everything gets taken care of...except me. I need to delegate- and give authority with the assignment. I need to focus on what our church's core values and dreams are all about.
That's a big agenda. So, let's aim for the prize, forgetting the past, letting go what was and learn to live focused on what God is doing- bringing us to completion and maturity in Christ.
Help me, hold me accountable. I'll help you...together we will be what God has called us to be!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Is it already Sunday again?
Each Saturday evening I go through a little ritual- I stand in front of my closet and wonder, how did it get to be time to get ready for Sunday again? Didn't I just do a Sunday? This week I inserted a variation- how did it come time for Thanksgiving again? Didn't we just have Thanksgiving? Oh, that was last year. Time passes- whether we are having fun or not.
As I listened to the heavy rainfall last night and early this morning I began to wonder...just what effect do my words Sunday after Sunday have? I know God has promised that His Word will always accomplish it's purpose (see Isaiah 55:11). But there are days and weeks I wonder if I'll live long enough to see God's Word bring the fruit I long to see.
Then, I read the book of James this morning. And what did I read? James 5:7-8"Therefore brothers, be patient. . . see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains? You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts because the Lord's coming is near."(HCSB).
So, it is Sunday again. It is thanksgiving season once again. I will patiently wait for God's promise to be fulfilled.
As I listened to the heavy rainfall last night and early this morning I began to wonder...just what effect do my words Sunday after Sunday have? I know God has promised that His Word will always accomplish it's purpose (see Isaiah 55:11). But there are days and weeks I wonder if I'll live long enough to see God's Word bring the fruit I long to see.
Then, I read the book of James this morning. And what did I read? James 5:7-8"Therefore brothers, be patient. . . see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains? You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts because the Lord's coming is near."(HCSB).
So, it is Sunday again. It is thanksgiving season once again. I will patiently wait for God's promise to be fulfilled.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Prophets and Pastors
Tucked away in the Old Testament book of Hosea is a declaration of God that I'd never paused long enough to see before. "The LORD brought Israel from Egypt by a prophet, and Israel was tended by a prophet" (Hos 12:13). Interesting. When I wonder exactly what it is a pastor does some days this is a reminder that though God could act independently of human agency, He chooses to reveal His presence, His purpose, and His power through humans like, well, me! Yes, God set His people free from the Egyptians by His mighty hand, but Moses was His chosen instrument through which He revealed Himself.
This statement is a reminder that God still desires for men and women who will willingly place their lives in between God and His people- individuals who will wait to hear from God, individuals who will speak accurately the things of God, and people who will listen carefully to the heart of the people to whom God has called them. May I be that kind of prophet. May God continue to 'tend' His people through me!
This statement is a reminder that God still desires for men and women who will willingly place their lives in between God and His people- individuals who will wait to hear from God, individuals who will speak accurately the things of God, and people who will listen carefully to the heart of the people to whom God has called them. May I be that kind of prophet. May God continue to 'tend' His people through me!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Last Thursday and Friday I was privilged to facilitate a meeting of county officials designed to update a comprehensive plan for services offered to children and their families in Douglas County. Several thingks are striking about this group of county and state officials- some elected officials, and some social service professionals-
1. a common commitment to outcomes. Everyone in the room for those meetings really wants to provide the best and most effective opportunities for children and their families. Both days we struggled with how to assist families in overcoming the culture of poverty and hopelessness that threatens many families in our communities.
2. a shared vision of a better future. Everyone in the room wants to see a community where everyone thrives, where every member of the community is valued, where everyone is able to offer their unique contribution to the whole.
3. a clash of values. The challenge comes when well-meaning professionals- all of whom have a great deal more experience than I have in the social service realm- seek to apply limited dollars to what is a growing problem.
The discussion was honest and pointed, but all was done in a civil and respetable tone of voice. As a pastor- a veteran of thirty years of Baptist business meetings at the local church level, the associational level, the regional level, and some limited exposure to national denominational level business meetings- it strikes me that even good people with well meaning and well intentioned ideas will disagree about some of the most basic of issues. The challenge is not to force everyone into agreement, but to create a climate where people are free to discuss their differences and where people appreciate the differences between them rather than acting from fear and anxiety.
I overheard a suggestion that intrigues me- what are the parallels and constrasts between our culture and the culture of the nations of Israel and Judah during the monarchy and period of divided kingdoms? What leadership lessons can we learn? What spiritual principles can we appropriate and apply? Interesting questions that I hope to explore as I have time...
1. a common commitment to outcomes. Everyone in the room for those meetings really wants to provide the best and most effective opportunities for children and their families. Both days we struggled with how to assist families in overcoming the culture of poverty and hopelessness that threatens many families in our communities.
2. a shared vision of a better future. Everyone in the room wants to see a community where everyone thrives, where every member of the community is valued, where everyone is able to offer their unique contribution to the whole.
3. a clash of values. The challenge comes when well-meaning professionals- all of whom have a great deal more experience than I have in the social service realm- seek to apply limited dollars to what is a growing problem.
The discussion was honest and pointed, but all was done in a civil and respetable tone of voice. As a pastor- a veteran of thirty years of Baptist business meetings at the local church level, the associational level, the regional level, and some limited exposure to national denominational level business meetings- it strikes me that even good people with well meaning and well intentioned ideas will disagree about some of the most basic of issues. The challenge is not to force everyone into agreement, but to create a climate where people are free to discuss their differences and where people appreciate the differences between them rather than acting from fear and anxiety.
I overheard a suggestion that intrigues me- what are the parallels and constrasts between our culture and the culture of the nations of Israel and Judah during the monarchy and period of divided kingdoms? What leadership lessons can we learn? What spiritual principles can we appropriate and apply? Interesting questions that I hope to explore as I have time...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday...Monday
Yesterday I spent a couple of hours with our church's leadership team and finance committee. We are in the beginning stages of developing our 2010 budget. To begin, I asked four questions: 1. What would a guest attending for the first time say our top two priorities as a church are? 2. What kind of church do we believe God wants us to be? 3. To be that kind of church what kind of pastor, leaders, and members do we need? and 4. Are we willing to make the necessary changes?
There was a rousing discussion of the first question. Interesting observations from those who attended. The second and third question need some more work. On Nov 15 I'll meet again with our leadership team and discuss those questions. Part of the answer we talked about yesterday involves focusing on our small groups. I believe that we will engage with people who don't know Jesus most effectively at that level- not at the level of our 11:00am morning worship service. Part of our challenge is to revitalize and reorganize our small groups into viable outreach and ministry teams where unsaved, unchurched and dechurched (that's a term I read in an interview with Perry Noble recently) can become engaged with the gospel. So, lots of work ahead. Changing my role is hard. I struggle almost every Sunday with the desire to be the funnel for all information about what's happening in this and that family's life. I struggle with wanting to be in control so that everything happens orderly and efficiently during the morning worship service (which always seems to fall apart no matter how hard I try to manage and arrange things....)
Of course, changing the role and assignment of our leaders will not be easy either. Asking them to think differently about their small group/class will take some time and create some adjustment issues. Fortunately a group has been appointed to begin working on defining what it means to be a member of our church. Another group will soon be working on how to effectively greet everyone who drives in the parking lot and walks in the door.
So, change- in the weather, the leaves are dropping, the temp is dropping, and the rain will begin to fall...- change is the only constant in my life! Thank God for His unchanging nature!
There was a rousing discussion of the first question. Interesting observations from those who attended. The second and third question need some more work. On Nov 15 I'll meet again with our leadership team and discuss those questions. Part of the answer we talked about yesterday involves focusing on our small groups. I believe that we will engage with people who don't know Jesus most effectively at that level- not at the level of our 11:00am morning worship service. Part of our challenge is to revitalize and reorganize our small groups into viable outreach and ministry teams where unsaved, unchurched and dechurched (that's a term I read in an interview with Perry Noble recently) can become engaged with the gospel. So, lots of work ahead. Changing my role is hard. I struggle almost every Sunday with the desire to be the funnel for all information about what's happening in this and that family's life. I struggle with wanting to be in control so that everything happens orderly and efficiently during the morning worship service (which always seems to fall apart no matter how hard I try to manage and arrange things....)
Of course, changing the role and assignment of our leaders will not be easy either. Asking them to think differently about their small group/class will take some time and create some adjustment issues. Fortunately a group has been appointed to begin working on defining what it means to be a member of our church. Another group will soon be working on how to effectively greet everyone who drives in the parking lot and walks in the door.
So, change- in the weather, the leaves are dropping, the temp is dropping, and the rain will begin to fall...- change is the only constant in my life! Thank God for His unchanging nature!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Leaders Lead...
BEing part of the Pastor Cluster groups in the Northwest Baptist Convention is providing me a refreshing look at the role of a pastor. Yesterday's presentation by Carter Shotwell of LakePointe Church in Rockwell TX was a fascinating overview of a process they use in their church for involving people in adult Bible study groups. I have yet to digest all the information Carter shared, but one piece has stuck with me all through the night and into this morning. He made the statement, Leaders lead. They don' do. What struck me is how easily I fall into the pattenr of doing. Something is broken, I fix it instead of enlisting someone else who is better qualified and has more time. A project is stalled and instead of helping the leader move his or her project forward I pcik up the reins and move the project forward. That is not the job of a leader. Whenever I fix that broken piece or move someone's project forward, I deprive them of a chance to learn and to serve. I have to learn to lead- to someitmes let things be broken until someone else steps us, to allow projects to stall (and heaven forbid maybe even fail) so that others can learn from their experiences.
Delegation has never been easy for me. As a single staff pastor I have grown into a jack of all trades but master of none. As I grow older I want to learn to delegate, to give others the joy and experience of acting. I want to lead- to dream big dreams, to vision projects that require faith, to focus on issues that demand more from me and those around me. In other words, being a leader means finding the direction, charting the course, and staying true to the vision of the organization.
Writers write, singers sing, and leaders lead!
Delegation has never been easy for me. As a single staff pastor I have grown into a jack of all trades but master of none. As I grow older I want to learn to delegate, to give others the joy and experience of acting. I want to lead- to dream big dreams, to vision projects that require faith, to focus on issues that demand more from me and those around me. In other words, being a leader means finding the direction, charting the course, and staying true to the vision of the organization.
Writers write, singers sing, and leaders lead!
Monday, October 19, 2009
What makes a Southern Baptist Southern?
This morning I was asked a question in the Bible study group I lead on Monday mornings- "What makes a Southern Baptist Southern?" I didn't think of this answer then, but a good answer-, No, it's not our love of fried chicken with all the fixins! It is a serious issue in light of the fact that many churches are eliminating all reference to their denominational heritage from their names. So, what makes a Baptist a Southern Baptist? Here is an outline of my answer-
1. A commitment to the authority, inerrancy, infallibility, sufficiency, and eternal nature of God's Word. The past 30 years Southern Baptists have fought a battle to reclaim this definition of the Bible. After decades of theological drift, Southern Baptists have anchored themselves to the Word of God.
2. A commitment to cooperatively reach the world with the gospel. Our Cooperative Program enables churches our size to have an impact in the world disproportionate to our size. By combining our gifts (currently we give a little more than 10% of our undesignated offerings to the Cooperative Program) with gifts from thousands of other churches we are able to have a direct link to over 10,000 missionaries across the world, to support the educational ministries of 6 seminaries, and to assist in the operation of an Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission that has a world-wide impact. That's a phenomenal opportunity for a church of under one hundred people!
3. An unwavering commitment to congregational church polity. That might be a fancy way to say, every church is autonomous and independent. Churches in our denominational heritage may be purpose driven, but they are most certainly congregationally driven. Decisions are made by the congregation- not the pastor, not a board of deacons, or trustee;s, but ultimately the individual church member is responsible for making decisions regarding the ministry of his or her local church.
I'm sure others might have answered differently, but from where I sit this seems to summarize why I am a Southern Baptist!
1. A commitment to the authority, inerrancy, infallibility, sufficiency, and eternal nature of God's Word. The past 30 years Southern Baptists have fought a battle to reclaim this definition of the Bible. After decades of theological drift, Southern Baptists have anchored themselves to the Word of God.
2. A commitment to cooperatively reach the world with the gospel. Our Cooperative Program enables churches our size to have an impact in the world disproportionate to our size. By combining our gifts (currently we give a little more than 10% of our undesignated offerings to the Cooperative Program) with gifts from thousands of other churches we are able to have a direct link to over 10,000 missionaries across the world, to support the educational ministries of 6 seminaries, and to assist in the operation of an Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission that has a world-wide impact. That's a phenomenal opportunity for a church of under one hundred people!
3. An unwavering commitment to congregational church polity. That might be a fancy way to say, every church is autonomous and independent. Churches in our denominational heritage may be purpose driven, but they are most certainly congregationally driven. Decisions are made by the congregation- not the pastor, not a board of deacons, or trustee;s, but ultimately the individual church member is responsible for making decisions regarding the ministry of his or her local church.
I'm sure others might have answered differently, but from where I sit this seems to summarize why I am a Southern Baptist!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
More Random Thoughts
Somewhere earlier this week I was challenged with the question- What would you do if you were not afraid? So, I started keeping a list of my responses. It has grown to be a quite lengthy list. Why do I allow fear to dictate how I live? I was reading in Tozer's "The Knowledge of the Holy" this morning about the love of God. He writes, "Let a man become convinced that nothing can harm him and instantly for him all fear goes out of the universe." (see 1 John 4:18). So, if God loves me- and I believe He does- then of what am I afraid? So, over the next few days I intend to look over that list of things I'd do if it weren't for fear and begin to pray about which of those things God would have me do. I'd encourage you to do the same exercise...who knows what God would accomplish through believers who were unafraid and trusted Him completely!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A call to prayer
I've been reading the book of Joel this week (I've taken to reading a different book of the Bible every day for seven days in addition to my regular program of Bible reading. This gives me an opportunity to sink in to the view of the writer and the direction of the Spirit in his life). Anyway, I can't escape Joel 2:12-following:
12 Even now—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
turn to Me with all your heart,with fasting, weeping, and mourning.13 Tear your hearts,not just your clothes,and return to the Lord your God.
For He is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger, rich in faithful love,
and He relents from sending disaster.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him,
so you can offer grain and wine to the Lord your God.
15 Blow the horn in Zion!Announce a sacred fast;proclaim an assembly.
16 Gather the people;sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;gather the children,even those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his bedroom,and the bride her honeymoon chamber.
17 Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,weep between the portico
and the altar.Let them say:
“Have pity on Your people, Lord,and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace,
an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”
What if we as leaders among the people of God took one day every week - say, Thursday- and spent the day fasting and praying for God to move in our congregation, our local and regional and national denominational agencies and for Kingdom Expansion? What if we built in some sort of accountability, i.e. praying together...online prayer groups, praying together over the phone, etc....?
Just an idea...I'm open to other suggestions.
The bottom line- at least for me- am I desperate enough to see God move that I am willing to get out of His way?
12 Even now—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
turn to Me with all your heart,with fasting, weeping, and mourning.13 Tear your hearts,not just your clothes,and return to the Lord your God.
For He is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger, rich in faithful love,
and He relents from sending disaster.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him,
so you can offer grain and wine to the Lord your God.
15 Blow the horn in Zion!Announce a sacred fast;proclaim an assembly.
16 Gather the people;sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;gather the children,even those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his bedroom,and the bride her honeymoon chamber.
17 Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,weep between the portico
and the altar.Let them say:
“Have pity on Your people, Lord,and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace,
an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”
What if we as leaders among the people of God took one day every week - say, Thursday- and spent the day fasting and praying for God to move in our congregation, our local and regional and national denominational agencies and for Kingdom Expansion? What if we built in some sort of accountability, i.e. praying together...online prayer groups, praying together over the phone, etc....?
Just an idea...I'm open to other suggestions.
The bottom line- at least for me- am I desperate enough to see God move that I am willing to get out of His way?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
On the way...
I am in Denver right now- headed to Tucson for a few days with my parents, and then on to Louisville for the oral defense of my paper and project. I enjoy flying- I just don't enjoy being away from home! flying to Denver from Portland I was thinking...(it's not really that much of a stretch to picture me thinking...is it?)
Actually, I've been pondering an issue for awhile. Our church is in the midst of a remodel that will add some 1200 sq feet to our auditorium. We aren't filling the space we have, but we are proceeding along with the remodel. Are we wasting resources? That's not even the right question. What in the world are we doing? That may be the right question. I'm still uncertain about what 'church' will look like in the future. I can say, it probably won't look much like it does now - and has for most of my life. So, why remodel? Why build?
A couple of things come to mind...1. our remodel will allow us to be more flexible in worship. Our current configuration makes worship pretty much a spectator sport- I stand at the front, our worship team stands- and the group- sits in rows and watches. PErhaps a new configuration can allow us to change some of that pattern.
2. Space is an issue. Currently we have an AWANA's ministry- and the exapnded space makes it much easier for us to have our Wednesday dinners and to host the children at AWANA's without so much physical labor of moving tables, chairs, and the like. The additional space will also enable us to try some new things- for example, twice a month on Wednesday nights we are inviting the AWANA's families for dinner- and a relaxed time of fellowship and interaction with churhc folks. LAter in October we are hosting a winter clothing giveawa-hoping to connect resources with those who need resources! 3. Sometimes the status quo just needs to change! After 18 year of serving the same church and community we need to adapt, to change. And we have made some changes...but there will be more to come. 4. Finally, this remodel is giving some folks in our church an opportunity to be stretched in their giving, to offer their gifts, and to pray in new ways.
Well, soon it's time to board another flight and go to Tucson...so I'll close...
More later...
Actually, I've been pondering an issue for awhile. Our church is in the midst of a remodel that will add some 1200 sq feet to our auditorium. We aren't filling the space we have, but we are proceeding along with the remodel. Are we wasting resources? That's not even the right question. What in the world are we doing? That may be the right question. I'm still uncertain about what 'church' will look like in the future. I can say, it probably won't look much like it does now - and has for most of my life. So, why remodel? Why build?
A couple of things come to mind...1. our remodel will allow us to be more flexible in worship. Our current configuration makes worship pretty much a spectator sport- I stand at the front, our worship team stands- and the group- sits in rows and watches. PErhaps a new configuration can allow us to change some of that pattern.
2. Space is an issue. Currently we have an AWANA's ministry- and the exapnded space makes it much easier for us to have our Wednesday dinners and to host the children at AWANA's without so much physical labor of moving tables, chairs, and the like. The additional space will also enable us to try some new things- for example, twice a month on Wednesday nights we are inviting the AWANA's families for dinner- and a relaxed time of fellowship and interaction with churhc folks. LAter in October we are hosting a winter clothing giveawa-hoping to connect resources with those who need resources! 3. Sometimes the status quo just needs to change! After 18 year of serving the same church and community we need to adapt, to change. And we have made some changes...but there will be more to come. 4. Finally, this remodel is giving some folks in our church an opportunity to be stretched in their giving, to offer their gifts, and to pray in new ways.
Well, soon it's time to board another flight and go to Tucson...so I'll close...
More later...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
WOW. How Long Has it Been?
I honestly did not realize how long it has been since I posted. The days have flown by. I've been editing, revising, editing, and revising my doctoral project paper. LAter in Sept I fly to Louisville for the oral defense (gulp). So, in addition to the normal activities of preparing for Wednsday, Sunday, Monday, and attending meetings, visiting, helping prepare for a new year of our AWANA's ministry, I've been very busy writing (or mainly editing).
So, it may be the end of the month before I can get back on track...
So, it may be the end of the month before I can get back on track...
Monday, August 3, 2009
I haven't posted in a couple of weeks- primarily because I've been very busy-a few days of vacation, a wedding, two memorial services, plus the regular flow of a busy weekly schedule. It will likely be a few weeks before I can post again- Youth camp begins Aug 10- no Internet connection while I'm there-tho I will post some limited twitters when I can stand in the right location to get cellphone service. Then the week of Aug 17-21 I will be holed up finishing my doctoral project paper- needing to have it in the mail by Aug 24th. Plus, the regular weekly stuff a pastor gets to do- I'm not complaining, just explaining.
Cindy and I celebrated 33 years of marriage on Aug 2 and I completed 18 years of service at Community Baptist Church here in Winston the same weekend. I have not seen all that I dreamed possible in our years here. There have been some significant struggles and some exciting blessings. Currently we are in the middle of a remodeling process- adding 800 square feet to our multi-purpose auditorium/fellowship/AWANA's area. Dealing with the economic circumstances has complicated this project. This Wed evening our finance committee will discuss a proposal to eliminate our paid janitor, reduce our secretary's hours, and reduce the pastor's salary by $400 to $600 per month for the rest of 2009. Total savings for the church will be about $800 per month over the next 4 months or so. That deep of a cut means I will be looking for some part time employment-since my wife is the part time janitor here our portion of the salary cut will be pretty significant. I'm hoping to get my credentials so I can substitute teach in the local school district- which enables me to stay flexible with my schedule for emergencies and such.
We are also trying to retool our church's ministry. I've been meeting with a leadership team since May to pray and think about new ways to reach the community in which we live. I've been reading Paul Borden's Direct Hit and learning some new strategies for leading through change. So far the entire leadership team has been supportive and even excited about the changes we are discussing. I also realize there will be some opposition along the way and we are trying to be careful and deliberate in our efforts to communicate and explain the changes.(BTW- the finance committee met in early Aug and strenously obbjected to any salary cuts for the time being...Thank God for a people who believe in me!)
Well, it's now Aug 23. Camp was a success. The week after camp (Aug 14-21) I spent holed up in my home office getting my DMin project paper in shape. It goes in the mail tomorrow- 4 copies...oral exams scheduled on Sept. 28 in Louisville.
Tomorrow its back to normal- whatever that means.... Still very tired from camp and the stress of writing (really it was the formatting that made the process difficult).
Things at the church are, well, plodding along. Our leadership team meets again tomorrow evening to discuss some ways of changing the entire structure so that we become the kind of evangelistic people I believe God wants us to be. So, I'll quit for now...enough writing for one week. Till next time...
Cindy and I celebrated 33 years of marriage on Aug 2 and I completed 18 years of service at Community Baptist Church here in Winston the same weekend. I have not seen all that I dreamed possible in our years here. There have been some significant struggles and some exciting blessings. Currently we are in the middle of a remodeling process- adding 800 square feet to our multi-purpose auditorium/fellowship/AWANA's area. Dealing with the economic circumstances has complicated this project. This Wed evening our finance committee will discuss a proposal to eliminate our paid janitor, reduce our secretary's hours, and reduce the pastor's salary by $400 to $600 per month for the rest of 2009. Total savings for the church will be about $800 per month over the next 4 months or so. That deep of a cut means I will be looking for some part time employment-since my wife is the part time janitor here our portion of the salary cut will be pretty significant. I'm hoping to get my credentials so I can substitute teach in the local school district- which enables me to stay flexible with my schedule for emergencies and such.
We are also trying to retool our church's ministry. I've been meeting with a leadership team since May to pray and think about new ways to reach the community in which we live. I've been reading Paul Borden's Direct Hit and learning some new strategies for leading through change. So far the entire leadership team has been supportive and even excited about the changes we are discussing. I also realize there will be some opposition along the way and we are trying to be careful and deliberate in our efforts to communicate and explain the changes.(BTW- the finance committee met in early Aug and strenously obbjected to any salary cuts for the time being...Thank God for a people who believe in me!)
Well, it's now Aug 23. Camp was a success. The week after camp (Aug 14-21) I spent holed up in my home office getting my DMin project paper in shape. It goes in the mail tomorrow- 4 copies...oral exams scheduled on Sept. 28 in Louisville.
Tomorrow its back to normal- whatever that means.... Still very tired from camp and the stress of writing (really it was the formatting that made the process difficult).
Things at the church are, well, plodding along. Our leadership team meets again tomorrow evening to discuss some ways of changing the entire structure so that we become the kind of evangelistic people I believe God wants us to be. So, I'll quit for now...enough writing for one week. Till next time...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I've been holding this back for a few days, a little hesitant to share...
The past couple of weeks have been, well, difficult. Not because of stuff or because of opposition, but because of my persistent enemy: depression. (I am under medical care for this malady...but even the best med's have some issues...) I long for the passion I remember being rekindled at the NWBC Student Conference back in early May. I came home from that conference hungry and striving to know God more deeply. Now, the passion seems to have burned out. The every day tasks of ministry are wearing me thin and rarely do I have a sense of God's power and presence. I read His Word, pray, journal, meet with believing friends, and all the things I know to do. I also know that this too shall pass...but boy, while I wait, it sure gets hard.
Now, I'm not complaining, well, maybe just a bit. I really don't want sympathy (although there was a time before I was diagnosed that I DID want the sympathy...) Now I just want to be used by God in a powerful potent way. I attended a wedding today of a young man that I've known for about 10 or 12 years. He grew up in a strong Christian home- but after high school he choose to walk after the world. Though he and his family attended a church in another town, we would often see the young man's parents and listen to their heartbreak. But, he has come back to God's purpose and presence. He met a wonderful Christian young lady and today they celebrated what God has done in marriage. What struck me about this ceremony- that I don't often see or hear- is a deep passion for God that underlies their deep passion for one another. Many of the weddings I do are for lost and unchurched- hoping to minister and communicate some of my passion in the process. But I confess, sometimes my passion is make believe- and maybe, just maybe, that is why there is so little evangelistic harvest in my ministry.
Well, this may not fit your picture of who I am. You may think that as a pastor I have it all together...I remember about 16 years ago a group of people tried to run me off because I shared with them some of my personal struggle...they believed that a pastor should have it all together all the time. They eventually all left our church...and I stayed and God has blessed.
Well, that's off my heart- and a few days later I do sense a renewal of hope and joy. For me the key to battling the fog of depression is to just do one thing at a time, and to do what I know needs to be done. Someone once saw my office for the first time and asked if I was ADD or ADHD....I'm not sure which diagnoses might fit. But, the healing that occurs happens when I do that one thing...forgetting the past and pressing forward into all that God has for me!
If you've read this far, let me say- Thanks for hanging with me!
Steve
The past couple of weeks have been, well, difficult. Not because of stuff or because of opposition, but because of my persistent enemy: depression. (I am under medical care for this malady...but even the best med's have some issues...) I long for the passion I remember being rekindled at the NWBC Student Conference back in early May. I came home from that conference hungry and striving to know God more deeply. Now, the passion seems to have burned out. The every day tasks of ministry are wearing me thin and rarely do I have a sense of God's power and presence. I read His Word, pray, journal, meet with believing friends, and all the things I know to do. I also know that this too shall pass...but boy, while I wait, it sure gets hard.
Now, I'm not complaining, well, maybe just a bit. I really don't want sympathy (although there was a time before I was diagnosed that I DID want the sympathy...) Now I just want to be used by God in a powerful potent way. I attended a wedding today of a young man that I've known for about 10 or 12 years. He grew up in a strong Christian home- but after high school he choose to walk after the world. Though he and his family attended a church in another town, we would often see the young man's parents and listen to their heartbreak. But, he has come back to God's purpose and presence. He met a wonderful Christian young lady and today they celebrated what God has done in marriage. What struck me about this ceremony- that I don't often see or hear- is a deep passion for God that underlies their deep passion for one another. Many of the weddings I do are for lost and unchurched- hoping to minister and communicate some of my passion in the process. But I confess, sometimes my passion is make believe- and maybe, just maybe, that is why there is so little evangelistic harvest in my ministry.
Well, this may not fit your picture of who I am. You may think that as a pastor I have it all together...I remember about 16 years ago a group of people tried to run me off because I shared with them some of my personal struggle...they believed that a pastor should have it all together all the time. They eventually all left our church...and I stayed and God has blessed.
Well, that's off my heart- and a few days later I do sense a renewal of hope and joy. For me the key to battling the fog of depression is to just do one thing at a time, and to do what I know needs to be done. Someone once saw my office for the first time and asked if I was ADD or ADHD....I'm not sure which diagnoses might fit. But, the healing that occurs happens when I do that one thing...forgetting the past and pressing forward into all that God has for me!
If you've read this far, let me say- Thanks for hanging with me!
Steve
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Multiple Congregations
My wife was interviewed today for an article in an upcoming edition of the Northwest Baptist Witness. Don't know when it will be printed, but as I listened to her answer the questions I was reminded of something I've been thinking about - and meaning to post about.
How many congregations make up your church? I have several. First, there are those core believers- many of whom have been believers at least as long as I've been alive- and some a few years longer. There are a few in my age range as well- these are the folks that attend every time the doors are open- Sunday after Sunday they are faithful and can be counted on to do just about whatever needs to be done.
Then there are Sunday only folks. Some are older adults- and it is all they can do to attend Sunday morning worship. Many of them were core leaders in younger years, but because of physical challenges, they just can't get around much any more.
Then there are the semi-regular attenders. We have some who attend twice a month or so...work schedules and family challenges hinder them from being every Sunday type of folks. Most of these are my age or younger- and their family challenges are huge.
Then there are a few who attend just a few times a year- five or six times. Lot's of reasons they don't attend.
Finally, at least in my ministry, I have a congregation of community leaders, community folk who attend no church. Many of these have tenuous connections with the church. Some have given up on the church, but have not given up on God. Some are searching for God's presence and are just not ready to attend a 'worship' service. Some are just un-churched- and were raised in an unchurched family setting.Some are just totally unacquainted with God as He is revealed in Scripture. Their understanding of the nature and character of God is shaped more by the surrounding culture than the truth of God's Word.
It is easy to neglect any one of these groups. It is hard to balance the competing needs of these groups. Yet, part of the reason I stick around is the undying faith that God will use me to see some from the farthest out begin to move towards the center.
Part of the challenge we face as a congregation is developing an intentional strategy to engage each group and provide resources and assistance and understanding as they grow in Christ. So, pray for us that we can discover meaningful ways to (to borrow a booik title by an author whose name escapes me) unleash the church- i.e. those committed followers who are well along the path of becoming fully formed followers- to penetrate the culture in which we live. Pray that we might have the courage to share our faith in meaningful ways with those farthest from the center, and then pray that we who live in that center group will be willing to help teach and disciple new believers who move in towards the center.
I hope this make sense. I've been helping my daughter move from one apartment to another in Salem- and I'm tired...So, I'll close and return to this idea later.
How many congregations make up your church? I have several. First, there are those core believers- many of whom have been believers at least as long as I've been alive- and some a few years longer. There are a few in my age range as well- these are the folks that attend every time the doors are open- Sunday after Sunday they are faithful and can be counted on to do just about whatever needs to be done.
Then there are Sunday only folks. Some are older adults- and it is all they can do to attend Sunday morning worship. Many of them were core leaders in younger years, but because of physical challenges, they just can't get around much any more.
Then there are the semi-regular attenders. We have some who attend twice a month or so...work schedules and family challenges hinder them from being every Sunday type of folks. Most of these are my age or younger- and their family challenges are huge.
Then there are a few who attend just a few times a year- five or six times. Lot's of reasons they don't attend.
Finally, at least in my ministry, I have a congregation of community leaders, community folk who attend no church. Many of these have tenuous connections with the church. Some have given up on the church, but have not given up on God. Some are searching for God's presence and are just not ready to attend a 'worship' service. Some are just un-churched- and were raised in an unchurched family setting.Some are just totally unacquainted with God as He is revealed in Scripture. Their understanding of the nature and character of God is shaped more by the surrounding culture than the truth of God's Word.
It is easy to neglect any one of these groups. It is hard to balance the competing needs of these groups. Yet, part of the reason I stick around is the undying faith that God will use me to see some from the farthest out begin to move towards the center.
Part of the challenge we face as a congregation is developing an intentional strategy to engage each group and provide resources and assistance and understanding as they grow in Christ. So, pray for us that we can discover meaningful ways to (to borrow a booik title by an author whose name escapes me) unleash the church- i.e. those committed followers who are well along the path of becoming fully formed followers- to penetrate the culture in which we live. Pray that we might have the courage to share our faith in meaningful ways with those farthest from the center, and then pray that we who live in that center group will be willing to help teach and disciple new believers who move in towards the center.
I hope this make sense. I've been helping my daughter move from one apartment to another in Salem- and I'm tired...So, I'll close and return to this idea later.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Compelling
One of the challenges I think about regularly is why even believers no longer feel compelled to participate in regular attendance at worship and discipleship events. Now, I realize it is summer and people are scheduled to be on vacation- I certainly welcome my opportunity to be away for a few days here and there. So, let go of the guilt- I'm not trying to catch those who have been away for a vacation or family reasons.
No, what concerns me is the attitude that has been growing over the past few decades (I've been at this since the late 1970's- so I have a few decades of experience) that tends to make attendance at worship optional. It seems that every time a new believer looks around- or when some who are seriously contemplating the faith- they see the halfhearted attempts made by believers in attending corporate worship and they often see those who are there make a halfhearted attempt at genuine and heartfelt worship.
Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate.For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). It is so much easier to go with the flow than to move against it. The disciplines of the Christian life are easily put on hold for other 'important' events and responsibilities. Putting off attendance is an easy first step in getting caught in the current of life. Then it becomes easier next week to find a reason- and the reason's I've heard are all legitimate and important. If regular attendance at the gathering of God's people is any indication of the depth of discipleship then there are two conclusions I'd like to draw:
a). There are indeed few who are pressing into the narrow way. Thank God for those committed, devoted to God believers who attend our worship and discipleship gatherings regularly. They are often the only source of encouragement for a single staff pastor like myself. I often tell my folks I'd rather have a few who are truly devoted to following Jesus daily than hundreds who are just living around the edges of faith. I am learning to celebrate the few and to rejoice with them as they experience growth and as they develop into fully formed followers of Jesus Christ.
b). This narrow gate and difficult road are not impossible. Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest theological minds in American history, in a message titled, "Pressing into the Kingdom of God" notes, "By pressing into the kingdom of God is denoted a breaking through opposition and difficulties. There is in the expression a plain intimation of difficulty. If there were no opposition, but the way was all clear and open, there would be no need of pressing to get along. They therefore that are pressing into the kingdom of God, go on with such engagedness, that they break through the difficulties that are in their way. They are so set for salvation, that those things by which others are discouraged, and stopped, and turned back, do not stop them, but they press through them. Persons ought to be so resolved for heaven, that if by any means they can obtain, they will obtain. Whether those means be difficult or easy, cross or agreeable, if they are requisite means of salvation, they should be complied with. When any thing is presented to be done, the question should not be, Is it easy or hard? is it agreeable to my carnal inclinations or interest, or against them? But is it a required means of my obtaining an interest in Jesus Christ, and eternal salvation? "
So, thank God for those few who are pressing into the kingdom. May our lives be such compelling and persuasive examples of kingdom living that the world around us must notice-and by our lives may we testigfy to God's unsearchable riches!
No, what concerns me is the attitude that has been growing over the past few decades (I've been at this since the late 1970's- so I have a few decades of experience) that tends to make attendance at worship optional. It seems that every time a new believer looks around- or when some who are seriously contemplating the faith- they see the halfhearted attempts made by believers in attending corporate worship and they often see those who are there make a halfhearted attempt at genuine and heartfelt worship.
Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate.For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). It is so much easier to go with the flow than to move against it. The disciplines of the Christian life are easily put on hold for other 'important' events and responsibilities. Putting off attendance is an easy first step in getting caught in the current of life. Then it becomes easier next week to find a reason- and the reason's I've heard are all legitimate and important. If regular attendance at the gathering of God's people is any indication of the depth of discipleship then there are two conclusions I'd like to draw:
a). There are indeed few who are pressing into the narrow way. Thank God for those committed, devoted to God believers who attend our worship and discipleship gatherings regularly. They are often the only source of encouragement for a single staff pastor like myself. I often tell my folks I'd rather have a few who are truly devoted to following Jesus daily than hundreds who are just living around the edges of faith. I am learning to celebrate the few and to rejoice with them as they experience growth and as they develop into fully formed followers of Jesus Christ.
b). This narrow gate and difficult road are not impossible. Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest theological minds in American history, in a message titled, "Pressing into the Kingdom of God" notes, "By pressing into the kingdom of God is denoted a breaking through opposition and difficulties. There is in the expression a plain intimation of difficulty. If there were no opposition, but the way was all clear and open, there would be no need of pressing to get along. They therefore that are pressing into the kingdom of God, go on with such engagedness, that they break through the difficulties that are in their way. They are so set for salvation, that those things by which others are discouraged, and stopped, and turned back, do not stop them, but they press through them. Persons ought to be so resolved for heaven, that if by any means they can obtain, they will obtain. Whether those means be difficult or easy, cross or agreeable, if they are requisite means of salvation, they should be complied with. When any thing is presented to be done, the question should not be, Is it easy or hard? is it agreeable to my carnal inclinations or interest, or against them? But is it a required means of my obtaining an interest in Jesus Christ, and eternal salvation? "
So, thank God for those few who are pressing into the kingdom. May our lives be such compelling and persuasive examples of kingdom living that the world around us must notice-and by our lives may we testigfy to God's unsearchable riches!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Leadership
Earlier this week a friend who is a leader of a large public sector agency in our community and I were comparing leading our organizations. I made the ages old reference to leading a church like being on the Titanic-trying to turn a massive ship is a time consuming process. He likened his job to being the captain of the Exxon Valdez...trying to navigate the waterway's around Alaska- surrounded on both sides by glaciers and other unmovable land masses. like trying to thread a needle in the dark. Of course he also suggested that leading his organization has a huge challenge-keeping the cargo on board! While our organizations are as different as night and day, there is a similarity between us. Both of us are trying to navigate in uncharted waters. Recently there have been a deluge of articles suggesting that the Southern Baptist Convention is in decline and a series of rebuttal arguments suggesting that things are really better than they appear. From where I sit- on the left coast, in a highly unchurched population- both sides may be missing the point. We've never been here before. So, the past- while instructive- cannot be a guide for the present. We can learn lessons from our past, but it may be time to look to the present and intermediate future.
As pastors we need to ask, "What changes/adjustments do we need to make as believers, families, churches, and denominational agencies to respond to the opportunities God presents us with?" God is opening doors for service- they don't always look like they did in the past. God is leading individuals and churches to respond to their communities in fresh ways. Instead of comparing ourselves to one another let's focus on where God has placed us, stay planted, and stay focused on the larger objective. Do we need a Great Commission Resurgence. Yes. Do we need a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit? Yes. Do we need to constantly be evaluating our strategies. Yes. Too much of what I've read and listened to tends to suggest an either or type of response. What about both/and responses? Are we in decline? Numerically, yes. But maybe that's healthy. I know even in my small church we still have people on our rolls we can't find. A decline in numbers from where we are may mean drawing closer to identifying those for whom we are truly spiritually responsible. Are we baptizing as many as we have? No. But again, how many adults have we re-baptized because we failed to do an adequate job of discipleship? Far too many. I know these are old arguments and probably cliche's by now....
I won't be attending the SBC this year- too far, too costly, I choose to use my limited travel expenses for meetings closer to home. My prayer is that the meeting won't devolve into an us vs them, or a past or present or future orientation, but that God will move- and like neither the Titanic or the Exxon Valdez our denomination will allow God to lead on a path that continues to advance the Kingdom of God!
As pastors we need to ask, "What changes/adjustments do we need to make as believers, families, churches, and denominational agencies to respond to the opportunities God presents us with?" God is opening doors for service- they don't always look like they did in the past. God is leading individuals and churches to respond to their communities in fresh ways. Instead of comparing ourselves to one another let's focus on where God has placed us, stay planted, and stay focused on the larger objective. Do we need a Great Commission Resurgence. Yes. Do we need a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit? Yes. Do we need to constantly be evaluating our strategies. Yes. Too much of what I've read and listened to tends to suggest an either or type of response. What about both/and responses? Are we in decline? Numerically, yes. But maybe that's healthy. I know even in my small church we still have people on our rolls we can't find. A decline in numbers from where we are may mean drawing closer to identifying those for whom we are truly spiritually responsible. Are we baptizing as many as we have? No. But again, how many adults have we re-baptized because we failed to do an adequate job of discipleship? Far too many. I know these are old arguments and probably cliche's by now....
I won't be attending the SBC this year- too far, too costly, I choose to use my limited travel expenses for meetings closer to home. My prayer is that the meeting won't devolve into an us vs them, or a past or present or future orientation, but that God will move- and like neither the Titanic or the Exxon Valdez our denomination will allow God to lead on a path that continues to advance the Kingdom of God!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What did you just say?
I'm a little hesitant about this subject, but passionate as well. A couple of caveats-I have a degree in music education from Western Washington University; I served several churches early in my career in leading worship as minister of music or associate pastor; and finally, as a single staff pastor I do most of the worship planning for our church- and have at times led the entire worship service- including playing a guitar or keyboards for the musical segments. So, with that out of the way...when will we stop segmenting worship and preaching? I still hear and read of worship that prepares for preaching, or worship that enhances preaching. Is preaching something different than worship? I would say NO. As the Spirit functions to make much of Jesus (see John 14-16) as the Incarnate Word, I would suggest that the Spirit functions to make much of the written, revealed Word of God- which has as its subject from beginning to end, Jesus! Since preaching is part of worship we as pastors and those who plan and prepare to lead worship services, let's be very careful with our words. Worship and preaching are not two distinct activities that occur whenever our people meet for gathered services. Rather, worship encompasses singing, praying, meditation, hearing the Word read, and hearing the Word proclaimed.
Well, at least that's off my chest for now...thanks for listening.
Well, at least that's off my chest for now...thanks for listening.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Another Class I Missed in Seminary...
Apparently I missed a lot of classes in seminary. For example, the day I was supposed to learn to read a blueprint for a new building or a remodel- I missed that day. Another day I missed- how to help the mentally ill. I am currently working with some that have been diagnosed as bi-polar. I have read some of the literature and have some understanding of the disease. But where was I the day my professors discussed how to share my faith with folks who are afflicted with this disease? Where was I the day my professors talked about helping these people deal with the side effects of the potent drugs they often are prescribed?
These past few days I have been privileged to work with some mentally ill folk. Helping them is exhausting. They are under a doctor's care, though like many, they insist on self-medicating. It is wearying work.
I must have missed the day the class discussed leading a church in transition. My people are wonderful and they have put up with several false starts on my part. Trying to chart a course through the cultural environment must have been covered on one of those days I missed.
Now, I am not complaining about my seminary education (well, just a little perhaps). I received an excellent education at Golden Gate and am learning more than I ever wanted to know about Turabian at Southern Seminary (honestly, I have enjoyed my interaction with my professors and staff at Southern and have learned much about my self and the field of study represented in my doctoral project). I do wonder sometimes if we as Southern Baptists are adequately preparing men and women for ministry in the real world. I know a couple of the presidents of our seminary's personally and truly believe that they have a genuine passion to help students learn of God and His ways. I also realize that no seminary education can truly prepare one for all that a person might encounter along life's path.
The longer I am in ministry the more I realize I have yet to learn. At least my seminary education taught me how to be a life long learner. So, I've got some catching up to do on mental illness...(that which others have...my own mental state is a perpetual state of confusion...!)
Steve
These past few days I have been privileged to work with some mentally ill folk. Helping them is exhausting. They are under a doctor's care, though like many, they insist on self-medicating. It is wearying work.
I must have missed the day the class discussed leading a church in transition. My people are wonderful and they have put up with several false starts on my part. Trying to chart a course through the cultural environment must have been covered on one of those days I missed.
Now, I am not complaining about my seminary education (well, just a little perhaps). I received an excellent education at Golden Gate and am learning more than I ever wanted to know about Turabian at Southern Seminary (honestly, I have enjoyed my interaction with my professors and staff at Southern and have learned much about my self and the field of study represented in my doctoral project). I do wonder sometimes if we as Southern Baptists are adequately preparing men and women for ministry in the real world. I know a couple of the presidents of our seminary's personally and truly believe that they have a genuine passion to help students learn of God and His ways. I also realize that no seminary education can truly prepare one for all that a person might encounter along life's path.
The longer I am in ministry the more I realize I have yet to learn. At least my seminary education taught me how to be a life long learner. So, I've got some catching up to do on mental illness...(that which others have...my own mental state is a perpetual state of confusion...!)
Steve
Friday, June 5, 2009
You may have seen this on HB London's email, The Pastor's Weekly Briefing
(June 5) and I thought it was worth sharing:
ONE LONE VOICE
From a chaplain in Iraq:
LSA Anaconda I attended a showing at LSA Anaconda (Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad). We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings.
As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through, when the National Anthem music stopped. Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22-year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments and everyone would sit down and call for the movie.
Here, the 1,000 soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Every soldier continued to stand at attention.
Suddenly, there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: 'And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.' It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq.
I wanted you to know what kind of soldiers are serving you here and in Afghanistan. Remember them as they fight for you. Be in prayer for all our soldiers at home and abroad.
— Chaplain Jim Higgins (now senior pastor of McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church in Powder Springs, Ga.)
My son is a Staff Sgt in the USAir Force, proudly serving his country. He and has sqaudron have done two 6 month tours overseas at a base in Southeast Asia in the past 24 months. But there were two other headlines in the Pastor's Weekly Briefing that troubled me...Homosexual Activist Appointed to Education Department; and June Declared 'LGBT Pride Month.' Which America are our armed services supporting? The one defined by the current political culture? The one where sexual orientation is truly immaterial- where eventually we will see marriages between men and children? between women, men, and women? Is the America that our men and women are fighting to defend really a place where one can be proud to flaunt God's laws? I tremble with fear when I think through the implications of how our courts are redefining rights based on their own personal experience rather than commonly accepted definitions and historically sound interpretations of the Constitution. I tremble with fear when I hear churches- those who claim the name of Christ- affirming people's preferences for sexuality, for personal convenience, and for personal priority.
May God remind us again of the cost of being His disciple- to surrender everything for the awesome privilege of knowing JEsus Christ- the suffering of His crucifixion as we take our cross daily, and the power of His resurrection as the Holy Spirit indwells us!
(June 5) and I thought it was worth sharing:
ONE LONE VOICE
From a chaplain in Iraq:
LSA Anaconda I attended a showing at LSA Anaconda (Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad). We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings.
As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through, when the National Anthem music stopped. Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22-year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments and everyone would sit down and call for the movie.
Here, the 1,000 soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Every soldier continued to stand at attention.
Suddenly, there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: 'And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.' It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq.
I wanted you to know what kind of soldiers are serving you here and in Afghanistan. Remember them as they fight for you. Be in prayer for all our soldiers at home and abroad.
— Chaplain Jim Higgins (now senior pastor of McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church in Powder Springs, Ga.)
My son is a Staff Sgt in the USAir Force, proudly serving his country. He and has sqaudron have done two 6 month tours overseas at a base in Southeast Asia in the past 24 months. But there were two other headlines in the Pastor's Weekly Briefing that troubled me...Homosexual Activist Appointed to Education Department; and June Declared 'LGBT Pride Month.' Which America are our armed services supporting? The one defined by the current political culture? The one where sexual orientation is truly immaterial- where eventually we will see marriages between men and children? between women, men, and women? Is the America that our men and women are fighting to defend really a place where one can be proud to flaunt God's laws? I tremble with fear when I think through the implications of how our courts are redefining rights based on their own personal experience rather than commonly accepted definitions and historically sound interpretations of the Constitution. I tremble with fear when I hear churches- those who claim the name of Christ- affirming people's preferences for sexuality, for personal convenience, and for personal priority.
May God remind us again of the cost of being His disciple- to surrender everything for the awesome privilege of knowing JEsus Christ- the suffering of His crucifixion as we take our cross daily, and the power of His resurrection as the Holy Spirit indwells us!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Crumbling Foundations
On Mother's Day I began a series of messages based loosely on the biblical principles from Tom Eliff's book, Unbreakable. These biblical pillars define kingdom families. Since I began, it seems that literally all hell has broken loose against many of the families in our church. Earlier this week a young person in our church narrowly escaped a potential date-rape experience. Two of the young men I recently baptized are being used by their dad as pawns in a significant power struggle with his ex-wife- their mom. Several of the older couples and elderly widows have shared with me some troubling developments between their children- jealousies, some life-threatening health concerns and the like. Just from observation I can see some of the families in our fellowship struggling- carrying some sort of weight in regards to their family.I'm not certain that there is a direct correlation, but I do know that in the midst of this series I have become more aware of some of the weight of these issues.
As I've observed these stresses and strains I have been leading our leadership team to rethink and refocus our ministry. We are asking one question of everything we do- What adjustments is God asking us to make to more effectively be His people in our community and in our world? I can't help but wonder if what some of these families are experiencing are results of asking that question in their own lives? In my reading of God's Word this morning I came across this: "But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself (Psalm 4:3, ESV). Are these circumstances God's work in setting these individuals apart for Himself? As pastor how can I be of more assistance to the families in our church? And if these are the kinds of experiences families in our church are living through, what is happening in those families who are unsaved and unchurched? How can we as a people of God be available for God to use in strengthening and supporting those around us?
All of these are difficult questions. Listening to God's answers is the next step.
As I've observed these stresses and strains I have been leading our leadership team to rethink and refocus our ministry. We are asking one question of everything we do- What adjustments is God asking us to make to more effectively be His people in our community and in our world? I can't help but wonder if what some of these families are experiencing are results of asking that question in their own lives? In my reading of God's Word this morning I came across this: "But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself (Psalm 4:3, ESV). Are these circumstances God's work in setting these individuals apart for Himself? As pastor how can I be of more assistance to the families in our church? And if these are the kinds of experiences families in our church are living through, what is happening in those families who are unsaved and unchurched? How can we as a people of God be available for God to use in strengthening and supporting those around us?
All of these are difficult questions. Listening to God's answers is the next step.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Knowing God
I am reading Henry and Richard Blackaby's EXPERIENCING GOD: DAY BY DAY (B&H Publishers, 1997) this year. Today's reading begins with this question:"Are you satisfied with merely knowing the acts of God, or do you also want to know His ways? I confess I was caught off guard by that question. I often pray for God to do, to act, to move, to prove Himself strong and the like. But, when was the last time I prayed, Lord, let me see Your character, Your nature, Your attributes? A little further into the reading Blackaby notes, "The way God acted provided a window into His nature."
As our church- and their pastor- seeks to transition to become the kind of people God needs us to be to make His presence known in our community, we - the church and her pastor- must look beyond the great things God does and learn to see His great and incomparable nature.
I think that might help with the untangling I've been streggling with as well- trying to seperate our inaccurate cultural understanding of God from the accurate Biblical description.
So, today- I want to see beyond God's protection and provision and see God as One who is deeply passionate about me- so that I might deepen my passion for Him.
As our church- and their pastor- seeks to transition to become the kind of people God needs us to be to make His presence known in our community, we - the church and her pastor- must look beyond the great things God does and learn to see His great and incomparable nature.
I think that might help with the untangling I've been streggling with as well- trying to seperate our inaccurate cultural understanding of God from the accurate Biblical description.
So, today- I want to see beyond God's protection and provision and see God as One who is deeply passionate about me- so that I might deepen my passion for Him.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Still Untangling
I recently started reading Richard John Neuhas' American Babylon. An interesting read. He makes this observation: "American theology has suffered from an ecclesiological deficit, leading to an ecclesiological substitution of America for the Church through time"(p. 41). It has long been my contention that Southern Baptists have not had a clearly defined theology of 'church.' Southern Baptist's expansion during the post WW II years may have very well been fueled by a growing sense of national pride and hunger for American supremacy as much as a genuine hunger to grow deeply in the things of God (at least in my humble opinion).
A few pages later Neuhas mentions James Madison's "Memorial and Remonstrance" of 1785 in which Madison suggested that those who enter the political community must have a prior allegiance to God and the laws of God (see Neuhas, 50).
Of course Neuhas writes as a Catholic, suggesting that the Catholic Church is THE church that can locate individual's identity as believers.
So, further untangling is needed. Setting the gospel free from nationalistic leanings, allowing the Gospel to be about the Kingdom of God (see Mark 1:13-15)is the only true hope for individuals. The 'how' is still something I think about, pray about, and try and understand.
A few pages later Neuhas mentions James Madison's "Memorial and Remonstrance" of 1785 in which Madison suggested that those who enter the political community must have a prior allegiance to God and the laws of God (see Neuhas, 50).
Of course Neuhas writes as a Catholic, suggesting that the Catholic Church is THE church that can locate individual's identity as believers.
So, further untangling is needed. Setting the gospel free from nationalistic leanings, allowing the Gospel to be about the Kingdom of God (see Mark 1:13-15)is the only true hope for individuals. The 'how' is still something I think about, pray about, and try and understand.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Untangling
In much of the reading I've been doing (Niebuhr, The Irony of American History , Liederbach and Reid, The Convergent Church, and Scott Moore, The Limits of Liberal Democracy, I have been made aware-again- of how deeply tangled Christianity has become with what it means to be an American. I know this is old hat to many, but I am struggling with exactly how to untangle the two. Of course I am a patriot. I believe in the tenets of our freedom as Americans and I supported Pres. Bush's efforts to create an environment for democracy in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But....where do our commitments to the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ and the commitments to our representative form of government need to be pulled apart? And more importantly, how do we live out the gospel in our own culture in a way that clearly delineates between the two?
Living in the rural northwestern United States I am surrounded by unchurched people who think they share common convictions about God, family, America, and apple pie! The more I reflect on the truth of God's Word and American history the more I am convinced that there is very little common ground between the two groups.
I was reading this morning in 1 Peter 1 and was struck by several things- First, believers are temporary residents; second, believers are chosen by God's foreknowledge; third, we have been set apart for sanctified/holy living; and fourth, the goal of our faith is eternal salvation. These identifying marks are in contrast to marks of American citizenship. How we untangle these two systems is a challenge.
I don't know if any of this makes sense, but it does reflect what is happening in my life right now.
I am also trying to prepare for a re-visioning process this summer. I've been pastor almost 18 years. We have done church a particular way for these years, and we are seriously in need of an overhaul- we are having a great time when we come together on Sunday's and Wednesday's but we are having little or no kingdom impact on the community in which we live.
So, welcome to my world!
God is good...all the time...God is good!
Living in the rural northwestern United States I am surrounded by unchurched people who think they share common convictions about God, family, America, and apple pie! The more I reflect on the truth of God's Word and American history the more I am convinced that there is very little common ground between the two groups.
I was reading this morning in 1 Peter 1 and was struck by several things- First, believers are temporary residents; second, believers are chosen by God's foreknowledge; third, we have been set apart for sanctified/holy living; and fourth, the goal of our faith is eternal salvation. These identifying marks are in contrast to marks of American citizenship. How we untangle these two systems is a challenge.
I don't know if any of this makes sense, but it does reflect what is happening in my life right now.
I am also trying to prepare for a re-visioning process this summer. I've been pastor almost 18 years. We have done church a particular way for these years, and we are seriously in need of an overhaul- we are having a great time when we come together on Sunday's and Wednesday's but we are having little or no kingdom impact on the community in which we live.
So, welcome to my world!
God is good...all the time...God is good!
Monday, May 11, 2009
In Case You Asked
I've mentioned this several times in teaching/preaching opportunities. I pray Scripture over my immediate family. Here is the current list of verses I pray for my wife and children-
Cindy- Hebrews 13:20-21; Megan-Ephesians 1:17; Josh and Kalaya-Eph 1:18. I change verses when I sense God leading me to change, or when one of my family members mentions a specific challenge. This is not a unique practice to me, but some have asked, so there it is!
Cindy- Hebrews 13:20-21; Megan-Ephesians 1:17; Josh and Kalaya-Eph 1:18. I change verses when I sense God leading me to change, or when one of my family members mentions a specific challenge. This is not a unique practice to me, but some have asked, so there it is!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Driven to my knees
"Surprise! Surprise!"- Remember Gomer Pyle?
Anyway...two posts-one right after the other...
I was reading from Mark 5- the account of Jairus and his daughter. I wondered if there are any of us who are desperate enough to lay hold of Jesus for the restoration of His church? Even when the crowd thought that the girl was dead, Jesus told Jairus- "Don't be afraid! Only believe" (Mark 5:36). Are we who are engaged with the local church willing and desperate enough to believe that Jesus can restore life to His people?
One other thought- unrelated to the first-
After spending last weekend with 850 or so teenagers and their adult leaders, I was impressed with the fervency of their worship. I enjoyed Josh Martin and his worship team immensely. My fear is that many of those teenagers went home to their churches on Sunday and were, well, less than impressed with the quality of their own worship services. As I try and process this I am deeply moved about one significant issue. Most of our worship services are seriously lacking in fervency. Perhaps it is time- probably past time- to be reminded of the glory and grandeur of our God so that when we come to worship His presence fills our minds and hearts so that regardless of the musical style, regardless of the musical preferences of the worship leaders,our worship is heart-felt, fervent, and full of passion for the reality of God's presence. I shared with my congregation this last Sunday a passage from Rev 4 where John was privilged to experience a heavenly worship service- reading that makes me think of an overload of sensory experience- sights, sounds, physical expressions that are beyond our ability to process normally. Are we enthralled with God when we worship? Or are we enthralled by the ability and talent of those leading the worship service? Just some random thoughts that are driving me to my knees!
Anyway...two posts-one right after the other...
I was reading from Mark 5- the account of Jairus and his daughter. I wondered if there are any of us who are desperate enough to lay hold of Jesus for the restoration of His church? Even when the crowd thought that the girl was dead, Jesus told Jairus- "Don't be afraid! Only believe" (Mark 5:36). Are we who are engaged with the local church willing and desperate enough to believe that Jesus can restore life to His people?
One other thought- unrelated to the first-
After spending last weekend with 850 or so teenagers and their adult leaders, I was impressed with the fervency of their worship. I enjoyed Josh Martin and his worship team immensely. My fear is that many of those teenagers went home to their churches on Sunday and were, well, less than impressed with the quality of their own worship services. As I try and process this I am deeply moved about one significant issue. Most of our worship services are seriously lacking in fervency. Perhaps it is time- probably past time- to be reminded of the glory and grandeur of our God so that when we come to worship His presence fills our minds and hearts so that regardless of the musical style, regardless of the musical preferences of the worship leaders,our worship is heart-felt, fervent, and full of passion for the reality of God's presence. I shared with my congregation this last Sunday a passage from Rev 4 where John was privilged to experience a heavenly worship service- reading that makes me think of an overload of sensory experience- sights, sounds, physical expressions that are beyond our ability to process normally. Are we enthralled with God when we worship? Or are we enthralled by the ability and talent of those leading the worship service? Just some random thoughts that are driving me to my knees!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Changes
This past week I began the process of re-visioning and dreaming about the future of my ministry and the assignment God has given Community Baptist Church. Space does not permit me to share everything that I am learning and since I have not presented any of this information to my leadership team I want to share just some broad strokes of what I sense God doing.
First, after an unusual week- Wednesday and Thursday of this past week I experienced a nearness to God I have not experienced for quite some time. During some prayer and Bible study times God began to unveil for me some principles that I believe can transform our ministry. Then Friday and Saturday my wife and I took several of our teenagers and two young adults to Vancouver, WA for the NWBC Student Conference. Watching yet another generation of teenagers who are unashamedly passionate about their relationship with God I was humbled. I was reminded that I too once shared a similar passion. But ‘church,’ ‘ministry,’ and the business of pastoring had gotten in the way. I hungered for a freedom to sing and participate in worship as these young people around me were experiencing. I was forcefully reminded that if there was a problem, it was not that God’s passion for me, or for this world had changed, but that something inside of me had changed. And since the problem was in me, no one else could come close to a solution.
I had been working on a message from Exodus 15 all week. That song of Moses and the Israelites helped uncover for me some primary choices that our church must make in order to be where God needs us to be.
First, we have to recover a God-sized vision of who God is. We have reduced God to a slightly larger version of ourselves. We need to recover some of what John experienced on the island of Patmos- see Rev 4.
Second, we have to learn to express that which we claim to feel. The words of our songs are not the problem- whether they are worship choruses written last week or the great hymns of the faith written in the past 300 years. The problem is we just don’t mean what we sing any more. We have allowed our stereotypes to restrict our expression. When I was courting my wife I would go hours without sleeping if I had the chance to spend time with her, I would go without eating; I would do whatever it took to find ways to spend time with her, to express my feelings for her. When it comes to spending time with God we seem to have many other priorities and many other activities that require our time. When it comes to truly expressing our feelings in worship we are hesitant, we are afraid others will be offended, we have an entire list of excuses that seem to keep us from expressing what we feel. I can’t help but wonder if we really glimpsed the nature of God how our worship would change. I also wonder if somewhere we have communicated to the lost world around us that we are much more excited about our favorite sports teams than we are about God who has rescued us from an eternity of darkness and absence!
Third, we must renew our commitment to tell the world about Jesus To tell the world about Jesus will require us partnering with believers- regardless of the name on their building. To tell the world about Jesus will require a costly commitment- in every part of life.
So, in broad strokes this is a new direction for our church. What it will look like, what forms it will take, and what kind of changes it will require are still to be determined.
The change MUST begin with me.
This past week I began the process of re-visioning and dreaming about the future of my ministry and the assignment God has given Community Baptist Church. Space does not permit me to share everything that I am learning and since I have not presented any of this information to my leadership team I want to share just some broad strokes of what I sense God doing.
First, after an unusual week- Wednesday and Thursday of this past week I experienced a nearness to God I have not experienced for quite some time. During some prayer and Bible study times God began to unveil for me some principles that I believe can transform our ministry. Then Friday and Saturday my wife and I took several of our teenagers and two young adults to Vancouver, WA for the NWBC Student Conference. Watching yet another generation of teenagers who are unashamedly passionate about their relationship with God I was humbled. I was reminded that I too once shared a similar passion. But ‘church,’ ‘ministry,’ and the business of pastoring had gotten in the way. I hungered for a freedom to sing and participate in worship as these young people around me were experiencing. I was forcefully reminded that if there was a problem, it was not that God’s passion for me, or for this world had changed, but that something inside of me had changed. And since the problem was in me, no one else could come close to a solution.
I had been working on a message from Exodus 15 all week. That song of Moses and the Israelites helped uncover for me some primary choices that our church must make in order to be where God needs us to be.
First, we have to recover a God-sized vision of who God is. We have reduced God to a slightly larger version of ourselves. We need to recover some of what John experienced on the island of Patmos- see Rev 4.
Second, we have to learn to express that which we claim to feel. The words of our songs are not the problem- whether they are worship choruses written last week or the great hymns of the faith written in the past 300 years. The problem is we just don’t mean what we sing any more. We have allowed our stereotypes to restrict our expression. When I was courting my wife I would go hours without sleeping if I had the chance to spend time with her, I would go without eating; I would do whatever it took to find ways to spend time with her, to express my feelings for her. When it comes to spending time with God we seem to have many other priorities and many other activities that require our time. When it comes to truly expressing our feelings in worship we are hesitant, we are afraid others will be offended, we have an entire list of excuses that seem to keep us from expressing what we feel. I can’t help but wonder if we really glimpsed the nature of God how our worship would change. I also wonder if somewhere we have communicated to the lost world around us that we are much more excited about our favorite sports teams than we are about God who has rescued us from an eternity of darkness and absence!
Third, we must renew our commitment to tell the world about Jesus To tell the world about Jesus will require us partnering with believers- regardless of the name on their building. To tell the world about Jesus will require a costly commitment- in every part of life.
So, in broad strokes this is a new direction for our church. What it will look like, what forms it will take, and what kind of changes it will require are still to be determined.
The change MUST begin with me.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
My Battle Cry
Leviticus 26:19-20 "I will break down your strong pride. I will make your sky like iron and your land like bronze...Your land will not yield its produce...."
Reading those words this morning I sensed a powerful urge to stop and read no further. Could it be that the lack of spiritual fruit (i.e. the lack of new believers, the lack of evangelistic fervor if you will, the lack of a passion to share Jesus Christ in ways that are meaningful and significant with a generation of spiritually hungry people) is rooted in our own pride?
I know several spiritual people who have little room for 'church' in their lives. As I was praying and reading God's Word this morning a couple of thoughts:
1. Do our worship services focus on God, His Son, and the reality of His Spirit, or are we celebrating our past, focusing on our traditions and concentrating on our own unmet needs?
2. Are we as individuals vibrant about Jesus or are we excited about 'church?' There is a HUGE difference between inviting people to follow Jesus and inviting people to 'come to church.'
3. Are we using the wrong tools? Spiritual warfare cannot be fought with better marketing, more attractive facilities, more 'user-friendly' worship styles. Spiritual warfare muse be waged spiritually. The first battle is not with Satan's grip on the lost- It must be with Satan's infiltration of my own heart, the weeds of sin that have taken such deep root in my own heart and mind.
This is heavy stuff, but frankly, I am no longer a young pastor. I have fewer years of ministry ahead of me than behind me. I am desperate to see God move. Join me in battle- that God will reveal sin in us as believers, that we will allow the Son to root out our sin, that we will seek the filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit to reflect Jesus Christ- not some vision of 'church' to a lost and dying world that is hungry for meaning, for hope, and for purpose!
Reading those words this morning I sensed a powerful urge to stop and read no further. Could it be that the lack of spiritual fruit (i.e. the lack of new believers, the lack of evangelistic fervor if you will, the lack of a passion to share Jesus Christ in ways that are meaningful and significant with a generation of spiritually hungry people) is rooted in our own pride?
I know several spiritual people who have little room for 'church' in their lives. As I was praying and reading God's Word this morning a couple of thoughts:
1. Do our worship services focus on God, His Son, and the reality of His Spirit, or are we celebrating our past, focusing on our traditions and concentrating on our own unmet needs?
2. Are we as individuals vibrant about Jesus or are we excited about 'church?' There is a HUGE difference between inviting people to follow Jesus and inviting people to 'come to church.'
3. Are we using the wrong tools? Spiritual warfare cannot be fought with better marketing, more attractive facilities, more 'user-friendly' worship styles. Spiritual warfare muse be waged spiritually. The first battle is not with Satan's grip on the lost- It must be with Satan's infiltration of my own heart, the weeds of sin that have taken such deep root in my own heart and mind.
This is heavy stuff, but frankly, I am no longer a young pastor. I have fewer years of ministry ahead of me than behind me. I am desperate to see God move. Join me in battle- that God will reveal sin in us as believers, that we will allow the Son to root out our sin, that we will seek the filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit to reflect Jesus Christ- not some vision of 'church' to a lost and dying world that is hungry for meaning, for hope, and for purpose!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Post-Easter
It's Monday morning-in Salem, OR. I spent last night with my daughter in her apartment in Salem, driving to Salem after an intensely busy Easter morning. the Sunrise Service was wonderful, and our Worship Time was filled with grace and peace. However...(you knew that was coming, didn't you...) I am challenged by a couple of things I observed yesterday. First, over the past few years I have noticed that attendance at our Sunrise Service is down from the high's of about 8 or 10 years ago. Some might wonder if this is indicative of a lack of vibrancy and vitality among beleiver. I think not. What is happening is a generational shift. My parents and my generation grew up with Easter being recognized - even by secular society-as a Christian holiday. I seem to recall being out of school on Good Friday, and spring break was often scheduled around Easter. We no longer live in a culture that acknolwedges the Christian links with Easter. So it appears to me that some who no longer attend such services are simply choosing to sleep in- and perhaps just being honest and admitting that they don't believe in all this religious stuff anyway. Now, our Sunrise Service attendance is still strong- somewhere around 300 people attended our community service- so that's not a bad number for our community. But one does wonder if it is time to re-invest meaning and significance around the Easter holiday. It appears that we have lost the battle with our culture to keep the significance of Easter. So, it's not the cutlure's fault, and probably not the fault of any specific person. So, instead of trying to assess blame, let's seek God's wisdon on re-investing Easter with its true significance.
The other observation I want to share is related. Ten years ago we could expect a significant attendance bump on Easter Sunday. The past couple of years we have not noticed the significant bump in attendance, but I have noticed that the guests who do attend on Easter are more intensely serious about seeking spiritual truth. In our community anway some who habitually attended Easter and Christmas but had no real spiritual interest have stopped attending these services. Again, maybe they are simply reflecting their honest sense of unbelief. Those guests who do attend, however, seem to be ready to have spritual discussions and willing to hear truth.
Anyway- Enjoy the grace and peace of God!
Steve
The other observation I want to share is related. Ten years ago we could expect a significant attendance bump on Easter Sunday. The past couple of years we have not noticed the significant bump in attendance, but I have noticed that the guests who do attend on Easter are more intensely serious about seeking spiritual truth. In our community anway some who habitually attended Easter and Christmas but had no real spiritual interest have stopped attending these services. Again, maybe they are simply reflecting their honest sense of unbelief. Those guests who do attend, however, seem to be ready to have spritual discussions and willing to hear truth.
Anyway- Enjoy the grace and peace of God!
Steve
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Place for Hope
In the next couple of weeks we will be launching a capital fund raising campaign- of the home grown variety called, "A Place for Hope." Our goal is to raise $80,000 for a significant remodel of our current facility. But maybe even more important than the money is the opportunity to renew our place in the community as a place for hope.
I just finished reading Philip Jenkins' "The Lost History of Christianity." A fascinating book bringing me up to speed on the history of the spread and decline of Christianity in the East. We are so familiar with the spread of Christianity in the West that we sometimes forget that the gospel spread throughout Asia long before it spread to America! I found his last couple of chapters troubling. While he acknowledges that THE CHURCH continues to exist, he reminds us that there are many places in North Africa, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, even to China and Japan where the gospel flourished and now is nearly extinct. Cultural changes, invasions of foreign powers, migrations due to invasions and natural disasters have radically changed the people groups of some of these areas. Part of the reason for the decline, according to Jenkins, was the failure of the church leaders to adapt to changing circumstances and a failure to reach much farther than the cities and commercial centers of those lands.
What troubles me are not his conclusions but the frightening parallels in our own culture. There have been far too many studies, surveys, and other research projects that have documented the fact that most Christians live just like their non-Christian neighbors. Without some sort of major shift in the way we 'make disciples' we are likely to find ourselves extinct in the very near future. Perhaps this is God's judgment ( an idea that Jenkins explores in his last chapter); perhaps it is part and parcel of the decline of the nation-state as a social and political grouping that seems to be occurring in our post Cold War world. But perhaps, and maybe this is better left to younger leaders, the real message is we who believe need to refocus our energy and effort on developing disciples who are truly willing to follow Jesus all the way. In a recent email article Ruth Haley Barton quotes Barbara Taylor Brown saying, "I want to stop about a day short of following Jesus all the way!"(see Holy Week: An Invitation to Walk With Christ(www.thetransformingcenter.org)).
If we hope to stay vibrant and alive, we need to be ready to stay with Jesus all the way- and discover a richer, more meaningful, and more productive way of 'making' disciples!
I just finished reading Philip Jenkins' "The Lost History of Christianity." A fascinating book bringing me up to speed on the history of the spread and decline of Christianity in the East. We are so familiar with the spread of Christianity in the West that we sometimes forget that the gospel spread throughout Asia long before it spread to America! I found his last couple of chapters troubling. While he acknowledges that THE CHURCH continues to exist, he reminds us that there are many places in North Africa, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, even to China and Japan where the gospel flourished and now is nearly extinct. Cultural changes, invasions of foreign powers, migrations due to invasions and natural disasters have radically changed the people groups of some of these areas. Part of the reason for the decline, according to Jenkins, was the failure of the church leaders to adapt to changing circumstances and a failure to reach much farther than the cities and commercial centers of those lands.
What troubles me are not his conclusions but the frightening parallels in our own culture. There have been far too many studies, surveys, and other research projects that have documented the fact that most Christians live just like their non-Christian neighbors. Without some sort of major shift in the way we 'make disciples' we are likely to find ourselves extinct in the very near future. Perhaps this is God's judgment ( an idea that Jenkins explores in his last chapter); perhaps it is part and parcel of the decline of the nation-state as a social and political grouping that seems to be occurring in our post Cold War world. But perhaps, and maybe this is better left to younger leaders, the real message is we who believe need to refocus our energy and effort on developing disciples who are truly willing to follow Jesus all the way. In a recent email article Ruth Haley Barton quotes Barbara Taylor Brown saying, "I want to stop about a day short of following Jesus all the way!"(see Holy Week: An Invitation to Walk With Christ(www.thetransformingcenter.org)).
If we hope to stay vibrant and alive, we need to be ready to stay with Jesus all the way- and discover a richer, more meaningful, and more productive way of 'making' disciples!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A Legacy of Character
After attending two memorial services in the past seven days I am reminded that as important as pastoral leadership is in small and large churches, it is ultimately the lay people that define the nature and character of the church. The woman whose service was held today had been a church clerk- strictly a volunteer position in our denominational heritage- for 40 years. She hosted revival teams, summer missionaries, visiting evangelists and the list goes on and on, in her home with grace and love. Her four daughters and multiple grandchildren all shared just how much they are products of the mother/grandmother's character. It makes a pastor like me stop and think. Do we truly give the lay people in our churches the credit they deserve for maintaining and nurturing the churches that we serve? Do we really think that only training the pastor will insure the health and success of a church?
The other service was for a 48 year old friend who died suddenly of a massive heart attack. For all the years I've known he and his family he has been a consistent supporter of the churches that he attended. He was faithful to serve the Lord through the church - mostly in roles that will never show up in written histories. He was a friend to his pastors. He was a hunting buddy, fishing friend, Saturday afternoon mechanic who on more than one occasion helped me keep a car running.
These two faithful servants of God are truly what the church is all about. May God raise up yet another generation of people who leave a legacy of character that our churches may be healthy, that our pastor's may be supported, and that the Kingdom of God may continue to advance!
The other service was for a 48 year old friend who died suddenly of a massive heart attack. For all the years I've known he and his family he has been a consistent supporter of the churches that he attended. He was faithful to serve the Lord through the church - mostly in roles that will never show up in written histories. He was a friend to his pastors. He was a hunting buddy, fishing friend, Saturday afternoon mechanic who on more than one occasion helped me keep a car running.
These two faithful servants of God are truly what the church is all about. May God raise up yet another generation of people who leave a legacy of character that our churches may be healthy, that our pastor's may be supported, and that the Kingdom of God may continue to advance!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Reflections on Small Church Conference- March 20-21, 2009
Winston, OR
After a VERY busy weekend, I wanted to share just a few observations and random thoughts about the conference we hosted. First, Glen Damon, Les Puryear, and Allen Daws all spoke directly and pointedly to the needs, frustrations, and successes of serving in the small church. All three have significant experience pastoring and serving small churches. All three have a heart to assist their fellow servants in learning to trust in God’s assignment and in God’s provision for small church leaders. These men spoke from experience and from a conviction that small churches do not equal small assignments from God!
It is not a sin for a small church to not become a large church. There are numerous factors that impact whether or not a church will grow in size. First, location. Community Baptist Church, where I have served for over 17 years, is located in a town of around 6,000 persons and serves a ministry area of around 15,000 individuals. Expecting a church our size to grow in average attendance to several thousand is unrealistic. Yes, I realize God can do anything, that He is unlimited, but the reality is that our community cannot support a mega-church!
Another factor that impacts the size of a church- in small towns and rural locations – is the size of the building. Our current facility could seat about 100 in worship- and that would be crowded. Of course multiple services could be held. When we did that several years ago we found that attendance did not increase significantly particularly when measured by the effort of volunteers required.
One other factor impacts the ability of small church to grow- the size and ability of staff. A single staff church will always be limited in its ability to grow unless the pastor can raise the income necessary to add staff, or find ways to train and employ volunteer staff to assist churches in making strides in numerical attendance.
Perhaps another factor- often overlooked and ignored- is the reality that many small churches are made up of good, godly people who enjoy and thrive in a small church environment. Many small churches are what they are because they have never found a strong enough reason to change their essential character. I believe that a sovereign God brings those whom He chooses together in a local fellowship of believers. He must have a reason and purpose in His actions.
Having said all that, small churches can and should be healthy and their ministry must make an impact for the kingdom of God. In Southern Baptist terms, small churches can and should make disciples, baptizing them, teaching them and sending them into their families, communities and world to share the gospel. In informal data collection over the past 17 years I can attest that rarely has there not been a year where a dozen or so people have come to faith in Christ. Multiple evangelistic efforts have been conducted- VBS, door to door surveys, acts of kindness, AWANA’s, regular Bible Study’s, Youth and Children’s Summer camps and so on. These events enable our church to share the gospel with lost persons, and we do see some response annually from these efforts. There are many reasons why these dozen or so individuals are not baptized. First, some of them are visiting for the summer- perhaps with grandparents, aunts and uncle’s or other family members. After the summer – or sometimes after the event- those who have come to faith return home! Secondly, some of those who accept Christ may be more comfortable in another faith tradition- Evangelical Free, Methodist, FourSquare, Nazarene, and even Church of God churches are well represented in our community. Thirdly, there is a resistance to ‘church’ that takes time to overcome. Modern media has been very successful in stereotyping churches and some people- even though they claim a commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord just never grow enough to get past those stereotypes. Thirdly, small churches struggle- just as do our larger churches- with an effective discipleship ministry. That is not an excuse, but it is a reality.
Another insight from the conference has to do with the character of small church leaders. There is an unspoken tendency to assume that better preaching skills, more disciplined devotional life, or an aggressive soul-winning practice will always result in a larger church. The underlying assumption is that some pastor’s are just better than others! Nothing could be farther from the truth. The simple truth is that those whom God calls He equips for the assignment He has given. The problem is not with God nor with the church. Rather the problem is rooted in the sinfulness of the human heart. We all know that envy creates strife, but what we often forget is that envy generally leaves behind the sour aftertaste of bitterness.
Finally- though the conference attendance was not what we had hoped, those who attended were encouraged and strengthened to stay the course, minister in the settings to which we have been called, and enabled to be more effective as God continues that which He has begun in each of our lives.
Winston, OR
After a VERY busy weekend, I wanted to share just a few observations and random thoughts about the conference we hosted. First, Glen Damon, Les Puryear, and Allen Daws all spoke directly and pointedly to the needs, frustrations, and successes of serving in the small church. All three have significant experience pastoring and serving small churches. All three have a heart to assist their fellow servants in learning to trust in God’s assignment and in God’s provision for small church leaders. These men spoke from experience and from a conviction that small churches do not equal small assignments from God!
It is not a sin for a small church to not become a large church. There are numerous factors that impact whether or not a church will grow in size. First, location. Community Baptist Church, where I have served for over 17 years, is located in a town of around 6,000 persons and serves a ministry area of around 15,000 individuals. Expecting a church our size to grow in average attendance to several thousand is unrealistic. Yes, I realize God can do anything, that He is unlimited, but the reality is that our community cannot support a mega-church!
Another factor that impacts the size of a church- in small towns and rural locations – is the size of the building. Our current facility could seat about 100 in worship- and that would be crowded. Of course multiple services could be held. When we did that several years ago we found that attendance did not increase significantly particularly when measured by the effort of volunteers required.
One other factor impacts the ability of small church to grow- the size and ability of staff. A single staff church will always be limited in its ability to grow unless the pastor can raise the income necessary to add staff, or find ways to train and employ volunteer staff to assist churches in making strides in numerical attendance.
Perhaps another factor- often overlooked and ignored- is the reality that many small churches are made up of good, godly people who enjoy and thrive in a small church environment. Many small churches are what they are because they have never found a strong enough reason to change their essential character. I believe that a sovereign God brings those whom He chooses together in a local fellowship of believers. He must have a reason and purpose in His actions.
Having said all that, small churches can and should be healthy and their ministry must make an impact for the kingdom of God. In Southern Baptist terms, small churches can and should make disciples, baptizing them, teaching them and sending them into their families, communities and world to share the gospel. In informal data collection over the past 17 years I can attest that rarely has there not been a year where a dozen or so people have come to faith in Christ. Multiple evangelistic efforts have been conducted- VBS, door to door surveys, acts of kindness, AWANA’s, regular Bible Study’s, Youth and Children’s Summer camps and so on. These events enable our church to share the gospel with lost persons, and we do see some response annually from these efforts. There are many reasons why these dozen or so individuals are not baptized. First, some of them are visiting for the summer- perhaps with grandparents, aunts and uncle’s or other family members. After the summer – or sometimes after the event- those who have come to faith return home! Secondly, some of those who accept Christ may be more comfortable in another faith tradition- Evangelical Free, Methodist, FourSquare, Nazarene, and even Church of God churches are well represented in our community. Thirdly, there is a resistance to ‘church’ that takes time to overcome. Modern media has been very successful in stereotyping churches and some people- even though they claim a commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord just never grow enough to get past those stereotypes. Thirdly, small churches struggle- just as do our larger churches- with an effective discipleship ministry. That is not an excuse, but it is a reality.
Another insight from the conference has to do with the character of small church leaders. There is an unspoken tendency to assume that better preaching skills, more disciplined devotional life, or an aggressive soul-winning practice will always result in a larger church. The underlying assumption is that some pastor’s are just better than others! Nothing could be farther from the truth. The simple truth is that those whom God calls He equips for the assignment He has given. The problem is not with God nor with the church. Rather the problem is rooted in the sinfulness of the human heart. We all know that envy creates strife, but what we often forget is that envy generally leaves behind the sour aftertaste of bitterness.
Finally- though the conference attendance was not what we had hoped, those who attended were encouraged and strengthened to stay the course, minister in the settings to which we have been called, and enabled to be more effective as God continues that which He has begun in each of our lives.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Small Church Leadership Conference
Well- attendance is not what we hoped, but the atmosphere is good and the fellowship is great. Glen Damon is an excellent presenter and has opened my eyes and heart to some important insights regarding small churches and their health.
Of course, none of this would have happened apart from Les Puryear (Joining God in His Work) and his vision for the significance of the small church.
So, lunch is next on the agenda- rich fellowship and good food!
Steve
Of course, none of this would have happened apart from Les Puryear (Joining God in His Work) and his vision for the significance of the small church.
So, lunch is next on the agenda- rich fellowship and good food!
Steve
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Salem
Well, I've been hiding is Salem for a few days with Megan. Cindy has been in Nashville TN for a couple of days and is due in late tonight (Feb 20). We'll head home tomorrow- then a busy week which will end with Cindy and I in Vancouver WA next Fri and Sat...
Yesterday, Feb 19th I had the privilege of opening the Oregon House of Representatives in prayer. Here is a text of my prayer (for occasions such as these I generally write out a prayer...I am veery nervous in situations like that):
Great and Awesome God-
You have granted us the privilege of living in 'intersting times.' You have granted that we might have an unprecedented opportunity to choose our future.
The challenges we face are many, but Your resources are more than sufficient.
As this group deliberates the issues before them, may Your Holy Spirit clarify what is true, illuminate what is right, and apply what is just.
As these gifted men and women meet may You refine our collective hopes for the future by Your wisdom.
As these people meet representing us, may Your truth guide and direct their paths.
O God-
You who have established the heavens and the earth and laid the foundations of the earth, may Your unparalleled power be our strength, and may Your storehouse of wisdom be our treasure.
As the challenges of our day arise, may You grant your guidance to enat laws, Your authority to enforce them, and Your wisdom to obey them, and may they be reflections of Your nature.
We bring these requests to You in the name of Your greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
I am right now listening to the revenue forecast for the remaining months of this biennium and next- almost $900 million for the next four months, and $1.7 billion for the 2009-2011 biennium.
Pay cuts and furlough days have already been announced for senior government staff, including the Gov- he is taking a 5% pay cut. The legilsature meets all next week to balance the budget for 2007-2009- which will require hard and difficult choices. Schools are going to be hard hit, as well as social services. There probably will be no area of government spending unaffected.
Indeed, interesting times.
More later....
Yesterday, Feb 19th I had the privilege of opening the Oregon House of Representatives in prayer. Here is a text of my prayer (for occasions such as these I generally write out a prayer...I am veery nervous in situations like that):
Great and Awesome God-
You have granted us the privilege of living in 'intersting times.' You have granted that we might have an unprecedented opportunity to choose our future.
The challenges we face are many, but Your resources are more than sufficient.
As this group deliberates the issues before them, may Your Holy Spirit clarify what is true, illuminate what is right, and apply what is just.
As these gifted men and women meet may You refine our collective hopes for the future by Your wisdom.
As these people meet representing us, may Your truth guide and direct their paths.
O God-
You who have established the heavens and the earth and laid the foundations of the earth, may Your unparalleled power be our strength, and may Your storehouse of wisdom be our treasure.
As the challenges of our day arise, may You grant your guidance to enat laws, Your authority to enforce them, and Your wisdom to obey them, and may they be reflections of Your nature.
We bring these requests to You in the name of Your greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
I am right now listening to the revenue forecast for the remaining months of this biennium and next- almost $900 million for the next four months, and $1.7 billion for the 2009-2011 biennium.
Pay cuts and furlough days have already been announced for senior government staff, including the Gov- he is taking a 5% pay cut. The legilsature meets all next week to balance the budget for 2007-2009- which will require hard and difficult choices. Schools are going to be hard hit, as well as social services. There probably will be no area of government spending unaffected.
Indeed, interesting times.
More later....
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thinking Out Loud
It's been too long...so permit me to think out loud for a few minutes. Cindy and I (as well as two other adults and 6 high school students from the Winston area) are in Washington DC for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference which os required as part of our federal drug-free communities grant. Today we toured Washington DC. Then after returning to our room I read these words...
Then they sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to Him to trap Him by what He said. When they came, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality Lit don’t look on the face of men; that is, on the outward appearance but teach truthfully the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, or should we not pay?” But knowing their hypocrisy, He said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a • denarius to look at.” So they brought one. “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.
“Caesar’s,” they said. Then Jesus told them, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.
Hmm. I saw hundreds of office buildings- with several dozen cranes marking new construction and renovations- that house the government. One entire community- Pentagon City is almost exclusively occupied by auxiliary Pentagon offices, defense contractors, and military experts...
Later in the same chapter (Mark 12) Jesus reminds His listeners that loving God is THE most important thing. He illustrates that by calling attention to a woman who puts two insignificant coins in the Temple treasury.
Hmm. thinking out loud again...I see and feel the need for an economic recovery as well as anyone else. But I wonder if we are missing the point. If there is no moral or spiritual underpinning, of what value is the economic gains that are hoped for in the stimulus package? Maybe even more importantly, when will we have an honest (i.e. non-pork filled budget) discussion about the proper role of government? Republicans have been as guilty as Democrats when it comes to increasing the size and scope of the federal government. Isn't it time to ask ourselves again...just what is the government accountable for? And what are we as individuals responsible for? Sec. of State Hillary Clinton famously said, "It takes a village to raise a child." Is a village made to order by government, or is a village the sum and beyond of those who live, work, raise their families, and gather for social and political purposes?
Just thinking...give to Caesar what is his, give to God what belongs to Him- the full energy of our mind, soul, and strength to love Him and to love our neighbor as ourselves, and then we can trust God to take what little we have and use it to powerfully impact the kingdom of God.
Just thinking out loud...
Steve
Then they sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to Him to trap Him by what He said. When they came, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality Lit don’t look on the face of men; that is, on the outward appearance but teach truthfully the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, or should we not pay?” But knowing their hypocrisy, He said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a • denarius to look at.” So they brought one. “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.
“Caesar’s,” they said. Then Jesus told them, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.
Hmm. I saw hundreds of office buildings- with several dozen cranes marking new construction and renovations- that house the government. One entire community- Pentagon City is almost exclusively occupied by auxiliary Pentagon offices, defense contractors, and military experts...
Later in the same chapter (Mark 12) Jesus reminds His listeners that loving God is THE most important thing. He illustrates that by calling attention to a woman who puts two insignificant coins in the Temple treasury.
Hmm. thinking out loud again...I see and feel the need for an economic recovery as well as anyone else. But I wonder if we are missing the point. If there is no moral or spiritual underpinning, of what value is the economic gains that are hoped for in the stimulus package? Maybe even more importantly, when will we have an honest (i.e. non-pork filled budget) discussion about the proper role of government? Republicans have been as guilty as Democrats when it comes to increasing the size and scope of the federal government. Isn't it time to ask ourselves again...just what is the government accountable for? And what are we as individuals responsible for? Sec. of State Hillary Clinton famously said, "It takes a village to raise a child." Is a village made to order by government, or is a village the sum and beyond of those who live, work, raise their families, and gather for social and political purposes?
Just thinking...give to Caesar what is his, give to God what belongs to Him- the full energy of our mind, soul, and strength to love Him and to love our neighbor as ourselves, and then we can trust God to take what little we have and use it to powerfully impact the kingdom of God.
Just thinking out loud...
Steve
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