I teach a Bible study on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the local assisted living facility. The regulars to the study look forward to outside company, and I thoroughly enjoy the banter with them.
When I started over a year ago, the folks would file in and seat themselves while I greeted wach one and then they'd be quiet while I presented the study. They still do that. But the 60 minutes I used to fill (usually by cutting from my notes) with Bible study has dwindled to about 30 minutes of teaching. The rest of the time is spent in conversation. Weather, mail, relatives, events at the home, the latest card from the grandkids, etc.
One gentleman who has been to every session since day one informed me today he wil be moving back home so he can be close to his kids and grandkids. His doctor says he has three years to live. So he wants to make the most of it. I responded "What do doctors know?"
We're working through the book of Acts. Not a verse-by-verse exposition: I probably don't have enough time with some of these people to do that. So I hit major passages and touch on major themes. Acts 3 and 4 were our focus today, primarily Peter's sermon in the temple.
I struck me that this was the same Peter who a few weeks earlier stood in the same temple courtyard vehemently denying any knowledge of the Nazarene carpenter being questioned inside. Did Peter suffer flashbacks? If this was a movie, you can be sure the director would cut to the pinnacle moment when Peter swore he didn't know Jesus. And we're not talking "cross-my-heart" swore. It was profanity. Gutter language. Words you'd expect to hear from a gritty, hard-working fisherman down on the piers.
But the Peter described by Luke in Acts 3 and 4 differs so much from the Gospel record. Something special had to have happened. A Jewish feast called Pentacost, celebrated weeks after Passover, proved to be a pivital event in Peter's life.
Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit showed up as promised. Peter and the apostles sang God's praises in languages they'd never studied or spoken before. And people from all over the then known world heard God's story in theoir native tongue.
Three thousand people were saved on Pentacost after Peter's first sermon, one that would not meet today's "seeker-sensitive" criteria. "You murdered your Messiah!" What's so sensitive about that?! But people responded because Peter told them how. Three thousand people.
Peter's second sermon ended up with five thousand. Trends definitely in the right direction! His board, if he had one, would be proud. And the message was the same. Peter didn't change his formula to "maximize impact" or to soften the guilt.
Not bad for a man who two months earlier had to be drawn out of the boat he'd retreated into after denying His Lord.
16 November 2006
30 October 2006
Just what is a "faith community"
Our state has asked the "faith community" to help with its care of foster kids. This is a good thing. But the question arises: what is a "faith community"? And does this suggest someone can opt out, so to speak, of participating in a "faith community"?
Everyone has a world view that affects how one lives. Everyone considers something or someone most important: God, the pursuit of wealth, or whatever. Whatever we hold as most important becomes the filter and standard by which we make decisions and evaluate how well we're doing in life. This "alignment" is called worship. And we exercise daily faith that the person or thing we worship will help us. This is called faith.
So why do we distinguish people by this label? Because politicos, partiularly more liberal ones, tend to believe that one's faith can somehow be left at home when one enters the workplace, or the community, or government. This is simply not true.
I'm not sure what a better descriptor would be to describe people who gather weekly in churches, synagogues, temples, halls, mosques, etc. But it seems to me "faith community" isn't it.
Everyone has a world view that affects how one lives. Everyone considers something or someone most important: God, the pursuit of wealth, or whatever. Whatever we hold as most important becomes the filter and standard by which we make decisions and evaluate how well we're doing in life. This "alignment" is called worship. And we exercise daily faith that the person or thing we worship will help us. This is called faith.
So why do we distinguish people by this label? Because politicos, partiularly more liberal ones, tend to believe that one's faith can somehow be left at home when one enters the workplace, or the community, or government. This is simply not true.
I'm not sure what a better descriptor would be to describe people who gather weekly in churches, synagogues, temples, halls, mosques, etc. But it seems to me "faith community" isn't it.
25 October 2006
Principles are the bottom line
This article from Christianity Today's library was in today's weekly email. Written by Warren Wiersbe, it suggests the true bottom line for anyone in ministry leadership.
Principles are the bottom line
Principles are the bottom line
Church business meetings
We held our quarterly business meeting Sunday. As a member of the pastoral staff, I was expected to offer a report, the contents of which were delineated by the senior pastor. Not usual. But there were some issues the leadership had discussed over several meetings, and I was a logical spokesperson.
I wrote out my comments because I've discovered that if I allow myself too much wiggle room by merely jotting main ideas and letting my brain fill in the rest, I tend to ramble and chase tangents, and burn a lot of time. And when my brain races, I become more animated. I pace. Not back and forth. But up and down the aisle! Though this tendency serves as an asset in a corporate training environment, it causes church people discomfort, particularly for those sitting in forward rows.
After several tests, I find I'm calmer when I script myself. Not to the point where I'm reading words, but when I take the time to think through what I want to say, organize the thoughts, let my brain do its thing before "show time," I find I cover what I need to without straying too far off point.
I spoke for 15-20 minutes--yes, there was a lot to cover. But I found myself pushing to get through the material, as I noted physical cues in the audience that suggested growing impatience. I interjected an apology for the length, and reminded folks I had several things to talk about (published in the agenda so I wasn't making stuff up).
Afterward, I found myself resenting the impatience displayed by the congregation. They'd NEVER think of doing that to the senior pastor, who talked for almost 40 minutes after I ended. I've only been here two years. The senior pastor has 18 years on me. I'm not competing, but I realize I still am not completely accepted as a pastor yet.
I must be in New England.
I wrote out my comments because I've discovered that if I allow myself too much wiggle room by merely jotting main ideas and letting my brain fill in the rest, I tend to ramble and chase tangents, and burn a lot of time. And when my brain races, I become more animated. I pace. Not back and forth. But up and down the aisle! Though this tendency serves as an asset in a corporate training environment, it causes church people discomfort, particularly for those sitting in forward rows.
After several tests, I find I'm calmer when I script myself. Not to the point where I'm reading words, but when I take the time to think through what I want to say, organize the thoughts, let my brain do its thing before "show time," I find I cover what I need to without straying too far off point.
I spoke for 15-20 minutes--yes, there was a lot to cover. But I found myself pushing to get through the material, as I noted physical cues in the audience that suggested growing impatience. I interjected an apology for the length, and reminded folks I had several things to talk about (published in the agenda so I wasn't making stuff up).
Afterward, I found myself resenting the impatience displayed by the congregation. They'd NEVER think of doing that to the senior pastor, who talked for almost 40 minutes after I ended. I've only been here two years. The senior pastor has 18 years on me. I'm not competing, but I realize I still am not completely accepted as a pastor yet.
I must be in New England.
17 October 2006
Walks do a body good
I took a spur-of-the-moment, hour-long walk today around town. Literally.
My wife started at a new job and needed the car today for the first of several "transition days." So I walked our youngest to school (typical), and kept going to work (a whole 100 yards or so further: it's right next door to the school). I dropped my backpack in my office and decided to walk down the street to get some coffee at the local Mobil convenience store.
Several construction trucks and a backhoe were digging up the property of several trailer homes across the street. Coffee in hand, I trotted across to ask what was going on. They're connecting water and sewer for two of the homes and laying new pipe for four new homes.
Having now learned something new for the day, I headed back to work. But I kept going. I remembered I had to go to the bank, so I walked the mile or so to the bank. Took care of that. But I decided to not return the same way, and ended walking a route that circumambulated the lower side of town. [Never thought I'd ever use that word, circumambulated.]
Go back to work an hour later. Quiet walk. A couple of cement and demp trucks. A babbling brook. A gray sky with the sun barely easing through a translucent veil of clouds. Lots of thoughts along the way.
I may try this again.
My wife started at a new job and needed the car today for the first of several "transition days." So I walked our youngest to school (typical), and kept going to work (a whole 100 yards or so further: it's right next door to the school). I dropped my backpack in my office and decided to walk down the street to get some coffee at the local Mobil convenience store.
Several construction trucks and a backhoe were digging up the property of several trailer homes across the street. Coffee in hand, I trotted across to ask what was going on. They're connecting water and sewer for two of the homes and laying new pipe for four new homes.
Having now learned something new for the day, I headed back to work. But I kept going. I remembered I had to go to the bank, so I walked the mile or so to the bank. Took care of that. But I decided to not return the same way, and ended walking a route that circumambulated the lower side of town. [Never thought I'd ever use that word, circumambulated.]
Go back to work an hour later. Quiet walk. A couple of cement and demp trucks. A babbling brook. A gray sky with the sun barely easing through a translucent veil of clouds. Lots of thoughts along the way.
I may try this again.
10 October 2006
Programming Team and Youth Ministry
Programming Team working great so far
We've been able to meet now for three weeks, and today we knocked out the first three weekends in November. I was very pleased with the dialogue and process today. Everyone had some great ideas and we were able to craft three distinct services that will complement the theme fo each day.
We're in the middle of our 40 Days of Community campaign. And the three Sundays in November are Worship, Missions (World), and Celebration Sunday, respectively. We moved elements around, such as the offering, or the greeting time (which I'm not a great fan of personally, but the folks here enjoy it for the most part) so the flow of each service made sense for the theme. In fact, we canned the greeting time for Worship Sunday so we could ensure all elements placed the focus on God. No message on Missions Sunday will allow a couple of missionaries to share. And a four-song opening set (coincidentally all in E Major) will set the stage for an exciting time of congregational sharing on Celebration Sunday.
The next step in this transition to the Programming team ministry is to invite the worship leaders on board so they can help shape and own their specific services. Before we can do that, however, I must spend some time devloping their ministry philosophy and training them in the new approach to services. For a long time, they have served more as emcees, walking people through the printed bulletin as if they couldn't read for themselves, announcing each song ("Now we will sing...") and coming across as mere adjuncts to the senior pastor, who monitored and controlled everything from the piano bench.
We also will try to establish a worship team (instrumentalists, vocalists and technicians) so they can be part of the rehearsals. Right now, the band and choir rehearses on the same night. Of course, half the current band members also sings in the choir so this has worked so far. But we'll eventually need to split rehearsals over different nights, I think, especially as we add more people to the mix, and look at more than the coming Sunday's music.
Student Ministry doesn't look like last year's
The senior high meets almost every week for service projects, group activities or just to just chill at the leaders' home. Parent's of junior high kids will take turns hosting/coordinating a monthly activity for their kids. I'm out of the picture leadershipwise. Yay! It's actually been great to see things take off. I still hope God will raise someone to take the leadership reigns for Junior High, but at least there's something (I still teach the JH Sunday School class).
And with neither group using the chuirch building every Sunday afternoon and evening, we are now considering educational options for parents and adults, which we haven't heretofore.
Now I need to focus on the church's website, which is woefully out-of-date, and hosted by a company that won't even return phone calls. So we need to look at a host, content-management software, and then build dynamic content. Yeah, that'll be easy. :)
We've been able to meet now for three weeks, and today we knocked out the first three weekends in November. I was very pleased with the dialogue and process today. Everyone had some great ideas and we were able to craft three distinct services that will complement the theme fo each day.
We're in the middle of our 40 Days of Community campaign. And the three Sundays in November are Worship, Missions (World), and Celebration Sunday, respectively. We moved elements around, such as the offering, or the greeting time (which I'm not a great fan of personally, but the folks here enjoy it for the most part) so the flow of each service made sense for the theme. In fact, we canned the greeting time for Worship Sunday so we could ensure all elements placed the focus on God. No message on Missions Sunday will allow a couple of missionaries to share. And a four-song opening set (coincidentally all in E Major) will set the stage for an exciting time of congregational sharing on Celebration Sunday.
The next step in this transition to the Programming team ministry is to invite the worship leaders on board so they can help shape and own their specific services. Before we can do that, however, I must spend some time devloping their ministry philosophy and training them in the new approach to services. For a long time, they have served more as emcees, walking people through the printed bulletin as if they couldn't read for themselves, announcing each song ("Now we will sing...") and coming across as mere adjuncts to the senior pastor, who monitored and controlled everything from the piano bench.
We also will try to establish a worship team (instrumentalists, vocalists and technicians) so they can be part of the rehearsals. Right now, the band and choir rehearses on the same night. Of course, half the current band members also sings in the choir so this has worked so far. But we'll eventually need to split rehearsals over different nights, I think, especially as we add more people to the mix, and look at more than the coming Sunday's music.
Student Ministry doesn't look like last year's
The senior high meets almost every week for service projects, group activities or just to just chill at the leaders' home. Parent's of junior high kids will take turns hosting/coordinating a monthly activity for their kids. I'm out of the picture leadershipwise. Yay! It's actually been great to see things take off. I still hope God will raise someone to take the leadership reigns for Junior High, but at least there's something (I still teach the JH Sunday School class).
And with neither group using the chuirch building every Sunday afternoon and evening, we are now considering educational options for parents and adults, which we haven't heretofore.
Now I need to focus on the church's website, which is woefully out-of-date, and hosted by a company that won't even return phone calls. So we need to look at a host, content-management software, and then build dynamic content. Yeah, that'll be easy. :)
28 September 2006
Better together
It's humbling when you are forced to put into practice something you intellectually agree with and even champion, but practically hold off implementing.
We start our 40 Days of Community campaign on Sunday. Its theme is "Better Together," and will emphasize God's design for the church. Specifically, we were meant to serve each other and to serve together. No lone rangers need apply.
Well, we discovered Tuesday morning we have a broken, clogged sewer line (read more here). Our pastor's wife graciously offered us the use of her washing machine, so we agreed to take her up on the offer today. I brought a load of dirty laundry and detergent with me to work (parsonage in next door), fully expecting to handle the domestic duty myself.
But she told her machine was a front-loader, used a certain kind of detergent (don't worry, she had enough), and had a few other precedural quirks. It's also a new machine. So, she offered to do laundry herself. I confess I felt a little bit of American individualism sneak under the radar: there's something unnerving about watching someone scoop your dirty underwear into a washing machine.
But the whole experience illustrates the core concept of "Better Together." There are times when we are more then capable of cleaning up our own messes. But there are also times when we need outside help. We just need to be willing to accept--and ask for--that help. And we need to be just as ready to offer and actually give help to others.
We start our 40 Days of Community campaign on Sunday. Its theme is "Better Together," and will emphasize God's design for the church. Specifically, we were meant to serve each other and to serve together. No lone rangers need apply.
Well, we discovered Tuesday morning we have a broken, clogged sewer line (read more here). Our pastor's wife graciously offered us the use of her washing machine, so we agreed to take her up on the offer today. I brought a load of dirty laundry and detergent with me to work (parsonage in next door), fully expecting to handle the domestic duty myself.
But she told her machine was a front-loader, used a certain kind of detergent (don't worry, she had enough), and had a few other precedural quirks. It's also a new machine. So, she offered to do laundry herself. I confess I felt a little bit of American individualism sneak under the radar: there's something unnerving about watching someone scoop your dirty underwear into a washing machine.
But the whole experience illustrates the core concept of "Better Together." There are times when we are more then capable of cleaning up our own messes. But there are also times when we need outside help. We just need to be willing to accept--and ask for--that help. And we need to be just as ready to offer and actually give help to others.
06 September 2006
Thou shalt not murder...ever?
When I deserve to be smacked in the head with the proverbial two-by-four, and it finally happens, should I complain because my head hurts? Do I even have the right to assess the grip and delivery of the one wielding the “board of education”?
Today, I caught wood twice, but I’ll only describe the first time here. It will be too easy to glibly say that correcting the underlying issues will require God’s help. Too often I think we say that as a way to excuse not doing anything substantive ourselves to address the issue at hand. Yes, it will require God’s work. But because of what God has already done for me, I am expected to do my part as well.
After two years, I realize my priorities are a bit out of whack. They’re too focused on execution—on completing the To Do list so I can successfully report tasks completed at the next meeting. This means relationships suffer—all of them. I need to fully submit myself to God, and then, to “slay my dragons.” Which brings me to that first two-by-four.
In preparing for a Bible study in Colossians I will deliver tomorrow, I ran across the passage in chapter 3 where Paul contrasts the old self and the new self. The chapter starts:
Today, I caught wood twice, but I’ll only describe the first time here. It will be too easy to glibly say that correcting the underlying issues will require God’s help. Too often I think we say that as a way to excuse not doing anything substantive ourselves to address the issue at hand. Yes, it will require God’s work. But because of what God has already done for me, I am expected to do my part as well.
After two years, I realize my priorities are a bit out of whack. They’re too focused on execution—on completing the To Do list so I can successfully report tasks completed at the next meeting. This means relationships suffer—all of them. I need to fully submit myself to God, and then, to “slay my dragons.” Which brings me to that first two-by-four.
In preparing for a Bible study in Colossians I will deliver tomorrow, I ran across the passage in chapter 3 where Paul contrasts the old self and the new self. The chapter starts:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
[And here comes the swing…]
“Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”
Those words “put to death” left a virtual imprint on my temple. They imply conscious effort, premeditated and carefully directed against the old self. But if we are a new creature in Christ—having been made alive together with Him (1:22; 2:6, 10, 12-13), what does Paul mean by this admonishment?
There are two ways, I think, to kill something. The first is to introduce something foreign and contrary to the needs of existence, such that death follows. Examples of this would be poisoning, stabbing, kicking, stoning, shooting, etc. Paul says that we need to take such action when these characteristics of the old self appear. Get rid of them—quickly!
The second way to kill something is to withhold what it needs to survive: such as air, food water, touch, love, etc. In this sense, Paul says we must keep the storehouses empty of anything that can give these characteristics sustenance. Don’t feed them. This is probably the only time murder is okay: to kill the old self.
So, I have some issues that I've never dealt with and have carried into ministry. Dealing with them will be a long road, but ultimately the best one for the sake of my family and the church.04 September 2006
Talk about a whirlwind...
When we last heard from our intrepid blogger...
The message went great...first service. I played the video clip from Star Wars and the tie-in was obvious. The message wnet smoothly, and considering I rearely looked at my outline, I pretty much covered everything. Only proplem was that I tended to forget to advance the Powerpoint slides.
Then second service came. We were half-way through the song right before the message when I realized I forgot to re-cue the video clip!. So I did my best impression of Yoda (not bad, if the chuckles from the younger kids in the audience mean anything), and forged ahead.
We've since purchased a wireless presenter mouse/control so we can work slides from anywhere in the sanctuary. I get to try it our for real this Sunday during our prayer service (to kick off the new year). I will combine music (live and CDs) with projected images as we conduct a "concert of prayer" using the Lord' prayer as an outline.
The message went great...first service. I played the video clip from Star Wars and the tie-in was obvious. The message wnet smoothly, and considering I rearely looked at my outline, I pretty much covered everything. Only proplem was that I tended to forget to advance the Powerpoint slides.
Then second service came. We were half-way through the song right before the message when I realized I forgot to re-cue the video clip!. So I did my best impression of Yoda (not bad, if the chuckles from the younger kids in the audience mean anything), and forged ahead.
We've since purchased a wireless presenter mouse/control so we can work slides from anywhere in the sanctuary. I get to try it our for real this Sunday during our prayer service (to kick off the new year). I will combine music (live and CDs) with projected images as we conduct a "concert of prayer" using the Lord' prayer as an outline.
03 August 2006
Second "official" speaking engagement approaches
Our senior pastor flew to Tuscon Monday to attend to his dying father (passed away this morning) and I am scheduled to fill the pulpit Sunday. No, we don't have a actual pulpit--a conductor's stand suffices, which I prefer, since I tend to wander from home base anyway. The pastor's absence was planned: he was supposed to speak in a church in Quebec City (via interpreter).
But I will continue in a series we started a month ago, based on C. Gene Wilkes' study on Servant Leadership. Last week, we finished the acronym SERVE:
The point is that we are all supposed to pass on to others what we have learned.
I'm excited about this opportunity.
But I will continue in a series we started a month ago, based on C. Gene Wilkes' study on Servant Leadership. Last week, we finished the acronym SERVE:
- Spiritual gifts
- Experiences
- Relational style
- Vocational skills
- Enthusiasm
- Encourage
- Qualif
- Understand & meet needs
- Instruct
- Pray
The point is that we are all supposed to pass on to others what we have learned.
I'm excited about this opportunity.
07 May 2006
Now THIS is what I call Church
Well, we held the first of what will likely be several parent meetings regarding the future of youth ministry. It went well as a conversation starter. We talked about cultural characteristics, generational characteristics and values, and then started to talk about parental issues.
The really neat part was a parent shared a particular need, and the meeting screeched to a halt so everyone could pray for the family. Now THAT's what "church" should be like all the time. Forget about the agenda. What does God want to do? Are we willing to go along for the ride?
I think Mike Yaconelli asked the same thing in "Messy Spirituality."
The really neat part was a parent shared a particular need, and the meeting screeched to a halt so everyone could pray for the family. Now THAT's what "church" should be like all the time. Forget about the agenda. What does God want to do? Are we willing to go along for the ride?
I think Mike Yaconelli asked the same thing in "Messy Spirituality."
24 April 2006
God is so cool!
The gentleman I mentioned in my previous post called me to apologize this morning. So we were able to get things settled and moving forward.
I also spent three hours with a non-member, but regular attending couple, who took me up on my offer to continue the discussion from the meeting. They raised some concerns based on some of what they heard (I was able to clarify and reassure them on those points), and we ended up talking about a few other things, as well. They left very much comfortable that their pastor hadn't jumped off the heretical end of the wagon, and that nothing has been decided. Everything is in the idea phase.
A good morning, I'd say!
I also spent three hours with a non-member, but regular attending couple, who took me up on my offer to continue the discussion from the meeting. They raised some concerns based on some of what they heard (I was able to clarify and reassure them on those points), and we ended up talking about a few other things, as well. They left very much comfortable that their pastor hadn't jumped off the heretical end of the wagon, and that nothing has been decided. Everything is in the idea phase.
A good morning, I'd say!
23 April 2006
To act or not to act, that is the question
I like to think of myself as a fairly easy-going guy. The reality is I can get worked up, especially when established processes or procedures aren't followed, or at least generally adhered to. I'm not THAT anal! :)
Anyway, today we held our quarterly business meeting. The senior pastor and the other two elders were absent. Four deacons were present (one moderated).
The time came for my report, and I got through it without deviating too much from my notes (which proves I'm not anal), and we got to the Q&A time. My report was in three sections: what we've done, what we're working on, and what we plan to start working on. During the second and third section I mentioned we're developing a worship ministry to create opportunities for more people to serve. Part of this plan is to create a Programming Team to come around the senior pastor, who currently plans the services all by himself, to complement him in this planning process.
Such a team will allow us to include more elements in services: more "hooks,' if you will for people to engage in worship of God.
One individual, who has said in more than one conversation that he doesn't want to see any changes: he likes the services the way they are--made it very clear through body language that he didn't like what he was hearing.
Aside from the whole "Worship isn't about you. It's not for you anyway" argument, there rteally was nothing I could say that would ease his concern. I admit I don't want to do that, because he has a very wrong idea about worship.
Anyway, he decided to invole parlimentary procedure and "called the question." Now, although we follow Robert's Rules of Order, we view them more as "guidelines." But this individual pointedly added his motion was "not debatable." Given we actually ask for a motion to convene a meeting (not required), this specific stickler seemed an obvious ploy to cut me off.
To be fair, I did tend to get long-winded in my responses to questions. But as a pastor, I wanted to be forthright and share what was on my heart (I feel very passionate about worship), and thought that short, cryptic answers would appear evasive or conniving. Especially since the senior pastor was away.
This individual, I'm sure, would never have pulled this stunt with the senior pastor. But I find myself debating whether to confront him about his rudeness and disrespect (and whether that will be perceived as a power play), or to let it slide (and rick credibility as a leader of the church).
I'm consulting the church leaders who were present, as well as colleagues. But it's a weird place to be. The pastor's wife said there will always be this kind of people. I don't disagree. But I do wonder what is the best way to deal with such people!
Anyway, today we held our quarterly business meeting. The senior pastor and the other two elders were absent. Four deacons were present (one moderated).
The time came for my report, and I got through it without deviating too much from my notes (which proves I'm not anal), and we got to the Q&A time. My report was in three sections: what we've done, what we're working on, and what we plan to start working on. During the second and third section I mentioned we're developing a worship ministry to create opportunities for more people to serve. Part of this plan is to create a Programming Team to come around the senior pastor, who currently plans the services all by himself, to complement him in this planning process.
Such a team will allow us to include more elements in services: more "hooks,' if you will for people to engage in worship of God.
One individual, who has said in more than one conversation that he doesn't want to see any changes: he likes the services the way they are--made it very clear through body language that he didn't like what he was hearing.
Aside from the whole "Worship isn't about you. It's not for you anyway" argument, there rteally was nothing I could say that would ease his concern. I admit I don't want to do that, because he has a very wrong idea about worship.
Anyway, he decided to invole parlimentary procedure and "called the question." Now, although we follow Robert's Rules of Order, we view them more as "guidelines." But this individual pointedly added his motion was "not debatable." Given we actually ask for a motion to convene a meeting (not required), this specific stickler seemed an obvious ploy to cut me off.
To be fair, I did tend to get long-winded in my responses to questions. But as a pastor, I wanted to be forthright and share what was on my heart (I feel very passionate about worship), and thought that short, cryptic answers would appear evasive or conniving. Especially since the senior pastor was away.
This individual, I'm sure, would never have pulled this stunt with the senior pastor. But I find myself debating whether to confront him about his rudeness and disrespect (and whether that will be perceived as a power play), or to let it slide (and rick credibility as a leader of the church).
I'm consulting the church leaders who were present, as well as colleagues. But it's a weird place to be. The pastor's wife said there will always be this kind of people. I don't disagree. But I do wonder what is the best way to deal with such people!
18 April 2006
Easter is over, on toward summer!
I hadn't realized how long it's been since I last posted, but preparations for Palm Sunday and Easter took so much of my time, I'm just now getting a chance to breathe again. A little.
We saw 283 people between two services Easter morning...apparently an all-time high for the church (which celebrates its 30th year in September). Then there were the 40 or so folks who braved the chilly, damp morning air for the sunrise service at Moore Dam (on the reservoir). All in all, it was a great day.
The senior pastor left yesterday for three weeks: visiting his mother and dying father in Arizona; then on to Tennessee for a family reunion or get-together or some such thing for his wife's family. This leaves me holding down the fort for the next almost three weeks, including two Sundays!
This Sunday we will focus on Mission/Ministry, and the team that recently went to Honduras will report. Then we'll highlight opportunities this spring and summer for people to engage in. Next Sunday is communion Sunday and the Sunday before National Day of Prayer (May 4). My first communion service.
It's already been an exciting few days.
We saw 283 people between two services Easter morning...apparently an all-time high for the church (which celebrates its 30th year in September). Then there were the 40 or so folks who braved the chilly, damp morning air for the sunrise service at Moore Dam (on the reservoir). All in all, it was a great day.
The senior pastor left yesterday for three weeks: visiting his mother and dying father in Arizona; then on to Tennessee for a family reunion or get-together or some such thing for his wife's family. This leaves me holding down the fort for the next almost three weeks, including two Sundays!
This Sunday we will focus on Mission/Ministry, and the team that recently went to Honduras will report. Then we'll highlight opportunities this spring and summer for people to engage in. Next Sunday is communion Sunday and the Sunday before National Day of Prayer (May 4). My first communion service.
It's already been an exciting few days.
03 April 2006
About hardware, not software...
It's nice to have basic tools for ministry. This post concerns itself with a piece of hardware which I have not had permanentl installed in my office until last week: a phone!
Before, we used a portable to give me phone access. The base remained in the office, and I took the portable handset into my office. When a call came in that was for me, the admin would "page" the handset, signaling me to pick up the call.
Problem was that construction of the building caused so much static I couldn't stay at my desk during the call. This made it hard to take notes or look something up.
We installed a phone system which gives me a phone in my office, three in/out lines, voice mail and the like. Now I just need to arrange for a server network so I can gain internat access from my office PC.
I know, I know. I'm never happy! :)
Before, we used a portable to give me phone access. The base remained in the office, and I took the portable handset into my office. When a call came in that was for me, the admin would "page" the handset, signaling me to pick up the call.
Problem was that construction of the building caused so much static I couldn't stay at my desk during the call. This made it hard to take notes or look something up.
We installed a phone system which gives me a phone in my office, three in/out lines, voice mail and the like. Now I just need to arrange for a server network so I can gain internat access from my office PC.
I know, I know. I'm never happy! :)
27 March 2006
Student Ministries ever evolving
We've made a hard decision to halt the weekly Sunday evening meeting for Junior High and Senior High students. They're not coming. Well, precious few, anyway. Considering the amount of time needed to plan and prepare for a two-hour session, the dwindling trend has frustrated all leaders.
Are we throwing in the towel? No. Just admitting that the changes we tried this year still aren't addressing the needs (known and unknown) of the kids and their families. So I talked with the SH leader and asked him if he'd be terribly upset if we stopped "banging our heads on the wall" and pulled the plug on the current program. Nope, no problem.
When I served in Connecticut, kids travels up to 20-30 minutes to get to church for meetings. NO brainer. But up here, that kind of travel means you pass through a mountain notch, or several towns. Roads lack street lights and guard rails. Moose and deer amble at will across roads at the most inopportune times.
So now we're trying to think more radically. Why does our ministry meetings have to convene at the church? Does the venue scare off non-church kids in the community? What about the meetings prevents kids from inviting their friends? How can we encourage and build small groups in the various towns? How can we build on the strengths of the leaders we do have, rather than try to fit them into a ministry paradigm that looks good on paper, but has delivered woefully inadequate results? I should note we've tried for the 18 months I've been here to solicit and encourage people to give youth ministry a try. I've extended open invitations; specifically asked individuals to pray and get back to me. Nada. No one.
Almost all the parents who adamantly claimed, when I arrived, that we had to get the youth ministry off life-support, did not commit to support the ministry in practical terms: making sure their kids showed up!
We'll meet next Sunday, then take three weeks off (Palm Sunday, Easter and the church's quarterly business meeting). Then we'll meet one final time for this year (April 30). I've scheduled a parents' roundtable discussion for May 7 and plan to invite all parents.
Perhaps we can finally build a family-based support ministry that reaching teens and helps their parents in raising them.
Are we throwing in the towel? No. Just admitting that the changes we tried this year still aren't addressing the needs (known and unknown) of the kids and their families. So I talked with the SH leader and asked him if he'd be terribly upset if we stopped "banging our heads on the wall" and pulled the plug on the current program. Nope, no problem.
When I served in Connecticut, kids travels up to 20-30 minutes to get to church for meetings. NO brainer. But up here, that kind of travel means you pass through a mountain notch, or several towns. Roads lack street lights and guard rails. Moose and deer amble at will across roads at the most inopportune times.
So now we're trying to think more radically. Why does our ministry meetings have to convene at the church? Does the venue scare off non-church kids in the community? What about the meetings prevents kids from inviting their friends? How can we encourage and build small groups in the various towns? How can we build on the strengths of the leaders we do have, rather than try to fit them into a ministry paradigm that looks good on paper, but has delivered woefully inadequate results? I should note we've tried for the 18 months I've been here to solicit and encourage people to give youth ministry a try. I've extended open invitations; specifically asked individuals to pray and get back to me. Nada. No one.
Almost all the parents who adamantly claimed, when I arrived, that we had to get the youth ministry off life-support, did not commit to support the ministry in practical terms: making sure their kids showed up!
We'll meet next Sunday, then take three weeks off (Palm Sunday, Easter and the church's quarterly business meeting). Then we'll meet one final time for this year (April 30). I've scheduled a parents' roundtable discussion for May 7 and plan to invite all parents.
Perhaps we can finally build a family-based support ministry that reaching teens and helps their parents in raising them.
21 March 2006
Are memorial services really worth it?
Found myself in
Three pastors participated in the service. Friends from three churches attended. Sounds like a lot, but there were about 100 people who came to support Dad and the family. One of my nieces needs to talk to someone: she’s still stuck on the day of her grandmother’s death.
Grief takes time to work through, and we exhibit it in different ways. Most people think of the deceased in the post positive terms possible. I found myself wondering (at times) who the speakers were talking about! They all assumed the best of Mom. And I don’t want to take away from their memories. But the person I grew to know exhibited two personas: one in public and one in private.
Mom is now completely healed of her physical ailments as well as the emotional wounds she never addressed. The result is her children and grandchildren must now face the legacy of those scars.
12 March 2006
On active duty (and I don't mean the US military)
The elders and deacons convened this weekend for a "retreat" of sorts. It was a time to get away from the business of church leadership to consider some strategic issues. And to think about spiritual matters that sometimes get thrust aside by the fire fights of every day.
Our first discussion (Friday evening) centered on spiritual warfare. Not theory, but practise. We reviewed the theology of spiritual warfare first. Anyone who thinks a follower of Christ is settling for "wimpdom" doesn't understand what we're called to be: soldiers engaging a spiritual enemy who seeks our destruction.
Against the backdrop of our military presence around the world, mitigating conflicts in several countries; we agreed we face principalities and powers. The armor of the God, interestingly enough doesn't really cover our backs. Which means two things:
A recent discussion with my Junior-High class shocked the kids when they realized that God and Satan are not opposite co-equals. God created Satan (he was originally the archangel "Lucifer"). So there's no way he can be considered an evil version or side of God. We're not talking light and dark sides of some force.
Spiritual warfare is not something openly taught or discussed much in sophisticated, cosmopolitan, southwestern Connecticut where I formerly lived and served. Most problems were attributed to "psychological" and "emotional" problems which were addressed by "therapy."
I've discovered in my 18 month-tenure, that this church takes spiritual warfare seriously. I truly believe its much healthier for it.
Our first discussion (Friday evening) centered on spiritual warfare. Not theory, but practise. We reviewed the theology of spiritual warfare first. Anyone who thinks a follower of Christ is settling for "wimpdom" doesn't understand what we're called to be: soldiers engaging a spiritual enemy who seeks our destruction.
Against the backdrop of our military presence around the world, mitigating conflicts in several countries; we agreed we face principalities and powers. The armor of the God, interestingly enough doesn't really cover our backs. Which means two things:
- We must face our enemy face-on. We don't dare turn our back on it.
- We must cover each others' backs: that's where prayer comes in.
A recent discussion with my Junior-High class shocked the kids when they realized that God and Satan are not opposite co-equals. God created Satan (he was originally the archangel "Lucifer"). So there's no way he can be considered an evil version or side of God. We're not talking light and dark sides of some force.
Spiritual warfare is not something openly taught or discussed much in sophisticated, cosmopolitan, southwestern Connecticut where I formerly lived and served. Most problems were attributed to "psychological" and "emotional" problems which were addressed by "therapy."
I've discovered in my 18 month-tenure, that this church takes spiritual warfare seriously. I truly believe its much healthier for it.
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