Everyone Should Try It For 21 days

Experience is the greatest teacher.

Thomas Taylor in the year 1617, 

quoting an ancient Latin saying

   We know this to be true. We learn best by doing.  We can grasp the nuances, and get a hold of the concepts better when we are a part of the action.  Books are amazing tools, and conversations with wise persons are priceless gifts - but there is something unparalleled about the lessons learned from actually experiencing something.
   Earlier this week, I listed to a friend share with me their opinions on the 'state of the world', and heard their take on how things had changed in the past two decades.  My friend is more than a generation my elder, but we saw things almost exactly the same way.  Society is changing, and every fabric of our lives is affected.  Work, family, travel, communication, entertainment, values...and friendship.  Some of it for the good - some not so good. But the change is undeniable.
   As we start the new year, we'll be listening in to ancient ideas and truths, found in our Holy Scriptures, about friendship and relationships.  But in order for us to get the nuances of how friendship looks in 2011, I am proposing everyone try something together for three weeks: Facebook.

   I want everyone to join Facebook. It costs nothing, requires basically that you have an email address, and takes just minutes to get started.  Then for those who start this coming week, or for those who are already on Facebook, I want everyone to log on once a day for 21 days.  Why you ask?  Because Facebook is the single most influential force on relationships in the world today, and every person, of every generation, could stand to learn some things about how Facebook is shaping our children, our neighbors, our coworkers, and even our parents!  You can easily deactivate your account when you are done, but for now I'd like everyone who reads this to join the other 500 Million people who are 'connecting'. or so they say, on Facebook.  Simply go to www.facebook.com to get started.
   I believe if we are going to convince the world that Jesus' way of living is the best possible way to live - if we stand by our claim that our lives are radically better because of the truths we believe - then we also have to speak and know the language of the world.  More and more that language is spoken on Facebook.
   See you on Sunday, Scott

What is Next After This?

   Leslie Morris, our church's Lay Leader, spoke for just a moment on Sunday afternoon at the close of our Church Council meeting to hear and act on two very important purposes.  The first of had been accomplished when Steve Sawyer and the Council voted approval to a very solid, balanced Ministry Budget for 2011.  The budget included a great record of estimated offerings through pledges and contributions, which then allowed our church to allocate our proposed expenses across great ministries. It is a great thing to start the year with the confidence of such actions. The second dealt with nominations for leadership, and was only for information purposes.

   Leslie's comments took only a minute.  She passed out the list of Church Leadership for the upcoming year while noting the three remaining blanks that we are working on filling.  We have since received one Yes, and are hopeful for two others who have been asked.  But she made a statement that has left me thinking.  She said, 'the pace of things in the church has picked up, and every leader needs to be ready for even more in the future.'  

   How true! After six months of good work by our leaders in getting our 'house' in order, the real work is just getting started.  After weeks of number crunching, decision-making, and vote-taking by our leaders in Finance, the real work of a balanced budget starts on January 1 when we try to live into it.  For all of the tireless work done by our Staff-Parish Relations committee around shaping our staff for great ministry, the next task is to not stop.  Leadership in the church is on-going.  Leaders do not stop.  They rest, for sure.  They seek sabbath, and recharge, but they get going again.   

   I think of Mary and Joseph in the days leading up to and just after the birth of a son in Bethlehem.  For all of the effort it took to get to that place, the work had just begun.  Getting to Christmas is eternally important - but it is not the end of the story, is it?

   My desire for our church is to take some time, in these holidays, for rest and renewal.  May our celebrations be grand, may our generosity be extravagant, may our worship be great.  Then may we be ready for even more as we move forward.  Grace and Peace, Scott

A Date That Will Live On...

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 8, 1941

   It is one of those generational dates in history. The kind of date marking an event that everyone who was alive can remember where they were [Listen to FDR's speech at wikipedia].  Roosevelt's speech stands along with the announcement of the assassination of President Kennedy, the first images and sounds of Astronaut Neil Armstrong taking that giant leap onto the surface of the moon.  Since then, we have had the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, and the attacks of September 11.

   Three of these are tragic, one cause for celebration.  All of these have the common characteristic and trait of having occurred after the advent of modern communication.  Radio, then television, and now the internet allow millions of people to witness events in real-time.  This has helped, I believe, to spread more quickly the news and the commentary on events that soon become history.

   That was not the case with arguably the most significant announcement of history: the advent of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea.  Despite the help of a host of angels, the news spread slowly about what had happened.  The commentary about the significance of Jesus' birth took even longer to develop.  Only a handful knew, most notably Mary. Yet, here we are celebrating the entrance into history the One who changed everything.  It is more than a date to be remembered, or a figure to be studied.  He is one to be worshiped.

   See you in worship, Scott

all things new

A loud voice from the throne says "See, I am making all things new."

Revelation 21:5

   I stood gazing out the window towards my favorite tree, a Japanese maple that anchors our front yard, and as I stare a single crimson leaf falls to the ground.  It catches my eye.  Then, as if on cue, another leaf is loosed and heads to the earth.  No more than a few seconds pass, when yet a third leaf falls.  All of them added to the chaos of leaves beneath the tree, which are connected the leaves in the driveway, which appear to spill into the street.  Suddenly I notice they run on from yard to yard, as if they all of the world right now is covered in leaves and straw.  It is a mess.  To top it off, the temperature outside declares it is winter weeks before our calendars make it official.

   Truth be told, all of this has nothing and everything to do with what is actually happening in the world, doesn't it?  Leaves are trivial.  The state of my front yard means nothing when compared to the state of the affairs in the world.  We watch closely as nations engage in gunboat diplomacy over issues of nuclear weapons, while others turn a blind eye to horrendous human rights violations.  Children are being taken, jobs are being lost, confidential briefs are being leaked, and tornadoes are knocking buildings and people around. To mention nothing of cancer, consumerism and the holidays, or any of the other concerns that warrant our prayers.  What part of all of this looks like 'God making all things new'?  

   Yet nevertheless, the scriptures throughout proclaim that God's singular agenda in the world is restoration.  God is about re-creation.  God is about redemption.  Jesus refers to the fact it will happen with certainty (Matthew 19).  He then says, later, that it is not for us to know the times or the seasons (Acts 1). 

   So, we are left to wait. With leaves falling and the world seemingly falling, as well, we wait.  But it is not an idle waiting.  It is one busy with anticipation.  What will God's redemption look like?  How will it come, and will we notice at first?  This is the essence of worship in Advent.  

   I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday, Scott

One Way to Get to Thankful

“In a time when many people only want to talk about themselves, my grandmother, who is 89, had the least to say when I asked her about herself. Instead, she wanted to share stories about her community, her friends, and her children.”

Amanda, from Tennessee

   This week we slow down a little more, eat a little more, and hopefully do a little less.  Holidays can help remind us of our place: we are created to work and to rest, and leave the 'savior of the world' role for One who can handle it.  This is the essence of the Commandment to observe the sabbath: we are not God and the world does not stop when we take time to rest (Exodus 20).  My prayer for you this Thanksgiving holiday is that you are thankful and that you find rest and peace, in the company of loved ones.

   But how does one arrive at an attitude of thanksgiving? I've recently heard about one way to get there. Listening.  What better way to grow in our awareness of a deep sense of thanksgiving, than to listen and celebrate God's work through the lives of another?

   The National Day of Listening is a new national holiday started by StoryCorps in 2008. On the day after Thanksgiving, StoryCorps asks all Americans to take an hour to record an interview with a loved one, using recording equipment that is readily available in most homes, such as computers, iPhones, and tape recorders.  Read more at nationaldayoflistening.org.

   I think this is a beautiful way to steer our spirits toward a deep thanksgiving. On a day when family and friends are often already together, we should spend some time listening. May God pour out blessings this week, and every week, upon you that create thankful hearts.

   Grace and Peace to you, Scott

A Celebration of Consecration Sunday

Sunday was great. We had a great congregation in worship with us. The music was awesome. The Rev. David Haygood’s message was inspiring, funny and right on. Finally, we had a great meal, offering the powerful encouragement that comes when sisters and brothers fellowship together around a table.  Just a few days out from Thanksgiving, we would all agree we have much for which to give thanks.

The Bible talks at length about giving and offerings. It says that every person is to give back to God. As I see it, giving is commanded by God while written commitments are desired by the church. Commitments help the church to make plans for ministry and be good stewards. Commitments can also help a person to set goals and be personally accountable. The question before us is, “How is God leading you to respond to what God is doing in your life?”  In my life, making a pledge is an important, holy moment.

Rev. Haygood was so right in making it clear that what is right for one family does not apply for everyone.  Some individuals are just starting the regular habit of giving to God’s Ministries – we were there not many years ago – while other persons and families have considered ways to move beyond the tithe.  I know for a fact that age or income level has no bearing on where a family might be in this practice.  It is of little importance what has gone on in the past.  What matters to God is the effort you make in the present.  The Apostle Paul affirms this in Scripture, 

“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

Grace and Peace to you, Scott

A Note Saying Thank You

   I read a while back about a fellow in Nemo, Texas, who decided to thank some people around him.  He chose garbage workers and the crews who help us keep our homes, yards, and streets clean.  He took a picture of his 20-year-old garbage can and mailed it, along with a letter of thanks, to the head of the sanitation department in Dallas.  A few days later he got a letter in response, thanking him for his letter but admitting it had caused a problem in the office.  Though they had been in operation for decades, his was the first thank-you letter they have ever received and they had no place to file it!  

   We talk about saying thanks in the church all the time. It often sounds churchy, too.  Of course, we say thanks to God, who is the giver of all good things.  We are to be thankful for life and the abundance of blessings we have and continue to receive from God.  But could it be that the concept of giving thanks might be expanded?

   There are some people around us who deserve to hear 'Thanks' from time to time.  I can think of teachers, public safety workers, nurses, and custodians.  The list is extensive.  Most of us think about those whose contributions, now, make a difference, now, in our lives.  But what about saying thanks to those who served before?

   I want to say thanks to our nation's Veterans.  For those whose service, and sacrifice, made a difference then.  I hope we are all aware that their service continues to make a difference now. For those who serve now, and for those with loved ones serving, thank you.  Truth be told, if we all wrote a letter for every moment, every instance, every milestone that we were able to experience because of the freedom given us by the Veterans of our nation's military, there would not be a building large enough to file them all.
   May we be those counted as thankful.  Grace and Peace to you, Scott

Campaign to Change The World: One New Marriage At A Time

  As I type this, polls are open across our country.  People are voting here in of Epworth, as we host our neighborhood Polling Precinct, for the first time.  But we know elections are larger than one day, with monies and months spent gaining support, getting out the vote, garnering endorsements, and even a little time spent going over the issues.  State records show that as of today, contributions of $174,125 were made to campaigns from within the bounds of our local Zip Code, 31904, alone.  

   People give money and give time to campaigns because they believe their efforts will mean something.  What if we approach other aspects of life with the same passion as political campaigns?  

   Our church, as of last month, has joined the ranks of 100 other local churches to campaign for a cause as important and critical as any in our country: healthy marriages.  More specifically, we want marriages to get started in intentional ways that lead to sustainable, great, relationships.  Because we know that the home is the very fabric of who we are.

   We have joined a local, grassroots collaborative known as Right From the Start.  In 2008, concerned community leaders came together to launch a community wide initiative designed to strengthen marriages and families in the Columbus Region.  It is based on  a highly successful model from Chattanooga, TN.  In the end, Right From the Start seeks to increase, to a substantial degree, the percentage of children being raised by their moms and dads in healthy families. If we are successful in achieving this objective, fewer children will be at risk and our communities will be safer and better places to live and work. 

   Our church is committed to this sort of campaign.  We are want couples engaged to be married to go through premarital counseling, in addition to the 2-3 sessions I expect of every couple marry, in order that they get started right.  We want to offer classes, education, and inspiration to couples of all stages of marriage to continue to do the hard work of staying in a relationship.  We do this because the scriptures tell us it is the very stuff of our souls.  Jesus reminds us from Genesis that in marriage "two become one," (Matthew 19).  Whether in singleness or marriage, we want every person to life abundantly.  We believe this is a partnership that can better help that happen.

   Grace and Peace to you, Scott