SOTU

   Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution commands the president of the United States to annually come before Congress to present the state of the union, or what is called SOTU. Our founding fathers knew, like we do, the immeasurable value of taking time out to reflect where we have come from, where we are, and where we are going.

   A year ago I introduced three core values that I believe remain at the center of where God desires us to focus: personal discipleship, excellence, and sustainability. They remain central to the modern realities of living into Christ's great commission to the church. Eugene Peterson interprets it this way: 

"Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matthew 28). 

We must first be those who are being trained and made into disciples ourselves. We cannot lead people to a place we have not been or will not go ourselves. Secondly, we must be stewards of the resources and blessings God has given us, which means we must do church in a sustainable way. No longer can we take on all things; we must take on the right things for us and allow someone else to do the others. Finally, we must do all ministry with excellence, because the globalization of the world has surely elevated everyone's expectations about quality.

   As for specific areas within our church, I will touch briefly on a number that merit our attention:  

• Ministry with Families of all sizes - it is a concept called Orange, and we asking everyone to begin to Think Orange. It starts next Wednesday, February 1 after supper.
• Sunday School - participation has increased, thanks to the consolidation of our morning worship services, and to the opportunity to start two new classes. It is in this hour that people are able to learn and witness what being a disciple of Jesus looks like in the world. This Sunday's gathering of our SS teachers and leaders intends to further inspire all of us to pursue excellence in this critical ministry.
• Missions - our new emphasis on involving every person in serving with our hands in a variety of ways is already showing results. Let us remember, we gather to grow in order that we go to serve. The church fails when it remains here without going out there.
• Finances - the way our people have committed to stewardship is moving us back toward sure financial footing. 2011 saw great generosity, as we paid our Conference apportionments, paid our bills, and even paid back some to ourselves. We are improving, but each of us must continue to be faithful.

   The state of the church is good, not yet great, and in constant need of grace. But we take comfort in knowing, best of all, God is with us. Grace and Peace, Scott

"don't bring a water gun to fight a fire." modern wisdom

   Our own Lieutenant Mike Morris, of the Columbus Fire & EMS, knows better. Each call that comes in requires specific deployment of resources. It is not always so simple, but sometimes the truth is 'the more water the better.'

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   Few of you would be surprised to know we helped over 15+ local and regional missions and ministries with donated items or monies in 2011. Our Epworth Christmas Offering, which brought in over $3600 at the end of the year alone, is just one small measure of the great generosity of this congregation. Each ministry is 'fighting fire on the front lines' to help bring about a Christ-like world, as Bishop James King is fond of saying. However, the question has been raised: could we do more good by narrowing down the number of agencies we help, and thus significantly increase how we help?

   Our Missions Committee is leading is in just that manner. They have selected 4 agencies here locally that we are elevating to being the primary outlets for our service and gifts.

Open Door Community House

Wynnton Neighborhood Network

Our Ministry of Feeding at Rose Hill UMC

Allen Elementary School

   It really goes without saying that each of these groups does amazing, and at the same time, uniquely different work in our community as they serve our neighbors. We want to partner even more with them to serve.

  The other thing about these three agencies, is that each of them would be benefited from the 3 Forms that Missions takes in the local church. Each is connected to our hands:

Using our hands to donate items of specific need

Using our hands to make monetary contributions

Using our hands to build, assemble, and directly help an agency.

   This is going to allow us to focus our efforts and passions at an even greater amount into ministries that are bringing about real change in the lives of our neighbors. This allows us to direct even more "water" onto the fires that we know are around us: poverty, hunger, a lack of connection, and a need to strengthen families. Every other month or so, we're going to lead our congregation, and others that join us, toward hands-on projects that have an infinite capacity for volunteers. This month that will happen on Wednesday, January 25 at 6:45 PM in our Fellowship Hall, as we prepare to-go bags and write prayers for the people who attend the Rose Hill Feeding Ministry our church leads. In March, we'll have a great group walking in the Open Door Walk Classic, as that event moves onto CSU's main campus.

   All of this is very exciting. I want you to commit to being a part of it. Remember, we gather  at Epworth to worship and grow for the purpose of going out to be great neighbors. Grace and Peace, Scott

   

Thank You Jim Morpeth, founder of Country's Barbecue

   I want to begin by saying thank you, then take a couple of moments to say why. So, here goes, "Thank you, Jim Morpeth." I read the piece that ran on Monday in the Ledger-Enquirer (find it here), and I was impressed and appreciative. 

   As for why I am thankful, let me be clear; it is not only for the amazing food served up at any of your three locations. I love your food. I especially love the skillet apples...I have some every time I dine with you and your great team of co-workers.  I am also thankful for your sponsorship of last month's Reindeer Run to support the Children's Miracle Network...my wife and I and our two boys had a great time! But the neither the delicious meals you serve up or the charity work you do are what is prompting me to write a note of thank you today.
   I want to thank you for being generous with your praise of others. Specifically, in the article in the Ledger-Enquirer (you really should read it here), you seemed to naturally flow into talking about others in the community and sharing your appreciation for them. I loved it. It was genuine, and it was classy. It is not something that happens enough, anymore. 
   You made three different references to our great downtown community. Your first reference was to another dining establishment around the corner from your Broadway location: Fountain City Coffee. Not only were your complimentary, but you were specific in your praise. That is how to be genuine and to build others up. You then made a quick mention of the local vendors who participate in the sidewalk market when the weather is warmer. Finally, you finished with a great word of affirmation for the Springer Academy and the work of Ron Anderson. I know we've had folks from our congregation who have participated in it, and they share your deep thankfulness. 
   Jesus taught and modeled such behavior. One fascinating story that comes to my mind is told in  Mark 9. The disciples tell Jesus about another person, outside of their own inner circle, who was doing good work on his own, and they wanted Jesus to help them put a stop to it, but he wouldn't. The truth he shared that day that he wants us to know is this: every person working for good in the world is working on the same team! 
   So thanks for seeing the world in such a glorious, and grand manner. Thanks for sharing with all of us your humility and appreciation for what others are doing. Thanks for reminding us that we are not all working against each other...that good deeds should be celebrated by everyone. Grace and Peace, Scott.

Five Non-negotiables

   I stumbled upon a letter, over the holidays, that I wrote back in 2003. In the process of an interview for a possible position within the church, I was asked by a pastor in South Georgia to list five non-negotiables in my life. I have included the list. 

Five non-negotiable things in my life:

1. My covenant with my wife, Julie. I will not negotiate in terms that would do anything to damage the promises that I have made with her, or that she has made with me. That does not mean that situations will arise within each of our lives that require that we go back and restate what our promises were.  Yet my promise to be there for her requires that I consider deeply how I am interpreting the other claims upon my life.
2. My presence in the life of my son, Sam.* While not entering into a public covenant like that of wedding vows, we are in many ways more intimately connected in these years ahead because of need for guidance, protection, and instruction as he grows. 
3. My faith in God. I believe in, and am shaped everyday by God the Creator, that has sought me through grace to be renewed in his likeness. He extends that same love to every person. 
4. My passion for the church. I will not allow anything to turn aside my deep conviction that the church is a great gift to the world, and is God’s great vehicle for sharing and being the healing, transforming, and saving power that is given through Christ Jesus.  
5. My deep belief that all people are included in God’s grace is non-negotiable.

* - This one only lists Sam, as Jack was still two years from entering the world; Jack makes the list now, too!   

   I offer these as encouragement to consider what things in your life are non-negotiables. What are the boundaries for where you will go? How do the rock-solid commitments you have made influence your everyday life, your plans for the short-term, and your dreams about the distant future? I think the abundant life that Jesus talked about included such commitments and non-negotiables. His choices, made in the everyday living of life, emerged from a deep sense of knowing his place and his direction. The Gospels are filled with the difficult choices he made, and then often the reasons he offers for why he is doing one thing over the other.

   At the core of my non-negotiables is my family and my faith. Many of you would have these on your list. We are going to be talking about new ways to bring the faith of the church and the heart of the family together in 2012 here at Epworth. It is a concept called Orange, and I am excited about it. May God use it to solidify the non-negotiables in the lives of all of our people and grow us for God's glory.