Out the Door

See you in June

I'm conducting a funeral this morning and then Julie & I are headed out for some time away.  She won't let me bring my laptop.  For some strange reason, she thinks that when I'm on vacation, I should leave all my "church" stuff behind.  So I am.  Guess that proves who wears the pants in our family!  See you when we get back.

Auto Fix

The "brain" in my computer found a potential problem and a window popped up asking me if I wanted it to be automatically fixed.  I clicked yes, and the computer did the rest in a matter of seconds.

It's no wonder many of us, me included, have a hard time learning patience and perseverance.  The two & half minutes it takes to pop popcorn in the microwave seems like an eternity.  There's no way that I can simply stand by and wait for it to finish.  I've got to go do something in those couple of minutes, then come back went the timer dings.

The Bible repeatedly speaks about the importance of patience.  It's one of the evidences that a person is mature spiritually.  "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23; NIV)

For me, patience may be the most difficult fruit to develop and the one I need to work on the most. 

But enough of that, I've got important things I have to do, right now! 

Engaging Culture

I've been struggling as of late over Christian involvement in American culture.

On the one hand, the Bible is clear about not judging others.  I believe we are to discern good and evil, but that is for the purpose of avoiding evil.  Do we as Christians have the right to impose our morals on those who are not believers?  I think there's something not quite right when Christians protest against a movie.  Often it seems to feed right into the hands of those who are producing the offensive materials. 

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Chan Lowe
South Florida Sun Sentinel

When St. Paul saw all the idols in Athens, he didn't print up a bunch placards and call for a boycott.  He didn't do a mass mailing trying to raise money to fight the corrupting influence of idol worship.  He didn't hyperventilate, wring his hands and start telling everyone that society was going to hell in a handbasket.  Does this mean that Paul approved of the idols or wasn't offended by them?  Of course not.  He understood that the Church exists as a colony of heaven in a pagan world and that though we are in the world, we are not of the world.  Because he didn't judge the Athenians, he was able to use the culture of that city as a door opening the way to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. 

So on the one hand, it seems to me that rather than protesting, boycotting and generally judging those who espouse anti-Christian rhetoric, we should be looking for cracks into which we can slip the gospel.

On the other hand, the 20th century has taught us that the only thing necessary for evil to thrive is for good people to do nothing.  Therefore rather than allowing Christ's name to defamed, we as citizens of a free land should stand up for our God.

On the other hand, isn't God big enough to stand up for Himself?  I'm unaware of anywhere in the scripture where God tells His people to defend Him against His enemy's.  God is the one who does the defending. 

On the other hand, are Christians simply supposed to sit back and accept whatever lies and bigotries that people throw at them?

On the other hand, didn't Jesus say to turn the other cheek?

I guess, I have to give this a whole lot more thought before I come to a conclusion.

   

Where can a pastor turn?

This week a couple of things in my ministry, important things, have taken a blow and I'm really bummed about it.  It's discouraging to work hard, invest oneself into a program or project and suddenly have it go south.  I really wish I had somebody to talk to about it.  Since it involves the church and church people, I don't feel like I can rightly talk to my church friends about it.  And Julie is overwhelmed with finishing up the school year, so I don't want to burden her.  So where can a pastor turn?

Surveys repeatedly show that many pastors don't have many close friends.  Close friendship takes years to develop and I like many pastors am fully aware that I'm a transient.  Oh sure, I may be around for a few years, but there is an awareness that's never far from my consciousness that one day a DS will call and we'll have to pack up our possessions and leave.  I must be getting older, because part of me wants to put down some roots.  I envy people who have been close friends for decades.  It's seems to be one of the sacrfices I and other pastors have to make in order to fulfill our calling.

Oh well, enough whining, sorry I made you listen to me.  Hopefully, tomorrow things will look brighter and I'm have something worth reading to write.

The New Testament in 90 days

      I'm not a very disciplined person.  I've tried numerous ways to more regularly ingest the Holy Scriptures into my life.  Oh, most days I'll read something from the Bible. Still, I've always wanted to be more consistent in reading scripture for my own spiritual growth rather than doing it as a part of some other task, ie. preparing a Bible study, writing a sermon, etc.

     I think I may have found a way.  I recently purchased the NIV Bible for my Palm.  Included in the software is a daily reading program.  It can be set for a number of different options.  I choose to read the New Testament in 90 days.  And so far, I'm staying right with it. 

It's strange but I find it easier to pick up this little electronic devise and after a couple of clicks, immerse myself in God's Word.  Each day I'm reading three to four chapters.  Maybe one of the reasons I find it easier is because there are no chapter or verse notations.  The program tells what verses are going to be displayed, and then displays them.  It seems to me that makes the Bible more like any other book.  And of course, numbered chapter & verse were not a part of the original scriptures.

I've only been at this a week, so whether or not I'm disciplined enough to follow through with my goal is yet to be seen.  I'm a great starter, but not such a good finisher.  I'd like to see that change in me.  I'll let you know in about three months how I've done.

Commencement kegs

Yesterday was graduation day at our local high school.  Because of my position and that of my wife's, she teaches secondary special ed., we get quite a few party invitations.  It is a common practice in our community to have a keg of beer at many of these.  I went to one on Saturday that was serving root beer floats, and when I picked up the spigot to add the soda to my ice cream, I noticed just in the nick of time that the keg held Miller Lite.  That would have made for a pretty nasty combination.  The keg of root beer was right next to it in the cattle tank filled with ice.

Now I'm not trying malign anyone for having a beer, I'd have to point a finger at myself if I did that.  What I'm questioning is the time and place.  Isn't a graduation party to honor the graduate?  None of those who received their diploma yesterday were 21.  I don't understand why parents feel it is necessary to use this occasion as a reason to drink.  I guarantee we had just as good of time at our sons' graduation parties and did anyone else.  And we didn't have a commencement keg.

Tony Campolo's hypocrisy

The UM Reporter is presently carrying a story titled "Tony Campolo blasts religious right as frightening.'"  I like a lot of what Campolo has to say, but this particular article is filled with hypocrisy.  He endorses same-sex marriage and then turns around and points at the phenomenal growth of Christianity in third world country who are overwhelmingly against same-sex marriage.  Strange that he can see no correlation between the demise of liberal mainline American Christianity and the growth of conservative evangelicalism of Christians in developing nations.

Campolo also notes, "The postmodern world is good news. The modern era was an enemy of faith because the scientific view was truth. Now people are questioning science. When science has failed, where do people turn? They turn to Benny Hinn. I want to know why mainline churches don't have healing services." 

Guess what, I, this conservative mainline pastor held a healing service just last month in my congregation and it wasn't the first!  I know any number of conservative UM pastors who have done the same.  Maybe Campolo's been hanging out with the wrong mainline pastors.

I long for the day when there will arise a national religious leader who will embrace Jesus' call to care for the poor and the oppressed, while at the same time holding up personal moral standards.  Now that's a person I could follow!

Mother's Day; one of the hardest days to preach

There are three times every year I find it very hard to preach.  Christmas Eve and Easter are the first two.  Though both celebrate the best news in all of history, the birth and resurrection of Jesus, each year it's the same story.  Trying to find a new way to express this good news, I find difficult.  The other is Mother's Day. 

It's been fifteen years since our daughter Jenny died.  She was 2 1/2 months old when one day she simply didn't wake up from her nap.  The doctors told us it was SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).  The medical world doesn't know exactly what causes babies to stop breathing, it just happens.

I can't begin to express the grief that still sweeps over my wife & me at times.  There are moments that the pain is almost as fresh as the day we lost her.  I don't expect that will ever change.

Shortly after Jenny died, a elderly widowed gentleman who was a member of my congregation and living in a nursing home let me know that he wanted to talk to me.  When I went to see him, he told me about twins he and his wife had who died shortly after birth.  He cried as he told me about his loss.  The twins had died about sixty years before, yet the pain was still real enough to move this tough old farmer to tears.

I know there are a number of preachers who honor me by reading this blog.  I implore you to be aware of how painful Mother's Day and Father's Day can be for those who have lost children.  Loving parents are supposed to protect their children.  However, when tragedy strikes and a child dies the sense of loss and failure can be overwhelming.  And it's not a pain that ever completely goes away.

As for me, I'll put on a smile and talk about the love of mothers and pat the little children on the head, just as I have these many years, but inside my heart will be aching and longing for the day when I can hold my little girl in my arms once more.

Sermon: Decoding the Da Vinci Code, Pt 3

The Da Vinci Code has become a cultural phenomenon.   The characters in the story make numerous claims about the history and beliefs of the Christian Church.  In this three part series, Pastor John will examine and challenge a number of these claims.

Download or listen to: Decoding the Da Vinci Code: Part 3

Pastoral care rethought

I met with one of my mentees this morning. I mentor two part-time pastors. One who is an older woman who is a licensed local pastor who serves two small rural congregations. The other is a young student pastor who is working his way through the candidacy program toward ordination while attending seminary and serving three churches. It was Jason I was visiting with this morning.

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During our conversation, we got on the topic of pastoral care. It’s long been my contention that pastoral care is not primarily the work of the pastor. It is in fact, one of the ministries which should be completed by the laity. Maybe we should quit talking about “pastoral care” and talk instead about “members care.” After all, it’s the members who are receiving the care and members who should be providing it.

The pastor’s primary responsibility is “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)

Unfortunately, this hasn’t been done very well in many congregations. Because of that people have come to expect “pastoral care.” And many pastors have been happy to oblige. My predecessor supposedly made 100 -120 visits each month. At least that’s what was reported to the Administrative Council. Is it any wonder that congregations can become addicted to pastoral care? Breaking through these old habits is a very difficult thing to do. At least try as I might, I haven’t been able to convince my congregation that they have the responsibility to provide members care. I’ve attempted several different things but to no avail. I’m sure there are people who are anxious for me to move so that they can once again “have a pastor that cares for them.”

The thing is, I care so deeply for the people of my congregation that I want them to grow in maturity and into the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. For when that happens, they will discover something that is far more enriching than having the pastor come to call. They will uncover their own spiritual giftedness and experience the awesome call of God on their lives. And that’s something worth getting excited about.