Conception, Growing, Middle Age, or Dying-Where Is Your Congregation on Life's Continuum?

Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

            Have you ever noticed there is a life cycle in a congregation?  There is the conception stage when people begin talking about it and take the first steps to organizing.  Then there is the birth stage when the congregation begins to meet and everything is new and exciting.  New things are tried all the time, and if something doesn’t work out just right or they stumble and fall they, babies and congregations, get up and try again.  As children and youth they begin reaching out with excitement and wonder as they look to bring people into their community.  They are often encouraged by others and are not afraid of much.  Congregations are often encouraged by their mothering church or annual conference.  As they get older they may try a new activity or idea, but they begin to become risk averse and begin asking “what’s in it for me.”  Around middle age they reach a plateau, but they are comfortable, and after a few more years decline becomes visible and eventually the congregation becomes invalid and dies.

            What many churches are discovering is that they have been at the plateau or decline stage for a long time, but have not known it because of either denial, some self- regeneration with large families, being busy keeping beloved programs (and sometimes not so beloved programs) going,  or a combination of the three.  The situation has gotten to the point where it has to be addressed, but it is hard to do so.  The work required to overcome the habits learned from when the church was younger and the resistance to new ideas and actions is hard.  Humans learn much from experience and what has worked on the past is what many congregations default to, but we are in a new day and age of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The old ways many times do not work or are not realistic.  An example of this is growing healthy churches by having large families.  Most families are no longer having 4-8 children who stay in the area and stay in their home church.  We have to find a new way. 

            Where are we on this continuum?  So what can we do with this knowledge?   Is it too late?  These tough questions lead to more questions and hard work.  To help start and continue the discussion here are some questions to think about?
1.  What is God’s vision for this congregation?  Am I willing to put aside my hopes and dreams and pick up God’s dream regardless of where it might lead?  Am I willing to let programs and activities die if the Lord leads us that way?

2.  Am I willing to support the forward motion of the congregation with my prayers, service, gifts, time, and your presence?  Even if I don’t like it or disagree with it?  Will I talk positive about what is going on at the congregation?

3.  Am I willing to do the work?

4.  What is the purpose of the church?  Is it for those inside or outside? 

5.  When you talk about the church do you talk about the events and activities at the church or do you talk about how God is working through those events?

 

May you have good discussions, peace, and blessings this month,

 

ET, Las Vegas, God, and the Ordinary

Recently while my family and I were on a continuing education/vacation trip I experienced two “ET: The Extraterrestrial” moments, one at the Grand Canyon and one at a buffet in Las Vegas.  For those who may not know the story or have forgotten the plot of this 1982 movie the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) describes it like this, “A meek and alienated little boy finds a stranded extraterrestrial. He has to find the courage to defy the authorities to help the alien return to its home planet.”  The American Film Institute in 2007 voted it as the 24^th best film of all time.  When the movie first came out many people were captivated by it, said it was a tremendous movie, went around saying the line “E.T. phone home”, and recommended it to their friends.  By the time I saw it in August of 1982 the expectations I had for the movie were extremely high.  I came out of the movie disappointed.  “ET” is a very good movie, but I was expecting something more, what I am not sure, but the movie did not knock my socks off. 

            In a similar way my first view of the Grand Canyon just east of the visitor’s center did not impress me as much as I was expecting or had hoped it would.  I had heard so much about it that when I finally saw the Grand Canyon it underwhelmed me.  I am not saying it was not awesome or impressive, but it was not as awe inspiring as I thought it would be.  I even told Carolyn that I thought the Badlands in South Dakota were more inspiring/interesting.  As for the buffet in Las Vegas I had heard about how good the ones at the hotels were, and we tried one for lunch.  The buffet at Old Country Buffet has better food.  We all were highly disappointed.

            As I have reflected on these “ET” moments I have wondered how many people have experienced God and been underwhelmed because they are expecting something else?  How many times have people been in the presence of the Lord, receiving messages of hope, assurance, comfort, or something else but not really seeing or hearing because the gifts are God’s gifts and expectations and not the ones we have envisioned or expected?  How many times has faith waned because we are underwhelmed at the supposed absence of the wonders of God?  Do we cheat ourselves of experiencing a wonder God has for us because it does not live up to what we think an experience with the Lord should be?  Are we always expecting a mountaintop experience without realizing that wonderful things are in the valleys and plateaus? 

            I was awed later in my visit of the Grand Canyon when I went west of the visitor’s center.  It was still my first time at the canyon and still the same day as when I first saw the canyon.  I kept an open mind and hoped that what I envisioned would be made sight.  It was.  I was in awe of the Grand Canyon at some of the overlooks, and in awe of what God created through the power of nature.  I was also in awe at a rest area in western Colorado, at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies, and just driving through the country.  Some of the best times of the trip took place when we stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD and at Seligman, AZ on Route 66.  Both of these places have attractions that can be called cheesy, and yet looking back I would be upset if we had not taken the time to do some attractions that many would say were not worth stopping to see.
            Where have you seen God in the ordinary?

           Blessings,

Pastor Dave

Relections on General Conference #1

                      The General Conference of the United Methodist Church recently finished its quadrennial meeting.  What was supposed to be a meeting in which major structure change was to take place and processes to make the ministry of the United Methodist Church more nimble turned into disappointment for some as not much was accomplished, and in the eyes of many pastors trust and covenant was broken.  As I have thought about what has happened the last few weeks in Tampa, FL, I have come to some conclusions.  This article is mine and mine alone, and some of ideas discussed in it are probably not what the “leadership” of the denomination wants to hear.  In this post I will talk about a few of the major issues and my take on it.  They are written in the order I think of them not in the importance I place on them.  I will break this up into several different blog posts for ease of reading.  Let me say I am also not opposed to change if it is needed and it is implemented fairly.  The Call to Action and the follow-up done on the report is not necessarily a just or fair document for a large segment of the United Methodist Church.

  1.  The response to the Call to Action Report-The Call to Action was a report issued last year by one of the groups commissioned by either the General Conference or the Council of Bishops.  Prepared by an outside agency that looked at many statistics the conclusions reached were most of the congregations of the United Methodist Church in the United States were ineffective in accomplishing the mission of the United Methodist Church, there were trust issues at all levels of the church, a lot of ineffective ministers, and the organization was a 1950s style in a 21^st century world.  There were other items, but I believe the biggest ones were the ones listed in the previous sentence.  The report, as I said in an earlier blog post, seemed to me to be outcomes looking for a report.  All these items had been talked about for quite some time and now there was a way to make it look snappy while trumpeting the doom of the UMC if these changes were not made.  The response to the Call to Action was, for the most part, backlash.
            A team had worked on a restructuring plan that eliminated, merged, and cut the size of the general boards and agencies.  The overall oversight for the denomination would be delegated to a small board of 15 people.  The number of people involved in overseeing the other boards and agencies would be cut down as well.  The shrinkage and elimination of boards, agencies, and directors as well as consolidating the power into such a small group raised many issues.  Some of the issues raised were a) how would inclusiveness of gender, ethnicity/race, and theological differences be ensured; b) how would the current work be affected; c) was all of the work and issues that had been raised when the commissions/boards slated for elimination had been authorized?  If not who would continue the work/would the work get the same attention?  And, while it probably shouldn’t have there was probably some fiefdom/turf protection going on as well.

            There were two plans put forth to the General Conference, one backed by the leadership the other by the Methodist Federation for Social Action.  A third plan(Plan B), while not submitted officially, also was factoring into what would get passed.  In the process of being vetted and either being recommended or not recommended by a legislative group of the General Conference, it became obvious there was a lot of dissent even among the delegates.  Because of the divisiveness of the proposals there was not recommendation from the committee of either plan, and for a while it looked as if there would be no vote on any plan because of the rules saying it had to come from a legislative committee to amke it to the General Conference's floor for discussion and vote.  Through a lot of finagling and finesse, and representatives from all three plans working together, a plan was put together, presented, amended, voted on, approved, and then struck down by the Judicial Council as not being in accord with the denomination’s constitution.  Some people are quite happy there is no reorganization this quadrennium while others are very upset. 
            As I have thought about the restructuring I have come to the conclusion our organization is not the problem.  The United Methodist Church is a global organization of over eleven million people.  To effectively manage and deliver resources is going to require a fairly large organization.  Does that mean it cannot be tweaked, new boards created or old ones eliminated?  No, it doesn’t.  In fact they probably need to be tweaked.  In my opinion what probably needs to happen is the boards and agencies become more user friendly and have a bigger impact upon all the local congregations.  Resources need to be made available that are user friendly and more affordable.  The internet needs to be used more effectively.  The General Boards and Agencies should work more cooperatively.  My perception is our denomination’s organizational groups are much like the federal government’s security agencies before 9-11-2001.  There is not enough cooperation because everyone wants to protect their territory or they don’t like someone or something.  The boards and agencies should be held to uphold the standards and doctrine of the United Methodist Church and should not look for loopholes to get around the polity, discipline, or doctrine of the denomination.  Some of the boards and agencies, and their general and assistant secretaries seem to push ideas that are not always in line with the UMC’s stated positions.  The issues surrounding sexuality is probably the most notable example of this.

            I also have been wondering if the leadership of the denomination learned anything from the 2008 General Conference when a major restructuring proposal from the leadership came forward to be voted on, and because of the need for constitutional amendments, votes in the individual annual conferences.  While the restructure was approved by the GC, at the annual conference level it was rejected.  As I recall the most common reason for voting no was that no one knew how the restructuring would look or what exactly it would do.  Yes, there were some who wondered about their fiefdoms, inclusiveness, or something else, but people wanted to know how it would work and the effects it would have on people.  The standard answer was, to paraphrase from the best of my recollection, “We don’t know, just trust us that it will be for the best.”

            And that brings us to the next topic, trust in the United Methodist Church.

Here is the outline I used for "Cuts Like a Knife" the first in a series called "Demons of Destruction-Attitudes and Actions that Cause Harm to the Self, Others, and Organizations"  It deals with a critical spirit.  As with the entire sermon series this is just an introduction.  Just as a disclaimer with the outline I know what I am trying to say, but it may not seem to be clear to others.  I have tried to be understandable, but if I am not please forgive.

 

Sermon Outline

May 6, 2012

 Scripture Lessons:  Proverbs 15:1-15 (selected verses about the mouth); Ephesians 4:17-5:5 (Living a holy life, putting aside all sorts of evil practices.  Don’t use foul or abusive language); James 3:1-12 (the power of the tongue including the bad part of it); Colossians 3:1-17 (putting off the old self and putting on the new.  This includes anger, coarse language, etc).

 Sermon Topic:  Demon of Destruction-Critical Spirit/Attitude

Sermon Title:  Cuts Like a Knife

I.  Introduction and Background

    A.  Opening story on Bryan Adams’ “Cuts like a Knife”

    B.  Start of a new sermon series dealing with the Demons of Destruction-Attitudes and actions that can be destructive to the self and or systems.  Topics may include envy, pride, etc.
    C.  What We Are Talking about Today
         1.  What is a Critical Spirit
         2.  How is it expressed
         3.  How can we exorcise it from our lives
         4.  How can we overcome it when it is directed at us

II.  What is a Critical Spirit

     A.  Have you ever worked with someone or have someone in your family who is “perfect.”  They are quick to point out how good they are, and what you are lacking in.  Often it is in a condescending, sharp, or arrogant tone.  Other times they may point something out in a reasonable tone, but it is always what is wrong or what could be done better.  Other times they are pushy and bossy and “you better do it.”  Know I am not talking about doing follow-up on jobs per se, or holding someone accountable, but a way to make a person feel bad about themselves or a way to make the person belittling feel better about themselves at the expense of someone else, or both.
    B.  Biblical Times
         1.  We see in Proverbs 15 numerous sayings about the mouth
         2.  In Ephesians we see abusive language as well as coarse/vulgar language being seen as a bad thing
         3.  In James we see how the tongue should not be cursing the image of God and how much damage such a small thing can cause
         4.  In Colossians again we are told to put aside/take off the old=bad language, envy, slander, etc.
     C.  Our Time
          1.  Merriam Webster on line dictionary defines criticism as the act of expressing disapproval and of noting the problems or faults of a person or thing : the act of criticizing someone or something
          2. It seems as if many people will use “constructive” criticism and seem to be helpful when in reality they are trying to a) get their own way, b) make a person feel bad, c) combination
         3.  Once was told all criticism hurts, it is what you do with it that makes it constructive or not.
              a. Some criticism has no possibility of being constructive
         4.  Critical spirit is when it is common to find fault or disapproval on a regular basis and it is to make one feel better about oneself         or to tear down and/or destroy someone or something.
         5.  A critical spirit may be something one grows up with or it may be acquired through life experiences.  One may not realize one has a critical spirit if it is their personal normal.

III.  How is it expressed

      A.  Talk about how people communicate in many different ways-verbal, non-verbal, combination, written,
      B.  In Scripture
           1.  From what I have seen it is most often expressed verbally,
      C.  Our Time
           1.  Verbally is still probably the most common way
                a.  The favorite words of an individual or corporate entity-We cannot do it that way because we have never done I that way/we always do it this way-in its own way that is a cutting and critical remark essentially saying that the person’s idea is not even worth considering
                b.  Put downs/insults when things don’t go just right or just because-
                     I.  Words have immense power and calling someone stupid, making them feel little, etc  will cut like a knife and eventually mar a person
                     II.  Talk about kids being called stupid by parents and coming to believe it, comments made by parents that still effect people 80 plus years later
                c.  Tone can carry a lot if criticism
          2.  Non-verbally can be purposefully avoiding people, shaking the head, body language like finger pointing 
          3.  It can be talking with others-“The pastor’s kids should not be wearing tied dye clothes and getting their tongues pierced.  They have an image to keep up.”  Or “I cannot believe So and so was holding the glass in their right hand, everyone knows it is supposed to be held in their left and you pour water our the spout not putting the pitcher on its side.
          4.  Written
          5.  In tone:
               a.  Sharp, biting tones carry cut sharply.
               b.  A disappointing tone can add burden to a person’s ego/self

IV.  How can we exorcise it from our lives

       A.  Talk about how the old horror movies that deal with demons often would have an elaborate exorcism rite.  Sometimes the person would want it done other times it would have to be imposed on them.
       B.  Biblical Times
            1.  Colossians, James, and Ephesians all talk about setting aside or not participating in in letting the tongue run amok, slandering people, controlling the tongue.
            2.  The idea is to take out the old ugly spirit and replace it with a new, clean and pure spirit.
       C.  Our Time
            1.  While we are not talking about an actual demon today, we do need to exorcise a critical spirit from our lives as it impacts our relationships as well as other people’s lives and organizations.
            2.  First thing is we have to do is to see if we have a critical spirit
                 a.  Almost all of us have one at least time to time
                 b.  We HAVE to admit that it does occur
                 c.  It may have become the norm for individuals and for organizations to be critical/cutting/ insulting.
            3.  If we are catch ourselves making a cutting remark we need to stop ourselves from doing it.
            4.  If we realized we have made a cutting remark, or someone has told us that it was an uncalled for remark then we need to apologize.
                 a.  There will be times when what needs to be said is not comfortable or it may hurt, during those times we need to use grace.  There are times when it is not a negative use of the critical spirit.
                 b.  At the same time there are those who may say that everything that is said that is holding us accountable is negative and will not listen or their spirit says you are flat out wrong.
                     I.  We need to proceed carefully in those situations
             5.  We may need to look at our history and see what bad patterns we are continuing from our past and our families past
                  a.  Just as abuse is passed on to successive generations so can the critical spirit.
             6.  We need to pray, read Scripture, find someone who is able to help hold us accountable.
             7.  We also need to replace what we want to get rid of with something positive and Godly
                  a.  Remember what Colossians says, to take off the old and put on the new.

V.  How can we overcome it when it is directed at us

     A.  The old saying about sticks and stones is wrong-they both hurt and they both can cause long lasting harm.
     B.  Our Time
           1.  When it is directed at us look to see if there is any truth in it.
           2.  Understand that sometimes people do not know they are being hurtful or insulting as it has become their norm.
           3.  Hold the person accountable
                a.  Don’t let it slide, be willing to say something instead of rationalizing it away like “that is just so and so and he/she always talks that way.”
           4.  Talk to God
           5.  Seek professional help.

VI.  Conclusion

      A.  Rmember that just as a break up and leaving can cause somebody to feel like their heart has been cut with a knife.  The effects of a critical spirit can do the same thing to a person’s spirit and to an organization’s spirit.  We need to replace our hurtful spirit with peace, love.  It will take work, and it will take time.  Are you willing to replace the things of the devil with the things of God?

Lent, Mortality, and Aging (Pastor Dave's Newsletter Article March 2012)

                This winter has been tough on me health wise.  Usually I might get one or two colds and they usually are not that bad.  For whatever reason this year I have had several colds that have really sapped my strength and energy, joints hurt, and I don’t feel like exercising.  I almost get over one, and BAM, another one comes along.   I have asked myself why is this year different than others, and why am I coming down with these colds?  Some of the answers I believe are 1) Carolyn and I teach our kids to share, and they share with us the colds they pick up at school or daycareJ; 2) Being a pastor I interact with a lot of people and I can be exposed to something in the community or at a meeting even if people I am seeing do not know they are contagious and there seems to be a lot of colds going around; 3) I am getting older.

                Getting older is something all of us face, but at the same time many of us do not want to do so.  Getting older means our bodies do not bounce back like they used to do.  We are not so limber, energy levels drop, and we begin to look back at the glory days of our youth.  Getting older also means we begin to lose friends and loved ones to death, to moves, to marriage, and careers.  We might begin to worry about what is going to happen in the twilight of our years, who will take care of us, or any number of other questions that concern wellbeing or mortality?

                Lent is a season to examine our mortality.  It can also be a time to reaffirm our trust in the faithfulness of God.  Scripture tells us that our days upon the earth are numbered, that we will age, and diseases and infirmities will come our way.  We also learn Death can come at any age, and people mourn the loss regardless of the age of the deceased.  At the same time Scripture reminds us that God is with us through all of our hurts, illnesses, and death.  We are told that all those who call upon the name of Jesus, crucified, risen, and coming again, will be saved, and not only saved, but on the day of the Lord’s return will rise with body and mind made whole and perfect. 

                Is it easy to trust in the faithfulness of God?  For many the answer is no, it is not easy.  It takes work and a willingness to work on our relationship with the Triune God.  Our trust can be weakened by our distance from the Lord, by occurrences in our lives that bring us down, by doubts, fears, and personal desires.   The way we build the trust in God’s faithfulness is to spend time with the Lord in devotions, in service, in worship, and in corporate and individual study.  It is God’s grace through our faith in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection that saves us, but growth in that grace, and the ability to stay deeply rooted in the grace, takes work.

                This Lenten season I am encouraging you to spend more time in worship, in study, in the spiritual disciplines to help strengthen your faith and build your trust in God.  Also, be willing to talk to God about your hurts, concerns, and your worries.  Remember God wants All of us, not just part of us. 

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

Steve Jobs/Apple, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, & The Culture

This will be the pastor's article for the February newsletter for the churches I am appointed.

            A few months ago one of the co-founders of Apple, Steve Jobs, passed away.  In the days that followed the outpouring of grief and accolades was tremendous.  A changer of culture, an innovator, a visionary, and prophet are all some of the names or descriptions that have been used to describe him.  Some of the responses in different comment boxes and letters to the editor in newspapers made it seem as if Steve Jobs could walk on water.

            On the same day Steve Jobs died (October 5, 2011) a man named Fred Shuttlesworth passed away in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 89.  His death was noted by many of the same newspapers as Steve Jobs’ death, but not in the same manner.  From what I have gathered Jobs’ death made the front page of many, if not most, of the major newspapers across the land, Shuttlesworth’s made it somewhere in the national section or on the obituary page’s Notable Death’s or similar title.  I found this disheartening.  Some may ask the question, why was it disheartening or why I get worked up over something like obituaries?  Others may ask, who is Fred Shuttlesworth? 

            The answer to the latter question is easier to answer and that Fred Shuttlesworth was a Baptist minister and one of the three people who founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  The other two were Ralph D Abernathy and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Rev Shuttlesworth was one of the primary movers and shakers in the Civil Rights moverment, but never received the attention the other two did as they moved into the national spotlight.  However, he was just as important and in some ways more important, than Martin Luther King or Ralph Abernathy.  USA Today mentioned how historians believe the Civil Rights movement would have looked very different if he had not been involved.  He was the one who invited King to Birmingham.  He also refused to knuckle under even after two bombings, over a dozen arrests, and numerous beatings with at least one involving bats and bicycle chains and his wife was stabbed.  He was trying to help people of color who were being mistreated by the system and to preach and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

            The answer to the former question is a bit more introspective and theological.  There is no doubt Steve Jobs impacted society.  His marketing savvy and passion for his products helped change the way people in America, and to a degree the world, listen to music, communicate with each other, making work more portable with i-pads, and other products.  He changed the way people see animation by being the CEO of Pixar Animation.  At the same time I have to ask myself, did he change people’s hearts?  Did he impact society’s beliefs about people?  Personally I do not think so.

            Fred Shuttlesworth on the other hand was instrumental in changing society and culture not just physically, but in the hearts and souls of people.  He listened to the Holy Spirit’s urging to put the Gospel into active living even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way.  Because he was willing to pay the cost of discipleship the way people of color are treated and thought of is completely different than it was 60 years ago.  In my mind Rev Fred Shuttlesworth should have been on the front page and Steve Jobs should have been further back in the papers as what the good reverend did was more profound, longer lasting, and harder than what Steve Jobs did.

            I bring the lives of these two men forward to ask you an Ash Wednesday and Lenten question or two.  The first is, what type of impact are you making on the people around you, your family, friends, co-workers?  As we examine our mortality and think about our deaths on this world, how do you think people are going to remember you?  Will it be for the things you provided them to make life easier or glitzier, etc, or will it be for how your living helped shaped them as a person?

            The second question, and some follow-up ones to it, is how and why do you impact people’s lives?  Is it for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Do you ever think about how what you do impacts other people’s thoughts and helps shape them?  Have you ever thought you may not know the impact you have, either good or bad, until years later?

            Ash Wednesday is a day we traditionally examine our mortality and our lives with God.  Lent is a season of preparation as we prepare for both Good Friday and Easter.  Lent is a season of penance and examination, as well as a time to lay our burdens down at the cross.  I am going to encourage you this Lenten season to examine how your life is impacting others, and then offer them to the Lord through Jesus and the cross.  There will be some things that are good, an encouraging spirit; reaching out to people who are hurt; sharing how God is working in your life are some examples of the good that we do and can offer to Jesus.  At the same time there are those things that harm others and ourselves such as a critical spirit; insults; grudges, constant use of foul language; emotional, physical, mental abuse; and others that hurt others, society, and the Gospel.  Offer those to Jesus and ask for what he wants to give to you.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave