It is Not Small versus Big

Every year, since I have been attending sessions of Annual Conferences (over 30 years now) I have heard some speech regarding how the small churches are not being treated fairly and the big churches have it so much better. Usually the topic has something to do with the cost of keeping a full time pastor. This year it struck me, perhaps for the first time (which shows how slow I am) that the very framing of the question misses the real issue.

Somehow most of us in the church have come to believe that the goal of smaller congregations is to have their “own” full time pastor. The sign of success and health became supporting a full time pastor. Tied to this belief is a second belief that if the church has a full time pastor then she or he will grow the church and take care of the ministry needs of the congregation.

Now as a district superintendent I have witnessed what happens when a church tries to support far more pastoral ministry than they can afford. The church ends up spending most of its time struggling to raise the needed dollars and less time on ministry, fellowship, evangelism and mission. When the pastor, sustained by these heroic efforts, does not provide the desired growth and stability, the congregation becomes disheartened, frustrated and angry. Often there is a sense of failure on the part of the congregation and the pastor. Sometimes it feels like we cast around for the perfect match of pastor and congregation which will make this formula work. This rarely happens because the formula is flawed.

I believe we need to look at this from a different angle. Our problem isn’t that the cost of supporting a pastor is too high. The truth is, at the current levels of financial support, a congregation needs a minimum of 120 persons in worship to support a full time pastor. We do not have enough people in most of our churches to support full time pastoral ministry. Our answer to the problem is not simply to shift ministry costs to other congregations. It is to change our understanding of what success means for a local church.

The model of the pastor as the person who does the ministry of the church simply does not work in most of our churches. In fact, I think it is harmful to the growth of disciples for Jesus Christ within our congregations. Rather than the church empowering one person to do its ministry, let the church, with the help of its pastoral leadership empower its members to be in ministry to the community, the world and each other.

This is a dramatic shift in our thought processes and our values. It recognizes our goal as making disciples for the transformation of the world, not growing congregations large enough to support full time pastors. It honors the ministry of all believers. It measures the health and vitality of a church by the lives changed not simply the pastors supported. It calls for a different focus by pastors as they become the leaders responsible to help equip, nurture and send out new and renewed disciples.

I hope to live long enough to witness the session of annual conference when small versus big is not even mentioned. I dream for a time when we wrestle how to deploy in ministry to the world an over abundance of enthusiastic, committed disciples of Jesus. I imagine at the same time we will struggle to figure out the best ways to use all the extra money we’ve receive as well.

Maybe I’m a dreamer. I do dream of that new heaven and new earth, the Kingdom of God Christ invites us to participate in now and into eternity.

Won’t you dream the dreams of God with me?

Mike

Do we get it yet?

I am finally getting around to some more reflections on the recent session of annual conference. There was much to celebrate, some of which I mentioned in the last blog. This time I want to share my unease. I was disturbed by our voting for delegates to General Conference, in particular the clergy votes. I guess I am naïve, but I really long for a voting process which is open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and not one dominated by lobbying groups. I do not intend to make disparaging remarks about any of the elected persons. After all, I was elected an alternate to the Jurisdictional conference. My concern is the way we went about it. I long for a day when voting is done free from the lobbying and organizing I witnessed this year. I wonder what our methods for insuring “our” candidates are chosen says about our trust in God.

Yes I was endorsed by an lobbying organization. No I was not consulted before the endorsement. It is not that I am opposed to the organization, but that I do not wish to be label as anything more than one who seeks to follow Christ and to be a faithful member of Christ’s body. More and more I find our labels like liberal, progressive, conservative, evangelical, pro-… to be of little value. I don’t fit into any one of those categories very well. I fit in most of them somewhat.

The elections are over. And so is this little rant. What I invite persons from every stripe to do is pray. Pray for each other. Pray for the church. Pray for those different than us. Seems to me the church needs it. I know we need it.

Will you join me in prayer for the church?

Mike

Bleary Eyed at Conference

I’m not a marathon runner, but conference often feels that way. Fatigue sets in. But it is not a weariness of spirit. It is from a lack of sleep and long days.

I’m reminded of the community of which I am a part. A community which is diverse, compassionate, and generous. The singing is incredible. The laughter is contagious.

I’ve been surprised by times of tears. Must be getting older. I watch the ordination service, knowing the journey some of those new pastors have traveled and my eyes filled with tears. They are filled with such joy, such enthusiasm, such hope. I pray they hold onto it and build upon it.

I listened to the names called in the memorial service and recognized far to many. Lives lived so well. Friends who have gone on. Churches which are no more.

The preachers have moved me to hold onto hope, broaden my perspective, listen for new life coming to dry bones.

Most of all, I am reminded of this community of faith. Long time friendships renewed. New one formed. Acts of compassion. Words of welcome. Hugs of hope. This is what it is finally all about for me. To be in community, relationship with others. Even though we do not agree on many things, we are community. Community communing with the one God.

The mystery of the Trinity reminds me that the very nature of God is community. I have come to believe that community is an essential component of being a Christian.

So where do you find community? Where can you create Christian community?

More reflections later.

Bleary eyed but still awake,

Mike

News from AC or I Should be Paying Attention

I'm at Annual Conference the rest of this week. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with our system, this is the annual gathering of New England United Methodists, with lay and clergy delegates. We worship, pray, discuss, report, learn, network, shoot the breeze during the next 3 days. This year we also elect delegates to national and regional quadrennial gatherings.

I come to conference with mixed feelings. It can be an interesting, exciting, inspiring time. It can also be numbingly boring. Most likely there we will have some of both.
During the week, I will try to blog, with some thoughts and reflections. For both of you who read my blog, I hope it offers something worth reading, or at least a way to waste 10 minutes of your day.

More to come.
Mike

We Just...

Lately I’ve been thinking about the phrase, often used in prayer. It goes; “God, we just ask…” “We just.” What does this phrase say about how we think of God or about prayer? “We just” sounds like it is something insignificant… But Mom, we just went down the street for a minute.” “I’ll just whip up something for supper.”

So what does it imply when we address the Supreme Being of the all existence, the Source of all life, the Holy One, and say; “We just…” It suggests a lack of seriousness, of respect. Seems to me prayer is a little more significant than “just” would imply. a

Now don’t get me wrong. I am not a big fan of long, elaborate prayers using language I barely understand. ( Maybe I’m not a fan of such prayers because I can’t create prayers like that or because they bore me.)

I like the idea that prayer is conversation with God, spending time with God. (I don’t believe we have to say anything to pray.) But this is not an insignificant activity! Spending time with the Creator of the universe seems pretty significant to me.

Or if I pray to Jesus, my friend, my brother, I still think it is deserving of the same respect I’d give to any other friend or family member. (“Gee I had nothing better to do so I thought I just spend a little time with you.” Somehow that just doesn’t do it for me.)

If I am praying for the healing of someone who is sick, do I want to say, ‘I just ask you to bring healing to ____” as if it really isn’t a big deal or that important. If I long for God to intervene then my prayer ought to reflect it. I can’t recall any of the Psalms saying “we just”. They speak with passion, energy and conviction.

Ok, I don’t want to make too much of this. But you get my drift. Don’t “just “ pray. Pray from the heart. Don’t “just” come into God’s presence, really be present with God.

Does it bother God? Some how I doubt it. But it says something about me when I “just” God. So I’m going to try to be conscious of what I say when I pray.

Just think about it, okay?

Grace & peace,

Mike

Panera Ponderings

Panera Bread in South Portland is my office away from the office. They offer me coffee, free internet, a lively spot to meet folks and do work between meetings and meals. The place is set up to encourage folks to sit and visit (and of course eat.) The food is good, the coffee hot.

Now I don’t receive a kick back from them, but I must say I like their model. I am impressed by the folks who end up here. There are always lots of young adults. Some on computers, some studying, lots just talking with friends. There is a far representation of middle aged folks as well. Almost every time I am here I see people conducting business meetings and interviews.

I don’t know much about their business model, but they have found a niche for a successful business. According to their website there are now more than 1020 Panera Bread bakery-cafes in 38 states.

So what can we learn from Panera:

1. Atmosphere matters. The atmosphere we create makes a difference. It is true for restaurants, meeting places and for churches. What is the atmosphere in your church? If I came into your church would I feel welcomed or excluded? Would my first impression be of a place long past its prime or a place hopping with life, energy and vibrancy?

2. Know your niche. What is your niche in the community? Who is it that you wish to reach? Does the atmosphere of your church appeal to the folks you wish to reach? For instance if you want to reach people with young children is your nursery the nicest room in the building?

3. Offer something others do not. I eat and work at Panera because of the free wireless internet and the no hassle attitude. What does your church offer that others do not. It might be a program, class, service, unique mission opportunity, etc.

4. Don’t be afraid to change and rearrange. I’ve watch this Panera remodel, rearrange their seating and reconfigure their process for ordering food. How often do we change the way we do things in the church? Is the attitude in your church “Let’s give it a try and see what happens!” or “We’ve never done it that way before!”?

5. Be genuine. Don’t claim to be what you are not. If you are not a welcoming place for visitors, don’t claim it. If you don’t really value children or are afraid they will mess up your building, don’t claim to be child friendly. False advertising creates hard feelings.

Of course, the church is not a store, restaurant or bakery. But we can learn from those places and how they reach out to persons. Pay attention to the atmosphere, advertising, service of the establishments you frequent. See what you can apply from those places to your own situation. I bet it will make for interesting conversations.

So for now, I’m sitting in Panera, drinking coffee, writing and checking my email.

Blessings,

Mike

10 Ways to Keep Your Church Hidden

My son Ben pointed me to a blog the other day titled Church Redone. The author identifies himself as “Joshua, a twenty-something guy on the east coast’ who is about figuring out what it means to follow Jesus. In a recent blog, “10 Ways to Keep Me from Discovering Church”, he identified 10 ways many churches (maybe your own) makes it hard for young adults (and just about everyone else) from connecting to a church. . The link is; http://www.churchredone.com/ where you can find all the details. Here is the list:

1. Don’t have a website .
2. Be completely inactive in the community
3. Don’t answer your phone
4. Allow misinformation :
5. Lack clear signage :
6. Have insufficient parking/seating
7. Ignore Visitors :
8. Respond half-heartedly to inquiries
9. Be evasive about your beliefs
10. Lie to me

I hope you will take Joshua’s experience to heart. How can you help other discover your church. Many of our congregation are wonderful but simply do not reach out to those outside their doors. Long gone are the days when most people will simply walk in off the street. Long gone are the days (if they ever were) when “everyone” knows the time of services, that worship changes times in the summer, even which door to enter to get into the sanctuary.

With Easter around the corner, how will you be more welcoming to those seeking a faith connection?

Blessings,

Mike

Practice, Practice, Practice

This week I skipped town for a continuing education program in Richmond, VA. The program is titled “Extraordinary Leadership Training.” Now I signed up, not because I am or will ever become an extraordinary leader, but I’d like to become a better leader. The three year program will teach me about Bowen Family Systems Theory. The theory challenges me to work on myself and my family connections. I can sum it up briefly and inadequately as “learn, learn, learn, practice, practice, practice.

The program has taught me that leaders offer non-anxious presence and by doing so reduces the anxiety of the entire group. Little did I know how much I’d get to practice on my trip home. Fortunately for me, my colleague traveling with me, is well versed in offering a non-anxious presence.

Let me simply say, we arrived at the Richmond airport over 2 hours before our scheduled departure. We were flying to Cincinnati, in order to fly to Boston. (I could write a series of blogs regarding the special logic of air travel including simple ideas such as: to travel east you must first go west and it is cheaper to fly round trip than one way. I believe air travel log makes up a entirely separate branch of philosophy, logic, mathematics and physics!)

Upon arrival I went to a handy check-in kiosk only to discover it could not find our reservation. So we stood in line. After 20-30 minutes of non movement in the line, the long line, security personnel asked everyone on our side of the terminal to move to the other side of the building. We waited for probably 45 minutes before we were allowed to return. Two hours later we had missed our flight, while waiting in line but had lots of practice of non-anxious presence.

After enjoying a night (well really about 2/3rds of a night) at a local motel, compliments of Delta Airlines our saga continued. I’ll spare the rest of the details, but it proved to be a wonderful opportunity practicing staying calm, focused and finding humor in the entire experience.

So where am I headed with my ramblings? How often do we approach the challenges of life as an opportunity to practice what we believe? Do you see each day as a chance to become a little better person? I’d like to say I see each day this way, but one of my principles for living is to tell the truth. Still, I’d like to approach each day as a learning opportunity and each challenge as a chance to grow a little more.

The same is true for our faith. How do saints become such wonderful, solid, grounded persons who seem to exude the love of God? They practice. Their lives and ours are made up of individual opportunities to live what we truly believe. We become a sum of those opportunities.

This week I’m going to practice, practice, practice being a follower of Jesus Christ. How about you?

Grace & peace,

Mike

Miracle Stories

The other day as I attended a worship service in one of the churches I serve,
a guest preacher, shared about the miracle of healing in her life.I have seen dramatic healing, so I have no doubt such miracles occur. But as I reflected, I realized how limited our view of miracles can be. The miraculous, life giving power of God is not limited to the dramatic removal of a dreaded disease. Nor in my experience is the removal or the continuation of such a disease determined by the amount of faith of the victim and/or their loved ones. Too often, there seems to be an equation, “faith x prayer = healing.” The theory goes, if you just have enough faith then the healing happens. I call it the vending machine approach. You put enough currency into the slot, pull the selected lever and out pops the miracle.

I have lots of problems with this approach. First, it suggests we have some control over God. That is, if we just insert the correct spiritual/faith currency then God will have to do what we want. My life experience tells me it doesn’t work this way. God is God. We are not. Seems to me this is important to remember.

Secondly, the corollary to the first belief implies if there is no miracle, as we sought, then the problem is ours. We simply do not have enough faith. If we’d had enough faith then God would have healed the loved one, performed that miracle. So it is our fault. This belief suffers from the same faulty reasoning as the first because it still places us in control of God. It has the added feature of assessing blame and assigning guilt to the person who sought the miracle.

Finally, for me, this approach to God’s power forgets the reality of mystery. Miracles and healing are a mystery. Mystery is a critical part of faith. Life is mysterious. We do not have it all figured out and that is a good thing.

Before I leave these musings, let me say that I believe in miracles. I’ve seen dramatic healing of body, mind, spirit and relationships which clearly involved the mysterious life giving power of God. I have experienced them in my own life and participated in them in my ministry.

Where do you find the miraculous in your life?

Where have you seen the incredible, life giving, healing power of God at work?

Are you open to mystery?

Grace & peace,

Mike

Reflections on 50

Today I reached a sort of milestone in my life, I turned 50. I am not sure what to feel or think about such an event, but a few things come to mind.

-Fifty is not as old as I used to think. I remember when 50 seemed ancient, but not any more. It does take a little adjustment in my mental clock, but just minor. Sure my body has changed, but it has been changing all of my life.

-After fifty years of living I think I’ve learned a few things: like how to make a good pizza, change the oil in the car, identify an albino chickadee (there is one which visits the feeder daily), how to say “thank you”, the simple pleasure of a walk in the woods, how to laugh and not take myself too seriously.

-After fifty years you’d think I’d learn not to: always look at my stomach in the mirror, get intimidated by angry people, over eat, worry about things I have no control over, leave piles of papers all over my office.

-Some other things I’ve learned; beauty is truly from the inside out, God is faithful and trustworthy, some kinds of grief always hurt, there is no greater treasure than the love of another, love gets better with practice and time, forgiveness is a gift which keeps on giving, gossip is also a gift which keeps on giving, a loving family is priceless…

So here I am, 50, over half way in this life. Today I know 50 is a great age to be (but so is 51, 61…). I feel so blessed.

I hope this day will be a blessing for you.

Grace & peace,

Mike

Why I am a Christian, part 2

In an earlier post I offered a challenge to create a response to the question; "Why am I a Christian?" of 100 words or less and could be understood by someone who was not familiar with church, Christian faith and all the special language of faith.

Here is my most recent attempt to answer the question in 100 words or less. As I reflect on the true core of my faith it has come down to this expression.

What do you think?

I invite you to give the exercise a shot as well.

So here it is. Why I am a Christian.

I am a Christian because of Love. The Bible says: “God is love.” I have experienced the love of God in Jesus Christ in my own life. It has come when I was most unlovable and least deserving of love, as followers of Jesus loved me anyway.. Love inspires, challenges and motivates me to love others, particularly those who I would rather not love. I am continually changed by this love and I see it change others. It is in the church I experience and participated in this kind of radical loving. I choose to follow Christ because of love.

Grace & peace,
Mike

Why are you a Christian? -100 Words or Less

Can you do it? In 100 words or less can you state why you are a Christian?

To make it even more challenging, write it as if you are sharing your statement with someone who is not a Christian. So you can’t use unfamiliar theological or church terms. It has to make sense to someone with little or no experience with the church or Christian faith.

It also must be from the heart and not preachy. This is not why someone else should be a Christian, but why you are a follower of Jesus.

When you think you’ve completed the statement, share it with someone else and ask them to critique it. Then go back and perfect it.

If you’d like to share your final version with us, post it as a comment to my blog for others to see.

Finally, I challenge you to memorize it, so when the opportunity arises you can share it with someone who is not a Christian.

Right now, my statement is down to 300 words, so I’ve a ways to go before it is ready to be posted.

Will you take the challenge?

Grace & Peace,

Mike

Prayer for the day

Here is a prayer for today I found in "A Time to Pray: 365 Classic Prayers to help you through the year." This prayer is by Huub Oosterhus.



Let us pray for all those, throughout the world, who believe in the Gospel:
That they may grow in grace and humanity.
Let us also pray for all churches, that they may not lay up treasures on earth or become
monuments to a past age,
Clinging to what is already dead and remote from people of today,
But that they may be converted and receive the spirit of Jesus, our Lord,
who is the light and life, hope and peace of this world, for ever and ever.
Amen.


Blessings,
Mike

Cultural Christmas or Christian Celebration

Yesterday while traveling along coastal Maine I passed what looked like a church building with a big sign outside proclaiming “pictures with Santa”. I was moving along and didn’t see if it was an active church or just a church like building turned into something else.

What struck me was the juxtaposition of a religious building and Santa. This symbolic joining crystallized in my mind what I’ve know for a long time; Santa and Christmas are perfect representatives of our cultural religion. If we step aside and pay attention we can see it plainly. The Holiday celebration now fully represents our cultural values and beliefs. These include the necessity to buy things, the spiritual satisfaction of gift giving and getting, the appropriateness of over-spending to name a few.

A colleague of mine shared the news story at the end of this blog. Briefly, the Hillsboro, NH, Christmas Tea was cancelled after the pastor of the church hosting the event asked to read the Christmas story from the gospels along with “The Night Before Christmas.” The quote below comes from an article published by the Concord Monitor (see the link below):

"Andrea Kaubris, administrative assistant to the Chamber of Commerce, said sponsoring a religious event would violate the Chamber's bylaws, which require it to remain nonsectarian. Even though the holiday is Christian, Kaubris said the celebration is "a commercialized treatment of Christmas just because that's what the whole Christmas season has come to. It's about the kids, and it's about the merchants in town."

Rather than bemoan the loss of Christmas to the culture, I suggest we reclaim it in our homes and churches. Let the culture have its Holiday celebration, but let us offer something different. Let us offer Christ, Emmanuel. Leave Santa and all his trappings to the culture and offer the real Hope of the World to our communities.

Let us use this time as an opening to share the good news. For many know the secular holiday does not satisfy their spiritual need. Buying lots of things does not fill the hole in our soul. Christmas parties does not quench our longing for true community. Mistletoe does not meet our needs for intimate relationships.

We are bearers of the light of Christ, heralds of Hope, voices crying out in the wilderness for the people of our community and world. There is still time in this season to find ways to share the coming of Christ to others. How will you celebrate Emanuel? Will others see the difference?

Grace & Peace,

Mike

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/REPOSITORY/611300334/1025/LIVING04

Secret Santa-- What about not so secret Christians?

Below is a news story in the Chicago Tribune which has me thinking. It is about Larry Stewart, secret Santa. I do not know his religious preference or if he even has any. What I do recognize is his desire to bring joy, unexpected joy, to people in the Christmas season. Take a look at the article.

While I have grave concerns about the commercialism of this time of year and about Santa, I am moved by the acts of generosity which we often witness between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This season seems to call out the best and the worst in us. We will read stories like Larry’s as well as stories of fist fights in store isles over some popular toy.

Stories like the one below are wonderful. But Jesus challenges us to live this kind of compassion and concern year round, not just for the last 6 weeks of each year.

I wonder what we as followers of Jesus have to offer to this annual event. I wonder what we will do to safeguard ourselves from turning the birth of our Savior into a orgy of shopping, buying and eating. Sometimes I want to celebrate Christmas after the hoopla is over and the sales have all come to an end. I long for a Christmas celebration of the holy moment in history, when God chose to become one with us.

I can go on and on about Christmas, but I’ll spare you. If you’d like, feel free to respond in the comments section by sharing a way you keep Christ at the center of your Christmas.

Grace & Peace,

Mike

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0611200186nov20,1,7295152.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

Forget Kriss Kringle-- Santa's name is Larry

By Maria Sudekum Fisher

Associated Press

November 20, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the

streets every December quietly giving people money.

He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In recent years, Secret

Santa has been handing out $100 bills to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots.

So far he's given out about $1.3 million. It's been a long-held holiday mystery: Who is Secret Santa?

But now, weak from chemotherapy and armed with a desire to pass on his belief in random

kindness, Secret Santa has decided it's time to reveal his identity.

He is Larry Stewart, a 58-year-old businessman from the Kansas City suburb of Lee's

Summit, Mo., who made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service.

His holiday giving started in December 1979, when he was nursing his wounds at a drive-in

restaurant after getting fired.

"It was cold and this carhop didn't have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think

I got it bad. She's out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,"' he said.

He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change.

"And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She

said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me."'

Stewart went to the bank that day and took out $200. He's hit the streets each December

since.

He allowed the news media to tag along. Reporters had to agree to guard his identity and not name his company.

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus will join Stewart this year in Chicago when Stewart hands out $100s in honor of Buck

O'Neil, the first African-American coach in the major league baseball.

Doctors told Stewart in April that he had cancer of the esophagus and it had spread to his liver.

Now Stewart wants to inspire others to be generous. "That's what we're here for," he says, "to help other people out."

Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

Joy

As I travel around to local churches I am often struck by the difference I find in congregations. It has little to do with the order of worship, the condition of the church building, the size of the congregation or the geographic location.

When I enter a church and watch the interaction of its participants I look for signs of joy.

Is there laughter in the air? Do they seem to have fun? Do they take themselves too seriously? Do I find JOY breaking out among them.

Such a simple thing, yet so telling. John Wesley once said “Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.” I think he was right. We are people of the resurrection. What greater joy is there!

Joy is not flippant, unspiritual or disrespectful. It is a sign of the Spirit at work in our midst. God brings joy to our lives. God invites us to bring joy to others. One sign of someone who is deeply in love with Christ is the presence of joy in their lives. They bring it with them. It seeps out of them where ever they go.

Sometime, when you are in the midst of your congregation, close your eyes and listen. Do you detect signs of joy? If not, it is time to have some fun together, to laugh together, celebrate together, give thanks together. Often little children can help us because joy comes so naturally to them. Include them in your worship, in your gathering times, in your conversations and let them lead you into joy.

May the joy of the Lord be upon you!

Grace & Peace,

Mike

What If?

The scene is repeated in some form across many of our churches. Groups of teens and young adults congregate, in parking lots, on church lawns or front steps. Sometimes they are noisy. Sometimes they are skateboarding. Sometimes they are smoking. They talk, they joke around, they run around, they listen to loud music.Some where unusual clothing, sport physics defying hairdos,

Adults are often intimidated by them. Usually someone tries to run them off. We talk about them in negative ways We strategize how to get them to change or adapt to us or to leave. .

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

What if we saw those kids not as a nuisance, but as an opportunity? What if we thought of them as the most important people in our community?
What if? What if we saw them as Jesus waiting outside our doors?

So many churches bemoan that there are no kids in their church. What if we saw that as our fault rather than the fault of parents, children or society? I do not know of a single church in our district who have no children or youth in their community. Even if the “kids” are not gathered on our lawns, but in a local park, at the strip mall parking lot or some local hangout, they still represent a mission opportunity.

What if we made it our mission to reach those precious children of God? Why, we might just change our communities. I know it would change us and our congregations.

What if you decided today to make it your mission?

Grace & Peace,

Mike

Tipping Point— More Ruminations at School of Congregational Development

8-7-08

Yesterday I attended worship at First UMC, Chula Vista, CA. Following worship, we learned about the church, their history and the ministry.

First impression was their welcome. Greeters met us outside the sanctuary, inside the vestibule, at the door. They were there to answer questions, direct us to important places like the sanctuary and rest rooms. Printed information was everywhere. Their men’s ministry even had a poster in the men’s bathroom. (I don’t know what was in the women’s restroom.) Many of the regular worshipers went out of their way to welcome us as well.

Worship was celebratory and upbeat. The hymns, some traditional and some more contemporary, we sung at a tempo quicker than I was accustomed. It contributed to the feeling of life and vitality. (Just a thought to us at home.)

In the afternoon, I learned about their history. About 12 years ago, the congregation reached a crossroads. They were in a slow & steady decline. The neighborhood around their location had changed dramatically. They had few children or youth present. (Does any of this sound familiar?)

The congregation began visioning for the future. A realtor reminded them of the significant equity they had in their property. On the east side of town significant growth was projected. After a process that was less than perfect, but well intentioned they came to a time of vote to stay or not. The vote to move passed by 2 votes! They decided to move forward with the move and when they did, a third of the congregation stayed behind.

Now, I would not move forward on such a critical decision with such a close vote. I would have required a much larger majority. In talking with the folks from the church, it was not clear they believed they could have reached consensus in a short period of time. It is clear if they had waited till now, their congregation would have lost the chance to move to their present location because of the cost of land.

I think about how slow we in the church make decisions. Sometimes I fear we use our indecisiveness as a way to maintain the status quo. What opportunities have your congregation missed to be in ministry because they waited too long?

There has to be ways for congregations to make quicker decisions, while allowing time to discern and build consensus. Do you have ideas about this? How has it worked in your experience?

Ultimately, it is about taking risks. And our fear of risks taking is a reflection on our faith. Do we believe all things are possible with God? Do we believe God is faith, whether we succeed or fail?

I do not have any simple answers. But just wanted to share my ruminations.

What do you think?

Grace & peace,

Mike

Ruminations from San Diego

Ruminations from the School of Congregational Development

Friday, August 4, 2006

I’m currently attending the School of Congregational Development of the United Methodist Church in San Diego, California. This 6 day gathering of over 600 United Methodists features speakers and workshops designed to help revitalize churches. There is a special series of workshops for District Superintendents. I’m hoping to come back with new ideas to help me be more effective in my ministry with congregations and pastors I serve.

I have no intention to even try to summarize or capture all that is happening. Rather, here are some random thoughts and musings.

First, what good planning, to come to San Diego, where there are gentle breezes and balmy days, just as a serious wave of heat and humidity hit New England.

Last night, during supper we were entertained by Tongan dancers, demonstrating dance styles from many different South Pacific cultures. What a treat and a reminder of the broadness of the UMC. In fact, this entire event reminds me how much larger the United Methodist Church is than our little churches.

Today, in morning worship, we prayed in a way different to me. We sang a simple song, then during singing interludes let projected news clips call us to prayer. It was a powerful way to pray.

What are we so afraid of? Really, what are we so afraid in our churches that we will not take risks, risks to minister in new ways, to try new styles of worship, to try something different. We are so timid. It causes me to pause. Dare I suggest for us all, me included, it is really an issue of faith. I am reminded that when faith is called for in the Bible, when messengers from God arrive on the seen, the message often begins; “Do not be afraid.”

Perhaps we need to hear that for ourselves; Do not be afraid.

From San Diego,

Mike

Engagement Announced -Life Changes

Blog 8-3-06

My oldest son, Ben, announced his engagement to his long time best friend, Melissa, last weekend. Jan and I are very excited. Melissa is a wonderful woman. We’ve come to know her over the last few years and welcome her into our family. Their plans call for an August 2007 wedding.

Ben & Melissa’s announcement has given me pause about phases in life. Their impending wedding brings changes in our lives as well. Our time of active parenting is coming to an end with Ben. He is ready to step out an be an independent adult. We, while always parents, will serve in a more consulting/support role. Not that we haven’t functioned that way before now, but the emphasis is different.

Parenting has been for me an incredible challenge and a wonderful gift. As a parent I’ve helped shape two wonderful children into exceptional adults. (Hey, parents are not required to be unbiased!) In the process, Ben and Matt have helped shape me. They’ve helped me be more compassionate, open, joyful, disciplined, and humble. They showed me the wonder and mystery of our world, helped me heal from old childhood hurts, challenged my long held prejudices, and even taught me how to whistle. While parenting them I’ve seen my best side and my worst side. I’ve learned what is to be loved and forgiven even when I didn’t deserve it.

I’ve not been a perfect parent. None of us are. But I hope I’ve learned to be a good parent. I’ve also come to appreciated, even more fully, those who parent under difficult situations.

Parenting is not for everyone. That is not a judgmental statement, but just the way it is. Parenting is not intended to be a solitary occupation. Along the way, our parenting has been supported and supplemented by many caring adults; family members and church community members.

So while parenting is not for everyone, everyone can be a friend to a child and support for a for a frazzled parent. We all know a child who needs an adopted aunt or uncle. We know a teenager who needs someone who will offer a listening ear and unconditional acceptance. We know a parent who needs a break for a little while or a word of encouragement when things are going hard.

(If no one comes to mind for you, then I challenge you to begin looking in your neighborhood, in your church, at work, at school, wherever you spend time. They are out there.)

As I look back over this blog, I could have talked about the joys and challenges of marriage. Oh well, maybe another time.

Wishing God’s richest blessings on Ben and Melissa, and all who are entering married life together,

Mike