The first Easter with a congregation is a special, precious time. It’s like the first time you see the one you love all dressed up. For some, that moment may come on a special date night, or as they walk down the aisle. There is a special tingle and a sense that, “Oh, this whole thing really is a great idea, isn’t it?” This first Easter in Blue Springs feels something like that.
The sanctuary is currently in its Maundy Thursday mode, barren of any brass and draped in black. In awhile, we’ll tell the story of Christ’s death in ever-increasing darkness. The service, as solemn as it is, has its own beauty, and I look forward to experiencing it in our sanctuary.
The Good Friday Blues service is something unique that Andy and I bring to this congregation. I think it’s a gift they’ll enjoy- I hope so.
I walked down to the outdoor chapel by the pond just a little while ago, which is prepared for the Easter sunrise service. Some wonderful people have lined the long path through the field with tiki torches, and they have mowed and trimmed. The rugged wooden cross had been wrapped in chicken wire, ready to receive our Easter morning flowers.
I’ve been told how glorious the sanctuary will look on Easter morning, and that our baptismal area will be transformed into a springtime garden with dozens of potted springtime flowers. There will be brass and timpani and choirs at our traditional services. Our contemporary service will have at least one additional musician, and it will feature some outstanding music to praise the risen Christ. It will be fabulous to see our sanctuary Easter-full with people!
All told, there are seven worship experiences here between now and noon Easter. I will be preaching at five of them, which involves three separate sermons. In addition, there have been many details to plan for each service. (I am surrounded by an extraordinary staff and volunteers, who have been working really hard.) All of this planning and preaching has been a source of some anxiety on my part, as you may expect.
And now, on Thursday afternoon, I have a sense of satisfaction. I have planned and prayed and hoped as much as I can. The worship services, with the appropriate sermons, are neatly clipped together in a pile on my desk. Beginning tonight, I simply need to take whatever is on top into the next service. There are a few other details that are prepared also, like directional signs for the sunrise service (including a dreaded “Due to weather, we will hold sunrise in the sanctuary” sign. I don’t want to use it, but I am prepared if I must.) Yes, I am ready for the resurrection, and it feels good.
Funny thing, though. The resurrection isn’t actually dependent on what I do or don’t do. Even if I had frittered away the past weeks and walked into worship empty handed, the resurrection would still be real. When it comes down to it, it doesn’t depend on me. It depends on God. And for that, I am deeply, deeply grateful. Christ is risen! Thanks be to God . . .
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Credit Card Fraud
As I looked at my credit card statement, I could see how it began innocuously enough. A 95 cent charge from a company that I didn’t recognize was on my bill, but the name sounded like a video rental place. A few days later, there was a $3.99 fee on my bill from the same company, and another identical charge a few days after that. The thing was, I knew that I didn’t rent videos in that manner. (The name, by the way, is ReelHD.com., and there are many internet reports of phishing and scamming from that company.)
Here’s how it works: Scammers send through a tiny trial charge, such as the 95 cents that was charged to my account. When it goes through and they realize they have a valid card number, they simply keep submitting innocent-looking charges. The person paying the bill may assume that someone in the family is renting movies and pay it unquestioningly. Before long, a sizeable number of charges have accrued, but always in small, difficult-to-notice increments. Their success lies in making lots of small charges, rather than one big, attention-grabbing charge.
As Lent draws to a close, the past 40 days have given us a way to examine our lives closely. If we don’t take time periodically to really examine our lives, we might miss something. Sin sneaks in subtly, usually in small, inconsequential ways. For most of us, the issue of sin isn’t about the big things, like whether we should rob a bank on our way into work. Instead, it’s the small things that are only a smidge away from the right things. Here’s one clue, if you find yourself saying the following: “It’s not a big deal if I (fill in the blank). No one will notice, and it won’t make any difference anyway.” Before long, well, we’ve racked up a whole bunch of charges without noticing. And it all begins so simply.
In my situation, the only way to stop Reelhd from continuing to make charges to my account is to cancel the card. I have reported it to my card company, and they have said that they will refund my money “after they have completed their investigation.” While it took me 30 seconds of Googling to complete my particular investigation, I assume it will take much longer before I see my refund.
The author of Hebrews urged us to make that same type of drastic change if needed: “. . Let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. . .” Sin starts subtly and clings closely, and all we can do is run the race ahead of us. But how?
The promise of Easter brings us confidence. No matter how much we are burdened, the risen Christ reminds us that, ultimately, sin and fraud and anything else that weighs us down are running out of time. The race has already been won.
Here’s how it works: Scammers send through a tiny trial charge, such as the 95 cents that was charged to my account. When it goes through and they realize they have a valid card number, they simply keep submitting innocent-looking charges. The person paying the bill may assume that someone in the family is renting movies and pay it unquestioningly. Before long, a sizeable number of charges have accrued, but always in small, difficult-to-notice increments. Their success lies in making lots of small charges, rather than one big, attention-grabbing charge.
As Lent draws to a close, the past 40 days have given us a way to examine our lives closely. If we don’t take time periodically to really examine our lives, we might miss something. Sin sneaks in subtly, usually in small, inconsequential ways. For most of us, the issue of sin isn’t about the big things, like whether we should rob a bank on our way into work. Instead, it’s the small things that are only a smidge away from the right things. Here’s one clue, if you find yourself saying the following: “It’s not a big deal if I (fill in the blank). No one will notice, and it won’t make any difference anyway.” Before long, well, we’ve racked up a whole bunch of charges without noticing. And it all begins so simply.
In my situation, the only way to stop Reelhd from continuing to make charges to my account is to cancel the card. I have reported it to my card company, and they have said that they will refund my money “after they have completed their investigation.” While it took me 30 seconds of Googling to complete my particular investigation, I assume it will take much longer before I see my refund.
The author of Hebrews urged us to make that same type of drastic change if needed: “. . Let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. . .” Sin starts subtly and clings closely, and all we can do is run the race ahead of us. But how?
The promise of Easter brings us confidence. No matter how much we are burdened, the risen Christ reminds us that, ultimately, sin and fraud and anything else that weighs us down are running out of time. The race has already been won.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Blocked by Facebook?
I wrote a blog about the Global Leadership Summit, and Facebook blocked it as having "abusive or spammy" content. Hmmm . . . I have no idea where that has come from, so I'm appealing it to the Facebook Powers That Be. Have I been hacked?
Global Leadership Summit: Part 1
Yesterday, I participated in a “Global Leadership Summit.” There were about 40 of us gathered at the Conference office, and we were connected via the internet to over 1000 other groups such as our around the world. Our task was to discuss the “Call to Action,” a massive proposed restructuring of the UMC. While many of these ideas have been tossed around for years, the global economic crisis has brought a new urgency to this conversation. One might think, cynically, “Restructuring . . . blah blah blah . . . forget that, let’s pay attention to the important stuff.” I think that how we structure our lives does affect how we do the important stuff of our lives.
During the question/answer portion, the moderator announced, “We have a question from the Congo: What is the mission of the UMC?” Behind me, one of my colleagues said by rote, “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Thankfully, Bishop Wenner from Germany, one of the other moderators, recited the same words. Bishop Palmer expanded on that definition for a few moments, speaking about ways that the world can be transformed, such as ending hunger and poverty. In that exchange, there was no mention of UM structures or polity. There was a strong affirmation that they will know we are Christians by our love, not our form of church government.
But- our governance creates the mechanisms by which we show our love, transform the world, and proclaim the gospel. How we organize ourselves affects how we serve. It is like that the old adage says, “Your checkbook shows what is most important to you.” How we choose to focus our attention and resources reflects what we value, and it will drive the how we live out our stated mission.
As I looked around the room, though, I had to wonder. Those of us gathered there are the ones who have been part of the existing system. We have lived within its boundaries. Can those of us who are invested in the system as it exists currently be successful in turning it on its head? Or, as this proposal continues to work its way through the church, will stakeholders begin to protect their respective turfs? Will the final proposal be watered-down and incremental? The biggest challenge is that those persons who will vote on this proposal- General Conference delegates- are, by definition, those who have been most successful within the current system. Can the General Conference bring itself to change itself?
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It is a worthy and high mission, one that I strive to fulfill. What happens at General Conference doesn’t stay at General Conference, it works its way into our churches and our lives.
During the question/answer portion, the moderator announced, “We have a question from the Congo: What is the mission of the UMC?” Behind me, one of my colleagues said by rote, “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Thankfully, Bishop Wenner from Germany, one of the other moderators, recited the same words. Bishop Palmer expanded on that definition for a few moments, speaking about ways that the world can be transformed, such as ending hunger and poverty. In that exchange, there was no mention of UM structures or polity. There was a strong affirmation that they will know we are Christians by our love, not our form of church government.
But- our governance creates the mechanisms by which we show our love, transform the world, and proclaim the gospel. How we organize ourselves affects how we serve. It is like that the old adage says, “Your checkbook shows what is most important to you.” How we choose to focus our attention and resources reflects what we value, and it will drive the how we live out our stated mission.
As I looked around the room, though, I had to wonder. Those of us gathered there are the ones who have been part of the existing system. We have lived within its boundaries. Can those of us who are invested in the system as it exists currently be successful in turning it on its head? Or, as this proposal continues to work its way through the church, will stakeholders begin to protect their respective turfs? Will the final proposal be watered-down and incremental? The biggest challenge is that those persons who will vote on this proposal- General Conference delegates- are, by definition, those who have been most successful within the current system. Can the General Conference bring itself to change itself?
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It is a worthy and high mission, one that I strive to fulfill. What happens at General Conference doesn’t stay at General Conference, it works its way into our churches and our lives.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Measurable Outcomes
I was at lunch today with a group, and one person leaned over to speak to me. “I was a banker, and if I didn’t show a 10% increase each year, I would lose my job. Preachers need that same accountability.” I agreed, “Yep, only working 4 hours each week is a cushy job that I have.” We both smiled, no offense taken on either side.
I then went on to describe to him, briefly, some of the changes we are seeing in the United Methodist Church. In Missouri, we report our attendance, baptisms and professions of faith weekly. The Northern Alabama Conference takes this report a step further, posting a Conference-wide “dashboard” that shows those numbers for every church. (You can see it at http://www.northalabamaumc.org/weeklyreport.asp) On this site, they list the top five and bottom five churches each week in terms of growth or decline. Frankly, I take issue with posting the bottom five churches in this manner. I can imagine pastors and churches that are doing the hard work of adaptive change, or perhaps helping to plant a new church. Often, there is a short-term but expected decline in numbers at these times. Showing up on the bottom five list could undermine the vision of the church leadership in some of these situations.
Having said that, I realize that even those of us in the God business need to be held accountable. Until we get to that final accounting, we are stuck with human measures. Worship attendance, professions of faith, baptisms, financial giving to the church are some of the indicators that have been identified as useful. All of that information has always been available, and if making it more accessible helps us to focus on the task at hand, then I am all for it. The challenge, of course, is how to measure that which is largely unmeasurable. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” How do you quantify Jesus’ Great Commandment?
As I think about “measurable outcomes,” I can’t help but think about that pastor in Florida. He threatened to burn the Koran. He was warned, by no less than the President of the United States, that a likely outcome of such an action would be loss of life overseas. The pastor burned the Koran. Twelve UN workers were killed in retaliation. An expected and measurable outcome of that action. I in no way want to condone the horrible actions of those persons who murdered the UN workers. However, I cannot understand that pastor’s choice. Why choose to act in a manner that will have such results?
My actions matter. How I practice my ministry matters. I have a blessed opportunity through ministry to change the world for good. If I- and the rest of the leadership and membership of First Church- are doing things well, then more people will have a chance to know God. And the numbers just might reflect that. Creating measurable expectations can help us do our work better. After all, what I am glibly calling “numbers” are real, flesh-and-blood humans, humans who can use some Good News. And if I practice ministry poorly, or worse, then real humans will suffer.
Like everyone else who bears the name “Christian,” I am about the business of loving God and neighbor, the way Jesus commanded us. It is a calling that I take much too seriously to avoid talking about measurable outcomes, yet it is also a calling that I take much too seriously to be limited by those same outcomes.
I then went on to describe to him, briefly, some of the changes we are seeing in the United Methodist Church. In Missouri, we report our attendance, baptisms and professions of faith weekly. The Northern Alabama Conference takes this report a step further, posting a Conference-wide “dashboard” that shows those numbers for every church. (You can see it at http://www.northalabamaumc.org/weeklyreport.asp) On this site, they list the top five and bottom five churches each week in terms of growth or decline. Frankly, I take issue with posting the bottom five churches in this manner. I can imagine pastors and churches that are doing the hard work of adaptive change, or perhaps helping to plant a new church. Often, there is a short-term but expected decline in numbers at these times. Showing up on the bottom five list could undermine the vision of the church leadership in some of these situations.
Having said that, I realize that even those of us in the God business need to be held accountable. Until we get to that final accounting, we are stuck with human measures. Worship attendance, professions of faith, baptisms, financial giving to the church are some of the indicators that have been identified as useful. All of that information has always been available, and if making it more accessible helps us to focus on the task at hand, then I am all for it. The challenge, of course, is how to measure that which is largely unmeasurable. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” How do you quantify Jesus’ Great Commandment?
As I think about “measurable outcomes,” I can’t help but think about that pastor in Florida. He threatened to burn the Koran. He was warned, by no less than the President of the United States, that a likely outcome of such an action would be loss of life overseas. The pastor burned the Koran. Twelve UN workers were killed in retaliation. An expected and measurable outcome of that action. I in no way want to condone the horrible actions of those persons who murdered the UN workers. However, I cannot understand that pastor’s choice. Why choose to act in a manner that will have such results?
My actions matter. How I practice my ministry matters. I have a blessed opportunity through ministry to change the world for good. If I- and the rest of the leadership and membership of First Church- are doing things well, then more people will have a chance to know God. And the numbers just might reflect that. Creating measurable expectations can help us do our work better. After all, what I am glibly calling “numbers” are real, flesh-and-blood humans, humans who can use some Good News. And if I practice ministry poorly, or worse, then real humans will suffer.
Like everyone else who bears the name “Christian,” I am about the business of loving God and neighbor, the way Jesus commanded us. It is a calling that I take much too seriously to avoid talking about measurable outcomes, yet it is also a calling that I take much too seriously to be limited by those same outcomes.
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