Last night was an “oops” moment for me. (I hate those.) It was time for us to elect our church leaders for the 2011-2012 church year, a task that must be accomplished by a formal “Charge Conference.” I had been duly authorized by the DS to preside at this piece of official Methodism, and our agenda was limited –by church law, no less- to only the 1 item that had been announced. The Nominating Committee had done their work well, and we have a great set of incoming officers. My goal was to call the meeting to order, vote, and adjourn the meeting, so that we could resume the “normal programming” of our regular Church Council meeting. Which I did, in less than 5 minutes- my type of Charge Conference!
Except- that a handful of people went home after the Charge Conference. I had not thought about the fact that there were people who would show up for this part of the meeting alone. I had assumed that everyone else would share my own discomfort with officialdom. I was planning to thank the outgoing officers and welcome the incoming leaders at the end of the Church Council meeting, and so this faithful handful of people didn’t get to a chance to be a part of this well-deserved thanks. That oversight was my mistake, as thanks should always be extended as far and as wide as possible.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a leader in the church. The average church member doesn’t care what color we paint the walls, who will repair the a/c, who does the hiring, or who signs the checks. Nor should they have to. They DO care that these things be done correctly, and in line with our vision and values. But they don’t want to come to worship on Sunday mornings and be engaged in a congregational discussion of paint color. A “leader” in the church is the person who chooses to give of themselves and their time to care about these things on behalf of the congregation. Leaders choose to get together on weeknights to talk about which bank offers the best interest rates and what to do when Christmas falls on a Sunday and what to do about the siding on the building. It’s not particularly glamorous, nor does it always feel “spiritual.” And yet I am so deeply grateful to all of those who choose to give of themselves in this way.
Being a leader in church also means representing the church to all of the many places that a pastor cannot be. When a group of people is talking after worship or choir or Bible study about a question or a concern, a leader is the one who says, “Let me tell you how that decision was made,” or “You’re raising a good question, let me be the one to find out the answer and get back to you.” To be a church leader means that you forfeit the right to engage in gossip or bickering, because you have committed to be part of the solution to whatever challenges arise. You have chosen to focus on the future and to seek God’s guidance along with the rest of us.
Experts will tell you that there are many types of leaders. Often, the most important leaders do not hold elected office. They are the ones to whom all the eyes in the room turn when a new initiative is announced or a difficult decision needs to be made. FUMC is blessed with leaders of this type whose wonderful hearts ensure that we continue to move forward.
FUMC is blessed also with a strong group of leaders who have agreed to oversee the administrative affairs of the church. Next week, we are getting together at my house for 4 hours. My goal is to build community and trust, in addition to doing some training and study together. We have a great year ahead of us, and FUMC will be a better place because of these leaders. For which I am thankful. And I intend to say so at every opportunity I can!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Fahoo fores, dahoo dores
“Fahoo fores, dahoo dores . . .” Those words were echoing through my head this weekend at Annual Conference. Quick, before you read further, do you recognize what song begins with those lyrics? It’s from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” the “Welcome Christmas” song that the Whos sing even after the Grinch has stolen the stuff of their Christmas.
I kept singing that song to myself as I watched the election results come in for General Conference. Four years ago, I had been part of the delegation, and I had been hoping to go again. As the ballots started coming in, it became clear that I would not be elected this year. Political processes can be messy and feel hurtful, and so I had prepared myself as best as I could to remember my own values and priorities and joys. I am blessed with an amazing family to love and an incredible church to serve, and election results could do nothing to change that. “Fahoo fores, dahoo dores.”
Any election becomes, to some extent, an “us versus them” affair. We have many good and faithful Methodists in Missouri who have strong convictions about issues that will be coming before our General Conference next May. Loving people sitting next to each other were voting fervently for the opposite people from each other, out of a shared deep desire to shape what is best for our denomination. I have to admit that it can be uncomfortable to have one’s own name become an “us” for someone else’s “them.” Especially when the “thems” carry the day. . . “Fahoo fores, dahoo dores.”
The Whos remember what is important, and so the loss of the stuff of Christmas is a mere detail. I love the image of their focus and strength, but I also think back to the Grinch himself. As you recall, it is as the Grinch sees the Whos standing in a circle holding hands and singing that he understands the real meaning of Christmas. I remain convinced that our best witness as people of faith isn’t who wins when we fight with each other, but how well we remain connected even as we acknowledge our differences. Our delegates have difficult and important work ahead of them, and they need all of our prayers. The idealistic and simplistic side of me would love to see General Conference be the type of body that holds hands, united around what is most important. As long as we have different views of what is most important, however, we will have divisions among us. In these months leading up to General Conference, the drumbeat of our differences will continue to beat louder. To a world that is weary with infighting, may we present a different image to the world. Perhaps an image that goes something like this: (all together now)
“Christmas Day will always be, just as long as we have we. Fahoo fores, dahoo dores .. .Welcome Christmas as we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. Fahoo fores, dahoo dores.”
I kept singing that song to myself as I watched the election results come in for General Conference. Four years ago, I had been part of the delegation, and I had been hoping to go again. As the ballots started coming in, it became clear that I would not be elected this year. Political processes can be messy and feel hurtful, and so I had prepared myself as best as I could to remember my own values and priorities and joys. I am blessed with an amazing family to love and an incredible church to serve, and election results could do nothing to change that. “Fahoo fores, dahoo dores.”
Any election becomes, to some extent, an “us versus them” affair. We have many good and faithful Methodists in Missouri who have strong convictions about issues that will be coming before our General Conference next May. Loving people sitting next to each other were voting fervently for the opposite people from each other, out of a shared deep desire to shape what is best for our denomination. I have to admit that it can be uncomfortable to have one’s own name become an “us” for someone else’s “them.” Especially when the “thems” carry the day. . . “Fahoo fores, dahoo dores.”
The Whos remember what is important, and so the loss of the stuff of Christmas is a mere detail. I love the image of their focus and strength, but I also think back to the Grinch himself. As you recall, it is as the Grinch sees the Whos standing in a circle holding hands and singing that he understands the real meaning of Christmas. I remain convinced that our best witness as people of faith isn’t who wins when we fight with each other, but how well we remain connected even as we acknowledge our differences. Our delegates have difficult and important work ahead of them, and they need all of our prayers. The idealistic and simplistic side of me would love to see General Conference be the type of body that holds hands, united around what is most important. As long as we have different views of what is most important, however, we will have divisions among us. In these months leading up to General Conference, the drumbeat of our differences will continue to beat louder. To a world that is weary with infighting, may we present a different image to the world. Perhaps an image that goes something like this: (all together now)
“Christmas Day will always be, just as long as we have we. Fahoo fores, dahoo dores .. .Welcome Christmas as we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. Fahoo fores, dahoo dores.”
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Lost and Found
We moved into our Blue Springs house in August. Ever since then, we have been unable to find an important family picture, a framed succession of school pictures of one of our children. I love being able to see how my children have grown up year-by-year, and I missed this picture deeply. On Memorial Day, Andy insisted on cleaning out our garage over my protests. (I had to be at church for most of that day, and so I wanted to relax beforehand.) He handed me only one box to sort through, a box that I walk past every time I come into the house. Lo and behold, there was the picture! I am thrilled to be able to once again see all three of my children’s school pictures on the wall!
On the same day, the Early Response Team from FUMC was in Joplin, MO. Having been trained in chainsaw and other important skills, they had been invited down in the early days of the tornado recovery. One of their tasks was to try to locate someone on the “missing” list. As they drove to the location of where that person’s house had been, I’m sure they must have been wondering what they might find. What they found was that person driving into their driveway at the same time as them, probably unaware that people were searching for them. Lo and behold, the lost was found! Today’s headline announces that the list of missing persons stands now at 0. “A huge weight of uncertainty has been lifted from the shoulders of this community,” said the governor. Great rejoicing!
And Jesus tells the story of the woman who lost a coin and kept searching until she found it, then threw a party because she was so happy. And the shepherd who left 99 sheep behind to find the one. Those stories sound one way when you’re sitting in church, wondering how long until lunch. They sound entirely different when you’ve lost something- or someone- or been lost yourself.
On the same day, the Early Response Team from FUMC was in Joplin, MO. Having been trained in chainsaw and other important skills, they had been invited down in the early days of the tornado recovery. One of their tasks was to try to locate someone on the “missing” list. As they drove to the location of where that person’s house had been, I’m sure they must have been wondering what they might find. What they found was that person driving into their driveway at the same time as them, probably unaware that people were searching for them. Lo and behold, the lost was found! Today’s headline announces that the list of missing persons stands now at 0. “A huge weight of uncertainty has been lifted from the shoulders of this community,” said the governor. Great rejoicing!
And Jesus tells the story of the woman who lost a coin and kept searching until she found it, then threw a party because she was so happy. And the shepherd who left 99 sheep behind to find the one. Those stories sound one way when you’re sitting in church, wondering how long until lunch. They sound entirely different when you’ve lost something- or someone- or been lost yourself.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Storms
Yesterday was my first time ever to be in Iowa, Nebraska, and, now, South Dakota. The sky is huge up here. We watched a storm to our west, hoping to get to our hotel before it got to us. We did. We felt mildly proud about outracing the storm as we checked into our Sioux Falls hotel.
And then the news began to pour in. While we were merrily outrunning one storm, an entire community lay in the path of a terribly huge storm. We got to our hotel safely; Joplin is “a city in ruins,” with fatalities still uncounted.
Any crisis is a crisis for all, but Joplin seems much closer. My son drove through there the day before, and we had been through there the week before. There are a lot of good people down there, some of whom I happen to know. Even though I’m on the road, I’m sticking a little closer to Facebook than usual. I want to stay in touch.
Many prayers for Joplin and those persons who were unable to outrun a storm. May God surround you with tender care during these days.
And then the news began to pour in. While we were merrily outrunning one storm, an entire community lay in the path of a terribly huge storm. We got to our hotel safely; Joplin is “a city in ruins,” with fatalities still uncounted.
Any crisis is a crisis for all, but Joplin seems much closer. My son drove through there the day before, and we had been through there the week before. There are a lot of good people down there, some of whom I happen to know. Even though I’m on the road, I’m sticking a little closer to Facebook than usual. I want to stay in touch.
Many prayers for Joplin and those persons who were unable to outrun a storm. May God surround you with tender care during these days.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
May 21
The milk in my fridge has an expiration date of May 29, yet I bought it anyway. I have hotel reservations for my quick trip to Mt. Rushmore next week, and reservations for Annual Conference in Springfield, MO the following week. I paid my credit card bills before their coming due dates. I went to Costco today and stocked up on some needed supplies. In other words, I am not acting as if I am convinced that the rapture will occur on May 21.
Or am I?
If we knew without a doubt that Jesus was coming back this week- or the next, or the next- would it change the way we live? After all, we are called already to live life abundantly. We are called already to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We are called already to love the rest of the world as much as we love ourselves, and to love God most of all. We aren’t supposed simply to cram for a final exam, but we are to live and love that way right now.
And so I will be spending the days leading up to May 21 (and, I presume, on May 22 and beyond) doing what I usually do. My heart is with a family who is waiting with their loved one as his battle with cancer comes to an end. As a church, we continue to reflect on the amazing things that happened last Sunday for our churchwide “Change the World” day, and we will look for ways to continue some of the ministries that began that day. We have 5 baptisms in the next two weeks! I am working on the remarks I will make at preschool graduation tonight and tomorrow night, on sermons for the next couple of weeks, and even for a speaking engagement I will have in September. If Jesus shows up, unannounced or announced, the only way I know to be ready is to keep being faithful to the title “Christian.” And, for the many times that I fail to live up to that name, all I know to do is trust in the same forgiveness that I claim every day.
May 21 may begin and end like every other day, or it might not. That is not my responsibility to know. My only responsibility is to be faithful as best as I can, and trust God for the rest.
Or am I?
If we knew without a doubt that Jesus was coming back this week- or the next, or the next- would it change the way we live? After all, we are called already to live life abundantly. We are called already to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We are called already to love the rest of the world as much as we love ourselves, and to love God most of all. We aren’t supposed simply to cram for a final exam, but we are to live and love that way right now.
And so I will be spending the days leading up to May 21 (and, I presume, on May 22 and beyond) doing what I usually do. My heart is with a family who is waiting with their loved one as his battle with cancer comes to an end. As a church, we continue to reflect on the amazing things that happened last Sunday for our churchwide “Change the World” day, and we will look for ways to continue some of the ministries that began that day. We have 5 baptisms in the next two weeks! I am working on the remarks I will make at preschool graduation tonight and tomorrow night, on sermons for the next couple of weeks, and even for a speaking engagement I will have in September. If Jesus shows up, unannounced or announced, the only way I know to be ready is to keep being faithful to the title “Christian.” And, for the many times that I fail to live up to that name, all I know to do is trust in the same forgiveness that I claim every day.
May 21 may begin and end like every other day, or it might not. That is not my responsibility to know. My only responsibility is to be faithful as best as I can, and trust God for the rest.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Urgency and Hope
Saturday night, I was at a charity gala. My date (who is also my husband) looked darling in his tux, and I enjoyed being dressed to the nines myself. There was an auction at which people were bidding in the tens of thousands of dollars for exotic trips and desirable concert tickets. It was a fun evening, with lots of laughter and high spirits. Until. After the bidding was completed, they showed a video. It was about how a father felt when he discovered that his daughter had type 1 diabetes. As he described his heartbreak on her behalf, the mood in the room changed. There were many tears, especially from those of us with children with this incurable autoimmune disease. As the video came to an end, there was silence in the room. The auctioneer took the stage with nothing in his hand to auction off. Instead, it was time to “Fund the Cure.” Auction-style, he took pledges from people in the room who wanted to give money to help cure this disease. He started at $50,000 and worked his way down incrementally. The man at the table next to me raised his bid card at $50,000. And again at $25,000. $10,000. Every category of pledge, the man raised his card. I’m sure his total must have been near $100,000 when he was done. When it was over, I couldn’t help it. I leaned over and, still teary-eyed from the video, said, “Thank you. We have a daughter with juvenile diabetes.” We all left the event with a renewed sense of urgency about curing this deadly disease. And hope.
Tonight, two nights later, I am at a gathering of pastors of large UM churches in Missouri. We’ve been listening to various speakers and, best of all, talking to each other about what works in our churches. We’re aware that, if things don’t change, the United Methodist Church is on a trajectory of decline. We want our churches to be sources of growth, not decline. However, we realize that it is no longer a given that large churches will continue to grow, and we realize also that the things that were effective thirty years ago no longer are useful. There is a sense of urgency here. And hope.
A life-threatening disease. Churches facing life-threatening challenges. Urgency. And hope. All mixed together.
There’s a funny thing about hope. It does not simply occur in a vacuum, but it can require a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Hope requires hard work, yet it pulls us into the future. And so we keep working and hoping.
Tonight, two nights later, I am at a gathering of pastors of large UM churches in Missouri. We’ve been listening to various speakers and, best of all, talking to each other about what works in our churches. We’re aware that, if things don’t change, the United Methodist Church is on a trajectory of decline. We want our churches to be sources of growth, not decline. However, we realize that it is no longer a given that large churches will continue to grow, and we realize also that the things that were effective thirty years ago no longer are useful. There is a sense of urgency here. And hope.
A life-threatening disease. Churches facing life-threatening challenges. Urgency. And hope. All mixed together.
There’s a funny thing about hope. It does not simply occur in a vacuum, but it can require a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Hope requires hard work, yet it pulls us into the future. And so we keep working and hoping.
Monday, May 2, 2011
What is a "Christian" response to bin Laden's death?
I was headed towards bed last night when I heard the news. Like many of you, I experienced a rush of feelings: relief (that he was gone), thankfulness (that he wouldn’t be around to bring more terror), hope (that we might be one step closer to peace). I also felt some other things that surprised me: pride (that our nation had made it happen), revenge (that he finally got what was coming to him), and, did I even detect a smidgen of . . . joy . . . at his death? It was those final three emotions that have been troubling me. After all, some of them show up on lists of sins, deadly or otherwise.
What is a “Christian” response to the death of Osama bin Laden? It is clear that Christians are responding to this news in every possible way. Some are joining the cheers that began outside the White House last night. Some are thanking the Navy Seals. Some are remembering the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Some are mourning the use of deadly force. Some are wondering and worrying if retaliation will follow. In other words, Christians are responding in the same spectrum of ways as every other American.
Is that right? Should our response as people of faith be on some higher, different level? If so, what should it be?
One of the most meaningful Scripture passages that I found this morning was posted by someone else on Facebook. (Thanks, Susan Sneed!) “Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right - really living?,” Ezekiel 18:23.
Perhaps our touchstone lies there. As those who seek to follow and emulate Christ, our response to this news is tempered. Yes, we are thankful that evil will no longer come from this man. We continue to pray for all of those who have been affected by this man’s actions, from Sept. 11 victims to soldiers deployed currently in the war on terror. There is deep appreciation for the skill and resolve of the people who risked their lives last night to bring an end to this chapter of terror. However. We do not find pleasure in this death. We do not claim it as revenge for what he did to us. We realize that his death will not bring any of his victims back to life, although it might bring another measure of peace to the survivors. We count this death as yet another price of living and dying by the sword.
Paul’s words to the people at Rome, living at a time of increasing persecution, ring in my ears this morning. I note the words, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It is not always possible, but it continues to be a dream that we live and hope towards.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14-21
Yes, I am thankful that bin Laden’s particular brand of evil is no longer with us. I pray that we will continue to overcome evil with good as we live in the new world that today has brought us all.
What is a “Christian” response to the death of Osama bin Laden? It is clear that Christians are responding to this news in every possible way. Some are joining the cheers that began outside the White House last night. Some are thanking the Navy Seals. Some are remembering the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Some are mourning the use of deadly force. Some are wondering and worrying if retaliation will follow. In other words, Christians are responding in the same spectrum of ways as every other American.
Is that right? Should our response as people of faith be on some higher, different level? If so, what should it be?
One of the most meaningful Scripture passages that I found this morning was posted by someone else on Facebook. (Thanks, Susan Sneed!) “Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right - really living?,” Ezekiel 18:23.
Perhaps our touchstone lies there. As those who seek to follow and emulate Christ, our response to this news is tempered. Yes, we are thankful that evil will no longer come from this man. We continue to pray for all of those who have been affected by this man’s actions, from Sept. 11 victims to soldiers deployed currently in the war on terror. There is deep appreciation for the skill and resolve of the people who risked their lives last night to bring an end to this chapter of terror. However. We do not find pleasure in this death. We do not claim it as revenge for what he did to us. We realize that his death will not bring any of his victims back to life, although it might bring another measure of peace to the survivors. We count this death as yet another price of living and dying by the sword.
Paul’s words to the people at Rome, living at a time of increasing persecution, ring in my ears this morning. I note the words, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It is not always possible, but it continues to be a dream that we live and hope towards.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14-21
Yes, I am thankful that bin Laden’s particular brand of evil is no longer with us. I pray that we will continue to overcome evil with good as we live in the new world that today has brought us all.
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