a kingdom divided

In Matthew 12 Jesus tells the Pharisees that a kingdom that is divided cannot stand because it will eventually self-destruct.  This concept seems to be self-evident.  The example that (predictably) comes to mind are the Boston Red Sox.  If Papelbon (P) blames Pedroia (2B) who blames Francona (Coach) who blames the outfield, etc, etc, etc, how could I ever expect this one unit to work together for the common goal that they all share? 

As I read Jesus' words, I also couldn't help but think about the Church.  What is the testimony of the Universal Church when one can drive down 39th street in Independence, MO for 1.5. miles and pass a United Methodist, Mormom, 'Unitarian Universalist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Assemblies of God, another Baptist, Lutheran, and a Roman Catholic Congregation?  We are a Church that is divided.  We are a people who have taken the living organism that is the Body of Christ and cut it into 1,000 pieces.

So often when we think of God's great plan for the world, the first thing people think of is 'my individual and personal salvation.'  However, if we look back to the book of Genesis, God made a covenant with Abraham that he would be the father of a people that God would ultimately use to redeem the creation.  When we enter into Christ, we have entered into the great historic covenant that God made with Abraham that continues to this day.  We are God's sons and daughters.

And so the question again, if we truly are one unit, one body, one family... Why and how is it that we are so divided? What is the solution?

running after people

So here is something I'm wrestling with.  I've noticed in my local church setting (both with students and families) that there is a relationship between regular attendance and how much contact the pastoral staff has with people.  While this may sound like a "well DUH" type statement, let me explain what I am getting at.  I realize that as ministers, it is our job to build meaningful relationships with people, however, should one's committment to regular worship be drastically affected by the amount of interaction (or lack there of) with the minister that week? 

Example: My senior pastor has said on a few occasions, "If I were to call every single person this week (which would take days to do) and tell them I was thinking about them and praying for them, I guarantee attendance would be up a little bit that week... But if I did not make the calls the following week, attendance would go right back to where it was."  Weird.

Another example:  If I contact every single student in our youth database (which would also take a very long time) my guess is that a few students would show up to youth group or Sunday church... But if I don't call the following week, chances are they would not be there.

The reason why this question is bothering me is because last night we had our 'Youth Group Christmas Party' and I spent a ton of time calling and inviting students who we haven't seen in a long time and many of them showed up... But if history repeats itself, they won't be back next week.

So is it the job of the minister to constantly 'run after people' who have a very loose connection and committment to the church? Is it our job to convince people that regular worship should be a priority in there life (again, and again, and again)?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

an odd confession

Over the last year or so I have learned something about myself that I am sure many of you will find quite odd... I've noticed that I can easily become obsessed over the strangest things to the point that it distracts me from other areas of my life that I should be thinking/concentrating about.  Why am I sharing this?  Perhaps you can relate or perhaps you can share some insight.  Here are a few examples.

I mentioned in a previous blog I was a finalist to win U2 tickets + airfare to a concert this summer.  When I realized I was a finalist, I found myself constantly thinking about how I could improve my odds of winning: maybe I could send a message to the radio station on facebook shamelessly begging them to pick me?  Maybe I could call the station and tell them how appreciative I would be if I was selected? etc.  What I am getting at is that I am guessing I spent more time thinking about winning this contest than any other finalist I was up against.  I didn't win the tickets.

Another example.  I recently applied to be on the show 'Survivor.'  For whatever reason, it is the only show I truly look forward to watching each week.  Ever since I entered the contest, I find myself randomly throughout the day (and while trying to go to sleep at night) thinking about how I could have improved my chances to win, how I could have made a better audition video, what I could have done differently,  how I could... blah, blah.

I actually have a couple more examples, but I still want you to be my friend after reading this post so I won't mention them.. :-)

It is honestly to the point where I am feeling convicted about how much time and energy I spend thinking about these things that ultimatley have little, if any, eternal significance.  A few years back a friend of mine confided in me how he hates how difficult it is for him to casually play a video game... "There is something in me that feels the need to perfect and master any game I play, regardless of hours upon hours it takes.  If I don't master the game, it is like a splinter in my mind." 

I guess the guilt I am experiencing comes from a realization that these things I am spending so much time thinking about are ultimately only about me... Perhaps it is the selfishness of these 'obsessions' that doesn't sit right with me.

bibles for everyone?

In January of this year, I challenged our congregation to integrate the reading of scripture into their daily lives.  One way I did this was by providing various reading plans such as: reading through the NT in a year, the OT in a year, reading the Bible in 90 days, and a few others. I know of only six people who will have completed the reading plan: my wife, myself, and four teen girls from the youth ministry (Go Kayla, Shelby, Abby, and Katie)!

Here is what I am wrestling/struggling with, and as always, I would love any conversation and input from  anyone who stumbles upon this post!  So please, let me know your thoughts.  It is extremely difficult to read scripture and not to impose our 21st century mindset into the text.  I have my M.Divinity and I would not dare say that I completely understand the perspective/culture/mindset that Paul was writing with.  I am sure if Paul and I got together for lunch and conversation to talk about his writings, there would be several (and let me reiterate, several) points throughout his letters that I have skewed and stretched due to: 1.My limited knowledge of the time, culture, current events, etc, that Paul was writing from. 2. How I impose my own interests, opinions, and 21st century life into his letters.  For example, I assume that Paul was also caught up with the various arguments regarding soteriology that we Christians love to fight over.  I'm not saying that it is impossible to read Paul's writings from an accurate perspective, only that it takes a lot of work and education to do so.

So... is there true benefit to encouraging anyone and everyone to read scripture in privacy apart from the community?  What is 7th grade Susie supposed to think when she reads Joshua and hears about God telling the Israelites to kill all of the women and children?  Or, what about when Paul tells the Corinthians that women are to be silent in church?  Or, when the Psalmist talks about how he 'hates' his enemy?  Wouldn't that be confusing to someone who was taught that Godly men and women are supposed to love their enemies?  With little or no understanding of the context of these texts, scripture can be interpreted without any accountability, education, or background of what is being said and therefore, it leaves people to their own imaginations as to what is the correct meaning of the text.  (wow, that sounded awfully communistic)  Should God's Word only be read in the presence of the community of believers and in light of traditional interpretations and understandings of the text?  Is it irresponsible of the Church to encourage any and all people to read scripture in the privacy of their own home?  Odd question, I know.  Talk! :-)

U2 and Survivor

A few random things I thought I would share!

1. Yesterday I qualified to win 2 tickets + airfare to see U2 in concert this summer in St. Louis.  I was the first caller (yes, I was ready) to 105.1 Jack FM and got my name entered to win.  Granted, my name is now entered with about 50 other people, but I am still excited about the possibility.  I will find out Friday if I win!

2. I generally hate television.  However, about a year ago I got hooked on the reality show 'Survivor.'  Today I am submitting a 1 minute audition video to make it on the show.  How cool would it be to live on an island for 39 days (if you make it to the end)? 

To anyone who reads this, I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season so far.

advent and rethinking our traditions

As Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ during advent, I have found myself convicted about how I have contributed to making Christmas far more about consuming and receiving as oppose to a time of worshipping and celebrating our Savior and giving to others.  Many of you may have already heard about the 'advent conspiracy' movement.  If not, check out this amazing video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

I had a conversation with a friend who told me that growing up his parents would give him and his brothers 2 gifts each.  They were allowed to keep one and had to give the other one away.  Is that not an ingenious idea?  What a great way to help make sure we are not conditioning ourselves and our children to view Christmas as nothing more than a time to get needless crap!

That same week I also learned of someone close to me who lacks basic needs like a jacket, socks, underwear, etc... and I am wanting a 26th Nintendo Wii game...??  I have 25 games already and have spent close to $1000 on mindless entertainment.   God forgive me.  And while I will spare the details, I have already decided how this year things will be different.

Rachel and I have been talking about rethinking the way we view Christmas and the traditions we want to incorporate into our family.  Traditions that will redirect the Christmas celebration back to a much more Christ-centered celebration.  What is something you do, or could do, to help make advent and the Christmas celebration something that is more of a reflection of Christ?

What I miss about the Roman Catholic Church

Having been raised as a Roman Catholic, I was 16 years old the first time I stepped foot into a Protestant church.  I thoroughly enjoyed the preaching and the sense of community I quickly felt inside the church.  Fast forward 13 years and I am a Protestant minister who graduated from two Protestant schools.  I am married to a woman who comes from a thoroughly Protestant family and it looks like I will be getting my 'Prostestant' ordination this summer.

However, there are aspects of Catholicism that I miss.

The Protestant liturgy believes that the preaching of God's Word is the pinnacle of the worship service.  Just like a good book that is steadily working towards the climax of the story, so too, Protestants view the liturgy as reaching it's height when God's Word is preached and exclaimed.  It makes sense why so many Protestant churches have large elevated pulpits to illustrate the scripture's authority over our lives.  In the Roman Catholic Church it is the Eucharist that is the pinnacle of the liturgy.  Catholics believe that our Lord and Savior is truly present in the bread and the wine.  Hence, it is 'receiving Christ' in the sacred Eucharist that is central. 

While the preaching and teaching of God's Word is important to the liturgy and to us as believers, is it not somewhat scary how much human element is involved in this process?  I have known and know pastors who decide what they are going to preach on 30 minutes before the service begins.  They throw together a good story and three 'easy to understand' points and their sermon is complete.  Or how about this, Joel Osteen/Rob Bell/Mark Driscoll would all tell you that it is the preaching/teaching of God's Word that is central to the liturgy.  However, take away Osteen, Bell, and Driscoll as the people who DO the preaching and I guarantee attendance will change.  If the main reason we gather together is to exalt the risen Christ then why does it matter who preaches?  Or, perhaps it is my week to preach and I mistakenly use some resources that cause me to poorly exegete the text, and perhaps I stuttered more than normal this week...Was the climax of the service weakened by my poor judgment and/or my stuttering?
Some may respond, "Even if the sermon is not great, we still worship and experience God through song..."  But what if I am the music leader and the three songs I picked just happen to be ones that you don't like, or, you haven't heard of?  What if I hurt my finger earlier in the week and I don't play the guitar as well as I usually do?  Do the people who do the preaching and the people that play the music drastically effect the worship experience?  Based on patterns we see, I believe the answer is yes!  How else can we explain megachurches?  Church goers flock to churches with preachers they enjoy hearing from, bands they enjoy listening to, church buildings they enjoy being at, etc.  The Protestant liturgy, in many cases, must cater to a consumeristic/'entertain me' mentality.  Since when did worship become so anthropomorphic?

However,

when we gather to receive Christ through the Eucharist, how could we ever leave wanting more?  When we gather, do we hunger and thirst for how the preacher interprets Romans 8, or, do we hunger and thirst for the very presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?  More thoughts to come.

having regrets

A few weeks back a friend of mine was asking me what it was like growing up in Nashua, NH.  As I was sharing, I mentioned to her, "If I could go back, there are many things in my life I wish I could change..."  She was shocked that those words came out of my mouth.  When I asked her why she was so suprised, she stated, "I don't believe in having regrets... We learn from our past and it shapes us into who we are now."  Just this morning I heard a similar statement in an interview on tv; this idea that to live with regrets is to live life carrying around needless weights.

While I agree that our past has the opportunity to teach and shape us, there are still things I wish I did and did not do from my past.  For example, I knew fully well that how I treated this kid Matt was horribly wrong in the 5th grade.  I believed that by embarassing Matt I would be viewed as the 'funny guy.'  I did not need to have a revelation later on in life and realize, "Oh my goodness!  So it IS wrong to humiliate others for my own benefit!"  I knew what I was doing and I surely was not acting in ignorance. Or, how I shamelessly wasted all my money in high school and college on Applebee's and Chinese food when I knew full well I had student loans waiting for me but I chose to eat out multiple times a week and throw my money away.  Or how I still cringe when I think of the awful things that I have said and done to my parents...  And unfortunately, I could go on.

Perhaps living life with the mantra, "I have no regrets... My past and my mistakes made me into who I am today," helps us sleep a little better at night.  In some ways it lets us off the hook.  It is a statement that helps us to justify the past... Instead of trying to do that, may we realize that we do have legitimate regrets, but in the same breath, may we give glory and thanks to God that we are a people who have been extended the greatest mercy and grace that creation has ever known through Jesus Christ.  And I would have to disagree with Mr. tv interview guy... regretting the things we have and have not done in life is not like carrying around needless weights, holding on to the guilt and shame is what weighs us down.  It is ok to acknowledge our sin because our savior is greater.

Technology and Church

As a Red Sox fan I remember the first time I saw Johnny Damon in a Yankees uniform... something was just 'off' about it.  Seriously?  Pin stripes?

Mark Driscoll implies in his book 'Vintage Church' that many churches are dying today because they do not have the proper technology.  Yes, technology.  I just got an image in my head of Christ coming down to earth and saying, "My people, if only you ponied up the $2400 for the Sony Bravia SXRD projector as oppose to settling for Dell's M109 base model, THEN you would have really communicated the gospel..."

The sad part is... there is an element of truth to this.  There are churches that will never get a visitor under the age of 50 because of the size, style, name, and archetecture of their building.  On the other hand, a few miles down the rode is a new church that bought out a warehouse with a stylish new sign 'Epic Church.'  Its obvious they have renovated the building and dropped a good deal of coin on that sign... and I can guarantee that they have had several new folks stroll on through the doors, mostly because "that sign is wicked nice."

And while I am not saying I believe this is right, I really think many people will stay at a church if it has a nice coffee shop, the pastor is attractive and well dressed (bonus points if he/she sits on a stool while preaching), there's a nice projector (see projector joke above), good lighting, and so on. 

Allow me to predict some responses: "Jay, as the Church, we need to become relevant.  We need to reach the culture where they are at.  We need to be up to date on our technology if we are ultimatley going to be effective."  And while I would agree with some of those statements to an extent, what are churches who don't have money (LOUD COUGH) supposed to do?  The last time I read the book of Acts, Jesus did not give the disciples gift cards to Best Buy so that they could have effective ministries.  Instead, it was the Holy Spirit that lead and guided the Early Church and it is the Holy Spirit that leads and guides us today.  So, what do you think?  Does God ever call a struggling low income church to drop $5000+ on a new (fill in the blank) so that we can become more contemporary?

I would love to hear some people's thoughts.

leave room for the Spirit

The central theme of the Buddhist faith revolves around the idea of disconnecting.  A disconnection from the creation. A simple living.  Emptying oneself of any sort of dependence.  Finding freedom from earthly emotions and feelings that bind us to this world like love, hate, envy, lust, greed, and so on.  When a Buddhist passes on from the earthly life, the hope is that they will enter into a state of existence called 'Nirvana', which is believed to be a disembodied state of eternal bliss and peace.  If one dies and has not reached this point of disconnection from the world, they will be reincarnated back into the creation.

In the last several years of my life, I have come to embrace the fact that one can find many truthful teachings and beliefs in almost all of the world religions and faiths.  While I am in no means advocating a universalist pluralism (that all faiths are 'true' and lead to God), I can easily see why this theme of 'disconnecting' is central in the Buddhist faith.  As I look my own life, I would make a terrible Buddhist.  My mind is constantly connected to my email, social network, nintendo, youtube, instant messaging, internet radio, and the list goes on... And if scripture tells us that God's Holy Spirit often speaks to us in the stillness and quietness of our heart, how in the world can I hear this calling, let alone respond to it?  I need to experience a true work of God's Spirit in my life, but how can I connect with God if I refuse to stop... and disconnect from all that consumes my mind, ears, and eyes?

So how does one actually disconnect from the endless distractions? I would suggest that a fresh look at the spiritual disciplines are a good response to our culture of 'connectedness.'  The disciplines are the complete antithesis of our culture... Refrain rather than consume, be quiet and still rather than be entertained.  It is through the disciplines that we also see the major difference between the Christian and the Buddhist.  The disciplines not only challenge us to disconnect from all that distracts us but it also challenges us to be filled and sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Disconnecting is only a part of the journey.  We are to REconnect with our creator who desires to fill us with His Spirit and be in relationship with us.

responsibility

As I skimmed through the news, I learned that several cities throughout the country are trying to make it illegal for fast food chains to include toys inside of their kid's meals because "it promotes poor nutritional health in our children."  Just one more way that we as Americans can deflect our responsibility as parents and people of moderation and responsibility.  I see this trend a lot.  It is so much easier to focus on what is wrong with politics, the church, the school system, the media, etc, as oppose to taking responsibility for who we are and what we do.  When we can find a problem with 'the system' (and we will always be able to find something), we can now sleep much better at night because it no longer becomes our fault... we can pass the blame.

I know several people who have become obsessed with the 'decline of morality in America,' the 'liberal agenda of school systems/government,' etc.  And while I am not advocating that we become idle regarding our convictions, what I am saying is that at the end of the day we are free (and responsible) creatures.  No one forces you and your children to have MTV, a computer with internet capabilities in three different rooms of your house, to allow your children to be out of the house with friends three nights a week, and so on.  And while this may sound ironic coming from a man who does not have children, somewhere along the line we adopted this mentality that parenting should be relatively easy... I would dare to say that good parenting is one of the most difficult and exhaustive responsibilities we could ever have.  What this country lacks is not a reform in our school systems, governments, and kid's meals, we need reform in regards to our responsibility as people, as parents, and as families.

"and lead me in the way everlasting..." -psalm 139-

I had one of those great conversations today that are so refreshing to the soul... You know, one of those conversations with a brother in Christ where we both shared deeply from the heart about the things in life that truly matter... about loving others, what it means to be the Church, how grace, mercy, and love should be embodied in American culture, and role playing games.  The best part about the conversation?  There are several views and beliefs where we differ from one another, yet, we both affirm our oneness in Christ.  If you and nine of your friends were listening to us speak, my guess is 10 out of 10 of you would say that I was the more 'liberal' of the two.  And as our conversation began to wrap up, I began asking some more reflective questions to myself...

I believe that God calls us to love others... Pretty obvious, right?  I must also affirm that one of the greatest ways to love another person is to stand up and affirm that person's freedom.  For example, a child has the right to grow up in a home where they are not abused.  As Christians, we should stand up and affirm this right.  So here is where things get gray and somewhat cloudy... What happens when 'the most loving action' is not so obvious?  Do we ever stand up for a person's freedom even if we believe that the particular 'free act' is sinful, like gay marriage for example?  When is it appropriate to deny a particular freedom?  Admittedly (and unfortunately), I do not know the answer to these questions.   And as I left the conversation with my good friend I prayed this prayer: "God, if over the years my my heart and mind have somehow gone astray from the things you view as good, right, and true, then please correct me Lord.  Realign my heart to yours.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

forgetting where you came from

I am one of those weird people that thoroughly enjoys it when the Mormons and JWs come knocking on the door.  I love meeting people but I also enjoy the discussion that generally follows.  I have found that the greatest weaknesses of both groups is their inability to reconcile their beliefs and doctrine with church history.  For example: both groups affirm the 66 books found inside the Protestant Bible, yet, both groups refuse to recognize the Early Church that wrestled with them and ultimately canonized them.  They love the baby but not the 9 months of labor.

I'm currently reading a book (Vintage Church) written by Mark Driscoll, pastor of one of the largest churches in America.  I am about 50 pages in and he has (very articulately) stated why the Roman Catholic Church is not a good model for the church and why it is very dangerous to the 'True Church.'  I am not ignorant to the many people who simply think that having been baptized as an infant as a R.C. and living a life ignorant to the scriptures and the call of God upon their life equates to being a Christian.  I am also well aware of many of the atrocities that has been done by the R.C. church (along with many Protestent churches and leaders), throughout the centuries.  However, this gives us no right to dismiss our history and the saints who lived out and carried on the faith. 

As a result, I have pretty much stopped engaging in theological discussions about free will vs. predestination, Wesley vs. Calvin, God's sovereignty and knowledge, etc.  Why?  Because at the end of the day, the folks over at Eastside Baptist are my brothers and sisters in Christ... and the people over at St. Joseph's R.C. church are as well... and while we may differe somewhat in our beliefs about God and look a little different from one another, may we unite, in love, under the Lordship of the Triune God we serve.

correction

I remember when I was 18 and a friend invited me to their church to see a Christmas production.  I had never been to the church before.  As I strolled into the sanctuary and found a seat next to my friend, an older man seated in front of me, whom I did not know, immediately turned around and told me to take my hat off because I was in a church sanctuary.  While I was startled by the man’s abrupt request, the hat was quickly in my lap.

Similarly, I remember when my parents would visit my elementary school teachers to check up on my performance in class.  If my teachers gave any indication that my behavior was not respectful and appropriate, I would hear about it from my parents, along with proper retribution.  My parents never questioned the teacher’s point of view or accused them of unnecessarily picking on me.  They supported the teacher 100% and her/his role in my life.

It seems like the idea and practice of proper correction within the local church, and perhaps even American culture, is becoming a ‘thing of old.’  In almost six years of working with teens (and adults) in the local church, I have heard the phrase, “you are not my parent(s), you can’t tell me what to do,” more and more.  If someone confronts a brother or sister in Christ about a reoccurring behavior or action, many times the confronter is accused of being judgmental or they may be accused of overlooking the planks in their own eyes.  There used to be a time when Christ followers could confront one another in love and it was understood as a necessary and vital role of having a healthy, Christ-centered church… Don’t get me wrong, I am sure there were/are many times when people call others out as a way of making themselves either look or feel good, but we are quickly becoming a culture where the art and practice of ‘casual accountability’ and respect for an older generation is fleeting.  Do you have any thoughts and/or experiences about this?  Agree/Disagree?

what matters to God

So, I know someone whom I will call Brenna.  She was raised in the Roman Catholic Church from birth but in her own words, "I just never really connected with it."  Following high school, like many young men and women, Brenna strayed from the Church and gave very little thought to the idea of religion and faith.  Fast forward a few more years and Brenna meets a great guy (Bob sounds good) and wants to settle down and marry Bob.  Bob was raised in the Mormon church, but he too strayed from his faith in his young adult years.  The two get married and both agree it would be a good idea to reconnect to the Church.  One Sunday, the take a visit to the local Mormon parish and Brenna very much enjoys the experience.

"There is a sense of community here that I never experienced in 20 years at the Roman Catholic Church... but at the same time, I have always been told that the Mormons are 'off' or that what they believe is 'heresy.'  All I know is that I have found a family here."

So what do you think?  I can already predict some responses: "The sense of family Brenna is experiencing means very little if she affirms the false doctrine that goes with it, etc."  Is there any way that the Holy Spirit would use this Mormon congregation to speak truth and love to Brenna?  Could the Holy Spirit have even lead Brenna there?  It is quite obvious that Brenna has a renewed desire to know God and build a Godly home (especially now that they have a baby).  Is God rejoicing over the fact that Brenna wants to refocus her life towards God, even if it means her faith becoming 'muddied' in what many Christians would call 'false doctrine,' OR, is God saddened by the direction Brenna's faith seems to be headed?