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?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, December 13, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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! :-)
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! :-)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, December 3, 2010
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?
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?
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