Church
...now browsing by tag
Monday, September 9th, 2024
Q: Who will teach our children?
A: The public school. Aaaah yeah.
A: The local church. That’s a little bit better answer but it still falls short.
A: The home/parents. At one point in the past we might have said, “Yes!” But recent events and previous events/years show us that is not always the best source.
A: The church and the home together. This is probably the best answer. Not the exclusive one like it used to be. When both church and home are off the rails, that makes for a crazy train ride.
I ask that question because of something I read this morning. It struck home. Psalm 78:4-6 says this: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-and they in turn will teach their own children.” (NLT)
The admonition there is that parents have been taught to teach so they can teach by passing down the lessons learned. This psalm is pretty clear that the bulk of the teaching is to be done at home, not at the public school (heaven forbid) or even the church (some of that is whacked).
But there is more! Verses 7-8 tell us why we are to teach our children! “So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors-stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” (NLT)
Methinks that somewhere along the line we missed the target. Just sayin’.
{Note: I’m not saying all public schools are off base. There are some-like my local school district-who, at this point, try hard to teach values I would consider worth learning. That’s the value of a small town school.}
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Church, Leadership, Opinion, Parenting, Reflection, Scripture look, Teaching children
Wednesday, August 21st, 2024
I’m thinking this morning about control. In a moment I’ll tell you why, but first let’s consider what I mean.
Control can be seen in a variety of ways-both good and bad:
- An employer “controls” the atmosphere at work by the way an employee(s) are treated.
- A parent “controls” the behavior of a child by certain “rules of the house” that are to be obeyed.
- A teacher “controls” the classroom by threats or by a little black book with check marks for daily actions.
- A coach “controls” the team by extra practice or punishment for work not done or plays not run.
- Churches or pastors “control” their church by rules and regulations.
It is the latter that concerns me. Last night I spent considerable time on the phone with a couple struggling with the legalism and “control tactics” of his parents. Scriptures taken out of context were being used to demean and undermine them and their marriage. The parents live several states away and belong to a cult that uses control to force submission on people. Hence the control tactics of the parents. The details are not important at the moment but suffice it to say that laying the guilt on thick is one of their tactics. Rules and regulations taken out of context are used to manipulate control over others. They were seeking guidance on how to handle the newest slam by the parents.
One characteristic of control is a pastor or a church using rules and regulations of their own making to control the narrative. If they can get a person to live up to their rules-go to church, tithe, dress a certain way, etc-the control factor is big. Sadly, a person’s commitment to Christ is judged on keeping their rules. What they really have is law, not grace. What we really have is a perversion of the Gospel.
Jesus once said, “These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.” (Mk.7:6-6 NLT) (And yes, I am a heretic because I didn’t quote the King James Bible).
All Jesus said was “Love me first.” That’s it! Love Him first. Not “Keep these rules and I will know you love me.” Love Him first. ‘Nuff said.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, God's Word, Legalism, Lifestyle, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Monday, August 19th, 2024
A nationwide network of a haven for at risk kids is called Safe Place. There is a sign we are asked to display that if a young person is ever in trouble, needs shelter from a “pesky” adult or predator or simply needs a place to “get their head together” that sign says, “Here is a place for you to find refuge. A safe place.” The church I pastor has been a part of that network for years. We have never had a young person show up and yet, if one did and was given a safe place, it is well worth it.
A church should be a safe place. I like to call it a PLACE OF GRACE. Someone has said, “The church is to be a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints.” I wonder if that is what Bob Goff had in mind when he wrote these words:
We actually build castles all the time, out of our jobs and our families and the things we’ve purchased. Sometimes we even make them out of each other…You see, castles have moats to keep creepy people out, but kingdoms have bridges to let everyone in. Castles have dungeons for people who have messed up, but kingdoms have grace. There’s one last thing castles have-trolls. You’ve probably met a couple.” (Everybody, Always-p.41)
Church should be a place where people can go to find safety. I was visiting with someone yesterday who has one year of sobriety under his belt. Yeah for him! Even though coming to church has not been on his radar that often, he knows he needs to be there and he knows he is welcome and accepted there. He has a friend who stopped going to church (he was going even though he tends to be an agnostic) because supposedly where he was going the pastor said something against the lifestyle of his daughter. Whether it is true or not, I don’t know. Neither did the man I was talking to. But I was pleased when he said, “But they are welcome at OVCF! You have always said that.” True on both counts. I reiterated that I may not agree with a person’s lifestyle and if asked would be honest, but would never ask that person to not come or to leave.
Why? Because church is a place for sinners…like me. It is a place of grace. It is a safe place where people can come to find help and love, a kingdom not a castle. There is much more to say on this topic but that is for another time. Until then, be a safe place for a person seeking solace and answers or simply needs to come in from out of the cold.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Grace, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Thursday, June 27th, 2024
All people matter to God, therefore they should matter to us.
Lately I’ve been reading a book on dementia entitled Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia by John Dunlop, MD. Because it seems to be becoming a bigger issue these days, I thought I’d read up on it and learn more. It has been an eye-opening book (in a good way). Over and over Dr Dunlop has emphasized the importance of dignity for the dementia sufferer, as well as it’s kissing cousin, Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Dunlop is a committed Christ-follower so his perspective is different than many in the medical field. Instead of writing them off as a “nuisance” and a “bother” for others, especially their caregivers, he pushes the belief that showing them dignity is first and foremost. One very helpful section is found on pages 123-125 where he gives a number of practical way we can express dignity. He does it from the perspective of entering their “world.”
But this devotion is not a book review. While he has obviously focused his attention on the dementia patient, I couldn’t help but make the correlation to others in our sphere on influence. Each person we come in contact with should be deemed a person who matters. Whether it is the same sex, ethnicity, color, position in life, or social status, we need to, no, we must see them as people who hold special importance in God’s eye. As a Christ-follower that means they must hold importance in my eyes as well. We may not always agree, we may not always get along, we may butt heads from time to time, but that should not change how much each of us should matter.
In James 2 James warns the church about choosing sides and showing preference to one group over another. He says it is a shame and a black mark to do so (my loose translation). Jesus Himself told the parable of the Good Samaritan and showed how a man who was hated because of his ethnicity was actually more of a brother than the so-called “religious people.”
We have all seen people snubbed because of political affiliation. We have all seen people snubbed because of color. We have all seen people snubbed because of sexual orientation. We have all seen people snubbed because of status. We have all seen people snubbed because of a medical condition. It is ugly. Like I said, I may not agree with someone’s opinion or lifestyle, and can’t compromise the truth, but at the same time that gives me NO RIGHT to denigrate or write someone off as being persona non grata because we are different.
Dementia patients deserve loving treatment. We all do. Let’s begin to give dignity to others. Let’s begin to treat others as we would like to be treated.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Alzheimer's, Choices, Christian Living, Church, Dementia, Dignity, Friendship, Jesus, Kindness, Lifestyle, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Truth Telling
Monday, June 24th, 2024
“Welcome to Pioneer Days.”
Those were the words I greeted people with yesterday. No, we didn’t have a dress-up Sunday. And no, Jesse James, Wild Bill, or any other cowboy came to visit. What made it like Pioneer Days was at 8:00 am
THE POWER WENT OUT.
I haven’t heard the exact cause although I have heard of a tree across a power line a few miles down the road, but then I heard of others who didn’t have power. One lives a good 10-15 miles from the church building and another lives a little over two the opposite direction. The people at the first service were real troopers and so we soldiered on. We sang with minimum instrumentation. We sang without the words on the screen (Power Point). I preached holding a little light in my hand so I could see my notes and Bible (that was weird). And by the time we were done the temperature and humidity in the building had become a sauna-like existence. It was so bad that even those who always come up to speak to me afterwards or to give me a hug left without doing either. I told someone I sure am glad I used deodorant and body spray! 🙂 Gail spoke to me. She said, “It used to be we didn’t have A/C in our houses and survived. Now we can barely function without it.” (Comments paraphrased). She’s right you know?
I am really proud of the folks from OVCF. I do feel bad for the first-time visitors we had. But then again, they did see us “trooper on.”
Back to my opening comment. It sure makes one wonder how in the world they did it back in Pioneer Days. No air. No fans. No electricity. Maybe because of that they could better manage a day like yesterday. Hot, humid, with temps in the 80s-90s. But we survived without power instruments. Without Power Point. Without air. Without lights. Without fans. I knew those bulletins we use are more than just to make our Bibles look thick. 🙂 Oh…five minutes after I gave the benediction the power came back on in time for a cool down for the second service.
Thankfully, our worship is not dependent on modern conveniences to be worship. Simple. Singularly focused. God-honoring. That is all we had…but that was enough.
{Note: There will be no meditation tomorrow. For a belated birthday present, we are taking Tami to see her beloved Atlanta Braves (cough cough) see the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis. We will be leaving this morning (Monday) and returning tomorrow. Your prayers for a safe trip would be appreciated). One good thing: I am wearing Pittsburgh Pirate shirt. 🙂 }
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Church, God's Plan, God's Word, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Worship
Thursday, June 6th, 2024
I thought I would be doing a post on Jacob wrestling with God. But something else has come to the forefront and takes importance. Some of it is not my words. They come from a blogging friend whom I have come to love at a (very long) distance and respect. Her husband, Dick, is a pastor and she has had (and still does have) her own blog. I’m going to put two links I would ask that you read. You may comment here or you may follow her and email her personally. That being said, I would still like to hear your thoughts.
There is a lot of ruminating and discussion going on in the church world concerning what our culture is demanding we accept. Probably the one affecting us the most is the whole Alphabet soup of letters and the acceptance of that lifestyle. While I am willing to accept anyone who walks through the doors of the church, and can be friendly to anyone, I cannot and will not affirm their lifestyle. There is a difference between acceptance and affirmation. That is not hatred. That is not judgment. It is standing on the Bible as the infallible, inerrant, Spirit-inspired Word of God. To compromise that is (in my mind and heart) to deny the faith. We are urged to “defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.“ (Jude 3). To read the next verse tells you why: “I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (emphasis mine) Can anyone say 2024? (And they have the nerve to say the Bible is so out-dated).
Pam writes from the heart. I will let her two blogs tell you her story.
Read this one first: https://2encourage.blogspot.com/2024/06/changes-in-umc.html
Read this one next: https://2encourage.blogspot.com/2024/05/try-little-kindness.html
Here was my email to Pam: Well…you sure did it in! 🙂 And I totally agree with you on both. Although not a member or any way affiliated with the UMC, I ache for those, like you and Dick, who want to stay true to God’s Word and find yourself on the outside not even being able to look in. I suspect there are many grieving with you over what is lost and probably will never be recovered. I have to think that what they deem a “world reaching decision” will, in actuality, destroy the UMC. One cannot compromise with the world and expect good results. I John 2:15-17 shows us that. In our effort to be “kind” we have fallen on the slippery slope and done a free fall.
Prayers for you and Dick to find your niche and place of service.
In all honesty, I stand firm with Dick and Pam and what I wrote. I see the downfall of the UMC and others of that ilk in the years to come. All one has to do is look at the more liberal denominations and see their decline in all ways in order to see the devastating affect of compromise. We are not “kind” if we withhold the truth of God’s Word and the results of rejection of it, and even more, Jesus.
I would like to know what you think. Feel free to comment here, but may I also encourage you to encourage Pam (and Dick).
{All Scripture from the New Living Translation}
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Church, Compromise, God's Word, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Truth Telling
Thursday, May 30th, 2024
I cheated. I wrote this post ahead of time just in case I did not make it back home Wednesday and we decided to stay the night somewhere. Here were the thoughts I postponed from yesterday’s post to give an update on Janna.
WHAT DO YOU THINK CONSTITUTES A GOOD FAMILY?
Of course, the answers are many. Here are a few: Empathy. Sympathy. Teamwork with teammates. Honesty. Taking responsibility. Accepting responsibility. Forgiveness. Space to allow for mistakes. The freedom to make mistakes and admit them. Love (obviously). Faith. Prayers. Shared shoulders. And the list goes on.
Now…consider the church as a family. The very same characteristics of a blood family are also to be there for a different kind of blood family.
In Isaiah 1 the people of Judah were acting very “unfamily-like.” Their outward actions were blatant displays of disrespect. Yeah…that happens in real families. To put it very bluntly, their outward actions did not show the state of their heart. Or maybe they did?
How easy it is to put on a show at home and with our church family. Jesus said the religious leaders’ lips said one thing but their hearts were far from Him. It is called “going through the motions.” Family members do that. Church family members to that also. They act like they like you, but what they do and say behind your back hurts like fire.
Frankly, self-concern replaces other-concern. It destroys families. It devastates church families. Arguing and fighting, even over petty things, plays havoc on a family’s unity. It does the same for a church family.
Don’t be a “ruiner;” be a builder.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Church, Family, Forgiveness, Friendship, Humility, Interactions, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Tuesday, May 28th, 2024
It has been a wild and wooly Memorial Day weekend. Instead of it being the laid-back-and-just-grill-a-hamburnger-or-bratwurst kind of holiday, mine was anything but laid back. And just so you know…I am not complaining. At all. There are times in a pastor’s life where all kinds of stuff happens that takes one out of a routine.
It started Saturday when I found my Saturday being a busy one. Normally, I get up early and go to the office for 1-2 hours then head to the Y for about a 1-1 1/2 hour workout. Then after my shower I head back to the office where I study and pull things together for Sunday. Around 1 or 2:00 I normally head HOME where I relax, study, read and visit with Jo for the rest of the day. This past Saturday we had planned on attending a wedding on Saturday afternoon, but my Saturday afternoon was all different. I found myself visiting someone at the Hospice House in Bloomington and then running to the Bloomington hospital to see someone I had just found out was in. When I got HOME that afternoon it was time to eat and rest. I had told the folks that I would probably not be able to attend the wedding because of my visits and also the need to study.
Sunday seemed to go off without a hitch until the storm came through. We were done with our worship and people were milling around as the deluge hit and then the power went off. NOW THAT WAS FUN!! Meanwhile, it is pouring like cats and dogs; people were getting soaked as they ran to their cars (even with umbrellas); and I hadn’t left the building. The rain slacked off until I decided to leave. Since I park at the back of the lot only one word can describe me. Can you say drenched? At the same time we are expecting our daughter and her significant other to get here to drop her off for a few days. They get here and fortunately, we never lost power in town. After lunch and a short visit, I spent the rest of the afternoon at the office due to the hectic nature of this week and made my way HOME early evening.
Monday I came to the office to do my Encounter Time since Janna was sleeping in the living room and I didn’t want to wake her. My slowed-down Monday took on a whole ‘nother dimension when I found myself going to the Hospice House again (for what may be my final visit) and then head to the hospital to visit two patients, one a new one with a stroke and an emergency surgery as a result. I finally made it HOME.
Today Janna has eye surgery with a follow up tomorrow and a trip to Ohio to take her to her home on Wednesday. Probably Thursday Jo and I will be back HOME.
You may be wondering: why the travelogue Bill? Notice the word I emphasized throughout the post. HOME. That word means different things to different people. HOME to me means a place of safety and security and love and acceptance and kindness and relaxation. A place of LOVE. Hmmmm sounds like what the church ought to be. And that is my focus these days. How can the church be a HOME? I have so much more to say and will…another time. This is already too long. But over the course of the next few weeks and months I will be sharing more of the church being a HOME.
Meanwhile, I may post tomorrow but will be out of commission until Monday. I’d appreciate your prayers for Janna’s surgery and our trip to Ohio and back.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Church, Home, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024
SIZE REALLY DOESN’T MATTER.
I’ve come to that settled conclusion. Now, lest someone get the very wrong idea that saying is a risque’ comment, let me correct you from the get-go. Some can accuse me of clickbait with that comment, but let no one think I’m being off-color. Not even close.
For years I lived and breathed size. Church size. The bigger the church, the better it looked for me. Man, how wrong I was!! Obsessed with having a big church, I attended all the church growth seminars/conferences. I heard “How to break the 200/300 barrier” or “How to grow to this size” more than I care to admit. I heard, ad infinitum ad nauseum, how I needed to move from being a pastor to being a vision-casting, rule-making, control-freaking, domineering-leaning, take-it-or-leave-it pastor. Oops, I mean CEO. The title “pastor” no longer meant shepherd; it meant “I’m the boss and you’ll do it my way, accept my vision, agree to follow or don’t let the door hit you on the way out” kind of leader. Can I scream now or later?
To my shame, I bought into that, BUT FORTUNATELY God knew my heart and personality better than I did at that time and knew I would NEVER feel comfortable sitting in an elevated chair of pomposity. The Scriptures also had a devastating effect on me: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Js. 4:6). “Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.” (Pr. 21:4) And here is one that came true: “No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.” (Pr. 21:30)
As I said that latter one came true. It’s called being fired or in softer terms: Being strongly encouraged to move on. God knew where my heart was. It was not in riding herd on sheep; it was not in trying to “beat them” into submission; it was not in threats or ultimatums; it WAS in being a shepherd. In loving the people in my care. In caring for them. In crying with them. In laughing with them. In doing life with them. In praying with and for them.
“Thank you Lord, that no one can stand against Your plans, especially me. I’m satisfied with a small church and people I love. I would much rather be in a small church contented and knowing I am in Your will than in a much bigger church where I sound like a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal. I will forever be grateful for your reality check over 20 years ago.”
{Note: All Scripture is from the New Living Translation}
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Church, Contentment, God's Plan, Humility, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Pastor/shepherd, Reflection, Story, Surrender
Thursday, May 16th, 2024
There are a lot of ways to destroy a church, a business, or even a friendship. Since my job is the pastor of a church, let me focus on that.
First, it is really important to clarify a term. By church I am NOT referring to any physical structures. A physical structure can be destroyed any number of ways (like many around the world are today), but the church can go on…and does. A natural disaster. A mob bent on destruction. A vengeful act. An act of hatred. Houses of worship can be leveled.
But a more insidious type of destruction is one from within. A wolf in sheep’s clothing can sneak in and spread false teaching. A leader can “ride herd” on a church and bring it to its knees (check out 3 John 9-10 and the story of Diotrephes). There is one type I think that brings more churches to its knees (not in a good way) than just about any other. This verse from Proverbs 16:28 says all that needs said: “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” (NLT)
It’s easy to see. You want to destroy a church? You want to destroy a company? You want to destroy a friendship? Gossip. Be a troublemaker. Or let them go unchecked. Let it go unchecked and watch the dominoes fall. Little by little. Piece by piece. All that will be left is a pile of ashes or rubble. If the enemy can get the people inside bickering, talking smack, spreading poison or something as ugly, he will have found the way to bring the church down. It is the most effective way and he didn’t need a bulldozer to accomplish his feat.
Don’t be part of the problem; be part of the solution. Stop the gossip and the gossiper.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Gossip, Grace, Humility, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Troublemaker
