Monday, January 31, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening (Monday this week)

Bracing for a highly probable winter storm. Since I've been pretty much wrong on everything we've done on snowy days so far this winter I've decided to "err" on the side of keeping people home instead of trying to keep things going as usual at church. (Unless of course we are talking about Sunday morning - simply won't give it!) So ... we've canceled this evening's activities and are closing the church tomorrow. We'll see.

It does give me a moment to continue to reflect on a really good weekend. The attendance was good and the Spirit was alive! I keep thinking about an idea that surfaced in the context of our text: "I (Jesus) am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

The idea is this - when we get hold of an exclusive claim such as Jesus makes we tend to reduce it to a more and more narrow form until it becomes a pinpoint. The same truth in the hands of Jesus explodes into a universally redemptive hope. Just thinking ...

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Well it looks like the serious snow moved around the K.C. area. It was blustery this morning but we still had a good crowd for worship. What an amazing church!

We were talking about the church this weekend. At its best the church is a living, organic, growing, redemptive body of Christ.

The Church offers a fellowship of believers. Jesus invited us to "abide" in him. That means Jesus lives in and through us and we live in Christ. Since Jesus is not physically walking on the earth today we live into this vision by "abiding" - residing in - dwelling with - the Church.

The Church is a redemptive fellowship where grace abounds.
The Church is a movement of God's salvation plan.
The Church is hope for a despairing world.
The Church is light in the darkness.
The Church is a door to eternal life.
The Church is a window to the heart of God.
At its best, the Church is a fellowship of believers living the vision of God's plans and purposes.

I am blessed to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ - I consider it a blessing to be part of the United Methodist "tribe." I find it a great joy to be pastor of our church.

Next week we finish up our sermon series on I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT... and will address the question, "Is There Really Just One Way?"

The next series will be "After You Believe." I see us growing in grace and discovering more and more of what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

One more thing ... tomorrow evening at 6:30 we have a church conference where we will elect our leadership council. This is an important step in our Healthy Church Initiative. I hope you will support our leaders and share the vision.

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Dr. Myron McCoy preached today - "I Believe in God, But ... Why Isn't Life Fair?" It was a challenging message. I am very grateful to Myron for sharing with us today. His text was Rev. 21:1-6 (you should read it). It speaks of the new heaven and earth. Old things pass away. All tears & sorrow will be gone. This is the vision we Christians hold to and find ourselves being drawn toward.

Sometimes I sense signs of God drawing us toward his vision. Yesterday I officiated at a memorial service for a member of our church. After some soul searching her daughter decided to share her thoughts in the service. She told me she had cried all the tears and wanted to share about her mom. She did a magnificent job. It was not the easiest thing she will ever do in her life but will certainly be among the most meaningful.

She spoke with joy and the confidence of faith. To me, it was like our being drawn to the vision of a new way. All tears will be wiped away and all things will become new. Yesterday I saw the tears yield to joyful thanks for a life well lived. In an even greater way God speaks, promises, draws, moves, encourages, nudges and pulls us ever closer to the new life He is fashioning for us and in us.

Today's message was a good reminder that God is certainly not finished with what He started in this good creation. We have things to do in order for the vision of new life to be realized in our world.

Worship was great today (as always). The church was a great place to be today.

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Well Chiefs fans, that went well!

On another note let me share some good news for our church as we conclude 2010 and enter 2011.

We ended the year on a strong note:
  • 2,200 participated in our Christmas Eve Candlelight services. The weather certainly helped with this great turnout. It is a strong indication that people are eager to experience the presence of God in their lives.
  • Our church finances finished up strong
    - 2010 giving was up 11% over the previous year.
    - 2010 giving exceeded budget by 6%.
    - 2010 expenses actually came in $20,000 below budget. (Our church staff does a great job with spending.)
    - 2011 pledge cards indicate an increase of over $150,000 from last year.
    - There were 25 more pledge cards returned for 2011 than we had last year. This includes those who participate in ACH giving.
    - 69 people "stepped up" their giving for 2011. This is seven more stepping up than we had last year.

So you get the idea that the church responded with great generosity in 2010. I thank God for everyone who shares in our ministry. We are truly in a position to take positive steps forward as we move into a new year.

On a down note our average attendance in worship decreased by three percent. We averaged 791 people per weekend in 2010. (Undoubtedly the severe weather in January and February last year hurt these numbers.) We did finish the year on an upswing, so hopefully we will build momentum and see an increase in participation this year.

So what does all this say to us as we enter 2011? We will be implementing prescriptions from our Healthy Church Initiative. We will have opportunities to respond to the challenge to reach new people for Christ. We will have opportunities to continue to strengthen our ministries that lead us to deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. We will have opportunities to upgrade our facility and our ministries.

This week people will be nominated for our new Church Leadership Council. Soon we will be fully engaged in the work of setting the course for our church to move into God's preferred future.

I have deep appreciation for all who pray, worship, serve, give and express the love of Christ in and through Platte Woods United Methodist Church. It is truly an honor to be your pastor.

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.