This afternoon we had a great turnout for our State of the Church/Church Conference. We elected our leadership for the coming year. We recommended a person for ministry. We noted some important reports that reflect work done this past year. Mike Cole shared our finances and other current trends. I took us through the prescriptions from our Healthy Church Initiative. We are certainly making progress! But there is much more to go.
It is hard work to fulfill a mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. It is actually simpler to "build a church." But we are committed to making disciples.
We will be persistent. We will be dedicated. We will be diligent. We will trust the Lord and continually seek to be faithful in our call to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
We've been at this task all day. And it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Reflections From Sunday Evening
In high school I remember reading three books about football coaches. John Mc Kay, Bear Bryant, and Joe Paterno. Everyone has become aware of the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked Penn State University. This has sadly marred Coach Paterno's legacy. Today Paterno died after a bout with cancer.
I suppose everyone who follows football wishes things had been done much differently at Penn State.
We wish none of these things affected the Church, in particular the Catholic Church.
Sadly in a fallen world terrible things take place. There is no justification for these things but there is hope.
We trust the Church will come to grips with her struggles and move forward with the redemptive message of the gospel.
Penn State will deal with their failures.
Somehow I believe the legacy of Joe Paterno will also move on. He could have done more - by his own admission. Hind site is always great.
I pray Paterno's experience serve to remind all of us of how fragile our lives are. May God give us strength and grace today and every day.
Steve
I suppose everyone who follows football wishes things had been done much differently at Penn State.
We wish none of these things affected the Church, in particular the Catholic Church.
Sadly in a fallen world terrible things take place. There is no justification for these things but there is hope.
We trust the Church will come to grips with her struggles and move forward with the redemptive message of the gospel.
Penn State will deal with their failures.
Somehow I believe the legacy of Joe Paterno will also move on. He could have done more - by his own admission. Hind site is always great.
I pray Paterno's experience serve to remind all of us of how fragile our lives are. May God give us strength and grace today and every day.
Steve
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Reflections From Sunday Evening
It was said of an old time Methodist preacher - Clovis Chappell - that he was a person God could trust with a vital Christian experience.
Today we mentioned that often a person "wins" the lottery only to see their life take a terrible turn and end up losing everything. It is obvious that some people cannot handle great success. On the other hand many others thrive.
The point made was this: If you live beyond your means when you have little you will live further beyond your means should you have much.
It is an issue of character.
Jesus referred to those who were faithful with little receiving much. A matter of character.
Jesus also referred to those who were unfaithful with little - they would forfeit even that. Character.
The good news is that we may develop character - good character - specifically Christian character. In that perhaps we too could be trusted with a vital Christian experience.
On another note - Today we introduced Jessica Duncan as our new Director of Children's Ministry. Jessica comes here from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area. Next Sunday we will have a welcome reception for Jessica. Be sure to meet her and make her welcome.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Today we mentioned that often a person "wins" the lottery only to see their life take a terrible turn and end up losing everything. It is obvious that some people cannot handle great success. On the other hand many others thrive.
The point made was this: If you live beyond your means when you have little you will live further beyond your means should you have much.
It is an issue of character.
Jesus referred to those who were faithful with little receiving much. A matter of character.
Jesus also referred to those who were unfaithful with little - they would forfeit even that. Character.
The good news is that we may develop character - good character - specifically Christian character. In that perhaps we too could be trusted with a vital Christian experience.
On another note - Today we introduced Jessica Duncan as our new Director of Children's Ministry. Jessica comes here from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area. Next Sunday we will have a welcome reception for Jessica. Be sure to meet her and make her welcome.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Reflections From Sunday Evening
I am in the middle of teaching The Wesleyan Movement to Course of Study students at St. Paul School of Theology. I get to work with a great group of students. I find myself learning more by teaching than if I were in the classroom.
The Wesleyan Movement is fascinating (at least it is to me). John Wesley began to encourage people to "flee from the wrath to come." That was all it took to be welcome in a Methodist society. Soon a movement began. Should they have written a "mission statement" it would have read - "to spread Scriptural Christianity throughout the land and reform the continent." In reality the movement had that effect!
This is our tradition. Over time our "movement" has become an "institution." In an article by Tim Keller the distinctives of a movement and an institution were given. A movement is marked by
1. Sacrificial commitment;
2. Generous flexibility;
3. Innovation; and
4. Spontaneous generativity (energy is generated within).
An institution is marked by rules, regulations and procedures. An institution does not necessarily have a shared vision.
Looking at our movement from a historical perspective the impact has been amazing. We face the challenge in our times of recapturing some movement momentum.
We find tastes of the Wesleyan Movement from time to time and from place to place. Today in worship there was a sense of "movement." When the people of God find themself in the presence of God a movement of God becomes possible.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
The Wesleyan Movement is fascinating (at least it is to me). John Wesley began to encourage people to "flee from the wrath to come." That was all it took to be welcome in a Methodist society. Soon a movement began. Should they have written a "mission statement" it would have read - "to spread Scriptural Christianity throughout the land and reform the continent." In reality the movement had that effect!
This is our tradition. Over time our "movement" has become an "institution." In an article by Tim Keller the distinctives of a movement and an institution were given. A movement is marked by
1. Sacrificial commitment;
2. Generous flexibility;
3. Innovation; and
4. Spontaneous generativity (energy is generated within).
An institution is marked by rules, regulations and procedures. An institution does not necessarily have a shared vision.
Looking at our movement from a historical perspective the impact has been amazing. We face the challenge in our times of recapturing some movement momentum.
We find tastes of the Wesleyan Movement from time to time and from place to place. Today in worship there was a sense of "movement." When the people of God find themself in the presence of God a movement of God becomes possible.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Relfections From New Year's Day - 2012 - Books
Here is what I've been reading this year.
I try to read some "fun" books. This year I read a Tom Clancy novel. (I jsut got a new one so I'll probably enjoy another this year.) I also read a couple of Stephen Lawhead novels (Scence Fiction) - "Skin Map" & "The Bone House."
Some of the business/leadership books this year include:
"Drive" by Daniel Pink; "Switch" by Heath & Heath; and "Managing Transitions" by William Bridges. A recurring theme highlights emerging styles of leadership, ie. lead with encouragement, responsibility and trust rather than "sticks & carrots."
A very enjoyable read was "Golf's Sacred Journey." It also became a movie - Seven Days in Utopia. Inspiring.
Books like "Radical"by David Platt, "Bearing Fruit" by Lovett Weems; "Veneer" by Willard & Lacy; "Weird" by Craig Groeschel provide new insights for ministry and living the faith.
A book by Kenda Creasy Dean, "Almost Christian" is very enlightening. You will hear me talk about faith being much more than 'moral, therapuetic deism.'
"You Lost Me" by Kinnaman gives insight into what young adults who grew up in the faith but have left the church teach us.
I just finished "American Saint" by Wigger. This is the story of Francis Asbury and the rise of American Methodism. I found it to be an amazing story and very inspiring.
There were others but these stand out.
I've learned a lot this year and look forward to new discoveries in 2012.
The new year is off to a good start. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve
I try to read some "fun" books. This year I read a Tom Clancy novel. (I jsut got a new one so I'll probably enjoy another this year.) I also read a couple of Stephen Lawhead novels (Scence Fiction) - "Skin Map" & "The Bone House."
Some of the business/leadership books this year include:
"Drive" by Daniel Pink; "Switch" by Heath & Heath; and "Managing Transitions" by William Bridges. A recurring theme highlights emerging styles of leadership, ie. lead with encouragement, responsibility and trust rather than "sticks & carrots."
A very enjoyable read was "Golf's Sacred Journey." It also became a movie - Seven Days in Utopia. Inspiring.
Books like "Radical"by David Platt, "Bearing Fruit" by Lovett Weems; "Veneer" by Willard & Lacy; "Weird" by Craig Groeschel provide new insights for ministry and living the faith.
A book by Kenda Creasy Dean, "Almost Christian" is very enlightening. You will hear me talk about faith being much more than 'moral, therapuetic deism.'
"You Lost Me" by Kinnaman gives insight into what young adults who grew up in the faith but have left the church teach us.
I just finished "American Saint" by Wigger. This is the story of Francis Asbury and the rise of American Methodism. I found it to be an amazing story and very inspiring.
There were others but these stand out.
I've learned a lot this year and look forward to new discoveries in 2012.
The new year is off to a good start. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve
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