Reflections From Sunday Evening

I had lunch with Israel Kamudzandu.  Israel is the New Testament professor at Saint Paul School of Theology.  We were talking about the most important things in the Church.  He and I are of the same mind in believing that evangelism is central to our purpose.  If we are going to make a disciple of Jesus Christ we must evangelize.  If we are going to transform the world we must evangelize.
A couple things come to mind in this light.  We have a great new building.  We have provided excellent space for fellowship and opportunities to connect with people in the gathering space.  We have provided an up-to-date modern worship center  where we may worship and connect with God.  We have a great youth center where youth may be formed with a Christian identity.
With all that we must discover a new motivation to reach out to those who do not know Christ and are not connected to the faith and a faith community.  We call this evangelism.  We have good news to share and this is essential to our purpose.
In another context I think about the horrific shooting in Olathe.  There is much conversation about "hate crimes" and people who are "other".  We have more and more issues brought out into the open that demand our attention, conversation and action.
But I believe that we can make all sorts of laws and rules -- we can change structures and systems, and we definitely need to work in these areas - but until we change the human heart our efforts will fall short.
If a person has a "sinful" heart changing their environment will not make it good.  If a person has a racist heart (that would be an example of a sinful heart) and then that darkness gets further clouded with alcohol abuse some evil things will come forth.  We need to change hearts which change lives which promote the common good and overcome sin.
What I just described is the result of evangelism, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
There is much at stake.  What will we do?
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Remember.
I remember when...
I remember fondly....
I wish I did not remember...
I remember the time...
Do this in remembrance of me...
Remembering is an important part of faith and life.  This weekend Cindy and I did some "remembering."  On Saturday we drove to Baldwin City, Kansas and went to a basketball game at Baker University - just for fun.  We walked across the campus.  We remembered when we were there.  We remembered the people some of the buildings are named for.  We remembered where we spent so much of our time.  It was good remembering.
On Sunday we went to church at First UMC in Stillwell, Kansas.  I had never been to the church before but the pastor is a man I remember being one of the first clergy I met when I attended my first Missouri (West) Annual Conference.  Rob and Robin Winger have become friends through the years but we have not stayed in touch.  This fall we found ourselves among some other clergy friends (that go back a ways!) at a clergy gathering.  We spent a couple of days remembering.
It was good to visit with Rob and Robin.  It was good to remember.
He did share with the congregation that we were there and where we were serving.  After church two or three people came up to us and commented about Platte Woods.  Some remembered that was the first church we joined after we got married and moved to Kansas City.  Some remembered "Melody Farms" and how their parents were there in the beginning.  Some remembered the "new sanctuary".
There is much to remember.  On this "Presidents Day" perhaps you can take a couple of moments to remember.
Remember the people and the experiences that have positively contributed to you being who you are today.
Secondly remember that we are creating remembrances every day.  What will you remember?  What will you create to remember in your future?
In the next few days I think I'll give Rob Winger a call and figure out a time we can make a new remembrance.
Have a great day.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today Pastor Jake began a sermon series on "How's Your Soul?"  That is an excellent question.  I recall several years ago arriving at a church meeting and saw a friend from another town.  It was not really planned but I asked her how her soul was.  She looked at me and expressed gratitude for the question and then said no one had ever asked her that before.  It did her soul good to share.
Many years ago in a study on prayer a long time member of the church found herself in the "prayer chair" which was part of the study.  We gathered around her and prayed.  She was visibly moved and looked at me and reported no one had ever prayed for her like that in her life.
What are some of the spiritual questions you wish someone would ask?  This month I hope everyone gives consideration to the question, "How's Your Soul?"
The early Methodists did not hesitate to deal with these spiritual essentials.  In their groups soul questions were basic.  And together they shared.  They probed into the hearts of one another.  They grew from the victories and were strengthened by the challenges.
How is your soul?  Take some time to look inside your soul.  Reflect on your spiritual life.  May it be well with your soul.  May you increase in loving God with all your heart, soul and mind.
On another note...
Today we announced that Rev. Dr. Nancy Liston will be appointed to serve as our pastor of Congregational Care beginning March 1.  Keep Nancy in your prayers during this time of transition in her life and in the life of Platte Woods.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections from Sunday Evening

Here are a couple of reflections from Super Sunday.
Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback ever.
The Patriots played and won an amazing game.
The Falcons did not "choke" - they just got beat.
With that said I think about the idea of "greatness".  We think of greatness in many categories.  The greatest baseball hitter of all time - the greatest pitcher.  What about basketball?  Lebron, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Michael?
Who is the greatest inventor of all time?
Who is the greatest businessman of all time?
Who is the greatest teacher you ever had?
These are questions that have no answers.  (Except the quarterback thing).
Greatness is determined by many factors and depends on perspective.
But then I think of Jesus talking to his disciples about greatness.  While grown men were debating who was the greatest Jesus pointed them to a little child.  While grown men were debating who was the greatest Jesus told them the servant was the greatest.  That whole "first shall be last and last shall be first" thing is worth reflection.
If you want to be great be a servant.  That is why we stress "servant leadership" among our staff.  It is in line with what Jesus taught.
We should all aspire to greatness.  But it is the greatness as Jesus taught it.
On another note...
This Sunday we will make an announcement regarding our Congregational Care position.  I hope you are in church to hear it.
On another note...
I have tried to catch a cold since Christmas and finally succeeded!  Hopefully cold meds and a little extra rest will help.  Take care of yourselves.
It's been a (somewhat) great day.  Have a great day yourself.
steve