This week I read a book titled "The Shark and the Goldfish" by Jon Gordon. It is a brief parable with a simple message. A goldfish is accustomed to swimming in a controlled setting and having someone come along and feed them each day. If you live in a fishbowl it is secure, safe but very confined. However if you don't know you are confined, does it really matter? Anyway one day this goldfish finds itself out of the fishbowl and in the ocean.
He meets a very friendly shark. (Most sharks are very kind - it's just those rogue sharks in movies like "Jaws" that give them a bad name.) A shark is different from a goldfish. They live in the vast ocean. Each day they set out and find their food. The options are much greater. The effort is also greater.
The good news is that the shark is able to teach the goldfish to find its own food in the vast ocean. Suddenly the world has expanded and the options are huge.
The book's audience is business. But it has a word for the church. For so long we (in the church) have been accustomed to living in the fishbowl. We are like the goldfish. We have a comfortable setting. We are used to having enough people come along and keep us going. (That is like the goldfish being fed each day.) So in essence we swim around in our confined area and do what we are most accustomed to doing.
That may have been the way things worked for a long time - but no longer. We may still be in our confined fishbowl but nobody is coming along feeding us any longer. It would be good if we became sharks. (The nice, kind type of course.) We could develop a self-understanding of Christians living in the vast ocean with unlimited possibilities of reaching new people.
If any of us still think we are goldfish we should probably think again. That is not our reality. The sooner we grasp the good news that we live in a vastly different place (ocean) and get out and search for others each day the sooner we will discover the freedom of being a kind, gracious shark.
Certainly the parable breaks down - all illustrations do. But the day has come for us to leave the comfort of the fishbowl and head to the vast ocean that is filled with people who need Christ.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Blessings.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Yesterday Rev. Bob Farr, our conference director of Congregational Excellence, met with some of us and explained the Healthy Church Initiative (HCI). We are currently completing a congregational self-study that will be submitted this week. November 5-7 a team from our conference, led by Rev. Doug Anderson of the Reuben Job Institute in Indiana, will be on-site to conduct a consultation. It will be a weekend of interviews and discernment. On Sunday afternoon, November 7, we will gather as a congregation and hear the report read. In the report will be five strengths that will have been identified and five weaknesses. The heart of the report will be five prescriptions that will be offered to us. In the following three weeks we will convene a series of town hall meetings where everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions and glean understanding of the prescriptions. Then we will have a church conference and vote. Assuming we accept all the prescriptions we will be in a 36-month coaching relationship as we move forward in mission and ministry.
This is a significant moment in the life of PWUMC. Unlike many churches that find themselves involved in HCI we are already a healthy church. However we are a church that has been "plateaued" for some time. The reality is that when a church is where we are it will either grow or decline. The nature of the Church is that nothing ever stays the same. Our desire and intention is to grow by reaching new people for Jesus Christ and finding ways to include others in the mission and ministry of our church.
So that is what is going on. There will be much more information forthcoming. We begin to pray now for what God has in store as we move forward into our future.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
This is a significant moment in the life of PWUMC. Unlike many churches that find themselves involved in HCI we are already a healthy church. However we are a church that has been "plateaued" for some time. The reality is that when a church is where we are it will either grow or decline. The nature of the Church is that nothing ever stays the same. Our desire and intention is to grow by reaching new people for Jesus Christ and finding ways to include others in the mission and ministry of our church.
So that is what is going on. There will be much more information forthcoming. We begin to pray now for what God has in store as we move forward into our future.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Today our children moved to new classrooms. Time to move up. It is always a time to renew things as we enter the fall. New teachers and many who have faithfully served previously all greeted our students. I have a great deal of confidence in all those who work with our children. Join me in praying the children learn the love of Christ and what the Bible teaches. It should prove to be an exciting time.
It was also great to see some new faces in our music groups today. Wesleyan Choir had new faces as did our Praise Team. Another great sign of the Lord's presence with us.
We still have a lot of work ahead of us. There are so many all around us whose relationship with the Lord will be greatly enhanced through our witness and encouragement. I hope you will look for an opportunity to be an encourager of the faith this week. Nudge someone to recognize God's presence and work in their life.
I'm looking forward to spending a few hours with several other clergy and Leonard Sweet. Len is a very inspiring thinker, writer and teacher. I'll be among a group of pastors who spend tomorrow with him in a retreat setting. He always stirs something in my soul.
Enjoyed being with everyone this morning. It is still intimidating to think I am preaching about parenting. But seemed to go okay today. Next week we look at discipline. Hope to see you.
Been taking it easy this afternoon. In a little while Cindy and I will go to Starlight and see "Rain." So I get 2 hours of Beatles music this evening.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
It was also great to see some new faces in our music groups today. Wesleyan Choir had new faces as did our Praise Team. Another great sign of the Lord's presence with us.
We still have a lot of work ahead of us. There are so many all around us whose relationship with the Lord will be greatly enhanced through our witness and encouragement. I hope you will look for an opportunity to be an encourager of the faith this week. Nudge someone to recognize God's presence and work in their life.
I'm looking forward to spending a few hours with several other clergy and Leonard Sweet. Len is a very inspiring thinker, writer and teacher. I'll be among a group of pastors who spend tomorrow with him in a retreat setting. He always stirs something in my soul.
Enjoyed being with everyone this morning. It is still intimidating to think I am preaching about parenting. But seemed to go okay today. Next week we look at discipline. Hope to see you.
Been taking it easy this afternoon. In a little while Cindy and I will go to Starlight and see "Rain." So I get 2 hours of Beatles music this evening.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Friday, September 10, 2010
the eve of 9-11
Don't burn a Quran - read one if you feel like doing something. Personally I wouldn't read it for inspiration but rather for information. And some information about the Islamic faith would not hurt those of us who are committed, dedicated and sincere about following Jesus Christ.
Sometime tomorrow I will remember those events of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center 9 years ago. I'll remember Vanessa, our administrative assistant calling the church to tell us what had just happened. I'll remember setting up the television sets and watching those attacks - over and over and over. I'll remember the session with a couple I was trying to lead and finally giving up and telling them we need to try again later. I'll remember lines on the street outside the church to get gas. I'll think about going on the 5:30 a.m. show at a local tv station and talking about our Christian perspective on the events. At least I had the sense to tell people our response should not be revenge. We need not be agressors against Muslim Americans and we would come through this. I'll remember the noon service we hosted at our downtown church and how the sanctuary was filled with people coming to sing and pray. I'll remember.
We all remember. I would really like for us to remember the heroic deeds of that day. I'd like to remember the courage exhibited by so many in so many ways. I'd like to remember prayers, support, encouragement, care, help. There are so many amazing things for us to remember.
I'd also like for us to get past some of these misguided responses we see these days. Please pastor, you don't need to get your flock together and burn a Quran. We Americans just don't do that. Sure we get our Christian values stomped on from time to time but we don't stop praying, forgiving and loving people - even those who choose not to love us. We don't need to build ourselves up by tearing down someone else. We don't have to focus on an enemy to find inspiration to move forward. We don't need to be defined by what we are against.
So there is a lot for us to think about on this eve of 9-11 and through the day tomorrow.
Remember - to pray - to thank God that He is still at work among us - to exhibit the best of our Christian values - to follow Jesus.
blessings,
steve
Sometime tomorrow I will remember those events of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center 9 years ago. I'll remember Vanessa, our administrative assistant calling the church to tell us what had just happened. I'll remember setting up the television sets and watching those attacks - over and over and over. I'll remember the session with a couple I was trying to lead and finally giving up and telling them we need to try again later. I'll remember lines on the street outside the church to get gas. I'll think about going on the 5:30 a.m. show at a local tv station and talking about our Christian perspective on the events. At least I had the sense to tell people our response should not be revenge. We need not be agressors against Muslim Americans and we would come through this. I'll remember the noon service we hosted at our downtown church and how the sanctuary was filled with people coming to sing and pray. I'll remember.
We all remember. I would really like for us to remember the heroic deeds of that day. I'd like to remember the courage exhibited by so many in so many ways. I'd like to remember prayers, support, encouragement, care, help. There are so many amazing things for us to remember.
I'd also like for us to get past some of these misguided responses we see these days. Please pastor, you don't need to get your flock together and burn a Quran. We Americans just don't do that. Sure we get our Christian values stomped on from time to time but we don't stop praying, forgiving and loving people - even those who choose not to love us. We don't need to build ourselves up by tearing down someone else. We don't have to focus on an enemy to find inspiration to move forward. We don't need to be defined by what we are against.
So there is a lot for us to think about on this eve of 9-11 and through the day tomorrow.
Remember - to pray - to thank God that He is still at work among us - to exhibit the best of our Christian values - to follow Jesus.
blessings,
steve
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Garrison Keillor might begin by saying, "Well it's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, my hometown." I could say the same. "It's been a quiet and nice week in K.C. - my town!" Cindy and I have been off this week. Doing stuff around the house - supper at Andrea's one night - a short trip to visit Mom and Dad (ate a bunch of homemade ice cream) - high school football - out to Baker for the game Saturday evening - staying up later and sleeping in (about 6:30 seems to be as late as I can sleep) - visiting another church today and then saw some of our friends - a couple more jobs around the house tomorrow and then back to it.
It was a quiet week in Appleton City, my hometown. Went on a drive with Mom and Dad and Cindy. We drove east of town and turned south on the country road where we lived as I was growing up. I looked to the west and where the houses (Bartimus and Beard) used to be there was a field. We came to the house I grew up in and it has changed a lot.
Something shrunk. Outside the house is a yard light. Southeast of the light is a milkbarn. The distance between the two must have shrunk. It was under that light that I used to take a plastic ball bat and hit rocks toward the milkbarn. It represented the right field line. Must have been at least 330 feet. Between rocks and plastic whiffle balls I must have hit hundreds of homers (in addition to breaking every window in the barn multiple times!). But the other day it was only a few feet away. Time makes things seem shorter.
So many things seem shorter. Days off, vacations, time itself seems to quicken the pace. I suppose I could make a case for everything seeming to go so much faster - therefore shorter - except sermons! That is where I get caught in the moment and tend to stop time. Maybe I'll teach you how to listen to sermons in the same way and we'll all be happy!
It's been a great day - a great week. I hope you've had a good day too and may your Labor Day give you one more group of moments to be thankful for the gift of work, labor and meaning.
Blessings.
It was a quiet week in Appleton City, my hometown. Went on a drive with Mom and Dad and Cindy. We drove east of town and turned south on the country road where we lived as I was growing up. I looked to the west and where the houses (Bartimus and Beard) used to be there was a field. We came to the house I grew up in and it has changed a lot.
Something shrunk. Outside the house is a yard light. Southeast of the light is a milkbarn. The distance between the two must have shrunk. It was under that light that I used to take a plastic ball bat and hit rocks toward the milkbarn. It represented the right field line. Must have been at least 330 feet. Between rocks and plastic whiffle balls I must have hit hundreds of homers (in addition to breaking every window in the barn multiple times!). But the other day it was only a few feet away. Time makes things seem shorter.
So many things seem shorter. Days off, vacations, time itself seems to quicken the pace. I suppose I could make a case for everything seeming to go so much faster - therefore shorter - except sermons! That is where I get caught in the moment and tend to stop time. Maybe I'll teach you how to listen to sermons in the same way and we'll all be happy!
It's been a great day - a great week. I hope you've had a good day too and may your Labor Day give you one more group of moments to be thankful for the gift of work, labor and meaning.
Blessings.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Who would have thought a sermon series on tv game shows would create such buzz? Glad it did and trust people will continue to talk and more importantly be increasingly aware of God being involved in every dimension of our lives.
Here is a little re-cap.
Let's Make a Deal -- Jacob says to God "if you will ---- then I will....." We'd be better off not trying to bargain the terms of our relationship with the Lord.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? -- perhaps the better question - What must I do to inherit eternal life? -- true riches are experienced in relationship to Christ.
A Minute to Win It -- God is continually intersecting our lives and we seek to recognize and respond to the presence of the Lord in all of culture and interactions with others.
The Price is Right -- Come buy, without money! -- The Showcase of Faith includes grace, mercy, pardon & forgiveness, virtue, fruitfulness and eternal life -- the cost - zero -- the cost - everything - faith, trust, commitment, love and life.
From here we will moving into a series on "Parenting." Hopefully there will be something for everyone in this three week series during september with a special emphasis on that season of life where we are raising children.
Then we will do a series on "Balance." We'll talk about finding balance in how we use our time and especially find some important ideas about financial balance.
In November we will do a series on "Healthy Church." Details to come!
December will be a time to look at "Polaris" - the North Star.
In January our series will be "I Believe in God But....."
I'd love to get more "previews" out so people will be able to do some prep work and hopefully get more out of our worship services. It has been a busy and fast summer. Looking forward to a few days off now. Then ready for Fall. Good things are happening. I pray they happen in your life!
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve
Here is a little re-cap.
Let's Make a Deal -- Jacob says to God "if you will ---- then I will....." We'd be better off not trying to bargain the terms of our relationship with the Lord.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? -- perhaps the better question - What must I do to inherit eternal life? -- true riches are experienced in relationship to Christ.
A Minute to Win It -- God is continually intersecting our lives and we seek to recognize and respond to the presence of the Lord in all of culture and interactions with others.
The Price is Right -- Come buy, without money! -- The Showcase of Faith includes grace, mercy, pardon & forgiveness, virtue, fruitfulness and eternal life -- the cost - zero -- the cost - everything - faith, trust, commitment, love and life.
From here we will moving into a series on "Parenting." Hopefully there will be something for everyone in this three week series during september with a special emphasis on that season of life where we are raising children.
Then we will do a series on "Balance." We'll talk about finding balance in how we use our time and especially find some important ideas about financial balance.
In November we will do a series on "Healthy Church." Details to come!
December will be a time to look at "Polaris" - the North Star.
In January our series will be "I Believe in God But....."
I'd love to get more "previews" out so people will be able to do some prep work and hopefully get more out of our worship services. It has been a busy and fast summer. Looking forward to a few days off now. Then ready for Fall. Good things are happening. I pray they happen in your life!
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
I've been thinking about the mosque being planned as part of a project two blocks from Ground Zero in New York. There has been some very heated conversation regarding the pros and cons of such a project. Some believe freedom of religion mandates that all religions have opportunity so the project should be approved. Some believe the horror of 9-11 prohibits the construction of a house of worship that is identified with the religious sentiments of those who perpetrated the attack.
To begin I confess I am nowhere near an authority on Islam. As a matter of fact I confess I am not a great fan of this particular religious system. I am a Christian without compromise. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. It is my hope that my faith inform my opinions regarding issues of the day.
So as a follower of Christ and a non-champion of Islam what should I think about building a mosque in such close proximity to the place where terrorists attacked?
I have been reminded of some of our statements in the aftermath of 9-11. One of the telling remarks was "we will not forgive - we will not forget." If that is our sentiment there would certainly be no mosque near Ground Zero - or anywhere else for that matter.
We will certainly not forget. That day has been burned into our minds and souls. But what about forgiveness?
I've been saying - because I read it somewhere and can't remember where - that the three great world religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam each make a unique contribution. Judaism gives us a great depth of family and community. Islam contributes devotion to prayer. Christianity's unique contribution is forgiveness.
So I have a challenge. I may easily identify with those who lost loved ones and friends in the terror attacks and cannot really blame them for not wanting any symbol of our "enemy" to be constructed. Even so I am not able to say "I will never forgive." Central to my faith is the message of Jesus and his instructions to forgive - even your enemy.
Personally I would probably hope to be more sensitive to others and would not initiate a project that would have the effect of the Islamic Center in New York. With that said I would also choose to error on the side of religious freedom, even for those with whom I do not agree or find common ground.
I'm not sure what will actually happen but I hope we are able to still the storm surrounding this passionate issue. When it all gets settled I will always take the best of our Christian faith and put it up with the best of any other philosophy or religion and watch Christianity carry the day and win the hearts and souls of people.
Glad to get that said. It's been a really good day. Church was super. The spirit and joy were priceless. I pray that the Living God intersect your life today and that you recognize and respond to the grace at work in your life!
I hope you've had a good day too.
To begin I confess I am nowhere near an authority on Islam. As a matter of fact I confess I am not a great fan of this particular religious system. I am a Christian without compromise. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. It is my hope that my faith inform my opinions regarding issues of the day.
So as a follower of Christ and a non-champion of Islam what should I think about building a mosque in such close proximity to the place where terrorists attacked?
I have been reminded of some of our statements in the aftermath of 9-11. One of the telling remarks was "we will not forgive - we will not forget." If that is our sentiment there would certainly be no mosque near Ground Zero - or anywhere else for that matter.
We will certainly not forget. That day has been burned into our minds and souls. But what about forgiveness?
I've been saying - because I read it somewhere and can't remember where - that the three great world religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam each make a unique contribution. Judaism gives us a great depth of family and community. Islam contributes devotion to prayer. Christianity's unique contribution is forgiveness.
So I have a challenge. I may easily identify with those who lost loved ones and friends in the terror attacks and cannot really blame them for not wanting any symbol of our "enemy" to be constructed. Even so I am not able to say "I will never forgive." Central to my faith is the message of Jesus and his instructions to forgive - even your enemy.
Personally I would probably hope to be more sensitive to others and would not initiate a project that would have the effect of the Islamic Center in New York. With that said I would also choose to error on the side of religious freedom, even for those with whom I do not agree or find common ground.
I'm not sure what will actually happen but I hope we are able to still the storm surrounding this passionate issue. When it all gets settled I will always take the best of our Christian faith and put it up with the best of any other philosophy or religion and watch Christianity carry the day and win the hearts and souls of people.
Glad to get that said. It's been a really good day. Church was super. The spirit and joy were priceless. I pray that the Living God intersect your life today and that you recognize and respond to the grace at work in your life!
I hope you've had a good day too.
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