Sunday, July 27, 2008

Reflections from Sunday evening

Vacation's over. This morning Andrea and I went to church at St. Peter UMC in Blue Springs. Megan is still heckling me! Something about needing to turn up the sound so I (the old folks) could hear! I resisted the temptation to heckle back. Actually she did a very good job and seemed right at home in her new place of service.

I had been back to the church (I started it in 1982) since moving from there in 1990. But the times I had attended had been special services or there for a specific purpose. I don't think I had just gone to church there since I left. It was fun. I saw lots of people I have known for years. For some reason many of them look older than I remember! I did see one lady whose husband passed away this year. We both teared up. It was a reminder of the sense of community God had established in that place. People get connected when the Lord brings them together. It was still really good to be there.

This month I finished reading "UnChristian," "The Last Real Season" (a baseball book about the Texas Ranger in 1975 - a fun read), "Leadership Secrets of Atilla the Hun" (don't worry), "Crisis" (a medical thriller novel) and "The Millennium Matrix." This is an amazing book. It talks about the shifts in culture and communication from Oral to Print to Broadcast to Digital. It is very informative and challenging. It deals with the pace of change that we all must incorporate into our lives. It is a book anyone interested in where we go as a church should read -- "The Millennium Matrix" by M. Rext Miller.

Well that about does it for time off. I'm back to church for VBS in the morning and then off to a meeting in Columbia. There is much to do. I'll share the next sermon series with you soon. Boy have I got some ideas!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Politics?

My "conferencing" is finished for the time being. This has been my adventure in "church politics." Motions, substitute motions, amendments, point of order, ballots, negotiating, elections ... It has reminded me of some things I appreciate. The thought hit me toward the end of jurisdictional conference as we were trying to electing the final bishop that I would soon be going home to the church I serve. I would be preaching, praying and serving the people of Platte Woods UMC. It was a good feeling.

Which also reminds me of my personal opinion that affects what I preach about. I stay out of politics. I know this is the political season. We will elect a new president this year. It is very significant. There is much at stake. We all take our responsibilities in a democracy seriously. But you will not hear me endorsing some candidate. I tend not to preach about the political issues of the day. That does not mean I do not have an opinion: I simply choose not to use the pulpit to try and advance my personal opinions about such things.

I do use the pulpit to try to advance my opinions about some things. I want to influence people to have a meaningful and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to influence people to trust the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and world. I could go on about this but that is material for another day.

When someone wonders why they do not hear me "take a stand" on the issues of the day it is because I feel called to preach the gospel instead of assuming the role of a mature politician. I got plenty of that in the church arena this spring. Of course, if you want to talk about that I am more than happy to do so. As a matter of fact if you want to get in a discussion about energy, the economy, war, healthcare, education or just about anything else, feel free to ask. I do have some opinions.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Sunday Reflections & Jurisdictional Conference

First, we finished electing bishops at Jurisdictional Conference. We elected Jim Dorff at 10:16 p.m. Friday night. (I think that is what my note says.) It was late. We finished up a little business and about 10:30 took a break while the committee went out to decide where the bishops would serve. They came back at 1:30 a.m. and we finished up our business. Bishop Schnase was assigned to Missouri for another four years. I am thankful for this. All the sitting bishops were returned to their area. The three new bishops were assigned to conferences in Texas. Most people in our churches don't seem to care a great deal about who is the bishop in San Antonio. I am one of a few who really gets invested in this. I am thankful for the opportunity to play a role in these matters that affect the general church.

On another note ... Cindy and I went to my home church in Appleton City this morning. They have a new preacher. He is good and going to do very well. I keep seeing some really good young preachers! Of course we are totally blessed but there are others out there. I could not help but think about a lot of things as I sat in church and listened to the sermon on grace. (Couldn't have done better myself!) The sanctuary that seemed so big to a little boy looks smaller today. The communion rail could hold about 15 people kneeling for communion. I've knelt there many times. I've seen it filled with people praying during revivals. I remembered kneeling there for my baptism and confirmation. They have remodeled the Sunday School rooms. I saw the room I used to go to for my Vacation Bible School class. The building looks really nice. Neat. Painted. Of course the best part was seeing the people. Larry and Karla, Leland and Becky, Mick and Susan were there. I grew up with these folks. Madge (Phillip's mom) was there. Ron McEwan was an usher. He is older than I am. His dad was our Sunday School teacher and one of the greatest spiritual influences on a whole group of us. Linda played the piano. She was my grade school music teacher! She has enjoyed much more success than teaching me to sing.

It was a great place to spend time this morning. I am thankful for the church that brought me along. Now I am getting ready to get back into the swing of things here. Give me a few more days and I'll do something again. It is renewing to know we are building memories and experiences here at PWUMC. Many of you can look around our church and remember. Believe me, things are happening here. This is a place where God is alive. I am grateful to be able to share some of the Spirit that touched my life years ago in new ways. It's been a good day. I hope you had a good day as well.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Jurisdictional Conference

It's Friday morning. We spent all day yesterday working and voting in our effort to elect three people to serve the church as bishops. We got one elected yesterday. It has a different feel since we do not anticipate our bishop for Missouri changing. Neither is there a person from Missouri we are working to help get elected. So we keep trying to sense who God wants doing these things.

Today we will elect two more people and finish up. Of course it may be midnight before everything is finished. Thankfully the stress level is not that high.

It is neat to seek the work being done and to have a part in it. Good people all around this place.
On another note, I wonder why they pick places to have these conferences that cost so much? I know there are probably very good reasons. About three years ago I was at a conference in Dallas and was staying in a hotel in the same area where we are this week. After a day or two I pulled my suitcase across the parking lot to a Courtyard by Marriott for lots less and free Internet! I've been tempted this week but it just would not work. So Cindy got some bread and peanut butter so we could avoid high priced breakfasts and maybe even lunch! I know that sounds tight but I like to consider it "frugal." Some day I will have to tell you how I come about this honestly! Off to what I anticipate being a good day. I hope you have a good day too.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Vacation??Update

This weekend Cindy and I went to the Royals game Saturday night (following church where Ginger preached!). It was a great game. Mark Grudzielanek got his 2000th career hit. A great accomplishment. But best of all was David DeJesus hitting a two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 5-4! Wow.

On Sunday Cindy and I went to her family reunion. We visited and had lunch. She saw some cousins she had not seen in a long time. Cindy is the middle of five children. She was remembering visits to cousins in south Missouri. I was intrigued by the tale of the Grizzell kids and their cousins throwing M-80's in a silo. I bet it did make a neat noise. Cindy and her cousin seemed to enjoy remembering that event!

It was fun. I was a little confused when one of her family started looking around for someone to pray and called on "Cynthia's son-in-law"! That was a new one for me but she was looking at me and I knew I was the one she wanted to say the blessing because she had already asked me. When she talked to me she asked if I was Cynthia's husband? Oh, well. It was a really good time.

Tomorrow we head for Dallas and the South Central Jurisdictional Conference. There are a lot of meetings and voting but it is nothing like General Conference as far as stress and anxiety (unless you are running for bishop!) so we look forward to the time. I'll try and update you on what goes on in Dallas. See you soon.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

UnChristian

I finished reading a book titled "Unchristian" by David Kinnaman. He works for a research firm (Barna) and compiles the results of surveys taken that show what younger people who are not part of the church think about Christianity. I found the book very challenging. I have a pretty good idea of what I believe and why. It becomes apparent that many younger people (who are imperative we connect with Jesus Christ) have very different ideas about some things many of us accept.

Many people who are not involved in the church (even though they may have a church background) see Jesus in ways that do not draw them to Christ. There are six attitudes that are given.
1. Hypocritical
2. Get Saved (only seem to care about getting someone converted and then forget them)
3. Anti-homosexual
4. Sheltered (we seem to hang together and avoid the world)
5. Too Political
6. Judgmental

If you read the book you will understand why these issues become barriers to people outside the faith coming into the church.

The issues listed pose challenges to me. But that is fine. As a matter of fact it is good to be challenged otherwise we (I) tend to get settled and stagnant. UnChristian will help move us out of normally accepted opinions and give a fresh perspective on how people see life and where a relationship with Jesus Christ could become real. The bottom line is a challenge. Do what it takes to help someone discover a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Reflections from Sunday Evening (on Monday evening)

I missed being in church at Platte Woods. I love to share in our worship services. I know Curtis preached a great sermon. I would have been blessed.

But I did take the opportunity to worship in two other churches. It is a blessing to me to be able to share with friends in ministry. Although Mark Turnbough was not preaching at Liberty this week I still got to experience one of their services as well as see some friends that go to that church.

On the way home I went to church at Good Shepherd. David Israel is doing a great job there. I appreciated the opportunity to be in their worship service. I was blessed in both places. I actually got a sermon idea that you may hear some day!

It was a good day. I was blessed. At the same time I did come home being thankful. I wouldn't trade places with any preacher I know!

Friday, July 4, 2008

July 4

Do they celebrate the Fourth of July in England? ---- Of course they do - it is July 4th everywhere. I imagine you remember that little joke from those kids books we used to read (or maybe I'm the only one who liked joke books when I was a kid). What they may not do in England is celebrate losing the War and seeing America gain independence!

Today is our Independence Day. Every year I think similar thoughts. We do all the parades, cook-outs, fireworks and day off things but do we stop for a moment and breathe a prayer that says "thanks for the gift of freedom"? Might we also ask God to extend the blessing of freedom to others?

I walked around the neighborhood this morning. I went to the "Y" and worked out. I finished reading a book (more about UnChristian later). Never once have I felt my life threatened today. I did not fear a bombing at the "Y." I never thought terrorists or insurgents or anyone was going to blow up our neighborhood this morning. We have some tremendous freedoms.

I know violence is far more prevalent in our society than it should be. I know terrible things happen to people every day. But I also know we enjoy a level of security and freedom that most of the world cannot identify with.

So ... how about taking a moment when the fireworks go off tonight to say "Thanks" to God who for some strange, mysterious reason has set us on a hillside to be a light of possibility to the world. With grace comes awesome responsibility.