Reflections From Sunday Evening

We feel like we are losing an entire generation of young people. This generation lacks direction. This generation does not share healthy values. I have a feeling that statements like these could have been made of practically every generation. I know my Baby Boomer generation was perceived in this way. Today many people seem anxious about the Millennial Generation. The Millennial Generation now outnumbers the Baby Boomers 83.1 million to 75.4 million. I see tremendous opportunity. There were people of faith who refused to give up on Baby Boomers and this generation became huge supporters of the mission and ministry of the Church. The Baby Boomer Generation has produced some great leaders in the cause of Christ. I see the generation of my children having even greater potential for good. Millions of young people will step forward and be difference makers. Millions of young people will rise up to lead us into the future. There is great hope for the Church. I am aware that many young people are not part of the church today. I am aware of the criticism that the Church is irrelevant to today's people. I hear the claims that the Church is declining and in a few more years there will not be enough people to keep her going. But... The Church is of God. The Church will be preserved to the end of time. The Church is the Body of Jesus Christ - the Living, Risen Lord Jesus! I see signs of God's movement in the world. I see signs that God has not given up on His Church. I see signs that God has plans for the Church to prosper and not fail. I see signs that God has a hope and future for His people. If you have not seen these signs drive up Prairie View Road and see what is taking place at our church. That is not merely a construction project. That is a sign of God's power and presence among us. Future. Hope. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I have probably preached on Thomas and the text in John 20 thirty times or so. I first remember hearing Dr. Buskirk preach a sermon on "The Hands of Jesus." He started by talking about the voice from an unattended television set in another room that said, "If I get my hands on you I'll kill you." He contrasted that with what Jesus would say; "If I get my hands on you I'll save you!" Funny how you remember things like that for 40 years. His points were that in the hands of Jesus Thomas found Pardon for his past; Power for his present; and Promise for his future. I have taken different approaches to the text. I have used different illustrations. I have looked for different points of emphasis. There have been various insights come from these sermons. But there has remained a constant point that finds its way into all those sermons. It deals with doubt and faith. It goes like this: Honest doubt may lead to authentic faith. I used that today. That authentic faith that often begins with honest doubt continues to be a sign of the truth of the Gospel. Lives continue to be changed. Faith keeps being born. People continue to find hope, forgiveness and salvation in the hands of Jesus. Perhaps you see light in his eyes. Perhaps you see life in his face. Certainly you may see grace, acceptance and hope in the hands of Jesus. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

In the mid 1970's and early 1980's I had the opportunity to study at Oral Roberts University and Fuller Theological Seminary in addition to St. Paul School of Theology. The unique thing about ORU and Fuller was the emphasis upon the ministry of the laity. I am thankful that I was exposed to this model of church early on. It certainly seemed logical to me. Of course I was a layperson before I was a clergy. I witnessed and experienced the power of lay ministry. When the ministry of the laity began to gain traction in Mainline churches a few years later I already had a foundation. In the ensuing years I have gone from layperson to clergy. I have continued to understand the importance of involving all the people of God in the mission and ministry of the church. I sense we are fast approaching a new season of expanded ministry at PWUMC. Today our Conference Lay Leader, Brian Hammons joined us for worship. He came with our District and Local Church Lay Leader, John Miller. This reminds me of the deep pool of committed laypersons in our conference and in our church. Tomorrow and Tuesday we will be visited by our Church Coach, Doug Anderson, who will work with us on the Equipping Church model of ministry. Again we will talk and pray about ways we can identify people who can lead ministries. We will recruit these leaders and then equip them to further the model by identifying, recruiting and equipping laypersons to share our ministry. The result of this type of ministry is more people, more connected people and reaching more new people. I look forward to this next season of ministry in our church. I look forward to sharing in your ministry. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

At the movies. Frankly I am not a huge movie fan. I go to some movies. Cindy and I like to go. But we do limit what we see. For instance we avoid R rated movies. That certainly limits the choices. I am not a great fan of the movie industry. I am weary of something as culturally significant as films to continually provide gratuitous sex, violence and a constant stream of coarse language. So do I sound Puritanical enough for anyone to disregard what I have to say? With that little rant out of my system I continue. There are movies that touch my soul, make me laugh and help me become informed on issues. So I have this conflict going on. A movie that blessed me is Miracles From Heaven. I must say Jennifer Garner plays a different role from the one she played in Alias. It will not be critically acclaimed. You may or may not agree with the theology and or message. But if you are anything like me it will touch your heart. That is my movie report for the week. (or maybe forever). On another note... Royals and Mets. Tonight. ESPN. World Championship banner being raised. 'nough said. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a good day too. (Wonder if I should go see a funny movie before the Royals game?) blessings, steve