Reflections From Sunday Evening

Yesterday was the installation of Bishop Bob Farr. It was a day of celebration as we welcomed one of our own life long Missourians to this significant leadership position in the Church.
Again I am reminded of life being filled with new experiences. I have known our present bishop since he started in ministry. I remember him leading the former Randolf-Memorial UMC to growth despite the church being located  on two dead end streets! We were neighbors when he started Grace UMC in Lee's Summit. We have worked together through the years on different projects. So this is a new experience welcoming a new leader that I know well. It is a good experience.
During the reception following the service an older, distinguished looking man walked up to me. I recognized Rev. Cecil Neal, my district superintendent when we started the new church in Blue Springs. He still remembered stories of early days of work and faith. It was good to remember old experiences with one who supervised, encouraged and believed in our mission.
So yesterday the new met the old. Where will you encounter Jesus today? Will it be with a new experience built on the faith you celebrate?
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

This was a strange day in the sports world.  Early this morning we learned that Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in an accident.  He was 24.  He was a baseball player with a promising career ahead of him.  Major League Baseball teams across the country shared their sense of loss as one of that special fraternity left far too soon.
Then this evening reports come that Arnold Palmer has passed at age 87.  Of course he was a true legend of golf.  He contributed in a huge way to the popularity of golf as the sport found its way to tv with Palmer the star.  He continued to be a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf.
People find themselves all across the spectrum of life.  Some have promising days ahead while others reflect on great accomplishments and contributions.  The fact is all of us are making our contributions each day.  As followers of Jesus Christ we contribute through faithful obedience and service.  We live each day for the honor of Jesus.  We embrace the moment in ways like Jose Fernandez did in his short career.  We continue to be ambassadors for Christ all through life like Arnold Palmer did for the game of golf.  It never stops.
So we can take a couple of minutes this evening to consider two sports stars who pass from our midst.  But we also take a few minutes to remember those brothers and sisters, known and unknown who live, serve and die in faith.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I referenced "Sherpas" in the message today.  I came across these people in a sermon Len Sweet published.  I thought it might be good to follow up with some more information.  Wikipedia has a section on the Sherpas.  The section on "Mountaineering" gives insight to this unique people group.
"Sherpas are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local area.  They were immeasurably valuable to early explorers of the Himalayan region, serving as guides at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region, particularly for expeditions to climb Mt. Everest. Sherpas are renowned in the international climbing and mountaineering community for their hardiness, expertise, and experience at very high altitudes."
Sherpas guide explorers and mountain climbers over the peaks.  They know when to go and when to stop.  They know when to wait and when to proceed.  They can read the warning signs that may save lives.
It was suggested today (thanks Stan Shipman) that we should rename our Hospitality Team the "Sherpas".  I'm not sure that will gain traction but who knows!
Regardless of whether or not we start calling people "Sherpas" what they provide could be applied to worship and God's gifts to lead us over the peaks and through the valleys of the Christian life.
Worship keeps us on the path.  Worship provides warning when we get in spiritual danger.  Worship calls out to those who have wandered away or gotten lost.
Our spiritual "Sherpas" could certainly guide us over the path of following Jesus.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
stefve

Converge

This week I will take some time to "Converge".  Actually Converge is the name of our annual pastor's event.  It is a combination of continuing education, fellowship and spending some time with friends.  It is a time to worship and learn.  It is a time to catch up with some of those fellow clergy we do not see often.  It promises to be a good time.
Some times we take things for granted.  We have the regular opportunity to meet together for worship and fellowship.  As clergy we play a different role.  I am blessed to be in worship each weekend but there is something necessary about times to worship and not have any leadership responsibilities.  So I play to take advantage this week.
On another note...
Many people took advantage of the building tours this weekend.  I heard many positive comments.  It is pretty impressive and we are looking forward to moving in.  Planning on things being ready by the end of November.
On another note...
Speaking of building tours... We looked at an unfinished project today.  I hope you note the similarity to our building project and our spiritual lives.  We continue to be "unfinished projects" as we keep growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Keep on.
On another note...
Did you see that Chiefs comeback today?
It's been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We were talking about miracles today.  We do not make miracles happen.  We cannot earn or deserve a miracle, or any favor of God for that matter.  But we can nurture our relationship with Jesus Christ and live life in expanding grace.  Then do this.
Receive from God what God desires to give rather than being limited to what we may ask.
Read Acts 3 and look at the story of the beggar who had an encounter with Peter and John.  He asked for money.  That had become the way he thought of getting his minimal needs met.  He looked at Peter and John expecting to get something from them.  Once again his expectations were for a coin or for supper.  But then he heard a great truth.  "Silver and gold I do not have but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk."  A miracle followed.
He asked for and expected a coin but he received the possibility for a livelihood.
He asked for and expected supper but he got physically healed.
He asked for and expected something to see him through the day but he got included in the people of God and took his intended place in worship.
He asked for what he had come to expect.  He received what God desired to give.  A miracle.
Expand your vision.  Deepen your relationship with Jesus.  Nurture a sense of expectancy.  Discover what it is to receive from God what God desires to give rather than be limited to what you can ask.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Could I share an insight into pastoral ministry.  For the most part pastors are known as "preachers".  Most people see pastors in preaching mode more than any other.  But pastoral ministry is actually a life and death matter.  Pastor's are with people at the greatest times of joy.  They are there for births, baptisms and various steps in life.  We celebrate life.
On the other hand pastoral ministry is life and death.  We are present when people pass from here to eternity.
I am thinking of this today because I just learned that a friend of mine, Rev. Dave Hampson, passed away last evening after a lengthy battle with cancer.  I met Dave through Aldersgate Renewal Ministry.  We shared on the board together.  We encouraged one another when we taught workshops.  We shared conversations.  We would see one another once a year but I often thought of Dave.  He was in Kansas City one year and stayed with us.  He was one of the kindest and most dedicated Christians I know.
His passing causes me to think of the great privilege we pastors have of being with people in life and death.  With Dave there is a sense of loss as I continue to pray for Cathy and his family, but there is also a certain hope of heaven.  What an amazing gift of faith the Lord provides!
So I take a few moments today to think about my friend and some of the laughter we shared.  I think about the call of pastor and the awesome privilege of sharing life with a congregation.  I think of how impossible this task would be without the people of God who support, pray and encourage on a daily basis.  It is an awesome thing to share life as a pastor with the Church - the people of God.
It's still been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

After a couple of weeks off it was good to get back to church this weekend.  We had a great and engaged group of people in worship.  This is my favorite place to share in fellowship and worship the Lord!
We were able to visit Woods Chapel UMC while off and that was a good experience.  It seemed like I knew as many people there as here at home.  Last week we spent time in Branson.  It ended up a family gathering as we all joined up for a couple of days.  I would say it was totally relaxing and got me all rested up but Cindy is a great planner and kept me moving most of the time!  It was totally fun.
I will admit that "vacation" is a little hard for me.  I take a few days to wind down so I am not thinking about what I "need" to be doing all the time.  I find it difficult to stop the tapes that run through my mind and just take it easy.
I wonder why this is.  Then I think about growing up.  We lived on a farm.  Dad farmed and milked cows.  In those days farmers never got a day off.  (much less a vacation)  The cows came to be milked each morning and evening.  If you were tired you worked anyway.  If you were sick you worked anyway.  If you wanted to go somewhere to do something you milked anyway.  It was constant.  It was a way of life.  (No wonder dad decided to get into insurance and real estate!)
I guess there was a work ethic that was ingrained in me from an early age.  Certainly nothing wrong with that.
But as I continue this life of faith I keep running into Jesus.  He worked and spent himself in service to others.  But he also took the disciples and withdrew from time to time.  That is a good example.
Through the years I have picked up some good advice.  One is "when you get tired rest."  That seems pretty obvious but how many times have I violated that obvious principle?
Rick Warren instructs anyone who seeks to avoid burnout to "divert daily (whatever relaxes you), withdraw weekly (Sabbath), and abandon annually (disconnect).
That makes good sense.  I'm still on the learning curve with these things but as I think about it I had a really good time these past two weeks.  I may try this again one of these days.
It's been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve