Peter Storey, who is a prominent leader in the Methodist church in South Africa lectured with Bishop Willimon. He spoke about the struggles of the church in South Africa during apartheid and compared it to many of the struggles the church faces in America right now.
He told of Bishop Desmond Tutu, who messed with the white power structure. For in the days when apartheid was at its darkest, and there seemed to be no hope of the black South Africans ever getting a fair say, Bishop Tutu would stand up in meetings of white South Africans and say, "It's not too late to get on the winning side. Come and join the winning side now before it's too late."
Peter Storey also talked about the issue of inclusion and exclusion. Below is a (mostly) direct transcription of a few of the more salient lines.
"Human beings are born with an addiction, just like the baby of a crack addict is born addicted. Humans are born with an addiction to division. There's not one of us who is born without it. We bolster our ideas by rejecting those who are different from us. And we've tried it with every category we can possibly think of and we'll probably be very inventive in the future. We've rejected the poor, slaves, people of color, women, we've rejected based on sexual orientations; and we bring the same tired arguments every time to justify each campaign of exclusion - and if we can find some texts in the Bible so much the better. Now, fighting this addiction is a Great Power, I call it the Relentless Hospitality of the Holy Spirit. It's what the entire book of Acts is about.
"My warning to the people in the United Methodist church who get their knickers in a knot about gay people is the Holy Spirit is going to win in the end, so might as well get on the winning side now. Because every other group that has tried to kick people out in the past; blacks, women, and so on; has lost the battle against the Holy Spirit ... It's not too late to get on the winning side. Come and join the winning side now before it's too late."
This lecture was nothing short of scandalous, even for me. I come from a conservative background, attend a conservative college, and have only been part of conservative Methodist churches. For the last five or so years I've held the reputation that I am somewhat liberal.
I mildly support the ordination of gay and lesbian pastors; but always in an apologetic tone. I tend not to articulate my support, because this is such a hot-button issue. But, I can't help but agree with Peter Storey. The side of justice will win in the end, and hate and discrimination will fall away.
In the meantime, it is of utmost importance to continue dialogue and discussion. We as faithful Christians must continuously strive to see this issue from different perspectives. Debate that begins from an "us" versus "them" perspective must be quelled and true discussion must be encouraged.
There's so much to consider with this issue, so much to think about, and so very much at stake. We cannot be content to dismiss the thoughts and feelings of those we disagree with for any reason.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Michael Makes a Major Life Decision
This is the flag of South Korea. I have decided that starting this summer I will be teaching in South Korea as a General Board of Global Ministries Individual Volunteer.
Barring any unforseen major complication I will be leaving shortly after graduation to teach at the Wesley Mission School. The school is designed to prepare children and youth who want to become missionaries by teaching them the international languages of English and Love.
This decision appears to be the best, most practical decision I can make to ensure that I have employment after graduation; but employment without a long-term time investment so that I am free when the General Board removes its freeze on career missionary hirings. This opportunity is also the choice most in line with my philosophies of life and ministry.
I'm excited about this opportunity and hope that you'll be praying for me. I'm sure I'll have plenty to blog about!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
ANYTHING
The scripture lesson was from Isaiah; he says, “Here am I, send me.” This verse resonates with the core of my being. I prayed this verse, sang this refrain, and gave this pledge. I am a missionary. With everything I am. This morning, in Sunday school, with this scripture as backdrop; I shared with friends (of whom I love dearly) the sad news of closed doors. The feeling of shared disappointment was palpable. They were bummed for me. Accolades and empty words pushed forth against my bitter heart as one by one they tried to encourage me, to refresh my soul, to remind my mind that God has a plan.
“I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.”
I know that God has a plan. If I close my eyes really tight I can picture myself anywhere, anyplace in the world. I know that I am called to be a missionary. No matter how tight I close my eyes I can’t picture myself doing anything else. Oddly, I don’t even know what “missionary” means for me – what service will fill this life, what strange lands these open eyes will see – simply that “missionary” is my truth, my destiny.
Life lived on the brink of “goodbye,” selfish love and lust abated, “career” and “success” redefined ~ all in pursuit of this calling, all in response to “Here am I, send me.”
My family lived in poverty for a time when I was young. Dad was out of work and mom scraped pennies together to buy toilet paper. The stories supplant actual memories. God provided our family with five apple trees that bore more fruit that year than any other year. I only remember, from that time in my life, that one can make ANYTHING out of apples.
I’m playing the “waiting game” more than anything else.
I’m waiting for God to show me the apple trees.
“I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.”
I know that God has a plan. If I close my eyes really tight I can picture myself anywhere, anyplace in the world. I know that I am called to be a missionary. No matter how tight I close my eyes I can’t picture myself doing anything else. Oddly, I don’t even know what “missionary” means for me – what service will fill this life, what strange lands these open eyes will see – simply that “missionary” is my truth, my destiny.
Life lived on the brink of “goodbye,” selfish love and lust abated, “career” and “success” redefined ~ all in pursuit of this calling, all in response to “Here am I, send me.”
My family lived in poverty for a time when I was young. Dad was out of work and mom scraped pennies together to buy toilet paper. The stories supplant actual memories. God provided our family with five apple trees that bore more fruit that year than any other year. I only remember, from that time in my life, that one can make ANYTHING out of apples.
I’m playing the “waiting game” more than anything else.
I’m waiting for God to show me the apple trees.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Theological Thoughts for Thursday - On Sin, part 3.
Only the sinner can make the choice to follow God and repent of his or her sin. We are called to confront our brothers and sisters in Christ. Now, one of my biggest sins is my tongue. Which is funny, because my words are also one of the strongest gifts God has given me. James rips apart the tongue in his letter. Just recently my closest friends have begun to confront me on my words. On my innuendo, my crude jokes, my cursing, my unique ability to find the line and dance on it, and my love for the shock factor. Leaving these things behind will be a struggle for me, but looking back on the sins that Christ has overcome in my life, I know that this too shall pass.
Our friends confront us, the Holy Spirit convicts us on specific sins, the Bible shows us how to live correctly … but we must make the choice to flee from a particular sin.
It’s when these four factors come together that sin can be overcome. When we can be open and honest with those we love and those who love us we can tackle sin.
I don’t think we should make it our life’s work to focus on our sin. I don’t think this is biblical. We should focus on loving God and others and watch the rest fall into place. When God wants us to confront a sin, I believe that God will bring those four factors together in our lives to let us know what needs to change.
There is still sin in our lives, but slowly, over a lifetime of moving towards God and Jesus’ love our sin will fade. There will be more of God and less of us. I’m amazed at the sins that I used to do that are no longer present in my life, but I’ve still got a lifetime of sin to overcome. The more I love God the less room there is for sin.
All I know is that God is still doing an amazing work in my life – and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
Our friends confront us, the Holy Spirit convicts us on specific sins, the Bible shows us how to live correctly … but we must make the choice to flee from a particular sin.
It’s when these four factors come together that sin can be overcome. When we can be open and honest with those we love and those who love us we can tackle sin.
I don’t think we should make it our life’s work to focus on our sin. I don’t think this is biblical. We should focus on loving God and others and watch the rest fall into place. When God wants us to confront a sin, I believe that God will bring those four factors together in our lives to let us know what needs to change.
There is still sin in our lives, but slowly, over a lifetime of moving towards God and Jesus’ love our sin will fade. There will be more of God and less of us. I’m amazed at the sins that I used to do that are no longer present in my life, but I’ve still got a lifetime of sin to overcome. The more I love God the less room there is for sin.
All I know is that God is still doing an amazing work in my life – and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
Friday, February 13, 2009
I have had a rough day. I'm not feeling well, but on top of that I received the very sad news that the General Board of Global Ministries has placed a "freeze" on all new missionary personnel applications. So, it looks like I won't be going overseas with the GBGM anytime soon. My application is in, and on-file to be considered when they begin hiring new missionaries again, but in the meantime I will be working at least part time and working towards my masters degree.
See, I'm stubborn. I'm almost this stubborn, actually.
I'm also called to serve with the GBGM. These two factors combine to produce a young adult who will do anything to become a General Board Missionary.
Today I was a sad, frustrated, and perhaps even a little angry. But now I have calmed down and realize that this too must be part of the plan. I'm going to have to suck it up and have a little faith.
I'm going on vacation this weekend, to a lake house. I will be basically unreachable. See you on Monday, Love, Michael.
See, I'm stubborn. I'm almost this stubborn, actually.
I'm also called to serve with the GBGM. These two factors combine to produce a young adult who will do anything to become a General Board Missionary.
Today I was a sad, frustrated, and perhaps even a little angry. But now I have calmed down and realize that this too must be part of the plan. I'm going to have to suck it up and have a little faith.
I'm going on vacation this weekend, to a lake house. I will be basically unreachable. See you on Monday, Love, Michael.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Theological Thoughts for Thursday - On Sin, part 2.
Part One
Christians don't need to fear our sin, nor do we need to be content with it. John Wesley said, "When our hearts are filled with the love of God there will be no more room for sin." We live in this tension, exploring this beautiful paradox:
When we wish to sin less we must love more.
We could tear off our arms and pluck out offending eyes ... or we could accept the grace and forgiveness of Christ. We could spend an eternity choosing to run from our sin or an eternity embracing Christ. In Psalm 119, David continually refers to “God’s perfect law.” But, in Matthew Jesus says that he came to complete the law. I had the hardest time reconciling these two thoughts until Dr. Fred Smith explained that God’s perfect law is Christ and the law that Jesus is completing is the Old Testament law. Two different laws. It makes perfect sense.
The Bible is often confused for a rule book; and while it does contain many rules we must be careful to avoid this association. The law (the rules found in the Old Testament) only serve to guide and to judge. Christ brings freedom. There’s a huge difference.
"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:14-15 Sin comes from somewhere inside us, from our fleshly desires. But those desires are not sin – they can produce sin. And a lifetime of living in those sins ends in death.
We pick and choose sins that offend us most and supply them with labels like “lifestyle sin.” Few designations seem more idiotic and less Christian than this label, and (I think that everyone can pick up which sin I’m writing about!) I can’t believe that we allow this non-biblical categorization to continue. All sins are lifestyle sins if we let them be. Every sin has the potential to consume us and redefine us - to take Christ’s place as our defining element.
Pastor David told our Sunday School class a story of when his son got his first cell phone. Andrew ran up a hefty bill from text messages. Andrew’s first thought, upon being punished was to take a sledge hammer to his phone. Pastor David used the moment to explain the great struggle that we will face for all of our lives. Will it control us or will we control it?
Christians don't need to fear our sin, nor do we need to be content with it. John Wesley said, "When our hearts are filled with the love of God there will be no more room for sin." We live in this tension, exploring this beautiful paradox:
When we wish to sin less we must love more.
We could tear off our arms and pluck out offending eyes ... or we could accept the grace and forgiveness of Christ. We could spend an eternity choosing to run from our sin or an eternity embracing Christ. In Psalm 119, David continually refers to “God’s perfect law.” But, in Matthew Jesus says that he came to complete the law. I had the hardest time reconciling these two thoughts until Dr. Fred Smith explained that God’s perfect law is Christ and the law that Jesus is completing is the Old Testament law. Two different laws. It makes perfect sense.
The Bible is often confused for a rule book; and while it does contain many rules we must be careful to avoid this association. The law (the rules found in the Old Testament) only serve to guide and to judge. Christ brings freedom. There’s a huge difference.
"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:14-15 Sin comes from somewhere inside us, from our fleshly desires. But those desires are not sin – they can produce sin. And a lifetime of living in those sins ends in death.
We pick and choose sins that offend us most and supply them with labels like “lifestyle sin.” Few designations seem more idiotic and less Christian than this label, and (I think that everyone can pick up which sin I’m writing about!) I can’t believe that we allow this non-biblical categorization to continue. All sins are lifestyle sins if we let them be. Every sin has the potential to consume us and redefine us - to take Christ’s place as our defining element.
Pastor David told our Sunday School class a story of when his son got his first cell phone. Andrew ran up a hefty bill from text messages. Andrew’s first thought, upon being punished was to take a sledge hammer to his phone. Pastor David used the moment to explain the great struggle that we will face for all of our lives. Will it control us or will we control it?
Sunday, February 08, 2009
I miss good ol' fashion Disney movies. I'm a Disney Child - they rocked it out and made their best movies from when I was two until I was eight. The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Pocahontas all came out in my early childhood. Considering that in the other 75 years Disney has been making animated features they've managed to produce only a dozen other films that are considered classics.
Jacob Raynor, Emily Hoes, and I watched Aladdin this morning after church while eating pancakes and lying on my king sized bed. It was a magical experience. Although I really enjoy the new animation effects that are possible, I still feel that nothing really compares to the animation from my childhood (or, heck, the animation from 1937s Snow White!) The new media are fun, but I disagree with the notion that every movie needs to be made with impressive computer effects.
I think my favorite current scary movie is The Strangers - and the primary reason is that the movie could have been filled in 1950. The special effects that normally cloud suspense/thriller/horror/other scary movie genres can so often destroy an otherwise brilliant movie. As soon as a scary movie starts using computer graphics and imaging I zone out. It ceases to be scary when it ceases to be real.
On that note, I went to the Mall of Georgia (the largest mall in the South) to finish out the rest of the Best Picture nominees and none of them were playing. Jacob Raynor, Jessica Reis, and I watched Coraline. A really great, really scary children's movie I would recommend for all audiences. Just a tremendous plot that never misses a beat.
Jacob Raynor, Emily Hoes, and I watched Aladdin this morning after church while eating pancakes and lying on my king sized bed. It was a magical experience. Although I really enjoy the new animation effects that are possible, I still feel that nothing really compares to the animation from my childhood (or, heck, the animation from 1937s Snow White!) The new media are fun, but I disagree with the notion that every movie needs to be made with impressive computer effects.
I think my favorite current scary movie is The Strangers - and the primary reason is that the movie could have been filled in 1950. The special effects that normally cloud suspense/thriller/horror/other scary movie genres can so often destroy an otherwise brilliant movie. As soon as a scary movie starts using computer graphics and imaging I zone out. It ceases to be scary when it ceases to be real.
On that note, I went to the Mall of Georgia (the largest mall in the South) to finish out the rest of the Best Picture nominees and none of them were playing. Jacob Raynor, Jessica Reis, and I watched Coraline. A really great, really scary children's movie I would recommend for all audiences. Just a tremendous plot that never misses a beat.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
While reading Slate, I became aware that today is Black AIDS Awareness Day. (For a great article on the topic, read this.) One of the avenues I'm considering for missionary service is in the field of Public Health. There is so much education needed, especially about a disease like AIDS that spreads primarily through a lack of education and understanding.
"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost." - Arthur Ashe African-American Tennis great, who died of AIDS he contracted from a blood transfusion
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Movie Reviews
I'm working my way through the nominees for Best Picture for this year's Academy Awards. I watched Revolutionary Road because I thought it was Kate Winslet's piece that was nominated, but that was in fact The Reader. Oops. I still review it. I will try and watch Frost/Nixon, The Reader, and possibly Slumdog Millionaire before the Oscars. (I've read that the people of India are upset that the movie exploited the Indian slums - and that the word dog is used to reference the slums - but my good friend Hannah Ito says that it is the best movie she has ever seen, so I may watch it.)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This movie is three hours long, and I was painfully aware of the excessive length. With an interesting premise, excellent make-up/special effects, and some really brilliant moments I can see why this movie is nominated for best picture. However, no best picture movie should feel as long as it really is. Entire sections of the movie could be cut out without losing an ounce of redemptive plot, which is a sad statement. I don't plan on watching this movie again and I will be sadly disappointed if it wins Best Picture.
TCCoBB is nominated for 13 Oscars. It deserves to win 2 but will win at least 4.
Milk
Milk is a truly fascinating movie. Although this movie deals heavily with GLBT issues it is by and large tastefully done. (There are two "sex scenes" one is blurry and the other is cast in dark shadows. I would watch this movie with my parents but would wait until my kids were teenagers before showing them this movie.) That being said, this movie is a must see. The acting is superb, the direction and visual imagery is spectacular, and the plot unbelievably realistic. It seamlessly blends Hollywood cinema and live video footage from the 70s. For those who support the GLBT movement, it is painful to see how little progress has been made since this movie. I was explaining the premise to one adult who said, "Oh, yeah. I remember when that happened. Wasn't that the early nineties?" What little difference 30 years can make.
Milk is nominated for 8 Oscars. It deserves to win 5. It will win 3. This is my bet for Best Picture.
Revolutionary Road
I watched this movie because I thought it was a Best Picture Nominee. It is not. I'm glad I watched this movie. The score is conventional. The plot is interesting. It is an emotionally draining movie, but ultimately a rewarding experience. An excellent period piece that deserves more Oscar nominations than it was awarded.
Revolutionary Road is nominated for 3 Oscars. It deserves to win 1 (Costume Design). It will win 1 (Costume Design).
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This movie is three hours long, and I was painfully aware of the excessive length. With an interesting premise, excellent make-up/special effects, and some really brilliant moments I can see why this movie is nominated for best picture. However, no best picture movie should feel as long as it really is. Entire sections of the movie could be cut out without losing an ounce of redemptive plot, which is a sad statement. I don't plan on watching this movie again and I will be sadly disappointed if it wins Best Picture.
TCCoBB is nominated for 13 Oscars. It deserves to win 2 but will win at least 4.
Milk
Milk is a truly fascinating movie. Although this movie deals heavily with GLBT issues it is by and large tastefully done. (There are two "sex scenes" one is blurry and the other is cast in dark shadows. I would watch this movie with my parents but would wait until my kids were teenagers before showing them this movie.) That being said, this movie is a must see. The acting is superb, the direction and visual imagery is spectacular, and the plot unbelievably realistic. It seamlessly blends Hollywood cinema and live video footage from the 70s. For those who support the GLBT movement, it is painful to see how little progress has been made since this movie. I was explaining the premise to one adult who said, "Oh, yeah. I remember when that happened. Wasn't that the early nineties?" What little difference 30 years can make.
Milk is nominated for 8 Oscars. It deserves to win 5. It will win 3. This is my bet for Best Picture.
Revolutionary Road
I watched this movie because I thought it was a Best Picture Nominee. It is not. I'm glad I watched this movie. The score is conventional. The plot is interesting. It is an emotionally draining movie, but ultimately a rewarding experience. An excellent period piece that deserves more Oscar nominations than it was awarded.
Revolutionary Road is nominated for 3 Oscars. It deserves to win 1 (Costume Design). It will win 1 (Costume Design).
Theological Thoughts for Thursday - On Sin, part 1.
I've been thinking a lot about sin lately. In Chinese they don't have a word for "sin." The closest word they have is something closer to "crime." That obviously poses quite a problem for missionaries to China.
Now, I believe very strongly that salvation is so much more than forgiveness from sin to avoid Hell. I believe in repentance, that we as Christians must turn away from our sin and toward God. Sin is anything that separates us from God.
All sin is of equal weight. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder you have become a lawbreaker." - James 2:10-11 The sin James is referencing before these verses is favoritism. It’s a lifestyle sin!
Jesus spoke out strongly against sin. He told those listening that if their right arm sins they should tear it off. Because it is better to have one arm while in Heaven than to be whole and in Hell. He tells them the same for an errant eye. Now, I have no Christian friends who take these words literally. That or my Biblical-literalist friends are doing much better than I at avoiding sin. In the sermon on the mount Jesus singles out murder and adultery. He says that if you even hate someone you are guilty of murder and that if you even lust after someone you have committed adultery in your heart.
Jesus spoke out strongly against sin. This is an undeniable fact. Now, how we as Christians choose to deal with this is another thing. I have Christian friends on all ends of the spectrum. I know one boy who is so terrified of his sin that he spends all of his energy fighting off his sinful thoughts and actions. He has no time or energy left to love God or love others. I have friends who are "F-ing Christians." I can do whatever I want because I'm a Christian. I'm sometimes mistakenly put in this group by others. I have one friend, who under the realization that she couldn't live out every tenant of the Christian faith, left the faith crushed under the yoke we supplied.
When Jesus offers the lowest and the least a chance at redemption he says, Follow me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. In the Jewish faith, a yoke refers to the total sum of a Rabbi's teaching. Jesus blasted the Pharisees for giving a yoke that weighed down their followers - and promised his own followers an easy yoke.
This doesn't jive well with a literal understanding of some of the things Jesus has said about sin. What is easy about - even lusting after someone you have committed adultery in your heart? What is light about tearing off limbs that offend? Jews were obsessed with the idea of being sinless. The Pharisees showed all trappings of sinlessness. Jesus called them white-washed tombs and compared them to a cup that has been washed on the outside, but is moldy and gross on the inside.
I hold to the belief that Jesus spoke of sin - and avoiding sin - in a highly sarcastic manner. That in essence he conceded that a person could make it to heaven without Jesus by being sinless ... and then he gave examples of what that would look like. Incredible, impossible examples. Jesus lived a different life, showed a better way, and offered a new hope.
Now, I believe very strongly that salvation is so much more than forgiveness from sin to avoid Hell. I believe in repentance, that we as Christians must turn away from our sin and toward God. Sin is anything that separates us from God.
All sin is of equal weight. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder you have become a lawbreaker." - James 2:10-11 The sin James is referencing before these verses is favoritism. It’s a lifestyle sin!
Jesus spoke out strongly against sin. He told those listening that if their right arm sins they should tear it off. Because it is better to have one arm while in Heaven than to be whole and in Hell. He tells them the same for an errant eye. Now, I have no Christian friends who take these words literally. That or my Biblical-literalist friends are doing much better than I at avoiding sin. In the sermon on the mount Jesus singles out murder and adultery. He says that if you even hate someone you are guilty of murder and that if you even lust after someone you have committed adultery in your heart.
Jesus spoke out strongly against sin. This is an undeniable fact. Now, how we as Christians choose to deal with this is another thing. I have Christian friends on all ends of the spectrum. I know one boy who is so terrified of his sin that he spends all of his energy fighting off his sinful thoughts and actions. He has no time or energy left to love God or love others. I have friends who are "F-ing Christians." I can do whatever I want because I'm a Christian. I'm sometimes mistakenly put in this group by others. I have one friend, who under the realization that she couldn't live out every tenant of the Christian faith, left the faith crushed under the yoke we supplied.
When Jesus offers the lowest and the least a chance at redemption he says, Follow me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. In the Jewish faith, a yoke refers to the total sum of a Rabbi's teaching. Jesus blasted the Pharisees for giving a yoke that weighed down their followers - and promised his own followers an easy yoke.
This doesn't jive well with a literal understanding of some of the things Jesus has said about sin. What is easy about - even lusting after someone you have committed adultery in your heart? What is light about tearing off limbs that offend? Jews were obsessed with the idea of being sinless. The Pharisees showed all trappings of sinlessness. Jesus called them white-washed tombs and compared them to a cup that has been washed on the outside, but is moldy and gross on the inside.
I hold to the belief that Jesus spoke of sin - and avoiding sin - in a highly sarcastic manner. That in essence he conceded that a person could make it to heaven without Jesus by being sinless ... and then he gave examples of what that would look like. Incredible, impossible examples. Jesus lived a different life, showed a better way, and offered a new hope.
Monday, February 02, 2009
"Excuse me for having major flaws that I refuse to work on!" - Homer Simpson
I'm going through older posts - specifically those that I wrote and chose not to publish. It's an interesting exercise - to read the private thoughts that I, at least for a few fleeting moments, considered appropriate to share with the world.
There are several posts that I wish I possessed the bravery to make public, and I keep them as drafts - that some day with Christ's help I will be able to be truly open and honest about all of my convictions with all of the world.
I think the French are best at this.
We're going to find a solution.
I'm currently enrolled in a class on Social Movements. How do they happen, what makes a social movement, how do we change things? As a future missionary this class has had so much influence on me.
I'm sure this entry from the French Postsecret is about love, a relationship, or at the very least a shared carnal desire.
But the idea of finding a solution is such a huge force in my life at the moment. This class (along with my other classes, my current circle of friends/influence, and my increasingly youthful/idealistic/naive worldview) has really got me thinking about the big questions about missions.
What would it take for Christianity to become a social movement in Europe? In Russia? In the world?
We're going to find a solution.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
This morning I served communion during the traditional worship service at Toccoa First United Methodist Church. Our children's pastor, Shelley Martin, preached a great sermon. Shelley is in her early thirties. It is a refreshing morning when I can hear someone from my generation preach in a United Methodist Church.
Shelley spoke on the need for our church to let go and be broken for God. She referenced the fact that we only added one new member by confession of faith last year. Something inside my spirit dies when I hear news like this. Toccoa First is largely heralded as a model for other county-seat UMCs in the south.
Shelley stepped on toes, got into the Bible, and preached a message that demanded a response. We served communion following the message. The participants included two fifth graders, two college kids, Shelley in her thirties, the Youth pastor Bill in his forties, the associate pastor in his fifties, and a couple from church in their sixties. It was beautiful to see servants of God from every age bracket celebrating the great gift of God this day. Bill and I served communion to at least three people over the age of ninety.
Our new clergy team has brought a renewed and refreshed spirit to our congregation. There is a great sense of peace and calm which was missing until recently. However, our numbers are down. Dr. Ken, our senior pastor, has been preaching the gospel - that people need to give their hearts to Christ, that those who have given their hearts to Christ need to lead new and transformed lives, and that leading these lives will propel us outside the walls of the church. He has preached on racial reconciliation, acceptance, and keeping open doors to everyone in the community.
Last week Dr. Ken spoke about a friend who suddenly left one of the largest churches in the south east. A drunk man had stumbled to the front doors of his church and pleaded that he needed to know God. The ushers denied the man entrance, telling him that he needed to sober up before he could come into church. The drunk man drove away and died in a car crash two blocks away. The pastor of the church resigned the following week. He could no longer serve a church that refused Christ to those who need him most.
For me personally, the saddest aspect of this story is that it could happen here. That scene could be played out on any Sunday morning on the front steps of our church. I'm making a prediction, one that I pray will come true.
I predict that over the next four months our numbers will fall dramatically before climbing drastically. I think that in the next few months Dr. Ken, and Pastors Tom, Bill, and Shelley will open our church doors to the lowest and least - and that not a few of our society ladies and moneyed gentlemen will find their way to a church more suited to their vast pocketbooks. But that the Spirit of God will prevail I have little doubt.
It's so exciting to just wait for the Holy Spirit to bust down the doors of a church.
Shelley spoke on the need for our church to let go and be broken for God. She referenced the fact that we only added one new member by confession of faith last year. Something inside my spirit dies when I hear news like this. Toccoa First is largely heralded as a model for other county-seat UMCs in the south.
Shelley stepped on toes, got into the Bible, and preached a message that demanded a response. We served communion following the message. The participants included two fifth graders, two college kids, Shelley in her thirties, the Youth pastor Bill in his forties, the associate pastor in his fifties, and a couple from church in their sixties. It was beautiful to see servants of God from every age bracket celebrating the great gift of God this day. Bill and I served communion to at least three people over the age of ninety.
Our new clergy team has brought a renewed and refreshed spirit to our congregation. There is a great sense of peace and calm which was missing until recently. However, our numbers are down. Dr. Ken, our senior pastor, has been preaching the gospel - that people need to give their hearts to Christ, that those who have given their hearts to Christ need to lead new and transformed lives, and that leading these lives will propel us outside the walls of the church. He has preached on racial reconciliation, acceptance, and keeping open doors to everyone in the community.
Last week Dr. Ken spoke about a friend who suddenly left one of the largest churches in the south east. A drunk man had stumbled to the front doors of his church and pleaded that he needed to know God. The ushers denied the man entrance, telling him that he needed to sober up before he could come into church. The drunk man drove away and died in a car crash two blocks away. The pastor of the church resigned the following week. He could no longer serve a church that refused Christ to those who need him most.
For me personally, the saddest aspect of this story is that it could happen here. That scene could be played out on any Sunday morning on the front steps of our church. I'm making a prediction, one that I pray will come true.
I predict that over the next four months our numbers will fall dramatically before climbing drastically. I think that in the next few months Dr. Ken, and Pastors Tom, Bill, and Shelley will open our church doors to the lowest and least - and that not a few of our society ladies and moneyed gentlemen will find their way to a church more suited to their vast pocketbooks. But that the Spirit of God will prevail I have little doubt.
It's so exciting to just wait for the Holy Spirit to bust down the doors of a church.
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