I know it sounds crazy...But, I'm working on some ideas for a two-week sermon series for the first two weeks of September. It will probably be the next time I preach, and could be the last time I preach for a while. You know how it goes...being the associate pastor, one only gets to preach every now and then. So, I'm looking forward to it...And, I'm really planning some big stuff...hopefully some things that will help us move forward.
I know that I will be using MediaShout for my presentation software for the two weeks...That will allow me to easily integrate video into the whole day. We'll start off with a video based call to worship, a time of praise and worship music, a prayer, a message, and a closing blessing. Since I'll be in charge, I'll be doing the services the way I would do them if I could.
At this time, I'm really wanting to focus the messages on building up the body of Christ. We've spent a good deal of time lately focusing on how sometimes life sucks, but God's grace is good. While it is true that life is difficult and God's grace will cover any of the mess that confronts us, we need to also take time to remind people of God's goodness and build one another up in His love. We need to encourage people and remind folks that following God isn't always persevering through life's adversity...Sometimes life goes extremely well...and we just need to be encouraged.
Any ideas? Any thing you've really wanted to learn about? Maybe I'll take two weeks and work through a small book of the Bible...Who knows???
Friday, July 29, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Camping Ministry
One of my favorite things about working in a Methodist church in the North Indiana Conference is being able to be a part of our camping ministry. It's an incredible opportunity for churches to get their kids to a new environment where they are saturated with Christian fellowship, discipleship, and worship. Each summer, hundreds of students commit their lives (or re-commit) their lives to Christ. That commitment is a direct result of the ministries of the local church combined with the ministry of our camps.
However, sometimes I see too many churches that only give their students the opportunity to commit their lives to Christ at camp. Throughout the year, their youth ministries don't challenge their students with the opportunity to follow Christ. Too often, I hear students talk about how they just wait until commitment night to start over, to re-commit their lives. Somehow we've failed to teach the kids that they can commit or re-commit their lives to Christ any time, any where.
One of the things our camps lack are efficient facilities. At junior high camp, we eat and worship in the same room...not the best scenario. At senior high camp, the housing facilities are absolutely horrible. We lack the best facilities for our students because we fail to fund the ministry correctly. But, I'm not going to solve that today.
The biggest disappointment in our camping ministry would be the keynote speakers at Senior High Institute. Year after year, the camp hires some ordained UM pastor that hasn't worked with youth in years to speak to youth. What ends up happening is that our students fall asleep, get bored, and end up looking at the messages as the worst part of camp. That's too bad because the Message should be the most exciting thing these students encounter. I pray that they will start hiring professional youth speakers...people that speak to youth effectively on a regular basis. I hesitate to send senior high youth to NIC camps because I know they will struggle with the worship experiences. But, God is good and works through it all anyway.
Someday we'll get this ministry figured out. Growing up in Young Life camps, I guess I've been spoiled. But, there is no reason we should not offer our students the best facilities, ministries, and opportunities available to our youth.
However, sometimes I see too many churches that only give their students the opportunity to commit their lives to Christ at camp. Throughout the year, their youth ministries don't challenge their students with the opportunity to follow Christ. Too often, I hear students talk about how they just wait until commitment night to start over, to re-commit their lives. Somehow we've failed to teach the kids that they can commit or re-commit their lives to Christ any time, any where.
One of the things our camps lack are efficient facilities. At junior high camp, we eat and worship in the same room...not the best scenario. At senior high camp, the housing facilities are absolutely horrible. We lack the best facilities for our students because we fail to fund the ministry correctly. But, I'm not going to solve that today.
The biggest disappointment in our camping ministry would be the keynote speakers at Senior High Institute. Year after year, the camp hires some ordained UM pastor that hasn't worked with youth in years to speak to youth. What ends up happening is that our students fall asleep, get bored, and end up looking at the messages as the worst part of camp. That's too bad because the Message should be the most exciting thing these students encounter. I pray that they will start hiring professional youth speakers...people that speak to youth effectively on a regular basis. I hesitate to send senior high youth to NIC camps because I know they will struggle with the worship experiences. But, God is good and works through it all anyway.
Someday we'll get this ministry figured out. Growing up in Young Life camps, I guess I've been spoiled. But, there is no reason we should not offer our students the best facilities, ministries, and opportunities available to our youth.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Asking Questions
Questions are a good thing...as long as I'm not the one being asked the questions! Questions make us feel like we're under the gun...like we have to come up with the right, perfect answer or every thing will collapse. As much as we know that the world does not rely on our perfect answers, it's sometimes difficult to avoid feeling pressure when being questioned.
However, like I said, questions are a good thing. Questions keep us on our toes. They keep us evaluating where we're at in this crazy life.
Lately, I've had a lot of questions running through my head about the church. Why do we do things the way we do them? How do we change from the church we are to the church we can be? What is the vision God has placed on our hearts for this church? If we were starting from scratch, what would our church look like...what would we do? What is my dream for Center Chapel? What is God calling us to do at Center Chapel? What things do we need to toss out the window? What things do we need to rediscover? What would happen if we made significant changes to our worship and ministries? Are we willing to make the changes that might come as a result of the questions we ask?
As the church, and as individuals, we need to be asking ourselves why we do what we do. I believe we need to be in a continual process of re-evaluating and rethinking what we do and why we do it. We may find that we're on the right track. We may find that we're heading down the road to destruction. Either way, we need to ask these important questions in order to know where we stand.
However, like I said, questions are a good thing. Questions keep us on our toes. They keep us evaluating where we're at in this crazy life.
Lately, I've had a lot of questions running through my head about the church. Why do we do things the way we do them? How do we change from the church we are to the church we can be? What is the vision God has placed on our hearts for this church? If we were starting from scratch, what would our church look like...what would we do? What is my dream for Center Chapel? What is God calling us to do at Center Chapel? What things do we need to toss out the window? What things do we need to rediscover? What would happen if we made significant changes to our worship and ministries? Are we willing to make the changes that might come as a result of the questions we ask?
As the church, and as individuals, we need to be asking ourselves why we do what we do. I believe we need to be in a continual process of re-evaluating and rethinking what we do and why we do it. We may find that we're on the right track. We may find that we're heading down the road to destruction. Either way, we need to ask these important questions in order to know where we stand.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Velvet Elvis
I just got a new book that I'm totally stoked about! Rob Bell is one of my favorite pastors. I listen to his sermons on-line all the time. I've visited his church, Mars Hill, in Grand Rapids, MI. So, I'm hoping that this book, "Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith," will be as good as his preaching. I really need a good book after the fiasco with the "Buck Naked Faith" book.
Back to Normal???
Well, I'm back from camp! As a direct result of my return, it should mean that I'll be back to a more normal blogging routine. However, I refuse to make any promises.
I can say that, though we had an excellent time at camp, it's great to be back home with my wife!!!
Camp was absolutely incredible. We saw a lot of kids come to Christ, whether for the first time or a re-commitment. We had a ton of fun! Our worship experiences were amazing...even when the computer crashed and we had to kick it old school for a view days (old school means using PowerPoint instead of MediaShout). It was a great week.
I'll try to write something profound in the next day or two.
I can say that, though we had an excellent time at camp, it's great to be back home with my wife!!!
Camp was absolutely incredible. We saw a lot of kids come to Christ, whether for the first time or a re-commitment. We had a ton of fun! Our worship experiences were amazing...even when the computer crashed and we had to kick it old school for a view days (old school means using PowerPoint instead of MediaShout). It was a great week.
I'll try to write something profound in the next day or two.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Off to Camp
Tomorrow I leave for a week of junior high camp at Camp Adventure. It's always a great week. This year, I'm sad because Emily won't be with me. Bummer. But, I know that God will do some amazing things throughout the week in the lives of the campers, staff, counselors, and directors.
Our theme is "Image." We'll be talking about who we are, who God is, who we are in Christ, and how to live in and through Christ. It should be incredible. I'm speaking on the first night about our freedom in Christ and how that leads us to talk about our image. Then, I'll talk again on commitment night, communion night, and at our celebration service. I'm looking forward to all of them. On commitment night, we're going to have 250 candles in the front of the worship room. The campers will be sent outside to pray...basically a prayer of confession/repentance. When they come back inside, they will light a candle to represent the darkness of their sin being changed into light as God forgives us. Then on communion night, all of the candles will be lit as they come into the service. We'll see how it goes.
Needless to say, I probably won't be posting much next week...maybe not at all. My posting has been sporadic as of late due to camp preparations. So, if you're the praying type, pray for our camp!
Our theme is "Image." We'll be talking about who we are, who God is, who we are in Christ, and how to live in and through Christ. It should be incredible. I'm speaking on the first night about our freedom in Christ and how that leads us to talk about our image. Then, I'll talk again on commitment night, communion night, and at our celebration service. I'm looking forward to all of them. On commitment night, we're going to have 250 candles in the front of the worship room. The campers will be sent outside to pray...basically a prayer of confession/repentance. When they come back inside, they will light a candle to represent the darkness of their sin being changed into light as God forgives us. Then on communion night, all of the candles will be lit as they come into the service. We'll see how it goes.
Needless to say, I probably won't be posting much next week...maybe not at all. My posting has been sporadic as of late due to camp preparations. So, if you're the praying type, pray for our camp!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
They Might Be Giants
Last night, Emily and I traveled down to the Music Mill in Indy to catch a They Might Be Giants show. It was a great concert. However, a few things about the show did bother me...
First, while the Music Mill venue is definitely clean and hip (it's a no smoking concert venue, something I greatly appreciate it), it's an awkward space. The place is a little small and there are absolutely no chairs...which isn't a big deal if you're going to a one act show. Emily's feet quickly grew tired after a few hours of standing. So, that led to her sitting on the floor against the wall in the back of the club. Not exactly what you're looking for when you pay $25 to see a show.
Second, the opening act...Corn Mo. I'll admit he was funny. However, he went on way too long. Over forty-five minutes of a guy you've never heard of playing accordion or piano by himself...and not really doing it that well...is enough to drive a sane man crazy. I will give him props that his voice reminds me of Meatloaf...of course, I don't like Meatloaf...so, it wasn't the best reminder in the world. He's the kinda guy who should put down the instruments and just be a comedian.
Third, after waiting through the Corn Mo portion of the show, TMBG finally took the stage. They did this 30-minute work of songs they wrote on a tour that were specific for each venue they played at. While it was interesting and good, I was worried they would do this all night long. However, after the 30-minute set, the band announced they were opening for themselves and would be back after a short break. What? We just sat through an opening band!!!
Well, the second set of TMBG was incredible! They played the typical crowd pleasers. Overall, it was a great show. They are amazing musicians! Next time they swing through your area, be sure to check them out.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Crazy Day
So, on Friday, Emily and I headed up north to visit some friends. We decided to take our time, stopping along the way to eat and shop. Well, it's a good thing we had already decided to take our time.
First, our exit off of I-69 was closed. So, we headed through Ft. Wayne in order to take State Road 120 over to Elkhart.
When we were just north of Ft. Wayne, traffic came to a complete stop. It took a good hour to move just about four miles. Basically, a bunch of things went wrong all at once. Check out this article for information on why we were stopped:
Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette
Then, when we got into Bristol, State Road 120 was closed off for the Bristol Homecoming Days. This is basically a street fair. Here's a question for the folks of Bristol? Why would you close off the main highway through your town. Use one of the side streets for crying out loud.
So, what should have been a two-and-a-half hour car ride ended up being a 5+ hour car ride.
When we got to our friends place, I started reading her copy of the Elkhart Truth. My horoscope for Friday said, "Travel may not be in your best interest today. Avoid highways. It would be better to enjoy the hospitality of your own home." Now, I'm not a horoscope person...But, man, that's crazy.
Needless to say, the ride home was much more pleasant.
First, our exit off of I-69 was closed. So, we headed through Ft. Wayne in order to take State Road 120 over to Elkhart.
When we were just north of Ft. Wayne, traffic came to a complete stop. It took a good hour to move just about four miles. Basically, a bunch of things went wrong all at once. Check out this article for information on why we were stopped:
Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette
Then, when we got into Bristol, State Road 120 was closed off for the Bristol Homecoming Days. This is basically a street fair. Here's a question for the folks of Bristol? Why would you close off the main highway through your town. Use one of the side streets for crying out loud.
So, what should have been a two-and-a-half hour car ride ended up being a 5+ hour car ride.
When we got to our friends place, I started reading her copy of the Elkhart Truth. My horoscope for Friday said, "Travel may not be in your best interest today. Avoid highways. It would be better to enjoy the hospitality of your own home." Now, I'm not a horoscope person...But, man, that's crazy.
Needless to say, the ride home was much more pleasant.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Ugly Dog
This is the world's ugliest dog! I'd love to see any dog that thinks he/she can compete.
Check out the article: World's Ugliest Dog
Just a thought or two...
This morning, I read an article out of a church newsletter from a church I've been associated with in the past. The article made me laugh...not because it was funny...but because it was so ridiculous that I had to laugh because I was so upset at the comparisons being made between a building project and a passage of Scripture.
Here's the basics...This church has entered a building campaign called "A Faith for Today: a Building for Tomorrow." It has the whole, "if you build it, they will come" philosophy behind it. In fact, their youth group recently made a t-shirt that has the building plan on the front and says, "Build It..." and on the back it says, "So, they can come." This would imply that no one can currently come...only if they build a new building will more people be able to come.
I wondered where this mentality came from (well, I had my ideas) and in reading the pastors newsletter article, it became clear. The pastor takes the Scripture of Mark 2:1-12, where Jesus heals a paralytic, and compares it to building a new addition on to the church. It's pretty funny stuff really. The story from Mark speaks of how Jesus was teaching in a house and the crowds were so huge, no one could get in. So, this paralytic had some friends that just knew if they could get him closer to Jesus he would be healed. The guys dig a hole through the roof and lower the guy down to Jesus. Jesus sees their faith, forgives their sins, and heals their friend.
So, the pastor says that in order to bring ones friends...and strangers...to Jesus they need a new facility. And, this seems to be the mindset with a lot of modern churches. They build so people can come. But, from reading this story, you would think that people were digging holes in the roof of the sanctuary or fighting for parking spaces or seats. But, that's simply not the case. Just look at the sanctuary they built several years ago. The thought was that the old sanctuary was too small and didn't allow room for growth. So, the plan was put together to build a new sanctuary. And, this sanctuary is fantastic...it's absolutely beautiful! But, it's pretty much never reached it's full capacity on a Sunday morning. Not one of the three services is pushing the limits for parking or seating. In the newsletter article, the pastor reports that the Sunday school teachers say the classrooms are fine for what they are doing.
I know I'm just ranting here...But, hey, it's my blog...I can rant if I want. The main reason for my rant is that I see this too often in the church....Messages that communicate the only way to grow is to build a new building. This type of thought implies that growth has nothing to do with an excited heart, solid preaching, and excellent ministries...it's all got to do with space. Hmmm...Jesus never had a huge building...He didn't even have a home. You know, this same pastor preached a message a few weeks ago comparing this building project to Jonah going into Nineveh. Interesting...so does that mean they don't really want to build this project, but God keeps telling them to? Or does it mean that God is calling them to go into the city and proclaim his message? I don't know about the first question...maybe God is continually telling them to do this and they have been resisting. On the second question...They aren't going anywhere! So, I don't really see how building a new building on your current property is anything like going into a town and proclaiming a message that causes an entire city to repent.
Well, that's enough for now.
Here's the basics...This church has entered a building campaign called "A Faith for Today: a Building for Tomorrow." It has the whole, "if you build it, they will come" philosophy behind it. In fact, their youth group recently made a t-shirt that has the building plan on the front and says, "Build It..." and on the back it says, "So, they can come." This would imply that no one can currently come...only if they build a new building will more people be able to come.
I wondered where this mentality came from (well, I had my ideas) and in reading the pastors newsletter article, it became clear. The pastor takes the Scripture of Mark 2:1-12, where Jesus heals a paralytic, and compares it to building a new addition on to the church. It's pretty funny stuff really. The story from Mark speaks of how Jesus was teaching in a house and the crowds were so huge, no one could get in. So, this paralytic had some friends that just knew if they could get him closer to Jesus he would be healed. The guys dig a hole through the roof and lower the guy down to Jesus. Jesus sees their faith, forgives their sins, and heals their friend.
So, the pastor says that in order to bring ones friends...and strangers...to Jesus they need a new facility. And, this seems to be the mindset with a lot of modern churches. They build so people can come. But, from reading this story, you would think that people were digging holes in the roof of the sanctuary or fighting for parking spaces or seats. But, that's simply not the case. Just look at the sanctuary they built several years ago. The thought was that the old sanctuary was too small and didn't allow room for growth. So, the plan was put together to build a new sanctuary. And, this sanctuary is fantastic...it's absolutely beautiful! But, it's pretty much never reached it's full capacity on a Sunday morning. Not one of the three services is pushing the limits for parking or seating. In the newsletter article, the pastor reports that the Sunday school teachers say the classrooms are fine for what they are doing.
I know I'm just ranting here...But, hey, it's my blog...I can rant if I want. The main reason for my rant is that I see this too often in the church....Messages that communicate the only way to grow is to build a new building. This type of thought implies that growth has nothing to do with an excited heart, solid preaching, and excellent ministries...it's all got to do with space. Hmmm...Jesus never had a huge building...He didn't even have a home. You know, this same pastor preached a message a few weeks ago comparing this building project to Jonah going into Nineveh. Interesting...so does that mean they don't really want to build this project, but God keeps telling them to? Or does it mean that God is calling them to go into the city and proclaim his message? I don't know about the first question...maybe God is continually telling them to do this and they have been resisting. On the second question...They aren't going anywhere! So, I don't really see how building a new building on your current property is anything like going into a town and proclaiming a message that causes an entire city to repent.
Well, that's enough for now.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Let's Get It Started!
So, today I've been doing something about how you get people to "get it started." And, I don't mean this in the Black Eyed Peas sense of getting ones funk on...dancing around like a mad man. I'm speaking more in the sense of the James 1:22 sense. Need a reminder of James 1:22?
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
It seems like we've got a lot of Christians these days that have heard the word just fine. But, when it comes to putting these ideals into practice...well, that's a whole different story. And, I know this from a personal sense too. I have a pretty good foundational understanding of the word. However, there are many times where I choose to think instead of act. There are times when I decide to sit around and have wonderful conversations about social action, loving my neighbor and all that jazz instead of actually getting off my bar stool and doing something.
Lately, I've been on the receiving end of people going out of their way to show love for their neighbor. As Emily and I have experienced car trouble, we have had people making wonderful sacrifices for us...offering rides, sending us gifts to help with the cost of getting the car fixed, checking things out to make sure we're not being taken advantage of, looking for grants that can help out, buying us lunch/dinner, praying for us, and just being there for us. It's been incredible.
And, it's been a wonderful reminder to me that I need to always be aware of what's going on around me. I need to be looking for what God is doing and how I can be a part of it. I need to pray that God will open my eyes to see what's going on around me and to know how He wants me to act. Hindsight is 20/20, but the woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't do much to further the Kingdom. So that's my prayer today, that God would open my eyes to His work and free me from my selfishness so that I will actively be a part of what He is trying to work out in the world around me. I pray that today and everyday I will no longer just be a hearer, but a doer as well!
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
It seems like we've got a lot of Christians these days that have heard the word just fine. But, when it comes to putting these ideals into practice...well, that's a whole different story. And, I know this from a personal sense too. I have a pretty good foundational understanding of the word. However, there are many times where I choose to think instead of act. There are times when I decide to sit around and have wonderful conversations about social action, loving my neighbor and all that jazz instead of actually getting off my bar stool and doing something.
Lately, I've been on the receiving end of people going out of their way to show love for their neighbor. As Emily and I have experienced car trouble, we have had people making wonderful sacrifices for us...offering rides, sending us gifts to help with the cost of getting the car fixed, checking things out to make sure we're not being taken advantage of, looking for grants that can help out, buying us lunch/dinner, praying for us, and just being there for us. It's been incredible.
And, it's been a wonderful reminder to me that I need to always be aware of what's going on around me. I need to be looking for what God is doing and how I can be a part of it. I need to pray that God will open my eyes to see what's going on around me and to know how He wants me to act. Hindsight is 20/20, but the woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't do much to further the Kingdom. So that's my prayer today, that God would open my eyes to His work and free me from my selfishness so that I will actively be a part of what He is trying to work out in the world around me. I pray that today and everyday I will no longer just be a hearer, but a doer as well!
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Raising Awareness???
Did any of you catch the Live 8 concert yesterday? It was all over the place...MTV and VH1 had reports and concert footage all day. ABC had a special 2-hour highlight of the event. It was pretty cool.
The whole purpose of the Live 8 event was to raise awareness of the fight against poverty. The artists and organizers involved in the event hoped to draw the attention of the leaders attending the G8 conference...hoping they would take note that people are concerned with poverty issues. I'm all about it and think our world leaders need to know that many people around the world want them to take action to help eliminate poverty. The people behind one.org were really pushing this event.
So, throughout the event, various artists were making pleas for people, especially the G8 leaders, to become more aware of poverty issues. That's what gets me...This event wasn't doing anything to fight poverty issues...It wasn't doing anything to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, etc...This event was organized simply to raise awareness that poverty is an issue around the world...focusing especially on the African continent.
Anyway, I was just a bit disappointed in the event. It's great to make people more aware. But, give people some outlets of how they can make a difference...today! Sure, we can all put pressure on our governmental leaders...But, we can and should do more than that.
The whole purpose of the Live 8 event was to raise awareness of the fight against poverty. The artists and organizers involved in the event hoped to draw the attention of the leaders attending the G8 conference...hoping they would take note that people are concerned with poverty issues. I'm all about it and think our world leaders need to know that many people around the world want them to take action to help eliminate poverty. The people behind one.org were really pushing this event.
So, throughout the event, various artists were making pleas for people, especially the G8 leaders, to become more aware of poverty issues. That's what gets me...This event wasn't doing anything to fight poverty issues...It wasn't doing anything to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, etc...This event was organized simply to raise awareness that poverty is an issue around the world...focusing especially on the African continent.
Anyway, I was just a bit disappointed in the event. It's great to make people more aware. But, give people some outlets of how they can make a difference...today! Sure, we can all put pressure on our governmental leaders...But, we can and should do more than that.
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