Stewardship

During November, I spend my Sunday sermon time on stewardship. Now most other pastors are probably doing the same thing or they just finished a series on Stewardship. It seems like the church year likes to point out near the end of the calendar year that you need to give the church money. We also push the idea that we want you tell us what you are going to give next year. I find this a little humorous since all of society is telling you right now is the best time to spend for Christmas. Sounds like we started that train long before any other store.

I have been told I should focus on stewardship throughout the year and preach sermons regularly on the topic in the year. I was taught at seminars that we need to keep people reminded of the responsibility of stewardship every month, not just during the campaign. The last thing I am always reminded as I read through the Bible, Jesus talked about money more than anything else (well maybe love you neighbor is more) in His teaching. Yet, I don’t talk about money.

In my sermons I like to stress how time and talents are just as important a gift to the church and to God as the cash we drop in the plate. Rarely will I call out people to give till it hearts. I will give people opportunities to give extra. But, I tend not to focus on money.

I think I finally came up with an answer for why I don’t talk about money. Recently colleague was being asked questions to join my presbytery (read region of church government). He was asked, “What is the one question you did not want to be asked?” Profound question. He replied with issues of money and being asked to look at his checkbook. He admitted that he is not as trustworthy in Christ as he would like according to his spending. Wow!!! Someone admitted this. The individual is a minister!! There is truth in the world. On Sunday, I figured out in the middle of my stewardship sermon why I don’t like talking about money.

I am not as faithful either. I must admit that my checking account statement would not demonstrate a faith in Christ as much as I wish. I have much to learn still in this world about trusting in Christ. I am willing to give Jesus control over major portions of my life, but I want the reigns in certain areas. I hope my thick skull will one day learn to follow. Till then, I will keep listening. Now I might just be able to preach about money more often. I need a few good sermons on it myself. If I am not preaching to myself, nobody else is listening. 

We Want . . .

"But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, . . ." 

(1 Sam. 8: 19-20, NIV)

These are the words of the people of Israel to Samuel. He was aging and the children were not following in God's ways. The people were worried about the future and did not want the children of Samuel to lead them. The people wanted a king like all the other nations. They wanted to be just like every other nation. Someone to lead them into battle. Someone to fight battles on their behalf. But they were forgetting something important.

It was not Samuel who was accomplishing this for them already. It was not any of the other leaders in the history of Israel. Moses was not leading them into battle or fighting on their behalf as they travel in the wilderness. It was not Joshua who battled at Jericho or helped them through the concurring of the Promised Land. All of these events and the time of the Judges was not accomplished because of the powers of the people in charge. No. It was all accomplished by the power of God. God lead the people out of Egypt. God gave directions to Moses through the wilderness. God lead the people through the Promised Land. 

The people were not rejecting Samuel at this time. No, God reported to Samuel it was not his leadership the people were rejecting. The people were rejecting God. They were turning their backs on the leadership of God. God had declared to the people when they were at Sinai that God was to be the king. 

This was the prescription through out the history of Israel. As we read through the prophets, the people kept turning their backs on God. And it is the the case of people today. We as followers do not want to follow. We want to make our own ways. We think we know more than God. Our ways are better than God's 

We can act like the Israelis  and reject God. Or we can learn to follow and accept God as our king. Jesus asked the same thing of His followers in the New Testament. Jesus did not want us to just give a portion. No, He asked for us to give and trust completely. Are you willing to fall into place? 

Third Wednesday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional

March 4-5

We come again to some of the great parables we read in Matthew.  We see some of the similarities between the gospels, but soon after a few teachings, we get a glimpse into Jesus' humanity.  After spending time teaching and healing people of different ailments, Jesus and the disciples take off over the sea to a different location.  Jesus is exhausted.  He falls asleep in the back of the boat.  Anyone who has spent time on a boat could understand how this would happen.  The gentle waves would lull someone sleepy into a great sleep.  This is what happens to Jesus.  Yet, it does not stay like this for long.

The waters turn rough and the waves come over the top of the boat.  The disciples become scared and worried for the own safety.  But Jesus is still asleep in the back of the boat and attempts to rest.  The disciples wake him and explain the situation.  The whole world changes around them.

Jesus cries out to the wind and waves to calm down.  Everything goes back to normal on the water, but not in the hearts of the disciples.  This was another moment when they are surprised at his power and command of the world.  This was a teaching moment to their faith.  They got to see that the teacher, Jesus, has great power.  He does not just heal and teach.  He protects people and calm nature around them.

This is a  teaching for us.  Jesus wants His ministry and work to continue.  If we are following Jesus' call and passions, there will be many obstacles to our service.  Can they be over come in miraculous ways?  I believe this passage teaches us yes.  IF it is too turbulent, God can and will calm the storms.  He does listen to our concerns and worries.  We just need to be faithful. 

Second Tuesday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional
Mark 1-3

I was not able to write on yesterday's reading due to travel and attending a conference.  I wish this was not so as that reading was on the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The most important of all aspects of the Christian Gospel.  This is the foundation of our faith and hope.  None the less, today we start into a new Gospel.  Mark is the shortest of the four gospels and believed to be the first one written.  It is also believed to be the foundation of Matthew and Luke.  But as Matthew has a specific picture of Jesus' life, Mark also has a specific picture to help us see Jesus.

The one thing we see early is that Mark speeds the story faster than any of the other gospels.  Along with John, Mark does not retell the birth story.  He starts the gospel (Good News) of Jesus with the work and ministry of John the Baptist.  Then Jesus is sent to the wilderness for fasting and temptation.  Then Jesus starts calling disciples to follow Him.  Then people start following after Him due to the healing and forgiveness offered.  

The crowed following makes us think about in a time when there where numerous healers and prophetic voices floating around the Jewish circles, but Jesus was able to draw a crowd among all these voices.  Yes people followed some of these others, but they did not last after the gifts and the good things left.  Today, we have many voices calling around the world and people wanting followers.  The message of Jesus is still one of the most empowering to people.  I have heard stories of missionaries in India that the gospel is spreading fast.  It is due to the fact that through Christ, people are elevated out of the cast system and given value as a person.  They are able to have positions of value and jobs of meaning.  People are seen as valuable in the eyes of Christ and through His message.

The church in America and the west does not seem to be drawing crowds with the same message.  In fact, many people are running away from the church in droves.  Others do not even want to hear from Jesus people.  Why are people running away?  Why do people not want to hear the message?  

At a conference I attend in the fall, the question was put forward about the holiness of the church.  If the holiness of Jesus attracted crowds and people, what does this say about the holiness of the church?  This was a hard to hear when it was presented.  It is still hard to think about.  I believe when we come back to be followers of Christ and treat people with value as a Child of God, the people will hear and come to faith to follow with us in the life of Christ.  

Ash Wednesday: Lent Devotion 2014

Lenten Devotional

Matthew 1-4

I am challenging the congregation I serve to read through all four gospels in preparation for Easter this year. The challenge is based on the fact that I am the interim at this time.  We are going through a process of discernment for the future mission of the church centered around a process that calls for people to move from being members to disciples.  I prefer to think in terms of attenders or audience to followers and participants.  Who better to learn about following Jesus than Jesus and the disciples themselves?

I am challenging my self to write a devotional for each reading in the form of a blog for everyday of reading. So, this is for Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.

Chapter 1 of the gospel is one of the more tedious parts of gospel reading and the next couple of chapters (at least 2 and part of 3) are familiar to even the most casual of Bible readers.  The birth of Jesus, visit of the Magi, and Baptism of Jesus.  I hope you did not just skip over these four chapters without looking at a few of the very strange realities in these passages.  If you did, take a moment to read them with intensity and I will point out a few details that I find interesting.

The part of this reading most people will look past is the genealogy of Jesus.  But there is some very important facts in Jesus' history.  There are four women mentioned in the genealogy with three by direct name.  The three named were not Jewish.  All three were part of other clans.  This was not expected in the days of Jesus.  As a matter of fact, one had a terrible reputation in her city, Rahab.  She was a prostitute in Jericho just prior to the invasion by the Israel. The one unnamed women is Bathsheba.  She is the women David had an affair with and then had her husband killed in battle.  We would not celebrate these moments in our history, but yet Matthew is making a large deal over these truths.   Not a good picture for the Son of God to be born into.  

Nothing is these early pages of Jesus' history seem to be normal till the preaching in Nazareth.  His family is visited by wise men from the east, they all travel in strange directions and Jesus winds up being baptized by some crazy prophet in the desert.  All a little strange. 

I take away some good news from all of this for my life and others.  It does not matter where you come from or where you have been, God can and will use you for His glory if you will let Him.  The people in Jesus' life were not upright.  John the Baptist was strange.  All of these events demonstrate the reality of Paul's statement to the the Galatians, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28)  

I hope you will see through the pages of Matthew's opening of the gospel, that God will and wants to use your for His glory and mission in the world.

I am Board

Last Sunday I had what I assume most parents in the face on a regular bases. My son was convinced he did not have to attend church. He worked on me Saturday by convincing me that he should stay the night at a friends house. I of course did not let him. He then worked me over Sunday morning. Now the only way he accomplished Sunday was that Tonya worked the night before and was in no condition to attend church. She need some (a lot) of sleep. So, he thought since mom was able to miss church, he could.

As you might have guessed by now, my son did not win the battle. He reluctantly went to church. When I pressed him for why he did not want to go, he explained it was boring. I must admit that his belief church is boring stuck with me. I am not sure if he was just being a obstinate or was telling the truth, he is getting into the tween years. But I must admit that I have had it stuck in my head. What if he finds church boring? Does he think being a Christian is boring? Am I boring as a preacher (sure to get some comments)?

I think I am pondering this question from the perspective of others. From the other children and youth in the congregation and the world. I worship and attending church boring to them? Is being a Christian boring in their lives? What about the adults? Do they consider this weekly process of attending church a "requirement" to be meet and just attend to guarantee their future? This all comes to mind as the church closes in on Pentecost Sunday.

At the first Pentecost, it was not boring for any one. The spectators caught an eye full and the followers of Jesus were literal and figuratively on fire for Christ. What has happened to the passion we see in the early church? There was a Passion to tell everyone about Jesus. There was fear just in meeting to praise His name. Where is the excitement of the encounter with the living God. This might just be the issue. Are the people coming to have an encounter or a show? This might be why people are boarded. Would love to hear some comments.

Bible Study

So, I am not real active on this whole blogging system. I guess it really boils down to the fact I don't like to write in a journal any way. So, I was not sure what this adventure would unfold. I also was hopping for some feedback from people. But that would also require people to have read the blog. All in all, I will keep trying.

As for now, There is a lot of activity in the church. Of special interest to me is the two new Bible Studies (probably because I am the pastor). Of special interest is the Sunday night study using the Connecting with God curriculum. This was written by folks at Renovare. The process in this study is to help people grow closer to God through prayer, worship, and Bible Study. The final result would be that we follow God with each moment of our day. Heavy stuff, but I beleive this is what God desires out of His people.

The first lesson focused on God's desire and intention to leave with all of creation. This was ruined by the failure of people looking mostly for wisdom and power. We studies Genesis 3:1-13. No matter what we feel about this verse and its pointing fingers, the end result remains, God is not walking with us personally and we cannot spend our time speaking face to face. I believe this is what God wants, this is what heaven will be about.

The responsibility of the followers of Jesus s to be His disciples, learning from Him. The best way to learn something is to practice. The assignment for next week study is just that, practice talking with God. I have been doing this much more. One suggestion was to use the Bible as our prayers. I have followed this pattern. God has been up to something in my life. I have not fully come to realize what just yet. I started with Psalm 23. It has haunted me for two days. I have used different verses on different days. But Psalm 23 keeps coming back. I cannot wait to find out what God will teach me with this experiment.

So please, send comments. You might just be the one to help God point me in the right direction.