I have a wonderful and talented friend named John. Last week his parents came in to town. I got a chance to meet and gab with them for awhile. Had some marvelous conversation! They came to our 9PM Christmas eve service. Wait. Let me have you read the story that needs to be told from the words of another member of the church.
        "Today in church (12/26), a friend  was anxious to share a Christmas Eve  event that she experienced during the 9 pm service here. With her permission, I explained that I would like to share it with others. She had turned around at one point in the Christmas Eve service to welcome two strangers, a couple, to our service. She also commented on the gentleman's beautiful singing voice.
He handed her a dollar...........
         He quietly explained that he had been waiting for someone to welcome them there that night . He had decided he would hand a dollar bill to the first person to extend that welcome.
What would have prompted a visitor to our church to feel the need to thank someone for simply welcoming them? What does that say about us? It isn't pleasant to hear that our church has a reputation for not being a "friendly" church--like it or not, we do have that reputation in our community. Some would argue that to not be true. Consider this then...the same couple had arrived early for the service. We made some coffee and invited them to sit sat in fellowship hall while they waited for services to begin. As they sat there, fellowship hall was bustling with activity along with choir rehearsing for service. Someone asked them if they were there to join the choir. They explained they were not and sadly, that was the only conversation they had. One or two said “hello” but no conversation.
         That should be the beginning and the end of a lesson in how we have work we have to do in our church, to work harder at welcoming all who are here to worship with us, be it a visitor or  "regulars". However, that's not the end of the story. There is something to add to this--a few weeks earlier the very same person that had turned around to greet our Christmas Eve visitors had herself broken down in tears-- she was sad and feeling unwelcome here in her own church even though she is active and has attended church here for several years. Isn't it ironic that she was the one blessed to have been acknowledged for her kindness toward our guests?
       The end of the story? The husband of the special couple in attendance Christmas Eve is a noted author who holds a PhD in counseling psychology. He has written several books including a book about churches and small groups. The book focuses on the success of small groups helping to form personal relationships and in turn how those personal relationships help to nourish churches. Additionally, the close bonds that are formed help strengthen the congregation. Once the congregation is strong, focus can then be given to our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ in order to transform the world.
       Wait! Where have we heard this before? We hear it still! How ironic is it that God brought these visitors, this person who greeted them and this story to our congregation on the most holy of nights. If we are waiting for a "sign" to help us in our direction, I do truly believe God has given us one huge nudge! So what are we waiting for? There are opportunities for each of us to help turn this around"


       Too often we say, "Oh of course we're a friendly church." But what that really means is friendly to those who are already here, who look like us, talk like us and have the same interests as us. Creating a welcoming and hospitable environment is hard and intentional work. Churches only have one opportunity to make a first and lasting impression. What do you want that to be for your church? cold and lifeless? Or warm and welcoming? 
          Maybe it means developing a usher/greeter program which helps the pastor identify those who are visiting. Have them sign the guest book. Give them a gift with information about the church. Maybe before the people talk to anyone they know they seek out those they don't. Maybe you begin with an outreach group who comes to the services and looks for those who are new, engages them in conversation and then introduces them to the pastor. Here that has happened many times. People have taken the time to go out of their way to introduce themselves and them introduce me. 


      Not only do we need to do better at making a lasting first impression, but we must learn to move quickly. By that I mean once the service ends most visitors leave the service in THREE minutes. So once your service ends, unless you are intentional, they will be out the door before you can get to them. I went to a church while on vacation once. I knew about four or five people in that congregation including the pastor. After the service, I said hello to pastor and slowly moved to get my coat. I wasted more time, by fumbling with my jacket etc. I was there over 3 minutes after the service had ended. I even stood looking around as if lost. Not one person, including the pastor, came over to me to invite me to coffee fellowship or engage me. That seen happens far too often in our churches. 
   So for 2011....have your church make a resolution to be more intentional, more hospitable, more welcoming to those who are seeking that which men and women and children have sought for so long: the love and hope and fellowship that is a part of the Body of Christ!
Happy New Year!

In 1977, Mel Brooks made a movie called, "High Anxiety." In the movie he plays Dr. Richard Thorndyke who appointed to the "Psychoneurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous." He ends up framed for murder and has to not only fight the charges but also his fear of heights in order to clear himself. Here's a link to the film's trailer: http://youtu.be/mT8XumoYomE  In the movie he sings a song: 


"Whenever you're near High Anxiety It's you that I fear
My heat's afraid to fly, It's crashed before, But then you take my hand, My heart starts to soar
Once more
High Anxiety, It's always the same, High Anxiety, It's you that I blame
It's very clear to me, I've to give in, High Anxiety, You win"


Our churches today are suffering some major anxiety these days. Recently I have been reading a book by Peter Steinke called, "Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times." He speaks to the idea of leaders, both clergy & laity, learning to be that "non-anxious" presence in the midst of all the anxiety in the church. He calls us to examine ourselves, know triggers and be able to be non-anxious even if the focus is on us. He mentions 13 Common Triggers leading to anxiety. Steinke says one can create chaos. But usually five or six are set off together leading to anxious reactivity. (All points come from Steinke, Peter,  Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times;The Alban Institute; 2006; ISBN-10: 1566993288):
Triggers: 


1) Money: Follow the money trail-how to raise it, how to distribute it, How to manage when there isn't enough.


2) Sex, Sexuality: As sources of identity and self-expression, questions and differences pertaining to sex set off survival reactions.


3) Pastor's Leadership Style: Sometimes this is a euphemism for not liking the pastor. Sometimes it;s a genuine concern that the needed leadership is not happening. Sometimes clergy and other leaders fail to determine the kind of leadership needed. 


4) Lay Leadership Style: Lay leaders can run the spectrum from hands-off to hands on, from enabling to threatening, from expressing a failure of nerve to demonstrating strength of conviction and courage.


5)Growth, Survival: Congregations may be anxious because growth is slow or worship attendance declines.


6)Boundaries: Boundary problems could include how much of a congregation's resources are given away and how much retained locally; people overstepping their authority; misuse of finances. 


7) Trauma, Transition: A Key or nodal even happens with a significant emotional impact, such as storm damage to the church structure or the retirement of a pastor after a long tenure. 


8)Staff Conflict, Resignation: When the church staff is at odds or a staff member departs under a cloud of suspicion or fir unexpected reasons, people become upset.


9)Harm Done to a Child, Death of a Child: Congregations are children sensitive. If a child is hurt or if one dies, there is a sense of helplessness: we cannot even protect or defend those in our care. 


10) Old and New: Tension brews when considering a new hymnal to replace an old hymnal, to change the old time of worship, or to modify the receiving of the sacrament.


11) Contemporary and Traditional Worship: This is a special case of old and new. Immense emotionality is connected to styles of worship. The first murder in sacred history, the story of Cain & Abel, involved worship.


12)Gap Between the Ideal and the Real: When high and lofty ideas are betrayed by reality or when a focus on mission degenerates into a focus on self-concerns, people become disturbed.


13) Building, Construction, Space, and Territory: Add or tear down a building; modify existing space; move offices into a new area; sell land or parsonage; relocate. Anxiety will rise.


Where I currently am serving I would have to say we are over the five or six. I can see the church in just over half of these points. I am just learning to be the non-anxious presence. Not an easy task for sure. The key is learning about ourselves through a process of differentiation. 


Differentiation is the process whereby we move toward a more intentional and thoughtful way of living. It is relying less and less on our automatic responses. All of this takes place in our relationships. There we balance indiviuality and togetherness when we interact with others. Steinke says we need to develop this process within ourselves to be able to:
think clearly
act on principle
define self by taking a position
come to know more about our own instinctive reactions to others
learn to regulate those actions
stay in contact with others 
choose a responsible course of action.


In the movie, Mel Brooks had to find within himself why he was so afraid of heights. He was able to do that through talking with someone. Once he realized where this fear came from, this anxiety, he was able to move forward. 


Our churches are no different. We need to examine them and ourselves. Where are the reactive triggers we have or have seen in our interactions with others? I was in a meeting recently where a large part was devoted to me being a mis-fit. (last week's post). It would have been easy to be reactive and say something like, "I know you are but what am I? Infinity!" But I sat there and asked for God's peace just to be able to hear what they were saying. After the meeting there were some who came to me, angry, upset, even to the point of crying. I spoke with them in a non-anxious way. I attempted to calm them by telling them we have a choice. We can either let it fester within us and cause anxiety or...we can wait for a new day to dawn. The sun came up the next day, there was work to be done and...it was done. 


Whether it be the cloud of presence or fire at night. Whether it be the peace which surpasses understanding or the deep abiding presence of Christ, we are called as heirs, disciples to stand together when the anxiety comes. May we can sing the song Richard Thorndyke sang in a different way:


"Whenever you're near High Anxiety 
It's you that I fear
My heat's afraid to fly, It's crashed before, 
But Lord you take my hand, My heart starts to soar
Once more
High Anxiety, It's always the same, High Anxiety, It's you that I blame
It's very clear to me, I've to give in, Christ Jesus, You win"


May you be the non-anxious presence for the people you serve, now and always....Amen.

 I have been sick for a little bit. I always know when I have a fever. Used to be when you went to the doctor, it was open up and say "AHHH" so they could take your temp. Now it is one button click in the ear. It is quick painless. So is the other way but it sometimes reminds you of feeling sick holding the thermometer under your tongue. Whereas the ear thermometer is pretty quick and may not make you feel that way. It's like well maybe we're not sick. Does that make sense? I see the same thing in the church.


We don't really want to feel sick so we find some other way of saying we're ok and it's everyone else that is sick. It's as if we are in denial about the state of our churches.
I have done a lot of reading over the last several years regarding church health. I prefer that term as opposed to growth. We need to be  healthy to grow. I read a recent article from the Barna Group who did research throughout 2010. The picture of the church is not good. It seems we are turning inward more than outward, we really do not know what we stand for, can't articulate it and as people want to get involved in their community to help, often they are not seeking out the church as a starting point. OUCH!
So I say open up and say "AHHH" Church. Let's take our temperatures. Are you on fire with the fever of the Spirit? Or are the embers going out and unable to reignite? Does this describe your Gospel temperature?:

1) Is spiritual formation essential to many of the folks in your church or an activity only pursued by some?
2) Are the relationships in your community of the kin-dom? Are they honoring, forgiving, loving, caring, mutual and generative?
3) A deep concern for the circumstances and spiritual well-being of those beyond your doors? A concern which leads all to action?

Or is this your temperature?:

1) Concern for growing the church rather than witnessing to faith?
2) Running the church rather than forming disciples?
3) Being people led rather than being Spirit led?
4) Participating in mission projects without having a mission?
5) Fixing rather than creating?

So where do you fall on the temperature scale? Want to know more? Read the book "Pathway to Renewal" By Daniel Smith & Mary Sellon. It is an excellent source of information on how to develop readiness, begin visioning and living into the vision.

If we do not do something in our churches, will we hear these words from Revelation?:

Revelation 3:16 (The Message)

Sorry for such a long time between posts...the reason is as long as the time between posts...ANYWAY....
Church #1 This week I was invited to participate in a funeral for a young woman who died much too young but was wiser beyond her years (23). The pastor of the church invited me on behalf of the family. I had served that church for five years. They touched my life as much as they told me I touched their lives. There was a spirit of celebration in the sanctuary that day. I also felt the warmth of the friends I had made there. It was like coming home. They always had a spirit connected to God's Spirit to reach out, invite and share the message of hope they had found in Christ. They live out their lives shining the light of Christ for others to see outside the walls of the church. They are living out the mission of the church to make disciples of Jesus Christ so as to transform the world. They are working towards mission, relationships with one another, brosthers and sisters and on a journey.

Church #2 This church is split and has been for some time. It is divided along on several lines as I see it.

Church Building or Church Mission: There are those who wish to just come to church because that is what they have always done. All the activities of the church are directed to raise money for the building and bills. Church is a noun. Others say that our activities ought to be focused on finding ways to communicate the message of the Gospel in our community and more impostantly to each other. Church for these folks is a verb.

Members or Strangers: Members are those who have been here for other. they prefer that the newer attendees learn the ways of doing things before they get involved. Others want to be involved but are discouraged. On top of that members see these new folk as the salvation of the church in that they have money to contribute to the bills. The newere folk are also chastised for not coming more often. Many of those newer folk see themselves on a journey not necessarily attached to a place. They are looking for meaning and purpose, not just a place to belong/membership.

Family or Friends: Many of the folk have been friends for a long time. So long in fact, they see each other as family. Yet that is more on the surface. There is a lack of intimacy, vulnerability with each other. So while they call themselves friends/family, that bond is very flimsy. They very rarely reach outside this circle of friends. Love is a noun for them. Others see each other as true brothers and sisters. They share in each others lives, are vulnerable with one another and go the extra mile to make each other feel loved and welcome. Love for this group is a verb.

Belief or Faith: While both groups believe, the first group sees that as the point. I believe. I come to church to strengthen my belief not to be challeneged to live it out in faith. It is enough that I am here, in my church, giving my money and participating in activities. I don't necessarily need to know the Bible except the story cover to cover is about God and us. It is a book of history and moral lessons. The only way things get done is through us, we can trust God but.....
Others have belief and gratitude and thus from that live out their faith. They are willing to trust God and do what they are called to do, leaving some things up to God. They know that they would not be able to do any of what they do with their gifts and talents were it not for God. They see themselves as partners with God and each other to bring the kingdom and share it with the least, the lost and each other. The Message is a living, breathing and active part in their lives. These folks remind me of eating the scroll and taking the words into themselves to learn, grow and nourish themselves.

How does one help the people heal from these rifts? How do we come together in Christian fellowship when we seem so far apart?

I have had some spiritual battles lately with one of the groups about who we are who they are and what we are called to be together. Someone was at a gathering with me and some of the folks from the church feeling like outsiders. That person shared with me later that as he looked around, my ministry was attracting the same people that Jesus called us to. It was not a surprise to him but it made more sense as to why some want me out of the church. These are not the people they want in their church.

Please pray for these people that we might find common ground in our faith & belief so much so that we can move past our differences to impact each other and the community around us.

      This past week has been a rough one. However, I got a chuckle from a friend of mine who shared with me a story about the choir practice I missed. We practice in our sanctuary in the choir pews up front. Each of the pews has the hymnal rack which includes our two UMC hymnals and the Bible. So now having set the stage, here's the story:
As they began the fall a comment was made about the lack of hymnal room in the racks and foot space on the floor was because, as was said, "the Bibles are in the way." So the choir proceeded to remove the bibles from the choir area. I couldn't help but laugh and be saddened at the same time. We want the Bible to guide us when we want but then it gets in the way when we want to live the way we want.SO it isn't the "Bibles" but "The Bible" that's in our way.

We begin our meetings with prayer as we come together...wait the Bible's in the way ok let's begin the business by shouting at each other and refusing to offer each other Christ.

Let's' help the local jail ministry by getting bibles and study materials...wait the Bible's in the way....ok why should we do that they don't count?

Let's have lunch together so I can...wait the Bible's in the way....ok now I can tell you all the best gossip!

Hey one of my friends is having some tough financial times....wait the Bible's in the way...ok we don't need to help them even they aren't members or are they? Does it matter?

Hey we raised $4000 for our overseas mission...wait the Bible's in the way...ok now I can pay some of our church bills and send the Haiti money later...got to take care of number one.

I know all my blessings come from God....wait the Bible's in the way....but since I don't like what is happening in my church I'll withhold my pledge.

Let's pray on that...wait the Bible's in the way....ok let's pray that God sends us a better pastor.

We want youth and young adults in the church...wait the Bible's in the way....ok what I mean is we want them here but not to use the church for lock ins and bring their new fangled ideas.

We need to love one another...wait the Bible's in the way....ok what I mean is love those who come to the worship service I go to not the community or whomever is in the other worship service.

I know I am called to by God to worship and give thanks...wait the Bible's in the way...ok I mean worship God on my terms, like by myself. I don't need community.

The Bible provides a rich history of God and God's people; all the good times and all the bad. The story  reminds us of who we are, what we are called to do and to whom we are to serve in ministry and mission. The Bible may be in the way but ultimately it is Jesus we continue to stumble over.

Rather than let the Bible and Jesus challenge us, we withhold, draw back or simply move them out of the way. Yet God loved us so much Paul says in Romans 8:32  that God "who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will God not with him also give us everything else?" Yet we continue to trust in our own selves rather than emptying ourselves in trusting God.

Jesus even said, (Luke 20:17-18) "What then does this text mean: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."


While we may stumble and be broken over the cornerstone, reforms and resurrects our lives to live in and through him and the Holy Spirit. Or we could chose to move Christ and the Bible out of the way and be crushed went to times get tougher. Either way there will be pain, some choices cause more but in the end, what we thought was in our way now will become part of us and we will be able to lift up our mats and walk again in the light of the Lord.

Every time I hear some of these remarks, I feel like Jeremiah when he says, "(Jeremiah 9:1)  "Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people."

So is the Bible/Jesus in your way? Chances are there's a good reason. Take some time to discern why. For according to Paul: (Ephesians 2:19-22)  "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, {20} built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. {21} In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; {22} in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God."

I may show my age and many may not remember this but....in the Dr. Doolittle story there was an animal which was called the pushmi-pullyu (pronounced "push-me-pull-you"). It was a "gazelle-unicorn cross" which has two heads (one of each) at opposite ends of its body. When it tries to move, both heads try to go in opposite directions. Dr. Dolittle meets it on his voyage to Africa to save monkeys. I find myself in a place and time where that kind of effect is happening in the church and myself. Some time ago there was vision to build a church. It would start by building and education building and offices, then a fellowship hall then the new church. The church was during that time bursting at the seams. Suffice to say two pastors and eight years later and the vision while present in some is sustained by the reality of where the church is. 
I sat at a meeting where each side had valid points about why to keep the land and why to sell it. One side dealt with the :future of the church" while the other side felt that being a landlord was not the role of the church and we needed to get ourselves on firm financial footing. I see both sides. I have seen artists renderings and architect's drawings of what all three phases would look like. I have stood on that land and seen with my mind's eye the possibility of what it might look and feel like. On the same token, I know the present reality of churches like ours and so many others. Trouble paying bills. Trouble connecting stewardship of our resources and sharing with others. Difficulty connecting finding new and innovative ways to connect the congregation to the community in which it resides. How can we even consider taking care of a new facility when the current one is already a strain on our resources?
As I listened I heard to voices which reminded me of a DVD study "Living into the Change" by Dr.Gil Rendle.  Dr. Rendle spoke at a retreat for our conference and the video was crafted into a study. Dr. Rendle in that study mentions that what is happening is a struggle of values. Some folks who come to church on a regular basis do so out of a spirituality of place. In other words, the church building is the place where they come to encounter God and grow int heir faith. This is where they grew up, their family came here, their history is in this place.
He also described a group of people who are not attached to a physical place. They find themselves more in the area of spirituality of the journey. They seem themselves on this trek, sometimes wondering, sometimes led, sometimes following. It is a journey in and of faith. They are no attached to the building. When they find a place they stay. As long as they are fed and encountering the Living God and growing, they stay. If they don't find what they are looking for on the journey in one place, they journey to another until they find that meat and potatoes for their soul. For this group the place is not as important as the journey is. 
I saw and heard that around the table. As I had a chance to reflect this morning at breakfast with my lay leader, I was reminded of Moses and Aaron. There are many wanting to lead the church into a new era, and their are those who are more followers/helpers along the way in other words several"Moses" and "Aaron" people in the church. They know what needs to be done but struggle trying to bring folks along. They take the heat when things go wrong and give the glory when we are blessed. The people on one side remember when it was good in "ole Egypt" the pews full, Sunday School full and say, "if only we......" things would be like before. Others say God is leading us on a new journey saying, "Not sure where we are going but it will be better than where we are now." This wandering is where I see the church now. 
I struggle a little with my role. Do I interject all the time? Or do I sit back and listen? Over the last three years I believe I have laid a foundation of trying to hear God's still small voice for us. I have tried to share sermons and teachings that help us dive deeper in our faith, to ask and wrestle with the tough questions. What I have begun to hear is those same words being used by current leaders, newer leaders, our "Aarons/Aaronesses" if you will, to help us weigh anchor and begin to move from the dry dock. I was excited to hear some of the statements and viewpoints. Is it fair to say I am seeing the fruit of the labor? Too early to tell, but I do know people have heard God's word for their life.
We still have a long way to go as we push each other and pull each other, as we discuss and share our vision for the church. The fact that everyone at the meeting stayed at the table meant we are at least talking and maybe even listening to each other as we might not have before. The pushing and pulling at least helps us exercise our faith and our minds, giving us courage and wisdom to follow the call of the Kingdom. I would ask for prayer for the church, ours and the Body of Christ in general as we try to come together and determine how we might best impact our local community and our world! And God bless you who are the Moses and Aarons

1. Professional networking
2. Look for opportunities to help/mentor people
3. Grow professionally/personally
4. Gather news/information
5. Make friends
6. Have fun

1. Professional Networking
2. To Help & Mentor
3. Learn & grow both professionally & personally
4. Keep in touch with latest news in different groups
5. Make new friends
6. Have Fun

1. Professional Networking
2. Generally Private
3. Keep in touch with family/friends (old & new)
4. Keep in touch with friends from school/college
5. Keep in touch with former co-workers

1. Writing about topics that interest me.
2. Providing a discussion forum for those issues through comments

1. For general or detailed communication 

1. I will follow (almost) everyone who follows me.
2. I will follow you if you engage me in meaningful conversation.
3. I will NOT follow you if you are abusive.
4. I will NOT follow you if you are trying to sell me something.
5. If you follow me please introduce yourself (It increases chance that I will follow back).
6. I will do my best to respond to @ and DM messsages. Please be patient with me.
7. I reserve the right to amend this policy without notice.

I cannot explain the roller coaster of feelings I have had this past week and a half. During that time I was preparing for the final session, the 159th session of the Wyoming Annual Conference of the UMC. I was a part of the worship team as we put together services to help us have some closure, grieve and prepare for the future...a future in which God was doing something new. I was so busy through the two days of our conference, it really did not hit me what was happening. That was until the final worship service. We did a lot of remember our baptism, our history together and the fact that while we would no longer be an annual conference, we were still church of God and United Methodist. While one connection was ending many more were still in place. The idea of connectionalism was and is alive and well within us. My emotions came alive as I was one of a couple of people to help lower two banners, one for our NY districts and the other for the PA districts. The NY lay and clergy followed one banner out one door and the PA folks out the other. We came back together in place where our bishop offered a benediction and we sang "God Be With You Til We Meet Again." Tears flowed, hands held and hugs exchanged..again not saying Goodbye but til we meet again.Here is a link to an article about the final conference: http://tinyurl.com/34j6wqa
I drove home just thinking about what I had just been through with so many others. The conference that so many were as part of for so long like my father and grandfather, both ordained in the conference, was no more. How would I feel as we headed into this "new thing" from God...the "Susquehanna Conference." Well I told myself I wouldn't have to wait long...One week later the former Central PA COnf reps and the former Wyoming Conference PA reps met at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport PA. I believe we filled the place with close to 2000 people including roughly 480 clergy. We started with worship and then moved into business. As the worship began, I felt a swelling in my heart (strangely warmed?) as we began to sing. As we moved through the business of enabling motions to begin as the new conference. But after lunch as we prepared for ordination/commissioning, it hit me. the feeling of being lost and now found, blind but now I see. The music, worship, ordaining/comissioning and recognizing 28 people, gave me a feeling of hope. Hope in the midst of uncertainty in beginning to be a part of this new thing God has created.
I started by candidacy process in the Central PA Conference. So being in this place, a part of this new thing, made me feel as though I was coming home. I saw a new friend whom I had met about a year ago, Mark Reisinger, be ordained elder in the UMC. I also saw and old friend, Jean Blackie ordained elder. I saw a friend from CPE at Hershey Med center in Hershey PA, Eric Funk, doing some of the behind the scenes work, while my new friends, Heather, Natalya were coordinating worship. Who would have thought one week ago, I was devastated by the ending of something that God started. Here now as Mark Miller lead the music, as we celebrated ordination, commissioning and Holy Communion, I felt the Holy Spirit moving. I felt the hope for the future with my new and my familiar brothers and sisters, together children of God, and Methodists at heart surrounding me singing the songs of faith. I left there on a high but not without a caveat: we have plenty more work to do. We are still in the wilderness time with this new thing. We need to stay faithful to the vision and when need be pull back to and reevaluate where we are and determine where God calls us to go. As my new bishop, well new to me for the most part, Bishop Middleton said, this is a new day. In the evening she said we have to answer the question that Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" If we say yes then there is only one task we have...Go and tell about Jesus. Even amidst this new thing, as we search for a way to do ministry together in this new thing, that is our role as we work for the kingdom together. Please pray for us and we continue to wander in the wilderness!
www.susumc.org

I have been reading Laurie Beth Jones book, "Jesus: Life Coach." In one of the chapters called "Be Seen." She  begins by telling the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-5. Jesus basically says, "Hey Man, I see you! Come on down and let's get to know each other." Laurie shares several stories of how people have come to know God is with them. One of folks has an agreement with God that God will send white butterflies. Another woman asks God to show her a penny. I won't share more. You'll just have to buy the book.
Last weekend I was getting ready for our confirmation retreat as I mentioned in my previous post. I had read the chapter about being seen and kind of offered up, "Ok God, you know I am going through some rough waters. If you could find a way to share with me smiles from people that would be great." Well the retreat was all smiles! Seven and eighth graders chasing each other in tag and having a blast.
I started the week with good vibes but trying to help a church turnaround is not easy. I quickly got hit with several things because people want a leader that tells them what to do not help them figure it out. As I moved through the week I felt my energy waxing and waining. I spent time today getting things done around the house which I have been putting off for too long. Then I needed to head to the office. My office and the church are in walking distance to my home. Not in my typical garb for the office, jeans and tshirt, I got in my office, stopped at the church and then proceeded home. As I was, I noticed a white station wagon trying to park on courthouse square as I crossed the street. As I approached the car walking on the sidewalk, A gentleman got out and shouted, "How are you Pastor?" That happens every now and then in this small town. But I did not know or remember this man. We shook hands and I asked how he was. "Well, I have been out for seventeen months and I remember how you always came and talked to us." This man was one of the inmates I see every month to lead worship in the county jail. He told me he was working and clean and going to meetings. He was spreading his resume around to see if he could get a better job. He told me he was doing well. I told him it was great to see him and I would be in prayer for him.
Wow!!!
As I walked away I said, "Okay God....Ya got me..You see me and are with me." While I will remember the smiles of our confirmation class for a long time, the smile and conversation from this young man getting his life turned around, meant so much more today. Because it was from God. Maybe that is what we all need to do. We need to covenant with God about when we need to be seen through his eyes. Maybe we need to pick something that we know will put us back on our heels. Something that then gives us the continued courage to move forward. I half-heartedly asked God for smiles thinking this was kind of silly. But God showed me that even the smallest gesture, a smile, at the most unexpected time from the most unexpected person, can remind us Zacchaeuses of the world to hear that still small voice from God: "I see you and I love you." I found my courage today through God smiling at me today....how about you? What has God put before you to let you know you are seen and loved?

Soon our annual conference, The Wyoming Annual Conference (NE PA & Southern Tier of NY) with be no more. We are in a time of change, exciting and challenging and a little fear thrown in. God is telling us a new thing is happening. But sometimes even when we are doing that new thing memories return and call to our mind people, places, events which remind us of that past, brought to the present and thrust us in the future. For all you English majors, sorry about the LONG sentence.
This past weekend my co teacher for confirmation and I took seven our our eight confirmands to Sky Lake. It is a camp which has been associated with our conference for a long time. www.skylakecenter.org Through my candidacy process this place became a touchstone. When I was commissioned to begin the process toward elder in the UMC, we had a retreat for those being commissioned and ordained. I am still in contact with many who were commissioned/ordained in 2002. Again in 2005 my commissioned colleagues and I would be ordained. Through that three year process we had two years of short retreats with our leaders, Rev. Lynn Snyder and Rev. Bill Highfield. We always had a great time and learned a lot. But one of the things that I remember is Bill always sitting in the rocking chair in the lounge we spent time in while learning. We all joked that it was Bill's place. No other chair would do. Within the last year, Bill died and went to be with the Lord. But before then, I was always reminded of his ministry with us. One of the folks I was ordained with and I were asked to lead the probationer's class. While budget constraints would not allow a retreat every time. We had one day meetings but were able to have two retreats, one to begin the fall and another to close out a year of meetings. When we met we went to Sky Lake. The same building, Underwood lodge in the same lounge. While I would sit on the "comfy couches or chairs" I often sat in the rocking chair. the very same rocking chair that Bill sat in. I did so initially with a little bit of fear and trepidation. I mean after all that was Bill's chair. But soon I realized that my sitting in that rocker was more of an honor, in remembering Bill, and a duty, in passing on what he passed down to myself and so many others.
That whole idea came to light even more so this past weekend with the confirmands. Here my partner n teaching, Barb and I were discussing the UMC and sharing history and "language" with them. Each time we got together I sat in that rocker. Only thing missing was the pillow Bill often used as lumbar support but I didn't mind. I even sat in it as we watched our movie. The more we sat and talked the more I felt that I was following not just in Bill's footsteps but so many that went before me. I was taking time to help lead, guide and teach young people not only about the faith, the role it can play in life but about the church and what kinds of roles it can and does play in lives here and around the world.
I am so thankful for the many who have touched my life and journey of faith. But today I give special thanks to two people; First, Lynn who is still faithfully passing on the faith, serving the people of God in parish ministry; Second for the life of Bill Highfield in his ministry to so many. I will never look at that particular rocking chair at Sky Lake or any rocking chair for that matter in the same way ever again. that chair and all those rockers will remind me of the story telling and passing on of faith Lynn and Bill did for us and now I am called to do for others.

1 Peter 1:14-16 – do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance

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Over the course of my time in varying appointments, I never really had a plan so to speak. I just kind of went in listened and preached. I lead bible study, shared at meetings, did visits etc. I did all the pastor stuff. I couldn't really figure out why the church was not growing. I mean there was excitement, invitation etc but once I left it seemed to drop off.. In the past three years I have read many books, still reading in fact. articles, went to a conference and I continue to draw one conclusion: my role in ministry, no matter where I am is to help/guide people to find their gifts, pulling them together so they might impact the community an world around them, That means everything from my preaching, curriculum, structure, etc needs to be geared toward the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ so as to transform the world. The more I have come to that realization, I have this feeling that I need to do things that not only are out of the box but not necessarily how the church would have them ordered. I am ordained to word, order, sacrament, and service. Sometimes we have the rules to make sure things don't get out of hand. However, if the structure is not creating space for new ideas, or allowing room for a new way of doing things, should we not step out of the box where we have a little more freedom to think?
It has become harder and harder to "fill committee slots" to the point that many churches end up placing warm bodies in those vacancies. The infrastructure we have the harder it is to make decisions even at the basic level. I mean if we need new carpeting, a group can't just do it or offer to have it done, we seem to need to give permission at more than one meeting. So by the time the decision is made after a couple of months, the group has forgotten about it and moved on. While I need to mentor the committees in their roles, my goal is to get them to the point that no matter who steps into my shoes, they can not only continue the administration but also be able to focus on ministry.
I feel myself in a role in which I do not think pastors have been before and I know I didn't get the "how to turn a church around" course in seminary. So in a sense I am feeling unsteady on my feet trying to lead the people through change. In my reading the turnaround churches ending up losing people who could not handle the change which would set the church free to be who God is calling them to be. I worry about that and maybe I shouldn't as I move in this wilderness of tough times, decreasing denominations and with a few trusted and devoted to this new idea stuff. I don't want to leave people behind. But at what point does moving forward in Christ's name become the goal rather than member retention, coddling the good monetary givers of the church, and maintaining the status quo. When I was ready to move this last time, I told my district superintendent I wanted to go where: they had little to no financial problems, they were ready to move and a group ready to embrace technology in ministry. The DS giggled and told me they didn't think there was any place like that in our conference. OUCH! Well there should be, I thought. When's the last time we created a new church not recreated a church with a merger/closing of churches?
This wilderness place is very disconcerting. Part of me just wants to simply do what the people want me to do. But my faith tells me otherwise. My faith tells me that Jesus always spoke truth to power. He held the light of God in one hand and a sword in the other. The sword was not one for inflicting pain but cutting through all the actions/words and call forth the truth by proclaiming what is false. That is hard. I have been trying to do that and found a couple of unsigned letters given to key people in the church anonymously to challenge me at every corner. I keep feeling like Moses, taking time to meet with God and coming back and seeing the people melting gold for the calf. I feel like Peter sometimes denying Christ, when I don't follow or hesitate for a moment to do what God calls me to do.
This wilderness is not an easy place. I am anxious and yet somehow th Spirit provides confidence to get out of bed and step closer to the goal of bringing the kingdom. I know there are so many that are hungry for Christ. I am listening to Jesus' voice but also asking, "Lord can you help direct me to those people so we can connect them to your love, grace, mercy and hope? Help me to shepherd and protect them and lead them until they can carry the torch and sword for others." Here I am Lord send me.

For some time now the church has not been the big influence in culture it was decades ago. Denominations have not kept up with the times and we seem to be like Rip Van Winkle waking up to an entirely changed world view. People in our churches are struggling with wanting to do church the same way they always have. A.K.A. "The good ole days." We hear "if we only did this" or "if we did that activity again people would come." Years ago people rented there pews. Not only did that provide money to support the church, which was expected, the renters were also expected to be in their pew in church. We have brought that mentality forward into our culture in which individuals and families have a which has a small measure of life available to be a part of a church. While we have all these new machines to "make our work easier" they sometimes cause us to take more time by filling the extra time doing more work/stuff. So we don't have the "Pew Renters" we had before. Now we have people who are "Time Sharers." They may be in there one week and not the following. Their children may only be able to attend Sunday School/Christian Ed two out of four Sundays a month because of other activities. The question is not how we get people into the church? They are not the salvation of the church. We know who is....It is Jesus Christ. The question is why would anyone come to our church and why would they stay? It is our job in faith to share Christ with those outside the walls. These Time Sharers are hungry for meaning in their life but may not be able to be a Pew Renter. That doesn't mean they count any less nor does it mean they are any less hungry than those who are there every week. We need to find ways to have the most impact for those every week but also for those who are there every other week as well. We need to move, quoting Rev. Mike Slaughter from Ginghamsburg UMC, from "Broadcasting" to "Narrowcasting." (Thanks Mike for the words) It means sharing those weekly services not only in the church but outside to individuals/families who cannot physically be there. The technology out today gives people, who can't physically be there, the opportunity to watch/listen to a service by streaming video on a website or setting up podcasts/MP3 files for people to download/listen to. These are not problems to be solved but conditions in which we live that require us to do things differently to reach the most people we can. Denominational free fall is not a problem to be solved but a condition we need to live in and through by adding ways to proclaim the message rather than focus on something which is not a problem to solve. We like solving problems but we can't change conditions. We must live, move and have our being in this wilderness time.
I read a story in a book by author Laurie Beth Jones called "Jesus: Life Coach." In the first chapter she tells the story of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson sleeping in the woods camping. Holmes wakes up and says, "Watson! Wake up! What do you see?!" Watson wakes up and said, "Sherlock I see the North Star, which has helped guide us to this spot. Beyond that I see the Big Dipper and the tail of Orion. I also can make out the edges of the Milky way and know that there are universes expanding beyond that." Sherlock elbowed him and said, "Watson, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent!" (Thanks Laurie Beth for the story)
We spend all of our time trying to maintain the institution and local churches worry about maintaining the order and mortar they know. All the while, Jesus has come as a thief in the night and stolen the tent. We need to be more like Watson and see our current reality and begin to move(doing God's will in our community) rather than Holmes who was only worried about the tent(institution/mortar).
So let's shoot for the stars not look down at our feet. Being the church is a journey not a destination. Look at your bible maps of the Exodus. It was not a straight line and sometimes they had to go backwards to go forwards. Whatever happens, let's trust our faith in the one who is the way, the truth and the life. I pray Jesus steals your tent too.