Moving out of the box

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Today has been one of trying to start preparing for this Sunday and also at the same time trying to start planning for Lent and Easter. I have never been one accused of being a multi-tasker but I try. Of course when I try to do so much it seems that I am inundated with phone calls asking for information or having to find out from others information. Sometimes I can get so distracted that I find it hard to get back to what I was working on in the first or maybe second place. Actually if I am honest, that fits in so well with my personality type. I am a great starter but I have to work to be a great finisher.

This is what got me thinking about the need that I have to move out of the box. I need to at times stretch myself creatively. Otherwise, I feel stale and spiritually dry. In bible study last night, we were talking about the passage in Ezekiel of the valley of dry bones. I was thinking that when I feel my creativeness becoming stale that is exactly a description of myself, dried up. I need at that time to find time to open myself up to the breath of God. Then I am able to feel alive once again. I need to move out of the box that I create for myself.

It is interesting to think about what we tend to box up. At a meeting at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, there was a short play about trying to box God up. "Ronco God in a box. For just $19.95, we can send you God in a box. We guarantee that God in the box will meet your every need. Hurry and we can offer for just the shipping and handling Jesus on a cross." I have a picture of Jesus in a box that I used as a sermon illustration. It is not only ourselves that we tend to box up but also our expectations of Jesus and God. As long as God does what I want, that is ok. But the minute that I have to do something hold the horses.

Jesus constantly thought and moved out of the box of traditions and expectations. He did things that constantly pushed the limits of religious orthodoxy. He ate with sinners, he healed on the Sabbath, he performed miracles, he touched the untouchable, he treated women with dignity and equality, and he spoke of a Truth greater than any of us. When I feel uncertain or tired, I remember what Jesus did for me. In that remembering, the breath of God comes to me and I can move out of the box I find myself in. I pray that is true for you as well.

Monday afternoon thoughts

There are times when I take time to contemplate where I am in my life and where I appear to be going.  I often think about what life would have been like if I had made different choices.  No matter what I could have done or the choices that I could have made, I am very content with where I am and what I am doing.  Not saying that there are not challenges and days, but I am thankful for what God has given me and the opportunities to use those gifts both as a social worker and as a pastor.

Sometimes life can be lived with so many regrets about what could have been or even what should be, that one stops living altogether.  Then life becomes a burden and sometimes a person can be a burden to others.  Regrets never serve any real purpose especially if one hangs onto them.  Rather use the regrets as a way of learning and letting go.  That is why repentance is so important to all of us.  It is in that willingness to admit what we have done and seeking forgiveness that releases us to continue to live more fruitfully.

I also wanted to share from one of my devotional books, "Disciplines."  This is based on the scriptures from 2 Kings 5:1-14.  It is the story of Naaman.  Naaman has leprosy and is told to seek out a prophet from Israel who will cure him.  The gist of the story is that Naaman first goes to the king of Israel who is unable to help him and finally Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan River.  Naaman at first is disgusted and begins to walk away but a servant encourages him to do what Elisha tells him.  When he does, he is cured.

Johnny Sears commenting on that quotes from Thomas Merton, "What is the use of praying if at the moment of prayer, we have so little confidence in God that we are too busy planning our own kind of answer to prayer?"  Sears states that we also spend much time trying to figure things out in the way we are going to do it rather than opening up to what God would do.  He states that "Prayer is about trust.  Without trust, our prayers are nothing more than self-help exercises."

I know that for myself that is so true.  There are times that when I pray, I am expecting God to answer the prayer in the way I want God to answer.  Much like Naaman, I expect some miraculous event rather than something so simple as washing in a dirty river.  Yet, what is required is that trust in God.  Maybe that is why when I look at my life and the many twists and turns, it has been when I have more fully trusted in God's direction that life has gone more smoothly for me.  I need to continue to place my trust in God and not others or in the worldly things so that I can continue my journey.

That is why I am planning on trying to do something different not only for myself but also in being more faithful to God with the church.  I continue to pray for God's Will be done not mine.

Facing the storms of change in our lives

I have been reading a variety of books.  One that I have talked about has been "One Month to Live."  Another that I am reading for a leadership development is Deep Change by Robert Quinn.  What is interesting is when the two books intersected on the concept of change and facing our fears regarding change.

In Deep Change, Quinn talks about that we face a choice either we do incremental change where we delude ourselves in thinking that we are in control and we do deep change both within the organization and within ourselves.  Incremental change reacts to outside forces by reinforcing the status quo and does not disrupt our past patterns.  This leads to a slow death of an organization as it no longer is adaptable to changes externally and internally.  Deep change distorts existing patterns of action and involves taking risks and means surrounding control.  His concern that there are four prominent common characteristics in organizations that are dying (which we could include mainline churches).  The first is that this is pervasive and common in the conservative "don't rock the boat" cultures.  It has little do to with experienced, competent, and well-intentioned people.  Change is needed but this need is denied.  The second characteristic is the violation of trust.  Leaders may recognize that change is needed but end up doing something else.  Self-interest triumphs over collective responsibility.  The third characteristic is a thirst for vision.  Leaders try to hide the need for change despite everyone knowing that it needs to happen or they cope by withdrawing or by staying overly busy with insignificant issues.  The last characteristic is burnout.  A lack of energy is shown by the leaders and I would include the lack of accountability themselves and for others.

Where the books intersect is on immaturity in facing life's difficulties.  In Deep Change, he tells a story of a young boy and a swing.  The gist of the story is that the young boy so enjoys swinging on the swing set that he will not let go despite that fact that the parents are about ready to leave.  The point is that we often hang on to what we know rather than risk letting go and going into the unknown.  When we do that Quinn states we act out of our own selfishness and immaturity because of our fear.  He states "we must confront our own immaturity, selfishness and lack of courage.  In a sense, life is all about our forceful, often overpowering need to take journeys, yet our tendency is to grip the swings ever more tightly (37)."

The authors of One Month to Live use the scripture from Acts regarding Paul's journey at sea and the storms that came up.  The sailors initially tried to sail into the storm but that did not work and they ended up sailing with the storm.  The point they try to make is that change is inevitable and one can waste a lot of time and energy trying to fight against it.  "If you don't learn to adapt to life's unexpected situations and move along with them, your ship will be destroyed.  In the midst of life's worst blows, you can be tempted to cling to the past and romanticize the way things used to be... Change is frightening, uncertain, and threatening, but it also can be healthy, refreshing and necessary (136-137)."

What both books imply for both the individual and the church is that we face a choice in our lives about how we are going to adapt to change around us.  Do we cling to the past or do we let go?  Jesus points us to a new understanding of what we are to do and it is not found in continuing to cling to past rituals but to open ourselves up and commit ourselves to something new.

Another nightly reflection

I cannot believe that another day went by without my updating my blog.  I was so caught up in getting caught up that I found myself not doing anything until now.  Friday's are usually my day of rest though today has been one on many tasks.  I met with my district superintendent and spent some time at an art show of 9 women artists.  Nancy and I enjoyed that time and it was helpful to spend time together and to appreciate the talents of these women artists.

I also have been spending time reading my new bible.  I had ordered the Wesley Study Bible.  I have to say it is well written.  Not only does it have study notes on the scripture, but it also has notes on life application and Wesleyan core terms.  It adds an unique view of the scriptures and makes use of applications in living a more connectional life.  I wanted to share with you one of the entries and may continue to do so in the future.

This is a Wesleyan Core Term on Evil speaking that came from his notes on Psalm 34.13.  "Wesley defines evil speaking in his notes on Ps 34.13 as that which in injurious, false, and deceitful.  In particular, evil speaking is the relating of a faulty of an absent person to others, even if the fault is real.  Sinful pride often motivates this vicious activity, and talebearers often feel entitled to repeat the sins of others because they mistakenly believe they are being godly in doing so.  In order to avoid this harmful practice, believers must carefully follow the counsel of Christ (Matt 18.15-17) in three steps: (1) point out the fault to the persons privately; (2) if they still will not listen, bring along one or two others as witnesses; (3) if they remain stubborn, then, and only then, tell it to the church.  And if they will not listen even to the church, then treat them as the sinners they are and remain."

Somehow when I first got the bible, this was the first page that I turned to.  I got to thinking how often people spread gossip, rumors, and even concerns not directly to the people involved but involve others to the detriment of the church.  When this happens too often it destroys the church as no one trusts one another.  Sometimes even if the people feel justified in their complaints or grievances people have difficulty in doing what Jesus stated.  I know that sometimes one may be afraid or don't want to offend but in telling others we do more harm and actually cause more disruption and even sin by breaking our relationship with one another.  That is why gossip, half-truths, and the unwillingness of being willing to confront one another in love destroys church.

I know that I needed to read this once again and to be willing to face those to whom I feel I need to confront about what is happening directly.  So I ask God to guide me in ways of not being critical of another person without first talking to that person directly.

Finally at home

I am finally back home. This week was exciting and exhausting at the same time. I enjoyed my opportunity to get to know some of the pastors and helping discern their call. At the same time, I now have to try to get caught up with my work and sometimes that is a challenge. I wanted to continue to share what our ordinands had to answer especially about church.

The scriptural basis of my thoughts about the importance of church come from Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Paul talks about the importance of seeing that community and everyone working together provides the church with the opportunity to follow through what Jesus commanded. Paul uses especially in 1 Corinthians the image of the parts of the body. That for the body to work requires that everyone contribute their gifts to the whole. Too often churches neglect to see their individual responsibility to be part of a greater whole or what I call the gestalt of God. When we work together, we are able to accomplish more for God. Scripture, both Hebrew scriptures and Christian scriptures, speak to the fact the God not only redeems each of us but also redeems everyone and all of creation.

There are two Greek terms that speak to church. One is ecclesia which speaks to the gathering of people to learn and praise God. The other term is kioninia (not sure of the spelling) which speaks of the community coming together to care and support one another. Church is both. For me, church is to be a place to worship God and a place to provide for one another. DIY Christians are not effective nor are what God intends. Watching services on television or listening on radio can be informative and moving but that is not church. And God wants us to be present to one another and to the world through community.

I continue to pray that everyone begins to realize that we are not in this alone and "it is not about my will but God's Will." Church when it is worshipping and caring for one another is vital in keeping perspective. Unfortunately sometimes church becomes an in group that demands everyone do what the in-group wants and not pay much attention to what is contained in Scripture or in prayer. Than church becomes like a dysfunctional family and can do more harm than good.

Tuesday night reflection

I have just returned to my motel room after spending 13 hours with those who are seeking ordination as an elder.  This discernment process is intense and at the same time edifying.  What I find interesting as being part of the credentialing committee is that it gives me time to reflect on my own theology and ways that I practice my ministry.  As I was ordained just a short time ago, I was reviewing the answers that I gave both for my commissioning and for my seeking ordination.  I always find it interesting that changes that have occurred in my theology over time. In many ways the basic foundation has not changed but has become more refined.  I believe that we all are theologians.  Sometimes people will not claim that.  But if we have a belief in God and Jesus Christ than we are a theologian.  Also by claiming our theology (belief about God), we are more able to share that with others.

As a result of looking at others theological statements and reviewing my own, I wanted to share where I am today with some of the doctrinal questions that are asked.  I wanted to start with the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I stated in 2006 that I thought that the concept of Lordship was archaic and maybe of limited value today.  Since that time I have reflected on that concept and even though I would not describe my Savior in the terms of Lord, I do believe that Jesus is instrumental in my salvation and I seek to be a disciple of Christ bowing before him.  In the Disciplines Journaling through the Days for Monday, quoted from Isaiah 40:25-26. "To whom can God be compared?  Is there anyone else like Him?  Look up at the sky!  Who created the stars you see?"  God is instrumental in all that we see, all that we experience, all that we relate too, and in all of creation.  He is Lord of all.

Also in the men's small group that I belong to, we are beginning to study Galatians.  One of the members emailed me from the first chapter a verse that spoke to him.  As I read it, I found that it was informative for myself as well especially in dealing with the issue of Lordship.  Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win human approval, or God's approval?  Or am I trying to please people?  If I were still trying to please people, I would not be servant of Christ (TNIV)."  These are the questions that I need to remember.  I am not in ministry to please others but only to do what God directs.  If I submit my life to God as Lord, I am willing to do His Will.  It is a part of to whom is my master, the world or God.  As Joshua stated, choose this day whom you will serve, but for me and my family I will serve God.  How would you answer this question?

Monday musings

Yesterday as I was going to prepare for services at the church, we had a spectacular morning sunrise here in Nebraska. The colors were rich and vibrant. I was so caught up in just taking time to look at the sunrise and spending just those few moments appreciating the wonders of God's creation. What struck also today was looking at some of the blogs that I follow and seeing from Chase Images a photo of a sunset in Wyoming. Once again it is great that we remember to take time to be in nature and to remember that we are to care for it in whatever way we can.

I am about to leave to attend a meeting in Lincoln. I am part of a committee in the church that oversees the ordained pastors in our denomination as far as determining their fruits and to recommend to our bishop for ordination. As part of that I am reviewing a sermon, bible study, and answers to our traditional theological questions. As I am reading these papers, i am reminded on the tremendous responsibility that we have and not just ordained pastors but all the ministry of the church. Each person is called to share of themselves. I would love to have members spend time also reflecting on the theological questions that our Book of Discipline requires of ordained pastors.

Some of the questions deal with the Lordship of Jesus Christ and what that means to a person. How does the Holy Spirit work in your life? Why do we need Divine Grace? What is the purpose of you to participate in the means of grace particularly the sacraments? What is church? As pastors we are to spend time reflecting on some of these questions and to determine after years of serving the church if any of these change. Over the next few days, I will take time to share with you my answers to some of these questions. I will also reference the section of the Discipline for one to reflect on their answers. What a perfect way of preparing for Easter.