Thoughts on the Capital Campaign

All churches, including The United Methodist Church, are in the middle of a paradigm shift. We first realized in it 1965, because 1965 was the first year the Methodist Church ever experienced a decline in membership. The reasons are complex, but one of the reasons we lost and continue to lose members seems to be that we’ve lost our identity. Instead of living what Jesus told us to do and "make disciples of all the nations," we had fallen back into the comfortable pattern of "keep your people in your pews." Instead of the uncomfortable challenge of making new disciples, we grew comfortable with making and keeping mem-bers. Except, for the first time in 1965, we couldn’t even do that.

In 2007, in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, our denominational leaders tried to address our own identity by redefining our purpose, which is, "The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Now perhaps we’ve heard that phrase so often that the magnitude of that one little sentence doesn’t hit home anymore, but I’d urge you to read it again and really think about its meaning. If you seriously consider it, those words should strike fear in your soul. Making disciples from regular church goers who think they are already disciples, or trying to make disciples out of people who do not know Jesus, puts us at risk for all types of things, from insults to rejection, from ostracizing to death, at least in some parts of the world. The true message of Jesus is radical and it is not the watered down message that we have come to accept it to be. Making disciples requires that we stick our necks out and do things that are different than what we are used to so we can reach people. Even Paul seems to be a chameleon when he states, "unto the Jews I became as a Jew...to them that are with-out law, as one without law...to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak...I am made all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake." (1 Corinthians 9:20-24). It doesn’t change the message, just the delivery.

What does this mean for us, in our new world of the shifting paradigm? It means that we must shift from making members to making disciples. When a paradigm shifts, everything we’re used to, everything we’ve done in the past, and all our assumptions are reset to zero. Everything we do must be learned anew, while what we learn must be translated to new behaviors. We are at a point now where we have only one choice—change or die. The courageous will change. Those who will change their old habits and assumptions about their church building and traditions, and who will do what it takes to reach people and make disciples of Jesus Christ will live. Those who do not will experience a slow death. If you look around, you will see many churches who are in their last death throes of congregational existence. At Gravel Hill, we reject that with all of our being and from the depth of our soul. We refuse to die, and therefore we will change and live for the Lord.

Self change is a gift. It allows us to redefine who we are today and our purpose for being here at Gravel Hill right now. Most new members are not simply looking for a church to belong to, but are seeking purpose. Most do not want a simple inward belief system, but a faith that will go out into the world and make a real difference. I would hope we are all the same there. But some here don’t want change. Some are afraid of stepping out on a limb, growing and building in an economy that provides no guarantees, upsetting the status quo. But in the middle of a paradigm shift where everything is reset to zero, there is no status quo. So we are faced with choices—find new ways to do ministry or keep things the same; make disciples or make members; grow or maintain; change or die. They are all one in the same. As Gravel Hill chooses to change some will no doubt be lost along the way. Some members may decide to attend other churches. Losses are sometimes inevitable. Those that leave will join other churches, but will find themselves in the same boat. All churches are in the midst of the paradigm shift, not just ours. If they choose not to confront the shift, they will die. But the joy here is this—we have a choice. Self change is not only a gift, it is exciting! The Lord’s work is difficult, but there is no more satisfying experience in the world.

When I close my eyes and think about this project, here is what I see: new doors thrown open wide with many people who I’ve never seen before coming through the entrance, being welcomed by members, arm around a shoulder, being invited to share a seat at a table while someone fetches them a cup of coffee or tea. I see people laughing and getting to know one another. I see Bibles out on the tables with discussions taking place about theology, about how to live as Christians, and about changing the world. I see Bible studies during week nights. I see a place to hang out. I see a welcoming congregation who embraces anyone who walks in the door to the point that they are drawn into Bible and educational studies that make their faith strong and deep, like a mighty river that courses through the countryside, gathering more waters as it moves along, growing to the point that it breaks out over its banks and floods the land. I see new ministries. I see new disciples. I see God’s plan for us. I see our future.

Our purpose and our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The world is different than it used to be. The soapbox on the corner with a preacher on top doesn’t work anymore. A welcoming community of purpose with a comfortable place for discussion does. So we welcome, we talk, we testify, and we do whatever it takes to reach our world today. I will support this building project and capital campaign with everything I have because I believe in making disciples. And I love the excitement of a good journey. I hope you do too. Journey with us and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Have the courage to transform the world.

The Pastor's Pen - February 2012

I’ve fielded a few questions over the past week or two about the survey we were asked to take before and after the worship ser-vices two weeks ago. Perhaps "fielded" is not the right word…maybe "fumbled" would be more appropriate, or "juggled," or simply "listened." You see, I know some basics about what the Finance Team is hoping to achieve for us, but not all the details. I do know that I’ve heard comments all across the board concerning where Gravel Hill might be headed and how we are going to get there.

It reminds me a little of what the staff is currently experiencing. Over the last few weeks the staff has been excitedly talking about a little "test" the Senior Pastor had us take called the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a type of personality test that starts with the understanding that we all yearn to know who we are and why we are here. We yearn to soar but often end up crashing on the rocks below or into the people around us. This assessment tool reminds us that although we all want to discover the answers to life’s ques-tions, our restless yearnings are all expressed in different ways. Understanding these differences can help us understand ourselves and one another better, work together synergistically, and forgive one another more freely through acceptance of our acknowledged differences.

There are many such tools out there. They are fascinating and provide windows into our own behavior and thought processes. Perhaps the most well-known tool is the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment. A little known one is called "Theological Worlds."

Theological Worlds tells us there are five basic "worlds" of spirituality from which we all operate. It assumes that Christians pos-sess a basic, core set of beliefs. Theological Worlds shows us that even though we all possess these core beliefs, individuals empha-size, or hold some beliefs as more important than others. For example, one person may place an emphasis on transformation through prayer, while another emphasizes justice. No world is right or wrong, but our functional theology, that is, how we live out our beliefs in the world, are based upon our own preferred theological world. Knowing this can help us understand that even though we are the Church Universal, we’re simply not always going to see eye to eye. Here’s another example: one group in a congregation might believe a sum of money should be used for the glory of God to restore stained glass windows in the sanctuary, while a rival group may want to use that money to send a group for Africa to build a new well. Again, neither group is right or wrong; they are merely trying to live out their functional theology based on their own theological world as best they can.

Theological Worlds is not simply a tool that’s interesting to use, but has real impact for us as we come together as a congregation. As Gravel Hill continues to grow and seek new ways to reach out to the community, differences of opinion concerning how we should do this may arise because we all live and work out of our slightly different understandings of God’s will for us and how we should
respond to God. We’ve weathered these storms before and emerged as a stronger, more focused congregation because we found ways to resolve differences and work together. Always keep in mind that service to God can take many forms, and what we want may not be what is best, feasible, or necessary at the current time, or even what the majority of people or the church leaders have decided to do. Neither side may be right or wrong, but there must be a focus on one aspect of ministry for us to move ahead. I urge you to acknowledge and respect our differences while embracing our strengths as a congregation, because that is what allows us to learn together, share together, live together and love together. There is a depth and power in diversity that God can use well for his kingdom.

As Gravel Hill continues its spiritual journey, keep in mind that we all have our own lenses through which we view our purpose and the manner in which we would like to achieve goals for God. Individually, pieces of glass may all have different colors, differ-ent opacity, different thicknesses, causing light to scatter randomly in different ways. But when these pieces are brought togeth-er, they can form a mighty lens through which we can look to discern God’s will for us as a congregation, and through which we can magnify and focus the light of God in the world.

Video: Veteran's Day Celebration 2011

This is a video made for the Veteran's Day Celebration Dinner 2011 that was used.  It pays tribute to those who have served.  Again, love the music and video.  This artist is a veteran, which makes the music video even better because he "gets it."

Video: Gone

This is a video made for the Veteran's Day Dinner 2011.  It was not used.  I guess it was too "dark," or something.  Well...war is dark, but I guess that isn't really what we want to celebrate when we do a Vet's Dinner.  Lesson learned.

The "video" part of this I saw on YouTube and immediately thought it was one of the coolest videos I'd ever seen.  I love the song as well as the video that accompanies it.  I left the credit at the end so you know that I only added the beginning of the video for the dinner.  Though I would love to take credit for the music video, it is not mine.  If you watch it on YouTube you will see that I did edit out a rather long introduction at the beginning.  I apologize to the maker of this video for doing that.  I wanted to share this with other veterans but I thought the introduction was so long that they would lose interest and turn back to their meals.

The video talks about being "Gone."  Gone is a word that has lots of different meanings for a veteran.  Some are good, some are bad.  I guess it all depends on what mood you're in or what you're talking about.  But I'll shut up now so you can enjoy the video.

Video: I Am a Christian

A video for worship...

Unachievable Cleansing

      I believe that as Christians we all yearn for a final or ultimate cleansing, a healing, that will take care of our attitudes, behavior, thinking, and our souls once and for all. A cleansing that will result in our once-and-for-all transformation into the person we want to be and who we believe God wants us to be. Yet no matter how much we yearn, it doesn't happen. It never will. Oh, perhaps we experience something that makes us feel like we have reached that ultimate state but we eventually discover that our feelings of wholeness begin to wane. Our humanness may allow us small steps toward transformation, and of course we are the better for it, but the big, final transformation frustratingly eludes us. After awhile and with reflection concerning all we know of human sinfulness, can we deduce that perhaps we are never meant to be totally transformed? Would a total transformation give us permission to stop seeking a higher level of righteous behavior, to stop seeking to act like Christ, to stop desiring a deeper relationship with the Creator? Is it possible that a total cleansing and healing would give us the illusion that we have achieved some form of presence or being that we are actually incapable of, given the nature of our humanness? Perhaps that would be something along the lines of Mormon belief, where, since Jesus was human yet became God, we are capable of the same?
      I have no answer for that, of course. I do desire complete cleansing, but my own sin consistently rears its ugly head, stuffing my own head back into the ostrich hole of reality. Yet immersed in God's creation, I have no difficulty perceiving my own fragility and inability, as Paul said, "to do what we want to do," because I consistently do that which I would rather avoid.
      I took a two hour walk today, back on the farm of one of our church patriarchs. It couldn't be termed an actual walk though. It was more like a plodding lurch as I trudged in the snow through the uninhabited sheep pastures and thick briers guarding the woods. I don't know what the temperature was but I believe it was in the 20s, with gusting winds that made the snow quickly snake atop the ice and cause it to suddenly rear up in great frozen clouds like an untamed thoroughbred. My cheeks are a burning bright red from the cold, wind, and bombardment with snow and ice crystals.

      I had my trusty camera with me. I downloaded the photos when I got home and was not surprised to find no "usable" images. There was beauty all around me but it refused to be taken capture by my camera. My lack of satisfactory photographic results did not diminish the walk in any way. Especially the part where I followed some deer tracks along a path that had let it's brier defenses down and emerged on a cliff overlooking Swatara Creek.

Swatara Creek

      Looking up and down the creek with its white banks and sporadically frozen waters granted me an expansive view of the creek that my camera was incapable of capturing. I started down the steep side of the foothill thinking I might have better luck if I could get to the side of the creek.  About halfway down I paused and turned around to look back up the steep hill I was descending.  

      That's when I realized, with the sun starting to set, that I was in an unenviable position. I wasn't sure I could get back up the hill, with the snow and ice laying atop a substantially unstable layer of dead leaves. As I looked back down the hill I wondered how Palmyra Rescue was going to get to my location should I continue down and not be able to get back up again.  So half-way down, I reversed course and went back up the hill, foregoing a beautiful close-up view of the Swatty in favor of a dry, warm evening at home.  Exhausted but victorious, my feet crested the hill and the ground became more level.  I hadn't fallen and hadn't broken anything.  But I lingered, not wanting to leave the beauty I had found.  Finding my own fragility and weakness among the cold snow and steep terrain was not fearful, but somehow comforting.  There were things greater and much more powerful than I, and that was as it should be. There was, and is, no question that I am not the center of the universe, God's, or even my own. That's a really good thing to come face to face with on a regular basis.  

Ken

      It took me awhile to get back to Ken's farmhouse but I eventually struggled in. He had the fire going in the wood stove and it was cozy and warm. I did a few things around the house for Ken, sat and talked awhile, and then came home to face the wrath of my too-long imprisoned dogs. I felt cleansed, not totally, but at least a little. I was put in my place and once again "put" God in God's. There is nothing that can do that like nature-a glimpse into the depth of God's creativity in the world and the cosmos in conjunction with the fragility of God's miraculous creation of life.

Christian Apologetics and the Ideal Life

Christian apologists were theologians who defended and advocated for the Christian message in the first centuries of the Christian Church as it developed in the first few centuries following Christ's death and resurrection. Obviously, their arguement and defense was in opposition to many of the held beliefs in that contemporary, Hellenistic Roman world.

The following is a paragraph titled "Chapter V - The Manners of the Christians" from The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, believed to have been written in the 2nd Century. Describing the early Christian community, this description of Christian character and behavior stirs feeling of longing and desire within us; to realize that the community described was not simply a wished-for idealazation of what Christians should or could be, but a living entity that lived as we wish to live, but fail. How we wish we were a part of this community today. One wonders how the church could get back to this way of life, living, and testimony - a testimony by example.

"For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of ther own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines. But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of the birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all[others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not like after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishounoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and blessed; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honor; they do good, yet they are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred."

He later says, "Let your heart be your wisdom; and let your life by true knowledge inwardly recieved."

Yup. I think we could all live with that!