Act Like A Pastor!
It amazes me to realize that I preached for over 12 years.At first, it was only once every few months. Then it was every six weeks or so. By the end, I was part of a three-man rotation and, as a part of the Worship Committee, I was involved in planning pulpit curriculum and much more.It's interesting to look back on it and see how the role developed. I learned that, if you are preaching that much, some people in the congregation will see you in a pastoral role. That scared me at first, but eventually I embraced it and loved the opportunity to do more for people than just teach them. At my highest level of involvement, I even felt like a pastor myself.That self-image affected how I lived my life. I believe that church leaders should do everything possible to remain above reproach. I certainly wasn't perfect, but I tried my best to watch what I said, where I went, how I acted at all times. It even affected how I drove, because I was always sure that the person I cut off in traffic would be the person who would be at church the following Sunday watching me preach. I'm not saying that this isn't how every Christian should live; it is. But the thought helped keep me on the straight and narrow.Lately I've realized that I still try to act the same way. I'm not even within sniffing distance of a pulpit these days, but I still want to comport myself in a way that pleases God. I'm still far from perfect. But I have no idea when or where God will need me next. And when He does, I want to be ready.
Clinch Time
If the Rangers lose the next two games...and the Angels win the next two games...then we will be there to watch them celebrate on Saturday night. We are heading down tonight to watch the Angels take on the A's. James is more excited than ever. For the first time, he'll be at the game when he really understands what's going on. He knows the players. He's a fan! We even made a sign supporting our favorite Angel, Chone Figgins. If you watch the game tonight or tomorrow, certainly they'd have to put my telegenic boy on camera, holding up his sign. Right?I love September baseball!
Active Spirituality
If you want to pursue a richer prayer life, go visit my friend Chris Erdman's new blog. And if you are the type of person who wants to know someone's credentials before you give them your trust, I assure you that Chris lives the life he teaches and walks the walk he preaches.Check out ChrisErdman.com.
Gospel of Mark
I am loving my class this year on the Gospel of Mark. As always, Dr. Geddert's insights are amazing. What I have always passed off as the most shallow and boring of the Gospels is coming alive and opening my mind to new understandings of Jesus.Last night we spent most of our time looking at the miracles in Chapter 5. Jesus cast out demons, healed a bleeding woman, and raised a little girl back to life. In each case, two healings occurred. The demoniac was released from evil spirits...then was restored back to his community. The woman's bleeding was stopped...then Jesus publicly recognized that power had gone out from him. In announcing the woman's cleanness to everyone, he also announced that she could now be accepted back into society. Jairus' daughter was resurrected...and then she was given food to share with her family, an important aspect of Jewish community. Jesus never simply healed a physical condition without also healing the spirit.When I read about a woman who has been afflicted for twelve years, healed on the way to the home of a dying twelve year old, I can't help but wonder if God didn't set these events in motion with intent. Did the woman actually begin bleeding at the moment Jairus' daughter was born? I don't know, but I do think that it's not too big a stretch to suppose that God may sometimes put us through the fire in order to reveal Himself. With every miracle, Jesus' identity became further established. Why would he not still make his presence known today?
The Blog I've Put Off Writing
Ah, the sweet smell of procrastination. I've put off the blog for a long time, partly because of Facebook, but mostly because I wanted to be sure I wrote about the events of the summer with the right mindset. Usually getting a little distance from emotional events helps me to discuss them with greater clarity. Most of all, I want to be sure I don't hurt anybody's feelings.
In July, I left my church of 40 years. I left for a number of reasons, some I can get into publicly, some I can't. But mostly I left because it was the right thing to do for my family.
With respect to a tradition and an interpretation with which I am intimately familiar, we personally couldn't support what we came to see as practices that discriminate. Women are not allowed to pray publicly...or preach...or serve as deacons or elders. In some cases they are not even allowed to teach or perform tasks like passing communion trays. A significant percentage of the membership does not believe that divorced men should be allowed to lead. Women like my wife who are blessed with an abundance of spiritual gifts are extremely limited in how they can use them. Men like myself who suffered through the traumatizing and embarrassing ordeal of divorce are given comfort but told they are not welcome to hold office.
My church is leagues above other Churches of Christ in these areas. The men who serve as elders would welcome a divorced man in their ranks. Most of them would like to see women do more. But they are held back by concerns for bringing the membership along at what they deem an appropriate pace. For my family, that pace is too slow. My son is in his formative years, shaped by what he sees as much as what he is taught. After witnessing two sixth-grade boys lead the congregation in Communion one Sunday, he asked his mother why she wasn't allowed to do that. It was a great question.We had hoped to leave quietly and gracefully. I had hoped to preach one last time. But pride and human nature played their part and, as these things too often do, the whole thing got nasty. Things were said which should not have been said. I was not allowed to preach again and my character was called into question. We were accused by some of abandoning our church, if not our faith. And so on.The overwhelming response though has been loving. Those who know us well understand our leaving and wish us the best. And we will miss our family like crazy! After the wounds heal, we'll go back and see them as often as we can. But it will take some time.We covet prayers as we embark on a search for a new home. I am years away still from what I hope will be a new career as a minister. At that time, we'll have a new church home again. But for now, we seek a place where we can serve as a family. We can't replace our old one and we would never try. But we can add to it. May God lead us on.(I will now read this about eighteen times before publishing. Please read it with love and respond with grace.)
Bloom and Grow?
Will the plant flourish or will it be consumed by the desert, returning to the ground?
I don't know. This poetic stuff makes my head hurt.
Either way, let's just admire the little plant while we can.
New Beginnings
Off in the distance, a tiny plant blooms in the desert.
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