As I ate lunch, I was preparing myself for a meeting that afternoon that was going to require my best patience and wisdom. So I was startled when a young man sat down and said, "Are you a minister?"
To begin with, the question itself was kind of fun. The question I am more familiar with goes like this: "You're a minister? REALLY? You're kidding, aren't you?" After 30 years of ministry, a female preacher is still a new idea to some. So I considered it progress for someone to have the idea that I was a minister. Since he had already seated himself, so I didn't have time to follow that through.
"Yes, I am" I replied.
"United Methodist?"
"Yes."
"Good. The Holy Spirit has sent me over to talk to you."
Now that is an attention-getting conversation opener.
"What do you think about the future of the church."
This is an answer I already know in my heart: "I think the best days of the church are ahead of us."
Then it was his time to pause in the conversation.
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
"Why do you think THAT?"
"Because the challenges of the changed culture are opening doors for us to be the truly committed and compassionate Christ-followers that are hallmarks of our Methodist heritage."
This was not the answer he had expected.
He went on to tell me that the Bible was "out the window" of his church and that he and his Sunday School class had been lamenting the "downfall" of the church. I encouraged him to take heart -- that there has never been a day when the church has been more challenged to its best, most fervent, most loving witness in the world. It's a great day for the church and God is opening all kinds of opportunities for us to be in witness and service.
I got the idea that he had wanted to do more lamenting about the faults of the church. And I see those a-plenty. If anything, the ministry of superintendency keeps me painfully aware of the shortcomings of the church and people in the church. And yet, the change and the competition of the culture is giving the church an open door unlike any other time in my life: a demand that church be its best in worship, dedication and service -- and that Christians be the authentic, vibrant, giving, forgiving, loving people that make Christ's love visible in the world. What a gift that challenge is!
I know there are many who would rather lament and nostalgically wish for the days when the culture cradled the church. I celebrate the opportunity for the church to live beyond the routine to bring God's love to a needy world. People in this contentious, anxious, stretched-too-thin, always-under-pressure culture need the peace and joy and power of Christ's love. What great resources the gospel provides for us to share! The challenge for us to share at our creative best -- that is what I consider a welcome opportunity. Who wants to take a magnificent gift like the love of Christ and convey that great love in a half-hearted, routine or stagnant ways?
I was surprised at the timing of the question with my surprise lunch guest. But the answer was deeply planted in my heart. If we keep our eyes on Christ -- first and foremost and always--the best days of the church are ahead.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
"I'll be right there, Grammy..."
Tyler has loved the flip pictures since he was just a little guy. Until this week, the turn-around display has been in the family room -- the general gathering room for visits . So I was surprised to see it on the table next to my bed. But Tyler knew exactly why it was there."I brought it in here," he said, "so that when you miss me, you can look at my picture and I will be right here. Isn't that great?"
Of course, he had captured exactly my passion for pictures. They are a way to make cherished memories live across distance. My walls and wallets and tabletops and bookshelves are full of the gifts of pictures.
At the essence of Lent--and the Christian life--is one central precious picture: the life of Christ. Our picture of Christ is not a photograph. The words of the four gospels paint us the picture, then blessed and confirmed by the personal presence of Jesus in our hearts. At the core of that picture is the sweet promise my grandson voiced: "When you look at my picture, I will be right there." More vivid than a photo, the picture of Christ comes alive in the words of the gospels and speaks individual comfort and challenges reminding us that Christ is right here, understanding our struggles and giving us hope. There need be no missing the picture of Christ. God has placed it where we can get it whenever we need light and inspiration and help.
The rotating pictures of my grandsons are going to stay right where he put them. It was his four-year-old way of wanting to reassure me he was still there when he went back home. And the deepest stream of that sweet love is in Christ who, after He went home, said, "I will be with you always...even to the end."
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
As Lent begins
Ash Wednesday 2012
In many ways, my first truly real Ash Wednesday was May 1, 2007 when my surgeon said, “Go home and get your affairs in order.”
I had, of course, led Ash Wednesday services for years…and loved them. Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite of all services of the church year. “From dust you came and to dust you will return” I said to each person who came forward…along with the challenge: “Will you repent and
be faithful to the gospel?”
That late afternoon in May, 2007, surrounded by my family in Dr. Iannitti’s office—in that surreal setting of a sudden, drastic diagnosis-- the mortality reality became personal in a different way.
I took Dr. Iannitti’s advice. I got my affairs in order. I’m pretty sure he was thinking
about the sobering statistics of pancreatic cancer—the deadliest of all cancers—which
often starts with a tumor like the one I had. He could tell me the size of the
tumor (about the size of a grapefruit). But only the after-surgery pathology could tell me if it was benign or the deadly, dreaded news of a malignancy. I had a pre-surgery window of 3
weeks to get my life in order.
I took on the challenge – writing out my funeral service, completing a host of legal
forms and speaking my heart to those I loved.
At the core, Lent is that kind of window--thankfully, grasping this challenge doesn't require a life-threatening diagnosis. Lent is twice as long as my 3 week window. The goal is the same: to get our lives in order. I am grateful that my funeral wasn’t needed in 2007, but—if I do say so myself-- it is going to be a wonderful service! Since then, I have carried a copy in my Bible. On every Ash Wednesday since then, I look it over and make some inspiring additions for what will be read and sung.
To be sure, I like to tell people what to do... But writing out my funeral is so much more
than that! I encourage everyone – no matter what age—to write out your funeral. What
scripture do you love most? What songs would you like sung? What witness of
your life do you hope is shared? ( This can go too far, I guess. So let’s be clear: I have not written the eulogy part! But I am aware that right now, my life is writing what will
be said).
Every Ash Wednesday is a time to remember that life is a gift, that we do not know what is next and that we need to make every moment count while we can. Death
is the one thing that we know for sure will take place. Christian faith prepares us to face the
fragility of life with hope and triumph. We can live honestly in a dangerous world without fear because of the resources of our faith.
I am so grateful that my parents instilled in us throughout our growing up years that we do not
need to be afraid of death. When sitting with my mother through her final days and hours, what a blessing it was to be clear of her great faith! As my father celebrated his 90th birthday, what a gift it is to know his lifelong preaching and personal faith that death is not to be feared – but to
be met as a gateway to new life. Faced with my own drastic and unexpected diagnosis, their lifelong witness of faith gave me a foundation.
That foundation is the core of Christian faith offered to everyone. Lent—of all times—is the time to be honest. The time to have hope. The time to take heart.
My funeral service is looking great. How about yours?
My hope is now to live a life that makes this great joy clear to others.
In many ways, my first truly real Ash Wednesday was May 1, 2007 when my surgeon said, “Go home and get your affairs in order.”
I had, of course, led Ash Wednesday services for years…and loved them. Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite of all services of the church year. “From dust you came and to dust you will return” I said to each person who came forward…along with the challenge: “Will you repent and
be faithful to the gospel?”
That late afternoon in May, 2007, surrounded by my family in Dr. Iannitti’s office—in that surreal setting of a sudden, drastic diagnosis-- the mortality reality became personal in a different way.
I took Dr. Iannitti’s advice. I got my affairs in order. I’m pretty sure he was thinking
about the sobering statistics of pancreatic cancer—the deadliest of all cancers—which
often starts with a tumor like the one I had. He could tell me the size of the
tumor (about the size of a grapefruit). But only the after-surgery pathology could tell me if it was benign or the deadly, dreaded news of a malignancy. I had a pre-surgery window of 3
weeks to get my life in order.
I took on the challenge – writing out my funeral service, completing a host of legal
forms and speaking my heart to those I loved.
At the core, Lent is that kind of window--thankfully, grasping this challenge doesn't require a life-threatening diagnosis. Lent is twice as long as my 3 week window. The goal is the same: to get our lives in order. I am grateful that my funeral wasn’t needed in 2007, but—if I do say so myself-- it is going to be a wonderful service! Since then, I have carried a copy in my Bible. On every Ash Wednesday since then, I look it over and make some inspiring additions for what will be read and sung.
To be sure, I like to tell people what to do... But writing out my funeral is so much more
than that! I encourage everyone – no matter what age—to write out your funeral. What
scripture do you love most? What songs would you like sung? What witness of
your life do you hope is shared? ( This can go too far, I guess. So let’s be clear: I have not written the eulogy part! But I am aware that right now, my life is writing what will
be said).
Every Ash Wednesday is a time to remember that life is a gift, that we do not know what is next and that we need to make every moment count while we can. Death
is the one thing that we know for sure will take place. Christian faith prepares us to face the
fragility of life with hope and triumph. We can live honestly in a dangerous world without fear because of the resources of our faith.
I am so grateful that my parents instilled in us throughout our growing up years that we do not
need to be afraid of death. When sitting with my mother through her final days and hours, what a blessing it was to be clear of her great faith! As my father celebrated his 90th birthday, what a gift it is to know his lifelong preaching and personal faith that death is not to be feared – but to
be met as a gateway to new life. Faced with my own drastic and unexpected diagnosis, their lifelong witness of faith gave me a foundation.
That foundation is the core of Christian faith offered to everyone. Lent—of all times—is the time to be honest. The time to have hope. The time to take heart.
My funeral service is looking great. How about yours?
My hope is now to live a life that makes this great joy clear to others.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Bigger--and better--than Hallmark holiday....
With the crush of time, energy and resources, so many people seem pressed just to find a Valentine's gift for their husband/wife.
The question I am hoping United Methodist Christians will consider is a broader opportunity for witness to the love of Christ for all...which is a cradle, a foundation, a blessing for romantic love -- but so much more. What can Christians – and our churches—do to share the love of Christ with friends and members who are single?
One of the things we know is that church congregations tend to be very oriented to married
couples. That is a very important part of our ministry and is a traditional strength of our church. Strengthening marriages is a continuing, ongoing emphasis for the community of faith.
One of the things we also know is that more people are single now than ever – single because of the death of a partner, single because of divorce and never married.
There are more singles in every age category. On the younger end, more and more young adults are waiting longer before getting married and, with people living longer, more people are
outliving their mates. How/if our churches welcome singles is crucial to a witness that God’s family is open to everyone. This is very important to our present members who already notice our couple-oriented congregations and is absolutely central to reaching new people. Single people are a big part of the mission field all around us.
This Valentine's Day, could the list be broader? Who do we know who is widowed, divorced or never-married who would be blessed by a thoughtful gesture from a Christian friend? Are our hearts big enough for Valentine’s Day to be a chance to reach out? I have made a list of people who have lost a husband or wife during the past year; some widows and widowers I know who still struggle with the loss of a mate; those who have been through a divorce recently and single mothers who heroically struggle to provide stability and guidance for their children and people of all ages who have never married. Who is thinking about the women living in shelters because of domestic violence or in our homeless shelters in dire financial circumstances? What a witness
if all our domestic violence shelters and shelters for the homeless had flowers on Valentines Day from churches or Christian friends with the message: You are loved and lifted in prayer. People whose names you do not know are thinking about you.
Valentine’s Day is a wide open, wonderful opportunity to reach out to bless others--one of those exceptional opportunities to reach beyond our immediate family circle to witness to the love of God for all.
The question I am hoping United Methodist Christians will consider is a broader opportunity for witness to the love of Christ for all...which is a cradle, a foundation, a blessing for romantic love -- but so much more. What can Christians – and our churches—do to share the love of Christ with friends and members who are single?
One of the things we know is that church congregations tend to be very oriented to married
couples. That is a very important part of our ministry and is a traditional strength of our church. Strengthening marriages is a continuing, ongoing emphasis for the community of faith.
One of the things we also know is that more people are single now than ever – single because of the death of a partner, single because of divorce and never married.
There are more singles in every age category. On the younger end, more and more young adults are waiting longer before getting married and, with people living longer, more people are
outliving their mates. How/if our churches welcome singles is crucial to a witness that God’s family is open to everyone. This is very important to our present members who already notice our couple-oriented congregations and is absolutely central to reaching new people. Single people are a big part of the mission field all around us.
This Valentine's Day, could the list be broader? Who do we know who is widowed, divorced or never-married who would be blessed by a thoughtful gesture from a Christian friend? Are our hearts big enough for Valentine’s Day to be a chance to reach out? I have made a list of people who have lost a husband or wife during the past year; some widows and widowers I know who still struggle with the loss of a mate; those who have been through a divorce recently and single mothers who heroically struggle to provide stability and guidance for their children and people of all ages who have never married. Who is thinking about the women living in shelters because of domestic violence or in our homeless shelters in dire financial circumstances? What a witness
if all our domestic violence shelters and shelters for the homeless had flowers on Valentines Day from churches or Christian friends with the message: You are loved and lifted in prayer. People whose names you do not know are thinking about you.
Valentine’s Day is a wide open, wonderful opportunity to reach out to bless others--one of those exceptional opportunities to reach beyond our immediate family circle to witness to the love of God for all.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Getting on with the game
My first grade grandson, Connor, plays basketball this year.
Basketball with 5 and 6 year olds is technically the same sport as ACC basketball. But the realities of the game are very different. Basketball for the starters goes pretty much like this: Get the ball. Dribble it across the line. Lose the ball to the other team and repeat going in the opposite direction. Occasionally there is a pass which is caught by a player on the same team. Less often -- but sometimes--there is an attempt at the basket. But mostly, it is dribble and lose the ball. My son-in-law is coaching Connor's team and Mark is just the right temperment -- patient, good-natured as well as having ideas that (when implemented) bring some success. Going to the game is a matter of support for the children--which is easy and fun to do.
At the last game, I saw an unusually interesting sight.
A girl who played on the other team got mad when her teammate didn't throw her the ball. So, when their team lost possession and ran back to the other end of the court, she stayed right under her basket--head down, arms crossed across her chest, scowl on her face, lip stuck out. What a sight she was! I would have taken a picture but didn't think that was appropriate...
I wanted to laugh -- but didn't know who her parents were and I was certain they were not laughing. There she was, planted under her basket while her team and her opposing team were playing at the other end.
Such a sight! Such a parable! I wanted to shout out to her, "Honey, you have to keep going. The game is going on without you! Get over it!"
So many times I have felt like that young girl! Mad about the way things happened and wanted everyone to know it. So many times I deal with church members like that young girl. They are mad about the way things happened, they want everyone to know it and they are not going to play--even if it puts their team at a disadvantage to pout.
How I wish we could learn to get over things and keep the mission of Christ moving! Doesn't it seem that the teaching and example of Jesus is more than enough motivation to keep us playing even when we are disappointed?
I'm sure this young player will learn better. Hope we all can.
Basketball with 5 and 6 year olds is technically the same sport as ACC basketball. But the realities of the game are very different. Basketball for the starters goes pretty much like this: Get the ball. Dribble it across the line. Lose the ball to the other team and repeat going in the opposite direction. Occasionally there is a pass which is caught by a player on the same team. Less often -- but sometimes--there is an attempt at the basket. But mostly, it is dribble and lose the ball. My son-in-law is coaching Connor's team and Mark is just the right temperment -- patient, good-natured as well as having ideas that (when implemented) bring some success. Going to the game is a matter of support for the children--which is easy and fun to do.
At the last game, I saw an unusually interesting sight.
A girl who played on the other team got mad when her teammate didn't throw her the ball. So, when their team lost possession and ran back to the other end of the court, she stayed right under her basket--head down, arms crossed across her chest, scowl on her face, lip stuck out. What a sight she was! I would have taken a picture but didn't think that was appropriate...
I wanted to laugh -- but didn't know who her parents were and I was certain they were not laughing. There she was, planted under her basket while her team and her opposing team were playing at the other end.
Such a sight! Such a parable! I wanted to shout out to her, "Honey, you have to keep going. The game is going on without you! Get over it!"
So many times I have felt like that young girl! Mad about the way things happened and wanted everyone to know it. So many times I deal with church members like that young girl. They are mad about the way things happened, they want everyone to know it and they are not going to play--even if it puts their team at a disadvantage to pout.
How I wish we could learn to get over things and keep the mission of Christ moving! Doesn't it seem that the teaching and example of Jesus is more than enough motivation to keep us playing even when we are disappointed?
I'm sure this young player will learn better. Hope we all can.
Friday, January 20, 2012
A moment in time
I love St. Simons Island...the United Methodist sister retreat center to Lake Junaluska...home of the history memorabilia about John Wesley's missionary time in Georgia (not his finest years, but a building block for the transformation that would burn into the Methodist movement). This is a place of beauty and serenity bathed in the deep roots of Methodism. This week, District Superintendents from across the jurisdiction gathered for worship, study and fellowship. Learning to be leaders in this changed culture requires a lot of stretching. And we have been stretched this week.
The closing worship was a window into the adjustments and changes the church must make to be true to its mission. Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor was preaching for the closing communion when, all of a sudden, we heard the roar of a leaf-blower. She politely continued and I thought, "Now, isn't this just like life -- the church needing to compete with distractions..."
The leader of our design team discreetly left our worship and, shortly after that, the buzz of the yard equipment was heard no more. I was relieved. Worship continued and we could actually hear what the Bishop was saying.
There is a part of me that understands that the work has to be done for upkeep of a beautiful place like St. Simons. And, in one way, I felt bad about the maintenance people having to re-arrange their work day so that we could have worship. On the other hand, places like St. Simons exist for spiritual renewing experiences like our worship, not for the convenience of a dedicated staff. The people who love and care for the place need to be the people who make the accommodations to what moves the overall mission forward -- even if that means the longtime, everyday workers are the ones to accommodate to the visitors who come and go.
The same thing is true for the local church. It's the regular, dedicated, time-giving people who need to be sure to keep the mission of the church first and foremost. So if Trustees -- who are, in my experience, always deeply dedicated people who love their church--are reluctant for the church to be used for fear of marks on the wall or carpet, that's backwards. The mission of the church is to be fully engaged as a witness for Christ -- deepening the discipleship of its members and tirelessly reaching out to new people. If the building shows wear and tear from use that has moved the mission forward, that's cause for celebration -- even though it means more trouble and concerns for the trustees.
The longer we have loved the church, the more clear we ought to be about the church's mission -- and the more willing to sacrifice, accommodate and re-arrange to move that mission forward. God bless the maintenance people of our holy places...and may they always recognize the primacy of the mission when adjustments to the routine have to be made.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
My new favorite Christmas carol...
I love the traditional--especially at Christmas. Even with a very traditional background, ministry in this time in history has already made my life untraditional. In this rapidly changing culture, holding onto a few traditional things gives special joy. I cherish the Christmas traditions and music is at the top of the list of precious things.
So it never occurred to me that a favorite of centuries could be improved on.
My four year old grandson showed me differently.
Mark and Mary Allen were having a discussion about the boys' favorite Christmas songs. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was #1 on the list. Prodding them to think of a church Christmas song, Connor offered, "Mark the Herald Angel Sings". :) Then Tyler, apparently the theologian, gave this brilliant improvement for a carol I have loved for decades: "O Come and Be Faithful".
"O come and be faithful". Now, there's an idea.
Tyler has changed the old favorite for me forever. I'll never sing it again without thinking about his words. May we come and BE faithful...joyful and triumphant.
So it never occurred to me that a favorite of centuries could be improved on.
My four year old grandson showed me differently.
Mark and Mary Allen were having a discussion about the boys' favorite Christmas songs. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was #1 on the list. Prodding them to think of a church Christmas song, Connor offered, "Mark the Herald Angel Sings". :) Then Tyler, apparently the theologian, gave this brilliant improvement for a carol I have loved for decades: "O Come and Be Faithful".
"O come and be faithful". Now, there's an idea.
Tyler has changed the old favorite for me forever. I'll never sing it again without thinking about his words. May we come and BE faithful...joyful and triumphant.
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