In just the two years that I have been here in Gibsonia, I have witnessed tremendous growth in the surrounding community. Ten years ago, the area around the church was, for the most part, still farm country. Today, our stretch of Route 8 is beginning to rival the Cranberry area in terms of new businesses, housing developments...and the need for churches to respond to this growth.
A new shopping center, including a Lowe's and a Target, opened right across the street. Many young families are moving within a half-mile of our property. Bakerstown UMC is in such a prime location and has much resources to do creative ministry. Yet our church has no ministry specifically targeting those twenty- and thirty-somethings and their families.
Until now. God has really laid the burden on my heart to do something about this.
This coming Saturday, we'll be hosting a dinner/fellowship night for the young adults of our church and community. We've gotten a good response to the RSVP request, and we'll probably get a few walk-ins as well. I am praying that it will be an incredible opportunity for people to connect with each other and dream about what ministry can look like here in the future.
Please join me in praying for this. More than anything, I am praying that this will not be just another programmed ministry for another "segment" (aka clique) of the church. Rather, my prayer is that God will use us to be change agents in the church and community, to spark a conversation that will challenge and change the way we think about being followers of Jesus Christ.
I am nervous and humbled, because this is stepping out of the boat of what I've been doing for the past ten years. Although I definitely have my own vision of where I'd like this to go, I'm trying to have no initial expectations, other than that Jesus will keep His word to us and that He will show up where we gather in His Name. I'll keep you all posted on what happens. Till then, cheers................
Monday, September 24, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Time to Serve
This past spring, my senior pastor Mark Stewart attended a large church initiative at a (naturally) large Methodist Church in Alabama. He came back charged up with a zillion new ideas and hasn't stopped sharing them with the staff, leadership and congregation.
One of the key things he has emphasized to us is the principle that in church, every member is expected to serve, and at the large church in Alabama, every member is bombarded with opportunities to share his or her gifts. Obviously this isn't a new idea...I think I read it somewhere in Paul's letters, maybe that Rick Warren guy talked about it in his Purpose-Driven books. But for some reason, when I heard Mark share his thoughts on it time after time, an insight occurred to me:
Why does this only apply to the adults of the church?
Here I am, spending 50% of my job with teenagers, attempting to disciple them to be faithful Christians and members of a church. Why should I merely compartmentalize their experiences of service to a summer mission trip and a couple work projects during the school year? Why shouldn't service be integrated into their whole church experience from the beginning?
So this past summer, after our mission trip, I met with both my junior and senior high groups and gave them a challenge: "If you guys and gals want to be members of the youth group this coming school year, you are expected to serve."
I had sign-up sheets with different categories and specific projects:
WORSHIP/THE ARTS: Be a worship leader when Jeff preaches; join the youth praise band; do the Children's message in Sunday worship; assist with Children's church; join in "Neon Buzz" (Youth Drama Team).
OUTREACH: Help develop youth group website; invite unchurched friends to youth group; help planning local work projects and the summer mission trip.
LEADERSHIP: Serve on SALT (Student-Adult Leadership Team); be a youth representative on COM; lead games or devotions at Youth Group (juniors/seniors only).
FELLOWSHIP: Be a Youth Group Historian (make scrapbooks of youth events); manage the Youth Group Facebook Page; attend the mid-week in-depth bible study.
Two things have surprised me. First, how willingly each youth there signed up for at least one thing. Second, they have (with some gentle prodding) basically kept their commitments. What's amazing is, I'm getting the sense that they are enjoying the fact that they have taken more ownership in the youth group. They no longer come to have ministry done to them by me and other adults...they are ministers themselves. They bring friends to youth activities, and I know part of the reason is that they take pride in the ministry into which they have invested.
Jesus was the Son of God and could do everything on His own, yet He willingly empowered His disciples, saying that they would "do even greater things" than He did (John 14:12). May those of us who lead have that same humility and faith in our flocks, even it means letting them do greater things than we do.
One of the key things he has emphasized to us is the principle that in church, every member is expected to serve, and at the large church in Alabama, every member is bombarded with opportunities to share his or her gifts. Obviously this isn't a new idea...I think I read it somewhere in Paul's letters, maybe that Rick Warren guy talked about it in his Purpose-Driven books. But for some reason, when I heard Mark share his thoughts on it time after time, an insight occurred to me:
Why does this only apply to the adults of the church?
Here I am, spending 50% of my job with teenagers, attempting to disciple them to be faithful Christians and members of a church. Why should I merely compartmentalize their experiences of service to a summer mission trip and a couple work projects during the school year? Why shouldn't service be integrated into their whole church experience from the beginning?
So this past summer, after our mission trip, I met with both my junior and senior high groups and gave them a challenge: "If you guys and gals want to be members of the youth group this coming school year, you are expected to serve."
I had sign-up sheets with different categories and specific projects:
WORSHIP/THE ARTS: Be a worship leader when Jeff preaches; join the youth praise band; do the Children's message in Sunday worship; assist with Children's church; join in "Neon Buzz" (Youth Drama Team).
OUTREACH: Help develop youth group website; invite unchurched friends to youth group; help planning local work projects and the summer mission trip.
LEADERSHIP: Serve on SALT (Student-Adult Leadership Team); be a youth representative on COM; lead games or devotions at Youth Group (juniors/seniors only).
FELLOWSHIP: Be a Youth Group Historian (make scrapbooks of youth events); manage the Youth Group Facebook Page; attend the mid-week in-depth bible study.
Two things have surprised me. First, how willingly each youth there signed up for at least one thing. Second, they have (with some gentle prodding) basically kept their commitments. What's amazing is, I'm getting the sense that they are enjoying the fact that they have taken more ownership in the youth group. They no longer come to have ministry done to them by me and other adults...they are ministers themselves. They bring friends to youth activities, and I know part of the reason is that they take pride in the ministry into which they have invested.
Jesus was the Son of God and could do everything on His own, yet He willingly empowered His disciples, saying that they would "do even greater things" than He did (John 14:12). May those of us who lead have that same humility and faith in our flocks, even it means letting them do greater things than we do.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Homage to a Hero
Yesterday, one of my favorite writers passed away: Madeleine L'Engle. Writing in the tradition of George MacDonald, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien, she skillfully was able to weave Christian truth into her creative children's fantasies, influencing generations of young people.
I first encountered her in sixth grade when we had to read "A Wrinkle in Time" in Mrs. Gargano's reading class. Not only was I struck by her imagination, but also the fact that she quoted the Bible and referred to Jesus as the ultimate light who defeats "The Black Thing." After reading that book, my cousin and I actually started to write a few "fantasy novels" of our own...but don't look for them at Border's anytime soon!!
Like the Harry Potter series today, her books were often maligned by "reactionary" elements in the Church who did not approve of the "pagan imagery" included. In spite of this, she touched the lives of millions of young people (and even older people). I frequently have gone back to her books, just to be reminded of yet another writer who "baptized my imagination."
Just a few years ago, I found yet another book that she wrote: "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art." I encourage all of you to read it; it has some great insights that could speak to our postmodern generation. Below are a couple quotes from that book that really stuck with me:
"Stories are in no way an evasion of life, but a way of living life creatively instead of fearfully."
"To paint a picture or to write a story or to compose a song is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver."
"We all tend to make zealous judgments, and thereby close ourselves off from revelation. If we feel that we already know something in its totality, then we fail to keep our ears and eyes open to that which may expand or even change that which we so zealously think we know."
"There is nothing so secular that it cannot be made sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation."
"We look into outer space, and because we cannot see a God we can touch, a God we can comprehend with our rational intellects, we invent new gods to take His place, all the little gods of technocracy, little gods who have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, hands and touch not, and who have nothing to say to us in the times of our deepest need."
"I do not understand this death, but I am learning to trust it. Only through this death can come the glory of resurrerction...It is not easy to think of any kind of death as a gift, but it is prefigured for us in the mighty acts of Creation and Incarnation; in Crucifixion and Resurrection. You are my helper and redeemer; make no long tarrying, O my God."
Madeleine L'Engle, 1918-2007
I first encountered her in sixth grade when we had to read "A Wrinkle in Time" in Mrs. Gargano's reading class. Not only was I struck by her imagination, but also the fact that she quoted the Bible and referred to Jesus as the ultimate light who defeats "The Black Thing." After reading that book, my cousin and I actually started to write a few "fantasy novels" of our own...but don't look for them at Border's anytime soon!!
Like the Harry Potter series today, her books were often maligned by "reactionary" elements in the Church who did not approve of the "pagan imagery" included. In spite of this, she touched the lives of millions of young people (and even older people). I frequently have gone back to her books, just to be reminded of yet another writer who "baptized my imagination."
Just a few years ago, I found yet another book that she wrote: "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art." I encourage all of you to read it; it has some great insights that could speak to our postmodern generation. Below are a couple quotes from that book that really stuck with me:
"Stories are in no way an evasion of life, but a way of living life creatively instead of fearfully."
"To paint a picture or to write a story or to compose a song is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver."
"We all tend to make zealous judgments, and thereby close ourselves off from revelation. If we feel that we already know something in its totality, then we fail to keep our ears and eyes open to that which may expand or even change that which we so zealously think we know."
"There is nothing so secular that it cannot be made sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation."
"We look into outer space, and because we cannot see a God we can touch, a God we can comprehend with our rational intellects, we invent new gods to take His place, all the little gods of technocracy, little gods who have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, hands and touch not, and who have nothing to say to us in the times of our deepest need."
"I do not understand this death, but I am learning to trust it. Only through this death can come the glory of resurrerction...It is not easy to think of any kind of death as a gift, but it is prefigured for us in the mighty acts of Creation and Incarnation; in Crucifixion and Resurrection. You are my helper and redeemer; make no long tarrying, O my God."
Madeleine L'Engle, 1918-2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
With All Your Mind...
Okay, I love serving God. I love working in the church. I spend 50+ hours a week, investing in the lives of youth, young adults, people of the community...I love giving practical lessons in adult Sunday school on living out the Christian life...I am excited about doing work projects in the neighborhood, mission trips, outreach events...and I am passionate about God-glorifying worship. All the practical, day-to-day grind of ministry and life---believe me, I'm all for it.
But ya know what? I'm also a bookworm. I get inspired and empowered by reading that dense theology of Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Barth, Bonhoeffer...and even Wesley. My wife laughs at me because I'd rather plow through a philosophy book by Etienne Gilson than watch American Idol (although I was relieved when they booted Sanjaya off). And the spiritual writings of guys like Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Richard Foster and Thomas Kelly have done more for my heart than any talk show, sitcom, or self-help book.
I was converted to the faith by a powerful sermon and a wonderful community of young Christians......but my faith was nurtured by the writings of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, and when I was in the classes of atheist professors who tried to disprove everything about the Christian faith, it was Lewis and Chesterton who kept me anchored in the truth.
In "Mere Christianity," C. S. Lewis says that people warned him not to write a book on the doctrines of the Christian faith. "The ordinary reader does not want Theology; give him plain, practical religion." Yet Lewis' book is a classic defense of Christian truth that has maintained respect for over sixty years. Apparently plain, practical religion wasn't enough.
Even St. Paul, the apostle and pastor, gave much practical wisdom and ethical admonitions to his followers....yet his practical advice was always the logical conclusion of his theology. Why should we be humble servants? Because Jesus made Himself nothing and took upon the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:5-7) Why should we love others? Because Christ loved us and gave Himself as a sacrifice for us. (Ephesians 5:1-2) Why should we place Christ above all other authorities? Because He existed before God made anything else and is supreme over all creation. (Colossians 1:15).
Our world today has radically opposing worldviews (or metanarratives, or whatever), all competing for the minds of people....including the worldview that avers that there is no true worldview. In the intellectual confusion today---with multiple opinions, perspectives, and outright lies on the TV every night---how can we tell people to live out the Christian life without telling them Christian doctrine? So many pastors present doctrinal points in sermons in the most simplistic ways because they're afraid that people don't have the attention span, the intelligence, or the interest to grasp things like the Trinity or the Incarnation. If that's the case, why is the DaVinci Code (a book that has chapters full of dense historical and theological material) a bestseller? Why do I sometimes get 15-20 teenagers out for my in-depth bible study, where we really explore the text and look at doctrines like sin, grace, justification, and election? (Although I confess, for some reason I can't get them to enjoy supralapsarianism....)
One of my profs in seminary once said, "If Christian pastors do not engage the minds of their people, they will be at the mercy of those who do." Yes, a heartfelt relationship with God is important. Yes, obedience to God's will is important. And yes, we must preach in a way that our people can understand. But all of this stuff must be rooted in the reality of Who God is and what He has done on our behalf. That, for lack of a better word, is Theology. And we need it more than ever.
But ya know what? I'm also a bookworm. I get inspired and empowered by reading that dense theology of Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Barth, Bonhoeffer...and even Wesley. My wife laughs at me because I'd rather plow through a philosophy book by Etienne Gilson than watch American Idol (although I was relieved when they booted Sanjaya off). And the spiritual writings of guys like Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Richard Foster and Thomas Kelly have done more for my heart than any talk show, sitcom, or self-help book.
I was converted to the faith by a powerful sermon and a wonderful community of young Christians......but my faith was nurtured by the writings of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, and when I was in the classes of atheist professors who tried to disprove everything about the Christian faith, it was Lewis and Chesterton who kept me anchored in the truth.
In "Mere Christianity," C. S. Lewis says that people warned him not to write a book on the doctrines of the Christian faith. "The ordinary reader does not want Theology; give him plain, practical religion." Yet Lewis' book is a classic defense of Christian truth that has maintained respect for over sixty years. Apparently plain, practical religion wasn't enough.
Even St. Paul, the apostle and pastor, gave much practical wisdom and ethical admonitions to his followers....yet his practical advice was always the logical conclusion of his theology. Why should we be humble servants? Because Jesus made Himself nothing and took upon the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:5-7) Why should we love others? Because Christ loved us and gave Himself as a sacrifice for us. (Ephesians 5:1-2) Why should we place Christ above all other authorities? Because He existed before God made anything else and is supreme over all creation. (Colossians 1:15).
Our world today has radically opposing worldviews (or metanarratives, or whatever), all competing for the minds of people....including the worldview that avers that there is no true worldview. In the intellectual confusion today---with multiple opinions, perspectives, and outright lies on the TV every night---how can we tell people to live out the Christian life without telling them Christian doctrine? So many pastors present doctrinal points in sermons in the most simplistic ways because they're afraid that people don't have the attention span, the intelligence, or the interest to grasp things like the Trinity or the Incarnation. If that's the case, why is the DaVinci Code (a book that has chapters full of dense historical and theological material) a bestseller? Why do I sometimes get 15-20 teenagers out for my in-depth bible study, where we really explore the text and look at doctrines like sin, grace, justification, and election? (Although I confess, for some reason I can't get them to enjoy supralapsarianism....)
One of my profs in seminary once said, "If Christian pastors do not engage the minds of their people, they will be at the mercy of those who do." Yes, a heartfelt relationship with God is important. Yes, obedience to God's will is important. And yes, we must preach in a way that our people can understand. But all of this stuff must be rooted in the reality of Who God is and what He has done on our behalf. That, for lack of a better word, is Theology. And we need it more than ever.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
A Celtic Prayer
I recently found this prayer in a book of Celtic spiritual writings, and I was really inspired. It's a great reminder of God's continued presence and sustenance in all of creation's wonder. It's also a challenge to entrust the care of my soul in the hands of that same God.
O Son of God, perform a miracle for me: change my heart. You whose crimson blood redeems mankind, whiten my heart.
It is you who makes the sun bright and the ice sparkle; you who makes the rivers flow and the salmon leap.
Your skilled hand makes the nut tree blossom, and the corn turn golden; your Spirit composes the songs of the birds and the buzz of the bees.
Your creation is a million wondrous miracles, beautiful to behold. I ask of you just one more miracle: beautify my soul.
(from Robert Van de Weyer, ed., "Celtic Fire.")
O Son of God, perform a miracle for me: change my heart. You whose crimson blood redeems mankind, whiten my heart.
It is you who makes the sun bright and the ice sparkle; you who makes the rivers flow and the salmon leap.
Your skilled hand makes the nut tree blossom, and the corn turn golden; your Spirit composes the songs of the birds and the buzz of the bees.
Your creation is a million wondrous miracles, beautiful to behold. I ask of you just one more miracle: beautify my soul.
(from Robert Van de Weyer, ed., "Celtic Fire.")
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