Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Serenity Now!!!!

Those words, immortalized by Jerry Stiller (a.k.a. Frank Costanza) in one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes, are words that I've been saying quite a bit lately, and this coming week I'm hoping finally to enjoy their full meaning. I'm taking a full week off just to relax and unwind, and I have to say it is much needed.

Not to say that I'm suffering from the so-called "burn-out." At least, I don't think I am. But I am beginning to realize how much of my spiritual life revolves around my work in the church, and how little of it revolves around acknowledging my identity as a beloved child of God. It has been a sobering thought for me to dwell on lately. How much do I truly depend on my "successes" in ministry to feel spiritual? How much do I see the praise of the congregation as the justification for what I am doing...rather than simply being who God has made me to be and living that identity in honor of Him, regardless of what people think or how they respond?

Roman Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper wrote a great little book that has been helpful to me: "Leisure: The Basis of Culture." He argues that we live in a "work-a-day world" where everything is measured by its practicality and usefulness, and in such a world, there is little value placed on disciplines like contemplation, celebration, and communion. We see little point in simply being still and pondering the truths of God and the world, and as a result, we are like worker bees in a hive, whose entire value is wrapped up in their ability to produce.

I think of this and then I look at my ministry. Do I at times read the Bible only for its practical value of finding good material for sermons and lessons...or do I truly make time to let Scripture preach to my own heart and mind, regardless of whether it will immediately benefit my ministry? Do I say "yes" to every request for my time and energy because it is easier than dealing with possibly offending someone, or am I bold enough to draw a boundary and acknowledge my own need for Sabbath rest? Do I spend so much time encouraging my youth in the Lord that I fail to encourage myself as well?

My answers to the above questions often depend on the day that I'm asking them of myself. But they're definitely real questions that I struggle with. So I praise God that He has afforded me an opportunity to rest in His presence next week, to take the responsibilities of ministry off my shoulders. My prayer is that this week will ultimately make me a better husband, friend, and minister of the Gospel. But even that is using the vacation as merely a means to an end. Really, my prayer is just that I can enjoy some quality time with God and realize that it's enough.

Serenity now!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Thoughts on Teenagers

I remember a while ago reading Jonathan Edwards' A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God. In a nutshell, it describes the outbreak of revival in New England in the 1730's, generally viewed by contemporary scholarship as the beginning of the First Great Awakening in America. Many historians (even unbelievers) have averred that this religious movement provided the spiritual drive that first gave the 13 Colonies a national identity and ultimately led to the War for Independence. The Awakening had political, social, and economic consequences which, I'm sure, Edwards never imagined while preaching in his church in Massachusetts.

Given my professional orientation at this point in my career, I am struck by one particular aspect of Edwards' Faithful Narrative. He continually gave attention to what the youth of his congregation were doing. He writes, "I proposed it to the young people, that they should agree among themselves to spend the evenings after lectures in social religion, and to that end divide themselves into several companies to meet in various parts of town; which was accordingly done, and those meetings have been since continued, and the example imitated by elder people." It was out of this initial leadership on the part of the youth that the revival began.

Later in his narrative, Edwards also writes, "Those of our young people that are on other accounts most likely and considerable, are truly pious and leading persons in the ways of religion. Those that were formerly looser young persons are generally, to all appearances, become true lovers of God and Christ, and spiritual in their dispositions." Apparently Edwards recognized that much of the impetus for, and leadership in, the Great Awakening came from youth.

It has been under two weeks since my youth group and I returned from our Summer Work Mission Trip. As one of my former blogs testifies, it was an incredible week in which the teens and chaperones worshipped our Triune God, became an authentic community of faith, and reached out their hands to others in love. I'm sure its impact will continue to animate conversations here for some time.

Since that trip, I've held two events for the youth: A Movie/Game Night, and my youth bible study where I take interested students into a deeper examination of the texts of Scripture. The youth have invited eight of their friends--some unchurched--to those two activities, and I had the incredible chance to meet them, get contact information, and invite them back for more activities.

I have read enough in adolescent culture and development to know that today's youth are extremely cynical, deeply distrustful of traditional institutions and authorities (and I've seen enough to confirm that observation) but that is only a half-truth, and I think it says more about our traditional institutions/authorities than it does about teenagers.

Youth are hungry for relationships, eager to make a difference, and searching for something into which they can pour their whole heart and soul. When ministers are able to model for them that Jesus Christ can provide the answer to all three quests, I truly believe they will get excited about it and invite others to be excited about it as well. I believe that youth will rise to what is expected of them. If we treat them as selfish adolescents who sit up in the balcony, pass notes during the sermon and giggle during the hymns, that's all we'll get from them. If we follow Jonathan Edwards' example and treat them as leaders who can grow in holiness and influence others, we might just find another spiritual awakening that can transform the church...and maybe our nation and our world as well!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Holy Hollywood!

It seems as though the mighty movie moguls of Hollywood have found the Christian faith to be very marketable among the American audiences. Recent releases such as The Passion of the Christ and The Nativity Story contain explicitly biblical storylines, while The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings have overtly Christian imagery. Occasionally, a comical but still largely reverent parody of the Christian faith is made, such as Keeping the Faith, Sister Act or the recent Evan Almighty.

But throughout film history, several excellent movies have been made which, while not explicitly Christian in their content or purpose, nonetheless present themes that invite spiritual, even redemptive, discussion. Below is a list of 10 films that I have really enjoyed, and that I believe can promote such discussion. Some of them are R-rated, and a few have some objectionable content, but taken as a whole, each asks excellent questions to which, in my opinion, the Christian faith has the only acceptable answer.

There are probably many more films like this out there, but I've chosen these 10 just to start some discussion. If you can think of others, please add them!

1. Seven (1995) – Directed by David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman
Discussion Theme: What is sin/evil? What are the effects of sin in the world?

2. The Game (1997) – Directed by David Fincher, starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn
Discussion Theme: What is the purpose of suffering and evil? Can evil ever be redemptive?

3. On the Waterfront (1955) – Directed by Elia Kazan, starring Marlon Brando and Karl Malden
Discussion Theme: How should faithful people stand up to evil and injustice in the world?

4. Places in the Heart (1984) – Directed by Robert Benton, starring Sally Field and Danny Glover
Discussion Theme: What are the essential components of true Christian community?

5. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Directed by Frank Darabont, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
Discussion Theme: What is hope? How should people translate hope into action?

6. Chariots of Fire (1981) – Directed by Hugh Hudson, starring Ian Charleson and Ben Cross
Discussion Theme: What kind of loyalties should a person have when God is the motivating force in his life? Other than God, what forces motivate people to action?

7. Elmer Gantry (1960) – Directed by Richard Brooks, starring Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons
Discussion Theme: What happens when techniques, “numbers,” and a business ethic—rather than changing lives—become the motivation for Christian witness?

8. Signs (2002) – Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix
Discussion Theme: Can a person prove God’s existence? Are there really signs in the world that He exists, or is it totally a matter of faith?

9. Glory (1989) – Directed by Edward Zwick, starring Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington
Discussion Theme: What are the marks of true Christian manhood? How can Christian men stand together?

10. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) – Directed by Peter Jackson, starring everyone.
Discussion Theme: There’s plenty to choose from. I just included this because I love the Elves and think it would be cool to be one!

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Down from the Mountaintop

Well, I survived a whole week up at Wesley Woods with all those energetic, hormone-filled teenagers. What an experience! I will limit myself to just a few observations, as I could undoubtedly ramble on for some time...

1 - Jesus Christ is just plain amazing! He was present throughout that week of ministry, I saw Him challenge, encourage, and uplift every single camper and counselor who was there. Our evening worship services were some of the best that I've ever experienced. And when we had a few unexpected emergencies (like when our beloved bus Shamgar broke down...twice) Jesus reminded us that He was in control of that camp and that He'd take care of everything.

2 - I had the opportunity to work with incredible, godly men and women whose love for Christ is contagious and who blessed me with their presence. Doug "Fluffy" Beitner is a wonderfully talented yet humble man who is an asset to Wesley Woods. Rev. Bob Zilhaver impressed me as a genuine pastor, and I hope he reads this and knows that I heard his words to me and am actively considering them. I absolutely loved working with Deb and Moki Decker every day...they have such joyful, generous spirits. And as for the chaperones I dragged up there: Ali Lapp, Dan Pouchot, Kevin McGrath, and Randy Lucas --- I just couldn't ask for better helpers, and I am so grateful for their commitment to the youth ministry at Bakerstown.

3 - I had the opportunity to witness 37 high school youth create a genuine spiritual community for a week, and also work together to do a small part in building God's kingdom on earth. Teens who I thought were shy unexpectedly came out of their shells. Others who I thought were kind of lazy literally busted their rear-ends to get the work done that needed to get done. And some of the "clowns" got serious about Jesus. I agree with my chaperone, Ali Lapp, who said that if there are more teenagers like these ones in the world, they can truly make our nation and our world a better place.

4 - The highlight of the week for me was being on Lake Erie at sunset on Friday evening, and participating in a baptism and communion service. The beauty of God's creation was matched by the beauty of the two sacraments instituted by the Lord Jesus...Everyone was literally immersed in a visible display of God's creative and redemptive love for humanity. No PowerPoint presentation, praise band, or sermon could ever recreate the transcendence of that moment.

So now I am down from the mountaintop, but I retain in my mind and heart a renewed vision of God's purpose for me, for those He has entrusted to my care, and for the church. And if I can summarize my current feelings in one word, it would be: GRATITUDE.

Soli Deo Gloria.