There was a study released released recently in the U.S. of United Methodist lay and clergy. One of the questions was something like - would you like to see more young adults in your church, and the result was of course over 90% Yes! A follow-up question was asked - are you willing to make some changes necessary in your congregation to attract them? 40ish% answered yes. There is obviously a disconnect between our desire and our will in this area.
There is so much to say here that I'll reflect on this in several posts in order to make easier the conversation. I really hope this conversation can help my friends in the British and American churches come to grips with the most challenging and exciting issue facing the church today.
Young people and all people need to know Jesus, love God and have the joy of serving God in the world.
I have the privileging of serving on the Texas Conference delegation to Jurisdictional Conference in July 08 where we will elect bishops. This last Spring we have interviewed candidates for bishop on of whom was a man named Steve Rankin. Steve is a chaplain at a Methodist college in Kansas. He works with young adults all the time. When asked by our delegation, how do we bring young adults into the church, he replied, "well, first we don't start by bringing young adults into the church." We didn't know what to think of that but he quickly went on to say that young adults are looking for authentic relationships and Christian church folk must first engage young people right where they are. We must talk about what life is all about, what is important to them, get to know them at a personal level. Tell them about Jesus and where we came to learn more about him, what a difference he makes in our lives and what a difference he makes in the world. The key is and always has been - Relationships, relationships, relationships. We must pray and work at having real authentic relationships with people and not just within the walls of the church but anywhere people are. This is what our God did in Jesus - He sought relationship with us so intensely that he sent Jesus, Himself incarnate in the world so as to connect even closer with people. What we need to do as the church is essentially the incarnational ministry of Christ in this age.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Young Adult Focus
Last Monday night, I gathered with three young adults (three adults 40 or younger) to discuss life, faith and church. I asked questions, tried to listen to their responses and followed up with other questions where appropriate. It was a fascinating discussion.
In short, these are some of the questions asked and responses given - all of them offer important insight that I find helpful in my ministry and I hope you, whether you be lay or clergy, find helpful in yours.
- Question: How important is the physical worship space or the church building to your worship experience? All three quickly responded that it was not important at all. Although two then commented that if someone were to come in one day and remove the pews from the sanctuary of their church and change the environment, they would "defend" it.
One "emerging" worship experience was cited as an example of a worship service that "could have been held out in a field and it would have been just as powerful."
- Question: How important is the style of worship to your being a part of a particular church? If the people and the sense of community are positive experiences, this often trumps a style of worship that might not be their first choice.
- A conversation took place around the places and times where they most experience "God-moments." Retreats; worship experiences that allow for testimonies and personal sharing; music that appeals to the heart conveys a powerful sense of God's presence. "God-moments" happen when people can be real, vulnerable, share struggles and know the struggles of others.
- Question: What does the phrase "calling to ministry" mean to you? In terms of ordained ministry, most responses were that they didn't have much of a reflection on someone becoming a minister because no one they knew as a youth went into ordained ministry. However two of them knew someone who went in later as a second career. They share the same challenge the American church has - recruiting young pastors.
In short, these are some of the questions asked and responses given - all of them offer important insight that I find helpful in my ministry and I hope you, whether you be lay or clergy, find helpful in yours.
- Question: How important is the physical worship space or the church building to your worship experience? All three quickly responded that it was not important at all. Although two then commented that if someone were to come in one day and remove the pews from the sanctuary of their church and change the environment, they would "defend" it.
One "emerging" worship experience was cited as an example of a worship service that "could have been held out in a field and it would have been just as powerful."
- Question: How important is the style of worship to your being a part of a particular church? If the people and the sense of community are positive experiences, this often trumps a style of worship that might not be their first choice.
- A conversation took place around the places and times where they most experience "God-moments." Retreats; worship experiences that allow for testimonies and personal sharing; music that appeals to the heart conveys a powerful sense of God's presence. "God-moments" happen when people can be real, vulnerable, share struggles and know the struggles of others.
- Question: What does the phrase "calling to ministry" mean to you? In terms of ordained ministry, most responses were that they didn't have much of a reflection on someone becoming a minister because no one they knew as a youth went into ordained ministry. However two of them knew someone who went in later as a second career. They share the same challenge the American church has - recruiting young pastors.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A Night at the Orchestra
Bethany and I love orchestra concerts. As grace would have it, we were invited for dinner one night a few weeks ago here in England, to the home of a young couple in the Whitefield Church. The Fischers also invited a young couple that live across from them. Tom and Jenny live there with their two young children. Tom is a professional musician and plays in the Halle Orchestra, the premiere symphony orchestra in Manchester and one of the top in all of England. Tom plays the french horn. A few days after our dinner, he graciously made arrangements for us to attend a concert with the Fischers. My parents were here at that time so they kept Addie and enjoyed time with her while we spent the night at the orchestra. It was wonderful. The music for that night was of all things, the music of Frank Sinatra. The orchestra played (strings, winds, brass and percussion) and a guest soloist sang the tunes of these famous songs. I have to say it was really cool to hear "New York, New York" sung by this soloist and this orchestra in England! They were terrific. The orchestra is one of the best I've ever heard and the singer totally hit the mark on Sinatra. It's funny that when people sing, you can't discern an accent. I've noticed it at church and at this concert. Maybe they can hear mine but I can't hear a British accent when they are singing. Maybe that confirms the saying that "music is the universal language."
Monday, June 23, 2008
Circuit Praise
Wow! I had the opportunity to preach at the twice monthly Sunday evening worship Circuit Praise. It rotates churches and last night was at Heaton Park Methodist Church. I felt like I was experiencing Pentecost. Our worship leader (a candidate for ministry here) led us powerfully. It was truly a Spirit-led service in that the band was prepared to play certain songs and there was to be a sermon time but in and through it the worship leader guided according to the movement of the Spirit. Between songs, someone from the congregation would spontaneously recite a psalm. Another would stand and speak as he or she felt led. I preached from John 2, Jesus' cleansing from the temple. It became a "family chat" among Methodist Christians as we talked about the state of the church and the urgency of the moment. I feel that perhaps Jesus' anger should be our own - maybe we need to get righteously upset about the declining state of the church and do like Jesus and intervene. Jesus in this passage both cared for and showed respect for the temple and the common people who were being blocked from accessing it, but simultaneously he reminded us that God is not first about the temple, for that could be torn down and raised up again in 3 days - most importantly, Jesus is the temple of God. It is about Jesus.
So, we went into a time of prayer, action prayer - how can we be interventionists at a time of crisis for the church? How do we keep the focus of our ministry about Jesus first and not about our church buildings?
People prayed about what God was calling them to do specifically. Teaching, praying, unlocking the doors, giving generously, communicating to the community what the church is all about, being in relationship with young adults. People offered themselves, and we sang more and more. The service all together lasted over 2 hours. People lingered and talked and shared. We talked about ministry and where to go from here. The entire time felt like Pentecost revival. We covenanted to pray for our churches, British and American and for the need for revival in our churches and our commitment to be active parts of that revival.
I met some wonderful people and felt like God did something great in and among us Sunday night. I will continue to pray about this revival.
So, we went into a time of prayer, action prayer - how can we be interventionists at a time of crisis for the church? How do we keep the focus of our ministry about Jesus first and not about our church buildings?
People prayed about what God was calling them to do specifically. Teaching, praying, unlocking the doors, giving generously, communicating to the community what the church is all about, being in relationship with young adults. People offered themselves, and we sang more and more. The service all together lasted over 2 hours. People lingered and talked and shared. We talked about ministry and where to go from here. The entire time felt like Pentecost revival. We covenanted to pray for our churches, British and American and for the need for revival in our churches and our commitment to be active parts of that revival.
I met some wonderful people and felt like God did something great in and among us Sunday night. I will continue to pray about this revival.
Travels and Highlights
This past week we traveled with my parents to the Lakes area in Northwest England. We didn't stay long on this trip but we are going back this week with Bethany's parents. We did see Windermure Lake, one of the main attractions and ate at a small cafe there. It was raining on us that day. The lake was beautiful. It sits in the valley between high hills.
After dinner at the cafe, we traveled on to Carlisle, England and stayed in a bed and breakfast there owned and operated by the parents of one of our young Whitefield members. Carlisle is an historic town that was the northern border of the Roman Empire at its height of imperial expansion. In fact, a wall was constructed across the town to keep out northern invaders - who I guess would be the Scots, the Norweigans and other Scandinavians. The next day we went to Edinburgh, Scotland and toured the Castle and walked part of the Royal Mile. The castle was amazing. In that fortress was a chapel built in the 1100's.
This grand castle is built high up on a rock hill and the city has grown around it. I stood looking at this monstrous construction trying to imagine how they built it without the modern machinery we use.
We spent one night in Edinburgh. On the second and last day we saw the palace of Holyrood, where Mary Queen of Scots lived and where to Royal family still comes to vacation. Adjoining the palace are the ruins of an abbey where Roman Catholic monks lived many centuries ago. This was one of Bethany's favorite spaces. Finally we saw the University of Edinburg. I wanted to see it because one of my favorite professors at Lon Morris College was Scottish and received all her degrees through her PhD there. Madeleine Ross is her name.
There is much much more to share about this trips and many pictures. I will try to post some pictures here as soon as I figure out how to do that. Bethany's parents visit this week and we are going back to the Lakes area and to Edinburgh to see more of these places.
After dinner at the cafe, we traveled on to Carlisle, England and stayed in a bed and breakfast there owned and operated by the parents of one of our young Whitefield members. Carlisle is an historic town that was the northern border of the Roman Empire at its height of imperial expansion. In fact, a wall was constructed across the town to keep out northern invaders - who I guess would be the Scots, the Norweigans and other Scandinavians. The next day we went to Edinburgh, Scotland and toured the Castle and walked part of the Royal Mile. The castle was amazing. In that fortress was a chapel built in the 1100's.
This grand castle is built high up on a rock hill and the city has grown around it. I stood looking at this monstrous construction trying to imagine how they built it without the modern machinery we use.
We spent one night in Edinburgh. On the second and last day we saw the palace of Holyrood, where Mary Queen of Scots lived and where to Royal family still comes to vacation. Adjoining the palace are the ruins of an abbey where Roman Catholic monks lived many centuries ago. This was one of Bethany's favorite spaces. Finally we saw the University of Edinburg. I wanted to see it because one of my favorite professors at Lon Morris College was Scottish and received all her degrees through her PhD there. Madeleine Ross is her name.
There is much much more to share about this trips and many pictures. I will try to post some pictures here as soon as I figure out how to do that. Bethany's parents visit this week and we are going back to the Lakes area and to Edinburgh to see more of these places.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Cultural Contexts for Evangelism
Some thoughts are beginning to crystalize in my mind as to the starting place for evangelism in various cultural contexts. For a local church seeking to reach out and connect people to Christ through the church, that church must pray and assess the cultural norms and realities around it. I am starting to get a glimpse of the cultural starting places here in England which has therefore helped me to better understand the cultural starting place in Woodville, Texas when it comes to God, faith and church. By the way, my purpose in blogging thoughts like this, is to discipline myself first to reflect on this things and second to enter into a conversation with you that will sharpen my reflections, give you an opportunity to bounce back your own thoughts or push back on some of mine. Any and all comments are welcome.
In Woodville, it seems that the cultural starting place (among those not in the church)when it comes to faith is that faith is a good thing, the expected thing, the cultural norm. If a poll was taken, my guess is, most folks would profess a basic belief in the existence and power of God, generally speaking. Further, I think most folks would acknowledge a belief in Jesus (what they believe about him would no doubt vary). Even beyond that most folks would lay claim to a denominational loyalty (ie. I'm a Baptist, Methodist or Catholic...) Many would be on the membership role of a church (not often active members however).
With this cultural reality people don't need to be convinced about the existence of God, the power of God, or the importance of the work of the church. The challenge this cultural reality produces though is communicating to people that a professed faith in God and membership on a church roll doesn't constitute real discipleship. The challenge for evangelism is to convey the truth that a real, true, living, faith has to be lived out actively in community and our faith must shape how we spend our lives.
I am beginning to understand that the cultural context for evangelism in at least where we are in England starts in a different place. For a church here to connect with new people and bring them to Christ through the church, I think the church has to start by talking about why we need God to begin with. That a person you pass by on the street is a person of Christian faith is not a basic assumption here. It does not seem to carry with it any social favor (faith as a favorable social status indicator is not necessarily a good thing). So, I think with evangelism, its not a matter of savy advertising or mass mailers about Vacation Bible School. Evangelism has to first address the questions - why do we need God, what difference does it make, what is the church all about? The challenge of evangelism in England perhaps is to be in conversation about these questions, talk about radical commitment to Jesus and making a difference in the world for God.
Of course neither of these cultural realities are better or easier than the other, both require prayer, discernment and creativity. Bottom line is that deep evangelism seeks to address the core challenges in both of these contexts. We always need to testify to the need for God, whatever our context and we always need to call people to live out their faith in community.
We are living in a rapidly changing, dynamic, and interconnected world and our own commitment to Christ and community calls all of us to wrestle with all of these realities for ourselves.
The Methodist Church in the UK and the Church of England have joined together in an effort to think creatively about ways to "be and do church." Check out this link to find out more
www.freshexpressions.org.uk/
In Woodville, it seems that the cultural starting place (among those not in the church)when it comes to faith is that faith is a good thing, the expected thing, the cultural norm. If a poll was taken, my guess is, most folks would profess a basic belief in the existence and power of God, generally speaking. Further, I think most folks would acknowledge a belief in Jesus (what they believe about him would no doubt vary). Even beyond that most folks would lay claim to a denominational loyalty (ie. I'm a Baptist, Methodist or Catholic...) Many would be on the membership role of a church (not often active members however).
With this cultural reality people don't need to be convinced about the existence of God, the power of God, or the importance of the work of the church. The challenge this cultural reality produces though is communicating to people that a professed faith in God and membership on a church roll doesn't constitute real discipleship. The challenge for evangelism is to convey the truth that a real, true, living, faith has to be lived out actively in community and our faith must shape how we spend our lives.
I am beginning to understand that the cultural context for evangelism in at least where we are in England starts in a different place. For a church here to connect with new people and bring them to Christ through the church, I think the church has to start by talking about why we need God to begin with. That a person you pass by on the street is a person of Christian faith is not a basic assumption here. It does not seem to carry with it any social favor (faith as a favorable social status indicator is not necessarily a good thing). So, I think with evangelism, its not a matter of savy advertising or mass mailers about Vacation Bible School. Evangelism has to first address the questions - why do we need God, what difference does it make, what is the church all about? The challenge of evangelism in England perhaps is to be in conversation about these questions, talk about radical commitment to Jesus and making a difference in the world for God.
Of course neither of these cultural realities are better or easier than the other, both require prayer, discernment and creativity. Bottom line is that deep evangelism seeks to address the core challenges in both of these contexts. We always need to testify to the need for God, whatever our context and we always need to call people to live out their faith in community.
We are living in a rapidly changing, dynamic, and interconnected world and our own commitment to Christ and community calls all of us to wrestle with all of these realities for ourselves.
The Methodist Church in the UK and the Church of England have joined together in an effort to think creatively about ways to "be and do church." Check out this link to find out more
www.freshexpressions.org.uk/
Friday, June 13, 2008
Send Urban/Rural Missionaries
As I experience the ministry here in this urban setting and reflect on some of the realities back home in the US, I am wondering if Methodism's belief in "sent" ministry may need to take on new form in some places. We do believe according to The Great Commission of Jesus that disciples are sent out to be in ministry, "go...make disciples of all nations." John Wesley modeled sent ministry in the early Methodist societies, the early American Methodist circuit preachers lived this by being sent by superitendents and bishops to go and preach from community to community. Now, in a very different socio-cultural context we continue this belief in "sent" ministry through modern day appointment making.
There are many debates brewing about the usefulness, sensibility, relevancy or effectiveness of itinerant ministry in today's context. I don't want to cover the landscape of those arguments here but only to suggest one...urban/rural missionary.
In many of our urban contexts, American, British or South American (the only places I've traveled), the cities are an urban jungle sprawl of secular busyness. I'm afraid that the institutional church on some of our street corners have become simply a piece of the landscape of our cities. While in some places, churches continue to be relevant, engaged, and very much a staple presence in that community - many, many more are not. In many of these cities, what I think would be much more appropriate and I think more fruitful would be the sending of missionaries to these cities. They would meet in homes, coffee shops and other places, sharing the Methodist expression of the Gospel, meeting people where they are with the grace of Jesus, witnessing, sharing and forming faith communities that transform lives by the Holy Spirit.
This sharing and witnessing can happen with the church on the corner, don't get me wrong, but right now in many of our cities, our churches have so much to overcome and impactful ministry is very very challenging in their situations as they are. For bishops and superitendents to send seminary trained, ordained persons with a missionary's mindset rather than a local church pastor or chaplain mindset, might change the face of the Methodist movement in a positive way, in a short amount of time. Many times all it takes is a mature, gifted and graced leader who is willing to be sent. With a leader like this and God, anything can happen.
I know there is much to think through with this kind of approach but sending out missionaries to our urban (and rural) outposts could advance the kingdom of God in a radical life-changing way. We can afford to try radically different approaches. The relevancy of our church, some argue, our very survival as a movement, depend on it.
In Houston, a Superitendent of the Church, Jim Welch secured through the UM General Board of Global Ministries, a Vietnamese missionary from Vietnam to come to Houston and be a missionary to the Vietnamese community in Houston. He is literally an urban missionary in Houston. In his case, he came from Vietnam to be a missonary here. We may need to do more of this and as I am suggesting, send us to be missionaries to folks who are right next door.
There are many debates brewing about the usefulness, sensibility, relevancy or effectiveness of itinerant ministry in today's context. I don't want to cover the landscape of those arguments here but only to suggest one...urban/rural missionary.
In many of our urban contexts, American, British or South American (the only places I've traveled), the cities are an urban jungle sprawl of secular busyness. I'm afraid that the institutional church on some of our street corners have become simply a piece of the landscape of our cities. While in some places, churches continue to be relevant, engaged, and very much a staple presence in that community - many, many more are not. In many of these cities, what I think would be much more appropriate and I think more fruitful would be the sending of missionaries to these cities. They would meet in homes, coffee shops and other places, sharing the Methodist expression of the Gospel, meeting people where they are with the grace of Jesus, witnessing, sharing and forming faith communities that transform lives by the Holy Spirit.
This sharing and witnessing can happen with the church on the corner, don't get me wrong, but right now in many of our cities, our churches have so much to overcome and impactful ministry is very very challenging in their situations as they are. For bishops and superitendents to send seminary trained, ordained persons with a missionary's mindset rather than a local church pastor or chaplain mindset, might change the face of the Methodist movement in a positive way, in a short amount of time. Many times all it takes is a mature, gifted and graced leader who is willing to be sent. With a leader like this and God, anything can happen.
I know there is much to think through with this kind of approach but sending out missionaries to our urban (and rural) outposts could advance the kingdom of God in a radical life-changing way. We can afford to try radically different approaches. The relevancy of our church, some argue, our very survival as a movement, depend on it.
In Houston, a Superitendent of the Church, Jim Welch secured through the UM General Board of Global Ministries, a Vietnamese missionary from Vietnam to come to Houston and be a missionary to the Vietnamese community in Houston. He is literally an urban missionary in Houston. In his case, he came from Vietnam to be a missonary here. We may need to do more of this and as I am suggesting, send us to be missionaries to folks who are right next door.
Similarities and Differences in our Church Organization
While spending this time in England among British Methodism, I'm learning a lot about their leadership structure at the local church, the circuit and district levels. The British Methodist Church is a different entity than the United Methodist Church.
I have now attended a Church Council meeting and a meeting of "local preachers" on the circuit. The Church Council functions in similar ways as ours in giving oversight for the church's ministry. The way it carries out this function probably varies a bit from congregation to congregation and in that we would find some of the more concrete difference with UM Churches.
For example, the pastor or superitendent chairs the Church Council meetings and has a vote on the council, as well as other committees I think. In the UMC, the pastor has voice but no vote on any committee except the Lay Leadership Committee, one he/she chairs. This is the only committee the pastor chairs in the UMC. The chairs are all lay people.
The local preachers I mentioned earlier are lay persons who have gone through a quite rigorous 5 year program and a period of supervision to prepare them to preach in the churches of their circuit. The circuit I'm serving within has 8 churches, with three full time ordained ministers. So, these local preachers are used every month to preach at the services when the ordained pastor is elsewhere. These people are highly capable. One of the questions that arose in the meeting is the challenge of continuity for the churches. How do the individual congregations and especially new people know what to expect when coming to worship and how do they build a relationship with the preacher? That being said, the use of the lectionary is seen as a unifying element for worship and again, the local preachers are well-trained and well-utilized.
Anyway, I have shared a little about the American models of a local pastor and lay speaker with them. These local preachers are sort of in between these two in terms of responsibility and authority. We are trying to share some of our similarities and differences here so that this exchange can truly be an exchange - of ideas, of experiences etc. Woodville is also learning from Derek in the same way I know. I pray that all of this sharing will be seed planting that bears the fruit of new approaches for all our churches.
I have now attended a Church Council meeting and a meeting of "local preachers" on the circuit. The Church Council functions in similar ways as ours in giving oversight for the church's ministry. The way it carries out this function probably varies a bit from congregation to congregation and in that we would find some of the more concrete difference with UM Churches.
For example, the pastor or superitendent chairs the Church Council meetings and has a vote on the council, as well as other committees I think. In the UMC, the pastor has voice but no vote on any committee except the Lay Leadership Committee, one he/she chairs. This is the only committee the pastor chairs in the UMC. The chairs are all lay people.
The local preachers I mentioned earlier are lay persons who have gone through a quite rigorous 5 year program and a period of supervision to prepare them to preach in the churches of their circuit. The circuit I'm serving within has 8 churches, with three full time ordained ministers. So, these local preachers are used every month to preach at the services when the ordained pastor is elsewhere. These people are highly capable. One of the questions that arose in the meeting is the challenge of continuity for the churches. How do the individual congregations and especially new people know what to expect when coming to worship and how do they build a relationship with the preacher? That being said, the use of the lectionary is seen as a unifying element for worship and again, the local preachers are well-trained and well-utilized.
Anyway, I have shared a little about the American models of a local pastor and lay speaker with them. These local preachers are sort of in between these two in terms of responsibility and authority. We are trying to share some of our similarities and differences here so that this exchange can truly be an exchange - of ideas, of experiences etc. Woodville is also learning from Derek in the same way I know. I pray that all of this sharing will be seed planting that bears the fruit of new approaches for all our churches.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Dialogue on Ministry
I want to open up a conversation with blog visitors about 21st century ministry. If you will take a look at my reading list for while I'm here, you'll notice that I'm reading "UnChristian." It is based on a broad survey and study of young adults 18-29, related to their perspectives of the Christian faith and the church. Some of the responses to the survey are predictable, I've read them elsewhere and heard them in conversation but some of the responses are somewhat surprising. I'll share some of them later because I don't want to prejudice the conversation I am inviting here.
I am in the process of scheduling some gatherings in the two churches I'm serving here in England this month. Those gatherings are with church folks and particularly people under 40. I am hoping for them to be round-robin discussions on Bible, theology, faith and the church's ministry. I am sure I'll learn a great deal and hope that we can share ideas for how to reach a new generation of people with the Gospel.
So, to you blog visitors, a question to kick off our discussion - what should be a local church's essential tasks?
To paraphrase Henri Nouwen (Christian spiritual writer) "If we do not understand that which is essential to ministry, we might spend most of our time doing the merely important."
I am in the process of scheduling some gatherings in the two churches I'm serving here in England this month. Those gatherings are with church folks and particularly people under 40. I am hoping for them to be round-robin discussions on Bible, theology, faith and the church's ministry. I am sure I'll learn a great deal and hope that we can share ideas for how to reach a new generation of people with the Gospel.
So, to you blog visitors, a question to kick off our discussion - what should be a local church's essential tasks?
To paraphrase Henri Nouwen (Christian spiritual writer) "If we do not understand that which is essential to ministry, we might spend most of our time doing the merely important."
Monday, June 9, 2008
National Methodist Anthem of Great Britain
When picking hymns for June 8th worship I ran across "And Can it Be That I Should Gain." It is a great Charles Wesley hymn (brother of John, founder of the Methodist movement). When I talked with the pianist at the Bridge Church, he commented that it is sort of like the British national Methodist anthem. I loved that and now after singing it at both the Bridge and Whitefield on Sunday morning, they sang like it is the national Methodist anthem. The men sang a base part underneath the last two lines of every hymn and the organist/pianists played with lots of gusto. When we sang the last verse, they really bore down on the keys and let it soar. Youth, young people and older ones alike sang it with power. It was awesome. Here are the powerful words of that hymn, verse by verse it tells the Gospel story.
1. And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain! For me? who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2. 'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.
3. He left his Father's throne above (so free, so infinite his grace!), emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O my God, it found out me! 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O my God, it found out me!
4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night; thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
5. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine; alive in him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach th' eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own. Bold I approach th' eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
1. And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain! For me? who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2. 'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.
3. He left his Father's throne above (so free, so infinite his grace!), emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O my God, it found out me! 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O my God, it found out me!
4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night; thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
5. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine; alive in him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach th' eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own. Bold I approach th' eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Psalm 131 Keeps Showing Up
Psalm 131 (NRSV)
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore.
Over the past year, Psalm 131 has shown up for me in all kinds of places. The first time this psalm came to grab my attention was in seminary. The class was taught by Paul Escamilla, a pastor in Dallas and an adjunct professor at the seminary. He commended the psalm to the class as one that we should pray when we are "getting ahead of ourselves" or feeling too important maybe, or when we feel like the weight of the world or the church is on our shoulders. Anyway, that's when God first spoke to me through this psalm.
Every May, I usually have an individual spiritual retreat, usually for 2 days. I spend the first day in prayer for my own walk with Christ, prayer for my family, extended family etc. The second day I spend in prayer for the church, for our plans and our future ministry. It was on one of these retreats in May 2007 that the daily lection psalm was Psalm 131. I used the daily lection from the Book of Common Prayer to guide me and discipline my scripture reading for these retreats. I journaled about reading that Psalm that day and how it touched me at an important time in my life.
On my last Sunday in Woodville before leaving for the exchange 2 weeks ago, the lectionary psalm was, Psalm 131. I don't often use the lectionary to guide my preaching these days but I did that Sunday because I had finished a sermon series recently and after reading this psalm I thought it presented the right message for that day. I know that daily lections and the lectionary rotate so it is not a surprise that 131 came around again but it is divine that I chose to preach the lectionary on that Sunday and chose to have my spiritual retreat the week it was listed in the daily lection.
There's one more. Last week, while visiting a home group meeting of the Whitefield Church, we opened with some time for meditation, just reflecting on a scripture passage before beginning. I did not lead this group, I just participated. The leader of the group had selected Psalm 131 as the scripture on which to meditate! So, the Lord, at important times, reminds me that He is God and that my hope is ultimately in nothing but Him. For this pastor and person who loves life, wants to save the world, be everything that is needed in a leader for the church to thrive, and be the husband and father that I want to be, Psalm 131 does not let me off the hook on these desires but reminds me that God does the saving and He is the one in whose bosom the world can rest and hope.
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore.
Over the past year, Psalm 131 has shown up for me in all kinds of places. The first time this psalm came to grab my attention was in seminary. The class was taught by Paul Escamilla, a pastor in Dallas and an adjunct professor at the seminary. He commended the psalm to the class as one that we should pray when we are "getting ahead of ourselves" or feeling too important maybe, or when we feel like the weight of the world or the church is on our shoulders. Anyway, that's when God first spoke to me through this psalm.
Every May, I usually have an individual spiritual retreat, usually for 2 days. I spend the first day in prayer for my own walk with Christ, prayer for my family, extended family etc. The second day I spend in prayer for the church, for our plans and our future ministry. It was on one of these retreats in May 2007 that the daily lection psalm was Psalm 131. I used the daily lection from the Book of Common Prayer to guide me and discipline my scripture reading for these retreats. I journaled about reading that Psalm that day and how it touched me at an important time in my life.
On my last Sunday in Woodville before leaving for the exchange 2 weeks ago, the lectionary psalm was, Psalm 131. I don't often use the lectionary to guide my preaching these days but I did that Sunday because I had finished a sermon series recently and after reading this psalm I thought it presented the right message for that day. I know that daily lections and the lectionary rotate so it is not a surprise that 131 came around again but it is divine that I chose to preach the lectionary on that Sunday and chose to have my spiritual retreat the week it was listed in the daily lection.
There's one more. Last week, while visiting a home group meeting of the Whitefield Church, we opened with some time for meditation, just reflecting on a scripture passage before beginning. I did not lead this group, I just participated. The leader of the group had selected Psalm 131 as the scripture on which to meditate! So, the Lord, at important times, reminds me that He is God and that my hope is ultimately in nothing but Him. For this pastor and person who loves life, wants to save the world, be everything that is needed in a leader for the church to thrive, and be the husband and father that I want to be, Psalm 131 does not let me off the hook on these desires but reminds me that God does the saving and He is the one in whose bosom the world can rest and hope.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Playing Cricket
Last night I learned a little about playing cricket. Cricket is a popular sport here in the UK. Most people assume, as I did, that it is like baseball. It does have a small ball, a bat, and is played outdoors but after that the similarities soon end. The ball is smaller than a baseball, the bat is larger with a ridge on one side and flat on the other. The playing field is in a circle instead of a diamond. No one wears a glove except the one playing the position we would call a catcher. After playing a little "catch," I am especially thankful for our gloves. When you pitch, you throw it overhand in sort of a windmill motion, letting it bounce just before the batter. Therefore, the batter most times must hit it off the bounce. We all know that when a ball of any kind bounces it can go just about any direction from there. That makes it tough to hit.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I would be learning on a night when the "senior" team plays and that I thought this was an especially good group to learn with (thinking they were older folks). Wrong. What my host (from the church) meant by seniors were seniors in high school 17-19 years old. It worked out okay, they were gracious, let me mix in and "ball" (pitch) a little and then do some catching (catching fly balls basically), remember you catch with your bare hands, ouch!
Their coach for the summer is a professional player with a team in South Africa, a guy named Wayne, he was cool and taught me the basics.
One of the players/assistant coaches was a Sunni Muslim guy, about 35-40ish who lives here in the UK. We had some interesting conversations out in the field.
Oh, one last thing. A single game of cricket can theoretically go for five days and still end in a tie. I don't quite understand why but Wayne and others say its possible. We Americans have a tough time with ties. Remember the Major League Baseball All-Star game that ended in a tie a few years ago because of pitching shortages and the commissioner calling the game? There was a national uproar in sports America. I even thought it was crazy. No ties for us but in cricket, it can happen.
Anyhow, lots of fun, I'm pretty sore but learned something new.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I would be learning on a night when the "senior" team plays and that I thought this was an especially good group to learn with (thinking they were older folks). Wrong. What my host (from the church) meant by seniors were seniors in high school 17-19 years old. It worked out okay, they were gracious, let me mix in and "ball" (pitch) a little and then do some catching (catching fly balls basically), remember you catch with your bare hands, ouch!
Their coach for the summer is a professional player with a team in South Africa, a guy named Wayne, he was cool and taught me the basics.
One of the players/assistant coaches was a Sunni Muslim guy, about 35-40ish who lives here in the UK. We had some interesting conversations out in the field.
Oh, one last thing. A single game of cricket can theoretically go for five days and still end in a tie. I don't quite understand why but Wayne and others say its possible. We Americans have a tough time with ties. Remember the Major League Baseball All-Star game that ended in a tie a few years ago because of pitching shortages and the commissioner calling the game? There was a national uproar in sports America. I even thought it was crazy. No ties for us but in cricket, it can happen.
Anyhow, lots of fun, I'm pretty sore but learned something new.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Interesting Tidbits
I wanted to jot down a few interesting tidbits and observations while I am thinking about them. If you have ever traveled in England, you will probably recognize some of these. These aren't earth shattering, they are just interesting to this Texan who has never been to England before.
1- Traffic lights - of course in the U.S. red means stop, green is go and yellow is slow down or yield. The progression from go to stop is a green, yellow, then a red. But of course, the light then turns directly from red to green (still to go). Not so in England. The yellow light (actually they call it amber here) happens on both sides. Green, amber, red (go, slow down, stop) and then red, amber, green (still, get ready, go).
2- The Manchester Evening News is the local newspaper (Manchester is the 2nd largest city in England). There is a basic headlines section that is free if you are in Manchester proper. If you buy it where we are, out in a suburb basically, you have to pay for it but you get the full edition. The word is that the gas (petrol) costs too much just to drive the free version out to the suburbs so the paper charges in order to reimburse itself for the gas it takes to deliver it here. However the one that gets delivered here is the full version. It is interesting first that the main newspaper of the second largest city in all of England has a significant section that is free in that city and second it is a commentary on how dire the gas situation is or is perceived to be that just a drive out to that city's suburbs is that costly. (gas is the equivalent of about $9 a gallon here)
3- People are very interested in the American presidential campaign and it is covered widely in the press. The end of the Democratic Primary Campaign was front page top headline in one of the major London newspapers.
*I drove the car a little more today. A neighbor from across the street rode shotgun and guided me to places that were good practicing areas. Brave souls, Bethany and Addie sat in the backseat. God bless em'.
1- Traffic lights - of course in the U.S. red means stop, green is go and yellow is slow down or yield. The progression from go to stop is a green, yellow, then a red. But of course, the light then turns directly from red to green (still to go). Not so in England. The yellow light (actually they call it amber here) happens on both sides. Green, amber, red (go, slow down, stop) and then red, amber, green (still, get ready, go).
2- The Manchester Evening News is the local newspaper (Manchester is the 2nd largest city in England). There is a basic headlines section that is free if you are in Manchester proper. If you buy it where we are, out in a suburb basically, you have to pay for it but you get the full edition. The word is that the gas (petrol) costs too much just to drive the free version out to the suburbs so the paper charges in order to reimburse itself for the gas it takes to deliver it here. However the one that gets delivered here is the full version. It is interesting first that the main newspaper of the second largest city in all of England has a significant section that is free in that city and second it is a commentary on how dire the gas situation is or is perceived to be that just a drive out to that city's suburbs is that costly. (gas is the equivalent of about $9 a gallon here)
3- People are very interested in the American presidential campaign and it is covered widely in the press. The end of the Democratic Primary Campaign was front page top headline in one of the major London newspapers.
*I drove the car a little more today. A neighbor from across the street rode shotgun and guided me to places that were good practicing areas. Brave souls, Bethany and Addie sat in the backseat. God bless em'.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
No Favorite National Past Time in the U.S.
Okay so there is no single favorite American past time, sports speaking. Of course for decades we Americans have been fond of saying that baseball is the favorite American past time but seeing how thoroughly inculturated football (our soccer) is in the lives of British youth, I have realized that no single sport occupies that place in the U.S. I guess "favorite past time" is subject to one's own definition but I would define it, in the sports world, maybe as a game that is so widely played, admired, and embedded in a culture that from childhood to adulthood, it is the default sport for everyone. For example, last night (Monday night) I headed over to the Bridge Methodist for their Monday youth open recreation night. I took Steven, a young adult from Whitefield Church with me. There were probably 25 youth there in all, nearly all were boys ages 11-14. We played a pickup game of basketball with about 4 on each team. The rest of the guys played on computers in a lab they have there and the rest sort of wandered around. Then one of them said, "let's play football" and you would have thought that boys came out of the walls to be a part of that game. In a small half basketball court 25 boys divided into teams and we played football (again, we're talking American soccer here). These boys were awesome and intense.
At one point, one of the adult volunteers, maybe 50ish age, attempted to cross the court to go to another part of the building. The ball happen to come his way and he instinctively tapped the ball with the side of his foot, and did some other fancy foot trick like it was no big deal. No doubt an instinctive reaction from years of football inculturation. Football is the British past time. In the British newspaper, the Guardian, the first seven pages of the sports section are devoted to football. Cricket and tennis get a page or two each to round out the section. Some locals here are fans of Manchester United. Many more are fans of the Manchester City Team , also a professional team. Football is the favorite national past time of England.
In the U.S. we have any number of sports that could qualify as a favorite past time - American football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR or even golf; but since all of them could qualify as a favorite national past time, then none of them can. Only one sport can occupy that space to be the favorite. So I've concluded, we have lots of entertaining sports that occupy the passion, attention, and money of Americans of all ages, but the day is gone that just one can be called our favorite American past time.
PS. I announced at church in both places Sunday that I also wanted to learn to play cricket. So, I was invited afterward to go one Thursday very soon, to a local seniors league (good place to start) with a guy in the Whitefield church. There is an African professional player who coaches them. Pretty cool.
At one point, one of the adult volunteers, maybe 50ish age, attempted to cross the court to go to another part of the building. The ball happen to come his way and he instinctively tapped the ball with the side of his foot, and did some other fancy foot trick like it was no big deal. No doubt an instinctive reaction from years of football inculturation. Football is the British past time. In the British newspaper, the Guardian, the first seven pages of the sports section are devoted to football. Cricket and tennis get a page or two each to round out the section. Some locals here are fans of Manchester United. Many more are fans of the Manchester City Team , also a professional team. Football is the favorite national past time of England.
In the U.S. we have any number of sports that could qualify as a favorite past time - American football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR or even golf; but since all of them could qualify as a favorite national past time, then none of them can. Only one sport can occupy that space to be the favorite. So I've concluded, we have lots of entertaining sports that occupy the passion, attention, and money of Americans of all ages, but the day is gone that just one can be called our favorite American past time.
PS. I announced at church in both places Sunday that I also wanted to learn to play cricket. So, I was invited afterward to go one Thursday very soon, to a local seniors league (good place to start) with a guy in the Whitefield church. There is an African professional player who coaches them. Pretty cool.
Monday, June 2, 2008
First Sunday reflections Part 2
Please see the earlier post for reflections and impressions of our first experience at Whitefield church. In the evening on June 1 we made our way to The Bridge Methodist Church. It is in a district of Manchester known as Radcliffe. The church is located in the heart of that community and used as a community center for many activities. Its congregation is a bit of a mixture of ages and its worship style was very different from what we experienced in the morning at Whitefield. While Whitefield used very traditional liturgy for its worship, The Bridge utilized power point to project its hymns on a screen. The worship space has been modified from its previous state. It was a large sanctuary seating 1000 people with a three story pipe organ. About 20 years ago they did something I have never heard of and might have difficulty describing. If I don't paint the picture well, comment back and I will try to clarify. They enclosed the upstairs balcony area and made a portion into a mini-gym (about a half court basketball size). With the other portion of what was the balcony they made classrooms. Today, those classrooms house some computer labs for student work and tutoring. The Bridge has a youth ministry as well.
The downstairs part of the sanctuary was also divided with one portion made into a fellowship area and another the new revised worship space. The worship space now has modern sorts of pews (rows of hard plastic seat and back with cushions) and the space altogether seats probably 100-130. There is now an electric organ and a piano which serve as the accompainment. The old stairwell to the balcony connects all of this but they have also added an elevator.
The musicians are very good. In worship, there was clapping and singing that was "rousing,", a common British descriptor.
There was not as much structure to the service as in Whitefield and much in the way of worship order is left to the preacher or speaker for the evening (the circuit does have several lay speakers that rotate in regularly).
After evening worship we headed to the once a month community youth service that our Methodist youth attend. It is multi-denominational and rotates from church to church each month. Held in Christ Church (Anglican), a beautiful sanctuary that reminded us of St Paul's Houston, worship was led by a praise band and a speaker who was converted to the Christian faith in the Bridge Youth group and is now a youth leader at another church.
There is so much more to share but I'll leave it at that for now.
The downstairs part of the sanctuary was also divided with one portion made into a fellowship area and another the new revised worship space. The worship space now has modern sorts of pews (rows of hard plastic seat and back with cushions) and the space altogether seats probably 100-130. There is now an electric organ and a piano which serve as the accompainment. The old stairwell to the balcony connects all of this but they have also added an elevator.
The musicians are very good. In worship, there was clapping and singing that was "rousing,", a common British descriptor.
There was not as much structure to the service as in Whitefield and much in the way of worship order is left to the preacher or speaker for the evening (the circuit does have several lay speakers that rotate in regularly).
After evening worship we headed to the once a month community youth service that our Methodist youth attend. It is multi-denominational and rotates from church to church each month. Held in Christ Church (Anglican), a beautiful sanctuary that reminded us of St Paul's Houston, worship was led by a praise band and a speaker who was converted to the Christian faith in the Bridge Youth group and is now a youth leader at another church.
There is so much more to share but I'll leave it at that for now.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
First Sunday Reflections Part 1
It is Sunday night here and we have just completed our first full Sunday of worship in England. We are serving two churches these weeks so I alternate between them. This morning I worshipped, preached and celebrated Holy Communion at Whitefield Methodist in the heart of the Whitefield District of Manchester (Whitefield is like a burrough of Manchester like Brooklyn is to New York City). They are dealing with many of the issues our urban churches struggle with in the U.S. Metropolitan influence is growing around them including a new shopping mall being built across the street. In fact, there is no access along the street that faces the front door of the sanctuary because of the construction. Like many American churches, the congregation is made up largely of faithful people who have been part of the church for a long time. There are some new people who have come within the last few years including a new young family who they are very excited about. Most seem to live within a mile or so of the church.
The people are as kind and gracious as any I have ever met. They were very friendly and love their church.
As we walked up to the church this morning, our eyes were caught by something (we only live about 1/4 mile so we walked). A long line was forming on the far side of the church from the side we were approaching. They were people of all ages, nationalities and economic class, men and women. As I got closer I realized that at 10am on that Sunday morning they were standing in line at an office next door, looking for a job. I will investigate later but it seems that the church's neighbor is some type of employment agency. I wanted to go up and down the line and invite them in to the sanctuary. It was rainy and a little cold so I wonder what it would be like to make plenty of coffee...and tea, and offer it to them while they wait and tell them about the church and the love of God. We might try it one Sunday.
When we gathered in the sanctuary I very much felt that the place was like a safe haven for the faithful and literally a sanctuary for the sojourner. There were a few folks who sat alone and seemed to slip in and out, soujourners in the city. I hope to talk with them some.
The sanctuary is beautiful and the worship service is guided by the traditional liturgy of the British Methodist Church. It resonates quite a bit with the American Methodist liturgy for worship and Holy Communion.
In the evening we worshipped at The Bridge Methodist Church which is a couple of miles away in the Radcliffe District. I will write about it maybe tomorrow. They were also extremely welcoming.
Oh, before I go, the lay minister that assisted me in Whitefield greeted everyone at the lunch meal after worship with a good "hi y'all!" It was great.
The people are as kind and gracious as any I have ever met. They were very friendly and love their church.
As we walked up to the church this morning, our eyes were caught by something (we only live about 1/4 mile so we walked). A long line was forming on the far side of the church from the side we were approaching. They were people of all ages, nationalities and economic class, men and women. As I got closer I realized that at 10am on that Sunday morning they were standing in line at an office next door, looking for a job. I will investigate later but it seems that the church's neighbor is some type of employment agency. I wanted to go up and down the line and invite them in to the sanctuary. It was rainy and a little cold so I wonder what it would be like to make plenty of coffee...and tea, and offer it to them while they wait and tell them about the church and the love of God. We might try it one Sunday.
When we gathered in the sanctuary I very much felt that the place was like a safe haven for the faithful and literally a sanctuary for the sojourner. There were a few folks who sat alone and seemed to slip in and out, soujourners in the city. I hope to talk with them some.
The sanctuary is beautiful and the worship service is guided by the traditional liturgy of the British Methodist Church. It resonates quite a bit with the American Methodist liturgy for worship and Holy Communion.
In the evening we worshipped at The Bridge Methodist Church which is a couple of miles away in the Radcliffe District. I will write about it maybe tomorrow. They were also extremely welcoming.
Oh, before I go, the lay minister that assisted me in Whitefield greeted everyone at the lunch meal after worship with a good "hi y'all!" It was great.
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