A New Year

I have just hung a 2013 calendar on the wall.  It currently has no appointments recorded in the spaces and only indicates the special days and holidays. I’m wondering what this new year will hold.  What will fill the empty spaces on my personal calendar that records another chapter of my life and what transformational events await?  What decisions will I make, actions will I take that will impact others? There is no crystal ball upon which to gaze, for life is filled with uncertainties.

It has been said, “Life is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present.” As a new year begins we need to acknowledge the gift that every day represents and consider how to use our gift(s) to the fullest.  The idea of developing a list of “resolutions” this time of year causes us to consider what we want to do differently – how we want to live life more fully.  While resolutions may be helpful, I find that they rarely last.  I believe a new year challenges us with a more important exercise, as we address this question:  “What more do we want to accomplish?” For me this is a faith question that challenges me to examine my life in relationship to the Presence offered through faith.

An elderly church member once told me about her prayer life.  She indicated that she began each day in prayer by asking, “Lord, what would you have me do today?” We begin to find an answer to that question when we pause from the ordinary and routine, and the demands and expectations imposed upon us to listen for the ”still small voice” as God speaks. 

 

We are never too old to dream dreams of a preferred future and our role in it.  Indeed, the new year ushers in the beginning of another chapter of our individual legacies.  My hope is that each of us will enter this coming New Year with assurance that God goes before us preparing the way, and still offers us guidance and strength to face each day.  As we respond to the opportunities of faith living, may we be found faithful.    

When Christmas Comes

When Christmas comes, we embrace the angelic message of what God has done on our behalf.  We seek to live the "Christ message" and reflect the light of Christ in a dark world.  Christmas reminds us that Jesus' purpose in life was to address the needs of others. When Christmas comes, we think more about others needs than ourselves, and focus on giving, rather than receiving. Christmas comes when we open our hearts to the transforming power of God's love.

When Christmas comes, it holds more than the "merriness" of seasonal parties and personal pleasures. When Christmas comes, family and relationships with friends have deeper meaning and the sight of children and loved ones opening presents becomes special.  Memorable moments are created:  joy, laughter, fulfillment and calm within our souls.  When Christmas comes, it doesn't mean all is right with the world, but that all is better in "our world."  It doesn't mean we will always experience "silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright," but that there will be glimmers of light at the end of the sometimes dark tunnels of our journey.

 

Christmas comes whenever we have hope in times of despair, experience calm in times of anxiety, allow the gift of peace to overcome times of distress and discord, find joy in life's blessings, and replace indifference with acts of love and compassion.  Christmas comes when we keep faith with the dream of "peace on earth, good will toward all."   May Christmas come for you every day!      

The Promise

In this age of self-reliance, high tech, and constant desire for possessions, it's difficult for the historic “Christ event” to touch people's lives with meaning. Yet in times as these the story of the birth of Jesus once again attempts to penetrate and illumine lives. It is even difficult for people of faith to stay focused on the reason for the season and not succumb to the “ways of the world” and the commercialization that attempts to drown out the real message.

The story of Christmas begins in the Old Testament with the prophets proclaiming hope and expectancy that one day the Messiah would come. Once again we celebrate that fulfilled promise. The miracle of God’s love was revealed in the birth of a child in Bethlehem. The Apostle John expressed it this way: “The word became a human being and lived among us, full of grace and truth. And we have beheld his glory.” The good news is that God’s promise to humanity has been fulfilled for all time!

During Advent we prepare to celebrate the fulfillment of God's greatest promise. As we celebrate, our hope is that Christ will be born anew in our hearts as we claim God’s promise through faith. The focus of this season isn't about our agenda, but God's agenda for us. It's not about what we want, but what God wants for us. It's not even about what we do, but what God has already done on our behalf. The promise is best expressed in the word Emmanuel, which means, “God with us.”

Perhaps an expression from a modern Christmas story sums it up best. A youngster playing the part of the angel announces Jesus’ birth with genuine excitement says, “Boy, have I got good news for you! God has kept his promise.”

As we observe this Advent/Christmas season, let us continue to do so in hope and expectancy, so that the miracle of Christmas can happen once again in our lives. May the light of Christ shine brightly before us to illumine our paths, and through us, so that those who walk in darkness may see the light of Christ and discover the hope, peace, joy and love which Christmas offers.

Counting Blessings

“Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God hath done.” These words are from the chorus of a hymn popular many years ago. The hymn, “Count Your Blessings,” was written by a Methodist preacher, Johnson Oatman at the end of the 19th century. “Count your Blessings” is not only a hymn, but it is the story of our biblical heritage as a people of faith and a part of our nation’s history. 

Consider for a moment our biblical heritage which includes counting blessings and offering thanks to God.  As a people of the Judeo-Christian heritage our roots are deep with the tradition of giving thanks. Noah, landing after the flood, offered a prayer of thanksgiving for deliverance.  Nehemiah records that when the walls of Jerusalem were dedicated, “they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced in thanks-giving.” The Book of Judges tells of the feast of the ingathering where “they went out into the field, and gathered their vineyard and held festival, and went into the house of their God and ate and drank.” The Jewish festival of Passover became a time of grateful remembrance and thanksgiving for God’s act of deliverance.  Many of the Psalms are expressions of thanksgiving and gratitude to God.

Consider also for a moment our nation’s heritage which includes counting blessings and acts of thanksgiving.  Historical records indicate that our founding fathers and mothers celebrated a day of thanksgiving at the Berkley Plantation in nearby Charles City County, VA and also in New England in Massachusetts.

One story especially is worth repeating. When the Pilgrims of the Massachusetts Bay Colony settled in the new land, during the first dreadful winter half of their number died.  While they did not know what their future held, they did know Who held their future and as religious people they faced each day in hope.  In the summer of 1621 there was a bountiful harvest of corn.  Gov. William Bradford decreed that a three-day feast be held beginning Dec. 12. Thus began a day of thanksgiving set aside for the purpose of prayer and celebration.  A custom of placing 5 grains of corn by each plate was observed as a reminder of the hardships of their first winter, when food was so scarce that each person was rationed 5 grains of corn.  That custom continues in many homes today, especially in New England.   

As one studies early American history it become obvious that the early settles and forefathers of our nation expressed thanksgiving and their gratitude to God daily rather than once a year.  Observing Thanksgiving Day is not simply about a national holiday as a single occasion for giving thanks, but a religious celebration in response to God’s blessings.  The holiday simply helps us as a people of faith focus on the importance of giving thanks as a way of life. Thanksgiving is the proper response for persons who have experienced God’s blessings, least we forget and take our blessings for granted.

Perhaps the danger of our age is that too often we take even the simplest of life’s blessings for granted. The gospel of Luke tells a story of ten lepers who received a special blessing from Jesus, but nine failed to offer thanks. They were in such a hurry to get on with their lives that they didn’t take time to be thankful.  I can relate to that story, can’t you?  We live in a “hurry-up world” that often fails to include taking time for remembering, reflecting, and responding in thanksgiving.

Let’s face it.  Our tendency is to accept life’s blessing as the norm in life.  Yet the Psalmist reminds us that “it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” (Ps.92:1)  The Apostle Paul makes the point even stronger in these words to the Church in Thessalonica: “give thanks in all circumstances.  Not just in good times, but difficult times also!   To respond in thanksgiving is to acknowledge and identify with the giver. To give thanks for everything, is to trust God with all things!  The attitude of gratitude lies at the heart of true thanksgiving.

As a holiday, Thanksgiving Day will come and go, but the message will remain.  It is the responsibility of who really understand what true thanksgiving is to share the message in regular acts of thanksgiving through a lifestyle of thanks-living.

My hope for all of us as we observe Thanksgiving Day and every day is that we will not take for granted even the simplest expression of God’s grace and love. Let us count our blessings! And let’s not forget the four magic words and join people of faith of every age and generation in saying, “I thank you, Lord.”

 

Effective Transition to a New Appointment

Moving is one of the most difficult things itinerate pastors do, and in many cases such transitions are accomplished by simply “going through the motions.” As an itinerate pastor, I realize now that early in my ministry, I took moving to a new appointment in stride without processing the impact that such a significant change had upon me and my family. Mid-way through my career I began to understand just what a stressful experience moving really was and still is!  Moving is more than packing up books and belongings and transporting them to a new church and house. An effective transition involves an intentional plan that begins with saying appropriate “goodbyes” in order to bring successful closure to the former appointment, and learning to say “hellos” to begin a new chapter of ministry successfully. It includes getting off to a good start and making a good first impression. Alban Institute consultant, Roy White, has noted, “What you do the first six months of your appointment will largely determine the final outcome.”  

For an effective transition, the stresses and anxieties surrounding it must be acknowledged and addressed. It is important that pastors take care of themselves and tend to family needs especially during this time. It is also important to be sensitive to the losses that are occurring with all involved in making adjustments to a new church, home, and community. Talking about feelings among family members helps in this time of adjustment.

Getting to know church leaders, contacting/visiting parishioners who have pastoral needs, and meeting with the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations committee and other major leadership groups are among first priorities. Analyzing the church’s history and recent data of the church’s vital signs are helpful in diagnosing the church’s current state. Members also often need time to process grief at the loss of their former pastor. Pastors should practice good listening skills especially during the initial months of a new appointment.

It is helpful to have a P/SPRC meeting within the first several weeks after moving. At this “get acquainted meeting,” the pastor should review and interpret the church’s ministry priorities. Use key words like Worship/Preaching, Teaching, Pastoral Care, Mission/Outreach, Evangelism, and Administration. Have P/SPRC members prioritize ministries based on their understanding of the church’s needs. Pastors should also share personal priorities based on skills and gifts for ministry. That usually leads to creative discussion (as the priorities are often different) and compromise. (The list should be reviewed in six months and adjusted as necessary.) This model has proven effective in beginning pastoral appointments and helps the pastor focus on the perceived needs of the church. Many pastors encounter difficulties when they impose their own agenda and ministry plan (that may have worked in a previous appointment) upon a new congregation and fail to discern the reality of their new challenges and opportunities.

While meeting leadership, members, and data gathering are crucial, a pastor must do more than that in the first year. This is not a time for coasting or waiting. Many pastors opt to maintain the status quo. Leadership will rightly expect more. Both leaders and members will look for leadership from the pastor. The pastor will often need to initiate working with the lay leadership to discern a clearer vision of a preferred future and develop a ministry plan that addresses that unique vision.  

A primary role of a pastor today is often that of being a “change agent.” It is a suggested rule that a pastor initiate no major changes the first year of an appointment. However, this rule may not apply when immediate change is required to have a “turn around” experience. Effectively initiating change requires education and good communication, and is more readily accepted when explained as being biblically based and theologically sound. In such cases, leadership should be open and willing to work cooperatively with the pastor in bringing about changes necessary for the church to have a vital future.

What happens in the initial months of a new appointment should build a foundation to move the church forward and enable a more preferred future to God’s glory. Effective transition results from a cooperative undertaking between laity and clergy as partners in ministry. The question for pastors becomes, “How can my ‘call’ find expression in this church through using my gifts to address identified needs?”  For leadership and members, the question is, “What more is God expecting of this church to be faithful as the body of Christ?” As pastors and laity clarify roles, expectations, and responsibilities, and answer questions together, they can achieve effective ministry to the glory of God.

The Easter Proclamation

The message of Easter is the greatest proclamation ever made! It has been expressed in many ways: “He has risen.” “Death is not the end!” “Good has triumphed over evil.” However it is expressed, the implications of embracing the Easter message are life-transforming.

Skeptics of every generation have demanded proof of the resurrection story. The original proof revealed in the first century is still true today, and is found in the lives of believers as they seek to live the resurrection faith. Christ’s teachings continue to inspire and motivate believers in the “more excellent way” he revealed. “Resurrection” begins when one embraces the Easter message and becomes transformed for more faithful Christ-like living. We become, as the Apostle Paul suggests, “new creations” in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Christ’s transforming work continues in spite of the life’s multitude of challenges. Yes, life is filled with complications, disappointments, trials and tribulations. Yet Easter empowers us in faith to face whatever life brings. Paul expressed the message this way: “Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Jesus.” (Romans 8:28) God has declared a victory in life and in death that cannot be taken away. Because of Easter and its promises, we can live as new creatures in a new creation.

The power of Divine love lies at the heart of the Easter proclamation. Such love is transforming. It offers hope in the midst of despair, calmness in the midst of anxiety, joy in times of sorrow, life in facing the reality of death. All of these benefits are possible because of Divine love -- the love that triumphed over the cruelty of death on a cross. It is the power of this Divine love that continues to empower those who embrace the Easter proclamation for faith living as Easter people.

With our EYES we can see the beauty of Easter as the earth awakens once more to new life...

With our EARS we can hear the birds singing and reminding us that the miracle of Spring is here again...

With our HANDS we can pick a bouquet from an array of beautiful flowers with their unique designs, colors, and fragrance...

But only within our HEART can we feel the miracle of God’s love transforming us, creating, and recreating us anew…

And only within our SOUL can we find faith and hope that enables us to inherit the Easter promise of eternal life.

Repentance

The doctrine of repentance is prominent throughout scriptures, especially in the gospels. John the Baptist began his public ministry the same way Jesus did, with a call to repentance. The gospel of Mark, the earliest of the Gospel writings, includes this profound statement by Jesus: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.”

Repentance is generally understood as a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In a religious context it refers to acknowledging sin, confessing to God, and ceasing sin by resolving to live a more responsible and holy life. It also typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense. Usually repentance includes an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong wherever or whenever possible.

Jesus made it clear that repentance is a requirement for faithful discipleship. What does repentance involve? The word literally means to “turn around,” to take a different course. One modern translation of this Mark passage helps us understand the word repent more clearly in implying that it means to: “change the way you think and act.”

Lent is a season which calls for self-examination of one’s life in light of the way Jesus taught and lived. When we do, we are confronted with the reality that we have sinned – missed the mark. But Jesus also reminded us that we can move beyond sinful and selfish ways by repenting and choosing to live more faithfully according to the way Jesus taught through self-giving servant love.

Confession

I confess that “confession” often is hard to comprehend and accept as a part of life’s reality. In some ways the concept of confession is depressing for it requires us to take a hard look at our lives. We’d rather avoid it, and focus instead upon more positive images. Yet the Lenten season asks us to take a look in the mirror and honestly reflect on who and what we see. Confession is not about taking comfort in how good we are, but recognizing how we have failed to be all God desires us to be.

The Old Testament begins by reminding us that we were created in the “image” of God. (Genesis 1:27) In Psalm 8, the psalmist states we have been “made a little lower than angels” and “crowned with glory and honor.” (vs. 5) Jesus told his disciples, “Love one another as I have loved you…by this you will be known as my disciples.” (John 13: 34-35) John reminds us, “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8) The apostle Paul wrote: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Against the background of such scriptures it is easy to recognize that we have fallen short of the glory of God and therefore confession becomes necessary. And the good news is that we if we own up to our our sins, our failures to be faithful and obedient to God’s will and purposes for our lives revealed in Christ, God is forgiving and willing to offer us a clean slate. John expresses this promise of renewal this way: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

True confession is a step toward restoring our broken relationships with God and one another, and can lead to more holy living. The Lenten season does not take on its fullest potential and meaning until we encounter the ongoing role of confession in our lives. Confession is one of the roads we must travel to have a holy Lent.

Sin, Sinners

How do you define sin? Literally, sin means “missing the mark.” Sin is the refusal to observe spiritual life practices; it's about self-centered living, rejection of God’s will, purposes and love offered freely to all humanity. It is a refusal to do what we were created to do and become what we were meant to become in Jesus Christ. More simply put, sin is anything we do that is contrary to God’s will and purpose for our lives. When we examine the life of Jesus whom we are called to follow as disciples, our failures, short-comings and sins become apparent.

Sinners? Yes, we are! That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote to the first century Christians in Rome, “For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

John wrote: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

Addressing the reality of our sins is the first step toward more faithful living. The Lenten journey has the potential of leading us to claim all that God has in store for us through faith and leads us to claim the gift of redemption – restoration and reconciliation into a right relationship with God.

The Lenten Journey Begins

The Lenten journey has begun. It’s a season marked by many spiritual disciplines: prayer, soul searching, Bible and devotional readings, discernment, confession, and even sacrifice. The observance of Lent eventually leads us to the cross and its implications for our lives as Christians. A meaningful Lenten observance doesn't just happen; it’s hard work that requires practicing daily spiritual disciplines.

As the Ash Wednesday liturgy says, “I wish you a holy Lent.” Now it’s up to each of us to make it so. It would be helpful to ask each day during this season, "What will I do today to deepen my faith and gain greater clarity of God's purposes for my life?" To ask such a question can be life changing. But then, isn't that what the season of Lent is about?