Life of a Pastor

It was shaping up to be a long, draining Sabbath an Adventist pastor experiences quite often. I got up around 7am and didn't finish the day until 10pm (I did get a chance to sneak a nap in so that helped). Although too long, it provided a lot of thought-provoking experiences that made it manageable.

The week turned out to be filled with good news. On Monday, a member had a baby so that was exciting. Another member had back surgery on Tuesday that went well. Wednesday, one of our members' sons was had a very rare and serious surgery. It literally took all day but by late afternoon we got the great news that everything had gone well. So, we were coming to church in a celebrative mood. Then, before Sabbath School started, a mother and daughter-in-law were crying and hugging each other because another daughter-in-law was given bad news about her cancer. The doctors have told her she has two months to live. This actual is quite typical in church. You have people coming full of praise and thanksgiving for God's care and healing and others distraught over bad health reports. Needless to say, minstering in this context is incredibly difficult. One second, you have to smile and celebrate, the next moment cry and mourn.

I was starting a sermon series on Psalm 23 and focused on verse 1. All week I was really struggling wtih the line, "I shall not want." I believe we should be content, but doesn't God also call us to have hope in things we don't have yet? Shouldn't we want the second coming? I had some thoughts but didn't really have it figured out and I told the people that and opened up the floor and said, "Help me out here. I don't know how to understand this." We proceeded to have an amazing conversation. No one dominated. Some of the people who I thought would drive the conversation didn't say a word. Young people shared, older people shared, it was amazing. We wrestled with the text together and left feeling like we understood it better. I've been really wrestling with the passive nature of worship services and particularly the sermon. I'll try this some more in the future since it went so well this time and preach the sermon as a community.

That evening I went to a nursing home to do communion with a member who isn't able to make it to church anymore. It didn't go well. He was confused, distracted, and while he had a few moments of clarity, overall I don't think he knew what was happening. It got me wondering about when you stop doing communion for someone who doesn't really know what is going on. Is there still something special that happens when you do it even if it appears they aren't fully aware?

I won't even mention anything about nominating committee, visitor potluck, and Richmond Academy graduation which also took place that Sabbath. Needless to say, it was an interesting day of ministry providing a lot of food for thought.

Jewish Jordan

Anyone remember the "Jewish Jordan," Tamir Goodman? He didn't really pan out in the end but there's a nice story on where he is now. They don't mention it in the video, but he attended Takoma Academy, my alma mater, for his Senior year because we had a good program and didn't play games on the Sabbath.

Old Blog is New Blog

For the last few years I had my own website and hosting for my blog but I've navigated back to blogger. This is where I'll be doing my future blogging and also serves as an archive of what I've written since I started in 2005. I also posted here some of the key stuff I wrote from the last two years I had my own site.

My blogging has been sporadic despite numerous attempts to overcome that. I'm not going to promise anything but I hope to be more regular with posting.

Evangelism as an Invitation (Part 2)

In our last post we looked at the idea of evangelism being an invitation to join a shared faith journey. It’s not about presenting a completed theological package but a process of shared discovery as the Spirit unfolds truth. I ended that post with the idea that this is a better way not just because it “works” but more true to our Christian experience and calling.

One of the guiding principles of the Adventist church that I connect most deeply with is the idea of progressive truth. The early church founders were dead set against any kind of creed because they felt it would stop the church from growing in its understanding of God and his Word. I believe the church has gradually lost this sight of this guiding principle but it must be regained. Our greatest fear cannot be what new things God might reveal to us that would cause discomfort but instead remaining mired in our present understanding of the amazing God we all want to know.

Jesus serves as the model of someone who constantly challenged the status quo and opened eyes to new insights and ideas about who God was and what his plans were. He repeatedly butted heads with the Pharisees who didn’t like how he was destroying the neat boxes that had placed God in.

This different model also calls us to truly have a daily experience with God. We cannot just rely on a mental acceptance of “truth” that we can rattle off the top of our heads with ease. Instead, our lives will have to reveal that we are seeking for God to be the source and strength of our lives and the one who is leading our path. We'll have no choice but to spend time in communication with God through Bible study and prayer. We'll engage in service and seek to bring justice to the world. We will have healthy relationships and give selflessly. We might not be nor do it well all, or even most, of the time but we'll be on the path to getting there.

Who are you sharing your journey of faith with? I hope it’s not just fellow believers who think and act just like you. We need some of that, but God has called us outside of our safe boxes to enter into the world and partner with what God is up to already. That’s the good news in all this. It’s not all about us. It’s about finding where the Spirit is at work and allowing the Spirit to use us as he desires.

Evangelism as an Invitation (Part 1)

Evangelism is typically viewed as something done by full-time ministers who preach a message that the evangelized person accepts and starts a process leading to baptism. It’s usually presenting a completed theological package and is a one-way street from evangelizer to the evangelized.

While that approach has its place, I’d like to suggest that a different model is needed today. What if we viewed evangelism as an invitation? Not an invitation to hear a proclamation but an invitation to a shared faith journey.

The woman at the well in John 4 gives us the model for this approach. She has a life-transforming experience with God and then has no choice but to share it with the community. She doesn’t have it all figured out but actually asks the question, “Can this be the Messiah?” In this way she invites people to engage in discussion and discovery together. It’s not based on a neat theological package she has developed with all the answers but a reliance on the Holy Spirit to unfold truth in the context of a community seeking for God.

If we look at Jesus’ method of teaching, he too used this invitational model more than anything else. In his teaching he often made provocative statements that begged questions and further discovery. He also spoke in parables which often had cryptic messages that could only be understood after intense study and interaction with the stories.

I believe this approach is more appropriate not just because it will “work” better today but actually is more true to the Christian calling and experience than the proclamation method. More on that in a future post. . .

Modern & Postmodern Thought

I developed the following chart to help explore the differences between modern and postmodern thought. It is admittedly simplistic and doesn't reveal the actual nuances which exist but hopefully serves as a beginning discussion point. There is quite a bit of duplication because this was done in a whirlwind brainstorming discussion but thought I'd throw it out there and get any feedback.

I apologize for the quality of the chart but I couldn't figure out a better way to get it on here. However, if you click on the chart it will show up in much better quality. I guess this is one of the disadvantages to going back to blogger.

What Makes a Pastor Successful?

If only there was an easy answer to that question.

I've found that each "success" in minstry brings with it the realization that there is much more work to be done. For each baptism, knowing there are millions more unreached people in the city. For each life-changing sermon for one person, 10 others who were sleeping the whole time. For each conflict resolved, 1,000 more on the way. Success and the idea of a job well done and completed seems like an impossible dream.

With this in mind, I've found myself relying on one thing to make myself feel successful. In talking with other pastors and seeing them twittering and updating their facebook statuses they seem to have the same definition of success as well. What makes a pastor successful?

BUSYNESS.

That's all we can end up relying on in the end. We see all the things that can and should be done. Our church members constantly come to us reminding us of all that is wrong with the church. So, we just take satisfaction in being busy. We can't do it all but at least I know I put in a 70 hour work week to do my part.

This definition of success is damaging, unhealthy, and reveals failure not success. Pastoral ministry will never be easy and always full of challenges and hard work. However, we also need to acknowledge that ultimately Jesus is the head of the church and the church will move on without all our busy activity.

One thing pastors need to remember is this: We aren't exempt from the Sabbath. Sure, we have responsibilities on Sabbath and it will always be a day of work for us. However, that means there should be another day where we rest from work and acknowledge Jesus is the head of the church and we can trust that He will lead it even without us.

To all the Pastors: Stop breaking the Sabbath principle. Stop being busy. Stop thinking you run the show and it can't go on without you.

To all the church members: Next time you see your pastor, ask him when the last time he took a day off was. Then insist that every week he takes a day to rest and experience the joy of Sabbath. Also, at the next board meeting get the leaders of the church to support the Pastor in doing this so everyone knows and will make it a reality.

"Footprints" Who Wrote It?

"Footprints" is a nice enough poem but is way overused for my taste. Part of its mystique was the fact that we didn't know who the author was. All that might change as it's now part of a court case. To show how popular the poem is, the story of the court case is one of the top headlines on the Washington Post website this morning. The story reports:

But who wrote it? God only knows, but after years of debate that used to confine itself to the Internet, "Footprints" could be headed to court. Basil Zangare, a 49-year-old Long Island man, insists the poem was written by his late mother during the Great Depression, even though she did not get around to copyrighting it for 50 years.

Zangare filed suit May 12 in a federal court against two women who each promotes herself as the poem's sole author and true copyright holder. He claims they've made millions on "Footprints"-related merchandise, money he wants a part of.

After all those coffee mugs and framed copies, can anyone really own"Footprints in the Sand"? Can a court decide what the Lord giveth, and to whom He first gaveth? Is a resolution possible?

READ THE REST.

A Question for Christians

“What does it mean to represent the Kingdom of God in a culture devoted to the Kingdom of Self?” -- Eugene Peterson

Doesn't that question lay at the heart of what it means to be a Christian today? The question challenges us to examine how much of our spirituality and religiosity is rooted in self-interest as opposed to following the self-sacrificial way of Jesus and his Kingdom.

This quote doesn't call for the church to go on a rampage against a godless nation and fight culture wars in an attempt to demonize and garner self-righteous approval. Instead, it calls individual Christians and churches to examine ourselves and see how we have fallen into the ideology of the kingdom of self and seek to replace it with true, kingdom of God values and practices. This self-sacrificial love is what can help redeem the larger culture and help the kingdom of God advance and make a dent in the pervasive kingdom of self.

Come and See

In John 1:29-34, John the Baptist exclaims that Jesus is the "lamb of God." The next day he was with a couple of his disciples when he sees Jesus pass by and tells them to look at the lamb of God. They start following Jesus who eventually turns around asks them what they want. They ask, "Rabbi, where are you staying?"

Jesus could have responded with, "At the corner of Wilson Lane and Jefferson St," and be done with it. Instead, he says, "Come, and you will see." The disciples end up spending the entire day with Jesus and when they leave, Andrew goes immediately to tell his brother Simon (who Jesus would re-name Peter) about Jesus and bring him to spend time with him as well. The rest is history.

This story is indicative of the way Jesus started his revolution of faith: through inviting people to follow him and experience first-hand what the kingdom was all about. Jesus could have had a discussion with the disciples in which he told them where he was staying, talk about the weather, talk about the kingdom some, and then move on. Instead, he invited them to spend the day with him, experiencing what he was all about and they immediately became disciples and then brought others to experience the same adventure of following Jesus.

The most effective witness is inviting someone to experience the way of Jesus. Invite them to join you as you serve in the community and discuss why this is important to God. Spend time with them in the daily routines of your life and show how viewing your whole life as an act of worship gives a new perspective. Let them experience a heart-felt worship service where they see the value of living in community.

Most witnessing paradigms are based on convincing people to believe the right theological concepts and once you get that settled they are ready to experience God and engage in His work. Jesus models a different way in which he invites people to follow him, to experience the way of Jesus, and in the process the theological framework will come into focus.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ranted a few days ago about some bloggers who use way too many exclamation points. The exclamation point has forever been ruined and really isn't even an option for me anymore.

I just read a blog post that contained 27 sentences. What would you say an extreme number of sentences ending in an exclamation point would be for a 27 sentence post? I'd say maybe 5 or 6 but even that is probably way too high.

The post I read? 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe something wierd is happening because 19 is my favorite number. Maybe the exclamation point is trying to woo me back (Perhaps an exclamation point was acceptable there but I refuse and will come across as dull and boring with my periods).

Dealing with Loss

Thought I'd share a few things that I've learned over the last several months about dealing with the loss of a loved one. As I mentioned in a previous post, my grandfather died in August and a few months ago we lost two church members in a two week period so it's been something on my heart and mind a lot.

1. Everyone mourns differently and needs to be given space and time to mourn in the way that is appropriate to them. All three experiences had some similarities but were also quite different. Our personalities play a key role in determining how we mourn and there really is no correct way to go about it. The key thing is that within the family, each person is given freedom to express their grief, without being attacked by someone else for not mourning the "right" way.

2. It is emotionally draining. First, you're confronted by the reality that you will no longer be with this person you love dearly. Then, you have to make all the phone calls to family and friends to let them know. You'll start coming to terms with that reality only to get a phone call where you have to re-live it all over again.

3. It is physically draining. Most people have a hard time sleeping and have no desire to eat. On top of that . . .

4. Funerals/Memorial Services are A LOT of work. One church member reflected on the experience and said it was like planning a wedding in a couple days. There are a million things that have to be taken care of and so many different options and decisions it can be overwhelming. Finding the right funeral home is the most important thing because it makes all the difference in the world. I also highly recommend making pre-arrangements (filling out some paperwork and make a few general decisions before your loved one passes) because it really makes things much easier to plan. I know it can seem wierd and almost like you're betraying your loved one but it makes things so much easier for the family.

5. It takes time. Once all the out-of-town family leaves and life gets back to normal, the real healing begins. You learn how to adjust to your new life while always being reminded about them. The holidays are a particularly difficult time of year and it's vitally important that the family is together as much as possible to support each other through it.

Sean Taylor Funeral

Today, a three hour funeral was held for Sean Taylor. There were several emotional moments throughout the service as there were numerous tributes from family, friends, and teammates all bringing their unique perspecive to honor Sean.

I had previously heard that Sean Taylor grew up Seventh-day Adventist and that was definitely the case. Two Adventist pastors took part in the service including the homily by Pastor David L. Peay, Sr. who is the pastor of the Tabernacle Seventh-day Adventist Church (The church choir also sang two songs). Sean attended the church this summer and raised his hand during an appeal. Pastor Peay also spent several hours with him a month ago talking about a variety of issues. He avoided the temptation to give a study on the Adventist perspective on the state of the dead but he did reference a brief quote from the "servant of the Lord."

I must admit that they were a few cringe-inducing moments during the homily, including the pastor wondering if Sean died because they were many people in his family who knew the truth but weren't living it out. This coming after a long discourse on seeing many people come to church for a viewing who don't come to church otherwise and wondering why it took Sean's death to get them there. He asked, "Isn't Jesus' death enough?" I understand that there were many people in attendance and watching who aren't actively practicing faith but I wonder how appropriate it is to go on the evangelistic offense at a time like this. Jesse Jackson also somehow found his way to the funeral and seized the opportunity to advance his agenda.

Perhaps I'll share some insights I've learned about the grieving process and what I've found to be helpful and unhelpful over the next few days.

The Redskins have a short week as they play on Thursday night versus the Bears. After four straight losses and dealing with this death, a win sure would lift our spirits. I'm not counting on it though and at the end of the day, I guess it's really not all that important in the larger scheme of things.

My Reaction to Sean Taylor's Death

Sean Taylor, a superstar on my favorite team, the Washington Redskins, was shot in his house early yesterday morning and succumbed to his injuries early this morning. He had some troubling incidents several years ago but after his daughter was born 18 months ago he started to turn his life around. He was becoming one of the best players in the NFL but it all came to an end at just 24 years of age.

I've been confronted by death all too much in the last few months. It started at the end of August when my grandfather passed away. Several weeks ago, a stretch began where two of my church members died within a two weeks of each other. As crazy as it sounds, Taylor's death has been deeply emotional for me. Not as much as those I knew and loved, but it's not too far away. Let me explain why.

I've been a huge Redskins fan for as long as I can remember. My dad wasn't a big fan so I don't know what made me obsessed with the Redskins, and sports in general, but I've never missed more than a couple of games in a season. Today, the Redskins have become my escape. The pressures of life can be overwhelming and while my faith in God is the primary way I survive, the Redskins also provide a nice diversion from the pressures I face every day. I read about the Redskins every day and watch all their games because I need a break from the realities of the pain, suffering, and death that is all around me not to be confronted by it again.

It's also been hard because the players are like my extended family. I know it sounds ridiculous to those of you who aren't into sports but ask any huge sports fan and they will tell you they feel that way about "their team." I also often joke that the Redskins are the second denomination I'm a member of with the players, coaches, and fans being the church members. It really is an exaggeration but whatever team you are a fan of you feel part of a larger family. When you talk about the team you say "we" as though you get out their on the field with them or are part of the personnel decisions. Taylor was that younger brother who frustrated you by his immaturity early on but was glad he was starting to put things together.

The worst part about it all is thinking about an 18 month old baby who won't grow up with her father. Chick Hernandez, a local sports reporter, would choke up every time he talked about his own children and how this little girl wouldn't know her dad. I couldn't help but cry either. Unfortunately, it's a story that is repeated all too often and hopefully this higher profile situation will help communities figure out ways to stop the senseless killing and violence of young men who won't be able to be a father to their children.

The games will go on and no one knows how the players and coaches will respond on the football field. They are in the midst of the playoff chase which doesn't seem that important anymore. However, I need as many weeks of escape I can get so I'm hoping they rally together and make a strong run. Ultimately it's not that important, but here's hoping they can provide a few more weeks of joy to the Redskins family.

Bloggin the 28: Growing in Christ

This is my reflection for the Bloggin the 28 Series on Belief #11: Growing in Christ. It states:

By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.

Admit it, you have no idea what the newest fundamental belief really teaches. I'll confess that the main reason I decided to blog on this belief was to get motivated enough to buy the new fundamental beliefs book and read it for myself. Out with the classic creme hardcover and in with a paperback version which just doesn't feel the same but surely will in about ten years.

The purpose of the Bloggin the 28 series is to focus on the practical, social implications of each belief which inherently provides the critique that the fundamental beliefs as currently written have some great theology but little practical, social emphasis. The newest fundamental belief is part of the church's attempt to address the critique inherent in this bloggin the 28 series. The new belief is very well written and in many ways reads like a sermon. The reader is urged to accept Christ's sacrifice which means that they will die to self daily and live a life of spiritual growth which they outline the hallmarks of.

I found it very interesting that the belief places a huge emphasis on the death of Jesus while barely referencing how he lived his life. There is no doubt that the Cross stands as the central event in the life of the Christian but if we forget about his life, we can lose sight of how we are supposed to live as Christians today. Unfortunately, I believe this happens all too often and is why so many Christians seem to be missing the point when it comes to following Jesus. By only focusing on the sacrifice of Jesus, Christianity can devolve into little more than a self-help religion that's all about “me and Jesus.” However, when we focus on both Jesus' life and death, we find that while the sacrifice of Jesus is intensely personal and life changing, that life change compels us to live a life of service and sacrifice for others. The new belief definitely stresses the importance of living in love and sacrifice but I believe it's power and effect would be greater if it focused a little more on Jesus' life as opposed to only his death.

Following the example of Jesus' life is what “growing in Christ” is all about. The new belief provides seven hallmarks of growing in Christ: a life of the Spirit, a life of love and unity, a life of study, a life of prayer, a life of fruit-bearing, a life of spiritual warfare, and a life of worship, witness, and hope. All of them provide excellent principles and focus on key spiritual disciplines. At the same time, a greater emphasis could have been placed on the importance of social action and helping those in need. Jesus most closely identified with the broken and hurting and if we do the same, we will experience dramatic growth in Christ as we see the world through his eyes and serve with his hands. Jesus himself stood up in the temple and announced his mission as he read from the scroll of Isaiah and pronounced,

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

The way Jesus lived his life and the lessons he taught were always intensely practical and had immense social implications. Jesus' approach to ministry and faith was grounded in the principle that life change occurs best when people start trying to live right before necessarily believing right. A correct understanding of core beliefs about God will eventually come but participation in the kingdom of God can begin before that. Embracing this principle will be a paradigm shift for our churches but is one that is necessary if we are going to facilitate “growing in Christ.” Explaining the Trinity should occur while your study group is providing job training at a local homeless shelter. The Sabbath taught while promoting social justice causes. We learn beliefs and principles in the midst of doing, not before.

The Adventist church has probably stressed believing right at the neglect of practical spirituality. However, we're all looking to find balance within the tensions of the life of faith and the new belief reveals a strong step in the right direction. To close, I'll share my favorite quote from the new belief:

“At the foot of the cross the ground is level. All are brought together—and nothing divides humanity anymore. A new brotherhood is launched. A new fellowship begins. East merges with west, north comes down to south, white shakes hands with black, rich leaps over to clasp the hands of the poor. The cross bids all to the fountain of the blood—to taste the sweetness of life, to hare the experience of grace, and to proclaim to the world the emergence of a new life, a new family (Eph. 2:14-16). Thus the cross initiated victory over Satan and sin, and consequently, brought new life in Christ” (153).

AMEN.