Things I learned from Granny

          My grandmother, Eldora Leaphart, was a terribly interesting person.  If you had met her over the last few years as Alzheimer’s eroded her memory, you would not have gotten a true sense of who she was.  How many people do you know that could stand on the seashore and get sea sick, but be fine on a boat deep sea fishing? Why didn’t she learn to swim?  Because her father told her not to get in the water until she knew how.

          She wouldn’t see doctors (She didn’t “go for that.”), she was “allergic to all medicine,” but when she was told by a dentist that she might lose her teeth, she began a vitamin regimen that cured her gums. Oh, and a couple tablespoons of sunflower seeds a day will cure cataracts.        

          As I began my reflections about Granny, I realized that many things that are true in my life I learned from her. I do not want those life-lessons to be forgotten; so, I have chosen to share some of them with you so that her lessons might live through others.

          It’s about People never Pretense -- Granny, as she was known by most people, was WYSIWYG before computers created the term– What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get.  She had no pretense, and did not dress nor act to please others.  Until my mom absolutely insisted, I know that Granny wore the same blouses that she had for 30 years. Even then some of her clothes had to disappear before newer ones would be worn.  Once she found a comfortable sweat suit, you could just forget getting her to wear other clothes.  Again, she didn’t dress for appearances or for others, she dressed to be comfortable. 

          Any excuse to take a trip – She was always ready for a drive somewhere.  Some people saw bills, Granny saw opportunity.  Duke Power? We need to drive to Piedmont. Oconee County Taxes? It’s time to make a trip to Walhalla. There was always another person to see from Oteen to Dacusville to Gray Court to Lexington and beyond.

Variety can be fun – But she didn’t just drive any way.  Following in the pattern of her Aunt Jennie she never came and went the same way on a trip.  She loved seeing different and new places – remembering who lived where.

Faster is not always better – And when you traveled with Granny, she did not like to travel the interstates AT ALL.  She knew they might be faster, but they weren’t better (and she would tell you so).

When you go, take a friend – When Granny drove, she preferred to have someone with her.  She carted us boys around more times than I could count.  As the grandsons grew older, she developed groups of friends – most of whom could not drive themselves – that she would take on her long adventures.  When I moved to Dacusville, I met a man named Emory J***.  As we spoke, I told him about where I grew up, but it was mostly small talk.  When I mentioned “Eldora Leaphart” his eyes widened with recognition.  “Eldora used to scare me to death,” he smiled as he told me. “Your Grandmother used to pick up my mom, Kathleen J***, and they would disappear for the day.  When they got back, I’d ask her where they’d been, but she could only say, ‘ it seems like we’ve been about everywhere.’”

If you love it, share it – Granny taught me that if you love something, share it with others …that means everyone.  An unsuspecting customer waiting to check out at the store became the subject of a barrage of evangelistic information.  No, not your normal tracts, but with information about sun dogs (within 3 days there will be a change in weather), kudzu (the young, tender leaves are best to eat), apple cider vinegar (with the muther in it), Possum Pie (no, not any meat in it), Pinto Bean Pie (you can make 3 for 1 pecan pie – can’t tell the difference), green lipstick (from Wilson’s 5 and dime that turns red on lips and lasts all day), and so much more.  She delighted to share the things in life that fascinated her, and she wanted you to love them like she did.

          A pastor was driving through town one day and stopped his car.  He saw a little lady in a white car flag him down.  She pointed to a bright, small rainbow in the sky.  “That’s a sundog,” she said.  After hearing Larry talk about Granny, the pastor told him, “That must have been your mom.”

Extend an open invitation – She taught me how to be gracious in extending invitations. "Come see me" were words that left her lips near the end of every visit.  She invited children to come see her in a different way, sometimes misunderstood. “I'm gonna take you home with me,” she would say.  No, this wasn’t about kidnapping.  She wanted all the children to know that she really did want them to come and visit her house – and to stay a while.

Expect them to come – I learned that when you invite people to come, mean it, and expect that they will visit.  I asked her a few months ago on a visit to her house, “Granny, whatcha been doin'?” Her reply? “Waiting for you."

Be Prepared to be Hospitable – If you invite people and expect them to come, be prepared for them. Every Sunday afternoon, we knew that we would eat lunch at Granny’s house.  We also knew that we were to bring anyone, and I do mean ANYONE else that we wanted.  Many of our friends quickly became adopted grandchildren as they were warmly welcomed at her table.  If there weren’t enough space at the table, she’d set the kitchen table.  If there wasn’t enough room there, she would pull out a folding table. Everyone always had a place at Granny’s table.

I’m going to stop with this last thing.. in Isaiah 43 the prophet says…

But now, says the Lord—the one who created you, Jacob,  the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you;    I have called you by name; you are mine.

          With her Alzheimer's disease, Granny was remembering less and less.  She called  me George (we don't know a George in the family), and  she called me Bill (her youngest brother's name). Last month, my mom asked if Granny knew who I was.  She looked at me and said, “He’s mine.”  She might not have remembered my name, but she always knew that I was hers…

          So many of us gathered over the last few days to remember and celebrate her life. Through the years she called us by name—we were hers.  

          Today, I am confident that God says, “Eldora, I have called you by name; you are mine.” Love has now called her home.

          May that same love which blessed so many through the life of Granny live in each of you, and may you be a blessing for the world today.

Praise God for Spilled Trash!

We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

 -- Romans 8:28 (Common English Bible, 2012)

Just a few days ago, I was running right on schedule in the middle of a busy day.  I had just enough time to stop by the house, eat lunch, and collect the trash before heading out the door for a visit. (I really shouldn't have needed to get the trash, but we missed the regular morning pickup.)  As I was emptying the trash in my bathroom, the unthinkable happened.  I dumped the last half of the trash all over the floor!

I don't know about you, but few things frustrate me more than something that takes more time than it should.  This was the last can before I could head out the door, and now I had a mess on the floor.  I was going to have to pick it up, get cleaning supplies, and mop.  "I just don't have time for this," I kept thinking to myself.  

Once scoop at a time, I put the garbage into the large trash bag, making sure I didn't spill any more.  When I was almost through, I noticed, just out of the corner of my eye, something shiny on the floor.  I stopped and looked -- and my jaw fell open wide.  There on the bathroom floor in the middle of the trash was my tie pin. I had been missing this pin for about 3 weeks.  I wear it to church every Sunday because it is one of the few things that I have that belonged to my grandfather. 

Then it dawned on me: if I hadn't spilled the trash on the floor, I never would have found the tie pin.  It would have disappeared into a landfill along with many other countless, lost possessions.  What was a frustration at first, now made me smile.  I thought I was experiencing a mess; instead, I was surrounded by grace.

If nothing else, this little episode reminds me that God is the first and best recycler.  Our difficulties, our hurt, our sorrow, our challenges can all be taken and turned so that they are used for good.  God loves us, and wants what is best for us.  If we will trust and listen, especially when things do not go our way, we might just see God's grace transforming misfortunes into miracles. I will try to bear that in mind as I watch the election results come in tomorrow.

I just hope that I can learn to always praise God for spilled trash.

Grace and Peace,

Why I Don't Fold My Underwear

I know; I know. It's a terribly provocative way to start my blog.  The title seems far too personal, but it's something that has me thinking about the way I choose to discipline my life.  

A few months ago, I was listening to a time management person talking on the radio.  She was sharing various hints to cut corners and save time where we can. "And for another thing," she said, "I never fold underwear; it's just a waste of time." She explained that our underwear is rarely seen (I might amend, should not be seen), and even if it were, who could tell whether or not it had been neatly folded in a drawer?  Folding underwear is just one of those activities that consumes our time without producing measurable results. We should spend our valuable and precious time doing those things that matter most.

So, I don't fold my underwear anymore. I wish that I could say that in all my life I have lived by the same motto, but I have fallen far short.  The Scripture reminds us that our life is short and fleeting -- that we should make the most out of the few moments that we have. In the words of the Psalms..

“Let me know my end, Lord.  

    How many days do I have left? 

    I want to know how brief my time is.”
You’ve made my days so short;
     my lifetime is like nothing in your eyes.
     Yes, a human life is nothing but a puff of air!

 Psalm 39:4-5

  As a United Methodist pastor, I stand in a long line of people who have all been given John Wesley's terribly clear instructions to clergy: 

Be diligent. Never be unemployed for a moment; never be trifingly employed. Never trifle away time; never spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary.

--John Wesley

Many times we keep doing those unimportant things, not because of a conscious, intentional decision, but because we have always done them. The phone rings while we are eating dinner with family or friends, and we cannot help ourselves.  We answer the call, or at least look to see who is calling.  

Instead, our mission, our true call, is to "seek first the kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33).  Our time and effort should be spent so that we "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." (That's the mission of the United Methodist Church, by the way : www.umc.org.) Anything else should be questioned and set aside if deemed non-essential to our mission in life. 

The problem is that we are so used to doing certain things in certain ways that we no longer know why we do them.  It's just what we do.  It's tradition.  It's written in stone.  If you don't believe me, then try to avoid doing some of those expected "time wasters" and see the response -- sometimes from yourself, but also from others.

Just a couple weeks ago, I had someone over at the house who was offering to help straighten and organize.  Since we are still recovering from our recent move, I gladly accepted help.  "Would you mind folding that basket of clothes?" I asked. "Oh, but, when you see my boxers, just set them to the side in a pile.  I don't fold my underwear."

A look of shock and disbelief crossed the face of my kindly helper.  After a few minutes, I looked over to see a pile of neatly folded underwear.  "I'm sorry. I just can't pile them up.  I'm just not used to leaving things in a mess," she said meekly.

As we seek to be faithful to God's mission, many people will try to distract us with the "tyranny of the urgent" (a phrase I remember from Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People).  Just because something feels pressing, does not mean that it is important. It is difficult for people to deal with change in any form, even if that change is necessary.

Again, I do not always live up to the Wesleyan directive, but thanks to God's grace, I am still a work in progress.  With God's help, we can focus more of each day doing those things that reflect who Christ is in our lives.

And at least for now...I won't be folding any underwear.

Grace and Peace,

By All the Means You Can

 "I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means." -- 1 Corinthians 9:22b (Common English Bible 2012)

Reel Mower (no motor)

I have two lawn mowers.  Okay, actually the church owns one, and I own the other.  Mine is one of the old-fashioned, self-propelled reel mowers.  I bought it once I realized that it might be possible to push the lawn at the new parsonage. As you can see from the picture to the right, I have had some fun cutting the grass with this mower.  When the grass is not too thick, when the yard is fairly smooth and weed-free, I enjoy using this mower.  I guess that I technically could mow all the grass with this mower, but the truth is that it cuts some grass  well and some it doesn't.

 

Power Push Mower

Enter the church's mower (stage left).  It has recently been replaced and does a fine job.  It's engine is strong and easy to crank.  It even has a bag to catch the clippings as I cut them.  I guess that I technically could mow all the grass with this mower, but the truth is that I don't.  It can be quite loud, uses gas, and gives me a lesser workout compared with the reel mower.

So, I am back where I started...I have two lawn mowers, and I plan to keep it this way.  There never has been the need in my mind to strictly choose one over the other.  Each has it's place; each has it's function.  I think that all too often we set up artificial win/lose scenarios when the answer was never "either/or," but it's "both/and."

The Apostle Paul understood the need for both/and. He never felt like he was confined to one way of sharing the good news with the world.  Paul used any and every method that he could to reach a hungry world.  In his words:

 I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law).  I act like I’m outside the Law to those who are outside the Law, so I can recruit those outside the Law (though I’m not outside the law of God but rather under the law of Christ). I act weak to the weak, so I can recruit the weak. I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means. All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.

 --1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (Common English Bible 2012)

He was willing to work within the long standing traditions of the Hebrew faith for those who found comfort in the familiarity of where their families had been for generations.  At the same time, Paul was quite comfortable reaching out to the "unchurched" who had never seen the inside of a house of worship.  His philosophy seems to be that he has to be flexible in being in all places since the gospel is already there.  Why else would Paul say that he does these things "for the sake of the gospel so [he] can partner with it"?  

The Holy Spirit is hard at work in the lives of everyone -- from long time Christians to people who have not yet responded to God's prevenient grace. (Prevenient grace is the United Methodist way of describing God's work in our lives that comes before we say 'yes' to God.  The Spirit tugs and leads, without compelling, each heart to turn to Christ.)  God works in our lives in the ways that we can most easily hear that still small voice speak to us.  Every person describes a unique journey of faith, a distinctive experience of guiding grace that led them from darkness and into God's light.  God doesn't choose one way to work, but works in many different ways. 

Too often in serving God, we set up a false dichotomies.  We act as if we need to choose between two options so that we dismiss one and cling to the other until the end of time. Sometimes it's not about doing either one or the other.  Sometimes we need to reach out with both.

Should our ministry include a web page or a Facebook page? Yes, both.  Should we share prayer concerns by email or phone tree?  Yes, both!  Should we look to our traditions or embrace new ones? Again, yes, both!  Our God is big enough to celebrate our past and our future faithfulness.

Should the pastor visit the sick and homebound or the laity? Should we care for those within the church or reach out into the community? Should we develop maturity of faith and learning or should we focus on mission and outreach?

Yes, Yes,  and ... YES!!!

We must "become all things to all people, so [we] could save some by all possible means."  This is how we make disciples for the transformation of the world.  It's not one way or the other. It's the right tool at the right time in harmony with the Holy Spirit...and in every situation, that may look different.

Or, to quote the founder of Methodism, John Wesley:

 

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

I have two lawn mowers.  Each serve a purpose and have a function.  I plan to keep, and use, them both.

Grace and Peace, 

WARNING:Somebody Changed the Weights at the Y!!

The few weeks have been quite chaotic, but exciting, as we have moved to a new community and a new church family.  It has been difficult to find the same rhythm that 8 years in one location allows you to experience.  Today, after a month or so of neglect, I returned to the YMCA.  On the surface, everything looked the same -- the check-in station, the locker room, the pool -- even the equipment appeared to be the same...

...appeared to be the same until I started to use them.  In the fall, I met weekly with one of the trainers at the Y to get myself on a regimented wellness program.  She taught me many exercises, both on and off the machines.  One of the things we did was carefully note the exact position for every seat, bar, and lift on the weight equipment. We also indicated the exact weight and number of repetitions that I would do on any given workout.  I knew exactly how difficult each piece of equipment was and how tired that I would be when I had finished my workout.  This is how I know that someone must have changed the numbers on the weights at the YMCA during my absence -- putting the lower numbers on the heavier weights.

I began my workout as I always did.  I noticed that the leg press machine fought me much more than was typical.  My arms screamed as I pushed handles above my head.  I double-checked the weight; it was exactly where it was supposed to be. It made no sense.  As my workout progressed, I discovered the obvious conspiracy to change the numbers on the weights so that I would have a more strenuous workout...

...except that isn't what happened.  After weeks of missing my regular workout schedule, my body is no longer accustomed to the workout I used to do several times a week.  My muscles have gotten lazy.  They have to be re-trained.  They lack the discipline they once had.

This made me think about our spiritual lives.  Participating in worship, serving in mission and ministry, giving generously, practicing spiritual disciplines (like Scripture reading, prayer, devotion, and fasting) are not "heavy lifting" -- if we are used to it.  Once out of the habit, our spirits get lazy.  We have to be re-trained; we need to rediscover the joy of discipline.

The Good News is that we can have a new beginning at any time.  Grace abounds, and in our weakness, God is strong.  So, the weights were heavy today, but later this month they will grow lighter.  Before long, those sneaky folks at the Y will change the numbers on the weights back to where they are supposed to be.  As I stay disciplined, my body will respond accordingly, and God will bless my faithfulness through good health.

In our walk with Christ, we can only start where we are.  Each day, through discipline, the weight gets a little lighter, until we simply experience the joy of the ongoing rhythm of a life in faith.

Grace and Peace,

Reaching Young Adults in a TGIF world

Can you imagine doing ministry last 500 yrs. & saying "I don't do books"? Imagine ministry next 50 yrs saying, "I don't do social media"

 --Leonard Sweet, Tweeted May 11, 2012, 10:14am

One day last week, a friend dropped the kids home from school (my office currently is located in the church parsonage).  My wife had to run on an errand, and asked that I fix them a snack.  "What do you want them to have?" I asked.  "Do something easy today.  Get them a granola bar and let them eat it on the deck."  

I love specific instructions because it takes the guess work out of things, or so I thought.  I opened the pantry and looked in the place where we keep the granola bars; the shelf was empty!  I called my wife back and told her that we didn't have any.  She said, "Yes we do, they are on the shelf where they belong."  

I looked throughout the pantry thinking that maybe I misunderstood which shelf.  I knew that there were granola bars in the house, but for the life of me I could not find them.  I gave up looking and fixed another snack.  When my wife returned home, I told her that we were, in fact, out of granola bars (I love being right, even when I'm not). "James," she said,"don't you remember that we moved the granola bars to the pantry shelf in the laundry room?  They are not in this pantry anymore.  You can't find them if you are not looking in the right place."

For years, I have known just where to look for granola bars in the house, but things have changed.  If that's what I want, I now have to look where the bars are, not where I want them to be.  It struck me that the church and young adults have a lot in common with me and granola bars.

For years we have known where to find them.  Yes, they might have disappeared during their college years, but eventually young adults would want to get married.  Of course, they would want to get married in a church.  Our plan for young adults was to try and hook them as they planned for wedded bliss.  Unfortunately, this didn't always work; so, we had a back-up plan - Baptism! Obviously, when they have children shortly after getting married, they will want them to be baptized. Babies are baptized (or dedicated/christened) in CHURCH! All we had to do is wait once more for the young adults to come home, and we would be fine.

Except we are not.

After decades of being able to do the same thing over and over with predictable results, something has changed.  Young adults are getting married later in life.  It's not unusual to have couples wait until their 30s to get married.  Many of them are looking for alternate venues to get married, or they have no problem getting married in a church with which they have no connection. What about having their kids baptized soon after marriage?  Young adults are waiting longer after getting married to have children.  By the time they have children, they have moved beyond the age of 'young' adult, and the church has missed 15 years in their lives.

I think that it's because we are looking for the granola bars in the same place we always expected them to be, but they have moved.  We cannot find them if we are looking in the wrong place.  What we "long-timers" in the church have failed to recognize is the major shift that has taken place in the world; the young adults have moved into a world in which few of us are comfortable -- the TGIF world.

I cannot take credit for this insight, it belongs to Leonard Sweet from his book entitled Viral: How Social Networking Is Poised to Ignite Revival. Young adults are living in the world of 

Twitter

Google

iPhone

Facebook

The sooner we recognize this fact, the faster we can re-connect with them.  Young adults are actually quite engaged in their faith.  They are seeking to put it into action and to incorporate it into their relationships.  Yes, their relationships are real; however, they are unconventional for people who grew up loving a cup of coffee and a good paperback book.

I believe that the way to reach young adults is to simply go where they are.  In doing my part, I am wrestling with modern technology to incorporate it into my ministry.  I just married a couple in April where most of their premarital counseling sessions were done via Google+.  Why? because he lived in Alaska and she in Alabama.  As I transition from one appointment to the next in the United Methodist system, I have been able to connect the pastor who will follow me to 45 church members in 2 days on Facebook with just a few mouse clicks (more should follow). 

But I find myself barely on the threshold of the social networking in which many young adults are engaged. I don't do Tumblr or Pinterest.  I haven't explored LinkedIn or Flickr and have barely scratched the surface of Foursquare and Twitter.  I appreciate people like Leonard Sweet who are challenging me to look beyond my comfort zone into the place where young adults are extremely comfortable.  

I pray that we will all accept the challenge of holding fast to the Good News even as we share it in new and exciting ways.

Grace and Peace,

Believing When Things Are Not Seen

Here is the sermon I shared on Sunday, May 6th with my congregations.  May it help you as you discern God's voice in your own life...

Hebrews 11:1-8 (Common English Bible, 2011):  ¹ Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. ² The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith.³ By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God so that the visible came into existence from the invisible.⁴ By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain, which showed that he was righteous, since God gave approval to him for his gift. Though he died, he’s still speaking through faith.⁵ By faith Enoch was taken up so that he didn’t see death, and he wasn’t found because God took him up. ^g He was given approval for having pleased God before he was taken up. ⁶ It’s impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him.⁷ By faith Noah responded with godly fear when he was warned about events he hadn’t seen yet. He built an ark to deliver his household. With his faith, he criticized the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes from faith.⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going.

            Some sermons are easy to preach.  Others are more difficult, especially when they touch our lives in specific and challenging ways.  This is where I find myself today as we talk about faith here in Hebrews 11:1-8.  Faith is difficult by definition – it is trusting in something that doesn’t have substance, in something that we can’t get our hands around.  Faith is when we claim a future hope and promise is real, even when it has not been realized.

            We show faith by acting when we hear God speak and following even though we are not sure where God might lead. Abel had faith by listening and following God’s desire for sacrifice.  Enoch was faithful because he drew near to God and followed where God led.  Noah showed his faith by telling the world of the warning God revealed to him and by building an ark (which was seen as ridiculous by his friends and acquaintances). Abraham’s faith was obvious as he obeyed by going where he was called – without a clue as to where God might lead. The story goes on through the years…by faith Sarah…by faith Moses…by faith Rahab.

            Again, faith, by definition, is difficult.  We must trust that God loves us, that God wants what is best for us, and that God will be our strength as we follow.  I say all of this because we have been drawn to a time which requires faith. 

            Some of you may have guessed, and others will not be surprised to hear what I will say next: After eight years of a blessed ministry with Antioch and Dacusville churches, I have been appointed to another church beginning June 27.  I am sharing this today with permission from the District Superintendent because word is beginning to spread in the community.  We will make a full announcement about who has been appointed to the North Easley charge next week. (Please do not quiz the PPRC as they have not met the new pastor yet.  The introductory visit is scheduled AFTER next Sunday).

            As difficult as this news is for me to share, I have come to understand over the past several months that this is God’s leading and God’s desire.  Ashley and I have known that our time with you is limited.  Pastors are only appointed for 1 year at a time, and are able to be moved any given year in the UMC.  Eight years is a long time for a pastor to stay in one place.  Not only that, but this year is a year with many moves throughout the conference.  My understanding is that there are over 3 dozen moves just in the Anderson and Greenville districts alone!  Because of our length of time here and the need for experienced pastors to serve churches where pastors are moving or retiring, it was highly unlikely that we would remain for a 9th year, but we still didn’t want to leave.

            January 1 God began speaking to me most clearly about our possible move.  After staying up to ring in the New Year, I went to bed unusually late on Saturday night – after 12:30am.  Even though I was exhausted, I awoke before 5am with an overwhelming sense of God’s Presence in the room with me and with a specific message on my heart.  That morning I was preaching on the Wise Men listening to the angel’s warning to travel “By a Different Road.”  I knew that this sermon was for me, and I knew that it was about where I serve as a pastor. I was to allow Christ to be in control, even if I didn’t know where God might lead – even if the road would be difficult.

            I was overwhelmed, unsure, and confused.  I prayed for some confirmation that this was, in fact, God speaking and guiding.  I turned on my phone and read the daily scripture reading for that morning; it was Matthew 7:13-14 CEB 

“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it.”   

        Again, I felt this was pointing me to follow God in faith even through I did not know where this road would lead, even though it would be difficult.

            I have always told people that whenever I seek to confirm that God is speaking to me, I make sure of two things: first, it fits within the Biblical understanding of God’s will, and second, it is revealed to me three times from different sources. (I believe that God speaks multiple times; we just need to listen.)  Within a couple days of this experience, I received an email from another pastor sent through the district office.  I want to share some brief excerpts from this letter:

            ..Several nights ago I was abruptly awoken by the Lord around 3 a.m.  I am sure many of you have had a similar experience (where the Lord chooses such an “opportune” time to speak with you).  As soon as my eyes opened my immediate thought was, “Encourage your fellow United Methodist brother and sister pastors.”  It was such a strong emotion and inclination that I could not fall back asleep …Always view what the Lord is telling you through the lens of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience – but listen and trust!  …Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

…Perhaps many of you need this note of encouragement.  Perhaps one of you needs it…  Lead with strength and integrity.  Psalm 56:11 is the verse that has resounded in my mind over and over again, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”  If God is leading you, obey….Let’s move forward, giving it everything we have, and trusting God all the way.

           

            With all of this on my heart, I met with Dr. Johnson, our District Superintendent, telling him what I just shared with you.  I confessed that the only thing holding me back how much I loved the people in the churches and knowing that I would upset and hurt some of them if I left.  Two hours later, I met with someone who shared with me how God has richly blessed him.  He also told the story of a time when he knew that God was calling him to respond by going to the altar following the sermon.  The reason he didn’t was that he loved his wife and knew that she would be upset and hurt her if he did.  He told me that he regretted not following God’s leading and told me that if he knew that God was leading him to do something, this time he would follow regardless of how he thought anyone else might react.

            Still seeking confirmation of God’s will, Ashley and I fasted praying for God to lead me away from this decision if it was not God’s will.  During this time of discernment, I shared my journey with a trusted colleague.  She said that it was clear what God was saying to me – that “it isn’t a matter of interpretation, now it’s a matter of obedience.”

            I knew that it was very likely that we were going to move this year.  Since January 1st, God has told me in a number of ways that I needed to trust and follow in faith.  As a pastor, if I teach that we should listen and follow wherever God leads, do I have integrity if I refuse to listen and follow? For these reasons, I indicated on the advisory form in January that I was available for appointment to this or any charge, but that I felt God was leading me to move.

            Yes, this has been difficult and painful.  The road is still long, and the future is filled with many things that we do not see. But we are people of faith and people of hope.   By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God. By faith we can trust that that same God will lead us into a bright and promising future that we can’t even imagine.

             Faith, by definition, is difficult.  We show faith by acting when we hear God speak and following even though we are not sure where God might lead. I pray that we trust that God loves us, that God wants what is best for us, and that God will be our strength as we believe, even when things are not seen.

On Being Too Comfortable in Ministry

This week marks the second week of the 2012 General Conference for the United Methodist Church. The General Conference meets every four years and is the only body of the UMC that can establish polity (make rules) for the church as a whole.  The GC consists of about 1000 delegates elected from local conferences, about 50/50 lay to clergy proportion from all over the world.

One of the issues they tackled this year was security of clergy appointments (a.k.a guaranteed appointments).  Until this GC, every ordained elder in good standing must be appointed by a bishop.  Some say that this balances the fact that UM clergy promise that they will go wherever they are sent while the church promises they will always have a place to serve.  Others point to the fact that this guarantees a place for women, minorities, and prophetic voices within pastoral leadership of the local church. The problem is that both effective and ineffective clergy alike must be appointed under the previous rules.

Yesterday, the security of clergy appointments was eliminated from our polity; no longer are ordained elders guaranteed an appointment.  (For a detailed discussion of the specifics, I refer you to this interview with Rev. Ken Nelson of the SC Conference ).  To borrow from the Facebook post of another colleague, Rev. Michael Hood placed the following caption and picture together...

I felt a great disturbance in the Force... as if thousands of United Methodist pastors suddenly cried out in terror

 I agree that United Methodist clergy can become complacent and too comfortable with mediocre ministry.  There does need to be a system of mutual accountability to ensure that the mission of Christ is being fulfilled through the life and ministry of each pastoral leader. There should be a process in place where we identify and transition clergy into opportunities to recapture God's passion, God's Spirit, and God's vision for ministry in the always changing culture of today. Now that some accountability has been put in place for clergy, this begs the question, "Are there any other people within the body of the United Methodist Church that have become too comfortable in their ministry?"

I believe that the answer is "yes." As the General Conference affirmed a bishop's ability to appoint ineffective ordained elders in less than full time, transitional appointments, the Conference affirmed that episcopal office is for life.  Should we not have the same process for bishops that we do for clergy?  If a bishop is deemed ineffective in ministry, should that person be assigned an Episcopal Area or be placed into a process of transition? There should be a process in place where we identify and transition bishops into opportunities to recapture God's passion, God's Spirit, and God's vision for ministry in the always changing culture of today.

But before you think that I am picking on bishops, I wonder if members in the local church can also become complacent and too comfortable with mediocre ministry.  Should there be a process in place where we identify and transition laity into opportunities to recapture God's passion, God's Spirit, and God's vision for ministry in the always changing culture of today?  What might the church look like if we were all held accountable to holy living?  What if every part of the Body of Christ that we call the United Methodist Church were to burn with the fire that raged through the Church on Pentecost?

I agree that United Methodist clergy should be subject to accountability for their ministry. I welcome the opportunity to engage in true reflection of the effectiveness of my leadership within the Church.  The process can be helpful and insightful.  Mutual accountability is one of the founding principles of the early Methodist movement.  However, accountability that is not mutual and that is not done in the spirit of love is simply judgmental.

Dare I suggest that the same accountability for clergy be extended to all parts of the Body of Christ from laity to episcopacy? What about if general boards and agencies were also held accountable for effectiveness especially in reaching today's younger generations?  Only as we begin to hold every United Methodist accountable to the high calling to which we have been called will the Church be transformed into the active, vital Body of Christ for the world.  As we are reminded in the letter to the Ephesians:

 Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God.  Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love,  and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together.                                  --Ephesians 4:1-3 (Common English Bible, 2011) 

 In the Name of the One who calls us,


James

   

Falling on the Way

          The expression "you are what you eat" applies to more than just that pizza with extra cheese or the super-sized candy bar. We are shaped by more than calories -- our choices are just as formative. Which is why it's so important that we not step outside a healthy diet when it comes to our inner lives. Feeling discontented with our portion of the world's blessings turns us inward on ourselves; gnawing on the bones of our unhappiness keeps us from seeing the healthy feast that is set before us.

          "The temptation to eat what we shouldn't eat, though, isn't anything new. As I said, even Adam and Eve faced it. And even though that forbidden fruit probably tasted delicious going down, don't forget they had to spend a lifetime working it off."

--Martha Bolton, When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Start Laughing (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996), 22.

 This story made me think of a struggle that I had one week ago today.  It served as the inspiration, the "creative spark" for my sermon on temptation yesterday.  For those who missed it, or asked for a copy, here are my notes from yesterday.


Grace and Peace!
James

Monday morning I had a good, but long meeting with other pastors at Lee Road UMC.  I got in the car, and was hungry. At a traffic light, I saw some chocolate left over from Sunday in the seat next to me. (Did I mention that I have given sugar up for Lent?)  I knew that I shouldn’t eat it, but it was as if my “thinker” wasn’t fully engaged.  I was travelling down the road doing what I wanted rather than what I promised I would do. Before I knew what happened, the chocolate jumped into my mouth and forced me to chew and swallow – Okay, I wish that it had.  I would have felt less guilty if I had not broken my commitment without any outside interference.

    Brad Ronnell Braxton, pastor of the Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, contends that "most Christians pray a slightly expanded version of the Lord's Prayer. Instead of stopping with 'lead us not into temptation,' most of us add 'but at least let me flirt with it occasionally.'  A woman may have a talent to sing so beautifully that it makes the angels in heaven rejoice, but she may also have some temptations she is wrestling with. A man may have a good church attendance record, he may come to church regularly and show up early enough to find “his” seat, but he may also have some temptations he is wrestling with. A couple may give to their church every second and fourth Sunday plus to other special offerings, but they also have some temptations they are wrestling with. Your temptation may not be my temptation, but if we are honest, we know that we are dealing with temptation in some area of our lives."

    --adapted from Brad Ronnell Braxton, "The Greatest Temptation," The African American Pulpit, 1 (Winter 1997-1998), 31-39.

          This Lenten Season, we as churches are travelling on a Journey to Hope.  We are trying to be faithful, but have discovered that we may find difficulties along the way. 

          This week’s mile marker is temptation, where we consider building up resistance to those things that interfere with following Christ along the way. When we are worn-out spiritually, emotionally or physically, where do we turn to refuel? Too often we turn to quick remedies that numb the pain of what is actually happening. For many, God is the last resort – after we have tried all sorts of other painkillers. Those painkillers may be an extramarital affair, alcohol, excessive work, pornography, or gambling. Any one of those things is enough to make us stumble on our journey to hope.

          I brought with me some of the things that can tempt us to turn to them for comfort when we’re tired.  For some it’s food – whether we prefer sweet or salty.  For others it might be drugs – whether legal or illegal.  It could be something more innocent, like little rectangular pieces of plastic – Of course, when they are used for shopping [i.e. credit cards], that may tempt some of us. I am sure that I there are many other things that tempt us each and every day.

          It’s when we are tired on the journey that we are most susceptible to temptation. We may do something that will bring momentary pleasure but long-term pain. How can we stay true to the path even when we are tired, distracted or discouraged?

          One of the best places to turn on our Journey is to Jesus.  In today’s scripture (Mark 14:32-40) Jesus was at a point of tremendous pain, realizing how close he was to the agony that lay ahead. It could all be avoided if he would just leave town. He did not turn back. He did not run away.

          Instead, Jesus takes his closest friends with him and goes to the garden of Gethsemane. Often we focus our attention on the disciples – that they kept giving into the temptation to sleep.  Let’s look at this in another way.  Jesus, himself, was wrestling with temptation.  We know that he won this battle, because he continued from this garden on the path that led to his death.  How is it that he managed to resist temptation?

          The answer is quite simple. He stayed with his closest friends in faith and committed himself to prayer. We can see the importance of friends staying awake during a time of hardship – even for Jesus! Christians are not meant to be in isolation from each other, but we are meant to work together, to worship together, to serve together. Not once, not twice, but three times, Jesus returns longing for the disciples to stay with him and pray.  If Jesus needs the support of his friends in faith, then this shows the importance of community and supporting one another in the Christian life.

          But it wasn’t just “hanging out” with his friends that got him through.  He wanted them to stay up with him and pray while he prayed. When we hear Jesus’ prayer, we know that he would turn away from his journey if there were any other way.  Why else would he pray, “take this cup of suffering away from me?” We can hear his heartache as he tells the disciples that he is sad – feels like he is dying.  At the same time, he prays for God’s will to be done.  I believe that it was in his time of talking with God that he found the answers and the strength that he needed.

          In fact, I brought something with me today.  I know that many people would love to have the same access to God that Jesus did – to talk openly and freely about anything.  Well, I found God’s phone number and here it is: 772-9377…To help those of you who might be confused, I found the letters that you dial to talk with God…it just so happens that when you dial PRA-YERS … you have direct, immediate, 24/7 access to God.

          Prayer is a way of refueling – connecting us with our source of life – the One who knows us from the inside out and can help in a way no other can. Here’s the best way to deal with temptation: Praying personally—by ourselves and praying corporately – with others. Both are vital for the journey – forming a deeper bond connecting us with the help of God and the needs of each other.

          We are going to be tempted in life daily.  This means that as we continue on our Journey to Hope, we need to engage more and more in prayer.  This is our refuge when we are tired and weak. We need those private times of prayer…but remember that even Jesus needed to pray with others.  Take advantage of our Weekly Prayer meeting during Lent…join with the ongoing Wednesday morning devotion and prayer time.   We could even post prayers for the church or others online through Facebook. Individual encouragement could come through shared e-mail or phone prayers. Encourage the congregation to write letters to one another, sharing prayers and hopes.

          O how different my trip in the car might have been if instead of reaching for chocolate I had reached for the phone to call a friend to pray with me.  I know that would have made the difference.  It is the power of prayer – both individual and corporate – that enables us to be faithful and true on our journey to hope.

Chicken Chili Verde

 I don't usually post recipes, but I have received numerous requests for my Chicken Chili recipe.  I usually triple it for pot lucks.  It's not an exact science, and I do a lot of measuring by how it looks or how it smells.  Enjoy!

Chicken Chili Verde

1 ½  pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 ½ - 2 cups bottled salsa verde (medium or mild depending on your spice preference)

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons minced garlic or 2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 to 2 tablespoons jarred, sliced jalapenos (or more to taste)

1-2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules (more makes it saltier)

1-2 cups water

Sour cream (optional)

Just place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker, and put the salsa verde, onion, bay leaf, cumin, garlic, jalapenos, and bouillon on top.  Pour the water until the chicken is almost covered. Put cover on the slow cooker, set it to Low, and let it cook for 9 to 10 hours.

When the time's up, take a fork and shred the chicken in the pot. I find that it is just as easy to shred with the side of a knife (i.e. not the sharp edge) and a fork on a cutting board.

Stir it up, and serve with sour cream if you made it too spicy.

Yield: 4-6 servings.

Note: Leftover Chicken Chili Verde makes great burritos/soft tacos.

Stop Hunger Now

For those who are seeking a way to serve God in mission, here is a wonderful opportunity:

       The Greenville District UMC announces A Great Day of Service Stop Hunger Now packaging event on April 21, 2012 at Advent United Methodist Church, Simpsonville, 7:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Stop Hunger Now’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based program that coordinates the streamlined packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, flavoring and 21 essential vitamins and minerals. The meals are easily transported to crisis-burdened areas or supplied to school feeding programs around the world. The meals cost only $.25 per meal to create. The Stop Hunger Now information and how to register and/or contribute can be found on the following web site (linked below) www.stophungernow.org/upstate.

         This event web site is live for sign ups. The day will be 12 hours with 4 three hour shifts beginning at 7:30 AM. Everyone will have something that they can do! For questions you may contact Virginia Crews at vcrews@bellsouth.net.

 
Stop Hunger Now -- April 21, 2012