Vacation and Vocation

My family and I just returned from a wonderful vacation. We drove 2600 miles over 11 states with the final destination of Niagara Falls, including following the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway and continuing to Skyline Drive in Virginia. 

We spent months discerning our vacation plans. Since this was a trip that was not only a vacation but also a celebration of graduation, we wanted it to be special. We looked at a trip that would travel through Europe. We imagined the possibilities and had long discussions with quite a few contacts and quotes made for potential itineraries. With all the different places we could go, we kept coming back to traveling the Parkway and going to Niagara. Now, I cannot imagine our vacation anywhere else.

While vacation only comes occasionally, God’s calling in our lives happens every day. We are led by the Holy Spirit to accept our vocation. When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are gifted and equipped for ministry. The opportunities are countless for us to answer where God is leading. I have found that God is relentless in calling us back toward places that are unique and use those gifts that God has given us. Let’s take time to listen to God calling us, to discover our vocation, so that we can be faithful to our part in making disciples to change the world. When we do, we will not be able to imagine doing anything else.

Grace and Peace,

Why do United Methodist pastors move?

Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.

-Hebrews 11:1

This past Sunday, March 12^th, the SPRC of Grace UMC in Pickens announced that there would be a pastoral change in June. Both Ashley and I will be serving as pastors in new appointments.

After hugs have been shared and tears shed, I have been asked an important question – a question that I believe deserves an answer. “Why are you moving/leaving us?” At the heart of the answer lies a truth that is at the core of our faith.

Upon hearing the news, one of Ashley’s friends commented (something to the effect of) “what a wonderful example for your children! So many people talk about what they believe and what they will do for God. Your children get to see what it looks like to live your faith.”

I think I understand what she means. We live in a world where people are willing to argue with others for what they believe. A Facebook post or a bumper sticker touts what they adamantly believe. They will shout at others and shun those who think otherwise. But, when it comes to actually living, that is an entirely different subject. (For example, I know people who spoke out against a lottery in SC but who have been willing to buy tickets.)

Fatih isn’t about what we feel alone. Another James correctly stated that “faith without works is dead.” Our faith must have handles. People should be able to see the evidence of our faith in our lives. This is what makes our faith become alive and bear witness to others.

Look at the evidence in Hebrews. So many are listed who had faith: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah to name a few (Hebrews 11:3-11). How do we know that they had faith? They offered, they walked, they built, they followed, and they bore (a child). Faith is described by pointing to the faithful actions of those who believed.

This is why United Methodist pastors move. We believe that God works in and through our connection. We have faith that the same God who called us into ministry will lead us and move us according to the right timing. Every United Methodist elder promises, before the conference and before God, that we will go wherever we are sent. Those words may spill easy from our lips as we recite the vows of ordination, but those words carry great meaning.

Why do we move? We move because we say that we trust God. We believe in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us. We say that we will take up the cross of Christ and follow him. Our words of faith are empty if they are not joined by actions which seek to live out that faith in all that we do.

We move because we have faith. We move so that we may continuously grow in our striving to be like Christ who said, “not my will, but thine be done.” We move so that others may see that the words that we say are not merely words, but they make a difference in our lives.

So, please pray for us during these days. Yes, there will be sadness as our time at Grace draws to a close. God has been faithful and has been present in powerful ways through our years here. We also look forward with anticipation and with joy, knowing that God who brought us to this time and place in our ministry will be faithful and has already prepared another place for us to serve.

We know this without question, for “faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.”

Grace and Peace,

Food Pantries Need Help!

 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began.  I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’...
... ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
Matthew 25:34-36, 40

The news spreading today was no surprise.  Since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (also known as the Stimulus) was enacted, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ('SNAP' /food stamps) has received additional federal dollars to distribute to those in need.   These additional monies ended as of October 31, 2013.  The net result is a decrease in the amount received each month to be used for food.  Again, this was the original law; the federal government and the states have seen it coming for a long time.

What was not seen, nor expected, was the content of a letter mailed to South Carolina SNAP recipients.  According to a source connected with a local food pantry, those receiving food assistance through SC were encouraged to go to their local food pantry to help with the decrease in funds.  The problem? No one bothered to give the food pantries a 'heads up' that they will likely see a marked increase effective immediately.

Food Pantry Shortage February 2009

I am not writing today to spark a conversation about food assistance programs; my focus has always been
on the faith side of things rather than the political.  My concern is that our churches, soup kitchens, and local feeding ministries may not have the resources to handle the foreseeable surge in need within their communities.  I will not get 'preachy' today.  I will simply refer us to Jesus call to feed the hungry. It is part of our call as disciples of Christ.

What should we do?
1. Plan food drives in your local congregations - Have them spaced throughout the year in order to continuously stock the shelves. Have groups within the church "compete" to see who can give the most.  Always buy at least one can extra to donate every time you buy something for yourself.

2. Glean - Connect with an organization that is saving food that would otherwise be wasted.  The Society of Saint Andrew is a great example of one such organization in the southern US.  Full disclosure: my wife, Ashley, serves as the Program Coordinator for South Carolina (if you would like to help you can email her).

3. Volunteer - With increased demand will come increased numbers of people seeking help.  Every local pantry will need additional support of people like you and me to collect, sort, and distribute food.

4. Tell others - People need to know that there is a need that is likely to grow.  I believe that most of us are generous and, shown the opportunity, will give to help others.  Even those who complain loudest about "government intervention" in this area seem to agree that the private sector should meet the needs of the hungry.  Here is their chance to do something to make a difference

Let us join together as we seek to show the love of Christ to our brothers and sisters!

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.