Think YOU'VE had a bad hair day?!?!?

MythBusters (thanks Brett!)

Brett is doing a sermon series called MythBusters, based on the TV show of the same name. OK, it's really based on the Bible, but he's using the TV show as a springboard and point of contact! I'm a consultant on the fire/pyrotechnic aspect of the sermon series, but I claim no responsibility for anything that might go wrong! Anyway, it got me thinking of a sermon series I've contemplated but never done. My idea is different than what Brett is doing, but the name MythBusters triggered my memory and made me take another look at what's been on the backburner for awhile. I'd like to do a series that addresses common misconceptions that people (both in the world and, sadly, in the church) have about the Bible/God/Christianity. Some of the simple ones that I'd like to address are the Mizpah half-heart necklaces (see pic). These are purchased by well-meaning guys and gals all over the world to represent their undying love, devotion, and trust for each other, and the scripture sounds nice. "May the Lord watch over me and thee while we are absent one from another." The context, however, is not so nice! The context of the scripture reveals that Jacob and Laban made this treaty at Mizpah because they couldn't trust each other at all, and the words of the treaty are more a warning that God is watching than they are a covenant of trust and love. Read Genesis 31 for the full story. Another myth is that "God helps those who help themselves." This is from Poor Richard's Almanac, not the Bible, but a lot of people will insist that this is from the Bible. Serious subjects, such as suicide, are also things I'm planning to address Biblically and meaningfully. Many people think that the Bible teaches that if you commit suicide, you go straight to hell regardless of your life or your relationship with Christ. Not that suicide is by any stretch a good thing, but in reality, the Bible doesn't teach that it's a one way ticket to hell. Our manner of death doesn't determine our eternal salvation, it is the choice we make in life to follow Christ that determines where we will spend eternity. I think some of these misconceptions, both big and small, can be used as interesting teaching points and encourage people to really examine their Bibles and be more informed on their everyday theology. I also think these things can work as conversation starters with the world, pointing them to the truth of Scripture. Next time you see someone with a half heart Mizpah necklace, use it as a conversation starter (and shatter their sentimentality all in one fell swoop! I guess you have to tread lightly, but hopefully you get the idea on using everyday stuff to open up doors to share Christ!). I'm interested in other misconceptions you know of that are fairly commonplace in the world and the church that a sermon series such as this one could address. Thanks everyone!

The Elephant in the Room

The elephant in the room that is so difficult to discuss is when a clergyperson (or anyone) falls, as has been reported recently in the Interlink and the WPAUMC website. I guess it's easy to discuss someone like Eliot Spitzer, who is plastered all over the papers and the news, but what about one of our own? And I don't mean 'talk about' as in gossip. I mean talk about as in how do we deal with the realities of this situation? Could this have been prevented, if the root problems had been brought to light before it got to this level? I heard Charles Swindoll preach once on the 4 causes of clergy failure: Success, Sloth, Sex, and Silver. In a nutshell, his sermon addressed these 4 issues as problems in this way: SUCCESS: when a pastor got so successful in his/her ministry that they forgot God and pride took over; SLOTH: when a pastor starts going through the motions, and slides along through ministry instead of working and learning and being challenged by new ideas; SEX: when a pastor faces moral failure, either public or private, this has a profound effect on ministry; and SILVER: when a pastor gets so concerned over the Almighty Dollar, either personally, or for the church, that ministry becomes secondary to money. I found his sermon to be very enlightening, and although I heard it several years ago, it sticks in my mind today as I consider the current situation. What are the 'outs' for someone who is caught up in one of these 4 traps? I think accountability plays a MAJOR role, but along with that comes vulnerability, and this can be a frightening thing. Awhile back, Ben Witherington's blog pointed out a website that attempts to deal with the sex issue, and I pass it along as an excellent resource that actually addresses this growing problem. http://www.xxxchurch.com/ is the website, and they really try to be open and honest about the realities of this problem, not just for clergy but for everyone. If anyone is having a struggle with this area, I highly recommend that you check out this site, and take steps toward dealing with it before it gets worse. If you're not having troubles in this area, it's still a good resource to be familiar with and to direct people to that may struggle. Finding someone to be accountable with (not "to", but "with") is very important in ALL of these areas where clergy are prone to struggle, and where Satan is ready to pounce. Success, Sloth, Sex, or Silver? What is your Achilles Heel, and how are you allowing God to work in your life to protect yourself from it? My prayers are with all of us, and especially for Steve and his family and congregations (I grew up in the Conneautville church, my dad having served there from 1978-1989).

Shades of Grey

I see everything in shades of grey. Especially my hair. It's amazing what having 4 children can do! Seriously though, everything is grey to me. I see very few things in black and white. Our preschool has a cutoff date of Sept. 1st for kids to be either 3 or 4 years old and eligible for enrollment. Yesterday someone called and asked if their child could enroll for 2008, but they won't turn 3 until Oct. 4th. For my wife, this is a black and white issue. Cutoff is 9/1, the child doesn't make the cutoff, the answer is no. For me, I wrestle with a lot of 'yes, buts...' and I want to make it work. The truth is, however, in the past when we have relaxed this standard, we've had trouble with the younger children because they're just not developed enough to take an active part (or passive, when necessary!) in the class. We've even had to remove kids from the program because of this. So, there's a reason we have that standard, and I'm thankful for people like my wife who see things in black and white and help me to keep perspective. The Preschool example is just something that came up this week, but this type of thing happens all the time, and I am constantly struggling within myself about what the right answer is. I'd be horrible as a judge or even a jury member, because every time a defense attorney made a point I'd end up agreeing with them, until the prosecutor made his/her case, and then I'd see the merit of their points as well. But, there are also a lot of times where seeing things in shades of grey helps me not to make snap judgments or quick decisions that later turn out to be wrong. I am one to examine a lot of different angles and get as much information as I can before having to make a decision. This has helped me in a lot of situations. It also helps me to counsel people, and to show grace when others might show judgment. It's not always easy (or very colorful!) to see everything in shades of grey, but that's who I am and I have learned to be aware of it and accept it. Heck, I even voted for Taylor Hicks on Idol '06, just because he had hair like mine!

Ghost Busters!

Do you believe in ghosts? I'm pretty skeptical when it comes to things like this, but at the same time, I'm fascinated by the paranormal. I like to watch T.A.P.S. sometimes, and I am intrigued by stories of UFOs, Sasquatch, and the Loch Ness Monster. To me, they're interesting legends, and they're entertaining stories, but I really don't believe in ghosts or mythical creatures. However, I know some people who do. One very dear lady in my church very matter-of-factly told me that she has heard her husband (dead for many years now) in her house, and her adult son confirmed this as well. Both of them took it as comforting to think of his spirit still in the house. I've had others tell me that as a man of faith, they're surprised that I don't believe in ghosts, because I can easily take a leap of faith in spiritual things as they relate to God, so why not take a leap of faith in the paranormal? Anyway, I'm fascinated by ghost stories and such, and just wanted to pass along to all of you - you know that prickly feeling you get on the back of your neck? That's THEM!

Crossing Denominational Lines

I have an interesting Christian pedigree - born and baptized into the Catholic Church, raised and confirmed as a United Methodist, sampled UMC, Baptist Church, and EV Free in college, went to a Brethren Seminary, attended an independent church while at Seminary, got married in a Baptist Church, and now serve as an ordained UM pastor. Methodism has definitely predominated, but I've worshipped in a variety of denominational settings, and I believe they each have value. Right now we send our kids to the AWANA program at the Baptist church in town, simply because it is an outstanding program for kids, and my own church doesn't have anything similar to offer. At first, I felt a little funny about my kids going to another church on Sunday evenings, but I got over it quickly because I saw the value for my children. They are learning a lot about the Bible and the Christian faith through this program, they are socializing with many other kids, and they don't have to see "Dad" in the forefront for this portion of their development. I fear that my being a pastor could be detrimental, in some ways, to my children. We've all heard of those rebellious PKs that raise so much trouble, and I don't want my kids to be that someday. But if the church where I am appointed to serve does not offer ministry to my children, do I neglect their needs for the sake of my church? I understand that I could start a ministry for them, (and we have kept them involved in many of our own church's activities and ministries, and started some as well) but the Baptist church offers a great program that they can utilize. And, Karen and I get to drop them off for an hour and a half every Sunday night and go out to dinner together! What more could we ask for? Seriously, I just wanted to post about the importance of helping my children develop their Christian faith in the best way possible, and if that means crossing a denominational line to do so, I'm ok with that. I try to keep them rooted in Methodism, but the focus for me is Christ, not a particular denominational expression of Christianity.