Immmmmmm Back

Many people enjoy worship at a contemporary service.  I found this clip today while visiting some sites that I used to frequent.    I think that it is hilarious.  I might add, if you take this seriously, you may be taking yourself too serious.  Peace and enjoy! Ron

Which Message Do We Preach

Here I am reflecting on my call and how God wants to use me:

If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people hat Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did. (Timothy Keller,The Prodigal God,Dutton, 2008, pp 15-16.)

This sentence, from the first chapter of the book that I am currently reading, has been working on my imagination for the last three days.  I am continually drawn to it and the implications that it has on my ministry.  Keller explains that the crowds that Jesus drew did not much resemble the crowds we see in our congregations today.  Jesus attracted those who were not “religious” while alienating those of the “religious mainstream.”  Many, if not all of our modern day congregations are the polar opposite.  The question in my mind for the last few days has been WHY?

Do we preach to comfort those who already pretty darn comfortable?  Is the message delivered to keep the “faithful” happy?  Do we tone down our rhetoric to keep from offending some?  Is our message anything similar to the message of Christ?

A few weeks ago a member of my congregation gave me what I believe was meant as a compliment.  He said, “Your sermons give me a pinch sometimes.”  He was meaning that sometimes I made him rethink or look at things differently.  Before I read this passage this week, his comment made me feel pretty good.  I was challenging people! Now it does not feel so good.

I am not sure that I want to just “pinch” people.  Did Jesus pinch those who acted as vultures circling and waiting for him to make a mistake.  Or did Jesus do something different.  Jesus made a difference, are we?

Ron

Summer Reading

My reading, at least from the “classic list,” has slowed down this summer.  My reading that is directly work related has slowed down also.  This is not to say that I have not been reading though.  I have managed to read a couple of books that I will use in or for small groups later this fall.  Since I am on vacation (obviously since this is my third post this week), I will leave those books for another day’s discussion.  I have “discovered” an author and subject matter that I really appreciate.

The author is Malcolm Gladwell, and I have read three of his books since summer has begun.  Mr Gladwell is an author for The New Yorker.  I discovered him after his book Outliers was referenced at a conference I attended around Easter time.   Gladwell looks at things, and asks his reader to look at things, with what I would call a quarter twist.  He looks at what seems obvious, turns what he is looking at a quarter of a turn, and then lets what he sees tell the story.  Each of his three books used that technique, and all three have me looking at some of my basic assumptions about things that happen in life.

In Outliers, his most recent book, Gladwell looks at those things that are considered outside the expected outcome.  In Blink he looks at what goes on inside our brain when we make decisions, those decisions that we make in a split second.   The Tipping Point is a book about change and how change happens.  All three of these books use the quarter turn strategy and look at real life examples.  Gladwell uses examples from business, entertainment, education, and the sporting world.  I really enjoy his writing and look forward to future projects and stories in the magazine.

I am now looking for authors who help me to look at things with that quarter turn.  I believe it was my New Testament professer, Dr. Warren Carter, who used to encourage us to take a passage and twist it a quarter turn then look at it.  This gives us a fresh perspective on the Bible and on life.  Looking at my current appointment and future opportunities in ministry, I see great possibilities for this idea.  Too often we look at something and see what used to be there, we do not see what is actually there.  When we do not see the change, we do not know what caused the change, good or bad. 

To continue the transformation that has been going on for the last 2000 years, we need to continue to look at things from multiple angles.  This is both Biblical and Christ – like.  Jesus’ parables always forced us to look where we least expected.  Jesus challenged the norms of his day and brought about change.  What do we need to challenge in our midst to help people continue to change and transform?

Peace

Ron

It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me

Obviously I had Too Much Time on My Hands today being on vacation and Beth out of town.  This is a chance to give you some insight into this pastor.  I put this on FaceBook but some of you are not there or are not my friend.

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions.  Tag whoever you like and include me. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s a lot harder than you think!!

Pick Your Artist:
Billy Joel
Are you male or female:
Piano Man
Describe yourself:
All About Soul
How do you feel about yourself:
An Innocent Man
Describe where you currently live:
New York State of Mind
If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
Your best friend is:
Captain Jack
You and your best friends are:
Shameless
If your life was a tv show, what would it be called:
My Life
What is life to you:
A Matter of Trust
What’s the weather like:
Light As The Breeze
Favorite time of day:
The Night is Still Young
Your favorite form of transportation:
The River of Dreams
Your last relationship:
The Stranger
Your current relationship:
She’s Always A Woman
Your fear:
You May Be Right
What is the best advice you have to give:
Just the Way You Are
If you could change your name, you would change it to:
Big Shot
Thought for the Day:
Tell Her About It
How I would like to die:
Only the Good Die Young
My soul’s present condition:
Keeping the Faith
My motto:
We Didn’t Start the Fire

It is Only a Matter of Time

This video is flying around the Internet.  I know because three people asked me on Sunday when I expected a bride to request this to start her ceremony.

Weddings are a time of joy and I think this couple has captured that spirit well.  It will take a special couple to want to do this or something similar, but when they do I will have fun with them.  But I won’t dance!

Peace

Ron

Picnic Cancelled

If you are one of the two families who notified the church that you planned to attend the church picnic Sunday please know that it is cancelled. If you were planning on coming, but had not let us know of your intentions, it is still cancelled.  If you have any questions call me at the church at 324-5278.   I am sorry for any inconvenience that this causes.

Thank You Laptop Fairy

I recently received a letter and a Best Buy gift card from the “Laptop Fairy,” evidently some folks like the way that I do things.  It is very nice to be affirmed by those that you are trying to lead, I do know however that I can continue to improve and learn in many ways.  I know that I have been blessed to have been appointed here at this time.  I am trying to reach people in new and different ways.  The “laptop Fairy” recognized these opportunities and helped me with the purchase of a new laptop to give me greater mobility in my work.  Two of those ways I was not even aware of prior to my arrival here.  They are my weekly E-Votional, and through Twitter.  There are links to both of these sources if you are interested.

Thanks to the generosity of many unnamed people, I am writing this on my porch in the cool summer breeze.  I am grateful for all that so many do for me.  I am especially thankful for all of your prayers for me and my family.  Together with God we will keep reaching out in love.

Peace

Ron

Year 1 is in the Books

It seems like yesterday, or maybe it seems like twenty years ago, it just depends on my mood, work load, and sleep the night before, that I arrived here at St. John’s UMC Davenport.  Our furniture was picked up early in the morning on July 1, 2008 in Clearfield, and by 7pm I was greeting the chairmen of the SPRC and Trustees receiving my keys and touring our freshly remodeled home.  We spent the night in Moline and our belongings arrived the next morning as Beth was interviewing for her new job as the secretary to the Principal at AHS.

Since that time it has been a whirlwind.  We have met many great people and we have accomplished a lot.  I could look back and write extensively about what has happened, but that is not my style.  Know that we have loved most every moment since our arrival, and hopefully we have touched people and shown all who have come in contact with us the love that is Jesus.  But now is a time to keep driving forward.

One of my favorite sermon illustrations is how small the rear view mirror is in a car in compassion to the front windshield.  We need a wide view of what is coming, and smaller view to allow us to reflect on what has been.  As I go forward I see many places that need my attention, while remembering what has happened before.  There are many people to love, and there are even more opportunities for ministry.

So as we begin year II let us pray.

Gracious God, You are where we draw our strength.  Give us your vision to see where and what we should do.  Give us the compassion to love as Jesus.  Give us the wisdom to do as you want us to do.  Give us the courage to do what is right.  Give us the humility to know that these things can only be done through your Son, Jesus, AMEN.

Peace Ron

6 Questions for the United Methodist Church

Andrew Conrad has started a small movement that he would like you to join.  His goal is to get the UMC to begin to start asking the “right” questions.  You can link to his blog here.  The Google hosted discussion board is located here for the 6 questions.  There are questions that relate to many different topics and theological leanings.  He is looking to build a civil discussion on the direction the church should or could take in the future.  I have been checking it out and it is part of my daily blog reading now.  If you have an interest in the church I recommend that you check out both Andrew’s blog, and the discussion board.

ron

Final Reflections of Annual Conference

This is the second part of my reflections, opinions and review of the recently completed Iowa Annual Conference.  It was four days of formation (some times spiritual. and sometimes other.)

Fifth impression – I will miss Ames, but look forward to the new opportunities we have in Des Moines.  This year we voted to move the Conference to Hy – Vee Hall in Des Moines.  Hilton Coliseum was built for large concerts and sporting events.  It was not designed with the IAUMC in mind.  I see and understand the limitations that the building presents.  I truly enjoy the people in the eating establishments and hotels that I have met.  I did look forward to Ames but I will look forward to Des Moines too.  I think that overall for the people and churches of the IAUMC we will save money due to the sheer mass of folks located in the Des Moines area.  I also agree that Des Moines is not the “center of the universe.”  Maybe a rotating conference or every 3 or 4 years hold it in a different location for a year?

Sixth impression – I am afraid that there are too many folks that do not understand the importance of Annual Conference.  There was much open discussion during debate, and many people did not see the need or maybe have the means to attend at all.  This work is not easy because it is so important to our church.  I do not have an answer, I just see a problem.  Time and discussion may lead to possible answers.

Seventh impression – I love the connectionalism of our church.  Seeing friends in session was great.  It was wonderful to see pastors that I have known and greet them this last weekend.  I enjoyed seeing most of my BOOM team along with laity from my past churches.  Beth and I went to the School of Lay Ministry recognition and saw friends from Lenox and Albia.  Albia is where I finally entered into ministry from and we must have seen half of the town there. 

As we go forward, we will see the results of our “Holy Conferencing,” I am sure of one thing though.  All who were there had what they thought were the best interests of the IAUMC behind all of their decisions.  God will use this meetings and others like it to bring the Church where God needs the Church.

Peace

Ron