Green - Paperless Worship

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of worshiping with the Palmer Fellowship in their beautiful new location.  As I came in the door I did what I automatically do - I began to look for the bulletin.  I was told there was not a bulletin.  The church had gone green through being paperless.


One part of me thought awesome.  Another part of me started to panic - how will I know what is happening, how will I see what is on their calendar....  As I sat through worship I began to relax and allow worship to flow.  What I found was that the worship service was relaxing for me - I didn't have to keep looking at the bulletin to see what was next.  I could simply worship and allow those in leadership to carry me through.


Anchor Park UMC tried a similar experience for one week.  They did not have a bulletin one Sunday and no worship plan.  The idea was to let the spirit move them.  I was not able to be present for this service but I heard it was a good experience.


There is a great concern about the environment and being green.  I wonder if more churches might consider going without a bulletin.  What if you allowed any information to be on the screen up front or in your weekly e-blast newsletter?  Think about the amount of paper that would be saved - the cost and the trees.  I see it as a wonderful witness of the Christian commitment to model behavior that reflect Christ.


If your church decides to go paperless I would enjoy hearing about your experience.  I appreciate our connection to share these experiences and ideas and I thank God for the witness of our churches in the Alaska UM Conference.

Just Another Reminder - God Is In Control

This past week I was stricken with a mysterious illness - temperature, aches, pains, nausea, chills... you get the idea.  On the first day of this illness I thought - I must have picked up a bug.  I will be up and well by tomorrow.  The next day came and I was not up and well I was still very ill.  Then I began to bargain and rationalize - God I am sure this isn't going to last longer than today - if that is the deal then I will be perfect from now on (right).


The third day came and went and I still was not better.  Finally on the fourth day I woke up feeling better, very weak and dizzy but better.  I was able to eat real food - cautiously.  Now I am definitely on the road to recovery.


As I reflect on this ordeal (yes I have been known to be a little dramatic) I have to confess until the third day - I was determined to be in charge.  I had a childhood notion that I could control being sick.  I even bargained with God.  On the third day I gave in and in my prayer told God that I understood - nothing I was going to do other than rest and drink plenty of liquids - was going to hurry this up.  God was in charge.


Why does it take things like this to help me remember (I mean really remember) that God is in charge.  I am not in control and if I give over the controls to God I will be taken care of in ways I could not even begin to invent.


Thank you God for a bout with the flu (I think).  I don't believe God caused me to be sick but I do know that God was with me every moment and prepared the way for me to be well again.  I do believe that God can help us to turn our "mourning in to dancing" if we will just give over control.


Glimpses of the world the way God would prefer it shine through when we release our tight grip on control.  (If I could just remember that.)

Eerie Predictions

Did any of you see these eerie predictions from 1969 about the church?  Deborah Cole Wise from Iowa discovered this newspaper article.

Looking into the future - a view from 1969

The Fort Dodge Messenger Farm Edition July 26, 1969

Shocking Forecasts:

Predicts no sermons in churches of the future

by George W. Cornell AP religion writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Out of the murkiness of the present commotion and changes in the churches, a Protestant scholar has taken a long look at the eventual results of it all - and he sees some shockers ahead.

Among them: The disappearance of sermons and Sunday morning church services; growing interest in Jesus and less in the mystery of God; broad church consolidations; multiple memberships by some believers in more than one church.

The Rev. Dr. Roland W Tapp of Philadelphia, a United Presbyterian specialist in religious education, says "part of the upheaval now going on in the churches is temporary, but much of it will have permanent effects."

Recently on a three month research assignment for analysis and planning, Dr Tapp said in an interview that indications are that the organizational structures of churches "are not going to make it" to the end of the century."

"The long-range prospects are good for essential Judeo-Christianity, but not for the institutions.," he said.

Dr Tapp, a one time missionary, California pastor and World War II bomber pilot, is a former professor of psychology and philosophy of religion at Kentucky's Center College and of Biblical languages at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

He offered his lively preview of the future church at a recent gathering of religious publishers.

Items on the forecast included:

- A re-enactment of the fundamentalist-liberal fight of 60 years ago...It already has resulted in a marked polarization of the church at all levels...the split may become irreparable.

-With Protestants and Roman Catholics "no longer in real dispute" over major doctrines, they wil move increasingly toward "merger at practical levels" - between fundamental Protestants and fundamental Catholics and between liberal Protestants and liberal Catholics.

- Most institutional members will be 45 years old, and up.  "There will be a steady decrease in total membership...fewer youths will join the church."

-On the other hand, there will be "increasing interest in religion and Christianity" among college students and young adults but "they will continue to avoid the institutional church."

-Christian teachers will see themselves "more as fellow-seekers" rather than "transmitters of heritage."  They "will be more interested in Jesus and less in God"  even though this seems a "flat contradiction in Biblical terms."

- The Consultation on Church Union will bring unification of major Protestant denominations among "great wailing and gnashing of teeth," but the new connective church "will be no more of a monolith than it is now."

-"Sermons are out.  And so is the Sunday morning worship service at 11 o'clock.  The death rattle will be long and loud and gruesome."

-The main theological shift will be away from doctrine of divine transcendence toward a "doctrine of panentheism," which holds that "God is in everything," in contrast from pantheism, which says "God is everything."

- Racial integration "will be a fact within the churches...It already is a workable everday truth at headquarters levels."

- Church property, valued today at over $80 billion, will go on tax rolls.  "In a pluralistic society with Christians rapidly becoming a minority, this kind of tax exempt welath simply cannot be tolerated.  It won't be."

God's Presence

God has been present in my life since I was forming in my mother's womb.  How do I know?  I had two grandmothers and a father praying for me and working to keep me rather than put me up for adoption.

God has been present in my life as a teenager.  How do I know?  I was fortunate to have top notch  youth group directors, Sunday school teachers, pastors and opportunities to grow my faith.

God has been present in my life even when my child died.  How do I know?  There was a church that would not stop calling and telling us how much they and God loved us.  They assured us that it was okay if we were mad at God.  Through their tenacity we returned to the church.

God has been present in my life... always.  How do I know?  I believe in a God who came to earth to dwell in our midst as John 1 says.  One translation even says that God came and pitched tent in our midst.  After Jesus could no longer be present here on earth he assured us that we would not be left alone.

God has been present in my life everyday through the people I meet, those I love, those who irritate me, the teachers, mentors, friends, family, husband, children... all of these have been physical reminders of God's presence in my life.  I am never alone and God has given me so much to carry me.  How do I know?  I know through the love of those around me.

I hope that God is present in your life.  If God is not present I would encourage you to begin to look for God. Contemplate your life and discover those times in your life when God has come to you in the form of those around you.

God is present.  Always.  When we can't sense God's presence the absence is caused by the scales on our eyes and hearts.  May God's presence be constant in your life.

Reminder of the Basics of Stewardship

I can't believe I am doing this again but this week I am copying my friend Scott Hibben's article.  He lifts up basic reminders for all of us concerning stewardship and giving.  Scott Hibben is on staff with the Iowa Annual Conference and an ordained United Methodist Elder.


Stirrings - September 28, 2011 - Scott Hibben - scott.hibben@iaumc.org  •  www.iaumc.org
This past April we offered a series of “Tippers to Tithers” workshops across the Conference,
with Paul Nickerson. The purpose of these workshops was to assist congregations in identifying
and implementing some of the most recent best practices in financial stewardship and giving. If
your congregation was part of this workshop, hopefully you are well on the way to already
doing this, but since we are now coming upon that time of year when again every church thinks
twice about its budget and its people’s giving, I thought it might be helpful to highlight some of
our learnings.

• People’s giving is not about “duty, obligation, and expectations of church membership,”
but actually from what inspires them
     o Make it personal—tell the story of the difference their giving is making in the
lives of individuals
     o Make it about something bigger than themselves—something eternal, of God,
because it REALLY is!
• For these reasons, people don’t give to a budget, but to people and purpose
     o Therefore, don’t put a financial budget in people’s hands, with all the financial
figures, but a ministry budget, that puts the focus on people and ministry
• Especially in these economic turbulent times, one of the best gifts a church can give its
people is teaching them healthy stewardship practices
     o Such as through Financial Peace University, Good Sense, etc.
     o So definitely have a campaign—which helps people learn how to budget and
plan their giving to the ministry of their church
• Definitely have different letters for different levels of givers
     o People give at different levels for different reasons, so the same message
doesn’t resonate with everyone. Customize your letters to 1) the “top 20%”
givers, 2) the middle 80%, and 3) the 20% who are “low/no” givers
• Stewardship development is not just a October/November issue
     o Preach it, teach it, celebrate it, live it out twelve months a year
     o Emphasize planned giving—what people can keep doing after they are gone
• Say, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
     o People give to that from which they receive some affirmation
     o Weekly write notes, thanking people for ALL their support of their church’s
ministry, sharing the difference their giving is making in individuals’ lives
• Be transparent and accessible, mailing out monthly statements
• Electronic fund transfers (EFTs) are a good thing
     o For young adults, who have no/carry no checkbooks
     o For people who miss church but through EFTs still support their church’s ministry
• The pastor needs to know/be able to know what every person is giving
     o Because people’s giving are spiritual, leadership, and pastoral care issues—and
that is the responsibility and daily work of a pastor
• Avoid statistics in the bulletin or newsletter that are self-defeating or don’t tell the truth
     o Don’t beat people up, shame them into giving, or be Chicken Little calling out
“crisis”—because over the long run, that does not motivate giving, but defeats it
     o Church giving doesn’t come in evenly over twelve months—so your reporting
needs to reflect that
• Have some fun already!
     o God loves a hilarious/cheerful giver, II Corinthians 9:7, so reflect that in the
offerings, campaign, how you thank people and celebrate their giving…
To learn more about all of this, Clif Christopher’s book, “Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate,” is a
great resource, along with your district Stewardship Team. Churches that implement these best
practices notice on average a 20% increase in giving, but even more importantly, a deeper
renewal of spirit about what faith and the practice of our faith is all about—for the cause of
Christ. May you discover that, too.
In Christ, together,
Scott

Don Nations - DNA Coaching

Here is an excerpt from Don Nations latest newsletter.  If you want to subscibe it is free.  Google Don Nations, DNA Coaching:  http://dnacoaching.com.  I always enjoy their e-newsletter.

The Heart of Hospitality

As you likely know by now, I am a firm believer in the science of hospitality – greeters in the parking lot, greeters at the door, great refreshments before and after the service, awesome signage, wonderful printed material, etc. along with an inspiring worship service in a well-cared for facility. All of this is important and needs to be addressed. I am also, however, a firm believer in the heart and art of hospitality. A warm person with an open heart can be just as impressive as a large lobby with great décor. A person who gets to know the names of first time guests can be better than gourmet coffee. Treating guests like you are expecting them and are truly glad they came can make a bigger impact than a smiling face in the parking lot. Every church can do something to strengthen its hospitality system. The goal is not to be a clone of another church but, instead, to offer the best hospitality you can in your setting. What will you do this Sunday to make guests feel even more welcome?

Why Do You Want Transformation?

What is your motivation for wanting transformation? I have heard church people say things like “we need new people to help pay the bills”, “we want children in worship because it makes us not feel so old” and “it would be great to have more people because I hate seeing this building so empty”. While these things may be true, are they really the heart of transformation? At its core, transformation is important because: • God desires to be in relationship with all people through Jesus • Jesus lived, died and was raised so that all could experience eternal life, both in this life and in the life to come • The Christian life was designed to be lived in community and the local church is the vehicle through which this is to happen (in spite of it being imperfect) • The message of Jesus is life-changing and is meant for everyone A church can take a lot of actions to move towards transformation. These acts are given life and power, however, by a heart that longs to see more people experience the grace, love and power of Jesus.

Truth versus Facts

Today my husband wrote his blog that can be found at:  www.jondisburg.com.  He wrote about the various versions of history.  That reminded me of a great lesson I have learned in my work on a Doctor Of Ministry through Drew.  Carl Savage has written a book called Narrative Research in Ministry that guides our work.

At the heart of my research project will be hearing stories.  Asking evocative questions and remaining totally neutral to allow the individuals being interviewed to tell their stories.  In listening to their stories one important thing I will need to remember is that each persons story is the truth.  Their story may not be factual but it is their truth.  Do you hear the difference?

I wonder if many of the conflicts in our world wouldn't be solved if everyone realized that each of us has our own truth which may not be the facts.  Each person's story is valid and valuable.  In the courtroom where responsibility for a crime is being determined - facts are important.  The courtroom would not be an appropriate place to share my story about what happened.  I would be asked to share the facts of what I know.

Think about people you have had conflicts with in the past.  If each of you had stopped to acknowledge the validity of each others stories (versions of the truth) perhaps there would not have been a conflict or you might have been able to resolve your conflict quicker.

My story can be influenced by my past or family situation or any number of factors.  As a child I may have been cheated in a way that had a lasting impact on my life.  Therefore as an adult when I relay stories of being cheated, I may have stronger feelings about what happened and even exaggerate what I see as the truth.

Often there are conflicts in the church that could be easily resolved if we were to listen deeply to the narrative (story) each of us has to tell.  Deep listening involves hearing behind the words, wondering what has happened in another person's life that causes them to see things the way they do, or even listening to what they are not sharing.

None of us are trained therapists but we can become better Christians by acknowledging the validity and value of the truth we each share.  As we value the other person's experience as their truth we become less judgemental and realize there is not one version of the truth.  Yes there is one set of facts but often we aren't dealing with facts.

Listen deeply.  Look beyond the surface.  Love beyond measure.

Glimpses of God's Preferred Future for the Church

Recently I have heard a number of new ministries happening that felt to me to be what God would prefer for the future of God's church.  Most of them were getting the church to move out in to the community.  Here are some things I have heard:
 
Bible study in a coffee shop, bar, home, book store...
Worship outdoors for the homeless,
Fasting from using the church building,
A church offering it's resources to a segment of the population and working around their schedule not the  
          church's schedule,
New churches that begin as small groups in homes and never plan to build a building,
Churches that partner with community services,
Church is a Verb Sunday where one church offered to clean toilets in businesses around town,
Rummage sale where everything is free unless you want to make a donation,

I am sure there is a very long list out there.  These things give me hope for the future.  Hope that Christians may be thinking of others and how to reach them.  Do you know of any ministries that belong on this list?

Leila   Check out this website:  http://www.umvitalcongregations.org/

Blessing Practices

Last week I wrote my weekly article for the conference e-newsletter.  I talked about blessings.  I was looking for blessing practices.

Here are a few of the suggestions I received:

 ********************

I kept a journal for a few months a few years ago jotting down where I

saw God throughout my day. But, alas, I soon got distracted by life
and raising four children that I began neglecting the 'holy habit'. I
have found that when I partner with someone or a group that I have
much more 'stick-to-it-tiveness'.
 ******************************
There was a time when I was quite depressed and I started a gratitude journal and I couldn't believe how much my mindset changed after a month.  I wrote 5 things that I was grateful for each day == sometimes I had a hard time coming up with things, so I'd write even the most insignificant like the color green, or toilet paper.  After 30 days, I started to feel better and realized that I was looking at the world more positively.  The power of positive thinking!
 *******************************
I agree that it is very easy to see the glass half empty.  Especially in these hard times for mainstream churches.  Last November I was contemplating what I had to be thankful for and ended up posting something large and small every day on my facebook page.  I was amazed and gratified by the number of things I could count as blessings.  I have always thought it would be a good idea to keep a written journal but have never followed through.  The facebook posting actually gave me feedback from friends and family which was an incentive to think about the many small things that I have been given that I take for granted.  Any way that works is a good way to pass along that fullness that we are so richly blessed with.  I would be happy to be part of a greater body of thankfulness.  Let me know what others report works for them.

**************************************

One of my favorite ways of listing my gratitudes is by using the alphabet, each letter in turn.  It's a great way to add some variety and structure.  I use my ABCs when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.  The gratitude list works every time.

****************************

For years I have engaged the ancient practice of examen, which is the last thing that I do each night. You are probably familiar with it. My practice is quite simple. I ask myself two questions, in this order, and framed in attitude of gratitude and blessing:

1. For what am I least grateful today?
2. For what am I most grateful today?

Then I give back to God the gift of the day. This follows Paul's challenge in I Thessalonians, "in everything give thanks." It is a good way to count blessings and I fall asleep in a very positive mode.  It's very simple and short, but as I said, I've practiced it for many years.
 ***************
Blessings to all,  Leila

Psalm Written by Leila Disburg and Peter

First Psalm I have ever written.  Classmate Peter and I wrote this for class.   It is unique because it is written from a woman's perspective.


We praise you O Lord
     for your goodness and mercy.
You are the creator of life
     the giver of every good and perfect gift.
For nine months I felt the growth
     Of your gift.
Even in the pangs of childbirth
     your joy overwhelmed me.
Now I hold this small person
     who I dedicate to you. Selah

Wow, that was a great tip

I made it to Washington DC for my visit with the General Board of Church and Society.  No major problems with flying other than circling the airport due to bad weather.  Pretty smooth travels.

However, I am not sure I should be trusted in big cities.  I took a taxi from the airport to my hotel.  My driver was a very nice man and we had a great visit.  We got to the hotel and I went to pay him and he got a big surprise.

I was holding $21 in one hand cause I knew that would cover the fare and the tip.  In my other hand I was holding $40.  I handed him what I thought was the $21 and his immediate reaction was "oh mam this is too much".  I thought "wow hasn't he ever gotten a $5 tip before.   He kept saying too much and I did not get it until later.

While checking in to the hotel I opened the hand with the $40 in it to get change for tipping and guess what?  I had $21.   I had given the taxi driver $40 for a $16 cab ride.  No wonder he said it was too much.  At first I was kind of mad at myself but then I began to smile.

Can you imagine how that made him feel?   I can hear him telling the other cabbies the story of his big tip.  He knows I am from Alaska so I wonder if he knows view Alaskans as generous people.  What I really wish I could tell him was that I am a Christian and we are generous people because God is a generous God.

I know my first cab ride in Washington DC was possibly a loss of $20.  I view it as God helping me to be generous.  Hopefully that cab driver was reminded of the God who loves him so much that he not only had a lady from Alaska give him a generous tip but that God loved him so much to send the only Son to live, love and die for him.

What does God feel?

     Recently I got to visit my oldest daughter Meghan and her husband.  I cannot describe what a wonderful visit it was.  We had a good time, we talked about many things and it was wonderful to see my daughter all grown up in her own home.   Ahhhhhh.
     There really is not a better feeling than to spend time with grown up children and feel so happy that they did listen to you about some things.   It is also great to realize they did not pick up all your bad habits but have thought through and learned many better ways than you taught them.
     As I was reveling in this amazing brief visit I began to wonder if God as our parent feels this way.  The day that I finally get it and let go and allow God to be in charge - what a proud parent God must be.  Or when God and I have a conversation where I don't do all the talking but I deeply listen to wisdom from the one who created me.
     Of course when you think this way about parenting, your own children and God your parent - you can't help but remember that there were days when you wanted to disown your children.   Then I begin to imagine God's head shaking as I (for the umpteenth time) do something really stupid.   God must be so hurt when I have turned my back and knew that I could do things better my way.
     The ultimate satisfaction of being a parent is knowing that no matter where your child has been or what they do - you love them.  You may not like how they are behaving or agree with the decisions they are making - but you love them unconditionally.
     As I breathe in that feeling of love that is bigger than my lungs can handle I remember that God must feel the same way about me and you.  Even when I am struggling God loves me, accepts me and loves me way to much to leave me the way I am.   Wow.
     Today my heart takes me one step further.  What about all those beautiful children of God who don't know how much they are loved?  My heart longs for the people I sit and watch in airports who are not happy, who treat family members badly, and don't like themselves.   I long to have them know the feelings I have felt when I realize how much God loves all of creation and like a good parent wants only the best for us.
     How will I share that kind of love with the world?  How will you let people know how God feels about them?  How will we, the church, reach out and enfold the world with God's love?  I end with the prayer that God will help open my eyes to the way.  Amen.

What I am learning at Lake Junalaska

     I am in sunny, warm and humid Lake Junalaska attending a coaching training for superintendents and DCMes.  It is the second training I have taken in the coaching approach to ministry.   This training is where we learn the advanced coaching techniques.
     What is the coach approach I can hear you asking?  The coach approach assumes that God has placed in each of us the wisdom we need.  The coach walks alongside a person or group who are trying to attain goals and helps to ask the right questions that will get them where they need to be.  A coach is not an expert, counselor or supervisor. Coaches listen deeply and can help a person identify what is holding them back from attaining their goals.   A coach helps with accountability by having the person being coached set goals and then meeting with them to check in and see how things are going.
     When I took my first coaching training I realized that this is how I operate best and naturally.  I am excited to learn more.  There have been several pastors and churches that I have been in a coaching relationship with in the Alaska Conference.   If you or your church would like to talk more about this opportunity please contact me.  
     I believe that God is waiting for us to be in relationship with our communities and to go where God is leading us to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

I Was Just Wondering...

In the past year I have become a fan of "Groupon".  Every day I receive in my email a coupon or deal for something in my area.  I have to confess I have purchased several of them.   This kind of sales tactics is becoming popular and there are an number of different groups you can get coupons through. 


I was just wondering... about the church... would this work for the church.  We know that our numbers are down. Could it possibly be that people don't know what a good deal they get when they attend church and become involved in a faith community?  Statistics show that when children attend church they are better behaved and less likely to make poor decisions as teenagers.


People who are part of a faith community are more aware of the bigger picture around the world - especially of those in need.  Faith communities offer support and love during the joys in life and during the difficult times. If you live away from your family a faith community can become instant grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers...


I was just wondering if we are selling the church short by not letting people know what a good deal it is.  What if we told people how we have been changed by being part of a church?   What if people in our area opened  up their email tomorrow morning looking for the latest great deal coupon - and they found a coupon for free child care while they worshipped, or a God that would love them no matter where they have been or what they have done, or a coupon that guaranteed them to find someone who had been where they are when they became involved in a faith community...


I was just wondering...

What is it about my relationship with Jesus Christ the world cannot live without?

God has always been present in my life even when things were not going well.  I believe it started when my mother was pregnant with me.  She planned to put me up for adoption but after I was born decided to marry my father and keep me.  I had a grandmother who I know was doing a lot of praying.  God was a part of keeping me with my parents.


When I was a teenager I was very involved in church and leadership in youth group.  I often preached as a youth and had many God moments that I enjoyed sharing with others.  It was at this young age that I developed my passion for the church and saw it as a gift from God.  God is the one who put that burning passion in me and keeps the fire going.


I married my husband Jon Disburg.  Both of us were Christians and actively involved in the church.  Early in our marriage we had a number of miscarriages and we had two babies who died.  Even in the midst of these struggles I knew that God was there.  When I was angry at God and turned away from the church - I knew that God was there because we had people from the church calling us and encouraging us and reminding us that God loved us and so did they.


We were blessed with two beautiful children, finally.   I began to wrestle with God and not knowing what I was supposed to be doing.  Finally I was able to answer the call to the ordained ministry, went to seminary and was ordained.  Even though it was not easy to leave my girls three days a week to attend seminary I knew that God was there looking out for all of us.  God came to us in the form of family and friends who helped out and encouraged us.


When I think about people that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I am saddened to realize that they do not know a relationship that sustains, uplifts, empowers, encourages and never waivers.  God and Christ come to us in the form of other human beings.  To realize God's presence in others not only is encouraging but helps me to love all human beings.


Facing joy is wonderful with Christ at my side.  Surviving through hardships would be impossible without God's ever present encouragement and love.


WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST THE WORLD CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Grandma and Buttons

My grandmother was a hairdresser and a seamstress.  There was a button factory in her town.  She would often take me with her to buy buttons.  There were huge (at least they seemed huge to a kid) baskets of buttons that were sold by the handful.

Grandma would hold out her hands and ask me to fill them with buttons.  I would gravitate to the pretty, shiny buttons and not want to pick out the drab white or black buttons.   Of course my grandmother made far more shirts with plain buttons on them than she did party dresses with the fancy buttons.  She would tell me that all the buttons were important.  Each button had a different function but everyone was important.

Then the life lesson came.  Buttons are like people, we all look different.  Some of us are attractive and others are more plain.  God values each of us no matter what we look like.  God has a use for each of us.

Thank you Grandma.  God loves us all.

Revenge is not always sweet

I remember as a child getting mad at someone and wanting revenge.   When I was 4 years old my mother was taking care of other children in our home.  One of the boys she cared for was not a nice person.  He did all kinds of mean things.  Finally he really upset me when he killed my goldfish.  He stabbed them with toothpicks.  I was so angry and wanted revenge on that kid.


Later that day I was ironing handkerchiefs for my dad.  This same boy kept putting his fingers on the edge of the ironing board.  My mother told him to stop and I told him to stop.  He just kept doing it.  Guess what I did to get revenge?  I ironed over his fingers.  I remember how good that felt. Of course I didn't kill him or do anything to him that wouldn't heal in a few days.


All these years later as an adult I can remember how angry I was when he killed my fish.   I can remember how good it felt to take revenge.  Every time I remember I have to cringe at what anger and hatred allowed me to do.   I was not a mean child and would never have harmed another child. However, the anger I felt built up and had no where to go but to have an outburst of revenge.


Osama bin Laden has been killed.  People are rejoicing.  They are even jubilant.   They have allowed anger and hatred to take them to the point of being happy someone is dead.  The posts on facebook are not posts by radical wierdos.  These are posts by my friends, colleagues, church members...  


At the same time, how can I judge anyone when I did not have a loved one die on 9/11?   How can I criticize anothers feelings when I have not lost a friend in the war?


I do feel that I am somewhat at fault.  I and the church have not helped people to deal with their anger and hatred toward Osama bin Laden.   We must do better in the future.


I really like to quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that has also been posted on facebook: "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr. 


May God help us to love even our enemy and may peace begin today with me.‎

Starting With Love - Greeting Everyone

This past Sunday I was rushing from my house (after putting Easter dinner in the oven) to get to worship at Anchor Park UMC.  My husband is the pastor there and our youngest daughter Ashley was visiting that Sunday.   As I rushed to my usual door of entry I was startled - I was greeted at a door that doesn't usually have greeters.   I was given a good morning and happy easter and a bulletin and a big smile.   


I remember being a little dazed as I was not prepared for that experience.   The more I thought about it the more I was impressed and surprised at what that greeting meant to someone like me who has been attending Anchor Park UMC for 4 years.   It made me feel good to be greeted and welcomed even though I was not a guest.


Then I read an article in the Lewis Center e-newsletter that encouraged churches to greet everyone.   Here is the article:   The Ministry of Greeting is for Everyone   By Dan Pezet  Full Article 


"The welcome of a greeter sets the tone of love."   How true that was for me and will be for churches that take on this challenge.

Now They Are Like Normal People

I was visiting with a 39 year old single male who does not attend church.  We were talking about our plans for the weekend.  I told him my daughter would be in town and he was thrilled for me because he knows how much my girls mean to me.  I asked him what he was doing for the weekend.   He was having dinner with his girlfriend's mother.  I asked:  Does she go to church?   His reply was interesting:  They used to go to church all the time - now they are like normal people and only go once in awhile.


This was a few days after hearing a grandmother in Target tell her grandchildren:  I am not buying Easter stuff - you know I don't believe in that &*^%$.


Both of these encounters are upsetting especially for someone like me, who spends all their time working for the church.  However, I have had some time to begin to make sense of these two encounters.   Perhaps this is good news for the myself and the church.   Maybe this signals the beginning of a new era for Christians.


When I think about Christianity of the 1950's - I remember that the church was community.  The only thing to do on Sunday morning, Wednesday evening, for youth, for parents with children - the only thing to do was to participate in a local church.  I believe that the understanding of church morphed in to an unhealthy understanding of what it means to be a Christian.  Being a Christian was like being in any other club - you go to be social, to do good things, to meet people, because everyone else does.


Jesus came to teach about a different way of life that went contrary to the world.  He taught that the last shall be first, the least will be the lifted up, the weak will be strong and those who are mighty and powerful will be brought down.   During the time of modernity we came to be the strong and powerful in society and now we are being brought down.  The only thing for us to do is to not mourn what has happened but to reclaim what Jesus really meant.


People like Shane Claiborne, Elaine Heath and many others are reclaiming that Christian heritage.  It is time that all of us stopped feeling sorry for ourselves and the negative reports we hear about the death of the church and denominations.  Now is the time to stand up and not be like "normal people".


As much as it hurt to hear those two different comments about Christianity - the slap in the face did me good.  My hope and prayer is that I will be able to live Christ's way out in my life.  I invite you to follow the footsteps of Jesus and together we can discover anew Christ's ways and hand in hand we can bring glimpses of the world the way God wants it to be - to bring those to light.


May your Holy Week truly be holy.

Time To Shed

In Anchorage the streets are finally getting clear of snow and so are the sidewalks and yards.  It won't be long until all the snow is gone if the warm weather keeps coming.   At our house another activity happens at this time of year:  shedding.   Scout has collected this very thick winter coat that has kept him warm and now it has to come off.  Unlike my coat that is neat and clean to remove - his coat comes off in clumps and lumps left everywhere.


This shedding got me to thinking about the seasons of our lives.   There are times when we must shed things that are no longer necessary.   Shedding isn't always a neat process.  There are those things that we just don't want to let go of.  Things that we prefer to continue to carry around with us.   It seems to me that at the end of the Lenten season it really is a good time for us to take stock of those things that need to be shed and work to remove them so we can move ahead without the burden of unnecessary weights.


When I think about our churches - there is some shedding that needs to happen as well.  We are being called to shed our old ways, our insider language, our inward focus, our shallow discipleship...   Once we truly shed our old ways we will be light and agile and able to respond to opportunities to be the church in the world.   We will have the scales from our eyes removed so we can truly see the world, notice where God is working and then join in.


I never look forward to the "shedding" season at our house.  For the dog or myself.  However, once the day arrives when all the old is shed - there is a sleek new look to our dog.  The dog is actually a lot thinner without the winter coat.  The same is true for us - when we remove the old ways that have been keeping us from going forward then we also have a sleek new look and outlook on the world and what it means to be a faithful disciple.


That is when we are truly ready to celebrate the resurrection.

Tis The Season for Mud

In Alaska this is the time we call "break-up".  That is when all the snow packed streets begin to break-up, parking lots become a mixture of rocks, mud and slush, and no matter what you do - you have to take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking all that stuff into your home.  We wear grippers on our shoes and boots to keep from falling on the icy places.

At our house this is the season when taking the dog for a walk gets very messy.  No matter how we try to avoid the running water, ice, slush, mud, and rocks - the dogs undercarriage is covered with dirt by the time we get home.  It almost gives one the motivation to not walk the dog.  However, the good of the walk triumphs over the messiness and hassle of life this time of year.

As I was wiping down the dog today after a walk, I began to think how this dilemma is a lot like life.  As a child I thought that if you lived a good life and did good things - nothing bad would ever happen.   Then I grew up and realized that life is filled with all kinds of mud, slush, and rocks even in the midst of the good parts.  As a Christian we come to understand that these are the things that will make us stronger in our faith.  We come to understand that there really isn't much of life that is all good or all bad - it seems to come as a mixture.

When things happen like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan we can begin to see the world as out of control or we can also see all the good that is being offered in the midst of and in spite of the destruction.   There are people and situations that can come with a difficult side and that is usually tempered with the presence of God if we open our hearts.

I am working hard to practice looking through the lens that finds God's presence and blessing everywhere.  I pray the same for you.

All Abuzz

Last week I spent in Nome working with the Community United Methodist Church.  Attending our meetings was a couple who was new to the Nome community in the last year.  They gave a wonderful testimony about why they chose to attend the UMC.   When they got to town they talked to people about what was happening around town.   They kept hearing about the UMC.   They heard a lot of "buzz" about the UMC - the UMC does this and that, they all go to the UMC, you should meet the UMC pastors...

I thought that was a wonderful witness to the vitality of the church.  Does your church have "buzz" in the community?   When a new person comes to town what do people say about your church?  Do people even know you exist?  

Often we get caught up in all the good works we are about and forget to develop relationships in the community - to let people know what we are doing - to work connections outside the church.   I pray that our churches all have a positive "buzz" around town for what is happening through them for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Intentional and passionate.

One thing that has always been true about me is that I am passionate.  Often my passion gets me in trouble because often passion carries me away and I speak or act before thinking.   So, because of all that, my spiritual practice this Lent is to be intentional in all aspects of my life.  


In my work with churches and the class I am taking this semester on the church of the future I am coming to a solid conclusion:  Churches that are "successful" are churches that have married a passion for Christ with living out their faith intentionally.   It isn't about being a perfect church with all the whistles and bells, but about falling in love with Jesus and being intentional in all that we do especially what we do as a church.


Perhaps you have attended this church:  beautiful building, excellent preacher, choir director and other staff, all the right programs and yet something isn't quite right.  There is no spark or excitement.  They appear to be people who are dead in their faith who have learned how to play the part.   Versus an offbeat church in an unlikely location who may not have it all together but they are chasing after living like Jesus as if they were in a race for their lives.


Intentionality and passion.  Key ingredients in my mind for being what God has called me and the church to be.   Give me that offbeat church any day.

Why the Church Community is so Important!!!!!

     Today for the first time in over a month, I got to worship at my husband's churches - East Anchorage and Anchor Park UMCes.  I have been traveling and attending meetings.   Many of the meetings have been discussing the future of the UMC and much of the conversation is depressing.  At the same time I have been taking classes online through Drew and our conversations there have been about preaching and church models for this new time.   I have to admit I have been feeling a bit discouraged..


     Today I was at two churches where I once served.  They know me well and I am vividly reminded of why the church community is so important.  People are happy to see me and hear about my adventures and to tell me about their lives.  After Anchor Park there was a potluck and I sat and talked to a lot of people and even held a month old baby.  I felt as if I was basking in God's love.


     I was reminded by my church communities that I am a child of God who is valued and loved.   I felt that I had a safe place to come to worship and fellowship.   I have to tell you I am revived and ready to chase after revitalizing our churches and making new places for new people.   My passion is stirring again because I got to be with God's people who know me, accept me for who I am and encourage me to embrace the person God wants me to become.


     The church community is God with skin on and I am sad to think there are some who do not know that community.  We need to change that.  I am alive again to God's calling.  Thank you to my church communities.

Finding the Light in Unexpected Places

This is written by a seminary friend and colleague in Iowa, Rev. Dr. Denny Coon.   I copied this from an e-publication called:  Thursday Memo for Preachers put out by the Iowa Annual Conference.  Awesome witness to thinking we are bringing light to the world and we find the light already there.

"It’s still Epiphany. We’re looking for light references. There’s a plethora in the texts for this week: Psalm 112: 4, Isaiah 58: 8 & 10, and Matthew 5: 14-16. The Isaiah 58 passages offer cause and effect. If you loose the bonds of injustice, undo the yoke, let the oppressed go free, share your bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into your house, cover the naked, and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light breaks forth like the dawn and your light shall rise in the darkness.

Knowing one of the areas of focus for the United Methodist Church is to engage in ministries with the poor and wanting to put these Isaiah expectations into practice, the St. Mark’s UMC in Iowa City decided to engage in a Christmas Carol Conspiracy. A member had read about a suburban church in Philadelphia bringing gifts to inner city families. The suburban church sang carols and gave gifts of currency buried under the cookies.

St. Mark’s duplicated the conspiracy at the Regency Mobile Home Court written about in the local and state newspapers frequently during 2010. The renters were living under deplorable conditions in run down mobile homes with impure water. After receiving the names of families in need of assistance from a social worker the church went with cookies, currency, and carols.

At one home, with a picture of the Last Supper hanging on a wall, a Hispanic mother unexpectedly invited all the caroling strangers into her mobile home. When she realized the carolers would not all fit, she swept up a box of apples from her table and walked among the surprised middle class congregation offering gifts. Her hospitality was a light to the congregation and helped melt away any prejudices that may have existed.

The congregation thought they went bearing the light. What they received was a surprising beacon from a poor immigrant renter who knows the love of Christ. The church realizes the charity they offered begins the journey of relationship building leading to a better understanding of the systemic issues of poverty.

Let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven

Rev. Dr. Denny Coon, Director of the Bidwell-Riverside Center" 

Models of the Church

A long time ago Avery Dulles wrote a book:  Models of the Church.  In more recent years Aubrey Malphurs wrote a book:  A New Kind of Church:  Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century.


Do you see the difference in the two titles?    Models of the church versus models of ministry.   When I first read Dulles' book it was intriguing and helped me to figure out if I approached the church as institution, mystical communion, sacrament, herald or servant.  What I appreciate now about Malphurs' book is his use of models for ministry.  It sounds so much more active and relevant.  When I think about model of the church I can't help but think about a building.


Even more important is when you actually read Malphurs book he lays it all out for the church in this day and age.   The world does not understand what the church is about and has a host of negative images of us.    We are dying and unless we make some dramatic changes in how we do ministry the end is near.


I highly recommend this book as a good read for those who are struggling to be in ministry in 2011 when the church is stuck in the modern world and the rest of the world has moved on to postmodern.   The beginning is a bit of a downer with all the statistics but he has some good things to think about.

How do we find the truth?

I have been reading and talking on line to my classmates about a book we read called:  Metaphors We Live By  by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson.   It has been an interesting read about the metaphors we live by.  Success is up and failure is down are directional metaphors.   We often speak about our mind as a machine metaphor:  My mind isn't operating..., I'm a little rusty today...


By the time you are well in to the book you realize how often we use metaphors when we speak.  Chapter 24 is titled "Truth".   "Truth is relative to understanding" pg 162.   Think about that.  If I say what I believe to be the truth and I use some kind of a metaphor as I speak - you will find truth in what I say if you have the same understanding of the metaphor I have used.  Even a simple sentence like: "John fired the gun at Harry" depends on us understanding who John and Harry are, what it means to fire a gun and what a gun is.


Even in my family there are many truthful versions of the story of our family.  They are each one different.  And each one of them is the truth from their perspective.


Think about the church.   How do the leaders of the church determine the truth of where the church has been in the past?  Where the church is currently? and where the church should go in the future?  Communicating and determining truth can be difficult at best.


If there is a conflict in the church it is easy to understand how many different versions there are of the truth and how difficult it can be to resolve conflict.


This book causes me to be very careful when I think I know the truth and when I listen to others share their version of the truth.  Good luck finding the ultimate truth.

Do we hold the light or is the light already there?

I just read Leonard Sweet's book, Nudge.  In that book he has challenged me to rethink a number of things.  I want to know what you think.

As Christians we say, we take the light of Christ out to the world.   This of course implies that we hold the light and are going to enlighten the rest of the world.

Sweet challenges us to understand that God is already present in the world and active in people's lives.  They are not aware of it.  Our work as Christians is to develop relationships in the world and nudge people to realize the light of Christ that already exists in them.

What do you think?  Old evangelism:  we have it and the world needs it.  New evangelism:  it exists everywhere we need to help people realize it.

A Pep Talk In Each Drop

I carry sugar-free vitamin C drops.  If I have a tickle in my throat they are helpful or if I am feeling a sore throat coming on the vitamin C is helpful.   I have them in my purse, desk, backpack and most of my pockets.


I was surprised to open a new package of these wonderful drops and find the wrapper had all kinds of words written on it:  You can do it, Change Can Do to Can Did, You are a winner....   I found one label that said:  A Pep Talk in Each Drop.  How cool is that.  Every time I reach for one of my favorite good for me drops there will be a pep talk waiting for me.


I have decided that as long as these drops come this way I will use this as a reminder of God's presence in my life and in the lives of those around me.   I am not sure the words on the wrapper are all that helpful for me anyway but seeing that and remembering that I am a child of God and so are the other human beings I am with will be a wonderful pick me up.


I can't help but wonder what would happen if we the church found ways to slip that message in to the lives of the people in our mission field.    If we could find a way on a regular basis to remind them that they are a child of God and are worthy of God's lavish love and forgiveness.  Fortune cookies have numbers on them you can use to play the lottery.   Could the bottom of the register receipt read:  God loves you and there isn't anything you can do about it.   From the people of the XYZ Church.