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.