The church could learn a lot from Adele, and not just how to write hauntingly passionate songs. Adele was recently asked to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Adele told fans at a recent show in Los Angeles that she turned the offer down. So, first of all, I'd like to tell you, I'm not doing the Super Bowl. Well, come on … that show is not about music. And I don't dance or anything like that. So they were very kind; they did ask me, but I did say no. I'm sorry. There is no doubt a Halftime Show would have raised Adele’s profile even more, but Adele recognized her weaknesses and limits. She knew it wouldn’t be a good fit for her. "I know I'm not Beyoncé," the pop superstar went on to say. Often churches are tempted to jump on the next big trend, copy what the successful church in town is doing or try to replicate the worship that works in another setting. We need to recognize our limits and weaknesses, and realize what works for one church may not work for ours. Most … [Read more...]
Jesus doing what?
St. Jude Hospital is the gold standard in volunteerism and fundraising. Our church preschool hosts a St. Jude Trike-A-Thon each year in which the preschoolers ride their bikes to raise money to help sick children. They know that the money they raise helps sick boys and girls like them. It seems everyone wants to help St. Jude, even churches who have their own budget struggles. Why is St. Jude so successful at raising money and acquiring passionate and committed volunteers? I recently had the privilege to hear Frank Thomas speak to the Synod of Lincoln Trails. He shared his experience of being a pastor in Memphis, Tennessee, and having the same question. He sat down with one of St. Jude’s leaders and asked her why they were so successful. “No one can beat our cause,” she said matter-of-factly. “We give healthcare to children regardless of race, nationality or ability to pay.” I have to admit that’s a pretty good cause. It’s a cause I’ve supported. I see the results … [Read more...]
What’s next?
I just finished a wonderful few days with colleagues and fellow Presbyterians at the Next Church Conference in Atlanta. The theme of this year’s conference was “Faith At The Crossroads.” Early on, we understood in just how many ways the church is at a crossroads. While that has many possibilities, it also has many dangers. As our first preacher, Mark Davis, said, “When you stand at the crossroads you can get hit from any direction. It’s not a sustainable place to be.” What’s next? That depends on what road we choose to follow – and many paths were laid out before us at Next. I can’t answer what’s next for the larger church, but I know what’s next for my congregation. At this conference, Bob Lupton challenged me in how my church does mission. We do many things right in our community partnerships, but there are ways we can better job serve and partner with those we desire to help. The first thing that’s next is reciting “An Oath For Helpers” at the beginning of every mission … [Read more...]
Time to turn over the tables
Lent has just begun, but I’m already looking ahead to Holy Week. I like to plan things well in advance. While re-reading the Holy Week story in Mark’s Gospel, I discovered I’m not the only one. It was all planned. Jesus entered the city on Sunday on a celebratory wave of Hosanna and left the crowd behind to visit the Temple. He looked around and left, because he planned to come back Monday and make a scene. Apparently, Jesus is not a Presbyterian after all; good Presbyterians don’t make scenes, do we? Jesus didn’t throw an impromptu Temple-tantrum; he staged a planned protest. Jesus believed it was time to turn over some tables. Jesus wasn’t angry that money was changing hands for sacrifices. He was angry that his expectations weren’t met. He expected his Father’s House, the Temple, to be a house of prayer for all people, but instead he found it turned into a den of thieves. The Temple was the den of religious leaders who devoured widows’ houses. The Temple was not the place … [Read more...]
I want better days
I turned on the radio on my way to work a few days before Christmas and heard one of my favorite Christmas songs. And you asked me what I want this year, And I try to make this kind and clear, Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days. It’s “Better Days” by the Goo Goo Dolls and it summed up my feelings this past Christmas perfectly. I want better days. I want better days than the ones filled with images of refugee families and children desperate for shelter and my Facebook feed filled with reasons why they shouldn’t be allowed in this country often starting with, “I’m a Christian but …” I want better days than ones filled with victims of gun violence of all kinds. I want better days than ones filled with vitriol and fearmongering between partisans vying for more power and privilege. I want better days when people of all religions can unite around peace and love rather than blame and demonize one another. I want better days. A scholar of scriptures asked Jesus … [Read more...]
Santa’s helpers, God’s helpers
I love Santa. Every year my wife gets me a new Santa ornament to put on our tree. It’s pretty much a Santa tree now. I’ve always loved Santa, but not always for the right reasons. As a child I loved Santa because he brought me cool things like a big red fire engine or a Lionel train set. I was taught, like most kids, that Santa brings toys to all the good girls and boys. Santa gives and I receive. I thought it was a pretty good arrangement. I thought everyone received the same kind of wonderful things under their Christmas trees as I did. But, they did not. The year I learned that, I was devastated. Not every child could boast of their Christmas haul from Santa. I was shocked to learn that some kids didn’t get any toys. “Were those kids bad?” I asked my mom. What else was I supposed to think? I was taught that if you’re on the nice list, you get lots of toys; so, if certain children didn’t get lots of toys then they must have been on the naughty list. My mother took me to … [Read more...]
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