Rev. Richard L. Dake

A Better Way

2010-03-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

When were we taught the best way to deal with difficult issues was to draw up sides and attack each other? Blame, slander, and vilification of those we disagree with seem to be the order of the day. Recent debates on health care reform have taught us that some have never matured in the way to resolve differences. No matter your opinion of whether the bill for reform should have passed, is there anyone who feels good about the spirit of the discourse among our elected leaders?

Of course, this is not a slam on either political party. It is on all involved. Unfortunately, the inability to deal with difficult decisions and controversial issues is not limited to our state and federal elected leaders. I imagine you might be aware of some other examples also.

So why would I write about this in the Chimes? It is because there is a better way. Matthew 18. Matthew 18 is a powerful chapter that gives a foundation on how to deal with conflict. It makes some basic assumptions like respect, forgiveness, honesty, speaking to each other rather than about each other and so much more. Even when conflict gets to the height of brokenness, Christians are called to treat those we are in difficulty with like tax collectors and Gentiles. Of course, we know what Jesus did to them. He died for them; for us.

I recognize there is a great deal of cynicism as to the possibility for us to positively change the level of debate in our country. My hopes are not that high. My hope is we will all take time to read and pray Matthew 18. (Maybe there will one day be a sermon series on it!) When we have taken this teaching of Jesus to heart, then we can be the voice of faith and holiness when all others are only angry and blaming.

After all, it is not up to us to save the nation. It is our work to be faithful to the one who can.

Packing for the Journey

2010-03-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

This week I am at Lake Huron Retreat Center, 12 miles north of Port Huron. I am here as a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Detroit Conference. Our primary task this week will be interviewing persons who believe they are called to ordained ministry. It will be a time of discussion, prayer and decision.

We interview candidates on Tuesday and Thursday. On those days, there is an expectation we will dress in a professional manner. For the rest of the time, casual attire is appropriate. The preparation for decision and discernment began at home as I tried to decide what to pack to bring with me. I always over pack for every retreat, no matter where it is or how long it will last. I was determined to bring only the essentials and no more. I may run out of clothes by the end of the week, but at least I can know I felt good about bringing in a small bag!!

Our spiritual life asks us to always pay attention to what we are packing. Are we carrying too much baggage? Have we laid at the foot of Christ what only he can carry and then resisted picking it up again? Are we carrying agenda others have put on us that is taking us away from what God is expecting of us? Are we equipped with prayer, Biblical clarity and holy community?

This Lent is a time for us to prepare ourselves to be equipped for the journey we are on. It is time to be certain we are traveling light enough so if the Holy Spirit calls for a response, we will be ready. It is time to make sure we have in our life what we need to sustain us for times when the journey is in wilderness. I pray you pack well and we all travel faithfully in the days ahead.

Getting Up

2010-02-24T03:47:00.000-08:00

I often wonder what my sleep schedule will be when I retire. My life now has so many different schedule and time demands. When I go to sleep, how long I will sleep and when I get up is not always in my control. So when my work demands end, anywhere from 11-18 years from now, I wonder when I will go to bed or get up.

Lately, I have been waking up a lot in the night. Odd hours like 3: 30 a.m. 4:11 a.m. and 5:07 a.m. I am not sure why. Male menopause? Stress? I don’t know. This morning I woke at 4:11. Wide awake. I laid in bed and considered what was so important I had to wake up then. Should I get up or try to force myself back to sleep? I thought of young Samuel and how the voice of God kept waking him up in the predawn. I asked God to speak to me if it was his desire. Were the thoughts in my head from God or from me?

I do not know. Perhaps I will find out in the days ahead as those thoughts are placed into action. Maybe God will speak to me more clearly tomorrow or maybe not at all. All I know is I am up and when I quit trying to figure it all out, I become aware how still and quiet everything is now. No one is around and it quiet enough to hear a pin drop, or maybe even for God to whisper. I am not sure why you got me up God again today this early, but thanks for this moment of peace. For now, it is gift enough.

Sin thoughts

2010-01-21T15:07:00.001-08:00

As I am preparing for Sunday, I have been immersed in thoughts about the character, definition, impact and confusion about sin. Sin, it appears, is one of those topics that is easier to define when you don’t really consider it. Those who first heard Jesus teach thought they knew what sin was. They could describe it and name those who were guilty of it. But Jesus saw sin as something different from what others thought. His teaching in word and action suggests sin is not a simple list or act. Perhaps the greatest sin of the church is what we have taught people sin is and help people so easily label others as sinners. Anyway , I am looking forward to sharing on Sunday and the conversations that come from it. Here are a few interesting thoughts others have had on sin over the years….

· “Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is hurtful” Benjamin Franklin

· “The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity” George Bernard Shaw

· “Should we all confess our sins to one another we would all laugh at one another for our lack of originality” Kahlil Gilbran

· “A sin takes on a new and real terror when there seems a chance that it is going to be found out” Mark Twain

· “Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.” Henry Ward Beecher

· “Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end.” The Talmud

· “Few sinners are saved after the first twenty minutes of a sermon” Mark Twain

What do you think sin is?

Sin has been givng a bad name

2010-01-18T09:32:00.001-08:00

Jesus confused the religious of his day. They were clear as to what was right and wrong. They knew the things they needed to do and the things that were forbidden. When you failed in your obligation or committed an act deemed against God, you were sinning. Religious education became, in essence, learning what was right according to the Law and what was not acceptable. Jesus learned these things as a boy. When he became a man, he continued, it appears according to the Gospel record, to observe these commands. He went to Temple, read from the Torah, and observed the high holidays.

But he also hung out with people that were considered unacceptable. He did not keep basic understanding of fulfilling commandments (working on the Sabbath) or prescribed holy practices (such as washing hands or not eating with the unclean). Jesus was seen as a blasphemer. He was considered to be in violation of the Law and practices of God’s chosen people. So he was considered a sinner by some.

Others saw him as a Savior, a healer, a teacher and a Redeemer. He was to some a Messiah.

When we consider who Jesus is to us, we are sooner or later forced to deal with the question about sin. There is too often only two choices offered. Either it is when we do something bad, according to a list the religious have, or it is only in the eyes of the beholder. One is conforming to practices we are taught that are right or wrong, and the other is letting our own judgment determine for ourselves what is right (ethical, moral, holy) or wrong, (immoral, unethical, sin). Both definitions miss the point and give sin a bad name. Each take partial truth and run with it until the truth is lost in practice.

This Sunday, I am preaching a sermon titled, “Sin is not what they told you”. I invite you to come and join in the conversation and consider perhaps what sin is from a third paradigm, Jesus. See you in church!

Haiti Relief

2010-01-18T08:47:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note to share with you the joy of your response yesterday in giving to Haiti relief. We have collected over $6,000 in the special offering on Sunday. We continue to offer our prayers for the people of Haiti and can still receive donations that will given to United Methodist Committee on Relief. Thank you for your faithfulness.

When doing the right thing is right in front of you

2010-01-15T12:12:00.001-08:00

The religious can spend hours debating about proper theology. Worshippers can debate whether we should use organ or guitar. Those outside the church can point to our deficiencies and articulate the reasons they do not need the church. There are moments however, when the questions in front of us and the answers are quite clear. The Red Cross estimates 50,000 are already dead in Haiti and a desperate situation is getting worse. Haiti does not have an infrastructure to handle this crisis. As inept as we were in dealing with Katrina, our Haitian brothers and sisters do not have any of the resources that were at our disposal. You probably already know Haiti is the poorest country in our hemisphere. You may not know the United Methodist church shares a special relationship with Haiti. It and Liberia are the two nations the Detroit Conference churches have entered into a formal covenant of support and shared ministry. In fact, one of our Detroit area mission teams has been in Haiti since early January and is working there as of today, January 15. All members of the team are okay, You can read more about their work on the Detroit United Methodist conference web site www.detroitconference.org.

Right now Haiti needs our prayers and money. This Sunday we will take up an offering in church directly for the Haiti earthquake relief. The money will go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. This is our denominational international relief organization whose integrity and effectiveness is proven One hundred percent given goes directly to the mission site. I invite all to pray for Haiti and its people. I encourage you to give what you can to help the relief efforts.

Jesus says in Matthew 10:42, “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Doing the right thing seldom seems any clearer.

Jesus and Religion

2010-01-12T12:29:00.001-08:00

This past Sunday there was a discrepancy between the sermon title in the bulletin and the one on my sermon sheet. When I submitted the title for the bulletin back in October, it was “Why I like Jesus but not Religion”. By the time I got to write the sermon, I called the sermon, “Why I love Jesus and Hate Religion”. I think there is something here more than memory lost. I believe I may have just gotten more in touch with the emotions involved in this for me. The more you are in the fullness of God’s grace and feel the power of Christ in this world, like of Jesus easily grows to love. What passes for religion in the world people against a willingness to get close to God, the more disgust grows. The stakes of life are too high to be apathetic on this issue.

Life is short. Life is, at times, hard and painful. Life is intended for joy and all too often we settle for titillation, shallow intimacy and anemic celebrations. Jesus offers so much more, desires for us more and provides more. In the church, we have so much power to offer to the world. But when we offer ritual without meaning, organization without spirit or general fellowship without real friendship, people are not served and Christ is dishonored. The world is not interested in religion without power or meaning.

When we do share Jesus we find lives are changed, including ours. Unfortunately, we may feel the power of Christ but do not take the time to help others understand or gain the eyes to see his presence. We may be blind to the presence of Christ others discover and miss the chance to affirm the experience. But when we take the time to help others see Christ and see the Christ in them, Jesus is served and lives are changed. Those are amazing moments. When they happen, you can feel yourself growing in love with Christ. You can also become impatient and empty with anything less. I do love Jesus and I do hate religion. Mostly I hate religion when it is what I am offering to the world instead of Christ. Do you know what I mean?

Holy Community

2010-01-08T06:57:00.001-08:00

This is a week when I do not struggle to show people what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. Our congregation celebrates the life of two of its members, and in those celebrations also reflects the unique character of the church. We began the week with a celebration of the life of Jim Kreger. In his service, we laughed and cried over his quiet ways, his interests and his spirit. What came back to us from those in attendance, many not part of this church, was appreciation for the sincere faith shared in a genuine caring and meaningful way that spoke to their hearts. Several called after the service to offer their appreciation. On that day, ritual and expressions of faith mattered because they reflected the true power and love of Christ and were blessings even to those who are not familiar with them.

Tomorrow we celebrate the life of Emily Schmidt. Emily was an amazing seven year old before she became sick. During her illness, she continued to demonstrate character and compassion to all. Her death has brought shared grief to her family, our church family, Emily’s school and the community at large. Yet in the midst of this grief, the power of faith continues to be revealed. Craig and Melissa, her parents, give witness to experiencing the power of Christ’s mercy, grace and love throughout this entire experience. Church members move forward with the conviction of faith and a desire/need to offer assistance. All this even in the midst of some questions without answers we can understand. Grief is powerful, but is being shown to be a weak warrior against faith and the experience of the risen Christ.

In the middle of all this, there are couples who want to get married, loved ones who are hospitalized, people dealing with significant life and family issues, and the details of daily church life. In the middle of the mundane, profound, painful and celebratory moments of this week, Christ is present. It is true everywhere, including in your life. This week, I see it all around me. I pray you will too.

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T09:04:00.001-08:00

As we take the first few steps into the new year, I want to thank this congregation for the year past. It was a year reflecting the lives in our homes and community. It placed before us challenges unlike we have faced in a long time. In the midst of those challenges, we discovered the miracles of God making a path of blessing for so many. It was a time of discovering victory and successes brought about by a mixture of hard dedicated work and unmerited yet certain grace of the living Lord.

Each of us can reflect on a variety of ministry blessings that honored Christ and touched our lives and the lives of others. Everywhere I turn, every room I enter, every face I see reminds me life and the ministry we share is a far more mystical and holy experience than we often realize. As I talk with minister colleagues, I can share we met our budget for the year. We missed paying all of our apportionments by less than 10%, half of what many thought was possible when the year began. I can also talk about the plans underway to define and act on a dynamic plan for ministry moving forward as a congregation. But words fail me to describe fully the spiritual inner growth of individuals and this congregation in the past year. I can point to fruits of that inner work, but to fully understand it you need to feel it.

We enter 2010 not in need of new resolutions, but ongoing committed resolve to follow Christ, share Christ and trust in Christ. That is what brought us through 2009 as a stronger, healthier ministry than we were a year ago. It is what will look back and celebrate the most a year from now. I am so blessed, humbled and grateful to be yoked in ministry with you. To God be the Glory!!

Happy Holi, I mean, Merry Christmas

2009-12-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

Words are my life. I am not a great writer (as you probably already know) but the spoken word is my life. It is was I primarily do as a living. I love to be in conversation with groups and individuals. The use of words to convey truth, feelings, description of events, etc, excites me. Because I speak in public so much, I also have moments when words have failed me. The blooper reel of those moments are cradled in my memory. So I can sympathize with those who struggle with words. Being tongue tied is no fun in any moment. This season of the year, I am finding a moment frequently where I have struggled to know what to say.

When I go to a register to purchase my items, I am often greeted with a wish for me to have a Happy Holiday. In response, I have responded back automatically, Happy Holiday. Every time that happens, I look around to see if anyone heard me and know what I do for a living. I worry I will lose my job, be kicked out of the church or lose the respect of children everywhere. I know there is a great deal of pressure to say back with conviction, Merry Christmas!!! I have been told of how the unsaved hoards of humanity are attempting to kick Christ out of Christmas. I know, for many, the moment of a faith stance is exactly in the face of the secular destruction of the way we greet each other in this holy season. So Merry Christmas!!! There!

The problem is I am not really on board with this. You see, I really don’t think the place I am called to fight for the Christian faith is in the face of a overworked underpaid cash register attendant in some box store who is probably just repeating for the 700^th time the greeting the boss said to say. I am not ready to reject the well wishes of anyone anytime. Christians have a way of getting excited about the trivial causes some seem to think that are so important. A few years ago, real Christians were all upset about the right for the Ten Commandment to be displayed in public places. What intrigued me then was didn’t someone raise the question as to maybe instead of the Ten Commandments, we could take a look at the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 or Luke 6. If you really want to get into a conversation of the core of Christian faith, that is where you start.

I really don’t think Christ is offended when I say Happy Holiday. I hope the person does have a happy holiday. I do not know if they are Christian or not. I also do not think I will convert anyone with a declaration of Merry Christmas. I do not believe the secular world is trying to take Christ out of Christmas. We have given it away.

We gave it away when we agreed to increase our business revenue by selling more stuff for Christmas. If I really wanted to take a stance of what I believe, I would buy less at Christmas, care for the poor and go to fewer parties and more soup kitchens. And if I really wanted to take a Christmas stance, I would keep giving and serving others through the year. For Christmas is about integrity, humility and a life of loving service and sacrifice. If we really want to beat back secularization, perhaps for the following year we should actually follow after the example of the one who we so adamantly want to push down other people’s throats for a few weeks in December. That will make a difference in us and in fact in others.

So say Merry Christmas. It is a great gift of blessing we can say to others. But accept a Happy Holiday. Even give a few. For if we learn anything at Christmas, it is that Jesus was willing to meet us where we are and then love us enough with grace and mercy so our lives could be changed forever.

Christmas in Jerusalem

2009-12-02T13:11:00.001-08:00

When the word of Christ's birth arrived in Jerusalem, not all was peace and joy. Of course, those who brought it, the Magi, knew of the power it had to set their life on a new course. The word of Christ's birth had led them from their homes and into a foreign land. Their lives were not nearly as disrupted as the powerful and mighty. For them, the birth of a new king was not good news. They saw it as a threat to their status.
This Sunday we will reflect on the story of Christmas coming to Jerusalem as it is described in Matthew 2: 1-12. Here are some questions to consider before we worship together.....

What was so compelling to make the Wise Men search so far and long for the birth of the Christ?
Does the arrival of Christ threaten all who have power in this world?
If we really believe Christ is soon to be born and we actually desire to receive him, then what will we have to give up or change in our lives?

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T06:33:00.000-08:00

This week is a time of great joy in our family. The affirmation of marriage this past week for Emily and Martin was such a joy. We are so blessed by them. We are so grateful for those who helped make the day a wonderful memory that will last their lifetime. Sunday we baptized their daughter Leah. She, of course, is not more special than any other child I have baptized – at least in the eyes of God. But to hold my own grandchild, pour the life giving waters of Baptism over her and present her to God….there are no words.

Tomorrow our family will gather together for a Thanksgiving feast. It will be the first time in 28 years all who will be around that table have shared this holiday together. What a joy!

I hope you are aware of the blessings you have and can give God thanks tomorrow for Extravagant Grace and Generosity. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Moving forward

2009-11-18T04:08:00.001-08:00

On Sunday, November 8^th the Clarkston UMC 2009 Church Conference was held in our Sanctuary. This was the first time for our new District Superintendent Eugene Blair to chair our conference.

The highlights of the evening were:

· Election of Chairperson and Ministry Leaders for 2010

· Approval of Compensation for Ordained Clergy for 2010

· Reports from the Trustees and Finance Ministries

· Membership Report reflecting 41 new members so far this year

· Video Celebrating the Ministry of the Year past

· Sharing of high moments in various ministries over the past year

· Leadership by our Chancel Choir and Men’s Choir

It was a great night.

During my Senior Pastor Report, I brought before the conference a request to authorize a study committee to develop a plan for ministry direction and enhancement. This plan will determine the steps we will take as a congregation moving forward into this century. Part of that report is as follows:

I am calling for our congregation to enter into focused conversation to develop and act on a plan for effective ministry in the years to come. Paragraph 2543 requires the following:

¡ If any local church desires to:

§ Build

§ Purchase

§ Remodel

¡ Then the local church shall first establish a study committee to:

§ (1) Analyze the needs of the church and community

§ (2) Project the potential membership and average attendance

§ (3) Write Up the Program of Ministry

It is time for us to ReThink what our ministry will look like and who we will serve in the years to come. We must position ourselves for the ministry the 21^st century God will need us to accomplish. The imitations of our existing building must be addressed. The places we will go and the foundations we will launch are God’s decisions that will be revealed to us in the days of prayer, discussion, discernment and decision to come.

I am asking the Administrative Council to establish a process for the congregation to determine our needs for future ministry, to establish a plan to meet those needs and to report back to the Church Conference.

What that report will say cannot be predetermined. Our commitment to listening to each other, to God and to others we will be called to serve will bring us to a faithful call to action.

I hope whatever the report says and actions that come from it, I pray the future generations will look back on us and be as grateful to the courage, faithfulness and vision as the generations who blessed us in their actions.

I pray in 2050, the congregation of Clarkston UMC will look back and say of us…..We trusted in God…….We acted in the confidence of a committed fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ….The best of what we have been and are gave birth to vital ministry for those who came after us.

We will soon be in the process of developing that study committee and the process we will follow to determine the next steps for our ministry. I invite your prayers so the path we take there results will be to the glory of God.

Standing on Holy Ground

2009-10-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still alive. It has been almost two weeks since I have posted. Some of that time I spent back at Duke Divinity School with Brian, my best freind from those days and we remain close today. We were there for a week on a self directed time of study and preparation for the year ahead in our respective churches.
During the week, I worshipped several times on campus. I attended evening vespers in Duke Chapel led by the choir singing Gregorian chants. I sat in the seminary chapel and listened to Bishop Willimon preach and shared in Holy Communion. We spent hours in the library reading, writing, doing worship planning and engaging in spirit filled conversation about ministry and life.
It was a holy time. I walked on ground that formed and inspired me thrity years ago. I met with professors retired and new students preparing for ministry. I planned the outine for worship in the coming year and shared in worship going back centuries.
It was Holy Ground!!
Tomorow is All Saints Sunday. In church we will remember members who passed away in the last year. We will share in Holy Communion. We will pray and sing with brothers and sisters in faith, and the saints through the ages. We will be on Holy Ground again!!! To God be the Glory!

Moving Forward

2009-10-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Five Practices weeks have come to a conclusion. I hope they were a blessing to you personally and to the congregation as a whole. Certainly we have had the chance to reflect on the strengths of our ministry and critique the places we need to improve. The conversations in the study groups, hall ways, and on the web have been a great exchange of ideas and questions. The question I am hearing now the most is a simple one, Now what? The implication is this ministry is getting ready for a next step. This next step is not about an individual program, ministry area or project. It is the next step of direction for us affecting all we do and all we will serve. I have been asking the What next question also. I have been in prayer and reflection to know the next step we will take as a congregation.

At the Church Conference, (Sunday, November 8 at 6:15 p.m.), I will be sharing what I have come to believe the next steps are for us. I offer my answer as a call for us to come together and engage in intentional discernment leading to congregational focus and action. Certainly, God has been preparing us for mission and witness in this community. We are a fruitful congregation. My years on the farm taught me though if you keep a garden the same year after year, you lose vitality and produce. For the greatest harvest and best produce, you have to be willing to plow up, rotate and plant new crops. Vital ministry is the same way. I look forward to sharing with you in November my calling for the next steps. I ask for your prayer support and listening souls to hear God’s calling and observe God’s preparation in our midst for harvests to come.

Monday Morning

2009-10-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to participate in a day-long meeting at the Flint District Office today. It is a full day, but it is not as full as yesterday. Full in the sense of God's amazing showering of blessing and grace.

I praise God for the witness of Sharad Stump, Jay Bleim and Julie Hall in worship. As one came up to me following worship said, "I felt like each person who spoke touched my heart in a different way and I could relate to them". Certainly it was a special service also in no small part due the sharing in World Wide Holy Communion. After worship, Laura and I were blessed to attend a party celebrating a 65^th wedding anniversary of Don and Francis Wills. After a little time at home, we attended our couples class at church in the evening. I said it was a full day, not because it was busy, but because God's amazing grace was pouring through it.

=0 A

Sundays are thought of as a day of rest. Certainly Sabbath and renewal are critical to our spiritual health and growth. Sundays though may best be measured by the amount of holiness, Christ and divine power are to be found on Monday morning for the week ahead. It was a good Sunday and God is more than sufficient for the week ahead. I give God thanks for the amazing generosity we always find in presence of the Lord.

As you go through this week, take time to be in the presence of the Lord. Fill up on grace, feed on the power of scripture. Live in the abundance of grace, which allow us to see beyond the scarcity the world lives in.

A Great Next Step

2009-09-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday I announced I was going to offer a four week survey course on the Bible. It is a class intentionally designed for adults who know nothing about the Bible. I said Sunday no one is allowed in the class if they have any basic knowledge of scripture. That is because there really are many who do not know the Bible. There are many reasons why. But what those people fear the most is that others will make them feel foolish in class.
I want a class where people can feel safe to ask any question knowing everyone else in the class doesn’t know the answer either. I want a class where people can relax and just begin to explore the basics of the Bible. The truth is, there are more in the church who do not know the Bible than those who do. It is time to create space where all can come and begin a wonderful journey in the Bible.
The class is easy to take, assumes you know nothing without being insulting or acting as if you are to blame for what you do not know. I am excited to tell you 10 people signed up for the class since Sunday. I am so proud of them for taking such an important step!
If you want to join us, we begin on Thursday, October 29th at seven p.m. We will meet for four weeks ending the week before Thanksgiving. Let me know and I will be thrilled to have you with us.

Get Ready to Worship

2009-09-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

So how is your worship preparation going for Sunday? Our conversation on passionate worship raised the correlation between our personal spiritual preparation and experience of meaningful worship. Prayer life, scripture study, Christian fellowship are ways we enter into the presence of the Lord before worship. If those are part of what we carry into worship, then doesn’t it make sense we will be more sensitive and ready to the movement of the Spirit during worship?
As you get ready for worship this Sunday, let me share something with you. I asked three members of the church to share their stories with the congregation. Tonight, we met to talk about what they felt God was laying on their hearts to share. I can honestly tell you I was blessed and humbled as I listened to them. It is going to be an amazing Sunday you will not want to miss.
We are also sharing the sacrament of Holy Communion Sunday. This is World Wide Communion Sunday, a day when the global church comes together at the table of the Lord. I hope you are prayerfully considering what to bring with you to the table and what to leave there with the Lord. Think about the image of the global church making space for you at the table where the grace of Christ is given through his body and blood. Prepare to worship. Come to be blessed and to receive God’s grace.
That is a recipe for passionate worship. Don’t miss out.

Surprised in Worship

2009-09-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

Did you hear what happened at the 611 service on Sunday? It was the first time the newly formed youth band of our church led worship. They were fantastic!!! Not only did they sound great, their joy and passion for playing came through and touched us who were worshipping.
Also, Greg Martin pulled a fast one on me. The theme for this opening series is mentoring. Earlier this summer Greg asked if I would be willing to be interviewed in worship on this past Sunday and talk about those who mentored me in my young faith. The first was my home town pastor Dalton Bishop. He took time to listen to me, befriend me and help me discover the call of Christ in my life. It was under his guidance I was able also to hear the call of God for me to enter full time ministry.
The second was Jerry Stewardson. Jerry was Professor of Religion at Adrian College. He was the one who invited me to visit a Wesley Fellowship meeting on campus. He was the advisor and when you are a freshman it makes a difference when someone notices you and invites you anywhere. Jerry quickly became my favorite professor, though he was hard as nails on all of us. He invited me into his home and his family became my second family. Jerry encouraged me, supported me, and pushed me. He deepened my faith and prepared me for the next step on my path, seminary.
I spent a few minutes telling those at 611 about Jerry last Sunday. At the end, Greg was supposed to wrap up the message. Instead, he said: “We have heard from Rick about the influence Jerry Stewardson had on his life. Now let’s hear the other side of the story.” To my great and total surprise, Jerry came in from the back of the room. He came up front, embraced me and then Greg talked with him about being a mentor to me. I was totally blown away!
Sometimes worship is anticipated, expected and normal. Those moments may seem boring to some and offer comfort and security to others. There are other moments though, when a moment in worship takes you by surprise. Moments when you are blown away in a way you do not expect. It may be a song or hymn moving you to tears. It may be a thought in a sermon making you think about something in a new way. It may be a prayer that touches and changes you heart. Those moments of surprise are precious. When was the last time you were surprised by God in worship?

Finding Hospitality

2009-09-17T19:18:00.001-07:00

Where do you go to find hospitality? A great deal of our conversation about Biblical Hospitality has focused on the hospitality we can share with others. This is a natural focus.

The Biblical word though is as equally dedicated to an understanding of the hospitality we are given. God created the world and welcomed us into it. God gave us dominion over it. What could be a greater act of hospitality than giving a guest the mortgage to the house? God invited us into a special holy relationship. Eventually, God came to us in human form and in the ultimate act of sacrificial love, died so we might have life and life eternal. God from the beginning has been working to prepare a place for us. How radical is that?!

To be able to give hospitality you first have to receive it. To understand how to give it you have to know what it feels like to have it offered to you. That is true both from God and other believers. In a world, where we often have to fight to create our space, we need to also find holy spaces where we know we will be welcomed, accepted and loved. That is one of the reasons we need the church. It is why we need Christian friends who love us because Christ has loved us first.

As we focus on how to extend radical hospitality, give thanks to God for the places and people how give it to us. Take time to find peace and rest in those special places. Those are holy moments to treasure and nurture our soul.

Not Us or Them

2009-09-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

Why do we get the impression some of the Pharisees and Scribes were angry at Jesus? They are the symbolic leaders of the Jewish community in Palestine during the time of Christ. Why would they want to reject one so holy, so connected to God? There are several reasons. But perhaps the most visceral one is Jesus’ openness to others. He would praise a single act of faithfulness on the part of a sinner and demand repentance of them. He celebrated the giving of a small amount by a poor woman rather than praise the wealth they gave to the offering. Jesus even told them the first shall be last and the last first, which meant they would be bringing up the rear. Such behavior angered those who assumed their superiority of holiness.

Jesus demonstrated what the Kingdom of God is about. Acts of integrity, compassion and humility are honored more that long time attendance. Newcomers are not only welcomed with open arms, but included and nurtured. Jesus did not turn his back on anyone seeking to be faithful He did not care more about the newcomers and less about those who had been part of the faith community. He simply put such distinctions aside. Jesus removed a caste system of who was important and replaced it with a singular designation. Those who confessed him as Lord and sought to serve God were counted all the same.

Radical hospitality demands all are loved and treated equally. All who confess Christ are counted the same as loved children and disciples. Those who have not yet accepted Christ are loved unconditionally with the hope and trust grace will be sufficient to win them over. The only ones who become objects of judgment are those who stand on seniority and assume superiority over others. Of course, such behavior does not offer hospitality because it reflects closed hearts.

The church is called to love each other with the transformational power of Christ’s love. That same acceptance and love is then offered to others without filter or distinction. Thanks be to God we can offer such a gift to each other and all we encounter.

Hospitality as a Power

2009-09-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hospitality may sound to some as a passive act of polite manners. It is more than that. When hospitality is offered, others are honored, empowered and included. Hospitality demands respect be given unconditionally to those who receive it. Hospitality creates a holy space between the giver and receiver. Hospitality is radical.

It is also becoming causality of our culture.

The language in our world today is divisive and alienating. Differing viewpoints are treated with scorn. Rudeness and hostility is becoming a fact of public and private speech. Several public events come to mind.

· The disrespect of a Representative Joe Wilson towards the office of the President of the United States when he shouted out, “You lie!” from the floor of the U.S. Senate is inexcusable regardless of political preferences.

· When Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swifts acceptance speech at the MTV awards by taking the microphone out of her hands and protesting that Beyonce Knowles should have won instead, he was booed. But the damage and disrespect was already done.

· When a cross was burned on the lawn of a family in our area and a mural in town vandalized with obscene painting, the lack of respect was brought home.

These acts perhaps are not the norm. But they are symptomatic of a greater social illness. The ability to discern differences and offer respect at the same time is an act of radical hospitality in defiance of the social malaise.

The world often sees religion as a great divider and source of hostility and prejudice in the world. Those in the “faith” are deemed as worthy and those outside judged and damned. The only way those outside can be redeemed is to conform to the behavior and opinions of those who are already in.

But that is not the way of Jesus Christ. He came to redeem and save all. This includes those who are in and out, up and down, near and far, the familiar and stranger. When we as a church or individual disciples offer hospitality, we do so in the knowledge we all stand equal in the presence of Christ. The most radical act of Christ was his unconditional acceptance of all. It is what gave hope and blessing to sinners of all kinds. It is what gives hope to each one of us. It is also what got him killed.

When we talk about radical hospitality in the church, we are talking about more than politeness. We are demonstrating personal humility, mutual respect and surrender to Christ. When we see the world not as them and us, but as children of the living Lord called to come together for worship, mission, and service, we will be able to practice radical hospitality.

Welcome Back!

2009-09-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is the beginning of the fall schedule. It means worship times change to 9 and 11:15 a.m. and 6:11p.m. on Sundays. There are programs picking up from last spring and many new ones launching I am excited about. But mostly, it is the family of believers coming back together to worship, learn, serve and witness the Good News of Jesus Christ. For me, the fall is a homecoming where loved ones reconnect and the church family is reunited in love and grace.

This fall we come together around the theme of the 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations. All the information you need to join in the study and sharing on these 5 Practices is found elsewhere on the church web site. I encourage you to get into a small study group or start one. Read the book and let your voice be heard in this conversation. The 5 Practices will cause us to reflect and (I hope and pray) embrace more deeply the Core Values of our congregation. I am looking for this time together to be a launching pad for the direction of our ministry in the next several months and for years to come.

This Sunday Pastor Reed and I will share in a dialogue sermon on the Practice of Radical Hospitality. The next few days I will be writing about this topic and asking you to begin to consider what Jesus taught us about hospitality.

I look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday. The family is gathering and I can’t wait.

A Holy Night

2009-09-02T05:03:00.001-07:00

I am so proud of this congregation. Many of you turned out for the prayer service at St. Daniels Catholic church Tuesday night. It was an amazing witness of presence and prayer to reclaim the power of the cross as a symbol of reconciliation and peace. The coming together of the church last night was a reminder of the power of the church to mobilize and allow God to create blessing out of human brokenness. To God be the Glory!