Newsletter...

Sparta FUMC Members,
If you're looking for the article from my Newsletter post this week, just click (Nadia Bolz-Weber), and it will take you there! Enjoy!
amanda

Sunday Morning Worship

Something has been missing in my life recently. Now I could load you up with all kinds of excuses...my husband has been incapacitated and is still recovering, one of my children and her family have moved back home and are staying with us while they get things in order. The usual end of the school year business. My "real" job. The work I do with the Youth. Bottom line, while searching to find what is different I have come to realize that I've not been fully present in Worship for several weeks now. Looking back, I can now see that what was wrong was me. I was there to be entertained. In fact, I've become quite lazy! Perhaps I wasn't crazy about a couple of the hymns one Sunday. Another Sunday, someone was sitting in MY seat! Did the Pastor really use different words to the "Great Thanksgiving"? On each of these Sundays, I've entered not with a humble and contrite heart but knowing it just had to be "All about Me" and what I want!

Church is a community of believers. Worship should never be about just what I GET out of the service, but rather also, what I ADD to it. Has the experience been more fulfilling because of my presence? Have I been unselfishly giving of myself? Singing with gusto or at least devotion?  Following the verses read in my Bible rather than just listening? Greeting a visitor or spending time with a fellow member I haven't talked to in a while? Truly lifting up to God those whose names have been read during the Prayer Request time? 

We should be a gathering of individuals who, through praise and worship, form a whole body.

And, although I shouldn't have to, I must watch that I don't try to be a member of an audience. God is the audience. Going to church isn't like going to the movies. I am not there just to receive the Word that is spoken...God is there to receive our love and praise and HE is the object of our affections. If we believe it to be a "worship service", then we should be as much a part of it as the organ, the Pastor or the special music.

We're supposed to be the givers. And if we give, God will be blessed and we will receive what we need from Him and not the sound system.

A pastor visits...

Looking in from the outside — a pastor visits another church

This is worth a few minutes to read. As he mentions, most of our churches are guilty of a few of these...but that doesn't mean we should close our eyes and not strive to make ourselves more open and welcoming.

 Read it here...

Children in Church

I've posted similar thoughts before, but just because it's so important...

I see them learning. In the midst of the cries, whines, and giggles, in the midst of the crinkling of pretzel bags and the growing pile of crumbs, I see a little girl who insists on going two pews up to share peace with someone she's never met. I hear a little boy slurping (quite loudly) every last drop of his communion wine out of the cup, determined not to miss a drop of Jesus. I watch a child excitedly color a cross and point to the one in the front of the sanctuary. I hear the echos of "Amens" just a few seconds after the rest of the community says it together. I watch a boy just learning to read try to sound out the words in the worship book or count his way to Hymn 672. Even on weeks when I can't see my own children learning because, well, it's one of those mornings, I can see your children learning.

Read the entire post, here...

Let's start talking...

Good article that tries to open the door, just a little, and get us to discuss "5 Uncomfortable Issues the Church Needs to Start Talking About"...

It has been said that the Church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners. Yet, most of us would much rather pretend to be a saint on display than call for an ambulance.

Week after week, many of us walk into a church, sit by people we have known for years and yet would never dream of sharing our innermost struggles with. While a large part of this is our pride, another factor is a Church that seems unwilling to talk about certain uncomfortable issues, choosing rather to ignore them, try to cover them up or simply reject people who bring them up.

There are many issues the Church as a whole needs to address, such as creationism, activism, environmental stewardship and many others. But there are many more issues that individuals in the Church are dealing with—issues that the Church Body should be talking about. In Galatians 6:2, Paul urged the Church to "Bear each other's burdens," so maybe with more grace and love we can turn on the light in the darkened rooms of each other’s hearts and let our churches become safe havens for the uncomfortable things we have to deal with....

Read the rest at Relevant

Book of Discipline

A friend posted this on his Facebook account...

Top 25 ways I’ve observed United Methodist clergy and lay leaders not upholding the Book of Discipline in its entirety (2012-2014 edition)...

Check out the list, it's lengthy to say the least and the basis for arguments galore! I'm not trying to open a can of worms, but to stay informed. I know, for a fact, the majority of people in the UM Church today know little to nothing about the Book of Discipline. What they do know is how their Pastor shepherds his flock. The bottom line is, if there has to be a choice between ministering to the people and following the Discipline, ministry to the people should come first. Christ was a notorious rule breaker!

Young people

I am fortunate in that I've been allowed to work with the young people of our congregation. They range in age from 6th grade to 12th grade (technically, we still have one or two who are now in college)...and if I've learned one thing over the years, we (the church) are trying to minister to the young people in the wrong ways... 

Any time I hear the phrases, "We've always done it this way" or "When I was young, we..." I tend to want to scream, rant, pull out my hair...you get the picture. Just because it used to work, doesn't mean it still will...today's young people are head and shoulders above where we were at the same time, for 2 reasons...technology and information!

This article gives some interesting (important!) information...it's worth the few minutes it takes to read...

"5 Churchy phrases that are scaring off millennials"

Everyday gifts...

This edition of Chuck Knows Church is about everyday gifts...great one to post this week!

A future king...

The future king of England, Prince George was baptized recently. 

In keeping with tradition he was brought to the altar to have the words spoken, the water poured and his name pronounced. These actions mean the child has been received into the Christian church, he has taken his place within the sacred tradition.

As far as the baptism goes, it matters not that he will one day sit upon the throne and actually be looked to as the head of the Anglican church. One doesn't have to be rich, famous or even successful to claim this heritage. The child needs only to be surrounded by family that knows the importance this act can / may have on his life. It can be a source of strength that is open and available for anyone. The act says that a child has been born and his/her parents choose to bring them up with faith traditions witnessed by friends and family who share the same values.

Every time this happens, it is awesomely significant. The child becomes part of a tradition spanning 2,000 years which makes them part of a whole, larger than themselves. No matter how cynical society has or will become, these great moments give our lifetime it's punctuation marks.

Leaving the church...

I read an article lately written about the reasons people leave a particular church. Perhaps they don't leave the denomination but they do decide to leave "their church". What amazed me beyond measure was the number of reasons given that could not be termed as anything but petty. Seems it takes just one minor mistake to make them stomp out in a huff with the door slamming behind them.

It is every persons right to worship in a place that makes them feel comfortable and which teaches doctrine as they believe it to be. But how can it happen that they leave a church they have attended for most of their lives over an insignificant incident?

I have to believe that those who choose to move from one place to the other under these ccircumstances are not being truthful...to those they are leaving but more importantly to themselves. If we make such a life altering decision without prayerfully and honestly looking at the reasons, we are leaving ourselves open to be disappointed again, and again.

These situations are heartbreaking and unhealthy. The person leaving is separating themselves from a group that has known and loved them for years. Through good times and bad, they break away from the very ones to whom they should be turning. If something has happened to cause trauma or even just hurt feelings, are we not better off to gather with the support group who knows us best?

This is not aimed at any particular person, group or church...it is just a response to what I've read and is really no more than "stream of consciousness". An attempt to help me understand. 

The bottom line is, how can we minister to a dark and hurting world if we cannot see any farther than the end of our own noses?

Do you have to go to church?

Do you have to go to church to be a Christian? Yes and no. You don’t have to go to church to be saved, but to really become a disciple of Jesus, it necessitates being in community with other disciples of Jesus. You see, we are invited to become apart of a community, the Church. When we are baptized, we are welcomed into this Body of Christ, and the body of Christ is filled with people: broken people, prejudiced people, hypocritical people, backbiting people, all who are all being changed by Jesus just like you and me are. There are no perfect churches, just people through churches that God is making perfect. Won’t you be a part of one?

Large vs. Small

When I joined our church over 30 years ago, the membership was much larger than it is today. This decline has affected all aspects of church including the number of young people I work with through our Youth Ministry. At one point in the last few years, we only had 4 regular members of the Youth group. For this time, we are considered a "small" church. We have a beautiful, large building, but do not have the members to fill it.

I often wondered what I could do to help increase the numbers but also worried that perhaps I was doing something which kept them away. But now, I recognize that it's not "all about me". Most of the youth have been members of the church since they were children and it has been a natural progression that they come to our group when they reach 6th grade. 

As time has passed, I have learned to love small groups. Our meetings are much more intimate and we truly are involved with each other. I'm invited to sporting events, birthday parties, graduations, etc. Not because they have to, because they want me there. If our group was huge, I doubt the impact would be the same. But does that mean I have given up on increasing the number we reach? No, if that is meant to happen, it will. The love of small groups means that I have the unique opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of a few rather than just being the "leader" of many. They know me, where I live, where I work (full time), my husband, my grandson, my children...they know how I live my life. It has been a wondrous discovery to realize that God has blessed me with young people who want to be involved with each other, with me and with our community.

 This is part of an article dealing with large vs. small church from a pastors perspective...it was worth sharing...by Daniel Darling:

Where God dwells

Ultimately, ministry jealousy stems from a faulty view of God. During my time on staff at a large church, I mistakenly thought that God only worked through the most cutting edge, organized, streamlined ministries. It's the same misguided view I carried into my experience pastoring a small church.

But Scripture tells us something far different. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, God often works through the "foolish" and "weak" things of this world. Abraham was an impotent pagan whom God raised up to father the nation of Israel. David was the least likely to succeed in his family and yet became King of Israel. Gideon was trembling in fear when the angel of the Lord called him a "mighty warrior." Moses was well past his prime when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. The list goes on.

This is not to say we shouldn't pray for big things to happen in our small churches. But the question is this: what do we consider big? For instance, this year we baptized eight people. For some mega churches, that's the conversion rate of one small group in one weekend. But for these eight people in our congregation, it was a mighty work of God. Heaven's chorus is no less triumphant over one soul than it is over thousands.

I think of the man who stumbled into our humble church a few months ago. His life had fallen apart. One of our elders led him to faith in Christ and this man's faith has grown tremendously. Nowhere in his story will you year anything about how streamlined our programs were or how slick our Sunday morning presentations are (because they are not). What he found in our church was a relationship with Jesus Christ. He found community. He is receiving the vital words of life from Scripture that are empowering his transformation.

Church

Having grown up in different church cultures I can understand where the following speaker is coming from. As a young person, when I did attend church, thanks to my grandmothers, I had one foot in a Pentecostal Home Church and one in a Southern Baptist Church. 

Before we married, my husband and I discussed church and where we'd raise our children. He asked that I seriously consider the United Methodist Church...he grew up in one and knew that there were time honored values. I fell in love almost immediately...I loved the regular Communion, the Pastor in robes, the liturgy, the beautiful and sometimes ancient hymns. And while I know the UMC is not perfect by any means, it spoke to me...

In an age where so many congregations are changing who and what they are in order to attract young people, these words, by Rachel Held Evans, are worth listening to (be sure and follow the links)...

Time and again, the assumption among Christian leaders, and evangelical leaders in particular, is that the key to drawing twenty-somethings back to church is simply to make a few style updates – edgier music, more casual services, a coffee shop in the fellowship hall, a pastor who wears skinny jeans, an updated Web site that includes online giving.

But here’s the thing: Having been advertised to our whole lives, we millennials have highly sensitive BS meters, and we’re not easily impressed with consumerism or performances.
In fact, I would argue that church-as-performance is just one more thing driving us away from the church, and evangelicalism in particular.

Many of us, myself included, are finding ourselves increasingly drawn to high church traditions – Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, the Episcopal Church, etc. – precisely because the ancient forms of liturgy seem so unpretentious, so unconcerned with being “cool,” and we find that refreshingly authentic.

What millennials really want from the church is not a change in style but a change in substance.
We want an end to the culture wars. We want a truce between science and faith. We want to be known for what we stand for, not what we are against.

We want to ask questions that don’t have predetermined answers.

We want churches that emphasize an allegiance to the kingdom of God over an allegiance to a single political party or a single nation.

We want our LGBT friends to feel truly welcome in our faith communities.

We want to be challenged to live lives of holiness, not only when it comes to sex, but also when it comes to living simply, caring for the poor and oppressed, pursuing reconciliation, engaging in creation care and becoming peacemakers.

You can’t hand us a latte and then go about business as usual and expect us to stick around. We’re not leaving the church because we don’t find the cool factor there; we’re leaving the church because we don’t find Jesus there.

Like every generation before ours and every generation after, deep down, we long for Jesus.

Two quotes to pay especial attention to:
"The sacred exists and is stronger than all our rebellions."  by Czeslaw Milosz
"He cannot have God as his Father who does not have the church for his Mother." Cyprian

Fearing Difference

'Tis a shame, but true:

Christian communities fear difference sufficiently that they usually spend a considerable amount of time tending the margins or boundaries of their communities, not in order to connect with those outside but, rather, to protect themselves from strangers. Sometimes discussions of church membership are more concerned with who is in or out than about how to be an open and welcoming community.

From: Inward / Outward

Christian Unity....

We Catholics should pray together,” Pope Francis said in his Wednesday audience, “but we should also pray together with other Christians.”
This is a message every Christian should take to heart. We don’t have to give up our doctrinal differences to know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and Life. The most important thing is that we put Him at the center. When we do that, the differences we think are so important fade into the background where they belong.
We live in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christians. That makes it all the more important for Christians to support and stand by one another.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/publiccatholic/2013/06/pope-francis-calls-for-christian-unity-during-general-audience/#sthash.QtOKpovr.dpuf

We Catholics should pray together,” Pope Francis said in his Wednesday audience, “but we should also pray together with other Christians.”
This is a message every Christian should take to heart. We don’t have to give up our doctrinal differences to know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and Life. The most important thing is that we put Him at the center. When we do that, the differences we think are so important fade into the background where they belong.
We live in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christians. That makes it all the more important for Christians to support and stand by one another.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/publiccatholic/2013/06/pope-francis-calls-for-christian-unity-during-general-audience/#sthash.QtOKpovr.dpuf

We Catholics should pray together,” Pope Francis said in his Wednesday audience, “but we should also pray together with other Christians.”
This is a message every Christian should take to heart. We don’t have to give up our doctrinal differences to know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and Life. The most important thing is that we put Him at the center. When we do that, the differences we think are so important fade into the background where they belong.
We live in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christians. That makes it all the more important for Christians to support and stand by one another.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/publiccatholic/2013/06/pope-francis-calls-for-christian-unity-during-general-audience/#sthash.QtOKpovr.dpuf

 

“We Catholics should pray together,” Pope Francis said in his Wednesday audience, “but we should also pray together with other Christians.”
This is a message every Christian should take to heart. We don’t have to give up our doctrinal differences to know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and Life. The most important thing is that we put Him at the center. When we do that, the differences we think are so important fade into the background where they belong.
We live in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christians. That makes it all the more important for Christians to support and stand by one another.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/publiccatholic/2013/06/pope-francis-calls-for-christian-unity-during-general-audience/#sthash.YNQ8zTry.dpuf

As time passes, I am more and more impressed with Pope Francis. His words and his actions show the image of a man in touch with and in love with God.

After first stopping to give a child a baseball hat to shield him from the sun, the Pope said
in an address this week, "If the head is separate from the body, a person cannot survive. It is the same for the church. We must stay intensely connected to Jesus. The church is not a cultural or political institution, it is a living body with Christ as the head. " He also stated, "We Catholics should all pray together but we should also pray with other Christians. We must pray so that God may grant us unity."

He noted that we live in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christians. This makes it all the more important for Christians to support and stand by one another.

From day 1 he has shown himself to be a unique and humble person. One worth listening to...

There is more here...

Children...

I realize that children in worship is a contentious point in many congregations. Strike many and substitute most. When my children were young I desperately wanted to sing in the choir but I hestitated...sure they could go to nursery to a point but then I felt guilty. Until one day an elderly lady in our congregation came up to me and told me how much she enjoyed seeing my smiling face in the choir. She mentioned that she knew I was struggling (although it had to be from Divine perception as I hadn't discussed it with anyone) with leaving my little ones in nursery. Then she asked one of the most beautiful questions I've ever heard (did I mention everyone KNEW what a loving heart she had?)..."My grandchildren are so far away, would you mind if they sat with me while you are in the choir?"

They did, and learned that the vows that the congregation made to nurture them in their faith were not just words. They got to see me do something for God that I loved (and both joined the Adult Choir at 12), and this lovely woman of God had the joy of young people sitting on either side of her.

I believe in children in church...so does this person...

 You are doing something really, really important. I know it’s not easy. I see you with your arms overflowing, and I know you came to church already tired. Parenting is tiring. Really tiring.

I watch you bounce and sway trying to keep the baby quiet, juggling the infant carseat and the diaper bag as you find a seat. I see you wince as your child cries. I see you anxiously pull things out of your bag of tricks to try to quiet them.

And I see you with your toddler and your preschooler. I watch you cringe when your little girl asks an innocent question in a voice that might not be an inside voice let alone a church whisper.  I hear the exasperation in your voice as you beg your child to just sit, to be quiet as you feel everyone’s eyes on you. Not everyone is looking, but I know it feels that way.

I know you’re wondering, is this worth it? Why do I bother? I know you often leave church more exhausted than fulfilled. But what you are doing is so important.

When you are here, the church is filled with a joyful noise. When you are here, the Body of Christ is more fully present. When you are here, we are reminded that this worship thing we do isn’t about Bible Study or personal, quiet contemplation but coming together to worship as a community where all are welcome, where we share in the Word and Sacrament together.When you are here, I have hope that these pews won’t be empty in ten years when your kids are old enough to sit quietly and behave in worship.I know that they are learning how and why we worship now, before it’s too late. They are learning that worship is important.

I see them learning. In the midst of the cries, whines, and giggles, in the midst of the crinkling of pretzel bags and the growing pile of crumbs I see a little girl who insists on going two pews up to share peace with someone she’s never met. I hear a little boy slurping (quite loudly) every last drop of his communion wine out of the cup determined not to miss a drop of Jesus. I watch a child excitedly color a cross and point to the one in the front of the sanctuary.  I hear the echos of Amens just a few seconds after the rest of the community says it together. I watch a boy just learning to read try to sound out the words in the worship book or count his way to Hymn 672. Even on weeks when I can’t see my own children learning because, well, it’s one of those mornings, I can see your children learning.

I know how hard it is to do what you’re doing, but I want you to know, it matters. It matters to me. It matters to my children to not be alone in the pew. It matters to the congregation to know that families care about faith, to see young people… and even on those weeks when you can’t see the little moments, it matters to your children.

this is the link...

What is a Methodist???

If you were asked to define what it means to be a Methodist, what would you say?
the author of this article did not use this for a reply when asked at dinner:

“What’s a Methodist?”

The source for my reply to this simple question is one of Wesley’s most popular tracts, “The Character of a Methodist.” He begins by saying that Methodists are not distinguished by doctrine or opinions. The mark of a Methodist is his or her love for God. Their devotion to God is complete. Methodists center their lives upon God who became one of us in Jesus of Nazareth. His life and teachings provide the way Methodists live their love for God in all aspects of life. No part of life is untouched by their devotion to God and the things of God. This means that the Methodist’s love for God compels him or her to love those whom God loves. Their daily life is shaped by obedience to the teachings of Jesus.

Do you know what it means to be a Methodist? Check out the article referenced above...
A summary of John Wesley's definition is here...

Pastors

Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America (and not necessarily in order, he added) are:

• The President of the United States

• A university president

• A CEO of a hospital and

• A pastor

Is that true? 
Pastors love God and love people. 
They get to pray for people, lead people to a faith in Jesus Christ, and teach the Word about God.
That’s the dream job! 
You can read the Bible all day, pray, play a little golf, and preach.
 I want to do that!
Here is the secret. Being a pastor is hard work. It’s not for wimps. 
This is the reality—the job of a pastor can be 24/7 and carry unique challenges.

This is excerpted from an article called "The Secret Pain of Pastors"...it should be a MUST READ for every member of every congregation...

I'm not going to list the problems Pastors face (read the article for that) but I will list what the author says WE, the congregation, should do for the Pastor...

Pray for the Pastor
Protect the Pastor
Encourage the Pastor

Are you doing this? The Pastor will do it for you (and not just because he/she is getting paid to do it), so why aren't you doing it for him/her? They are human after all, just like us...

Insiders

 A Facebook friend posted this article...it wouldn't be a bad idea for all church "regulars" to read it!

 

Let’s listen in:
“Of course I want to reach lost people,”
… but I’m not going to see us change the music
… but I’m not going to lead a capital campaign to raise the money.
… but I’m not going to park far away.
… but I’m not going to risk stirring things up right now in the church.
… but I’m not going to attend a different service time.
… but I’m not going to start a new church.
… but I’m not going to stand for the pastor dressing casually.
… but I’m not going to give money to launch a new site or relocate.
… but I’m not going to watch someone on a video.
… but I’m not going to let them start playing drums.
… but I’m not going to give up my favorite seat.
… but I’m not going to turn things over to a bunch of 20-somethings.
… but I’m not going to attend on Saturday night.
… but I’m not going to …
You fill in the rest of the blanks.

Are you an insider? 
Read the whole piece and see...

Leading....

Excellent article for those of us who love and work with young people (read the whole thing!).

This experience sparks in my some reflection on what kind of leadership we need to build bridges with the non-churched populations with which we interact on a daily basis (as well as the Christian community in place that we fail to guide).

1. what is our touchstone? — a touchstone tests the quality or purity of a substance or thing.  What is our touchstone?  What standards do we hold one another accountable to as we promote Christian growth and maturity?  What are we hoping to help people become?  What attitudes and behaviors will we challenge to help people grow and mature?
2. how will we shepherd? — is our job just to mingle with the sheep or are we guiding, directing, prodding, nurturing and leading to greener pastures?  When we see our charges — young or otherwise — straying into dangerous territory, what is our role and responsibility?  The care and feeding of young faiths is important work, and helping those newer to the faith to discern the differences between acceptable and unacceptable behavior is crucial.
3. what is our witness?  — how are we modeling the attitudes, actions, and practices we hope to encourage in young believers?  Just as there are sins of omission, there are also powerful blessings of omission — refusing to enter into gossip, backstabbing, mocking, insulting, cursing, and mud-slinging.  Modeling a respectful, kind, generous, encouraging and affirming worldview can be a mighty witness to counter the behaviors deemed acceptable in a broken and dysfunctional world.
4. how are we different? — when I studied young spiritual seekers, one of the most prevalent desires was connection to a counter-cultural community operating by Biblically based core values of tolerance, acceptance, decency, compassion, love, gentleness and sacrificial giving.  When our leaders do not offer a counter-cultural option for young people, why should they ever bother changing, growing, progressing or becoming better than they already are?

I am not saying that leaders with young people should be perfect, but I do believe we owe it to the kingdom/kin-dom of God to provide a better way.  When we encounter toxic and destructive words, behaviors, and attitudes, the very least we can do is confront and challenge.  There are some basics that should just be universal givens: (think fruit) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — not to mention mercy, compassion, grace, tolerance, caring and sharing.  This isn’t rocket-science.  Being good, being kind, not doing harm — these are the things we have to offer young people in a contentious, dangerous, and often unkind world.