"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God..." (1 John 3:1)
"Children are my thing."
This was the opening line of a devotional given by Marcia Griffin at a recent session meeting. Her comment was not news to most of us. Marcia has taken delight in children for most of her life. She has been an advocate for children, a teacher, a director of children's ministry and a mother. Throughout her adult life, Marcia has poured her life into children.
As Marcia continued with her devotional, I was struck by the fact that her opening words were not hers alone, but God's. Jesus could just as easily have said, "Children are my thing." When they tried to gain access to Him, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." He went on to say that people who wanted to follow Him needed to enter the kingdom like a child.
During this Christmas season, we are reminded that God did not reveal Himself to the world in all of His glory, but instead, came to this earth in the form of a child. The first glimple of the incarnation was a baby. The infant grew up to become a boy. And so God's first fleshly revelation was that of a child.
May we be reminded of the importance of children to our congregation. We are here to protect them, to nurture them in their faith and to love them as God loves us. We are here to provide opportunities for them to encounter their Heavenly Father.
In the same way, children teach us. They remind us of the wonder of childhood. They teach us to be curious and perhaps a little mischievous. They give us hope for the future. They model for us the childlike spirit Christ commended to His followers.
Marcia told of an experience at the installation service for the new pastor at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church of Newport Beach. During the service a brief video clip showed the world's greatest preachers including some familiar faces. The video ended with a 3-year old singing, "Jesus Loves Me." What a wonderful reminder that the simplicity of the gospel is often best expressed in the face and voice of a child.
It is my hope that we will continue to love our children this holiday season. Come to the Children's Christmas Pageant during worhip on Sunday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m. Support these little ones. It may not be the most professional production in town, but it will be presented by the children of this church and that's a good enough reason to come.
Marcia Griffin said, "Children are my thing." And in saying that, she reminds all of us, that children are God's thing, as well. I hope that we, as a church family, can say, "Children are our thing." Celebrate children this Christmas season. Love them and support them. Cultivate childlike qualities in yourself. And worship the Christ Child this holiday. O Come, Let Us Adore Him.
May God richly bless us even as He blesses others through us!
In His love & Service,
Lance
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Working Towards Greater Communication
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)
“Communication is the problem to the answer.”
This is one of my favorite lines from a song by 10cc. What exactly it means, I’m not sure. But I think that’s the point.
Communication is vitally important for a community. This fact crosses the lines between couples and families, businesses and organizations, schools and churches. Good communication can help, while poor communication can hinder, the community’s growth.
Here at First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana we are seeking to improve lines of communication by launching a new tool called “Pastor’s E-Share.” Once a week an email message will come from my personal email address to members, friends and staff of the congregation who wish to receive it. This message will include the following information:
1. a verse of the week;
2. a short list of “Church Members of the Week for Prayer;”
3. announcements of upcoming special events;
4. any special prayer concerns, joys or requests; and
5. an option to “unsubscribe” if anyone wishes to do so.
The purpose of this E-share is to keep everyone in the loop. Nothing bothers me more than hearing people say, “Oh, I had planned to go to that, but it completely slipped my mind;” or “Oh, was that this week?” or “No one ever told me;” or “I had no idea she was in the hospital!” Hopefully, the E-Share will lessen these occurrences and help all of us remember.
Nothing will be shared that an individual does not wish to be published. For example, we will ask if those members on the prayer list would like to have their email address included; if they say no, we will not publish it. If someone is going into the hospital, but does not want that information shared, we will not publish it.
Our Presbytery Executive sends out a Presbytery wide E-Share every week. And once a year I am listed on the Clergy for Prayer list. During that week, I receive dozens of emails from my colleagues let me know that they are thinking of me and praying for me. It’s really neat. And I hope our congregation’s E-share will have the same effect.
If you would like to receive the Pastor’s E-Share, simply email me and ask to be put on the list. My email address is: Lance@fpcsa.org.
May God richly bless us even as He blesses others through us!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
“Communication is the problem to the answer.”
This is one of my favorite lines from a song by 10cc. What exactly it means, I’m not sure. But I think that’s the point.
Communication is vitally important for a community. This fact crosses the lines between couples and families, businesses and organizations, schools and churches. Good communication can help, while poor communication can hinder, the community’s growth.
Here at First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana we are seeking to improve lines of communication by launching a new tool called “Pastor’s E-Share.” Once a week an email message will come from my personal email address to members, friends and staff of the congregation who wish to receive it. This message will include the following information:
1. a verse of the week;
2. a short list of “Church Members of the Week for Prayer;”
3. announcements of upcoming special events;
4. any special prayer concerns, joys or requests; and
5. an option to “unsubscribe” if anyone wishes to do so.
The purpose of this E-share is to keep everyone in the loop. Nothing bothers me more than hearing people say, “Oh, I had planned to go to that, but it completely slipped my mind;” or “Oh, was that this week?” or “No one ever told me;” or “I had no idea she was in the hospital!” Hopefully, the E-Share will lessen these occurrences and help all of us remember.
Nothing will be shared that an individual does not wish to be published. For example, we will ask if those members on the prayer list would like to have their email address included; if they say no, we will not publish it. If someone is going into the hospital, but does not want that information shared, we will not publish it.
Our Presbytery Executive sends out a Presbytery wide E-Share every week. And once a year I am listed on the Clergy for Prayer list. During that week, I receive dozens of emails from my colleagues let me know that they are thinking of me and praying for me. It’s really neat. And I hope our congregation’s E-share will have the same effect.
If you would like to receive the Pastor’s E-Share, simply email me and ask to be put on the list. My email address is: Lance@fpcsa.org.
May God richly bless us even as He blesses others through us!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Surf Camp Rides Waves of Joy
“Let the heaven and earth praise God, the seas, and everything that moveth therein.”(Psalm 69:34)
On July 13th, 2009, the Surf Camp was launched. And in the words of several of our young people, it was “AWESOME!” We had eleven kids on our first day, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years old. And given the response, we expect the number to grow through the rest of the summer.
Now some people might ask, why a Surf Camp? Many years ago, when I was a lowly youth intern at Berkeley Presbyterian Church, the senior pastor, Earl Palmer, said, “One of the most important things our church can do for our youth is to teach them how to ski.” I remember thinking that was an odd statement to come from one of the foremost pastors in our denomination, but I learned the wisdom of it.
Many people think the church should teach young people how to be nice, good, Christian folk. Earl’s point was that the church should teach young people how to live, how to experience life to its fullest. And what better context to learn about life, than in the shadows of the majestic mountains that bear the Creator’s fingerprints. What more exhilarating experience than shushing down the slopes with the icy wind in your face. What more communal experience than living for a time with sisters and brothers in Christ.
Some time ago, I was reminded by Earl’s comment. But I realized with our limitations, FPCSA could not easily teach young people to ski. But given our location, we could teach them how to surf. And while ski lift tickets are very expensive, surfing is relatively cheap. And so, the Surf Camp began.
How does the Surf Camp work? Every Monday morning we meet in the church parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers come with lunches, towels, sunscreen, booties (the beach we go to is very rocky), and medical release forms. We caravan to Doheney State Beach. Then we take one small group at a time out into the small waves where the adult leaders literally stand (the entire day) and hold the kids on surf boards until a decent wave comes; then we push them forward onto the wave and they ride as far as they can go. We’re back in the church lot by 3:00 p.m.
The first few times they simply lie and feel the wave push them forward. The next step is to try and get up on their knees. Then they move to a squatting position. Finally, they attempt to stand. On our first day, several of our young people were able to stand for a time. And while it’s not so much fun for the adults to stand pushing surf boards all day, it is truly fulfilling to see the joy and excitement on these young faces. By the end of the day, my voice was sore from whooping it up.
Here are several responses from people. One said, “I can’t believe how easy and fun it is.” Another said, “I can’t wait until next week!” One who had been silent on the way down, could not stop talking all the way home. Another met her mom in the church parking lot when we returned and said, “I want a surf board for my Birthday!” to which her mother responded, “But your Birthday is tomorrow!”
Later in the week, I received two other comments that struck me. The first comment came from our High School leader, Norma Galeana, who said, “Pastor, surfing is not something that we Latinos consider to be an option.” Some of the kids that came to the Surf Camp have never even been to the beach. For them, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The Surf Camp is building bridges and building self confidence.
The other comment came from long-time member, Carol Hatch, who asked how the day had gone and then said something like this: “I remember when my kids grew up in this church, there were lots of great programs for them. And they still talk about those experiences to this day!” It is my hope that thirty or forty years down the line, these young people will look fondly back at these times and say, “I learned how to surf when I was in my teens; and it was my church who taught me how to surf.”
Special thanks go to our leaders: Garrett McIntyre, Megan Acedo and Danny Jimenez. And special thanks to two very good friends of mine: Steve Sweet, the associate pastor of Laguna Presbyterian, who loaned us two surf boards; and, Steve Wright, the organizing pastor from Village Presbyterian of Ladera Ranch, who came with his son, Matthew to help train our youth. This is one more testament to the connectional benefits of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The Surf Camp will continue through the month of August. Please pray for the safety and positive experience of our young people. If you would like to assist by being a driver, please let me know. If you want to sit at the “base camp” on the beach and assist in keeping everyone happy, you are more than welcome. If you want to join Garrett and me in the waves launching the kids forward, we would love the company. And if you would like to donate a board, we could use more; they should be at least 7 foot (boogie boards don’t really work at Doheney).
Together we at First Presbyterian Church are building for the future. And we are furthering the Kingdom of God one soul at a time. Together we are stronger. And so we can echo the words of the psalmist, “Let the heaven and earth praise God, the seas, and everything that moveth therein” . . . including the youth of FPCSA!
May God richly bless us even as He blesses others through us!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
On July 13th, 2009, the Surf Camp was launched. And in the words of several of our young people, it was “AWESOME!” We had eleven kids on our first day, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years old. And given the response, we expect the number to grow through the rest of the summer.
Now some people might ask, why a Surf Camp? Many years ago, when I was a lowly youth intern at Berkeley Presbyterian Church, the senior pastor, Earl Palmer, said, “One of the most important things our church can do for our youth is to teach them how to ski.” I remember thinking that was an odd statement to come from one of the foremost pastors in our denomination, but I learned the wisdom of it.
Many people think the church should teach young people how to be nice, good, Christian folk. Earl’s point was that the church should teach young people how to live, how to experience life to its fullest. And what better context to learn about life, than in the shadows of the majestic mountains that bear the Creator’s fingerprints. What more exhilarating experience than shushing down the slopes with the icy wind in your face. What more communal experience than living for a time with sisters and brothers in Christ.
Some time ago, I was reminded by Earl’s comment. But I realized with our limitations, FPCSA could not easily teach young people to ski. But given our location, we could teach them how to surf. And while ski lift tickets are very expensive, surfing is relatively cheap. And so, the Surf Camp began.
How does the Surf Camp work? Every Monday morning we meet in the church parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers come with lunches, towels, sunscreen, booties (the beach we go to is very rocky), and medical release forms. We caravan to Doheney State Beach. Then we take one small group at a time out into the small waves where the adult leaders literally stand (the entire day) and hold the kids on surf boards until a decent wave comes; then we push them forward onto the wave and they ride as far as they can go. We’re back in the church lot by 3:00 p.m.
The first few times they simply lie and feel the wave push them forward. The next step is to try and get up on their knees. Then they move to a squatting position. Finally, they attempt to stand. On our first day, several of our young people were able to stand for a time. And while it’s not so much fun for the adults to stand pushing surf boards all day, it is truly fulfilling to see the joy and excitement on these young faces. By the end of the day, my voice was sore from whooping it up.
Here are several responses from people. One said, “I can’t believe how easy and fun it is.” Another said, “I can’t wait until next week!” One who had been silent on the way down, could not stop talking all the way home. Another met her mom in the church parking lot when we returned and said, “I want a surf board for my Birthday!” to which her mother responded, “But your Birthday is tomorrow!”
Later in the week, I received two other comments that struck me. The first comment came from our High School leader, Norma Galeana, who said, “Pastor, surfing is not something that we Latinos consider to be an option.” Some of the kids that came to the Surf Camp have never even been to the beach. For them, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The Surf Camp is building bridges and building self confidence.
The other comment came from long-time member, Carol Hatch, who asked how the day had gone and then said something like this: “I remember when my kids grew up in this church, there were lots of great programs for them. And they still talk about those experiences to this day!” It is my hope that thirty or forty years down the line, these young people will look fondly back at these times and say, “I learned how to surf when I was in my teens; and it was my church who taught me how to surf.”
Special thanks go to our leaders: Garrett McIntyre, Megan Acedo and Danny Jimenez. And special thanks to two very good friends of mine: Steve Sweet, the associate pastor of Laguna Presbyterian, who loaned us two surf boards; and, Steve Wright, the organizing pastor from Village Presbyterian of Ladera Ranch, who came with his son, Matthew to help train our youth. This is one more testament to the connectional benefits of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The Surf Camp will continue through the month of August. Please pray for the safety and positive experience of our young people. If you would like to assist by being a driver, please let me know. If you want to sit at the “base camp” on the beach and assist in keeping everyone happy, you are more than welcome. If you want to join Garrett and me in the waves launching the kids forward, we would love the company. And if you would like to donate a board, we could use more; they should be at least 7 foot (boogie boards don’t really work at Doheney).
Together we at First Presbyterian Church are building for the future. And we are furthering the Kingdom of God one soul at a time. Together we are stronger. And so we can echo the words of the psalmist, “Let the heaven and earth praise God, the seas, and everything that moveth therein” . . . including the youth of FPCSA!
May God richly bless us even as He blesses others through us!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Monday, May 18, 2009
Fifty's Nifty
“Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal . . .” (Phil. 3:13f.)
Someone told me that “Fifty’s Nifty!” I’m not so sure that is really the case. I’m still trying to figure that one out. But fifty is the reality now. I turned the magic number in May. I’ve crested that hill. I’m looking down the other side. I’m receiving lots of advice and hearing lots of catchy phrases, like, “50 is the new 30.” Which makes me wonder if Bob Dylan, who is quoted as saying, “Never trust anyone over 30,” is able to trust himself, anymore?
Fifty is one of those chronological landmarks that can be a pivotal point in a person’s life. It’s a time to reflect and reconsider where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re headed. Some people go through what’s called a “mid-life crisis,” which has always baffled me. If we know we have a tendency to go through these crises at certain times in our lives, shouldn’t we be aware of them and not allow them to disturb our lives?
Mid-life doesn’t have to be a crisis. In fact, it can be an opportunity to recognize our need to periodically stop and reconsider our life direction. It can be a silly thing when we lament the loss of our youth and desperately seek to recapture it. Some quit their jobs and try to become rock stars. Others walk away from a loving marriage to date a younger person. Still others purchase new toys (like motorcycles) and try to return to a wilder season of life. Some start wearing clothes that should be left to teenagers. Not only can this response to mid-life be silly; it can be downright destructive.
But mid-life can be an excellent opportunity to reflect. Am I happy with where I am? Is this where I wanted to be? Have I achieved my goals? Am I still going in the direction I wanted to go? And what can I constructively do to make my life – and the lives of those around me – better? Upon turning 50, I’ve reflected a bit, and here are a few goals I’ve set for myself.
First, make the most of each day. Our Lenten series – Live Like You Were Dying – reminded me to make the most of every day. So many of us get distracted. As a pastor, I find myself putting out fires here, there and everywhere. I am easily distracted from what is really important in my own life and in the life of this congregation. I find myself “majoring” on the minors and “minoring” on the majors. I want to spend more quality time with loved ones doing memorable things. Goal #1 is to make the most of each day.
Secondly, speak the truth in love. I’m tired of walking on egg shells. There are certain people in life who are so easily offended and/or become angry when they don’t get their way. I don’t like conflict, so I tend to avoid potentially volatile situations. I realize I’m not doing them any favors and I’m not being true to what I believe. Goal #2 is to speak the truth in love. If that frustrates certain people, then so be it.
Finally, set goals that matter. On the reality television show, The Celebrity Apprentice, one of the contestants said, “This show is all about friends and charity . . . and that’s what life should really be about.” As a pastor, I would, of course, make one addition: God. Wouldn’t you agree? That’s what the church should be about: God, friends and charity. Our staff, our buildings, our budget should be dedicated to the worship of God, to the deepening of friendships and to the provision of charity. I’m proud of FPCSA as we gain a reputation for service in our community, especially to children. We are making a difference in people’s lives. Goal #3 is to set goals that matter.
Mid-life crises are not limited to individuals. Organizations go through them as well. Churches experience mid-life crises. Those times can be destructive or constructive. They can cause division and dissonance or they can foster positive change. Two years ago FPCSA went through a period of crisis and reflection. As good Presbyterians, we formed a task force to study the concerns and make recommendations. Some of those recommendations had to do with staffing; others had to do with scheduling and programs.
I’m proud of the work that our congregation did to make positive changes that make a difference. Our ministry to Latinos continues to grow. The after school Amigos Program has had a tremendously positive effect in the lives of at-risk young people. In less than year it went from no kids to having a waiting list. And our outreach programs to the community have been wonderful.
The next area I see FPCSA focusing on is youth (Junior and Senior High School age). Since I have served this church (8 ½ years), I have seen a steady stream of families involved in the children’s ministry who left when their kids got into Middle School because the church was not supplying a strong Youth Ministry. Now, we are beginning to see the same thing happen with our Latino members. They are beginning to migrate to other churches that have strong Youth Ministries.
We will need to look ahead at how we might address this concern. This is a goal that matters, not only to our families, but to the life of the church. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead, for myself, and for FPCSA. I hope you will stand with me as we make the most of each day, speak the truth in love, and set goals that matter. That would be pretty nifty. J
May God richly bless you even as He blesses others through you!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Someone told me that “Fifty’s Nifty!” I’m not so sure that is really the case. I’m still trying to figure that one out. But fifty is the reality now. I turned the magic number in May. I’ve crested that hill. I’m looking down the other side. I’m receiving lots of advice and hearing lots of catchy phrases, like, “50 is the new 30.” Which makes me wonder if Bob Dylan, who is quoted as saying, “Never trust anyone over 30,” is able to trust himself, anymore?
Fifty is one of those chronological landmarks that can be a pivotal point in a person’s life. It’s a time to reflect and reconsider where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re headed. Some people go through what’s called a “mid-life crisis,” which has always baffled me. If we know we have a tendency to go through these crises at certain times in our lives, shouldn’t we be aware of them and not allow them to disturb our lives?
Mid-life doesn’t have to be a crisis. In fact, it can be an opportunity to recognize our need to periodically stop and reconsider our life direction. It can be a silly thing when we lament the loss of our youth and desperately seek to recapture it. Some quit their jobs and try to become rock stars. Others walk away from a loving marriage to date a younger person. Still others purchase new toys (like motorcycles) and try to return to a wilder season of life. Some start wearing clothes that should be left to teenagers. Not only can this response to mid-life be silly; it can be downright destructive.
But mid-life can be an excellent opportunity to reflect. Am I happy with where I am? Is this where I wanted to be? Have I achieved my goals? Am I still going in the direction I wanted to go? And what can I constructively do to make my life – and the lives of those around me – better? Upon turning 50, I’ve reflected a bit, and here are a few goals I’ve set for myself.
First, make the most of each day. Our Lenten series – Live Like You Were Dying – reminded me to make the most of every day. So many of us get distracted. As a pastor, I find myself putting out fires here, there and everywhere. I am easily distracted from what is really important in my own life and in the life of this congregation. I find myself “majoring” on the minors and “minoring” on the majors. I want to spend more quality time with loved ones doing memorable things. Goal #1 is to make the most of each day.
Secondly, speak the truth in love. I’m tired of walking on egg shells. There are certain people in life who are so easily offended and/or become angry when they don’t get their way. I don’t like conflict, so I tend to avoid potentially volatile situations. I realize I’m not doing them any favors and I’m not being true to what I believe. Goal #2 is to speak the truth in love. If that frustrates certain people, then so be it.
Finally, set goals that matter. On the reality television show, The Celebrity Apprentice, one of the contestants said, “This show is all about friends and charity . . . and that’s what life should really be about.” As a pastor, I would, of course, make one addition: God. Wouldn’t you agree? That’s what the church should be about: God, friends and charity. Our staff, our buildings, our budget should be dedicated to the worship of God, to the deepening of friendships and to the provision of charity. I’m proud of FPCSA as we gain a reputation for service in our community, especially to children. We are making a difference in people’s lives. Goal #3 is to set goals that matter.
Mid-life crises are not limited to individuals. Organizations go through them as well. Churches experience mid-life crises. Those times can be destructive or constructive. They can cause division and dissonance or they can foster positive change. Two years ago FPCSA went through a period of crisis and reflection. As good Presbyterians, we formed a task force to study the concerns and make recommendations. Some of those recommendations had to do with staffing; others had to do with scheduling and programs.
I’m proud of the work that our congregation did to make positive changes that make a difference. Our ministry to Latinos continues to grow. The after school Amigos Program has had a tremendously positive effect in the lives of at-risk young people. In less than year it went from no kids to having a waiting list. And our outreach programs to the community have been wonderful.
The next area I see FPCSA focusing on is youth (Junior and Senior High School age). Since I have served this church (8 ½ years), I have seen a steady stream of families involved in the children’s ministry who left when their kids got into Middle School because the church was not supplying a strong Youth Ministry. Now, we are beginning to see the same thing happen with our Latino members. They are beginning to migrate to other churches that have strong Youth Ministries.
We will need to look ahead at how we might address this concern. This is a goal that matters, not only to our families, but to the life of the church. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead, for myself, and for FPCSA. I hope you will stand with me as we make the most of each day, speak the truth in love, and set goals that matter. That would be pretty nifty. J
May God richly bless you even as He blesses others through you!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Thursday, April 23, 2009
MAKING CONNECTIONS
“I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.” (I Cor. 9:22b)
Do you ever wonder whatever happened to a certain friend? You were close to them during a particular season in your life and then you just kind of lost track? Perhaps you went to school with them. Or they were part of a group with which you were affiliated. Or you worked somewhere with them. Or perhaps you had a falling out and you never reconciled. Each of us has a history of friendships. Some we have remained in contact with (even if it’s just the annual Christmas card); others we have not.
Recently, I’ve gotten a kick out of the phenomena known as “facebook.” It is an internet website that connects – or reconnects – the user with friends. I first logged on last summer. And since that time, my “friends list” has grown to nearly 300 hundred. There are friends from many different seasons in my life: school classmates; professional colleagues; and extended family.
I’ve reconnected with classmates from Los Gatos High School, Westmont College, UC Irvine, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Some I haven’t spoken to in about 30 years. I’ve gotten in touch with former colleagues from various churches where I have worked and with members of those organizations (some are now abroad – from South Korea to United Arab Emirates – and it’s great to hear little snippets from them). The two youth choirs that I founded have their own web-pages and their own fan lists. It’s great to see how well they are doing. Many of the pastors of our Presbytery are on my list. I’m even on the friends list of Bruce Reyes-Chow, the denomination’s national moderator.
I’m able to keep up with my family, from my nephew stationed in Japan to my second cousins in rural Illinois. People post photos on their profile and I love to see all the new pictures of their children.
There are even members of FPCSA who are on my friendlist. It’s a fun way to see a different side of people. In fact, FPCSA has its own web page on facebook. If you’re on facebook, check it out: First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana. Become a fan! We’re going to try to include occasional updates through this site. Also, look me up. I would love to be on your friends list and add you to mine!
Some of you have heard me quote responses from questions that I have posted on facebook. It’s a casual way to request and receive input without being judged or condemned. There are several reasons I do this. First, people are able to keep up to date with what I am doing here at the church. Secondly, we have had quite a few people visit our worship service because of the facebook connection. And, in fact, last week I had coffee with one of my former youth group members who has not felt comfortable going to church since a certain incident caused him to go sour on organized religion; but because of facebook, he wanted to get together to discuss religion and our congregation. And, finally, people can give input and then feel a sense of connection if they hear themselves quoted in the sermon.
And so, the purpose of this article and the reason I use facebook becomes clear. It’s not just a way to stay connected with friends; it’s a way to draw people into dialogue and hopefully connect – or reconnect – them with their Maker. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.” I wonder what “becoming all things to all people” looks like today. If he were alive today, I wonder if Paul would be on facebook. I think he would be. And I think he would be updating on his Blackberry from the local coffee shop. I don’t know why, but I think Paul would have appreciated a good cup of coffee.
It’s a whole new world out there. No longer can we build a church and wait for people to show up. We must reach out to them. And we must follow Paul’s example, using all means to reach out to all people so that some might be saved. The message we share is the most important gift we can offer. Let’s be creative and use of all means available to us.
May God richly bless you even as He blesses others through you!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Monday, March 23, 2009
“CHRIST IS RISEN!” NOW WHAT?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations – Jesus
I recently officiated a wedding. At the end, I announced the couple and presented them to the congregation as husband and wife. They turned and faced their families and friends and then the groom thrust his fist into the air with a look of triumph, as if to say, “Yes!!! I did it! I’ve won!” He was so proud of his new wife. And perhaps, he might have thought at one time that he would never be so lucky as to have her as his wife. The wedding was the culminating moment of all his hopes and dreams. He had won his prize.
I smiled. And I thought, alright, buddy, the wedding isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning.
Among Biblical scholars the study of salvation history is called soteriology. Of course, much of this is tied to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. And for many of us, the death and resurrection of our Lord is the climax of the story. The empty tomb is the culmination of all of humanity’s hopes and dreams. Jesus had won the prize! I imagine the disciples walking around for days, thrusting their fists in the air, and exclaiming, “Yes!!! He did it! He won!”
But the resurrection is not the end; it’s just the beginning. Christ’s disciples would spend 40 more days with Him, learning from Him, and being instructed by Him. At His ascension, Jesus commissioned His disciples to carry on the work of salvation. Far from being the end, the resurrection was the beginning of a new chapter in the book of soteriology. Most of those disciples wrote new chapters using the ink of their own blood.
Many churches today treat Easter as the culmination of humanity’s hopes and dreams. It is the climax of the story. After we celebrate, the credits roll, the lights go up, and everyone heads towards the exits with warm feelings in their hearts. There’s nothing more to be done. But that is not the message of scripture.
To personalize this a bit, many Christians focus so much on salvation being at the point of conversion, that they ignore the ongoing affect and transformation that salvation is meant to have on their lives. Yes, conversion, or confirmation, is a powerful moment in any individual’s life. But it isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning. Just like a marriage relationship hopefully lasts many years after the wedding ceremony, so our relationship with Jesus Christ lasts a lifetime. In fact, it lasts an eternity!
So this Easter Sunday we will focus on the “Now What?” Yes, we will declare Christ as risen, but we’ll also ask how that affects and transforms our lives individually as well as corporately. We’ll recognize the resurrection as not the end, but the beginning of the story. And just as a marriage takes work and time to grow and stay healthy, so we’ll look at ways to grow in our faith and stay in a healthy relationship with our Lord.
Visitors may be surprised by this different approach to Easter, but hopefully they will be challenged as we all will be. Christ is Risen! Now what?
May God richly bless you even as He blesses others through you!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
I recently officiated a wedding. At the end, I announced the couple and presented them to the congregation as husband and wife. They turned and faced their families and friends and then the groom thrust his fist into the air with a look of triumph, as if to say, “Yes!!! I did it! I’ve won!” He was so proud of his new wife. And perhaps, he might have thought at one time that he would never be so lucky as to have her as his wife. The wedding was the culminating moment of all his hopes and dreams. He had won his prize.
I smiled. And I thought, alright, buddy, the wedding isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning.
Among Biblical scholars the study of salvation history is called soteriology. Of course, much of this is tied to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. And for many of us, the death and resurrection of our Lord is the climax of the story. The empty tomb is the culmination of all of humanity’s hopes and dreams. Jesus had won the prize! I imagine the disciples walking around for days, thrusting their fists in the air, and exclaiming, “Yes!!! He did it! He won!”
But the resurrection is not the end; it’s just the beginning. Christ’s disciples would spend 40 more days with Him, learning from Him, and being instructed by Him. At His ascension, Jesus commissioned His disciples to carry on the work of salvation. Far from being the end, the resurrection was the beginning of a new chapter in the book of soteriology. Most of those disciples wrote new chapters using the ink of their own blood.
Many churches today treat Easter as the culmination of humanity’s hopes and dreams. It is the climax of the story. After we celebrate, the credits roll, the lights go up, and everyone heads towards the exits with warm feelings in their hearts. There’s nothing more to be done. But that is not the message of scripture.
To personalize this a bit, many Christians focus so much on salvation being at the point of conversion, that they ignore the ongoing affect and transformation that salvation is meant to have on their lives. Yes, conversion, or confirmation, is a powerful moment in any individual’s life. But it isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning. Just like a marriage relationship hopefully lasts many years after the wedding ceremony, so our relationship with Jesus Christ lasts a lifetime. In fact, it lasts an eternity!
So this Easter Sunday we will focus on the “Now What?” Yes, we will declare Christ as risen, but we’ll also ask how that affects and transforms our lives individually as well as corporately. We’ll recognize the resurrection as not the end, but the beginning of the story. And just as a marriage takes work and time to grow and stay healthy, so we’ll look at ways to grow in our faith and stay in a healthy relationship with our Lord.
Visitors may be surprised by this different approach to Easter, but hopefully they will be challenged as we all will be. Christ is Risen! Now what?
May God richly bless you even as He blesses others through you!
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Thursday, February 19, 2009
March 2009 Pastor's Page
Live Like You Were Dying
So teach us to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom – Psalm 90:12
Imagine, a parent being able to say to an estranged child, “I love you;” or an adult daughter offering forgiveness to her father for abuse; or people taking time to encourage and affirm each other; or a young person stepping across the line of faith as they embrace eternity.
Here at First Presbyterian Church, we are looking at a unique opportunity this Lenten Season. We’ll be going through a 30-day series called, "Live Like You Were Dying," inspired by the Grammy award winning song recorded by Tim McGraw. This series takes a song of the culture, the deepest needs of people, the truth of God’s word, and brings it all together during a focused period of time for spiritual transformation. The Bible teaches that we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. So how should we live? This series will challenge us to:
v Live with a sense of urgency (I Peter 4:7-8)
v Live with a sense of eternity (Psalm 90:12)
v Live with a sense of priority (Ephesians 5:15-17)
v Give up the frantic pursuit of the “good life” (Matthew 16:25-26)
v Make more time for relationships (Hebrews 10:24-25)
v Offer forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
v Celebrate being released from God’s judgment (Romans 8:33-34)
v Liberate others from your judgment (Romans 14:13)
v Do the unexpected in love (Matthew 5:39-42)
There are three ways you can make the most of this series:
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Commit to coming to church for the Sunday morning worship. Services and sermons will be devoted to these themes: 1) live like you were dying; 2) love deeper; 3) speak sweeter; 4) give forgiveness; and, 5) embrace eternity. The Sunday morning series will begin on March 1st and go through April 5th. On March 8th we’ll take the day off from the series so that our women might lead us in worship as we celebrate the gifts of women.
SMALL GROUP LESSONS
Inspiring messages, taught by best-selling author Gary Smalley provide small groups with four, short, weekly video teachings based on the themes of the LLYWD series. I will facilitate the discussions for each of these groups. One group will meet on Thursday mornings at 10:00 in the Conference Room (beginning 3/5). Another group will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 in the Underground (beginning 3/10). If there is enough interest, we’ll add a third group on Sunday mornings at 11:30.
DAILY READINGS
There is a companion booklet that will be available. The Daily Readings, written by John Fischer, will challenge you on a personal level to examine your life priorities and reflect on how to live your “one and only life” each day. The book also includes notes for the four small group sessions. The books are available through the church office at a cost of $7.50. Our reading schedule will begin on March 9th.
Live Like You Were Dying will be a unique opportunity for us. I pray that this series will create moments of thoughtful reflection on what really matters. I pray that it will touch our deepest longing for meaning. And I pray that it will unite our congregation and build a stronger sense of community within the life of our church family.
I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. Attend our Sunday morning worship services. Participate in one of the small groups. Purchase a copy of the booklet and meditate on the daily readings. And may God richly bless us even as God richly blesses others through us.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
So teach us to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom – Psalm 90:12
Imagine, a parent being able to say to an estranged child, “I love you;” or an adult daughter offering forgiveness to her father for abuse; or people taking time to encourage and affirm each other; or a young person stepping across the line of faith as they embrace eternity.
Here at First Presbyterian Church, we are looking at a unique opportunity this Lenten Season. We’ll be going through a 30-day series called, "Live Like You Were Dying," inspired by the Grammy award winning song recorded by Tim McGraw. This series takes a song of the culture, the deepest needs of people, the truth of God’s word, and brings it all together during a focused period of time for spiritual transformation. The Bible teaches that we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. So how should we live? This series will challenge us to:
v Live with a sense of urgency (I Peter 4:7-8)
v Live with a sense of eternity (Psalm 90:12)
v Live with a sense of priority (Ephesians 5:15-17)
v Give up the frantic pursuit of the “good life” (Matthew 16:25-26)
v Make more time for relationships (Hebrews 10:24-25)
v Offer forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
v Celebrate being released from God’s judgment (Romans 8:33-34)
v Liberate others from your judgment (Romans 14:13)
v Do the unexpected in love (Matthew 5:39-42)
There are three ways you can make the most of this series:
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Commit to coming to church for the Sunday morning worship. Services and sermons will be devoted to these themes: 1) live like you were dying; 2) love deeper; 3) speak sweeter; 4) give forgiveness; and, 5) embrace eternity. The Sunday morning series will begin on March 1st and go through April 5th. On March 8th we’ll take the day off from the series so that our women might lead us in worship as we celebrate the gifts of women.
SMALL GROUP LESSONS
Inspiring messages, taught by best-selling author Gary Smalley provide small groups with four, short, weekly video teachings based on the themes of the LLYWD series. I will facilitate the discussions for each of these groups. One group will meet on Thursday mornings at 10:00 in the Conference Room (beginning 3/5). Another group will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 in the Underground (beginning 3/10). If there is enough interest, we’ll add a third group on Sunday mornings at 11:30.
DAILY READINGS
There is a companion booklet that will be available. The Daily Readings, written by John Fischer, will challenge you on a personal level to examine your life priorities and reflect on how to live your “one and only life” each day. The book also includes notes for the four small group sessions. The books are available through the church office at a cost of $7.50. Our reading schedule will begin on March 9th.
Live Like You Were Dying will be a unique opportunity for us. I pray that this series will create moments of thoughtful reflection on what really matters. I pray that it will touch our deepest longing for meaning. And I pray that it will unite our congregation and build a stronger sense of community within the life of our church family.
I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. Attend our Sunday morning worship services. Participate in one of the small groups. Purchase a copy of the booklet and meditate on the daily readings. And may God richly bless us even as God richly blesses others through us.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
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