The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
During this autumn season, we have looked at the Great Ends of the Church as published in the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). As we move into the 2008 Advent Season, let us consider how these purposes of the denomination encourage us to live in the ebb and flow of our lives today. Let us review.
Perhaps there is no better time for our voices to be heard than during the Holiday Season. But our voices are often drowned by the voices of commercialism, fantasy and “busyness”. Take time this season to share the good news of what Jesus means to you. Tell someone why your life is better because you have a relationship with Him. What better way to mark the holiday than to help lead someone to a saving faith in Jesus Christ!
In our rush to be everywhere and do everything, let us take a moment to be with our church family and experience the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the family of God. This might be just what the doctor ordered: a moment of respite in a frenetic world. Take a moment, breathe and experience the spiritual fellowship.
Everywhere we go, we hear Christmas carols. They are played through the store speakers to help loosen our purse strings. But how often do we take time to reflect on the words of these powerful hymns and praise songs. During the holiday season, come to church and truly worship God. Worship the baby in the manger. Worship the man on the hillside. Worship the redeemer on the cross. Worship the Lord, raised from the dead. O come, let us adore Him.
There are many stories surrounding the winter holiday season. In our world of tolerance, we can sometimes “fudge” on the truth of the gospel. We do not want to offend anyone. We don’t want to push our belief onto anyone. But let us continue to preserve the truth. Jesus and Santa Claus are not equals. Let us speak boldly of the nativity story, not as one of many stories surrounding the season, but as THE story of the season.
And let us not forget those in need during this season. As our country faces an economic crisis, let us remember those who are less fortunate than us. In particular let us remember those who have little power, those who are oppressed, those who are exploited. Perhaps this is the year that we are unable to send money, but we can give of our time, energy and talents to the less fortunate. Let us promote social righteousness during this season.
Finally, let us exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. As the angels proclaimed the good news to the shepherds so many years ago, the glory of heaven was manifest: Glory to God in the highest! May everything that we do, everything that we say, every gift that we give, exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven to a world in need. In His infinite wisdom, God chose you and me to exhibit the Kingdom to the world. God chose the imperfect things of the world to confound the proud. I feel unworthy, as you probably do, but God came as a baby 2,000 years ago. Now He comes as imperfect people called the Church.
Let us carry out the Great Ends of the Church this Christmas Season. Let us do so as individuals. Let us do so as a congregation. Therein lays our Christmas Joy.
And may God Bless us. Every one.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
An Act of Worship
“and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him; then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts” (Matthew 2:11)
I remember six years ago. The Angels were playing in the World Series. And Paul McNeff had scheduled a special guest for our Moment for Ministry in the worship service: Steve Physioc, the “Voice of the Angels.” The Sunday Steve was with us just happened to be the day of Game 7. The excitement was palpable.
Following the service, I was surprised to see one of our members. She had been in the hospital and I didn’t think she would be back in church so soon. I mentioned how glad I was to see her, and then I remembered that she was a big Angels’ fan. Jokingly I said, “Hey, wait a minute, you’re here to see Steve Physioc!”
“Oh, no, I’m here because it’s the right thing to do. I ought to be at church.” She then craned her neck to look around me and asked, “Where is he anyway?” We both shared a good-natured laugh.
It’s always fun to see people we esteem, whether they be great athletes, famous actors, favorite politicians, deep thinkers, popular musicians, or foreign dignitaries. We get butterflies as we anticipate them entering the room. We are filled with delight when we catch our first glimpse. We position ourselves to be close to them. We might even ask for an autograph.
When important people visit a community, the group often presents the visitor with a gift. This is a way to share ourselves with them. It is a way we show appreciation and respect. It is also a way to build relationship. A gift is a way to show we care.
Imagine if someone told you that Jesus was coming to church on Sunday. Imagine if you knew that He would be physically in the building. Would you be excited? Would you dress your best? Would you come early? Would you wait in anticipation? Would you crane your neck to see Him? Would you bring a gift?
Hopefully, each of us understands that Christ is present with us in worship every Sunday. But sometimes it’s good to consider what it would be like if we could actually see Him, actually hear Him, actually touch Him.
November 9th is Consecration Sunday. It is the day we dedicate our 2009 Faith Pledges to the Lord. This is not something we do haphazardly. For our community, this is an act of worship. Following the sermon, a praise song will be sung. During that song, members and friends of FPCSA will walk forward and place their faith pledges in our wooden box. It is an act of worship.
I love the story of the magi who travel from a distant land to see the new born King. After a long journey, they enter into the home of Joseph and Mary. When they see the Baby, notice what they do. They fall prostrate to the ground. They worship this little, fragile One. Then they open their treasures and present their gifts to the Lord. Wow. What an image! These noble and respected dignitaries kneeling before the Christ Child.
In the same way, the members and friends of FPCSA will physically come forward and present their gifts to the Lord. When you come to church on that Sunday morning, bring your faith pledge to church with you. At the appropriate time you will be invited to present that pledge to the Lord.
It is an act of worship. I encourage you to use your imagination. Imagine not the pastor nor the musicians nor the singers in the front of the sanctuary. Imagine Jesus standing before you. Imagine His arms outstretched. Imagine His smile of welcome. Imagine His look of love.
As you place your pledge in the box, remind yourself that you are not simply giving support to the church. Remind yourself that you are presenting a gift to the Lord. Perhaps in your own heart, whisper, this gift is for You, Jesus. The size of the gift does not matter in the least; the heart of the giver matters a great deal. God loves a cheerful giver.
Sometimes making a faith pledge can be a little scary because we’re not sure if we can afford to keep this pledge. Don’t worry. God knows our circumstances. That is why we call it a faith pledge. It is a pledge made in faith, trusting God to protect and keep us in the days ahead. And remember, that every good gift comes from the Lord, so that the presentation of our gifts is really a giving back to Him. It is an act of worship.
Steve Physioc will probably not be in church with us on November 9th. The politicians you supported in the recent election will probably be absent. Your favorite movie stars will not be with us. But know this: Jesus Christ will very much be present on that day. And you have the good fortune to come and be with Him. Come fall before Him in worship. Open your treasure to Him and present Him with your gifts. It is an act of worship.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
I remember six years ago. The Angels were playing in the World Series. And Paul McNeff had scheduled a special guest for our Moment for Ministry in the worship service: Steve Physioc, the “Voice of the Angels.” The Sunday Steve was with us just happened to be the day of Game 7. The excitement was palpable.
Following the service, I was surprised to see one of our members. She had been in the hospital and I didn’t think she would be back in church so soon. I mentioned how glad I was to see her, and then I remembered that she was a big Angels’ fan. Jokingly I said, “Hey, wait a minute, you’re here to see Steve Physioc!”
“Oh, no, I’m here because it’s the right thing to do. I ought to be at church.” She then craned her neck to look around me and asked, “Where is he anyway?” We both shared a good-natured laugh.
It’s always fun to see people we esteem, whether they be great athletes, famous actors, favorite politicians, deep thinkers, popular musicians, or foreign dignitaries. We get butterflies as we anticipate them entering the room. We are filled with delight when we catch our first glimpse. We position ourselves to be close to them. We might even ask for an autograph.
When important people visit a community, the group often presents the visitor with a gift. This is a way to share ourselves with them. It is a way we show appreciation and respect. It is also a way to build relationship. A gift is a way to show we care.
Imagine if someone told you that Jesus was coming to church on Sunday. Imagine if you knew that He would be physically in the building. Would you be excited? Would you dress your best? Would you come early? Would you wait in anticipation? Would you crane your neck to see Him? Would you bring a gift?
Hopefully, each of us understands that Christ is present with us in worship every Sunday. But sometimes it’s good to consider what it would be like if we could actually see Him, actually hear Him, actually touch Him.
November 9th is Consecration Sunday. It is the day we dedicate our 2009 Faith Pledges to the Lord. This is not something we do haphazardly. For our community, this is an act of worship. Following the sermon, a praise song will be sung. During that song, members and friends of FPCSA will walk forward and place their faith pledges in our wooden box. It is an act of worship.
I love the story of the magi who travel from a distant land to see the new born King. After a long journey, they enter into the home of Joseph and Mary. When they see the Baby, notice what they do. They fall prostrate to the ground. They worship this little, fragile One. Then they open their treasures and present their gifts to the Lord. Wow. What an image! These noble and respected dignitaries kneeling before the Christ Child.
In the same way, the members and friends of FPCSA will physically come forward and present their gifts to the Lord. When you come to church on that Sunday morning, bring your faith pledge to church with you. At the appropriate time you will be invited to present that pledge to the Lord.
It is an act of worship. I encourage you to use your imagination. Imagine not the pastor nor the musicians nor the singers in the front of the sanctuary. Imagine Jesus standing before you. Imagine His arms outstretched. Imagine His smile of welcome. Imagine His look of love.
As you place your pledge in the box, remind yourself that you are not simply giving support to the church. Remind yourself that you are presenting a gift to the Lord. Perhaps in your own heart, whisper, this gift is for You, Jesus. The size of the gift does not matter in the least; the heart of the giver matters a great deal. God loves a cheerful giver.
Sometimes making a faith pledge can be a little scary because we’re not sure if we can afford to keep this pledge. Don’t worry. God knows our circumstances. That is why we call it a faith pledge. It is a pledge made in faith, trusting God to protect and keep us in the days ahead. And remember, that every good gift comes from the Lord, so that the presentation of our gifts is really a giving back to Him. It is an act of worship.
Steve Physioc will probably not be in church with us on November 9th. The politicians you supported in the recent election will probably be absent. Your favorite movie stars will not be with us. But know this: Jesus Christ will very much be present on that day. And you have the good fortune to come and be with Him. Come fall before Him in worship. Open your treasure to Him and present Him with your gifts. It is an act of worship.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Monday, August 25, 2008
September 2008 Messenger Article
The other day, one of our members read something to one of our fellowship groups that she had heard at a Presbyterian gathering. After saying how much she appreciated the quote, she began, "The Great Ends of the Church are..."
I recognized it immediately as a quote from the first chapter of our denomination's constitution, The Book of Order. The Great Ends of the Church are something of a mission statement for our denomination and something that seminarians and pastors study.
Every organization seems to have a mission statement nowadays. It is a vision by which the organization tests itself, its programs and its activities. Larry Small - the author of an excellent study guide for the Great Ends - points out, mission statements are often more expressions of hope than they are descriptions of reality. Mission statements can give and organization goals to seek.
The Great Ends statement was developed between 1904 and 1910. It was preserved through the two major reunifications of the denomination in 1958 and 1983 and remains in our curent constitution. It has the capacity to shape faith and faithfulness in every generation.
The questions that arise about these Great Ends are plentiful. Are they Biblical? Do they stand the test of time? Do they still speak to us today? Can they be applied not only to our denomination, but to every individual member and/or every particular congregation? Are they achievable and measurable goals? Can they help us in planning and developing programs and activities to further the Kingdom of God?
And so it is with a great deal of excitement that I begin a sermon series based on the Great Ends of the Church. Each week this fall, we will focus on a different aspect of the statement. It is my prayer that this series will give us a newfound appreciation for the rich history and integrity of our denomination.
I look forward to seeing you in worship. I remain devoted to you, this Church, and to our LORD Jesus Christ.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
I recognized it immediately as a quote from the first chapter of our denomination's constitution, The Book of Order. The Great Ends of the Church are something of a mission statement for our denomination and something that seminarians and pastors study.
Every organization seems to have a mission statement nowadays. It is a vision by which the organization tests itself, its programs and its activities. Larry Small - the author of an excellent study guide for the Great Ends - points out, mission statements are often more expressions of hope than they are descriptions of reality. Mission statements can give and organization goals to seek.
The Great Ends statement was developed between 1904 and 1910. It was preserved through the two major reunifications of the denomination in 1958 and 1983 and remains in our curent constitution. It has the capacity to shape faith and faithfulness in every generation.
The Great Ends of the Church are the proclamation of the gospel for the
salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the
children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the
truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the kingdom
of heaven to the world.
The questions that arise about these Great Ends are plentiful. Are they Biblical? Do they stand the test of time? Do they still speak to us today? Can they be applied not only to our denomination, but to every individual member and/or every particular congregation? Are they achievable and measurable goals? Can they help us in planning and developing programs and activities to further the Kingdom of God?
And so it is with a great deal of excitement that I begin a sermon series based on the Great Ends of the Church. Each week this fall, we will focus on a different aspect of the statement. It is my prayer that this series will give us a newfound appreciation for the rich history and integrity of our denomination.
I look forward to seeing you in worship. I remain devoted to you, this Church, and to our LORD Jesus Christ.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Our Children Are Important
“The promise is for you and your children – for all whom the LORD our God will call.” (Acts 2:39)
When I was younger (much younger) I had the good fortune to work as an intern with one of the best known and finest Presbyterian pastors in the United States: the Rev. Dr. Earl Palmer. Earl has served as a youth pastor in Seattle, a missionary to the Philippines, and a senior pastor in Berkeley and currently in Seattle. He has written many practical and theological books. He is a highly respected keynote speaker for conferences and workshops. I interned for two years at First Presbyterian of Berkeley, CA. While I was there, I learned a great deal from Earl Palmer.
During a staff meeting one day, Earl said, “We must remember, the second most important staff position in the church – after the pastor – is the children’s director. Nothing is more important than our children and youth. If any church hopes to survive, it must focus its time, its resources, its finances on ministry to children and youth.”
That quote has stuck with me throughout my vocational ministry. I agree with it. I believe it. And I stand behind it. That is why I’m excited to see our congregation focus on children and youth this month. Our children are important.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) will take place August 4th through August 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. VBS is for youngsters going into 1st through 5th grades. On Sunday, August 3rd, we will commission our VBS volunteers in the worship service. Sunday, August 10th, will be VBS Sunday. The theme for this year will be “Beach Party.” The goal will be to instill in our children the idea that devoting life to Christ is a celebration.
The Labyrinth Project for Middle Schoolers will take place between Sunday, August 10th, and Saturday, August 16th. Our youth will drive up to San Francisco with youth members from Grace First Presbyterian of Long Beach. They will take part in fun activities, Bible studies, praying through a Labyrinth, and volunteering in service projects. This opportunity is a great way for our young people to grow in their faith and build friendships with one another.
Alabaré (Music Camp) will take place August 18th through August 22nd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, there will be a performance for parents. Sunday, August 24th, will be Alabaré Sunday. Alabaré, which translated means “I will praise,” is for young people going into 1st through 8th grades. This camp will run along the same lines as VBS with large group activities and small group stations. Children and Middle Schoolers will learn music skills, rhythm exercises and vocal production.
For VBS and Alabaré we continue to welcome volunteers; so consider how you might assist. There are opportunities to do simple paperwork, registration, teaching, assisting with workshops, cooking and/or serving food, assisting with crafts or recreational activities, overseeing or the assisting with a small group. You can serve one evening or the whole week. And you will be blessed even as you bless others!
Please pray for our children, youth, volunteers and staff during these exciting weeks. Let us pray that young lives will be positively affected by these ministries and that families will be attracted to our congregation. These are the sorts of ministries that attract young families. If children are excited about the church, then moms and dads are excited about the church. And so the church grows. That is why Earl Palmer emphasized that ministry to children and youth is vitally important to the health of any congregation. To put it another way, the Church is always one generation away from being extinct.
Let us continue to do all we can to invest in the future of the Church of Jesus Christ. Let us devote our time, our resources and our finances to the lives of these precious treasures. Let us pray for them, teach them and prepare them to serve our LORD.
I remain devoted to you, to this Church, and to our LORD Jesus Christ.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
When I was younger (much younger) I had the good fortune to work as an intern with one of the best known and finest Presbyterian pastors in the United States: the Rev. Dr. Earl Palmer. Earl has served as a youth pastor in Seattle, a missionary to the Philippines, and a senior pastor in Berkeley and currently in Seattle. He has written many practical and theological books. He is a highly respected keynote speaker for conferences and workshops. I interned for two years at First Presbyterian of Berkeley, CA. While I was there, I learned a great deal from Earl Palmer.
During a staff meeting one day, Earl said, “We must remember, the second most important staff position in the church – after the pastor – is the children’s director. Nothing is more important than our children and youth. If any church hopes to survive, it must focus its time, its resources, its finances on ministry to children and youth.”
That quote has stuck with me throughout my vocational ministry. I agree with it. I believe it. And I stand behind it. That is why I’m excited to see our congregation focus on children and youth this month. Our children are important.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) will take place August 4th through August 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. VBS is for youngsters going into 1st through 5th grades. On Sunday, August 3rd, we will commission our VBS volunteers in the worship service. Sunday, August 10th, will be VBS Sunday. The theme for this year will be “Beach Party.” The goal will be to instill in our children the idea that devoting life to Christ is a celebration.
The Labyrinth Project for Middle Schoolers will take place between Sunday, August 10th, and Saturday, August 16th. Our youth will drive up to San Francisco with youth members from Grace First Presbyterian of Long Beach. They will take part in fun activities, Bible studies, praying through a Labyrinth, and volunteering in service projects. This opportunity is a great way for our young people to grow in their faith and build friendships with one another.
Alabaré (Music Camp) will take place August 18th through August 22nd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, there will be a performance for parents. Sunday, August 24th, will be Alabaré Sunday. Alabaré, which translated means “I will praise,” is for young people going into 1st through 8th grades. This camp will run along the same lines as VBS with large group activities and small group stations. Children and Middle Schoolers will learn music skills, rhythm exercises and vocal production.
For VBS and Alabaré we continue to welcome volunteers; so consider how you might assist. There are opportunities to do simple paperwork, registration, teaching, assisting with workshops, cooking and/or serving food, assisting with crafts or recreational activities, overseeing or the assisting with a small group. You can serve one evening or the whole week. And you will be blessed even as you bless others!
Please pray for our children, youth, volunteers and staff during these exciting weeks. Let us pray that young lives will be positively affected by these ministries and that families will be attracted to our congregation. These are the sorts of ministries that attract young families. If children are excited about the church, then moms and dads are excited about the church. And so the church grows. That is why Earl Palmer emphasized that ministry to children and youth is vitally important to the health of any congregation. To put it another way, the Church is always one generation away from being extinct.
Let us continue to do all we can to invest in the future of the Church of Jesus Christ. Let us devote our time, our resources and our finances to the lives of these precious treasures. Let us pray for them, teach them and prepare them to serve our LORD.
I remain devoted to you, to this Church, and to our LORD Jesus Christ.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Little Graduation Advice from a Grumpy Old Uncle
Life is not always fair
the fastest runner does not always win the race
the smartest person does not always succeed
the thing about life is to live it
you can spend the rest of your life living,
or you can spend the rest of your life dying
it’s up to you
Live it
The path is not always easy
sometimes the path is rocky
sometimes it is steep
sometimes the path seems endless
but the rocky paths will make you sure-footed
the steep paths lead you to majestic vistas
and the endless paths will give you patient endurance
do not avoid the path set before you
Walk it
Teachers are not always kind
teachers can be downright grumpy
they can be overbearing, self-important, patronizing
at times they seem to relish in the idea of tearing students down
but if you look close enough you will find nuggets of wisdom
sometimes buried deeply beneath the surface
you do not go to school to criticize the teachers
you go to school to learn from them
look for the nuggets of wisdom
Find them
Friends are not always nice
friends can be a source of laughter
a source of tears, companionship, rage
I have experienced two kinds of friends in my life
those that bring life and those that take life away
those that fill your sails and those that take the wind out of your sails
those that inspire, those that deflate
those that encourage, those that discourage
this can be particularly true with those of the opposite sex
guard yourself from relationships with those who suck the marrow from your life
surround yourself with those who fill you with life
more importantly be a friend who gives life
Love them
Families are not always perfect
everyone comes from a dysfunctional family
I have yet to find a functional one
every family has one or two black sheep
skeletons in the closet
I like to think of myself as the black sheep in ours
the thing about families is that they’re family
not much you can do about it except love them
friends come and go, lovers too
but families are forever
and when you’re with family
You’re home
God is not always easy to understand
His ways are not our ways
sometimes He feels distant and silent
sometimes He feels angry and awful
Lewis said Aslan was not a tame Lion
but He is good
you can’t tame God
you can’t put God into a box
don’t try to
let God be God
Tozer said if we understood God
then God would not be worthy of our worship
we cannot hope to fully understand God
but we can know Him
and He is good
and we can know that He knows us
better than we know ourselves
He knows all the good stuff
and all the bad stuff too
in spite of that He loves us
more than we can ever possibly know
Rest in that love
Live life to the fullest
Walk the path set before you
Search for the nuggets of wisdom in all people
Surround yourself with good friends
Remember your family is always there for you
Rest in God’s love
by Lance Allen ©2008 xenos
Monday, April 21, 2008
"AMIGOS" Program is Launched
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them.’” (Matthew 19:14)
When I was interviewing for the position of Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana, one of the things that attracted me was the Heninger tutoring program. I loved that members of this congregation were involved in reaching out to the children of the community. The members were encouraging these young ones, giving them tools to succeed, and serving as mentors.
Unfortunately, the partnership with the school lapsed. But the need remains great in our community. Children often have little supervision in the afternoons. Many parents struggle with English and find they are unable to assist their children with homework.
Pastor Danny and I have been aware of this need for many years. Now we have an opportunity to meet this need in the community once again. Through a partnership with Tustin Presbyterian Church (TPC), our Director of Children’s Ministry, Jessica Otto, has begun the AMIGOS program on Tuesday afternoons from 2:15 to 4:15.
Amigos is an after school program that offers help with homework and a safe place for children to play. Snacks are provided, as well as school supplies: pencils, pens, paper, reference books. Each student has a study area and a tutor available to them. When children have completed their homework, learning games are available.
About 25 young people have already checked out Amigos. Each week we are averaging between ten and fifteen children. Currently, Jessica is assisted by Pastor Danny and four volunteers from TPC. Volunteers help with snack and/or homework.
We would love to see this program expand to two days, three days, perhaps even four days a week. We would also like to see the hours extended. And there are possibilities of including other offerings such as art, music, sports, dance. But to reach these goals, we would need to see a strong interest by the young people as well as an increase in the number of volunteers.
And, of course, that’s where you come in. Many of you have spoken to me about the possibility of being involved in a tutoring program. Well, here it is, right in your own church. If you are interested in investing in the lives of these precious young people, please call Jessica at the church or email her: Jessica@fpcsa.org. We can use all the tutors we can get and we would love to have a snack coordinator.
The great thing about working with kids is that, while you are doing so much for them, you walk away from the experience realizing how much you have received. May we echo the words of Jesus, “Let the little children come . . .” Give Amigos a shot. See how God might bless you as you bless others.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
When I was interviewing for the position of Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana, one of the things that attracted me was the Heninger tutoring program. I loved that members of this congregation were involved in reaching out to the children of the community. The members were encouraging these young ones, giving them tools to succeed, and serving as mentors.
Unfortunately, the partnership with the school lapsed. But the need remains great in our community. Children often have little supervision in the afternoons. Many parents struggle with English and find they are unable to assist their children with homework.
Pastor Danny and I have been aware of this need for many years. Now we have an opportunity to meet this need in the community once again. Through a partnership with Tustin Presbyterian Church (TPC), our Director of Children’s Ministry, Jessica Otto, has begun the AMIGOS program on Tuesday afternoons from 2:15 to 4:15.
Amigos is an after school program that offers help with homework and a safe place for children to play. Snacks are provided, as well as school supplies: pencils, pens, paper, reference books. Each student has a study area and a tutor available to them. When children have completed their homework, learning games are available.
About 25 young people have already checked out Amigos. Each week we are averaging between ten and fifteen children. Currently, Jessica is assisted by Pastor Danny and four volunteers from TPC. Volunteers help with snack and/or homework.
We would love to see this program expand to two days, three days, perhaps even four days a week. We would also like to see the hours extended. And there are possibilities of including other offerings such as art, music, sports, dance. But to reach these goals, we would need to see a strong interest by the young people as well as an increase in the number of volunteers.
And, of course, that’s where you come in. Many of you have spoken to me about the possibility of being involved in a tutoring program. Well, here it is, right in your own church. If you are interested in investing in the lives of these precious young people, please call Jessica at the church or email her: Jessica@fpcsa.org. We can use all the tutors we can get and we would love to have a snack coordinator.
The great thing about working with kids is that, while you are doing so much for them, you walk away from the experience realizing how much you have received. May we echo the words of Jesus, “Let the little children come . . .” Give Amigos a shot. See how God might bless you as you bless others.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Monday, March 24, 2008
April Messenger Article, "Molokai Mo Bettah"
“And Jesus sent them out to proclaim the reign of God and to heal.” (Luke 9:2)
For the past several years I have travelled to Molokai, Hawaii, on a mission trip with the Laguna Presbyterian Church High School group. These young people give up their Spring Break to serve Christ and to grow in their faith. This year I will be with them during the week of April 7th.
Now, I know what many of you are thinking, because I thought it, too, when I first heard about the Molokai Mission Trip: “Oh, yeah, tough mission trip . . . Hawaii! Now, that’s what I call ‘suffering for the Lord!!!’” But the fact is Molokai is different from most of the other islands. With no major resorts to speak of, it is least affected by the tourist trade.
Although it is known as “The Friendly Island,” the 7,000 residents barely tolerate tourists, verbally abuse visiting surfers and shun new residents. The island is plagued by poverty, drug abuse and alcoholism. One local pastor calls it “The Arkansas of the Hawaiian Islands.” (my apologies to anyone from Arkansas) Still most of the locals have been there for generations and there is a great deal of pride in their heritage. Perhaps that is why many t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers have the phrase: “Molokai Mo Bettah.”
After a rather adventurous, white-knuckle flight on the island hopper plane from Oahu, visitors are greeted by a sign: “Slow Down, You’re in Molokai.” Located between Oahu, Lanai and Maui, Molokai is 38 miles long and 10 miles wide. The north shore boasts the highest sea cliffs in the world: to 3,500 feet. The east side has a beautiful valley with a pristine waterfall. The west side has a large cattle ranch and coffee plantation.
There are several reasons to visit this island. When most people hear that I am going to Molokai, they ask, “Isn’t that where the leper colony is?” Located at the base of the sea cliffs is a peninsula where Kalaupapa Village is situated. In the 1800’s and 1900’s, people with Hansen’s Disease and undetermined skin rashes were physically thrown into the high surf and banished to this isolated location.
Twice I have climbed down the treacherous cliff path to visit and learn about the settlement. By the time I reached the bottom of the cliffs, my legs felt like Jell-O. Our hosts were members and staff of the UCC Church. They drive us around in a beat up old van that has no seat belts or side door. We see where the Catholic missionary, Father Damien, served the people and we visit the various buildings of the original settlement. Although a cure for Hansen’s Disease has been found, several “patients” still reside there and live quiet and private lives. The climb back up the cliffs is even more exhausting than the climb down and the tropical climate leaves the hikers completely soaked.
Last year I hiked with the young people to the Hipuapua waterfall on the east end of the island; once there I swam in the ice cold, fresh water. It was exhilarating! After the falls we hiked back to the beach where we swam in the ocean looking across the channel to the shores of Maui. Suddenly there were whales cresting in the waves. The majesty of God’s creation that day was awesome!
About 30 High Schoolers go on the mission trip every year. They serve the community by doing work projects at various churches and homes. I cannot emphasize enough what a gift this is to the people of Molokai. One year I took a run down some of the back roads of the island and the homes reminded me of the poor areas of Mexico. After the work projects are done for the day, the youth play at the beach, surf in the ocean, visit the main town, Kaunakakai, or relax at the Christian conference center.
One night during the week, after 11:00 p.m., the group sneaks down a dark alley of Kaunakakai. We stand in line with locals in the shadows behind a local bakery. A baker opens the back door to gruffly take up to five orders at a time. I was reminded of Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi.” Each person in line orders a loaf of bread topped with various sweets. The locals often times ridicule the Laguna youth with rude comments, but the High Schoolers are instructed to keep quiet. The bread is delicious and some of the kids eat more than they can handle, it’s so good.
Steve Sweet, the Senior Associate Pastor and my dear friend, has invited me to be the guest speaker of the Molokai Mission Trip for the past four years. I provide a written morning devotional, in which participants find a quiet location, read a passage of scripture, reflect on it, answer some questions in their handbook, and pray. Each night I speak to the group after a time of worship. Following the message, they break into small groups where they discuss questions I provide for them.
Each year this trip has proven to be an opportunity for me to experience God’s creation, to enjoy being with a good friend, to get to know other young people and minister to them, and to reflect about my own relationship with our Lord. It’s also a wonderful chance to think about FPCSA and the direction Christ would have us go in the future.
I covet your prayers during this week. I pray for travelling mercies; I pray that Christ would become real to these young people; and, I pray that I will return rested, relaxed, renewed and ready to serve my Lord by serving the members, friends and community of First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
For the past several years I have travelled to Molokai, Hawaii, on a mission trip with the Laguna Presbyterian Church High School group. These young people give up their Spring Break to serve Christ and to grow in their faith. This year I will be with them during the week of April 7th.
Now, I know what many of you are thinking, because I thought it, too, when I first heard about the Molokai Mission Trip: “Oh, yeah, tough mission trip . . . Hawaii! Now, that’s what I call ‘suffering for the Lord!!!’” But the fact is Molokai is different from most of the other islands. With no major resorts to speak of, it is least affected by the tourist trade.
Although it is known as “The Friendly Island,” the 7,000 residents barely tolerate tourists, verbally abuse visiting surfers and shun new residents. The island is plagued by poverty, drug abuse and alcoholism. One local pastor calls it “The Arkansas of the Hawaiian Islands.” (my apologies to anyone from Arkansas) Still most of the locals have been there for generations and there is a great deal of pride in their heritage. Perhaps that is why many t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers have the phrase: “Molokai Mo Bettah.”
After a rather adventurous, white-knuckle flight on the island hopper plane from Oahu, visitors are greeted by a sign: “Slow Down, You’re in Molokai.” Located between Oahu, Lanai and Maui, Molokai is 38 miles long and 10 miles wide. The north shore boasts the highest sea cliffs in the world: to 3,500 feet. The east side has a beautiful valley with a pristine waterfall. The west side has a large cattle ranch and coffee plantation.
There are several reasons to visit this island. When most people hear that I am going to Molokai, they ask, “Isn’t that where the leper colony is?” Located at the base of the sea cliffs is a peninsula where Kalaupapa Village is situated. In the 1800’s and 1900’s, people with Hansen’s Disease and undetermined skin rashes were physically thrown into the high surf and banished to this isolated location.
Twice I have climbed down the treacherous cliff path to visit and learn about the settlement. By the time I reached the bottom of the cliffs, my legs felt like Jell-O. Our hosts were members and staff of the UCC Church. They drive us around in a beat up old van that has no seat belts or side door. We see where the Catholic missionary, Father Damien, served the people and we visit the various buildings of the original settlement. Although a cure for Hansen’s Disease has been found, several “patients” still reside there and live quiet and private lives. The climb back up the cliffs is even more exhausting than the climb down and the tropical climate leaves the hikers completely soaked.
Last year I hiked with the young people to the Hipuapua waterfall on the east end of the island; once there I swam in the ice cold, fresh water. It was exhilarating! After the falls we hiked back to the beach where we swam in the ocean looking across the channel to the shores of Maui. Suddenly there were whales cresting in the waves. The majesty of God’s creation that day was awesome!
About 30 High Schoolers go on the mission trip every year. They serve the community by doing work projects at various churches and homes. I cannot emphasize enough what a gift this is to the people of Molokai. One year I took a run down some of the back roads of the island and the homes reminded me of the poor areas of Mexico. After the work projects are done for the day, the youth play at the beach, surf in the ocean, visit the main town, Kaunakakai, or relax at the Christian conference center.
One night during the week, after 11:00 p.m., the group sneaks down a dark alley of Kaunakakai. We stand in line with locals in the shadows behind a local bakery. A baker opens the back door to gruffly take up to five orders at a time. I was reminded of Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi.” Each person in line orders a loaf of bread topped with various sweets. The locals often times ridicule the Laguna youth with rude comments, but the High Schoolers are instructed to keep quiet. The bread is delicious and some of the kids eat more than they can handle, it’s so good.
Steve Sweet, the Senior Associate Pastor and my dear friend, has invited me to be the guest speaker of the Molokai Mission Trip for the past four years. I provide a written morning devotional, in which participants find a quiet location, read a passage of scripture, reflect on it, answer some questions in their handbook, and pray. Each night I speak to the group after a time of worship. Following the message, they break into small groups where they discuss questions I provide for them.
Each year this trip has proven to be an opportunity for me to experience God’s creation, to enjoy being with a good friend, to get to know other young people and minister to them, and to reflect about my own relationship with our Lord. It’s also a wonderful chance to think about FPCSA and the direction Christ would have us go in the future.
I covet your prayers during this week. I pray for travelling mercies; I pray that Christ would become real to these young people; and, I pray that I will return rested, relaxed, renewed and ready to serve my Lord by serving the members, friends and community of First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
March Messenger Article
We're coming to the Easter season. And with it, come visitors and perhaps people we haven't seen for a while. As I have asked people to fill out little questionnaires regarding the church and worship, I was surprised by the most common answer to the question, "What would you like to see change at FPCSA?" Most responses (from all generations) said they would like to see more people. Most everyone would like to see the church grow.
Every member can help in this endeavor. Every member is a representative of this congregation. I know everyone wants to be welcoming. In fact, we are known to be a welcoming church. But sometimes we say things that are miscontsrued and I thought it might be a good idea to discuss some "Visitor Etiquette" with you. In his letter, James discusses visitor etiquette in light of the "royal law" to love your neighbor as yourself. Here are some ways you can help.
First, following a service, attempt the Three Face Rule. The Three Face Rule is simply searching out three people that are unfamiliar to you before talking with friends. It's so easy to go straight to the people we know. We love them. We have things we need to discuss with them. We want to catch up. And we're comfortable with them.
Talking with strangers takes us out of our comfort zone. If it's hard for you, in our own church, imagine how hard it must be for visitors! But the Three Face Rule works not only with visitors, but also with long-time members who don't know each other very well. Not only can it force us to greet visitors, but it also helps to break up some cliques.
Second, avoid Foot in Mouth Disease. Be careful about the questions you ask. It's been known to happen. Someone walks up to a stranger in the gallery and says, "Hi, are you visiting us today?" And the person responds, "I've been a member here for thirty years!" To avoid this uncomfortable situation, try a different approach: "I don't believe I know you, my name's Lance," (well, don't use my name!) That way if the person is a member, they (and you) don't feel embarrassed. If they are visiting, then they will feel like you opened up to them first and be more inclined to open up to you.
If you see someone who used to attend but has not been around for a while, be careful not to throw unintentional guilt on them. Questions like, "Where've you been?" or "Why aren't you coming anymore?" put pressure on a person to defend themselves and their choices. They feel guilty and defensive. Even something as well meaning as "We've missed you!" causes some to feel uncomfortable, because they feel responsible for your feelings. Try a different approach; something like, "Hey, it's great to see you. How are you?" This approach is simple and friendly; and hopefully it will open the doors to a deeper conversation.
Third, follow the practice of Positive Inquiry. How we ask a question can determine the direction a conversation will go. "What did you think of the service?" leads the conversation in the direction of analysis and critique. One critical comment leads to another and the conversation ends with two thumbs down. Asking the question differently can lead the conversation into a richer and deeper realm: "How did God speak to you today?" or "What did you like best about the service today?" These questions lead the conversation in a positive direction.
Finally, keep my Grandmother's Rule. Gran always said, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." You've all heard that one, I'm sure. Here's one of the simplest truths you will ever hear: negative comments have a negative effect. Ironically, the most common response to the question, "What would you like to see change at FPCSA?" was "more people." The second most common response was, "less complaining." If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.
I received a letter from a visitor in their twenties several months ago that saddened me a great deal. They wrote:
This past Sunday there was a couple of people sitting behind me in church that made me feel really uncomfortable. They were making negative comments about the fact that there were three praise songs in the service and that was too much. They were upset that they had to sit through three rather than the usual one or two.
I don't feel comfortable worshipping next to people that disagree that much with my choice of worship. I respect and admire hymns and classic songs that the church brings to services - it would be nice if the feeling was reciprocated. It's hard enough to get out of bed to go to church by myself, but to feel uncomfortable in worship is not something I want to deal with at church of all places!
I hope this is an isolated incident and those that made these comments were unaware that they could be heard; however, Grandmother's Rule is a good one: If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all. Negative comments can alienate visitors and church members.
If we really want the church to grow, then we need to think of church differently and be open to new ways to worship God. Building a multi-generational church is not easy. In fact, many naysayers believe it's impossible. But I believe our Lord desires for the local congregation to be rich in diversity, and that diversity should include people of all ages.
Let's be intentional this Easter Season. Let's do all we can to welcome visitors and perhaps we can contribute to the growth of this congregation. Let's step out of our comfort zones and greet people who are unfamiliar to us. Let's be careful to ask questions in such a way that people don't get put on the defensive. Let's stay positive!
Not only will you be fulfilling the royal law to love your neighbor as yourself, but you will be contributing to the growth of the church. And in so doing, you will be participating in the building up of the Kingdom of God. And that's what we're supposed to be doing!
May the power and the mystery of the resurrection fill you with wonder and awe this Easter Season.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Every member can help in this endeavor. Every member is a representative of this congregation. I know everyone wants to be welcoming. In fact, we are known to be a welcoming church. But sometimes we say things that are miscontsrued and I thought it might be a good idea to discuss some "Visitor Etiquette" with you. In his letter, James discusses visitor etiquette in light of the "royal law" to love your neighbor as yourself. Here are some ways you can help.
First, following a service, attempt the Three Face Rule. The Three Face Rule is simply searching out three people that are unfamiliar to you before talking with friends. It's so easy to go straight to the people we know. We love them. We have things we need to discuss with them. We want to catch up. And we're comfortable with them.
Talking with strangers takes us out of our comfort zone. If it's hard for you, in our own church, imagine how hard it must be for visitors! But the Three Face Rule works not only with visitors, but also with long-time members who don't know each other very well. Not only can it force us to greet visitors, but it also helps to break up some cliques.
Second, avoid Foot in Mouth Disease. Be careful about the questions you ask. It's been known to happen. Someone walks up to a stranger in the gallery and says, "Hi, are you visiting us today?" And the person responds, "I've been a member here for thirty years!" To avoid this uncomfortable situation, try a different approach: "I don't believe I know you, my name's Lance," (well, don't use my name!) That way if the person is a member, they (and you) don't feel embarrassed. If they are visiting, then they will feel like you opened up to them first and be more inclined to open up to you.
If you see someone who used to attend but has not been around for a while, be careful not to throw unintentional guilt on them. Questions like, "Where've you been?" or "Why aren't you coming anymore?" put pressure on a person to defend themselves and their choices. They feel guilty and defensive. Even something as well meaning as "We've missed you!" causes some to feel uncomfortable, because they feel responsible for your feelings. Try a different approach; something like, "Hey, it's great to see you. How are you?" This approach is simple and friendly; and hopefully it will open the doors to a deeper conversation.
Third, follow the practice of Positive Inquiry. How we ask a question can determine the direction a conversation will go. "What did you think of the service?" leads the conversation in the direction of analysis and critique. One critical comment leads to another and the conversation ends with two thumbs down. Asking the question differently can lead the conversation into a richer and deeper realm: "How did God speak to you today?" or "What did you like best about the service today?" These questions lead the conversation in a positive direction.
Finally, keep my Grandmother's Rule. Gran always said, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." You've all heard that one, I'm sure. Here's one of the simplest truths you will ever hear: negative comments have a negative effect. Ironically, the most common response to the question, "What would you like to see change at FPCSA?" was "more people." The second most common response was, "less complaining." If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.
I received a letter from a visitor in their twenties several months ago that saddened me a great deal. They wrote:
This past Sunday there was a couple of people sitting behind me in church that made me feel really uncomfortable. They were making negative comments about the fact that there were three praise songs in the service and that was too much. They were upset that they had to sit through three rather than the usual one or two.
I don't feel comfortable worshipping next to people that disagree that much with my choice of worship. I respect and admire hymns and classic songs that the church brings to services - it would be nice if the feeling was reciprocated. It's hard enough to get out of bed to go to church by myself, but to feel uncomfortable in worship is not something I want to deal with at church of all places!
I hope this is an isolated incident and those that made these comments were unaware that they could be heard; however, Grandmother's Rule is a good one: If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all. Negative comments can alienate visitors and church members.
If we really want the church to grow, then we need to think of church differently and be open to new ways to worship God. Building a multi-generational church is not easy. In fact, many naysayers believe it's impossible. But I believe our Lord desires for the local congregation to be rich in diversity, and that diversity should include people of all ages.
Let's be intentional this Easter Season. Let's do all we can to welcome visitors and perhaps we can contribute to the growth of this congregation. Let's step out of our comfort zones and greet people who are unfamiliar to us. Let's be careful to ask questions in such a way that people don't get put on the defensive. Let's stay positive!
Not only will you be fulfilling the royal law to love your neighbor as yourself, but you will be contributing to the growth of the church. And in so doing, you will be participating in the building up of the Kingdom of God. And that's what we're supposed to be doing!
May the power and the mystery of the resurrection fill you with wonder and awe this Easter Season.
In His Love & Service,
Lance
Friday, February 8, 2008
February Messenger Article
For years I have been fascinated by generational studies. This area of study looks at the unique cultural perspectives of various age groups. It also looks at global events that occur during a generation's "coming of age" years - generally considered to be around 17 to 25 years old - and how they affect world views and cultural perspectives.
I am no expert in this area, but I have done a lot of research. I am particularly interested in how generational perspectives affect church life.
How do the generations differ from one another?
How do they tend to think?
Are all generations equally celebrated in the life of the church?
Are they well represented in the leadership?
Do they have an equal say in what happens?
Are they al comfortable in worship & fellowship settings?
This past fall, I focused my sermon series on our congregation. I looked at the various seasons in our 125 year history. I enjoyed studying past session minutes, looking at old photographs and hearing stories from longtime members. I got to know the church family better. I grew in my understanding of who we are and where we've been.
Now this spring, I plan to look at the various sociological generations in our society and how they fit - or don't fit - in our church family. You have probably heard of some of these in the media: Builders, Boomers, Generation X. How are they different from one another? What are they looking for in a church? What keeps them from attending church? How might we address these concerns?
But here's the situation. I need your help. On any given Sunday, I will focus on a particular generation. I would like to receive input from members of the congregation who are a part of that generation. In fact, I would be very excited if members from that generation planned the entire worship service: i.e. choose music, plan the worship order, coordinate special moments within the service, assist in the leadership. You can even tell me how to dress!
For example, people born between 1900 and 1924 are most often called the Builder Generation. We have several "Builders" in our membership. On February 17th, I will be focusing on this generation.. On February 10th, I'll be focusing on my generation, those born between 1956 and 1964. On February 24th, I'll focus on Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980.
I would love to have a representative team plan each individual worship service, so that we sing hymns or praise songs that resonate with what "church" is to them. Please give me a call or e-mail me if you are interested and/or willing to help with any of these services.
Furthermore, I will be interviewing as many of you as I can to find out about your attitudes in regard to society and church, so that I can speak somewhat intelligently about each generation. My goal is to show the importance of a multi-generational church family, to show what each generation brings to the life of the particular congregation and to discuss ways we can become more open to others so that we might provide a safe place "To Every Generation."
In His Love & Service,
Lance
I am no expert in this area, but I have done a lot of research. I am particularly interested in how generational perspectives affect church life.
How do the generations differ from one another?
How do they tend to think?
Are all generations equally celebrated in the life of the church?
Are they well represented in the leadership?
Do they have an equal say in what happens?
Are they al comfortable in worship & fellowship settings?
This past fall, I focused my sermon series on our congregation. I looked at the various seasons in our 125 year history. I enjoyed studying past session minutes, looking at old photographs and hearing stories from longtime members. I got to know the church family better. I grew in my understanding of who we are and where we've been.
Now this spring, I plan to look at the various sociological generations in our society and how they fit - or don't fit - in our church family. You have probably heard of some of these in the media: Builders, Boomers, Generation X. How are they different from one another? What are they looking for in a church? What keeps them from attending church? How might we address these concerns?
But here's the situation. I need your help. On any given Sunday, I will focus on a particular generation. I would like to receive input from members of the congregation who are a part of that generation. In fact, I would be very excited if members from that generation planned the entire worship service: i.e. choose music, plan the worship order, coordinate special moments within the service, assist in the leadership. You can even tell me how to dress!
For example, people born between 1900 and 1924 are most often called the Builder Generation. We have several "Builders" in our membership. On February 17th, I will be focusing on this generation.. On February 10th, I'll be focusing on my generation, those born between 1956 and 1964. On February 24th, I'll focus on Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980.
I would love to have a representative team plan each individual worship service, so that we sing hymns or praise songs that resonate with what "church" is to them. Please give me a call or e-mail me if you are interested and/or willing to help with any of these services.
Furthermore, I will be interviewing as many of you as I can to find out about your attitudes in regard to society and church, so that I can speak somewhat intelligently about each generation. My goal is to show the importance of a multi-generational church family, to show what each generation brings to the life of the particular congregation and to discuss ways we can become more open to others so that we might provide a safe place "To Every Generation."
In His Love & Service,
Lance
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