Jesus and the Way of Violence

“[Jesus said,] 'Those who use the sword will die by the sword'” (Matthew 26:52)

Following the June 12 mass shooting at the “Pulse” nightclub in Orlando, this week my heart has been both sad and angry at the same time.  “Sad,” of course, because of the tragedy itself, and the great loss of life.  But at the same time, I’m “angry” because, in light of one of the most horrific single acts of violence in our country’s history, the response of some who profess to follow Jesus has been either to praise it (as in the case of a California Baptist Pastor who stated that the victims “deserve what they got” and that “the tragedy is that more of them didn’t die” [READ HIS STORY HERE]) or to question why we should care about the sexual identity of those who were the victims [READ EXAMPLES HERE].

Yes, I am incensed that (once again) a shooter has used religion as a pretext to justify his own selfish prejudices against a certain group of people who offended him (1). But I am equally incensed that some so-called “believers” are naïve enough about the way of Jesus (the “Prince of Peace”) to take his teachings and twist them so drastically as to believe that the shooters’ motivations were in some way actually justified.  To the contrary:  if one looks carefully at the gospels, we find that individual violence against others is never justified.

John 8:1-11 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery who is brought before Jesus, and who the crowd wants to stone to death for her sin.  Yet, instead of acquiescing to her death, Jesus confronts her accusers by announcing that “those who are without sin should throw the first stone.”  It is true that he later tells the woman to “go and sin no more,” but his first response is to those who are arrogant enough to think they have the right to judge others for sin, while ignoring the sin in their own life.

When Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death, all four gospels tell the story of one of his followers (who John says is Peter) taking a sword and cutting off the ear of one who was sent to arrest him (2). In Luke’s account, Jesus tells them “Stop! No more of this!” and promptly heals the man’s ear, and in Matthew’s account, Jesus goes on to say that “All those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

After Jesus’ trial, Pilate paraded him before the crowd in Jerusalem along with a man named Barabbas, a member of a radical Jewish nationalist group called the Sicarii (3).  Their job was to incite rebellion against Rome through acts of terrorism and violence, making them the first-century equivalent of Al-Qaeda or the Klu Klux Klan.  By offering the crowd a choice to release either Barabbas or Jesus, Pilate was, in essence, giving them a choice between choosing the way of prejudice, hate, and violence, or the way of peace, love, compassion, and forgiveness.  The sad truth is that, as all too often happens today, the way of Barabbas (violence) is often the way chosen over the way of Jesus (love).

Finally, the words of Paul in Colossians 3:12-15 & 17 should likewise be instructive to any of us who claim to follow the way of Jesus:  “As God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body…. Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.”

There are more examples I could share, but my point is that the Bible is clear that individual violence against others is not the true way of Jesus Christ, that those who perpetrate, encourage or even condone it are not following that way, and that even when we don’t condone violence itself, we also should be very, very careful of our judgement of the “sins/wrongdoing” others that can eventually lead to it, lest our harsh judgement of them fall on us, as well (4).  If anything, the way of Jesus involves us loving our “enemies,” respecting those who we disagree with, and even at times laying down our lives for others, rather than us taking the lives of others (5).

Of course, some will invariably point to various biblical texts to “prove” that God uses human violence to dole out punishment and discipline against other humans for their sin. While it is true that some Old Testament texts can be interpreted this way, the contexts in which those apply are usually corporate in nature (e.g., a whole nation going to war against an injustice or wrongdoing (6)), and the reality is that for true Christians, Jesus’ teachings about love, compassion, and forgiveness should always override (or at least clarify) those earlier interpretations (7).

The bottom line is that all people have the right to live safe and secure from violence, regardless of what we personally think about their political views, sexual preferences, practices and/or beliefs.  This is the way of Jesus, and it should be the practice of all who claim to follow him.  Remember that God loves you and I do, too (no matter what you believe or think about my article here).

ENDNOTES:

(1) In this instance the perpetrator used the teachings of the Muslim faith to justify his actions.  But lest those of us who are Christians judge too quickly, let’s not forget how Christians have used (and still do use) our faith teachings to justify violence in the name of God (consider, for example, the Crusades of the 11^th and 12^th-Centuries, the “Inquisition” of the 12^th and 13^th-Centuries, the Irish “Catholic-Protestant” conflict of the 20^th-Century, and others).

(2) Read Matthew 26:51-52, Mark 14:47-49, Luke 22:49-51, and John 18:10-11

(3) Meaning "dagger bearers,” a reference to the hidden daggers they carried and used to kill others.

(4) Read Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 5:21-26, and Galatians 6:1.

(5) Read Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-38, and 1 John 3:16.

(6) This rationalization for corporate/national violence is sometimes known as “Just War Theory”, which sets forth very strict and narrow conditions by which nations can engage in corporate violence (i.e., war) in order to rectify a wrong. I should add that I believe this same rationalization justifies its use by those in law enforcement (when it meets the same criteria) allowing for the use of force to prevent others from doing harm to others.

(7) Read Matthew 5:17.  Even in the stories of Jesus “Cleansing the Jerusalem Temple” (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15, and John 2:14-15), his actions – while meant to express his disapproval of certain actions/behaviors by harming pocketbooks -- never physically harmed people.

Prayer In Response to Orlando Shooting

Remembering the victims, families and all those affected by the June 12 shootings at the "Pulse" nightclub in Orlando...  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer...

Lord God, we don’t know how to pray.
This immense disaster feels overwhelming.
We can only imagine how the victims feel,
and we are so many miles away that we feel helpless.
Surround those directly involved with your loving presence.
Comfort the families of the dead and injured,
Sustain those waiting for word of those they love.
Protect, strengthen, and uphold
the rescuers and emergency personnel.
Help all of us to remember that your love
is bigger and stronger than despair and destruction.
Guide and strengthen us to reach out to those affected
in ways that will bring healing.
Give them and us a sense of your peace and hope.
In the name of Jesus, our friend and healer. Amen.

     [--Prayer "In the Face of Disaster" from page 60 of Prayers for Life’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments, compiled and edited by Mary Lou Redding. Copyright © 2012 by Upper Room Books.]

You're also invited to watch my WJCN-TV "Inspirational Minute" video "Peace Begins with Me" to be reminded of what we all can do in the midst of senseless acts of violence such as this.

(For suggestions on other appropriate ways to respond, read articles at this United Methodist Church site:  "Responding to Violence") 

In Christ, Pastor Brian

Annual Conference Is Here!

“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

This week as you read this article, over 2800 delegates representing the 1000 churches and 364,000+ United Methodists in North Georgia will have gathered at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia for the “North Georgia Annual Conference” with the theme “Bound for Greater Things.”  Linda Frano and myself are attending as our church’s delegates, and

others will be attending on behalf of our LaGrange District.

Each year's Annual Conference makes important decisions that affect every United Methodist church in our geographic area: approval and ordination of new clergy and retirement of older ones (on June 7^th we celebrated the commissioning of our own Blake Trent!); appointments of pastors to local churches are finalized (we celebrate that our Bishop - Michael Watson - has reassigned me to LaGrange First UMC as your Senior Pastor, and that Blake is being assigned to us for his first official year under appointment as our new “Associate Pastor”); adoption of the conference budget; support for and reports from conference missions and ministries; exciting worship and bible study opportunities to enrich our spiritual lives; present our “Bishop’s Offering” (to support the work of Action Ministry’s “Raise the Roof about Poverty” initiative); and more!

Upon our return, we’ll be available to report on important decisions that were made, and how these might affect us as a congregation.  In the meantime, you can find more information about Annual Conference (as well as “real time” updates) on our North Georgia Conference website (www.ngumc.org and click on the 2016 Annual Conference banner).  Also, thanks for your prayers, both for ourselves as your representatives, and for the Conference itself.  Always remember, God loves you and I do too!

Praying for General Conference

The United Methodist Church’s General Conference (our church's top legislative body) gathers in Portland, OR May 10-20 for its quadrennial meeting.  

I invite you to join me and other United Methodists in surrounding our delegates, Bishops, and other church leaders with prayer as they prepare to listen to one another, discern God’s will for the United Methodist Church, and make decisions that will guide our church around the world in fulfilling our purpose.

Please join me in praying…

--For God’s will, God’s way, and God’s timing to reign supreme in all that is said and done.

--For the delegates to receive a renewed vision for God for the UMC both in the USA and around the world

--For the safety and security of the 864 delegates and assistants who will be present

--For the discussions and conversations over controversial subjects would be carried out in a civil manner that respects and honors God in all ways and in all persons

--For the Holy Spirit to fill the convention center and guide each delegate in their deliberations

For more materials and resources, visit the General Conference Prayer Community at www.60daysofprayer.org, sponsored by The Upper Room ministries.

2016 General Conference of the United Methodist Church

“Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans...  to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Under the theme “Therefore, Go!” (from Jesus’ “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:19-20), our denomination’s top policy-making body (called “General Conference”) will be meeting from May 10-20^th in Portland, OR to make important decisions for our church’s future.  According to church law, no person or organization except General Conference (including our own church Bishops, courts, or individual Annual Conferences) has the authority to speak officially for our denomination.  Consequently, this body meets once every four years in a different location around the country, and is comprised of 1000 delegates (500 clergy and 500 laity), apportioned by the total membership of each Annual Conference from here in America, as well as our Conferences in other countries.  This year our North Georgia Conference is  sending 22 delegates (one of the larger delegations).

General Conference has several purposes:  to revise or reaffirm policies and guidelines regarding local church structure, ministry, and the pastoral leadership by examining and/or revising our Book of Discipline (our church’s law book), our “Social Principles,” and adopt various resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues; to approve plans and budgets for church wide ministry initiatives for the next four years;  to elect members of our church’s “Judicial Council” (our church’s “Supreme Court”); and (if necessary) to propose amendments to our church’s Constitution (which must be then ratified later by each of our denomination’s 133 National and International Annual Conferences). 

The legislation for General Conference comes from petitions and proposals written by church agencies, organizations, Annual Conferences (and through them from any church organization, ordained minister or lay member).  Though one of our church’s bishops presides over each session, in order to ensure the authority of elected delegates, bishops themselves have neither voice nor vote at General Conference.

The decisions made at General Conference have many potential ramifications for you and I as a local church here at LaGrange First UMC, so I ask that you be in prayer for this assembly for God’s will and way to be done during and through it. You can sign up HERE for prayer devotions that can be sent to your email.

As with every General Conference, there will be controversial issues addressed which will incite intense passion and heated debate on all sides, and (as has happened in the past) may even get mis-reported by the secular press.  So as you hear reports about this assembly on the news, I encourage you not only to be in prayer for all (including ourselves) to have Godly responses, but also for each of us to get our facts straight before we form opinions. 

For more information and impartial coverage of General Conference’s events and decisions, please visit our North Georgia Conference’s coverage HERE or visit the official General Conference website HERE. If you own a smart phone, you can even download an official app (Apple or Android compatible) to follow all the news and events (find information about the app HERE).

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Youth Confirmation Sunday

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

On Confirmation Sunday (April 24^th) we celebrate a milestone for 32 of our young people. They will profess personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and become full, “professing members” of our church, some by baptism and some by reaffirmation of faith.

Youth Confirmation is a four-month pilgrimage in our church which began last January and culminates each Spring. It includes meetings and special activities designed to help our youth learn about both our beliefs and our history as United Methodist Christians, and its aim has been to help our students take even more important steps towards their own personal Christian growth and maturity.

We express special appreciation to our volunteer adult mentors, youth parents, and others who’ve made personal investments in the lives of each confirmand during this process. Our hope is that these special relationships will live long after Confirmation Sunday itself.

We invite you to join us either during 9am Morning Glory or 11am Traditional worship on April 24^th day to celebrate what Christ is doing in and through their lives, to support them with your prayers and presence, and to greet them personally following the services.

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

LaGrange First UMC Prescription For Health

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

“How can we return our our church to vitality?” “How can we have more children and youth at our church like we used to?” “How can we stop our recent decline and start growing again?” These questions – and others like them – are ones that I have heard repeatedly from various church members since arriving eight months ago.  And while there is no single, “magic wand” solution that will fix these issues immediately (like some might want), there is certainly a process to follow that, in my experience leading two previous churches, can turn things around:

Step 1 is for us to rediscover our mission/purpose and current IDENTITY – that is: who are we now?.  Not, “ Who did we used to be?”, or “Who do we wish we were?” But “Who are we now?” -- the good, the bad, the things we like, and the things we wish we didn’t know.  For example, we may wish we still had 1700+ members averaging nearly 600 in worship, but that is not our current reality of 1113 members, averaging 351 in worship.  Instead of over 200 children and 150 youth in our programs eight years ago, we now have about 100 children and 80 youth active.  Now, this kind of information is difficult for us to hear, but it is our reality.  To take a successful journey, one needs to know where they are beginning from  -- that is the task before us now and through probably this Summer and Fall: to rediscover who we are. So, look for various ways your leadership (starting with a Long Range Planning Survey on March 13) will be asking for input regarding this question for the next few months.

Step 2 is for us to begin to prayerfully discern and then eventually implement a new VISION for LaGrange First UMC – a Vision that is bigger and more compelling and unifying than the provincial visions that many of us may currently have.  It will be a Vision that is bigger than me, you, or any individual, class, or peer group. In short, it will be a Vision for who God wants us as a church to become – a Vision that grows out of who we are (our DNA) but which calls us to become something and someone new as a church congregation.

These two steps may seem elementary, but the reality is that to do them correctly and thoroughly may take up to 12-18 months, and will certainly involve a lot of hard work, discussion, flexibility, and even anguish.  Nevertheless, I firmly believe that this is God’s prescription for our church’s future health, and you’ll want to know that my intention is to lead us as a church to be willing to take these two steps over the next year or so.

In the meantime, though, we can begin to “prime the pump,” if you will, by offering renewed opportunities for each of us to engage in mission, ministry, discipleship, worship, and care as we seek to deepen our own spiritual lives.  After all, since people are attracted to churches who’s members are “on fire” for God, both of these steps begin with each of us being willing to open ourselves to deeper walks with God.  So, look for new and renewed opportunities in this regard over the next 18 months.

I realize that some of us have grown accustomed to practices and traditions that no longer serve to help us grow, but which nevertheless make us comfortable. Consequently, I recognize that this journey will not be easy for all of us.  However, just as God has walked with us through our past, I believe we can trust Him to walk with us into the future as we allow Him to lead and guide us to continue our rich heritage of being an effective, vibrant church for Him!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Pastoral Care - Did You Know???

“God the one who comforts us in all our trouble, so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble.  We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

One of the jobs of your pastoral staff (Blake and myself) is to provide meaningful and appropriate care to all in our church fellowship who have pastoral needs.  This includes situations such as births, deaths, serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and other crises.  To help meet these needs, you need to know that we as a church currently have the following practices and services in place:

● Blake and I make Hospital Visits each week to hospitalized members and friends.  Generally, Blake visits on Mondays-Tuesdays, I visit on Wednesdays-Thursdays, and the “Pastor On Call” (see below) on Fridays-Sundays, but whoever visits shares information with the other so we are both always “in the loop” about major pastor issues.  Both of us also make emergency pastoral crisis visits as needed.  Please contact the church office or use the Emergency Pastoral Care number (below) to let us know about such needs.  Do not assume we already know -- we would rather receive several messages about a pastoral need than to miss one altogether!

● Blake or I usually call to pray with persons by phone the night before scheduled surgeries if we have been made aware of those.

● On nights and weekends (whenever the office is closed), one of us is always available via our NEW “Pastor On Call”/Emergency Pastoral Care System (888-456-1203). Even though one of us is “on-call” one month and the other is “on-call” the next month, all information is shared between us confidentially.

● Both of us are available for Basic Pastoral Counseling to all who desire spiritual direction, mentoring, support, prayer, and general guidance.  All discussions are kept strictly confidential.  While we can at times accommodate “drop ins,” it is usually best to make an appointment with us through the church office (churchoffice@lagrangefumc.org).  If it is determined after an initial session that either ongoing or specialized care is needed, be aware that we will usually refer persons to faith-based specialists who we trust and know, as pastors are not equipped to be long-term individual counselors.

● In addition, I am available to serve Holy Communion to our Homebound or other members when requested, and to perform Weddings and Baptisms after meeting for wedding or baptism counseling.  Blake will also be available for these services after his commissioning in June.  Again, contact the office or pastors directly for any of these. Please note: Our wedding policies state that the use of an outside pastor for a wedding in our church (i.e., besides the two of us) requires the approval of the Senior Pastor.

● Our Community Care Fund provides church members and others with short-term assistance and resources as available.  Blake and I are able to access this fund in conversation with Rick Free and our Community Care Team leaders for emergency pastoral care needs.

As you can see, there are many services that we as your pastoral staff provide in the area of pastoral care.  However, we need YOUR assistance: If you have or learn about pastoral needs within our church fellowship (such as upcoming hospitalizations, births, deaths, or other crises), please inform the church office as soon as possible (706-884-4635) so that we may appropriately follow up.  After office hours or on weekends, please call our new Emergency Pastoral Care system (888-456-1203).   Your help and consideration is much appreciated!  Remember that God loves you and both Blake and I do, too!

Who Are You? and Who Are We?

“Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4)

Who are you?  It’s an important question in a world of over 6 billion people, each struggling to discover our own unique identity and self-worth.  And if we don’t know who we are, then for good or bad, the world we live in will tell us.

That’s why it’s so important for us to be clear about our own identity as children of God -- each special, each unique and valuable to Him.  In Luke 12:6-7 Jesus says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Mother Teresa put it this way: “In our efforts to listen to God's words to us, we often neglect what might be called his ‘first word’ to us.  This is the gift of ourselves to ourselves:  our existence, our nature, our personal history, our uniqueness, our identity.  All that we have, and indeed, our very existence, is one of the unique and never‑to‑be‑repeated ways God has chosen to express himself in space and time.  Each of us, because we are made in God's image and likeness, is yet another promise that he has made to the universe that he will continue to love it and care for it.” 

                                     [--Mother Teresa, Leadership,magazine Vol. 10, No. 4]

Who are you?  You are a child of God... precious, honored, and loved in His eyes.  Never forget that you have a great identity as a member of God’s family! Who are you?  You are a child of God... precious, honored, and loved in His eyes.  Never forget that you have a great identity as a member of God’s family!  

And related to that thought, I pray that you will join me beginning February 14 as Blake and I begin a new series series based on the stories of Abraham exploring who we are (our identity) as God’s people here at LaGrange First UMC. And always remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Three Simple Rules

As we begin a new year with a new sermon series called “RENOVATE (exploring how to renew our souls for 2016), it’s also a good time to be reminded of ways we can improve our own lives and behavior as Jesus’ disciples. The following article that relates these ways is taken from a weekly email I once received from our North Georgia United Methodist Annual Conference....

“[The founder of Methodism] John Wesley understood that everyone needs help in living the Christian life. His General Rules offered instruction to the early Methodists on practices that would lead to faithfulness to the way of Christ. Wesley’s guidelines for living are still relevant today.

           

Rule One: DO NO HARM. In his book, Three Simple Rules, Reuben Job says, “To do no harm means that I will be on my guard so that all my actions and even my silence will not add injury to another of God’s children or any part of God’s creation.” I was taught if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. How often do we have the opportunity in word and deed, by action or inaction, to do no harm?  However often it is, we should do it.

Rule Two: DO GOOD. Jesus said “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”  Jesus and Wesley suggest that doing good is a universal command and is directed at everyone. Doing good is a proactive way of living--an act of the will. I can decide that the common good will be my first thought and what is good for me will become a secondary thought. Jack Stabinsky suffers from multiple sclerosis and needed to relocate from Lawrenceville, GA to a specialized facility in Boston. After Rick Badie wrote about his situation in the local newspaper, strangers anonymously made it possible. Occasions to do good are ever present. Look for them. “Be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, The Message).

     

Rule Three: STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD. The first two rules are important but without this third rule become increasingly impossible. We practice the rules but God sends the power that enables us to keep them. Paul wrote, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:6-7) Wesley suggested that spiritual disciplines including public worship of God, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, Bible study, and fasting were key to maintaining a life of faithfulness to God. They assist us in living our lives in harmony with God. And while staying in love with God includes these practices, it also causes us to share God’s goodness with others.  The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. These “Three Simple Rules” will help us run all the way with the flame of our torch still lit for Jesus.”

[--Taken from Rev. Jamie Jenkins, “Monday Morning In North Georgia,” 

    January 7, 2008 (www.ngumc.org)]

 Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Operations Christmas Child

“Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

If you were at worship with us this past Sunday (October 4), you'll know that one of the ways we celebrated World Communion Sunday was by providing opportunities for us as a church to make a difference in the life of needy children around the world through an international, ecumenical ministry called “Operation Christmas Child” (www.samaritanspurse.org/occ).

Since 1993, this ministry has partnered with local churches like ours throughout the U.S., Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Spain and the U.K to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to over 124 million children affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, and other crises in more than 150 countries and territories. And although we have participated in this ministry in the past, our church’s participation this year is a great way for us all to participate in Jesus’ call to minister to "the least of these" described in the scripture above.

Throughout October, individuals, families, and groups within our church are invited to fill empty shoeboxes with items like dolls, balls, and other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items, as well as scripture messages and notes of encouragement to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who receive the shoebox gifts.  (If you didn’t get a box last week during worship, we still have a number remaining in our Fellowship Hall/MMC -- just help yourself to however many you want to pack).

After you fill your boxes, just include a $7 check (per box) to cover shipping costs and bring it back to one of our church’s designated drop-off points on or before November 7th.  We’ll then ship them to a processing center (one in Atlanta), where volunteers will then ship them out to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries of the world to help them experience Christmas and the love of Christ.  You can even follow your box online to discover where in the world your gift is delivered using the donation form.

I hope you will join my wife and I as we seek to make a difference in the life of a child who otherwise might never hear of or experience the Christ of Christmas. Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Football Faith

“Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. …That way they can take hold of the life that truly is life”  (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

In the game of football, the ultimate goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  No team ever wins a game without moving the ball forward, and -- likewise -- no quarterback can advance the cause of the team without distributing the ball to others. 

So it is with the Christian faith:  growing and maturing as disciples of Jesus Christ requires us to share the “ball” that God has given to us. In the scripture above from 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul advises his young apprentice Timothy that sharing is necessary not only for ourselves, but also in order for God’s “team” (the church), to move forward on the “playing field” of life. 

During the month of October, through a spiritual journey called Football Faith, we as a church will be exploring the value of being part of God’s “team” through the practice of generosity:  the sharing of our resources and lives for the work of God’s kingdom.  We’ll learn the difference between ownership and stewardship, the importance of being a “team player,” the great benefits of at least one God-given tool for sharing, and the joy that results from generosity itself.

And by the time we celebrate “Touchdown Sunday” on October 25, our hope is that we will have been challenged to understand and claim how true life – true “victory” -- is not found in what we have (i.e., in “keeping the ball”) but in what we give away (i.e., in “passing the ball to others”).  You won’t want to miss a single Sunday in this unique and special spiritual journey!

In the meantime, however, I ask you to join me and your church leadership in praying that God will prepare our hearts to hear His message of transforming generosity, and to commit to being present in worship each week as we do so!

Worship First

“I was glad when they said to me ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1)

Corporate worship is the very heart of the Christian faith.  Through it we both glorify God and lift ourselves up, we connect both with God and each other through prayer and praise, and we are reminded of our calling to be God’s hands and feet in the world around us. No wonder the Bible continually talks about the importance of corporate worship for the life of a disciple, for it can be fairly said that Christian faith begins and ends with worship.

No other Christian tool fulfills the purpose or accomplishes the mission that worship alone can. As important as Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and other small groups are to our spiritual and relational growth as Christians, they were never intended to be a substitute for weekly worship with the whole body of Christ. And while the various ministry programs and events that we sponsor and host as a church are all important ways to connect with and serve others, programs and events alone will never grow the church -- only worship can do that.

It should trouble us, then, when some Christians treat worship like an “optional extra” -- a part of their faith that is either attended to only sporadically, or in sometimes skipped altogether.  In some cases, folks attend a Sunday School class, Men’s or Women’s group, Bible study, etc. but then go home and skip worship.  What they don’t realize is that by doing so they are starving their spirit and (if they stay away long enough), it will spiritually cripple their walk with God.

But not only is worship the life-blood of those who claim to follow Jesus, but it’s also usually the first portal that visitors and guests experience of our faith community (and even when it’s not the first one, it’s always the deciding one in eventual faith decisions).

Consequently, we have no more important task as Christian disciples than that of both participating in and helping develop and grow worship at our church.  So, what are YOU doing to foster these?  First and foremost, are you yourself participating regularly in worship at LaGrange First UMC?  If not, why not?  At all of our worship services on September 27, Pastor Blake and myself will be inviting everyone to make a commitment to God to be in worship every week, unless sick or out of town.  I pray that you will join us in that commitment.

But in addition to your own worship commitment, I also want to ask what you are doing to help grow and develop our worship experiences at LaGrange First UMC?  Have you invited someone lately to attend and sit with you?  Or do you only invite them to programs, events, and your own small group? God’s church grows in direct proportion to how its people make worship a priority.  So, is worship first for YOU?  Remember, God loves you and so do I!

Cherish...



 “Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.” (Proverbs 18:24)

This past Thursday morning, I was awakened by my cell phone.  It was a family friend and member of my former church, sharing with me the heartbreaking news that the “Minister of Music and Worship Arts” at my former church had suffered a sudden heart attack and died just an hour or so earlier.

I was shocked and stunned:  Frieda Brown, my colleague and dear friend for the past ten years at East Cobb United Methodist Church, was now with the Lord.  And while my heart rejoices over her homecoming in heaven, my heart grieves not only for her husband Jeff and two sons Aubrey (a college Sophomore) and Mack (a high school Senior), but also for the members and friends of my former “flock,” as well as  for myself and Trish (who considered Frieda one of her absolute best friends in the world!).  My prayers are with them and with us all.

I wish that those of you who are members and friends of my current church at LaGrange First UMC would have had the opportunity to know Frieda and her contagious joy, her love for music and all worship arts, her compassion for others, her creativity, her love for people, but most of all her love for God and Jesus, and how that love shown through in all she said and did – Soli Deo gloria ('glory to God alone') is how she always signed her notes to our choir.  Our loss here on earth is surely heaven’s gain as she has now joined the choir eternal!

Lux Aeterna Frieda, my friend!

But even if you didn’t know Frieda, each of us surely knows people like her who we value, respect, and look up to. So, I’m writing this article today simply to encourage you (and all of us) never to take those special relationships for granted – to find time and ways to tell those around us who are special to us how much they mean to us and to say “thank you” for their influence on our lives.  We never know how much (or how little) time we have here on earth. Cherish every moment and every relationship that’s special!

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

"Getting to Know Us" Survey Results Summary

“Plans are established by taking advice…" (Proverbs 20:18)

You may remember that the first week of worship after I arrived as your new Pastor, I invited you to participate in a “Getting to Know Us” survey to help me better understand the overarching values and vision of LaGrange First UMC so that I can better lead us in the future.  That survey remained open until the middle of July.  So, here at last are highlights of those results for us all to celebrate and consider:

First of all, THANK YOU to the 100 of you (yes, exactly 100!) who turned a survey in (64 via paper; 36 via online).  And while each one was prayerfully read and considered, bear in mind that what I share below are simply summaries of those results that relate specifically to our church’s values and vision:

QUESTION #1:  If there’s one thing you hope NEVER changes about LaGrange First UMC, what would it be?

● 25 responses referenced the variety and diversity of worship options, styles, and experiences that we offer.  While different responses obviously focused on differing things that people liked about our three Sunday morning services, what was clear across the board is that we all have a deep appreciation for worship and for making it as excellent and relevant as possible

● 11 responses mentioned the importance and value of our hospitality and friendliness as a congregation

● 8 responses focused on how much they loved the various small groups we have, including Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, Wednesday night programs, etc.

● 7 responses affirmed the many ways our church both connects with and serves our community, including the diverse offerings of our music ministry and various missions ministries like our soup kitchen, drug assistance program, meals on wheels, Camp Viola, etc.

QUESTION #2:  If you could wave a magic want and CHANGE any one thing about LaGrange First UMC, what would it be?

● 33 responses expressed in various ways their desire that our church continue to grow and be relevant in and for our community.  Some responses suggested doing this through expansion of current weekly programs, others through more outreach and mission, and still others through a more intentional focus on children (9 mentioned this), youth, and young adults through our connection with LaGrange College. So, even though there are differing ideas about how to do it, it’s clear that our congregation wants to grow and better connect with our community and world.

● 15 responses referenced the need to change various aspects and/or elements of our worship experiences to help us better connect with today’s culture and community.   Some of these involved suggestions for music, others were suggestions for changes in worship times, styles, and use of technology. So, while question #1 revealed an appreciation for our current worship, there is also a sense that work is still needed in this area in order to grow and stay relevant.

● 12 responses referenced the need to become more inviting, welcoming and hospitable, and less “clique-ish” (including responses about better accessibility in our Sanctuary and in our parking lots for senior adults).  I should point out that even though this area was referenced in question #1 by some respondents as a strength, it’s clear that others feel it is an area in need of growth, as well.

● 12 responses mentioned the need to change or modify our administrative and leadership structures to be more effective and efficient in our ministry.

QUESTION:  #3:  What’s the best piece of advice you could give Pastor Brian as our new Senior Pastor?

● 28 responses indicated that pastoral care, listening and communications, and being accessible to all should be areas of prime importance to me as your Senior Pastor.

● 18 responses mentioned their hope that I would take care of myself, be myself, and lead by following my heart and the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit (including the importance of offering loving challenge when appropriate, and not get lost in “church politics”, and even of maintaining a sense of humor and fun about ministry).

● 11 responses indicated the importance of partnership, teamwork, being available to all members and avoiding the appearance of “playing favorites”

● 8 responses asked that I seek to offer and encourage bold ministry that is relevant to people’s heart needs (such as preaching God’s word, connecting with current world and community events, and being involved in our community itself)

● 6 responses shared their hope that I would lead us to discover God’s vision for our church

What I’ve shared above are merely the “highlights” and my “take-aways” from the survey and not a recitation of every individual response.  If you wish to see more detail about the raw responses themselves, you can either contact the church office to request it, or you can click HERE for an online version.

Again, let me say thank you for your valued input in helping me to know and understand what you consider to be the most important things to our church’s mission and ministry! I and our leadership will be taking these themes into consideration as we together seek both to discover and then implement God’s Vision for us as His people here at LaGrange First UMC.

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

I Am A Guest To Your Church

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)

“You cannot know the reason why I am here this morning. It may be as simple as a move to your community, or as complicated as a personal crisis that leads me to seek strength from God. In any case, I am here. And I will probably come back to worship here with you next Sunday if you will do something for me. Won’t you please...

• Smile at me as I walk in your door. You are my first impression of the church during the few moments I am in your building, and this impression will probably stay with me for a long time.

• Speak to me during the greeting time and after the service. I know you want to see your friends, but if you don’t I may find it hard to believe that you truly care for ‘the stranger in your midst.’

• Tell me good things about your church and pastor. I want to believe that I’ve come to a place where people love each other and believe that they are doing something exciting and important for God.

• Notice me even if I am not a ‘traditional’ family. I don’t want to feel invisible just because I am unmarried, a single parent, a teenager, or an older person.

• Invite me to become part of your class or small group. I need more than worship every Sunday -- I need to know that I’m accepted and affirmed by a group of people who know and care for me by name.

If you can find it in your heart to do these things for me, I will come back... a second and third Sunday, and maybe forever. I’ll worship with you, sing in the choir, work on projects, teach in your Sunday School, make financial commitments, and become a highly involved member. In so doing, I’ll find my life immeasurably and eternally enriched.”    [--Author Unknown]

LaGrange First members and friends, Fall is one of the key times of the year that we have new faces in our midst as we worship and gather. I trust that you’ll do your part to welcome each and every one of them with the hospitality and compassion of Jesus! Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Guidelines for Church Membership

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10)

Seen in the newsletter of First United Methodist Church Franklin, NC…

"From time to time, we need to be reminded of the fact that we joined the church...

...NOT to receive special attention, but to render special service;

...NOT to get our name on the roll, but to get God’s kingdom into our hearts;

...NOT to promote our private secular business, but to become a partner in God’s business;

...NOT to be petted and nursed as a baby, but to grow in Christian maturity;

...NOT to improve our own earthly reputation, but to strengthen our Christian character;

...NOT to be served, but to serve;

...NOT to be praised by others, but to direct others to the praise of God alone;

...NOT to save our own souls alone, but to help save others;

...NOT to do as we would please, but to be found pleasing God;

...NOT to make our own rules, but to live by God’s rules;

...NOT to appear respectable to others, but to become respectable to God;

...NOT to find a group of perfect people, but to worship a perfect God;

...NOT to show how good we are, but to learn how good we can become;

...NOT because God’s church might fail without us, but because we might fail without God’s church.”

If everyone at LaGrange First U.M.C. practiced being the kind of church member described above, what kind of church would we have? Better still, if everyone practiced their membership in the above ways in our community, how would our community be different?

My prayer is that each and every one of us will continue to find wasys to be the “hands and feet of Jesus” in our world, and that we'll have the grace and courage to be faithful in whatever it is that God wants us to do. Always remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Pastor's Top Ten List

“Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” (James 1:22)

Being new to a church, I am often asked, "Pastor, how can we help you the most?"  While the following thoughts and sentiments are not original with me, here is a list of "Top Ten" things we pastors (myself included) most love to hear from church members...

10.       Hey, it’s MY turn to sit in the front pew!

9.         I was so caught up in the sermon, I never 

            noticed that the service went 10 minutes 

            over!

8.         Personally, I find sharing my faith with others more enjoyable than golf.

7.         Pastor, I’ve decided to give our church the $200 a month I was spending on the 

            lottery.

6.         I want to volunteer to be the permanent Sunday School teacher for the Middle 

           School class.

5.         In addition to what we give to our Conference Apportionments in our church budget, let’s give more than that to missions!

4.         Pastor, I just love it when we sing songs and hymns that we’ve never sung before!

3.         I was thinking “somebody ought to do something about that,” and then I thought

            “I’m going to do something about it!”

2.         Pastor, we’d like to send you to that Bible conference at the Walt Disney World.

1.         Pastor, would you help me discover some ministry that God could use me in?

[-Modified from a 1996 newsletter article by Rev. Don Underwood from 

  Bowdon First UMC, Bowdon, GA]

My prayer is that we would be a church filled with people who seek God and seek to find a place where they can serve Him!  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!