How do you give thanks?

Hello Emmanuel,

Some would call me a fairly laid-back guy.  I try not to make a big deal out of the little things.  There are plenty of other people who will do that for me.  However, when it comes to the big things, I drive myself and my household crazy with anxiety.  I will pace the house and mumble to myself and sometimes say phrases out loud with so much clarity that my family members look at me sideways and wonder what is going through my head.  My daughter Hope doesn't wonder.  She just comes out and says it.  'Dad, you talk to yourself too much'.

Other than sharing a preview of what I will be like when I'm old and feeble, this month has me talking to myself.  God seems to constantly push Emmanuel into the new and unknown.  I would say that I've learned to live on the edge of my seat.  However, truth be known, I have been put there by God to constantly pay attention and try to not mess things up.   I'd rather not live on the edge of my seat.  It's too nerve-wrecking.  But it is also so exciting.  It's good that the little things don't stress me out.  The big things are clearly enough to keep me occupied.

So November is here.  We will be working on the budget for 2013.  We will be considering a new staff position.  We have already started our missions push ($1,100 went to UMCOR to help with the hurricane victims), but much more is on the way.  And yet November is also a time to find ways to give thanks.  All of this goes together in this way:  How do you give thanks?

A good Methodist would tell you how to give thanks:  prayers, presence, gifts and service.  Or a person who has been attending worship could give you different options.... the 5 love languages:  Time, Words, Touch, Gifts and Service.  Of the two suggestions, do you see a commonality?

Giving and serving in in the church is the difference between a spiritually lively church or a stifling blah church.  Iti is the difference between a frustrated church and an encouraging church.  If we believe the Holy Spirit of God is always speaking to the church, then the question becomes, 'how do we respond'?

November will give you ample opportunity.  It can be a time to let the church know how you will give and how you will serve.  Doing such will help Emmanuel plan for the future and mulitiply ministry.  If you don't get how they connect, then you can go to last Sunday's podcast.  It may not yet be up, but hopefully it will be by the middle of this week. 

I hope you consider how you will give thanks this month for all the good God has given you.  I also hope you will allow the church to multiply your thanks.  

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

Politics!! ACK!!

Hello Emmanuel,

I've been feeling pretty stressed lately.  Emmanuel is on the precipice of some rather significant transition.  Over the next month, decisions will be made about Saturday worship, possible new staff and a 2013 budget that is currently looking at significant increases.  While these issues would be enough, there is one other issue that is tempting me to lose my mind.....

Political phone calls.....

In years past, I have been able to dodge and weave through the passionate, yet biased push to get me to vote for so-and-so.  This year?  I'm not sure if it is because my patience is thinner or if it is because the political push is rougher.  What I do know is that, on any given day, I am getting 10-15 phone calls in regards to something political (and the church gets the same phone calls).  Grrrrrrr.....

For those who don't know me, I am passionate about politics...  as in:  I'm convinced that politics is a mean-spirited rotten egg that has over-complicated and over-spent what should be a much simpler and straightforward process.  When it comes to facebook, I try to stay silent (and do you know how hard that is for me?).  The game of politics an insult to my intelligence.  Do I really think one side has all the answers to everything?  And do I really think that the other side constantly lies about everything?  Please!!!  I work with sinners.  I know better.  

For me, politics should be about getting the right person in the right place to do the right thing.  It's a good thing I'm not involved in politics..... oh wait... I am.....

Every so often I'll hear a person complain about politics in the church.  I won't be so naive to think or say that there isn't any at Emmanuel.  However, I do believe that 'politics' doesn't have to be a bad word.  Instead of spending our energy trying to convince everyone to one side of the fence or the other, why don't we instead find out what we have in common and organize ourselves to live into our purpose?  Granted, it's much difficult to do that on a national, secular level, but the church certainly has shown it can also get bogged down into the who-likes-who battles.

But what about Emmanuel?  We are more concerned about people knowing Jesus.  Are you a right person for a right job?  Can you fit somewhere to help Emmauel live into our purpose... our process of helping others get to be disciples of Jesus?  We are looking for servant leaders in all areas:  Worship, Hospitality, Outreach, Missions, Faith-Forming Relationships, Trustees, Finance, Care, etc;  In the weeks ahead you will be invited to consider your Call within the church.  What can you offer to make Emmanuel more like the church God wants it to be?  I'm looking forward to your answer.

Who knows... you might get a phone call. 

God is Good,
Pastor Joe