Hello Church,
'How old are you?' My wife asks me this question when I act like a child. Usually I have done something really dumb or silly. I normally do not answer the question for it may incriminate me.
Maturity is a subjective term, but it is still a legitimate discussion regarding our spiritual lives as well. As we walk with Christ, we should be growing in Christ. The walking part is difficult. The growing part is even more so.
So how do you measure spiritual maturity? United Methodism certainly has its ways and it isn't so much different than other denominational churches. Wesley would take us rather quickly to the issue of piety. Some of us never get there. Some don't want to. However, it is clear to see that spiritually mature churches do more effective work for our Lord. So here are some evidences of spiritual maturity.
Keep the main thing the main thing - staying focused on Christ and His desires is a big, mature step. Prayer, study and worship are big components to keeping our eyes on the desire of the Divine. When we put focus on the back burner, we stray away from God's desires for us. This puts us at risk of spiritually immature behavior.
Crossing the threshold - Spiritual maturity is about crossing that line of thinking. One line of thinking is, 'what can this church do for me?' It is a consumer mentality that, in my opinion, most people will not ever get away from. Some of this is the fault of modern churches that seek to be people-pleasers only, without the intent of disciple-making. However, a mature Christian will eventually shift their thinking to that of 'what can I do to be the church?'. I am no longer a 'consumer' of the church. Now I am an 'employee' of the church. This leads to.....
Self-Sacrifice - this is a big step. Everything around us says to be concerned about self-preservation. However, Christ was about giving of self. Paul was about giving of self. Wesley was about giving of self. A mature Christian gives. A mature church has a healthy budget and plenty of servant leaders. Immature Christians moan about stewardship campaigns; complain about church meetings (even effective ones) and find ways to avoid committing their time to that ministry team that needs them.
How old is Emmanuel?
This Fall will put our maturity to the test. We will need people to step up and lead. We are already in search of a co-treasurer, Finance chair and Personal Discipleship Team leader. We will also be looking for leadership in the area of youth, worship and community engagement. Additionally, we are behind in our giving. Commitments for 2020 will be sought after. Yes, money will be talked about. Yes, serving will be talked about. Mature Christians not only expect it, they embrace it. Why? Because prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness are at the core of who we are as church members. Without it, we become consumers only.
We've had a good year so far. Let's continue to be the church.
God Is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, August 26, 2019
Monday, August 19, 2019
K-I-D-S
Hello Church,
For those who missed it, Beth Pollitt talked from her heart yesterday during worship. It was a good talk and we certainly will pray for her as she pursues her Call. As she goes through an exciting and a little terrifying transition (she will be the Youth leader at Amelia UMC), our transition at Emmanuel is no less exciting and terrifying.
4 people at Emmanuel are stepping forward to work together with kids and youth. Kevin Uhl, Chad Ellis, Morgan Boone and Amanda Forsee are taking the plunge. This kind of leadership is new to every one of them (though Chad has been teaching Sunday School for a while now). The exciting part for me is that every one of them is also excited. They have energy and enthusiasm. They have dreams and hopes for the Fall as we discuss the kids of the church and the community.
The terrifying part for me (and Beth knows this too) is that it is very difficult to implement programming without the help and commitment of the church and the rest of church leadership. Beth spoiled us some in that she is uniquely driven to youth ministry. Beth is not the norm.
Emmanuel is at a place where we will need to be open and honest about what kind of kids and youth ministry we want... now just in how we talk, but how we behave. Churches tend to move in one direction or another in their behavior. Either they make children and youth programming a priority or they don't (church budgeting, worship time, volunteers, etc are examples of prioritizing). Of course, every church SAYS they want young people in their church. As a pastor, I quickly learned that is because that is the right thing to say. But proof is in the behavior.
As we continue the renewal on engagement, this time of year the focus could be on our young people. Let 's do it. Kevin, Chad, Morgan and Amanda will be talking to parents and kids about what they would like to see in the months to come. Sunday school, nursery, children sermons, evening events, community events, outreach events and more are all on the table. It's a blank slate. Let's talk. Let's decide. Let's engage.
If you are a young family and new to Emmanuel or are looking for a fresh start, here is your chance. Not only do you have the opportunity for something new for your kids, but you have the opportunity to shape the kind of ministry you want your kids to have. Let's talk. Let's decide. Let's engage.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
For those who missed it, Beth Pollitt talked from her heart yesterday during worship. It was a good talk and we certainly will pray for her as she pursues her Call. As she goes through an exciting and a little terrifying transition (she will be the Youth leader at Amelia UMC), our transition at Emmanuel is no less exciting and terrifying.
4 people at Emmanuel are stepping forward to work together with kids and youth. Kevin Uhl, Chad Ellis, Morgan Boone and Amanda Forsee are taking the plunge. This kind of leadership is new to every one of them (though Chad has been teaching Sunday School for a while now). The exciting part for me is that every one of them is also excited. They have energy and enthusiasm. They have dreams and hopes for the Fall as we discuss the kids of the church and the community.
The terrifying part for me (and Beth knows this too) is that it is very difficult to implement programming without the help and commitment of the church and the rest of church leadership. Beth spoiled us some in that she is uniquely driven to youth ministry. Beth is not the norm.
Emmanuel is at a place where we will need to be open and honest about what kind of kids and youth ministry we want... now just in how we talk, but how we behave. Churches tend to move in one direction or another in their behavior. Either they make children and youth programming a priority or they don't (church budgeting, worship time, volunteers, etc are examples of prioritizing). Of course, every church SAYS they want young people in their church. As a pastor, I quickly learned that is because that is the right thing to say. But proof is in the behavior.
As we continue the renewal on engagement, this time of year the focus could be on our young people. Let 's do it. Kevin, Chad, Morgan and Amanda will be talking to parents and kids about what they would like to see in the months to come. Sunday school, nursery, children sermons, evening events, community events, outreach events and more are all on the table. It's a blank slate. Let's talk. Let's decide. Let's engage.
If you are a young family and new to Emmanuel or are looking for a fresh start, here is your chance. Not only do you have the opportunity for something new for your kids, but you have the opportunity to shape the kind of ministry you want your kids to have. Let's talk. Let's decide. Let's engage.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, August 12, 2019
Death and Family Strife
Hello Church,
Today's topic is a little morbid. I am currently sitting in the waiting room at Tri-Health, waiting for Joey as he goes through a medical procedure. It's a minor one, to be sure, but for some there is no such thing as a 'minor' procedure.
One of the questions he was asked at check-in was if he had brought a living will. We chuckled about it and then made jokes, but that was more out of awkwardness than anything else.
Through the years as I have helped families through grief and loss, the topic of wills have come up from time to time. Unfortunately sometimes the topic is not a positive one. Loved ones have often passed away without leaving any will. This inevitably causes stress and conflict among the family even as they are dealing with the grief. Family members discuss, argue and debate about who gets what or how much. At times it as turned very ugly, leading into legal action or family division. It's a sad thing to see.
Other times, when wills are involved, it still may not be much better. The wills can be unclear or seen as unfair, still causing conflict among family. All the while, grief is present and difficult.
The Church has a lot to say about what may or may not happen to you after you die. I would like to bring attention to the other side of things. What happens to your family after you die? Here are some of my thoughts based on my experience through the years:
- Have a will. Make it clear and concise. You don't want your family dealing with the complications because you didn't have one (especially in the state of Ohio). This will help your family focus on the emotions of losing you.
- Communicate to the family about your will. Help them understand your wishes. Talk to them. They can't argue with you after your gone and thus will be left to argue with family instead. Talk it out now. Even if they don't agree or don't think it is fair, give them opportunity to process through it now so they can focus on grief when you are gone.
- Losing loved ones shouldn't be wrought with legal affairs. It should be a time of celebrating a person's life and coming together as family and friends to console and comfort one another. Sending this message through the will would be a nice idea to encourage them to focus on the important things.
As a side note, technology allows us to be very creative in how we send messages to our family and friends after we die. I am currently considering how I can preside over my own funeral through the use of video... even interactive video. It gives me an immense amount of control in how my life is to be celebrated, at least for the duration of the funeral service. I also wonder how technology can be used to express my last wishes.
I told you this was a morbid topic. However, it can also be a life-giving topic. How our lives go on for eternity is of the upmost importance, but who we leave behind and how they go on living is not insignificant. Help them keep on living by considering what you leave behind and how you leave it.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Today's topic is a little morbid. I am currently sitting in the waiting room at Tri-Health, waiting for Joey as he goes through a medical procedure. It's a minor one, to be sure, but for some there is no such thing as a 'minor' procedure.
One of the questions he was asked at check-in was if he had brought a living will. We chuckled about it and then made jokes, but that was more out of awkwardness than anything else.
Through the years as I have helped families through grief and loss, the topic of wills have come up from time to time. Unfortunately sometimes the topic is not a positive one. Loved ones have often passed away without leaving any will. This inevitably causes stress and conflict among the family even as they are dealing with the grief. Family members discuss, argue and debate about who gets what or how much. At times it as turned very ugly, leading into legal action or family division. It's a sad thing to see.
Other times, when wills are involved, it still may not be much better. The wills can be unclear or seen as unfair, still causing conflict among family. All the while, grief is present and difficult.
The Church has a lot to say about what may or may not happen to you after you die. I would like to bring attention to the other side of things. What happens to your family after you die? Here are some of my thoughts based on my experience through the years:
- Have a will. Make it clear and concise. You don't want your family dealing with the complications because you didn't have one (especially in the state of Ohio). This will help your family focus on the emotions of losing you.
- Communicate to the family about your will. Help them understand your wishes. Talk to them. They can't argue with you after your gone and thus will be left to argue with family instead. Talk it out now. Even if they don't agree or don't think it is fair, give them opportunity to process through it now so they can focus on grief when you are gone.
- Losing loved ones shouldn't be wrought with legal affairs. It should be a time of celebrating a person's life and coming together as family and friends to console and comfort one another. Sending this message through the will would be a nice idea to encourage them to focus on the important things.
As a side note, technology allows us to be very creative in how we send messages to our family and friends after we die. I am currently considering how I can preside over my own funeral through the use of video... even interactive video. It gives me an immense amount of control in how my life is to be celebrated, at least for the duration of the funeral service. I also wonder how technology can be used to express my last wishes.
I told you this was a morbid topic. However, it can also be a life-giving topic. How our lives go on for eternity is of the upmost importance, but who we leave behind and how they go on living is not insignificant. Help them keep on living by considering what you leave behind and how you leave it.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, August 5, 2019
My Wife Is Stuck With Me
Hello Church,
'It's all good until someone gets to know me.'
I recently made this comment among friends. It was intended to be funny, but the comment stuck in my head and I couldn't get it out. I concluded that there was much more seriousness to it than I had originally intended and it applies to perhaps all of us.
When someone doesn't know anything about you, they are free to perceive anything they would like. Perceptions about you could be based on anything superficial.... the clothes you wear (or how you wear them), tattoos/piercings, the car you drive, who you are with, how you talk, etc. For me and in my experience, it is about my label of 'pastor'. 'Pastor' creates all kinds of perceptions for people. Unfortunately for me, it sometimes raises the bar on how I should dress, talk, act, etc. Though I fully acknowledge it also opens doors for me as others tend to automatically trust me and share things with me when they would normally be guarded or closed off completely.
'It's all good until someone gets to know me.'
Probably the only person that knows me fully is my wife. I'm okay with that because she is stuck with me. However, no one else is. I've been around long enough for most of my parishioners to get to know me. While a few will fully accept the lack of perceived 'holiness' that a pastor should exude, when others find out that the pastor is just like any other 'Joe', it can affect relationships.
Again, this isn't unique to me. All of us deal with unfair perceptions about us. Guess what? Jesus did too. The label 'Messiah' brought all kinds of expectations, none of which came to fruition. It was expected that He would be a warrior king to overthrow Roman rule. Instead, He died without a fight.
The lesson? Don't invest in others' perceptions of you, fair or unfair. Focus on being the best disciple of Christ you can be. As people get to know you, those who stick around will stick around for the authentic reasons. Let the false perceptions flake off along with the people who chose to go away because you aren't who they want you to be. In the end, you will be around people who love you for who you are. This creates authenticity all around you, including friendships.
And when a congregation does this? You have an authentic church. And isn't that what people appreciate more than anything?.... to be part of a church that is authentic and who authentically worships the risen Christ? I think so.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
'It's all good until someone gets to know me.'
I recently made this comment among friends. It was intended to be funny, but the comment stuck in my head and I couldn't get it out. I concluded that there was much more seriousness to it than I had originally intended and it applies to perhaps all of us.
When someone doesn't know anything about you, they are free to perceive anything they would like. Perceptions about you could be based on anything superficial.... the clothes you wear (or how you wear them), tattoos/piercings, the car you drive, who you are with, how you talk, etc. For me and in my experience, it is about my label of 'pastor'. 'Pastor' creates all kinds of perceptions for people. Unfortunately for me, it sometimes raises the bar on how I should dress, talk, act, etc. Though I fully acknowledge it also opens doors for me as others tend to automatically trust me and share things with me when they would normally be guarded or closed off completely.
'It's all good until someone gets to know me.'
Probably the only person that knows me fully is my wife. I'm okay with that because she is stuck with me. However, no one else is. I've been around long enough for most of my parishioners to get to know me. While a few will fully accept the lack of perceived 'holiness' that a pastor should exude, when others find out that the pastor is just like any other 'Joe', it can affect relationships.
Again, this isn't unique to me. All of us deal with unfair perceptions about us. Guess what? Jesus did too. The label 'Messiah' brought all kinds of expectations, none of which came to fruition. It was expected that He would be a warrior king to overthrow Roman rule. Instead, He died without a fight.
The lesson? Don't invest in others' perceptions of you, fair or unfair. Focus on being the best disciple of Christ you can be. As people get to know you, those who stick around will stick around for the authentic reasons. Let the false perceptions flake off along with the people who chose to go away because you aren't who they want you to be. In the end, you will be around people who love you for who you are. This creates authenticity all around you, including friendships.
And when a congregation does this? You have an authentic church. And isn't that what people appreciate more than anything?.... to be part of a church that is authentic and who authentically worships the risen Christ? I think so.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
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