Human Bait And Ethical Dilemmas

 Hello Church,

Who is the customer in the church?  Think hard before you answer.  I have my opinion and I'll give it in just a moment.

First, have you watch 'The Social Dilemma'?  It's on Netflix and is absolutely fascinating!  My daughter Hope was assigned to watch it as part of a class at school.  We all watched it.  We all learned something.  In the mind of Facebook, Google, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and all the rest..... we are not the customer.... not even close.  But we are used to attract the customer.  We are, in a sense, the bait and there are strong ethical concerns to consider in the midst of it all.  A must watch as there are major implications on how we are treated by social media, psychologically and emotionally.

While watching it, my mind turned to the church.  Who do we think is the customer and who is the customer and should there even be a customer?  The long-time church member?  The visitor?  Jesus?  Who are we serving?  Who do we cater to?  To whom do our goals center around?  The outside community?

These are critical questions and should be based on our theology.  However, sad to say, our theology doesn't always come into play.  The Pastor tries to make it so, but even we pastors get lured away from divine purpose and into human interests.

My opinion?  The customer is two-fold and it depends on where you are in your spiritual journey.  If you don't yet know Jesus, you are the customer.  To put in corporate terms, the Church brings you the product:  Jesus who loves you unconditionally; who dies for you; who calls you to discipleship; who gives you new life and hope and peace and grace.  Best of all, there is no cost.  It's free.

Once you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, the customer changes.  You now become a servant, not a customer.  You listen and learn from God.  You do what God would want you to do.  Your life focus becomes living into your purpose sent from God.  You live to please God.  You want to do the divine thing; the Christ-like thing.  In Paul's words, 'you put on Christ'.  You carry the cross.  Christ lives in you.  The difference is that you are not just receiving it.  You are living it.  So now who is the customer?  This is where I think we mess up.  Jesus is the customer.  Christians (literally 'followers of Christ') serve Jesus.  We do not serve each other.  When we do serve each other (including the one who does not know Jesus), we do so to please Jesus, not each other.  Jesus is the customer.

Where are you in your spiritual journey?  Have you crossed the threshold from being served to serving?  It makes a huge difference on your perspective, attitude and expectations of the church.  Do you go to church?  Or are you part of the church?  Something to think about.  It makes a difference.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe 

There Is A Sinkhole In My Yard

 Hello Church,

Sinkholes are devious creatures!  At first, on the surface, everything seems fine and normal.  What you don't know is that, underneath the surface, treachery is afoot!  Then one day, out of the clear blue... BAM!  The ground opens up and everything on the surface disappears.

So I noticed a few weeks ago that a section of my yard was beginning to sag.  Additionally, it was always muddy and wet and weird mossy stuff was growing in the grass.  In the words of one of my uncles, 'That Ain't Good'.  The vision of being swallowed up while mowing my yard was finally too much.  I made a phone call to get it checked out.

Segway to life's sinkholes.  We can be pretty good at making the surface of our life look good.  Some are incredibly effective at this skill.  However, underneath, treachery can be afoot.  When we don't allow ourselves to deal with the issues underneath the surface, we can get swallowed up when those underlying problems give way.  What follows could be a myriad of issues:  marital problems, mental breakdowns, physical illness, job loss, etc.  

Tis the season for my annual job evaluation.  This year the conference is focusing on clergy wellness.  To be clear, clergy do NOT have a good track record for being healthy.  In fact, we are near the bottom of the list of professionals when it comes to physical and mental well-being.  Ironic, huh?

Do you have any sinkholes in your yard?  Are you taking care of them?  God created you.  Respect God's creation.  Be well.  Stay well.  And deal with any underlying issues so that chaos doesn't surprise you one day.  This is one way to be an example of Christian living.  

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

When Holy Communion Doesn't Taste Yucky

 Hello Church,

Sunday we had Holy Communion.  Because of Covid issues, it was with the sealed little cup with the sealed little 'wafer'.  For those of you who know what I'm talking about, it amounts to 3 drops of juice and a piece of plastic that is supposed to be chewed.  It can be a bit yucky.  I miss the Hawaiian bread.  (enter sad face here).

Certainly the Holy Sacraments have meaning for me.  Holy communion and my baptism have always been an opportunity to express what was and is already in my heart.  I have many memories of taking communion in many different ways.  However, there is a common denominator in each of those memories:  community.

I can remember taking communion beside by grandpa, grandma, Sunday School teachers, and little old ladies that always smiled at me.  I remember standing beside students at United Theological Seminary; ordinands at Annual Conference; and full-time Elders at Clergy Sessions.  And, of course, the rows of people who would approach me over the past 24 years, to take the bread and the cup, one after another, to express what is in their hearts.  

What I don't always remember is what kind of bread or juice was used.  I do remember the best kind of bread (Hawaiian).  And I do remember the juice that didn't quite look grape enough.  Typically, however, it wasn't the bread and juice that gave significance to each event.  It was the community around me that reminded my that my Faith is bigger than just me.  

And, for me, that is God's blessing behind the Sacraments.  That is also why Communion never really is all that yucky.

Junk Or Treasure?

 Hello Church,

If you haven't heard, the church building is full of junk.... or is it treasure?  In any case, we are having our biggest Yard Sale ever!  And there is a lot of stuff.  The top floor is filled with clothes and shoes.  The lobby is filled with furniture.  The basement is filled with... well... .everything else....this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, starting at 9:00.

Are you into yard/garage sales?  I know some people live for it.  Indeed, I know a few that claim they truly have found some treasures that people never knew they had stored in their attic or basement.... antiques furniture, rare jewelry, baseball cards, coins, etc;  However, you have to be willing to commit yourself to looking hard.  You also need to know what you are looking for.

Finding glimpses of God's work in our lives can be similar.  There is a lot of junk in our days, especially these days.  People can be mean.  And when you see it day after day, in-person or in the media, it can get to you after a while.  I know I have moments when I get a little angry at the world.  Why the hate?

You can find God, however.  You may have to be willing to commit yourself to looking hard.  You also need to know what your are looking for.  For instance, you are unlikely to find it on CNN or FOX.  You may not see God in the media at all, though there are those rare feel-good stories that the local channels air.  ESPN also runs a powerful series called E60.  

Usually, however, you need to find God without the media.  Why?  Because sometimes God is too subtle for a good news story.... and hate always gets better ratings.  For example, we aren't hearing anything about all the sacrifice and effort people are putting into Louisiana and the clean-up after hurricane Laura.  

I encourage you to look hard for God.  Find those instances when love is shown or grace is given.  Look for the moments of forgiveness or listen for the words of hope.  They are out there.  I see and hear them every day.  I just have to remember to look for them.

Find the treasures in the midst of the junk.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe