Sharing A Bad Word In Church

 Hello Church,

Most people know me as someone who doesn't like to be in your face with religion.  In an attempt to be transparent, I am not always a fan of religion, per se.  I believe that sometimes religion can get in the way of living out the Christian Faith, ironically (a post for another day).  However, there comes a time when religion needs to just get a hold of us and shake things up in a more direct way.  The is called ....close your ears little ones..... 

evangelism  (gasp)

Over the years 'evangelism' has taken on negative connotation.  We have images of in-your-face Christians who somehow think they know what is best for you when you know they have no idea the kind of life you live.  It's a turnoff for sure.  It's one reason I didn't want to be a pastor.  

However, there are those moments.  Sometimes you just have to say the words, 'You need Jesus'.  'You need Jesus' or 'Do you know Jesus?' are a couple of phrases I have said over the years, but not often at all outside of a sermon.  Saying it in a sermon is easy for me because I assume that people are there to hear about Him.  But in a random conversation?  Too evangelical!

However, there have been moments.  Usually it comes when I am appalled with an attitude I see in a long-time church-goer.  Or I have said it in a half-joking way with someone who seems grumpy about their life (my wife have had numerous times to say it to me, but let's not encourage her).

Have you ever said, 'you need Jesus'?  Timing needs to be perfect and it needs to be said to the right person, but more direct methods of evangelism can work (i.e. standing on the corner of the street holding a Bible and shouting at people is not good timing, nor to the right person).  It can be done with someone with whom you have a healthy relationship with and who trusts you (i.e. not with someone with whom you are angry).  Good evangelism is done out of concern and care, not out of spite or frustration.

We are more used to the subtle approaches to evangelism, letting our church be seen through more casual community events, but not with too much pushiness.  This is because we know that a defensive person would never come visit us for worship.

But I invite you to look for that rare opportunity.  It might be passed off as a funny comment, but it might also plant a seed for future discussions.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Jesus Has A Dream

 Hello Church,

On this Martin Luther King Day, I am reminded of my personal desire for simple and decent equality.  The key word here, for this blog, is 'simple'.

It isn't a complicated matter.  Jesus was very obvious about unconditional love for all.  Though you might argue He didn't love the religious leaders all that much, He particularly focused on their behavior of treating others...well... unequally.

Unfortunately, today, it isn't a simple matter.  Combine the multiple layers of political agendas (i.e. pork barrel spending that turns a relatively simple bill into a 6,000 page document) with the national media who chooses to forego objective journalism and suddenly the simple concept of equality gets lost.  So what hope is there to get back to the simple matter of equality?

The Church

I'm a big fan of simple, straight forward sermons.  I'm also a fan of teachings that ignore all unspoken subtleties and undercurrents and hidden agendas.  It makes sense, then, that I'm a big fan of Jesus.

Theoretically, if the Church was in charge, we could get back to simple and decent.  It's only theoretical because the Church is made up of humans who tend to complicate matters (please read the 3rd paragraph again).  Even if we are able to scrape away multiple man-made agendas, the history of the Church isn't without it's pitfalls.

That said, authentic religious institutions who stick to Jesus can bring a purer and more straightforward approach to peace and justice and equality.  It takes strong leadership, for sure.... and an intentional desire to study Jesus and only Jesus.

So I don't believe it an accident that one of the biggest civil rights activists in our history was a leader of a church.  MLK, for sure, wasn't perfect.  History also uncovers his flaws.  However, that is the beauty of what we remember today because it was not MLK to whom we listened.  He was able to allow just enough of Jesus' agenda to be heard through his complicated and flawed life to bring a simple message to a complicated world.  

So be the Church.  Let enough of Jesus' simple agenda flow through your words and actions that it is what other people see and hear.  You'll have a much better chance to make someone's day much better.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Why I Choked Up In Worship Yesterday

 Hello Church,

I do have those moments when I cry.  It isn't often.  My kids can testify that they simply don't see me cry.  Truth is, in almost every moment, my rare times of tears come as I lead worship.

Yesterday was one of those days.  You can look it up on our podcast.  I don't really get proud or embarrassed by it.  I actually think I handle it okay when it happens.  I just stop talking for a few seconds and let the moment pass.  Then I continue.  Usually it only takes a few seconds.  Yesterday at the 9:00 service was different.

It came while reading the creed during the Congregational Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant.  I've read the creed a million times in my life.  It shouldn't have been such a hard thing to do.  But there are a couple of realities that smacked me in the face while I read it......

First, only I could ready it.  Normally, in that situation, we would be reading it together.  The reality of the pandemic and the protocols that were put in place discourages us from reading or singing together.  I think the idea of the congregation not getting the privilege to read it together as a Faith community saddened me more than I ever expected..... especially the creed... the one liturgy that explains the backbone of our Faith.  Stupid Covid.

Secondly, as we experience so much bitterness, anger and even hatred in our social and political world, it occurred to me that so many are trying to get through it without the Faith that the creed describes.  This is a foreign idea to me.  Without my Faith, I know I would be a much more hopeless and angry person.  If such people would just choose to embrace the Faith... even if it is another Faith... I believe it would ease our spirits and calm us down enough to do a better job of handling conflict.  And yet people, for some reason, conclude that the Christian Faith... any Faith... is somehow inconvenient or silly or detrimental or whatever.  This doubly saddens me.

The good news?  I got through it and read the creed.  And I'll get through stupid Covid.  And I'll get through the frustrations of our time.  Why?  Well.... read the creed and you'll understand.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

What's Up With The Attitude?

 Hello Church,

Most of Scripture isn't about what happens to you.  It is about how you respond to what happens to you.

For me, a new year brings an introspection of the old year.  To be clear, introspection is a look inward.  It is an examination of one's own feelings or thoughts.  It is an act of self awareness.  How do I think about how I felt?  How do I feel about what I thought?  How did I feel about what I did?

What about you?

The lack of introspection brings a lack of learning about one's self.  It's difficult to improve as a person if you don't evaluate how you have done in the past.  Yes, I know, 2020 was more than difficult than most years.  I am also the first to admit that I spent my share complaining (privately and publicly) about all that was happening around me.

But most of Scripture isn't about what happens to you.  It is about how you respond to what happens to you

We like to read about everything God did to us; for us; around us; with us; within us; in spite of us; etc.  However, large chunks of Holy Scripture describes how people responded to what was going on around them, whether events were caused by God or not.  

How did you respond in 2020?  How will you respond in 2021?

For me, 2021 is going to be an opportunity to better respond to events around me.... the way Scripture teaches:  empathy, compassion, grace, love and generally be more helpful.  Most of all, I want to do what Scripture describes the most about how people respond:  giving thanks to God.

I pray your introspection will bring you renewed intentions as you move into a new year.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!! IS THIS WEIRD???

 Hello Church,

Is it weird to be excited about a solemn moment?  I haven't worked through what is going on in my head yet, but I am strangely excited about the Blue Christmas service that is tonight (Monday) at 7:00.  We will also have it online via this Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/97495362831

I guess it might be that I've watched so many people struggle through this year.  I have watched people lose loved one; lose their job sometimes more than once; get sick and sometimes badly; be isolated for extended periods of time which caused mental stress and loneliness; and I even had a friend lose a kidney this year.  

And yet we get this moment to close out 2020 to remember that God is with us.  In 2020, 'God with us' carries more weight.  It isn't a comment made in passing or part of a liturgy that we mumble through.  For 2020, 'God with us' means something substantial.  Add 'God with us' to a Christmas season and you have an occasion for that solemn, quite moment when we silently give thanks for the hope God sends us through a baby.  Our tears might pour out, but our heart can be at peace.

Is this weird that I am excited about this?  I don't know, but maybe that is part of the mystery of Christmas.  Come and be at peace with us tonight, even if you are sad about what this year brought to you.  

God is good,

Pastor Joe

P.S. There is also 2 Christmas Eve services, 7:00 (zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/93638479451)  and 10:00 (zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/99650941544).  You can sign up to come in-person at this link

Charles Darwin Joined The Church

 Hello Church,

We, the Church, need to continue the message that God does not become irrelevant just because our circumstances change.

As such, one thing is clear as we head into 2021.  The church needs to innovate new ways to connect people.

The virus won't be over anytime soon.  Even with a vaccine being shipped today, it will be many months before we see the end of it.  Our safety measures will continue in place, but this only emphasizes the obvious.  We need to find new ways to connect people.

2020 has emphasized the option of online worship.  It was here before, but necessity has brought it to the forefront.  Not only cutting-edge churches, but now middle-of-the-road churches (like Emmanuel) are wondering about the long-term impact of having or not having online worship.  The life-breath of ministry may hinge on online options.

For example, at Emmanuel, some small groups have evolved into Zoom groups.  Those that haven't evolved have not met at all or very rarely.  Maybe they will start back when in-person meeting becomes safer, but people who become disconnected (especially the newer people), in my experience, have a more difficult time getting connected a second time.

So what do we do?

It seems that new ministry ideas need to be presented with the present context in mind.  Zoom, Skype, Youtube, Facebook Live and other online options are no longer a temporary fix.  They are becoming a standard which will be included in most, if not all, new ministry ideas.  Even when the virus is dead and gone, we have learned that advantages and convenience of online options are too good to let go. 

We, the Church, need to continue the message that God does not become irrelevant just because our circumstances change.  This means evolving with our contexts while maintaining the same message.  If we don't, congregations will start dying at an accelerated rate.  This includes Emmanuel.

I intend to encourage you to think differently.  Be ready to learn.  Be ready to innovate.  Be ready to connect in new ways.  I'm going to start by encouraging myself to learn, innovate and think differently.  A challenging year awaits, for sure.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Bubble Gum Walls and La La La

 Hello Church,

When you miss something bad enough, you'll go to greater lengths to get it.

I grew up in Darke County.  There are a few places to eat that everyone who is a true Darke Countian knows of.  One of them is the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe.  It is known as one of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.  It's is nationally known for the bubblegum wall..... the wall by the drive-thru where people over the generations have stuck their chewed bubblegum.  However, it is the loose meat sandwiches that are oh so good!!!!

Having lived 2 hours away over that last 11 years, I miss it.  There are times I've seriously considered driving the 4 hours just for the food (and I'd throw in Jim's spanish hotdogs too!).  The thing is, when I lived only 10 minutes away, I didn't stop by nearly enough.  I guess when you know you have it, you don't ever miss it.

This Sunday we will be worshiping outside (unless it is raining).  In any other year this idea would have been shot down by nearly everyone in the church.  But this isn't any other year.  Even if it is 25 degrees, we will be outside in our coats and hats and lawn chairs.  Why?  Because some people want to sing.... some people REALLY want to sing.  Because of our Covid protocols, we haven't had any congregational singing since March.

When you miss something bad enough, you'll go to greater lengths to get it.

Not everyone will miss it bad enough.  Some will choose to come to the 9:00 inside service instead.  However for others, a big part of the worship experience is singing.  It can create a connection from what you feel inside with how you express yourself outside.  If you like to sing, I hope you will consider attending.  We will be cold on the outside, but warm on the inside.  

Whatever you have missed through this Covid disaster, if it is good and right and worthy, I hope you are willing to go to great lengths to get it.  And when it comes to God, He hasn't gone anywhere.  He still wants to hear from you, whether it be through song, spoken word or silent mediation.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe