You never know how good you have it until you look over the fence.
Today, I went to a pastors' retreat in Salisbury. We spent the day in worship, prayer and conversation. I really found it refreshing in so many ways. I had way to many things to do and thought about cancelling. I'm so glad I didn't.
However, several pastors spoke about their fractured congregation. One pastor said his severance package ran out last January after he was asked to leave. Another pastor thought his church had about a year and a half until they went bankrupt. Another spoke of the weight he felt on his shoulders and within his heart. Many sat there, soaking up the quiet, drinking in the fellowship and gathering strength from the prayer to face their churches.
I never take for granted what we enjoy here at Christ Lutheran. It's far from perfect. I know some people fall through the cracks. The staff is filled with cracked vessels. We could tighten up some screws. But if you ever doubt what God is doing here or the strength of the community or the depth of the ministry or the extent of the impact, take a glimpse over the fence from time to time.
How good, Lord, to be here!
Your Grateful Pastor,
Scott
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Who is Jesus?
I have a coffee mug that has about two dozen names that could answer that question. Each one is good. . .and each one is not quite enough.
I remember when I was a freshman at college. I went to my religion professor after a particularly mind-boggling lecture. I had one question. "Who is Jesus?" I don't remember his answer because he went on for about a half hour with metaphysical, eschatological, soteriological mumbo jumbo.
I ended up as a religion major and before I graduated, I went back to this same prof (who was my advisor) and asked him again, "Before I leave the place, I just want to be sure who Jesus is. Who is he?" To his credit, he gave the same half hour mumbo jumbo. To my lack of credit, I still didn't understand him.
This Sunday at church, we will read Matthew 16 in which Jesus asks that same question, "Who do you say that I am?" Not your parents or your church or your pastor or your religion prof, but you. Who do you say that I am?
I would like to hear from you. Give me a one or two sentence answer. If it takes more than that, consider becoming a religion prof! I'll use the best on Sunday (anonymously).
Peace,
Pastor Scott
I remember when I was a freshman at college. I went to my religion professor after a particularly mind-boggling lecture. I had one question. "Who is Jesus?" I don't remember his answer because he went on for about a half hour with metaphysical, eschatological, soteriological mumbo jumbo.
I ended up as a religion major and before I graduated, I went back to this same prof (who was my advisor) and asked him again, "Before I leave the place, I just want to be sure who Jesus is. Who is he?" To his credit, he gave the same half hour mumbo jumbo. To my lack of credit, I still didn't understand him.
This Sunday at church, we will read Matthew 16 in which Jesus asks that same question, "Who do you say that I am?" Not your parents or your church or your pastor or your religion prof, but you. Who do you say that I am?
I would like to hear from you. Give me a one or two sentence answer. If it takes more than that, consider becoming a religion prof! I'll use the best on Sunday (anonymously).
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Easter at McClintock
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
On Sunday, March 13, I asked for 30 volunteers who would be willing to give up their Easter at CLC and help host one at McClintock Middle School for the families we serve. We will need drivers, hospitality, set up and tear down. Hoping for 30, I received 100 volunteers! And the good news is that most of them have never volunteered on Tuesday nights at McClintock.
(I'm just hoping we will have enough people for worship left over at CLC!)
People have asked what the long term goal is for this worship. I've realized in recent years that what my long term goal is may not be what God's is. What I can give you is the short term goal. If Easter is well received, we would like to offer worship on a regular basis each Sunday beginning in September. And if that goes well, in a couple of years we will either blend that worship into ours with the new building or help them establish a church of their own.
At this point, I am thrilled at what God is doing. These four years at McClintock have been a blessing to both the school and to us. Now it is time to share our very best--the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life!
He is Risen!
Pastor Scott
On Sunday, March 13, I asked for 30 volunteers who would be willing to give up their Easter at CLC and help host one at McClintock Middle School for the families we serve. We will need drivers, hospitality, set up and tear down. Hoping for 30, I received 100 volunteers! And the good news is that most of them have never volunteered on Tuesday nights at McClintock.
(I'm just hoping we will have enough people for worship left over at CLC!)
People have asked what the long term goal is for this worship. I've realized in recent years that what my long term goal is may not be what God's is. What I can give you is the short term goal. If Easter is well received, we would like to offer worship on a regular basis each Sunday beginning in September. And if that goes well, in a couple of years we will either blend that worship into ours with the new building or help them establish a church of their own.
At this point, I am thrilled at what God is doing. These four years at McClintock have been a blessing to both the school and to us. Now it is time to share our very best--the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life!
He is Risen!
Pastor Scott
Monday, March 14, 2011
How's Your Lenten Journey Going?
If you were with us on Ash Wednesday we talked a lot about the season of Lent being a journey that we take with Jesus. This journey is difficult, it leads to a cross, is filled with pain and ends in death. But that is not the end of the story.
The Christian Faith is something best experienced with others, and I am inviting you to be a part of my journey. This Wednesday at noon we will gather to worship, be fed at the Lord's table and journey with Jesus. I hope you will join us.
Our theme for these service (and the class that I am leading on Wednesday nights) comes from the book of Jonah who was an Old Testament prophet who had a journey of his own. As we learn about his journey we learn about our own journey.
Together we will journey with Jesus to better understand his life and the life that he gives to us. I hope you will join me.
See you in church, Pastor Chris
The Christian Faith is something best experienced with others, and I am inviting you to be a part of my journey. This Wednesday at noon we will gather to worship, be fed at the Lord's table and journey with Jesus. I hope you will join us.
Our theme for these service (and the class that I am leading on Wednesday nights) comes from the book of Jonah who was an Old Testament prophet who had a journey of his own. As we learn about his journey we learn about our own journey.
Together we will journey with Jesus to better understand his life and the life that he gives to us. I hope you will join me.
See you in church, Pastor Chris
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Are Non-Traditional Churches Becoming More Traditional?
I am becoming more and more surprised to see churches that we might call "non-denominational" looking more and more like denominational churches. As Lutheran churches across the country celebrated Ash Wednesday, as we do every year, some churches were engaging their congregations in this service for the very first, or one of the first times. Why is this?
Some scholars are suggesting that "mysticism" is making a comeback. So what is mysticism? Mysticism, from my perspective, approaches God with the understanding that we are unable to fully understand God, but we experience him more fully when we let go of our need to understand him completely. An example, the Lutheran understanding of communion: We believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine that we receive during his holy meal. We don't try to explain or understand that presence we simply accept it.
So why are more churches engaging in these ancient practices? I believe this is happening because we are realizing that faith is not found in answers or understanding but through a connection with God, and quite often a connection that is beyond our typical understanding. Where and how do you experience God? Let me know! Pastor Chris
Some scholars are suggesting that "mysticism" is making a comeback. So what is mysticism? Mysticism, from my perspective, approaches God with the understanding that we are unable to fully understand God, but we experience him more fully when we let go of our need to understand him completely. An example, the Lutheran understanding of communion: We believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine that we receive during his holy meal. We don't try to explain or understand that presence we simply accept it.
So why are more churches engaging in these ancient practices? I believe this is happening because we are realizing that faith is not found in answers or understanding but through a connection with God, and quite often a connection that is beyond our typical understanding. Where and how do you experience God? Let me know! Pastor Chris
Monday, March 7, 2011
Ash Wednesday--March 9 12:00, 5:00, 7:00
Most of the time, we try to avoid thinking about our mortality. Talking about the tomb, detailing our death, and facing our finality do not rank high on our daily "to do" lists.
When we do, it is often in passing when we come across an accident or when we sit at a funeral and can't help but confront death. Those morbid thoughts often pass quickly as we try to return to our normal, carefree lives.
So when we actually plan a worship service that reminds us of the fleeting nature of this life and hear those words spoken, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return," it can be a bit jarring.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent that prepare us for the glorious celebration of Easter. It is a service that focuses on our need for repentance, the mortal nature of our bodies and the promise that awaits us on Easter. The solemn nature of this worship serves to heighten our joy when we gather on Easter morning to shout, "He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!"
I would encourage you to set aside these next 40 days to:
1. Do a daily devotional
2. Worship with us at noon every Wednesday
3. "Give up" something for Lent (and don't tell anyone!)
4. "Take on" something for Lent (like a morning prayer walk)
See you in church on Wednesday!
Pastor Scott
When we do, it is often in passing when we come across an accident or when we sit at a funeral and can't help but confront death. Those morbid thoughts often pass quickly as we try to return to our normal, carefree lives.
So when we actually plan a worship service that reminds us of the fleeting nature of this life and hear those words spoken, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return," it can be a bit jarring.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent that prepare us for the glorious celebration of Easter. It is a service that focuses on our need for repentance, the mortal nature of our bodies and the promise that awaits us on Easter. The solemn nature of this worship serves to heighten our joy when we gather on Easter morning to shout, "He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!"
I would encourage you to set aside these next 40 days to:
1. Do a daily devotional
2. Worship with us at noon every Wednesday
3. "Give up" something for Lent (and don't tell anyone!)
4. "Take on" something for Lent (like a morning prayer walk)
See you in church on Wednesday!
Pastor Scott
Thursday, March 3, 2011
El Salvador-Part !
When we first arrived in El Salvador I asked A LOT of questions of the people who had been there before. I wanted to know what to expect, I wanted to know what we were going to do and I wanted to know how much we could accomplish. On Sunday, before we had even started working, I asked our group leader three questions.
I wanted to know what was the main reason for bringing a bunch of folks from the US down to this Central American country. Were we brought there to work? I thought this was the least likely reason we were brought down. I was pretty sure most of us did not have a vast amount of experience in masonry work and feared that our work might slow the process or worse lower the quality of work.
I asked if we had been brought down to raise up an awareness of the deep need in El Salvador. Beyond just poverty, natural disasters have decimated this country. It is estimated that 400,000 homes are substandard for habitation in El Salvador.
I also asked it we had been brought down to raise the morale of those we worked with. I wondered if it would boost the spirits of the workers and the homeowners to see these folks from the US taking time out of their lives to come down and partner with these individuals to let them know that people do care about them, even people that live many miles away.
A week later, as our trip was coming to an end, I reflected on these questions and realized that really we were brought down for all 3. We were able to do good work and make a difference in the construction of the home. We were made aware of the need and have been able to share this need with others. We were able to make strong connections with those we worked with and for those we were building the homes for. I hope they believe that we do care about them and see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of the language we speak, the color of our skin or the size of our bank accounts.
I know that I have been changed by this experience, and I want you to experience the power of this mission. Please consider joining us when we return to our brothers and sisters in El Salvador to continue to do God's work.
See you in Church, Pastor Chris
I wanted to know what was the main reason for bringing a bunch of folks from the US down to this Central American country. Were we brought there to work? I thought this was the least likely reason we were brought down. I was pretty sure most of us did not have a vast amount of experience in masonry work and feared that our work might slow the process or worse lower the quality of work.
I asked if we had been brought down to raise up an awareness of the deep need in El Salvador. Beyond just poverty, natural disasters have decimated this country. It is estimated that 400,000 homes are substandard for habitation in El Salvador.
I also asked it we had been brought down to raise the morale of those we worked with. I wondered if it would boost the spirits of the workers and the homeowners to see these folks from the US taking time out of their lives to come down and partner with these individuals to let them know that people do care about them, even people that live many miles away.
A week later, as our trip was coming to an end, I reflected on these questions and realized that really we were brought down for all 3. We were able to do good work and make a difference in the construction of the home. We were made aware of the need and have been able to share this need with others. We were able to make strong connections with those we worked with and for those we were building the homes for. I hope they believe that we do care about them and see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of the language we speak, the color of our skin or the size of our bank accounts.
I know that I have been changed by this experience, and I want you to experience the power of this mission. Please consider joining us when we return to our brothers and sisters in El Salvador to continue to do God's work.
See you in Church, Pastor Chris
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Preparing for First Communion
One class that I truly enjoy teaching is First Communion. I get together with parents and their elementary children for three sessions to learn about the history, theology and blessings that come with this sacrament.
Generally, parents and children are together. However, for the first session, I take the parents alone and administer a three page, no looking, no talking test. For about ten minutes, there is silence in the room as they scribble down answers and mutter, "I should have paid more attention at confirmation classes."
The test is just a fun way (at least from my perspective) to teach a lot of information in a short period of time. If the parents are going to be the primary faith advisors for their children, then we need to make sure that we are all on the same page.
The fun part comes when the questions arise. With so many people coming from a variety of backgrounds, our understanding of baptism and communion is not always in unison. Here are some of the questions. . .
Can I receive communion in a Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian church?
What is the appropriate age to receive communion?
How often should we celebrate communion?
My friend is an unbeliever. If I secretly baptize my friend's child in the bathroom, is that child baptized?
Go ahead. . .take a stab. Which question do you want to tackle?
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Generally, parents and children are together. However, for the first session, I take the parents alone and administer a three page, no looking, no talking test. For about ten minutes, there is silence in the room as they scribble down answers and mutter, "I should have paid more attention at confirmation classes."
The test is just a fun way (at least from my perspective) to teach a lot of information in a short period of time. If the parents are going to be the primary faith advisors for their children, then we need to make sure that we are all on the same page.
The fun part comes when the questions arise. With so many people coming from a variety of backgrounds, our understanding of baptism and communion is not always in unison. Here are some of the questions. . .
Can I receive communion in a Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian church?
What is the appropriate age to receive communion?
How often should we celebrate communion?
My friend is an unbeliever. If I secretly baptize my friend's child in the bathroom, is that child baptized?
Go ahead. . .take a stab. Which question do you want to tackle?
Peace,
Pastor Scott
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