It has been a long time in the making. No one can complain, "Why are we rushing this?"
I'm talking, of course, about moving forward with the Master's Plan. The congregation generously increased its commitments from 6 Million to 7 Million at this halfway point in the campaign. I am humbled and excited about this high level of support across the entire congregation with a participation rate of about 80% of our active members.
December 11 will be decision day. We will review the numbers and bids from our Contractor and vote whether or not to approve the contract. In addition, we will also look at the bank financing and make an informed decision on that.
I want to urge the congregation to attend this historic congregational vote, ask the hard question, examine the information and cast your vote. This is a significant moment in the life of Christ Lutheran. This will impact our congregation and the community for the next 100 years!
So December 11 is important. It is historic. It is bold. But the one thing it is not is hasty. We have been working towards this day for at least 15 years. Now it is time for a decision.
See you on the 11th.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Monday, November 28, 2011
A Good Read
When you come across something that you think is really good, often times you want to share that with others. Last week I read the book "Rooms: A Novel" by James L Rubart. It is a fascinating book. Its style is very similar to The Shack which was wildly popular just a couple years ago. I think it would be hard to describe the book in just a few words but it really talks about past hurts and brokenness, purpose and the tough decisions we are asked to make in our lives. I don't want to tell you too much about the book because I want you to read it and let me know what you think. If The Shack wasn't your cup of tea than this one probably isn't either but if you like that kind of book I think Rooms will speak to you too.
Pick up a copy, read it and let me know what you think.
See you in church,
Chris
Pick up a copy, read it and let me know what you think.
See you in church,
Chris
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Say it ain't so Joe.
One of the biggest stories over the past few days has been the abuse scandals that have rocked Penn State. What is even more difficult to believe is that Joe Paterno's credibility has been tarnished. Joe has been at the head of Penn State's football program for over 45 years and he stressed character and honor as much as winning. These recent events have left many reeling as someone they looked up to could be part of such a situation.
Growing up my hero was a baseball player named Kirby Puckett. After he was forced to retire early due to glaucoma numerous allegations surfaced about Kirby's life and his reputation was severely tarnished. My hero was not who I thought he was.
Maybe what is worse of all is that these types of stories are becoming more and more frequent. Individuals that we look up to, trust and admire seldom remain on that pedestal. Whether it is an employer, a politician or maybe even a leader within a church it seems as if everyone is capable of falling.
For the most part we focus on the individual who has erred but really the greater hurt probably lies with those who looked up to this individual or those who were hurt by that individual. They put their faith in someone who did not deserve that trust. They put their faith in someone who is not perfect and who will make mistakes. Have you been burned in this way?
This begs the question, where do you put your trust? If we have been disappointed time and time again maybe we need to take a better look at who or what it is we look up to. This is where faith comes in. From a faith perspective we would argue that we can only fully put our trust in God. Everyone else will always disappoint but God will never disappoint.
Now it is also important to remember that the church is not God. Although the church does its best to represent God the church is made up of people and it too will fall short. Our faith must go beyond everything of this world, including the church, and reside only in God. This is the only way to avoid disappointment.
So, where are you placing your faith?
See you in church,
Chris
Growing up my hero was a baseball player named Kirby Puckett. After he was forced to retire early due to glaucoma numerous allegations surfaced about Kirby's life and his reputation was severely tarnished. My hero was not who I thought he was.
Maybe what is worse of all is that these types of stories are becoming more and more frequent. Individuals that we look up to, trust and admire seldom remain on that pedestal. Whether it is an employer, a politician or maybe even a leader within a church it seems as if everyone is capable of falling.
For the most part we focus on the individual who has erred but really the greater hurt probably lies with those who looked up to this individual or those who were hurt by that individual. They put their faith in someone who did not deserve that trust. They put their faith in someone who is not perfect and who will make mistakes. Have you been burned in this way?
This begs the question, where do you put your trust? If we have been disappointed time and time again maybe we need to take a better look at who or what it is we look up to. This is where faith comes in. From a faith perspective we would argue that we can only fully put our trust in God. Everyone else will always disappoint but God will never disappoint.
Now it is also important to remember that the church is not God. Although the church does its best to represent God the church is made up of people and it too will fall short. Our faith must go beyond everything of this world, including the church, and reside only in God. This is the only way to avoid disappointment.
So, where are you placing your faith?
See you in church,
Chris
Monday, November 7, 2011
All Saints' Sunday--November 6
It was perfect. Just perfect.
We had a great celebration yesterday for All Saints. With one worship time, people packed into both Spirit Hall and the Sanctuary for a unique service where right after the sermon, everyone filed out of seven exits and met at the new building site. (Chris and I finished the sermon within 10 seconds of one another!)
To see the perimeter of the new building lined with the decorated, white All Saints' flags was a wonderous sight! Not only did it accent the enormous size of the footprint but it also reminded us that we build upon the work of the saints who have come before us. As we gathered around the make shift altar, we had a blessing of the land our charter members gave us (about five present with us on this day!). And as we joined together for communion, it was a glimpse of a church united in mission, strong in its foundation and bold in its vision.
Even the weather could not have been better!
From Sunday, so far we raised an addition $600,000 for the Master's Plan, raising our pledges to 6.6 million. However, there are many more pledges coming in. I fully expect us to cross that 7 million dollar mark within the week.
Thank you for coming on Sunday (in one car!). Thank you for decorating your white flags, bringing a side dish and recommitting yourselves once again to the bold vision of The Master's Plan.
The next time we will gather will be in December to consider the financing and the contract with the builder.
For All the Saints. . .
Scott
We had a great celebration yesterday for All Saints. With one worship time, people packed into both Spirit Hall and the Sanctuary for a unique service where right after the sermon, everyone filed out of seven exits and met at the new building site. (Chris and I finished the sermon within 10 seconds of one another!)
To see the perimeter of the new building lined with the decorated, white All Saints' flags was a wonderous sight! Not only did it accent the enormous size of the footprint but it also reminded us that we build upon the work of the saints who have come before us. As we gathered around the make shift altar, we had a blessing of the land our charter members gave us (about five present with us on this day!). And as we joined together for communion, it was a glimpse of a church united in mission, strong in its foundation and bold in its vision.
Even the weather could not have been better!
From Sunday, so far we raised an addition $600,000 for the Master's Plan, raising our pledges to 6.6 million. However, there are many more pledges coming in. I fully expect us to cross that 7 million dollar mark within the week.
Thank you for coming on Sunday (in one car!). Thank you for decorating your white flags, bringing a side dish and recommitting yourselves once again to the bold vision of The Master's Plan.
The next time we will gather will be in December to consider the financing and the contract with the builder.
For All the Saints. . .
Scott
Thursday, November 3, 2011
What does pure joy look like?
Last night I traveled up to Duke University to see the "indy-pop" band Blind Pilot play. Blind Pilot has been around for a few years but I went to high school with their frontman Israel Nebeker. Israel and I even stood next to each other in high school choir. I gave Israel a call on my way up and I was able to hang out with the band on their converted school bus before they played.
Now I am not sure what your perceptions are of professional musicians but not all of them are raking in the money like U2 and The Rolling Stones; actually, very few of them do. I asked Luke, the bass player, if they have started seeing some profits for all of their recording and touring and he said they have but that they could make more money waiting tables. They could make more money waiting tables!
If that is the case why would they keep doing it? Why would they spend months on the road away from their friends and family? They do it because they love what they do. There is something special about people who love what they do and when you are around them you can sense that passion, it is contagious. As I watched them up on stage playing you can clearly tell they love what they do.
"They love what they do." Can people say that about you? Can you say that you have that same passion in your life? The reality of it all is that God wants us to have that type of passion. Whether we are waiting tables or playing music to sold out crowds God wants us to be passionate about what we do. Our lives should bring us joy.
Have you found yours?
See you in church,
Chris
Now I am not sure what your perceptions are of professional musicians but not all of them are raking in the money like U2 and The Rolling Stones; actually, very few of them do. I asked Luke, the bass player, if they have started seeing some profits for all of their recording and touring and he said they have but that they could make more money waiting tables. They could make more money waiting tables!
If that is the case why would they keep doing it? Why would they spend months on the road away from their friends and family? They do it because they love what they do. There is something special about people who love what they do and when you are around them you can sense that passion, it is contagious. As I watched them up on stage playing you can clearly tell they love what they do.
"They love what they do." Can people say that about you? Can you say that you have that same passion in your life? The reality of it all is that God wants us to have that type of passion. Whether we are waiting tables or playing music to sold out crowds God wants us to be passionate about what we do. Our lives should bring us joy.
Have you found yours?
See you in church,
Chris
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A Significant Event
Most of the churches where Protestants worship each Sunday were built in the 1950 and early 60's. Following World War II, there was a boom for the economy, family, America and, of course, the church.
Then something happened in the late 1960. There is a distinct downward trend in every mainline Protestant denomination beginning about 1968, including the Lutherans. In America, Lutherans started more churches, had more baptisms, and had the most members in 1968 than at any other time.
When the ELCA was formed in 1988, we started with 5.2 million members with over 11,200 congregations. Today, we have less than 10,400 congregations and have lost nearly 1 million members. To put it in perspective, we have been losing a church with a membership of 600-700 members every week for the past couple of decades!
Why the Debbie Downer News?
November 6 will be a significant moment for Christ Lutheran. While other congregations are struggling to stay open or hopefully remain plateaued, on Sunday we are going to stand on our new building site and declare this land to be holy ground. Very few of us can say that they were part of a congregation that built a new sanctuary--especially one of this size. On November 6, we stand united and in faith, traditional and contemporary alike, to be a part of this historic and significant event.
So come. Come with your decorated white flag to remember your loved ones. Come with your side dish to share at the luncheon to follow. And come with your renewed pledge card for The Master's Plan as we celebrate what God is doing at Christ Lutheran.
See you on November 6! 10:00 am!
Pastor Scott
Then something happened in the late 1960. There is a distinct downward trend in every mainline Protestant denomination beginning about 1968, including the Lutherans. In America, Lutherans started more churches, had more baptisms, and had the most members in 1968 than at any other time.
When the ELCA was formed in 1988, we started with 5.2 million members with over 11,200 congregations. Today, we have less than 10,400 congregations and have lost nearly 1 million members. To put it in perspective, we have been losing a church with a membership of 600-700 members every week for the past couple of decades!
Why the Debbie Downer News?
November 6 will be a significant moment for Christ Lutheran. While other congregations are struggling to stay open or hopefully remain plateaued, on Sunday we are going to stand on our new building site and declare this land to be holy ground. Very few of us can say that they were part of a congregation that built a new sanctuary--especially one of this size. On November 6, we stand united and in faith, traditional and contemporary alike, to be a part of this historic and significant event.
So come. Come with your decorated white flag to remember your loved ones. Come with your side dish to share at the luncheon to follow. And come with your renewed pledge card for The Master's Plan as we celebrate what God is doing at Christ Lutheran.
See you on November 6! 10:00 am!
Pastor Scott
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