This past Sunday, I had one of those conversations that grieved me.
Not in the sense of a breaking relationship or trouble for myself or my congregation, but trouble for another church about an hours drive from me.
One of the son-in-laws of one of my members approached me and asked me to pray for his little congregation. They have dwindled substantially in the past several years and are now facing the real possibility of closing. It's a congregation with a long history, and, unfortunately, it might be ending. According to the gentleman I visited with, the synod office basically advised them to close their doors.
This grieved me.
I do not believe congregations need to close. Even those who cannot afford a full time, part time, or even a supply pastor. I believe just about every congregation can grow and thrive regardless of the circumstances--especially if that congregation puts its trust in the power and promise of the Holy Spirit.
No one has asked me for advice on what to do in this situation, but with just the limited amount of information I have, here's what I would suggest:
#1. Spend some intentional time in prayer asking God to reveal His purpose for the church. Really be open to His prompting. Don't have a preconceived idea of what He wants you to do. Don't come up with an idea and then ask His blessing upon it. Seek how He might be calling you to spread the good news of His Son in your community. Don't think you are going to change the world or the community, but think about how God might need you to make an impact in individual lives around you--starting with your neighbors, your friends, and your family.
#2. Don't rely upon the synod office or a clergy person to turn the church around and make things happen. The Holy Spirit is gifted to EVERY believer at baptism. EVERY believer has the opportunity to read, interpret and share God's Word. Have a group of designated elders who lead sharing God's Word at worship. It doesn't have to be a formal sermon in any sense of the word. Just read a Gospel lesson, look at the congregation and ask, "What does this teaching have to do with us today? How does it apply to our lives today?" Don't try to get fancy. Don't worry about the historical context of when the teaching occurred. Don't worry about the many layers of interpretation that have come down through the ages. Let those who are gathered for worship add their comments and questions throughout the "sermon." Let the Word of God become alive and living with all the members in attendance. YOU DO NOT NEED A CLERGY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
#3. Take a hard look at the hospitality you offer to one another and to those who come into your midst. Most churches believe they are friendly, and to an extent, they are. But people pick up on subtle clues. For instance, when I was in seminary, I supplied for a local country parish on a semi-regular basis. One Sunday, they had a pot-luck following worship. My wife and I were invited. Congregation members had told us how nice it was we were with them and how much they appreciate me helping them out. They asked me to lead the prayer for the pot-luck and then they allowed my wife and I to go through the line first. We did and proceeded to sit down at one of the tables in the fellowship hall. There were two sets of long tables, and we sat at the end of one. All of the chairs filled up long before someone actually came and sat down beside my wife and I. The actions of the church spoke much louder than their words. True hospitality neither smothers nor ignores guests. There is a delicate balance that is walked, and many congregations truly need to take a hard look at how folks are welcomed.
#4. Take a good hard look at how important your faith and worship life really is. Is church something you "do" when you have spare time? How committed are you to being in worship on a VERY regular basis? Can you invite others to focus on God's love if it isn't first important to you? Commitment is a thing that is rarely seen in our day and age. See if you need to re-discover it.
I wouldn't go much further than this. Are there other things to cover? Sure. But I don't believe it takes much for a congregation to begin spreading the Gospel and beginning to grow. God has a habit of working through people who place Him and His will first in their lives and in the life of their churches.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
An Open Letter to Jerry Jones
Dear Mr. Jones,
I, like millions of others, am disappointed in this year's edition of the Dallas Cowboys. That sentence could be applied to many of the past several seasons in my opinion. It seems like the 'boys have been consistent underachievers recently, and I wish I could say that I actually cared.
For, you see, Mr. Jones, I used to be a die hard Cowboy's fan. I rarely if ever missed a game. My college roommate even swore that I bled blue, silver, and white. I used to be morose when the 'boys lost and elated when they won. Now, I feel absolutely nothing whether or not they win or lose. Part of it is, I believe, my own maturing as an adult. It's a game after all, and wins and losses don't make a bit of difference compared to things that really matter like feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and other such weighty matters.
But another part of it is that I know what to expect each and every season now. It's like the movie "Groundhog Day." Over and over again, the same things happen. Doesn't matter who the coach is. Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcels, Wade Philips, and now Jason Garrett all have teams that do the exact same thing. Changing the coaches hasn't helped.
Neither has blowing up the roster and starting over. High priced free agents and bottom barrel bargains haven't done a single thing to correct what has happened season after season. No matter who is on the roster, the same blasted things keep happening.
It isn't the coaching staff.
It isn't the players.
Something else is causing this malaise within the system. But I don't expect any real changes to be made. None what-so-ever. Oh, I do expect several roster moves. I expect maybe some coaching changes, but this is doing the same thing as before. And when you keep doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results...well, that's called insanity.
And sadly, Mr. Jones, I expect more of the same because I am not convinced a willingness on your part to look into the mirror and see how you are contributing to the problems the Dallas Cowboys are facing.
Mr. Jones, I am a pastor--not the best one in the world, but not a terribly bad one either, and I think I know one or two things about leadership. Even though I am not fully responsible for much of what happens in my congregation, folks look to me when things are going good or bad. And when things start teetering or going astray, the first thing I begin to do is look at how I am functioning. How am I contributing to what is going on. Am I too detached from my folks? Am I asking them to do things they are incapable of doing? Am I too close to folks and unwilling to hold their feet to the fire? Am I spending enough time with my leadership? Am I spending too much time with my leadership? And so on and so forth.
The point is, Mr. Jones, I don't go around blaming everyone else. I don't try to replace cogs in the machine. I look at what I am doing, and I try to see how what I do is contributing to the overall functioning of the congregation. And if things are not working as they should, I don't try to change everyone else. I work to change how I function.
For instance, recently the national denomination of which my church is a part made some rather controversial decisions. I was very forthright in what I believed we as a church should do. I didn't believe we should leave the denomination, and I didn't believe we should cut off funding to the national church. Well, our offerings dropped substantially, much to my chagrin. I knew I faced a dilemma. Do I continue to hold fast and be unchanging, or do I change how I function? Working with my leadership, we offered a compromise: folks could give to the national church if they chose, but we would remove them as a line item in the church's budget. The congregation passed the policy at our congregation meeting, and our offerings increased. Basically, I had to get out of the way and allow the congregation to do its thing without me telling it what to do.
I wonder if you have done such a thing, Mr. Jones? I wonder if you have tried to see how you might need to get out of the way and allow such things to happen in the Dallas Cowboy's organization? Something tells me you haven't, but I hope I am wrong.
Don't worry. I'm not one of those fans who refuses to watch the Cowboys or support them "until Jerry leaves." No. I'm not that type of person. I am a Cowboy's fan. I will forever be one. But it does sadden me that I no longer care if they win or lose. I hope that changes in the near future.
Sincerely,
Kevin W. Haug
The Country Preacher
I, like millions of others, am disappointed in this year's edition of the Dallas Cowboys. That sentence could be applied to many of the past several seasons in my opinion. It seems like the 'boys have been consistent underachievers recently, and I wish I could say that I actually cared.
For, you see, Mr. Jones, I used to be a die hard Cowboy's fan. I rarely if ever missed a game. My college roommate even swore that I bled blue, silver, and white. I used to be morose when the 'boys lost and elated when they won. Now, I feel absolutely nothing whether or not they win or lose. Part of it is, I believe, my own maturing as an adult. It's a game after all, and wins and losses don't make a bit of difference compared to things that really matter like feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and other such weighty matters.
But another part of it is that I know what to expect each and every season now. It's like the movie "Groundhog Day." Over and over again, the same things happen. Doesn't matter who the coach is. Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcels, Wade Philips, and now Jason Garrett all have teams that do the exact same thing. Changing the coaches hasn't helped.
Neither has blowing up the roster and starting over. High priced free agents and bottom barrel bargains haven't done a single thing to correct what has happened season after season. No matter who is on the roster, the same blasted things keep happening.
It isn't the coaching staff.
It isn't the players.
Something else is causing this malaise within the system. But I don't expect any real changes to be made. None what-so-ever. Oh, I do expect several roster moves. I expect maybe some coaching changes, but this is doing the same thing as before. And when you keep doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results...well, that's called insanity.
And sadly, Mr. Jones, I expect more of the same because I am not convinced a willingness on your part to look into the mirror and see how you are contributing to the problems the Dallas Cowboys are facing.
Mr. Jones, I am a pastor--not the best one in the world, but not a terribly bad one either, and I think I know one or two things about leadership. Even though I am not fully responsible for much of what happens in my congregation, folks look to me when things are going good or bad. And when things start teetering or going astray, the first thing I begin to do is look at how I am functioning. How am I contributing to what is going on. Am I too detached from my folks? Am I asking them to do things they are incapable of doing? Am I too close to folks and unwilling to hold their feet to the fire? Am I spending enough time with my leadership? Am I spending too much time with my leadership? And so on and so forth.
The point is, Mr. Jones, I don't go around blaming everyone else. I don't try to replace cogs in the machine. I look at what I am doing, and I try to see how what I do is contributing to the overall functioning of the congregation. And if things are not working as they should, I don't try to change everyone else. I work to change how I function.
For instance, recently the national denomination of which my church is a part made some rather controversial decisions. I was very forthright in what I believed we as a church should do. I didn't believe we should leave the denomination, and I didn't believe we should cut off funding to the national church. Well, our offerings dropped substantially, much to my chagrin. I knew I faced a dilemma. Do I continue to hold fast and be unchanging, or do I change how I function? Working with my leadership, we offered a compromise: folks could give to the national church if they chose, but we would remove them as a line item in the church's budget. The congregation passed the policy at our congregation meeting, and our offerings increased. Basically, I had to get out of the way and allow the congregation to do its thing without me telling it what to do.
I wonder if you have done such a thing, Mr. Jones? I wonder if you have tried to see how you might need to get out of the way and allow such things to happen in the Dallas Cowboy's organization? Something tells me you haven't, but I hope I am wrong.
Don't worry. I'm not one of those fans who refuses to watch the Cowboys or support them "until Jerry leaves." No. I'm not that type of person. I am a Cowboy's fan. I will forever be one. But it does sadden me that I no longer care if they win or lose. I hope that changes in the near future.
Sincerely,
Kevin W. Haug
The Country Preacher
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
New Years day.
One more year.
Who knows what in the world to expect? I surely don't.
Resolutions? I've got a few. For myself and for my church. I've always found it helpful to state certain goals and also give somewhat of a plan to accomplishing them.
For myself:
#1. Fan the sparks of a renewed prayer life. If you've followed this blog, you know what I am speaking of. I hope to further expand the "practice of the presence of Christ" in the coming year. This is by far my most ambitious resolution/goal.
How will I go about accomplishing this?
#2. Continue working to transform my physique so that when I (hopefully) dress up as Captain America for Halloween, I actually look the part.
How will I accomplish this?
I asked my congregation council to add money to my continuing education account this year so that I could begin learning. I was inspired by a Catholic priest up the road who plays piano and organ. It's something I'd like to explore. I've done a few things including downloading an app which helps me learn to read music. It's just putting the discipline in to do it.
Now, this next part is directly pertinent to my congregation. Other folks might like to tune out.
#4. Take some time to assess where we are as a church and where we sense God leading us.
How to accomplish this?
I think those are some pretty heavy resolutions to handle for 2012. Of course, if the Mayan's were correct, it's all moot anyway. But I'll enjoy striving for these goals in the next year.
One more year.
Who knows what in the world to expect? I surely don't.
Resolutions? I've got a few. For myself and for my church. I've always found it helpful to state certain goals and also give somewhat of a plan to accomplishing them.
For myself:
#1. Fan the sparks of a renewed prayer life. If you've followed this blog, you know what I am speaking of. I hope to further expand the "practice of the presence of Christ" in the coming year. This is by far my most ambitious resolution/goal.
How will I go about accomplishing this?
- Stay in God's Word. Read my Bible regularly and intentionally block out time in my work week for prayer and meditation. I hadn't been doing such a hot job of this before, but I believe it's extremely necessary for my own spiritual growth and for my continued effectiveness as a pastor.
- Study. Since buying a Kindle Fire, I have relished in many free downloads of Christian classics on prayer and spirituality. I've seen many inexpensive other classics, and I am licking my chops in anticipation.
- Make sure I have time set aside for solitude and silence each day. Riding my bike qualifies, and I have been in a very regular routine here. I hope to continue.
- I should seek out a spiritual director, but that's a little daunting prospect since they are few and far between out here in the country.
- Realize I can't do everything in my congregation. I've been trying too hard to do this, and it led to stress. Allowing myself to be limited toward the end of last year significantly reduced my stress level and let me focus more on being spiritually sharp instead of being run down trying to do it all.
#2. Continue working to transform my physique so that when I (hopefully) dress up as Captain America for Halloween, I actually look the part.
How will I accomplish this?
- Sticking to a lower carb, high protein diet. Slipped a bit during the holidays, but that's kind of expected. The good news is that I didn't gain any weight during these couple of weeks the kids have been out of school.
- Maintaining a cardio schedule with riding my bike. I hope to put in 18-25 miles per week.
- Weight training. Not extensive, mind you, but still enough to build muscle mass. I've focused on push ups for arms, core, and chest; squats for legs and calves; and bicep curls, well for the biceps. I won't turn into a body builder, but it does keep things toned up.
- Finally giving up drinking sodas. I hate this one.
I asked my congregation council to add money to my continuing education account this year so that I could begin learning. I was inspired by a Catholic priest up the road who plays piano and organ. It's something I'd like to explore. I've done a few things including downloading an app which helps me learn to read music. It's just putting the discipline in to do it.
Now, this next part is directly pertinent to my congregation. Other folks might like to tune out.
#4. Take some time to assess where we are as a church and where we sense God leading us.
How to accomplish this?
- I've already gotten approval to establish a long range planning committee. I've got a couple of folks who have agreed to serve. We will begin the process of praying, assessing, and involving as many folks in the congregation as we can in this process. I personally am not so interested in buildings and facilities--we're good to go there as far as I can tell, but I am interested in reaching out to our community, drawing in the unchurched, proclaiming the Gospel, spiritual growth, and what my particular role in helping the congregation achieve its mission will be.
- Asking the tough question about whether or not we are truly willing to take the steps it will require to move beyond a "pastoral" church to a "program" church. We are right on the cusp of this transition, and it's the hardest one to take as a church grows. It generally involves adding extra staff, having more volunteers take responsibility in things, and developing programs geared toward small groups, spiritual growth, and study. A pastor or person cannot force a church or people to do such things. Folks must come to the conclusion they wish to do such a thing on their own. Do folks in the church want to take on such a challenge?
- Hold this entire process in deep prayer.
I think those are some pretty heavy resolutions to handle for 2012. Of course, if the Mayan's were correct, it's all moot anyway. But I'll enjoy striving for these goals in the next year.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Last Post of 2011
The deer blind beckons in the next couple of days: thus, this morning's post will be the last for 2011.
In many ways, I will gladly say, "Good-by and good riddance!" to 2011. There are several reasons for this:
In many ways, I will gladly say, "Good-by and good riddance!" to 2011. There are several reasons for this:
- I hope to say good-by to 2011's catastrophic drought here in Texas. It's affected my community in horrendous ways. I hope and pray for all of my members and friends who have had their herds decimated by lack of water and lack of grass. It will be quite some time before they recover, but I pray for a speedy one.
- I hope to say good-by to the numerous health issues that have plagued members of my congregation. Every once in a while you get into a string of such things. The worst I have experienced is 14 deaths during the 7 weeks of Lent in my first congregation. The run of severe illness and surgery has been comparable in 2011. Stroke, heart surgeries, a child suffering a heart attack, cancer, and the like. This streak needs to come to an end and fast.
- Recent rains have enabled many counties to lift their burn bans, but I am hoping to say good-by to the conditions that led to the nasty wildfires across the state. People responded generously and greatly to this situation, but rebuilding is still months away. I hope folks don't have to watch their neighbors' homes burn again.
- I hope to say good-by to a bit of depression brought on by all of those things above. Walking with people through these issues was tough. It dragged me down quite a bit at times. I wondered time and again when the next shoe would drop. Sometimes when you lose your focus of the big picture like I did during these times, it wears on you greatly.
- It was great watching my kids thrive in school. They are all doing very well in their respective studies.
- It was fantastic watching my wife enter the work force--if only for a couple of days a week. She loves teaching Spanish to preschoolers, and she is absolutely thriving at doing her job. She is enthusiastic and is having a blast doing so.
- My congregation inspires me. After a down year in giving, they responded tremendously this year. People were very generous, and that worry was greatly alleviated for me. Oh, but that was not all. They used much of their excess revenue to support rebuilding efforts of fire damage in the state to the tune of $10,000. Not bad for a country church.
- The folks of the congregation supported one another greatly with all of the illness as well. They rallied around those who were sick and suffering and supported them with prayers, attention, and money when needed. Watching them do such things took the edge off of my depression.
- Which brings me to a very important number 5, my own spiritual growth. Many times it is said that God does His best work when we are walking through the darkness. I will testify to such a thing as I did in my Christmas Eve sermon. Reconnecting to prayer, meditation, and the practice of the presence of Christ has brought me to a different level of peace, anxiety, and faithfulness. (As a rule, I'm not sure how long it will last, but I hope for quite some time.) I'm not sure such growth would have happened without going through all the hard stuff of this year.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Behind Every Man...
I'm no exception to that phrase.
I know it too.
Today, my wife turns 20 again. Happy Birthday, dear!
I've got a good woman who does an awful lot. She's the primary care giver for the kids. She does laundry and puts it away. She puts the dishes in the dishwasher and unloads them when they are clean. She does the girls' hair--something I am very inept at. She cleans the house. She takes the kids to school and picks them up either at their school or at the bus stop. She even teaches Spanish at my son's day school two days a week.
Most of all, she actually puts up with me--a task that isn't exactly the easiest in the world.
She's probably not going to be too happy with me for posting this on her birthday because she is one who doesn't want to be in the spotlight. She doesn't like any type of attention. She's happy to fade into the background and let others get all the focus. She doesn't even expect me or want me to do much for her on her birthday. (We gave up exchanging gifts long ago.)
But in spite of this, and in spite of the fact that I might draw a little bit of ire for writing this, I do want everyone to know how special she is. I want her to know that I see all that she does, and I appreciate it immensely. I want her to know that she is not taken for granted.
God knew what He was doing when He put the two of us together. I am truly blessed, and I hope that she is blessed today--even though she doesn't want much attention. She still deserves some, because she is a good woman.
I know it too.
Today, my wife turns 20 again. Happy Birthday, dear!
I've got a good woman who does an awful lot. She's the primary care giver for the kids. She does laundry and puts it away. She puts the dishes in the dishwasher and unloads them when they are clean. She does the girls' hair--something I am very inept at. She cleans the house. She takes the kids to school and picks them up either at their school or at the bus stop. She even teaches Spanish at my son's day school two days a week.
Most of all, she actually puts up with me--a task that isn't exactly the easiest in the world.
She's probably not going to be too happy with me for posting this on her birthday because she is one who doesn't want to be in the spotlight. She doesn't like any type of attention. She's happy to fade into the background and let others get all the focus. She doesn't even expect me or want me to do much for her on her birthday. (We gave up exchanging gifts long ago.)
But in spite of this, and in spite of the fact that I might draw a little bit of ire for writing this, I do want everyone to know how special she is. I want her to know that I see all that she does, and I appreciate it immensely. I want her to know that she is not taken for granted.
God knew what He was doing when He put the two of us together. I am truly blessed, and I hope that she is blessed today--even though she doesn't want much attention. She still deserves some, because she is a good woman.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas Day Sermon 2011
Many people long to hear God’s voice. I will include myself among them. I long to hear what God has to say. When I am facing a difficult decision in my life, I ask God, "What should I do?" I long for the clarity of a response. When trouble strikes in my life or in someone I care deeply for, I ask God, "Why?" And again, I long for the clarity of a response. Sometimes when I look at all the events happening in the world around us, I pause and say, "Lord, what are you going to do about this?" And I want a reply that is so crystal clear that I have no reason to doubt or object." Others, I know, ask different questions. Some ask, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" And they want desperately a direction. Others ask, "What is the purpose for our being here?" And they too wait for a reply. Many times, those of us who ask these questions wait...and wait...and wait...and we never hear an answer. Sometimes the disappointment is overwhelming. We long to hear God’s voice.
When we enter into such a state we are very much like the people of ancient Israel. They too longed to hear God’s voice. They longed to hear a word from Him. And many times God did not disappoint. For hundreds of years, God spoke to the people of Israel through the judges and the prophets. God raised up the likes of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Michah, Habbakkuk, and others to bring His word to His people. They would confront sin and injustice. They would call people to repentance. Their proclamation, "Thus sayeth the Lord," rang loud and clear through the streets. Sometimes their words brought comfort. Sometimes their words stepped on toes. People both loved and hated the prophets because they loved hearing from God, but they weren’t always pleased with the message.
But after a time, God grew silent. He ceased to speak through the prophets. For 400 years the people of Israel waited to hear a word from the Lord. Invading armies entered their lands. Revolts and uprisings took place. They were conquered by Rome. The people asked God what was happening. The people asked God what their future held. The people asked God for a word either good or bad. But God was silent. The peoples’ disappointment was tangible.
But then God began speaking once again. A prophet named John the Baptist began proclaiming in the wilderness. As the prophet Isaiah had once foretold, "A voice was now crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’" John proclaimed a baptism for the repentance of sins, but he also pointed to one who was coming. "I baptize you with water, but one is coming who is more powerful than I. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" The people were curious. God would speak some more? Through someone more powerful than John? Who could it be? How would God act?
This Christmas day, we gather to reflect upon the answers to those questions. We gather to remember how God acted decisively in history. For God decreed that John would be the last of the prophets. God would not use a mediator to hear His voice any longer. He would send His own Son, Jesus the Messiah, who was fully human and fully divine to speak to the world. The babe born in Bethlehem would speak God’s will loudly and clearly. The Kingdom of God was at hand. Repent. Believe the good news! The Son of God was coming into the world not to condemn the world but to save it!
The writer of Hebrews affirms this boldly in our lesson this morning, "Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word."
This news is good news for us on two fronts. First, because there were those who wrote down Jesus’ teachings and sayings, we can know God’s Word first hand. All we need to do is open the pages of our Bibles. We can be seeped in tidings of great joy as we read God’s Words to us straight from His Son’s lips. Those words will often at the same time comfort us and challenge us, but they will also give us a certain insight into the heart and mind of God. We cannot know God fully, but there are things we can come to know. Jesus teaches us.
The second aspect of this good news is the knowledge that Christ is still seeking to communicate with us as He sustains all things by His powerful word. As we read Jesus, we see in John chapter 14 that He says these words, "25"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will be our guide through life, and that this Spirit will continue speaking to us even after He is gone. Do you realize what this means? Do you realize the radical nature of this comment? For at one time, God only spoke through the prophets and the priests. At one time God only spoke to a few people at any given time in history. But because of the promised Holy Spirit, God talks to us directly–in the midst of our daily, busy lives.
Ah, but that brings us right back to the beginning of this sermon. And the questions now come in earnest. But I have asked God time and again to speak to me. I have repeatedly asked God time and again to give me direction. I have asked God time and again to give me answers to life’s most difficult questions. How come I am not hearing Him? How come I can’t hear God’s voice or the Holy Spirit’s promptings?
Here is where I must say to you, "I don’t know." I don’t know exactly why. I don’t fully know your circumstances or the things you are going through in life. But let me ask you a couple of questions: #1. Are you taking time to listen for God to speak? Have you turned off your television, your computer, your MP3 player, your radio and whatever other noise producers you have around you? Have you embraced the silence so that you can hear the still small voice that God often uses to speak?
#2. Have you opened your heart and mind to listen to what God actually has to say, or are you just waiting for God to affirm what you want to hear? So often, we want God to simply tell us we are doing Okay or to bless a path that we have already chosen instead of allowing Him free reign to lead us and guide us in the direction He wants us to go. When our minds are already pre-determined, we won’t hear God.
#3. Are you looking for God no matter where you are? Sometimes God speaks through strangers. Sometimes God speaks in church. Sometimes God speaks in the deer blind. Sometimes God speaks in the shower. Sometimes God speaks as you are watching your kids playing sports as you enter into the "white noise" produced by crowds. Do you expect God in these places? Or do you limit Him expecting Him to talk to you on your terms? Open your heart to see Him everywhere.
#4. Do you really want Him to speak to you? Remember, Jesus’ words both offer comfort and challenge. We like the comfort part, but are we open to the challenge? Are we open to those directions the Holy Spirit might take us even though they make us squirm. If we aren’t open, we won’t hear.
Oh, I could go on with questions and points to ponder, but let’s stop for a moment, shall we. Let’s instead ponder that God indeed wants to talk to you. God indeed wants you to hear His voice. God indeed has a message for you, this day and every day. And that’s one of the reasons He sent His Son into the world–so that we could hear His Word and have our lives filled with His light and His peace. Merry Christmas. Amen.
When we enter into such a state we are very much like the people of ancient Israel. They too longed to hear God’s voice. They longed to hear a word from Him. And many times God did not disappoint. For hundreds of years, God spoke to the people of Israel through the judges and the prophets. God raised up the likes of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Michah, Habbakkuk, and others to bring His word to His people. They would confront sin and injustice. They would call people to repentance. Their proclamation, "Thus sayeth the Lord," rang loud and clear through the streets. Sometimes their words brought comfort. Sometimes their words stepped on toes. People both loved and hated the prophets because they loved hearing from God, but they weren’t always pleased with the message.
But after a time, God grew silent. He ceased to speak through the prophets. For 400 years the people of Israel waited to hear a word from the Lord. Invading armies entered their lands. Revolts and uprisings took place. They were conquered by Rome. The people asked God what was happening. The people asked God what their future held. The people asked God for a word either good or bad. But God was silent. The peoples’ disappointment was tangible.
But then God began speaking once again. A prophet named John the Baptist began proclaiming in the wilderness. As the prophet Isaiah had once foretold, "A voice was now crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’" John proclaimed a baptism for the repentance of sins, but he also pointed to one who was coming. "I baptize you with water, but one is coming who is more powerful than I. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" The people were curious. God would speak some more? Through someone more powerful than John? Who could it be? How would God act?
This Christmas day, we gather to reflect upon the answers to those questions. We gather to remember how God acted decisively in history. For God decreed that John would be the last of the prophets. God would not use a mediator to hear His voice any longer. He would send His own Son, Jesus the Messiah, who was fully human and fully divine to speak to the world. The babe born in Bethlehem would speak God’s will loudly and clearly. The Kingdom of God was at hand. Repent. Believe the good news! The Son of God was coming into the world not to condemn the world but to save it!
The writer of Hebrews affirms this boldly in our lesson this morning, "Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word."
This news is good news for us on two fronts. First, because there were those who wrote down Jesus’ teachings and sayings, we can know God’s Word first hand. All we need to do is open the pages of our Bibles. We can be seeped in tidings of great joy as we read God’s Words to us straight from His Son’s lips. Those words will often at the same time comfort us and challenge us, but they will also give us a certain insight into the heart and mind of God. We cannot know God fully, but there are things we can come to know. Jesus teaches us.
The second aspect of this good news is the knowledge that Christ is still seeking to communicate with us as He sustains all things by His powerful word. As we read Jesus, we see in John chapter 14 that He says these words, "25"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will be our guide through life, and that this Spirit will continue speaking to us even after He is gone. Do you realize what this means? Do you realize the radical nature of this comment? For at one time, God only spoke through the prophets and the priests. At one time God only spoke to a few people at any given time in history. But because of the promised Holy Spirit, God talks to us directly–in the midst of our daily, busy lives.
Ah, but that brings us right back to the beginning of this sermon. And the questions now come in earnest. But I have asked God time and again to speak to me. I have repeatedly asked God time and again to give me direction. I have asked God time and again to give me answers to life’s most difficult questions. How come I am not hearing Him? How come I can’t hear God’s voice or the Holy Spirit’s promptings?
Here is where I must say to you, "I don’t know." I don’t know exactly why. I don’t fully know your circumstances or the things you are going through in life. But let me ask you a couple of questions: #1. Are you taking time to listen for God to speak? Have you turned off your television, your computer, your MP3 player, your radio and whatever other noise producers you have around you? Have you embraced the silence so that you can hear the still small voice that God often uses to speak?
#2. Have you opened your heart and mind to listen to what God actually has to say, or are you just waiting for God to affirm what you want to hear? So often, we want God to simply tell us we are doing Okay or to bless a path that we have already chosen instead of allowing Him free reign to lead us and guide us in the direction He wants us to go. When our minds are already pre-determined, we won’t hear God.
#3. Are you looking for God no matter where you are? Sometimes God speaks through strangers. Sometimes God speaks in church. Sometimes God speaks in the deer blind. Sometimes God speaks in the shower. Sometimes God speaks as you are watching your kids playing sports as you enter into the "white noise" produced by crowds. Do you expect God in these places? Or do you limit Him expecting Him to talk to you on your terms? Open your heart to see Him everywhere.
#4. Do you really want Him to speak to you? Remember, Jesus’ words both offer comfort and challenge. We like the comfort part, but are we open to the challenge? Are we open to those directions the Holy Spirit might take us even though they make us squirm. If we aren’t open, we won’t hear.
Oh, I could go on with questions and points to ponder, but let’s stop for a moment, shall we. Let’s instead ponder that God indeed wants to talk to you. God indeed wants you to hear His voice. God indeed has a message for you, this day and every day. And that’s one of the reasons He sent His Son into the world–so that we could hear His Word and have our lives filled with His light and His peace. Merry Christmas. Amen.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Eve Sermon 2011
There is something very healing and wholesome about holding a baby. I don’t exactly know what it is. It’s kind of hard to describe, but I do know that I experienced it while holding each of my children in their infancy. It would usually happen right after feeding them. After burping, their eyes would begin to close as sleep overtook them. I would then rest their head on my chest. In a matter of moments, they were breathing deeply and regularly, sleeping while listening to the beat of my heart. At this point, it seemed like time would stop. An overwhelming sense of peace and serenity came over and upon me. And I didn’t care a bit about anything else. Work? It would get done. Politics? Who cares. Fire and bombs raging around? Inconsequential. My child was sleeping on me. She knew she was safe. She knew she was protected. And in some strange way, so did I. It didn’t matter what was happening in the world. All was well.
Sadly enough, these times were short lived. Time interrupted. I had to trudge off to the office because food had to be put on the table. My kids’ beds also awaited them because we believed they needed to get used to sleeping on their own in their own beds without clinging to us and needing us to sleep. With a sigh of regret, I would put my kids down and be reunited with a world that raised my anxiety and stress. A world that reminded me time and again of brokenness, of pain, of frustration, and all the other downers of life. In bygone years, we would nave named such things sin, but it has become much less popular these days to talk in such terms.
It cannot be sin that has ruined the world. No. It has to be something else, it has to be something that we can control and change. It has to be something that we have power over. It has to be greed. If folks just weren’t so greedy and could learn to share, things would be better. Or it’s just pure laziness. If people would just get up off their backsides, stop thinking that they were entitled to things and get to work, they would learn how to earn their own living and stop whining and griping so much. Or it’s capitalism. That system of economics creates a wealthy class and a poor class where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. If we could dismantle capitalism, things would get better. Or, the problem is socialism. It robs people of the incentive to work, and so they no longer become productive. Those who actually work watch their wealth siphoned off until they break under the pressure and the whole shooting match collapses. Or, no, it’s the Republican’s fault. No, it’s the Democrat’s fault. Let me stop for a moment and see if I have sufficiently offended everyone yet.
If I haven’t, then perhaps I will now. For you see, I believe that in each and every one of us, including myself, there is greed. And in each and every one of us, there is laziness. There is a root cause for this, and it is called sin. There is a problem with capitalism just as there is a problem with socialism, or communism, or with a monarchy or any form of government that is instituted: none of them can deal with the brokenness of humanity. No government is equipped to deal with human sin. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Neither political party can even come close to addressing the real heart of the matter which confronts the realities of why the world is as messed up as it is at times. Until we can confront sin and overcome it, we will never, ever have a perfect world.
Most of us deep down know this. Most of us deep down realize the futility of trying to change the world and turn it into some type of magical utopia. Most of us realize just how ineffectual we really are at bringing about change. And so, we either stop trying and seek ways to escape the conflict and turmoil or we throw ourselves into the fray even more convinced we’re not working hard enough. One of these methods is called escapism. The other is called insanity. Neither work.
God knows this. God knows the futility of humankind trying to fix the problem of sin. God knows we cannot fix it anymore than a kindergartner can fix a nuclear reactor. The problem is too complex. It’s too big. It’s too overwhelming to consider. And so, God is the one who has to act. God is the one who has to bring a remedy for sin. God is the one who must bring a way into the world to confront sin and offer hope to those of us who want the world to be a better place.
And that is exactly what God did. When we couldn’t reach up to the heavens and deal with sin, God came down to earth in the person of Jesus to begin the process of defeating sin. Why do you think Jesus’ birth was so special? Why do you think the Heavenly Host appeared to the shepherds? Why do you think they sang "Glory to God in the Highest and peace to His people on earth? Why do you think the shepherds left their flocks to go and see this thing that had happened? God was acting. God was no longer keeping Himself separate from this world; He was entering into it.
Now, at this point, you might be wondering just how Jesus coming into the world accomplished this. You might be looking around at the state of our nation today. You might see the polarization of movements like the Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement and say that Jesus didn’t do much to confront sin. You might also look at the continued squabbling between political parties on capitol hill and say the same thing. You might look at the continued high unemployment rate and the still struggling economy, the amount of poor and hungry, and the continued injustice and say, "Well, Jesus may have come to confront sin, but he hasn’t done a good job of getting rid of it."
And you would be right, but I would also argue you would also be missing out on how Jesus works. For, He came, not as a king of nations. He came not as one who would change the structures of society. He came as one who was to rule over the hearts of those who came to believe in Him. Let me rephrase that just a little bit–He didn’t come into the world to rule over society, He came to rule over your heart. He came to help you confront sin in your life so that you may live differently in this world right here and right now. How? Let me explain by sharing something personal with you.
This past year has been a very difficult one for me. My faith has been challenged in all sorts of ways, and many external factors have contributed to this. The ongoing drought that has stricken our state and this community has played a major role. I’ve been praying for rain for months, and it seemed like God didn’t care. On top of this, many of the congregation members here have experienced some severe trials and tribulations. Illnesses, strokes, heart troubles, cancer, children ending up in the hospital in extremely serious condition–dealing with all of these things has been a constant struggle in the past several months. And it would be easier if I didn’t care, but I do. It hurts me to watch others suffer. And I prayed. I prayed fervently to God for His intervention. But it seemed like He was quiet. Then, I got kicked in the teeth when it came to my own faith life. In reading a couple of books, I found just how far short I was falling when it came to my own following of Jesus and being his follower. I threw myself into further study and discipleship techniques. But interestingly enough, this didn’t help at all. I found myself further and further discouraged.
Until just recently. Something changed. As I was preparing for a class on discipleship I was teaching, I re-read a portion of Richard Foster’s book The Celebration of Discipline. I re-read about practicing the presence of Christ. This is a prayer technique which invites a person to realize that Jesus is not far off, but that He is with you at all times and in all places. Suddenly, something clicked within me. As I reflected on many of the things that had been happening in the church and in the community and with the drought, I realized that much of my prayers were directed to God who was out there–far away–who I needed to somehow cajole into action. I had forgotten that Jesus was here, now, a part of daily life.
I’ll not forget soon after, driving in my Mustang and picturing Jesus in the passenger seat. I asked Him to forgive me for missing His presence. I asked Him to help me be more aware of Him on a daily basis. As we drove, I pointed out to Him the stock tanks and how depleted they were. Somehow, it seemed like He heard me better, and I could sense my own anxiety draining away. Jesus was here. He cared. He listened, and He wanted me to know that. And He wanted me to know that He wasn’t finished with me yet. There was work to be done. "I am yours," I said, and I was at peace.
My friends, just as Jesus came to me, He comes to you. This is the reality of Christmas. He is not apart from us. He is not far off. He is near. He is present. He is with us right now, in this room and in our lives. He wants to work on and in us to change us so that sin may decrease and His love may increase. Do you dare take hold of Him? Do you dare allow Him into your heart? Do you dare sense His presence and rest in Him so that you too may say, "All is well?" Amen.
Sadly enough, these times were short lived. Time interrupted. I had to trudge off to the office because food had to be put on the table. My kids’ beds also awaited them because we believed they needed to get used to sleeping on their own in their own beds without clinging to us and needing us to sleep. With a sigh of regret, I would put my kids down and be reunited with a world that raised my anxiety and stress. A world that reminded me time and again of brokenness, of pain, of frustration, and all the other downers of life. In bygone years, we would nave named such things sin, but it has become much less popular these days to talk in such terms.
It cannot be sin that has ruined the world. No. It has to be something else, it has to be something that we can control and change. It has to be something that we have power over. It has to be greed. If folks just weren’t so greedy and could learn to share, things would be better. Or it’s just pure laziness. If people would just get up off their backsides, stop thinking that they were entitled to things and get to work, they would learn how to earn their own living and stop whining and griping so much. Or it’s capitalism. That system of economics creates a wealthy class and a poor class where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. If we could dismantle capitalism, things would get better. Or, the problem is socialism. It robs people of the incentive to work, and so they no longer become productive. Those who actually work watch their wealth siphoned off until they break under the pressure and the whole shooting match collapses. Or, no, it’s the Republican’s fault. No, it’s the Democrat’s fault. Let me stop for a moment and see if I have sufficiently offended everyone yet.
If I haven’t, then perhaps I will now. For you see, I believe that in each and every one of us, including myself, there is greed. And in each and every one of us, there is laziness. There is a root cause for this, and it is called sin. There is a problem with capitalism just as there is a problem with socialism, or communism, or with a monarchy or any form of government that is instituted: none of them can deal with the brokenness of humanity. No government is equipped to deal with human sin. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Neither political party can even come close to addressing the real heart of the matter which confronts the realities of why the world is as messed up as it is at times. Until we can confront sin and overcome it, we will never, ever have a perfect world.
Most of us deep down know this. Most of us deep down realize the futility of trying to change the world and turn it into some type of magical utopia. Most of us realize just how ineffectual we really are at bringing about change. And so, we either stop trying and seek ways to escape the conflict and turmoil or we throw ourselves into the fray even more convinced we’re not working hard enough. One of these methods is called escapism. The other is called insanity. Neither work.
God knows this. God knows the futility of humankind trying to fix the problem of sin. God knows we cannot fix it anymore than a kindergartner can fix a nuclear reactor. The problem is too complex. It’s too big. It’s too overwhelming to consider. And so, God is the one who has to act. God is the one who has to bring a remedy for sin. God is the one who must bring a way into the world to confront sin and offer hope to those of us who want the world to be a better place.
And that is exactly what God did. When we couldn’t reach up to the heavens and deal with sin, God came down to earth in the person of Jesus to begin the process of defeating sin. Why do you think Jesus’ birth was so special? Why do you think the Heavenly Host appeared to the shepherds? Why do you think they sang "Glory to God in the Highest and peace to His people on earth? Why do you think the shepherds left their flocks to go and see this thing that had happened? God was acting. God was no longer keeping Himself separate from this world; He was entering into it.
Now, at this point, you might be wondering just how Jesus coming into the world accomplished this. You might be looking around at the state of our nation today. You might see the polarization of movements like the Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement and say that Jesus didn’t do much to confront sin. You might also look at the continued squabbling between political parties on capitol hill and say the same thing. You might look at the continued high unemployment rate and the still struggling economy, the amount of poor and hungry, and the continued injustice and say, "Well, Jesus may have come to confront sin, but he hasn’t done a good job of getting rid of it."
And you would be right, but I would also argue you would also be missing out on how Jesus works. For, He came, not as a king of nations. He came not as one who would change the structures of society. He came as one who was to rule over the hearts of those who came to believe in Him. Let me rephrase that just a little bit–He didn’t come into the world to rule over society, He came to rule over your heart. He came to help you confront sin in your life so that you may live differently in this world right here and right now. How? Let me explain by sharing something personal with you.
This past year has been a very difficult one for me. My faith has been challenged in all sorts of ways, and many external factors have contributed to this. The ongoing drought that has stricken our state and this community has played a major role. I’ve been praying for rain for months, and it seemed like God didn’t care. On top of this, many of the congregation members here have experienced some severe trials and tribulations. Illnesses, strokes, heart troubles, cancer, children ending up in the hospital in extremely serious condition–dealing with all of these things has been a constant struggle in the past several months. And it would be easier if I didn’t care, but I do. It hurts me to watch others suffer. And I prayed. I prayed fervently to God for His intervention. But it seemed like He was quiet. Then, I got kicked in the teeth when it came to my own faith life. In reading a couple of books, I found just how far short I was falling when it came to my own following of Jesus and being his follower. I threw myself into further study and discipleship techniques. But interestingly enough, this didn’t help at all. I found myself further and further discouraged.
Until just recently. Something changed. As I was preparing for a class on discipleship I was teaching, I re-read a portion of Richard Foster’s book The Celebration of Discipline. I re-read about practicing the presence of Christ. This is a prayer technique which invites a person to realize that Jesus is not far off, but that He is with you at all times and in all places. Suddenly, something clicked within me. As I reflected on many of the things that had been happening in the church and in the community and with the drought, I realized that much of my prayers were directed to God who was out there–far away–who I needed to somehow cajole into action. I had forgotten that Jesus was here, now, a part of daily life.
I’ll not forget soon after, driving in my Mustang and picturing Jesus in the passenger seat. I asked Him to forgive me for missing His presence. I asked Him to help me be more aware of Him on a daily basis. As we drove, I pointed out to Him the stock tanks and how depleted they were. Somehow, it seemed like He heard me better, and I could sense my own anxiety draining away. Jesus was here. He cared. He listened, and He wanted me to know that. And He wanted me to know that He wasn’t finished with me yet. There was work to be done. "I am yours," I said, and I was at peace.
My friends, just as Jesus came to me, He comes to you. This is the reality of Christmas. He is not apart from us. He is not far off. He is near. He is present. He is with us right now, in this room and in our lives. He wants to work on and in us to change us so that sin may decrease and His love may increase. Do you dare take hold of Him? Do you dare allow Him into your heart? Do you dare sense His presence and rest in Him so that you too may say, "All is well?" Amen.
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