Being the Light

For the past few weeks, you may have noticed that I have not kept my commitment of writing every Monday. The past two weeks have been a time of great pain, grief, sorrow and darkness.  At times, I feel as if I walk with people through the valley of the shadow of death. It is both a sacred and hard time.  There are days that can be so filled with grief that there is a need to see light, hope and encouragement. 

This is why I believe Congregational Care — baptisms, weddings, funerals, hospital visits, counseling, and talking about life and faith — is part of being the church. It is a part of being the body of Christ, the family of God.  Yet, in the past two weeks during the worship service, I have been struck by the imagery of light and darkness. In the world and basically in life there is such potential to live in darkness…..with pain, guilt, shame, grief. The world is full of it.  Yet, with a belief in Christ, I believe that there is still light in the darkness. Sometimes dimly and hard to find but there is a light.  The light burns brighter and brighter. 

This is the hope we proclaim as Christians that there is light amid darkness. There is faith amid doubting. There is hope when all there seems to be is despair. There is life after death. There is comfort amid pain. There is hope amid sorrow. There is a resurrection where there is death.

This is good news! This past weekend, I came to this place where I realized these truths again. It was so refreshing and hopeful for my soul.  As a part of this process, I created the pastoral prayer for the contemporary services (5:00pm Sat and Sun at central campus).  Below is my prayer that I firmly believe and pray. I share it with you today.  May we live as people who walk in the light!

This week as we conclude our series on Illuminate,  I am struck by the images of light that surround us.   In a week when the weather has turned dark and dreary, I find myself more hopeful and delighted when the sun comes out. When its really dark at night and I need to find my way, I am grateful that I can turn on a light and find my way.  When I read my GPS guide and pray, I use light. Sometimes I like to light a candle to recenter, focus to begin and remember God is light. So as we are surrounded by light, let’s go to God in prayer.  

O God, who spoke light to the darkness.  You save us and raise us and pick us up. You put us on solid ground. O God just as light surrounds us throughout the day, so we know that your spirit surrounds us each moment of each day.    God throughout the week we have failed to live the way you want us to live.  We pause in silence to confess to you these things and ask for your forgiveness. There are people in our congregation – in our church – where it is hard to see the light.  Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit.  Give those who need healing and comfort ….courage and hope. In our nation, we ask for your guidance and direction amid economic uncertainty and presidential elections.

 Remind us that we are your people called out of the darkness into God’s marvelous light. Guide us and our world in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. O God who caused light to shine out of darkness, shine in our hearts, We walk in the light as you are in the light. Open us to hear your word. Illuminate us as we seek to be your people We pray in the name of the one who is light…Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 

 

Renewal in the Church

Renewal within mainline Christianity is a vision that is very near and dear to my heart.

At Resurrection, Leadership Institute ended on Saturday.  Five hundred churches, 1640 people, gathered at Resurrection to learn about best practices and to swap ideas about how to best communicate about Christ. It was amazing, inspiring, and I believe my heart was strangely warm on several occasions.

This year I will vow that for 40 years, I will serve God through leading the church as an ordained United Methodist pastor. As a pastor, I firmly believe that the good news of Christ is really good news. I also believe our theological perspective as United Methodists provides a great way of holding two poles of thinking together. I also know that many, many things will change in 40 years. It is my earnest prayer that we can reclaim our heritage as United Methodists and as Christians and really make a difference in this world. I must confess… some things will have to change.  Right now, the UMC is a dying church and we are at the crossroads to change, innovate or die.  I do not want to be a part of dying church.

Yet, because of Christ I know there is life after death….and there is life, good abundant life here and now.

I believe God makes all things new through worship and prayer. God changes us, guides us and brings about God’s kingdom through prayer.

In August, United Methodist pastors from 100 largest congregations across teh country grathered seeking God’s vision for the future of the church. One of the most powerful outcomes was their conviction that we need to unite our voices in prayer asking God to begin a new work in and through all United Methodist churches.

At Resurrection, we have a vision to renew the mainline church. We can bring this vision into reality with our prayers and action.

In the GPS guide this week, you are invited, encouraged and challenged to join…what I believe is a movement. It is movement that inspires me and gives me great hope for the future.

I believe amazing things will happen when thousands of people apporach the throne of God, seeking renewal in God’s church.

Let’s being today our prayer for renewal of the church.

Leadership…Institute

This week I am preparing for Leadership Institute, taking place on Thursday and Friday. For the past ten years, Resurrection hosts a Leadership Conference where people from all over the country can take a look at the best ..and can be improved…practices that take place at our church.  This was one of the most compelling ministries that drew me to Resurrection and I am so proud of our church for doing.

Renewing the mainline church is one part of our three-fold vision (Changing Lives, Transforming the Community, Renewing the Mainline Church.)  I appreciate the way that Resurrection looks at how we can use our size, strength, trials and errors and share that with other churches.  I have learned that you don’t necessarily have to be named a leader in order for people to look at you as one.  I believe that this is the case organizationally with Resurrection.

Leadership is needed in the church and in our world.  Leadership that will be focused on putting others before themselves, guiding with compassion and vision, and empowering others to live to their God-given potential.  This leadership…not to sound too cliche….was modeled by Jesus.  Being followers of Christ, I believe we all are meant to lead in our own ways, in variious settings, and throughout the world.

I just read NPR’s commentary on the economic bailout bill failing. I was trying to read it objectively until I got to the point where one representative said, “We all want to vote for the bill but we want others to do it because we’re all up for reelection in a few months and we don’t want to lose our jobs.”  While this may be reality, it does not show me leadership.

I believe we can all be like…that would be nice, but someone else can do that…especially in the church.  What I am amazed and encouraged by are leaders who seek to grow in their leadership style and lead knowing that their boss (God) will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

This is why I’m excited about Leadership Institute.  It’s a time for leaders from all different churches and all over the nation to come together and be reminded of how God calls, gifts, and sustains people to lead God’s church.  How exciting to be a part of it!

Reading

I have just instituted a new reading program for me. I find that I need a plan or incentive to complete certain tasks, like reading.  For the past month, I have alternated reading a non-fiction, educational book with a fiction, quick-read book.  I have found this limits the amount of “screen time” (tv and internet) that I do. This has been a really great exercise and I hope to keep it up!

One of my friends asked me, “How does the Bible fit into this new pattern?”  Honestly, I read at least a portion of Scripture each day….and that’s different from just reading any other book.  With Scripture, I like to read, interpret, question, discover, and let the Scripture read me (meaning that I believe that God through the words, concepts and ideas of Scripture teaches me and not that I master the Scripture)….

I have renewed my love for the library.  I’ve finished my third fiction book (Five People You Meet in Heaven, Gilead and The Choice) and have read Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, Making Love Last a Lifetime by Adam Hamilton and On Death and Dying by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

I am finishing unChristian by David Kinneman.  The author of unChristian is going to be a Resurrection tomorrow (Tuesday) and I am excited to hear on how he has researched and interpreted why young adults don’t go to church or interested in Christianity. So far, I’ve gatherd it’s because they know Christians and perceive them to be judgemental and irrelevant.  It’s a strong and provocative book. I look forward to sharing more about his research and insights. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow….maybe you’ll read more about soon.  Take care!

Learning and Community

I am currently working on one of the learning communities that Resurrection is launching. I am very excited about the plan for discipleship.  If you are looking as to where and how to connect in such a large place, this is the answer for you!  I direct each person that I talk with to these classes because they offer a way to learn and a way to be in community with people you may not know. It is a great way to make a big church feel smaller!

The first step is to go to Alpha Course. Alpha is a 10 week course focused on asking the essential questions of the Christian faith. This is a great place to ask questions and find out more about the Christian way of life.

Then, there are great opportunities with the Learning Communities. Each ‘learning community’ is 6 weeks long. There are three of them: Knowing, Loving and Serving God. I am currently working on the Loving God class. I will teach this class with Darren Lippe in November.  For six weeks, we will focus on what it means to love God, practice spiritual disciplines, and discover the fruits of the Spirit.  We will be talking about six main ideas: worship, study, prayer, fasting, guidance, and small groups.

I like the idea of calling them learning communities. I believe ‘learning’ and ‘community’ are two characteristics that everyone needs on this walk of faith.  Learning and growing is essential in cultivating a deeper relationship with  God. Community is something we all need. Christianity is not a solo religion; it is made up of relationships. In a world where we can easily numb our brains and do life by ourselves, being in learning communities are a way to live counter-culturally and live the way Christ called us to live.

That’s why I’m teaching one and that’s why I want you to go to one! Sign ups for the learning community ‘Serving God’ start now.  May we continue to learn and commune each day!

My Story

Yesterday I heard a great message from Rev. Hamiliton about life as a journey, paying attention and getting off the tar road in the first week of the Wild Kingdom series. It was a great way to kick off the fall!  Then, I got to see 174 confirmands and their families begin their 10 week journey in confirmation -the process where students confirm their beliefs and decided if they really want to follow this Christian path. In the evening, I went to the first week of Learning Communities, where people gather together for 6 weeks and learn about Knowing, Loving and/or Serving God.  I am teaching the Loving God 6 week study in November and I wanted to see what Rev. Jeff Kirby and Debi Nixon were doing for this series!  What fun experiences here at the church!

In all of these opportunties yesterday, I kept hearing that life and especially following God, is a journey.  I thought I would share a little about my journey with you.  My parents made a decision when I was small that I would be baptized in the church.  They vowed in front of the congregation that they would raise me up in the church until I came to know Christ myself. This they did. I actually grew up going to church several days out of the week. Then, when I was in the 7th grade, I began asking the questions: why does going to church matter? what does God have to do with my life?  if people are really following jesus, why don’t they act like it?

This was a pivotal time in my faith.  I was encouraged to read the gospel of Mark in the Bible and to see how Jesus lived. Then I met with people — youth mentors, people I trusted, and even the associate pastor– and asked my questions.  I learned that the church is a body of people who try to follow Christ with all that they are but they don’t always get it right.  I discovered that God created me for a purpose to love God. I get to live my life following this great adventure of every day offering my life to God, saying do with me as you will and listening for those nudges throughout the day that I have come to know as the voice of God.

These were questions that I kept learning more about and continue to be reminded that God’s love through Jesus Christ teaches us how to live a great and abundantly full life. I am constantly amazed that this thirst for knowing, loving and serving more continues to grow even now.

After my youth, I attended college at Elon University in North Carolina.  I graduated with degrees in Religious Studies and Human Services (like Social Work). I found that faith and action, specifically faith at work and serving is an integral part of community, and I wanted to know more about the connection between faith and service. 

During middle and high school, I had discerned that I wanted to pursue the ordained ministry.  After attending Elon, I went to Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC.  I attended this school because I saw on the cornerstone of the library a quote from Charles Wesley, “Unite the two so long disjoined: knowledge and vital piety.”  It was hear that I wanted to join my head and my heart in following in faith. 

It was also at Wesley  that I unintentionally met my husband, Andrew. We had a nine month debate on where we were going to serve in the United Methodist Church. As UM pastors, we can choose what area of the country we want to serve.    After much prayer, listening, interviewing, and discerning,  we wanted to serve in Kansas and looked forward to specifically serving here at Resurrection.

At Resurrection, I have grown in my faith by exploring and teaching about prayer for the past two years.  I have also learned how God guides us and never leaves us.  I continue to be amazed at how God continues to take me from one place and says – now, let’s try this!  It’s my hope to share some of the particulars of my journey here at Resurrection with you on this blog.  That’s my story, though, and I’m sticking to it…..

What’s your story?

You are welcome to reflect on that and/or send me an email if you want to talk more about your story.

CommUnity Sunday & GPS Guide

Happy Labor Day!  Today I enjoyed pondering the message from yesterday’s service at Municipal Auditorium for CommUnity Sunday. This was my first time to be involved in the joining of two congregations for one worship service — Church of the Resurrection and St. James United Methodist Church.  It was such a moving experience to hear Rev. Emmanuel Clevear II, Dr. Emmanuel Clever III, and Rev. Adam Hamilton preach on “The Church is a place that (part 1) bridges the gaps, (part 2) where differences don’t matter, (part 3) that set an example. The blending of the two styles of worship provided new insight and a great way to worship. What a great experience!

Usually in the mornings, I start my day with the Grow Pray Study Guide. I thought we would not have one this week, but I was reminded that they are available online. Did you know that?  The readings this morning reflected upon one of the Scriptures from yesterday, Galatians 3:26-4:7.

The GPS guide is a great start to my day and usually only takes me about 15 minutes. I find myself reflecting upon the Scripture and thoughts throughout the day. I usually find at least one instance during the day that correlates with the reading. I really recommend this tool to help guide you in growing in your faith.  Enjoy this week!

Welcome!

Welcome to this blog!  You probably found this site through a pastorate letter that directed you to this site or from other Resurrection blogs.  I am delighted to be connecting with you!

As you know, I am the pastor for those whose last names begin with letters S-Z at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS.  It is my joy and honor to serve at Resurrection.  It is my hope through this blog that you will get to know more about me, my faith and my reflections of life and faith.

I will post every Monday for certain.  There may be  other days that I may add something of interest about my life or the life of the church, but you can always count on Mondays.  Please feel free to add comments or questions that  you would like for me to address.  If you would like to subscribe to the blog (meaning receive any posts from this site via email), you may click on the upper right hand corner where it says ’subscription.’

One of the reasons why I love reading blogs is that I get to know someone quite well. One time, I was reading someone’s blog and then later on that evening I just called this person up.  It was seemed out of the blue, but I had gotten to know them through their blog, so it didn’t seem so strange to me. That’s my hope in writing this blog.

I look forward to connecting with you!!!!