My “Home” Congregation

When I turned the daily inspiration calendar on the shelf, this thought jumped out at me: “No one gives you a home, you make a home.” The editor of the calendar probably intended to encourage us to strengthen our families. As is often the case, the saying caused me to think….Don’t parents give or provide a home for young children? Are there exceptions to the generalization? Perhaps the basic thought is true. A house is different from a home. An empty house is not a home. The people who live in a house make it a home. The house where I live becomes my home because of things I do.

Spiritual application time. I am thinking about the terminology sometimes used to refer to a local church: my “home congregation.” What does that mean? In what sense does a local congregation become my spiritual home? Is the church where you are a member merely a place where you attend church from time to time, or is it your spiritual home? If no one gives you a home, what can a church member do to make a local church a spiritual home? What should church leaders consider in developing congregations that serve as spiritual homes? What kind of preaching and teaching encourages and supports members who are seeking a spiritual home?

Consider some truths about our homes–physical and spiritual.

    Home is a place where I find my identity–do I find my identity in the context of my home congregation?
    Home is where my heart is–is my heart centered in the spiritual home and family I find in my home congregation?
    Home is where I find support–is this a description of my home congregation?
    Home is where you go when you can’t go anywhere else–true of your home congregation?
    Home is a place of comfort–what about your home congregation?
    Home is a place where people know me–how many people know you (and how many people do you know) in your home congregation?
    I spend energy and time and money to make a house my home–how much energy and time do I spend making the local church my home?

Making a home requires an investment–my devote time, energy, thought, and resources to turning a house into a home. My home is comfortable, inviting, relaxing, refreshing. Maybe some folks would feel more “at home” in their local congregation if they were present more often, were more involved, and did more to make it their home.

A World of Sin and Sorrow

[updated Monday, January 10, 7:00 A.M.]

The events of the weekend concerning the tragedy in Arizona have flooded the news shows, the talk shows, and the special news programs. The events were the subject of last-minute bulletin articles; the prayers of God’s assembled people included petitions on behalf of those involved and our nation. An early press release from Christian Chronicle revealed the church background of the Dorwan Stoddard, one of the six persons who was killed. According to a church spokesman from the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ in Tucson, the Stoddards went to the supermarket near their home Saturday morning to see Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event. Dorwan died attempting to protect his wife from the gunfire. The Stoddards were very active in the church, assisting with various construction, maintenance and benevolent projects. Besides Stoddard, the Associated Press identified those killed as U.S. District Judge John M. Roll; 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green; Giffords’ aide Gabe Zimmerman, 30; Dorothy Morris, 76; and Phyllis Schneck, 79. Fourteen other persons were injured.

Another story that has grabbed the attention of the nation is that of Christina Green. A Los Angeles Times article described her as kind and a good speaker who had had just been elected on the student council of her elementary school. She was born on September 11, 2001, and featured in a book called Faces of Hope. Her father, interviewed on national television, noted that her life began on a day of tragedy and ended likewise, although the middle was very good.

Certainly our hearts and thoughts go out to every family affected by this tragedy. We often fail to recognize the nature of our fallen world. Ours is a world where evil is not automatically suppressed. May we do everything possible to be the presence of Christ in the world where we live and to share the good news which has life-changing power!

Update: Good News!

Yesterday I wrote of my hopes for genuine renewal at the beginning of this New Year, and also of the challenges I have felt in recent years–especially in view of the annual area-wide combined worship. Today I upate those observations.

Yesterday was undoubtedly one of the best of the nine New Year’s combined worship events I have participated in–perhaps the best. Don Cherry preached an encouraging sermon which focused on living and celebrating the Christian life–a life which is submitted, healed, and saved by the power of God and the name of Jesus. The attendance was excellent. A visitor from northwest Oklahoma observed, “What is happening here is really something!”

Don called us to renewed evangelism, remembering our own salvation and healing. He called us to renew our commitment to share the Good News which has made a difference in our lives. Further, he reminded us that it is easy to treat baptism incorrectly–failing to note the commitment to submission which it signifies, and merely focusing on our own salvation or in being added to the church.

Many with whom I spoke shared similar sentiments, “I was touched by Don’s message.” The singing and worship were pretty much the same as in years past, but the message was outstanding. Thank you, Don!

It’s Sunday Again: First Sunday of the Year–New Beginnings

As a minister, the first Sunday of the New Year is traditionally one of my favorite Sundays of the year. Through the years, I have enjoyed the freshness, excitement and enthusiasm of leading the church in beginning a New Year with new hopes and expectations. The church seems poised and ready for action. The holidays are past, most folks are back in place and ready to settle into meaningful activities and life’s rhythms. Bible studies are easier to set up and teach in January through March than in most other times of the year. While most churches will suffer through a few weeks (or months) of colder weather as the year begins, January introduces the “Golden Season” of the church year. If a church cannot reach out and increase attendance in the freshness of spring and the promise of resurrection which focuses in the Easter season, that church likely has deep-seated problems which may eventually lead to the end of its life cycle.

Thus, for me, the first Sunday of the New Year is right up there with the beginning of the new church year in August or September, Friends Days, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Celebrations of special events connect hearts. To encourage such celebrations, a church does well to plan six or eight “super Sundays” during the year, and in most of my ministries, the first Sunday of the New Year was one of those special days.

Since 2000, the church here has participated in a combined area-wide worship on the first Sunday of the New Year. It is a wonderful event, even though attendance has seemingly waned a little over the years. The event has several positive dynamics as it brings together area congregations. It also has several negatives. It occurs away from the church building, and at a little distance from the city. As a result, some members do not attend. The event always uses a guest speaker, and as a result the sermons have not always focused on the specific needs of the local churches as the New Year begins. Through the years, it has not been easy to get visitors to attend and the focus has not been evangelistic. Further, the assembly of Christians from various congregations has made more difficult a celebratory focus–whether on the victories of the past year or the unique and specific challenges of the coming year. Because no contribution is collected, the church begins the new budget year with a deficit.

So here we are on the first Sunday of the New Year. I anticipate that the new beginnings I anticipate today will be personal more than corporate. I am committed to my resolutions (see my December 31 blog). I eagerly anticipate what God has in store in the coming year as we seek to share the gospel and share our lives in serving others. The good news of the gospel is that new beginnings are always possible. I hope someone reminds you of that today as you worship, recognizing and rejoicing in the eternal God who gives us eternal life through his Son, Jesus Chrsit!

Resolutions: A Day Early!

Perhaps if I get my resolution list published a day early, and have a brief opportunity to prepare myself, the resolutions will last longer. One good thing about my resolutions this year is that they are positive statements that can be pursued continuously, even with lapses (rarther than negative “don’t” statements that are immediately gone when one fails).

  • I will keep myself sharp mentally, physically, and emotionally
  • I will strengthen my spiritual life and stay connected with others who share like interests in spiritual activities, both locally and globally
  • I will continue to value, strengthen, and enjoy my family ties. I will not take my spouse or others in the family for granted. I will seek times to share life and relish the special moments.
  • I will spend money on things that matter. I will value experiences and people more than things.
  • I will take time to review my life so that I can see it clearly and identify the things accomplished that made a difference
  • I will do the little things regularly that give me a sense of accomplishment, e.g. projects, exercise, reading and writing are among my favorites.
  • I will look for and continue to do what others cannot do or what others are unlikely to do, especially in areas of ministry and mission.

    • Final 2010 Mission Report

    The holiday is past, the end of the year upon us, the beginning of a New Year soon to come.

    For our many friends and family, readers and supporters, we share again our best wishes for the coming year. Our last mission newsletter of 2010 summarizes some of the highlights of the past year. We rejoice in what God has made possible through us his servants with the help and encouragement of others.

    The coming year is a clean slate, yet to be filled with God’s writings of his work in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. We pray that we might be faithful, walking through open doors, encouraging others, sharing the good news of Jesus!

    It’s Sunday Again: He Came, He is Coming

    The Hebrew writer summarizes it well at the conclusion of Hebrews 9: He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages, so that he might do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Some events are once for all events–like death and the subsequent judgment. So also was Christ’s sacrifice to take away the sins of many people a once for all event. He will appear a second time, but it will not be for the purpose of bearing sin. It will be to deliver salvation to those who are eagerly anticipating his coming.

    At this time of year, it sometimes seems the entire world is thinking about Jesus’ first coming, the Advent, the Incarnation. That is the Nativity message. Jesus came. Right now that coming of Jesus into the world is pretty tame. In another four months, the world will remember that he came to die a cruel, painful death for the sins of humanity.

    Today as we share the Supper, we do not focus on the fact that Jesus came, but rather on the fact that he is coming. In the Supper, we proclaim Jesus’ death. Moreover, we demonstrate our confidence that he died and was resurrected, and that he is coming again. Keep remembering and reminding one another that He is Coming. Continue doing this until he comes!

    A Missional Christmas Idea

    One of the things I miss about being the “primary” presence in the pulpit is the opportunity to take relatively small, insignificant ideas and present them as short-term, weekly challenges to the church as we strive to live out the reality of Jesus in our world. Most of our folks are not missing the desire, they are missing the method. They need ideas about how they can make a difference. It is almost as though (putting on my academic hat for a moment) they need “homework.”

    In reviewing some of my recent sermons, I have challenged us to….

  • put in a good word for Jesus during the next week
  • ask as many people as possible a list of 2-3 questions (which I provided), and then we gave opportunity for feedback reports
  • ask people if you can pray for them until you get a list of at least 2-3 people, then pray for them the rest of the week, and follow up if they will give you information for future contact. (But the praying is not dependent on receiving contact information, so assure those who accept your prayer offer that you will pray for them regardless.)
  • adopt a “be a blessing” strategy for one week
  • invest a sum of money in helping someone else

    • With the holiday season upon us, I suggest another possibility. On the Wednesday before Christmas, we are having a congregational devotional. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we encouraged families to go out after that devotional (and during the next two days before Christmas) to spread a little “Joy to the World” by making a visit or taking a card, care basket, small gift, donuts, etc. to someone whom we would not otherwise contact. Maybe we could take something to someone who is working the holidays–hospital or nursing home workers, police or fire fighters, etc. Perhaps we could touch our families in new and fresh ways–both our physical family and our spiritual family–by going the extra mile. Perhaps we could say something significant to our friends and neighbors. Wouldn’t it be great if families and small groups of Christians did this together?

    In a world where many believe that the primary interest of the churches is focused inwardly, could it make a difference if we attempted to show that we have a genuine interest in others? Could it make a difference if we took the spirit of Jesus outside our four walls? A Starbucks employee recently observed, “It seems like a lot of churches are just inward focused and don’t get out in the community.” In most places, the church has a huge PR problem. The unchurched think that the church ought to exist for others, to serve the hurting and broken, and to be involved in the community. We need to do things in the name of Jesus and to make clear that we are doing them because we are Christians. Doing good things causes others to praise God (reread Matthew 5 and 1 Peter 2.)

    I applaud outreach ministries that focus on evangelism. But sometimes our outreach effort needs to be as simple as serving others in very specific, individualized ways that go beyond hosting spectacular community events. The personal touch is essential–whether it be in a food pantry, food baskets or food backpacks, serving in a housing development, or whatever. The key is that the church acts only as its members act. The problem with too many programs and ministries is that we are outsourcing ministry and leaving to the professionals those things that the church should be doing at the grassroots level.

    So my idea is that we come together briefly on that Wednesday, and that we encourage and equip people to go out and do mission and serve. Maybe the church could arrange to have on hand the things necessary to make up small care packages, fruit, cards, food items, etc. depending on the needs to be met. Perhaps the church could enjoy preparing their gifts together and praying together.

    Little by little, with efforts such as these, we could communicate to our community the heart of this church, so that we live out the message on our sign: “touching hearts, transforming lives.” What would happen if some of your family, friends, neighbors, or acquaintances knew that this is a church that cares? Would that help overcome any negative stereotypes? Most people need to encounter an authentic church in order to come to faith in Jesus. Are we such a church?

    How many times could this story be repeated?

    I want to begin by saying this is not my story, it is a story that was told to me by a person who wishes to remain anonymous. I have shared thoughts, and sometimes specific wordings, in telling a story I believe every Christian needs to hear again and again. (For a similar story from my own personal experience, see my December 2008 Mission Newsletter. )

    Once upon a time, a U.S. church became involved in a medical mission project. The project included a church planting which was supported with regular visits by medical brigades. A Christian who was involved on a mission trip which included a medical component met a girl who was waiting to see the doctor. This girl was sitting alone, last in line. She appeared sad, she was certainly alone. The Christian sat down beside her and began to talk to her, finding out that she had come to that area looking for work. The Christian spoke highly of the local church, invited her to church, and then introduced her to the local minister and another brother.

    Three days later, with the mission group still on site, the girl came to church with her Bible in hand. She was accompanied by two other girls, both of them relatives, a teenage girl and a younger child. The Christian made certain to speak to her, telling her what an encouragement and blessing her presence was. The medical campaign ended, the medical workers and the mission team went home. But the story doesn’t end there.

    The young girl began attending all of the meetings of the church. She studied the Bible. As she had accepted the invitation to come to church, she accepted the invitation of Jesus to be baptized, and three weeks after that first contact, she was baptized into Christ for the remission of her sins.

    The Christian wrote me, “I am struck by the simplicity of extending care and concern, an invitation, and follow up. It causes me to wonder how many opportunities we miss to express our concern for another person and the results from doing so.”

    You and I know that not all will respond as this young girl did. But the Christian also wrote me these words, “…honestly, she was the only one I sat to talk with that day in the busy task of assisting with our clinic activities; or maybe I just didn’t take the time. It causes me to wonder how many would respond in a similar situation to a similar invitation.”

    What if several times each day church members simply and sincerely asked others, “How are you doing?” What if we listened, offered invitations, and became a church where people genuinely care. We have no way of knowing how many would respond, and we have no way of knowing, if there isn’t an obvious immediate response, what “seed” would be planted to grow in its own time.

    In conclusion, I share the last sentence of the account I received from the Christian who was involved, “There is no doubt the blessing I received.”