Missed opportunity?

I can’t help but think that there was a missed opportunity yesterday.

Millions of people across this vast globe watched the Michael Jackson memorial service on TV and a few select people were able to be there in person.  I for one did not watch, but saw and heard a number of sound bites no matter the station I was watching (even ESPN had a couple sound bites).  Now…I don’t want to generalize this memorial service but I can’t help but think that it was probably no different than any other celebrity’s memorial service.

What was the missed opportunity?

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his (Jesus) blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.“

Imagine if that verse were read at the memorial service (or one like it).  Imagine if the Gospel were preached in all it’s purity.  Imagine if people across the globe got a chance to hear celebrities witness to their faith (if there is indeed faith there to be witnessed to).  Like I said…I wasn’t there, didn’t watch and I don’t know the people in attendance.  But the sound bites I heard never once mentioned Jesus, God, faith or anything of the sort.  Missed opportunity.

With memorial services like this the tendency is to focus on the person who has died.  There are stories told to highlight what a great person they were.  There are facts shared that illustrate what a difference the person made in the lives of others.  There are tears shed and emotions laid out for all to see.  No doubt that Michael Jackson had an influence on many people, loved many people and helped many people.  No doubt that he will be missed and mourned for a long time.  But as with any person on this vast planet…Michael Jackson was a sinner.

Don’t get me wrong…he was no worse than anyone else, but he was a sinner.  I am a sinner.  You are a sinner.  But despite those facts Ephesians 1:7 is true for you and me and Michael Jackson.  I wish this was shared with the millions of people that were watching…and mourning.  Missed opportunity.

Funerals are an excellent opportunity to preach the Gospel to people that normally would not put themselves in a situation to hear the Gospel preached (i.e. they don’t come to worship unless it is Easter, Christmas or a funeral).  We can’t miss these opportunities.  People are searching for answers and reassurance.  What a missed opportunity to share with people that because of what Jesus has done and through faith we will all be together again.

Death doesn’t have to be good bye, but rather see you later.

The memorial service yesterday was an opportunity that was missed and will never come again.  Take advantage of situations in your life to preach the Gospel, share the Good News of forgiveness and proclaim the gift of life we have from God through Jesus Christ.

Let’s not miss opportunities.

-edh-

Here I come

I got elected to the SW MN synod council.

This past weekend the SW MN Synod (ELCA) held it’s annual synod assembly.  This year we were at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.  I was nominated for synod council a couple months ago but didn’t give it a whole lot of thought then.  Now that I got elected to a 3 year term I am beginning to wonder what I got myself into.  Initially it means a few more meetings a year and maybe some more responsibilities at next year’s synod assembly.  There will probably be some additional committee meetings and other work.  Beyond that I am not entirely sure what will happen.

But I am looking forward to this opportunity and honor:
I am looking forward to learning more about the Church.
I am looking forward to playing a more integral part of advancing Christ’s mission with the broader Church.
I am looking forward to growing in greater appreciation of what our synod leadership does (and “no” I am not just saying that because my bishop may be reading this.  Actually he has a RSS feed of my blog…now that is scary).
I am looking forward to getting to know some more of my colleagues.
I am looking forward to getting to know and working with the synod’s new Director of Evangelical Mission.
I am looking forward to growing as a leader.
I am looking forward to something new.

I may be jumping into uncharted territory but whatever happens I don’t go it alone…God goes with me and God will equip me with everything I need to carry out my duties and responsibilities.  As I said during my installation today when asked by the bishop if I will carry out my duties faithfully… “I will and I ask God to HELP and GUIDE me“.  God WILL help and guide me…that I know.

So there you have it…I came…I got elected…and I am installed as a synod council member…

…so watch out SW MN…here I come

-edh-

Linebacker Evangelism

As previously stated before, I am still on the road…here in St. Cloud…and once again multi-tasking.  Just a little while ago they showed a fun video about a “new” evangelism style called Linebacker Evangelism.

I wonder how this style would be received in Jackson

-edh-

Coffee shop ponderings — hospitality

Many of you know that I spend a lot of time at my favorite coffee place, Coffee Choices.  Part of the reason is because I really like coffee, especially the variety of flavors that Coffee Choices offers (Black Raspberry and Blueberry Cinnamon Swirl are my favorites).  Another part of the reason I spend so much time there is the hospitality that they practice.  When I set up camp at my favorite table by the front window on Thursdays to eat lunch and write my sermon, I never have to get up.  They always make sure my cup is full and that I have everything I need (they treat all the customers that way…not just me).  The hospitality keeps me coming back.

In the Romans text for Sunday, Paul urges the church in Rome to “practice hospitality”.  And this is more than making friends and family feel welcome in your home.  But practicing hospitality is making people feel welcome, valued, special, etc when ever and where ever you are.  If, upon my first visit to Coffee Choices, they were not hospitable, I probably would not have returned again, but because they make me feel like a valued customer I have no problem giving them my business.  And because I have developed relationships with many people down there through hospitality, I have had many fruitful and inspiring conversations.

Imagine the impact we could have on people if we showed that same hospitality to all people at all times and in all places.  What if we made people feel like they are to most valued and special person in the world.  People would stop and take notice and want to be around you.  And the more people are around you, the more opportunities you have to show the sincere love of Christ to them.  But don’t let your hospitality be for selfish reasons, as Paul says in Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere“.  And when love is sincere, people will notice.

The people down at Coffee Choices are not putting on an act to get people to come back again, their hospitality is sincere, and THAT brings me back again and again.  Let YOUR love be sincere for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

-edh-

Monday morning (or should I say “afternoon”) check in

I am finally back in the office…but a little late on getting to my blog.  If you could have seen the pile of stuff I had to deal with I think you would understand.  I enjoy getting away for awhile; its just the getting caught up that I don’t like.  But I think I am there.

Last night I had an AWESOME night…

…that is Point of Grace and I had third row, center aisle seats for this concert.  AND…it was free.  This was the finale of the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference that I attended this past week…and everything is free…it has been that way for 74 years.  This is an amazing conference and I am always blown away that they can put on such an event based solely on the contributions of generous supporters. 

Each morning started with prayer and then a Bible study.  At 10am we have some fellowship time before we head to the “communities” (small group sessions) at 10:30.  There isn’t anything going on in the afternoon but we reconvene at 7:15pm for the evening worship celebration time with a different (usually a nationally known) speaker (i.e.  Tuesday night was Phil Vischer, the founder of Veggie Tales).  And did I say that all of this is FREE?

The “community” I attended in the mornings was lead by Phil Vischer and his brother Rob (a law professor at St. Thomas Law School in the Twin Cities).  They spoke about Christ and Culture.  I missed the Monday and Tuesday communities but I am glad I made it to Wednesday’s.  Here Rob Vischer spoke about the Christian perspective on family law.  The basic premise was the evolution of the same sex marriage debate.  This is something that has been brewing for quite a few decades.  But what was really scary is where the law is headed in the future.  Basically the family unit is being de-valued and more emphasis is being placed on individual liberty.  Hence…people starting to be allowed to decided who’s in their family.  Rob said that on the horizon the next debate will be polygamy because if two men or two women want to get married, why not expand that definition to include more people.  The direction that family law is headed is very scary.  This was indeed an eye opening “community”.

So much more happened this past week but I am still trying to process everything.  I got a feeling that as other learnings begin to bubble up that they will soon find themselves on the pages of this blog.  But in the mean time I will take my leave of this topic.

In the future
There are some other blog topics that I have started that I haven’t dealt with for a while…and I am going to be returning to these topics shortly:
(1) Evangelism — at the end of July I was invited to participate in a meeting at the ELCA headquarters in Chicago.  My bishop along with a synod minister and our synod V.P. attended this meeting.  We heard a number of presentations and participated in some fruitful brainstorming for the synod.  I also got appointed to the “Serving in God’s World” board (evangelism and outreach) for the SW MN synod.  I am looking forward to writing more about my involvement here.

(2) Business meeting model vs. Ministry meeting model — this was something concerning church councils.  Wrote a while back about my efforts of changing how our church council looks at themselves.  We need to be a group of people focused on advancing the mission of Christ in the world around us.  Someone commented and asked me how I was going to do this and I responded that I was still working on it.  Well…I want to return to this topic in the near future.  I have a council meeting this week and I hope to implement a new “agenda item”.  I will say more about this later.

(3) Learnings from the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference.

Whew…that’s a lot of stuff coming up and I am excited to get started writing.  I guess time off really did me some good.

Anyway…take care and God bless!

-edh-

Ministry model vs. business model — part 1

On Thursday (in my Coffee shop ponderings) I briefly mentioned something I am trying to do with my church council.  I am trying to make a move from a business meeting model to a ministry meeting model.  At the time I said I am still working out the specifics of this plan (which I still am) but I want to begin to think this through with you here.  Justin left a comment on that post saying that he is doing something similar with his council and was wondering how I was going to maintain what I started.  That is a very good question and one I hope I can answer here.  But how I want to begin this discussion is to define the two different models and then work from there. 

My initial thoughts on the definition of these two models stem from something I heard at our latest synod assembly (SW MN, ELCA).  The participants were asked to raise their hands if they agreed with the following statement:  The Church has a mission.  Most people raised their hands.  We were then told we were wrong.  Rather, the MISSION (of Christ) has a Church.  When the Church claims to have a mission we have a tendency to direct and lead the way rather than being lead by Christ; we quickly lose focus.

So the first part of my definition is this:
Business meeting model — The church has a mission
Ministry meeting model — The mission of Christ has a church

As church councils, we need to think in terms of what advances the mission of Christ.  Building projects are important along with paying bills, deciding what color carpet to put in or what bid to approve.  You could even argue that those things advance the mission of Christ, but how often does talk of the mission of Christ enter those conversations?  More often than not, we discuss what WE think is important…what will please most of the members.  Maybe, just maybe if Christ’s mission came into the conversation, the color of the carpet would not be important or maybe just maybe, new carpet would not even be an issue anymore.  Christ’s mission has a way of changing how we look at the world.

So…to begin to answer Justin’s question; how am I going to maintain what I stated:  I am going to type up the list of goals (ones that we see will advance the mission of Christ) and keep them in front of the council and the church.  We will discuss how we are doing with these goals each month before we do any business.  We will keep asking the question how does this advance the mission of Christ?  I will also publish these goals in the newsletter and get everyone thinking about them and asking the same question.  This is a small piece, but it is a beginning.

What are your thoughts?  Does your council have a “business” focus or “ministry” focus?  How do we move from a “business” to a “ministry” focus?

There is definitely more to discuss on this issue…

-edh-

Evangelism blog

Over at my other blog, The Heart of Evangelism, I am beginning a series of posts dealing with the ELCA Evangelism Strategy.  I am always surprised to hear how many pastors have not read this or haven’t even heard about it. 

It is a four part strategy that I think is pretty important for our Church.  So I invite to stop over there and join (or begin) the conversation.  A link the the evangelism strategy is provided there.

-edh-

NEW Evangelism blog

On Monday I traveled to Shalom Hill Farm (just outside of Windom, MN) for the First Call Theological Retreat.  First Call Theological education is something that all first call pastors (and other rostered leaders) in SW MN (and other area synods as well) are required to participate in for the first three years of their ministry.  Among the various components, an annual theological retreat is held.  I finished my first call requirements this past year so in a way I am "off probation"

But this year I was back…and this time in a teaching capacity.  With the various evangelism training I have had combined with my passion for evangelism, my bishop asked me to lead a presentation at this event.  I was honored to be asked and joyfully accepted the invitation.  But I was still a little nervous.  I have never really taught a class for a group of pastors before.  I DID lead a workshop at our synod assembly last year on evangelism and blogging, but somehow that felt different.

So I gathered my resources and tried to piece together what I would talk about.  There is so much one COULD talk about that trying to narrow things down to a 1 1/2 hour presentation was not easy.  My only fear was that I would get so excited that I would begin talking to fast and thus mumble and jumble words and phrases together (that is the main reason I need a manuscript when I preach…to slow me down).  But I did it and had a great time.  Afterward I had some great conversations with people one on one about evangelism and even more during supper.  Now the next question is this:  What is next?

I am working on something for here at Salem that I hope will be the beginning of a culture change here.  I am not sure if it will work or if I will even see the fruits during my time here, but I am going to give it a whirl (I will talk more about this in an up coming post).  So in the mean time I am going to spend some time writing about evangelism and I invite your thoughts and comments.  And I think the best way to do this is on another blog that is specifically designed for that purpose.  So I have created an evangelism blog called The Heart of Evangelism where we can have some discussion about evangelism, share ideas, resources, strategies and the like along with support for one another.

So there you have it.  We will see if this takes off or not.  Whether it does or not, it won’t curb my passion for encouraging people to be who we were created to be.  After all, if the church is not about evangelism, then we are nothing more than a social club with special tax exempt status. Let’s reclaim the very thing we should not have to re-claim.

[And...as always...this new blog will be done all for the glory of God...because without God, what's the point?]

Take care and God bless!
-edh-

Never walking alone

Two weeks ago my wife, Connie (who also serves as Salem’s parish nurse) began a program called "Walking and the Word".  At 6:30am on Wednesday mornings you meet at the church (with Connie) and go for a 1/2 hour walk.  Upon your return you head to the church fellowship hall for b-fast (coffee, juice and something healthy to eat) and devotions with me — hence "Walking and the Word".  After three weeks we have 3 faithful walkers.  But whether anyone shows up or not, Connie and I will be there — exercising, enjoying breakfast and devotions.

Today, Connie was out of town for a meeting so that meant I was in charge of everything — including the walking — which was (and is) fine.  I got up at 5:30am and got b-fast ready and the coffee maker set.  At 6am I went outside to prepare for a short run before the walkers arrived.  As I was stretching out a Suburban pulled into the parking lot.  It was W.  W is a sweet man.  He always spoils Connie and I at Christmas with a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant.  This morning W got out of his vehicle and said, "No one should walk alone or walk alone in life.  So I will walk with you."  I couldn’t help but smile.  I explained to him the walkers arrive in a 1/2 hour and that I was going for a run before we walk.  I invited him to come back at 6:30 but he said he is not much of a walker…he just didn’t want me to walk alone.  We chatted for a while and then he left to have coffee with the guys.

What a great thing to say, "No one should ever walk alone".  How true…how true.  No one should EVER walk alone and no one does when it come to Christ.  But here on this earth many people still "walk alone".  They grieve alone, deal with problems alone, celebrate alone, cry alone. 

"No one should ever walk alone"

Most if not all of us know people who "walk alone".  We know people who feel isolated because of choice or because of life circumstances.  They may feel lost and don’t know what to do.  But whether it is a choice or life circumstance…

…"No one should ever walk alone"…

…so go and "walk" with them.  Remind them that with Christ they never truly walk alone.  They never truly grieve alone or deal with problems alone or…you get the picture. 

"No one should ever walk alone" is a nice thing to say but an even better thing to put into practice. W does it literally and figuratively.  So pull a W…pull off the "road"…step outside your comfort zone…and "walk" or walk with someone.  Because…"No one should ever walk alone".  Thanks W…and…happy "walking" to all.

-edh-

The healing of the wild, naked man

"The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him (Jesus); but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’  So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him." (Luke 8:38-39)

The Gospel text for this Sunday, June 24 (the 4th Sunday after Pentecost) is from Luke 8:26-39.  This is the story of Jesus healing the wild, possessed naked man who found his joy by running through the tombs (this always gets the attention of my confirmation kids).  As Jesus entered the country of the Gerasenes he is greeted by this possessed man.  The demons plead for their life as Jesus commands them to come out of the man.  Jesus, showing compassion, allows them to enter a swine herd and they proceed to drive the herd into the ocean; destroying it. 

The wild, possessed naked man is now healed, clothed and now in his right mind.  The people looking on, however, are scared silly.  Because of their fear they ask Jesus to leave, so he does.  As Jesus is preparing to leave, the healed man wants to go with Jesus but Jesus commands him to stay and proclaim the good news.  The man obeys and proclaimed "throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him."

The response of the healed man is nothing unusual.  Many of you have probably attended retreats, seminars, worship services or Bible studies where you truly felt the presence of God.  In those cases many people want to stay put.  They don’t want to leave and risk losing that incredible feeling.  This is what we would call a "mountain top experience".  They feel good and safe.  Our problems seem to melt away and time seems to stop.  But we all know that the time comes when we must return home – for life is not lived on the "mountain top, but in the valley".

The healed man had experienced an amazing healing (a mountain top experience) and wanted to stay with Jesus, but Jesus wanted him to proclaim the good news.  And the same goes for us.  We can’t live at the retreat center or seminar or worship service or Bible study.  We can’t live on the "mountain top".  The point of our experiences is to share with others the amazing things that God does for us.  And this command to tell others what God has done for you means to re-enter the valley.  But as we re-enter the valley we can be assured that the Holy Spirit goes with us.  Jesus promised his disciples this and Jesus promises us this as well.

So…"‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’"  Return to the "valley" so others may have a "mountain top experience".  Praise be to God, always and forever.  Amen!
-edh-