Mark Beeson

The Slide Is Waiting...

 - Photo by Aaron Beeson -

I think everyone benefits from the burden of an important relationship. 

• We all win when someone cares enough to carry us up a ladder to a place new possibility and potential. 
• We all win when someone loves us enough to hold us tight as we try new things.  
• We all win when someone shares the thrill of adventure with us. 
• We all win when someone expands our horizons, encourages our growth and shows us the way to live life.

So, who are you holding today?  Who knows you've got their back?  The slide is waiting...

Galatians 6:2a  -  Bear one another's burdens.

Getting Married Changes Things

 

Tracy has only been married to Aaron for 13 months, so she's reveling in the interests, avocations and recreational pursuits Aaron has enjoyed for years.  Take archery, for example. Aaron shoots anything: longbows, compounds, recurves, reflex/deflex hybrids and crossbows. 

Now Tracy does too.  

Amber got this photo of Tracy's first crossbow bullseye.  Nice, eh?

Ruth 1:17  -  Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'll die, and that's where I'll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!

The Challenge of Distance

 

When family gathers, someone is required to travel. Some drive for hours, some for minutes and some for days - unless they fly, which causes a whole new range of challenges. Whatever the case, family doesn't gather if no one makes an effort. 

When it's not worth the cost, no one engages the cause. The prize of "family time" must be worth the price it demands, or no one will pay the price. 

Aaron and Tracy had to come all the way from Orlando to be with us this Memorial Day weekend. John and Angela came; so did Ryan and Amber. We're thankful our kids all make the effort to come together from time-to-time. Their ongoing efforts make our "great family gatherings" the very best of times.

When I think of the "family gathering" ahead, I can't help but thank God for the price He paid to turn humanity's painful alienation into a joy-filled reunion. The price Jesus paid is sufficient to bring all of us home.

Zephaniah 3:19-20

"On Judgment Day 

   I'll bring you back home—a great family gathering!

You'll be famous and honored 

   all over the world.

You'll see it with your own eyes— 

   all those painful partings turned into reunions!" 

         God's Promise.

Mongo

I've been taking Aaron and his buddies to Mongo for two decades. When they were little guys Rainbow Pit looked like one of the great lakes. A 400 yard hike in the woods make them feel like they'd survived a month in the trackless wilderness with Bear Grylls. I taught them the definition of a successful outing: "Everyone comes back alive."

I kept a close eye on the boys at Mongo in those days, but things have changed. Once a year, I still go to Mongo with Aaron and his buddies, but now they keep an eye on me.  

"You OK Mr. Beeson?"
"How're you doing Mr. Beeson?"
"Can I carry that for you Dad?"

We all went to Mongo this weekend. The boys spend hours laughing, telling stories, shooting carp and building memories. It was a fantastic day and I'll always be grateful for the privilege of seeing great young men encouraging each other along the way of life.

My daughter Amber took this picture. Left to right: me, Nic, Aaron, John, Andy, & Ryan. 

Proverbs 27:17  -  As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is special.

Families gather to incinerate hot dogs and and torch marshmallows on skewering sticks. Children go outside and move around; some actually run in the grass. The grandkids squirm as previously unknown relatives sweep them into a loving embrace and kiss their cheeks. 

As the Ti-ki-torches blazed away last night, I thought about my Dad. In WWII he fought at the Battle of the Bulge; he was in Patton's forces at the crossing of the Rhine; he nearly froze to death in the Black Forest. Dad made it home. Thousands of good men and women didn't; they died at war in far away places. 

How many fine Americans died in WWII? More than 400,000. Another 36,000 died in the Korean war, 58,000 in Vietnam, 382 in the Persian Gulf War, add in the attack on the Pentagon, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan and Special Ops the world over and the totals swell to more than a million of America's sons and daughters who have died in war. 

While we enjoy our families at home this weekend, let's remember thousands of our best and brightest are standing in harm's way. And let's acknowledge and honor the memory of those who fought and died for freedom.

Judges 2:10  -  After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.

Methodist Monday / Post #8

 

This is it, my eighth and final “Methodist Monday” post.  The open-source collaboration on bringing new life to the dying United Methodist Church has been helpful.  I love the Church and am determined to bring a solution orientation to bear on our desperate circumstance. There is a new life ahead, but very difficult steps will have to be taken if the United Methodist Church is ever to be vital again.

If you love the Church, give your thoughts. Your helpful comments assist me as I write a book to help the UMC, and they might shape the future of this great denomination.

“Methodist Monday Post #8” begins now….

 

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Mix coffee with conversation and you’ve got a potent concoction. Stir some fired-up United Methodist pastors into the brew and you’re liable to hear almost anything. 

“Beeson’s writing a book.” Jason said.

“So I heard.” Dan mused, “You think he actually wants our ideas on how to rescue the ministry of the UMC?  Anything I’d suggest to him is so radical we’d never do it.”

“I think that’s the point, “ Jason replied. “He seems convinced it’s going to take some fundamental shifts in our systems and practices if America is ever again to realize the benefits of a potent United Methodist Church.  So, what’s your radical idea?”

Dan looked over his coffee mug, thought for a moment, and started in. “Here’s one. The 60 member Connectional Table met last month in the Philippines, and decided local congregations need measurable goals in five areas: worship attendance, disciples engaged in mission, professions of faith, mission giving, and spiritual / discipleship formation groups.  They grabbed most of their ideas from Bishop Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.”

“So? New goals might help us.”

“True enough.” Dan continued, “Setting goals is fine, but new goals should drive us to new strategies. And we don’t have any margin for new strategies.  When every penny of your budget is allocated, you can’t just add new line items. Unfunded liabilities will bury you. The same is true of all our resources: time, energy and passion. Spend your passion on one thing and you have less for other things. Spend your time on one project and you’ve got less time to spend elsewhere.”

“OK. That makes sense. So?”

“So, if we’re going to grow our churches, we’ll need new ideas, and we’ll need new strategies. Obviously, our old ones aren’t working. But since times are desperate and we have no margins, we’ll have to stop doing some things to start doing other things. I’ve only been a pastor for a few years now, but I know changes like that will threaten everyone who is comforted by our old way of doing things.” Dan was on a roll.

Jason couldn’t see what Dan was so concerned about. “Can’t we just reallocate our money, time and effort?  I don’t see why we wouldn’t want mission success more than the security of our old familiar ways.”

Jason wasn’t getting Dan’s point. What seemed clear to Dan was apparently inscrutable to Jason. “There will be blood in the water when anyone dares try something that threatens the security of existing church protocols – even if it’s to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Jason just sat there sipping his coffee, so Dan plowed on. “Look Jason, let me tell you how threatening big changes can be to a declining institution like ours. Our denomination’s Commission to Study the Ministry just gave our bishops an interim report declaring “guaranteed appointments” are a major factor contributing to mediocrity and ineffectiveness in the UMC.  That means a lifetime job guarantee for UM elders, is a promise the church can no longer keep.  Bear in mind the commission won’t release its final report for the 2012 General Conference until next year, but the issues it is now addressing with our bishops include how we can drop clergy job guarantees.”

Jason protested, “But the Book of Discipline states elders in good standing who honor their ordination covenant to the itinerant ministry, and who faithfully and effectively fulfill their ministerial duties, and attend to their annual continuing education requirements shall be continued under appointment by the bishop.”

“Right.” Dan replied, “That’s why this month’s interim commission report is so significant. They’re recommending changing the language from “shall be continued under appointment” to “may continued under appointment.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“No. I’m not.” Dan said, “And though their proposal would eliminate job security for elders, the commission did not recommend changing the church's practice of requiring clergy to serve wherever they are appointed, and to move at the discretion of their bishop.”

"That's so one-sided! What kind of covenant is that supposed to be?" Jason cried.

“Whatever else it may be, it’s what’s before us.” Dan continued. “Seattle Area Bishop Hagiya, a commission member, said guaranteeing clergy jobs not only produces a culture of mediocrity, ‘It allows people to coast rather than to continue to strive and grow.’”

“If guaranteed appointment is threatened, the clergy will never stand for it. No way.” Jason stated.

“Even for the sake of our mission?  Even to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?” Dan asked.

Jason was adamant. “Elders will sabotage the idea. They’ll call for discussion, establish study groups and postpone action.  It’ll be delayed for decades. No one is going to allow such a fundamental shift in our system. It’s just too radical.”

“Then we will die.” Dan declared.

“Just because we don’t give up our guaranteed appointment?” Jason demanded.

“No. Certainly not.” Dan concluded. “But we are doomed to irrelevance and diminishing impact in the world if we refuse to give consideration, and ultimately take strong action, on biblical, radical, revolutionary ideas.  It’s going to take a lot more than a suggestion by the Connectional Table that we set some new goals to reverse our downward spiral. We’ll need to actually agree that God’s big, hairy, audacious goals are worth achieving – no matter what the cost.  Only then can the UMC let go of comfortable old systems and strategies and get a tenacious grip on the future God is calling us toward.”

 

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How about it?

Will the UMC benefit if elders are no longer guaranteed an appointment?  Will the UMC even consider such a radical proposal, if it includes unchanged itinerancy requirements?

Titus 1:4-6 

To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

On The Arizona Border

 

I saw this guy in Arizona.

He had a single-action 45 Colt revolver strapped on each hip. 

If our federal government refuses to secure the border, you can guess who will.

Exodus 34:24  -  I will force the nations out of your land and enlarge your borders. Then no one will try to take your property when you come to worship me...

The Character of a Methodist

 

John Wesley founded the Methodist movement. This is his 16th of 18 marks pursuant to the character of a Methodist:

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16. Lastly. As he has time, he "does good unto all men;" unto neighbours and strangers, friends and enemies: And that in every possible kind; not only to their bodies, by "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those that are sick or in prison;" but much more does he labour to do good to their souls, as of the ability which God giveth; to awaken those that sleep in death; to bring those who are awakened to the atoning blood, that, "being justified by faith, they may have peace with God;" and to provoke those who have peace with God to abound more in love and in good works. And he is willing to "spend and be spent herein," even "to be offered up on the sacrifice and service of their faith," so they may "all come unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
 

Romans 3:28  -  We maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

This Weekend's Celebration

 

A lot of people will be joining you at the services this weekend. Grab a friend and experience the inspiration and worship at the Elkhart Campus, the Granger Campus or On-line. There's still time...and God has a place for you.

Isaiah 56:6  -  Foreigners will join the Lord to worship him and love him, to serve him, to obey the law about the Sabbath, and to keep my agreement.

Why Don't I Live In Florida?

 - Photo by Jon Hallberg  - 

My son lives in Orlando.  This morning he went fishing on the flats with his cousin Josh.  

This is the result. 

Wow.

John 21:3  -  Simon Peter announced, "I'm going fishing."

Legacy

 

I love Sheila.  

I'll always be grateful for her mother and father; they raised her well.

The way parents live always leaves a mark on their children, for good or ill. And few examples better illustrate the legacy of a life well-lived than the one I see when I look at Sheila and her father. She's her daddy's girl. She's frugal, wise, devoted, focused, loving and faithful. She works hard. She quickly integrates the new information, and new experiences, that make her a delightful conversationalist, engaging personality and wise counselor. She's devoted to Jesus, her family and thousands of children God gifted her to bring closer to Him.  She's amazing. 

The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Thanks Papaw.
       (...you too, Granny.)

Proverbs 31:29  -  Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

FiveStarRefresh.Com

 

Seth and Justin Maust are great guys.  They’re brothers, and with their families they’re living out their faith with us at Granger Community Church.

A few years ago these guys started an after-school program to help kids develop the character traits they’ll need for success.  The non-profit organization they founded (and now lead at 13 different public schools) is called Five Star. 

I think what they’re doing is awesome.

Last weekend I asked everyone to help Five Star win a huge grant being offered by Pepsi. If Five Star wins the contest, and gets some grant money, we’ll be able to help more kids in more ways. 

All you need to do, to help Five Star increase its program and assist more students in our public schools, is go here and vote.

You can vote once each day for each of the 7 Five Star proposals being considered by Pepsi for funding.  So you can cast 7 votes, once a day, every day for the rest of this month.  The organization that gets the most support (by votes) from their community will win grant funding from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Go here and vote today.  Then go back, every day in May, and vote again and again.  Let’s help Seth and Justin help our kids.

Together we can encourage the students in our public schools to build on what they’ve been given, and develop Five Star Character: Respect, Integrity, Sacrifice, Responsibility and Courage.

2 Peter 1; 5-9  -  Don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.  

Methodist Monday / Post #7

We've come to my seventh - of eight - Methodist Monday Posts.  I'm writing a book to help the United Methodist Church, and your insightful comments may facilitate its return to potency, vibrancy and growth. I love the church. I'm determined to offer all the help I can to our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

If you’d like to comment on the six previous Methodist Monday posts, start here.

If you’d like to see the UMC moving forward instead of back, read on…

 

 

Susan made a swing through Starbucks on her way to her weekly meeting with her student leadership team. Since being appointed to First United Methodist Church her commitment to the next generation was obvious. If anyone was wondering whether she had what it takes, this weekly meeting of High School students was testimony of her prowess.  These kids were leaders and they never missed Susan’s weekly Bible study on “Leadership.”

Susan wasn’t surprised when the kids started asking questions about the 4th chapter of Ephesians.  She read the passage aloud before the first question came.

“Ephesians 4:11-15 says, ‘It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.’”

Susan hardly finished the reading when Yolanda asked, “You’re a pastor, right?”

“That’s right.” Susan replied.

“So who are the United Methodist apostles? I don’t think the bishop has ever sent an apostle to our church, and I’ve been here since I was born seventeen years ago. When does the bishop send us an apostle, ‘to prepare God’s people for the works of service?’”

Before Yolanda could continue, Luke jumped in. “I’ve heard we have teachers in our seminaries, but what about prophets? Do we have prophets in the United Methodist Church? The only time I hear prophets mentioned is when we do a Bible study on the Old Testament. If Paul mentions apostles, prophets and evangelists in the same breath as pastors and teachers, how come United Methodists don’t recognize all five of them in the same way?”

“Yeah. What’s up with that?” A chorus of voices echoed Luke’s question. “Even when you asked us if we felt God might be calling us into the ministry, we only got asked if we’re called to be ‘pastors.’  How come you never asked if we’re called to be prophets?”

“Or apostles?” another student asked.

“Or evangelists?” two kids said at once.

Yolanda summarized the concern. “Paul listed all five of these roles together.  He seems to be saying all five are necessary. If United Methodists agreed with Paul, we’d be recruiting apostles, prophets and evangelists like we recruit pastors and teachers.  It’s obvious we don’t do that. None of us have ever even seen an apostle or a prophet. Do we believe all five of these leaders are of equal value? Look at the text. Paul seems to believe they’re all needed so ‘the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature.’ Why don’t we believe that?”

Caught off-guard, Susan took a stab at a partial explanation, but it backfired.  She said, “You know, our conference did have an official ‘Conference Evangelist’ a few years ago…”

Before she could finish, a challenge came. “What? You mean we have hundreds and hundreds of pastors but we only had one evangelist? That’s crazy! No wonder the United Methodist Church isn’t growing.  We value shepherding the people already in the church hundreds of times more than bringing new people to Christ!”

“Now, wait a minute…” Susan wanted to explain the reasons the UMC offered recognition and ordination for pastors and teachers.  But these kids were studying the Bible together, and it was obvious to every student in the room that Paul’s assumptions about the critical role of apostles, prophets and evangelists appeared quite different from the United Methodist Church’s esteem for apostles, prophets and evangelists. 

Before Susan could formulate her response, Yolanda tossed out a bottom-line question that sounded more like a statement. It hit like a bomb.

“Susan, you’ve talked with us about the decline in the United Methodist Church. You’ve told us, again and again, that the best days for the UMC are ahead of us. So tell us how that can be true, if the United Methodist Church values pastors and teachers – the leaders who teach and care for the people already in the church – but they never try to raise up, train and recruit apostles, prophets and evangelists – the ones who create action, expand ministry, focus our mission and recruit new people to the cause?” 

Luke restated the question, “How can the UMC grow if it’s led by pastors and teachers, who shepherd and teach God’s people, and it’s not led by apostles, prophets and evangelists, who expand our vision and bring new people into the church?”

Susan took a deep breath. 

She knew kids like these were the future of the United Methodist movement. And she knew this discussion was going help these students formulate their opinions about the potential of the UMC.  And she knew it was discussions like this one that fueled their fire and made some of the abstract notions of faith tangible and real.  So she launched into the fray.

“That’s an interesting way to ask your question Yolanda. Let’s talk about it…”

What should Susan say?  Does the UMC value apostolic leaders, prophets and evangelists as highly as pastors and teachers?

Got thoughts?

Revelation 2:2-5  -  I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen?

 

 

Today's Musical Medley - "A Whole New Church"

 

The value of gold doesn't seem to be determined by how it's minted. Whether the coins are minted as Krugerrands, Guilders, Eagles, Double Eagles, or Spanish Doubloons, gold's intrinsic value means coins made entirely of gold are worth their weight in gold, no matter how they're minted. 

Of course different people are impressed by different coins, and it would be silly to suggest the minting of the coin has no potential to increase the value of the coin. But understand this truth, the way pure gold is minted may enhance its value, but it won't decrease it's value. 

Why? 

Because new coinage of pure gold can't be worth less than it's weight in gold. No matter how it's minted it can be melted into ingots and re-coined. It can be divided into smaller units without destroying its value. Gold is at least as valuable as gold - no matter how it's minted.

The Gospel is similar, only it's worth more than gold.

Every newly minted Christian is a carrier of the Gospel, and the pure Gospel is never less valuable in one person than another. Every newly minted local church carries the Gospel, and the pure Gospel is never less valuable in one local church than it would be in another.

Sometimes God does a new thing, and a whole new church begins an entirely new ministry to reach new people with the love of Jesus. Just as a new gold coin can be minted to meet new needs in a new culture, a new freshly minted expression of the Church may be just what the culture needs - a whole new church for an entirely new day. 

God is doing a new thing, and it's time for the pure Gospel to be offered in new ways.

How do you think we should mint GCC in 2020?   I want to now how you think we should carry the pure Gospel message ten years from now. Write me here and let me know what you see when you use your 20/20 Vision.

1 John 2:7-8  -  My dear friends, I'm not writing anything new here. This is the oldest commandment in the book, and you've known it from day one. It's always been implicit in the Message you've heard. On the other hand, perhaps it is new, freshly minted as it is in both Christ and you—the darkness on its way out and the True Light already blazing!

Jada Marie Curry Has Arrived!

 

Brooke and DC are celebrating the birth of their first-born child.  Jada Marie was born - strong and healthy - at 2:45 AM on Saturday morning, May 15th. She weighed in at 7 pounds and 4 ounces.  

Mother and baby are doing fine ... and Dad is soaring high.

John 16:21  -  When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain.

(... By the way, no visitors yet. DC will let you know when it's OK. Thanks.)

Advice About Prom Night...

 

 - Photo by Steve Toepp -

I went to a couple of Proms. My kids went to several Proms. Now you're going to a Prom.  Want some free advice before you go to the Prom? 

Read on...

1. Have fun. Don't just sit around at the Prom. Get up and dance.  I know you're a lousy dancer. All you need to do is say, "Wow. I'm a lousy dancer," and then go dance. Hey, it's the Prom!
   
2. Touch base with your parents. Get out your phone and send them a couple of text pictures as the night rolls along. That way they don't have to try to "picture what you're doing." Set 'em at ease. It's easy for you and good for your relationship with them. They fed your for more than a decade. Share the fun.
   
3. Get home on time. Whatever your curfew is, meet it.
   
4. If you are tempted to take some big steps in your physical relationship (like, you're thinking of letting your prom date hold your hand for the first time ever) slow down and picture yourself one year from tonight. Don't do tonight what you might regret later. What would you like to see yourself doing one year from tonight? 
   
5. • Do you want to be holding your first-born child this time next year?
     
   • Do you want to be treating an STD?
     
   • Do you want to be able to see tonight's Prom date walking along holding hands with someone else and not have feelings of hate, betrayal, shame and disappointment flooding into your mind? (Sure, it might tick you off a bit, but are you going to do anything tonight that would make you feel rage if your date is dating someone else in a year?  If so, don't do it.)
6. Don't drink any alcohol. None. Zero. 
   
7. Girls: Don't defraud your date.  What's that mean? It means you shouldn't intentionally do anything that "raises their expectations beyond what you can righteously fulfill."  Got it?  See Genesis through Revelation for further counsel on this matter.
   
8. Boys: Keep your pants zipped.
   

There you have it.  A quick summary of Prom Date advice.  Take it, or leave it.

Drive safe.

Proverbs 4:5  -  Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget my words or swerve from them.

What is a Methodist?

 

I've been asked, "What is a Methodist?"

John Wesley, the apostolic leader and founder of the Methodist movement, wrote his response to the same question in "The Character of a Methodist." These are points #5 and #6 of the 18 points he identifies as the "marks of a Methodist."

Read Wesley's words. And as you participate this weekend in services of worship, remember who you are, and what Jesus has done for you, in you and through you.  

John Wesley wrote the following...

5. "What then is the mark? Who is a Methodist, according to your own account?" I answer: A Methodist is one who has "the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him;" one who "loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!"

6. He is therefore happy in God, yea, always happy, as having in him "a well of water springing up into everlasting life," and overflowing his soul with peace and joy. "Perfect love" having now "cast out fear," he "rejoices evermore." He "rejoices in the Lord always," even "in God his Saviour;" and in the Father, "through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom he hath now received the atonement." "Having" found "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of his sins," he cannot but rejoice, whenever he looks back on the horrible pit out of which he is delivered; when he sees "all his transgressions blotted out as a cloud, and his iniquities as a thick cloud." He cannot but rejoice, whenever he looks on the state wherein he now is; "being justified freely, and having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." For "he that believeth, hath the witness" of this "in himself;" being now the son of God by faith. "Because he is a son, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into his heart, crying, Abba, Father!" And "the Spirit itself beareth witness with his spirit, that he is a child of God." He rejoiceth also, whenever he looks forward, "in hope of the glory that shall be revealed;" yea, this his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again to a living hope -- of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for me!"

Luke 6:44a  - A tree is known by its fruit.

GCC's 20/20 Vision According to Tyler

What could GCC be in 2020?  

What should the church be in 2020? 

Suppose it's 2020 and you're thrilled with the church. You love what it is, what the church does and how the church honors Jesus. You believe the church "is what the church should be," and you tell everyone you meet how wonderful it is to follow Jesus in the community of your local church. 

Imagine that church. Can you see it? 

Do you have 20/20 vision for the church in 2020?

This year at GCC we're working on our 2020 VISION.  It's an open source collaboration. Everyone is studying the Bible, considering their experiences of faith, praying and thinking about the church ten years from now. 

This weekend I gave everyone a postcard and asked each person to give me their vision of the church in 2020. If it was what God wanted, and what they wanted, what would it look like? 

Well...

When you open up the conversation you get some pretty crazy - "out there" - ideas, but you also get some really great ideas...like this one.  It's the 20/20 VISION card a boy named Tyler gave to me.  Here's his vision of GCC in 2020.

 

What's obvious in Tyler's 20/20 VISION?

1. You can see Tyler plans to be there (he identifies himself).
2. He's imagining GCC is culturally relevant (note the flying skateboard I'm riding over the mountains, and the obvious outreach ministry we have with space aliens).  
3. I assume the turtle is an indication GCC will be concerned about the environment. I interpret Tyler's brilliant placement of the turtle on my head as a subtle reminder that "caring for God's creation" will be on our minds.
4. As we care for God's creation in 2020, pervasive nanotechnologies will be leveraged against pathogens in the oceans (as symbolized by the PacMan images under the seas).
5. GCC will deal with evil wherever we find it (symbolized by my use of the ray gun to hold "The Ninja of Death" at bay).

Tyler's is a grand vision....

What's yours?

You can email it to me at [email protected].

Proverbs 29:18a  -  Where there is no vision, the people perish.

What's Your Vision for GCC in 2020?

Email me your 2020 Vision for GCC at [email protected].

Joel 2:28  -   I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Methodist Monday / Post #6

 

I’m writing a book to help the United Methodist Church. Your comments will help.  Read on…

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Bob and John were friends. They were about the same age and they were both elders in the UMC.  Their conversations were often about the Church. Their conversation on this day was pretty pointed.

Bob was the first to speak. He’d been ordained in the United Methodist Church back in the late 60’s, when a remarkable number of seminarians made themselves candidates for ministry because Vietnam was heating up and their ordination served as a path to avoid the Draft.  Draft “dodgers” angered Bob then, and anyone “dodging” their responsibility to do their duty still irritated Bob to this day.

“I’ve had it.” Bob said. “I think churches failing to pay 100% of their apportionments should be kicked out.  Any church that doesn’t step up and do their duty for the United Methodist Church isn’t United Methodist at all.  Just because we’re losing ground doesn’t give anyone the right to be AWOL.  We’re the United Methodist Church; I say, ‘Love it, or leave it.’”

“Kinda’ harsh, don’t you think?” John had only been ordained a few years. He was “2nd-career-clergy” and came into the ministry after building a very successful business.  He understood the concept of ‘mission.’ His son was Special Forces, on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. “Instead of indicting every church that pays less than 100%, maybe we should figure out why they don’t.”

“They don’t pay because they’re not United Methodist. If they were, they’d do their duty.” Bob was a patriot and he’d somehow managed to entangle his nationalistic pride with his notions of institutional loyalty.

“Or maybe,” John corrected, “they don’t pay because they believe the front lines of ministry are in the local church, rather than the bureaucracy.  I’ve got a buddy who says we’ve got it backwards. He says United Methodist Church pastors don’t think important ministry happens in their churches. That’s why they send so much money away to the hierarchy, even if the bureaucrats aren’t accomplishing the mission.”

“What?” Bob was shocked. He was so opinionated he wasn’t accustomed to being addressed in contrarian ways. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” John continued as he sipped his coffee, “a lot of UMC pastors have bought the line that they’re expected to pray, pay and stay out of the way. Their job is to be a chaplain to the people already in their churches, raise money and send it away. They think the real work of ministry is done by Boards, Agencies, Committees, Conferences and bureaucratic ‘professionals.’  They know the official mission of the United Methodist church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, but they also know that’s not really expected of them.”

“Of course it is!” Bob was getting fired up.

“No it isn’t, and you know it isn’t.” John was getting some energy of his own. “Every pastor in the UMC knows there is one thing that is constantly monitored, continually reported and carefully assessed. That one thing is apportionments.  Every month they’re asked about apportionments. Every church knows what every other church is expected to send to headquarters. Every other church knows how they’re doing, and a report tracking their money – to the exact percentage points – is regularly publicized for the scrutiny of others.”

“So?”

“So,” John added, “pastors are ripping support away from the front line ministries of the local church, and sending it to denominational bureaucrats, because they know what gets rewarded.  There is little public praise for fulfilling the ‘official’ mission of the UMC. You can make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, but if you make too many, and grow your church too large, you risk scorn.  Growing your church doesn’t guarantee the love of your DS or the affirmation of your bishop. But every pastor knows they’ll be publically praised – in numerous reports – if they just send away 100% of the apportionment.  Pay 100% and you’re affirmed every month of the year, whether you’re making disciples or not.  Make disciples, and grow the local church, and you may go years without notice.”

“Well,” Bob injected, “Those pastors should know that they’ll get more praise for more apportionments. And more apportionments will result from growing their churches, because the bigger they get, the more they’re expected to send away. So even if the denomination’s officials don’t make a big deal out of more disciples and mission success, those wimps and whiners who don’t pay 100% should realize others will affirm them if they just pay everything we want.”

“My point exactly,” John said. “What matters most is money. Money gets noticed. Money gets reported. That’s what gets a church the affirmation of conference leaders and bishops. On the other hand, an entire congregation can go years without making a single disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and very little is said.  Current records indicate 40% of all our churches didn’t receive one solitary member by ‘profession of faith’ during the most recent year we’ve got records for. And earlier stats indicate that year was normal for the UMC’s recent status in America.”

That was it for Bob. He’d heard everything he was going to hear. “So what are you saying we should do?  If you don’t think we’re going to have mission success by making every church take money out of their local church ministry budget to pay 100% of their apportionments, what’s your suggestion?”

John ticked off five recommendations. 

1.            "Cap apportionments at $100,000.  No church pays more than $100K. Period. Anything beyond that is entirely voluntary.  A local church can give as much as it wants, to Conference or Denominational efforts of their choosing, after they’ve paid 100% of their apportionment - capped at $100K.

2.            Reward mission success. Every successful organization rewards mission success – except our Church.  If the mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, reward the churches achieving mission success.

3.            Make the consequences of ongoing mission failure clear.

4.            Rightsize the bureaucracy, and by that, I mean downsize it.

5.            Make it clear that the locus of our front-line of ministry is the local church. If we have more to do, don’t start more conference programs. Plant more churches. Entrust the highly trained UMC pastors to accomplish the mission through the local churches they lead. Don’t pull any more resources from the local church than is absolutely necessary. Give pastors the responsibility for mission success. Don’t let pastors spend one more minute thinking they are merely fundraisers for the denomination. Don’t let them continue thinking the local church exists for the bureaucracy. Make sure they know the hierarchy exists to facilitate the mission, and the mission is first and foremost a work of the local church.”

 

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say it sounds like you’re looking for a way to avoid paying your apportionments.” Bob said.

“Nope.” John replied, “I just know if we don’t get on mission, and start making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, it won’t matter how much we expect local churches to fund the denominational boards and agencies. There won’t be enough United Methodists to pay the bills. It’s time to put our hope in the local churches and the great pastors who lead them.”

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Is John right?

Got thoughts?  Let me know.

Judges 18:5b  -  Inquire of God for us. Find out whether our mission will be a success.

 

For previous Methodist Monday Posts go here.

Mother's Day Prayers for the Children

Sheila and I had the opportunity to pray over our granddaughters this weekend. More than 100 children were brought forward for blessing.  Lydia and Ruby were among them. Our thanks to Jeff Myers for these great photos of one of the greatest weekends ever.

 Ruby and her parents, Amber and Ryan Cox, with Sheila and me.

 Lydia with her parents, John and Angela Keim, with Sheila's hand, and me.

1 Samuel 1:27-28a  -  I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.

The Insights of Little Girls

Heather Stevens is one of the great young women in the church. She's disciplined, courageous, determined, loving and bright. She loves Jesus and adds tremendous value to the lives she touches. She's a video aficionado, so she interviewed several young girls at GCC and made this great little media.  

I think "Moms" everywhere will enjoy this today.

2 Peter 3:18a  -  Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mother's Day at GCC

 

Trace Rorie is leading our worship for Mother's Day at the Granger Campus, and Don Reynolds is leading in Elkhart. It's an incredible service, with a surprise thrown in here and there. If you participate on-line, you may actually have one of the best seats in the house!  

You're invited.

Ephesians 6:1-3  -  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Little Known Facts

 

In the whirlwind of life, with all the pressures and expectations (from others, and from ourselves), it can seem an exercise in futility to engage some of the battles that matter most. Take a step into the current of our culture and it's liable to sweep you away. It's difficult to resist, isn't it.

• Why resist lying when telling the truth might actually make life harder? 
• Why save money for a rainy day, when you've plenty of reasons to buy an umbrella today? 
• Why not have an affair, or flirt at the office, when it feels like the sizzle has gone out of your marriage? 
• Why not max-out your credit if you can have it all, and have it right now? 
• Why wait? Why deny yourself? Why delay gratification or suffer the pangs of longing, when you could indulge yourself?

Because God has a plan for your life and He loves you - that's "why."
Because bad consequences follow bad behavior - that's "why."
Because God's favor follows those who live God's plan - that's "why."

Having learned "why," a thousand people at GCC know they'll have a richer life if they say "No" to irresponsibility, and "Yes" to personal integrity.  So they've studied and graduated from GCC's offerings of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.

I took this picture on Monday night. That's when the current FPU class meets at GCC.  We've offered the 13-week-course 7 times during the last 4 years.  We've graduated 1,064 people, who saved an average of $1,500 per family and paid down debt at an average of $6,000 per family - during the 13 weeks of the class!

My deepest gratitude goes to Susan Frucci, the leader of all GCC's FPU classes, and her tremendous team of volunteers: Greg Schermier, Dennis Dudycha, Joyce Dudycha, Rick Davis, Mary Davis, Craig Enright, Josh King, Christine Cromas, Rachel Minneman, Matt Minneman and David Atkinson. Their devotion is changing our world, one family at a time.

Romans 13:8a  -  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.

Granny & Papaw Have Arrived

 

This will be brief because there's not a lot more to say after you've announced Sheila's Mother and Father are here!  We're celebrating Mother's Day all weekend. 

Let the party begin!

Exodus 20:12a  -  Honor your father and your mother.

Some Advice...

- Photo by Dustin Maust - 

Having lived many years I've learned a few things.  Let me give you some examples of the important truths I've gleaned throughout the course of my life.

1. Never tell your mom her diet is not working.

2. Never trust a dog to watch your food.

3. If you ever get a bad grade, tell your mom when she's on the phone.

4. Watch what you say in front of children, especially if it's supposed to be confidential.

5. Never hold a Dustbuster and a cat at the same time.

6. If your dad ever asks, "Do I look stupid to you?" don't answer.

7. Do not, under any circumstance, forget Mother's Day. (It's this Sunday.)

Proverbs 4:5a  -  Get wisdom; get understanding.

Snapping Turtle / Chelydra serpentina

 

I saw this monster in the road, which seemed a very bad place for a turtle to be. (By my observations, turtles in the road are frequently unlucky.) I stopped the car, grabbed my camera and ran back to get a picture of the hot-tempered and aggressive reptile, cautiously aware these beasts have the shortest fuse of any turtle in our area.

I grabbed a photo, then grabbed the turtle (a specimen of great size and fierce disposition) and put it back in the water.

Want to see the big adventure?  My sister captured it on video and Amber put it on her blog. Pay attention and you can learn to avoid the jaws of the snapping turtles you carry around with you.

Proverbs 4:1b  -  Pay attention and learn good judgment.

The Barred Owl / Strix varia

 

Throughly exhausted after one of the busiest weekends we could remember, Sheila and I were at home, enjoying an evening with our daughters and granddaughters. The sun dipped behind the trees and this big 'ol Barred Owl swooped silently over our patio and landed up in a nearby tree.  Perched with its back to us, it turned its head and looked over its shoulder. It was a great moment.

I grabbed my camera and photographed what I could of this majestic predator we'd heard so much from, but seen so little of. Barred Owls use a wide variety of loud barking calls and screams, so we've known the bird was in our woods for a while. Seeing it, while there was still just enough light to photograph it, was awesome.

Wild things affect me.

When I'm tired I find rest in the rhythms of nature. Maybe it's the beauty of God's creation; maybe it's the primal awareness of God's provision; maybe it's simply the wonder and awe that surges up inside me when I think, "If this is the creation, how magnificent is the Creator?" 

Before I went to sleep last night, I thanked God for letting me see this bird. I'm glad you get to see it too.

Romans 1:18-21a  -  The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.

Methodist Monday / Post #5

I'm working on a book to help the United Methodist Church. For a glimpse back at the last four “Methodist Monday Posts” and the related comments, click here, here, here and here.   

“Methodist Monday #5” beings now.

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Imagine this conversation unfolding at the local Starbucks, where several pastors have been together in a study group for years.

Steve figured they knew each other well enough for him to throw out a challenge. He knew they’d all been discouraged by decades of decline in the United Methodist Church, so he invited them to help him pinpoint the problems that seemed to be preventing United Methodists from making the decisions that would lead to the revitalization of the UMC.

Steve grabbed his frappucino and said, "Kem Meyer is one of the most brilliant Communications Specialists in the Church in America. I was on her blog and she suggested reading a book I read years ago during my undergraduate studies. It’s called ‘Decision Traps,’ and I’d almost forgotten how good it is.”

Bob asked, “So you think the next book our group should read is ‘Decision Traps?'”

Steve replied, “Nope. I’ve printed my own version of the ten barriers the book lists as blocking good decision-making. I’ve got a copy for each of you and here’s what I think we should do.  From this list of ten, I want you to identify each of the most serious barriers we’re facing in the United Methodist Church.”

Steve continued. “In the face of decades of precipitous decline, the UMC seems to be having trouble making the big decisions that will lead to the big changes we'll need to make if we’re going to intercept the entropy of western culture and bring our world to Jesus.  So, look at the list. I'm assuming we all want the church to grow strong again, so which of those ten tendencies pose the biggest threat to the UMC?”

Distributing his handouts, Steve said, “Here’s a list for each of you. Which of the ten barriers most impair the progress of our beloved Church? Why do we struggle to make the decisions that will turn the church away from decline and toward more potent ministry? What’s our biggest problem?”

The Ten Barriers to Brilliant Decision Making
and How to Overcome Them

1.             PLUNGING IN | Gathering information and reaching conclusions before thinking about the root of the issue…

2.             FRAME BLINDNESS | Setting out to solve the wrong problem because you lost sight of your most important objectives…

3.             FRAME CREEP| Defining the problem from only one perspective or, for no good reason, defining it by too many…

4.             OVERCONFIDENCE | Failing to collect key facts and information because you are too sure of your own assumptions…

5.             SHORTSIGHTED SHORTCUTS | Inappropriately relying on most convenient information without questioning if it fits the situation…

6.             SHOOTING FROM THE HIP | Thinking you can “wing it” on your final choice rather than following systematic process…

7.             GROUP FAILURE | Allowing the group to self-manage because you assume smart choices will automatically follow smart people…

8.             FOOL YOURSELF | Failing to interpret the outcomes of past decisions for what they really say or rewriting history to protect your ego…

9.             DON’T KEEP SCORE | Assuming experience is obvious and there is no need to track results or analyze outcomes to learn the key lessons…

10.          LACK OF AUDIT | Staying vulnerable to the above nine mistakes because you won’t pay attention to how the each of those nine traps affect your results…

What’s your opinion? Which of these is holding the UMC back?

*                                                   *

Romans 7:17-19  -  But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions.

 

12 Things...

 

 

The new series "12 Things God Hates About Church" begins this weekend.  You can participate on-line, in Granger or in Elkhart. 

In the above picture, Greg Teghtmeyer and Paul Bertha deliver the incredible drama Kristin Baker envisioned when she wrote the script for "Two Histories of the Church." 

Check it out.

Luke 3:16b  -  The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.