Sending Capacity

I heard this quote recently:
The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.

I hope we have a great sending capacity at Calvary.  At least we should.  Our chairs are often filled during Sunday morning worship, and that's a good thing.  But Calvary's true spirit is more readily defined by what takes place Monday through Saturday.  Our true capacity is measured in what is being sent out of Calvary each week--in people, in time, in energy, in mission, in effort, in talent, and in sharing the good news with others.

I hope you are a part of Calvary's sending capacity.

There are many ways to become involved, of course.  There are always needs.  And so there is always a need for volunteers.

Our generosity of spirit . . . of time, talent and treasure is what makes Calvary great.

But let's always be looking to increase our capacity to send . . . .

Kids These Days . . .

From time to time I hear folks beginning a conversation with the phrase, "Kids these days . . . "

Commonly, the conversation continues with disparaging insights about kids, so general in nature that they apply to no one in particular.  But what if our conversations about kids began in a more positive vein?  Most of the kids I know are filled with promise, intellect, and ability.

How about:  "Kids these days . . . "

. . . can fix almost any computer problem
. . . have to learn more and at a much faster pace than we oldsters ever dreamed.
. . . are very gifted
. . . have a different outlook on life than older generations.
. . . are more accepting of others than older folks are.
. . . are eager to go on mission trips and do things for others.
. . . will work hard at those things they are passionate about.
. . . love to have fun.
. . . love to learn.
. . . will have to solve a lot of problems older folks helped to create.
. . . will be taking care of their parents some day.
. . . are awesome.

As we think about "our kids" at Calvary, I'm sure that you would agree with me that we have some awesome young people.  The young care about the old, too.  And it is this spirit that makes Calvary a special congregation, too.  The generations take care of each other.

Kids these days . . . .

More Methodists

Recently we began a new study group at Calvary: Methodism 101.  It's a class being led by all the clergy at Calvary (active and retired) and based on the book:  Living as United Methodist Christians--Our Story, Our Beliefs, Our Lives, by Andy & Sally Langford.

Certainly, we do have a unique history as United Methodists . . . but God isn't finished with us yet.  The best, I believe, is yet to come. 

True, the church as we know it may morph and change into other manifestations and movements . . . but this was John Wesley's vision from the beginning.  His greatest fear was that the people called "Methodists" would become a dried-up sect, a people void of spirit and passions. 

I'm thankful that we are yet alive at Calvary.  We are growing, changing, adapting, moving, and helping.  Our hands, as well as our hearts, keep us alive.  When we become complacent, or stand pat in our faith, we miss the Spirit's lead . . . and so we continue to transition.  Thank God.  These transitions are evidenced in the scriptures and throughout church history. 

Here are other exciting Methodist-related movements you may not know about:

* Sunday, March 3--the Purduettes (singers) will be at Calvary for both worship hours and offer a long program of inspiration in song!

* Sunday, March 10--our District Superintendent, Bert Kite, will be the speaker of the day . . . as Mr. John Wesley himself.  You won't want to miss brother John in person, speaking about the warmed heart and asking the question:  "How is it with your soul?"

* As I write this, Bob Walters (Indiana Conference Missionary) is in the Congo, working with pastors and communities there.  Our United Methodist brothers and sisters in the Congo are us . . . and they are showing us how the Spirit moves through deep faith, commitment to peace, and conversations born of ministry to the least and among those in high places.  Keep Bob and Joseph Mulongo and the leaders in your prayers.  

I'll see you in the Methodist place soon!  

The Weaknesses in our Virtues

Some years ago I set out to write a book to be entitled:  The 7 Deadly Virtues.  (Perhaps I will still write it.)

We've all heard of the 7 deadly sins:  pride, lust, greed, gluttony, sloth, wrath and envy.  These sins, broadly stated, are at the core of most of our human experiences, desires and difficulties. 

However, our virtues can be just as troublesome.  I think there are at least 7 deadly virtues--and often, in our greatest strengths we encounter our greatest vulnerabilities.

Take righteousness, for example.  On the one hand we are called to seek righteousness (God's), but must also be on guard against self-righteousness--which is a more common malady for Christian folks and one of the sins that Jesus encountered big time. It is so easy for God's righteousness to become our self-righteousness.

Or take holiness.  There have been entire Christian traditions built upon the desire for, and work toword, a holiness of life and thought.  Our own Methodist traditions are, in fact, replete with a holiness approach.  But the trouble is, as much as we might seek God's holiness, we cannot obtain it--for the scriptures attest in many places that only God is holy.  What we usually end up with are people who are "holier-than-thou", or whose attitudes toward others is more of the Pharisaic variety than of the Jesus variety.  Instead of holiness, we just get grumpy, but believe that we are better than others who haven't discovered the truth (and this makes us even more grumpy).

Or take family.  What a virtue.  We all want to take care of our families (and we should!).  But Jesus warned that family could also be a stumbling block, and that our desire to take care of our families could draw us away from taking care of the things of God.  Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom."  And so, once again, we may place so much of an emphasis on our individual families that we ignore the family of God, which is the church, the living body of Christ.

Man . . . what a quandary. 

The fact is, our virtues are never enough.  Our morality, our strengths, our gifts, our abilities . . . none of these are gospel.  The gospel is:  Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 

In spite of our virtues, we are ultimately left with the amazing grace of God.  This is not our work, lest any should boast. 

Instead of looking to our virtues this Lenten season, let's look to God's grace.  There's enough grace for everyone!  

The Do-Over

One common expression we hear from children these days is, "Do-over!"  A kid spills his milk, he says: "Do-over!"  A child is playing a game, but the outcome doesn't turn out the way she had hoped, she yells: "Do-over!"  The do-over has become common-place; it is an expression that means I want another chance at this.

I consider the do-over on this Ash Wednesday, as the beginning of Lent--with its reminder of brokenness, failure and mortality--hearkens back to a basic human need:  the need to be forgiven and set right with God.  This is true for the Christian as well as for those who give no thought to God at all.

As we consider our lives--what we have done and what we have left undone--we know that we have a need to be reformed, reshaped, restored.  This comes, in part, from repentance--turning around, turning back to God.

One of the largest themes we find throughout Lent is the grace of God which makes all things possible.  John Wesley, our spiritual ancestor, understood that God's grace makes even our turning possible--we cannot even make a move toward God unless God's grace come before us.  It is grace that stirs our hearts and grace that leads us home.

In some respects, we can think of Ash Wednesday as a New Year.  We get to start fresh--to make life a do-over.  We don't have to travel the same roads we are on.  We don't have to walk down roads that lead to despair, or violence, or greed, or lust, or self-aggrandizement . . . we can make a choice to follow Christ down paths of hope, peace, generosity, faithfulness, and community.

The differences can be startling.  And sometimes change begins with a willingness to do-over!

Growing Up

Some time in 2013, Calvary will break through the 1000-member barrier.  I note this--not because I am enamored of numbers or feel responsible for Calvary's nearly 100% membership growth over the past 7 years--but because Calvary's growth does mean something.

Since I have lived in Brownsburg (8 1/2 years) I have witnessed many facets of growth.  My children have grown up and moved out (thank God?!)  Chelsey was an incoming high school freshman when we moved here (now she is married and working as a special needs teacher).  Logan was an incoming fifth-grader.  Now he is a nineteen-year-old college freshman.  Becky was a back-to-school mom (and we a single-income family) . . . and now, after four years of teaching science, she is a middle school principal and working a 60+ hour work week.

Growth.  Change.

I've seen much growth at Calvary, too.  And most of it, I feel, is the result of several factors:

* A great church staff
* A wonderful, welcoming congregation
* A spirit of unity
* A spirit of Christ's caring

I could go on.  But I write this suggest that we are still growing.  We are still growing up. 

This past month Calvary organized a new "Transitions Team" to study Calvary's growth and envision the future.  It is a wonderful team of people--a blend of newer members and fifty-year members, younger/older, parents and grandparents.  In essence, the team represents the whole of the congregation.
Kendra Smith is our consultant/leader.  We are blessed by her skills and commitment.  Thank her when you see her!  (And if you don't know Kendra, find your directory and write her a note!)

But we are still growing up . . . and we are still learning to be the church God is calling us to be.  Calvary's size is a blessing . . . but our greatest blessings are not born of numbers or statistics . . . but the growth that leads us to ask:

"Why are so many people wanting to be a part of this congregation, Lord?"
"What are we doing well that is leading to this growth?"
"What do we need to change to be even more effective for your kingdom in the years ahead?"

And here's a question:  What is YOUR role and responsibility in making Calvary a great people of God?

 

Learners

In the gospels we read that Jesus had "disciples".  We are also read that our primary task as the church is to "make disciples".  And in our United Methodist call, we believe we are called to "make disciples . . . for the transformation of the world."

But did you know that the word "disciple" (Greek) means "learner"?  We are called to learn from Jesus.  And that means we are also called to bring other people into this learning community.  As we learn about Christ, the world can be transformed.

There are many ways that we learn about, and from, Jesus.  Yes, we may learn by studying scripture, or praying in community, or listening to a decent sermon and then putting into practice.  But we can also learn by doing--by going forth to serve in Christ's name, by leading others, by taking up a cross bearing some portion of the world's burden.  We can also learn by practicing faith in our homes, teaching our children, and showing Christian love and hospitality to neighbors.  We can learn by inviting others.  And we can learn through personal devotion and study and prayer.

Calvary provides a multitude of ways that people can become disciples . . . and we are all on the way to becoming disciples . . . we have never arrived!  Some of us may yet be in Galilee--just beginning the journey.  Others may be walking with Jesus along the way, being sent out.  Others may be traveling the final leg of the journey toward Jerusalem, the holy city.  But we are all in route!

I hope you see yourself as a learner!  You can learn by being, by doing, and by growing.  Don't stop moving with Jesus.  Every day can be an adventure.  There's so much to learn.  And it's the journey of learning that makes life interesting.

Motivators

A couple of years ago I wrote an article for a clergy magazine in which I described three "types" of spiritual motivators: those factors that instill people with a passion for ministry or move them to action. 

Which "type" of personality are you?

Informational
Informational people are motivated by facts.  They are moved to action (service, giving, helping, attending) by the bottom line.  These people want to know:  what is our budget ($); Who is being helped by this ministry?; How many are being helped?  Why are my gifts, my service, or my time needed?

Informational people are motivated by data, or hard numbers, or graphs, or charts.  Informational people at Calvary might be interested in knowing that we have a $775,000 operational budget (which is a small budget for a church our size) or that we have a $17,000 a month mortgage in addition to our operational budget. They might be motivated by our dozens of missions, or by the fact that we provided 200 meals to needy children over fall break in 2012, or that Calvary will soon surpass the 1000 member mark, or that we have several members at Calvary who are missionaries in the U.S. and internationally.

Inspirational
Inspirational people could care less about numbers or facts & figures. Their motivation is born of inspiration.  These folks want to hear: about people who are excited in ministry, who are doing God's work, who are inviting them to be a part of something life-changing and world-changing.  

Inspirational people are not motivated by budgets or graphs.  They become involved with their time, talent and treasure when they feel moved by need, or invitation, or are excited about a ministry or a project.  If they don't feel the spirit, they don't act.  But when they do . . . they are passionate! 

Imaginative
Imaginative people don't care much about facts or feelings.  These folks want to know what the vision is: why a ministry matters, or what the goals are, or why they should become involved in the journey.  

Imaginative people are motivated by the big picture.  They see the church and God's work as a kind of tapestry, and they want to be sure they are in the right place, or helping to create the picture.  If they can't see the vision, or they don't feel that the goals are large enough to warrant their help, they are not likely to act.  But when they do . . . they will not only rearrange their own schedules and change their lives, they will help to change the entire organization.

I suppose their are some folks at Calvary who don't fit any of these three "types" . . . but I have a feeling you know what motivates YOU.  All three types or necessary for a healthy congregation.

What do you think?  Who are YOU?       

Sunday Morning

It is Sunday morning.  I have, in my usual fashion, risen early--long before sunrise--to meditate, write, drink coffee, and prepare myself for worship.

I am grateful.  I hope you are as well.  And as I consider some of these points of gratitude, I am reminded of the following:

* Calvary's continued growth . . . our hospitality and outreach and welcome which brings new families to worship every weekend (sometimes dozens of new people).  I am always amazed and inspired by the spirit, gifts, and ideas that new people are bringing to Calvary.

* Calvary's mission . . . our month of February will be a celebration of the many missions we support:  some local, some state, some international.  Make sure you not only visit the booths to see where God is working through us . . . but make plans to be involved in at least one mission in 2013!

* Calvary's children and teenagers . . . I don't need to say much here.  Our kids rock!

* Calvary's generosity . . . in February Pastor Michelle will be offering the tithing challenge--a new approach for families that may be working toward offering a tithe (10% of income) to God's work.  If you are still working toward the tithe, take advantage of this challenge and see how God will bless you!

* Calvary's families . . . lots of wonderful people here.  

Yes, I'm grateful.  And I look forward to seeing everyone in the mission station this Sunday!