If I Had a Hammer

In recent days I've been making certain preparations for my mission trip to Guatemala (in mid-October).  This trip will be an opportunity for me to spend some time with my good friend, Tom Heaton, as well as gain insight and knowledge in preparation for our Calvary trip/team going in March, 2014.  

One this is for certain.  Ideology around missions has changed (and rightfully so) over the past thirty years.  United Methodist Missionaries like Tom Heaton (in Guatemala) and Bob Walters and Taylor Denyer (in Congo) are community-builders, leaders, teachers, and most importantly, partners within the communities and constituencies they serve. 

In going to Guatemala, I'm going to strive to leave behind my pre-conceptions and North American ideas about what I have to offer.  My goal, in large part, will be to receive humbly (and even eagerly) those unique Guatemalan qualities and the spirit that makes a mission/ministry work because of the people who live, work and die there. 

Of course, if I can help, and when I can help . . . I shall.  I'll work hard.  I'll listen.  I'm willing to sweat.  I'm willing to eat what the people eat.  But I will also look for the joy and the peace and the healing that is taking place . . . and when and where I can encourage others to use their God-given gifts and resources to further their own communities and build the kingdom of God . . . I'll do that, too.

In essence, I'm keeping it simple.  I have no illusions about being someone's savior, or healer, or teacher.  But I can make new friends.  I can pound a nail.

Seems to me there is something sacramental about this type of missiology.  When we go to a strange place and experience hospitality, friendship, and common bonds of faith and love . . . we get a much clearer picture of what it means to be "one in Christ". 

I hope to experience all of this.  And plan to.  If I have a hammer.  

Doing the Christian Thing

In recent years many people have begun using the phrase, "I just want to do the Christian thing", as an explanation for various kinds of decisions and choices they make.  But sometimes I have to wonder:  "What, exactly, is the Christian thing?" 

Some folks, for example, seem to think that doing the Christian thing is taking a hard-line, or a "stand", or being unwavering in their certainties.  Being a Christian is about defining oneself over-and-against others who are not Christian . . . and even deciding who is and is not a follower of Jesus. 

But I wonder if, instead of asking, "What is the Christian thing to do?" we would not be better served by asking, "How did Jesus act?" or "How did Jesus respond?" or even "How would Jesus have me treat this person or this situation?"

After all, being a Christian--as defined as a follower of Jesus, or one who sets out to live his or her life after the example and teachings of Christ--is principally about relationships (with God and others).  How we treat people, how we accept people, how we work with people, how we greet people, and how we help people are all defined by the spirit of Jesus . . . if we are doing the Christian thing! 

And then here's the real kicker . . .

The gospel teaches us that we should even love our enemies, that we should treat those who might differ from us, or disagree with us, or even hate us, with an even greater love . . . as Christ loved.  This is doing the Christian thing!

I don't have answers for the church.  Never have.  But I do know that much of what passes these days for "The Christian Thing" frequently isn't Christian at all.  And sometimes those folks who tell us they are just "doing the Christian thing" aren't representing the gospel of Christ.

Which makes me wonder . . . am I doing the Christian thing?  Are YOU? 

Glory Sightings At Vacation Bible School

Okay, here's a few glory sightings from Vacation Bible School this past week from the perspective of a pastor who was outside leading the games.

First, lots of gifts and glory evident in the staff and volunteers who created the most remarkable theme I've ever seen at a VBS--a true Medieval castle with all the trimmings and reminders of finding our strength in God.  A lot of love here.

Second, lots of glory in these children . . . about 260 of them, and their enthusiasm for Jesus.  They made crafts, gave more than $650, and collected other goods that will go to International Heifer Project.  So the poor will be helped.

Third, have to say I enjoyed the hugs and the kids who identified me as "Pastor Todd" instead of "Sir Todd".  We played tag, red-light, green-light, had relay races, and even launched water balloons.  The big hit was the bounce house on Friday and I don't think I heard anyone cry when it was time to go.  All of these children were cooperative, respectful, a very joyous bunch.

I did get a kick out of one little boy who was crying, however.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I didn't get to touch a water balloon."  We got him a water balloon, the kid was fine.  Must love latex. 

Don't forget to worship at Calvary this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. if you want to see the children and hear their music.  We also have a baptism, commissioning for our Mountain Top Missionaries, commissioning for our service project at Robert's Park Soup's On, a soloist extraordinaire, and with all of this . . . a rather brief sermon entitled "Devotion." 

I love having to make three sermons for the weekend:  Long (Saturday 5 p.m.), Short (Sunday @ 9:00 am) and Medium (Sunday @ 11:11 am).  

See you in the Devotion place this Sunday!

Some Post-Annual-Conference Calvary Celebrations

In the aftermath of our annual conference there were several celebrations that we should note:

* This first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) saw nearly 300 people in attendance, mostly children, who have come to learn about putting on the full armor of God.  Our Calvary building is decorated like a Medieval castle, complete with drawbridge, barred windows, thrones, family crests, and wall tapestries.  If you want to see Calvary's creativity in full-bloom, make sure you drop by before Friday afternoon. And don't forget that there is a great deal of learning going on.

* Calvary continues to receive the incredible gifts of our young people. Adam Hammerle played Bach on the organ this past Sunday, and Malachi Henry sang "Ride On, King Jesus" (a song in which he recently won a state-wide vocal competition for high school students). 

* And how's this?  I noted that Calvary paid 15% to the conference and district in 2012--one of the highest percentages among all congregations in the annual conference--a tithe and a half!!!!  We did get behind in our conference tithe in 2011, so this percentage reflects our "catch up" . . . but nevertheless, we did go the second mile. And better yet, our giving to missions over-and-above these gifts meant that nearly 25% of Calvary's total revenue went to meet needs outside of our own congregation and community.  And we won't even note the number of people who participated directly in these missions with their hands, time, or individual gifts!

* Finally I want to say a big THANK YOU to the congregation for your generosity in giving to all of these needs, and more.  While we have dipped behind in our mortgage payments for several months now, we are finding that God is able to supply every need, and I am confident we will see our mortgage funds grow from our own frugal prunings.  So, again . . . thanks for your generosity to God's work. 

And remember . . . we are praying and working that the kingdom of God may come on earth as it is in heaven.  YOU are integral to this work, vital to its success, and all of your time, talent and treasure does make a difference!

~Pastor Todd

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New Year

For pastors, the "new year" begins July 1, when we each return (or move) to our respective assignments.  This new year for clergy in the United Methodist tradition has always been a part of the annual conference, the annual gathering of pastors and laity.

Having just returned from annual conference I can now say that I am appointed to Calvary (and so is Michelle) for yet another year.  As I begin year number ten at Calvary it is also a good time to look back and reflect on how Calvary has endured, changed, grown, and remained faithful to God's call. 

For example:

In the past ten years Calvary has grown in both size (membership and worship attendance), impact, and influence.  This growth is the result of outreach, of being faithful to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and to being good stewards of the resources that God has entrusted to us.

In the past ten years Calvary has also created new ministries and missions. We have allowed other ministries to die (which is also important).  And we have prayed for each other.  We have sent work teams to such places as Mountain Top, Puerto Rico, Belize, and next spring, to Guatemala.   

In the past ten years Calvary has grown ministries to children and teenagers.  We are reaching "down" in age.  And many of our most cherished and impactful ministries are those that feed children, help with back to school, and create a safe learning environment for kids.

In the past ten years Calvary has filled our available space, which has required us to think in new and creative ways.  We've learned that we can do ministry through involvement, helpfulness, and resourcefulness.

Calvary's best days are ahead.  And YOU make God's work possible through your commitment and faithfulness. 

So . . . thank you for making a new year exciting for this pastor.  I'm ready to lead Calvary through even more exciting ventures in the near future.

A Tale of Two Cities

Now and again I feel compelled to "market" a sermon . . . and over the next two weekends I'll be relating some inspiring stories about two towns.

First, this weekend . . . we'll have a look at a centurion who invites Jesus to heal a servant in his home. It's a story of radical hospitality on many levels: social, cultural, religious.  And I have a wonderful story about a small Michigan town that displayed remarkable hospitality to strangers back in 1937.  And better yet, if you attend worship this weekend, you will receive a warm invitation from Jesus himself, who invites you to his feast.

The following weekend, we'll visit the prophet Elijah as we find him visiting the home of a poor widow who, seemingly, has run out of oil and meal.  But there's a miracle and the oil keeps flowing.  Just shows what God's abundance can do.  And I'll also tell you about a person from San Diego, California who learned some of these life-lessons of abundance and hospitality the hard way . . . or perhaps the best way.  He actually lived it from the streets up--and began when he was nineteen years old.  Tell our teens.  But it's a message for everyone.

Hope to see you in the welcoming place this summer!  Calvary is not the same without YOU.
~Pastor Todd