I know that many of you have been both concerned and curious about how it went a week ago at the smaller of the two churches that I serve. Before I go there, let me first thank you for the comments, the emails, the phone calls, and the prayers through this interesting and difficult time. Second, let me apologize for not getting the update out sooner. Last week was a week of community services and meals, turkey frying with the fire department, and then a few days of much needed vacation camping with Bailey and Erica.
I had talked to several people and had found myself still unsure of how to proceed. After a lot of prayer and rummaging through the scriptures, I decided to open our church meeting last week with the opening words of the third chapter of Ecclesiastes:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
After reading these words to them, I reminded them of a little bit of their history. How they had been an important part of the community for more than 100 years. How people had come to faith and grown in their faith through the services and teachings that had happened through multiple generations. I emphasized the impact that this church has historically had on the kingdom of God. I told them that there was a lot to be grateful for.
Then I told them about the year we were facing. How we are spending (just basic expenses...no programs or special activities) more than $4,000.00 than we are bringing in each year. How the person heading the trustee work (facilities management, maintenance, etc) is hospitalized and probably won't be able to return to those duties. Additionally, I explained that I had accepted the resignation of the individual that had been teaching Sunday school for numerous years (not to mention playing the piano and keeping the books).
With all of the cards on the table, I reminded them of the scripture passage that I had opened with and explained to them that the difficulty of this conversation we were embarking on was that we had to discern what time it was for this church.
After a few moments of silence, I asked if anyone present would be willing to step up into serving in one of the many areas that was going to be needed for the next year. No one offered to serve.
I returned to the discussion about discerning what time it was and told those that had gathered what I had been hearing. How some just wanted the church to be there for when they die...that way it would be their church that buried them...the same church that baptized them. I explained that a couple of folks had asked me about closing or merging with another church. This lead to a discussion that was painful, passionate, sorrowful, and probably long overdue.
One of the most discerning questions was not asked by me, but by the husband of one of our members. He point blank asked them what we were going on for...especially since it had been years since the last time we were actively engaged in missions and ministry that was focused outside of our own survival.
Through tear filled eyes, several members asked about the difference between merging or just closing (in our denomination a merger transfers all of the assets to the church being merged with while a closing relinquishes everything to the Annual Conference. Many wanted to hope that there could still be a church there or that the location could be preserved for the community (especially since it is a historical marker and has significant ties for the community).
After a long discussion, consensus was reached that they would like to pursue a merger with the other church that I serve and that they would tentatively have their final worship services on the first Sunday in January of 2009.
This means that the work has just begun. In the weeks to come, I will be discussing the possibility of merger with the larger of the two churches, holding a church conference for the smaller church to make their voice and vote official before the District Superintendent, and doing what seems like a million other things that need to be done in order to walk this church through their last weeks of life.
A little more than a year ago, I attended a service of closure and deconsecration at a once very large church in Tyler. The words that still haunt me are those spoken by the DS toward the end of the liturgy where he actually said something along the lines of "I hereby deconsecrate this space and release it for uses beyond the church."
I have to admit that there is a wide range of emotions related to this endeavor. They run the gamut from numbness to expectedness, sadness to comfort, anxiety to deep reflection.
I will keep you posted as more comes to pass. At some point in the future, I will run a series of posts discussing the history of this little country church and all the wonderful ways that God has used this place. I think that it is important for us to remember and celebrate all that God has done here in the last 105 years.
In the meantime, I would kindly ask for your prayers for our continued discernment and for the strength and comfort of our members that are making these very difficult decisions.
Shalom,
Russell
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Yeserday Was a Very Sad Day
There are some things that can happen in a pastor's life that absolutely break our hearts. Yesterday was one of those days where one of those somethings happened.
One of the churches that I serve as pastor is very small...they have been very small for decadeds. In recent weeks, the health of two of the long term members of this church has headed south. One has been hospitalized or in nursing care for the better part of a month, while the other has gotten to the point that she is only able to come when her daughter is able to bring her. Add to these two, the two individuals that already reside in a nursing home permanently, our membership of 17 is already greatly hindered as far as presence goes on Sunday mornings. Many of the other members have stopped coming for health reasons as well. Add to this the fact that all activities, programs and ministry outside of Sunday morning have ceased, you begin to get an idea of the place that the church is at.
Then comes yesterday. The person that plays the piano, keeps the books, and teaches Sunday school every week said that they were going to have to give up teaching Sunday school effective January 1st. This person has asked countless times for someone to help out by either taking an occasional class or doing the books---each time everyone present respectfully declines.
To be clear 1) one person does the books, plays the piano and teaches; 2) another person opened up and took care of all of the trustee type stuff (they are currently hospitalized); 3) and there is one couple that is responsible for more than 50% of the giving (and they are aging and have talked about moving because their 100+ acre place is too much to handle); the church stands on really unsteady ground.
It is painfully obvious that we are beyond what our consultants would call decline. This particular church would be better associated with a hospice situation than anything else.
This coming Sunday begins a time of deep reflection and questioning within this declining community. It will be a time of asking some very tough questions, that I believe will bring about some even tougher answers and decisions.
Yesterday was a very sad day in the life of this church. I would ask for your prayers as we enter into the chapter that lies ahead.
One of the churches that I serve as pastor is very small...they have been very small for decadeds. In recent weeks, the health of two of the long term members of this church has headed south. One has been hospitalized or in nursing care for the better part of a month, while the other has gotten to the point that she is only able to come when her daughter is able to bring her. Add to these two, the two individuals that already reside in a nursing home permanently, our membership of 17 is already greatly hindered as far as presence goes on Sunday mornings. Many of the other members have stopped coming for health reasons as well. Add to this the fact that all activities, programs and ministry outside of Sunday morning have ceased, you begin to get an idea of the place that the church is at.
Then comes yesterday. The person that plays the piano, keeps the books, and teaches Sunday school every week said that they were going to have to give up teaching Sunday school effective January 1st. This person has asked countless times for someone to help out by either taking an occasional class or doing the books---each time everyone present respectfully declines.
To be clear 1) one person does the books, plays the piano and teaches; 2) another person opened up and took care of all of the trustee type stuff (they are currently hospitalized); 3) and there is one couple that is responsible for more than 50% of the giving (and they are aging and have talked about moving because their 100+ acre place is too much to handle); the church stands on really unsteady ground.
It is painfully obvious that we are beyond what our consultants would call decline. This particular church would be better associated with a hospice situation than anything else.
This coming Sunday begins a time of deep reflection and questioning within this declining community. It will be a time of asking some very tough questions, that I believe will bring about some even tougher answers and decisions.
Yesterday was a very sad day in the life of this church. I would ask for your prayers as we enter into the chapter that lies ahead.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A Better Church
Most folks that I talk to think that the church could use some improvement. Some think that we have gotten too far away from the gospel. We have been accused of focusing more on entertainment and attraction than we have been on missions and service. We have sometimes placed more focus on the maintenance of organizational structures than we have on spiritual formation or discipleship. It seems that no one is short of opinions regarding the church.
The people that offer these opinions and insights are from many different denominations and relationships involving church. Some are life long members of the same church, while others have been disenfranchised from the church. They come from varying socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. The thing that they all have in common seems to be that they perceive that the church is in need of improvement.
I spend a lot of time reflecting on these comments and insights, constantly asking myself if there is some way that I can participate in creating a better church. How can I help lead the church into real transformation? How can we lead into a place of outward focus rather than inward focus? How can we be more intentional about discipleship and missions? How can we be more like the people scripture calls us to be?
What would a better church look like?
That's my question for you...What would a better church look like?
I would love to begin a dialog regarding the ways that we can work together to radically alter the ways we do church.
As you consider the aforementioned question, share with us how or what this church would look like:
Where would it meet?
What would the experience be like?
Who would lead?
How would discipleship and missions be intentional parts of life together?
How do you prevent this new expression from becoming another version of the church that we are seeking to improve?
What does worship look like?
I hope that you will participate in this dialog by adding your comments below. As the conversation develops, we will take more time to reflect upon more specific areas within this topic.
So, let's get to it...What would a better church look like?
Comment now, comment often!
Peace,
Russell
The people that offer these opinions and insights are from many different denominations and relationships involving church. Some are life long members of the same church, while others have been disenfranchised from the church. They come from varying socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. The thing that they all have in common seems to be that they perceive that the church is in need of improvement.
I spend a lot of time reflecting on these comments and insights, constantly asking myself if there is some way that I can participate in creating a better church. How can I help lead the church into real transformation? How can we lead into a place of outward focus rather than inward focus? How can we be more intentional about discipleship and missions? How can we be more like the people scripture calls us to be?
What would a better church look like?
That's my question for you...What would a better church look like?
I would love to begin a dialog regarding the ways that we can work together to radically alter the ways we do church.
As you consider the aforementioned question, share with us how or what this church would look like:
Where would it meet?
What would the experience be like?
Who would lead?
How would discipleship and missions be intentional parts of life together?
How do you prevent this new expression from becoming another version of the church that we are seeking to improve?
What does worship look like?
I hope that you will participate in this dialog by adding your comments below. As the conversation develops, we will take more time to reflect upon more specific areas within this topic.
So, let's get to it...What would a better church look like?
Comment now, comment often!
Peace,
Russell
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Just Wondering
There was a pastor that once said that if we really wanted to know about our relationship with God, there were two places we could check. Before he took us to those two places, he asked how many thought that they had a strong relationship with God. A lot of hands went in the air. He asked a follow up question about whether or not we gave or served in light of or based upon that relationship. There were still a lot of hands in the air. It was now time to check out what we had said.
He first encouraged us to take out our checkbooks and examine the line items that we had written in the register. Take note of all the bills and groceries and gas that is purchased. Take note of all the times we had eaten out and done fun kinds of things. Take note of all the times that money was put away for savings or retirement or for a rainy day. And then take note of all the places there was an entry that put money back into the kingdom (donations to Compassion International, tithes and offerings to our churches, gifts to other nonprofits, gifts to missionaries, etc). He asked what percentage was saved, what percentage was spent on bills, what percentage on fun things or things for ourselves, and what percentage was given to the Kingdom/God.
Then he asked us to think about a normal week (he even said that we could take out our calendars or PDAs if that would be helpful for us). Look at all the time you spend at work, at home, with family, with friends, doing fun stuff, etc. Now look at all the time you spend with God or in service for God. Look at the time spent in church, on missions activities, doing other outreach, studying the scriptures, praying, discipling or being discipled, etc. What percentage of time is spent on work? On eating? On sleeping? On playing? With God or doing God's work?
After a moment, he asked us if our checkbooks and our calendars answered his original questions the same way that we had answered with our hands. You might not be surprised to know that there were a lot fewer hands at this point. His point was that we are a society of people that puts our money (and our time) where our mouths are. If something is truly important to us, we will invest our financial resources and time in those endeavors.
This is a lesson that has stuck with me. As my faith journey has progressed, I have seen correlating changes appear in both my checkbook and my calendar. I believe it to be true, at least for me, that the longer I am on this journey, the more of my time and resources go towards the kingdom.
Have you found this to be true? Is spiritual maturity tied to our schedules (think priorities) and our checkbooks? Why or why not?
He first encouraged us to take out our checkbooks and examine the line items that we had written in the register. Take note of all the bills and groceries and gas that is purchased. Take note of all the times we had eaten out and done fun kinds of things. Take note of all the times that money was put away for savings or retirement or for a rainy day. And then take note of all the places there was an entry that put money back into the kingdom (donations to Compassion International, tithes and offerings to our churches, gifts to other nonprofits, gifts to missionaries, etc). He asked what percentage was saved, what percentage was spent on bills, what percentage on fun things or things for ourselves, and what percentage was given to the Kingdom/God.
Then he asked us to think about a normal week (he even said that we could take out our calendars or PDAs if that would be helpful for us). Look at all the time you spend at work, at home, with family, with friends, doing fun stuff, etc. Now look at all the time you spend with God or in service for God. Look at the time spent in church, on missions activities, doing other outreach, studying the scriptures, praying, discipling or being discipled, etc. What percentage of time is spent on work? On eating? On sleeping? On playing? With God or doing God's work?
After a moment, he asked us if our checkbooks and our calendars answered his original questions the same way that we had answered with our hands. You might not be surprised to know that there were a lot fewer hands at this point. His point was that we are a society of people that puts our money (and our time) where our mouths are. If something is truly important to us, we will invest our financial resources and time in those endeavors.
This is a lesson that has stuck with me. As my faith journey has progressed, I have seen correlating changes appear in both my checkbook and my calendar. I believe it to be true, at least for me, that the longer I am on this journey, the more of my time and resources go towards the kingdom.
Have you found this to be true? Is spiritual maturity tied to our schedules (think priorities) and our checkbooks? Why or why not?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New Blog
I just wanted to invite everyone that follows or stumbles upon this blog to view another blog that I have the privilege of being a guest author at.
The new blog is called Grace for Today and you can reach it by clicking here.
There are at least 6 different authors that plan to contribute with some regularity and I am sure that there will be other special guest bloggers to boot.
Please join us as we seek to find and embrace the gift of grace and faith in the most unexpected places.
Peace,
Russell
The new blog is called Grace for Today and you can reach it by clicking here.
There are at least 6 different authors that plan to contribute with some regularity and I am sure that there will be other special guest bloggers to boot.
Please join us as we seek to find and embrace the gift of grace and faith in the most unexpected places.
Peace,
Russell
Catching up
I can't believe that it has been over a month since my last post. Here is what is going on in my world:
I am finishing my second to the last semester of school (doing my internship) to where I can graduate in May with a Masters of Divinity degree (no one told me there was going to be hundreds of pages of writing for the internship!)
I have completed my First Responders training and taken my National Registry Exam (which I passed) and am waiting on the state to send me my license.
I was able to utilize my recent training to help a stroke victim a few weeks ago...yeah God, he made a full recovery.
I have been to and participated/co-officiated a couple of funerals.
I have been traveling to Houston, Longview, South East Texas, Canton, Athens, and other places for work, fun, and school.
I have participated in Town Hall meetings as a clergy person within the United Methodist Church evaluating our new model of ministry in the Texas Annual Conference.
I am continuing my participation on the Apportionment Task Force---a group looking at our current apportionment model and making recommendations to CF & A (the finance committee) in regards to that formula.
I am attempting to get everything done to be eligible for commissioning (one step away from full ordination in my denomination) in May.
I have participated in a health fair, a women's retreat, a garage sale and other local church activities.
I have spent time with Bailey and Erica.
I have been working with 7 other churches on an outreach event called Rediscover Christmas that will occur on December 6th (for more information you can check out our website at www.rediscoverchristmas.org --- the site is under construction and new stuff is being added daily)
And the list goes on and on!
Now that I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am trying to get back into a regular rhythm of blogging.
I hope that you will forgive the absence and that you will rejoin me on this journey of faith that radically alters us in Christ!
I am finishing my second to the last semester of school (doing my internship) to where I can graduate in May with a Masters of Divinity degree (no one told me there was going to be hundreds of pages of writing for the internship!)
I have completed my First Responders training and taken my National Registry Exam (which I passed) and am waiting on the state to send me my license.
I was able to utilize my recent training to help a stroke victim a few weeks ago...yeah God, he made a full recovery.
I have been to and participated/co-officiated a couple of funerals.
I have been traveling to Houston, Longview, South East Texas, Canton, Athens, and other places for work, fun, and school.
I have participated in Town Hall meetings as a clergy person within the United Methodist Church evaluating our new model of ministry in the Texas Annual Conference.
I am continuing my participation on the Apportionment Task Force---a group looking at our current apportionment model and making recommendations to CF & A (the finance committee) in regards to that formula.
I am attempting to get everything done to be eligible for commissioning (one step away from full ordination in my denomination) in May.
I have participated in a health fair, a women's retreat, a garage sale and other local church activities.
I have spent time with Bailey and Erica.
I have been working with 7 other churches on an outreach event called Rediscover Christmas that will occur on December 6th (for more information you can check out our website at www.rediscoverchristmas.org --- the site is under construction and new stuff is being added daily)
And the list goes on and on!
Now that I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am trying to get back into a regular rhythm of blogging.
I hope that you will forgive the absence and that you will rejoin me on this journey of faith that radically alters us in Christ!
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