Today marks one week from my pending back surgery. On the one hand, I am looking forward to it for the pain relief, but at the same time it is unsettling because it is a pretty big procedure. As the day draws closer, I continue to hear from friends and family offering their prayers. They are much appreciated!
I'm not sure that we always realize how meaningful and powerful prayers are. I have often heard from folks that I have prayed with in a hospital or in a difficult circumstance. Time and again they let me know how much it meant to them. But I think we sometimes have to find ourselves in the position of needing the prayers to grasp how much they mean.
I guess what I am trying to say is to not underestimate the importance and impact of praying for one another in all circumstances. We should all be ready to offer our prayers to others and equally as ready to receive them.
Chris
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Little Moments
Last night, I was able to enjoy one of those little moments that we often take for granted, but mean so much. My wife and I stepped out for maybe an hour and went for coffee. After getting it, we went out on the patio area and sat down to enjoy it. It was such a nice evening out. There was no heavy issues to discuss, just a little time together with some chit chat. It was exactly what I needed after a long day.
Moments like that are so important. You know, moments when there are no real demands on us, no pressure, no stress. Just little reprieves from the craziness of our lives. We need these times. Even Jesus would from time to time step away from the crowds, the questions, and the demands. Sometimes, I don't think we do enough of this. And when we get them, do we really appreciate them?
May we all make room for the "little moments" in our lives. And may we not forget to treasure them.
Chris
Moments like that are so important. You know, moments when there are no real demands on us, no pressure, no stress. Just little reprieves from the craziness of our lives. We need these times. Even Jesus would from time to time step away from the crowds, the questions, and the demands. Sometimes, I don't think we do enough of this. And when we get them, do we really appreciate them?
May we all make room for the "little moments" in our lives. And may we not forget to treasure them.
Chris
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Worship Arts
This morning we had some wonderful worship. It was full of special features. We had the contemporary band, One voice, joining with the choir. We had a guest saxophonist. And, we had an amazing dance to go along with with the choir's rendition of "Baba Yetu." As I said, it was a great, inspiring celebration of Pentecost.
While there was much that made the services wonderful this morning, but I want to talk about the dance in particular. What an addition to worship! It only showed once more how much the worship arts, such as dance and drama, can help to bring the Gospel to life in even more creative ways. It is always interesting to see how a dance might be used to interpret a scripture or a song. Once again, God shows how God can move and inspire in numerous ways.
I guess it's a good thing for me that my wife is a dancer!
Chris
While there was much that made the services wonderful this morning, but I want to talk about the dance in particular. What an addition to worship! It only showed once more how much the worship arts, such as dance and drama, can help to bring the Gospel to life in even more creative ways. It is always interesting to see how a dance might be used to interpret a scripture or a song. Once again, God shows how God can move and inspire in numerous ways.
I guess it's a good thing for me that my wife is a dancer!
Chris
Friday, May 15, 2009
Marketing and Message
One of the more talked about church issues lately has been that of marketing. Recently, there was an article on adage.com that chimed in on this debate. It was the article's stance that marketing has been a big part of the problem in the church recently. This is because it feeds our culture's consumerist mentality. Interestingly, the article also stated that marketing also provided the answer, but only if it is done extremely well.
Another site, churchmarketingsucks.com, had a post that I think gets to the heart of the matter: "Simply develop your message, and ask yourself the best way to communicate it without compromising." Here is the a-ha - it's about the message. It's not about the church building, nor is it about what advertising venues are utilized. It all means nothing without the message. And it is about us as Christians embracing the message of the Gospel, living it, and sharing it. I can tell you with certainty that the Christian faith has not grown and been sustained because of it's buildings or it's advertising campaigns.
Don't get me wrong, those things can be helpful. But we have to remember that they are just tools that mean nothing without the message.If we want our churches to grow we need to get back to the heart of the matter. Let's recapture the understanding of the Gospel as life changing, as making a difference. When we embrace, live, and share the Gospel, the rest will fall into place.
We have probably all heard that you can't give what you don't have. Do we who call ourselves Christians have it? What are we going to do next?
Chris
Another site, churchmarketingsucks.com, had a post that I think gets to the heart of the matter: "Simply develop your message, and ask yourself the best way to communicate it without compromising." Here is the a-ha - it's about the message. It's not about the church building, nor is it about what advertising venues are utilized. It all means nothing without the message. And it is about us as Christians embracing the message of the Gospel, living it, and sharing it. I can tell you with certainty that the Christian faith has not grown and been sustained because of it's buildings or it's advertising campaigns.
Don't get me wrong, those things can be helpful. But we have to remember that they are just tools that mean nothing without the message.If we want our churches to grow we need to get back to the heart of the matter. Let's recapture the understanding of the Gospel as life changing, as making a difference. When we embrace, live, and share the Gospel, the rest will fall into place.
We have probably all heard that you can't give what you don't have. Do we who call ourselves Christians have it? What are we going to do next?
Chris
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rethink Church
United Methodist Communications has started a new marketing campaign for The United Methodist Church. The title of this campaign is "Rethink Church." In our staff meeting, we debated if this meant that non-Christians were to rethink what church was or if church-goers were to rethink how they understood and conducted church. In the end, we pretty much decided that it was both/and. Personally, I believe this is a step in the right direction, but its going to take awhile.
Part of this campaign is a changing of emphasis on the United Methodist mantra, "Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors." This has previously meant that we were to be a church and a people who had open hearts, open minds, and open doors. The new campaign calls for a new emphasis on the word "open" being a verb. Thus, we are to be a church and a people that OPEN hearts, OPEN minds, and OPEN doors. For me, I like this emphasis. It reminds us that faith is not to be an idle thing, but lived out. The new emphasis reminds us as churches to not sit around and rest on our laurels. I have always advocated the activeness of our faith. People in my church are used to hearing me say during our services that worship is a verb.
So, does this mean that we let go of the old understanding of being a people and a church with open hearts, open minds, and open doors? As a fellow staff member reminded us: its both/and. That tends to be the case with God, but that's a topic for another time.
Chris
Part of this campaign is a changing of emphasis on the United Methodist mantra, "Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors." This has previously meant that we were to be a church and a people who had open hearts, open minds, and open doors. The new campaign calls for a new emphasis on the word "open" being a verb. Thus, we are to be a church and a people that OPEN hearts, OPEN minds, and OPEN doors. For me, I like this emphasis. It reminds us that faith is not to be an idle thing, but lived out. The new emphasis reminds us as churches to not sit around and rest on our laurels. I have always advocated the activeness of our faith. People in my church are used to hearing me say during our services that worship is a verb.
So, does this mean that we let go of the old understanding of being a people and a church with open hearts, open minds, and open doors? As a fellow staff member reminded us: its both/and. That tends to be the case with God, but that's a topic for another time.
Chris
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Buzz, or Chirp, About Twitter
It seems like only yesterday that blogging was all the rage. It was an opportunity for persons to air their thoughts and for others to read them and possibly add comments of their own. Of course, Facebook soon came to be the new king of the hill and remains incredibly popular. What an easy way to share our life with others. But now, there is a new sheriff in town: Twitter. What is Twitter you might ask. I am not the best to answer that, but I'll do the best I can. Twitter is a way in which persons or organizations can disseminate brief bits of information to those who are interested in knowing. If you are familiar with Facebook, its kind of like a more frequent updating of your status. It is you saying, "This is what I am doing right now." I recently heard the story of someone using Twitter to give updates on the labor and delivery of their first child. Of course, it can also be used to make announcements and so forth. All of it in 140 characters or less. Its not primarily about the big things, but more on staying up to date with the little things in life.
As for me, I have yet to jump on the Twitter bandwagon, although my wife recently mad that leap. I suppose it is only a matter of time. What strikes me is this move to living in the blurbs. You know what I mean, only taking in tidbits rather than the whole story. I confess I do this often. Like a dinosaur, perhaps, I still get the daily paper. However, I rarely read the whole thing. I scan the headlines for something that stands out to me. The danger in this is never knowing the whole story. There are times when we just have to take the time to find out the whole story, especially when it comes to people. Our stories are so unique, so interesting.
Perhaps, Tweeting is telling the story, just a little at a time. It certainly seems to be resonating with people right now. That is, until the next great innovation comes along...
Rev Chris
As for me, I have yet to jump on the Twitter bandwagon, although my wife recently mad that leap. I suppose it is only a matter of time. What strikes me is this move to living in the blurbs. You know what I mean, only taking in tidbits rather than the whole story. I confess I do this often. Like a dinosaur, perhaps, I still get the daily paper. However, I rarely read the whole thing. I scan the headlines for something that stands out to me. The danger in this is never knowing the whole story. There are times when we just have to take the time to find out the whole story, especially when it comes to people. Our stories are so unique, so interesting.
Perhaps, Tweeting is telling the story, just a little at a time. It certainly seems to be resonating with people right now. That is, until the next great innovation comes along...
Rev Chris
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter
Well, today brought to conclusion all of the Holy Week services. Here at Manchester, it began with Palm Sunday and continued with a Maundy Thursday service, two Good Friday services, a Sat. evening service in the chapel, a youth-led sunrise service, and four Easter services. Whew! I have to also say that they were some amazing services, meaningful, powerful, and inspirational.
I just want to first send my thanks to everyone helped make these services possible with their dedication and efforts. This goes for everyone leading the services and all those working behind the scenes. I further want to extend my thanks to all of you out there at your churches for your work and dedication as well. Through all of your work, many have heard the good news that He is risen, He is alive!
Rev Chris
I just want to first send my thanks to everyone helped make these services possible with their dedication and efforts. This goes for everyone leading the services and all those working behind the scenes. I further want to extend my thanks to all of you out there at your churches for your work and dedication as well. Through all of your work, many have heard the good news that He is risen, He is alive!
Rev Chris
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