For those of you that have read my posts lately, you know that I recently wrote about "the main thing" that we should be focused on in our churches. I many ways, this builds upon that. This is actually something I've thought about before, but it came up again yesterday after listening to another conversation and perspective on the now infamous General Conference 2012.
If you know me then you you know how much I push simple. I believe we make things in life, and especially church, way too complicated. And maybe, maybe I'm being too simplistic here. Stay with me.
As a denomination, our mission statement is "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Pretty straight forward. That would be the "main thing" as found in the great commission. So I ask the question: why do all of our churches spend hours and debates to come up with their own mission statement, and often bad ones at that. Shouldn't this be the mission statement for all of our churches; for The Church?
Here are 2 definitions of a mission statement: 1) A summary of the aims and values of a company, organization, or individual. 2) a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. Hmmm, shouldn't the purpose of every church be to make disciples?
Maybe I am being to simplistic here. I understand context varies greatly. Maybe you might include your community in the statement. For example at my church: "As a United Methodist Church in eastern Independence, the mission of Christ UMC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." I'm not sure that location is important. It might be a detriment. But you get my point.
How do we live that message out? Well, I often say that Jesus gave us His mission statement in Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. he sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." If it was good for Jesus...
I hear again and again about the importance of alignment. I happen to agree with this. Is a common mission statement that bad of an idea? Or does it refocus us on the main thing?
What do you think?
Chris
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Main Thing, Part 2
Well, if you are reading this you are either a glutton for punishment or you love The Church, particularly The UMC. Welcome back. We can get through this.
In my previous post I lifted up the concern, frustration, and challenges before us. As a denomination we are divided, fearful, skeptical, and entrenched in the dark side of the church: politics. I can hear people everywhere, "Yeah, sign me up for that!" But here is the truth that we all know: the answer does not lie with General Conference, with denomination structure, or with the boards and agencies; it lies with the local church. Therein lies the problem: many of our local churches are messes also. They are entrenched and filled with fear, skepticism, division, and negativity. And we wonder why people aren't flocking to our doors?
At the denominational level we argue about everything from incandescent light bulbs to gay marriage. In our local churches we argue about everything from carpet colors to drums and coffee in the sanctuary. We mire ourselves in committee meetings and parking lot gossip. We have forgotten/lost touch with the main thing.
I remember back in 2002. This was the year that the MO East and MO West Annual Conferences were proposed to merge. As you might imagine, conference was filled with debates, questions, and skepticism. Then, I remember this older woman who stood up and made this statement: "the Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing." Profound, I know. But also true.
What is the Main Thing? I'm glad you asked. We often refer to it as "The Great Suggestion." Oh, sorry; my mistake. I mean "The Great Commission." Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:19 NRSV). When and how did we as Christians forget this?
Look, I'm no Adam Hamilton and I don't have all of the answers. I'm still trying to get a grip on things in the church I serve. But I know that if we want a place to start, the Great Commission seems pretty foundational. Can we at least be unified about this? Can we lift up Jesus over our agendas? Or is it more likely that we begin arguing over what constitutes a disciple or what 10 step program we need to implement to make disciples. Worse yet, we form a committee to study for the next 4 years.
Maybe we can do it. Maybe we can turn things around and The UMC doesn't cease to exist in less than 50 years as is currently predicted. Maybe we can get back to the main thing.
I am hopeful.
I am a pastor in The United Methodist Church.
As the expression goes, "If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging."
Chris
In my previous post I lifted up the concern, frustration, and challenges before us. As a denomination we are divided, fearful, skeptical, and entrenched in the dark side of the church: politics. I can hear people everywhere, "Yeah, sign me up for that!" But here is the truth that we all know: the answer does not lie with General Conference, with denomination structure, or with the boards and agencies; it lies with the local church. Therein lies the problem: many of our local churches are messes also. They are entrenched and filled with fear, skepticism, division, and negativity. And we wonder why people aren't flocking to our doors?
At the denominational level we argue about everything from incandescent light bulbs to gay marriage. In our local churches we argue about everything from carpet colors to drums and coffee in the sanctuary. We mire ourselves in committee meetings and parking lot gossip. We have forgotten/lost touch with the main thing.
I remember back in 2002. This was the year that the MO East and MO West Annual Conferences were proposed to merge. As you might imagine, conference was filled with debates, questions, and skepticism. Then, I remember this older woman who stood up and made this statement: "the Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing." Profound, I know. But also true.
What is the Main Thing? I'm glad you asked. We often refer to it as "The Great Suggestion." Oh, sorry; my mistake. I mean "The Great Commission." Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:19 NRSV). When and how did we as Christians forget this?
Look, I'm no Adam Hamilton and I don't have all of the answers. I'm still trying to get a grip on things in the church I serve. But I know that if we want a place to start, the Great Commission seems pretty foundational. Can we at least be unified about this? Can we lift up Jesus over our agendas? Or is it more likely that we begin arguing over what constitutes a disciple or what 10 step program we need to implement to make disciples. Worse yet, we form a committee to study for the next 4 years.
Maybe we can do it. Maybe we can turn things around and The UMC doesn't cease to exist in less than 50 years as is currently predicted. Maybe we can get back to the main thing.
I am hopeful.
I am a pastor in The United Methodist Church.
As the expression goes, "If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging."
Chris
The Main Thing, Part 1
Ok, here is your chance to stop while you can. If you're in a good mood, you might want to read something else. Plus, this is going to be long. In this blog is some of my sadness, frustration, and anger when it comes to the church. But also hope. Yes, I do still have hope...
Like many others, I followed the UM General Conference over the last couple of weeks. It was like a terrible wreck: it was terrible to see, but you just can't look away. The endless debates and bickering, the lack of any substantial change, the divisiveness; it was all just frustrating. Here's the kicker: it shouldn't have been so bothersome. All of it was exactly what I EXPECTED to happen. I have seen and experienced the same stuff in the local church. Still, there was a small part of me...
I have had many conversations, read various blogs and articles. Many colleagues of mine, such as Jeremy Vickers, Matt Miofsky, and Andy Bryan, have written some great pieces. I have also studied all of the statistics and they paint a very grim picture for the UMC. It's all very disheartening.Then, last night I read an article from a Boston theological professor reflecting on gen conf. the article was WAY off base. In a nutshell, it's his stance that all of the talk around restructuring, and pretty much all legislation, centered around the issue of homosexuality. The article bothered me, but it was what I read next that twisted me up inside. I read the comments that people had posted on the article. There were numerous attacks on The UMC and posts from persons who had left The UMC. There were misquotes and bickering between those making the posts. Right or wrong, perception becomes reality.
It hurts. It's sad and frustrating. I love The United Methodist Church. I believe in The UMC. I know I shouldn't, but I tend to take all of the negativity, the derogatory posts, the people leaving, etc; I tend to take it personally. I probably shouldn't, but I do. Not only am I a part of the UMC, I am a leader in the UMC. I help shoulder the responsibility of where we are at and where we are going.
So, where do we go? Good question. I'm not completely sure, but I know where I believe we should start. Stay tuned for part 2.
Chris
Like many others, I followed the UM General Conference over the last couple of weeks. It was like a terrible wreck: it was terrible to see, but you just can't look away. The endless debates and bickering, the lack of any substantial change, the divisiveness; it was all just frustrating. Here's the kicker: it shouldn't have been so bothersome. All of it was exactly what I EXPECTED to happen. I have seen and experienced the same stuff in the local church. Still, there was a small part of me...
I have had many conversations, read various blogs and articles. Many colleagues of mine, such as Jeremy Vickers, Matt Miofsky, and Andy Bryan, have written some great pieces. I have also studied all of the statistics and they paint a very grim picture for the UMC. It's all very disheartening.Then, last night I read an article from a Boston theological professor reflecting on gen conf. the article was WAY off base. In a nutshell, it's his stance that all of the talk around restructuring, and pretty much all legislation, centered around the issue of homosexuality. The article bothered me, but it was what I read next that twisted me up inside. I read the comments that people had posted on the article. There were numerous attacks on The UMC and posts from persons who had left The UMC. There were misquotes and bickering between those making the posts. Right or wrong, perception becomes reality.
It hurts. It's sad and frustrating. I love The United Methodist Church. I believe in The UMC. I know I shouldn't, but I tend to take all of the negativity, the derogatory posts, the people leaving, etc; I tend to take it personally. I probably shouldn't, but I do. Not only am I a part of the UMC, I am a leader in the UMC. I help shoulder the responsibility of where we are at and where we are going.
So, where do we go? Good question. I'm not completely sure, but I know where I believe we should start. Stay tuned for part 2.
Chris
Monday, May 7, 2012
Weird Moment For A Pastor
This coming weekend I face a moment that is both a privilege, and well... weird. The big occasion? I will officiate a wedding. Normally, that's not a big deal. In my time in ministry thus far I have officiated at over 50 weddings. I have been involved with some very routine weddings and some pretty unique ones, but nothing like this.Why? This Saturday I officiate the wedding for... my mom. I know, weird.
A little back story. My father passed away about 10 years ago. He is still greatly missed by all of us, yes, including my mom. we love him dearly. Since his death, things have been very difficult for my mom with a great deal of grieving and difficult circumstances. Even with her 3 kids and multiple grandchildren, life was lonely for her.
Enter Marty.
I won't even go in to how it all began. There was lunch, fireworks (apparently both kinds), and here we are. The most important thing I can say about Marty is that he makes my mom happy. He is beyond good to her. That makes me happy.
Back to the wedding. It didn't begin to feel odd until we were in our planning meeting. An example: as pastors we walk the bride and groom through the vows; they repeat after us. But, for me the bride is "mom" and not Roberta. Also, I am marrying my mom to a man who is not my father. I just can't say it any other way... weird. But also kind of cool. How many people can say that they officiated a wedding for a parent?
Should be an interesting experience.
Chris
A little back story. My father passed away about 10 years ago. He is still greatly missed by all of us, yes, including my mom. we love him dearly. Since his death, things have been very difficult for my mom with a great deal of grieving and difficult circumstances. Even with her 3 kids and multiple grandchildren, life was lonely for her.
Enter Marty.
I won't even go in to how it all began. There was lunch, fireworks (apparently both kinds), and here we are. The most important thing I can say about Marty is that he makes my mom happy. He is beyond good to her. That makes me happy.
Back to the wedding. It didn't begin to feel odd until we were in our planning meeting. An example: as pastors we walk the bride and groom through the vows; they repeat after us. But, for me the bride is "mom" and not Roberta. Also, I am marrying my mom to a man who is not my father. I just can't say it any other way... weird. But also kind of cool. How many people can say that they officiated a wedding for a parent?
Should be an interesting experience.
Chris
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