Quote of the Day

Regarding church redevelopment, here is Rev. Dr. William H. Willamon, United Methodist Bishop for North Alabama:

If your church is in decline and not growing, it is because your congregation has decided to die rather than to live (alas, there is no in between when it comes to churches). The majority of our churches are not growing, thus we have a huge challenge before us. Still, our major challenge is not to find good resources for helping a church grow and live into the future; our challenge is to have pastors and churches who want to do what is necessary to live into Christ's future.

Willamon is, I think, correct. Moreover, I think the same could be said of many churches in my own denomination. Many, either consciously or unconsciously, have decided that the expectations of growth and renewal are unwarranted.

But if your congregation is more concerned about what Christ would have you do, then there is cause for tremendous hope. Might that mean loosing one’s life to gain it? Yes, indeed. That old church building? It might have to be torn down or relocated. Uncomfortable with evangelism? You may need to get over it through constant prayer and by praying that you might actually encounter someone who has never heard about Jesus and who is thirsting for living water. Is your program budget swamping your mission giving? You might need to invert some percentage allocations.

Who knows what might be required? The Good News is that we have an Advocate who can make it happen.

Technorati Tags: Quote of the Day, Natural Church Development, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Life and Death

365.25 - Day 1: This Is How It Begins for Me

The Old and New Testaments, and John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.

This is part of a new Flickr series I've created entitled "365.25 Days In the Life of A New Pastor," available here.

Technorati Tags: Old Testament, New Testament, Bible, Hebrew, Greek, John Calvin, 365.25 Project

Vesting Prayer

I recite this prayer each Sunday immediately before worship:

O Lord God Almighty, who didst endue Thine apostles with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that they proclaimed Thy Word with power: Grant unto me, who am set to minister and teach in Thy holy name, the same spirit of wisdom and love and power; that the truth Thou givest me to declare may search the conscience, convince the mind, and win the heart of those who hear it, and the glory of Thy kingdom be advanced; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Source: The Book of Common Worship [Presbyterian Church of the United States of America], 1946.

Technorati Tags: Vesting, Prayer

ALL DECEASED

ALL DECEASED
Originally uploaded by romanlily

As I look at the photo, I'm reminded of the conclusion to Paul's letter to the Romans, in which he mentions the names of many Christians who would otherwise be known only to God:

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Rom 16:1-16 NRSV)

We commend them all to your loving kindness and mercy, Father.

Technorati Tags: For All The Saints, Deceased, Churches, Paul, Romans 16

Well That's a Relief

A possible sermon illustration?

Technorati Tags: Nice Error

Quote of the Day - On Preaching

Richard John Neuhaus, writing for May 2008 issue of First Things:

I am asked whether I prepare two different homilies [Rev. Neuhaus is a Catholic priest], one for Immaculate [Conception] and the other for the more "sophisticated" types at Columbia [University]. Definitely not. In both cases, and I would suggest in all cases, the aim is to preach up to the people rather than, in the name of relevance or "meeting them where they're at," preaching down to them. And the aim is to try not to be dull. It is an extraordinary act of clerical abuse to bore a captive audience for fifteen minutes, or thirty minutes, as in the case of many Protestant churches. Catholic priests routinely claim that people today have a short attention span. Maybe they do - for the kind of preaching to which they're accustomed. They have a long enough attention span for many other things that interest them.

Link to First Things online.

Technorati Tags: Richard John Neuhaus, First Things, Preaching

Thinking of San Francisco

mount davidson
Originally uploaded by john curley

This image was made on Mount Davidson. A great shot by Mr. John Curley.