$25,000 Fine for Storming the Church!

I watched South Carolina pull off the upset of #1 Kentucky in basketball and was so ecstatic. If I had been there I would have stormed the court, $25,000 fine or not. But then perspective hits me – how many poor people could be helped with $25,000? How many Haitian orphans could have their lives changed? Why don't people storm the church? Interesting!

Why do we spend so much money on coaches’ salaries; i.e., Lane Kiffin? It’s a big business when we see players jump ship to the NFL like Sidney Rice, or the three “one & done” freshmen players for UK who were being scouted by a dozen or more NBA scouts the other night. SO, college athletics is very often NOT about an education. It’s about making a buck for the school, the player, the agent, or somebody.

Yet, so many people love sports! I’m one of them! Sports events are distractions from everyday life. Maybe the reason sports figures are so overpaid is that they give us a taste of immortality, a momentary, if fleeting, adrenaline rush, a release of endorphins that carries us beyond the mundane difficulties of daily life. Why else would we call Super Bowl Sunday "super"?

I have wondered for some time about the connection between sports figures’ salaries and the salaries of people in helping professions. The teachers who help the players make the minimum score to even play ball are paid a miniscule amount in comparison. Is there a valid reason for the difference in pay? Is it the danger that athletes face, or is it the difference in the pay-off for the spectator?

Unfortunately, I think it is the latter more than the former. Why don’t people get as excited in classrooms and sanctuaries as they do in stadiums and arenas? I was often thrilled with being in a classroom, at least in the subjects that resonated with my passions. Often it was because the teacher was an exceptional communicator or person. If the teacher or preacher was dull it was hard to be enthused. Using the criteria of relevance or quality of teaching, being thrilled in church should be an automatic occurrence.

Jesus Christ is far superior to any teacher, preacher, or sports star ever known. And Jesus is better than any coach, too. Former football great Henry Jordan was quite revealing when he talked about playing under coaching great, Vince Lombardi, the coach for whom the super Bowl Trophy is named. Henry Jordan said about Lombardi, “He treats us all the same - like dogs!” That was his most quoted line, but Henry Jordan had others almost as good: “I play for the love of the game, the love of the money, and the fear of Lombardi.” He also said, “When he says, ‘Sit down,’ I don’t look for a chair.”

What do we say about Jesus? Does talk of Christ and the Kingdom salt our conversations? What are our stories of Jesus like? Do they reveal our passion and hero-worship? Does Jesus command our respect, our loyalty? Does He get our adrenaline pumping and our endorphins flowing? If He doesn’t, then it’s not Jesus’ fault because Jesus is no wimp.

Jesus is like a legendary coach, superstar player, and Teacher of the Year rolled into one. Coach Bum Phillips once philosophized: “There’s only two kinds of coaches, them that’s been fired and them that’s about to be fired.” Jesus supersedes both categories and is beyond compare! He’s never had a losing season. He’s always a winner, and there’s nothing that He can’t handle. As Christians, we’re playing for the Jesus Trophy! People should sense that kind of excitement in our sanctuaries, our homes, and our schools – wherever we might be. Maybe then sports will become just one of many ways that people get their juices flowing. Maybe then everyone in every job will be paid for how well they represent Jesus, the Author of Greatness. I’m waiting for a $25,000 fine for people storming a sanctuary. What an idea!

Staff-Parish Committees & Clergy/Well-intentioned Dragons

Ill or Well-intentioned dragons abound in some churches. I have been set up before by a person who said that she was concerned for her church and wanted to come by and talk. Through her tears I unfortunately said "yes" to her request only to be greeted by a group of 8 or more people. I gave them hospitality but quickly said, "You need to take this to your SPRC." I have a meeting like this coming up.

At first glance I thought let's have the pastor present, too, so it's a fair fight and I get to stay out of the triangle, but then I thought better of it by the grace of God. If I pulled the pastor in, it becomes a contest between conflicting sides escalating into a win by the dragons who just want to go back and say to people, "We told the preacher off in front of the DS!" So I'm not going to meet with the people and the pastor. I'll meet with the people and limit the number, defect in place, show them Jesus, hear their concerns, AND, the biggie, determine what the spiritual issue is.

You have to hear people's grievances in this office, but you don't have to empower the naysayers. Paying attention to the emotional process and not submitting to it is the key. Hoping to pay more attention objectively to the content is important, but, nonetheless, a rabbit-chasing fallacy. Anybody can juggle facts to suit their emotional purpose or their agenda. If their agenda isn't Jesus then the conversation becomes a counseling session of pastoral care thereby defusing the anger not by authoritarian fiat, but by relationship salvaging. I'll call the pastor later and give that person a heads-up, but I am NOT going to be caught in the triangle of "they said, you said" ad infinitum.

This time of year is anxiety laden for clergy and congregations because of last week's move or stay deadline. People are taking sides and getting in digs or bribes to try to get the best appointment either for the pastor or the church, often at the expense each other's expense. Of course, this isn't the way it always is. Thank God there are churches and clergy who amicably part ways just because it's time for someone else to take them over Jordan.

I pray that I can avoid the manipulation, the anxiety, the arguments, and the unrealistic expectations of both churches and clergy. I am reminded once again that this whole process is mostly about churches, then preachers; but most of all it's about Jesus and the Kingdom - not friendships, sucking up, or people making up "bad" stuff about a preacher they have supposedly loved for so long. Rather than face the fact that it's just time for a change people start the rumor mill of innuendo just to have an excuse to push someone out, or to leave a church. I have even had clergy tell me in my office they want to leave then go home and tell their spouse that I'm making them leave. Then I catch it from the spouse. It's a strange dance that we move to in this process.

Well I pray that we move people this year like every year based on gifts, graces, needs, and primarily what Jesus wants for the Kingdom. So I'll be heading to meetings with SPRC's and consult with pastors, attempt to speak the truth in love, and show them all Jesus, both meek and mild & forthright and faithful. Here goes!

No Person Is an Island

Sometimes I am like the heron in this picture. To many I seem like an extrovert willing to jump either into life's frays or frivolities. The real me is more introverted. I take solace on Mt. Mitchell or the sofa. I need my "cave time" more than I would like to admit. I can and will get involved, but my energy is replenished when I'm absolutely alone. I look forward to walking every morning in the darkness when it's only me and God, no cars, and only the faint shadow of a heron in the rapids.

Today I got off my rock and headed down town to Zion Baptist and marched to the Statehouse for King Day at the Dome. MLK, Jr. could have stayed in "his place" on his rock, but he got involved. We need to do the same in South Carolina about the deplorable schools in the "Corridor of Shame," payday lending abuses, the lowest cigarette tax in the US, and many more justice issues. I am grateful for those who have the led the rest of us by example.

For instance, I was glad last night when Sandra Bullock won a Golden Globe award for her performance in the movie, "The Blind Side." It's a great film that depicts a family that isn't about blood or color. My mother came to mind as I watched the movie and last night. My mother became the legal guardian for an older African-American gentleman, Frank Arthur, before I was even born. He lived with us. We were his family and he was one of us. My mother's adoption of Frank saved my life in high school at Strom Thurmond H.S. I was the only non-African American in Phys. Ed. class, and I didn't know when to keep my mouth shut sometimes. I remember one occasion when I said something stupid and some of the bigger guys came to my rescue saying, "Leave Tim alone, he's 'Miss Sadie Emma's' son." Her fair treatment of Frank and others protected me from myself.

I'm grateful for Mother's witness about race. Thank God she got off her perch and did something for Frank and others. On this MLK Day I am reminded to do my part, too.

Haiti, Football, & MLK Day - A Common Denominator

I have been shocked by the devastation in Haiti and I know that everyone is mobilizing to help. It's going to take us all to get it done - teamwork. I watched earlier today when President Obama spoke, along with former Presidents Clinton and Bush, who were standing beside him. I was fine with everything that was said until Bill Clinton got in a dig at Bush, saying something like "I'm glad he's helping Haiti now because he wouldn't do it when he was President." Now, I'm not a Democrat or a Republican, but I thought it was more than tacky for Clinton to say what he did. When he was supposed to be there to model teamwork, he did his usual me-me-me bit and my mind starts cheering Hillary to turn that rooster into a hen. But, hey, where's my team spirit if I start jumping his case?

Teamwork is something we'll see this weekend not only about Haiti but with NFL playoffs and with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday. We celebrate his individual efforts for an end to the sin of racism, but we all know it takes everyone to get it done. The same with football. George Will says that “Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings.” Yeah, right, but I still love football. It has great analogies for life, especially those committee meetings. If we would all huddle up more often and get our heads together, wouldn’t the world be a better place? It takes teamwork to play successful football. Individual stars and goats are part of the action, but it’s a team sport.

So is life from Haiti, to Columbia, to the UMC. I first heard my friend and mentor, Dr. Ted Walter, use this story. A mule named “Jim” was being driven by his owner. It was just the one mule “Jim” who was hitched up to the wagon, when the driver yelled “Giddyup, Jim. Giddyup, Sue. Giddyup, Sam. Giddyup, John. Giddyup, Joe. As the wagon started to move, one of the passengers said: “When Jim is the only one there, why did you call all those other names?” The owner replied: “If Jim knew he was the only one pulling this wagon, he'd never budge an inch.” It takes teamwork, even when its just God and us. That’s a pretty good team, too, come to think of it. What is the doctrine of the Holy Trinity but an affirmation of teamwork: One in Three and Three in One.

Life is better when we have relationships with others, work together, all pitch in and accomplish things. Here's a T-shirt with the wrong definition of team: “TEAM EFFORT ... is a lot of people doing what I say.” In church, that’s God’s prerogative. In family life or any other communal atmosphere it’s a “we” thing to decide how we’ll all do our part. I like the Walt Disney Company attitude. If you work at Disney you're not an employee, but a “cast member.” Each one of us is that important.

Dr. Scott Peck of The Road Less Traveled fame talks about building community by saying it happens though stages. The first stage is called “pseudo-community.” Pseudo-community is when you get together and there are hugs all around, chit-chat, hail-fellow-well-met surface falderal. It’s not real community, however, if it stays only on the surface. The next stage that does get at the hidden agendas and real needs is “chaos.” Chaos happens when we’re really honest with each other and get things out in the open a la Bill Clinton with George Bush today. After chaos comes “emptiness,” a stage in real community building where people lay aside their own personal wishes for the larger good, and hopefully we'll see that with Clinton and Bush as they lay aside their differences. The result is real community.

I think we will see that with the world's united reponse to help Haitians. We may see it on the football field this weekend. I pray that we'll see it in the way we celebrate MLK Day and every time we try to live into God's image and see that image in each other.

Expecting Different Results

Well, I couldn't help but wax on a little more about how our denominational inertia simply galls me. We do the same darn things and expect to get different results. It seems to me that Jesus said He was going to do a NEW thing. Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic isn't going to cut it, but I have churches and pastors that aren't supporting our new thing of a huge Youth Event, "Revolution," as one pastor dared to put it to me, "because we don't know if it will be worth coming to..." Malarkey!!! How will you know and how will you make a difference unless you dare to do a new thing?

Last weekend, a week ago right now, I went with my brother and his grandson to the University of South Carolina, PapaJohns.com Bowl Game, against the UCONN Huskies in Birmingham, Alabama. It was freezing, but none of us, though lifelong USC fans, had ever been to one of our bowl games. We wanted to be there and I had high hopes that our team would show up - but they didn't (Kinda like not attending "Revolution" or not paying apportionments). Oh, the team came out and the cheerleaders (pastors) waved the flags, but what happened: the same-old-same-old. In 118 years of college football at USC we have only won 8 or more games 6 times. What a mediocre tradition that is, and more the fault of ineptitude than a puported "chicken curse." You can't do the same things time and time again and expect different results.

Waving flags is great, but I'm ready for better results. The United Methodist Church has superb theology, a praxis of personal holiness and social holiness, but we're still declining in numbers, at least in the US. What's up with that? I think it's old thinking and doing, domestication of the Gospel, and wimping out on evangelism. It's high time to quit waving the flags, and start actually doing something on the field of life!

Frozen Chosen and Time for a UMC Thaw

Christmas is over and now we’re into Epiphany season. It’s the season that focuses on God’s signs to us, divine revelations to get our attention, reminders that God is with us. Prepackaged signs aren’t convincing. I like the serendipity of spontaneous “Aha” moments when God suddenly pops up on my radar. Professor William Barclay says there are two great days in a person’s life ¬- the day we are born and the day we discover why. The latter is an epiphany! Have you ever been to a meal at someone’s home where the host’s concern that everything be “perfect” ruined the whole evening? There comes a time in every good party when you just have to let the dishes stack up, the coffee get cold and the butter melt, so that everyone may simply sit down and talk around the table. That’s when the “Aha” moments most often occur for me.

With the frigid temps I have seen and heard "frozen" thinking and attitudes as a District Superintendent about several things. Some churches are freaking out over the economy and it is showing up in their attitudes about whether they want to request their pastor to leave; whether or not they will pay their apportionments or save it for the "whatever" they have been waiting decades to need replacing; or whether or not they will be connectional enough to send youth to our Annual Conference's new Winter Youth event, "Revolution," at the Columbia Metro Convention Center. Frozen thinking and doing keeps giving the same old results, and I think Jesus expects us to have a new thought and do new things more than every now and then. It's time to thaw out, and as Superintendent I plan to help more than a few recalcitrant churches and pastors "put up or shut up." It's time to be a Wesleyan Movement again, not a dead sect!

Psychologist Edward Stein, in an edition of “Pastoral Psychology,” said, “I am convinced that God speaks not out of burning bushes but in our burning hearts, from within, through the very processes that God implanted in us; our reason and our conscience, our inner values and guilt system.” How does get your attention? With me it’s sometimes with a two-by-four but most of the time it’s the still small voice vibrating somewhere in my subconscious, or the sounds from a soulful song, the colors of nature’s palette, the words of a friend.

This is the story of God’s voice as heard by Gene Wilkes. He pastors the Legacy Drive Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. One of his Adult Bible Study leaders, Ed Gentry, wrote this in the class’ newsletter:
“When I was a kid, we used to go to my grandparents’ dairy farm for a week each summer and each Christmas. Each morning my grandmother would wake up at 4 a.m. and head out to the pasture to round up the cows and take them to the barn to be milked. I will never forget the day I came of age. It was announced that the following morning I would be allowed to get up and go with my grandmother as she performed her duties.

By the time grandma was ready to go the next morning, so was I... decked out complete with cowboy boots, plastic chaps, genuine leather holster, metal cap gun (spit polished and with a fresh roll of caps all loaded up), bandanna, cowboy hat, and if memory serves, she found me digging around, looking for a piece of rope to be used to wrangle the particularly reluctant “doggies.”

You can imagine my surprise when, as we started to walk to the barn, she began to softly call out the cows' names into the darkness. By the time we got to the barn, the first few cows were lining up to come in and get milked. I don’t remember if the surprise knocked me off my feet or if I slipped on a cow patty, but I was really bothered. This was NOT how you were supposed to round up cattle!! It bothered me for a long time.

As we studied Psalm 23 last month, this memory came rushing back (yeah, it still bothers me a little). But for some reason, my vision is of God gently calling our names out in the dark as we walk through our lives. I think cattle prods would be much more effective, but Jesus says, ‘My sheep know my voice and I know them, and they follow me: and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of my hand’ (John 10:27-28).”

God is still speaking today. He doesn’t usually use a cattle prod, but he is desperately prodding you and me to see his revelation, his grace in Jesus. Chunk the old thinking, silo-mentality, embrace Connectionalism, and let's "Aha!" our way into 2010!!!