I'm Baaaack :)

Friends, I have to begin by saying how wonderful it is to be back "home." I had a very rejuvenating time away, but as I settled back into ministry here this week, I have really felt how "right" and "good" it is to be back home.

One other note on returning, before I share a devotional thought with you. I want to say a special word of thanks to everyone for keeping things moving along so smoothly while I was away during what was a very rough period of time in our world and city. I am especially grateful to the church board and staff who not only led beautifully and lovingly through those days and weeks, but who also went above and beyond to help make my re-entry smooth. They provided me with pages and pages of detailed updates and a prioritized list of things that I needed to focus on in the next few weeks. I am so grateful for such amazing church family, Board of Directors, and staff team.

Now, by way of devotional thoughts, I want to share one of my insights from my time of pastoral renewal...

As a progressive person, as a caring person, as a leader, and as a pastor whenever anything bad happens in the world I often experience a strong sense that I need to do something to address it. The "male fix-it gene" can also start to run rampant in me, seeking to step in to "fix" something that no one may have ever asked me to address! 

Most of us have some part of this in us. It is not a bad thing. That desire to respond to moments of crisis is part of what led to our evolution as a species. Those who could learn from their errors and change behaviors, survived. (Think of basic lessons like: don't touch a hot stove that burns, don't drink dirty water that made you sick, etc.) We are meant to learn from the things that happen to us and around us, and then we can try to do our best to share those lessons with others so that they don't have to learn them "the hard way."

So while that instinct is always bad, I think mine was in a higher gear than was best for me or others. It was a real lesson in letting go and in trusting others when three tragedies occurred in the world, and it was 0% my job to do anything about it. That was the first time in my life that I had given myself 100% permission to let it go and let others handle it.

While I am certainly not advocating that we all stop caring, stop seeking justice forall, or stop working to make the world the best possible place, I am saying that everyone needs a break from it now and then. And, given all that is happening in the world right now, you might be more due for a break than you realize. I certainly was.

Taking a step back from politics and activism and arguments and on and on, even forjust a few weeks, gives you lots of helpful things. It gives you rest. It gives you some peace. It gives you a chance to evaluate your priorities. It gives you a chance to reflect on your life. And perhaps most important, it gives you some perspective. We can all fall prey to the old adage, "They can't see the forest for the the trees." Sometimes, when we are too close to something, especially something we care a lot about, we can lose perspective.

I am grateful to you, my friends and my church, for giving me a chance to step back and gain some perspective. I pray that you can also find some ways to step back yourself. Perhaps you can turn off the news for a couple of weeks? Maybe you need to stay away from Facebook for a month? For someone else, it might be changing the radio in the car from NPR to some Christian music (or even just silence)? I promise that the world will get along without you for a few weeks, and I also promise that there will be plenty for you to engage in when you are done with your mini-break. 

This message really hit home for me on the last night of my pastoral renewal time. I chose to end that month by watching the movie version of The Shack for the first time. I'd read the book years ago but never made it to the theater to see the film. In the movie, one scene stuck out for me. Jesus and the main character, Mack, had just had an interaction in which (like the biblical Peter) Mack was led by Jesus to walk on water. They walked all the way across a lake together and had a great conversation on the shore. As they wrapped up, Mack turned to walk back to the other side and walked right into the water...sinking to the bottom just like normal. He turned to Jesus with a look that said, Why isn't this working? Jesus said to him, "This usually works better when we do it together."

My prayer as I return to active ministry with you is that we will keep our perspective as broad and clear as possible, which can always come back to one simple test: Are we doing this on our own, or are we following the example of Jesus? As the film said, life usually works better when we do it with Christ.

The Tipping Point

Some years ago, I read Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point.  He gives example after example of how products and ideas have found a "tipping point" that led them to huge success and/or exposure.  In many ways, the ministry of Jesus was that way.  It only lasted for 3 years but seemed to build epidemic following. Gladwell would identify this phenomenon as contagious - one that led to an epidemic that has lasted through the centuries.

When I ask myself how we, as people of faith, might find our own tipping point, I admittedly feel discouraged.  Why?  Because everywhere I look - at the fundamentalists or the liberals and everyone in between - I fail to see contagion around the message of Jesus.  I fail to see a message that is spreading in epidemic proportions in a short period of time. I fail to see what Gladwell would call translation.  In short, I fail to see Christians living a life that others would want and would find life-changing. 

In a world where racism, name calling, suspicion, violence and hate are contagious on a regular basis, the message of Jesus is incredibly relevant but has not been contagious.  Why is that?  Perhaps, as those who follow Jesus, we need to seriously consider whether our lives reflect the life of Jesus enough that we become part of the tipping point. We have been called . . . so who will we be?

Here's to tipping . . .

Reflections on September 11

September eleventh, sixteen years ago, was the first day I can recall where I could see and feel everything I thought about life shift. I was in tenth grade, in a civics class, when the first tower was hit and I watched the rest unfold live on CNN. 

On Monday, I spoke with a group of students from Ferguson Middle about that day, and what they thought had changed about life in this country since. They honed in on security and, speaking from their life experiences in the last three years, the tendency of police to escalate existing tensions into violence. 

The conversation continued like this: That terrible day exposed the racism and fear that already was present in our nation. Then, in the name of fighting terrorism at home, this newly unfettered racism fed suspicion and profiling of persons with brown and black skin, and doubly so persons with covered hair and long beards. Further influenced by real fear, some liberties were given over to the siren song of increased security. Therefore, guided to find terror at home and empowered to root it out of local schools and in our neighborhoods, we found what we were taught we ought to seek. And if this state of fear hasn't discovered much in the way of backyard terror training camps, it has - in the last decade and half - found targets in black young men with pockets of skittles or walking a few too many steps off the sidewalk and in protesters who raise questions about the state. 

That's where the conversation ended for the kids - and many in our church community, workplaces and neighborhoods - because of the experience of being marked simply by the skin they walk around in and the neighborhoods their houses occupy. 

At the time I write this, the city sits on edge, waiting for release of the Stockley verdict. No matter what the outcome is, activists of many stripes are preparing for action and the state is preparing a response. 

Restoration, our theme in September, does not mean in this context a return to a Mayberry-esque unity under the banner of patriotism, but rather a renewal of the gospel call that God is for all of us. The kin-dom of God is a kin-dom grounded in God's inclusive love that excludes no one. 

Inclusive love is grounded not in inaction but an active pursuit of a community where everyone, and especially those whose experiences inform a sense of marginalization, has a safe place to belong, grow and be loved. May restoration, a return to following the movement of Spirit, guide you this week into doing the work of enacting inclusive love, be that in voice in the streets or in a choir, painting rocks or other artistic means, in your home over a shared meal, and the myriad other ways you are being called to live out this gospel. 

Where's Waldo?

Where's Waldo? is a British series of children's books created by the English illustrator Martin Handford. The books consist of a series of detailed double-page spread illustrations depicting dozens or more people doing a variety of amusing things at a given location. Readers are challenged to find a character named Waldo hidden in the group.

Waldo's distinctive red-and-white-striped shirt, bobble hat, and glasses make him slightly easier to recognize, but many illustrations contain red herrings involving deceptive use of red-and-white striped objects. Later entries in the long-running book series added other targets for readers to find in each illustration.

Sounds a little like the world around us and the world within us, doesn't it?  With red herrings flying everywhere, time moving quickly and our internal world assaulted with busyness and chaos, it is sometimes hard to find our real selves.  And after awhile, in the midst of all this, we don't even remember what the "real me" looks, sounds or feels like.

During the month of September, we will be exploring Restoration - the process of returning to our original design and form.  It might be time to ask the question, "Where's Lillie?  Where's Katie?  Where's Bruce?"  You get the idea!  Our purpose on the planet is not to be so obscured by red herrings and distractions that our presence is no longer discernable.  Our purpose is to live into a future with hope because God is the original artist and is always ready to restore us to our original greatness.

What needs restoring in you?  How will you be part of restoring our community and world?  Come so we can wrestle together!

A Final Word Before I Go...

This Sunday will be my final Sunday day with you and last time in the pulpit until October 8th. I have been spending this week putting all the final touches on everything that I needed to do before heading out for this time of pastoral renewal. As I finish up these last few moments in the office, I have a couple of final thoughts and requests for you.

First, I hope that you are able to take time out of the upcoming holiday weekend to join us for worship on Sunday. I have a special final message and ritual prepared before I go, and I would love to have your participation and see you one last time.

Secondly, I ask that you show me how great of a church we have while I am away. Please prove that this church is much bigger than just the Senior Pastor. Show me that you will have great attendance in worship and strong, stable financial giving even when the Senior Pastor is away. Besides, this church always has been and always will be bigger than any one person...even the pastor!

Third, I pray that you make use of the many options for renewal that our Fall Programming offers. I hope that while I am away seeking God, spending time in quiet isolation and study, that you, too, will find opportunities for rest and renewal. Pastor Lillie and Pastor Katie have given you some great options to choose from, and they are going to be doing some great preaching on the topic, so please take advantage of those programs.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to say a word of thanks. I want to thank the Pastoral Search Committee who agreed to place this time of renewal in my contract nearly four years ago. I want to further thank the current Board of Directors for ensuring and encouraging me that the church was healthy and that it was in all our best interests for me to actually take this time of renewal that was contracted. And finally, I want to thank you. Since we announced this was happening, I have not had one person question it or complain about it. Without exception I have felt your full support and love, knowing that a rested and spiritually strong pastor was good for everyone. I thank you for ministering to me by so generously giving me this time without any sense of shame or judgement. I am deeply grateful and humbled by your kindness and love.

I am blessed to serve this amazing congregation, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday and returning to you on October 3rd.

All Aboard!

I remember the first cruise I went on and how awe struck I was as we walked up the plank to step onto this huge ship. I've often wondered how something that big (220,000 tons) can float while some people who weigh 100 pounds sink in the water!! I was mesmerized by the size and grandeur of the ship and as we set sail, I felt as though I was in very unfamiliar territory. I had to learn my way around the ship. I struggled with taking a shower while the ship was moving. As we set out further and further into the sea, it felt like we were a speck on the landscape, despite how huge the ship was. When the storm came the first night, I learned why you take Dramamine on these cruises! Yes, I had embarked on a journey that was totally unfamiliar to me and though it took me a couple of days to get acclimated, it was totally worth it.

Jesus and his disciples often found themselves out on the sea. Sometimes they were getting from town to town on the water. Sometimes they were fishing. Sometimes they were just getting away from the crowds. They were familiar with the sea since most of them were fishermen. But the stories we know about their experiences on the seas include the times when storms raged, fish were hard to find and Jesus walked on water! It is clear that when these things happened to them, they needed help to acclimate and learn from the experiences.

Such are the storms, surprises and miracles that pop up in our lives. It is so easy for these experiences to overwhelm us and set us on a course of doubt, fear, confusion and/or distrust. In truth, these are the moments when we have the most profound opportunity to encounter the God who not only loves us beyond measure but is eager to walk with us as we learn to have hope, peace, clarity, and trust. Even in the face of things unfamiliar and sometimes painful, God is "all in" with us.  

Our challenge is to lean into the Spirit that is filling the gaps and providing the strength we may not have. Our struggle is to adjust and realize that there is guidance as we get acclimated to something new. Our resistance is one of trusting in our own steam more than we trust God to move us through whatever is ahead.

So, I invite you into the fall season and the cruise that Spirit is inviting us to take. As Pastor Wes said on Sunday, I invite you to trust that "the anchor holds." I invite you to experience the vastness of God's love and care.

All Aboard! Be prepared to Doubt Your Doubts AND Have Faith in Your Faith!!!

Lessons Learned

"It is not your fault; it is not my fault; it is not our fault that this is the way things are, but it our responsibility to work for positive change."  -Jamie Washington 

Last week at the People of African Descent Conference, this was just one of many powerful statements that helped me better understand the ways that we, as followers of Christ, can seek positive change in the world without feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what to do.

So many problems in our world today just seem too big. If one focuses on them too much, it feels like any one of them could crush you. This week alone I've been in conversations with folks feeling overwhelmed about racial injustice, immigration, threat of nuclear war, and general fears relating to the state of the world and the fragility of human mortality. 

Any one of those big problems is enough to overwhelm anyone, and so it is no wonder that we are all walking around a bit on edge, carrying extra worry, and seeking some relief from the anxiety we feel. So, I remind you today: It is not your fault that this is the way things are. We are not personally responsible for the problems we may see around us, and no one of us can solve all those problems or save all those whose lives are in harm's way. Instead, we each can simply do our best to face the challenge of each day by seeking to be a positive force for change in our own sphere of influence. 

Another thing we did at the PAD Conference was consider our greatest strengths and commit to doing those things as best as we possibly can. Are you a good listener? Then commit to being a great listener as people are seeking to process their current fears and anxiety. Are you good speaking up and naming hard truths? Then commit to doing a great job of naming the hard truths that current local and global events will force us to face. The good news in this is that you already have every skill you need to help create positive change. You don't need to read a book, go back to school, or sit around simply wishing that there was something you could do. There is something you can do, and you are likely already doing it. Just do it more!

I hope that this lesson I learned over the last week brings you the same hope and encouragement that it brought to me. This is not the first time that the people of faith have lived in trying and even terrifying times, and this will not be the last. Let us simply do our best to play to our strengths and be the best images of Christ we can be in the world.

Rain on a Tent

I grew up spending a lot of time in places that look like this picture. The rolling hills of the Smokey Mountains and a lake. We spent nearly every Saturday at the lake water-skiing and tubing,  and we would usually take a few camping trips where we would stay out at the lake for several days.

This week Kevin was out of town with work, and I was having a bit of trouble falling asleep. I decided to use an app to put on some meditation type sounds to help me fall asleep, and I came across one option that was called "Rain on a Tent." I put that sound on and I was immediately transported back in time. Just like certain smells can sometimes transport us (Grandpa's cigars, Mom's detergent, or a former lover's perfume/cologne), this sound took me back to my teenage years.

It was so specific it was kind of creepy. I could feel the humid summer air by the lake, I could smell the piece of soft pink foam that I always used for a bed mat, and since I was running my ceiling fan, it even seemed like the breeze from the summer rain was gently drifting through the tent. Lying there in the dark with my eyes closed, it was so easy to be transported thousands of miles away and many years back in time. Best of all, it was a beautiful, sweet, and joyful memory that brought me to a place of peace and comfort that put me to sleep in no time. I even woke up the next morning with sound still playing in the room and had to remind myself where I was...I was still transported even in my sleep.

All week I've been thinking about that experience, and the many memories of those times at the lake that came back to me because of it. It has caused me to think of sweet memories with my family and with friends that hadn't come to my mind in years. It has me thinking about the fullness of time in which God lives and where we will all one day reside. What is the "Rain on a Tent" sound in eternity? What sounds or smells cause God to suddenly transport back through time? Does that distinct smell of summer rain transport God back to when the planet was still young? Does the sound of our worship transport God into the heavenly presence of angels? Does the smell of every new baby remind God of Jesus? Does the sound of a hammer striking a nail still send shivers up God's spine? 

I have no idea if eternity contains experiences like these, but I do know that key sounds and smells and tastes are powerful. They are so hard-wired into us that I like the thought of us wistfully being transported to and from the heavenly realm by them. It even makes me wonder if that has something to do with the way that our loved ones can sometimes seem to reach out to us through things that once meant a great deal to them. Who knows? For now, I'm going to enjoy the memories that are coming back to me while being a bit more aware of old friends or dear family members who may try to drop back by from the other side for a brief visit.