tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42223703247537014732024-03-12T23:34:23.816-04:00Kudzu LifeReal life and real faith in Augusta GA and beyond.revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.comBlogger707125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-58270873391603883542021-09-25T08:06:00.000-04:002021-09-25T08:06:15.323-04:00Institutional Ability to Change<p>Many who've tracked culture & generational change have suggested we'd be in a time of institutional shift. The pandemic accelerated this movement. </p><p>Ryan Burge recently offered a <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanburge/status/1441176482055741442?s=20" target="_blank">graph</a> on Twitter showing generational institutional confidence from General Social Survey data. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm1riWaDlCcTJOEEZrR8B6AQtCvgHEsIZIUg8vKS0cMBR0HZb9ghqMgN932E4wJ3-2z3U-XLRlTTZO4OLrcBWGNSCfB42bCbLIJLdycuqoc03lXSvb-0UWVUhAolV9fcPdyhFVgAVHQ-0/s2048/IMG_0383.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm1riWaDlCcTJOEEZrR8B6AQtCvgHEsIZIUg8vKS0cMBR0HZb9ghqMgN932E4wJ3-2z3U-XLRlTTZO4OLrcBWGNSCfB42bCbLIJLdycuqoc03lXSvb-0UWVUhAolV9fcPdyhFVgAVHQ-0/w304-h380/IMG_0383.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p>We already know at the local church level the challenge of reaching younger generations. In North Georgia most of our communities have an average age of 38, yet the average church will look much more like 65+. Being out of step with the different generations or our communities didn't occur overnight. </p><p>The other levels of Church life may be even slower to grasp the new realities. Specifically for the UMC, & likely for other mainline denominations, the challenges of denominational decline, plus the fracturing along social/political issues, on top of the issues of an aging denomination & diminished funding, are all exacerbated by the pandemic. </p><p>A decade ago, Lovett Weems wrote about the impending <a href="https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/1868/the-coming-death-tsunami" target="_blank">death tsunami</a>, yet in many ways we did little to prepare adequately. Where some institutions may have taken steps of financial preparation & reset for this reality, I'm not sure that we've made as many organizational changes driven by vision, or even generational realities, as much as by financial need. The pandemic has shown our weakness of imagination & adaptation. </p><p>Many mainline denominations are theologically & historically complex, yet are also super-institutional. We are often heavy in form & function, keeping the older generations satisfied, while continuing processes from 50+ years ago. From congregation, to annual conference or regional organization, on to the national & international levels, this poses a significant challenge. </p><p>I'm reminded of this again as research once more shows that younger generations are <a href="https://religionnews.com/2021/09/23/gen-z-is-keeping-the-faith-just-dont-expect-to-see-them-at-worship/" target="_blank">spiritual, yet not institutional</a>. I recall Ken Callahan advising our church back in the 90's that the younger crowd are sprinters, & not marathoners like the older gen, when it comes to church involvement, commitment, & institutional loyalty. We were hard pressed back then to develop church programming for sprinters. Today we're still confronted with the need to be a church for sprinters. </p><p>What will church, & Church, look like in the US as we imagine 2025-2050? </p><p>I'm sure the under 50 year old crowd- especially those recently outside church coming into the faith family- are the best ones to define worship, discipleship, & witness that help them to follow Jesus. If the church & Church can prioritize substance, & not get hung up by particular style or process, we'll be able to adapt. Relying on more voices to bring life back to our institutions, & create a vitality that meets the needs of today & tomorrow, will be our great task. I'm excited for the younger crowd to take a lead in these matters. That is, as long as they continue to adapt & flex in response to the times, & don't make the same mistakes we've made of creating institutional processes set in stone for 100 years. </p><p>If the last 2 years are any indication, then these "Roaring 20's" will continue to be volatile. Unless your prognostications from December 2019 have held up well through pandemic, we do better to reorient church & Church toward essential priorities which excel in engaging the next generation & those outside the church in the whole life of faith. </p><p>Church will probably look more like a hybrid blend of both in person & virtual worship, discipleship, & approaches that build up faith conversation & community. Church will look more like a local & global movement of people following Jesus who are adaptive & relationally organized-- or some more chaotic, creative, transformational descriptor of religion than "organized religion" -- which matches with historic, apostolic faith while also flexing to modern generational life. </p><p>This will be an exciting time for church despite the challenges of this necessary generational shift!</p><p><br /></p>revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-35848688884369131872021-09-17T10:45:00.005-04:002021-09-17T12:06:14.629-04:00Pandemic Life & Work Catch-Up<p> Ha, sweet mercy, I forgot about the old blog!</p><p>Anyone else streamline your life since COVID-19 swept across the globe? For most of us it's been enough to stay healthy, navigate the chaos, & take personal & professional care. With a blog that had fallen to neglect due to all my travels & schedule BC (before covid) I was afraid I may be locked out. </p><p>I've got lots of thoughts rumbling & need this outlet again. Perhaps it will be helpful for some others as well. Some of this was stirred up the other day when a former member of the youth group of a church I served 25 years ago was surprised I'd previously served the church she now attends in a distant city. </p><p>A quick recap as a number of things have changed since March 2020. I live on the family farm, as we've moved in with my wife's 92 year old dad some years back when I was a traveling church consultant/ circuit rider. After many years serving local congregations, I was invited to join North Georgia Conference of the UMC staff in 2014 assisting with mission, disaster response, & community engagement, & with UMC Global Ministries. My primary focus has been with North GA on consulting, training, networking, & leadership assisting 800+ congregations around the Atlanta region including beyond metro into middle Georgia & up into the mountains. My title has changed a few times, & we've been into various reorganization over the years as we adapt to the times & needs. In July 2020 I went half time with North GA Conference & half time pastoring a congregation in Augusta. In July 2021 I added a smaller mission congregation to my work. </p><p>So, I serve at the local church level, and I work at the conference level & in relation to the larger Church. Over the years I've also worked with our UMC Global Ministries. If you know & love denominational acronyms, know that I'm CSGM & C-DRC for North GA conference. That's Conference Secretary of Global Ministries & Conference-Disaster Response Coordinator if you want to know. :) Over the years, in these various roles, I've seen the church movement alive & at work in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Russia, Portugal, Togo, Kenya, India, & the Philippines. Experiencing other cultures in very local ways, with the local church as guide, has been transformational for me in my faith & work. In the US my experiences in a dozen states in varied communities serving in mission & disaster response has added other layers to my faith & practical work. </p><p>I'm a UMC deacon clergy with one foot in the church & one foot in the community. That usually translates as a specialty in mission & discipleship, though at times I've been a utility player, or a pioneer, or a college campus minister, or a big systems helper. I especially enjoy helping church outsiders find their way into faith & the institutional church as that's my story as I didn't grow up a church kid & came to faith while in college. I also survived the 1980's fundamentalist takeover of the SBC, thus my shift from SBC to UMC, and surprised that those lessons from one Holy War are relevant once again as the UMC lurches forward in fracturing. </p><p>Living on a farm, & with long time interest in agriculture, creation, & church, I tend to have a systems approach and way of thinking. If you are into enneagram, know I'm a 5w4, so I like investigating, sleuthing, & figuring out practical, actionable responses. Is actionable really a word? :) I love ideas & action plans, & hope you'll sometimes enjoy the lack of awkward grammer or odd word as we swap thoughts & stories. Oh, and sometimes it may just be a photo or something that catches my fancy. </p><p>Here's a little more on my wild 37+ year vocational journey if you enjoy an exotic resume:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>grew up on a farm, plus "enjoyed" jobs including bagging mattresses, stocking a Sears warehouse, working sheet metal, & in the old days assisting with ink drafting before CAD. </li><li>summer missionary Central Baptist Church, Syracuse NY</li><li>worked at Claxton Fruitcake Company, Ace Hardware, & FBC</li><li>pastoral assistant Silver St UMC, New Albany IN</li><li>supply preaching around KY & IN</li><li>pastor, Caneyville KY BC</li><li>family preservation therapist, Lexington County SC</li><li>director of Christian education, Lyttleton St UMC, Camden SC</li><li>program director/ church development, Trinity on the Hill, Augusta GA</li><li>pastor, Macedonia UMC, Thomson GA</li><li>associate pastor, Greensboro GA FUMC</li><li>mission pastor, Trinity on the Hill UMC, Augusta GA</li><li>mission strategist, North GA Conference UMC/ UMC Global Ministries</li><li>associate director of connectional ministries, North GA Conference</li><li>mission specialist, North GA Conference UMC, plus pastor of Mann- Mize UMC & St Luke UMC, Augusta GA</li></ul><p></p><p>That's all for now as I look back in order to look forward. In the days ahead I'll share some ideas from the missional, discipleship movement that might be useful in a pandemic world.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-31296978276542862592020-05-25T08:31:00.002-04:002020-05-25T08:31:44.304-04:00Of Forgotten Things Rediscovered During COVID 19 PandemicAnyone else find their long forgotten blog during the pandemic?<br />
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Moving ahead in 2020 the key question may be whether to blog or to podcast or something else.<br />
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I'll post more in the days ahead as I puzzle through the new reality.<br />
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<br />revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-87956309357214913512019-06-27T11:22:00.001-04:002019-06-27T11:24:30.877-04:00Renewing Congregations: Adaptive Model and LeadersI'm a field agent serving over 800 churches, and I live at the most eastern edge of the area I cover. So, I get a fair amount of drive time between Augusta and Atlanta. Have you ever driven that stretch of Interstate 20 in Georgia? It's a stereotypical interstate in a rural area without much to see along the way. I've driven it many hundreds of times over the last five years of my current job serving the larger Church.<br />
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Car time is my office time, and when I'm not on the phone, or working out a sermon or presentation in my head, I often find myself praying for communities, and churches, and clergy and laity along my path. I do it in that order because as United Methodist who follow the ways of John Wesley we talk about the "world is our parish." Theologically and missionally I know most churches need to break out of their church box and become very incarnationally active among their neighbors. We need to learn how to follow Jesus out in the streets again.<br />
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I was in that frame of mind thinking about the beloved communities of middle Georgia around Greene, Putnam, Baldwin, and Morgan Counties when I had an interesting string of thoughts.<br />
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A lot of my work these days is about the culture shift, the generational shift, the community shift, and how churches need to adapt our style. How does a congregation adapt itself in style in ways that engage their neighbors? How does a church adjust mission and ministries for today and tomorrow to engage new and different people rather than continuing to replicate past activities for current members? How does the old crowd smoothly and graciously give over the "keys of the car" to the younger generation?<br />
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This is a very challenging conversation for many churches as we often change NOTHING intentionally, don't evaluate much formally, and often put a high premium on continuing our congregational traditions which are often deeply rooted in relationships inside the congregation. We haven't changed much in the last 30 years in many places as we've tried to keep all the consumers, the church insiders, happy, present, and giving. So, even if we preach and teach about loving our neighbor, it's another story to put that into practice, and let go of the style church we prefer. We probably love our children and grandchildren, but may not easily give up our preferences much less give the church building, programs, funding, identity over to others. We need to more fully live out more Bible and more theology rather than only talking about the stories. And this calls for a new congregational model and corporate spiritual disciplines that emphasize our neighbors and the church God desires tomorrow.<br />
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As the miles were rolling by, and now 90 minutes into the drive with the coffee fueling my brain, I began to think of the hundreds of churches I'd already passed in my urban, suburban, rural trip. Those many churches reflect a variety of locations, different church sizes, sometimes reflecting different eras of life and culture, and certainly some variety of theological traditions that have some roots in their own context and congregational history. Assisting change in one church is a challenge, and across a system of hundreds of churches is demanding and can be daunting.<br />
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With this rolling around in my mind, I was most aware of the current culture/ generational shift which also necessitates a church shift. In many churches an outsider might be hard pressed to tell what year it is though the guess may be 1985 or perhaps 1995. I'm 56 years old, and in many congregations I visit I'm one of the younger ones present despite the fact that the median age of the whole population of my north Georgia area is 38. While some churches are content to continue "doing what they do" there are growing numbers of churches who clearly see the problem and are ready for action. Many churches see the disconnect with their community. A key turning point is when the church quits trying to do business like they've always done things and launches into a new spiritual journey in their own community.<br />
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I began to wonder about the variety of clergy, and especially laity, that would be most useful for effective churches during the next few years. In Georgia we are seeing many clergy who were educated and became proficient in the day of the Bible belt culture. The church was the center of the community, and church preferences were respected and steered the culture, and laity were very comfortable with this status in their community. The attractional model could work well if folk were looking for a church, so our emphasis was on attractive building, attractive clergy and programming, and having a good show for the consumers. These clergy and laity best know life in one style church that is quickly disappearing. Often the church, and church folk, of the last 40 years were the majority of the community, the power structure, and the cultural guardians and keepers of the status quo. What sorts of clergy and laity leaders are needed if the church is a minority movement, not as institutional, and not in charge in community life?<br />
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I found myself thinking about congregations as missional outposts and the pastor as more of a lead missionary, as opposed to CEO, with laity who practice everyday incarnational ministry in the community even more than inside the church building. In many cases clergy are currently more like the chaplain of a family chapel in small and medium membership churches with primary attention inside the church, with laity who run committees and programs inside the church. In a church movement that will likely be smaller, lean in resources, and always eager to engage and involve church outsiders, how does the pastor and church leadership shift in style to become a different type organization? This is where many congregations are currently re-organizing and adapting to the current realities.<br />
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These thoughts had me wondering about the best models for church leadership in this next chapter of congregational ministry in the United States. This new model clergy and laity would require different education and experiences than the preferences of the last 50-100 years of the US institutional church. We'll probably return to more the pattern from earlier in history, and around the globe, of a highly missional, discipling, smaller membership church systems. Such lean, highly engaged church systems will be productive in different, deeper ways though we may go through a significant time of adjustment and right sizing. The younger crowd will lead the way in these things, so it will only be the churches who more quickly adapt to reflect their neighborhood and can learn to make adjustments that will still be here in 10-20 years.<br />
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Of course, we often put a LOT of emphasis upon clergy, but the laity really determine the trajectory of a church and how much change is acceptable. The laity, and sometimes that may mean a few power brokers in a faith community, are the ones who can become the limiting factor, or the growth factor, of a congregation. If we are so set in our ways, or determined to have our way, that we can't turn over the church to the next generation then we will have already decided our fate as a congregation. If we are content to age or slowly decline and die as a congregation we can easily do that.<br />
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So, even if we discuss and can create new clergy models the real challenge will be to create new laity models and renewed church cultures. This shift will be from consumer church to missional, discipling church.<br />
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It appears that the next chapter of church must be highly engaging of the next generation. Further, it must be more relational and less institutional than previous generations. It should be highly contextual and adaptive willing to risk and be counter cultural in ways that previous generations would have avoided. This is likely more of a small group movement, of life lived together, with more emphasis on deep relationships, as opposed to the larger group, consumer driven models of attractional church which have predominated for so long.<br />
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A missional church, that is more of a minority movement, with emphasis on doing life together and being the church in the community seems to resonate with many people.<br />
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For existing churches, and current church leaders- laity and clergy- this will call upon us to embrace new church models & practises rather different, but not totally foreign, to what we've known throughout our experiences. I'm thinking of it visually as the difference between one era of Methodist church that had the circuit rider as the symbol, the last period which had a church building as our compelling image, and the emerging pattern which is likely more relational and everyday looking more like Jesus with the disciples - one named and known and the other mysteriously unnamed- on the road to Emmaus.<br />
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<br />revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-63467660382233272532019-05-15T06:57:00.001-04:002019-05-15T06:57:32.466-04:00What I Love About the UMCOver the years I’ve served UMC congregations in three states (IN, SC, and GA),
plus had the incredible privilege of partnering with UMC conferences and
churches in a dozen countries. Due to my work in one of the largest UMC annual conferences in the world, and in connectional partnerships in the larger global Church, I’ve been stretched
and grown in ways that are well beyond my early expectations of what I understood it would be to follow Christ. I’ll say more in detail about some of this in another blog on another
day. For today, I’m thinking about a few central characteristics I’ve most loved about the
UMC..<br />
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As I think back to my experiences of UMC people and churches
since 1988 I’m reminded of these typical, exceptional features:<o:p></o:p></div>
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in on ourselves, but very outwardly oriented toward the community with a lot of freedom to be the church we need to be in our community. Whether urban or rural, in the United States or in any number of countries or contexts, the dynamic faith community is open and engaging of our community. A UMC person
and congregation can relate positively to a variety of neighbors in shared
lives and witness as a community church. There is a strong flow of the church into the community, and community into the life of the church. At our best we are not controlled by a particular system of power, personality, politics, or race, and instead are more of an outpost of God's peculiar redemptive work which crosses many boundaries and defies easy description. Congregations in the US are particularly encouraged to get after the work and left to our own with appropriate support to be the church for that place, so there is plenty of room for some variety of expression. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span>We are rooted in tradition and dynamic, classical Christianity with
strong interest in current, practical expression. We have a history, yet lean
into the future, trusting in Holy Spirit. We have a variety of theological and practical threads in our tradition, and in many ways benefit from the strength and tension of those threads. This aids us on a journey to the Promised Land, adaptive, and trusting in God for what is next. My experience has always been that we are a large ship, a big tent, an open table type church. So, we may look more like the variety of disciples Jesus attracted in the Gospels as an unlikely, mixed group. Or perhaps like the church of Acts learning and growing each day. We expect and work for a growing family, involving new and different people of varied backgrounds, with some variety of opinion, yet give room for that variety without getting lost in a dysfunctional family fight. We do not shut the door on people, and are much more likely to swing wide the door to allow more people in. Such churches are also able to reach a more people in the community
and are drawn to the edges of community, people crying out for help and for justice, and those who God sees and typically people overlook. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span>We allow and encourage deeper levels of thought and questioning in an environment which allows for variety of opinions. We bring our whole life to the Gospel and into the faith community. This also allows a
congregation to reach the variety of people in a community, and grow in depth of relationships that fit our context. We focus on the essentials
with interest in grace and unity, and recognize opinions and non-essentials of
faith as secondary and not worthy of priority. The essentials would be a very short list, and the non-essentials could fill volumes and are often what we focus on when we don't live up to our best. We understand Scripture as God's word, yet focus on God's Word as revealed in Jesus Christ. So, we aren't biblical literalists as we take the Bible seriously enough to appreciate the variety, the complexity, and the abundant life it points to. This engages people in scripture from a standpoint of community and conversation. In this we don't confuse our place with God's in the conversation, i.e. none of us are God with final say and ultimate truth. While theologically motivated, we are not
narrowly doctrinally driven. If there were a driving doctrine it would be
around God’s grace and our continued response and growth in Christ. In many places the UMC people once had other faith or no
faith, and as their old faith or belief system failed they turned to a place of incarnational relationships which allowed for a growing, abundant life. God has often used the
UMC people to show another way of life and faith that was healing and
redemptive to those who most need us. These approaches stand out favorably in contrast to other religious groups. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span>We have a strong sense of mission and justice. This continues to
make us a people with grassroots tendencies with desire to continue growing in expressing love of God and love of neighbor (as we love ourselves, and neighbor as Jesus defined, so that we are always challenged). We have a strong sense of
gratitude and giftedness to be a blessing to others with our time, energy,
giving, and going in service. We are a church living for others, and get involved from relief to empowerment, with
a sense of holistic Christian living that hopes and acts for all to live an abundant
life. Our gratitude is shown in our schedules and the ways we use our funding
to be God’s blessing to others. We recognize we are stewards of grace, partners with God, and this legacy isn't ours to hoard but to freely share and give away. Such things are both an individual and family lifestyle as well as a congregational culture. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->At our best we also move beyond only
congregational faith life, and experience more and grow more by deepening
connections in the larger Church. This might first be at a district or conference
level, but then may grow regionally, nationally, and internationally, with focus on healthy mission and ministry (not just meetings). Such a
broadening of our life, and knowing and engagement with other Methodist Christians
from other places with other experiences, will challenge us theologically and
practically. The great good in this is that it can help us get beyond narrow
experiences and understandings of God, beyond provincialism or nationalism, and beyond our thinking we have all the answers of life and faith. It helps us experience the ever deeper waters of God’s grace, God’s larger Church,
and other Christians who can teach us much about following Jesus. In these redemptive relationships we might also have opportunity to share our lives in a respectful, mutually beneficial, transformational
way that helps all of us experience more of God’s Kingdom and offer glimpses of
heaven on earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These are just a few of the exemplary characteristics I've seen consistently in my years in the UMC. These are not only the property of the UMC, though as I reflect upon the best of our United Methodist churches over the last thirty years, I’ve seen them repeatedly as features of healthy, vibrant Christians and congregations. It's been this way of connectional United Methodist spirituality that has helped me to grow, and continue growing, as a follower of Jesus Christ. The worship, discipleship, praying, serving, and whole of my Christian journey has been framed in this healthy, fruitful context. </div>
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It is this sort of UMC that I love, and that I will continue to support, so that the next generation will have similar opportunities to grow in faith from this sort of transformational theological and practical perspective. As I reflect upon how God has transformed my life through the UMC, a deep gratitude forged of many decades wells up within me. With that I also sense a deep responsibility to both the past and the future, and a greater resolve to help others know and experience such churches and Church as I have known.<o:p></o:p></div>
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-64596396713480543772019-05-10T07:33:00.000-04:002019-05-15T17:02:15.771-04:00Can UMC Learn from SBC?I first learned of Dr. Nancy Ammerman during the SBC implosion of the late '80's. This was the height of the fundamentalist takeover, and I was a seminary student in Louisville KY, and anyone who was moderate, independent, or not vocally fundamentalist or "drinking that Kool Aid" didn't have a place in the new regime. Eventually, lines were drawn which forced choosing a side. Even if one enjoyed the middle- that's me! as it allows room to go right on some issues and left on others, plus room to follow Jesus and continue to respond to Holy Spirit- soon found there was no more middle ground.<br />
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Dr. Ammerman looked at the SBC Holy War from the perspective of sociology of religion and was a helpful voice to assist many of us in understanding what seemed unbelievable and so destabilizing. There were others who would view the large group fighting and fracturing from perspectives of regionalism, hermeneutics, social political culture wars, and one outlier strand within the tradition rising to long term power to name a few other key markers.<br />
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Since then it is easy to see that one religious war merely led to others within the group. The SBC has declined similarly to all US religious groups. Despite all the rhetoric of righteousness, holiness, true belief, right interpretation, and drawing a line in the sand, the decline has been steady. And using biblical language and an "either you follow my biblical interpretation or you are an enemy" approach creates an adversarial climate which is challenging to deescalate. A generation of clergy, and diversity of congregations and people, was lost as the SBC moved more in lockstep with each other in a winner take all venture. Once a new normal takes hold it can be almost impossible to return to a previous state of normalcy.<br />
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Dr. Ammerman recently <a href="https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1102610854527356929.html">posted some tweets</a> that I found helpful in considering the current UMC situation. While there are some differences in time and place there are plenty of comparable issues that are noteworthy. I've mentioned to some that if it took the SBC a decade or more to fracture I'd expect a denominational, connectional body to take even longer if we break up. Being a centrist, I continue to attempt to hold together a middle that may become more and more difficult to keep together. Personally, I find the traditionalist plan unMethodist, draconian, unconscionable as an attack upon the human rights of LGBTQIA, as well as detrimental to the witness of congregations in a great variety of contexts who stand for the vulnerable of society and for those children of God. We'd be much better served to strike the restrictive language from the Book of Discipline rather than continually play out this decades long fight that weakens us rather than strengthen our love of God and neighbor (as we love ourselves). Recalling the wide variety of people Jesus would spend time with in community reinforces a better way for a Christian and congregation interacting with the neighbors. <br />
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Personally, I think the various strands of tradition within the UMC are stronger together as the holiness tradition, peace and justice tradition, mission tradition, <span style="background-color: white;">revivalists, </span>congregationalists, and others all need each other. We can go our separate ways, fracturing into various Methodist smaller bodies, but even after that it will take a decade or two to find some strength and clarity. If we track like the SBC, the greater likelihood is that we would only know how to fight, would continue to weaken, and after 20 years nothing turns out as expected. The old fight, of one older generation, drags on and on and is of no interest to the next generation, so is only a drain and distraction. God help us if the 60-70 year olds are making the biggest Church decisions that won't be clearly revealed for another 20 years! Better at that point to let folk in their 30's-50's drive these decisions so important to the emerging church.<br />
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I'd rather help create a church and Church that is for our neighbors, for the next generation, for people of color, for the indigenous, for LGBTQIA, for people unlike me, rather than known for sounding and acting like an angry religious crowd who are judgmental on some issues and turning a blind eye to weightier issues of vital biblical faith.<br />
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Whatever might be new and emerging from current UMC conversations and decisions would do well to learn from the mistakes of other religious groups and not make the same errors. May our prayers, conversations, and votes have the long view in mind for a vital UMC witness that our children and grandchildren will gladly receive and continue to grow.revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-62067298880139589022019-05-08T07:15:00.003-04:002019-05-08T07:15:45.034-04:00I Rediscovered I Have a BlogHow can one forget about their blogging?<br />
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Rather easily it seems.<br />
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Even easier to forget how to access your blog if you have a new laptop.<br />
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My day job is with the conference office of the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. After 25 years in congregational ministry, in October 2014 I was appointed in a new, different position working 2/3 time for North Georgia with Connectional Ministries with focus on mission, and 1/3 time working with our UMC Global Ministries. Starting July 2018 I became 100% North GA conference employee though I continued to relate to Global Ministries as they are in Atlanta, and so much of my work has connection to mission. For North Georgia, our Connectional Ministries office (relating to the wide variety of congregational ministries) joined with New Church Development to become the Center for Congregational Excellence. Our unit is a stellar crew of program ministry people who serve as true circuit riders serving hundreds of churches as we train, consult, network, and encourage churches in taking next steps in effectiveness. My area relates to mission and disaster response, though much of what I do seems to be community engagement and helping churches become outward focused. In many ways, I continue to be a program director, as I help churches know their context, evaluate what they are doing, and adjust to be more useful to God and neighbor. It's a fun, challenging ride that I love and grow in every day.<br />
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I suppose I lost my practice of blogging due to the miles and meetings. If you know Georgia geography, I live near Augusta, and much of my work is around metro Atlanta. Augusta is 2 to 2 1/2 hours away from everything. Add to it that in the last couple of years, we've continued to have major hurricanes in the region, so my <a href="https://www.ngumc.org/disasterresponseministry">disaster response </a>portfolio has grown significantly. I also work with <a href="https://www.ngumc.org/oneboard">One Board</a>/ Simplified Accountability Structure for congregations, as well as <a href="https://www.ngumc.org/freshexpressions">Fresh Expressions</a>. Another fun area is missional discipleship, especially as it relates to being new forms of church, i.e. not cookie cutter institutional congregations but vital, dynamic, contextually adaptive faith movements. So, we add, adapt, and get into more adventures to help churches both in their decision making structures as well as their local outreach and expression.<br />
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Don't even get me started on the UMC denominational mess of General Conference, delegates, special conferences, and everyone with opinions. In many ways it seems we opine on the things we can't control, or vote on, and don't attend to what is closest, local, and we can control. It's such a mess, and while I will hesitate to add to the noise, I have some thoughts. Or, more likely, I'll share some of the "best of the best" that I see being shared. My primarily interest will be in the approaches and systems that elevate a United Methodist witness and connectional ministry.<br />
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More in the days ahead as I attempt to get back into a routine. The discoveries I share might relate to Church, or farm, or food, or photo, or other things I learn or question along the way. You know, unless I lose my blog again.<br />
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-33930504258301222462018-01-16T08:41:00.003-05:002018-01-16T08:41:51.117-05:00Egg CountingI live on a small farm, so that when I'm not working my day job in the Church, I usually have plenty to get into that works mind and body. For me, in working with animals or garden it's a grounding sort of soul work that connects me with creation, with a place, and with my people (past and present).<br />
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January is often a time for dreaming of the spring and active preparation for the next season. While this year has been unusually cold for us it's not too different than normal. I just find I'm spending more time trying to keep fresh, unfrozen water for our livestock and poultry. As is my custom, I'm using January to look over seed catalogs and ordering a few things, and starting some chicken eggs in the incubator.<br />
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We've just locked down the incubator with 25 chicken eggs. For me that's always the nervous last few days when you stop rotating the eggs, increase the humidity, and wait to see the results in 3 days. There are all sorts of variables that can hamper a solid percentage of the eggs hatching in this mechanical incubator. Plus, I've got a new incubator with this batch, so there's sometimes a small learning curve about using a particular incubator in terms of how well it holds temperature and humidity.<br />
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I'm hopeful, as these eggs were beautiful and represented some of the best from our mixed flock of Welsummer and Easter Egger birds. <br />
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Nervous days.<br />
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I guess that timely folk saying is true. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."<br />
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But I am hopeful and working toward the best possibilities!<br />
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<br />revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-4331616131560798232017-12-11T10:20:00.001-05:002017-12-11T10:20:28.448-05:00Mission Year in Review<div class="MsoNormal">
This is that time of year where, if people have the capacity to get beyond Christmas, so many folk break out their "year in review" story. I can't recall sharing a year in review, so I thought I'd give it a try.</div>
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Of course, this is from my perspective, so the focus will be on the 2017 congregational mission year in review! But I'll do this in a way that I hope will help you to think through and write up your own "year in review" or perhaps tackle a "state of the church and community" in the new year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I suppose the lead story is that too many churches are still doing what we do totally separated from the community and culture. Can you tell if it is 1997 or 2017 in your church? If our church story has no connection or relation to the bigger community and world stories we are probably missing out. How are you part of the biggest conversations, needs, hopes of your community? Where are you going to listen, learn, and dialogue in such conversations? Often we church folk wonder why folk outside the church say we are irrelevant. </div>
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By this I don't intend that a congregation be absorbed by the culture, but as it stands many congregations are merely absorbed by their closed system congregational culture. </div>
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Further, many churches practice mission totally separated from the other practices of Christian and church. It's like we can choose whether to be in God's mission or not. In many ways the last chapter of church and Church life have been definitions of silos. The healthier practice is an integrated practice of the church which helps mission avoid being a busy bee do-gooderism that only engages the small percentage of people who have the time, funding, and skills to do a project. </div>
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Here are a few questions as you consider what it means for your church to be the Body of Christ and follow the ways of Jesus out among your neighbors:</div>
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How has your church been engaged by the current cultural and political turmoil in healthy, productive ways? How are you involved in ministries of reconciliation? How are you helping the community to grow in peace, health, and into maturity?</div>
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How does your church break the cycle of fake news and echo chambers? Or do you contribute to the problems of community and country? </div>
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How has your church been attentive and a community and world citizen to the numerous disasters of this year- both natural disasters as well as shootings? What is your short term, and long term, plans as you pray, give, and go to be part of the rebuilding of lives and community? Note that many families and communities are still struggling years after the disaster. </div>
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How is your congregation alive to your community, and responsive to God, in the current mission movement in your context? This is likely not in the news, not old repetition of mission projects, but something that is highly relational and a sign of what the church is becoming. This could be related to some of the big news stories of the year, and the larger mission movement seen across the world, related to people groups on the edge of the community, e.g. the poor, refugees/ migrants, prisoners, orphans, widows, and others who are among the most vulnerable. </div>
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The reality in many congregations is the continued decline of many churches, the loss of the last generation or two, and some denominational struggle and uncertainty on top of the local struggles. Both laity and clergy have proven we aren't very adaptable and prefer what we have known and where are comfortable.</div>
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A recurring theme I've seen throughout 2017 include churches redefining local mission and ministry. While we should continue to worship, pray, study, serve, and practice what it means to be a redemptive community, the way this looks must adjust to current and future neighbors in the community. Too many of our churches are trapped in the past by our traditions and preferences. We must define mission and ministry in fresh, vital ways for people today as more than a fad or gimmick. We must escape our church walls, our church traditions, and our church inhibitions to once again become a people or authentic, living giving/ sharing, incarnational ministry. </div>
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A new year brings new opportunities. How will you and your congregation catch the wave of the mission movement in your community in this new year? </div>
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I'm excited about another year:</div>
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<li> to have adventures of following Jesus in the community,</li>
<li>to know and join alongside people groups on the edge of community who are in the middle of God's movement of grace, </li>
<li>to grow in experience and skill of being a cross-cultural person as I learn from others and God,</li>
<li>to help people find their place in participation and leadership in partnering with God and neighbor,</li>
<li>to more boldly advance local, regional, national, and international ministries of reconciliation,</li>
<li>and to encourage and teach more churches how to break out the walls of their cloister and confinement to be a church in/ of the community. </li>
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-5409135341751809132017-11-30T08:43:00.000-05:002017-11-30T09:08:07.323-05:00Cultural Lectionary and AdventIn so many ways Advent is totally out of step with current U.S. culture. That's okay, but it does make it a challenge to connect with what people are thinking about, feeling, and needing when the holiday season and cultural machinery is cranking so strongly by mid-November.<br />
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Yet, in this Christian season and every other season, there are themes that might work well.<br />
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In these tumultuous social and political days, our larger context seems to revolve around a distant, perhaps dangerous ruler, cultural uncertainty and upheaval with strong divisions of opinion, and maybe some hope and expectation despite the craziness of the times. Hear any stirring of Advent or Christmas themes here that works for the proclamation of Good News in your community and church?<br />
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I'm especially drawn to ways the Advent story may be a help and a comfort for the larger community a church is in. In particular I wonder about the cultural lectionary, the ideas catching a lot of the current stories, related to power. More specifically, note how often power is a theme in the current stories of political intrigue, ongoing racial tensions and division, and allegations of sexual misconduct. Every day seems to bring another outrageous story! Now, don't let this devolve into another easy political rant. Instead, note that every party is drawn to power, wants to use their power, and does everything they can to retain power. So, this isn't partisan, but a truth for all times, places, and political groupings. Or note the celebrities, in their rise and fall, as they seem to present one persona, and over time seem to use their power and position that often results in a scandalous fall. I hear echoes of the Old Testament definition of idols, and the New Testament story of Jesus in the desert facing those temptations which we all face, including the allure of power and being king or queen of the world.<br />
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Recall that emotion is usually strong around these subjects, and our emotion and hectic pace this time of year will only heighten the tension in our personal and community life, so delve into this with your best footwork as you walk that tightrope of engagement, preaching in this moment of opportunity, and pastoral care of a people who are likely wounded and somewhat shaky. This could be a great opportunity to give voice to the community and to help folk tap into their soul as you give words to the challenges of our time.<br />
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The first Sunday of Advent this year certainly captures some of the sense of God's power, and God's distance, and the ways we humans are, in Isaiah 64:1-9. Be sure if you define 64:5, and "those who do right," that you don't fall into a trap. It's likely safer to go with the latter part of the verse as the lead for what is right. Verse 7, while rather bleak, captures some of the problem of our day. Be sure to emphasize that it is "our iniquity" and don't go the route of the easy to preach "your iniquity," i.e. it's not my sin problem it's your sin problem. Emphasize the plural in this as you study, pray, prepare, and preach, and see where it leads. If preaching in a contemporary service you might help the worship leader and congregation accept the personal pronoun early in a song, but at some point transition to the plural, i.e. please move from "I" to "we" and from "me" to "us!" If our music only reinforces a solitary Christianity and Christmas then we've lost an opportunity.<br />
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Advent 2B offers the beloved text from Isaiah 40:1-11 with a focus on temporary humanity and eternal God. There is strong penalty for human sin, yet the comfort, power, and new beginnings offered by God are also an option. I'm somewhat captivated in this reading with our current cultural context with "...do not fear" and "Here is your God!" It offers a striking contrast with some of the current mood of "Fear, and more fear" and "where is your God" or perhaps a small, diminished god of our own making that is so much less than the living God.<br />
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Isaiah 61:1-11 in Advent 3B is a powerful passage that turns the whole world order upside down! While I believe, and have experienced, that this points to Jesus, I also believe it points to the way a church can be in the community. As individuals, and a congregation, how might we practice these ways every day in our community? Check out how this can be a populist, grassroots movement that better defines power, overcomes some of the biggest issues of our day one person at a time, and makes right so much that is wrong. This is both a God movement, and our response to God's work in our lives so that we practice Sabbath/ Jubilee in transformational community ways. This is personal renewal, church renewal, and community renewal in ways that offer abundant life.<br />
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With Advent 4 and Christmas Eve the same day I know many clergy friends are making certain adjustments in order to help it all work well for their congregation. Sticking with Advent 4, I like Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:39-56. Of course, this power theme is a key concept in Luke, so it's easy to continue the exploration of power and community, and Jesus who offers redemption of both individual and "us!" "...<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He has shown strength
with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. </span><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He has brought down
the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; </span><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">he has filled the
hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty." Don't soften the "rich" language, and don't lose the way God is working, and which we should join in on. </span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Venture beyond the normal, generic, sanitized, sweet Christmas story- if that is possible- and find ways to bring the reality of life to life in the church. You might engage your community in some of the best themes of the season that may meet their fear and angst with a shared hope for a better day. Welcome the cultural lectionary into your worship and preaching and you'll find stronger ways to connect with the community this Advent.</span><br />
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-64667130680066485572017-10-30T10:47:00.000-04:002017-10-30T10:47:24.918-04:00Church Trick or Treat: Do You DRAW or SCAREI have experienced a lot of churches over the years, and in the last 3 years have significantly stepped up those experiences. You name it- worship, study groups, special events, projects, fundraisers, and any combination of church mission and ministries- and I've seen it. A lot of church life is "insider" club stuff, and we've forgotten how to know and relate to our neighbors.<br />
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In recent years I've become more aware of the dual role of both the individual and the corporate engagement, hospitality, and practices of discipleship and evangelism.<br />
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These days I attend many churches one time as a participant, and can either fly under the radar or find that most churches are very comfortable being who they are, so that they act their normal ways and don't put on a show for me. In many ways I often feel like one audience member among many in most churches.<br />
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I have a twofold observation:<br />
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<li>most churches are overly reliant on the "big systems" approach to visitors/ guests to the point that often a person can go into a church and never have anyone interact with them except the people who are supposed to, i.e. the greeters and the ushers. The mandatory "meet and greet" in worship doesn't count except that it is awkward and too often heightens the problem. I'm observing this not only in large churches, but surprisingly often in small and medium attendance congregations. </li>
<li>most churches appear overly reliant upon the paid clergy or staff being the ones who hold it all together, so that hospitality, discipleship, evangelism, or whatever you want to call it is left to the pros. In truth, I'm often more interested in how the average folk in the people are, how they engage, and take this as a sign of the culture of the church and the type of Jesus the group lifts up and follows.</li>
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The days of institutions having drawing power have past, and while churches should offer quality experiences, it is imperative for us to reclaim the power of individual relationships, what we once spoke of as the priesthood of all believers, and the sort of authentic, everyday following of Jesus that will transform us, our communities, and our churches. I think this is where renewal will happen for a congregation IF folk can change their ways. </div>
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These thoughts, and that second bullet, make me wonder about the culture, the personality, of any given congregation. Your normal practices reflect who you are, as a church, and also might be the reason folk don't come back! </div>
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I've realized a time or two recently that a congregation, and all the individuals of a church, can either DRAW people to church or SCARE folk away. </div>
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This isn't always what it seem though.</div>
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Sometimes it's obvious element of a visit that - someone tells you to get out of their pew, or the worship is just awful, or the experience is either dull or freaky! Occasionally there's just a "not right" feeling" which causes you to wonder why is that church so apathetic, or unrealistic, or even "what are they thinking?" I find many churches seem to have been lulled into a "copycat" sort of generic religion which is so plain, generic, and doesn't seem to fit their context or next best steps as a church. </div>
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But, more often than not, I often find there are layers to a visit, and typically there are less overt cues that let me know if I belong or not, and inform me on how I feel about a church. </div>
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There are all sorts of ways to be mean, offensive, or indicate in overt or subtle ways that "you don't belong" at this church. After all, the vast majority of churches run along socio-economic, racial, and cultural lines. It's the uncommon church these days that is a congregation for the whole community and creates a level playing field in church life that seems like heaven, i.e. all classes, races, political stripes, etc. in one family.</div>
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Some churches never get the visitor because I know if I'm a factory worker, and the church is full of the bosses and management, it won't likely be any different in church than it is at work. </div>
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If church represents the power of the community, the normal interactions and classism of work, and the politics of the "haves" and "have nots," then how is it a reflection of the kingdom of God, the body of Christ, and elevating of Christian values as opposed to everyday reality?</div>
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A wide variety of questions come to mind as I think about the wonderful, diverse mix of people in most communities: If I'm a person of color why would I go to that church? If I'm of a different social opinion why would I subject myself to your message? If I have done certain things which I suspect you are against, or if I made a mistake at some point in life, would you really accept me and practice the redemption and salvation you talk and sing about, or is that only reserved in some mysterious way for you and people like you? Is your church practicing following Jesus and can you make room in your church family for me if I am different than you?</div>
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Or, check out this different way to track what might DRAW and what might SCARE. When I drive into a church parking lot I can often know much about who makes up the church. After all, our cars are our status symbols (idols? oh, no, that might be another blog post). That's a strong first impression. Second impression would be any magnets or stickers on the vehicles. If they all lean one way or another I quickly know if folk are in lockstep or are diverse in their thinking, politics, social organizations, and favorites. If any of this looks too different from what I'd see at the local public school, or the mall or movie theater, then I get a quick idea of what segment of the community makes up the church. Even if the congregations doesn't claim a certain people group, or tribe if you want to use old, colonial missional language, you give yourselves away in conscious and unconscious ways. </div>
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So, there are many, many ways to DRAW people to or SCARE people away from a congregation. All of these issues make it even more important for individuals and the whole congregation to actively engage a community and practice our following of Jesus every day. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Some of the powerful practices I see that DRAW people to a congregation is a loving, inclusive, community engaged and open church that is authentic and full of life. This could be any size church, but there is always a sense that God is doing something powerful in my/our lives, that I/we are called to die to ourselves and serve others- including changing and adapting to include others, and an everyday practice of prayer, study, and service as I/we live out this adventure of following Christ knowing that God can use us to help other people in their lives. So, this is a hopeful, anticipatory, vibrant faith that is growing and developing as God creates the Church desired for the community. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In this day of so much hostility, anxiety, and division, you and your church have a great opportunity to DRAW people to church. But you will need to live into some new practices of faith as you love God and love your neighbor as yourself. You will need to practice more Christ-like ways, both individually and as a congregation, of going into your community and breaking down barriers. The best days of a congregation are today and tomorrow, IF we learn to be a treat to our community and world and not the same old religious trick. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-24213527423559988462017-10-25T15:55:00.000-04:002017-10-25T15:55:06.271-04:005 Things Your Community Needs From Your Church Today"Would your community even notice if your church died today?" is one of those difficult questions to even consider. Most congregations are so inwardly focused, and begin a long, slow descent into atrophy and death, that by the time we begin to ask such questions it is probably too late. We don't usually think, program, and act with continued outward engagement/ sharing and our legacy in mind. I mean, who invites everyone into the family? Who gives away the business, the seat of power, and the opportunities to those outsiders?<br />
<br />
This is where all the children yell, "JESUS!"<br />
<br />
Too many church conversations tend to revolve around what the church needs. I find a more productive path in considering how a church might give ourselves away to the community. Pick any Jesus story, or Jesus disciple story, and find models of how this might still have transformational impact today- both for the servant and the one served.<br />
<br />
Find here some values, some lifestyle, some practices which every church would do well to share. I wonder if any churches orient their ministry practices and calendars around this? I don't have all the answers on what this looks like in your church and community. Rather, I suspect that it can be tailored to any context, any church scale, and stands the biblical and theological test. It may be a way of assessing our church efforts, activities, and practices. The larger challenge may be helping the church out of the routines and into a new way of mission and ministry.<br />
<br />
I'm thinking about this both in individual and corporate terms. I'm also thinking of this as defining for the church for strategy and lifestyle. How might worship, discipleship, prayer, fellowship, outreach, etc. revolve around these sorts of primary church functions? It is certainly challenging to think of church activities through this lens. Personally, many of these concepts have high appeal and seem to be priority needs for many individuals and communities today. It doesn't matter if you are moderate, conservative, or liberal theologically. But I'm afraid that many churches- many sermons, much teaching, and activity-never delves into these areas. Is it that they are too controversial, or that for institutional church, and keeping the majority happy, we prefer watered down, controlled, "folk like us" sort of religion? Or, most likely, we just know to do what we've learned to do, and change beyond our experiences is very intimidating. Group change is some next level of challenge!<br />
<br />
As we seek to love God, and love our neighbors (as we do ourselves!), perhaps we'll hear what our community needs of our church. Watch the news, listen to the stories of locals, and imagine your church reorienting itself to your neighbors. Live your way into the next chapter of church ministry based on God and your neighbors and see what develops. Prayerfully evaluate your current church activities in light of the higher claims of the Gospel. If your church stuff doesn't hit any of these it may be worth questioning. Also, which of these can be done inside a church building, which must be practiced beyond the church walls, and what are the bridges or connecting points between the building and the community?<br />
<br />
Here are the 5 things the community needs your church to be doing today:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Reconciling- e.g. 2 Corinthians 5:11-21</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Neighboring- e.g. Luke 10:25-37</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Empowering- e.g. I Thessalonians 5:12-22</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Healing- take your pick from MANY stories of Jesus in the Gospels!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Redeeming- e.g. Galatians 4:1-7 & our role in helping our community know and experience they are adopted by God. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Give it a go! Such activities might very well change the world!</div>
revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-26923865569522927452017-10-10T11:02:00.001-04:002017-10-10T11:02:32.663-04:00SPAR for Better MissionOften I find that both discipleship groups and mission groups are somewhat anemic. They accomplish something, but there is a diminished vitality, force, spirit, that is less than expected. We all easily get locked into certain practices and fail to see how we are losing a step, don't have the energy we once had, and can't figure out what is wrong.<br />
<br />
I believe that scripture and historic faith practices point to the more life giving, transformational ways of both discipleship and mission which we are called to live out. So, this isn't new to me or us, except it is new to all of us in that we must continually work out these practices in our context and in our following of Jesus as we love God and love our neighbors (as we do ourselves!).<br />
<br />
I think of this as a SPAR approach, and hope I haven't heard/ read this somewhere in the distant past only for it to take root in my mind with loss of the originator. If you read this and think, "Oh, so and so, wrote that." please let me know so we get the attribution correct.<br />
<br />
In my experiences our modern mission and ministry tendency is to do things. Often we end up with somewhat disconnected pieces of activity. If we read the ministry of Jesus and the early church there was a rhythm that was shown as they engaged in the everyday mission of God. Now, in my reading there is a flow between these elements, so they build on each other and feed off of each other. Said another way, it isn't mandatory to start at any particular point, but it is essential that these pieces are networked, woven, interlaced, dovetailed, or pick you word/ concept that reinforces flow and interaction.<br />
<br />
So, a person, or group could start with 3, then go to 2, then 1, and 4. And these wouldn't be awkward movements, but natural, organic, true to life, and to the Spirit in the moment. This wouldn't be reading curriculum cold for the first time in the group. Rather, it would be more akin to driving a stick shift car and a responsive, fluid movement that starts and stops where appropriate, avoids danger, maintains speed, picks up more travelers, and arrives at the destination. This isn't a stilted box step style dancing, and instead a joyous celebration alive to the music, to the crowd, to the expression of life.<br />
<br />
Think of SPAR as study, prayer, action, and reflection. This is a life based missional approach that necessarily follows the ways Jesus lived. It's both individual and a group way of being. Further, it's seeking a balance so that a participant- or group- doesn't get lost in any particular element of the approach. This also helps avoid groups getting locked in to "we only study" or "we only pray or we only do things." Too many of our churches and individual Christians are "locked in" and that's part of our problem. It turns out that the fight isn't so much against others as it is against ourselves. We must continue practice dying to ourselves and being alive to Christ (choose from any number of verses as I point to Luke 9:23-24). SPAR is a helpful way for individual and group to die to self and conform to Christ. This also helps with a missional way of living, of praying and reading scripture, and creates a dynamic adventure of following Christ today.<br />
<br />
The reflection element of SPAR is somewhat different than study as it is a way of bringing together the other pieces of the approach as a way of considering what this all means in the salvation of God- for individual, for group, for church, and for the world. In my experience, this is a critically missing intentional step of many discipleship and mission groups. Just as a preacher might apply the "so what?!" test to a sermon, this is a way of applying "so what?!" to our mission and ministry and placing our vulnerability before God and group member.<br />
<br />
SPAR likely should be applied to all our church mission and ministry groups. This approach also reminds me of a few dynamic ministries which many churches have lost or failed to organize, which could have strong community appeal with certain groups, and which could open new relationships and potential for many churches. These sorts of ministries lend themselves to the SPAR approach. Consider:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>disaster response</li>
<li>creation care</li>
<li>drug and alcohol abuse prevention</li>
<li>racial reconciliation</li>
<li>prison ministries</li>
</ul>
<div>
When I read scripture I most notice that Jesus, and those early disciples, turned the world upside down as they experienced the power of God and the present Kingdom of God. I think that can happen in churches today if we get out of our routines, beyond the institution and into community relationships and action, and give ourselves away to new habits and new ways of relating to our neighbors.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SPAR for better mission and ministry and let me know what happens in your world. </div>
revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-67324465829081235232017-10-05T10:56:00.001-04:002017-10-05T10:56:16.274-04:00Church Budgeting for God’s Local Mission<div class="MsoNormal">
As your church moves into the end of the year, be sure to
connect mission and ministry assessment with your budgeting processes. There
are some big and small questions which may be helpful as we live into this next
chapter of church life. While a committee should tackle the separate areas of
ministry with this sort of evaluative mindset I’ll share some thoughts specific
to mission and outreach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of the big questions include: What percentage of your
church funding is spent inside the church or to serve the church insiders? How
much goes outside to serve, engage, & relate to others? Why are we funding
this project or activity? Answers to these questions may then spur all sorts of
additional curiosities. Many congregations are closed system, i.e. completely
are almost closed inward focused and cut off from their community, and in
addition to other ways of finding this truth the funding picture will also reflect
this. Reorient funding toward getting the church out of the building and
creating momentum in community relationships and being the church in the
community. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find many, many congregations are stuck, if not trapped,
in the past. The history of what has been strangles the work of mission and
ministry, and often leaves little room for new possibilities today and tomorrow.
These patterns of “things past” are shown in the calendar and in the budget,
and while obvious to the “outsider” may be a comfortable routine for the church
and accepted rather than discussed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I’ve met with churches they’ve taught me that, more often
than not, the way they view mission is a diffused smattering of financial
giving and varied “do gooder” activities. Perhaps a denominational leader, or
pastor, or laity spark plug in the church encouraged the support at some point. The
response was relational, and perhaps not so strategic in terms of
congregational mission. When most congregations write all of these “missions”
down to show me the giving and participation it typically looks like a river
that is a mile wide and an inch deep, except there is little to nothing to show
any interconnectedness or strategic decisions making in the scheme. Further, it
can be challenging for many in a congregation to show ANY relationship of the
mission “plan” to the whole life of the church. Or for anyone in the group to
share theologically the importance or prioritization of these activities for
the whole congregation as they express what it means to be the Body of Christ. Some churches even confess that as long as
those “lone rangers” in mission don’t cause any trouble it’s best to leave well
enough alone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s fine, I guess, if a church has too many people and
too much money! But for most congregations that’s not the case anymore. So, it’s
more important than ever for congregations to have a laser focus in mission and
ministry, to have great alignment of all the ministries pulling in the same direction,
and for the church to let go of the past and live into the future that God is
creating. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Better budgeting for mission would likely be built on:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
</div>
<ul>
<li>A strategic plan for the whole congregation engaged
as the Body of Christ which aligns mission with worship, discipleship, prayer,
evangelism, and the totality of church life.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
</div>
<ul>
<li>A prioritization of the mission of God with
strong local foundation and solidly rooted in the church in community, i.e. not
just giving church funds and people as volunteers to a non-profit.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
</div>
<ul>
<li>A focused plan that engages every age and stage
of the congregation in mission throughout the year through education, prayer,
and participation and have sufficient funding for such a holistic approach.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
</div>
<ul>
<li>A strong present and future orientation,
which is built on the past but not trapped by it, which helps the congregation
respond in active participation to the love of God and love of neighbor (as
ourselves). This will have a practical, healthy evangelism and outreach component.
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Renewal of the church as a mission outpost
with mission of God as a way to help the church be the church “in” and “of” the
community. Escape the cloistered building, create the living church in the
community, follow Jesus out in the streets, and help the congregation to be a
movement that serves the community. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
In my mind such a budget might wisely focus on a few primary
areas. Put most of the budget and calendaring emphasis on local community
mission. Don’t only define local mission as giving funds and volunteers to outside
organizations! Focus on the congregation being primary in God’s mission in the
community. This is “home base” and where your congregation has the most access
of time and interest. If you fail to develop this, or relegate it to specialized
non-profits, you’ll undermine the appropriate, primary church mission field in
your own community. This isn’t to say you can stop at only doing local mission,
as we are challenged to practice mission and ministry from our local streets to
the ends of the earth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Locally I’d put emphasis on the following: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Partner in BIG ways with the <b>nearest public elementary school.</b> If you have capacity add the
middle school and high school. Or partner with the community recreation
department. This looks different in various locations, but most schools look
for volunteers, for tutors, and for PTA & funding. Get to know the school,
support the community efforts, and make the church available in consistent, and
ongoing ways. If your congregation doesn’t look like these places the best
conversation in church can be “why not” and “what must we do to change that” to
become a community church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be a <b>disaster ready</b>
congregation. Be trained, be prepared, and both partner well, but also serve
those partners and your community well. This would engage a variety of skill
sets ranging from sheltering/ feeding, counselors and ministers, to organizational
and communication workers, to construction, chainsaw, and medical workers, to
lots of helpers of all sorts depending on the type of crisis. This also
prepares a congregation and makes you most helpful in a time of community need.
Partnering well with the local Red Cross and EMA means they bring local assets, resources, and expertise to you, as well as connecting your congregation into the larger framework of disaster response across the state and region. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Community Partnering</b>-
by this I mean for the congregation to be alive and active in the community. If
you congregation isn’t the community center, are you either highly involved or
a leader in community happenings? This doesn’t need to be something that
detracts from being the church, and instead is the church alive in the
community, building relationships, and breaking down barriers in order to be
effective in ministry. In addition to enjoying what you can learn from the
community as you sink deep roots in your local context, consider what the
church should offer the community. What do you need to build into the budget as
you live out a mission strategy of loving the community as much as you love
your church? Be at the primary parade and festival, or help create a
celebration. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In similar ways, a congregation can then create an expanded, holistic strategy
for state, region, national, and international mission which builds on and
interacts with local mission. Think of a flow in between those different arenas
for mission so that they all enhance and feed the other geographies. For instance,
if we have community neighbors from Mexico, I’d think in the direction of a
range of ministries to know and engage those local neighbors, and additional
experiences in the different geographies so that we are practicing the love of
God, and love of neighbor (as we love ourselves!) both “here” and “there.” This
is a much more dynamic, transformational, productive model of mission than most
churches experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s often been said that our calendar and our check book
reflect our priorities. Churches would be wise to embrace a new day of ministry
which defines local mission in more dynamic ways. That will include reorienting
our church budgets to focus greater percentages on outreach, relationship
building, and community engagement, and doing well at this locally is an imperative. Change your budget to change your world! <o:p></o:p></div>
revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-79384862385890207132017-08-21T06:48:00.000-04:002017-08-21T06:48:34.187-04:00EclipseEclipse<br />
<br />
<br />
Stop<br />
<br />
and wonder...<br />
<br />
at large movements<br />
beyond your knowing,<br />
<br />
at unusual spectacles<br />
that demand attention,<br />
<br />
at your smallness<br />
<br />
and the passing of time<br />
<br />
and measurements greater than years.<br />
<br />
Find your place in the mysteries.<br />
<br />
<br />
August, 21, 2017<br />
Scott Parrishrevscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-46998238125770474282017-06-19T10:04:00.002-04:002017-06-19T10:04:49.290-04:00Clergy Planning for the Next Year: Lectionary and Missio Dei<div class="MsoNormal">
There are great possibilities using the lectionary readings,
or any plan of biblical readings for sermons and worship, to emphasize the
mission of God. Note that missio Dei is more than mission projects and certain practices
or people of a congregation. This is a focus on the whole church in God’s
mission following the ways of Jesus and depending upon the Holy Spirit. Missio
Dei as a driving hermeneutical lens helps a preacher get beyond only offering
individualistic spiritual advice and in many ways further helps a congregation
reclaim its role as part of the mission movement IN the community. Here are some ideas on flow, concepts, and
momentum building which you might then easily adapt with title and content that
matches your context.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The September 10- October 1 readings in 2017 offer a nice
movement toward World Communion Sunday. What better day to remember this global
movement of God in Church and community? Think of this as a “Community
Building” series. This also offers a great way to build momentum toward church,
challenge the church to stretch more and be even more invitational and
hospitable in community, and align all the ministries of the church (prayer,
discipleship, all age level ministries, etc.) toward a theme and BIG
Sunday. You come u with your own themes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 10- Matthew 18:15-20 “Time to be Free” might focus
on our being free from sin and how we might use that to listen to each other,
agreeing together, and that heavenly power possible as we team well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 17- Matthew 18:21-35 “Time to Forgive” offers many options
relevant to our day which one might narrow down for a specific community
context or best next steps of a congregation in community. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 24 Matthew 20:1-16 “Time to Work” delves into the
Kingdom of God and the laborers, the generosity of God, and offers plenty of
room to prayerfully discover what this might look like in the community as God
continues to work with all sorts of people. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 1 Philippians 2:1-4 “Time to Celebrate!” Create a
party atmosphere, a fiesta, a celebration that is easy to invite the community
to which models serving others. In this day of incredible technology some
churches incorporate an international mission partner church into worship and
enjoy a simultaneous interactive worship experience. There are many ways that
worship and discipleship on that day might reflect the dynamic global church and
the salvation of God that is alive in so many countries and cultures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later in the fall you might find that even the momentum
culminating in a stewardship Sunday can revolve around the larger community
rather than only the congregational needs. This emphasis lends itself to a
focus on love of God and love of neighbor (as we love ourselves) thus calling
on the full range of stewardship in study, praying, giving, and going. Check
out the lectionary starting October 8 through October 29 and see if the Epistle
readings lend themselves to Gospel Power, Gospel Living, Gospel Rescue, and
Gospel Witness. Or a congregation will find similarly powerful stories in the
Old Testament with faithful hearing, faithful memory, faithful action, and
faithful legacy. The Kingdom of God stories in Matthew offer similar movement
that calls for participation and action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or consider the block of time from January 7- February 11.
The start to the year offers a solid time to focus on new beginnings,
epiphanies, covenant renewal, and gain some momentum as individuals and group
launching into new beginnings. Why not have a special Sunday, maybe even
something from the “cultural” lectionary like Super Bowl Sunday, to be a big,
fun, invitational, party for the community? This could be like a “Friends
Sunday” and “Rivalry Sunday” (built in competition!) all rolled into one with
the ready made Super Bowl Sunday. Dress casually, have food and fun, and create
a dynamic environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your big event might be a Mission Celebration culminating
on either February 4 or 11. This would have a strong, strategic focus in
community mission that would require more than just your congregation and be
easy to invite others to because of the inspiring worship, dynamic teaching,
and incredible potential as a larger team gathers together for a God sized
calling. So, the “Stairway to heaven” would intentionally be BOTH an individual
faith exercise AND a congregational and community movement that better reflects
the Kingdom of God being established in your community. This would require much
planning, could be advertised in early Advent and especially at Christmas, and
would certainly be publicized even more aggressively in both church and
community throughout January. Plus all the prayer, education, age and stage
level ministries, and whole life of the church would point toward this
throughout January. Get the picture of
the potential of such a big event? Throw in some element of Valentines if that
helps you. February 11 is Scouting Sunday in many congregations and your local
scouts to easily be part of this. The more the merrier! But don’t lose your
focus in worship, nor your hospitality and engagement of everyone as the church
reflects who you are and who God’s family is called to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In March 2017 I heard that block of lectionary Scriptures
from early January to early February read aloud (check out Kindling the Fire
and imagine a bunch of creative clergy hearing the texts and dreaming/ planning
for their context. See http://www.ngumc.org/eventdetail/945463 ) I was drawn to the opposite imagery of the
January 28 epistle reading from I Corinthians 8 about the stumbling block and
wondered about a “Stairway to Heaven” worship series to start the year. You can
easily create your own movement toward a big Sunday that engages and mobilizes
your group to invite many others to the fun. For our “Stairway to Heaven” I
thought about:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January 7- Genesis 1:1-5 with focus on “Our Creating God”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January 14- I Samuel 3:1-10 “Our Calling God”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January 21- Jonah 3:1-5,10 & Mark 1: 14-20 “Our Sending
God”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January 28- Mark 1:21-28 marks a subtle shift with focus on
Jesus as Lord with “God of Power”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 4- Mark 1:29-39 “God of GO!” or “God of the City”
(or Neighborhood or term that fits your context)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 11- 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6 “God of Good News!”
Mission Celebration<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Missio Dei is a strong lens with which to develop sermons
and worship, and can help with the development of congregational momentum and a
call to action. As you reorient your congregation around missio Dei, and every member as a "sent" missionary, you will get beyond "business as usual" in your congregation and create a dynamic new chapter of mission and ministry. Give it a try, experiment in your context, and share your ideas and what you've learned with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-40464991455332670362016-12-05T09:06:00.000-05:002016-12-06T10:02:52.287-05:00Mission RebootEvery now and then it seems I need to reboot, to start over, with my electronics. A return to a strong default setting is necessary and helpful with computers. If your computer is too slow, using too much memory, or has some conflicts, the reboot might just solve your issue. The reboot often fixes problems, gets the system back into alignment and communication, and allows for more effective power use. In fact, a lot of operating system and software problems actually require the restart.<br />
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So much of this make me wonder how a congregation might reboot (how ironic we apply Advent and Lent to the individual yet seldom bother the congregation with what God is doing or requiring of us). In particular, with most churches in mission, the program is a clutter of small system process (maybe too personality driven), historic activities, and seems to use a lot of energy and often it's not clear WHY the church is into particular mission promoting, giving, or serving. The activity seems rooted in some sort of church history or relationship, but may offer little rootedness or depth by way of theology, Methodist Christian witness, all church interest, or interconnection with the whole of church life or missional expression.<br />
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I've been pondering the dream mission plan if a church can start from scratch, or reboot their mission system, and have shared elements of this with a couple of clergy friends. The attempt is to have a strong foundation in missio Dei, great best practices which focus on love God and love our neighbors as we do ourselves, and the strong indigenous, contextual, sustainable hallmarks of a movement (rather than a program or project). Of course, some of this reset also has powerful implications for worship, discipleship, prayer, and all the ministries of individual and church as it draws us beyond ourselves, our expectations, and our traditions and renews the focus of both Church and Christian upon the Kingdom of God. If you are running an existing program you would do well to check out the following and consider how the church might advance in the missio Dei.<br />
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Now, it is important to say that this doesn’t intend to
dismiss the "last chapter of mission" for the congregation, but it is an attempt
to strategically focus the entire congregation on a bold next step of faith as we follow in the ways of Christ.
Thus, by its very intention, it would be a major all-church effort at every level
which would take time to unveil in both big and small ways for the church. This
is why many churches may choose a word other than “mission” to define this
next stage of congregational life, e.g. outreach, community building, compassion,
etc. Or be ready to continually define, and redefine, this new lifestyle and practice of following the ways of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This holistic reboot of mission would make sure it isn't projects for a small percentage of the church, but a way of life for individuals, families, and the corporate congregation. This is the church being the Body of Christ and expressing the Kingdom of God, and intentionally getting out of the building and typically closed system processes and taking the church into the street and neighborhood. So, we'd look to have local mission as the foundation, and then weave in state, regional, national, and international elements of practicing what it means for the congregation to love our neighbors as we do ourselves. We would build in some variety so that every age and stage in the church can learn, pray, give, and serve in these missional partnerships. We'd also make sure that all of these are very closely aligned to our United Methodist sensibilities and would have preference for partnering with Methodist Christian mission. While this wouldn't preclude other partnerships it would recognize that many organizations and missionaries would not have a shared theology or polity which would offer the most "take home" value for our congregation and our individual lives of faith.<br />
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You would need to do your own "community discovery" in your area, but here are a few key areas that would help many congregations awaken to their community and be of more use while also developing significant, transformational relationships. Do note that this is a two way transformation as the church needs the community and the community needs the church!</div>
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If I were designing local mission from scratch I'd emphasize 1-2 of these in EVERY congregation and perhaps all of them (& more along the same lines) in a medium to large membership church: </div>
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<li>Partnering deeply with the local public school/s nearest the church</li>
<li>Some element of local interest in Creation Care ministry</li>
<li>Being a Disaster Ready congregation ready at any moment to serve the community</li>
<li>A strong focus on Alcohol and Substance Abuse prevention & corollary ministries</li>
<li>Focus on consistently and intentionally building cross cultural relationships and competencies</li>
<li>Establishing a "Ministry With" approach with neighbors in poverty</li>
</ul>
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Note there would be all sorts of "spin off" possibilities in mission based upon these relational, and ever growing relationships. Further, there can be a variety of opportunities ranging from simple to complex, from one time assistance to ongoing involvement. Of course, we'd also be advancing elements of "best practices" in mission. Do note we might partner well with organizations and groups in the community, but this is an expression of a church alive to the community, so we wouldn't rely on groups to do what the church needs to do and be in the life of the community. In the past, far too often, UMC churches have defined "missions" as giving money, doing projects, and tended toward some specialized skills, funds, time, or availability so that mission is done by a few who choose it. We want to avoid this and build deep relationships as we all follow the ways of Jesus, and give folk many opportunities to love God and love our neighbors as we do ourselves. </div>
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In addition, in your town or a nearby city it would be helpful to establish a long term, sister church relationship with a congregation and community that is very different than your home area. This wouldn't be a hostile nor informal takeover! Instead, it would be a way to know and partner with a sister UMC in a collegial mutual partnership (50/50). This could effectively build upon developing cross cultural relationships and competencies, and may relate to other priorities a church explores locally or build around the gifts and calling of a congregation.<br />
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Note that all of the possible bullet items above and sister church partnership can then be built upon with missional partnerships in other geographic locations. So, your mission teams and disaster response teams are built at the local level where everyone is involved, and then district, state, regional, national, and international options may be added. This sort of connectivity between local, national, and international is seldom seen in the random patchwork quilt of congregational mission. It is essential for every church to have that complexity of opportunities as it is part of the biblical movement of missio Dei and the "sending" God.<br />
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Rebooting our mission system for a congregation allows us to better be in the missio Dei today and tomorrow rather than merely replicating old projects and a history of disconnected mission. A Mission Reboot can be an exciting advance toward what God wants and your community and world needs of your church!<br />
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revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-84983825378001818512016-12-02T09:08:00.000-05:002016-12-02T09:08:00.031-05:00Time Flies! YIKES!<br />
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So, how was your fall?!<br />
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I continue working for the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church with Connectional Ministries AND with our UMC Global Ministries with the Center for Mission Innovation. Think of me as a field agent with focus on the very best of mission. When I'm home I'm now on a 13 acre farm and there are usually plenty of little jobs to catch up on there when I do have some extra time. So, high demand job with lots of travel and meetings means things like a personal blog seem much neglected.<br />
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I've got some thoughts percolating today based on some of my fall work that I might publish later today. You know, if I can get enough coffee and not get distracted with the day job or farm work. revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-32706026335129252382016-07-01T12:30:00.000-04:002016-07-01T12:30:25.623-04:00Against Congregation As Echo Chamber<a href="https://medium.com/@SeanBlanda/the-other-side-is-not-dumb-2670c1294063#.vdiyy6x94">This</a> article recently made the social media rounds. The writer reinforces not demonizing folk, listening to people, and that the "other side" isn't stupid, but has experience and reason for their position. The "Controversial Opinion" game is especially useful to explore only asking questions as a way of dialogue on "hot topic" issues.<br />
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Earlier in my career, and occasionally today, I experience churches with a variety of people in the congregation who wouldn't be lockstep in their thoughts, but highly relational and effective in both church and community due to their ability to work together.<br />
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Today it seems more and more of our congregations reflect rather narrow perspectives with some sensibility that "we are all alike." Church often looks like our political affiliations, our social organizations, and our network of friends. Dig into the above article and consider the role false-consensus bias plays in your congregation and your communication of the gospel. This can also play to a "Holy War" mentality when combined with the way a group interprets faith and "the other." In our day when folk self select their media/ news, with tendencies to only partake in communicators who already state what the listener believes, it is important for churches to be aware of the dynamics as well as the challenges and possibilities. Yet, our community and world is rather diverse (and maybe even our faith or <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/02/23/u-s-religious-groups-and-their-political-leanings/">denomination</a> if we get beyond our particular congregation).<br />
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What is the opposite of an echo chamber?<br />
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An <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_chamber_(media)">echo chamber</a> is a description of a closed system with limited views and voices which reinforce each other. There is little to no room for true dialogue, for variety of opinion, or for the tension of unresolved issues or what might be in a state of becoming.<br />
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If your church, or group, is an echo chamber you probably need to figure out how to get beyond that.<br />
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In my experience, church - think holistically of the living, dynamic Body of Christ in worship, discipleship, prayer, action, etc.- ought to be an ongoing relationship and dialogue with God, with one another, and with our neighbors. I'm not sure what the antonym of "echo chamber" might be, but I think of this with imagery like visiting with someone in great conversation on a front porch or in a coffee shop. It's more like the free flow of activity and conversation on a playground, at a festival, or in a concert. It gathers folk of the variety of political parties, the variety of experiences and expectations, the diversity of the community. It would look more like that odd bunch that Jesus gathered together long ago. Such a church would be a practical glimpse and everyday reminder of what heaven looks like.<br />
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In many respects a stronger theological and practical expression of church also seeks a congregation that is an oddball collection of sinners and saints. And the truth is this is both a corporate and individual reality! None of us have it all figured out, none of us have attained perfection, and none of us should be confused for God, Jesus, or Holy Spirit. Instead, we continue to practice loving God and loving our neighbors as we do ourselves, yet we are prone to sin, failure, idolatry, and seeking our own kingdom rather than the Kingdom of God. Imagine Jesus and his early entourage; the variety of people and personalities and expectations are a key part of the story which we too often overlook. We are much stronger together, and better able to be the Church God desires, if we allow this sort of tension to remain yet with a discontent that doesn't demonize the "other" and instead pushes us to continue following Jesus in the larger community. This variety of people following Jesus better allows us to communicate with and reach more of our neighbors.<br />
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The greater adventure is outside the walls of the echo chamber and in the streets of community where we follow the way that Jesus has shown us into abundant life!revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-34999575165266048162016-07-01T09:38:00.000-04:002016-07-01T09:38:22.864-04:00Worship & Community VoiceIn the last couple of years I have found myself in MANY different church and conference worship services. In recent months I have again been reminded of the power of having many people and voices as worship leaders. Often I may have a Sunday morning where I go from a suburban to an urban setting and I'm becoming more aware of some dynamics at play.<br />
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Sometimes I'm in church worship and it is dominated by one voice, one presence, one personality. I'm not sure if we fell into this with emphasis on preachers, or revivalists, or paid staff, but the "one talker" phenomena is a tough gig. It takes a lot of energy, presence, and work for one primary player to fill the role. It may be strong in some respects- continuity, expectations, control, etc. But it also has a down side in connecting to many people and personalities in a community. If the community is all the same this might work though eventually boredom is liable to set in. Even professionals with monologues tend to have a stable of writers, and take a lot of time (and time off) to keep up the creativity and sharpness of their work.<br />
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The solo voice also lends itself to worship being primarily a spectator sport. It's like attending a performance where the music is presented and then an actor shares a monologue.<br />
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Of course, theologically, there are serious deficits to this as well. How does one person, from their experience, intellect, and voice, adequately share a message from God in worship Sunday after Sunday? More voices, developed and working together, may better represent both God and community and therefore enhance our church communication. Practically, one voice seldom represents and communicates well with a community and all the sub-cultures and people groups that call the place home.<br />
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My experience in worship has been wonderfully stretched by my involvement with the larger Church. I deeply appreciate the variety of languages, musical styles, and voices which can enliven worship and our experience of God. Often you may only see this on a mission Sunday or at a large worship gathering that is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic. Again, this reminds us of the deficiencies of some of our practices which too quickly narrow the possible audience of the entire community to only one group or sub-culture of the community. <br />
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I recently attended a suburban church that had a somewhat typical format where a liturgist also served as the music director, and the preacher had most of the speaking parts in worship. There were a few hundred people present and a certain "sameness" to everyone in attendance. There was a time of prayer where folk from the crowd could share a joy or concern, but often in the sanctuary the sharing couldn't be heard. So, even this, proved not to be intimate and community building, and instead seems to reinforce the suburban isolation and separation. Of course, there was a choir, and the congregation shared music. It was all very routine, easily anticipated, and carefully scripted and managed. In this more formal setting a video of recent church ministry seemed to be the primary way to get more voices into worship. Such worship seems more like a production, more like a monologue, and is interesting yet predictable as a spectator sport.<br />
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I also recently attended worship in an urban church. Think tough, declining neighborhood and a church which has grown in recent years to match the folk from the immediate community. The church was formerly all white and is now about 50/50 black and white. In contrast to the highly scripted suburban church this was a little more like a "pick up" game of basketball. Now, don't get me wrong, some of the key players knew their role and had rehearsed for music, solo, readings, and sermon. But you could tell everyone had a voice here and so the banter, the invitation to talk, was modeled by many. This gathering of 60 people had most actively participating in some way. When there is a call to prayer the various individuals who spoke could be heard and got into details- e.g. challenges of a job, friend in prison, family with cancer, the state of the neighborhood, a recent ministry of the church, etc. In this less formal, highly relational setting there were a variety of voices which lent to a strong sense of worship flow and balance. While the preacher did have 20-25 minutes of the hour there was something about the authenticity and revealing of it all that was more like a dialogue which called for participation.<br />
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As I continue to hear what this is teaching me I'm drawn to concepts of worship better reflecting the community. Any church interested in greater effectiveness in reaching the community, especially multi-cultural or multi-ethnic individuals or families, would do well to always have a variety of people consistently active in worship and church leadership. This may run counter to some church cultures (e.g. "What are we paying the preacher for?"), or some clergy personalities (it takes more time and energy to engage more people in worship as opposed to it being a "one man show"), but there is a great power in this in terms of better reflecting the community and reaching more people.<br />
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A church culture which leans toward authentic following of Christ in the neighborhood, and reflecting God through the variety of people found in those streets, will greatly benefit from engaging everyone in the sanctuary in some element of active worship leadership. Giving the community voice in the sanctuary and church life will help people of the community to find God through the ministries of the congregation.revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-73576463142881607562016-06-21T07:00:00.000-04:002016-06-21T07:00:01.796-04:00Church Mission PortfolioThink of a "mission portfolio" as a range of partnerships which will advance your congregation in your current adventure of loving God and loving your neighbors as you do yourself. Of course, "the neighbors" are as Jesus would define them, so that's a range of folk like you and very unlike you, near and far, family/ friend and enemy, and to the extremes of your experience and imagination. Such a portfolio will represent well what the congregation is becoming, and the relationships and activities will have strong "take home" value as the church explores God's Kingdom and follows Christ in transformational ways.<br />
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As you think of your congregation you will definitely want a scope from entry level to advanced mission partnerships, engaging all age and stage levels, and intriguing to a variety of interests, hobbies, and skill sets. Yet, having said this, you want the right number that doesn't inundate your congregation with a lot of a little, nor do you want to hit a scale that is an easy challenge. Instead, this should be partnerships keyed to the current priorities of the congregation. You neither want to establish a "mission silo" of interest and engagement to a small percentage of the congregation, nor do you want a mission program so mired in the past that there is no future orientation. A strong mission portfolio will:<br />
<ul>
<li>appeal to the whole life of the congregation, </li>
<li>lend itself well to worship, discipleship, prayer, and the identity and practices of the church throughout the year, </li>
<li>welcome assessment and evaluation in light of both missional best practices and where the congregation is headed in the future, </li>
<li>weave together local, national, and international in ways which enhances each area,</li>
<li>is a way the whole congregation can experience and express the Body of Christ,</li>
<li>while continuing to respond to the call to love God and love our neighbor as we do ourselves.</li>
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Many congregations need to get beyond practices of mission which are too much like projects and too little like missio Dei. Too often congregational mission only appeals to a small number of church folk who have certain time, skills, and funding. Frequently mission is not a movement of the whole congregation, but the playground of a few who champion certain causes. Far too often, this has become the realm of non-profits and not of the church. </div>
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Attention to this in a holistic way can create paths of mission for every age and stage in a church. A strong mission portfolio allows for education, action, and reflection. Developing a plan for a year helps to create balance and builds in assessment. This approach enhances strong theological grounding and church foundation so that the mission plan doesn't get lost in activity and repetition. </div>
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Helpful background resources for a mission portfolio may include:</div>
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<li><a href="http://www.umcmission.org/Learn-About-Us/About-Global-Ministries/Theology-of-Mission">theology</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cokesbury.com/product/9781426736414/guidelines-for-leading-your-congregation-20132016-mission/">guidelines</a></li>
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In addition, your church and conference will likely have focal points which will guide the portfolio. Here is a <a href="http://www.ngumc.org/churchofexcellenceinoutreach">sample which can be adapted to your context</a>. You also have resource people (like me in North GA and for Global Ministries) as you help your church become more strategic by using a portfolio approach to congregational mission. </div>
revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-12270766962422563882016-06-20T11:14:00.000-04:002016-06-20T11:14:34.615-04:00Congregational CapacityMost congregations talk like they desire to add new and different people into the life of the church, but the reality is that most aren't equipped. Consider the news shared at the recent UMC General Conference that 70% of our churches didn't have a baptism last year. This is a shocking statistic, but one which can be turned around.<br />
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I've learned that many congregations tell the Story, yet seem to get stuck in patterns of their congregational history, replication of worship and program, and a rather serious disconnection from their community. Despite repeating the ancient words of faith, I often wonder if many congregations are serious about reaching their community or prefer to merely repeat what they have known with who they know. It's as if many churches have one or more major issues which render them incapable of accomplishing what they say. They lack the capacity to do, or to be, that of which they speak.<br />
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In my experience there are a number of factors which interact with one another to determine the capacity a congregation has to reach or impact their community. These are interrelated and in no particular order.<br />
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<b>Theological Capacity</b>: Most congregations have some sort of theological, biblical, and practical ecclesial focus. Now, truth be told, this is usually so intertwined with a cultural or social belief and value system that it may be almost impossible to disentangle it all. It may be lost, or somehow forgotten, buried deep within the fabric of the congregation. What are the expectations of your community of faith regarding the primary purposes of the church? Push deeper than the practices as you consider, and discuss this, otherwise you'll merely list worship, prayer, discipleship, outreach, etc. As you push deeper into the shared theology you may find a unified, deep theology. Or, perhaps you find a shallow and varied understanding which reveals fault lines and hints at possible fragmentation.<br />
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<b>Leadership Capacity: </b>Many congregations have limited themselves to be the size they are. This may be due to the community context, the style leadership, the congregational expectations, the theology, or some mix of the above. This isn't to say small church is bad and large church is good. In fact, I often find a powerful shared community and depth of discipleship in some small and medium membership churches. In terms of reaching your community, the key issue is if leadership of any size congregation has this as a key value and driver of the system. If it isn't as important to be in the community, developing relationships, and sharing faith, as it is to be "in" the church building, then you are likely developing leaders for the "last chapter" of church life and not for today and tomorrow.<br />
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<b>Organizational Capacity: </b>Too often it seems our churches begin to think that offering a presentation is our main objective. Many churches don't seem to want new and different people. Old classes and groups, concretized relationships, and set patterns become the norm. The ability to invite, engage, and retain numbers of new and different people may be a lost practice to such a church. How well do we create new, diverse leadership? Do we promote and free new leaders for service? Do we challenge existing groups to multiply or do we promote stability? Does our current organizational structure match well with our present community?<br />
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<b>Communication Capacity:</b> Many congregations have no idea what "tribe" they represent in the community, what people group/s the congregation effectively reaches, and which group/s the church has natural affinity with. Too often, in the past, this has been solely defined by socio-economic and racial criteria. This is worth honest, realistic examination as you consider who God is calling your church to know in your community. It may be likely that you need a local, a translator, and a missionary who is as comfortable in the community, where they are authentic in life and faith, as they are in the congregational setting. What music and language works in community life?<br />
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<b>Integration Capacity: </b>What room do you have in your individual life, and in the life of the congregation, for new and different people? Many groups within a congregation, and perhaps the congregation itself, is capped in its relationships. Their are skills and practices related to engaging and involving new and different people into an organization. Who is in charge of this at your church? Is it a movement, a culture within the church, or is it merely the work of one or two staff people? A church that is more of an open system with the community calls upon many to be guides, mentors, and helpers to "outsiders" becoming "insiders" and fully involved with the church. <br />
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<b>Change Capacity: </b>Congregational life today should look somewhat different than it did 20-30 years ago (if your community and culture has changed during that time). Is your organization capable of change? How quickly can you make adjustments? How many adjustments can you make in a year? Many congregations have placed such a high priority on repeating history and not rocking the boat that they have little interest or capacity in change. What year is it in your church? If all the momentum revolves around keeping the current "customers" happy you will never develop new constituents, customers, friends, members. You are well on your way to no baptisms, more funerals, and soon enough the death of the congregation. Talk about a change!<br />
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Consider your congregational capacity to reach or impact your community. Hopefully you can identify a few adventurous types who likely already know the community well and can assist you in opening the doors of your church to the community. Who in your church or community can help you increase your capacity to be an open congregation to your neighbors?<br />
<br />revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-89270607502388793552016-05-24T07:24:00.000-04:002016-05-24T07:24:11.189-04:00Church as Mission CenterI've recently had a number of clergy friends talking about what a congregation as a mission center looks like. Now, these are well read and well traveled Methodist Christian pastors, so I know full well they have pretty solid ideas of what such a creation looks like. But, it's an intriguing issue as many of us know what such a church <i>should</i> look like, yet it is a challenging church to implement. So, take this as a working draft and discussion starter which may be useful in your setting.<br />
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First, it mission must be defined. I find that everyone has a certain picture, certain concepts about mission. At this point a thorough study/ discussion regarding mission from scriptural, theological/ doctrinal, and historical perspectives may be helpful. Most will be prone to skip this crucial step as it may be seen as too pedantic. At a basic level, if we focus on the missio Dei we will help our cause of establishing the congregation as a mission center. The great challenge may be that we all bring our particular soap box and perspective to the table and don't focus on our call, as a group, to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves in the ways we must to become a mission center. It is most likely that we will repeat the great mistakes of the past if we skip this step.<br />
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The second issue is to do an honest assessment of our congregation and community. At this point it is useful if most US churches recognize we have leaned heavily upon models of attractional worship and program ministry as driving forces for the way we have done church over the last generation or two. The value of this will be to again focus us and reorient toward the individual and congregation in missio Dei. Our priorities have tended toward attracting people like us, keeping those folk happy and in the club, maintaining the property and finances of the club, and a certain style of worship and program that fuels everything mentioned above. Most churches do mission as project and as one programmatic option of church ministry. It could be possible to create a church as a mission center as one disconnected element of congregational ministry, but this will result in practical challenges which will only engage part of the church and likely create divisive tension. Creating a congregation as a mission center will be tougher work though it may have more transformational results for everyone touched by such a ministry.<br />
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The last issue I'd mention in this quick overview is that your congregational context and call should define who you are as a mission center. You can't possibly be everything to everybody. You don't have enough funding, skills, energy, or time to be that. Nor do you want to manage hundreds of non-profits. You are called to be the Body of Christ. What does that look like, sound like, and appear as a group process in your setting. This contextualization means that while there are certain consistent principles that mission centers will look different depending upon the setting. So, no easy cookie cutter answer to this.<br />
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I see church as mission center in many international settings. Here in the US there are a few mission centers separate from the way we do congregational life that are worthy examples for congregations. So far, my experience has been that small and medium membership churches are the ones most likely to become mission centers. It may be that they have run a certain course in their life cycle, or that is driven by the neighborhood situation, and they can't be an attractional or programmatic church. The congregation that dies to itself and gives itself away completely is one way of defining a mission center. Realizing a church is dying, or called to die, is still not an easy thing to accept and embrace.<br />
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I'd lift up Haywood Street Church and St. Luke as two different examples of mission center churches. I could mention a handful of others that are early in the process though it is uncertain if they will live or die at this point. A key element in the above churches is that they have partners and partner well. This can be a great challenge as the "other" can have some struggles to know and accept the context of the mission center church. That's an issue for another day.<br />
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A resource that may help your congregational leadership in this is a study of missiological principles as a guided study of your context. Check out <a href="http://www.ngumc.org/lazaruschurch">Lazarus Church </a> and see if there might be a piece or two that lends itself to your context, to study or sermon, or in some way engages your church in the higher call of being a missio Dei center.revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-77190109374542442062016-04-29T10:30:00.000-04:002016-04-29T10:30:05.346-04:00#GC2016 and Lazarus ChurchWell, I'd intended to write something about <a href="http://www.umc.org/topics/general-conference-2016">#GC2016</a>, but the every day work of mission and ministry has kept me preoccupied. As usual, there seems to be plenty of angst, and energy, and emotion around #umcgc. I suspect enough has already been spoken and written about this impending international UMC gathering. Let's get on with it, let the legislative branch do their thing, and we can keep at the everyday work in the field, and in our churches and communities. This is the tougher issue and the thing we can make a difference in! To me, that's where the challenge and fun is anyway as we seek to follow Christ and be the Church in our specific contexts.<br />
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I've got 18 months behind me now in my rather unique position of serving as a "field agent" for mission in North Georgia conference Connectional Ministries and as a consultant with UMC Global Ministries. Imagine church or conference coming to life through <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKqDzQo1es">mission celebrations</a> and a process of focus and broad engagement in great next steps in mission strategy. Over this short time I've been in hundreds of churches, in a half dozen countries, and learned much serving in a role of resourcer, trainer, networker, coach, and catalyst.<br />
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My experience in international mission has taught me so much about what is lacking in our US churches. In the last 25 years we have tended toward attractional worship, programmatic ministries, and keeping our church members happy as we meet their specific needs. Often we are owned by middle class or upper class cultural practices. I feel this contrast as much as anyone as my career spans the same time-frame and my work in church has often been as program director. Yet much of the international church has limited funding and resources, and must rely on working hard to engage their community, expressing incarnational ministry individually and corporately, and a high level of strategy at church and conference level.<br />
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In a couple of key conversations last fall I was debriefing some, and swapping ideas, with my North Georgia colleagues. One mentor on the connectional ministries team challenged me to write up what I was finding so more churches might be engaged in the conversation and adventure. Another challenged me to create some curriculum that could be useful to as many churches as possible. How do you adequately combine reflections from hundreds of conversations and contexts? These are solid challenges for a mission sensibility about contextual ministry!<br />
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The recurring conversation for me has been how many of our churches are caught in a loop of doing projects and finding it tough to get into the most challenging issues of their community. We can tend to prefer projects over transformation. In fact, many of the churches are rather disconnected from the larger community, like a small, closed system group which wants to have some flow between church and community, but manages to only talk and not act or follow Christ into the larger world. This lends itself well to our ongoing need for congregations to practice being the Body of Christ, and for both individuals and the church to have more focus on the adventure of loving God and loving our neighbors as we do ourselves. Oh, and this is neighbor as Jesus would define and not as we would.<br />
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Would you and your church, your mission committee, or your Bible study or discussion group dare to die to yourselves and follow Christ in the missio Dei? This is more than business as usual and calls us to study, prayer, and honest reflection of our church and community. Check this out as a resource that may be useful to sharing some missiological principles, engaging folk in church conversation, and rediscovering Christ who desires you follow his ways in your community.<br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.ngumc.org/lazaruschurch">Lazarus Church</a>, modify it to your context, and let me know how your adventure goes. Even better, let's join together in this shared adventure as we learn from one another and encourage resurrection.<br />
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<br />revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222370324753701473.post-41453041706945788832016-04-11T17:39:00.001-04:002016-04-11T17:39:23.010-04:00Mission: From Lent to Easter to General Conference Ugh, I can't believe a month has passed and I've again neglected my blog.<br />
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I can blame Holy Week & Easter. Plus, I live in Augusta, GA, so we have a little golf tournament once a year you may have heard about. The Masters is ALWAYS the first full week of April. So, that also brings with it spring break and a change of pace as many in town leave when the world shows up here for "a tradition unlike any other." Oh, and maybe a few days of nice weather and planting a garden distracted me.<br />
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I think I got off blog and onto all the other work around the time I helped host a mission celebration at LaGrange College. It was a phenomenal time as we enjoyed the hospitality of the historic United Methodist college, and brought in some great UMC Global Ministries staff to lead worship and discussions for the faculty, staff, and students around the topic of global engagement. See <a href="http://www.lagrange.edu/news/globally-engaged.html">here</a> or <a href="http://www.ngumc.org/newsdetail/lagrange-college-hosts-missions-celebration-with-global-ministries-4140696">here</a> for news on this exceptional mission celebration. If you have a teenager interested in a major in mission or ministry I'd recommend they check out LaGrange College. Also, I can help tailor a strategic event for your context- church, campus, district, or conference- if you want to get into some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKqDzQo1es">fun </a>together.<br />
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In upcoming days maybe I'll share some of my hopes for #umcgc. Unless I get distracted with life, ministry, and circuit riding.revscottephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696016614748397523noreply@blogger.com0