Some things change. Some things stay the same.
My early morning ritual of going to The Oasis and doing my through the Bible in 90 days continued on this the first morning of my vacation. One cup of coffee down and one to go!
I suppose that it is fitting that today's reading covered the transition from David's reign to that of Solomon. The transfer of power took place while David was still living. In a sense, a "transfer" is beginning at Evergreen today. The voice mail on my cell phone has been changed to refer callers to the church office for things pertaining to Evergreen. Today I begin to screen calls--the wife, kids and family members will have their calls answered; all other calls (with a few exceptions) will go to voice mail to be dealt with as time allows. No visits to the hospital or nursing home. Other people will cover those bases. No sermons notes to work on today. No music to get ready for Sunday. No worship bulletin to be done on Thursday. The transition is beginning.
It feels really STRANGE. Today I will mow the lawn, re-pot peppers that are in the greenhouse and work in the dahlias.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The last day of work...
Well, today is the last day before my extended vacation. Today is all about tying up loose ends.
Friday, June 19, 2009
"...everyone did as he saw fit."
Inconsistency. Faith when it is convenient. Such are the history of God's people through the time of the Judges. The people worship whatever god they desire. Inevitably, enemies make life difficult for the Israelites. The people call out to God when things get some bad that they cannot take it any more.
The book of Judges ends with this quote: "In those days Israel had no king, everyone did as he saw fit." Notice, people did not do what Yahweh (YHWH)saw fit. The people turned from YHWH. Other gods were worshipped.
As I await the beginning of my extended vacation, I continue to grieve for the Presbyterian Church (USA). The quote from Judges seems to fit the PCUSA perfectly. Admittedly, the rank and file of the denomination love God and desire to follow his commands and decrees. And yet, many in leadership forsake the commands and decrees of YHWH, following their own ideas and beliefs--doing as they see fit.
I just finished reading the beginning of 1 Samuel. Hannah had been unable to have children. She prayed to the Lord asking for a child--promising to give the child to the Lord's service. She conceives and gives birth to a son -- Samuel. Hannah remembers her promise and give Samuel to Eli--the priest. As a mother, I am sure that part of Hannah wanted to keep the child. However, she was true to her commitment and gave the child to the Lord! God blessed Hannah be allowing her to have other sons and daughters. By following the way of the Lord -- not her natural way -- she was blessed by God.
It is my prayer that during the upcoming time of rest and refreshment that YHWH will draw close to me so that I can follow his ways--forsaking my own thoughts and ideas and cling to his commands and decrees.
The book of Judges ends with this quote: "In those days Israel had no king, everyone did as he saw fit." Notice, people did not do what Yahweh (YHWH)saw fit. The people turned from YHWH. Other gods were worshipped.
As I await the beginning of my extended vacation, I continue to grieve for the Presbyterian Church (USA). The quote from Judges seems to fit the PCUSA perfectly. Admittedly, the rank and file of the denomination love God and desire to follow his commands and decrees. And yet, many in leadership forsake the commands and decrees of YHWH, following their own ideas and beliefs--doing as they see fit.
I just finished reading the beginning of 1 Samuel. Hannah had been unable to have children. She prayed to the Lord asking for a child--promising to give the child to the Lord's service. She conceives and gives birth to a son -- Samuel. Hannah remembers her promise and give Samuel to Eli--the priest. As a mother, I am sure that part of Hannah wanted to keep the child. However, she was true to her commitment and gave the child to the Lord! God blessed Hannah be allowing her to have other sons and daughters. By following the way of the Lord -- not her natural way -- she was blessed by God.
It is my prayer that during the upcoming time of rest and refreshment that YHWH will draw close to me so that I can follow his ways--forsaking my own thoughts and ideas and cling to his commands and decrees.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Bible in 90 Days
It is amazing how many people who go to church have never read the entire Bible. Since my high school years I have been in churches where most everyone would say that the Bible is God's Word. To this day I firmly believe that that the Bible IS God's Word!! Period. End of story.
For my vacation I have undertaken the 90 day journey of reading the entire Bible. I am using June 1 as my starting date (even though I didn't begin until June 3). Today's reading will take me through Joshua 15.
The early part of Joshua clearly points out how fickle people are. People would cry out to Yahweh when things were going poorly. Yahweh would us a judge to deliver his people. And, with a short time the people would return to worshiping other gods. One would think that they would have learned their lesson. Not!!
Time and time again, God warned his people about worshipping other gods.
It is amazing how similar things are today! The "gods" that are worshipped today may not be made of gold, silver or wood. We worship at the feet of pleasure, individuality and self-centeredness. Other gods are toys, cars, $$$, free time, alcohol, drugs and sex.
People call out to God when things are bad. People "make deals" with God. Some of these people may even start attending a church.
It is my prayer that my closeness to Yahweh is constant--in good times and in bad.
For my vacation I have undertaken the 90 day journey of reading the entire Bible. I am using June 1 as my starting date (even though I didn't begin until June 3). Today's reading will take me through Joshua 15.
The early part of Joshua clearly points out how fickle people are. People would cry out to Yahweh when things were going poorly. Yahweh would us a judge to deliver his people. And, with a short time the people would return to worshiping other gods. One would think that they would have learned their lesson. Not!!
Time and time again, God warned his people about worshipping other gods.
It is amazing how similar things are today! The "gods" that are worshipped today may not be made of gold, silver or wood. We worship at the feet of pleasure, individuality and self-centeredness. Other gods are toys, cars, $$$, free time, alcohol, drugs and sex.
People call out to God when things are bad. People "make deals" with God. Some of these people may even start attending a church.
It is my prayer that my closeness to Yahweh is constant--in good times and in bad.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Preparing for the extended vacation -- continued
Challenges in preparing for the vacation:
1. Worship team--I am the leader of Evergreen's worship team and guitar player. Our church does not have many folks who a gifted musicians. We have been unable to find a guitar player for the time that I am going to be gone. Our solution was to get another keyboard so that we can have two keyboards (when both can attend) and a piano. The keyboards are versatile and provide a "full" found. A member of the worship team will "lead" the group while I am out of town. Summer is always a challenging time for the worship team do to family vacations. This year the challenge will be even greater.
2. Congregational care--This is one area that we have had covered--until yesterday. Our deacons have been planning to covering this area. Yesterday, one of our deacons informed us that she wants/needs to resign. We are now in "scramble" mode trying to cover this area.
Big "THANK YOU" goes out to several individuals or groups:
1. Sumner Presbyterian Church--Steve Starr, senior pastor of Sumner Pres., is a good friend. Sumner church had Steve take a time of renewal (purposely not calling it a sabbatical) several years ago. I asked Steve if it would be alright for me to ask two of the pastors on staff if they would be interested in preaching a time or two for me. After talking with his staff, Steve offered to have people from Sumner fill the pulpit the entire time I am gone!! Thank you Steve and Sumner Presbyterian!!
2. Joy Cook--Joy is our office administrator. She will work longer hours and carry a greater load during the vacation. Thank you Joy!!!
3. Tony Cook--Tony is the clerk of Evergreen's session (for those who aren't Presbyterian, the clerk keeps our minutes and is suppose to know the rules and regulation of the denomination). Tony is leading the steering committee. Tony is a gifted leader, well organized, even keeled and a great encourager. Thank you Tony!!!
4. Evergreen's session--This group of dedicated folks will now meet twice as often as the steering committee. They are planning MANY special events for the summer months to send the message that Evergreen is moving forward, even though the pastor is on vacation. Thank you session!!
5. Evergreen's deacons--The deacons are taking on a larger role during my absence. Janet, the deacon moderator, will carry a greater burden. Thank you deacons and Janet!!
6. Evergreen--This vacation would not be possible without the love and support of the entire Evergreen family. Thank you everyone!!
1. Worship team--I am the leader of Evergreen's worship team and guitar player. Our church does not have many folks who a gifted musicians. We have been unable to find a guitar player for the time that I am going to be gone. Our solution was to get another keyboard so that we can have two keyboards (when both can attend) and a piano. The keyboards are versatile and provide a "full" found. A member of the worship team will "lead" the group while I am out of town. Summer is always a challenging time for the worship team do to family vacations. This year the challenge will be even greater.
2. Congregational care--This is one area that we have had covered--until yesterday. Our deacons have been planning to covering this area. Yesterday, one of our deacons informed us that she wants/needs to resign. We are now in "scramble" mode trying to cover this area.
Big "THANK YOU" goes out to several individuals or groups:
1. Sumner Presbyterian Church--Steve Starr, senior pastor of Sumner Pres., is a good friend. Sumner church had Steve take a time of renewal (purposely not calling it a sabbatical) several years ago. I asked Steve if it would be alright for me to ask two of the pastors on staff if they would be interested in preaching a time or two for me. After talking with his staff, Steve offered to have people from Sumner fill the pulpit the entire time I am gone!! Thank you Steve and Sumner Presbyterian!!
2. Joy Cook--Joy is our office administrator. She will work longer hours and carry a greater load during the vacation. Thank you Joy!!!
3. Tony Cook--Tony is the clerk of Evergreen's session (for those who aren't Presbyterian, the clerk keeps our minutes and is suppose to know the rules and regulation of the denomination). Tony is leading the steering committee. Tony is a gifted leader, well organized, even keeled and a great encourager. Thank you Tony!!!
4. Evergreen's session--This group of dedicated folks will now meet twice as often as the steering committee. They are planning MANY special events for the summer months to send the message that Evergreen is moving forward, even though the pastor is on vacation. Thank you session!!
5. Evergreen's deacons--The deacons are taking on a larger role during my absence. Janet, the deacon moderator, will carry a greater burden. Thank you deacons and Janet!!
6. Evergreen--This vacation would not be possible without the love and support of the entire Evergreen family. Thank you everyone!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Vacation (sort of like a mini sabbatical) drawing near!
I can hardly believe that my two month vacation begins in one week! Part of me is looking forward to this time; part of me is dreading this time.
Changes already implemented:
1. Lay worship leaders--Evergreen has a history of lay folks help to lead worship. This group has been transformed! People were selected based on ministry gifts. The group has people who love the Lord, are comfortable in from of large groups of people and have good communication skills. They are currently leading almost all of the worship service in preparation for this summer. Good job everyone!!
2. Steering committee--In the Presbyterian Church, the church is governed by elders. The elders currently serving terms meet in a group called the "session." The session cannot meet unless the moderator of the session is present (that is the pastor--me). So what happens when the pastor is gone for an extended time? In the typical "sabbatical" a temporary moderator will be appointed by the Presbytery. We are trying to have Evergreen be LESS dependent on the pastor. So, we have formed a "steering" committee of session to guide the church during the vacation. The group cannot make any decisions that would need to be made by the session. I am available if a special session meeting is needed. The steering committee is composed of all session members, two deacons, the clerk of session and the church office administrator. The session had its regular meeting in April. The steering committee met later in the month to plan for the summer. The session met in May. Part of the meeting was debriefing the steering committee meeting. The steering committee met last Sunday (June 14) and will continue meeting every two weeks during the vacation. It is working out quite well.
Enough for now--- more on this latter.
Changes already implemented:
1. Lay worship leaders--Evergreen has a history of lay folks help to lead worship. This group has been transformed! People were selected based on ministry gifts. The group has people who love the Lord, are comfortable in from of large groups of people and have good communication skills. They are currently leading almost all of the worship service in preparation for this summer. Good job everyone!!
2. Steering committee--In the Presbyterian Church, the church is governed by elders. The elders currently serving terms meet in a group called the "session." The session cannot meet unless the moderator of the session is present (that is the pastor--me). So what happens when the pastor is gone for an extended time? In the typical "sabbatical" a temporary moderator will be appointed by the Presbytery. We are trying to have Evergreen be LESS dependent on the pastor. So, we have formed a "steering" committee of session to guide the church during the vacation. The group cannot make any decisions that would need to be made by the session. I am available if a special session meeting is needed. The steering committee is composed of all session members, two deacons, the clerk of session and the church office administrator. The session had its regular meeting in April. The steering committee met later in the month to plan for the summer. The session met in May. Part of the meeting was debriefing the steering committee meeting. The steering committee met last Sunday (June 14) and will continue meeting every two weeks during the vacation. It is working out quite well.
Enough for now--- more on this latter.
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