Pastor Glen's Blog

Moving Blog

2010-07-08T10:33:00.001-07:00

I am moving my blog to WordPress, primarily because WP has a BlackBerry app through which I can post blogs. But to read previous posts, you'll need to come back here (http://cumcpastor.blogspot.com).

Opponents and Enemies

2010-07-06T13:33:00.001-07:00

Just an aside. I conceived of a new form of poetry: poetweet. It consists of exactly 140 characters (including spaces and punctuation). I even registered it with Urban Dictionary! It doesn't have to rhyme, nor is there any proscribed rhythm to it. The only structure is that it has to be exactly 140 characters. Here is my first attempt at poetweet:

Of all the sights I see, there is none so beautiful as your shadow. Knowing you're near, and the sun is shining is enough for me. Beautiful.

Go ahead, try your own! The funny thing is that it is not retweetable because you can't add any characters, so you can't attribute it correctly. And here's a further constraint: no tweetisms (like ur for you are, or b4 for before, etc. You have to spell everything out, except that normal contractions are allowed).

Ok, that was an aside. Here's what I wanted to talk about.

I have been struggling with an issue of mine that manifests in political discussions and in team rivalry (among other things). I have let myself become very strong in my expression of political ideas and with regard to sports teams, to the point that I actually get angry and defensive. I know it isn't good because my spirit feels sour when I do it. In a previous post I have committed myself to do better. But in thinking about the issue, I have come to some realizations.

There is a big difference between an opponent and an enemy, but sometimes we blur the distinction. And I think this goes to the increase of incivility in our culture today. When someone has a differing opinion (political or otherwise) we have the choice to treat that person either as an enemy or as an opponent (in this matter). If the former, then we dispense with them along with their ideas. If the later, then we engage with them in helpful conversation, discussing our differences in an effort not necessarily to convert them to our way of thinking, but to understand each other more clearly.

In sports, this means that we don't "rub it in" mercilessly when our "nemesis team" is defeated or when our team is victorious (it's called sportsmanship). I don't know why I forgot this, but I did. Now I am working on regaining this perspective in my life and relationships. One can be a fan of a certain team without vilifying other teams (soccer fans, are you listening?). I don't have to HATE the Dodgers just because they are rivals of the Padres and the Angels, one because they are in the same division, and the other because they are in the same city. I have a lot of work to do on this one!

And I don't have to demonize political progressives in order to hold to a conservative political persuasion. There is no reason why we can't all "get along" and discuss things amicably without resorting to some of the mean-spirited comments and/or actions we sometimes do. This is also true of religious persuasions. I can be a Christian without demonizing Islam or New Age or any other faith. I can hold to what I believe without having to put down someone else's belief. That doesn't mean that I have to accept every faith (or opinion or allegiance) as equally valid, but that I don't need to put it down in order to promote my own.

So I need to see others with differing opinions and allegiances not as enemies, but as opponents. Not as demons, but as friends who just think differently.

Duh!

Entertainment and Religion

2010-07-02T15:08:00.001-07:00

There are many similarities between 21^st Century American Christian Religion and Entertainment. Much of what passes for church programming is, essentially, faith-based entertainment, the purpose of which is to keep the faithful happy and participating. And the central "program" for most churches is worship. As hard as we might try to the contrary, a major part of American Christian worship is a form of entertainment.

Not that entertainment is bad; it just isn't what the Christian faith is about.

And I'm not just talking about "contemporary" worship. And I'm not just talking about "traditional" worship. There are entertainment elements in all styles.

We talk about "excellence" in worship and measure it in worldly terms. Is the organist good? Does the worship leader have a good voice? Is the choir in tune? Can the preacher hold his/her "audience"? All of which points to people-pleasing. If we wish to achieve "excellence" in terms of God's measurement, we would be talking about very different things. Does the preacher live what he/she is preaching? Is the musician's heart in touch with the Holy Spirit? Is the worship genuine? Because, you see, worship is not about pleasing people so much as pleasing God.

And church programming should be less about attracting members and more about being the Body of Christ in the world. We should be meeting needs, but not so much the needs of our church members as the needs of people who are not a part of the church. Jesus said that he "came not to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). As a "spiritual culture" we must transition away from self-indulgent, inwardly-focused programs to ministries that engage the world that God loved so much that He sent His only begotten Son to save, Who then passed to the Church that mission.

We have got to transition away from a Disneyland-type approach to "doing church" to a Mother Theresa-type approach.

Church people generally do not what to hear this. However, the world is on tip-toes, waiting for the children of God to step into their Jesus shoes and BE what they are: the Body of Christ.

I Didn’t Go to Church Today

2010-06-27T22:21:00.001-07:00

I didn't go to church today. Mea culpa. But I was the only one without responsibilities at a church, so I got to stay home and wait for the repair person to come and re-install a kitchen light. He didn't get here until after I would have gotten back from church, but, oh well.

It is s strange thing, for me, not to go to church. For 30 years I have had vocational responsibilities that required that I be at church, so you have to understand. This is just plain weird. It's funny, though, because I don't feel guilty, so much as just awkward.

So much of the church culture I am a part of equates "being a Christian" with "going to church." We say things like, "Oh, he's a Christian but he doesn't go to church" or "She's a strong Christian; goes to church every Sunday!" For some reason, attending church services has, for some, become synonymous with faith commitment. Even though we all know that going to church doesn't make one a Christian any more than going to the movies makes you Brad Pitt.

There is an episode from The Simpsons (yes, I admit it, I like The Simpsons!) on this very subject. Homer decides to stay home from church on a wintery day. He discovers the "joys" of staying home from church and decides to start his own religion, which consists mainly of sitting around in his underwear watching football. There is a lot more to the plot, of course (you can read about it at http://tviv.org/The_Simpsons/Homer_the_Heretic), but suffice it to say that I felt something like Homer (without wanting to sit around in my underwear and start a new religion). Weird.

Tomorrow I am taking Nathan and his friend, Lizzy, to Disneyland. Now there's a contrast for you! I didn't go to church, but I'm going to Disneyland. But, you know, I'll bet that going to Disneyland is a lot closer to the common experience for modern Americans than going to church. In fact, I wonder if there aren't more people who go to amusement parks in a given week than go to church in the same week. What does that say about our culture? What does it say about me that I would ask that question?

Like I said, I feel weird.

I'll have to think about all of this some more, and I'll have a lot of time while the "kids" are off doing the Disney-thing and I find a nice shady spot to sit and think/read/watch people go by. Now THAT'S what I call FUN!

God and Baseball

2010-06-23T13:03:00.001-07:00

I love baseball. I love God. Not necessarily in that order.

As I was contemplating the inordinate amount of time I am spending watching baseball on TV and at the ball park while on sabbatical (it really isn't all that much; I'm not watching re-runs of the games, at least), I was struck by how much life is like baseball.

Bear with me.

I suppose anything can be an allegory for life if you're willing to stretch far enough. But baseball has some things about it that are remarkable in this regard. Like life, in baseball you have to navigate through various situations and scenarios in an attempt to "win" or at least not to "lose." Much of baseball, as life, is about performance. Do you make the standard plays? Do you make the really tough plays? Can you hit a home run? I feel a sermon coming on.

But seriously, consider baseball. There are the players, they represent you and me as we sojourn in life. Then there are the managers, those who teach us and coach us. Where is God? At first, we're likely to identify God with the umpires. But I don't think that is right. Or maybe, God is the scoreboard keeping track of our "performances." Nah! Maybe God is the vendors providing refreshment and nourishment? Also Nah! Is God the sportscasters, observing each play and offering expert commentary? I like Vin Scully, but he's not God!

So where is God?

I think God is the crowd of fans, cheering us on. But the allegory breaks down quickly, so don't jump too fast. Unlike the crowds, God is not partisan (Rom. 2:11). God is not cheering the Angels on over the Dodgers (no need, since the Angels pretty much beat up on the Dodgers! But I digress…). God cheers equally for both teams, for the love of the game. In fact, God cheers for each player, you and me. I know. That's sounds really trite. But think about it… Ok, it is trite, but I'm trying here.

God doesn't care who wins or loses in baseball, despite the religious genuflections and cross-kissing of many players. But God does care about these things:

God cares that we play/live with integrity. Cheating is not quite one of the 10 Commandments, but it could be. And "Thou shalt not steal" does not refer to taking 2^nd base while the pitcher/catcher is napping, so don't go there! I'm talking about integrity, the kind of person you are when the umpire isn't looking, or regardless of the instant replay rules. God cares that we are people of honesty and integrity.
God cares that we have fun. I can remember being amazed at friends when I was a young Christian, when they would summarize their "theology" as "God wants me to be happy." Period. That's not what I'm saying here. I'm saying that God delights in, among other things, our fun, joy, gleefulness, etc. One of my favorite images comes from a vision that someone had (I can't remember who, nobody famous, though) of Jesus, splashing in the water, playing with others. The thing is, life is not just about having fun, but God created fun for us to enjoy.
God cares that we treat one another with respect. I know, I know. Trite again! But no matter what "team" we play on, I don't think God is pleased when we treat members of other teams (or umpires, or fans, or anybody else) with anything less than respect and honor. That's why I am making a change in my life. I am going to TRY and stop being so belligerent about my partisan love for the Angels and the Padres (and, thus, against the Dodgers). I have ragged mercilessly on my Dodgers-fans-friends, and I'm sensing that God is not pleased with that part of me. It is not unlike partisan politics, another area in my life that I need to inject a sense of peace. So, my apologies to my Dodgeresque friends. They are really a good team (I love Joe Torre, and Vin Scully, and most of the players, just not the team… Go figure.) Pray for me.
Finally, God cares that we do our best. Gosh, I sound like some Norman-Rockwell-Hallmark-schoolmarm! But seriously, folks (as I straighten my tie)! It's like Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire) said: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." I agree that God takes pleasure when we excel, which is the only legitimate use of competition. Because, ultimately, we are only in competition with ourselves to improve and excel, to the glory of our Maker.

So, there you have it! My blog entry for today. How am I doing?

Don't answer that.

Fathers

2010-06-20T10:05:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged for a few days. I've been preoccupied with buying and setting up an above-ground swimming pool in our backyard. But it is up and ready now, and we are hoping to use it this afternoon, along with a cook out, to celebrate Fathers Day!

I want to reflect a bit on the whole issue of fathers/God/sexism/etc.

One of my foci this sabbatical is to reconnect with the Father, God. I finished reading one book on the issue and have others as well. But it is interesting how closely related are the experiences of our earthly fathers and our heavenly Father. In a very profound way, my lack of intimacy with my heavenly Father is directly related to my lack of intimacy with my earthly father. My dad is a good man. He worked hard in his life to provide for his family. He loves me; I know this, however he seldom actually says it. But he was never a very "touchy-feely" kind of person. And he is not a very emotionally approachable man. This is partly due to his generation, so I don't fault him for it. But because of the emotional distance I experience with my dad I am having a difficult time experiencing Abba intimately. I'm also finding it difficult to be emotionally approachable to my own sons.

In seminary (way back in the early 80's) it was in vogue to ameliorate the name "Father" to "Parent" or even "Mother." The theory being that to identify God as a male parent was a negative, especially for women. For some reason people got it in their heads that in order for women to feel good about themselves, they needed to have a God with Whom they could relate, genderally (I LOVE making up new words!). But this whole theory was dashed, for me, once I got away from the academy and started ministering with real, ordinary women out in the world, who, by and large, had no problem with God-as-Father. As I reflect on this, I'm wondering what kind of relationship those who put forth the theory of neutering God (or making Him "Mother") was with their earthly fathers. That would make a great study! My own theory (unsupported by data) is that those who felt/feel the strongest about this (that women will not feel good about themselves if God is referred to as "Father") had, themselves, an emotionally distant relationship with their fathers. Obviously, I'm an exception (obviously, I'm exceptional!). However, I did subscribe to this theory at first. I wonder. Something to ponder (pondering is good, especially during a sabbatical!).

One thing is clear, Jesus called God "Father" (or "Abba" which is the Aramaic equivalent to our "Daddy") and invited us to do so as well. There are qualities of God that reflect the qualities of motherhood, to be sure, just as there is the infamous "feminine side" in every man (more or less). But this is not sociology, God is not subject to our theories of gender-relationships. However, it is interesting to consider to what degree our relationships with our earthly fathers affect our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Happy Fathers Day!

Hospice Pastor

2010-06-16T11:26:00.001-07:00

I want to reflect for a bit on the insight I gained in a conversation with other pastors. I don't recall the exact context, only that the idea that I have been a Hospice Pastor for most of my pastoral career came to me in a flash.

I have known hospice chaplains and hospice nurses. They are remarkable people! They pour themselves out to people who are dying so that the dying person can pass with dignity and a sense of having been cherished. But one cannot pour oneself out to another without becoming attached to that other, so hospice workers are in a constant state of grief. The people they have poured themselves out for, the people they have cared for, sometimes for months, ultimately die. There is a loss. There is grief. But that is the nature of the calling (and it is a calling, I believe). Hospice workers will occupy a very special place in heaven, I am convinced. I have never witnessed a "bad death" in the context of hospice, although I'm sure there have been a few. But for the vast majority, death comes not as an enemy, but as a friend who relieves the suffering and sets the person free.

So if there are hospice workers who work with individuals who are dying, are there also hospice pastors, whose calling it is to care for dying churches? And if so, am I so called?

This idea goes against just about everything I was taught and believe about the profession of "pastor." Far from helping a church to die well, pastors are called to bring life (resurrection) to a dying church. Much like a physician is called to heal rather than to help die, so a pastor is called. At least, that's what I assumed. Oh, I knew of pastors who actually were called to "close" a dying church, but in almost every story it turns out to be a resurrection ("the pastor was sent to close the church, but now there are 5 million in attendance!"). All of which adds to the sense of failure to those of us who pastor churches that don't experience a resurrection. A pastor's sense of self-worth is often inextricably bound to the relative "success" of his or her church, and so as a church slips away (often anesthetized so that it doesn't fear death) the pastor grows more and more depressed with feelings of failure. And yet, churches die. Some are, in fact, in a terminal state of decline. Wouldn't it make sense that God would care enough for the people of those dying churches to send someone to care for them, like a hospice worker, as they die?

Am I a hospice pastor?

Every church I have served since graduating from seminary has been dying. And while there might have been blips of life, they continued dying no matter what I did, although none has completely died as of yet. One could make the point that in the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the UMC, the vast majority of churches are dying and the likelihood is that I would always be appointed to dying churches, but that is another topic. The hard truth is that most dying churches will die, or at least be so transformed that they no longer have the identity of the original church. So is it wise to beat myself up for "failing" to revive the churches to which I am appointed? Resurrection, after all, is not the job of the pastor but, rather, that of God. And the last time I looked, I'm not God! So should I feel badly? A hospice worker will drive themselves into an early grave if they believe that if they just "do the right things" their patients will live. And yet, I am constantly harangued by such thoughts in relation to my churches.

And yet, resurrection is the central theme of the Christian faith. Healing is possible, if we are to learn anything from the ministry of Jesus. I'm wondering if a congregation is ever objectively terminal, or if, like some of the people Jesus healed, the question must be asked, "Do you WANT to be healed?" Because in order for a congregation to be resurrected, there must be the faith (desire, belief) that resurrection is possible. And what that resurrected life looks like MUST be left up to God and not defined narrowly as a reconstruction of the "glory years" when "Saint Perfect Pastor" was in charge and there were three services every Sunday and a gazillion kids in Sunday School, etc. etc. etc. After all, the Scripture says that "He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control." (Philippians 3:21 NLT) So what the resurrected church looks like is not dependent on our expectations or dreams, but upon His power. There were some who were not healed because they couldn't get beyond their own limited vision of what healing looked like (Matt. 19:22).

So how does one "do" hospice pastoring while hanging on to one's faith in resurrection? Isn't that a prescription for frustration? Is that why so many pastors "burn out"? Isn't that why I am on sabbatical in the first place?

CST’s Kerfuffle

2010-06-11T17:52:00.001-07:00

I am deeply concerned about the direction that the Claremont School of Theology (CST) recently announced. If you haven't heard, stop reading this blog and go to http://bit.ly/aH2eMb to read up on the move (but then come back!).

To be honest, I've not been a big fan of CST for some time. In fact, when I decided to enter the ordained ministry, I chose to attend Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. in large part because I did not like the vision of CST (STC, back then) of training academics instead of clerics. I was called to ecclesia, not academia. Little has happened in the intervening 32 years to change my mind. And I suppose this latest move to incorporate other religions into the seminary community was to be expected, given the seminary's liberal slant and falling enrollment.

They call it the "University Project" but it is misnamed. It should be called the "Universalist Project" because that is exactly what it is, and the seminary should at least be honest about it. Liberal United Methodists (and CST is on the vanguard of liberal Protestantism) have been drifting steadily toward Universalism (the belief that all will be saved) for many years. Even while I was in seminary, the joke was that U.M.C. stood for "Universalists Mentioning Christ." However, it isn't funny and I fear for the denomination in which I currently serve.

Don't get me wrong. I believe that we all need to "get along!" That all religions need to work toward understanding of each other and in finding ways to live peaceably within this diverse world. But I also believe that Jesus Christ is unique, that He is the incarnate, divine Son of God, and that salvation is found only in Him (Acts 4:12). When it comes to training clergy to serve the Church, there needs to be a focus on what Jesus taught and what His followers have believed for centuries. It is important to know what other religions teach, but it is most important that Christian pastors know what Christianity teaches!

I was a Religious Studies major in college (San Diego State). I studied all of the world's major faith traditions and came to a pretty good understanding of them. But when I went to seminary to be trained as a Christian pastor, the smorgasbord approach had to give way to an intensely focused curriculum. The basic graduate degree for pastors is a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.), which is a three-year degree. Three years is a very short period of time and one doesn't have a lot of extra time to be studying other religions. But beyond this practical matter, I believe what CST is doing is giving expression to its underlying Universalist theology. The danger in this is that once we deny the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, the Gospel becomes a nice story among other nice stories. If one can be saved by practicing Taoism, then Jesus' death on the cross was a waste of Divine blood.

If this is the direction that the United Methodist Church as a whole begins to take, I will have no choice but to leave the denomination and serve God elsewhere. Thankfully, most of the UMC is not like CST. In fact, the UMC has withdrawn support for CST, pending review. I hope and pray that either CST changes direction back to the orthodox faith, or the UMC cuts all ties and all support to the school.

Thursday Thoughts

2010-06-10T16:00:00.001-07:00

The contrast between last week and this week is significant. Last week I was at St. Andrew's Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in the high desert. This week I've been at home. Trying to maintain a sabbatical discipline was much easier at the monastery. I suppose that should not surprise me.

This week has been more like a series of days off, which is a good thing. Usually, when I'm working, I only get one day off a week. I find that having just one day off a week really challenges me to rest, especially when there are things that need to get done around the house. But this week is going by quickly, and I have felt more fatigued this week than last.

My reading today focused on the Prodigal Son, and how he missed out on his father's love when he lived at home. The lack of that love came to fruition for him during his wild and crazy times out on his own. He was, in the words of the old country song, "Looking for love in all the wrong places!" The parable teaches us that there are really two ways that we act out when we have not experienced a father's love: in wild, usually immoral, living (the prodigal) and in extreme obedience, often religiously (the other son). Seeds for contemplation. I ordered Henri Nouwen's book on the Prodigal, because the book I'm reading quotes him a lot, and because I have a weekend seminar in August on Nouwen. It should be an interesting study, since I love Nouwen and because it deals with the main focus of my sabbatical study.

I also ordered Abraham Joshua Heschel's book, The Sabbath, as a follow-up to my study of Mark Buchanan's The Rest of God.

Yesterday I started some work in music. I'm not sure if I will take up the trumpet or not, but practicing the guitar and learning some new skills on it is definitely a "go!" Also working on Spanish, which is going ok. I'm not using Rosetta Stone as I had planned because of the extreme cost, so I'm using another program called Byki, which is ok. The main thing I need to do is start practicing with native Spanish speakers, but that will come.

Sabbatical Day… - I lost Count

2010-06-08T15:36:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I haven't really lost count (it is day eight), but I'm tired of that as a headline, so moving on…

Subjectifying God

I am reading the book by Ed Piorek (Vineyard pastor and conference speaker) entitled The Father Loves You: An invitation to perfect love. One of the main purposes of my sabbatical is to reignite a passionate connection to God the Father, Whom I like to call Abba, which is the Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke) for the familiar form of father, more akin to our Daddy. As I walk each day in the morning, I am also listening to the book Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. A fascinating mix of Christian spirituality, to say the least. Here is Piorek, a pastor in one of the most modern expressions of the Church, along with St. John of the Cross, a 16^th century Spanish Catholic monk and mystical poet, talking about some of the very same spiritual truths. Piorek in terms of connecting with the Father in intimate ways, and St. John in terms of connecting with God in perfect union.

I need that.

I really need that.

So call me a mystic; call me a hopeless charismatic. But my spirit cries out for a more intimate communion with God.

Why are most Christians afraid of intimacy with God? Oh, they won't call it fear, but that is what it is. Most will call it being uncomfortable with a spirituality that speaks in terms of intimacy with the Creator. And yet, Christian spirituality is full of such imagery. The more serious one becomes in one's spiritual journey, the more intimacy with God becomes important. But most Christians are content to talk ABOUT God and to sing ABOUT God and to pray in terms that keep God at a distance.

Bette Midler sang a song back in the 80's that echoes the spirituality of many Christians today: "God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance…"

It seems that many in the Church are content to objectify God, to make Him the object of worship. But you can't get very close to an object (at least, you shouldn't!). It seems to me that if Jesus taught us anything, He taught us that God desires to be in a subjective relationship with His children. He called God Abba, and invited His followers to do the same. Not that we are to abandon speaking of and worshipping God as The Almighty, but that we are to establish and nurture an intimate relationship with Daddy.

For most Christians, it is more comfortable to sing "Praise to the LORD, the Almighty, the King of Creation!" than to sing "I will be Yours, You will be mine, together in Eternity…" And yet, there must be room for both, not only in the Church, but in each Christian's spirituality. The nature of worship these days seems to be one or the other: "traditional worship" being the more objectified approach, and "contemporary worship" being the more subjectified one. The Church should be comfortable with both, but by and large, it is not. Christians should be comfortable with both.

"Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." (Song 2:10) God beckons us into a deeper, more intimate and personal relationship.

I really need that.

Day Seven – More Sunday Reflections

2010-06-07T09:44:00.001-07:00

I attended the worship service yesterday at a church where a friend is the pastor. I hope to visit several churches in the area where the pastors have become friends as we meet every Wednesday morning to pray together for Chino and for each of our churches. Yesterday was wonderful because it was the first Sunday in a very long time that I have awakened in Chino and had to option of going to church or not! Even more so, I felt NONE of the pressure I that I have grown to not notice on Sunday mornings. The saying, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" is true for pressure and anxiety as well as paradise paved.

It was so good just to worship and not to have to worry about the service (what comes next, is so-and-so prepared for the reading, is the PowerPoint working, etc.). As I sat down and waited for the service to begin, I prayed for God's presence and power and got my heart ready to worship.

The pastor shared his vision for the church, and I heard the angels of heaven rejoicing! God has poured into this pastor and this church a growing sense of faithful anticipation for what He is going to accomplish in the coming years. My heart was cheered by the renewal that I saw happening in that church. It is awesome to see God at work, renewing and in-filling a congregation with new life! They have a well thought out vision for the future, and a game plan to live into that vision; something that every church ought to have. It was thrilling to see.

We had out of town guests visit us yesterday. Andrew and Joy were interns at Tujunga UMC that I pastored for 16 years. I performed their wedding five years ago, and they have a 15 month-old daughter now. "Wallowing in relationship" is how I termed it in my tweet this morning, and it really felt like that. God is so good in allowing us to develop close friendships that last over the years! And it is always good to reconnect with friends with whom you have had significant experiences. Terisa, half of our best-friends couple of Scott and Terisa, is also in the area visiting from Pennsylvania and we got to spend some time with her and our friend Janet and her daughter Leslie. Visiting with friends is a good Sabbath activity which God blesses and encourages. We had Sabbath yesterday!

Beginning the Flow

Today is the first full week day of the sabbatical in which I get to sample the disciplines that I have planned. I spent a good hour this morning in communion with Abba, went for a walk (man! I am out of shape!), and am now writing this before I begin a time of reading. The next book I am reading is The Father Loves You: An invitation to perfect love by Ed Piorek. Also today, I want to begin working on music (guitar and trumpet) and Spanish. With a trip to the bank and some other errands, it is going to be a full day! Bring it on, Lord. I'm ready!

Thanks for joining me on this sabbatical journey!

Sunday Reflections

2010-06-06T08:44:00.001-07:00

This is the first Sunday of my sabbatical and it gives rise to some thoughts.

I've shared in many other settings that one of the things I was looking forward to in my sabbatical was NOT preaching. Now, don't get me wrong, I love preaching! I couldn't do what I do if I didn't. But you have to understand, when one is a preacher who preaches every week, one's life becomes a continuous search for sermonic material. Whenever I read something, hear something, remember something, see something, I'm always thinking how I might use that in a sermon! Every new insight, I file away for later use (as I get older, the ability to recall those things becomes more and more a challenge!). So I am looking forward to letting that go and just receiving. I get to hear other preachers preach, which doesn't happen that often in a live setting. I hope I am as receptive to other's preaching as I want others to be of mine (sort of the Preachers Golden Rule).

But old habits die hard. I am resisting the temptation to keep a list of "sermon possibilities" during my sabbatical. Although I need to have some plans in place when I return to active pastoring in September, I am going to put off thinking in those terms until the middle of August.

As I sit here in my living room at a time when I would normally already be at church preparing for the service and other events in the day, I am amazed at how much of a load has been released from me. It isn't just the preaching, while that is significant. It is also the mechanics of the service (who is doing what, whom I need to talk to in preparation, etc.)… all the "little things" as well. I suppose it is related to nervousness, although I haven't identified it as such for a long time. I am so used to it that it just felt like a subtle pressure to "perform" well for those who will be attending worship.

Since the fire we had in the Sanctuary we have added a lot of technology to the service. And since the burglary of all of that equipment a few weeks ago, I have been stressed by replacing it all before I left on sabbatical. Even now, I am wondering if the lens for the projector came in and got installed, and whether the media team will be ok after Steve leaves for his new ministry. I asked people not to contact me about this things, so I supposed I should just let it go. But it isn't easy when you are used to being engaged with all of it. Hmmmm. Maybe I need not be so engaged?

Sabbatical Day Five

2010-06-05T22:49:00.001-07:00

First full day at home, and it felt like a normal day off. With the exception that I didn't have "Sunday" looming over me. No sermon to finish, no PowerPoint to do, nothing! It was amazing! Although, I'm sure I'm going to feel weird in the morning! Cyndy is going to church at Chino UMC because she has to lead a meeting afterward. Me? I'm going to surprise one of my pastor friends!

Except for some time in prayer and devotional reading early this morning, I spent most of the day working in the yard. Also had lunch with friends, and watched some baseball (Angels won, Dodgers lost). Bought tickets for the Angels/Dodgers game next Saturday night, so it should be fun to go to Dodger Stadium wearing Angels red!

That's it for today. Sorry, nothing profound! Have a blessed Sunday!

Sabbatical Day Four; Last at St. Andrew’s

2010-06-04T16:01:00.001-07:00

This time has gone by quickly! But my four days and three nights at St. Andrew's Abbey (a Benedictine monastery in Valyermo, California) has been a rich time of reflection, reading, worship, listening and breathing (slowly, in… now, out…). I am looking forward to my journey here once again at the end of my sabbatical.

I finished reading The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan (for the second time), and have been doubly blessed. In fact, I want to study this topic more, so I'm going to order some other books on the subject and read them during my sabbatical. There is much for me to learn and, even more importantly, to practice! I knew this going in, but it has crystallized for me in these four days of retreat.

I have also decided that I am going to read some books on the Civil War. One thing that Buchanan taught me is that we too often choose things based on their utilitarian value. So I was thinking that I would study something that has absolutely no relevance to my "work". And the Civil War has always fascinated me (my father and mother came from Virginia and Michigan, respectively; what that has to do with it, I don't know!). So, anyway, that's what I want to do.

My "plan" (subject to change) is to arise early (that's the part I'm not sure of) and devote myself to God, then go for a brisk walk (taking my son along if I can pry him out of his room), then eat a healthy (and sparse) breakfast. After breakfast, to engage in some reading, and then the rest of the day is not so clear. I want to study Spanish, work on my music (guitar and trumpet), do more reading, watch (or go to) baseball games, etc. etc. etc! Wish me luck!

Actually, pray for me. I want to be disciplined, but not to the point of being straight-jacketed. I want to "accomplish" enough to make this time fruitful, but at the same time, I need to rest and be refreshed.

One thing I am realizing is that this sabbatical will not "fix" me. In other words, I cannot believe that I will come out of this three-month sabbatical all perfect, disciplined, tanned, slim and ready to take on the world! Right now my biggest hope is that I will develop some good habits, catch up on some rest and re-creation, enrich my life a little, and learn to practice Sabbath, so that I won't get into this condition again!

Like I said, pray for me!

Fasting and Feasting

In my reading of The Rest of God, Buchanan makes the point that we don't know how to feast anymore, because we feast all the time! That is so true for me. I indulge myself daily (speaking mostly of food, but other things, too) so that when "feast days" come (holidays, Sabbath, family gatherings, celebrations) they aren't much different from our other days. In the ancient world, that was not so. Mostly because people were poor and could not feast every day, but also because they understood that if you feast every day, the real feast days will mean nothing. That's what has happened in our culture. So I am going to make a major effort to eat (etc.) more frugally on "normal" days and reserve my feasting to Sabbath (and other feast days). That way, the feast will be more meaningful and special, and I'll lose some weight!

Sabbatical Hopes

Speaking of his need for sabbatical, Buchanan has a paragraph (on p. 154) that reads as if I wrote it (although he says it much better, of course):

Somewhere I got dull. The child got old, the warrior timid. Again, I think I know how this happened—a combination of growing responsibility and increased privilege—but so what? Somewhere, I started to play things safe. I started to fall back on tried, tired methods of doing things and stopped asking God each day whether I should fight or not fight, go up or go down. I got formulaic in my thinking. I got hidebound in my routines. In the spring, when kings go out to war, I started to stay home, wander bored and restless on the palace roof, looking for something to make me feel young again.

Then, speaking of his desired result of the sabbatical (he wrote the book while on sabbatical), he writes (again, this could be me if I were a gifted writer) on p. 153:

I want to return to my work slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to become angry. I want to hide more things in my heart and ponder them there. I want to return with a sharper instinct to pray, to want a stronger conviction that, though God welcomes my honest efforts, he manages quite fine without my Peter-like outbursts of ill-conceived enthusiasm and then sudden loss of nerve, my opinion swapping and bully tactics, my reckless volunteerism to fix things for God and then desperate evacuation when things go wrong.

Like Samuel, I can be very busy for God, doing God-things, and still not know Him. Doing God-things is good; doing them without knowing God is foolhardy. "Seek FIRST the kingdom…" I knew that! But NOW I remember.

Thanks be unto God!

Now, where are those tablets? It's time to head down the mountain…

Sabbatical Day Three

2010-06-03T19:46:00.001-07:00

Incognito Pastor

One of the things I enjoy about coming to St. Andrew's Abbey is that nobody knows me here. That may sound strange. But hear me out. They recognize me, to be sure. I am here a lot. But they don't know that I am a pastor. They know that I am not a Catholic (that is obvious by the way I stumble through the liturgy at Mass, and that I don't receive Communion), but they know little else. At one time, one of the monks was my spiritual director, so I suppose years ago the word got around that I was some spiritually-deprived Methodist preacher who came here to be filled up! But they don't know me now. And I like it that way.

Why? Because one of the hardest things about my "work" is that I am always "on"; I am always "The Pastor" whenever I am at church, or around church people, or even away from church people at civic functions. The mayor of Chino knows me so well he called me "Pastor Glen Hah-worth"! Being incognito allows me to be just me, and not to play any roles with people. When I am here, I seldom talk with anyone. Small talk is something I find difficult and distasteful, so when I don't HAVE to do it, I don't. Everyone here thinks I am on a "silent retreat" so they have learned not to engage me in conversation. That is a rare gift, since most people assume that if you are not talking, there is something "wrong" with you, so they will do whatever they can to get you to talk. I hate it! Just let me be! And that is why I am here, just to BE.

It refreshes me. It recharges me. I am an extreme introvert. Most people expect me to be an extravert, and so when I don't glad-hand, and chat it up, people get their feelings hurt. So I push myself. But unlike for an extravert who is charged-up by engaging other people, for the most part it drains me. Another reason for my sabbatical! If you are reading this, and you're a church member of mine, please hear me clearly: it isn't that I don't like you, or am mad at you. The reason I don't always greet you and engage you is that it is hard for me, and I need to preserve my energy. Don't take it personally!

Liturgy

I love the Benedictine liturgy, the daily offices, the chanting… all of it. It soothes my soul and draws me into God's heart. It is absolutely non-emotional, but the solemnity requires it. I love almost all forms of worship (I haven't gotten into the head-banging kind, yet). I love hymns and written prayers, I love praise songs and spontaneous prophesies (in tongues or in English), I love big church choirs (and small ones) and powerful worship bands. I love gentle homilies (if I can hear them), and awesome sermons preached with vim and vigor. I love the "smells and bells" as well as the "faints and yells"!

It is all liturgy.

I know. "High church" people don't like the praise choruses and informality and intimacy of the more "low church" style. Conversely, the "low church" worshippers don't like the formal liturgy of the "high church". But it is all liturgy. In one, the liturgy is written down and known by the congregation. In the other, the liturgy is memorized and known by the congregation. High church knows what's coming, and when. Low church knows what's coming, and when (after the third song (which is a really slow and worshipful song which was proceeded by a couple of up-beat praise songs), the worship leader prays for a bit as the band sneaks off the "stage" and the announcement lady comes up, ready to begin "The Welcome" right after the worship leader says, "I just pray this, Father, Lord, in Jesus' powerful name. AMEN!") It's all liturgy. And it's all good.

Christians need to get over their judgmentalism of other Christians and their forms of worship. Hear this: just because you don't "get it" or "it's not your style" doesn't mean that God is not pleased or honored. Get over yourself! Worship is not about you.

At the same time, I am aware that we need to adapt worship at times to draw new believers in. But we need to be careful not to bend so far over that we forget that worship is not about the new believers, either. It is always about God. What honors God? What pleases Him? That's what we should strive for in our worship.

So quite being so snobby, both of you!

Tomorrow is my last day here at St. Andrew's. (insert sad face) I am looking forward to what God does in me!

2010-06-02T19:58:00.001-07:00

The path that leads to my afternoon reading place.

2010-06-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

The other view from my afternoon reading place.

2010-06-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

The view from my afternoon reading place.

Second Day Ruminations

2010-06-02T19:40:00.001-07:00

Intimacy with God

There is a longing deep within that cries out of my heart. It manifests in many different ways, but at its root it is my spirit crying out to God's Spirit, yearning for intimacy with my Creator, my Father, my Abba. Sometimes I am gripped by a deep depression, but not one borne by chemistry; rather it is borne by the estrangement from God that my busy life often fosters. Funny. I'm a pastor. My "job" is to connect people with God. And yet in my own life, the busyness of pastoring often saps my own connection with God, my intimacy with Abba (my preferred Name for God-the-Father; it is akin to Daddy, but doesn't carry any negative images for me).

Right now I am re-reading and working through a book entitled Living in God's Embrace by Michael Fonseca. It is a devotional book that takes one through sixty different spiritual exercises, designed to help one live in God's embrace. It is helping me to discipline myself to sit in quietness, to "be still and know" Abba. My sense is that by practicing this stillness, I may discover anew that which cries out in me, and in discovery find a new intimacy with Abba. So be it.

Work

We all hate our jobs at one point or another, perhaps all the time. But work is blessed by God and each of us is called to work at something. We don't always get employment that matches our calling, but, hey, we try.

This is great! From the book, The Rest of God (p. 15f), by Mark Buchanan:

When you have one of those take-this-job-and-shove-it-days, try this. On your way home, stop at your pharmacy and go to the section where they have thermometers. You will need to purchase a rectal thermometer. Made by the Q-tip Company. Be sure that you get this brand. When you get home, lock the doors, draw the drapes, and disconnect the phone so you will not be disturbed during your therapy. Change into something comfortable, such as a sweat suit, and lie down on your bed. Open the package containing the thermometer, remove it, and carefully place it on the bedside table so that it will be become chipped or broken. Take the written material that accompanies the thermometer. As you read, notice in small print this statement: "Every rectal thermometer made by Q-tip is personally tested."

Close your eyes. Say out loud five times, "Thank you, oh thank you, that I do not work in quality control at the Q-tip Company." (Source unknown)

I die laughing every time I read that! The obvious lesson is, no matter how bad your job seems, there are always worse ones! But each "job" we do is a vocation (literally, the work that the Voice told you to do) if it is done for the glory of God and in response to His call. Martin Luther put it well:

The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays—not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship." (The Rest of God, p. 23)

And this (ibid. p. 24f):

Virtually any job, no matter how grueling or tedious—any job that is not criminal or sinful—can be a gift from God, through God, and to God. The work of our hands, by the alchemy of our devotion, becomes the worship of our hearts.

Time

My reading this morning was wonderful! I sat by the pond and read three chapters from The Rest of God and it was, well, wonderful! I even wrote a poem, at the suggestion of the author, to help me notice my surroundings. Right now here in the high desert, one species of tree is spreading its seed far and wide. These cotton-like puffs of seed are all over the place, and more is floating down all the time. So I wrote:

Seeds cloaked in cotton wings
glide gently groundward
seeking a womb of soil
to birth a mighty tree.
Life and Time proceed.

Then, talking about Sabbath Time, Buchanan writes (p. 33):

Transformation is the fruit of a changed outlook. First our minds are renewed, and then we are transformed, and then everything is different, even if it stays the same. God is more interested in changing your thinking than in changing your circumstances.

In this sacred space, I am (re)learning how to keep Sabbath. I had forgotten. I had let Chronos become my preferred time, rather than God's kairos. Instead of Sabbath, I had cultured Leisure. "Leisure is what Sabbath becomes when we no longer know how to sanctify time. Leisure is Sabbath bereft of the sacred." (Buchanan, of course, p. 35).

And, finally (for now), in speaking of wisdom and the changing of our thoughts (or thinking), Buchanan writes (p. 40) "Wise people ask, Does the path I'm walking lead to a place I want to go? If I keep heading this way, will I like where I arrive?" Proverbs 14:8 says, "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." Aristotle said (or was it Socrates? College was a LONG time ago!), "A life not examined is a life not worth living." The lesson (for me) is that I can go through life blithely worshipping Chronos, or I can see my life through the eyes of Sabbath and appreciate the kairos that God is giving me. "The Chinese join two characters to form a single pictograph for busyness: heart and killing." (Wayne Muller, Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest, p. 3, quoted in Buchanan p. 45) (Gosh, I sound like a research paper! But only because this is going out on a public blog, so I want to give credit where credit is due.)

This is such a rich time! I am so grateful for the gift that this sabbatical is to me, it is only the second day and already I am feeling renewed and refreshed. I'm not ready to come back, yet, so don't go there. I'm just thankful and I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me!

Over, out.

Mercy and Grace

2010-06-01T19:29:00.001-07:00

Ok, so day one is almost over. It is after dinner and before Compline (night prayers), I want to get plenty of sleep, so I'll probably just read after Compline and go to bed. I have shut off my phone and will not be checking messages except for once in the evenings (like in a few minutes), so if you HAVE to get a hold of me, leave a message and I'll call you back.

I'm re-reading the book The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan, which is the book I read last year which really led me to seek a sabbatical. It is a terrific book, and I'm looking forward to re-reading it. I hope to finish it while I am here at St. Andrew's. In the book, he talks about the cats his parents had when he was growing up in a cold part of the world (he is Canadian), and how they would seek out those splashes of sunlight that came in late afternoon through the big front window. They would stretch out, curl up or just lie down in the sunlight and take a cat nap: fifteen or twenty minutes that refreshed and rejuvenated (although with cats, who can tell?). Sometimes, as a boy, he would join the cats on the floor. He likens Sabbath to that: finding a space to just soak up the warmth of the Father's mercy and grace (which is the name of our cat, Maggie, which Terisa, a dear friend, suggested—Mercy And Grace, thus MAGgie. We also call her MagnifiCat, but that is another story).

This sabbatical is more than a cat nap, but then I've not been practicing Sabbath very well throughout my life. My hope is that one result of the sabbatical will be more success in keeping Sabbath. Anyway, it's a GREAT book!

May the Lord fill you with Mercy and Grace!

Sabbatical: Day One

2010-06-01T16:55:00.001-07:00

The first day of my sabbatical leave is finally here! It is rather surreal. I have longed for this and planned for this for what seems like a very long time. What appeared at first to be a mountain of things that had to happen/get done, is now just a memory. Everything is finished, I hope; all "i's" dotted, all "t's" crossed. And those that aren't dotted or crossed will just have to survive three months without me! Que sera sera.

I didn't hurry this morning getting ready for my trip to Valyermo and the Benedictine monastery, so of course I did not get here when I had hoped to. Instead, since I knew I would be missing not only the noon Mass, but also the lunch, I stopped along the way at a Mexican restaurant I had noticed several times. It was good. But I'm glad to be here at St. Andrew's now. I plan to go easy on myself, especially in the early going and not push too hard. Consequently, I am feeling rather lethargic.

My goal during this four-day retreat is to quiet my soul and listen. This afternoon when I first got here I went and sat by the pond and read some Scripture and then just listened to the sounds. The wind was blowing through the trees, the birds were singing, there was an airplane that flew over… it was blissful! Then I went and took a nap. I want to enter into the rhythm of this monastery, attending to the daily offices (services), the meals and perhaps connect with a brother or priest about being my spiritual director. I used to have one here, but moved on from that practice some years ago. I'm thinking that it might be time to return. But I will listen and discern. I also want to walk, and read devotionally. I'll get into the study books later.

One of the things that extended my preparation time this morning was shaving off my hair. Now, I don't have much hair to begin with, but I decided that I wanted to shave it all off (mustache, goatee, and scalp—I left my eye brows!) as a symbol of my letting go and starting over. I don't know if I'll grow it back right away or if I will continue to keep it shaved, but I'm open to either. Cyndy isn't crazy about me doing it, and Nathan was freaked out when he saw me this morning. I don't think I'll post any pictures; at least not yet. In the process I irritated the skin on my head, so right now I have a damp wash cloth on my head to sooth the irritation!

My intention is to blog daily, but I'm not going to be a blogger-nazi, so if I miss a day here or there, no worries! There may be days when I post more than once, it all depends on what God is doing in me and if I am paying attention. This blog is not for the sake of teaching others—that is one of the things from which I need to rest! Rather, it is a form of self-discipline so that I will take the time to reflect on what God is doing in me. I'll post a note on Twitter (and thus Facebook and LinkedIn) when I post a new blog (and people can also subscribe to the blog to get alerts when new ones are posted). I invite comments, but be nice!

T-minus 2 Weeks!

2010-05-15T07:34:00.001-07:00

Just two weeks to go! On June 1^st I start my three-month sabbatical (renewal) leave. I am working on tying up all the loose ends around the church so that everything necessary can be done while I'm gone. It is exciting!

My plan is to begin the sabbatical by spending four days at St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, engaging in the rhythm of the community and practicing silence and solitude. I plan to do some reading and a lot of praying, attending to the daily offices (times of community worship), but not much else. Perhaps I will speak with one of the monks to be my spiritual director at least through the sabbatical. Walking the grounds, sitting, thinking, listening, drinking in the beauty… Sounds like heaven to me!

Each day (or, at least as often as I can) I intend to write about my reading, thinking, listening, praying in this blog. I can't guarantee that it will be profound, or even interesting! But I did promise to blog and there are some people who are expressing interest in following me through this time.

I'm grateful that Pastor Alice is a part of the Chino UMC family and will be stepping in to preach and offer pastoral care in my absence. The church secretary, Glenda, is also stepping up her work to cover some things that I do. Others will be adding to their work load so that I can step away for a season. This is truly a blessing to me.

Second Thoughts

2010-04-19T14:30:00.001-07:00

I am starting to get anxious about the sabbatical I am taking this summer. Primarily my anxiety stems from a fear that I will waste the opportunity and not reach my goals, or perhaps worse, that I will do all the stuff I am planning and come out of it not any more refreshed or renewed. I realize that this fear shows a lack of faith, since I tell my congregation often that the opposite of faith is fear! But I never claim to have the Christian life down pat, nor do I have all the answers. And I realize that the spiritual journey is not a "tip-toe through the tulips" kind of thing.

At the same time, I am having second thoughts about taking the sabbatical at all. To be honest, the two things are related, because I know in the past when I come "home" from a retreat that I FEEL closer to God… for a few days. But then I slip right back into my busy life and I lose that sense of closeness. So in a sense, I fear coming back from the sabbatical and people say they see no difference in me at all, or worse, I see no difference in myself. Better to not go, right? At least then I can fall back on my "exhaustion" as an excuse for my ineffectiveness as a pastor and my lack of spiritual depth as a person.

But don't worry! I am going to take the sabbatical, and I am going to try and strike a balance between work (reading, thinking, writing), play (fishing, baseball, golf, outings), and rest. And I truly hope that I will come out of it with a deeper commitment to Sabbath as a spiritual discipline.

What an awesome opportunity I am being given! In some respects I think "It's about time! I've been pouring myself out for 28+ years, so I DESERVE a sabbatical!" In other respects I know I DON'T deserve this and it is truly, in fact, a gift of grace (unmerited favor) both from my congregation and, ultimately, from God. Which only adds to my anxiety about wasting it! But I will boldly go into it with hope and trust and try to withhold evaluation until it is over, and even then to throw in a bucket-full of grace.

Carpe diem!

Politics is a poison for me

2010-03-29T11:38:00.001-07:00

Politics is a poison for me.

When I get "into" political issues I easily fall "out of" grace; in other words, I lose track of the grace of God and become judgmental and narrow-minded. Of course I justify that by saying/thinking that I am "right" so it's ok! The problem is that I really don't like what happens to my spirit when I get into that mode.

What is it about politics? One of the two "no-no's" of polite discourse, I can discuss religion without getting "holier than thou," but not politics. Why is that? Hmmmmm… something to ponder.

I left the Democrat Party because I could no longer stomach the two-faced, hypocritical stances it took. I did not join the Republican Party because I observed its hypocrisy too. So I'm an independent; a conservative independent. And while I find myself aligning most frequently with the Republicans, I do not want to be boxed in by any particular political party. I fancy myself as one who's politics are determined by his relationship with Jesus. But that's a hard sell.

Especially to my more liberal friends; they think I'm a sell-out to Rush Limbaugh. They cannot imagine a follower of Jesus being against something as momandapplepieish as universal health insurance. But then, they couldn't understand why I was not hypnotized by Obama-charm. But to my more conservative friends, I'm too squeamish (not the "kill a commie for Christ" type).

I reserve the right to be considered wrong by both sides of the aisle.

And that's ok with me. But I need to watch myself, that I don't get too carried away by political poison. Christ didn't die for the world so that I could dismiss those with whom I disagree. Love is bigger than opinion. Eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is a fundamental human predicament, and I've eaten more than my share.

At Valyermo

2010-02-22T15:11:00.001-08:00

As I ponder my up-coming sabbatical (renewal leave) this summer, I'm struck by the elusiveness of a firm plan. While I have sketched some aspects of what I want to "do," there is so much in the way of vagueness that I cannot be sure that my plans are realistic, let alone realizable. My temptation, of course, is to plan too much; which is why I need this sabbatical in the first place!

My life tends to be busy, far too busy to be healthful. I fill up my days with stuff whether or not the stuff is useful or needful. I pour out myself exhaustively for the church, for people, for "God and Country", so much so that I have little energy left to simply "be" in the presence of God. And yet it is in the "being" that I am of any help or usefulness in the "doing" of ministry/life/vocation.

I fear that the three months will go by much too quickly, which they undoubtedly will. So I want to make the most of them. I can't wait for the sabbatical to begin, and yet I fear it will be over too soon and I will be no better off.

So, at least preliminarily, here is what I want to do during my sabbatical leave, June – August, 2010.

First, and foremost, rest, restore, renew, reconnect and refresh. To restore an intimate relationship with the Father/Son/Holy Spirit and to refresh my calling (vocation).
(Re)establish a discipline/rhythm of prayer, study, exercise, play and work.
1. Prayer: practice prayerful living daily (at least one hour), monthly (at least one day), quarterly (at least one weekend), annually (at least one week).
2. Study: engage an in-depth study through reading books, listening to sermons/lectures, attending some workshops/seminars. I want to focus on one major "spiritual" topic, one minor "spiritual" topic, and one "ordinary" topic (not related to ministry directly).
3. Exercise: practice the physical discipline of walking, playing golf (which is walking and hitting a ball) and hiking (which is walking in a beautiful location!).
4. Play: go fishing with family and friends, play golf, attend baseball games, play board games, develop a hobby (NOT on the computer, like out in the workshop).
5. Work: Notice this is last. Not that it is least important, but it is the thing that I have focused on way too much. So I want to develop a healthy disciplined work ethic as a pastor.
I want to blog through my sabbatical, not to educate or inspire others, but to discipline myself to intentionally reflect on my journey and, thus, deepen it. If others find things to learn or be inspired, so be it! But if not, it isn't my purpose.

Further thoughts to come.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T10:31:00.001-08:00

As the new year begins, we hear quite often the hope expressed that "this year will be better than last year." That kind of hope wells up inside of us as the calendar year turns over, but I'm wondering why we only think in these terms based on the calendar? Wouldn't it be better to keep this kind of hope daily? "I hope that today will be better than yesterday."

I suppose that we do carry this daily hope, albeit not so overtly. Without it we would despair. However as this new year begins, let me suggest going a step further.

If we are to grow as followers of Jesus, we need to assess our spiritual growth daily. Charting that growth through journaling will enable us to see the progress we are making in the spiritual life. And if we can see how God is "growing us up into Christ" (Eph. 4:15-16) that will feed our hope that today (this month, this year, etc.) will be better than the last.

Health Care Debate

2009-10-15T20:29:00.001-07:00

Health care reform is a hot topic right now. Everyone seems to have an opinion and I am no different. I am against government-run health care because everything I have ever seen the government run has been far less efficient than privately-run equivalents, with the exceptions of the military (NOT the VA health care) and the IRS bill-collection department (those guys are amazing!). I don't like to use the clichés of the Post Office and the DMV because it isn't fair to over-emphasize the obvious. So let me just mention the city building department and the California State Legislature. 'Nuf said.

As a pastor, I have known many people through the years who belong to Kaiser. I have found that there are basically two kinds of Kaiser members: (1) Those who love it and think it is the best thing since Dr. Kildare, and (2) those who hate it and think it is the worst thing since the DMV (oops, sorry, I said I wouldn't use that). The lesson? That anecdotal stories are not very helpful in determining the best way to go for health care. Kaiser is a private HMO (depending on which of the two categories above into which you fit, that stands for Health Maintenance Organization or Health Mutilation Organization), and no matter what kind of "reform" in health care we get, I suspect it will look a lot more like an HMO than not. Keep that in mind.

Much of the discussion over health care reform has centered on how other countries handle their health care. It has been said over and over again that America has one of the worst health care systems, and of the developed countries we are the only one without a universal health care system. Again, anecdotal stories of hell or nirvana are not helpful. The only thing that is helpful are facts measured broadly, and even those are suspect. Take statistics, for instance. Much is said about the life expectancy of Americans compared with citizens of countries where health care is universally available (and "affordable" but that is another discussion). The problem with the quoted percentages is that we have no way of easily determining if those figures are (1) accurate (they are usually put forth by groups that have an agenda, and yes, the World Health Organization has an agenda!), or (2) clean (comparing apples to apples and not apples to crabapples). Take life expectancy for example. The numbers include murders and automobile accidents. Deaths by these factors do not necessarily reflect on the nation's health care system. Murders in the US are much higher than in the UK, for instance. I read one source that said if murders were factored in, Americans would have the highest life expectancy of the industrialized world. Or take infant mortality. In the US, the infant mortality rate includes those babies who are born to drug addicts and illegal aliens. I suspect that the UK (or even Canada) has much less of an illegal immigrant problem than we do. So statistics, as they say, can lie. Not that they always do, but we need to consider them properly and not just throw numbers around unqualified as though they prove our point.

With such a divisive issue, tempers are sure to flare, as we have seen. But the US Congress seems poised to pass some sort of health care reform. No doubt it will be quite the conglomeration of compromise and will probably please very few people. After all is said and done, caring for people will continue to be the main thing. How to pay for it is another matter altogether.

Abortion “Rights”

2009-09-01T12:43:00.001-07:00

I am going to try and write more blog entries than just my local church newsletter articles! So, here goes… wading into controversial waters!

My abortion position changed when Cyndy and I experienced the first of seven miscarriages. There isn't any way to convince me that when the baby died that it was "only" a piece of organic matter. The loss we felt was real. Yes, we felt the loss of a life full of potential, but we also felt the loss of actual life. One of our children was born alive, only to live for three hours outside the womb. We had Joshua Howard Haworth (7/12/87) baptized so that he would "know" a family and a faith. Our district superintendent, Rev. Don Locher, assured us that we didn't HAVE to have him baptized (United Methodists don't believe that unbaptized babies go to hell!). But it wasn't about that. It was about having our son know, even for a brief moment, that he was loved and that he was a part of our family. Each Christmas we still hang an ornament with Joshua's name on it.

I have performed funeral services for babies that have died in utero and felt the extreme grief of the family. They were not grieving the loss of a mass of flesh, but a member of their family. Think of it. Why perform a funeral for a mass of organic matter? An unborn baby is not a tumor.

Abortions are performed all too often in the world, and all too often simply for the convenience of the mother and/or father. In truly life-threatening situations, I think there should be some grace. But ALL abortions are life and death decisions for the baby.

Don't talk to me about injustice in the world until you are ready to acknowledge that abortion involves one of the greatest injustices of all: the valuing of one strong life (and its preferences) over another weaker one.

As the adoptive father of three, I can say without a smidgen of doubt that adoption is a FAR more compassionate option for most "unwanted pregnancies" than abortion. And since compassion seems to be the value du jour for liberals/progressives, I don't understand their support for abortion "rights."

Financial Crisis and the Church

2009-08-27T17:50:00.001-07:00

Friends, I write this with a heavy heart because I know, as your pastor, how this will affect you. Our church is facing a serious financial challenge as we enter the final third of the year. I am calling the entire church to be in prayer about this, seeking guidance from the Lord and wisdom.

At the beginning of the year we passed a budget in our special Church Conference (every member invited to attend and vote) that included a line item called "Faith Income." That line was set at over $35,000 in order to "balance" the budget. Unfortunately, now that we are in August, not very much has been done to address that income line. Only something over $2000 has come in to be applied to that "Faith Income" line.

Our congregational giving is doing pretty well. We stand at 95% of budget in that area, so you are all to be congratulated on that! Even in these tough financial times, your faithfulness in giving is outstanding! But since we have not had a functioning Finance Committee (because no one has stepped up to be the Committee Chairperson), we have not conducted any major fund raisers to try and address the needed additional income. Our expenses have been right on budget. But our income has not. Currently our arrears in income correspond almost exactly to the deficit in that "Faith Income" line item. To put that in black and white, we are behind our budget in income by about $18,500.

Thankfully we have funds on account so that we can keep our bills paid and obligations met. But, obviously, we cannot continue in this direction if we hope to remain solvent. Your Board of Trustees and Church Council are doing what they can to address this issue, but we need more than just these groups working on it. We need all the members of the church family to consider ways to address the problem. If we cannot find a way to "stop the bleeding" we may have to make some serious and deep cuts in the budget next year, possibly even having to cut staff in order to balance our budget. I know that no one wants to do that, but it is a possibility. There is even the possibility that we might have to drop down to a part time pastor if we can't find other ways to balance the budget.

So please hold this issue in prayer. I'm asking all CUMC members and friends to earnestly seek the Lord in this matter. We need His guidance and wisdom. If you hear anything from the Lord, please communicate with Pastor Glen, Church Council Chairperson Mac Brazelton, Lay Leader Frank Cookingham or Trustee President Mike Proffitt. And come to church on September 13^th as we go to our knees together as a congregation in a "Concert of Prayer" on this and other matters.

Thank you for your faithfulness!

Blessings,

Pastor Glen

New Sermon Series: Growing Together

2009-07-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

Starting this Sunday, July 19th, I'll be preaching a series of messages called "Growing Together." It is about community, especially as it relates to the Christian life. We form community whenever we are in relationships: Family, Church, Neighborhood, etc. And those relationships are best nurtured when we are accountable to a small, trusted group of people who are companions on our life's journey.

The Wesleys (John and Charles) were very good at calling the early Methodists into small groups to nurture their life of faith. These "classes" were the forerunners to the small groups movement that is exploding today. As a church family, Chino United Methodist Church is intentionally calling its members (both present and future) into small groups for Christian discipleship and caring. This sermon series will highlight the Biblical and social foundations for small groups.

So, come on by any Sunday! You are welcome!

The Summer of Our Discomplacency

2009-06-28T08:46:00.001-07:00

I love making up new words! I think it is a form of poetry, but I'm not sure. Discomplacency, according to the Haworth Dictionary, means the opposite of complacency. Complacency means "A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy." (e-Ref-er-ence, by Houghton Miffin) And so discomplacency means "A feeling of DIScontentment or self-DISsatisfaction…" Yeah, that's about right.

What I mean is, we cannot afford, as a church family, to become complacent! Our sanctuary is rebuilt, we have recovered from "the fire." Now it is time to get down to the business of the church!

It would be very easy for us to sit back now and just coast. After all, we have put a lot of work into rebuilding the sanctuary and all of the other projects. We're tired! We need to rest! But I am here to tell you that to do so will spell the death of our church. I've seen it happen many times: when a church finishes a major building project it just begins to die out. Heaven forbid that happen at Chino!

Now is the time to begin stretching ourselves, reaching out in new and profound ways, getting serious about discipleship and what it means to wear the name "Christian." Now is the time to catch our second (or third or fourth or…) breath, push forward into God's future and BE what God has called us to be.

An important element in the process, as discerned by church leadership, is to form small groups for spiritual formation and Christian discipleship. In a small group, one is able to "get real" about one's walk of faith, seek the support and accountability of other Christians, and learn from others what following Jesus is all about. This fall, you will have the opportunity to join a small group as we study together The Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren. A pilot group will be meeting this summer to prepare leaders for small groups across the congregation. Be praying and watching for the invitation to join a small group this fall. My hope, and the hope of the church leaders, is that engaging in "40 Days of Purpose" will inspire and motivate the entire congregation to embrace small groups as an essential (and very Methodist, by the way) element in our life as a church. Will you pray?

Be Blessed!

Pastor Glen

God Shows Up in Prison

2009-06-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

Another Epiphany Ministries weekend is complete and 28 more young men at the Stark Youth Correctional Facility in Chino have been blessed with an out-pouring of God's love. And about the same number of Epiphany team members have, too!

It was a wonderful weekend, May 15-17. Jon Burk and I were part of the ministry team that went into Stark YCF for three days, spending all day each day sharing the love of God with young men who had been locked up in prison for, in some cases, several years. And for many of them, this was the first time anyone had shown any real love to them!

We lavished them with food, snacks, small gifts and, most importantly, attention. We listened to their stories. And we shared the Gospel with them. Over the course of the weekend, God melted their hardened hearts and released them for hope and faith.

Not all of them will hold on to their newly enlivened faith; but most will. And their chances for leaving prison and establishing lives of hope and productivity are greatly enhanced. We will visit them monthly as an Epiphany team, sharing some more shacks and goodies and talking about how Jesus can make all the difference in their, and our, lives.

I personally sat and listened as several wards (they are not called prisoners) revealed to me that they intended to walk the "straight and narrow" after they are released, to find a church home, and to reach their goals of finding gainful employment and meaningful relationships. I hope our church will be courageous enough to welcome a former ward into our church family should they show up some Sunday!

If you would like to make an eternal difference in a troubled young man's life, consider getting involved in the next Epiphany weekend in November. Jon or I can set you up with the right people! It really is a significant mission of love.

Be Blessed!

Pastor Glen

Stewards of God’s Creation

2009-05-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

We've just had a couple of Sunday's where the stewardship of the earth were themes. On both April 19^th (Festival of God's Creation Sunday) and 26^th (Native American Ministries Sunday) we celebrated Creation and our stewardship of it.

I ran across the following recently.

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the 'beginning'.."

"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God..

"Well", says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting. Show Me. "

So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil. "Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God. "Get your own dirt!"

I love this story, because it reveals the profound truth of Creation. God is behind it all! And even if we can "duplicate" some of the processes, when it comes right down to it, God made it all so we are dependent upon God for all.

But that also means that we have to take care of what God has given us. No matter where you stand on the "Global Warming" controversy, it remains that Christians are called by God to care for the earth. Genesis 2:15 says that human beings are placed on this earth to "till it and keep it." We are stewards of God's Creation, and we need to take seriously our responsibility to "till and keep" the earth!

Oh, and God says we can use His dirt!

Be Blessed!

Pastor Glen

Putting Our Faith Into Action

2009-03-31T22:09:00.001-07:00

By the time you read this our first "Faith In Action" (FIA) Sunday will be over and we will have participated with four other Chino churches in reaching out to our community with the love of God. And, yes, we canceled our regular Sunday morning worship services! For some, perhaps, it is a sacrilegious thing. But in my mind, it is a demonstrable expression of our faith in Jesus Christ, who is Lord of the Sabbath and Redeemer of the world!

Think about it: Much of the world thinks that church-goers are irrelevant, that we merely sit in our pews and waste time singing old songs and hearing stories from an old Book, not really changing anything at all. Consider what a witness it is for them to see us leave our safe sanctuaries and go out into the world on a Sunday morning to do something selfless for the community! What an opportunity to show that our faith is not simply about sitting and doing nothing, but rather it is about sharing the love of God, who loved the world so much that He sent His only Son from the safe environs of heaven to the earth where He was tortured and killed only to rise again!

I can't think of anything more appropriate to the season of Lent then what we did on March 29^th, Faith In Action Sunday!

I hope you were one of the many participants in FIA Sunday. But if you were not, please talk to those who were. Ask them about their experience. Find out what they learned about themselves and about their sisters and brothers in Christ. Ask them how it felt to gather together with people from many different churches to work and worship. The familiar song, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love" talks about "we will walk with each other" and "we will work side by side." The Scripture referred to is John 13:35, where Jesus says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

And isn't that what we want? For people to know that we are disciples of Jesus?

I thank God that I can be a part of a church that is willing to risk much for the sake of the Gospel! Thank you, Church, for taking risks and being disciples of Jesus Christ!

Be Blessed!

Pastor Glen

Lent: A time for Focusing

2009-02-19T13:05:00.001-08:00

The liturgical season of Lent (the word originally simply meant Spring) is the forty days (plus six Sundays) preceding Easter during which Christians are encouraged to fast (do without) from certain worldly comforts (traditionally meat) and to focus on the meaning of Jesus' suffering (passion) and death. It is a time of spiritual focusing in preparation for the most significant Holy Day of the year: Easter.

Many choose to fast from certain foods during Lent. Foods such as desserts, coffee, soft drinks or red meat are popular choices. Others choose to fast from television or internet surfing. The idea is to do without something that one enjoys in order to focus on spiritual things. How does doing without red meat (for instance) help us to focus on spiritual things? Simply put, when we deny ourselves an indulgence we feel it either physically or emotionally. And when we are feeling the "hunger" for this indulgence we ordinarily grant ourselves, it can be understood as an offering to God, a sacrifice (in the Old Testament tradition) that we make to show our love and devotion to God.

While fasting from certain things, I always encourage a Lenten discipline of ADDING a spiritual discipline to one's routine. Spending time in prayer every day (if one is not already accustomed to doing so), or adding another spiritual discipline (fasting, Bible reading, serving others, etcetera) will help one to focus on spiritual things. The idea is to so prepare ourselves that Easter Sunday greets us with exceptional joy and relief! Think about how good a slice of pork roast would taste after 40+ days of not eating any meat! When we long for the Lord as much as we long for a hamburger we are approaching the attitude expressed by the psalmist who wrote "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for You, O God" (Psalm 42:1).

So beginning with Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25) when we are reminded of our mortality (ashes to ashes, dust to dust) and through the 40 days of Lent (plus six Sundays), culminating with Holy Week, I encourage you to fast, pray, focus and grow in your walk with the Lord. It is a holy time. Use it wisely!

Shalom,

Pastor Glen

A New Beginning

2009-01-21T16:54:00.001-08:00

As I write this, President Barack Obama has just been sworn in to office as the 44^th President of the United States of America. It is an exciting day in the life of our country as another peaceful transition of power unfolds and the Great Experiment continues. It is also an historic day as the first African-American president is inaugurated. I am proud to be an American and hopeful for the future!

No matter what your political party or for whom you voted, this is a hopeful time. If for no other reason than the slate is wiped clean and it is a new beginning. No one knows for sure what an Obama presidency will bring forth, and we cannot foretell the future with regards to events that are yet to come, but we can all come together and face our future in unity. Does that mean there will be no disagreements? Hardly. Healthy disagreement is a hallmark of our nation. But we should all rejoice that there are no riots in the streets, no military coup, and no enemy attack to steal our national unity.

Having said that, as Christians we must always remember that no political party, no government, no president will usher in the Kingdom of God; Barack Obama is NOT the Messiah! George Bush was NOT the Messiah. Only Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and it is to Him alone we trust our faith and future. We cannot allow any politics to usurp the authority of Jesus Christ in our lives. True, we owe allegiance to our country, but only secondarily to our allegiance to God. We are to "give to Caesar" but we are first to "give to God."

So let's embrace hope! Hope is one of the "big three" (faith, hope, and love-1 Cor. 13:13). And let us remember that our hope is in the Lord (Psalm 39:7).

Peace,

Pastor Glen

What A Glorious Day!

2008-12-20T11:49:00.001-08:00

The first Sunday back in our Sanctuary was, by all accounts, a glorious day! We had a full house and everyone was excited and thrilled by worshipping in the Sanctuary once again. So many people were involved and so many factors came together that I cannot begin to enumerate them all. Suffice it to say that God worked "all things together for good" (Rom. 8:28) on our first Sunday back.

It was an emotional day. I think we had grown so used to worship in the Social Hall that we had forgotten what it felt like in the Sanctuary. The ringing of the bell as we processed from the Social Hall to the Sanctuary, then the first notes of the organ and the singing of the opening hymn brought tears to many an eye (including mine!). The choir sounded twice as large as it did in the Social Hall (the acoustics in the Sanctuary are marvelous) and that new baby grand piano was wonderful. Like I said, it was a glorious day.

As we begin a new calendar year at Chino UMC, I am excited about what God is going to do in us and through us. The signs are there. People are hopeful. New ideas and enthusiasm are abundant. New leaders are stepping forward. The stage is set for God to move us into a new era, a "post fire" era. Starting of small groups, new outreach ministries, evangelism and mission, music programs and much, much more await us in 2009! There is no reason to rest on the "high" of that first Sunday back in the Sanctuary, because God has much more in store for us!

It is going to be a lot of fun as we walk forward under the guidance of the Lord. I hope you will fully enter in to the life of our church as, together, we discover what God has planned for us!

New Year Blessings!

What Next? Life After the Lay Witness Mission

2008-11-25T22:18:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful weekend, November 7-9, as 20 lay persons from Arizona, Utah and California converged on Chino to share their lives and faith with us. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of our congregation emerge through the weekend. So many of you have commented to me of how much our “Kindling the Flame” weekend touched you!

But what’s next? After the potluck luncheon, 23 CUMC’ers stayed to share and contemplate that very question. Out of that meeting has come some very exciting ideas and plans for our church family! Jon Burk has compiled these ideas and the Church Council has met to discuss them and make some plans. The most prominent idea was to put our heart and soul into the Thanksgiving Day Dinner that was started last year by ChUMY (Chino United Methodist Youth!). So we are committed to work on making this year’s meal even more meaningful and helpful to our community. Last September, the Church Council decided not to have a CUMC Thanksgiving meal the Sunday before Thanksgiving in order that we can put all of our energy into the Thanksgiving Day event.

Beyond that one event, the most prominent idea to come out of the Lay Witness weekend was to form small groups in the congregation, and to enhance the small groups that already exist so that more CUMC members and friends can experience, in an on-going way, the blessing of small groups. So prominent was this idea, in fact, that the Church Council has encouraged me to get started on this right away! Small groups, like those we experienced on the “Kindling the Flame” weekend are a fabulous way to help each other to grow in our Christian discipleship, both in terms of our devotional life and our missional outreach. Growing our church for the future involves both drawing new members and families to our church, but also for us to continue to grow in our Christian discipleship. People are attracted to churches which are extraordinarily committed to living out the faith they proclaim!

So the first step is to recruit and train small group leaders and homes in which to hold small group meetings. I would like to call these groups “Home Groups.” They will be offering different activities and structures to fit the different needs of different people. Depending on how many we can recruit and train, I can envision groups including such activities as: Bible study, prayer, spiritual accountability, mission outreach, book study, and/or a combination of more than one. The only limit is our imagination! I will also be reaching out to the leadership of our existing small groups (committees, choir, and other groups) to offer ideas to help make them even more meaningful. But if you feel a call to hosting a Home Group in your home, please contact me. And if you feel a call to being trained to be a leader of a Home Group (could be the host, but doesn’t have to be), contact me. We are hoping to get these groups off the ground before the end of the year!

With the re-entry into the sanctuary coming up on December 14th and so many other things happening around the church, it is an exciting time to be here! I hope you join me in looking expectantly to God for what He wants to accomplish in us and through us!

Be Blessed!

Five Secrets of Life

2008-10-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

I was sent this link by an acquaintance who is living with cancer. She is a clergy member of my annual conference. I pass it along to you because it is very moving and beautiful. But I also add something that I think is important, because as Christians we have a unique perspective. The “Five Secrets of Life” are given in a secular genre. But whatever is true is from God, so insofar that this is true, I believe, God has issued it. Therefore, after you have viewed the video (it’s about 6 minutes), consider my comments that follow. For me, it puts the whole thing in proper perspective.

Here’s the link: http://www.bkconnection.com/thefivesecrets/index.html

Now, after watching, consider:

1. Be true to yourself. This is the ONLY one of the five that needs any significant interpretation. Because as Christians, we believe that our “self” is corrupt. However, our “true self” is in Christ Jesus (who is NOT corrupt). For Christians, we might word this one “Be true to your true self.” So the scriptures for this are: 1 John 5:20 and Romans 12:5.
2. Leave no regrets. Philippians 3:13
3. Become love. 1 John 4:7-8
4. Live the moment. James 4:13-15
5. Give more than you take. Acts 20:35

Be Blessed!

When a Fire is Good

2008-10-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

In just a couple of weeks, we are going to have a fire. No, not the kind of fire that heavily damaged our sanctuary over a year ago! This fire is a good fire; this fire is about the Spirit!

“Kindling the Flame” is the name of our first (ever?) Lay Witness Mission at Chino UMC. What is a Lay Witness Mission? I’m glad you asked! It is a marvelous weekend of spiritual growth that can have a lasting and transforming impact on a congregation. It is a weekend that could very well kindle the kind of growth and vitality that our church needs to face the challenges of the years ahead.

There is a brochure included in this issue of the Tidings that will tell you a lot about our “Kindling the Flame” Lay Witness Mission, November 7-9. It includes a schedule for the weekend.

I want to encourage every member of the Chino UMC family to make every effort to attend as much of the weekend as possible. You will meet lay persons, just like you, who have developed a deep and meaningful relationship with God in Jesus Christ. You will hear about the struggles with integrating their faith in all aspects of their lives. And you will be encouraged to grow deeper in your own faith.

What have you got to lose?

Our church has a lot to gain!

So plan now to attend “Kindling the Flame”, Friday, November 7th through Sunday, November 9th. For more information, talk to me or Mac Brazelton, Frank Cookingham, or any member of the Church Council, which planned this weekend just for you!

Be blessed!

Earth Has No Sorrow (that Heaven Cannot Heal)

2008-10-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

Our church has been through a tremendous amount of grief lately. With the deaths of Bill Mendoza and Barbara Pine we have lost two “pillars” of the church, one in the prime of life, and the other taking with her the legacy and memories of countless numbers. Even if you did not know Bill or Barbara well, if you are involved in the church at all, you are feeling the grief.

Grief is God’s way of venting the pain of loss. When we lose someone we know and love, it hurts. That pain must be dealt with, or else it could kill us. Healing begins when grieving begins. At first, of course, we are in shock and feel nothing. But as the truth of our loss seeps in, our bodies and our hearts begin to grieve. It used to be believed that you make it through a loss by NOT crying or showing other forms of emotion. But that is simply not true. In fact, to shut down our emotions (in an effort to protect ourselves from too much grief) will only serve to exacerbate the problem. Emotions that are shoved down and hidden away will always come back strike more ferociously and unhealthy later on.

One of the best things we as a church family can do during times like these is to give permission to (and even encourage) each other to grieve, and grieve well. And that means to allow for tears, anger, disbelief, and more tears. This congregation is good at allowing these things, so I’m only saying this as a reminder.

God gives us other people to help make us better people. He puts people in our lives who will influence us and challenge us. The best thing we can do is consider what gifts Bill and Barbara (and anyone else who has passed) had that touched us and made us want to be better people. What was it about their faith, their character, their essence that reminded us of Jesus? Identify those things, hold on to them, and pray for God to make you more like them. Remember, the goal of Christian discipleship is to become more and more like Jesus. Bill was like Jesus; Barbara was like Jesus. Find what it is about them that was like Jesus, and embrace it.

And when you miss them, and the emotions well up inside you, it is good to cry.

Remembering Bill Mendoza

2008-09-12T17:14:00.001-07:00

As our church and community mourns the death of Bill Mendoza this past Labor Day, I pause to reflect on what Bill meant to me. Bill was a gentle giant of a man, humble and unassuming, who quietly walked the life of faith better than anyone I have known. He was not so interested in arguing with people as he was in accepting and loving people as they were. He took seriously God's call to care for creation, living with consistency the mantra of "Use, Reuse, Recycle"! He never threw anything away that couldn't still be used for something! His family cherishes a wooden spoon that Bill loved to use when cooking that had been worn down to half its original size. "It still works!", Bill would say.

Bill loved the great outdoors. He loved music. He loved the students he taught for over 30 years. He loved his church. But most of all, he loved his wife, Beth, their children Clair, Ben and Patrick, granddaughter Vanessa (whom he and Beth have raised) and their newest granddaughter, Alexis.

Every year, around the first of December, Bill (with help from Ben) would string thousands of lights and a huge star on the tree in front of the church on Riverside Drive. He would climb the tree and sling the lights over limbs and through branches. He did it quietly, like everything else, with no fanfare and no expectation of recognition. That is just the kind of guy he was.

When I got the call about his tragic death while kayaking on Mono Lake, a place he particularly loved, my heart broke. What a loss. The world needs more Bill Mendozas, not less. But God gave Bill to us as a blessing. We had him for 57 years, and in that time he made a difference. I hope that when I pass, people will say that of me. In the mean time, I want to be more like Bill Mendoza.

Why I Believe We Must Protect Marriage

2008-08-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline (2004) states, “We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We believe that God’s blessing rests upon such marriage, whether or not there are children of the union. We reject social norms that assume different standards for women than for men in marriage. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” (Emphasis mine, par. 161.C.)

You may have read that our annual conference (the California-Pacific Conference) disagrees with the Book of Discipline and voted recently to oppose the so-called “Marriage Amendment” on the ballot in California in November. So I am going against the majority of clergy and lay delegates to annual conference when I say that I think it is very important that Proposition 8 (the “Marriage Amendment”) passes on November 4^th. In many respects, this is more important than who we select for president!

I believe this is important because at no time in history has marriage ever been defined as anything other than the union between the genders. When we broaden that definition to include unions of same-gendered persons we run the risk of destroying marriage itself. What’s to keep us from allowing the marriage of a brother and sister (as long as they plan to have no children, why not?)? The Scriptures and the Tradition of the church clearly disallow same-gender marriage. And yet, in little less than 20 years of public debate, we have reversed centuries of historic wisdom, both secular and religious. I’m thinking that we need to consider this some more!

I am willing to have “domestic partnerships” with legal standing in civil society. But if the State Supreme Court’s ruling (striking down the law that defined marriage as between one man and one woman) is allowed to stand, the state could very well force the churches to not only recognize same-gender marriages, but to perform same-gender weddings as well. And if a preacher were to speak out against it (even from the pulpit), he or she might be subject to arrest for “hate crimes!” This kind of think is already happening in Canada. If California does not reverse the State Supreme Court’s ruling, it will have a detrimental effect on the rest of the United States as far as resisting this band wagon of same-gender marriage.

I will be working to support the passage of Proposition 8 on the November 4^th ballot. If you would like to get involved, check out http://www.protectmarriagesd.com/ on the internet or call (619) 660-5000 to see how you can get involved.

A Year After the Fire

2008-07-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

This month marks a year since our sanctuary at Chino UMC was set afire. I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the past year and the road we have traveled together.

No one discounts the trauma our congregation has experienced because of the fire and resulting damage to the sanctuary. Already, in fact, the event has formed a new identity for us as “the church that had its sanctuary burned.” It is quite possible that my ministry here will be remembered in large part as “the pastor who sat in his office while the church burned!” I hope not, but you never know!

My hope, of course, is that we will not let our tragedy define us. Rather, I hope we will take our tragedy and, with God’s power, transform our identity to “the church that is on fire for the Lord!”

During this past year, we have heard countless “updates” on the progress of rebuilding the sanctuary. There is no doubt that reconstruction has taken a lot of my time, your time, the Trustees time and our Insurance Company’s money. But even more important than the construction updates have been the signs and wonders of God in our midst. Have you noticed them?

Two classes have gone through the “Experiencing God” course. Out of those two classes, individuals are coming alive in their walk with God, finding new and exciting ways to recognize God’s action in our lives and joining in with God to be in ministry. We have hosted a series of services with Dr. Tom Fuller, a United Methodist Evangelist who helped us learn a lot about John and Charles Wesley and, even more importantly, what Wesleyan Christian Spirituality is all about. There have been sermon series on Spiritual Disciplines, a look at First and Second Corinthians and how Paul deals with Christian Discipleship, and a series on Spiritual Gifts culminating with a Spiritual Gift Inventory and the discovery of our unique spiritual gifts. We experienced the miracle of a Thanksgiving Day meal for the community and the Sierra Service Project, to name just a couple of mission-oriented ministries that were birthed after the fire. It has been a year of focusing on deepening our Passionate Spirituality, and I think we have, as a congregation, grown quite a bit as a result.

We have worshipped in the Social Hall this entire year, and that has had a significant impact on us. We are learning to anticipate God’s presence even in a setting in which we are not accustomed to experiencing it. We are trying new things in worship and finding that God meets us there, even as He has met us in old, familiar ways. My deepest desire is that our time of exile from the sanctuary will be a time when we meet God and let Him transform us individually and congregationally into the people He desires us to be. Is that not your desire as well?

Welcome to the Continued Journey!

Another Annual Conference

2008-06-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Mohnike, Kim Hidalgo, Paul McConnell and I are back from Redlands where we attended the California-Pacific Annual Conference sessions at the University of Redlands. It was hotter than blazes out there! But it was good to visit with old friends, worship together and celebrate our common ministry.

But Conference used to be more fun. I’ve been going to Conference for 30 years, and I can remember looking forward to it each year. But over the last 20 or so years, Conference has become more and more contentious. The division between liberal (progressive) and conservative (traditional) has grown deeper over the years, as the agenda for social action has been pushed harder and harder. In recent years there has been an attempt to be less contentious in our debate, but the underlying struggle between two mutually exclusive world views has remained. What results is a lot of stress and fear.

I mentioned the “agenda for social action.” I should be more specific. Over the past couple of decades, the majority of delegates at Annual Conference have shifted more to the left, socially and theologically. And the major hot-button issue has been homosexuality. But underlying the debate about homosexuality is a theological issue related to the Bible. There are those who wish to ignore portions of the Bible that condemn homosexuality, or if not ignore it, interpret it away. On the other side, there are those who want to raise homosexuality to the position of “#1 Sin.” Both are wrong. Both are extremes. But what happens at Conference is that these two positions, and variations on them, debate resolutions and statements which are then voted on, and the majority rules. Feelings are hurt, and people avoid each other because of it.

That is why Conference is no fun anymore!

In the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?!” I long for the day when controversial issues no longer force a wedge between Christian brothers and sisters, and we can all move forward in the ministry of the Kingdom, hand-in-hand, with the Lord as our guide! Maybe then, Conference will be fun again.

Be Blessed!

Sermons

2008-05-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've decided to quit publishing my sermons on this blog. Instead, I will post them (as .pdf files) on the church website: http://www.chinoumc.org. Look for the "Sermons" link on the left-hand column.

Same-Gender Marriage

2008-05-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

The recent ruling by the California Supreme Court striking down a state law that was approved by the voters of California a few years ago which defined marriage as between one man and one woman will no doubt cause a great deal of controversy. I am fully aware that there are good, moral people on both sides of this issue. I am also aware that our congregation is not of one mind on this issue. And so I address the matter with some fear and trepidation.

On the one hand, it seems that the dictates of fairness and human compassion would lead one to celebrate the court’s decision. After all, aren’t all people “created equal” and all entitled to “equal rights?” Isn’t the attempt to exclude homosexual people from marrying each other just another form of discrimination? Aren’t we going through some of the same moral enlightenment that we did in the 1960's when the Civil Rights movement took the country by storm?

These are persuasive arguments.

Fairness and compassion have replaced truth and wisdom as the guiding principles of modern moral thought. The four justices of the California Supreme Court who voted to overturn Proposition 22 acted out of an extreme sense of fairness and compassion. But I honestly wonder how wise it is and what relationship it has with truth.

My concern is with the redefinition of “marriage.” In all of history, no system of philosophy and no major religion has ever defined marriage as anything other than a union of male and female. Granted, in ancient times, polygamy was permitted and encouraged. But never were persons of the same gender united in a relationship termed “marriage.” And yet, in a very short period of time (can you imagine anything like this happening 30 years ago?), four state supreme justices and millions of their supporters have succeeded in changing something that has stood for millennia. I submit that no one can know the upheaval that this will cause in our society if it is not over-turned.

The United Methodist Church, through the General Conference, recently reaffirmed its stand against same-gender marriage, affirming that marriage is to be defined as between one man and one woman. It further reaffirmed the prohibition of United Methodist ministers conducting same-gender weddings, or allowing same-gender weddings in United Methodist churches. There were efforts to change that stance, but they failed. The Judeo-Christian Scriptures consistently affirm marriage to be between male and female persons. If the decision of the court is allowed to stand (if a constitutional amendment either at the state level or the federal level defining marriage as between a male and a female is not passed), it will not be long until those who hold to traditional, biblical values and who refuse to conduct same-gender wedding ceremonies, and churches that refuse to allow such weddings to be held in their buildings will be labeled “heteosexists” and will most likely convicted of “hate speech” for voicing traditional values.

To assume that this is simply a matter of fairness and compassion is naive. I call the congregation of Chino UMC to pray, seriously pray about this. Consider what upheaval this decision may cause society and the church. Pray for those wounded by years of perceived unfairness who feel vindicated by this decision. And pray for those who are wounded by the decision itself. Let us search the heart of God for wisdom and truth.

God's Grace Even in Jail

2008-05-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I was once again involved in the Epiphany Ministries weekend at Stark Youth Correctional Facility in Chino, and once again, God showed up in a big way! It amazes me each time, but it shouldn't. God's grace is especially available to those for whom life is hard.

And life is very hard for young men who are incarcerated!

The weekend is much like a "Walk to Emmaus" or Cursillo in some traditions. It is essentially a short course in Christianity with a large dose of hospitality and love thrown in. The young men are surrounded by people who show love to them--real love, the kind that Jesus demonstrated. For many of them this is the first time anyone has ever loved them. Most of them have been abandoned in some way or another, abused or otherwise forgotten. They have turned to abusing others and have been caught. For most, love was never a part of their lives.

The difference between when they first walked in on Friday morning and when they walked out on Sunday evening is nothing less than miraculous. Young men who were hardened (or trying to be) in order to protect themselves on Friday morning, find that by being loved they can show love in return and enjoy themselves. One young man said it best: "Here, I don't have to worry about who's behind me!" I told him, "That's right! Jesus has your back!"

Thank you for all who prayed for the weekend. And thanks to all of the team members who worked very hard to make it happen. But very special thanks to the Lord for truly making it all happen, for the young men, for the staff at the facility, and for the team.

It was amazing!

We Are Never Alone

2008-04-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

I want to share this story with you. May it teach us how very close God is to us each and every day!

Be Blessed,

[Pastor] Glen

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each boy must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man. Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

The Quest

2008-03-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

Just this past month, and quite serendipitously, I was able to go on a five and a half day retreat in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. When another continuing education event that I was planning to attend was moved, and I had already bought the plane tickets, this event (called The Quest) became available. I attended with one of my best friends, who now lives in Pennsylvania!

The Quest is all about getting free and stepping up to the responsibility of being a man of God. If you have read Wild at Heart by John Eldridge, you will know the basic thrust of the program. We had worship, teachings, times of prayer and reflection, confession and repentance and much more. They fed us a lot, too! I’m not supposed to tell you very much about the Quest so that others can go and be blessed too.

On one day, we fasted and spent the whole day out in the woods. It was a wonderful experience in prayer and reflection. The high point of the day was reading letters that many of my friends and family members sent to me. God spoke through those letter to my heart! I heard God say that I am loved, valued, cherished and appreciated; all things that I needed to hear! As gracious as people are to express their appreciation of me, I still get into a place where I wonder. But being quiet before the Lord allowed me to really hear His voice through their voices. It was an awesome experience!

It happened at just the right time, and the circumstances were just so perfect, that I have no doubt it was “a God thing”! The more we trust God and let God work in and through us, the more we find God’s amazing grace. I probably would not have gone on The Quest if I was not already going back east (for meetings in Nashville) and the previous conference had not been moved! It was truly a “divine appointment” for me and just the right time.

So, I encourage you to listen carefully to God, and follow His leading. This life is way too short to let opportunities that God has planned especially for you to slip by! In this holy season of Easter,

Be Blessed!

Find out more about The Quest at www.fellowshipofthesword.com/

A Day When America Works

2008-02-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

This past Tuesday, Election Day, my church hosted a polling place and offered hospitality to voters and poll workers all day. It was a rather simply outreach: coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bottled water and cookies. Perhaps more significant was the friendly smile and a happy "good morning" to those who came to exercise their citizenly rights.

We met some wonderful people. There was no talk of politics (not allowed that close to the polling place), not really any talk of religion. Just friendly talk and friendly smiles. It was really nice.

But what I gained most from the day was a new hope in America. Americans still believe in democracy. Americans still vote, and they still care.

There was a steady stream of people coming to vote. Even though "they" say about half of voters vote by absentee ballot, there are still lots of people who come to the polls to vote. I still vote at the poll because there is something good and satisfying in voting at my neighborhood polling place. Apparently I am not alone in that thought.

So, that's all I wanted to say. Election Day is a day when America (and all that America stands for) still works, and works well. God bless America; America, bless God!

Be It Resolved

2008-01-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

As the new year begins, it is a very good time to re-examine our lives and make decisions that enable us to grow as persons and as children of God. Here are some suggestions you might consider.

1. Resolve to know God better. You do this by giving yourself over to His plan and work. Spend time, often, reading the Bible. Spend time, often, in prayer. Spend time, often, working with God to achieve God’s purposes. Start the year off right by attending and participating in the Wesley Covenant Service on January 6^th (see article elsewhere).

2. Resolve to know others better. You do this by making yourself available to others, revealing who you are and offering your gifts and talents to others. Spend time with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and others. Get to know them, and let them get to know you. Relationships are very important.

3. Resolve to know yourself better. Spend time, often, in self-reflection. Pray about the growth edges of your life, asking God to refine you. Seek inner healing of your emotional and spiritual wounds. Work on the parts of YOU that need work. Resolve to be a better you in a year than you are now.

God wants to bless you, and He wants you to be a blessing to others. Make 2008 a year in which you grow closer to God, to others and to yourself. You are a precious child of God!

Happy New Year!

Silent Night; The Christmas Truce

2007-12-24T23:41:00.001-08:00

By Victor M. Parachin: Baptist Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - When World War I erupted in 1914 launching the
first great European war of the 20th century, soldiers on both sides
were assured they would be home by Christmas to celebrate victory.
That prediction proved to be false.

The men on the fronts did not get home for Christmas as the war
dragged on for four years. During that time 8.5 million men were
killed, with hundreds of thousands more injured. The "war to end all
wars" took a horrific human toll and transformed Europe. However, on
Christmas Eve in December 1914 one of the most unusual events in
military history took place on the Western front.

On the night of Dec. 24 the weather abruptly became cold, freezing
the water and slush of the trenches in which the men bunkered. On the
German side, soldiers began lighting candles. British sentries
reported to commanding officers there seemed to be small lights
raised on poles or bayonets.

Although these lanterns clearly illuminated German troops, making
them vulnerable to being shot, the British held their fire. Even more
amazing, British officers saw through their binoculars that some
enemy troops were holding Christmas trees over their heads with
lighted candles in their branches. The message was clear: Germans,
who celebrated Christmas on the eve of Dec. 24, were extending
holiday greetings to their enemies.

Within moments of that sighting, the British began hearing a few
German soldiers singing a Christmas carol. It was soon picked up all
along the German line as other soldiers joined in harmonizing.

The words heard were these: "Stille nacht, heilige nacht." British
troops immediately recognized the melody as "Silent Night" quickly
neutralized all hostilities on both sides. One by one, British and
German soldiers began laying down their weapons to venture into no-
man's-land, a small patch of bombed-out earth between the two sides.

So many soldiers on both sides ventured out that superior officers
were prevented from objecting. There was an undeclared truce and
peace had broken out.

Frank Richards was an eyewitness of this unofficial truce. In his
wartime diary he wrote: "We stuck up a board with 'Merry Christmas'
on it. The enemy stuck up a similar one. Two of our men threw off
their equipment and jumped on the parapet with their hands above
their heads as two of the Germans did the same, our two going to meet
them.

"They shook hands and then we all got out of the trench and so did
the Germans," Richards said. Richards also explained that some
German soldiers spoke perfect English with one saying how fed up he
was with the war and how he would be glad when it was all over. His
British counterpart agreed.

That night, former enemy soldiers sat around a common campfire. They
exchanged small gifts from their meager belongings - chocolate bars,
buttons, badges and small tins of processed beef. Men who only hours
earlier had been shooting to kill were now sharing Christmas
festivities and showing each other family snapshots. The truce ended
just as it had begun, by mutual agreement.

Captain C.I. Stockwell of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers recalled how,
after a truly "Silent Night," he fired three shots into the air at
8:30 a.m. December 26 and then stepped up onto the trench bank. A
German officer who had exchanged gifts with Captain Stockwell the
previous night also appeared on a trench bank. They bowed, saluted
and climbed back into their trenches. A few minutes later, Captain
Stockwell heard the German officer fire two shots into the air.

The war was on again.

Joseph's Letter Home

2007-12-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

For the sermon today (Dec. 23) I read a letter written by Ralph Wilson, entitled "Joseph's Letter Home." I am not allowed to post the letter here, but you can read it on Ralph's website, at http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/joseph.htm?wmt131.

Enjoy!

Christmas Shopping

2007-12-20T12:11:00.000-08:00

I hate it when I'm out Christmas shopping and I get all upset and angry with other people BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO OUT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!

Do you know what I mean?

It is a totally amazing contradiction in a season that is supposed to be filled with joy and love, to get over-the-top angry with people just because they are looking for parking spots, or searching in the same aisle for presents for their loved ones. And yet, year after year, it happens to me.

What is WRONG with me?

So I asked God. "What is wrong with me?" And you know what He said? He didn't say anything! He just showed me a movie.

The movie started when I was a little baby. It showed me crying because I was hungry. Then it showed me crying because I needed my diaper changed! Then it showed me crying because I wanted to be picked up. Are you getting the picture?

Then, the movie switched to me as a little boy. I was upset because my best friend, Franky, had the cool new toy that I wanted, but my parents weren't going to get it for me.

Then, it switched to me in college. I was angry because I couldn't find a parking spot and I was late for class!

"Ok, ok! I get it, God!" I'm selfish. I think only of myself. I get angry with other Christmas shoppers because I really don't care about them, deep down inside, as much as I care about myself. I get it.

Each and every one of "those people" out Christmas shopping at the same time as I am has a story, a family, a mom and dad, maybe even children. And, most importantly, each and everyone is a son or daughter of God! And, for the most part, they care more deeply about themselves than they do about me. Just like I do.

So, do you know what? I'm going to be different! That's right! I'm going to be different the next time I go out shopping. I'm going to remember what its all about.

It isn't about me.

Merry Christmas!

Senseless Violence

2007-12-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

The murders in Colorado this past Sunday morning at a church and a missionary training center serve to underline the depth to which our society is sinking. Add to that the murders of innocent people at shopping malls and schools, and the result is obvious: we are in trouble.

It wasn't that long ago that schools and churches were considered safe places. Those who were inclined to violence and crime simply did not perpetrate their evil there. But that is not true any more. In fact, it is becoming more and more the case that no one is safe anywhere. Nothing, as we say, is sacred anymore. Even in our own case, the arson fire that severely damaged our sanctuary was perpetrated, according to police and fire investigators, by someone who was expressing their anger at the church.

What is this world coming to?

More and more it is clear where this world is heading. And it should be no surprise to anyone who claims the biblical faith. Sin and depravity have eaten away almost all the boundaries that once marked decent society. The permissiveness of our culture has led to an "anything goes" mentality. The celebration of the rebel, the "sincere" criminal, and the elevation of those who feel they have a beef with society leads to less and less restraint. We give people permission to act in horrific ways through our media (movies, television, internet) which often portrays horrific acts as noble and necessary. What ever happened to evil?

Most people assume that the answer to our society's problems is political. That if we just elect the right president, or the right legislature, then everything will be ok. Things will be put right, and life will make sense again. I'm sorry if I sound skeptical, but the answer is not political. The steady parade of politicians promising to fix all of our ills and the painfully obvious failure of same to deliver should help us to see that "the answer" is not politics.

The answer is also not religious, at least in the sense of religious-politics. Elevating religion, even Christian, to a position of political power will not solve our problems. The only answer to all of our problems is Jesus Christ!

That is not a simplistic answer, either. Again, I am not talking politics! I am not saying that we need only "elect" Christian politicians. What I am saying is that unless and until we all give our hearts over to Jesus Christ I am afraid that our society's hell-bent rush to destruction will only continue. Only by submitting our hearts and lives to the Prince of Peace can there truly be peace on earth, goodwill toward all.

Separation of Church and State

2007-12-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

The speech yesterday by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney concerning his Mormon faith gives us the opportunity to consider how our faith intersects our politics. Now, I know that "religion and politics" are two subjects that pleasant people avoid in conversation! But in truth, we need to think about both, and how each relates to the other.

First, a comment. For the most part, our society (and in particular, government entities in the US) have over-reacted when dealing with religious issues in the public sphere. Others have written and spoken about this far more eloquently than I can, but the essence of my observation is that the constitution and the Bill of Rights do not seek to protect the state from religious influences so much as to protect religious groups from undue state interference. This fact alone ought to give us pause whenever the ACLU or other groups file suit against cities (etc) for displaying nativity scenes or menorahs! Schools have likewise over-reacted, prohibiting students and staff from praying together, even if all are agreed and there is no pressure on others to join in. Some have even gone so far as to prohibit even periods of silence (presumably because someone might pray!). This over-reaction has led to far too many prohibitions and not enough freedom.

Now, to Romney's speech. I think it was very good. As a United Methodist Christian I have serious theological differences with the Mormon faith. In fact I would go so far as to say that as far as historical definitions of Christianity go, Mormonism is not orthodox Christian. I won't go into details here, but there are lots of excellent websites, books and articles in this regard. Nevertheless, I have no problem with a Mormon US president. Why? Because the Mormon's do not have any historical desire to "take over the world!" Some groups, such as Scientology and the more radical forms of Islam (among others) have demonstrated desires to transform governments and societies to fit their particular world view. Some more radical Christian and Jewish groups do as well. But Mormonism, apparently, does not. Therefore, I have no problem with a president who is a Mormon.

So why all the hoopla about Romney's religious faith? Mainly, I believe, because many Christians identify Mormonism as a cult. While I would not use the term "cult" I would use the term "sect" and even "non-christian sect". Mormons, of course, identify themselves as Christians, but that in and of itself is not sufficient to pass the test of orthodoxy. One need only remember (in the political realm) that East Germany called itself the German Democratic Republic, even though it was neither a republic nor democratic. Fear of the unknown has tremendous power, and most people do not know very much about Mormonism. But I believe we do not need fear having a Mormon president.

This is not an endorsement of Mitt Romney! I do not endorse any candidate for president. But I do applaud Romney's speech and the points that he made (you can watch it here). And I think that all Americans, Republican and Democrat, should think about these issues. I certainly think that all Christians should carefully consider how their faith effects their politics.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Day was a marvelous miracle! Through the urging of God and the willingness of the youth group (ChUMY, Chino United Methodist Youth) and the faithfulness of our Youth Director, Steve Cuadras, God brought together a whole bunch of caring people and loads of donated food and money to offer a free Thanksgiving meal to anyone who wanted it. It was wonderful to see all of the people come to offer themselves for the sake of others. The generosity exceeded the expressed need, in that fewer people came for a meal than we had anticipated.

But the real miracle was the out-pouring of people--CUMC members and people from other churches and the community at large--who came together to give of themselves for the sake of others on a holiday that is traditionally kept for families. The family of God was truly present and accounted for!

Afterward, when the Social Hall was cleaned up and the food packaged up, Steve and I drove out to Ontario to the "tent city" where hundreds of homeless folks are living, and delivered the left-over food for them to enjoy.

It was a good day. Thanks be to God!

Waiting

2007-11-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in the waiting area (aptly named) of the DMV office in Pomona while my daughter takes the written test for a driver’s license. I’m the father of three teenagers (although one, Nathan, turns 20 this week), so I am used to waiting. We wait a lot, don’t we? In fact, despite the busy-ness of our lives, we spend a LOT of time just waiting!

As a church, we are waiting for our sanctuary to be rebuilt. And we’ve only just begun to wait. As a culture, we are beginning a season of waiting in line, waiting at stop lights, waiting for the mall to change their Musak tape: ChristmasShoppingTide!

But the time spent waiting does not have to be wasted time. I’m writing my article for the Tidings on my laptop computer while waiting at the DMV. Sometimes, I take a book to read while waiting. Often I make phone calls. But sometimes I just take the opportunity to think and pray. The worse thing I could do is sit around and do nothing.

Advent is a time of waiting: Mary waiting for her child to be born, Simeon waiting for the Savior to come, angels rehearsing while waiting for the Good News of a Great Joy to be proclaimed, the world waiting for God to make right what humanity had messed up, little Johnny and Becky waiting for what Santa will bring them this year, a lot of waiting.

But let’s do our waiting right! During Advent, let us wait with expectation. Let us wait with anticipation. Let us ponder in our hearts what God is about to do, again for the first time. Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. Let’s not jump into Christmas too quickly! I invite you to a holy waiting room.

Advent Blessings!

Greetings!

2007-11-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome! I'm glad you found your way to my new blog! I have done some blogging before, but now I want to try my hand at doing more. Here you will find my musings, rantings, pontifications and other "ings!" I know; just what you always wanted!

Plus, I plan to post my sermons (I do extended outlines) here, so if you miss them live and in person, you can always catch them here! Wow! Such a DEAL!

For now, I'm going to allow comments. But if the spammers get too obnoxious (and what spammers aren't?), I may have to disallow comments. Let's pray they leave us alone!

But I would like to hear from you if you have thoughts or ideas, or want to suggest something for me to blog about. Just go to our church website (www.chinoumc.org) and send me an email, or leave a comment here.

I'm looking forward to this! Now, I just have to think of something to blog about...