Vampire Ministry

John 1:43-51... Jesus Calls Phillip and Nathanael to "Come and See"

Sermon from Sunday Jan. 15, 2012

There is something missing from Christianity these days as people flock to mega-experiences of church with power-personality-oriented ministries. In contrast, this call story from John is wonderful for one reason, and Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly) says it better than I can: “Recognizing power in another does not diminish your own.”

And because of this, most church communities are now in survival mode, they are practicing what I have titled this message and what I think of as a “vampire ministry.”

Vampire ministry happens when a church that doesn’t know how to connect with the world around it meets a new-comer to its community. Someone with new blood walks through the door for their first Sunday, we catch our breath, we casually walk over to them, welcoming them, and sensing this new blood in our weary bones, our fangs come down and we ask ever-so-innocently, “Would you like to join the choir?” or make some cookies for next Sunday.

Maybe that’s not what your church does, but it is my observation and experience with many churches. However, you may think of it… Vampire Ministry or its other variations are taking place, and I don't believe that’s what Jesus had in mind when he calls us to faith.

We see in our gospel reading today the 2^nd call to follow Jesus story. The First was Andrew Vs 40… Andrew was one of John the Baptist followers and Jesus invites him to “Come & See." Andy is convinced Jesus is the one & goes to find his brother… Peter and tells him to “Come & See”… then they both follow Jesus. Now, in today's story Andy & Peter find and tell their friend Phillip, they go to meet Jesus. and Jesus says, “Come with Me." Then, Phillip finds his friend Nathanael and tells him about Jesus of Nazareth, but Nathanael isn’t all that enthused… In fact, he is a bit skeptical & cynical… He says, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Phillip says “Come & See” anyway.

Nathanael reminds me of my own call story when a friend & mentor asked me to come & see… I was a bit skeptical as well. In fact, it took me 2 years to discern whether or not I would go into the pastoral ministry.

The story continues...Jesus & Nathanael have a conversation. In fact, Nathanael’s honesty is quite well known to Jesus. Jesus can’t find any deceit in him. You see, Peter was “The Rock” that Jesus could depend on. James and John are the “Sons of Thunder,” known for their short tempers. Philip had a warm heart and a pessimistic head. Thomas, whose heart was broken by the cross, would not believe until he saw. In John’s gospel there is the un-named disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. But Nathanael? He was honest. He had no deceit in him. And Jesus, who was used to all kinds of people, well... that honesty must have been refreshing.

Then Jesus does it…. This happens elsewhere in the gospels most notably with doubting Thomas. Jesus asks, “Did you believe because you saw?”

This call story and others like it speak to the heart of the matter for us today in our churches. The truth brought out in this story is our reluctance and failure to share our stories of faith and invite others to “Come and See and Experience” Jesus as the grace of God.

Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend in their book “12 Christian Beliefs” say, “We are all broken in some way, both sinful and sinned against. Because none of us has escaped the results of sin, we suffer spiritual and emotional damage. We won't let others love us. We can't say no. We don't know how to connect with people. We're unable to be firm in our convictions. We need help to be disciplined, to accept our weaknesses, to stand against those who would abuse us. The broken, damaged, immature parts of our character need to be fixed.”

The point of what Andrew, Peter, Phillip, and Nathanael experienced in Jesus is the heart of Grace. Not only were they fixed, but they were healed by God’s love. Being fixed and healed are two different things. We fix a lot of things, but often they continue to break. Healing on the other hand is permanent and long lasting. I would rather be healed than fixed.

In addition, we Lutheran’s need to awaken the grace DNA in us, and invite people to come and see, and experience the difference Jesus can make in our lives… to be healed by God’s grace.  This is our gift to the church!!! Not because we need to make improvements to our buildings, or programs, or our bottom lines. But, to be healed and freed by the grace of God.

The other part of the story we often miss is that of becoming a follower of Jesus.  We often are willing to come & see, however many stop there. Perhaps, that is what happened to Nathanael… we don’t hear from him again. However, if we choose to follow Jesus, as Jesus says, Vs 50…”if you believe you will see something great.” Jesus also says this again in John 14… where he says, “If you believe in me you will do even greater things than me.” Interestingly, Jesus says this to Phillip who is doubting the greater things of God. You see, following Jesus opens us up to experience the greater things of God. 

This speaks to our discipleship or as I like to call it... "Followership." What is "Followership"? You may think this is about just going to church, or giving a little, or participating in a bible study… it is this, but it is also more than that. Followership is the act of following & practicing in the Way of Jesus.

I believe it’s about the practicing & following of the following 7 practices the best you can.

1.     Being a person in daily Prayer...... communal prayer, not just some written   

        prayers on Sunday morning.

2.     Worship God Heart, Mind, Soul... to pour out yourself at the foot of the cross.

3.     Being a Learner… Study, conversation... learning how to better understand  

        what God is about.

4.     Serving Others unconditionally...

5.     Being in Relationship with others… small groups

6.     Being Generous with all we own.

7.     Being open to the Holy Spirit’s calling for your life.

We need be open to God doing something greater our your lives. To be open to what it might take to welcome someone into the experience of God’s Grace. Maybe even being the face of Jesus to someone else.

I’d like to close with 2 stories.

The First is from Luther... and one that you may have heard before... Luther observed, for one to be a follower of Jesus they had to experience 3 conversions.
         1. A conversion of the Heart.
         2. A conversion of the Mind.
         3. And most difficult for us is the conversion of our Wallets.

 

The Second....Is from Pr. Jim Harnish, where he says… "Like many of you, I was fascinated by the Ken Burns series on the Lewis and Clark expedition. I was so impressed with it that my wife gave me a copy of Stephen Ambrose's account of the expedition entitled Undaunted Courage (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996).   

This week I came to the place where Meriwether Lewis invited William Clark to go along. This was a courageous thing. When they left St. Louis, they were going into uncharted territory without any contact with anyone back home. So that was the kind of invitation Lewis offered. And here is Clark's response:

"I will cheerfully join you and partake of the dangers, difficulties and fatigues ... and I anticipate the honors and rewards of such an enterprise ... with many difficulties. But, my friend, I do assure you that no man lives with whom I would prefer to undertake such a trip ... as yourself" (104).

Harnish continues, I can assure you that to follow Jesus means entering into a journey with many dangers, difficulties and fatigues, but there is no other person with whom I would rather make that journey than with Jesus. They left everything and followed him."

Jesus invites us to “Come & See” what’s even greater….

Of course, we could revert back to the “Vampire Ministry” we’ve always done, but there’s nothing Great about this… because we, if were honest, know it doesn’t really work.

See You Out on the Road

A Call... or A Job

I've had a couple conversations with congregations lately about serving them as pastor. These conversations were not for what our tribe (denomination) names as calls of service, but to serve as interim or supply pastor. Perhaps in lay-mans terms... be a part-time pastor, though I'm unclear about what this really means.

Our tribe, considers people who are rostered (ie credentialed) leaders who serve at a congregation as called positions of service. Meaning that a pastor is called to serve at a church. Being a called servant of the church means (at least the church hopes) that the Holy Spirit of God nudges the congregation and person seeking the call towards discerning whether or not both congregation and pastor are called to work in the congregations ministry together.

A calling also implies something higher and deeper taking place. For our tribe, an importance on conversation, forgiveness, and grace is part and parcel of this higher calling that both the congregation and the pastor are part of. And... this is where our tribes potential breakdown comes from because this is also the crack opening for our sinful desires to penetrate.

A job on the other hand is sort-of open-ended. You apply for a job... you get an interview or two, take some personality tests, and you get hired. While I believe most employers seek our loyalty (some jobs demand it) many workers aren't all that loyal. Many are still looking for that job that pays better, has better benefits, or better working conditions. Many settle and do the job or task they are told to do for a short time until the next move. Especially with today's economics as they are. It's a JOB!! and when you are without IT's A JOB!!! You invest what you need to and continue the look.

Back to "a Calling".... a calling I believe implies a deeper passion of vocation. When you are called to do something it implies a loyalty to the largeness of what could be. A calling is the coming together of your giftedness and passions empowering the vocation.

I believe if passion and giftedness are missing, one or both... well then, you have a job. Most people have the ability to do a job, but passion & giftedness take you to another level, thus it becomes a vocation.

All of this to ask....  is a part-time pastor position a calling or just a job? I mean, a person no matter if they are a pastor or just a regular Joe or Josephine, has to support themselves and or family don't they?

Another question that often crosses my mind... Is it ok for a pastor to look at what he/she does as a job? When I find myself thinking this I'm troubled by it. However, when I look at the church for a called position, there are few matches... so much for church/pastor discernment.

The long and short of this conversation is lately... I feel my passion and giftedness of vocation are not being utilized in our tribe. Thus... I conclude the feeling that working as a part-time pastor is just a job.

See You Out on the Road

Tebowing

Ok... I've just about had enough of all the talking time about Tim Tebow and how God is somehow showing favor upon him and the team he plays for. I've had enough about all the press about his kneeling pose after he completes some impressive play. I've had enough about how all the evangelicals are calling him the next.... whatever because God is blessing whatever.

I don't believe God cares one iota about what Tebow does or doesn't do on the playing field. God cares about him as a person, but what he does on the field is inconsequential... it's a game!!! He and another player made a great play and the team won... YEA!!!

If God cared about football or another sport or activity all teams would be undefeated and every player would be MVP's. So those who believe God is blessing Tebow... well what about all the other Christian players sitting on the sidelines and not in the playoffs? Their not blessed? Come on... please.

So... enough is enough... please. He's doing what he is getting paid to do... play a game of football. If the team he plays for didn't think he was good enough to play, he wouldn't be playing.

So... all you Christian types who think God is doing all this great stuff through Tebow... please spend more time growing your own faith. I'm tired of all this prosperity gospel crap that says if you do this or that, God is somehow is going make you this great person with lots of money, abilities to play games so you can make lots of money, and all of this is suppose to bring favor from God upon you. I really don't think so!!

God only cares about what is in your heart!!! And... how you Love God, Love Others, and Follow Jesus. That's what God really cares about... Period. 

See You Out on the Road








  

It's Offical... It's Over!

The Christmas season is officially over. It ended yesterday January 6... the day of Epiphany. Epiphany means... "To Appear" or "To Manifest" and has long been celebrated by the church as either the coming of the Three Kings or story of Jesus' baptism. Both of these stories reveal Jesus as the "Son of God" or "Messiah" to the world. Whatever your take on Epiphany is it marks the end of the Christmas season. I'm grateful the season is finally over. We took down all our Christmas decorations yesterday repositioning all our furniture and resuming to some sense of normalcy. 

I'm not much of a fan of Christmas... OK go ahead and get your Scrooge notions out... I'm not a fan because of several factors. Mostly because of a lot of expectations and few of those expectations coming to fruition. My childhood/ home experiences were mostly difficult and I always hoped that years Christmas would be different. It often wasn't. After a while you become numb and the holiday becomes just another day.

My wife of nearly 37 years had the opposite experience, so she likes going all out for Christmas. Joy, Joy, Love, and lots more Joy is her attitude. I really do think this is a good thing, but I can't seem to get there most years. I've managed to be better about this over the years, mostly by taking a step back while saying to myself repeatedly... "It will be ok, It will be ok."

This year I sort-of reverted back because of being unemployed. It certainly was a different experience for me. For the last 8 years I've served congregations and celebrating Christmas Eve worship and some with Christmas Day worship. I missed that this year. Because of all the circumstances at my last call, we hemmed and hawed about going to a church this year for Christmas. We did go to a church down the road from where we live, but it was not what we had hope for. The worship experience was only a half-hour long. That's right... a half-hour! Three songs in the beginning, a sermon comparing Charlie Brown's Christmas, a make-shift communion, Silent Night, and out the door. It was a half-hour long. We were obviously bummed, but it fit the mood I have been in for the past few weeks anyway.

I believe for the most part my disaffection with Christmas is how we Christians have bought into the commercialization of the holiday. It's not for me a "Jesus is the reason for the season", but how we have made the season be a consumer competition. Furthermore, it all begin's now in October... even before the Halloween season is over. It use to be that all the frenzy started the day after Thanksgiving... well that has even come to an end with many stores opening on turkey day now. It just seems over the past thirty years Christmas has been more about the "Dollar Bill" than just about anything else.

The church has been about this as well. The church I believe pays lip-service to the Jesus aspect of the season all the while caving into the consumerist greed our society has embraced. Why do I say this?  say this because I over-heard a person say that they were appalled that some kids in our school district go without boots or winter coats. This person couldn't believe that people in our community lived like this. I over-heard another person say... well you should come over to where I live... most kids don't have boots or coats. So... what do Christians do... we go buy boots, food, coats, and gifts so that they can have a nice Christmas like us. Christians do this every year... I think because of guilt... my question is, "Why is it only at Christmas or Easter (we've commercialized this too) we feel so generous? Please don't mistake me for being a prude... I'm thankful that people who need help are able to get some. Look at all the people who paid for lay-aways at K-Mart this year, but what I question is our authenticity.

I received some gifts this year from my family. They were simple gifts which is fine... I think those are the best. I really don't want anything because if there is something I want or need, I will buy it, but if you are going to buy something, don't spend a lot of money. What I believe I'm really looking for at the Christmas season is for my family and friends to be loving and caring people. To get together and have good conversation and friendship with no expectations.

Maybe I'm thinking this way because of getting older and I'm on the back side of my life. I'm sure this is partially true. Furthermore, I believe I'm just coming to the realization that life is more than some temporary trinket that can be bought that gives a temporary high. I think I'm searching for deeper meaning and understanding about what Jesus really is after in me. In fact, I think Jesus wouldn't be all that impressed with how we have come to celebrate His birth. More to the point, I believe Jesus doesn't care! Jesus cares more about how I'm living my life rather than how I'm celebrating Christmas. I mean... after-all.... two of the gospels don't have any birth stories in them!

Anyway... I'm glad the season is over. I hope you are as well. Now it's time to get closer to Jesus... maybe spend some time thinking how you might do that.


See You Out on the Road.

Texting

Texting is the new mode of communicating these days. Yes, even I have found myself doing this more and more. I would prefer not too. I would prefer to talk face to face with a person. Texting while efficient, is often not all that effective at learning about someone or something.

Pastors often do biblical texting to prove their points. We often look thru the bible texts to find specific texts that help us to make our sermons biblically authentic. I remember a pastor I was listening to make a statement, then quote a passage from the New Testament chapter and verse to prove his point... then he would say, "Right" after the quote. It was like, what he was saying, "this is truth." You've heard pastors do this! You've heard Christians do this... you are talking with them about a particular subject. Then the conversation turns a bit more intense, then they throw it out.... book, chapter, and verse to prove their argument.

While I admire people who know their bible like this, I often do not like how they sort of lord it over people and make others feel inadequate in their faith because they can't spout off chapter and verse.

Me.... I'm more of a story person. I remember biblical stories. Zacheus, Peter & Cornelius, Paul at the Acropolis, the Women at the Well... you get the picture. Stories are what made the Bible what it is. People told stories of the faith. Stories bring people together. Unlike texting, stories have texture. Stories connect people to history... in many ways stories connect us to each other.

Jesus told stories... he didn't proof text his stories. He often quoted the scripture story, not a particular text, but the story. There was no book, chapter, and  verse when Jesus told stories. Jesus told stories about real life and often used his own experience in the story. He would share stories from the world he inhabited to bring out a greater truth. 

While the text is often informative I believe it's the story that open us up to the truth of God. The text can be efficient, but it is the story that brings faith to life. Stories transform, text informs. What would you prefer to hear from your pastor? A bunch of text or a story that transforms your life. Perhaps, it would be more effective to learn the Jesus story, then share how that story has transformed your life.


See You Out on the Road

Slowing Down

As mentioned in my last blog Kathy and I spent the New Years weekend at our daughters farm. They live amongst an Amish community and are friends with the couple of families that live next to them. This Amish group are a bit more progressive, but like most if not all Amish groups still work their fields with actual horse power. Yesterday while we were just lounging around the TV the Amish neighbor was spreading manure. Yes out in the cold terrible snow and wind. Yes... with 2 horses and this got me thinking of a couple of things.

First, while they often do some hypocritical things they still manage to do their work in a manner that is quite out dated. But I wonder if it really is. Yes, it is not very efficient use of time when there are very powerful tractors and could make sort order of the job. But what is time? It is a commodity for sure. But maybe the lesson is, that we "English" as they call us, need to slow down. I must admit that I've had to adjust a bit since being out of work. Some days I want to go, go, go, but there is nothing to go too. In some ways I've had to much time on my hands. The mind often wanders when you aren't doing much, and that can get you into trouble.

Nevertheless, maybe our society is moving to fast. Maybe we as a people need to take a lesson from the Amish and slow down. Maybe take some time to look at all that we do and make some adjustments. You know what I'm talking about... we have all been in predictmints when life seems out of control. So... take your time today... go a little slower.

The other observation that came to mind was the manure... yes the "MANURE" in the spreader. It reminded me of a story of a little boy digging in a big pile of manure, when his dad came up to him and asked why he was digging in the manure pile. The boy answered, "with all this manure here there must be a pony in there some where."

Lately...I'm wondering where my pony is because the manure pile has been pretty large. Maybe you are wondering too? Anyway, I'm still digging... maybe that's a good thing!!!


See You Out on the Road







  

A New Year

It’s New Years Day… Jan. 1, 2012… my first real blog writing of the New Year. I’m doing this from my daughter’s horse farm. She raises “Gypsy Vanner Horses”. There a small draft horse that gypsy’s used to pull their caravans, wagons. If you want to learn more go to www.willowwindstable.com  so… I’m spending the New Year’s weekend at the farm trying to find some hope for this New Year.

As I mentioned when I created this blog that I am an unemployed pastor nearly six month’s as I write this. I resigned my call back in July. I didn’t challenge this for a couple of reasons. First, I didn’t think it was the thing to do. I didn’t do anything wrong mind-you, but it just didn’t seem like the right thing to do. The other reason was I didn’t want the congregation to go through challenges it would had I decided to fight. I didn’t see this as wanting to win because I don’t think I or anyone would have won. I’ve observed pastors and churches who do challenge each other… both lose and usually both have greater sins because of it.

I chose instead to be above it all. I chose to be about forgiveness and grace. And, I chose forgiveness and grace because it was the right thing to do. As I often share during funerals, the person whose life is celebrated is never perfect. They are at times in their lives not the best son or daughter, not the best husband or wife, not the best father or mother, or the best sister or brother, or even the best worker or friend. Yet… God still invites them to the table of grace. When you boil it down… I’ve tried to live my pastoral ministry thru the lenses of forgiveness and grace. I’ve tried to live my life as an invited guest to the table.

I am getting more and more anxious these days however. My last two installments of severance will come in the next few weeks, and then I will be without any income. I’ve sent out some 50 resumes and have had only one interview. My emotions are running quite high at the moment. Thoughts of God seemingly abandoning me are running ramped. I’m trying to believe that God didn’t get it wrong. That God has a purpose for all of this… I’m not sure what this would be… but it would be nice if God acted … like NOW!!! I don’t need more clichés … I need a job!!

I watched the movie “Secretariat” on DVD today. I saw it at the theater when it first came out and thought it was a good movie back then. Today, I watched differently. Today it was more than the underdog proving he could win. Today, I saw this movie as one who preservers through seemingly insurmountable odds. I know first-hand how one demonstrates this through my own life experiences and by my internship pastors experience I observed while on internship. The part that stood out for me in this movie was when Penny, Secretariat’s owner who was under pressure to give up her dying fathers farm said, “I’m going to see this horse run, and we’re going to rejoice every day.” Life is really mostly about persevering. I’ve preached on this topic several times. I know about all this, yet I’ve struggled with this over the past few weeks.

This is not what I expected my life to be like at this point. I’m 55 years old and I have really nothing to show for it. Over the next 2-3 months I will use up all my savings from 401-K’s, and on the surface anyway, the church or anyone really doesn’t seem to care (that’s the pity party of my story today). While I’m not really angry at the former congregation, I’m kind of angry at the church over-all. Most every church that I talk to or have interviewed at has said they want to be different. They want to change so they can make a difference in their community. They all say they want to be open to seeing more young people come, yet when the rubber meets the road… when change comes, they often baulk. Most people in congregations like this I believe want change to come, but as it often happens, a handful to a few who call the shots don’t want the necessary change to take place. So, the church often loses. The church stops and the kingdom of God isn’t expanded.

Yes… as you may have guessed or as some of you know… I am not a typical Lutheran pastor. I am more concerned with growing disciples and God’s kingdom than I am with taking care of those who just inhabit the pews. I am more interested in those who visit the church than I am with those who are already there. Not because those already in the pews are bad or unimportant, they already have God, but that those who are on the outside are looking for the face of Jesus, and I just believe that God has called me to be that face to those who visit. This is why I’m not your typical Lutheran pastor. If this prevents me from receiving another call to serve… well… I guess it does and the church loses. And, that to me is a great sin and makes me angry at the church. After-all… we are all called to grow and disciple one another in the faith. Taking care of people is all our calls of the faithful, not only the pastors.

However, despite my anger at the tribe I am part of, I forgive them and I give grace. I hope they can of me as well. This should be all about seeing the horse run, and rejoicing every day.

See you out on the road.