27 July 2008

recap from the week...

I had several moments this week that I wanted to blog about...but haven't been motivated to do so until now. So here's a glance at the past week...
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Last Sunday I preached at a small church plant in my college town. I'm good friends with the pastor; he's taking some time off to recover from surgery. I talked about Jacob's ladder, and made a few passing comments about the stone with oil that Jacob set up after his encounter with God.

Later in the service, the pastor's 6-year-old son came up to me, pointed to the communion supplies (a loaf of bread and cup of juice), and whispered, "The bread can be the stone, and the juice can be the oil!" I'm sure there's something theologically deep in that statement...but how precious that he picked up on that.
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Tuesday I spent the day with the middle schoolers at a local theme park. It was so much fun to just run around the park with them; they were thrilled about the fact that I would ride all the rides. A few even specially requested that I sit next to them. And I got a glimpse at what relational ministry is all about...hopefully my job will allow for more of that. :o)
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Wednesday the boyfriend and I went to the "Jesus for President" Tour, led by Shane Claiborne and his friends. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a really cool experience. Thought-provoking, fun, and very memorable. Boyfriend was blown away. Good times all around.
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And this morning I preached at my old church, where I attended since I was 5. The pastor is in Europe for the BWA Youth conference, so he called me in to preach. I was a bit nervous about preaching where I grew up (because who takes you seriously in your hometown?). I think the sermon went well at both services; it's a bit more challenging than some people might have expected. I got a lot of "We're so proud of you" and "Great job" comments; part of me wonders if they were referring to the sermon itself, or just amused by the fact that their "little girl" is all grown up and preaching. But a few people did say some heart-felt things.

It's a bit selfish, really, wanting good feedback from a sermon. I want to know it reached people; I want to know it made a difference; I want the credit. Very selfish. We're not called to preach for our own glory, but for God's. Yet at the same time, as a growing minister and someone who doesn't have a lot of experience, that feedback means a lot to me to know if I am following the right path.

Did my sermon touch anyone? Will it make a difference? I may never know. But I preached what I felt led to preach, and I have to be satisfied with that.

21 July 2008

interesting...

In the light of the recent "open letter" drama regarding Cecil Sherman's remarks at the CBF convention, I felt the need to throw in my two cents, and pass along an interesting quote...

I do not condone the Holocaust remark. It is distasteful and wrong to use that as an analogy for the SBC takeover. However, Dr. Sherman is still worthy of great respect for the role he played in the formation of the CBF. You can't ask him to stop talking about it...the man lived it! And to write an "open letter" (which was not even sent first to Dr. Sherman) claiming to speak for all "young CBF members" (which it does not) that is signed by people who to my understanding are not even directly in ministerial positions in local churches (which helps one to see the complexity of how denominational life works)...it's a bit presumptuous. I have not had time to fully process the entire situation, but this is what I know:

I am a young CBF member. These people do not speak for me. Yes, the CBF needs to continue searching for a new direction, but to ignore the past is wrong. We cannot dwell in it, or continually rehash it, but it is important to learn from it. Why, you ask?

Well, just this afternoon, a quotation was passed along to me from a fellow minister. It's taken from a sermon last year preached by Colleen Burroughs at the CBFV General Assembly on March 10, 2007. I know that a husband and wife can have separate opinions, but given the recent events it caught my attention...

“If you are students or someone under the age of 30 in this room, you may be tired of hearing about your Baptist history, but it is important to understand how the people before us have lived. It’s important to know and understand with whom we have disagreed with as Baptists and why it has made people uncomfortable. You may think it has nothing to do with you, that it’s not your fight, but you would be wrong. It is woven into the very fabric of who you are as young Baptists.”

Just my two cents...

19 July 2008

thank you, sir

I drove out to my hometown today for a funeral (a sweet, sweet older man from my old church passed away suddenly after an unexpected stroke). While stopped at a stoplight, I was seized by a particularly vain and self-absorbed moment and started checking on my hair in the rearview mirror. (In my defense - I rarely straighten my hair in the summer, so I wanted to make sure it was still behaving itself).

Having finished, I glanced over at the car next to me, where a man with a cigarette in his hand was waving at me. When he saw he had my attention, he gave me a smile and a thumbs up, as if to say, "don't worry, you look good!" We both started laughing; the light turned green and we drove our separate ways.

But as I drove down the road, I continued to smile, for the small joy that man had brought to my life.

18 July 2008

that movie everyone is talking about...

Well, I hate to jump on the blog bandwagon, but I have to say it.

I saw The Dark Knight today with a friend. It was so intense, emotionally and psychologically. I've never been a big fan of the Batman series, but this movie may have won me over. It took on some great, complex themes with great depth, something I really appreciate. And it freaked me out just a bit (note: not a movie for young children!). But an excellent, excellent film, with great performances by all the cast. There's so much I want to write about, but I don't want to spoil for people, so I'll wait a bit...

Go see it. Right now. Yes, I'm talking to you!

13 July 2008

very funny...

A sweet family from church took the five community house girls out to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant last night. Vietnamese = amazing! We all had fortune cookies at the end, and this is what mine read:

There's no harm in putting all your eggs in one basket - just watch it closely.

Given my recent mental crises regarding plans for the future and how committed I should be to things right now...these are not the words I wanted to hear...

Good thing I don't really believe those things...

10 July 2008

new paper!

Our new bulletin paper came in today. I know, that's kinda boring stuff to hear...but we've had a new minister come on staff, so it was time to update the bulletin cover where we list all the ministers on staff. But now listed along with the other ministers is...me.

Holy crap, I'm on the bulletin cover. Bottom of the list, "Children's Ministry Assistant." The senior pastor decided I needed to be listed with the rest of the staff. And it's exciting :o)

There's something special about seeing your name in print. It solidifies things, makes them feel concrete and real. It shows other people recognize you as well, and acknowledge your presence and calling. I get so excited about the small steps in ministry, the little things that show I'm growing in this position. So now I'm official, right there in black and white (er, blue and gray) with the guys.

06 July 2008

kickin' off the heels

Starting tomorrow, our sanctuary ceiling is undergoing asbestos abatement. For the next two months, we will be worshiping in the fellowship hall while the ceiling is replaced. So, today we had to clean out the sanctuary. Following the service/picnic/band concert, staff and members lugged out the pew cushions, hymnals, Bibles, and chairs.

Not one to be left out, I kicked off my heels and worked right along side them all. One man from the choir yelled out, "Watch out, it's a country girl!" Another commented on how I was showing off my muscles.

Most of these people only see me on Sunday morning, where I'm dressed up and leading the kids. So it was fun for me to show the other side of me...the "country girl" who isn't afraid to get down and dirty with a little hard work.

How often are we afraid to get our hands dirty (both metaphorically and literally)? I get tired of the polished face we put on Christianity and the church - because following Jesus is anything but nice and put together. I love our respectful, traditional worship services...but it shouldn't end there. True worship - true faith - is lived out in the day to day, in the dirt and the mess and rubble of our lives.

Perhaps we all need some lessons in kicking off our heels in church.