December 11, 2018

Service

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to the others.

– Romans 12:4-5

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

– Romans 12:11

What are you doing to help others? How are you serving people who can’t do anything to repay you? How are you growing in Christ? How are you giving back?

We have a need for study leaders. There is a hunger but there are few willing to devote the time necessary to be a facilitator. One woman even suggested we send folks to another church so they could attend that church’s studies. Seriously?!

The hard truth is that there are few workers though there are many, many needs. Jesus said it and, unfortunately, nothing has changed. Everyone wants to take but few want to actually give back.

We know the numbers. They’ve been repeated often enough. Twenty percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. The saddest part is that those who never do anything don’t see a need to do anything but show up. They’re missing out on the satisfaction of serving Christ. And we’re all missing out on the talents and gifts they have to offer.

Service doesn’t have to be singing or playing the piano or even leading a Bible study. It can be something as simple as wiping down tables after a church meal or chaperoning children during Wednesday evening activities. Service can mean driving someone to a doctor’s appointment or delivering a meal to a shut-in. Maybe your gift is sending cards of encouragement or greeting people at the door with a bulletin and a smile.

All of us have different strengths and weaknesses and those differences lead us to what we are called to do. My calling is different from your calling. That’s how God intended it. Together we can do so much for God. But – and it’s a big but – that depends on everyone doing his or her part.

We have a wonderful woman who is gifted at leading craft night events. Women come from different churches to partake in a fun-filled night of fellowship. We have someone else who leads the prayer group. Another person serves by washing silverware after every church meal. Some people teach classes. Others work with children or youth. And together some amazing things happen.

We recently approved next year’s budget. The youth department is seeing a substantial increase. Why? The youth minister and adult volunteers have led a turnaround that has resulted in a much higher participation rate. That’s right. Instead of falling away from church, these teens are excited about participating. And they’re bringing their friends.

At the children’s nativity play Sunday night, I saw acquaintances who aren’t church members. Their kids come to Wonderful Wednesday activities. This outreach couldn’t happen without a great many volunteers. There are bus drivers and chaperones. There are people who provide snacks and clean up afterwards. There are people who help with gym and singing and the Bible lesson. So very many people ministering to children as a way of serving God.

I don’t know what you are called to do but I do know you are called to do something. We all are. So if you aren’t serving in your church, step up. And if you are, thanks! It takes everyone doing his or her part to make the body of Christ truly whole.

November 11, 2018

Accept Everyone

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10

They don’t attend our church anymore. The teenager prefers another church, as does his younger brother. The adults, well, they don’t want the Sunday morning battle. It’s just easier to attend church where the kids want to go rather than try to force them to attend a church they don’t want to attend.

One church member asked about the mom, who had been active in women’s ministry. I explained without getting into great detail. Her reaction shocked me. You see, she volunteers with the youth at our church. She teaches a Sunday school class and knows most of the kids.

“He’s a little different,” she said of the teen. “He just never fit in.”

Excuse me? He’s a wonderful young man who does indeed walk to a different beat. He’s into music, not sports. He gravitates toward theater, not softball. He has much to offer but I wonder how much of it she and others missed because he doesn’t conform to their stereotype.

We certainly missed an opportunity. Church provides a wonderful time to teach people how to accept and form friendships with those who are different than them. Did no one seek him out? Did no one try to include him, to hear him, to see him?

Because I know the backstory to this young man, I understand a bit more about why he might be different. I won’t share that here. It’s not my story to tell. I will say that we don’t always know the traumas others have endured. We don’t err on the side of being kind and inclusive. It’s just too easy to exclude those who don’t conform.

It is high school stuff but it’s stuff we see everyday in church. It’s sad. Church should be the one place where everyone is welcome and accepted. Sometimes that’s true. Oftentimes, though, it’s not.

We want to surround ourselves with people who look, talk and think as we do. We’ve got no room for anyone who maybe dresses a little bohemian or likes things we don’t care for. We prefer our own little cliques rather than try to expand ourselves by reaching out to someone who is different.

Several years ago I gave a ride to a man who was headed to his job at a nearby army base. He was from another country. His wife and sons were thriving in our area. His wife was working on a Masters Degree at a local college. His sons were involved in school and had made many friends. His daughter was suffering greatly. Because of their culture, she dressed differently. And, because of that, she was an outcast at school. No one wanted to be her friend. No one wanted to know her and include her.

I know what you’re thinking and you’re right. They weren’t Christians. So what? They were visitors to our country, to our community. What does this little girl now think about people who call themselves Christians? Did we draw her toward Christ or push her away? You already know the answer.

Our job in life isn’t to criticize, condemn or judge others. That’s especially true when people are different than we are. We have much to learn about Jesus if we don’t get that. Our Savior drew others to Himself. Jesus reached out to the outcast. Why don’t we?

Take a moment today to reach out to someone you don’t know. Include them in your group. Get to know them. Open your heart and your mind. Be kind. Accept them as they are just as Jesus would. Show them your faith through your words and actions. Draw them to Jesus by letting His light shine through you.

October 2, 2018

Make A Different Choice

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

The party was loud and wild. Drunk teens stumbling to their cars. Disrobed teens scattered around the front yard. Young men using a decorative fountain as a urinal. And the police not responding because, well, no one wants to take on one of the town’s “elite” families.

Where were the parents? It’s an obvious question. No one seems to know. It wasn’t the first time such a party occurred. In fact, the party were back the next night.

Sadly, many of these kids are “Christians.” They were raised in church. They attend church. They have all the right clothes, gadgets and cars. They have every advantage but one: They apparently don’t have parents who supervise and hold them accountable for bad behavior.

Why? Another obvious question. It’s difficult to condemn what you do on a regular basis. Oh, they might not do it in public but the teens see the drunken revelry in their own homes. They hear the sexual comments. They know about the affairs, the parties, the driving when drunk.

I wish I didn’t know all these things. I wish it were something in another town, another neighborhood, another family. But it happened right here. It still happens. When will it end? How many lives must be destroyed before someone says enough?

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

– Ephesians 6:4

Some of the parents are quick to point the finger at others. They demand that God be placed back in the schools. I can only shake my head. They need, first, to put God back in their homes. They need, first, to clean themselves up and be an example to their kids of how people of faith should live. They should be the example of upright living and not of debauchery.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

But whether parents do their job or not, teens can and must rise above bad examples and live upright lives that are dedicated to God. Parents can learn from their children. They can see good and change. Kids shouldn’t have to lead the way but, make no mistake, they can.

This is a sad situation that plays out far too often in way too many towns. Teens, refuse to be sucked in by peer pressure. And parents, step up and set a better example. Stop blaming others when your kids get in trouble because they’re following in your footsteps.

Every day begins anew with a chance to take a different path. Take it.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Scars Last Forever

 

The LORD will keep you from all harm --

He will watch over your life;

The LORD will watch over your coming and going

Both now and forevermore.

-- Psalm 121:7-8

The other day I found a nail in my bed. I was taking the sheets off the mattress to wash them and there it was. A shiny new nail.

How did it get there? My mind raced with possible scenarios. Could it have accidentally been washed and dried? It seems possible, though it isn’t the type of nail I ever use. Still, I want to believe it was just a freak thing.

I mentioned it to others. One response was immediate: “I didn’t put it there.” I bit back the words that wanted to force themselves out. I wanted to remind the person that I’d never said she put it there. I’d expected a similar theory, that the nail had come in from the wash. The immediate denial planted suspicion that took immediate residence somewhere deep inside of me. I struggled to kill the thought. It wasn’t true. I know that. Sort of.

Trust isn’t something we share. I lock my bedroom door every single night before I go to sleep. It is some measure of protection. I would feel better still if my dogs were there with me. No. I don’t trust. Not anymore. It is a product of a childhood with scars that remain long after forgiveness has been given.

Not long ago someone mentioned a teenager who was acting out. One person had approached the teen’s parents but was surprised at the lack of response. I was asked for my opinion on what could be done to bring the teenager back into line.

My response: Was the teen being abused? If the open mouths were any indication, I don’t think anyone expected my response. I was serious. Kids who are being abused tend to act out. It is both a cry for attention and a channel for their anger.

Those who were part of the conversation were horrified. They know the teen’s parents. They socialize with the family. It doesn’t matter. Abuse happens in the best of families. So does denial. I’m not saying the teen’s parents are abusers but it sure doesn’t make sense that they’d refuse to listen to their child’s cry for help.

The question then turns back to us: What are we going to do? I suggested that criticism - no matter how well intended - will only push the teen further away. Instead, open a dialogue. Make sure the teen knows you are a safe place, an open ear, a defender no matter what.

Abuse happens in the best of families. It happens to people we know. It breaks the hearts and destroys the trust of people all around us. Don’t turn a blind or critical eye onto the victim. Think before you act because you have the power to make the situation better or make it a whole lot worse.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Feeding Bodies Nourishes Souls

Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” -- Luke 24:41

They were not expecting to see Jesus. They were discussing His horrible death and all that had happened as they walked toward Emmaus. Jesus was dead. They knew He was. But there He was, in front of them. How could that be?

They doubted. Of course, they doubted. Jesus was dead. How could He be alive? And, yet, their Lord talked with them. He showed them His hands and feet. And then He asked them for food and He ate. He wasn’t a ghost. He was real. Jesus was alive.

Jesus taught His disciples and other followers. He quoted the Scriptures and told them parables to help them understand. But Jesus also cared for their bodies. His first recorded miracle was to turn water into wine. He fed the masses with fish and bread.

It’s far easier sometimes to focus on the spiritual. Truly. Because we can quote Scripture, pray and be on our way. But that wasn’t how Jesus showed us we should live. He cared about the spiritual, of course. But Jesus also cared about our physical needs. So should we.

Many years ago I observed an organization geared to helping homeless teens. The vans would head out shortly after dark, patrolling a seedy area filled with prostitution and drugs. The workers offered free sandwiches and a beverage. No strings attached.

It was a good thing. Most of these kids were hiding. One young man told me the streets were safer than his “home.” Many of the others had similar stories. Oh, sure. I’m certain that a few runaways came from wonderful homes. But most left horrible situations. Authorities would merely try to reunite the family, even if that meant more harm to the teen.

So this organization met the teens where they were. They understood that someone hungry, someone afraid, someone who learned early not to trust adults, wouldn’t respond to a sermon. At least not at first. So they fed their bodies and gave them a friendly smile and encouraging word.

The teens were offered a spot in the group’s shelter. They certainly had people to pray with them and for them. But mostly they learned about Jesus from the hands and feet of those who fed their bodies.

We’d rather turn our time and attention to something that’s easy. I doubt riding in a van throughout the night, looking for runaway teens in seedy areas of town was easy. But those folks showed many, many teens the face of Jesus as they provided nourishment for souls by first feeding bodies.