I am thinking of continuing blogging, but I will continue under a new title and domain name.
I'm a little tired of the "Jaded" aspect of this blog.
This is my final week at UPC. I will beginning my new opportunity in ministry on Feb. 15 at CBC. I think I might try blogging more then as to the events and happenings of that ministry.
I'll be sure to post a link to the new blog at that time.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, December 14, 2007
Death to a blog?
After blogging for some time (225 posts) I am feeling that this blog might have run its course. My posts have been rare recently. Just unsure on what to talk about.
Provide me some insight as to where this blog needs to be abandoned or if I should hold on. If I should hold on, what are some subjects to discuss?
For my reading right now, I just finished the semester (which helps with some free time). I finished a book at the office about Sabbath which I enjoyed. I just started The Chronicles of Narnia which I'd like to complete prior to the beginning of the Spring semester.
Provide me some insight as to where this blog needs to be abandoned or if I should hold on. If I should hold on, what are some subjects to discuss?
For my reading right now, I just finished the semester (which helps with some free time). I finished a book at the office about Sabbath which I enjoyed. I just started The Chronicles of Narnia which I'd like to complete prior to the beginning of the Spring semester.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I'm back...maybe.
I know it has been a very long time since I have made a post. Been pretty preoccupied with other things to take the time to blogging.
I found this article this morning and think it is particularly interesting. It is about "Muslim" car. I like to see how automakers are working to bring things that Muslims would be interested in for their choice of car. The article states, "The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf."
So what would a "Christian" car come standard with? Any ideas?
I found this article this morning and think it is particularly interesting. It is about "Muslim" car. I like to see how automakers are working to bring things that Muslims would be interested in for their choice of car. The article states, "The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf."
So what would a "Christian" car come standard with? Any ideas?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Children's Sermon
The Children's Sermon has been a staple of modern worship for some time. The church uses this as an opportunity to embrace children in worship.
Typically the Children's Sermon has been a simple message designed to teach children a moralism out of a simple Bible story. This has been something UPC has worked against for quite some time. And with some success.
I have a team of about 8 or 9 different people who share children's messages with the children of UPC on a regular basis. We use one of the lectionary texts and teach the message presented in that text to the children.
Our first service has gone very well. But our second service has struggled. We have only one family who consistently worships in second service. We are thinking about doing away with the children's message during second service and finding alternative ways to embrace children in worship and for them to learn and experience Christ.
I am looking for ideas. We would love to have a "children's area" where children can go and have an activity or special place that they can experience the message being taught. This could be through tactile activities, art, music, etc. If you have any ideas, please share.
Typically the Children's Sermon has been a simple message designed to teach children a moralism out of a simple Bible story. This has been something UPC has worked against for quite some time. And with some success.
I have a team of about 8 or 9 different people who share children's messages with the children of UPC on a regular basis. We use one of the lectionary texts and teach the message presented in that text to the children.
Our first service has gone very well. But our second service has struggled. We have only one family who consistently worships in second service. We are thinking about doing away with the children's message during second service and finding alternative ways to embrace children in worship and for them to learn and experience Christ.
I am looking for ideas. We would love to have a "children's area" where children can go and have an activity or special place that they can experience the message being taught. This could be through tactile activities, art, music, etc. If you have any ideas, please share.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
What is church?
I have used this post title before. Now let Rob Bell define it.
"The church doesn't exist for itself; it exists to serve the world. It is not ultimately about the church; it's about all the people God wants to bless through the church. When the church loses sight of this, it loses its heart." (165)
All I can say is...AMEN!
"The church doesn't exist for itself; it exists to serve the world. It is not ultimately about the church; it's about all the people God wants to bless through the church. When the church loses sight of this, it loses its heart." (165)
All I can say is...AMEN!
Pain
"As a pastor, I spend a lot of time dealing with other people's pain. And when I am dealing with theirs, then I don't have to think about my own." Rob Bell.
Brutally honest and brutally true.
Brutally honest and brutally true.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
"Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective"
The title of this entry comes from Velvet Elvis (I have a couple more posts coming from there). "My understanding is that to be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion. We throw ourselves into our work because everything is sacred." (84)
I love how Bell moves away from Christian as an adjective and back to a noun. What does it mean to be a Christian in whatever setting your find yourself? This is a very important question to remember.
He also redefines church as "a church is a community of people who are learning how to be certain kinds of people wherever they find themselves, so they can do whatever i is they do 'in the name of the Lord Jesus.'" (85)
I would love to see the church see itself in such a manner. The church would be a better place let alone the world!
I love how Bell moves away from Christian as an adjective and back to a noun. What does it mean to be a Christian in whatever setting your find yourself? This is a very important question to remember.
He also redefines church as "a church is a community of people who are learning how to be certain kinds of people wherever they find themselves, so they can do whatever i is they do 'in the name of the Lord Jesus.'" (85)
I would love to see the church see itself in such a manner. The church would be a better place let alone the world!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Questions
I started reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell yesterday. So far, so good.
He has a section on questions that I think is excellent. He writes about a night called "Doubt Night" where the people of his church were permitted to write down all of their questions and doubts on slips of paper while they discussed them anonymously at church. He writes, "[W]hat was so powerful for those I spoke with was that they were free to voice what was deepest in their hearts and minds. Questions, doubts, struggles. It wasn't the information that helped them -- it was simply being in an environment in which they were free to voice what was inside." (30).
He goes on to write, "Central to the Christian experience is the art of questioning God. Not belligerent, arrogant questions that have no respect for our maker, but naked, honest, vulnerable, raw questions, arising out of the awe that comes from engaging the living God." (31)
I completely agree with this principle. I think that the church must be a place that is more about questions than it is about answers. More particularly, I want to see a children's ministry (particularly a pre-teen ministry) that is embraces questions instead of just supplying answers. The kids need that. The kids need to feel comfortable enough to have a place that they can go before others with their questions without feeling that they are stupid. I think that this is a very important part of ministry that is being left out and the kids need it. The kids will be asking questions that they some times need answers to and sometimes not.
He has a section on questions that I think is excellent. He writes about a night called "Doubt Night" where the people of his church were permitted to write down all of their questions and doubts on slips of paper while they discussed them anonymously at church. He writes, "[W]hat was so powerful for those I spoke with was that they were free to voice what was deepest in their hearts and minds. Questions, doubts, struggles. It wasn't the information that helped them -- it was simply being in an environment in which they were free to voice what was inside." (30).
He goes on to write, "Central to the Christian experience is the art of questioning God. Not belligerent, arrogant questions that have no respect for our maker, but naked, honest, vulnerable, raw questions, arising out of the awe that comes from engaging the living God." (31)
I completely agree with this principle. I think that the church must be a place that is more about questions than it is about answers. More particularly, I want to see a children's ministry (particularly a pre-teen ministry) that is embraces questions instead of just supplying answers. The kids need that. The kids need to feel comfortable enough to have a place that they can go before others with their questions without feeling that they are stupid. I think that this is a very important part of ministry that is being left out and the kids need it. The kids will be asking questions that they some times need answers to and sometimes not.
Wii had fun
Yesterday a family invited me over to dinner to hang out and play Wii. It was incredible. I am truly a Wii believer! I hadn't thought it would be as much fun as advertised. But it is. What a great day!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
"Where has the Lord met you since we last met?"
This is the question that begins our prayer time each day at staff prayer. This question should be easy to answer, but it is not. Why?
Justin and I were talking about this earlier today and exploring how this is a difficult question to answer. I know that I meet the Lord each day in some way, but I have a hard time either recognizing that or verbalizing that.
Something else to ponder. I have felt that this question has led me to go out looking to meet the Lord when instead he will meet with me if I keep my eyes and ears open to that.
This is the question that begins our prayer time each day at staff prayer. This question should be easy to answer, but it is not. Why?
Justin and I were talking about this earlier today and exploring how this is a difficult question to answer. I know that I meet the Lord each day in some way, but I have a hard time either recognizing that or verbalizing that.
Something else to ponder. I have felt that this question has led me to go out looking to meet the Lord when instead he will meet with me if I keep my eyes and ears open to that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
