It's the Methodist Way!

Dr. Henry Santana, a justice of the peace in Nieces County, is a dedicated churchman at Kelsey Memorial United Methodist Church. On Sunday, the 28th of June, the first Sunday for many pastors moving in to churches in our conference; he said, as he introduced The Rev. John Fletcher for the first time, "It's the Methodist way!" And indeed it is. And Rev. Fletcher demonstrated why it can be a good way. As we are sent into new settings, we can take the pulpit, sigh and say, "Well, I was so happy back where I was, and I still can't make sense of why I'm here...(sigh again) and then you read a manuscript sermon." Or, we can take the pulpit and confirm why the Methodist way is to bring in new preaching, new styles of preaching, new hope and new excitement for the work of Jesus Christ.

And the congregation, you too, have a role in this! You can say, "Well, we also can't make sense of why you took dear old pastor Ralph; he was here so long he knew everything about us - and we pretty well knew all his sermons - had he stayed another two years we would have heard them all twice!" Or, you can say, "We thank God for our departed pastor and his/her ministry, but we thank God and rejoice in the presence of our new pastor and we will do our best to work with him/her to bring about what God is trying to do in our midst!"

I's your choice. Careful how you decide because it may be life or death for your church and for your own spirit.

Las Demandas Exactas del Ministerio por Dr. Alfredo Nañez

En una iglesia de Londres, se encuentra un gran rótulo en que se suman las exactas demandas de un predicador, parecerán humorísticas, y sin embargo nos dan idea de lo que debe ser un pastor que llene los requisitos para su nombre tarea:

1. La fuera de un toro 2. La tenacidad de un bulldog 3. El arrojo de un león 4. La paciencia de un mono 5. La industría de una abeja 6. La versatilidad de un camaleón 7. La vision de tuna águila 8. La humildad de un cordero 9. La piel de un rinoceronte 10. La disposición de un angel 11. La lealtad de un apóstol 12. La resignación de un incurable 13. El heroísmo de un mártir 14. La fidelidad de un profeta 15. La devoción de una madre 16. El fervor de un evangelista

El 7 de noviembre 1935, en el Watchman-Examiner de Londres, apareció un artículo titulado: "El Ministerio que yo quisiera." Difícilmente se encontrará un humano que pueda reunir tantas cualidades, helas aquí: poder, parentezco piadoso, cuidado al escoger su compañera, un fuerte sensibilidad de sus obligaciones, doctrina sana, ansiedad por implantar el reino de Dios, planear su trabajo, mucho tacto, uso del idioma en su forma más correcta, valor al enunciar sus postulados, los mejores hábitos personales, un corazón tierno, el don de las gentes, industriosos y posesionado de una visión de carácter mundial.

La Iglesia espera de su ministro a un pastor, predicador, promotor, propagandista e iniciador de todo aquello que está dentro del reino de lo moral y de lo espiritual.

Empty Me of Me; Fill me with You!

A pastor has no better foundation on which to stand and preach than time spent in prayer with God. A prayer life that begins with the first thought for the next sermon or meeting; and endures throughout the preparation and delivery of sermon or report. And a prayer time with all who lead worship prior to the worship service is crucial and key. When I had several to lead worship with me, we'd start early with a 7 a.m. pre-worship meeting to pray and to make sure all the bases of that day's worship were covered. And then again, just prior to entering the sanctuary to worship, we'd form a circle and we'd each pray, with me being the last. Somewhere, somehow, the Spirit taught me to say, "Empty me of me, and fill me with You." That's still my prayer every morning as I adore, confess, thank, and share my supplications with God; key to each prayer is my knowing my role and place in the scheme of God's working in and through me: It's all about God.

Empty me of me; Fill me with You!

God, after all, is carrying us on His shoulders.

Amen!

Stick-To-It-Tiveness!

If you accept a challenge or a task, sticking to it will result in discovery. You may discover something about yourself you did not know; and those discoveries are usually great!

My wife, Nellie, accepted the challenge of posting a photo-a-day for the entirety of Lent (think more than 40 photos), and quite frankly, it is very challenging and difficult to find photos for the words given for each day. It allowed for some good discussions between us as to what would work and what wouldn't. But during these almost 50+ days, Nellie discovered she has an artistic talent. She had for some time now, drawn zentangles (Google it! I can't explain it!), and soon I saw her designing things with her finger in the air explaining what was coming next. She took on the challenge of drawing a rose and as Easter drew near, that of drawing Easter lilies. If you're on FaceBook, my current profile photo is that of her finest drawing to date, of Easter lilies.

As a leader, what challenge or task have you accepted? I know it becomes easy to want to quit or do less than what is truly expected of you, but stick-to-it-tiveness will bless you with things you didn't know you had in you!

Staying plugged in

I just got back from a four day trip in which I did not take the Chargers for my phone, tablet, or portable speaker. The kindness of my wife, allowed me, at about four in the morning, to plug in my tablet. I used the speaker for about two of those days and then the blue light indicating a charge started blinking the death signal red. First thing I did upon returning was plug everything in almost with an audible ahh!

Worship is my charger. A week away from praising and worshiping God leaves me like necessary electrical instruments- I need my charge! And plugging in is that charge.

Plug in somewhere this Sunday.

Giving from what you have...

The scene is in a classroom at a community center. The purpose is to start a new worship service for the Church. The lay preacher is a former bartender. A group gathers that includes a mom with eight children. The children sat with her and around her; those who break free walk near her. The time for the Offering comes and they really flock around Mom. She pulls out a small coin purse, and hands them coins. Each child received a coin, and as the plate came around, they gave.

It reminded me of me, and days of old, with my Mom. Mom gave what she could, though she taught me to tithe when I was old enough to understand and I was making money.

Giving is participating. Giving is buying in. Giving is worship.

What will we be remembered for? Truth or Lies?

The top story, lead story, headline story of the Victoria Advocate on Saturday, February 21, 2015 was all about a lay pastor in Goliad. He was the pastor of Fannin Street United Methodist Church. He died at 55, but packed a lot of years and love into those short 55. He died doing what he loved best, preaching; he was eulogizing a church member at her funeral when he died of a heart attack. The story shared how his sister felt the need to cancel a work-related appointment to be with her brother at that funeral. A decision she will never regret. Darryl Edwards was a loving, caring individual, and those who packed First Baptist Church, the largest church in Goliad, shared and heard all about a life lived well.

The top obituary for the Sunday New York Times was about a man who lived a lie. The headline has "Herman Rosenblat, 85; Made Up Holocaust Love Story." The man told the story of being a starving child in a Holocaust camp and how this little girl came to the fence nearest the camp and tossed an apple his way to keep him from starving. Years later he embellished the story by saying this little girl came every day for a week and tossed apples during that time. But, his story goes on to say, that little girl years later was his blind date in New York City, and he recognized her. They married and he wrote a story about their romance. Only it wasn't true. Recently, we've heard about Brian Williams lying about his battle exploits, and now Bill O'Reilly, also made up stories of being on the ground during the Falkland Islands battle, and his photographer being wounded and him dragging to safety enduring bullets being fired in his direction. When Osama bin Laden was killed, the number of Navy Seals increased overnight, including some clergy who said they had been Navy Seals during their time of service. After 9/11, the number of heroes and victims also increased; usually for honor or profit.

We all have our lives and stories from those lives. The best stories are those that are true and that give witness to God's presence and involvement in them. Darryl gave of himself and all that he had. Herman tried to get all he could for himself.

What about you?