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October 2012

Rebuilding (transforming) the Church is nothing new

 . . . and it is still hard and lonely work

I’ve been reading the book of Nehemiah with Pastor Jon Swanson. (He’s crafting the art of internet preaching to an art form, by the way.)

His blog first proposed reading it together, chapter by chapter, a week or so ago.

I admit I read ahead. Pastor Swanson is catching up with me now. (look for 7 minutes with God on his blog)

The book is exciting reading in itself, but for me and for us at Redeemer, it is a revelation.

The story of Nehemiah is the story of Redeemer.

Against enormous odds, the people find ample leadership to rebuild the plundered temple. They get more support from the neighboring king than they get from Jewish leaders. The “religious” leaders pull every trick in the book to try to stop them — not because what they are doing is wrong (although every attempt is made to make it look that way) but because they feel their position and power is somehow threatened by other people succeeding at what they failed to even try to do. What they said was impossible is being accomplished before their very eyes and they can’t stand it!

That’s the story of Nehemiah.

It is also the story of Redeemer.

Is it the story of your church, too?

photo credit: Pensiero via photopin cc

03 Oct 2012

A Quote for Transformational Leaders

From Seth Godin’s Blog:

Transformational leaders don’t start by denying the world around them. Instead, they describe a future they’d like to create.

02 Oct 2012

Adult Object Lesson: Mark 10 for October 7, 2012

What is Man that God Is Mindful of Us?

First Reading
Genesis 2:18-24 • Job 1:1, 2:1-10 • Psalm 8 • Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 • Mark 10:2-16

Today’s object is a work in progress. You’ll be talking to your people while you are creating something. Consider having them create something along with you.

Suggestions:

  • Cut out a string of paper dolls
  • Craft a simple figure out of play dough or modeling clay.
  • Start a stick figure on a flip board or felt board and ask each person to add something to the creation.
  • Or leave an empty spot in the bulletin for them to draw their “man”

This week’s lessons, together, discuss humankind in relationship with one another. Eve is created for Adam. Job suffers in isolation as his family and friends watch. Jesus answers the nagging question of divorce and ends with Jesus gathering the little children around him. The Psalm? Well, the Psalm rejoices in creation and so can we!

Relationships are a blessing and sometimes seem to be a curse. We long for them — to be truly in love. But the road to bliss can turn rocky oh, so quickly! But even when relationships break our hearts, we are often eager to find new ones.

What is man that God is mindful of us? Mankind is God’s creation. Every artist feels a bond with his or her creation. God is no different.

As you are creating something — or as your people create something — ask them to think about how the act of creation feels. Tie that to their ability to create the relationships that go with God’s prime creation—humankind.

photo credit: Caro’s Lines via photopin cc
01 Oct 2012

Growing Christian Community with Conflict

Two Redeemer members relaxed for a moment after a particularly rough day. One member came within a day of losing both her home and her income to court actions that have resulted from the conflict with SEPA Synod.

She learned of the problem by accident with only a weekend and a day to do anything about it. Every effort was being made by a half-dozen Redeemer friends to stop the travesty and by noon we heard that there had been some success.

And so we paused over coffee and a donut.

One might expect hate and despair and finger-pointing to reign in such an atmosphere, but the opposite has been true in our faith community.

One member commented that one blessing of the conflict has been that we’ve really gotten to know each other — and some of us have known one another for a decade or more.

We started talking about what we had learned about the character of our members, how their very differing personalities that we once enjoyed as passing acquaintances on Sunday morning had become endearing and appreciated.

Conflict defines character.

After this conflict, we know whom we can count on. We know which preachers mean what they preach. We know to whom we can turn for action, for prayer, for ideas, for legal knowledge, and the list goes on. We gather for Sunday worship and brunch as an eclectic mix of people brought together by faith and a common cause. We leave on Sunday, each with our individual spiritual gifts, ready to serve.

After such a close call, it would be no surprise if the endangered member had thrown up her hands in despair and vowed to have nothing to do with us or religion ever again.

Instead, by the end of the day, she had presented a few new ideas for our ministry as the holidays approached. Amazing!

We know each other well. Too bad SEPA doesn’t know us at all.

01 Oct 2012