Brian L. Howard

My Bike Ride to Church

2012-02-23T11:21:00.002-05:00

The ride begins at a dirt road just outside my neighborhood...

Then crosses these logs. They were installed to deter trucks, ATVS, and pastors with Jeeps...less than 100 yards from a Wal-Mart Supercenter

Passes by a dam that is strangely attractive, though I suspect the water is heavily polluted.

The firefighters wash their truck on this warm February day...

An otherworldly green field...

The longest stretch of the commute is quite empty, but this picture was taken only a few moments before a near-miss with a truck in a hurry...

Do you need 257 acres? The number is on the sign.

Yes, please do. Especially the aforementioned truck.

Quintessential Effingham, SC.

My workshop on most days.

The best mail-order Chinese frame money can buy. Fits 35c tires and I didn't cry the first two times I laid it down in my Fredtastic pursuits.

7 "I Am" Statements Sermon Series

2012-02-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

Here at Effingham Presbyterian we just finished up our sermon series on the 7 "I Am" Statements of Jesus from the book of John. I though it was a great way to understand Jesus both as a manger-bound infant and a cross-bound adult. You can listen to this 7 part series Here

Kathy Keller: "You don't marry one woman or one man--but many."

2012-02-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

Tim and Kathy Keller were on the radio today talking about marriage and marital intimacy. Tim is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian church in Manhattan-- a city in constant change. I was struck by something Kathy said, and thought I’d share it with you here in honor of Valentine’s Day. She states,

“You don’t marry one woman or one man—but many. Time, children, illness, age—all create changes that demand creative, honest responses to rebuild something that might have been effortless at an earlier time.”

In other words, your spouse at 65 is not the same man or woman they were at 25 or 45.

Kathy’s right. Even in my own short marriage (10 years in October) my wife and I have had to adapt to career changes, temporary health issues, parenthood, and more. The longer you’re married, the more things you have to adapt to. Yet the prospect of constant change is frightening. How can we know that we’ll both change at the same rate and in the same direction?

In Psalm 127:1 we find the answer, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” It applies directly to our home lives. Jobs change, finances change, health changes. In the midst of this change, our Heavenly Father never changes. He’s the one constant that we return to each day (if not each moment). When I and my spouse are built on God, then our life together shares the same foundation. This is true not only in marriage but in every friendship and relationship. Relationships that last are built on a common foundation. Only when God is the builder do our own labors succeed.

Maybe you’re recently married. Maybe you’ve been a widow for many years. Maybe you’re wondering how much longer you can stand to be married! Wherever you are, I hope you’ll consider the foundation of our Great Builder-- our Lord Jesus Christ, as you celebrate every friendship and relationship this Valentine’s Day.

For audio or transcript of the Keller’s Message, visit: http://tinyurl.com/2eccm4v

A version of this article appeared in the February edition of "The Tie That Binds" Effingham Presbyterian newsletter.

Afternoon in the Woods

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

Me and JHH recently had a Friday together, so we felt the need to do some manly things:

Jeep wheels on a gravel road; Avett Bros. on the stereo.

Brownie the Beagle follows his nose

Short hike to super secret field in the middle of town. Took the discount "cyclocross" bike there later in the week... 11 mile loop from my front door.

Special ops: find out what's being built behind the barbed-wire fence

Plenty of hot chocolate from our Kupilika cup, courtesy of Brian Green's contest a while back. Thanks again, Brian!

Brownie needs his treats, too.

Mini-slingshot. I stock up on these when we pass the Tool outlet in Conway. They're $.99 but don't last too long. UV Light breaks down the tubing.

Mountain House freeze dried Lunch/Brunch from Naturally Outdoors thanks to a gift card we won at the Chick-Fil-Campout. If you can't read it, it says Cholesterol 565mg/188% Daily Value; Sodium 1690mg 70% Daily Value. We ate about 1/4 of it. Very tasty, but very bad unless you're through-hiking or something like that. We cooked it with HEET as our fuel on our lil' alcohol stove. Had fun with our sporks!

"That's how we roll," as my son would say. Florence is nice because if you know where to look, there are plenty of hiking/biking trails. There's just nothing to summit since it's all so flat! Either way, a fun day in the woods is never too far away.

Deacons & the Ministry of Unlocking the Church

2012-01-04T13:51:00.001-05:00

Unless your church is large enough to have a paid custodian or sexton, then the routine maintenance of the building falls on the shoulders of a group of volunteers. Some churches have Elders who do it, others have Deacons (some have both). There a plenty of Sundays when the pastor just takes care of it, too. Regardless, it can be a thankless task. Here's a note (below) I'm putting in the leadership notebooks for our newly installed Deacons in a few weeks regarding their weekly routine of opening and closing our building:

This is a vital ministry to our church, yet it only takes 20 minutes a week. When the temperature it is too hot or too cold, folks are distracted in their Sunday School or Worship time. When people arrive a few minutes early and their regular door is locked, they feel unwelcome and start their Sunday in frustration. When the alarm is not consistently set, it presents a security danger and is confusing for the next person who opens the building. When lights are out inside, our facilities look gloomy. Outside, lights that are out are a safety hazard. Your ministry sets the tone for every event that happens in our building.

Jesus and Ice Road Truckers

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

A recent conversation with my 5 year old son went something like this (we were at a local asian buffet):

"Daddy, is this a Chinese restaurant?"
"Well, yeah." Thinking of the menu, I continued, "I guess it's kind of Chinese and Japanese."
"Do Chinese people believe in Buddha?" he asked
"Well, many do, but some believe in Jesus, and some believe in other things" I said
"We need to tell them about Jesus." My son asserted
"Yeah, buddy, we do. We need to always be ready to share about God if we get the chance."
"Yep," he agreed.

There was a brief silence and I wondered what else might come from this teachable moment. My son spoke up:

"Daddy, when are we gonna watch Ice Road Truckers again?"

Healthy and Small: Mutually Exclusive?

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Below is an excerpt of a recent paper I wrote for a D. Min class called Effective Ministry in the Small Church. I'm posting it here because I think it sums up some of my thinking over the last year, especially as it applies to the ups and downs of growth within my own denomination, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church:

"...No church is perfect, and every church has its share of weaknesses. It seems like there is a new book every day addressing church decline, postmodernism, or a dying faith. I used to buy into the mindset that “healthy churches grow.” But even in my short time as a minister, I’ve seen plenty of growing churches who are far from being a healthy picture of Christ’s body.

I’m reminded of a random quote I heard about tennis: “more people than ever play tennis, it's just that most of them don't expect to make a living at it.” Perhaps the American church is healthier than ever, it’s just that fewer expect to have 1000 (or even 500) members. Rather, the landscape is dotted with many healthy church families of 50-150 in which children can be reared, parents can be cared for, and shepherds can know their flocks.

I did some calculating the other day and figured up that if every church in my community reached its “share” of the population, we’d all have about 225 members. None of us would be “mega,” but we’d all be serving the Kingdom of God in our part of His plan. I think about this sometimes when I look out and see 50, 80, or 100 people on a Sunday morning. I wonder, “What are our strengths? Who are the folks God wants us to reach?” We can begin to answer those questions by considering our strengths and making the most of what God has given us in our personalities, pasts, and our passions..."

If you're interested, I often post my D.Min papers over at http://www.scribd.com/flyingfleet2000 so classmates and my congregation can take a look.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power

   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Virtual Virtuosity

2011-10-26T13:46:00.000-04:00

This morning, I worked from home. I sat in the kitchen and prepared for tonight's Wednesday Bible study at church. I'll speak to about 20-30 folks in Effingham. While I worked with pen and paper, my wife sat in the den. She's a teacher at the SC Virtual Charter School (SCVCS). She taught 180 students while sitting on our sofa with her laptop, a headset-mic, and a webcam. The students are spread all over SC. Maybe some of them will be at their own churches tonight interacting face-to-face after a day spent in front of a computer screen.

God's message never changes, but our methods of delivering that message are ever-changing. Virtual church campuses already exist. Your Bible is now on your Kindle, iPhone, or whatever. More people will stumble upon this blogpost in the next 18 months than will hear me tonight or this Sunday morning. When I post papers online, they may get 50 or 60 hits. I wonder, what all this will mean in 5, 15, or 25 years? I don't imagine that human interaction should be limited to just virtual or "in real life." But we're still learning about the virtual world, and each day it changes the "real world" a little bit more.

7 Thoughts on Better Reading

2011-10-04T12:49:00.000-04:00

2 things have surprised me in ministry: the amount of travel and the amount of reading. Good pastors are good readers. Books and articles provide inspiration for sermons, guidance in counsleing, support in loneliness or ministry challenges-- ya gots to read!

Maybe I'll write about travel later -- but today I just wanted to comment briefly about reading in light of a recent video interview with Tony Reinke (see it here). This blog post is just to get you to watch his 10 minute video and for me to write a few things down. Here are some quick lessons I'm learning:

It's okay not to read a book cover to cover. My time in literature classes left me feeling that an author's words are to be treasured. If I missed any of them, I might miss the author's artistic vision. But the old adage that "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested." Some books may go into more detail than I need, so I just use the stuff that's helpful and move on. Many books -- especially those related to counseling and pastoral care -- have a lot of memoir/anecdotal type filler that can be skipped to get to the application at the end. Please don't tell my old English professors.
Fiction Enhances Truth. Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting time by reading fiction or escaping into a paperback. Fiction has its place at the end of a long day, slowing down one's mind before bedtime. Good fiction can make our appreciation of the truth more refined.
Books Provide Structure. Many of my sermon series last 6-8 weeks. Whether I'm preaching topically or exegetically, finding a couple of books, textual introductions, or journal articles helps me know where to start and what big themes will translate well to a weekly 30 minute talk. The sermons are mine, but a day or two of research primes the pump. At a personal level, a stack of books from the library on photography, bicycles, or ultralight hiking helps me to know where my natural limits are and how much money I'm not willing to spend!
Read With a Pencil, Not A Pen. I mark up most of my theology books. That way, I can skim them again next year when I'm planning teaching series or just need a refresher in my thinking. Any way, I can use a pencil when I'm laying down or to jot a quick hash mark. With a pen, I have to bear down, hold it a certain way, etc. With pencil, I use it more frequently and have more helpful margin notes in the end.
Poach Syllabi for Booklists. There are too many books out there! When there's a subject I'm interested in, I can find College or Seminary course syllabi online and get a good idea of the books I need to be reading myself. I can pick a handful and not waste time reading every review on Amazon, etc.
Wikipedia Is Not Evil. Have you read Good to Great, The 4-Hour Workweek, or Tipping Point? All are very interesting books and will make you save time and be a better boss -- but you can also get the basics elsewhere on the web so you can have more time to read Calvin's Institutes.
Who Needs a Kindle? I had some extra cash last year and really thought hard about a Kindle, Nook, or similar. But then I looked at the total cost of buying 10 used books and 4 magazine subscriptions and decided it wasn't worth it. I like to read at Krispy Kreme and not worry about leaving my book at the table. I carry a magazine in my luggage or on a bike ride to the park. I like to pass along my Popular Mechanics to dad or World to my wife... you get the point.

When Reality Hits You Hard...We Need More Dawgs"

2011-09-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

Maybe I'm just starved for comedy, but for whatever reason these two videos had me laughing all weekend. If you watch them back to back, you can even learn a good life lesson. Maybe I can get these guys to come speak on a Wednesday night:

A Texan in New York, A Galilean in Jerusalem

2011-08-18T09:06:00.001-04:00

Justin Taylor blogged about R.T. France's The Gospel of Matthew this week, with 7 differences between Galilee and Judea:

"...even an impeccably Jewish Galilean in first-century Jerusalem was not among his own people; he was as much a foreigner as an Irishman in London or a Texan in New York. His accent would immediately mark him out as “not one of us,” and all the communal prejudice of the supposedly superior culture of the capital city would stand against his claim to be heard even as a prophet, let alone as the “Messiah,” a title which, as everyone knew, belonged to Judea..."

The whole article is definitely worth the 10 minutes it will take to read it, and may even be good fodder for a Wednesday night discussion. Click Here for more

Teach Me Your Paths

2011-08-15T12:02:00.001-04:00

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” (Psalm 25:4)

The other night I was driving down Pamplico Highwy when I got a phone call letting me know that one of our church members was at Carolinas Hospital. I received the call just as I drove past the entrance to the Emergency Room, so I pulled in and headed inside. It was remarkable timing. My path had taken me right by the hospital right when I received the call.

I headed upstairs, and I was glad to see my friend in good condition. She had a minor issue that would be quickly treated. She was at the hospital because the paths of family genes and history had brought her there.

As I exited the elevator and headed to my car, I saw another pastor heading in. We stopped and talked and he shared how he was visiting three members that night. This pastor was at the hospital because the paths of his ministry had taken him there. His three members were also in the hospital because of their own paths.

When I got to my car, I thought about our various paths -- what was the Lord’s timing in bringing our paths all together that night? After all, I didn't have to be driving past the hospital at that time on that night. I didn’t have to bump into my friend as the elevator doors opened... you get the idea.

I know that God has laid His path ahead of me, but I don’t always understand why it goes a particular way. Yet, I know He has a purpose, so I I pray as the Psalmist prayed: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”

Where is the Lord’s path taking you today?

"Genesis: Origins" Notes & Audio Available

2011-07-25T09:08:00.000-04:00

This past spring, I preached through Genesis chapters 1-11. It is often called the "Primeval History" of the world, and our understanding of it influences the way we think about Biblical Inerrancy, Scientific Discovery, The Origin of Evil, Marriage, Environmental Sustainability, and even the Character of God.

For me, preaching through the first part of Genesis was a way for me to firm up my own understanding of these issues. The sermon series came at a significant time. Our denomination was wrestling with Biblical Inerrancy, my wife had won some significant awards as a public school science teacher, and I was convicted that it was the time in my ministry to tackle this important first book of the Bible.

If you'd like to listen to or read the sermons, they're now online at www.Sermon.net/EffinghamARP. Just look for "Genesis: Origins."

The Keys in Your Own Pocket

2011-07-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

A couple of Sundays ago, I was sitting in the sanctuary during our Sunday School hour, rehearsing a few songs on my bass. I enjoy these quiet moments before our worship time, and often I feel like it puts me in the right frame of mind for what will come later that morning. As I was playing through one of our hymns, my contemplation was broken...

HONK... HONK... HONK.. HONK..!!!

Some foolish person had parked at the church and didn’t know their car alarm was going off...

HONK... HONK... HONK.. HONK..!!!

I couldn’t believe it! It was still going! Didn’t this person know that our Sunday School classes were meeting? How rude! This is God’s house, not some parking garage!

HONK... HONK... HONK.. HONK..!!!

Ugh! I can’t believe the inconsiderateness of some people. Maybe I should pray for them... wait a second...

It was then I felt a key shaped object in my right pocket. In fact, it wasn’t just key shaped-- it was a key. And it wasn’t just a key, it was a key with a big red “Panic” button on its face-- a panic button that was sitting under the heavy Bass guitar I held in my lap -- a panic button that was sending a signal to my car, parked just outside, right next to our Sunday School classrooms and honking loudly and wildly and now reminding me:

“...Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite!..” (Matthew 7:3-5 NLT)

I don’t think Christ had car alarms in mind when he said this. But sitting in church on a Sunday morning, getting ready for music and preaching, He spoke through the honking. He reminded me that a little humility goes a long way when dealing with one another’s foibles and follies -- or in this case, my own foibles and follies.

Now, where did I put my keys?

Rachel Olsen on "Rest, Rise, & Work"

2011-07-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

My wife forwarded a devotion to me this week that opens with the question: "What time did your day begin today?" It is a great summary of the Hebrew understanding of day/night and work/rest. Here's a quote:

A secular rhythm of life makes work primary. We work first, then go from work to vacation. In contrast, a sacred rhythm makes rest primary, moving us from God-ordained rest into our vocation. The sacred rhythm is rest, rise, work rather than rise, work, rest. Let that difference sink in and sway the seat of your soul.

God's Bloodshed in the Old Testament

2011-06-23T15:16:00.000-04:00

How do we understand bloodshed in the Bible, especially the violent acts in the Old Testament? It's worth deeper study, but John White offers this concise summary in his book, Daring to Draw Near. He writes about Exodus 32, when Moses puts to death around 3000 men for their worship of a golden calf. His explanation is very good with one exception: Scripture is clear that it wasn't Moses who declared the punishment, but God himself. See what you think:

"Our values have changed. To Moses, the bloodshed was not be compared with the horror of the people's sin. Having been delivered from Egypt by a God who changed the course of nature, who opened the Red Sea, who led them himself by a pillar of cloud and fire, a God who revealed himself as the only God, the eternal God, the true God-- the shallow Israelites had in a few petulant days dismissed him from their minds and had fallen back into idolatry. Their fickleness and their blasphemy appalled Moses; his horror was even greater because he had arrived among them after being in the immediate presence of God whose name they had so lightly defiled."

Much is made over these 3000 lives, but many forget the thousands of lives spared by the Lord on that same day. Though the Lord is often gracious in tempering the punishment for sin in our own time, it will still be punished. God has not changed. When He collides with Sin, it is destroyed. When I pay the price for my own sin someday in my own death, I know that it will have no sting. It will be overcome through Jesus Christ.

90% Blessed

2011-06-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

I enjoyed Douglas Wilson's commentary on time management from a Christian perspective. The following quote gave me something to think about:

1.The point is fruitfulness, not efficiency. You should want to be fruitful like a tree, not efficient like a machine. But this fruitfulness is a function of God's blessing, and it is surrendered work that is blessed work. Seek that blessing, and seek it through concrete surrender...

We can see the principle with the sabbath and the tithe. Less blessed is more than more unblessed. 90% blessed goes farther than 100% unblessed. 6 days blessed are far more fruitful than 7 days unblessed. (emphasis Added)

Take a minute or two to read the whole article. It won't take long, and I guarantee you'll be "blessed" as a result.

207th ARP General Synod

2011-06-13T13:10:00.000-04:00

Synod Overview:
We returned Saturday from our trip to Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC for the 207th meeting of the ARP General Synod. My friend Tim Philips blogged about the week (daily and in detail) over at the Gairney Bridge blog, so I’ll refer you there if you’re interested in the ins and outs of the daily meetings. Dr. Bill Evans provides a great 12 point summary of the whole week here. Rev. Philips has also re-posted Clint Davis' significant motion regarding Erskine that is worth reading.

Family Time :
We arrived Monday afternoon and enjoyed some family time in the canoes and swimming pool. Tuesday morning we hiked up to the Glassy Overlook at the Carl Sandburg home.

I met EPC’s Elder Representative, Mitchell C., for lunch at Hubba Hubba BBQ before meeting with my other family (Catabw Presbytery) that afternoon. The meeting was quite brief (only 45 minutes). We rendezvoused before the 7pm meeting for hamburgers on the porch. No matter the kitchen and no matter the time, my wife can make a great burger. The meeting that night began with a worship time and Lord’s Supper.

Laura and Harrison went tubing the next day while I was in meetings. They had a waterfall hike somewhere in there, too.

Highlights:

Excellent preaching. Not all Presbyterians are “Frozen Chosen”
A challenging incoming Moderator's Address. Check out the stats he mentioned here on his "2020 Vision"
Lively music spanning from the Psalter/Piano to Guitar/Djembe/Hymns.
21st Century integration: tables at the back for delegates with laptops and greater use of “the screen” (with mixed results).
A Synod-specific website: Synod2011.com
A Coffeehouse sponsored by CEM
A peculiar controversy boiling in Northeast Presbytery, with a NY based theological school claiming affiliation with the ARP and with Erskine Seminary.
Fallout from the recent decisions by the PC(USA) that will immediately affect our military chaplains as well as widen the gap between the ARP and the PC(USA). It is a sad time for the largest of the Presbyterian denominations.
A strangely quiet interaction about Erskine. It was a hot issue in recent Synods, but an abundance of information from the College and Seminary seemed to prove the value of over-communication. Let’s hope that every thing on paper will translate to real-world application.

How I Voted:
I've posted my voting record on this blog in the past, but this year my votes were in the majority most of the time-- nothing significant. My only discomfort was in regard to a motion that we're sending to the PC(USA) to condemn their recent affirmation of homosexual clergy. We severed ties to the PC(USA) a while back, to the extent that we no longer identify one another as "fraternal" denominations. Furthermore, the ARP already has a clear stance on homosexuality. I voted against sending the motion, feeling that in this case, we're just picking a fight. I agree with our denomination's stance. I agree that the PC(USA) should be called out for abandoning the scriptures. I guess I just don't think that it's up to us ARPs. Maybe I'm wrong.

On the way back to Florence, we stopped by Greenville. My Dad and I rode the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and Laura ran in the "Run-Walk-Adopt" 5k. It was a late night back home on Saturday, and I was glad to be back at Effingham Presbyterian for Sunday Worship.

I started up a new sermon series this weekend and participated in a funeral today, so it looks like a busy week ahead.

The Sin of Self Pity (Oswald Chambers)

2011-05-16T12:25:00.000-04:00

"No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God form the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges-- always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied..."

I read this today in My Utmost For His Highest. What do you think? I'd rather not rate sin on a scale from bad to worse, but you get Chamber's point. Perhaps this is the disease that plagues modern Christianity: self-pity leading to spiritual sponges. I catch it in my own life far too often...

Knowing Your Limits (Carl Trueman)

2011-05-05T09:04:00.000-04:00

Carl Trueman writes in the latest issue of Themelios about the tricky balance believers face in addressing national issues in light of local ministry. I couldn't help but to think of some of our own ARP issues as they play out in the blogosphere, where there can be a skewed signal to noise ratio. See if you agree:

"In a conversation late in his life, Goethe commented that the secret of artistic genius lay in self-limitation. One might perhaps apply the same today to theological controversy. Indeed, while knowing one’s limits is important to making appropriate contributions to many areas, it is vital in theology. This is especially true at a time like this, when technology makes the possibility of excess an omnipresent reality...

Limitation is particularly important in theological controversy for three main reasons: time, calling, and competence. All three are closely connected..."

Read The Rest Here

Web 2.0 Resources for Holy Week

2011-04-20T09:38:00.001-04:00

Justin Taylor has collected a few visual resources for Holy Week. My favorite is the visual timeline put together by Bible Gateway. Check it out here.

M'Cheyne on the Lord's Supper

2011-04-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

We celebrate the Lord's Supper today at Effingham Presbyterian. It is much more than a simple meal of remembrance. When we celebrate, we are in the very presence of the Lord, fellowshipping at His table. Robert Murray M'Cheyne writes,

There are many sermons in which Christ is not from beginning to end; many books where you cannot find the fragrance of His name: but there cannot be a sacrament where Christ is not from beginning to end. Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Lord's Supper; it is all Christ and Him crucified. These things give a peculiar sweetness to the broken bread and poured-out wine.

"The agony of questions I cannot answer"

2011-04-14T08:49:00.001-04:00

I heard this quote on the radio, I think it was Dennis Rainey quoting Tom Skinner:

I spent a long time trying to come to grips with my doubts, when suddenly I realized I had better come to grips with what I believe. I have since moved from the agony of questions that I cannot answer, to the reality of answers that I cannot escape . . . and it's a great relief.

There's a Sermon Illustration in Here Somewhere

2011-04-11T09:04:00.001-04:00

This picture has been making the rounds. It reminds me of my own spiritual walk. The greatest lessons I've learned have come when I chose to take the stairs instead of the escalator. I guess they can both lead to "fitness," but it is often true in faith as in the rest of life: "it's the journey and not the destination."

Cannons: Phil Wickham

2011-04-07T11:28:00.001-04:00

My parent's church does this song, and my Dad's got me jamming on it now:

John Eliot on Preparing for Heaven

2011-04-05T08:44:00.003-04:00

I'm at Erskine today, and was reminded of this quote by John Eliot, in a sermon recorded by Cotton Mather (c.1691). He sets the tone for Hambrick-Stowe’s "The Practice of Piety," describing the Puritan life as one “engrossed in the heavens.” He writes,

“If thou art a believer, thou art no stranger to heaven while thou livest; and when thou diest, heaven will be no strange place to thee; no, thou hast been there a thousand times before.”

Link

"Final" Sermon Series

2011-04-03T09:22:00.001-04:00

Leading up to Easter, we take a look at Jesus' final words and acts while He was on the earth: His final claims of Kingship, final Prayers, final Meal, and final Appearance. We'll celebrate the Lord's Supper on April 17th and share Jesus's story in song on April 24th.

Also in April: Community Easter Festival on April 16th from 10:00am - 12:00. We'll have an Easter Egg hunt to kick things off and free Hot Dogs for lunch!

On May 1st, we'll return to our study of Genesis: Origins.

Off the Radar

2011-03-29T15:35:00.000-04:00

Next week is an Erskine week, so I'll be attending class Monday through Friday. That means that this week is all about finalizing some book reports, getting a sermon ready, and tending to some family stuff (my lil' guy's birthday). Laura and I also have a couple of social events to attend. It is a busy week, and without Google Calendar, I'd be lost. I feel like I'm off the Radar right now-- off my regular routine.

I had a good bike ride last week (25 miles in the country, though I shouldn't haven taken for granted that the roads on my map would all be paved), and my wife planted some new flowers over the weekend. The yard is fertilized, edged, and trimmed to NC State specifications (they have a helpful lawncare website). I'm outside today and at home, reading about Puritans, prayer and enjoying some post-pollen sunshine. My next paper will be typed on the patio while Harrison plays (too closely) with his water gun.

Ministerial life is a peculiar thing. It's not 9-5 every day (though it can be) nor is it "one day a week" as some joke. It is not always coat and tie, but it's also not business casual. The one common denominator in all ministries is that of shepherding. Sometimes you're shepherding the church; other times the family. In weeks such as this, preparing for your own studies, you're kind of shepherding yourself. In turn, you know that will make you a better shepherd for the others the Lord has placed in your path.

Some time "off the Radar" (in the books, away at class, or on a bike ride) makes the time "on the Radar" that much better. See you Sunday!

Genesis: Origins

2011-03-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

Join us as we begin our study of Beginnings. We'll look at the first 11 chapters of Genesis, investigating what Scripture says about why we're here and what we learn about our future from this foundational book of the past.

Sundays at 11am, Effingham Presbyterian church (ARP)

New Sermons Posted: Genesis, Psalm 23, etc.

2011-03-18T13:41:00.001-04:00

If you've missed a Sunday or two, catch up on our Effingham ARP sermon audio at Sermon.net. There, you can download a PDF for notes or subscribe to our the Audio Podcast. Recent sermons include: "The Shepherd in the Shadows" (Psalm 23), Guest Speaker Stacey Severance, and the first two of our Genesis: Origins series.

33 Miles in Raleigh

2011-03-15T11:16:00.000-04:00

I turned 33 in February, and thought it would be nice to do a 33 mile bike ride to celebrate. Low and behold, that very day I read about Trek Raleigh's St. Patty's Day Pot O' Gold Ride (TRSPDPOGR for short). It's not exactly convenient to drive to Raleigh just for a bike ride, so the whole trip hinged on whether my buddy in Chapel Hill was free. If I could work out a visit with him the day before, then it would be a done deal.

Well, he and his wife were both free, so with Laura and Harrison in tow we headed up I-95 with all of the crazies. We enjoyed lunch at the newly opened Mellow Mushroom (I had a portobello & artichoke sandwich) and hit the road.

I keep getting coupons for Country Inn & Suites ever since I stayed there for the Reformation Worship Conference last year. They always have fresh cookies, an indoor pool, and a lending library. I can't believe what a great value it is. We checked in Friday and had some family time before heading to Chapel Hill. We had a good visit with our friends (they're expecting a baby boy in May) and got to bed late that night.

Saturday morning was the "big" ride. It was 45 degrees, but I had plenty of layers to keep me warm. Rides like these are humbling for a guy like me. For half of the participants it was their regular weekly training ride. They rode in a peloton, took a 20 mile detour, and STILL finished faster than me and the other recreational riders. My longest ride was last year on the Silver Comet Trail (37 miles). I'd like to get a 50 mile ride in later this year when I'm in better shape.

Laura and Harrison enjoyed the Marbles Kids' Museum in Raleigh, which is twice as nice and one third as costly as the one in Greenville, SC. It was $5 a person and they both had a lot of fun.

I met some great folks on the ride. There was a guy in yellow socks who road alone and ahead of me much of the time, and another guy who had completed the RAGBRAI and BRAG last year. There were some ladies from Team Brick ("the brick is the toughest, most un-aerodynamic thing we could think of," she said) and a guy from Spiritual Spinners. We rode for 15 miles and took a break for bananas, Gatorade, and Clif Shots. Marvin Gaye was on the radio at the rest stop (and yes, it was THAT song!)

It was a beautiful ride, with long, fast hills and lengthy climbs. Afterward, I had lunch at Denny's with the family and we headed back to Florence. It was a great weekend!

Sharon, SC & Catawba Presbytery

2011-03-09T10:21:00.000-05:00

I had a good trip on Tuesday. Robbie M. and I fueled ourselves with fresh Senseo coffee and went to Sharon ARP Church for the spring meeting of Catawba Presbytery. Sharon is about 20 minutes outside of York, SC. I used to pass through quite often when I commuted from Rock Hill to Due West.

It was interesting to see some of the changes around York County. Rev. McLurkin playfully boasted that even tiny Sharon is seeing a boom, as they recently got a Dollar General.

The meeting itself ran smoothly, with the most significant debate arising over some church planter/church planting opportunities. In my short history with Catawba Presbytery (since 2002) I've seen only "parachute drop" style church plants where a mission developer will move to a community and begin the hard work of starting a church. He has 3-4 years to make it before funding runs out. It is tough work, and can quickly lead to burn out.

At yesterday's meeting, we approved one Pastor to be a "Resident Evangelist." He'll resign from his current Associate Pastor position in Rock Hill, but rather than moving to a new town he'll begin work just down the road with a group he's already connected with. He is doing so with his Church's blessing. One pastor raised a great question, "Why not just get these people involved with your current church instead of trying to start a new one?" Churches have their own personalities, and it can be a challenge to blend two disparate groups. In this case, the group is a collection of artists, students, and quarter-lifers who don't always fit within an average church.

Another pastor we approved for a church planting opportunity will be going to Texas, his home state, to plant a church with a group he's served in the past. He'll be back in his hometown, serving some familiar faces, and stretching the reach of the ARP in an area not yet served. It's great to be getting another church in Texas, and I hope it is just a matter of time before Synod will establish a new presbytery there. Right now, the Texas churches are affiliated with the SC based Catawba Presbytery-- hardly a convenient trip to make!

I mentioned that there was significant discussion, especially in regard to the Rock Hill "Resident Evangelist." One point of contention was that there seemed to be some miscommunication between several parties, namely a group seeking to plant several churches in York County who didn't have the full story with the Resident Evangelist. I was comfortable voting for the new ministry, as I see how it will differ from our usual model. In short, there is room for both. The miscommunication is worth addressing, but I didn't feel that it should affect the vote.

I hope the potential for a successful church plant will be greatly enhanced since both of these men already have strong connections with their respective communities. It seems to me like this is a very organic way of planting churches, and a worthwhile model to consider. Our presbytery has lost several plants (and planters) over the years, and it's no surprise. The last time I checked 80%-85% of church plants fail within the first 5 years. A variety of models for church planting has some value.

It's Pretty Catchy: Westminster Catechism

2011-03-07T14:29:00.000-05:00

Curtis Allen's Westminster Catechism Rap is making the rounds. It's got a little Don Carson in there for good measure. Click here to listen.

A Sample:

"Do you know what the chief end of man is?

And how the Father, Son and Spirit do manage?

Do you know if you want you could know this?

The catechism hey the catechism hey"

HT: Justin Taylor

Let me tell you about my wife...

2011-03-04T10:02:00.007-05:00

Many of you know my wife, Laura. She's a virtual charter school teacher here in SC. These past few months she's been pretty busy! She is the SC Charter School District Teacher of the Year and a representative for SC Virtual Charter School (SCVCS).

I was proud of all of her efforts recently when she made an appearance on SC ETV (PBS). She was interviewed alongside several other educators as well as our State Superintendent of Education, Mick Zais. I thought she did a great job answering questions and explaining a few misconceptions about this relatively new (for SC) educational opportunity.

Soon, I'll accompany Laura to a banquet where they'll announce State Teacher of the Year. Laura is not a finalist, but she's Teacher of the Year every year in my book!

Check out her TV debut here, and note the special segment about 15 minutes in where they show her in action.

You can keep up with her blog here.

Pundits Vs. Coin Toss

2011-03-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

I read this in a Tyndale Publishers insert:

A researcher looked at 284 prominent economists, foreign policy experts, and journalists whose opinions and prognostications have been quoted since 1980...

When the results were in on [their] 82,000 predictions, the vast majority of experts had performed worse than random chance, with an accuracy level of below 50%. It made no difference whether or not the expert was liberal, conservative, or moderate. They were all equally ineffective. And the most famous experts tended to perform the worst!

Why? Most experts... were the victims of confirmation bias... they ignored evidence that contradicted their preferred theories or narrative.

...It just goes to show that a lot of our... discourse is driven, in large part, by people whose opinions are less accurate than a coin toss.

Wow, I Won Something!

2011-03-01T09:37:00.000-05:00

Harrison and I are gearing up for a bicycle camping trip with my Dad next month. It won't be anything too crazy-- we'll head down to Lake Moultrie and ride about halfway around to enjoy a couple of nights in the outdoors.

I haven't been backpacking in a while (just car-camping), so I've been collecting and experimenting a little bit with stoves, cups, etc. I'm trying to keep my weight down since I'll be towing Harrison and our gear on a bike trailer. I've settled on a basic alcohol stove and freezer bag cooking. In anticipation of the big trip, I entered a contest for a Kupilka Cup over at Brian's Backpacking Blog. It's a great site with lots of do-it-yourself tips. The cup is really unique, too. As of a few minutes ago, I found out I was a winner! Cool!

North SC is 90 Miles South of Due West

2011-02-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

HT: Becky Howard

I Love David

2011-02-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

Not this David... not that David, either. I love the David who wrote many of the Psalms through the inspiration of God. Bono calls him "the Elvis of the Bible" in his 1999 introduction to the Psalms. I'm not exactly sure what that means-- but it sounds catchy.

But here's why I love David. He writes the following sometime AFTER arranging for Uzziah's murder and having an affair with Bathsheba:

Psalm 18:20-24 ESV
The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness;

according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
[21] For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
[22] For all his rules were before me,
and his statutes I did not put away from me.
[23] I was blameless before him,
and I kept myself from my guilt.
[24] So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

I tell you what, it takes some guts to talk about the cleanness of your hands and the rewards of God when you've made some big mistakes like David has. But that's why I love him-- David gets it. he understands that when it comes to following the "rules and statutes" of God (v.22), those rules and statutes include the opportunity to confess our sins and be forgiven.

Although David did some serious sinning in his life, he also did some serious repenting. That's what makes him a "man after God's own heart." The opportunity to be forgiven 100% is not an excuse to go do whatever we want, but it is assurance than when we mess up, there is still a loving God awaiting us at the end of the day.

Bill Hybels' "Airplane" Illustration

2011-02-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

This is a great illustration of many folks who "know" Christ but see no evidence of His work in their lives. I know some of my brothers aren't too impressed with Pastor Bill. See what you think. Agree? disagree?

“Knowledge won’t get you anywhere. You have to act on what you know...[Imagine] studying the science of aviation and then hanging around in airports. You can learn all about the physics of flight, know which airlines have the safest record, pick the best craft to fly in, reserve your flight, drive to the airport, go to the gate, double check the cockpit crew’s credentials. But it does you no good unless you get on the plane.” (from Becoming a Contagious Christian)

D. Min Update (February EPC Newsletter Article)

2011-02-01T09:30:00.002-05:00

Thank You!

I recently returned from a week-long class session at Erskine Seminary’s Columbia, SC Campus. We meet right off Lady St., just a few blocks from the State House. There, I finished the work that began last October at a conference in Powder Springs, GA. This is my seventh class out of ten. When I complete the tenth class, I’ll begin work on my dissertation, which I hope to complete over the course of a year. With much of my classroom work done in the Doctor of Ministry program, I thought it would be a good time to share a few things with my beloved church family.

First, as I said before, Thanks! The Session has been gracious in allowing me ample time for study-leave each semester. In addition, the Church has been generous with a continuing education fund for which I’m very grateful. Combined with Scholarships from Erskine, this opportunity has been much more affordable than I expected.

Second, many folks kindly ask me about what I’ve been working on. Some brave souls even ask about reading some of my papers. I must say the best of what I have to offer usually comes out in a sermon on Sunday, but If you’d like to read more, you can now access my papers online at Scribd.com/flyingfleet2000 . All I’d ask is that you consider them “works in progress” and not my final thoughts on anything. Several sermon series are the direct result of my studies. Stop and Smell the TULIPs, The Mission of God, Thanksgiving Psalms, and Epiphany: God is Here come to mind-- you can listen to these at EffinghamARP.org

Thirdly, I’d like to share how the D.Min program works and what it offers pastors and their churches. Pastors interested in continuing their studies after seminary typically have the choice of a PhD or a D.Min. the PhD is geared towards “contributing something new” to a given field and often includes in-residence work at a University. The D.Min is focused on the “practical application” of a project or idea-- usually within the local church. In fact, I’d say it would be impossible to work on the D.Min without serving in a church. My gifts tend towards the D.Min work, and Erskine’s “Institute for Reformed Worship” seems tailor-made to my interests. I haven’t yet decided on my focus for the dissertation, but I can see how the Lord brought me to this season of life where such a program exists just 90 minutes from home.

I enjoy talking about my course work and my travels. Please stop by anytime if you’d like to hear more. In addition to the classroom-time, I often meet new friends, experience good food, and squeeze in a bike-ride or two. Thanks again for blessing your Pastor with this opportunity. I hope it will continue to be a blessing for us all.

In Him,

Pastor Brian

What's Up?

2011-01-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe we're a month past Christmas. I like to update this blog at least once a week, but it hasn't been on my radar for a while. So What's up? Here are some highlights from the last month:

A great experience with our Christmas Cantata, making full use of some of our new sound/video equipment here at EPC.
A few good bike rides, including my new favorite 10 mile loop of "Hospital Hill" in Florence and a Downtown Columbia /Greenway out and back last week.
Monster Trucks with my family at the Civic Center.
Good conversations and a great class on 16th Century Worship/Reformers at Erskine Seminary.
Putting together a slightly DIY alcohol stove cookset and making hot chocolate in the dark with JHH-- who just got his first pocketknife.
Starting a new sermon series on the book of Ruth.
Tracking down a batch of my favorite pencils at Staples.
Almost finished with my rattle-can "restoration" of an old Schwinn. White tires lookin' good, too.
Finding my old journal from High School and thanking God for all those "unanswered prayers" (well, you know what I mean...)

Any way, that's what's up. No poignant posts or pithy quotes-- just a little slice of life.

Christmas in the ER (Don Sweeting)

2010-12-21T11:47:00.000-05:00

We have several folks who've been in the hospital this past week, and a couple who are still there today. Dr. Don Sweeting's recent article, "Living in an ER World-- Even During Christmas" from the latest RTS "Ministry & Leadership" magazine was very timely. He writes,

You can have one of two reactions to hardship and tragedy that comes at Christmas time. On the one hand, you can get angry, and think This is ruining my Christmas! Why does this have to happen to me? And where is God in all this anyway? This is the reaction of many of us, if we are honest. Sometimes we let our anger grow into bitterness and cynicism.

But there is another, dare I say, more "Christmasy" way to respond to this. And by "Christmasy," I don't mean sentimental and filled with holiday cheer. This other way to respond to the mess of our broken world is to realize the emergency-room stuff does not threaten the message of Christmas, but actually confirms it. The world is desperately out of joint and needs a Savior. The brokenness is so bad that we cannot fix it ourselves. With all our digital wizardry and biotech prowess, we remain helpless. We desperately need God to break in and help us in our emergency condition.

That is exactly what the Bible says happened in that first Christmas. God broke into an ER world as part of a divine rescue operation. He sent His Son to save us.

So how about you? Do you have some ER moments this Christmas? Are you reminded of some tough times each year when the holidays roll around? How has Christ demonstrated a "divine rescue operation" in your life?

It takes Men to raise a Man

2010-12-14T09:02:00.000-05:00

Here's a post for all of you who are raising boys. They're a blessing and a handful, and they need strong male role models in their lives. My son wakes his mommy up with a hug. He often wakes me up with a punch in the gut or a pillow to the face. Boys have different needs than girls, but until they're often raised in a vacuum of male influence. I'm blessed with a Godly Dad who taught me from both his successes and mistakes, who still gives me pocketknives and puts ice down my shirt. I hope I'm doing the same with my son. But Dads can only provide part of the picture...

Our boys need a whole team of men if they're to grow into a man. I can think of numerous men who've influenced me from early in my childhood. There were several great men at Metropolitan Baptist, Mr. Shuttleworth in Middle School, Mr. Sell, Mr. Pierce, and Tagg in High School, and others as well. None of them were perfect, but all of them were fishers of men.

A recent post by Brett at the Art of Manliness got me thinking about all of this. He writes,

The gender imbalance for Christian churches has continued to increase. In 1952, the ratio of female to male active church goers was 53/47; now it is 61/39, and the complaint that the culture of Christianity is overly feminized remains. But churches continue to try to attract men into the fold, with attempts that range from the sincere and thoughtful...to the patently ridiculous...

The numbers aren’t too rosy when it comes to education either. In the last 30 years the percentage of male teachers in elementary schools has fallen...The number is even lower for pre-k and kindergarten teachers; only 2% are male. While more male teachers can be found in secondary schools, there has been a decline there as well...

Brett's article is worth reading, and he talks about the challenges that industrialization and divorce have put on raising young men.

One thing I'm thankful for nowadays are the good men that my son will learn from. Our church is one where the kids and adults mix regularly. Harrison has frequent talks, handshakes, and high-fives from the men of our church. It's important to me as a dad.

Does your son have a resource of Godly men that he'll be able to draw from over the years? If you're a dad, what does your son see as your priority on a given Sunday?

The 'Dark Cloud' of God

2010-12-02T09:00:00.002-05:00

I heard this on the radio today in a Thanksgiving sermon from Alistair Begg. It's a quote from Sarah Edwards, who wrote to heer daughter after her husband Jonathan died:

"A Holy and Good God has covered us with a dark cloud. Oh that we might kiss the rod that he lays on our back and not complain. The Lord has done it. God has helped me adore his goodness that we had your father for so long, but my God lives and he has my heart."

I like what she says. She acknowledges the bitterness of losing her companion, but also the sweetness of a loving God who has a plan for our lives far beyond what we know of the earth. Life in Christ is not easy, but it is joyful.

PS: Please forgive all the italics-- I'm having trouble with formatting today.

Shallow & Profound (from Oswald Chambers)

2010-11-30T09:44:00.002-05:00

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

I thought the following portion of Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest was poignant. It is a part of the reading from November 22nd:

"Beware of posing as a profound person-- God became a baby.

To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all--the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of lie, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, 'A disciple is not above his teacher...' (Matthew 10:24)."

I take myself too seriously sometimes-- over-think, over-focus, over-intensify. It takes the joy out of God's simple blessings. Mr. Chambers is not suggesting we sit around and read tabloids all day. Do you consider yourself a "profound person," or is there some room for a little "shallowness" in your life?

Downtown Revitalization, Church Life, & Florence

2010-11-18T09:31:00.001-05:00

I'm glad to see that Florence is still keeping downtown revitalization on the radar. A recent article on SCNow includes this brief summary:

“Sumter, Conway, Dillon … even Bishopville’s for heaven’s sake,” [Agnes Wilcox] said. “It’s just embarrassing that we’re so far behind.”

The push, albeit often a gentle one, to redevelop the downtown area is nothing new. In fact, it’s at least a decade old. And while there have been some triumphs ...the basic problem still exists. The old commercial area, centered on the intersection of Dargan and Evans streets, remains a dilapidated mess without much promise for change.

What Florence needs is more mixed-use development. This has worked well in my hometown of Greenville and seemed to be heading towards success while we were in Rock Hill. Mixed use development keeps downtown areas alive: the folks who work downtown keep it vibrant from 9am-5pm, and the folks who live downtown keep it going from 5pm-9pm. Without both, you end up with deserted main streets and unsafe thoroughfares.

Community planning and church life go hand in hand. As our community planners rely more heavily on traffic patterns and suburban development, community identity fades away. The local grocer loses out to the big box chain. The mall replaces the men's store or the dress shop. The hyper-local church that ministers to a 5-7 mile radius gives way to the church on the bypass that ministers to a 20 mile radius. Our communities lose their sense of place and become dependent on longer commutes. They become bedroom communities for the larger town. Families who can't afford daily transportation have their options severely limited, and 2 cars per home almost becomes a necessity. For some, poverty looms on the horizon if they're dependent on a 15 mile commute to work. Communities and neighborhoods become anonymous as everyone begins and end their day in their garage rather than by passing each other on the sidewalk. The Church often takes on this same mindset, becoming a large anonymous gathering of folks who have no geographic unity or sense of belonging outside of Sunday morning.

Downtown revitalization is key, even if you don't live downtown. It sets a template for surrounding areas. It prepares folks to think about pedestrian-friendly scales, bike-friendly streets, and mixed use living that overcomes archaic zoning laws that undermine our patterns of life. Revitalization starts to shift us back to local living, when we knew each other and shared in life together.

A 90 Second Phone Call

2010-11-15T10:46:00.000-05:00

I just got a random phone call from a church member. I picked up the phone figuring that they needed a bulletin announcement, had to drop off something, or (the pessimist in me) had some complaint. Naturally, there's always the possibility of a hospital visit or something more serious.

I was pleasantly surprised. The phone call took no more than 90 seconds, but it made my day. "I just wanted to say that I love you and your family and I hope you have a blessed week. I'll see you on Sunday." Wow!

You know, your pastor could use a phone call like that (or an e-mail / text). He doesn't always preach the greatest sermon, and you may not always like his way of doing things-- but he loves you and the people of your church. His phone rings a lot, and quite often there is something serious/difficult/challenging to be heard on the other end.

How about a random phone call today for someone in ministry that you care about? 90 seconds can make their day!

5 Thoughts for Election Day

2010-11-02T10:36:00.000-04:00

It’s election-time again, though if you’ve had the television on at all these last few weeks you don’t need me to tell you that! Folks sometimes ask me who to vote for, and I don’t think I’ve ever given a straight answer. It’s not because I don’t have an opinion on the matter, but because quite often, there is not an easy answer. Others will disagree with me on this, but let me explain.

I can think of four friends right now that I love and respect. All four are committed believers, active in their local church, and dedicated to their families. But come election day, two of my friends will vote Republican, and two will vote Democrat. Which two are “right?”

We posses a certain freedom in Christ. What is #1 to me as a Christian may be #2 to you and vice versa. But it is all important to God. With each election year, I can never find a candidate with whom I agree on all issues, so I have to prioritize what is most important to me and consider how that candidate will make a difference.

Here are five things I consider when Election Day arrives:

Should I look beyond that one “hot” issue: If the candidate has 1 good opinion and 99 bad ones, how does that do any good?
What is the candidate’s potential to keep his/her word: Can the candidate really have the authority to deliver on those big promises once in office?
Does the candidate share my values: How do they spend their time? Do they have any stated religious convictions?
How about the candidate’s integrity: Does the candidate have a record of honesty in business, marital fidelity, and/or showing up for votes?
With this candidate in office, will my county/state/nation still provide a political framework for religious freedom?

The ideal candidate would be one who uses this verse as his or her checklist while in office:

“...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:7-9 ESV Emphasis Added

An 'Amazing' Post

2010-10-28T13:00:00.001-04:00

"Amazing" makes an appearance in this Sunday's sermon. Have you noticed how everything is "Amazing" these days? It drives me nuts. We need to start handing our thesauruses (thesaurii?), because I don't think the burrito you had for lunch was literally "amazing." Of course, "literally" is getting overused, too, but that's for another day. Here are some amazing links:
A Group for all Those Against the Overuse of the Word "Amazing."
The Word 'Amazing' Demoted to Oh-So-Ordinary.

Your 'Sweet Spot' & God's Plan

2010-10-06T09:30:00.000-04:00

This morning, as I got my Megg's Exxon travel mug filled and my son buttoned up for school, he asked, "Daddy, will I go to church every day like you when I get big?"

It was a good question! I suppose he might, but that's all up to God's calling in his life and how he grows in his gifts and interests. I told him he might end up being called to into sales like his grandfather, teaching like mommy, or something different like his friend at church who works with computers. "It all depends on God's plan and your gifts," I said.

This morning I was reading an article on managing personal finances, when I stumbled on the following diagram:

I think it describes pretty well how God will often guide us in life. We don't necessarily need a "burning bush" experience to know what we should do for a living. Sometimes it is as simple as looking at our life's circumstances with a prayer for Godly wisdom in our hearts, such as James 1: 5 (NIV)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. "

What do YOU think?

Mark Baynes: Singer, Songwriter, & Pastor

2010-09-30T07:30:00.001-04:00

I'm looking forward to this Sunday and Monday. Effingham Presbyterian is hosting our guest speaker, Mark Baynes for three services (Sunday 11am & 7pm, Monday 7pm). Sunday morning we'll be celebrating the Lord's Supper and (almost) following Calvin's 1542 Genevan Liturgy.

Mark and I met in Hughes Oliphant Old's Psalm class at Erskine's Institute for Reformed Worship. He's got an interesting story to tell, and has spent time in Scotland. His music bears a strong celtic influence.

I hope you'll join us for these special times of worship this weekend.

Four Healthy Work Habits

2010-09-28T07:05:00.001-04:00

We finished up our four week series, "Your Work Matters" this past Sunday. The series was based on a similar study done by Vanderwell and Malefyt over at the Calvin Institute for Worship. A couple of folks mentioned that Sunday's final message was the most helpful, so here are the key points as found in Ephesians 4:25-32

"...having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."

The key trait here is Honesty. Imagine a workplace where you could trust everything that was said and done. Dig deeper, though and you’ll see the real lesson here is right there at the beginning of the verse: “Put away falsehood.” That’s the only way we’re going to accomplish the following goals. It has to happen through the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ because we can’t put away falsehood on our own.

"26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil."

The key traits here are Peacefulness or Reconciliation. The goal in any conflict is restoring the relationship, not to win or prove that you’re right or wrong. One of the worst feelings you can have is when you’re angry with someone in the workplace, because you can’t get away from them! It’s 8 hours with someone you can’t stand. Many of us would fail this measurement because we don’t forgive as God has forgiven us.

"28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."

The key trait here is Productivity. We not only stop bad behavior (like stealing) but begin good behavior (honest work) We steal time from our employers quite often-- so often, in fact that it no longer seems like a big deal. Consider “Cyber Monday” for example, when when millions of workers return to the high speed internet access of their offices and shop online for after Thanksgiving sales. It’s innocent, I guess-- but hey, it’s still stealing from our employers.

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

The trait here is Edification. The word “corrupt” comes from the greek work “sapros.” It’s the same adjective used with rotten fruit or putrid fish. Again, God’s word offers us a change in our behavior from "this to that." In this case, from corrupt talk to building up.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV)

These final verses sum it all up. We find ourselves at the core of what it means to be redeemed... this goes well beyond being a good worker. It's really not a lesson on all the tasks you need to do to be a better worker. It is a lesson on all of the traits in which God will work through me as I work through my work.

Your Work Matters Responsive Reading

2010-09-23T10:43:00.000-04:00

We used this repsonsive reading last Sunday during the series "Your Work Matters." It would look great above your desk or in your workshop. The topics for the series and the reading can be found at Calvin.edu:

Our work is service to the Lord. He works through our work. In our work, even in dull routine, we hear the call to serve our Lord.

We must work for more than wages, and manage for more than profit, so that mutual respect and the just use of goods and skills may shape the work place, and so that, while we earn or profit,useful products and services may result.

Rest and leisure are gifts of God to relax us and to set us free to discover and to explore. Believing that he provides for us, we can rest more trustingly and entertain ourselves more simply. (adapted from "Our World Belongs to God", par.51)

Boredom and 'Dead work' in your job / daily routine.

2010-09-09T07:30:00.003-04:00

We're in the midst of a sermon series on work and faith here at EPC. What place does God have in our daily work life? A big one, if you look at Scripture. But how do we integrate our faith in the dull parts of our vocation? Boredom with our work is always a possibility, but it is likely that even boredom and so called "dead work" has a bigger purpose.

When we serve the Lord in our work, we eventually do away with the wasteful tasks that undermine our effectiveness. Since we're beginning to serve God instead of just our boss every task has the potential of taking on greater significance. We're reminded in Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Brett & Kate McKay write,

...there is an almost universal optical illusion with reference to work: each of us is fully conscious of the dead work in his own calling...with the tasks of others, he sees only the finished product. Thus each is inclined to...envy the apparently easier and happier tasks of others. You sit down in an audience room, and some master at the piano sweeps you out on to the bosom of the sea of emotion...The evening of melody is over; there is the moment of awed silence and then the storm of applause; you go home exclaiming, “What genius!”...But no exaggerated talent would take a man far, without the capacity for hard work; and what you forget, as you listen to the finished art of the master genius, is the days and nights of consecrated toil...

Rev. Chuck Wanock writes,

...have you ever thought of boredom as the shadowside of competence? By that I mean, if you get bored with what you’re doing occasionally, it could be you’re good at doing it..

Both articles that treat boredom and dead work in more detail. One is from the perspective of a pastor and the other from an average employee. Check 'em out here and here.

Your Work Matters: Living for Christ in Your Daily Routine

2010-09-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

Join us in the Family Life Center while the sanctuary undergoes renovation. Sunday School is at 10am followed by Worship at 11am.

Over the next few weeks, we'll take a look at how we can glorify God through our daily routine. For some of us, that means the 9-5 grind. For others, it's chores and family. Whatever your "work" life is, give to service for the Lord and find greater fulfillment in your routine. Your Work Matters!

For deeper study on the topic see Your Work Matters to God by Douglas Sherman or visit other "Work Matters" sites here and here.

The TRUTH Principle (Prayer by Leslie Vernick)

2010-08-31T10:08:00.001-04:00

A couple of folks have requested a copy of one of Leslie Vernick's prayers from The TRUTH Principle. Part one of her book was the basis for our retreat at Bonclarken last month. You can get the book here, and below I've included the prayer:

Begin to pray as Jesus did in the midst of life’s troubles:

“Lord, I am beginning to get a picture of what you are doing in my life through my troubles.

Instead of always asking you for relief or help to get out of my trouble, help me to be willing to be made like Jesus.

Help my heart to be willing to be used by you for your glory and your purposes during my troubles.

Change my heart, O God. Amen.”

What Bradford Pears Teach Us Loving God.

2010-07-30T07:00:00.002-04:00

We recently returned from Synod to find one of our Bradford Pear trees in bad shape. One side of the tree had broken off--part of the trunk, a sizable branch, and numerous smaller limbs. It narrowly missed the house, but even though it landed on our car there was no damage to speak of. I spent the next couple of afternoons cutting up the debris and hauling it to the side of the road.

At first, I thought a strong wind was to blame, perhaps even a lightening strike. My neighbor corrected me. He said he had heard a crack and a heavy thud late one night. There was no wind and no rain, just a quiet summer evening. The tree had broken on its own.

Bradford Pears are vulnerable, especially as they reach maturity. They grow tremendously fast. This is part of their undoing. The Alabama Cooperative System says, “due to their combination of vigorous growth, weak wood and poor branch structure, they often begin falling apart after only 20 years.” Considering the fact that our trees were planted in the mid-eighties, I suppose this might be the first of many broken limbs to come. It's strange to me how a tree with such "vigorous growth" can be so weak and short-lived.

So what does this have to do with our worship of God? God’s Word tells us “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind” Luke 10:27 (NLT). When we love Him with one of these and not the others, our love is out of balance. My Bradford Pear is beautiful in the Spring. Its flowers fall like snowflakes and scatter along the front lawn. It grows year after year and appears to be in good health. But when a storm comes (or just a quiet summer evening), it simply can’t hold up.

We all experience exciting seasons of spiritual life. For some, it is the passionate early days of discovering one’s faith. For others it’s the week or two after summer camp or fall revival services. Maybe for others it’s the afternoon after a Sunday service when the music, message, and fellowship spoke to them in a special way. I can easily love the Lord with all my heart in these times. I can think that I’m growing.

However, without other aspects of love, such as in the giving of the mind, our passion can fail us. The seemingly dull tasks of reading Scripture or investigating theology hold us firm when our hearts fail. When we love God with our mind as well as our heart, we still grow--but we grow strong. We grow for legacy. We grow for eternity.

So, how’s your “love” today? Maybe you're a mighty Redwood, balanced and strong. You can weather the hard times when your heart is week. But many of us are like the Bradford Pear-- beautiful, flowering, and growing each season only to come crashing down in a few years. Let's let the God who is love teach us how to love: with our hearts, souls, strength, and mind.

Image: http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/large_plant_images/Bradford%20pear.jpg

Jesus: Storyteller

2010-07-18T11:00:00.001-04:00

Join us in the Family Life Center through August while the sanctuary undergoes renovation. Sunday School is at 10am followed by Worship at 11am.

Over the next few weeks, we'll study a few of Jesus' Parables. He shared over fifty stories that have a unique perspective on life. They were meaningful in His day and still make an impact today. Come hear what His stories have to do with our story.

Windmills, Hail Guns, & Sweet Agers

2010-06-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's always a good time for a drive over to McBee, SC to visit McCleod Farms. Known for their peaches, the McCleod family is also rather hi tech, using windmills to warm crops in winter and a gun that blasts sound waves to break up hail:

"Using the windmills has helped them lose only one peach crop in the last 12 years. The magic numbers for freeze at McCleod Farms is 17 degrees F for a short period and 24 degrees F for 12 hours or more. The warm air from the windmills and burning hay prevents cold air and frost from settling on the bloom.
After escaping late spring freezes, a major concern is hail. To combat hail, the McCleods have installed a ‘hail gun’. The hail gun saturates the air above the orchards with high decibel sound waves that break up hail storms. During high risk times, they closely monitor Doppler radar via a computer link. When conditions are right, they zap the air with ear-splitting sounds."

You can read more on this 21st century operation at the Southeast Farm Press site here.

Our EPC Sweet Agers go to McBee a couple of times a year. If you'd like to join us for our next trip, check in the church newsletter for our schedule.

2010 ARP General Synod: Themes & Thoughts

2010-06-16T07:05:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that this was my eighth Synod. I've attended as a Guest, a Page, a Ruling Elder, and a Teaching Elder. I've been content to sit on the sidelines for several years, but this year I realized that no thought can be taken for granted.

I regretted not speaking up in March as I felt Synod had the right idea but the wrong implementation. My opinion would not have swayed the court, but at least it would have been stated. There are few "big" speeches on the floor of Synod. Rather, there is a mosaic of minor opinion and point that makes up a larger picture. I've not spoken in the past because I had nothing "important" to say. This year, I began to understand that few of us do. The many small statements build together for one important vote. In that sense, every statement is important.

Like any group, Synod is filled with several different viewpoints. The folks who are passionate are the ones who speak-- "squeaky wheels" on one side and "cheerleaders" on the other. We often joke on who will speak next since it tends to be the same dozen or so each year. They're usually the same ones who speak out a lot in Presbytery meetings, too. But there is a place for those who are somewhere in the middle, and they need to speak up.

The greatest weakness of Synod is that sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. For example, we spent an inordinate amount of time debating over the recommendations from the Board of Nominations. This is a common theme every year: boards and committees meet on their own. They sweat, debate, pray, etc. Then, when they bring the results of their work to Synod, we question their motives and choices and try to undo their work. There is a fine line between accountability and micro-management.

We waste time debating things at the Synod level that should be addressed within Presbytery or even local church Sessions. Synod can be dramatic, even theatrical at times. I use those terms in their best and worst senses.

At the end of the day, Synod is a good example an imperfect creation serving a perfect Creator. We serve the Kingdom and call on Christ for grace, wisdom, patience, fortitude, and foresight. We don't always get it right. In this and any other ways, Synod is like your local church. We're in a constant state of tension between seeing the world through our own eyes and seeing it through God's eyes.

As we prepare for our next Session and Presbytery meetings, we pray that the Lord will unite our hearts with His-- that our hearts will break with His and rejoice with His.

Image: FlatRockOnline.com

2010 ARP General Synod: Food & Fun

2010-06-15T07:05:00.001-04:00

Synod is serious business, but it's not all business...

My family accompanies me to Synod each year, and their companionship reveals one of the distinctive parts of the ARP General Synod: it's a family affair. There's a "Camp Synod" for ages seven and up, several spouse prayer groups, and lots of hanging out at Bonclarken for the families (playground, pool, etc).

Depending on my own schedule, I enjoy meals with LWH and JHH, and we usually head to DuPont Forest on Thursday afternoon. This year, all of the sessions filled the full schedule--we got out on Thursday around 9:00pm having not completed the stated business for the week. So, I made the most of Friday with a short hike to High Falls and a drive along Hwy 11 for the ride home. We had lunch at The Beacon.

Other pleasures this week while not in meetings:

Seeing the mountains creep into view as we headed up I-26.
Seventy degree mornings canoeing before breakfast.
Frequent trips to Kilwin's with the top down.
Fried Oyster Cordon Bleu with Fried Green Tomatoes for lunch on Tuesday.
Erskine luncheon catered by Smokin' Stokes on Wednesday. They make my favorite Cheerwine Barbeque Sauce.
Stumbling upon other pastors at Flat Rock Village Bakery.
Fried Spinach and Chicken Satay for supper on Thursday.
Late-night Pastoral roundtable Wednesday night. Well, as late as we can do such things now that most of us have kids!
Lemonade and front porch sitting with an old friend and a new friend.
"Ace of Cakes" with Laura on Thursday late-night.
If you really want to get into pastors & food, visit The Hungry Preacher. Pastor Kyle is an ARP minister in Lancaster, SC and blogs about his gastronomic wanderings.

2010 ARP General Synod: Erskine

2010-06-14T09:21:00.001-04:00

If you want the full run-down of Synod activities, it's hard to beat the Aquila Report for consistent reporting. I'll post my brief take on Synod here.

I started Tuesday with our Catawba Presbytery meeting. Within the meeting, there were three memorials to consider regarding the hot topic of the week: Erskine. A memorial includes the "Whereas / Therefore" language you're familiar with if you've heard politicians declare honorary days and such. They're no different at the Presbytery or Synod level, and are a way for folks to have the larger group consider their statement. We ended up merging the first two memorials and sending the final pair on to Synod for consideration. Both dealt with settling the current lawsuit in their own way, but only one passed at the Synod meeting.

Synod proved to be exciting in its own way. It is a "Robert's Rules" affair, and as nerdy as it sounds, I find the meeting to have a certain elegance and momentum. In spite of our differences, we handled sensitive matters with decorum and respect. There was less vocalizing and applause than last year, which allowed us to discuss business in a reflective manner.

If you've read the Aquila Report, you'll know that the big decision of the week concerned Erskine. One significant motion that passed (made by an EC grad) was that Dr. Norman and the Trustess would develop a downsizing plan and have a clear position on adhering to the current bylaws. They're to report back at the next Synod meeting. It seems that many agree the board needs to be smaller, but the main source of tension is the March vote that mandated immediate dissolution of the board. It was this decision that was challenged by the lawsuit that you've been reading about in the papers.

Regarding the lawsuit, the biggest decision of the week came after Attorneys Wingate and Patrick (opposing sides in this litigation) drafted a letter of compromise. In short, if the Plaintiffs will drop the lawsuit and cover their own court fees, the Synod will cease their pursuit of dissolving the board. This motion passed after significant debate, but it passed nonetheless. This means that the "thorniest" portion of the March decision may now be a moot point. I can only assume that things will proceed as expected from here on out.

Image: forbes.com

ARP General Synod is this Week...

2010-06-08T14:00:00.002-04:00

And there is much to be discussed. There are...

representatives from nearly every ARP church in North America.
folks from Erskine College and Seminary.
spouses and children.
fraternal delegates from other Reformed denominations, the US military, and more.
fresh faces and burned out veterans.
ponderous pastors and talkative pastors.
heads of white hair, dark hair, and no hair.
speakers of English, Korean, Spanish, and French, and Urdu.
those who want to keep the peace and others who want to stoke the fire.
prim and proper; laid back and loose.
bowties, neckties, and no ties...maybe evan a bolo or two.
authors, bloggers, artists, bikers, equestrians, athletes, etc.

There we all are. United in theological past but not always in theological present. United in our polity but not always our practice. United in Christ, but not worthy of serving His Kingdom.

For all of us, may there be an attitude of knowing that "[our] faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5

4 Categories for Family Time

2010-06-01T07:00:00.002-04:00

If your family is like ours, you find your family activities stay pretty close to the preferences of Mom and Dad. We want our son to have a variety of experiences and opportunities, but we get in a rut sometimes just doing the things we like to do. I thought the following excerpt was a practical way of thinking about our family's leisure time, though I'm not sure how the author's suggested "couple's retreat" is supposed to work with the kiddies! You can read more of it here.

"Be creative and versatile. Try things from each of these
four categories:
Physical--Hiking, camping, walks, sports, biking, canoeing, rafting, tennis, bowling, touch football, archery, Frisbee throwing, kite flying, jogging, wrestling with children, skating, gardening, etc.
Social--Picnics, family projects, making desserts together, drives in the country, singing, trip to a zoo, couple's retreat, reading the Sunday comics together, special restaurants (try new cuisines), plant tours (e.g., automobile, newspaper, bottling company), interfamily recreation, beach or mountain trip, etc.
Cultural--Plays, films, museums, concerts, art galleries, tours, historical sites and homes, antique shows, drawing and painting, family theater, etc.
Mental--Story telling, Bible trivia, hobbies, games, computers, crafts, etc."

Fun Video: Ukulele "The Good Bad, and the Ugly"

2010-05-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

My neighbor sent over this cool version of Morriconne's "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" theme done with a chorus of Ukulele's. He's influenced everyone from Metallica to Marty Stuart:

Effingham Newsletter: May (Franchising Church)

2010-05-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Something that’s been on my mind lately is how similar many churches have become. It can be a great thing--we have fewer boundaries separating us from our brothers and sisters down the street. On the other hand, American churches are taking on a life of their own and losing their theological distinctiveness. It’s as if we’re franchising of The Church-- not as obvious as McDonald’s or Starbuck’s, but with similar results.

Regardless of location, community, or region, many churches look alike. A church in suburban Charleston takes on the same flavor as a church in suburban Orange County. Rather than being filled with a potent mix of local flavor, culture, music, taste, economics, and the like, churches settle for an imported, diluted version of something that worked elsewhere. Sometimes, this is effective, but other times the results simply ring hollow.

To offer a comparison, as a resident of Florence, I can choose to drink locally roasted “Cashua Coffee” at Aroma Underground or the “Pike Place Brew” at Starbuck’s (named for their original location in Seattle). Though both are delicious, only the first one provides a connection to the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. It supports local roasters and offers a chance to catch up on local news or hear a local musician. Many churches that import the ecology of another church offer a “delicious” ministry, but they can miss the deep connection of their local community and neglect innovation for the sake of imitation. Robert Schreiter writes in Studying Congregations,

"Experiencing God also reveals something about ourselves and our world. To be a congregation is also to engage in a quest to see our world in a special way from the perspective of God...Understanding is therefore about coming to terms with the world in which we live."

Thus, the question of ecology is significant. Congregations must ask, “Why has God placed this church in this community at this time?” Only in understanding the local world (say, within five, ten, or fifteen miles surrounding the local church) can a body understand their specific mission. There’s nothing wrong with my South Carolina church understanding a California community or one in suburban Chicago, but why would we want to? God has placed us here in this place and this time.

Ecology is more than just the outside world, but the internal strengths and weaknesses of the local church. One may find an excellent program to bring into their local church, only to find that there is no one with the gift-set to lead it. Ecology is understanding our world on the one hand, and our place in it on the other-- the world in which we live. A classic demonstration of this is the church that says of the one down the street, “Well, they’re doing such-an-such, why don’t we give it a try?” Instead of embracing our own strengths and developing ministry as a result, we envy others’ strengths and struggle to emulate their ministry.

In North America especially, God has allowed many churches to flourish. There are many workers needed for the harvest (Matthew 9:37). The collection of local churches in a given community-- often one on each corner-- is that of a garden of beautiful trees and flowers, each with their own fragrance and season. A congregation’s ecology is the sum of their own identity and the community’s identity.

Image: The Cambridge Advocate

Action Movies, Hans Zimmer, & the DNA of Christ

2010-05-17T07:15:00.000-04:00

"Crimson Tide" changed the tone of action cinema soundtracks forever. It was the first to use a heavy dose of synthesizers instead of a full orchestra, and Hans Zimmer's composition has a signature percussive sound. You know it when you hear it.

His fingerprints are all over Pirates of The Caribbean, Gladiator, Bad Boys, and more-- especially movie trailers that recycle soundtracks. Sometimes you think you hear a Zimmer score only to find out it's someone else mimicking his style.

Once we identify with Christ, his fingerprints are even more evident in us. Suddenly, everything we do becomes an opportunity for glorifying him--a way to be identified with Christ. Folks can't help but hear His "soundtrack" in our lives. Like Hans Zimmer's ever-present stamp on action cinema, Christ has an indelible stamp on our actions in life.

It may be a silly comparison, but it's true! Who would have thought an action-movie cliche could be fodder for a lesson in theology?

Longboarding & Sanctification

2010-05-11T07:15:00.001-04:00

I've been skateboarding since I was ten. I prized my Vision Gator board and thought I was "the stuff," as they say. Last summer I bought a Gravity Longboard. It's for cruising, and ideal for old guys like me who still think they're "the stuff" but don't want to fall and have their insurance premiums go up. My son tows me with his Power Wheels and we have a good ole' time.

All these years, I didn't realize I was riding "mongo," which is frowned upon in the skateboarding community. I use the wrong foot to get going, but it works for me. The thing is, now that I'm aware of my weakness, I just can't seem to stop-- but I try riding "regular" a litttle each day. It gets a little easier with each try, but it takes a while to teach an old dog new tricks.

When Christ gets a hold of our life, often a few sinful biggies quickly fall by the wayside. But those harder to notice sins hang on for a long time

A little each day, we grow more to be like Christ and less to be like Evil. It's called sanctification. It takes a long time. And when it's done-- you're in heaven.

Sermon Series Audio "James: Louder Than Words"

2010-05-07T12:57:00.000-04:00

The complete audio and notes from last month's sermon series is now posted over on Sermon.net. Visit the Effingham Presbyterian Channel to download:

Testing of Faith
Living faith
A Matter of Preference
Tiger by the Tail
Mo' Money, Mo' Problems
Proceeding in Faith

Formative Vs. Avertive Christianity (re-post)

2010-05-05T14:37:00.000-04:00

I wrote the following for a recent paper, and thought I'd share it here. Dr. Steve Lowe talks about Formative vs. Avertive Christianity as part of his Missional Church class at Erskine Seminary. It's a great class and if you don't have time to take it, just get the book list from his syllabus and you'll have a great armchair education on the subject. Any way, here are my thoughts:

God’s mission to reconcile us to Him through Christ involves a present and future thread that forms His action. His blessing flows from the nation tothe nations, as channels from a river extend well beyond their source into other lands and even other bodies of water.

A Formative Christianity engages and reforms this world as a way of journeying to the next. Formative Christianity recognizes the nature of it salvation as one that will in turn bring others to salvation. An AvertiveChristianity tries to stay away from the world as much as possible until it can escape to the next. Avertive Christianity is hardly the recipe for cultivating culture--digging in, sowing seeds, plowing the field, and reaping the harvest of disciples for the Kingdom. As Christopher Wright states, “...the whole Bible renders to us the story of God’s mission through God’s people in their engagement with God’s world for the sake of the whole of God’s creation.”

The Prosperity Gospel: A simple exaggeration.

2010-04-26T07:15:00.000-04:00

Tim Philips posted a video that shows the sort of crazed frenzy that results from the Prosperity Gospel. Most of us will see it and think, "I'd never fall for that!" Sadly we do every day...

Here's how the Prosperity Gospel creeps into our thinking in the most mundane of ways. Any time we consider what Christ can do for us, we're tapping into the same theme that drives the Prosperity Gospel. I see it in myself all too often: Have you ever said the following?

I got a lot out of that worship service.
That church is nice, but they don't have a lot to offer me.
I get as much out of (being in the woods, time with my kids, watching TV, whatever) as I do (being in church, reading the Word, going to Small Group).
Jesus is the answer to my problems.

These statements may not seem as dramatic as jumping around and anointing money or claiming that there is a magic formula for getting rich through giving, but it all comes from the same place: we think God is there to offer something to us.

Certainly, God blesses us in many ways-- and yes, he blesses some financially, too. But we're here for His glory. If we're blessed, it is so that we will bless others and point the way to Jesus Christ. Christ is not the answer, solution, handyman, band-aid, or whatever metaphor you want to use. He will often provide the answer or solution, fix what's broken, or offer relief from our pain-- but those acts are secondary to His mission of reconciling us to God.

Abraham is my favorite example of this concept. he was indeed blessed, but not for his own sake. See Genesis 3:1-2 (NIV)-

"I will make you into a great nation...and I will bless you... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
So, why has God blessed you?

Effingham Newsletter: April

2010-04-12T07:15:00.000-04:00

Our community Easter service on April 4th centered on prayer this year. Corporate prayer (that is, praying as a group) is an important part of our role as a church. What better time for cooperate prayer than when several churches gather? Tabernacle, Dawsey, Evergreen, and Hopewell joined us.

If you’re like me, your prayers might tend to sound alike after a while. I pray for my family, our church, personal health, etc. again and again, while neglecting some other important parts of life. I get frustrated sometimes with politicians and politics, but I have no right to complain if I’m not praying for these men and women. Here are a few ways that we can be in prayer throughout the year, courtesy of Spire Resources’ “Prayer Map of America.” Regardless of your political leanings, we can all agree that our country and those around the world will always need prayer. Here are some suggestions on what to pray for:

Our President and Vice President: That their hearts will be guided by God.
Our Congressional Leaders: That they will govern with God-honoring discernment.
Our Armed Forces: That they will be blessed with strength, safety, and honesty.
Our Candidates for Public Office: They will seek justice, honor, and morality.
Our Justice System: That they will be vigilant, discerning, and wise.
For Spiritual Renewal: That we will all be drawn to Jesus Christ, His life and salvation
For Leaders in Our State: That they will serve with integrity and act justly.
For Churches in Our State: That they will be lighthouses of truth and havens of hope.
For Christians in Our State: That they will serve Christ in faithfulness, humility, and love.

There you go--nine ways to pray for our country and state! You might consider praying for one or two of these a day, focusing on one each week in your Sunday School or Small Group, or even making this a part of your family prayers at suppertime. I know next time I get ready to complain about local or national politics, I might stop and pray instead. As James 5:16 reminds us all, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Image: flickr.com/jcolman

Maundy Thursday Thought/Prayer

2010-04-01T07:00:00.002-04:00

by T.M. Shuman

"...Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Servant.

When the hour had come,

He got up from grace's side,

took off his glory,

tied humanity around his heart

to cleanse us of our sins.

In the midst of his friends,

in the congregation of his enemies,

He kept his promise

to love us to the very end.

He endured the snares of death,

that we might have life..."

A Prayer on My Son's Birthday

2010-03-30T00:01:00.002-04:00

Lord, thanks for blessing us with a wonderful son on this day in 2006. You were with him when he arrived six weeks early. You were with him every night in the NICU. You're with him today at school, and You'll be with him all of his life. Help us to always remember that he's Yours and not ours-- a child of the covenant who will grow closer to You each day, ready to Glorify You and enjoy You forever. Amen.

Effingham Newsletter: March

2010-03-23T09:39:00.003-04:00

Scripture is clear that the Christian life is one of both dependence on God and interdependence with each other. We're called the "Body of Christ" (Romans 7:4), and compared to many branches along a single vine (John 15:5). Even though we each have an individual relationship with Christ, it's implicit in God's Word that we carry out that relationship side-by-side with other believers. Early Christians met in each others' homes or in small groups. Those that still had ties to their Jewish heritage also met in the Temple. Christians in the US meet in churches every week-- some 350,000 different communities of faith. Over 65 million adults worship together and 135 million claim some kind of church affiliation.

I'm not away many Sundays since I'm a pastor, but when I am I can tell a difference the rest of the week. When I'm at church, I get asked questions that challenge me and share in fellowship that encourages me--I know I'm not alone in this world. Most importantly, I worship the God who created me and sustains me.

Whether you're a "once-in-a-while" or an "every-time-the-doors-open" kind of church goer, the group of folks who meet at your local church should make a difference in the life of your community. N. Ammerman writes, "By the very presence of their buildings, their steeples, and stained glass, [Churches] call beyond themselves... congregations not only transmit knowledge of the faith tradition and its meaning for contemporary life but also transmit values that promote community solidarity and continuity.... Thus, congregations have significance not only for the individuals who belong to them but also for the society beyond their membership."

Imperfect people fill our churches, so we mess up just as often as we get things right. Sometimes our influence in the community is negative--when a church splits or leadership stumbles it can make quite a ripple. But just as often, the Church gets it right. In the last few months, our church family has helped needy folks in Florence, supported a hospital in Haiti, celebrated with a first-time mother, supplied a few newlyweds, comforted families in mourning, and given its members a chance for hope and joy each week. Our church allows us to contribute to our world in a way we could never do on our own. Our church contributes to our lives in ways that we'd never experience alone. The Christian life is a journey meant to be shared with one another, and we join in on that journey through the local church.

The Slippery Slope of Conflict (The Peacemaker)

2010-03-12T09:49:00.004-05:00

I first heard about Peacemaker Ministries at a church planter's conference sponsored by ONA. It has since become my go-to book for conflict resolution. Ken Sande's central premise is that in most conflicts, winning or losing are not the best options, Rather, bringing restoration to the relationship is a goal that can be healthy for both sides.

Of course, I was thinking of this today, in light of events between my Alma Mater and Denomination. I can understand the motives behind actions on both sides, but board dissolutions and restraining orders are a mess no matter what side of the argument you're on!

Sande writes,

Conflict can make life very awkward. It often catches us off guard and leads us to say and do things we later regret. When someone offends us, we often react without thinking. Soon it is as if we are sliding down a slippery slope and things are going from bad to worse. As the illustration shows, this slippery slope can drop off in two directions.

Here's a link to a one page summary of "The Slippery Slope of Conflict." Here's a link to my sermon series on the same topic. Also, check out Sande's Four G's, especially #3 and #4.

Whether you're facing conflict in your family, business, church, or school, there is a higher goal than "being in it to win it."

Catawba Presbytery Spring Meeting

2010-03-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

This has been a busy month for the denominational aspects of Church life. Tuesday was our Presbytery meeting, which includes many churches in SC, and meets three times a year. To contrast, last week's Synod meeting included churches from all across North America, and typically meets only once a year.

Here's a brief rundown of Tuesday's meeting. I won't get into too much commentary, you can always track down Presbytery minutes if you're into that sort of thing.

We met at Arsenal Hill ARP in downtown Columbia, an historic building that I've visited once before. I never realized that it is indeed on a hill!
Dr. de Witt, a member of our Presbytery (but addressing us as Synod's moderator) read a prepared statement on the recent events between ARP Synod and Erskine. It should soon be available from Erskine if it's not already. He placed an emphasis on clarifying the Commission's goal and clarifying a few misconceptions in his own inimitable style.
Several churches have plans to visit Haiti in June and July. They need medical workers and folks with construction backgrounds.
World Witness reported that they're hard at work in spite of Visa issues in the UK, and that their focus this year is to be "Winsomely Reformed."
A very young church is purchasing property soon.
An older church, though relatively young, closed down and is making their property available for sale or lease.
The IBL (Hispanic Mission) in Columbia had an encouraging report on many of their activities in the last year.
Synod's Board of Stewardship mentioned that overall giving to the Denominational Ministry Fund is down this year.
Erskine Seminary reported that their Columbia Satellite Campus is now a full-fledged degree-granting arm of the Seminary. One of ETS Columbia's Professors is also a contributer to the ESV study bible.
Jonathan Williams preached and was licensed--he'll be ordained once a church extends a call to him.
Little Pigs BBQ of Columbia, recently mentioned in Southern Living, catered Lunch.

ARP Called Synod Meeting & Erskine (4 of 4)

2010-03-04T16:30:00.000-05:00

Here are my final thoughts on the recent Called Synod meeting regarding Erskine and the Report of the Moderator's Commission on Erskine College and Seminary. The subject of the Seminary came up only briefly, and it was clear from the beginning that the College would be getting most of the attention.

Our first night, the delegates heard the report from the Commission (you can read about my experience with it here). The next morning we heard a response from the Board of Trustees, who provided additional information about a few things the Moderator's Commission reported. Namely, a few bookkeeping and financial issues. One issue was already in the process of being rectified and the others seemed to be non-issues once the Board of Trustees explained their side.

The Board also presented suggestions of their own that meshed at times with the Commission and differed at times. The nature of a called meeting is such that though the Board of Trustees may have had their own suggestions, delegates would only be voting on the 3 recommendations put forth by the Moderator's Commission.

With the emphasis on black and white financial issues, I was concerned that we'd leave Synod having not addressed the spiritual aspects of the Report. These are the same ones that have popped up at Synod the last few years. To leave Synod without having talked about the "culture of intimidation" as it is called would leave folks on either side of the debate unhappy.

This "culture of intimidation" for believers on campus exists in pockets of the school. I say pockets since by now, everyone has heard conflicting stories: some get along with such-and-such professor while others have dramatic run-ins. Some feel supported by the administrators while others do not. I'd say it's the same old story-- I have had a good "Erskine Experience" in my time there while friends I trust and respect can tell stories to the contrary. Perhaps this is symbolic of this whole fiasco--contrasting stories and experiences from people who "in unity [do] dwell."

Here is how I voted and why, simplified and paraphrased to get to the point. This debate was such a sensitive issue that I'm deciding to only include the essence of each recommendation rather than the details of the report, which Synod has intended to keep private for the time being.

To downsize the Board of Trustees and update bylaws; to clarify hiring policies, mission, and more: I voted "yes." The motion carried with around 60+ voting against it. From everything we read, both the Moderator's Commission and the Board of Trustees agreed on this matter, though they differed in how to do it. I still think it's silly to have to clarify policy, etc. I think the ARP has clarified as much as it can--it's just that few have followed through with these clarifications.

To Dissolve the Board Immediately and install an interim board for the next 4 months. I'm still uncomfortable with this and I voted "no," though it passed. It was a closer vote than above, but not as close as you'd think. 173 for, 96 against, and 2 abstained.

The interim board will have about half of the current trustee members plus most of the Moderator's Commission. I don't doubt the Commission's intent: they want to get this thing done and I'd be happy to have any of them on any board I can think of--but no matter how you slice it it just doesn't look good to oust someone and recommend yourself as the replacement. On top of that, most agree that a small board is the solution to a bunch of problems, but the interim board will be just as big as the old one.

This one action will be the one that gets misunderstood by students and alumni--some who feel like Synod is bullying the school. I just can't see a happy outcome to this action.

The majority of Synod felt like this needed to be done so that we won't be in the same mess next year. I can understand why--many of my brothers have been debated problems with the board for 30+ years. I suppose some of them felt like this was a sad but necessary step.

To change the way Board members are nominated: A special task force of the past 5 moderators will recommend candidates for the Board of Trustees to the Committee on Nominations each year. They'll then be sent forward (or I guess sometimes voted down by Nominations Committee) to the Synod to be voted on each June.

I voted "yes" on this even though I was all set to vote "no." The original recommendation put a great deal of power in the Moderators of Synod to basically pick Trustees each year and say "hear ya go, Synod, now vote."

Again, I'd serve under any of these moderators, but they don't need such significant power. As one delegate explained before we amended it: "this is an Episcopalian solution to a Presbyterian problem." One went so far as to equate the Moderator with the Pope if we went forward. You know it's getting hot at Synod when folks make Pope references!

In the end we amended it so that the board will be elected in much the same way they are now: by a vote of Synod. The only thing that will change will be how they're nominated-- an appropriate adjustment for such a significant appointment.

Conclusion. So, there you go. History in the making. As to how this will translate into change on campus, that remains to be seen. I regret that through our actions (and whether one votes no or yes we leave Synod having made a decision as a body, so these are "our" actions) many Board members will feel hurt by the very Synod that elected them in the first place.

Some are simply caught in the crossfire and I hope they'll have another chance to serve. I think the very fact that I just used a military metaphor to get a point across says something about this tough time in the life of our Denomination and School.

Although the meeting was calm, respectful, and loving in regard to all who spoke on the floor, that makes it no less a battle when the real war rages on for the reconciliation of humanity to God. I hope now we can spend time fighting that war instead of our own.

ARP Called Synod Meeting & Erskine (3 of 4)

2010-03-04T12:01:00.001-05:00

There are always a lot of cleverly worded resolutions at the type of meeting that our denomination had this week, so here's a light-hearted one that explains a couple of details amidst all of the buzz:

WHEREAS It seems like most everybody would be happy if Erskine could be "The premier Christian Liberal Arts institution of the Southeast."

WHEREAS South Carolina already has a Furman for those uppity upstate types, a Clemson for football folks, a USC for other football folks, a Bob Jones for the "fun" Baptists and a North Greenville/Anderson U. for "other" Baptists, a CIU for missionary types, a PC for folks who think it's still "Presbyterian," and a Lander for those who--I'm not sure. Not to mention FMU, CofC, SC State and a few others.

WHEREAS Erskine and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church already dealt with all this stuff in 1977 (before Luke Skywalker even knew that Darth Vader was his daddy and Rod Stewart had a #1 single with Tonight's the Night) with the "Report of the Special Committee on Christian Higher Education."

WHEREAS The Board of Trustees is an appropriate, official, and acceptable voice of the ARP Church in setting policies that maintain the unity between a Denomination's vision for Christian Education with a College's natural emphasis on Liberal Arts.

WHEREAS The College already has a Mission Statement that pretty much sums up the whole "Christian Liberal Arts School" thing.

WHEREAS It's possible for the words "Christian" and "Intellectual" to be used in the same sentence.

WHEREAS The whole Creation/Evolution thing will always be a hot topic, but it's also possible for them both to be addressed in the same curriculum if not always the same classroom.

WHEREAS It's okay for a Christian College to have non-Christian students but probably not non-Christian Professors.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This month's historic emergency called meeting of Synod be the last since we'll deal with problems when they come up rather than when they blow up.
The College stand behind it's mission statement in hiring faculty, staff, and administrators.
The Board of Trustees that consists of a bunch of smart alumni and ARPs make sure that the College is standing behind the mission statement.
The Denomination take pride in her College and Seminary and find more excuses to go to Due West, such as having Synod there every five years or so. After all, it wouldn't hurt any body to be reminded that we're all part of the same family here.
The Students like myself who don't know what "ARP" is upon arriving on campus be reminded that hey, it is an ARP school, so be cool when the denomination and the college have to work it out or when school policy reflects that of the denomination.
That Erskine be itself--"The premier Christian Liberal Arts institution of the Southeast."
That Erskine Seminary make notes here so that it doesn't take the same detours the college has.

ARP Called Synod Meeting & Erskine (2 of 4)

2010-03-04T09:13:00.005-05:00

I remember early in our marriage, my wife and I got into a heated debate over dishes in the sink:

"I wish you'd just take the extra step and put them in the dishwasher," My wife said. "It's not like you even have to actually wash them!"

"I'm sorry!" I said, "I'll remember next time...lighten up!"

"But that's just it-- you're always sorry! It's time to actually do something about it."

Indeed, she was right--I think I had left dishes in the sink a total of 362 out of 365 days that year, so "sorry" and "I'll get it next time" just didn't cut it any more.

I've only been in the ARP Church for 7 years, and I've been a part of the Erskine family for 14 years now. I don't have the long history with the denomination or the school that some of my fellow Pastors, Elders, and Alumni have--but I see this same kind of "dishes in the sink" conversation has been going on for a while. Every June at General Synod, the school's sponsoring denomination says, "EC, you're putting dishes in the sink again." EC says, "You're right, we'll do better next time." And then summer roles around again with little change.

My first hint came as an undergraduate with no deep loyalty to EC or the ARP. I was just a college student. One of my English professors was complaining about the school's mission statement. It had been posted all over campus--framed and matted--for the first time. I recall our conversation something like this, though I'm sure I was much less eloquent and he was much more colorful:

"But how can you have a problem with an institution's mission statement?" I asked him, "Isn't that their prerogative?"

"Yes," he said, "But the problem is that the institution doesn't actually stand behind it--it's just lip service. If you're going to believe something, then believe it! I'd respect them a lot more if the mission statement actually meant something--but it's just there to look good when prospective students walk through."

The thing is, in many ways he was right. I had a great Christian liberal arts experience at Erskine and would enroll again, but most of my fellow students would agree that in 1996*, you could certainly find exceptions to the Mission Statement in the classroom or within the Administration. I'd dare say this is true for 1976, 1986, and 2006, right?

I guess that kind of sums up why there's been all this tension within the school itself and between the school and the church. EC is in a constant ebb and flow of identity crisis.

Most of you can probably see that I'm fairly moderate when it comes to the whole situation.

Some folks paint the Synod's Commission as ARP Daddies swooping in to spank EC. They're not, but I didn't agree with all of their recommendations.
Some people see the entire Board of Trustees as Barney Fifes--loading their single bullet, but of little use for real change. That's not true either, but the Board can't continue on in the pattern of action it's had over the last few decades.

I'll summarize my own voting from the historic March 3rd meeting in my next post.

3/4/10 *Hey, don't quote me on my dates here. I started EC in Fall of '96 but I think the Mission Statements went up later--'97/'98 maybe. Either way you get the point.

ARP Called Synod Meeting & Erskine (1 of 4)

2010-03-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Most folks arrived at Bonclarken yesterday amidst a steady blanket of snow, and a few struggled to get up the hills to the Bonclarken Chapel. From what I understand, this is the first called meeting of General Synod in our denomination's history.

There was a strong sense of camaraderie thanks to the snow. We all slipped and slushed our way around and huddled in tightly for the meeting at 4:30.We met together to hear the report from the Moderator's commission, broke for supper around 6:00, and returned for worship at 7:30. I used to think we should skip such worship times and "get down to business," but in the last few years I've come to appreciate the time we spend laying a spiritual foundation for the rest of our meeting time.

The report read tonight is the same report that has caused a buzz in the denomination and at the College and Seminary, but only a couple of details came as a surprise. It was kept secret so that we could evaluate it without distraction this week. I wonder if keeping it under wraps did more harm than good, though.

The Commission has indeed put forth their best effort, interviewing around 100 faculty, staff, alumni, current students, and trustees. By their own account, they've met 20 times since August, so they've certainly been busy. According to their account, the Commission and Board of Trustees are in harmony in their findings, though both groups differ on how to bring about needed change. I hate that there was need of a Commission in the first place. I think had we addressed small fires that have come up the last few years, then we wouldn't have a blaze to put out now.

Essential questions we must answer this week:

What's workable and unworkable in regard to Erskine's Board of Trustees?
Is the board too unwieldy?
Do they have enough of a connection to both the denomination and the College & Seminary.
Do they have too much of a connection to either?
What is the relationship between the Denomination's statement on Christian Education (approved in 1977) and the College's own Mission?
What responsibility does the College (and faculty/staff) have to the Denominational statement?
How far does the College's mission go in terms of it being affirmed by the faculty and staff?
What's the relationship between Erskine being a denominational institution as well as a fully accredited, competitive, Christian liberal arts college?

In seeing the initial Commission report (we'll receive more info today) I wasn't really surprised at any findings. I was disappointed to learn a few issues that allegedly slipped by the Board of Trustees. The Board is the Denomination's official connection to the school.

I have friends on both sides of the Erskine equation, best symbolized by "SAFE" and ErskineForEveryone. In reading the reports so far, I can't imagine folks on either side really disagreeing on the overall theme. I do anticipate that many will disagree on the details or "how to" of what steps to take next.

Overall, it seems that much of our time will be spent clarifying what the Synod should have clarified each June for the last 30+ years. In short, it seems like the denomination and college have been estranged for a while and are just now waking up to it. I myself haven't fully realized the disconnect until these last few months.

And since I find myself friendly with both sides of the argument here as an EC & ATS Alumnus and ARP Pastor, let me say this: Both sides of the isle here love Erskine, love her sponsoring denomination, and love that our school and church have a long history of both academic excellence and Christian commitment. Some schools have one or the other. Erskine can have both. No one wants it to be Bob Jones, nor do they want it to be Furman. In making EC either of these, it would cease to be EC.

D. Min Check-In

2010-02-09T07:15:00.000-05:00

Whoa! I'm still working on my January term class and realized my Spring class begins a week from now! I'm going to take a break from the blog for a few weeks since these next two courses have a ton of reading--much of it before class even starts.

I'm excited about finally beginning the "Institute for Reformed Worship" with Hughes Oliphant Old this semester. My other classes have all been standard (though excellent) D. Min fare.

Here's what I'm taking now: DR901; DN 910.

Here's a good article from Chuck Warnock summarizing the pros and cons of a D.Min for pastors.

See you again in a few weeks! Until then, visit EffinghamARP.org for church news and sermon audio.

Time to Watch "Groundhog Day"

2010-02-04T12:02:00.003-05:00

I think it has been at least 15 years since I saw the movie "Groundhog Day," but this post by Justin Taylor got me thinking about it again:

"According to the New York Times, “Curators of the series [“The Hidden God: Film and Faith,” sponsored by the Musuem of Modern Art in New York], polling some 35 critics in the literary, religious and film worlds to suggest films with religious interpretations, found that “Groundhog Day” came up so many times that there was actually a squabble over who would write about it in the retrospective’s catalog.”

My parents are visiting this weekend, so maybe it's a good time to check it out--especially since we have 6 more weeks of winter.

Zacharias on Architecture

2010-02-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

Justin Taylor has a neat story about Ravi Zacharias and a discussion on postmodern architecture featuring Ohio State University. It will take you 90 seconds to read and is very clever. Here's an excerpt:

I said, “So his argument was that if life has no purpose and
design, why should the building have any design?”
He said, “That is correct.”
I said, “Did he do the same with the foundation?”

Read the short and sweet anecdote here

Progression of Lust, Birth of Sin

2010-01-28T07:15:00.001-05:00

I was reminded of this text during a class discussion this week. I'll present it here with little commentary except this: note how lust begins, then note the basic step-by-step structure of how sin grows in our lives. It rarely happens all at once. It grows naturally in our hearts because our hearts are naturally sinful:

"14...each person in tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived...17 Every good and perfect gift is from above...from the Father..."

James 1:14-16

Bible Insert: Verses for Counseling & Pastoral Visits

2010-01-26T07:15:00.000-05:00

I've adapted these verses from BibleBell for Pastoral Visits, Counseling, etc. I made an insert that fits in the back cover of my bible. I've used a list like this for a while, but it was time to get one that was a bit more extensive.

I can't vouch for the website--it's one of those that has lots of poetry and stories from grandma--but BibleBell's "Bible Verses for Counseling" page was more extensive than most others. I omitted a few verses that didn't quite work contextually, and a few that would be too confusing in an average pastoral visit.

Any way, click on the image for a handy half-page insert for the back of your bible or copy the list below and make your own:

Afraid Ps 34.4, Mt 10.28, 2 Tim 1.7

Anxious Ps 46:1-3, 10-11, Mt 6.25-34, Phil 4.6-8

Assurance of salvation Rom 8:15-16

Backslidden Ps 51:7-12, 1 John 1:9-10

Bereaved 2 Cor 1:3-4

Defeated 2 Cor 2:14

Depressed Ps 34, Ps 139, Rom 8, 1 Cor 10:1-13,

Disaster threatens Ps 91, Ps 118:5-6, Lk 8:22-25

Discouraged Ps 23, Ps 42:6-11, Mt 5:1-12

Doubting Mt 8:26, Mt 21:22, Heb 11, James 1

Facing a crisis Ps 121, Mt 6:25-34, Heb 4:16

Forgiveness of sins Ps 51, 1 John 1:4-2:2

Friends fail Ps 41:9-13, Lk 17:3-4, Rom 12:14

Guidance Prov 3:5-6, Isa 58:11

Healing Ex 15:26, 3 John 1:2, James 5:14-16

Lonely Ps 23, Heb 12:1-2, Heb 13:1-6

Labor/Overwork Ps 127, Ps 139, Matthew 11:28-30

Maturity from trials Rom 5:3-5, James 1:2-4

Peace is Needed John 14:1-4, John 16.33, Phil 4:6-9

Protection is Needed Ps 27:1-6, Ps 91, Rom 8:31-39, Ps 91.11, Mt 18.10

Sorrowful Ps 51, John 14, 2 Cor 1:3-4

Sound mind Lk 21:12-15, 2 Tim 1.7, James 1:5

Tempted Ps 1, 1 Cor 10.12-14, James 4.7, 2 Pet 2.9

Troubled Ps 16:1-2, Ps 31:1-5, John 14:1-6, John 14:13-14, John 14:27

Victory is needed 2 Cor 2:14, Rom 8:31-39

Weary Ps 90:12-17, Mt 11:28-30

Worried Mt 6:19-34, 1 Pet 5:6-8

True Conversion & Default Christians

2010-01-21T09:27:00.003-05:00

The Layman Online offers a brief explanation on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Here's a quote:

"Nominal Christians, people who are “Christians” in name only, are leading lives that bear little resemblance to the life of Jesus. They know that they’re not Muslim and they’re not Jewish and they’re not Hindu and they’re not Buddhist, so they must be Christian, right?"

In the South, it seems that everybody believes in God-- though that is changing as our region becomes as much of a melting pot as any other. The pockets of SC where I've served as pastor are filled with folks who are "Christian" this way. It seems everybody grew up in church or is a member of a church. If not, they are at least comfortable in the Church when they go for Christmas, Easter, Weddings, and Funerals. It can be challenging to really share the meaning of Christ with folks because they associate Christianity with Religion and Church instead of a Life-changing relationship with Christ.

Check out the article from The Layman. Is there such thing as True Conversion? If so, does that mean that there can be False Conversion?

Easy Graphic Design for Pastors

2010-01-05T12:05:00.004-05:00

Here's the artwork for the latest sermon series at EPC. We don't have a person dedicated to graphic design, but I try to integrate imagery for each series between the bulletin, website, and Sunday PowerPoint. It's easy to do for any sized church, and if you're not into multimedia, artwork can still be a nice addition to the bulletin, newsletter, or a postcard.

1. Use Google Images to find large scale pictures. Some are copyrighted, but many are free, especially for non-profit use. Keep a tally of what you use so it can be credited at the end of your slideshow. Morguefile is another source for copyright-free images, as is your own photography.

2. Use PowerPoint or Keynote to create your slideshow and title slide. The title slide will be the image that connects the bulletins, website, slideshow, and more. By creating it within the slideshow instead of Photoshop or something else, you're saving a few steps.

3. Create the title slide, keeping it clean and uncluttered. If you're like us, our newsletters and bulletins are in black and white, so some images work better than others. Presentation Zen is my favorite source for design inspiration.

4. Export the title slide to JPEG. You can use it as-is, or crop it for the web. Our website has to use a certain sized-image to look right, so I made notes and now export the title slide using these steps so I always end up with the same size.

5. Now, you're done! A pro would use specialty software to create something really cool, but you're just a regular pastor with other stuff to do. If you spend 60-90 minutes on your image/theme and use it for a 6 week series, you've made good use of your time and can get back to Bible study or fiddling with the church copier.

Ina Hughs: "Christmas isn't for sale"

2009-12-23T12:05:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine dropped off a yellowed newspaper clipping from many years ago. I don't know the date of the article, entitled The True Christmas Usually Finds Us, Despite Trappings. Ina Hughs wrote it. Hughs is still a journalist in Knoxville. Here's an excerpt:
"Christmas isn't for sale...

Christmas is a lifetime adventure into a stable and a carpenter's shop. It's sitting on a hillside and listening to stories. It's wandering into the wilderness and sweating out doubts and temptations too deep for songs or symbols.

It's drowning out sobs of grief at the foot of a cross with shouts of life--not heard with the ear, but with the heart and the mind and sometimes even the soul..."

Free (Quality) Christmas Music

2009-12-15T11:54:00.003-05:00

All Christmas music is not created equal. Here are 3 links, courtesy of Justin Taylor:

Soverign Grace
Red Mountain Music
Sojourn Music

I also found a great CD for $1 at Dollar Tree last week: Celtic Holiday. It features ullean pipes, bodhran, harp & more. They're a great source for forgotten CDs. I picked up a Tribute to the Carter Family last year and I try to stock up on Italian, Caribbean, Mexican music when I can so we can set the mood during dinner time.

Life is too short to only listen to what's on the radio!

Info Sheet for Florence County Charitable Organization Referrals

2009-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

This time of year, our church gets several requests a week for assistance with electric bills, food, christmas gifts, and even transportation for folks who've been released from the jail down the road. When we can't help someone directly, it's good to have a quick reference to help put them in touch with those who can. We also support some of these ministries financially and materially. Here's our list for 2009. I keep one by the phone and one in may car, too.

Food

~Angel Food: Savannah Grove Baptist Church.................................843-662-7851

~Angel Food: Highland Park United Methodist..................................843-662-1233

~Angel Food: Mcleod Health.............................................843-777-2141, 777-5641

~Angel Food: Great Commission Ministries (Lake City)............843-389-0998 x106

*Angel food Boxes are $30 and will feed a family of 4 for a week, or a single

Senior for 1 month. Food stamps are accepted. There are no applications or

qualifications necessary to purchase.

~Food Pantry/Lunch: Manna House 450 Jarrott Start........................843-667-6077

~SC Food Stamps Hotline...............................................................1-800-768-5700

Rent, Utilities

~Lighthouse Ministries 201 Elm St. Florence SC...............................843-629-0830

~Pee Dee Community Action...................................................843-678-3400 x. 121

Clothing, Furniture, Housing

~House of Hope of the Pee Dee.........................................................843-661-5155

~HHPD Men 1327 Olanta Highway.....................................................843-661-5377

~HHPD Women 1020 W. Darlington St...............................................843-667-9000

~HHPD Mission Mart (931 S. Irby St./Big Lots Center).......................843-667-9122

Transportation

~PDRTA $1.50 Fare $0.50 Transfer

Route 4 2nd Loop (DSS: 7:35am-5:35pm)

Route 6 South Florence (Green Acres/Brannockburn 7:44am-5:44pm)

*PDRTA also provides “on demand” service with 48 hours notice.

~Lighthouse Ministries 843-629-0830 201 Elm St. Florence SC (Traveler’s Fund)

Other (Medication, Ramps/Lifts, Children’s Books, Diapers, Money Management)

~Lighthouse Ministries 201 Elm St. Florence SC...............................843-629-0830

God, Man, and the Spoken/Written Word

2009-12-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

God doesn’t need us to make Him perceptible or intelligible, but He has allowed us to be a part of this process (Matthew 28:19-20). He has commanded us to make disciples; to teach them observance. Our role is empowered by Scripture, informed by Scripture, and indwelled by Scripture.

The mission of God was built first on the spoken word as His story was passed among the nations and generations. From there it became the written word. And so it has been throughout history--the spoken and the written in union.

To suggest that God needs man for his mission is to place man too highly. Too suggest that God has no need for man us to undermine His pattern through the ages. As such, it is with an innocence and an intention that we do not add to the Gospel or assume to clarify it--we build upon the Gospel and affirm its clarity. God has a use for human intellect, communication, and technique provided it is at His service and not His expense.

Ecological Systems and Our Mission for God.

2009-12-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

You might not think it's pertinent to your corner of the world, but stay with me just a second. An ecological understanding of the people around you will shed light on their behavior and tendencies.

When you move to a certain neighborhood because of a school district, you're thinking ecologically.
When your job prevents you from having a healthy diet you're being affected ecologically.
When your divorce changes the group of friends you hang out with, that's ecological.

I encountered Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System's model for the first time this past month in a class called "Exploring the Missional Church." I've looked at other systems in the past (my favorite up to now was Duvall's Family Life Cycle) but Bronfenbrenner's model is the most elegant and inclusive of all aspects of life. Most importantly, it's not linear. The Ecological system takes a holistic approach and accounts for movement in all directions.

Click here for a Black & White Ecological Model

Click here for a Color model, but note that I think it is posted without permission-- and at a Christian college, too!

Here are some thoughts to consider from a ministry perspective:

For a child, how might a parent's work environment (Exosystem) impact the child's involvement in church (Microsystem)?
For a new believer (Individual), how will a commitment to Christ bring change to his/her Peers or Family (Microsystem)?
Who influences whom? How do Christians (Individuals) influence their Social Condition (Macrosystem)? How do Economics (Macrosystem) influence our Classrooms or Kitchens (Microsystem)?
How might History (Macrosystem) touch the demographics of our congregations (Microsystem)?

Image: Biomedcentral.com

My Better Half: Front Page News

2009-11-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

Laura was also featured in The Florence News Journal on none other than the front page. That's her picture in what used to be my music room; now her office. Excerpts are below, or click the links to read the articles in their entirety.

I've learned a lot from my wife, and I'm blessed to be her companion as God uses us both in different ways. I'm proud of her latest endeavor with the South Carolina Virtual Charter School, which was recently ranked #2 in the nation by the Center for Digital Education.

From The Florence News Journal:

Laura Howard, SCVCS high school science teacher, believes SCVCS is the best of the best in virtual education.

"It doesn't take long for the students to discover just how intense and challenging this curriculum can be," she says. Howard was with FSD1 before choosing to teach at SCVCS. She's a believer of the extensive and fantastic benefits it offers students in today's world. She stresses that it's not home school, but rather school at home.

SCVS on SCNOW.com

South Carolina’s two-year-old Virtual School Program has more than 5,000 students enrolled in more than 60 courses for the fall semester, and funding is provided by the state for public, private, home schooled and charter school students. Of the 5,144 students currently enrolled in academic courses, 4,884 are public school students, 127 are private school students, 45 are home-school students, and 88 are students in the state’s five virtual public charter schools.

Travel & Tunes: Wedding Weekend

2009-11-10T09:24:00.003-05:00

We had a great time at our "wedding weekend" in Rock Hill recently. Laura's cousin was the groom, and the entire three days was a celebration. We left the little guy with his grandparents and enjoyed being grownups for a while.

St. John's Methodist had a beautiful sanctuary and a powerful pipe organ.
The reception was awesome, and The Mighty Kicks provided the entertainment. Laura ("the lady in the polka dots" according to their lead singer) even got to sing a little.
Sunday we had a brunch at the mother-of-the-bride's home. That was a first for me, though I understand it's not uncommon. It was a quiet setting to chat with everyone one last time.

Friday was a blast, too. I got to jam with some musical brothers of mine that I haven't seen in a while. We fell right back into rhythm while creating a good vibe for the BBQ rehearsal dinner. It was all acoustic, with a clean electric serving as the glue for each song. Here is our setlist:

Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson)
Pride & Joy (Stevie Ray Vaughn)
Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer)
Before You Accuse Me (Eric Clapton)
Those Who Trust (Inst. 100 Portraits)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (Frankie Valli)
When You Say Nothing at All (Keith Whitley)
Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
(I Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection (Nelson)
Sick of Myself (Matthew Sweet)
In the Jailhouse Now (Jimmie Rodgers)
Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses)
Satellite of Love (Lou Reed)
Love of a Lifetime (Firehouse)
Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (Inst. Led Zeppelin)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Please Read the Letter (Plant & Krauss)
Not Fade Away (Buddy Holly)
Waiting on a Sunny Day (Bruce Springsteen)
Every Now and Then (FFH)
Knowing You (Graham Kendrick)
Amazing Grace; Dropped D (Inst. John Newton)
If I Should Fall Behind (Bruce Springsteen)

Eugene Peterson on "Working the Angles"

2009-11-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

"The visible lines of pastoral work are preaching, teaching, and administration. The small angles of ministry are prayer, scripture, and spiritual direction."

Eugene Peterson "Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity" (p.5)