Lent

March 6, 2019, is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season called Lent. Ash Wednesday gets its name from the custom of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign of penitence. The ashes are obtained by burning the palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration.

Lent is to Easter what Advent is to Christmas—a season of preparation. Lent lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays, and is marked by repentance and renewal. It is a special time for meditation, prayer, and recommitment to Christlike discipleship. While it may be marked by the solemnity of sackcloth and ashes at the beginning, it is also marked by the elation of an empty tomb at the end.

Some view the 40 days of Lent to be a “tithe” of the days of their year.  

Often people “give up” something for Lent. Fasting—the giving up of something we usually enjoy—is a key theme during the 40 days. To fast is to sacrifice something as a daily reminder of the supreme sacrifice Jesus made for us. Fasting “centers” you and sharpens your focus on spiritual health. Sometimes people give up meat or chocolate or soft drinks or desserts. Some people fast from food for several days; others give up one big meal a week or do without between-meal snacks. Others give up watching television or playing video games or certain social activities. Still others determine to “give up” selfishness or impatience or anger.

Lent is not only a good time to “give up” something; it is also a good time to “take up” something. Take up a good habit. Take up a spiritual discipline. Take up some positive act that will bless your neighbors. Don’t just “give up” something; “take up” something.   

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”      - Luke 9:23

Let’s rediscover how special 40 days can be.

A Tribute to Dr. Jim Bearden

Dr. Jim Bearden went to heaven last Sunday (October 28, 2018).  His life and ministry intersected my life and ministry in several significant ways.  

Jim Bearden’s father-in-law, the late Rev. O. C. Rushing, was the pastor who baptized me. A photo of that event from my childhood has a treasured place in my office.

Jim Bearden was the speaker at the youth camp in Summersville, West Virginia, where, as a young teenager, I discovered my vocation would be the Christian ministry.  I had long forgotten who the preacher was that night, only to be delighted a few years ago—while going through some old boxes in our basement—to find the handbook from that camp and discover that Dr. Jim was the preacher.  I wrote him a letter the next day, telling him that he could take either the blame or the credit for my call to ministry—the choice was his—but that I would forever be grateful for how God used him.

Our biggest connection is that we both served the South Carolina District as superintendent. An effective leader, Dr. Jim served that district for a record 20 years. I followed in his footsteps and observed his fingerprints all over the district—from the church planting efforts he led, to the quality pastors he placed, to the missional initiatives he implemented, to the solid systems and structures he developed. He stewarded the district well, made significant improvements to the district campground, and built an extraordinary district office (in both staff and structure).  I inherited a lot of good things from Dr. Jim’s service, including a district financially healthy enough to weather the recession of 2008-2009. 

When you were around Dr. Jim, one thing was for sure—you were not going to be bored. He could be quite entertaining, especially when sharing opinions or observations in his unfiltered style.  One of my favorite memories is of the way his eyes twinkled as he smiled after winning a game of Rook in which his competitive banter had been quite pronounced. 

I am grateful for his life, for his service, for his faith, for his legacy.

Our prayers are offered for Charlotte, Jamie and Stan, Rick and Beth, Julie and Kyle, Cathy and Chris, and their families. 

Autumn

This is a wonderful season. I enjoy the way autumn engages the senses—the feel of a brisk breeze, the sound of acorns crunching beneath your feet, the haunting symphony of geese chasing a warmer day, the taste of apple cider and persimmons, the beauty of a red maple ablaze like a sunset, the pungent aroma of the walnut husks I lob at the squirrels.

Autumn is a time of abundance and cornucopias, but its beauty is short-lived and signals the end of things that were once vibrant. The green growth of summer begins to die. The attractiveness of the pumpkins and the mums and the vibrant autumn colors give way to decline. Darkness increases as days become colder and shorter. 

Autumn whispers: change is coming. This is a transition season—a time of letting go. The end of something is approaching.  

I sometimes wonder if Adam and Eve lost paradise in autumn. Though I know the Bible does not mention the specific fruit, autumn is the season of ripening apples . . .  

But it is this season, more than any other, in which seeds are planted. In autumn, nature scatters the seeds that will bring new growth in the spring, and scatters them with abandon. There is life in each seed. That is the hope of autumn—the great anticipation that the seeds that are being buried today will burst forth with new life in a season to come.

Humans plant seeds in springtime. God plants seeds in autumn.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest . . .

Great is God’s faithfulness.

Thanking Our Pastors (a message to KCD laity)

During the month of October, I hope that every pastor on the Kansas City District will be honored in an affirming, joy-giving way.

Several years ago, some “pastor doomsday stats” were going around insinuating that pastors are miserable, depressed, and ready to leave their positions of ministry altogether. To the contrary, a 2015 LifeWay survey revealed that only a tiny fraction of pastors are leaving the pulpit each year.  But it also revealed that being a pastor can be tough. It is challenging work that, done well, contributes to the flourishing of whole churches and communities. Done poorly—and without proper support from the congregation—it can quickly lead to burnout.

The 2015 LifeWay Research poll revealed this about pastors’ work-life balance:

·     84 percent say they’re on call 24 hours a day

·     80 percent are dealing with tense situations and difficult conversations in their church

·     54 percent find the role of pastor frequently overwhelming

·     53 percent are often concerned about their family’s financial security

After 20 years of pastoral ministry and 12 years as a “Pastor to Pastors,” I have a clearer understanding of the weight of their burdens, the enormous extent of their responsibility, and the range of their various shepherding opportunities.  Pastors lay it on the line for the flock daily.  They feed, tend, protect, nurture, and guide.  Often shepherds are called away from home and family at all hours of the day and night to minister beside a hospital bed or in a home facing a family crisis.  Being a pastor is often a 24/7 responsibility.  If your pastor is able to keep a confidence (and I hope that is the case), then no one knows all the burdens she/he is carrying.

We know firsthand that our loving actions or words can go a long way in maintaining the spirits of our pastors and their families. Using tangible “thank you” ideas to express gratitude is a special way to honor the clergy and thank their devoted family members. Here are some suggestions to put to use during Pastor Appreciation Month:

·     Pray for your pastor

·     Plan an appreciation banquet in honor of your pastor

·     Creatively communicate words of encouragement to your pastor

·     Give an appreciation basket that includes thoughtful cards and gifts for your pastor, pastor's children, and spouse 

·     Be aware of the unique needs of the pastor’s children by providing financial help for camps, youth group retreats, NYC, or mission trips

·     Surprise your pastor and spouse with a cruise or vacation package to a special destination you’ve heard them talk about

In addition to encouraging your pastor, a second practical result of honoring pastors is that it creates an atmosphere that encourages others to respond to the call of God to pastoral ministry.  A positive, healthy church produces those called of God to serve in Christian ministry. 

Would That We All Embraced the Sacrament

Do you embrace the sacrament? Me, too! I would like to see the sacrament observed weekly in all our churches. Before you assume you understand what I’m saying, and form an opinion about that/me, please read this to the end to discover exactly what I mean.

I have a friend who observes the Lord’s Supper daily. He comes from a high church tradition and considers it part of his daily office. While some might think that a little over-the-top, I would never dream of criticizing my friend for his personal practice, which is for him a meaningful expression of his communion with Christ.

The Manual requires Nazarene churches to celebrate the sacrament of Communion at least every three months: “The Lord’s Supper should be administered at least once a quarter” (515.4). In the last church I pastored, an influx of new members with liturgical and Roman Catholic backgrounds prompted us to move toward a monthly observance of the sacrament. The response was mostly positive, though some expressed a desire to receive the Lord’s Supper more frequently and some less frequently. The only thing certain was that I would receive several e-mails of concern from those in the medical profession when we received the sacrament by intinction–especially during flu season. 

These days there is a strong push in some quarters toward a weekly observance of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. I appreciate the rationale and am grateful for those who are raising our awareness of the significant means of grace the practice provides. My fear is that the Lord’s Supper becomes the only means of response to the Word each Sunday and that our altars become barren as a result.

While a case can be made for a weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, a case can also be made for an annual observance of the Lord’s Supper (based on its tie to the Passover Meal–a yearly event). 

Nonetheless, I would like to see the sacrament observed weekly…the sacrament of baptism, that is. It would be wonderful to see our churches become so evangelistically effective, so brimming with new life and the fruit of the gospel, that we would need to have baptisms weekly just to keep up with the demand. That would be beautiful!  

Here’s to “equal-opportunity sacramental expression!” If you plan the Lord’s Supper weekly, why not consider planning baptisms weekly as well. You might be surprised at what the Lord does to grace those plans.

Jonah

This week I have the privilege of participating in “The Power of One” Leadership Conference in Guatemala.  My assignment is to speak twice on the topic, “Transforming Communities,” and the story of Jonah will be the focus of both sessions.  Over the last several weeks I have enjoyed a deep dive into that brief (four chapters) Old Testament book.

Here are a few of the major lessons the Spirit has been teaching me from the Minor Prophet:

·      God can use one voice to change a community.

·      Jonah seems to me to be A Tale of Three Cities: Nineveh (The Place of Mission), Tarshish (The Place of Temptation), and Joppa (The Place of Decision).

·      It helps if you like the people God has called you to serve; or, if you don’t like them, to at least love them…

·      God often calls people to a “place”—and sometimes it is a difficult place, with difficult people, and with difficult problems.

·      Everybody wants to pastor Tarshish Community Church, where the parsonage overlooks the Mediterranean and sermons are written with your toes in the sand.

·      Joppa is where you determine your direction and pay the price (Jonah “paid the fare”).

·      Jonah had to finance his own rebellion.  So do we.

·      Before God can transform communities, God must first transform leaders.