Will they come back after Christmas?

Mary and Joseph had to stay in the stable because there was no room in the inn. Too many census travelers and not enough rooms!! Christmas is a time when you can expect visitors and even unexpected guests at your services. So make sure you are prepared and accommodations for guests at your church this Christmas are visitor friendly.

Have your best greeters on duty to make people feel welcomed. People who can give directions to restrooms, nursery, or answer questions about the church. Encourage your regular attendees this Sunday to be especially guest friendly on Christmas Eve. Do not mind if someone is sitting in their pew Christmas Eve ( no glaring down the pew) or if there are restless children in the sanctuary (turning around and staring.) Imagine Mary having to deal with shepherds—smells and sheep!!

In the midst of all the commercialism of the season, Christmas Eve is a time when people are open and can hear the ‘good news’. Their returning after Christmas may depend on if you made room for them on Christmas.

Paul Young Author of The Shack

Paul Young,author of The Shack, spoke November 9th at a fund raiser for the Parish Resource Center . This best selling novel has touched the lives of thousands of persons. At the end of his almost two hour presentation, you could have heard pin drop in the audience of 800. While Paul's personal story is amazing, I was particularly touched by the story of his mother and how an event in her life as a student nurse in 1946 would come full circle to reconcile her to her author son whom she thought had written something heretical.

If you attended our event or if you have heard Paul Young speak, what part of his story touched you?

Also, who is an inspirational speaker or author you would like to see the PRC bring to Lancaster in the future?

Eight Word Mission Statements

A recent Harvard Business Blog suggested a mission statement be only eight words --Verb,Target, Outcome "Save endangered species from extinction". Peter Drucker said a good mission statement should fit on the back of a T-shirt.

A good mission statement should be clear and concise and inspire people.I am planning to work on the PRC's mission statement -shorten it, make it clear and concise so people know our purpose. (The mission of the PRC is to strengthen congregations of all religious faiths by helping them train, coach, and equip their members- lay and clergy – for service and leadership) Suggestions?

Is your mission statement eight words, could it fit on the back of a T-shirt? Is it clear, concise and does it inspire?

Is your church relevant?

I recently came across several Internet articles/resources about ‘relevance’ in the church. One was a video about worship and the conflict that can occur between being relevant and worship being reverent. (I must confess that I lost the link to this video and 'google' did not help. It featured Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research-- Note to self : always 'bookmark' !!)

A book review of "Hipster Christianity" by Brett McCracken quoted the author's criticism of churches trying to be ‘hip’ and not ‘real’. http://bit.ly/aHhscS

A CNN Belief blog quoted Michael Spencer of the Christian Science Monitor, ‘that one of the reasons that churches are on the decline is the church’s rabid pursuit of “relevance” and “pragmatism” that has produced in many churches a shallow vacuity.’ http://bit.ly/9gTVA1

How do we best communicate the message of faith in a changing culture and at times a world indifferent to the church? A message that is not relevant will have difficulty connecting with people. Paul knew his gospel had to be communicated in a relevant way with the Greek world of his day. But he also knew that what he preached would be foolishness to some. At the same time we need to be relevant, we need to be faithful to what is the core, DNA, of the kingdom message.

Is there anything that is keeping your church from being relevant and faithful?

Church Vitality

Just read the new Christian Century that arrived today. In it was a report on a study of United Methodist congregations on "key factors impacting vital congregations". The study's report identified four key areas that fuel vitality. 1- Small groups and programs, 2- Vital worship with mix of traditional and contemporary and relevant sermons, 3- mentoring by clergy ,4- Effective lay leadership.

I am also reading Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer's book , "Transformational Church" where from their research of churches across the country they identify seven key elements for vitalization-transformation. 1- Missionary Mentality, 2- Vibrant leadership, 3- Intentional Relationships, 4- Prayerful Dependence, 5- Worship, 6- Community , 7- Mission

Both studies seem to compliment each other. Keys for transforming and vital congregations include: Worship that speaks to heart and mind, a Passion for Mission-especially in the local community, Lay leadership that is growing spiritually and is equipped to serve, a place of Connection and Community.

A key point in the Transformational Church" is that ultimately vitality is of God and under girded by prayer.

How does your congregation fair in these key areas??

At the PRC, we are offering workshop that focus on equipping the laity, vital worship, and meeting the needs of the community. Check our website for a full listing. www.parishresourcecenter.org

Environmental Disasters

52 Days and counting ---the oil spill environmental disaster continues and will continue to effect the lives, livelihoods, and way of life for millions of people into the future. Some say it was a disaster waiting to happen. Many blame it on BP being unprepared or taking short cuts. Still others say it is a statement about our dependency on oil. No matter what, pray for the people of the Gulf coast.

This morning I read an article by Bill Easum noting that 40% of American churches worship less than 50 each Sunday and the average age is 65. Add to this that less than 2% of these churches are growing and Bill states it is a formula for a major disaster in the Christian church in America. Like the oil lurking beneath the surface that we cannot see and fully determine its impact, so the impact of this decline is hard to realize.

I do not want to play down the BP oil disaster ( it is huge) , but are churches, denominations, and church leaders any more prepared than BP was prepared to take action to prevent this disaster or limit the damage ? Many church members and pastors know their church is declining, but are they aware of the implications? Are they, are we, prepared to take the necessary steps to prevent this future impact on the religious life in America?

(Read Bills ideas http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/21st-century-strategies-inc/no-title/434068502124

Facebook novice

I am a Facebook novice! I have had a Facebook page for about eight months and have about 100 friends and am a fan of several groups. I rarely put any personal comments on a page. One ‘friend’ told me, “You never post anything!” so then next day I did post something on her page! I do make some personal comments on my niece‘s and son Rick’s page.

I primarily use Facebook as a professional tool to network and learn what is going on in the larger church world. I do this by becoming a friend of such church leaders like Bill Easum, Adam Hamilton, and Len Sweet (Len posts, tweets, about everything!!) as well as other pastors and para-church workers such as Linda Stanly of Leadership Network.

I look at my Facebook page several times a day and almost every day I can find a new connection to a resource or idea for ministry that is on the web. The connections are amazing. The danger is you could stay on line tooooooo long!

I have found great resources like Church Central.com, and Faith Inkubators, as well as some edge sites such as Churchtv and THEOOZE. “Friends” have refereed me to excellent articles, some of which I would have never known about or it would have taken time to sort through a Google search!

At the PRC, we are planning to expand our work using social media .This will include everything from a Facebook page to online courses and webinars and in the future video conferencing. This fall we plan to have a workshop to assist congregations in their use of social media. The forms of social media will change, but it is here to stay.

I am a novice and we are learning at the PRC, but I believe it is something I must learn to use even better for myself and the PRC. I hope you will join us in this journey of learning and be willing to share your thoughts and learnings also.

TGIF

TGIF, yes thank God it is Friday (although I have to work tomorrow ). It has been a good week here at the PRC, but I must admit to some weariness. It is challenging to lead a non-profit in these times of financial crisis along with times of great change. But like the Chinese character for crisis, there is also opportunity for new possibilities. It is a time when we are all called to re-think as well as think out of the box.

I was talking with a judicatory leader today. The PRC and denominations face similar issues. We could have simply lamented over our common concerns, but instead the conversation was exciting because we began to discuss ways that we might partner together to resource congregations which is the mission for both groups.

I am reminded of the sermon by Tony Campolo that he preached on a Good Friday. "It's Friday and Jesus is on the cross, the skies are dark, the world seems to be crumbling ....But Sunday is coming"

Yes, TGIF !! Because in the midst of discouraging or weary "Fridays" and challenging times, we need to remember that there can be a Sunday in the near future if we are willing to listen , see, and act .

Stand Off

President Obama and the Democratic congress are at an impasse with their Republican counterparts over health care. Like many Americans, I am frustrated and cynical and it seems that we still have the same old politics.

There are fundamental difference about the role of government in dealing with the issue of health care. However, both sides must admit that when they want a particular issue dealt with they are willing to have the federal government involved. The ideological differences and the need to defend their party and viewpoint have us at a stand still; little progress is being made.

Of course such stand offs exist within churches as well. Persons on opposing sides of issues such as abortion or gay rights often cause the church to be at stand still and unable to do the work of the kingdom. As I recently read, there are thousands of churches that are still having music wars and debates over screens in the sanctuary. Pastors and laity struggle to move the church forward and young adults are absent from our churches. God must be weeping and the devil laughing.

A key to resolving differences is the ability to find common ground and not simply want to defend or demand our own viewpoint. But our philosophical or religious views often blind us from seeing the common ground and the possibilities. Some times it requires a mediator, a counselor, or a consultant to break the impasse.

What is at at stand still in your life or your congregation? Can you let go defending your viewpoint and find the common ground?

SNOW !!!

Our area has been hit by two snow storms in four days with 3 feet of snow!!!! A Facebook friend reported that one church sign board read "Whoever has been praying for snow , please stop!"

It is amazing how nature can put a 'hold' on all the things we thought we just had to do and were important! Even our national government came to a halt and yet the country still goes on...

While it has been inconvenient and tiring --all that shoveling, it has also been interesting to note how adults begin to act like children again and have fun in the snow. News reporters making snow angels! Parents taking time to go sledding with the kids; snow caves constructed; snow men/women built.

Yes, I have had enough snow and am tried of digging out, but thank you Lord for the snow's beauty and for a chance to be a kid again and let go of what I thought needed to be done ( never did take out the work I took home on Tuesday!!!)

Lancaster Roots

This weekend I will participate in a worship service "Festival of Roots and Music" that is the first program in a year long celebration of the 300th anniversary of the first permanent European settlers in Lancaster County. Entitled "Lancaster Roots 300" the programs will not only celebrate the arrival of the early Mennonites to Lancaster County, but also the contributions of the Native Peoples who lived here before and after 1710 as well as the rich diversity that is Lancaster County today.

The worship service will share the music of several religious traditions as well as historical moments that recall the arrival of other faith traditions. The service is sponsored by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Hans Herr House, and co- sponsored by the Lancaster County Council of Churches and the Parish Resource Center.

The early Mennonites came to the New World to escape religious persecution. As they settled here they followed their peaceful ways and co -existed with the Native Peoples. They lived together with their diversity, religiously and culturally. Programs through out the year honor the Native Peoples . Land has been set aside at the Hans Herr House for the building of 'long house' and burial grounds for Native Peoples.

This early model of life in Lancaster could serve us well today as we live in very a diverse and sometimes divisive culture.

I commend the Mennonite Historical Society and Hans Herr House for sponsoring this year long celebration . Visit their website at http://www.lancasterroots300.org

Martin Luther King & the Church

The church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.
Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 1963

God is not merely interested in the freedom of brown men, yellow men, red men and black men.He is interested in the freedom of the whole human race.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)

This weekend we remember Dr. Martin Luther King whose life and witness changed not only the American social scene , but also the church. Dr. King moved the church out of its pews into the streets. He took the teaches of Jesus and made them flesh in the cities and rural areas of America.

Dr. King sought to continue the good news that Luke recorded that Jesus came to proclaim: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ Luke 4:18-19

Dynamic churches today are taking seriously the message Jesus and the practice of Dr. King and seeking to minister to the needs of the community in which they reside as well as the global community. They are spending less time in the pews and more time on the pavements of cities and towns. Bringing good news to the poor and release to the captives. While we need to fold our hands in prayer, we also need to reach out our hands to heal and help.

Resisting Change

As I was preparing to write this Blog on resisting change , I checked my Facebook page and Len Sweet had one of his TD quotes "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." General Eric Shineski.

I was reminded on Epiphany how the establishment hates change. When the three wise men came to Jerusalem and inquired as to where the new born King of the Jews was, Matthew tells us that King Herod and all of his cronies were fearful. King Herod plotted to try to prevent the coming change of a 'new king' by seeking to have the wise men return and tell him where the new born king was (supposedly to worship him, but as we learn, he murdered innocent children in his search).

It is tragic, but often it is persons in positions of leadership ( but who do not really lead) who resist change the most. They are threatened and feel the need to protect the status quo. Herod had his leaders search the scriptures, but it was not for wanting to hear the truth , but to protect his power and position. Scripture is sometimes distorted and used in the church to protect the status quo. Some times persons act in 'un-Christ like' ways to prevent change.

I mentioned in my previous Blog an on- line devotional. This is the current 'benediction'

Look all around you and see what is real.
Hear what is true and be sure what you feel
Touch someone near you in love if you can
Give all you have and be part of God's plan.

Are you, (am I) , a part of God's plan or do we protect our own plans and positions? Will we resist change that is needed and become irrelevant?