Archive - June, 2010

He Got It…

June 29, 2010 in Christian Life, Ministry with 12 Comments

He had a bodybuilder’s physique, tattoos that covered the entirety of his massive arms, and a shiny, shaved head. By all appearances, he might not be the kind of person you’d think would get it. But he did. That’s what we get for thinking in terms of common stereotypes.

I’m sure, for some of us, his job description might not help. After all, he cleaned carpets for a living. He might have been the owner for all I know. That’s inconsequential. What matters is that he got it.

He was cleaning my carpets in conjunction with my residential lease agreement. There were several companies to choose from; I made the call; he came.

He, though, asked the question: “Why are you moving?” Here’s how the conversation went.

“New job,” I responded.

“Military?”, he inquired.

“Nope… I’m in ministry.”

“What kind of ministry?” he probed.

“Well I was a pulpit minister, but now my wife and I are going to work with a children’s home in Portales.”

He developed a look on his face that said it all. He smiled with a particular look on his face, shook his head, and we continued to converse about which home we were working with. But as we parted company, I couldn’t help but think to myself…that guy got it. He really got it.

My decision to give up pulpit work for something else hasn’t been well received by all. There are not few who believe that pulpit work is about the only to do ministry. I use to think that myself.

I knew there were a variety of spiritual gifts one might use, and they weren’t necessarily connected to a preaching ministry (Romans 12: 6-8), but I still thought pulpit work was the only legitimate way to serve. Youth Ministers were a waste of money. Family Life Ministers were silliness. Both might be “unauthorized.” Looking back, I wound up being the one with the silly thinking.

Real ministry happens when service takes place in the name of God. It might be at a church building, a homeless shelter, and/or a children’s home. Scratch that…I’m now 100% certain that it happens at a children’s home. It is odd, though, to see who really gets it.

Let the Craziness Continue

June 28, 2010 in Journal with 2 Comments

Where do I start?

The last week has been one of the more interesting weeks of my life and I think this week will probably wind up topping it in the “interesting” catagory. We’ve been doing a lot of staffing at NMCCH, learning more about the kids who live here and observing how other houseparents operate their cottages.

We finally got completely moved from Clovis, as well as got everything from the apartment on campus here over to Cottage 3, where we’ll be living.

Yesterday, I went back to Clovis to preach for my friend, Larry Tittle, at the West 21st Street Church of Christ. Later we came back to Portales so I could teach the teen class at Southside on Sunday evening. I’ll be preaching for Southside this Sunday.

Tonight I am going back to Clovis to play softball and working with a couple for whom I will be officiating their wedding ceremony soon.

Tuesday we have another big staffing before we begin keeping the kids from Cottage 1, the largest cottage on campus with the most the youngest kids, Wednesday morning. We are very anxious!

Our kids are loving it here. We are meeting and working with some wonderful people.

Today, I  also begin a new class in my MACCR program entitled, “Identity, Culture, and Conflict.” Can’t wait to see what this class entails.

Things have been crazy, but I think they are about to get crazier!

Relationship or Rule Keeping or Both???

June 19, 2010 in Christianity with 3 Comments

In the field of dispute resolution, we refer to it as framing. Framing is analyzing something by noting everything we can about it. Our understandings of things tend to be based on the frames through which we see them. We call it a “frame of reference.”

And then there is what is called reframing. To reframe something is to see something from a different angle or perspective and then communicate it in that way. Reframing allows us to see things we might not otherwise see.

It is safe to say that perspective is everything.

People, myself included, have tended to look at Christianity in a myriad of different ways. Their thoughts are predicated upon how they’ve framed it. But I’ve noticed I have not always been very comfortable with how others have framed it.

Is Christianity about relationship or rule keeping or both? How you’ve framed it makes all the difference.

In the below YouTube clip, Jason Gray has framed Christianity in a way that may or may not make you uncomfortable. I think I understand what he’s getting at, though. How do you feel about it?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX5qLAbrDLk&feature=channel[/youtube]

Church Systems

June 15, 2010 in Church with 2 Comments

We gravitate towards different things for different reasons. One of the reasons I’m pursuing a degree in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation is that I am tired of not effectively handling conflict. My desire for peace has thrust me into something through which God can use me to make a difference.

Brad Palmore recently completed the MACRR program and was instrumental in convincing me to pursue it, as well. Brad has begun a series of blog posts that deal with Church Systems. His insights are deep and will test you, but it has been worth it so far. I can’t wait to see where he goes. But if you yearn to better understand Church Systems- how they operate, why they operate the way they do, and why things have developed the way they have- then I think you need to subscribe to his blog. Here is a link to his first post in this series.

Reunited

June 14, 2010 in Parenting with 0 Comments

Reese, Aby & Haylee

Reese, Aby & Haylee

Our kids spent a week away from us with Tisha’s parents, but now we are reunited. It was only a week, but it seemed like forever. They’ve spent a week away from us before, but for some reason this time it was different. They were safe and with people they love, but the distance between us and them still creates a feeling of despair.

I suppose this is what it feels like when He is separated from his children. He must yearn to be close to them. He must think about them all the time.

When we landed at Houston Hobby on Thursday, Tisha’s dad brought Haylee and Aby to pick us up at the airport. Tisha and I were both greeted with as big a hugs as our girls could offer. Those are moments I shall never forget.

The kids, especially Haylee and Reese, have been particularly clingy the last few days. I don’t mind it at all. I suspect, to a certain degree, that’s the way it ought to be. Isn’t that what God wants from us?
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