There is a new conversation in some Christian circles about how we modify our faith with adjectives. Many are being identified as conservative Christians, liberal Christians, progressive Christians, evangelical Christians and more whether they want to or not. So, author Tony Jones decided to have a poll to decide on a adjective that reflects what kind of faith he and his conversation partners advocate for.

Quickly his comment stream filled with complaints about “branding” and the desire to be the “body of Christ”. I share that sentiment, and also realize branding and stereotyping is a way of life in our culture. If we have some control over it, we may as well take it.

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So much going on in life.  My calendar is constantly packed, the church calendar is even busier, and there is even more that I could be doing if I just wasn’t so tired and worn out.  But is busyness really the goal?  I sure hope not.  I think the goal is committed discipleship, yet at times that seems so easily lost.  All of our activity pushes us onward with direction-less frenzy until finally individuals and families are driven away from the church searching for sabbath.  Oh the irony.   [Read more →]

My church, like many, has age specific ministry.  For the most part this makes since.  Children need different programming than adults.  Youth need different activities than seniors.  But there is a down side to all this age specific ministry, it has potential to segregate the church.  The truth of the Kingdom of God is intergenerational.  It requires relationship across the boundaries of children, youth, young adult, adult, and seniors.  As we begin new ministries at Woodlawn UMC we have this in mind.  After assessing our demographics we found that our programing has a weak spot.  We do not reach people age 20-40 with the consistency or frequency of other people groups.  This is not a surprise and is true of most American churches.  But hiring a pastor who is a young adult and starting “young adult ministries” should not be centered on age alone.  For our ministry to reflect the body of Christ it must be a ministry of all generations. [Read more →]

The Church in my generation is having an identity crisis.  We aren’t sure who we are yet, and our wavering identity is causing us to lose people on the fringe and frustrate our elders.  Unfortunately, clarity may not come for months, years, or even another generation!  This lack of clarity is daunting, and for many, may be overwhelming enough to throw in the towel, but I am begging you don’t stop now!  Lack of clarity can be biblical and even holy.  It gives us opportunity to rely on God, to forge our relationships, and experience the labor pains necessary for new life.  Just ask the Israelites in the dessert, Joseph and Mary on the road to Bethlehem, the disciples before Pentecost, or the early church in ancient Rome. [Read more →]

Why does a group of creative people immediately lose their creative ability when they enter a church? Out side of the church people may bring incredible creativity to their work, their families, and their hobbies. But when they step into the building where the church gathers the ability to create seems to disappear. Here are a couple reasons I think this happens… [Read more →]

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to create something awesome.  My new job at the fabulous Woodlawn UMC in Derby, KS has pushed me to think outside the box and “rethink church”.  But leadership for creating something awesome requires  incredible balance of a myriad of factors.  Just after the Winter Olympics one professor likened it to speed skating.  She watched the short track race and noticed that being fastest and strongest did not mean you would win the race.  What really mattered was negotiating the crowded track so that you were well positioned at the moment of greatest opportunity.  Often this positioning seems mysterious and out of our control, but I believe that a well thought out strategy could help us get there…. [Read more →]

What kind of leader are you?

There are about a billion books at any chain bookstore on the subject of leadership. Indeed, there are entire courses, degrees and fields of research trying to get a handle on what it means to be a leader in the business world, political arena and community organizations.

The church also loves to talk about leadership and we have an entire history of ancient and modern examples of leadership: both good and bad, effective and ineffective. We find these examples throughout our Holy text, in the life of the early Christians, and in the history of the church throughout the world.  Imagery for leadership such as “shepherding” and “kingship” are recurring themes in our patriarchal history as are “servant” and “prophet”. And yet, many of us, both clergy and lay, find ourselves pondering “What kind of leader will I to be for the church?” [Read more →]

A call to Love God and Love Neighbor

The word “diakonia” is one of the catchy words we throw around at seminary a lot. First of all, it is Greek, so it makes us think we sound smart (seminary people love to be pompous). Second,diakonia is translated asDeacon, a leadership role that many denominations have as a part of their church structure…in the United Methodist Church, it is an ordination order, the one I am called into. Finally, and most importantly, we us the word to describe the ways in which the church does service.

The word Diakonia means service. Not lowly, powerless, oppressive servanthood. But the kind of servanthood that recognizes the need for compassion, justice and lived out love in the world. The kind of service where the powerful and powerless work towards equity in relationship and resources. Sounds good, right? [Read more →]

Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity to meet with the Children’s Sunday School Teaching team at my church. We gathered to set our schedule, to touch base about how everything was going, and to share our success stories and powerful teaching moments. These women humbled and inspired me. They came with thoughtful hearts, open minds, and strong voices.

Because Sunday School is once a week, for a short amount of time, filled with fun activities, creative story telling, and exciting learning, it can be easy for forget how important Sunday School really is to the development, inclusion, and faith formation of the Body of Christ. Today, I was reminded of the passion, heart, vulnerability and wisdom that it takes to take this responsibility and privilege head on as a teacher. [Read more →]

Friday I spent my birthday driving 10 hours between Kansas and Chicago.  It was a long drive, and although I was thankful Ashley was with me, driving all day is no way to spend your birthday.  Today my church family made up for it, and then some.  I arrived at church and found a beautiful cake and after worship had a wonderful chorus of caring people sing me Happy Birthday.  I don’t know what motivated people to get me a cake and tell people it was my birthday, but to me they represented Christ.  When people in the church care for me in this way it assures me that the body of Christ is alive and at work in the world.  It was simple, it was just a kind gesture, but sometimes it is these small things done on behalf of the church that turn the tide in the hearts of those who receive.  I hope the people of Morton Grove Community Church know that today they were Christ for me.  Thanks guys.