Tag Archives: church

Connections

dongle

I got a new iPhone a couple years ago, and one of the things that new iPhones do NOT have now is a port for headphones. This is old news to the computer savvy among us, I’m sure, but to remedy this problem, Apple created something called a dongle, a short cord that connects my headphones to a different type of port on my iPhone so that I can use my headphones as I once did.

The experience of having to buy a dongle to connect my phone to my headphones made me think that we live in an age where we are forced to connect in new ways that were not even invented or known before. This tendency toward new ways of connecting is not limited to technology, but is also felt in connecting with one another. Very broadly speaking, people are not as available as they once were, people do not respond as readily to the old ways of connecting, and there is a sense that people have a very low tolerance for interruption.

We feel this especially in the Church where things like door-to-door evangelism, cold calls on land lines and the delivery of paper newsletters in the mail are outmoded or obsolete. So what is the Church’s dongle? What is the new way of connecting? For me personally, I have connected more with fellow members of my church more often through text messages. They are no longer seen as intrusive as in the past and people can respond to them when they have time. I also notice that people are more aware of posts we make on social media and we can connect to people in our church body through comments on posts or through conversations at church later on about what was posted. I have the feeling I know what is going on more with people through social media when I see them in church, so conversations are easier to start. We live in a time when we can be creative with our connections with members of the Church and the results can be just as impactful or even more impactful than they once were. Keep an eye out for making new connections in the name of Christ.

Sitzprobe

sitzprobe

I was recently made aware of a term that was new to me: sitzprobe. For those of us who are not “theater people,” a sitzprobe (from the German for seated rehearsal) is a rehearsal where the singers sing with the orchestra for an upcoming performance, focusing attention on integrating the two groups. It is often the first rehearsal where the orchestra and singers rehearse together. It is a time for the actors and the musicians to become familiar with each other, to gel, to know where they are going next in a particular song or scene.

I find this idea of a sitzprobe interesting in the context of work life. At some point, we, in our jobs, need to know what our fellow coworkers are doing so that we can in the best possible ways work together to meet our goals. In business speak, this is called synergy.

We in the church can quite often be guilty of siloing, working independently of one another without knowing what our fellow followers in the faith are doing. We get a hint of what siloing looks like in ministry when John comes to Jesus and says, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:48).

Jesus does not want his followers to work separately from one another. We wants us to sitzprobe, if you will. Work together. Find ways in which you can harmonize your efforts to make the message of the Gospel dramatically come alive for an audience of unbelievers and doubters and critics. We can do so much more together than separately for the Lord. Start blending your God-given talents today to bring people to their feet in praise of God’s goodness in Jesus.

Advent Wednesdays

Advent candles

It is the first Wednesday in Advent, and traditionally this is when churches conduct special services or activities related to this season of waiting. I remember when I was a teen that our youth group made tacos for a meal before one of the Wednesday night Advent services at my church. It was a good time to get together with other teens and do something to bring joy to others. It was a good break away during the week to reflect on the coming of Jesus on Christmas.

I know that some churches still practice this tradition, but it has gone by the wayside in many of our parish communities because of our increasingly busy schedules inside the church and out.

If there are no Advent Wednesdays at your church, consider having Advent Wednesdays at home. Work together on a fun or different meal. Gather around the table and light the candles of an Advent wreath. Have each person say a prayer. Read a Scripture passage read in church the previous Sunday. Make baby Jesus the center of your celebration by having everyone draw a picture of Jesus in the manger.

Whatever you do, let your Advent Wednesdays give you a time away from being busy and provide a time of peace and comfort and joy. For that is what Jesus is coming to bring.

Laptops

laptop

I got my first laptop at work, and the benefit is that I can take it with me wherever I go, if need be. I got to take advantage of that when I had to work at home. All I had to do was plug in my laptop, start it up, and all my projects were there on the screen waiting for me to work on. I spent my time at home just like I did at the office, typing and clicking away until quitting time came. I was amazed by how I was able to get the same amount of work done (and perhaps more) when I was home as I got done in the office. Have laptop, will travel, you could say.

It occurred to me that we could say the same thing about the Bible. Have Bible, will travel. We do not have be in church to use a Bible. We can take the Bible anywhere and do the activity of the Church wherever the Holy Spirit leads us. We do not have to worry that the Bible won’t work the same for us in a new locale. It is just as powerful and has just as much impact in a coffee shop or a homeless shelter or a dorm room or a park as it does in a church. Wherever we are following the task our boss, Jesus, has given to spread the Word, the Word will be heard. So take your Bible with you. Use it without fear in each place you find yourself. God will guide you to get his work done for the good of the kingdom in every spot he puts you.

Tech Avail

tech avail

The term tech avail sounds like a computer issue, but it is actually a newly used abbreviation for “technically available.” It means that you are open “in theory” during a certain time to work on a project or attend an events unless something better comes along. It is the new way of saying “maybe” or “we’ll see.” Our culture currently likes to be be only tech avail for most things. Don’t ask us to commit to something for sure. We like to leave room for other options.

This is why it is so difficult sometimes to nail down our schedules. It is all up in the air and fluid more often than not. Unfortunately what usually gets the boot most often when scheduling conflicts arise are church activities and events. We can miss in-person worship on Sunday morning and watch it later online. We can opt out of Bible study when our work hours run long. We can skip out on a servant event to go to a concert instead.

As Christians, we should make all matters related to our faith firm in our weekly calendars. If it has church, faith, Bible, worship or service in the name of the activity or event, it should not be moved around or deleted from our Outlook or Google computer calendar. We should mark ourselves not avail for anything else during those times. Our time with our God is precious and takes precedence over all else. Be always available for God. He is always available for you.

Athleisure

athleisure

The trend in fashion these days is something called athleisure. The term means a type of clothing that is normally worn for athletic activities but is now more commonly worn in other settings like school, the workplace or social occasions. It has become more acceptable to wear such clothing anywhere and in places where more formal attire once was standard.

I am a big fan of athleisure and of more casual dress in general, but there is still a part of me that wants to dress up a least a little more formally in church. But as is clearly being seen, athleisure is perfectly at home in church as well these days.

Dressing up for church used to be something that was a given to show respect for God, but now it is simply an option, and if athleisure helps people to feel more comfortable and “at home” in church, then I am all for it. It could be said that athleisure is a way of showing how at ease you are in the house of God.

To play devil’s advocate, though, I think about the message that athleisure could be sending. It could be declaring that you could exercise at any time, if you only wanted to. It could that you are ready for action, but do not necessarily have to be. In this light, our Christian life can sometimes become this more lazy version of athleisure, if you will. We may look like we are active in our faith, but then not really practice it. We can say we are ready for action in service to the Lord, but then lounge around instead.

Be ready and willing to act and to serve to the glory of God, no matter what you are wearing, even if it is athleisure.

Team Jesus

Team Jesus

I recently went to a baseball game in St. Louis where the Cardinals were playing the Milwaukee Brewers. My sister and her family, who were visiting from Milwaukee, came along, decked out in their Brewers shirts and caps. I was amazed by how many Cardinals fans were wearing red to support their team. There was such a sea of red in the stands that those in Brewers garb stood out and even waved at one another.

There are not too many places where people can so clearly see where you stand. I wonder what it would be like if people could obviously see that we were with Team Jesus, if you will. Would we stand out in a crowd of those who were rooting only for themselves or for no god at all? Would we keep our eyes peeled for others who were wearing Christ on their sleeves and seek them out? Or would we hide in the masses, not wanting to be noticed?

We live in a world that wants to pigeon-hole people and urges people to stand with the majority. A recent Gallup poll revealed that for the first time in 80 years the percentage of those who said they belonged to a church dropped below 50% (to 47%). Religious people, including Christians, are becoming the minority. So it is becoming harder than ever to show your allegiance to Team Jesus.

But the Bible tells us plainly: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). We must always follow God and his will for us in Jesus. No other team matters except Team Jesus and we must do all we can to cheer for him in our lives, celebrating his victory over all sin, over death and the devil. The game is over. The battle is won. Jesus is the winner, and always will be.

Do Your Part

teaching

In our society, we tend to laud those who can multitask and do it all, and while that might be something that is valuable in certain situations, it is not something that is required in the kingdom of God. The people in the church at Rome must have wondered how much each of them should be doing. St. Paul answers them in this way:

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6-8).

In other words, play to your strengths in your discipleship in Christ. Focus on what you do well, and leave other tasks you are not as good at to your fellow brothers and sisters in the faith who have talents in those areas. There is no shame in saying, “That is not where my gifts lie.” God created us in a particular way to grow and strengthen the Church, and if our God-given gifts are not being used or are pushed down because of other tasks, then we are not following the plan of God for us.

Take stock of your skills and abilities and what you enjoy doing, and then compare that list to jobs you know of in the Church that need attention. Find what fits you best and let God do the rest.

Doors

church door

A few years ago, I decided to take pictures of church doors in the St. Louis area. It led to some interesting discoveries. For instance, did you know that a great number of church doors are painted red? It seems that historically church doors were red to signify that the church was a safe place or refuge if you were in danger. Red doors also symbolize the blood of Christ and that when you pass through the door you are in a holy space.

I found that church doors come in many shapes and sizes. Many people could recognize a particular church’s door at first glance at my photos. The uniqueness of a church door speaks to the unique quality of each person in the Church.

Christ called himself the Door (John 10:9). Only through him can we pass through into heaven and everlasting life. Jesus also says that when we knock, the door will be opened unto us (Matthew 7:7). That calls to mind the truth that Jesus listens to our every prayer each time we come to him for help. He will never close the door on us. In Revelation, Jesus proclaims, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20). That reminds us that we should never shut the door on Jesus, but should always allow him to be with us.

Doors in the kingdom of God are meant to welcome and not keep out. May the doors of your church open often to invite more people into God’s house. May the doors of your home swing wide to greet visitors who have come to spend time with you. And may the doors of your heart let Jesus in each and every day.

Homeless Jesus

homeless

On the campus at Valparaiso University is a bronze sculpture called Homeless Jesus, by artist Timothy Schmalz, which depicts Jesus, identifiable by the wounds on his feet, sleeping on a street bench wrapped in a blanket. Other installations are located outside of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson, North Carolina; at Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit, Michigan; in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, and on a street leading to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The image is designed to portray the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-45, in which he explains that when we care for the sick, poor, naked, hungry, thirsty, imprisoned and strangers, we are really caring for him.

The statue is convicting, when I think about times when I have looked the other way, walked on the other side of the street or turned around completely when I have come near a homeless person. The statue reminds me that Jesus is often present in places where we do not really want to go. Even in our discomfort, we are called by Christ to do such things as say a word of blessing, give a granola bar or bottled water, or provide a gift card to someone we encounter whom we recognize is truly in need.

It is important to stay safe, of course, but it is still vitally important to expand our caring capacity in ways that extend our comfort zones. Jesus himself did not stay at home or steer clear of “the least of these.” He touched lepers. He spoke to beggars. He ate with sinners. No one was beyond his care, and no one should be beyond our care. We must open our eyes to the wounded among us and not shrink back in fear but reach out in faith that God will use each one of us in some way to bring relief to a hurting world, one precious person at a time.