Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Bittersweet

Dear Worshippers,

Wikipedia puts it like this: “Bittersweet refers to a combination of the standard tastes of sweetness and bitterness, and is often used as a metaphor for experiences which have elements of both happiness and sadness.” That is an apt description of what transpired two days ago in our morning worship service, an experience which had elements of both happiness, remembering the lives and ministry of Rev. David and Mossie Goodin, and sadness, bidding them farewell.

In conversation following the service someone used this word and it really struck me. I had been dealing with all these thoughts and feelings without a way to encapsulate them. This really does the trick because though I am truly sad to say goodbye to these dear friends, I am also exciting for them and what the Lord has for our church in the future. This experience is bittersweet. Though mostly it is just bitter right now, I am trusting the Lord for the sweetness to be overpower in His time as the ministry of the next man begins to have an impact on us all.

As we bid Pastor David farewell we remember his ministry and service to the Lord. His impact on our church will linger as certainly as our fond memories of him will. We can honor that memory best by doing the things he taught us so well over these years.

Graciousness. I have to say that this is one of the main things I have learned from Pastor David. I have seen him deal graciously in some difficult situations. I have received his counsel to do the same because I had witnessed him do so. I have seen the Lord in him and through him in those moments.

Gentleness. One of the most powerful imagines in mind of Pastor David is of him bending down to look children in the eye as he talked with them. His concern for the smallest in our midst and his obvious love for them is something I endeavor to model. Again, Jesus has shown through in those moments as well.

Patience. I know of many situations where Pastor David exhibited patience that can only be explained by the presence of the Lord. Some of them, of which I am not at liberty to speak, cause me to simply shake my head in the awareness that I have not yet attained that level of longsuffering.

I am sure that you have fond memories of Pastor David and Mossie. As you reflect on them in these days, give praise to God, and purpose to have a similar impact on the people around you. That way, when it is your time to move on to your next assignment, whether in this world or the next, for those you have touched your departure will be bittersweet as well.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

He Wants Them Found

Dear Worshippers,


Last week I wrote about the theme from this years Missions Conference. It was at the top of the schedule that we printed and distributed for over a month. “Lost people matter to God. He wants them found. Luke 19:10.” Having set the stage with the first phrase last week, I want to consider the second together today. WARNING: Continuing reading may require a radical change in lifestyle. Read at your own risk!


God is really serious about this, that is finding lost people. Did you notice the way it is worded? It is no mistake. It does not say, “He wants to find them.” That would be ridiculous since He knows where they are. It also does not say, “He is somewhat interested in their being found.” That would understate His concern for them. For you see, He gave His Son to the world for this express purpose, “To seek and to save what was lost.” [Luke 19:10 NIV] That is why Jesus came. And that is the ministry that He has entrusted to our care.


Pastor David has a keen sense of the urgency of this ministry. As he articulated so eloquently in his “resignation sermon” and then again in his explanatory writing “YOU’RE DOING WHAT? …AND WHY?”, his heart is burdened with the plight of the lost. His church ministry has greatly insulated him from contact with them, and he felt a growing longing to identify with the lost and communicate the Gospel to those who have not heard.


I can certainly empathize with his comments. I was concerned about my ability to be engaged in this labor to the lost that should mark all our labors while going through the process of ordination. I asked my mentor about it. He allayed my concerns by responding that my calling was one of a shepherd and that accordingly I would spend much of my time caring for the sheep. That seemed sufficient at the time, but I have sensed a similar longing over the years. The embers of that fire have burned brightly at times, and flickered at others.


This past week hearing time and time again how God wants the lost found has fanned that flame again. Contributing to that has been the example our pastor is setting for us, leaving the comforts of the familiar for the potential discomforts of the unfamiliar. If we will follow his example, even in his departure, I believe this could be a remarkable moment for our church.


Jesus left his home in heaven to seek and save the lost. Pastor David is walking away from the “significant and treasured” pastorate he has enjoyed here in our midst to do the same. What will our response be to these examples? What will we do to partner with the Lord in seeing the lost found? What will we leave behind to embrace the favorable future that God has for us personally and corporately? Let us wrestle with those answers as we labor for the lost.


In Christ,


Pastor Scott

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Lost People Matter to God

Dear Worshippers,

It is that time of year again and we have three missionaries who have traveled from around the world, literally, to be with us. As always they encourage our resolve to partner with them in every way to complete the mission the Lord Jesus has given us, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19-20 As always they are exhorting us to make missions personal, to consider our role in completing this task. But this year for me is a little different, and I think I know why.


It is this theme, Lost People Matter to God. Seems pretty obvious, and fairly innocuous, until the Holy Spirit gets involved. We are asking the questions, “Does he matter to God? Does she matter to us? Does she matter to you?” The answer all of us would give is an unqualified “YES!” The problem comes when we begin to evaluate how our lives demonstrate that reality, OR NOT.


Our missionary from Central Asia, Eric, challenged us Sunday morning to cover our 50 yards. He shared a story about rescue workers looking for a lost boy in the woods and each being responsible for 50 yards. I though of Jacob Allen’s rescue last fall in the West Virginia hills. I though of a few lost people who are in my “50 yards”.


Then he talked about carving out time to invest in the lost. He said if our schedule does not reflect a passion to reach the lost, we are not going to be very effective at it. I was challenged personally because I have some acquaintances that I am trying to reach, but I spend little time with them. I am not certain yet how that is going to change, but I believe it must. I am confident that I am setting an example for people to follow and if I am not reaching the lost, that example will indeed be followed, to the detriment of many more lost people.


There is another factor at work for me this year. There is another reality I am facing. There is another example I am looking to. That is Pastor David. I will explain what I mean by that next week, but until then, I hope you will try to make it out to some of the special meetings this week. But be warned, you better have your heart ready to be challenged. Join us as we live this Call

together.


In Christ,


Pastor Scott

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Risk

Dear Worshippers,


Risk - exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance: It's not worth the risk. One might say that there is no real risk in a life of faith. After all, God is Sovereign and in control of circumstances. While this is true, that doesn’t mean that communicating the gospel is without risk.


I just received an email from one of the missionaries who will be with us at Missions Conference next week. He was asking about a few details regarding his ministry here. At the bottom was some information from a previous email. Here is part of that.


My family and I are working in a creative access situation, so we have several things we would like you to do in regards to our coming:

- Do not post our full names or anything related to our work on your church web site.

- Do not put info about us on the church bulletin board.

- Do not broadcast or podcast the talks that I will give.

- Do not put our full names on any signs outside the church (for example a sign on the street telling what is coming up the next week).

- Do not put our full names or work in any advertisements you may make in local papers or media.


You quickly get a sense of the gravity of his situation, the risk he is taking to proclaim the gospel. If you think of the definition above in this context I think you will see where I'm going


We require these precautions because if our name is given to the country we are in by a [person of another religion] who sees it on your signs or ads, the country will deny our visa and our work will stop. I know that you do not want that, so I ask you to strictly adhere to this list to protect what we and the C & MA are doing in these hard to reach places.


The Gospel is worth the risk. That is easy for me to say, but I think this missionary will say the same. In addition to that, every redeemed soul will testify to such.


What “risks” are you taking, or are you willing to take for the gospel? Talking with that friend about Jesus, taking a stand against unethical behavior at work, telling your boss you can not work on Sunday because you do not want to miss church anymore, etc. Put yourself under the voice of those who are taking some risks, and I GUARANTEE you will be challenged. Are you up for that? I am praying and believing you will be.


In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Mobilization

Dear Worshippers,


Mobilize - to assemble or marshal (armed forces, military reserves, or civilian persons of military age) into readiness for active service, or to marshal, bring together, prepare (power, force, wealth, etc.) for action, esp. of a vigorous nature: to mobilize one's energy.


People are mobilizing all over the place. The Democrats were doing it last week, and this week the Republicans will have their chance. It promises to be an interesting race with the new VP nominee, Sarah Palin. [What a beautiful name.] The WVU football team is doing their best to prepare for action, and they better with East Carolina doing the same, right Virginia Tech? It seems like people all over are focusing their energy on some task, or they?


Just because energy is being expended, does not mean that people are mobilized. Just because work is being done, does not necessarily prove mobilization has occurred. Just because people are active, does not mean they are prepared.


I am asking myself if our Worship Ministries are mobilized, in response to Pastor David’s sermon on that topic from Sunday. Let's Roll If you did not hear it, it should be available by Wednesday, September 3, at this link. Worship Team is serving every week, choir is about to start along with Children’s Music, and we are going to be promoting a special event to recruit for orchestra as well, but I am asking myself are we truly mobilized. Are we coming together for action, or just activity. Are we focusing our energy on a particular task, or just spinning our wheels? This can be answered more accurately by what we are accomplishing than by what we are doing, but the doing is usually easier to measure.


Pray with me and for me for these ministries we share. I want to be used of God to mobilize people to “Live the Call Together.” I want to see our extraordinary God working through ordinary me and you as He multiplies communities of Christ throughout the world, by starting right here. Isn’t that want you want? That’s what the Lord wants.


It won’t be easy. But every drop of sweat, every sacrifice will be worthwhile. Let’s put our shoulder to the plow and join God in His labors with a renewed vigor and focus that comes from the Holy Spirit. Let’s spend ourselves for Jesus. Let’s roll.


In Christ,


Pastor Scott