Vol 4 No 8 - "I Know I Need to be in Church..."

As I started to 'work the room' at the funeral home this past Sunday before my friend's service in Lake Charles, I was reminded of a recurring conversation that I have with more than a few people on a regular basis.  The conversation that goes along the lines of, "Hey preacher, I know that I haven't been in church in a while, and that I really need to get back to it, and I'm sorry I haven't been there like I should, and I'll do better."  What's amusing about this is that I RARELY initiate this discussion; usually it's people's default reaction when they see the preacher out and about.

This came to mind last Sunday because as Erin and I settled into our seats, the people sitting on the other side of Erin asked who she was, and upon finding out her name, knew that I was the Oliver boy whose family had sat in the balcony with them when I was a child.  We got to catching up, and I was struck by how much we learn about each other just through the rhythm of attending worship together each week.  Bonds are formed when we worship as a community week after week, month after month, year after year.  Bonds that last for a lifetime.

When people engage me in the conversation that starts with, "I know I need to be in church...", I cringe.  Not because of anything relating to me, but out of sadness.  Sadness because the point is not to be in worship to make the preacher happy.  Sadness because the point of worship is not to make numbers look good.  Rather, its sadness because of what all is being missed when we "just don't make it to worship this week."  

It's hard to see in the short-term, but over the long haul a community of faith is formed, the body of Christ nurtured, and life-transforming relationship build.  We we deny ourselves the regular worship of the community of faith, it is primarily detrimental to the spiritual formation of the one who is taking a pass.

I'm so glad I was in worship every week as a child, and that it was important in the life of my family.  Even if I had no idea at the time that relationships that were being build there would be so important 20+ years down the road.  My hope and prayer for each of you is that you are developing similar relationships that you can draw upon much later. 

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 4 No 7 - 800+

Congratulations on hitting 800+.  You should be very humbled and moved that God helped you hit that plateau.  After all, sometimes we can't imagine hitting a number that high.  800+; are you kidding me?  How in the world can something like this happen to US?  800+; some people don't realize that kind of number in their entire lives (at least that they are aware).  800+; what an achievement.  And to think there is the possibility of more tomorrow...

Yes, indeed, my friends, you did hit 800+ the past two weeks.  200+ lives touched by the mission team you sent out to Mexico and 600+ lives touched by the kits we helped assemble at UMCOR during our bi-weekly mission last Thursday.

Hats, gloves, socks, school kits -- it's quite amazing to see how in what seem to us to be small contributions lives can be impacted for the Kingdom of God.  One thing we must never forget, though, is that we can do all the good works in the world that we want, all the good works that give us the warm, fuzzy, "I made a difference" feelings, but if we fail to make it known that we do it in the name of Christ, we have missed an opportunity.

Don't forget - we as United Methodists do good works for humanity out of our desire to make a difference, and this is not a bad thing.  However, we must always keep at the forefront why we do these things.

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 4 No 6 - Overstuffed

It was an amazing sight in our sanctuary Monday night, a sight that deeply moved me, a sight that had me bursting with pride.  As a group of ten people of a wide variety of ages and backgrounds gathered to prepare themselves to come together as one in service to God from this congregation to the people of Mexico, we were greeted by the sight of so many knit hats, knit gloves, and white socks where the Chrismon tree stood that we had to provide another duffel bag to get them all packed.  What a statement for this congregation to make in the midst of our Advent and Christmas celebrations.  

Looking at that stash of goods to be taken to people in need, looking at planning for our Lenten observation (yes, it's time for those of us in the church to start looking at that), and talking with our friends at UMCOR, I am pleased to announce that we will be engaging in a similar collection activity for Sundays during Lent.  Look for more information to come as Lent draws closer next month.

The most amazing thing about this collection for the Reynosa mission was the number of you who mentioned to me that it was so easy to pick up a bundle of hats, socks, and gloves; that's precisely the point.  Engaging in mission work involves so many different aspects that even with what is to us a most minimal effort or investment can make a huge difference in the lives of others.

See You Soon!

Lamar