Well, today is Sunday and normally on Sunday we go to church, but not today because we got about 10 inches of snow overnight. I got up early this morning and saw the bad news on the KTIS radio website. I guess that it is alright that we had a snow day today since none of our pastors live near the church. We should bring back the parsonage system to prevent such things. Perhaps there is another reason that church was canceled today:
As some of you may or may not know I joined the Sanctuary Choir a couple of weeks ago. This morning was to have been my first Sunday up front with the choir. I figure that if they had not canceled church that I would have been the only member of the choir to show up!!!!!
If you missed church today maybe you can find some truth in this song. Go to this site: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7777/MSR2.htm and enjoy!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Money, Money, Money
I guess you can tell what I am going to talk about! Money has been on my mind over the last couple of weeks. I was in Denver when I received a phone call from home concerning getting a job. I called the guy back and we agreed to talk on Saturday, which ended up being Monday. I did not quite understand what he wanted or who he was with, but nonetheless I set-up an "interview" with him, for that afternoon. When I arrived at the location and walked in to loud music and checked in, I began to have doubts as to what this was about. I then was led by the guy whom I had been conversing with and there I saw it, in one corner of a small office a table of product and a large screen television. It soon became apparent that I had been roped into a sales pitch to own my own company. I asked the guy where my name came from and he did not give me an answer, since at this point we had had some conversation I felt compelled to stay, for a little while. I sat through the presentation and soon it became apparent that the whole purpose of this sales pitch was to get money and the things that I "deserve." All of this was done by taking money from the baby-boomers who are expected to spend 10 billion dollars on health supplements. I felt queasy the entire time and embarrassed that my generation would stoop, so low to take money like this from their parents. After the presentation, the guy asked me what I thought, and I said that it was not right, for me, and I left. Another story.
After returning from Denver I looked through the newspapers quick to see what I had missed. The story of a prominent mega-church leader here in Minnesota is in trouble with a group that wants the IRS to investigate them, for something that they either did or did not do. I was not clear on the subject. On Sunday this same paper ran a front page story about this leader and they tried to paint a picture as to who this guy was and what he was talking about. It has become apparent to me mostly because of my own dealings with this "church" that everything had to do with money. This leader even said that his wealth gives him the ability to do evangelism and that it can not be done any other way. He gives the story of when he was stopped by a cop while driving his Porsche a little too fast. He said that he was able to reach out to this cop because of his car. It is interesting that those who spread this health and wealth gospel, which is what this is, say that God will make you rich and give you blessings beyond measure, but that it seems like they are the only ones who actually have the money and the toys. The congregation is then chastised, for not having enough faith.
Today, Tuesday, I have a job interview. This is the first interview that I have had after sending out countless resumes and job applications. Since I do not have a church right now and no church interviews on the horizon I need some income. The pyramid scheme described in the first part of this post just does not cover it, for me. I need something stable where I can get a descent pay check, for doing something that makes sense and that I believe in. I would never stoop, so low to sell a product that I do not believe in and by the way there was very little talk about the product just about the money. I do not want to be the pastor of a church that cannot faithfully account, for all of its finances, and to be good stewards of it, nor do I want to be a pastor that is making so, much money that it becomes a hindrance to ministry whether then an asset. Right now it is hard to be a faithful steward of my money because of bills for, insurance, and school, and such, but even in that there is stewardship. I trust that we all become faithful stewards with our time, talents, and treasure. To use these gifts as given to us, by God, to be better and faithful disciples. Our primary relationship is first to God, then to family and friends, and then to our jobs and compensation. If we keep this formula in view, then money will not become as much of an overwhelming force as it seems to be in our culture.
After returning from Denver I looked through the newspapers quick to see what I had missed. The story of a prominent mega-church leader here in Minnesota is in trouble with a group that wants the IRS to investigate them, for something that they either did or did not do. I was not clear on the subject. On Sunday this same paper ran a front page story about this leader and they tried to paint a picture as to who this guy was and what he was talking about. It has become apparent to me mostly because of my own dealings with this "church" that everything had to do with money. This leader even said that his wealth gives him the ability to do evangelism and that it can not be done any other way. He gives the story of when he was stopped by a cop while driving his Porsche a little too fast. He said that he was able to reach out to this cop because of his car. It is interesting that those who spread this health and wealth gospel, which is what this is, say that God will make you rich and give you blessings beyond measure, but that it seems like they are the only ones who actually have the money and the toys. The congregation is then chastised, for not having enough faith.
Today, Tuesday, I have a job interview. This is the first interview that I have had after sending out countless resumes and job applications. Since I do not have a church right now and no church interviews on the horizon I need some income. The pyramid scheme described in the first part of this post just does not cover it, for me. I need something stable where I can get a descent pay check, for doing something that makes sense and that I believe in. I would never stoop, so low to sell a product that I do not believe in and by the way there was very little talk about the product just about the money. I do not want to be the pastor of a church that cannot faithfully account, for all of its finances, and to be good stewards of it, nor do I want to be a pastor that is making so, much money that it becomes a hindrance to ministry whether then an asset. Right now it is hard to be a faithful steward of my money because of bills for, insurance, and school, and such, but even in that there is stewardship. I trust that we all become faithful stewards with our time, talents, and treasure. To use these gifts as given to us, by God, to be better and faithful disciples. Our primary relationship is first to God, then to family and friends, and then to our jobs and compensation. If we keep this formula in view, then money will not become as much of an overwhelming force as it seems to be in our culture.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Updates and Such
Well, here we are again at the beginning of a new week. I just thought that I would take a few minutes to update what has been going on over the last couple of weeks.
Last week I was in Denver, for the Evangelical Covenant Church's Midwinter Conference. This is a gathering, for all of the pastors, seminary students, and others who are interested in ministry in the Covenant Church. I really enjoy this week because I get to catch-up with friends and even make some new friends. It is about being able to chat and see what everyone else is doing. It is about worshiping together, and for me this year, I got goose-bumps when all of us were singing on Tuesday night, after Fleming Rutledge preached, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." I think it was the loudest we got while singing all week! The conference is also about honing skills or picking up new ones as I attended workshops on liturgy, prayer, and small town ministry. I had a great time, but soon it was back to reality and trying to find a job that will tide me over until I get called to a church.
About where I am in the call process is that I was able to talk to a few superintendents at the conference. Most of them did not have any positions that I am looking for, but a couple of them told me that my profile was sent to some churches here in the Midwest. I think in all there are 8 to 10 profiles out at various churches. We will just keep praying that the right situation will show up.
That is about it from here and I will be talking more about what occurred at Midwinter as I process what I heard and learned.
I want to give a "shout out" to all who I saw at the conference and also to those who I may have missed.
Last week I was in Denver, for the Evangelical Covenant Church's Midwinter Conference. This is a gathering, for all of the pastors, seminary students, and others who are interested in ministry in the Covenant Church. I really enjoy this week because I get to catch-up with friends and even make some new friends. It is about being able to chat and see what everyone else is doing. It is about worshiping together, and for me this year, I got goose-bumps when all of us were singing on Tuesday night, after Fleming Rutledge preached, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." I think it was the loudest we got while singing all week! The conference is also about honing skills or picking up new ones as I attended workshops on liturgy, prayer, and small town ministry. I had a great time, but soon it was back to reality and trying to find a job that will tide me over until I get called to a church.
About where I am in the call process is that I was able to talk to a few superintendents at the conference. Most of them did not have any positions that I am looking for, but a couple of them told me that my profile was sent to some churches here in the Midwest. I think in all there are 8 to 10 profiles out at various churches. We will just keep praying that the right situation will show up.
That is about it from here and I will be talking more about what occurred at Midwinter as I process what I heard and learned.
I want to give a "shout out" to all who I saw at the conference and also to those who I may have missed.
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