As we continue looking at what Ezekiel can teach us about revival, we come to a very interesting command from God.
“And now, son of man, take a large clay brick and set it down in front of you. Then draw a map of the city of Jerusalem on it. Show the city under siege. Build a wall around it so no one can escape. Set up the enemy camp, and surround the city with siege ramps and battering rams. Then take an iron griddle and place it between you and the city. Turn toward the city and demonstrate how harsh the siege will be against Jerusalem. This will be a warning to the people of Israel.” – Ezekiel 4:1-3
God calls us to proclaim his message by word and by action. We understand proclamations issued in verbal form. Modern western society is all about words. Proclamation by actions is another matter.
Usually when we hear someone say we should proclaim God’s word by our actions, we think in terms of living a good and kind and holy life. We may think of St. Francis’ saying: “Preach the gospel always; use words when necessary.”
(I understand the point behind St. Francis’ words, but I think it can become an excuse for not using words. After all, if people think that I’m a nice guy just because I’m a nice guy, and don’t know that it’s because of Jesus, it doesn’t help them toward the kingdom of God.)
All this is good, but it’s not what God was telling Ezekiel to do. God instructed Ezekiel to perform what theologians call “prophetic acts.” Regular people would call it “street theater.” God wants his message to get across, and he knows that some people’s eyes glaze over whenever a preacher starts talking. So he told Ezekiel to add to his preaching something that would communicate with the non-verbally oriented people. God basically told Ezekiel to do a show-and-tell.
Annapolis is a highly educated town, and most people can understand verbal communication. That doesn’t change the fact that many people respond better to other means of getting a message across. I believe God is calling his people to be creative. After all, God created us in his image, and God is the creator. What kind of show-and-tells can we create to help make God’s message clear and accepted? The better we can do that, the better our chance of making Annapolis a target of God’s revival fire.
About Me
- Pastor David
- I serve as pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD. I'm married to beautiful Paula, mother of my 4 sons and one daughter. I was a systems engineer before entering ministry 29 years ago.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Speak Their Language
Then he said, “Son of man, go to the people of Israel with my messages. I am not sending you to some foreign people whose language you cannot understand. No, I am not sending you to people with strange and difficult speech. If I did, they would listen! I am sending you to the people of Israel.” – Ezekiel 3:4-7
Ezekiel would have been a very successful missionary. God said that if he sent Ezekiel to a foreign people with a difficult and obscure language, they would listen. But God did not call Ezekiel to be a missionary.
Why would God deliberately steer someone away from a ministry in which he would be successful? That’s not my topic here, but take note: just because you are good and successful at something, even something that seems like God’s work, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what God wants you doing with your life. Take the time to seek God until you receive his specific guidance for you. (In the meantime, do what seems best, trusting that God will let you know when it’s time for a change.)
God has sent me to Annapolis. With regard to that, I want to look at what may seem like a very minor point. God didn’t refer to the other nations as a people “who cannot understand your language.” He said, “whose language you cannot understand.” The emphasis was on Ezekiel’s ability to adapt to and understand the language of the people, not vice versa.
Shortly after being beginning my ministry at a previous church, I convened a staff meeting and asked why there was not a monthly newsletter. The answer was, “If people want to find out what’s going on at the church, they can call the office.”
To me, that’s totally backwards. We no longer live in a culture in which people seek out the church. We are the ones who are trying to get our message to them. If that means getting a newsletter physically into their house through the U.S. mail, or putting up a sign that is so big and clear that they can’t help but see it even if they aren’t looking for it, or whatever it takes to get their attention, that’s what we have to do. If we want to communicate with people, we can’t demand that they learn to understand our language. We have to understand and use theirs.
A recent article said that the model of evangelism that is based on inviting or attracting people to a church service or event no longer works for 60% of Americans. “Come to church” is not part of their operational vocabulary. What they are saying is, “If you want me, come to me.” If we don’t understand that, we effectively eliminate over half the population from our efforts at advancing the Kingdom of God.
God’s message never changes, but the way we communicate it must. Even Jesus used a variety of methods: sermons, stories, miracles; in synagogues, in homes, in fields; with individuals, with small groups, with large crowds.
Certainly we must keep up our efforts to attract people to church, because four out of every ten people are open to that. But we must also learn the language of those who consider themselves spiritual, even love Jesus, but don’t want to have anything to do with church.
Ezekiel would have been a very successful missionary. God said that if he sent Ezekiel to a foreign people with a difficult and obscure language, they would listen. But God did not call Ezekiel to be a missionary.
Why would God deliberately steer someone away from a ministry in which he would be successful? That’s not my topic here, but take note: just because you are good and successful at something, even something that seems like God’s work, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what God wants you doing with your life. Take the time to seek God until you receive his specific guidance for you. (In the meantime, do what seems best, trusting that God will let you know when it’s time for a change.)
God has sent me to Annapolis. With regard to that, I want to look at what may seem like a very minor point. God didn’t refer to the other nations as a people “who cannot understand your language.” He said, “whose language you cannot understand.” The emphasis was on Ezekiel’s ability to adapt to and understand the language of the people, not vice versa.
Shortly after being beginning my ministry at a previous church, I convened a staff meeting and asked why there was not a monthly newsletter. The answer was, “If people want to find out what’s going on at the church, they can call the office.”
To me, that’s totally backwards. We no longer live in a culture in which people seek out the church. We are the ones who are trying to get our message to them. If that means getting a newsletter physically into their house through the U.S. mail, or putting up a sign that is so big and clear that they can’t help but see it even if they aren’t looking for it, or whatever it takes to get their attention, that’s what we have to do. If we want to communicate with people, we can’t demand that they learn to understand our language. We have to understand and use theirs.
A recent article said that the model of evangelism that is based on inviting or attracting people to a church service or event no longer works for 60% of Americans. “Come to church” is not part of their operational vocabulary. What they are saying is, “If you want me, come to me.” If we don’t understand that, we effectively eliminate over half the population from our efforts at advancing the Kingdom of God.
God’s message never changes, but the way we communicate it must. Even Jesus used a variety of methods: sermons, stories, miracles; in synagogues, in homes, in fields; with individuals, with small groups, with large crowds.
Certainly we must keep up our efforts to attract people to church, because four out of every ten people are open to that. But we must also learn the language of those who consider themselves spiritual, even love Jesus, but don’t want to have anything to do with church.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Refocusing on Revival
It’s time to return to the original purpose of this blog. I apologize for the digressions of recent months. Let’s talk about revival!
Several years ago I attended Randy Clark’s School of Healing and Impartation at Washington Crossing United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania. While I was there, Pastor Scott McDermott prayed over me twice, on different days. Both times he used the words, “Ezekiel anointing.”
I took it as a word from the Lord. When I returned home, I re-read the book of Ezekiel, looking specifically for what God might have been saying to me through Scott. Here’s what I gleaned from it. It has come to form the basis of my understanding of revival.
Through a strange and unforgettable vision, God calls Ezekiel to go to his own people, those whose language he understands. God tells Ezekiel that though many will not listen, he must persevere in his message: warning people of God’s righteousness and judgment while encouraging them about God’s grace and promise of restoration. Ezekiel does this through a series of speeches and memorable prophetic actions.
In chapter 37 the story shifts to a series of visions, beginning with the famous valley of dry bones. As Ezekiel speaks God’s message over the bones – the same message of righteousness, judgment, grace and restoration – the power of the Holy Spirit brings them to life and forms them into a vast army.
The scene shifts again. This time Ezekiel sees a vision of God’s temple – not the stone temple which lay in ruins in Jerusalem, but the ideal which the stone temple was intended to represent: the dwelling place of God. From the temple flows a stream of water. As Ezekiel follows the stream farther from the temple, it becomes deeper and wider, and trees grow along the riverbank, with healing power in their leaves.
The New Testament uses the images of army and temple in referring to Christians. In other words, Ezekiel’s visions are pictures of the church.
More than that, these visions are pictures of what God wants each local church to be, at least in part. The farther Ezekiel got from the temple, the wider and deeper the river got. Water must have been flowing in from other sources. The only source of Holy Spirit water is Christians, whom Jesus said are to be fountains of living water. So the increasing size of the river speaks of the varied contributions of all the different local churches flowing together into one great river of life.
Taking this all together, I condensed it into what I believe is God’s personal mission statement for me: to go to my own people, whose language I understand, and, regardless of their response, to faithfully proclaim through word and action God’s message of righteousness and judgment, grace and restoration, prophesying the Holy Spirit over the dry bones to form them into a dwelling place for the manifest presence of God and a source of the river of living water that brings healing to the nations.
The people of Annapolis are certainly my own people. I grew up in the area. I don’t believe God is calling me to try to organize some big revival movement. But neither do I believe that God has called me to focus on building my own little local church empire. You can’t dam up living water. You can’t catch it all in a cistern inside the temple and keep it for yourself. The purpose of the river living water is to bring life and healing to all those who are outside the walls.
So that’s what I hope to focus on in this blog from now on. I appreciate your prayers and your comments.
Several years ago I attended Randy Clark’s School of Healing and Impartation at Washington Crossing United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania. While I was there, Pastor Scott McDermott prayed over me twice, on different days. Both times he used the words, “Ezekiel anointing.”
I took it as a word from the Lord. When I returned home, I re-read the book of Ezekiel, looking specifically for what God might have been saying to me through Scott. Here’s what I gleaned from it. It has come to form the basis of my understanding of revival.
Through a strange and unforgettable vision, God calls Ezekiel to go to his own people, those whose language he understands. God tells Ezekiel that though many will not listen, he must persevere in his message: warning people of God’s righteousness and judgment while encouraging them about God’s grace and promise of restoration. Ezekiel does this through a series of speeches and memorable prophetic actions.
In chapter 37 the story shifts to a series of visions, beginning with the famous valley of dry bones. As Ezekiel speaks God’s message over the bones – the same message of righteousness, judgment, grace and restoration – the power of the Holy Spirit brings them to life and forms them into a vast army.
The scene shifts again. This time Ezekiel sees a vision of God’s temple – not the stone temple which lay in ruins in Jerusalem, but the ideal which the stone temple was intended to represent: the dwelling place of God. From the temple flows a stream of water. As Ezekiel follows the stream farther from the temple, it becomes deeper and wider, and trees grow along the riverbank, with healing power in their leaves.
The New Testament uses the images of army and temple in referring to Christians. In other words, Ezekiel’s visions are pictures of the church.
More than that, these visions are pictures of what God wants each local church to be, at least in part. The farther Ezekiel got from the temple, the wider and deeper the river got. Water must have been flowing in from other sources. The only source of Holy Spirit water is Christians, whom Jesus said are to be fountains of living water. So the increasing size of the river speaks of the varied contributions of all the different local churches flowing together into one great river of life.
Taking this all together, I condensed it into what I believe is God’s personal mission statement for me: to go to my own people, whose language I understand, and, regardless of their response, to faithfully proclaim through word and action God’s message of righteousness and judgment, grace and restoration, prophesying the Holy Spirit over the dry bones to form them into a dwelling place for the manifest presence of God and a source of the river of living water that brings healing to the nations.
The people of Annapolis are certainly my own people. I grew up in the area. I don’t believe God is calling me to try to organize some big revival movement. But neither do I believe that God has called me to focus on building my own little local church empire. You can’t dam up living water. You can’t catch it all in a cistern inside the temple and keep it for yourself. The purpose of the river living water is to bring life and healing to all those who are outside the walls.
So that’s what I hope to focus on in this blog from now on. I appreciate your prayers and your comments.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thank you, Stan and Jen!
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. – 1 Timothy 5:17
Most of us wouldn’t call Stan and Jen Bice “elders.” But they are older than the teens in our Trinity youth group. Since 2003 they have done a wonderful job of “preaching and teaching” and even “ruling” (in the words of 1 Timothy 5:17) our Trinity youth group. Now that they are stepping down from that position in order to give their growing son Corey the attention he needs, I want to be sure we give them “double honor.” They certainly deserve it.
For seven years Stan and Jen have selflessly given of their time and their hearts to the young people of Trinity Church. They have been there for them in times of fun and times of crisis. They have played games with them, taught them, listened to them, counseled them, and encouraged them. They have provided a shining example of what a Christian relationship between a guy and a girl should look like. They have taken their vacation time to attend youth leader training events.
Young people today face problems and pressures most of us even one generation older can’t begin to imagine. Stan and Jen have been there to help our kids navigate these rocky waters with grace and faith.
In twenty-nine years of ministry I have worked with many youth leaders, paid and unpaid. I can say unequivocally that Stan and Jen are among the best I have ever worked with.
In the past, Trinity has had paid youth directors. As we are in the process now of returning to that once again, I urge everyone to make a point of thanking Stan and Jen Bice, unpaid servants, for the difference they have made in the lives of many, many young people, and in the life of Trinity Church.
Thank you, Stan and Jen! You’re the best!
Blessings,
David Wentz
Most of us wouldn’t call Stan and Jen Bice “elders.” But they are older than the teens in our Trinity youth group. Since 2003 they have done a wonderful job of “preaching and teaching” and even “ruling” (in the words of 1 Timothy 5:17) our Trinity youth group. Now that they are stepping down from that position in order to give their growing son Corey the attention he needs, I want to be sure we give them “double honor.” They certainly deserve it.
For seven years Stan and Jen have selflessly given of their time and their hearts to the young people of Trinity Church. They have been there for them in times of fun and times of crisis. They have played games with them, taught them, listened to them, counseled them, and encouraged them. They have provided a shining example of what a Christian relationship between a guy and a girl should look like. They have taken their vacation time to attend youth leader training events.
Young people today face problems and pressures most of us even one generation older can’t begin to imagine. Stan and Jen have been there to help our kids navigate these rocky waters with grace and faith.
In twenty-nine years of ministry I have worked with many youth leaders, paid and unpaid. I can say unequivocally that Stan and Jen are among the best I have ever worked with.
In the past, Trinity has had paid youth directors. As we are in the process now of returning to that once again, I urge everyone to make a point of thanking Stan and Jen Bice, unpaid servants, for the difference they have made in the lives of many, many young people, and in the life of Trinity Church.
Thank you, Stan and Jen! You’re the best!
Blessings,
David Wentz
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Haiti and Holy Week
Last night (Friday, March 27) Trinity Church was honored to host a marvelously eclectic concert of music to benefit long-term care of orphans in Haiti. Organized by David Slade of the SladeChild Foundation, a great collection of local jazz, blues and worship musicians donated their time, and the appreciative audience donated approximately $1500, 100% of which will go to Haitian orphan care.
I think this was a tremendous way to lead into Holy Week. But the way many people approach the week before Easter, they might miss the connection entirely.
Holy Week, sometimes called Easter Week, starts and ends with celebrations. Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, recalls the cheering of the crowds as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the deliverer promised by God. They cheered, sang, and made a carpet of palm branches and their own coats to keep the road dust down as the donkey carried Jesus.
At Trinity, we will celebrate that tomorrow (March 28) with the premier presentation of “Majesty on a Donkey,” an original cantata for praise band (we call it a Praisata), written by our own George Lewis, at the 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday services.
Holy Week ends with Easter, which celebrates the fact that Jesus rose from the dead as a guarantee that all who put their faith in him will also rise from physical death to eternal life. Trinity, like churches everywhere, will be bursting with music, praise and joy.
But there’s a third name for Holy Week or Easter Week: Passion Week. The passion of the Christ, as many people know from the movie by that name, was a horrible episode of betrayal and sadistic torture that Jesus endured in between those Sundays. When the formerly-cheering crowds discovered that Jesus had come to deliver them from spiritual bondage, not from the Roman army that occupied their country, they turned on him. He was beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross to die. And in so doing, he paid the price for all the sins of all the people of the world.
That’s why we celebrate. And that’s why I think it is so appropriate to lead into Holy Week by doing something to help Haitian children orphaned by a massive earthquake. Because the children in Haiti are suffering. And if you take away the Sundays, Holy Week is all about suffering. Jesus knows what those children are going through, and Jesus cares.
Some people might wonder about jazz and blues music in church, especially leading into Holy Week. But the Bible says, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress, and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27). I think a concert that raises money to help orphans is the purest form of religion.
So have a wonderful Holy Week. Celebrate Palm Sunday! Celebrate Easter! But find a church service on Maundy (Holy) Thursday or Good Friday to remember what the celebration is all about. If you live near Annapolis, we'd love to see you at our service at Trinity on 7:30pm Thursday. Many people say it is one of the most moving services of the year. Or join the 24-hour prayer vigil starting at 8:00am Friday, organized by our youth.
And remember: in Haiti the ground has stopped shaking, but the work has just begun.
I think this was a tremendous way to lead into Holy Week. But the way many people approach the week before Easter, they might miss the connection entirely.
Holy Week, sometimes called Easter Week, starts and ends with celebrations. Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, recalls the cheering of the crowds as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the deliverer promised by God. They cheered, sang, and made a carpet of palm branches and their own coats to keep the road dust down as the donkey carried Jesus.
At Trinity, we will celebrate that tomorrow (March 28) with the premier presentation of “Majesty on a Donkey,” an original cantata for praise band (we call it a Praisata), written by our own George Lewis, at the 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday services.
Holy Week ends with Easter, which celebrates the fact that Jesus rose from the dead as a guarantee that all who put their faith in him will also rise from physical death to eternal life. Trinity, like churches everywhere, will be bursting with music, praise and joy.
But there’s a third name for Holy Week or Easter Week: Passion Week. The passion of the Christ, as many people know from the movie by that name, was a horrible episode of betrayal and sadistic torture that Jesus endured in between those Sundays. When the formerly-cheering crowds discovered that Jesus had come to deliver them from spiritual bondage, not from the Roman army that occupied their country, they turned on him. He was beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross to die. And in so doing, he paid the price for all the sins of all the people of the world.
That’s why we celebrate. And that’s why I think it is so appropriate to lead into Holy Week by doing something to help Haitian children orphaned by a massive earthquake. Because the children in Haiti are suffering. And if you take away the Sundays, Holy Week is all about suffering. Jesus knows what those children are going through, and Jesus cares.
Some people might wonder about jazz and blues music in church, especially leading into Holy Week. But the Bible says, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress, and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27). I think a concert that raises money to help orphans is the purest form of religion.
So have a wonderful Holy Week. Celebrate Palm Sunday! Celebrate Easter! But find a church service on Maundy (Holy) Thursday or Good Friday to remember what the celebration is all about. If you live near Annapolis, we'd love to see you at our service at Trinity on 7:30pm Thursday. Many people say it is one of the most moving services of the year. Or join the 24-hour prayer vigil starting at 8:00am Friday, organized by our youth.
And remember: in Haiti the ground has stopped shaking, but the work has just begun.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Fourteen Rules for Happy Relationships
From marriage to work to the clerk in the store, it’s all about how you treat people. Jesus said, “Treat other people the way you would want them to treat you.” Here are fourteen specific ways to apply it.
1. Smile
2. Take the initiative - most people are insecure, so say “Hi” first
3. Set the tone for every interaction by projecting the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
4. Look for God’s image in everyone
5. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative – choose to focus on things you like about the other person and things they are doing right
6. Watch your mouth – Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement (Ephesians 4:29)
7. Pay attention – To get anything worthwhile you have to pay something, to get a good relationship you have to pay attention
8. Don’t take offense – choose to give the benefit of the doubt
9. Give the defense a rest – proving your innocence is not always the most important thing
10. Look for win-win – relationships are not a zero-sum game
11. Ask, “Which is more important: getting my way, or this relationship?”
12. Pray God’s blessings for the other person
13. Look for ways to be God’s blessing for the other person
14. Love ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out
What if it still doesn’t work? “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). A relationship is a two-way street, and some people just won’t cooperate. Don’t let them make you feel guilty about it.
1. Smile
2. Take the initiative - most people are insecure, so say “Hi” first
3. Set the tone for every interaction by projecting the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
4. Look for God’s image in everyone
5. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative – choose to focus on things you like about the other person and things they are doing right
6. Watch your mouth – Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement (Ephesians 4:29)
7. Pay attention – To get anything worthwhile you have to pay something, to get a good relationship you have to pay attention
8. Don’t take offense – choose to give the benefit of the doubt
9. Give the defense a rest – proving your innocence is not always the most important thing
10. Look for win-win – relationships are not a zero-sum game
11. Ask, “Which is more important: getting my way, or this relationship?”
12. Pray God’s blessings for the other person
13. Look for ways to be God’s blessing for the other person
14. Love ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out
What if it still doesn’t work? “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). A relationship is a two-way street, and some people just won’t cooperate. Don’t let them make you feel guilty about it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
It Feels Good to Get Something Done
Three years ago I was invited to speak at a conference on the Holy Spirit in Turkey. Being invited to speak anywhere is exciting. Being invited to speak on the Holy Spirit is really exciting. But being asked to do it for the Christians in Turkey, which is 99.7% Muslim, is downright cool.
A year later I was invited back to lead conferences for Turkish pastors and church leaders in two cities. I will be going back to do the same again in September.
There are fewer than 100 churches in Turkey, a country of over 70 million people. About half of the churches are in Istanbul. Few of them have been in existence longer than about ten years. As a result, there are very few experienced pastors in Turkey. There are also very few Christian books available in Turkish, and none that I know of on the practical aspects of administering a church. That may explain why my talks on that subject were so well received.
In the last year I have been working intermittently on expanding my notes into a book that can be translated and made available to Turkish pastors and church leaders. It will be in three sections, on the pastor, the local church, and the wider church. This morning I hit a milestone. I finished the first draft of the first section!
I know what you're thinking. "You've been working a year, and you just finished the first draft of the first third of the book?" In a word, yes. And it feels good. If you've ever worked a long time of a big project, you can identify.
Please pray that it is useful, and that I finish the rest of it more quickly. (As many of you know, the biggest problem is setting aside time to work on it regularly.)
And please pray for God's work in Turkey.
A year later I was invited back to lead conferences for Turkish pastors and church leaders in two cities. I will be going back to do the same again in September.
There are fewer than 100 churches in Turkey, a country of over 70 million people. About half of the churches are in Istanbul. Few of them have been in existence longer than about ten years. As a result, there are very few experienced pastors in Turkey. There are also very few Christian books available in Turkish, and none that I know of on the practical aspects of administering a church. That may explain why my talks on that subject were so well received.
In the last year I have been working intermittently on expanding my notes into a book that can be translated and made available to Turkish pastors and church leaders. It will be in three sections, on the pastor, the local church, and the wider church. This morning I hit a milestone. I finished the first draft of the first section!
I know what you're thinking. "You've been working a year, and you just finished the first draft of the first third of the book?" In a word, yes. And it feels good. If you've ever worked a long time of a big project, you can identify.
Please pray that it is useful, and that I finish the rest of it more quickly. (As many of you know, the biggest problem is setting aside time to work on it regularly.)
And please pray for God's work in Turkey.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I Am No Longer My Own
“I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.” - John Wesley, founder of Methodism
A spiritually significant event happened in the Sunday morning services on February 14. The people of Trinity United Methodist Church formally and officially renewed our recognition and acknowledgement that Trinity Church does not belong to us, but to God.
We did that by praying together John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer, printed above.
I know this is not the first time the people of Trinity have prayed that prayer. In fact, when I first moved into the pastor’s office here, I found several copies of a Covenant Service in which that same prayer had been used. Nonetheless, I believe it was a significant act.
I spent most of the sermon time talking about what it means to tell God that we “freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.” I told of two churches who have prayed that prayer. For one, God chose to “let it be full” and “let it have all things.” It’s now one of the largest United Methodist churches in the world. The other church was one of the largest United Methodist churches in its area when they prayed that prayer. God chose, at least for a time, to “let it be brought low.” (You can hear the sermon at www.trinityannapolis.org.)
When a church prays the Wesley Covenant Prayer, there is no guarantee which way God will take it. On February 14 the Trinity congregation heard the possibilities, took time to search their hearts, and were invited to freely pray it or not. It sounded to me as if almost everyone chose to pray it.
When we acknowledge that the church belongs to God and not to us, then it’s up to God what he wants to do with it. We know that it will be for the greater good, but it may not seem to be for our local good, at least at first.
I’m blessed that Trinity is a people who understand this. For instance, many were very skeptical of putting a big screen up in the front of our beautiful traditional sanctuary, but you were willing to go along with it if that’s what it takes to reach people who don’t know Jesus. And most of us have found now that we actually are glad to have the screen. Going along with God’s plan doesn’t have to be painful.
Of course, all this applies when we pray the same prayer for our own individual lives. Do you trust God that much?
So we’ve prayed the prayer. What will happen now? I believe that God will choose to take Trinity’s yieldedness to his will and turn that to something that, like the video screen, will not only bless our community but bless us as well. I can’t guarantee that, but it’s a feeling I have.
God has a plan for Annapolis. Trinity Church has now publicly said to God, “Whatever you need us to do to make your plan happen, we’ll do it.” I’m excited to see how God is going to answer that prayer. I don’t think we’ll have long to wait.
A spiritually significant event happened in the Sunday morning services on February 14. The people of Trinity United Methodist Church formally and officially renewed our recognition and acknowledgement that Trinity Church does not belong to us, but to God.
We did that by praying together John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer, printed above.
I know this is not the first time the people of Trinity have prayed that prayer. In fact, when I first moved into the pastor’s office here, I found several copies of a Covenant Service in which that same prayer had been used. Nonetheless, I believe it was a significant act.
I spent most of the sermon time talking about what it means to tell God that we “freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.” I told of two churches who have prayed that prayer. For one, God chose to “let it be full” and “let it have all things.” It’s now one of the largest United Methodist churches in the world. The other church was one of the largest United Methodist churches in its area when they prayed that prayer. God chose, at least for a time, to “let it be brought low.” (You can hear the sermon at www.trinityannapolis.org.)
When a church prays the Wesley Covenant Prayer, there is no guarantee which way God will take it. On February 14 the Trinity congregation heard the possibilities, took time to search their hearts, and were invited to freely pray it or not. It sounded to me as if almost everyone chose to pray it.
When we acknowledge that the church belongs to God and not to us, then it’s up to God what he wants to do with it. We know that it will be for the greater good, but it may not seem to be for our local good, at least at first.
I’m blessed that Trinity is a people who understand this. For instance, many were very skeptical of putting a big screen up in the front of our beautiful traditional sanctuary, but you were willing to go along with it if that’s what it takes to reach people who don’t know Jesus. And most of us have found now that we actually are glad to have the screen. Going along with God’s plan doesn’t have to be painful.
Of course, all this applies when we pray the same prayer for our own individual lives. Do you trust God that much?
So we’ve prayed the prayer. What will happen now? I believe that God will choose to take Trinity’s yieldedness to his will and turn that to something that, like the video screen, will not only bless our community but bless us as well. I can’t guarantee that, but it’s a feeling I have.
God has a plan for Annapolis. Trinity Church has now publicly said to God, “Whatever you need us to do to make your plan happen, we’ll do it.” I’m excited to see how God is going to answer that prayer. I don’t think we’ll have long to wait.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Snow Day
As I write this we are in the middle of what will probably be called “The Blizzard of 2010.” I’d guess we have at least fifteen inches of snow on the ground, and forecasters are calling for five to ten inches more by the time it’s over.
Some people have to work during a snowstorm, and I thank God for the plow drivers, first responders, power line crews, and others.
But for most of us, especially if we don’t lose electricity, a snow day is something we look forward to. I know it is for me.
A snow day is a chance to just sit back and relax. Nobody expects us to go to the office. Nobody expects us to run any errands. Nobody expects us to work in the yard or drive anyone anywhere.
So what do we do instead? Read by the fire. Work a puzzle. Play a game. Drink hot chocolate. Odds are the whole family is there in the house together, which may not happen often anymore, and we can do these things together. We might go out and build a snowman or have a snowball battle. Or we might just sit and talk to each other – which most of us need a lot more of.
And when it’s over, you feel good. You feel relaxed. You feel refreshed and rejuvenated. And you may think, “Wow, we ought to do that more often.”
You know what? God thinks so, too. In fact, God thinks it’s so important that he made it one of the Ten Commandments. One day out of every seven. The Bible calls it “sabbath.” It’s a time to rest, relax, be with family and friends, and be with God.
Your body needs it. Your mind needs it – just ask a doctor how many health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress. Your spirit needs it. Your family needs it.
Don’t wait for a snow day to force you to obey the Fourth Commandment. Do it every week. Start with church, which refreshes your spirit in worship and refreshes your soul by being around a wonderful bunch of people. Then spend the rest of the day doing things you enjoy and you aren’t required to do. You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make for you the rest of the week.
God didn’t command us to take a weekly snow day because he likes rules. He did it because he loves you. So enjoy it!
Some people have to work during a snowstorm, and I thank God for the plow drivers, first responders, power line crews, and others.
But for most of us, especially if we don’t lose electricity, a snow day is something we look forward to. I know it is for me.
A snow day is a chance to just sit back and relax. Nobody expects us to go to the office. Nobody expects us to run any errands. Nobody expects us to work in the yard or drive anyone anywhere.
So what do we do instead? Read by the fire. Work a puzzle. Play a game. Drink hot chocolate. Odds are the whole family is there in the house together, which may not happen often anymore, and we can do these things together. We might go out and build a snowman or have a snowball battle. Or we might just sit and talk to each other – which most of us need a lot more of.
And when it’s over, you feel good. You feel relaxed. You feel refreshed and rejuvenated. And you may think, “Wow, we ought to do that more often.”
You know what? God thinks so, too. In fact, God thinks it’s so important that he made it one of the Ten Commandments. One day out of every seven. The Bible calls it “sabbath.” It’s a time to rest, relax, be with family and friends, and be with God.
Your body needs it. Your mind needs it – just ask a doctor how many health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress. Your spirit needs it. Your family needs it.
Don’t wait for a snow day to force you to obey the Fourth Commandment. Do it every week. Start with church, which refreshes your spirit in worship and refreshes your soul by being around a wonderful bunch of people. Then spend the rest of the day doing things you enjoy and you aren’t required to do. You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make for you the rest of the week.
God didn’t command us to take a weekly snow day because he likes rules. He did it because he loves you. So enjoy it!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
What We're All About
It's a well-known fact that people who read Revival Fire Annapolis are exceptionally knowledgeable and intelligent (not to mention good-looking). As such, I would like your help with something.
We're doing some work on our Trinity Church website right now. As of this writing, none of the changes are published, they are still in draft stage. One of the things we are adding is some explanation to go with our vision statement: "Jesus: It’s all about H.I.M. - Hosting God’s presence, Imitating Jesus, and Making him known."
The below is what I wrote to go on the first page of our website. I would love to hear your thoughts. Is it clear? Is it engaging? If you were looking for a church, would this make you more likely to try Trinity? Is there anything about it that doesn't seem right?
I really appreciated the insightful comments I received on an earlier posting. Please let me know what you think of this. Thanks!
"Jesus: It’s all about H.I.M. - Hosting God’s presence, Imitating Jesus, and Making him known.
Hosting God's presence: God created people to share his love, so God's great desire is to live with his people. Our great desire is to be a people God wants to live with, comfortably and freely expressing himself to us, in us, and through us. We want everyone who comes among us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are in the presence of the living God who loves you, and a church of people who want to love you as well.
Imitating Jesus: As a church, our job is to help each other become more and more like Jesus. This means growing in the four great characteristics of Jesus, by the power of the same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus and who now lives in every Christian.
• Spirit-filled character - Jesus always demonstrated the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We want to do the same.
• Spirit-led wisdom - Jesus always knew what to do as he followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We want to do the same.
• Spirit-powered actions - Jesus brought God's miraculous power to help in time of need. We want to do the same.
• Spirit-motivated multiplication - Jesus invited and equipped others to join him in advancing the Kingdom of God. We want to do the same.
Making him known: This is too good to keep to ourselves. We work to equip, motivate and encourage every Christian to carry the presence of God in love and power everywhere they go, to everyone they meet. And we want every small group of Christians to be ready to be the church and do church any time, any place, with anybody.
We base this on the following passages from the Bible: Revelation 21:3; Ephesians 4:13; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:14; Acts 1:8 and John 14:12; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:4-8."
We're doing some work on our Trinity Church website right now. As of this writing, none of the changes are published, they are still in draft stage. One of the things we are adding is some explanation to go with our vision statement: "Jesus: It’s all about H.I.M. - Hosting God’s presence, Imitating Jesus, and Making him known."
The below is what I wrote to go on the first page of our website. I would love to hear your thoughts. Is it clear? Is it engaging? If you were looking for a church, would this make you more likely to try Trinity? Is there anything about it that doesn't seem right?
I really appreciated the insightful comments I received on an earlier posting. Please let me know what you think of this. Thanks!
"Jesus: It’s all about H.I.M. - Hosting God’s presence, Imitating Jesus, and Making him known.
Hosting God's presence: God created people to share his love, so God's great desire is to live with his people. Our great desire is to be a people God wants to live with, comfortably and freely expressing himself to us, in us, and through us. We want everyone who comes among us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are in the presence of the living God who loves you, and a church of people who want to love you as well.
Imitating Jesus: As a church, our job is to help each other become more and more like Jesus. This means growing in the four great characteristics of Jesus, by the power of the same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus and who now lives in every Christian.
• Spirit-filled character - Jesus always demonstrated the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We want to do the same.
• Spirit-led wisdom - Jesus always knew what to do as he followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We want to do the same.
• Spirit-powered actions - Jesus brought God's miraculous power to help in time of need. We want to do the same.
• Spirit-motivated multiplication - Jesus invited and equipped others to join him in advancing the Kingdom of God. We want to do the same.
Making him known: This is too good to keep to ourselves. We work to equip, motivate and encourage every Christian to carry the presence of God in love and power everywhere they go, to everyone they meet. And we want every small group of Christians to be ready to be the church and do church any time, any place, with anybody.
We base this on the following passages from the Bible: Revelation 21:3; Ephesians 4:13; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:14; Acts 1:8 and John 14:12; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:4-8."
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Most Natural Way to Connect with God
What is the best, most natural, most spiritual way for human beings to connect with God? What spiritual practices result in the greatest spiritual passion and fulfillment?
Some say it's all about the Bible. Others say no, the Bible is good, but the Bible is really just to point us toward the real thing, which is experiencing God's power.
Wait, another one says. If you really want to connect with God, go in a closet and close the door and stay there. But that idea freaks out somebody else, who really finds God best by taking a walk in the woods.
As a pastor and a musician, I have had to faced the frustrating fact that in Sunday morning worship services, some people put up with the music in order to get to the sermon, while others endure the sermon as the price they have to pay to hear the music.
And then there are those who say all that is OK, but Christianity is all about serving people, and the only way to truly connect with God is by actively serving someone in need.
Who's right?
All of the above.
Two recent books each outline nine different ways in which different people most naturally connect with God. Christian Schwarz, in The Three Colors of Your Spirituality, calls these spiritual styles. Gary Thomas, in Sacred Pathways, calls them spiritual temperaments. Every denomination and tradition contains people of each style or temperament. The key to spiritual growth is first to discover your natural or native syle or temperament (both books provide help in this), and then to intentionally develop an appreciation for the others.
The point is that no one way is right for everyone, and no way is wrong (as long as it leads you to Jesus, as Jesus is described in the Bible). No one way is more or less spiritual or Christlike. But when we all work together and pool our connection with God, then we have something awesome.
Some say it's all about the Bible. Others say no, the Bible is good, but the Bible is really just to point us toward the real thing, which is experiencing God's power.
Wait, another one says. If you really want to connect with God, go in a closet and close the door and stay there. But that idea freaks out somebody else, who really finds God best by taking a walk in the woods.
As a pastor and a musician, I have had to faced the frustrating fact that in Sunday morning worship services, some people put up with the music in order to get to the sermon, while others endure the sermon as the price they have to pay to hear the music.
And then there are those who say all that is OK, but Christianity is all about serving people, and the only way to truly connect with God is by actively serving someone in need.
Who's right?
All of the above.
Two recent books each outline nine different ways in which different people most naturally connect with God. Christian Schwarz, in The Three Colors of Your Spirituality, calls these spiritual styles. Gary Thomas, in Sacred Pathways, calls them spiritual temperaments. Every denomination and tradition contains people of each style or temperament. The key to spiritual growth is first to discover your natural or native syle or temperament (both books provide help in this), and then to intentionally develop an appreciation for the others.
The point is that no one way is right for everyone, and no way is wrong (as long as it leads you to Jesus, as Jesus is described in the Bible). No one way is more or less spiritual or Christlike. But when we all work together and pool our connection with God, then we have something awesome.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
"Why?" Is the Wrong Question
The prayers and thoughts of people all over the world are with the people of Haiti, and those trying to help them. The last estimate I read said they expect 200,000 deaths from the earthquake, with countless more injured and homeless, without medical care, shelter, food or even water.
When terrible disasters happen - and it seems like we've had a lot of them lately - it's only natural to ask, "Why?" If God is real and God is good, why do things like this happen?
It's amazing how much time and effort people put into trying to find an answer to that question, and the number of different answers they come up with.
"Why?" is a natural question. But I think it's the wrong one.
I'll be talking about that tomorrow morning in my sermon. I won't ignore the "why," but I will be trying to shift us to something I believe is more relevant: what God expects of us in the face of such things. If you can't make it, it should be available in the form of a podcast on the church website by Tuesday.
In the meantime, the two great needs for Haiti right now are prayers and cash. You can pray by just talking to God, wherever you are, in whatever language feels right to you, right now. You can donate at church, or through a number of online sites. I recommend www.umc.org. The United Methodist Church has an excellent emergency/disaster relief program, and 100% of your gift goes straight to the need, because the denomination covers the overhead.
When terrible disasters happen - and it seems like we've had a lot of them lately - it's only natural to ask, "Why?" If God is real and God is good, why do things like this happen?
It's amazing how much time and effort people put into trying to find an answer to that question, and the number of different answers they come up with.
"Why?" is a natural question. But I think it's the wrong one.
I'll be talking about that tomorrow morning in my sermon. I won't ignore the "why," but I will be trying to shift us to something I believe is more relevant: what God expects of us in the face of such things. If you can't make it, it should be available in the form of a podcast on the church website by Tuesday.
In the meantime, the two great needs for Haiti right now are prayers and cash. You can pray by just talking to God, wherever you are, in whatever language feels right to you, right now. You can donate at church, or through a number of online sites. I recommend www.umc.org. The United Methodist Church has an excellent emergency/disaster relief program, and 100% of your gift goes straight to the need, because the denomination covers the overhead.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
What If I Didn't Get Healed? (Or Stay Healed?)
A few months ago Trinity Church hosted a guest speaker who led a weekend of healing services. There were some amazing reports of miraculous healings. Many of those who were healed are enjoying their new freedom. Praise the Lord for that!
But some people received prayer and didn't get healed. And others had their symptoms disappear, only to have them return again.
What's going on?
Some people say this kind of thing proves God doesn't really heal, it's all in people's heads. Others say it proves God is capricious or arbitrary or he plays favorites. Some say if you didn't get healed, you don't have enough faith, or the person praying didn't have enough faith, or the church doesn't have enough faith. Some say if something doesn't work every time, it isn't scientific, so forget it.
I don't buy any of that.
People don't get healed every time they go to a doctor. Does that mean all medicine is a fake?
People who do find relief through medicine sometimes find their symptoms returning. Does that mean we should forget the whole thing?
I believe God wants us well. The Bible refers to Christians as the children of God, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the army of God. What loving Father wants his children sick? What head wants its body sick? What groom wants his bride sick? What general wants the army sick?
God so much wants us to be well that he has given us numerous redundant systems to make it happen.
In the natural realm, God put healing in our bodies through an incredible immune system. He gives us medicines, surgery, nutrition, exercise, and alternative therapies.
In the supernatural, the Bible describes a wide range of ways in which miraculous healings are ministered. I have seen people healed in many of these ways.
For a long time I didn't pay a lot of attention to the subject of healing, though I always believed in it and prayed for it and from time to time would see miracles.
Recently, though, God has brought this much more to my attention. In fact, I'm currently working on a book about what I believe are some neglected aspects of the subject. I appreciate your prayers for this project.
The ultimate healing, of course, comes after the death of this mortal body. That's when we receive our new resurrection bodies, fit for eternity. But God wants us well in this life.
God's will is not always done on earth as it is in heaven - that's why Jesus told us, in the Lord's Prayer, to pray for that to happen more. So sometimes people are not well. But that doesn't mean sickness is God's will.
To paraphrase Dr. Robert Tuttle, it's not a sin to be sick and die. But it is a sin to allow someone to be sick and die without doing everything we can to alleviate it.
That includes physical and spiritual remedies.
So I'm learning what I can, and doing what I can. I don't think any of us can do less.
P.S. I always appreciate comments, but I would really like to hear from you about this subject, especially if you have stories or questions.
But some people received prayer and didn't get healed. And others had their symptoms disappear, only to have them return again.
What's going on?
Some people say this kind of thing proves God doesn't really heal, it's all in people's heads. Others say it proves God is capricious or arbitrary or he plays favorites. Some say if you didn't get healed, you don't have enough faith, or the person praying didn't have enough faith, or the church doesn't have enough faith. Some say if something doesn't work every time, it isn't scientific, so forget it.
I don't buy any of that.
People don't get healed every time they go to a doctor. Does that mean all medicine is a fake?
People who do find relief through medicine sometimes find their symptoms returning. Does that mean we should forget the whole thing?
I believe God wants us well. The Bible refers to Christians as the children of God, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the army of God. What loving Father wants his children sick? What head wants its body sick? What groom wants his bride sick? What general wants the army sick?
God so much wants us to be well that he has given us numerous redundant systems to make it happen.
In the natural realm, God put healing in our bodies through an incredible immune system. He gives us medicines, surgery, nutrition, exercise, and alternative therapies.
In the supernatural, the Bible describes a wide range of ways in which miraculous healings are ministered. I have seen people healed in many of these ways.
For a long time I didn't pay a lot of attention to the subject of healing, though I always believed in it and prayed for it and from time to time would see miracles.
Recently, though, God has brought this much more to my attention. In fact, I'm currently working on a book about what I believe are some neglected aspects of the subject. I appreciate your prayers for this project.
The ultimate healing, of course, comes after the death of this mortal body. That's when we receive our new resurrection bodies, fit for eternity. But God wants us well in this life.
God's will is not always done on earth as it is in heaven - that's why Jesus told us, in the Lord's Prayer, to pray for that to happen more. So sometimes people are not well. But that doesn't mean sickness is God's will.
To paraphrase Dr. Robert Tuttle, it's not a sin to be sick and die. But it is a sin to allow someone to be sick and die without doing everything we can to alleviate it.
That includes physical and spiritual remedies.
So I'm learning what I can, and doing what I can. I don't think any of us can do less.
P.S. I always appreciate comments, but I would really like to hear from you about this subject, especially if you have stories or questions.
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