It seems I have drifted far and away from my personal mission statement. However I can come back to it whenever I want and today I need some focus. In the past few weeks I have been around the world or so it seems, with the mission I do, receive, live in, and otherwise am affected by.
I am back to that radio devotion time and it always amazes me how many people comment on my devotions. One in particular I got 3 phone calls, one email (request to use) and a card of thanks in the mail. I begin to wonder what that means in my qwest to serve the kingdom. I have mentioned the spiritual gifts inventory, I have spent considerable time with hospice patients, their families and staff at facilities where they reside. There are issues with parishinors both religious and personal. My personal life is at this point in an emotional upheaval that I cannot discuss at the moment. My youngest brother is facing possible long term jail time. Close to me is at the moment the only stable part of life, other than a brand new 16 year old.
So I set here to consider what this all adds up to be in a mission statement. No clue but something seems to be getting clearer and I don't even know what that is.
Maybe it is my seeing the kingdom of God and my role in it. Or maybe it is seeing the role we are all called to be in it. I truly believe that kingdom living is not difficult and that we likely won't see great changes in our actual day to day existence. What will be seen is a different perspective for that existence.
I just took The Hermeneutics Quiz and discovered I am one of the confused moderates. Well that isn't exactly what it says but I am a moderate which likely lends me to a mediator of sorts between the other extremes. This just adds another layer to the already jumbled pile.
I am beginning to believe that we are all in this mess and what we do here is important. The mess we are in is less important than our response to it.
I suppose the mission statement is developing more and more along the lines of "I am a child of God who finds himself in a place of hope and leadership. A called into action person of faith in Jesus Christ to work for the strengthening of the kingdom and called to care for the lost, confused, and needy within the world where I find myself. A proclaimer of hope, a lifter of the downtrodden, and a seeker of spiritual connectedness with the creator."
I don't know if that speaks anything real or not so will offer that to all of you for your comment. WaynO
Friday, February 29, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Buildings and such
Well I got some reponse from the last post. I posted earlier that my spiritual gifts inventory pointed to me being a prophet and the exhortation accompanied that. Maybe that is the reason I feel so compelled to speak some of the burning questions that lurk inside me to the people. I get this driving need of expression and find little to express it to. I began blogging for this very reason and it really has helped.
For one thing I discovered a lot of you out there are suffering with similar issues. The church is too authoritative. The claim is that the Word of God holds the authority yet it is forced to be read a certain way, or followed a certain way, or used a certain way.
In the last week I have been in two situations that challenged the authority of those in position. The first was two presbyteries (middle governing bodies) trying to work together. We came with places for that to happen and then needed to get permission. I was amazed, I don't need permission to work with another person! And if I do then I do not need the hassle. Conclusion is we begin the work and report on it, Whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next was a presbytery trying to streamline the installation of pastors. Discovered we had not been given permission. My question, is it forbidden. Had to give the body present cudoos as they voted to not follow the book. (not the Bible the other book)
So tomorrow I begin on the journey of calling 2 churches to task of finding a place for us to be part of the kingdom. To really examine ourselves and see what missional, emerging, or some other tag line fits us. Seek a way in the world where we can be what the original church plant in the presbyterian process was about. "God calls a church into being for a purpose in the location it is being called to being in."
My thought is, if it cannot identify that calling then it ought to close so someone can be called there. We really have a purpose and need to find it.
Boy I really get wrapped up in this stuff. I think I need to get back to the mission statement for me.
Pastor WaynO
For one thing I discovered a lot of you out there are suffering with similar issues. The church is too authoritative. The claim is that the Word of God holds the authority yet it is forced to be read a certain way, or followed a certain way, or used a certain way.
In the last week I have been in two situations that challenged the authority of those in position. The first was two presbyteries (middle governing bodies) trying to work together. We came with places for that to happen and then needed to get permission. I was amazed, I don't need permission to work with another person! And if I do then I do not need the hassle. Conclusion is we begin the work and report on it, Whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next was a presbytery trying to streamline the installation of pastors. Discovered we had not been given permission. My question, is it forbidden. Had to give the body present cudoos as they voted to not follow the book. (not the Bible the other book)
So tomorrow I begin on the journey of calling 2 churches to task of finding a place for us to be part of the kingdom. To really examine ourselves and see what missional, emerging, or some other tag line fits us. Seek a way in the world where we can be what the original church plant in the presbyterian process was about. "God calls a church into being for a purpose in the location it is being called to being in."
My thought is, if it cannot identify that calling then it ought to close so someone can be called there. We really have a purpose and need to find it.
Boy I really get wrapped up in this stuff. I think I need to get back to the mission statement for me.
Pastor WaynO
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
letter to the church
This is my latest attempt to agrivate (only kidding), no to stimulate some conversation about a new kind of place and worship. WaynO
From the Pastor,
I sit here looking forward, trying to peer into the future and see the Easter story. To see where it touches me and where it reaches deep into that inner place each of us hold so tightly closed. To take a little peek inside the story is to look into the heart of God. Seeing just what the sacrifice was that is so special and why it had to be what it was. Looking to try and find my own story of grace and life within the greater story of love and compassion. This is a story of offerings and commitment, one of callings and gifts. There within the story is something surprising, something we never expect to see.
This probably sounds a bit confusing or maybe that I am moving in circles but it is still the Lenten season and we are still in the darkness before the light so dig a little deeper within and see what is there. Look in those secret places and in the dusty, long forgotten recesses of the mind and spirit. Look inside and find your own story and where it is completed by Easter. See where it is made whole by Easter. As you search and seek I have some thoughts for you to ponder on.
The first one that has come to my mind and is stirring within me some controversy is, "does the church need a building?" Before you get upset think this through. I sat with some of the ladies after "Happy Hour" at Good Sam and I asked this question. I got varied and hesitant answers. Does the church need a building?
If you said yes then justify the building. What is it for? How much is it used? What are the expenses of having it?
If you said no, well just where will we meet? How will we have funeral dinners? What would we do with the one we have?
Next question I asked is does the church need a pastor? Same thing as the building, if yes then why, what for, what are the expenses? If no then who will do the work the pastor does, how the church will be lead and so on. I ask you not to get me involved in this as it is just a general question and if you have issues with my work talk with your Parish Council members as they oversee my work for you.
In this same conversation I offered a new approach to a ministry already happening and asked if it might be redone to be more giving and less receiving. This may be what should have been the first discussion but I thought the other might provoke you to begin thinking or at least read on. I have always been good at the "What If" game. What if the church was to stop worrying about taking in money and only worried about what we needed to give? Say you did this in your own life first, began to give of everything you have. Give of your time and your money, of your house and your car? What if the firsts thing in the morning you asked God to direct you to someone in need? What if we all began to do this, in sincerity, and then as a body of believers began to act this way? Would the church you call yours be different? Would it have the same needs and priorities?
These are the hard questions of Lent, those that are seldom asked because we don’t want to think about them. I have spent the last year or more pondering these things in my mind and my heart and feel I need to get them out to all of you. At least help me find the answers I need to find and how to direct the life of the church to reflect God’s grace. Look to Easter, see the story, know who you belong to and know his calling on your life.
Grace and Peace, Pastor WaynO
From the Pastor,
I sit here looking forward, trying to peer into the future and see the Easter story. To see where it touches me and where it reaches deep into that inner place each of us hold so tightly closed. To take a little peek inside the story is to look into the heart of God. Seeing just what the sacrifice was that is so special and why it had to be what it was. Looking to try and find my own story of grace and life within the greater story of love and compassion. This is a story of offerings and commitment, one of callings and gifts. There within the story is something surprising, something we never expect to see.
This probably sounds a bit confusing or maybe that I am moving in circles but it is still the Lenten season and we are still in the darkness before the light so dig a little deeper within and see what is there. Look in those secret places and in the dusty, long forgotten recesses of the mind and spirit. Look inside and find your own story and where it is completed by Easter. See where it is made whole by Easter. As you search and seek I have some thoughts for you to ponder on.
The first one that has come to my mind and is stirring within me some controversy is, "does the church need a building?" Before you get upset think this through. I sat with some of the ladies after "Happy Hour" at Good Sam and I asked this question. I got varied and hesitant answers. Does the church need a building?
If you said yes then justify the building. What is it for? How much is it used? What are the expenses of having it?
If you said no, well just where will we meet? How will we have funeral dinners? What would we do with the one we have?
Next question I asked is does the church need a pastor? Same thing as the building, if yes then why, what for, what are the expenses? If no then who will do the work the pastor does, how the church will be lead and so on. I ask you not to get me involved in this as it is just a general question and if you have issues with my work talk with your Parish Council members as they oversee my work for you.
In this same conversation I offered a new approach to a ministry already happening and asked if it might be redone to be more giving and less receiving. This may be what should have been the first discussion but I thought the other might provoke you to begin thinking or at least read on. I have always been good at the "What If" game. What if the church was to stop worrying about taking in money and only worried about what we needed to give? Say you did this in your own life first, began to give of everything you have. Give of your time and your money, of your house and your car? What if the firsts thing in the morning you asked God to direct you to someone in need? What if we all began to do this, in sincerity, and then as a body of believers began to act this way? Would the church you call yours be different? Would it have the same needs and priorities?
These are the hard questions of Lent, those that are seldom asked because we don’t want to think about them. I have spent the last year or more pondering these things in my mind and my heart and feel I need to get them out to all of you. At least help me find the answers I need to find and how to direct the life of the church to reflect God’s grace. Look to Easter, see the story, know who you belong to and know his calling on your life.
Grace and Peace, Pastor WaynO
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Question #6
Okay, so after the last week my whole mission statement seems out of date. I mean here I was writing it to what I want to do and have discovered the maybe God is sending me some other place. There is still a common thread here and that is the care and nurture of people missing the mark on who and what God is all about.
Question #6, You have a gift of three extra hourts a week that you could use to serve others. where would yo sign up? suppose you had the gift of a day a week to offer in service. Where would you spend the day? You have three months off and all expenses paid to go anywhere on the planet to serve people in need . Where would you go??
I may have to break this down into the individual quesitons so I don't get all giddy and pack a bag or something crazy like that.
Three extra hours per week, hmmmm let's see now I first have to imagine what that is. I spend copious amounts of time at nursing homes and hospitals already. I am not sure that is where I would go. I have spent time in food pantries, ours is little and well staffed so probably out. Three hours..................it would be fun to host some sort of party for anybody to come to. You know one of those alnighters (oops only 3 hours) where food and fun and maybe a movie that would just lighten the day?????
I have always had a dream of owning a restaurant that was operated on donations only. I read recently that there is some movement of people doing just that. Come eat and give what you can. The article said they were doing great. With that in mind maybe I could put on a meal at the church once a week that was donations only and the donations don't go to the church but to the meals.
I think that is it, I could conceivable make that happen. A meal once per week, shoots the 3 hours clear out of the picture, but what a ministry. Food fellowship, no limitations.
What do all of you think?????
Pastor WaynO
Question #6, You have a gift of three extra hourts a week that you could use to serve others. where would yo sign up? suppose you had the gift of a day a week to offer in service. Where would you spend the day? You have three months off and all expenses paid to go anywhere on the planet to serve people in need . Where would you go??
I may have to break this down into the individual quesitons so I don't get all giddy and pack a bag or something crazy like that.
Three extra hours per week, hmmmm let's see now I first have to imagine what that is. I spend copious amounts of time at nursing homes and hospitals already. I am not sure that is where I would go. I have spent time in food pantries, ours is little and well staffed so probably out. Three hours..................it would be fun to host some sort of party for anybody to come to. You know one of those alnighters (oops only 3 hours) where food and fun and maybe a movie that would just lighten the day?????
I have always had a dream of owning a restaurant that was operated on donations only. I read recently that there is some movement of people doing just that. Come eat and give what you can. The article said they were doing great. With that in mind maybe I could put on a meal at the church once a week that was donations only and the donations don't go to the church but to the meals.
I think that is it, I could conceivable make that happen. A meal once per week, shoots the 3 hours clear out of the picture, but what a ministry. Food fellowship, no limitations.
What do all of you think?????
Pastor WaynO
Friday, February 8, 2008
Stop and consider
Thank you to Shaun for the response. I believe we do lots of things that are sinful. I also think many Christians/denominations tend to pick the sins they think are the worst, label them as a trip to hell and forget there are others. I am not into making a list and know I sin on a regular hourly basis.
I came from a personel meeting where I am chair and we oversee the executive and office admisistrator. All went well, we talked of ministry see "Kingdom Grace" and pay and all that other stuff. When it gets right down to it I wonder if we need the exec or not. I think it is a necessary office in the church. There is a need for someone to lead the leaders, defend the workers and protect both from each other. I have this vision of a church without leaders that just blindly goes about hitting and missing and many times hurting as much as what we now have.
Society depicts what the organizations within it look like and we are in the post WWII era of committees and such. I am not sure the world as a whole is ready for religion to be unleashed.
What I really wanted to comment on before reading so many interesting things tonight is my mission statement. I took a mini spiritual gifts inventory today and it says my 2 highest gifts are exhortation and prophecy. I was almost offended at my self. I wanted to be a servant and a minister of compassion.
Who could have guessed???? Oh, well off for a weekend of exhortation and prophecy as I preach to a couple of congregations and lead them further down the road to something or other.
Peace to all
Pastor WaynO
Oh, almost forgot, I need prayers for the president of our state lawenforcement chaplains. He was just diagnosed with some form of lukemia. All prayers are being sought, for him, his family the doctors and his officers. Thanks WaynO
I came from a personel meeting where I am chair and we oversee the executive and office admisistrator. All went well, we talked of ministry see "Kingdom Grace" and pay and all that other stuff. When it gets right down to it I wonder if we need the exec or not. I think it is a necessary office in the church. There is a need for someone to lead the leaders, defend the workers and protect both from each other. I have this vision of a church without leaders that just blindly goes about hitting and missing and many times hurting as much as what we now have.
Society depicts what the organizations within it look like and we are in the post WWII era of committees and such. I am not sure the world as a whole is ready for religion to be unleashed.
What I really wanted to comment on before reading so many interesting things tonight is my mission statement. I took a mini spiritual gifts inventory today and it says my 2 highest gifts are exhortation and prophecy. I was almost offended at my self. I wanted to be a servant and a minister of compassion.
Who could have guessed???? Oh, well off for a weekend of exhortation and prophecy as I preach to a couple of congregations and lead them further down the road to something or other.
Peace to all
Pastor WaynO
Oh, almost forgot, I need prayers for the president of our state lawenforcement chaplains. He was just diagnosed with some form of lukemia. All prayers are being sought, for him, his family the doctors and his officers. Thanks WaynO
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Question #5
Okay I think I need to regroup and see what I have thus far. Seems like when I put it all together I end up with this talkitive listener who is compassionate and likes to help people who are on the outs.
If I look onto the next question then it just gets more of the same.
#5 -- There are certain kinds o human need that "get to you," that open your heart and send tears down your cheeks. Jot down some thoughts about these people and needs.
I really think what gets to me are two groups of people. The first are those who try really hard, work at it all the time, seriously try to make things in life better. Nothing even close seems to come their way. For all the trying nothing positive seems to move to them. Those are the ones I would give anything I could to in an attempt to lift them up and get them started in a postive direction.
The second is a group of those who are blessed with things working out for them. They seem to be bent on destruction and even then can't seem to get things to go wrong. The issue I have with them is that they have it all going for them and don't see it, they can't see the signs along the road to even follow. Breaks my heart as they can/could do so much for the world.
I suppose I am from the latter group and am at this late date attempting to do something worthwhile in life. Always cared for people just now do that for the Lord and to his glory I pray.
So how bout the rest of you out there???? Is there a group that breaks your heart???? In my world what hits me hardest is what is closests to me. Think about it and let me know.
Pastor WaynO
If I look onto the next question then it just gets more of the same.
#5 -- There are certain kinds o human need that "get to you," that open your heart and send tears down your cheeks. Jot down some thoughts about these people and needs.
I really think what gets to me are two groups of people. The first are those who try really hard, work at it all the time, seriously try to make things in life better. Nothing even close seems to come their way. For all the trying nothing positive seems to move to them. Those are the ones I would give anything I could to in an attempt to lift them up and get them started in a postive direction.
The second is a group of those who are blessed with things working out for them. They seem to be bent on destruction and even then can't seem to get things to go wrong. The issue I have with them is that they have it all going for them and don't see it, they can't see the signs along the road to even follow. Breaks my heart as they can/could do so much for the world.
I suppose I am from the latter group and am at this late date attempting to do something worthwhile in life. Always cared for people just now do that for the Lord and to his glory I pray.
So how bout the rest of you out there???? Is there a group that breaks your heart???? In my world what hits me hardest is what is closests to me. Think about it and let me know.
Pastor WaynO
Saturday, February 2, 2008
next question or qwest or something like that
Here I am realizing that I have not posted in a long time. It seems I forget to share with others when I am really at a point of no return. I have put aside the questions and let things roll in my mind and life as it seems it all got to spinning out of control anyway.
I read the responses and have come to realize I too suffer from many things and that answering these questions for myself is a lot like answering them for a church. As soon as you begin to put the directions that come from a mission statement to action the mission moves.
I am there, when I began I was at a point in life that left me seemingly empty and void of anything. I wanted to be alone and had that despairity of failure and nothing ness filling all my waking and sleeping moments. Some may have wondered why I was not there and that is the whole deal. I was not here.
As you have all shared and life moved on, like always happens that to has come to pass. I have a new direction and will be moving toward that. For the first question --- I am good at speaking, reading to people, and I believe that makes me a good preacher. I am also good at listening which makes me a good pastor. As for death, it is from both of those and also a compassion and a gift of empathy that allows me to enter into someone's struggle with them.
For question #2 --- times of accomplishment are all listed as times when I entered into someone elses struggle with them. Together along with God (only recognized in the past 10 or 12 years) and the other person spirit there is a connection that isn't really easy to describe but is the high point of all things I accomplish.
For queston #3 --- Times of adversity are the opposite of #2. I really believe that things go absolutely down the toilet when I am disconnected from God and those he calls me to serve. Service of people has little to do with the church and everything to do with God. I have concluded that conflict, when I am in connect or engagement with God and others it is good, difficult but good. When I am not in the engaged mode with God and others it is a struggle and is not good even when the times are good.
Now for question #4 --- You must give away personally in the next 24 hours ten $100 bills. Where would you deliver the money?
A very difficult question but I believe the answer would come. I love to give away money and give to missions through the church as well as different social witness organizations. When the thought of those bills going it makes the juices flow to persons. If we could only get some people to ground zero they, along with some direction, could get life up and running. Some thoughts as to who these might be: I have a pastor friend who needs training in conflict management and is unemployed until receiving the training. A young single mom trying for years to get it together. A college student who could use the money to get a little better something or other or maybe an evening out. A young couple who could use the money for a weekend together (would require a baby sitter as well). Ultimately it is about the people and how we touch each other as individuals.
I have just returned from the Winter Pastor's School at Hastings College here in Nebraska and have some entirely new vision from that. I listened to the struggles pastors have had with the heirachy of Presbyteries, listened to faith journeys that lift up hope and some that leave me wondering what kept them moving along. I had great food and fellowship. Went bar hopping with an old friend. But most of what I got was something for me, it is about the relationship, about touching your heart with mine.
One lesson from the leader was a painting by Picasso. The painting dipicts 3 musicians and the description is the conflict as the meld into the instruments, each other and the room. At this description the vision in my mind was of the trinity. I am in you, you are in me, this is like I am in the Father adn the Father is in you. I felt a reality of my life open before me. When I am with you we are in each other. This also comes from the quote of 2 Quakers at the rail station; one asks the other, "do you love me?" of course I do is the reply. Then, "How can you love me if don't know what is bothering my soul?" Do you know what is bothering the soul of those you engage with????
Good grief there I go again, the preacher will not shut up!!!!
Have a great and God filled day, Pastor WaynO
I read the responses and have come to realize I too suffer from many things and that answering these questions for myself is a lot like answering them for a church. As soon as you begin to put the directions that come from a mission statement to action the mission moves.
I am there, when I began I was at a point in life that left me seemingly empty and void of anything. I wanted to be alone and had that despairity of failure and nothing ness filling all my waking and sleeping moments. Some may have wondered why I was not there and that is the whole deal. I was not here.
As you have all shared and life moved on, like always happens that to has come to pass. I have a new direction and will be moving toward that. For the first question --- I am good at speaking, reading to people, and I believe that makes me a good preacher. I am also good at listening which makes me a good pastor. As for death, it is from both of those and also a compassion and a gift of empathy that allows me to enter into someone's struggle with them.
For question #2 --- times of accomplishment are all listed as times when I entered into someone elses struggle with them. Together along with God (only recognized in the past 10 or 12 years) and the other person spirit there is a connection that isn't really easy to describe but is the high point of all things I accomplish.
For queston #3 --- Times of adversity are the opposite of #2. I really believe that things go absolutely down the toilet when I am disconnected from God and those he calls me to serve. Service of people has little to do with the church and everything to do with God. I have concluded that conflict, when I am in connect or engagement with God and others it is good, difficult but good. When I am not in the engaged mode with God and others it is a struggle and is not good even when the times are good.
Now for question #4 --- You must give away personally in the next 24 hours ten $100 bills. Where would you deliver the money?
A very difficult question but I believe the answer would come. I love to give away money and give to missions through the church as well as different social witness organizations. When the thought of those bills going it makes the juices flow to persons. If we could only get some people to ground zero they, along with some direction, could get life up and running. Some thoughts as to who these might be: I have a pastor friend who needs training in conflict management and is unemployed until receiving the training. A young single mom trying for years to get it together. A college student who could use the money to get a little better something or other or maybe an evening out. A young couple who could use the money for a weekend together (would require a baby sitter as well). Ultimately it is about the people and how we touch each other as individuals.
I have just returned from the Winter Pastor's School at Hastings College here in Nebraska and have some entirely new vision from that. I listened to the struggles pastors have had with the heirachy of Presbyteries, listened to faith journeys that lift up hope and some that leave me wondering what kept them moving along. I had great food and fellowship. Went bar hopping with an old friend. But most of what I got was something for me, it is about the relationship, about touching your heart with mine.
One lesson from the leader was a painting by Picasso. The painting dipicts 3 musicians and the description is the conflict as the meld into the instruments, each other and the room. At this description the vision in my mind was of the trinity. I am in you, you are in me, this is like I am in the Father adn the Father is in you. I felt a reality of my life open before me. When I am with you we are in each other. This also comes from the quote of 2 Quakers at the rail station; one asks the other, "do you love me?" of course I do is the reply. Then, "How can you love me if don't know what is bothering my soul?" Do you know what is bothering the soul of those you engage with????
Good grief there I go again, the preacher will not shut up!!!!
Have a great and God filled day, Pastor WaynO
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