React or Act, That is the question

 I don't know about you but many people I know have been imparted "DAD ISMS", those brief messages of wisdom from Dad, sometimes MOM, which would be Momisms. Typically, you apply them through life and often pass on to your own children. One such Dadism for me was " do ACT, don't REACT". I had come to him with a situation in my corporate job world and was not sure what to do. That's when he said those 4 words. I asked "whats the difference?" His eyes lit up like I had just given him a Christmas present. In reality he delighted in sharing life lessons. 

He explained that to react is to respond quickly without thought and often resulting in misunderstandings or worse, conveying anger or disapproval when a lesson learned could be achieved. Action takes thought and is usually a more productive resolve. My dad being a Firefighter all his life, responded quickly all the time, so of course I asked, "What about your emergency response at work"? He smiled that knowing smile and said, "Oh honey THAT is instinctive action derived from education & extensive training for those events. From time to time, as I am human, I failed to heed his wisdom and it often comes back to haunt me. So I confess it and press on, hoping to do better the next time. 

There is nothing wrong with using the phrase, "Let me get back to you". It allows time to gather more info or put needed thought into the best action to take. In

some instances action can be taken in a short amount of time other instances might take a day or longer. It is also a good time to pray, when the situation needs divine guidance. When emotions play a big role in the issue, calm needs to be achieved first. People come to understanding differently when emotions are high, so although the message is the same there can be varied understandings or perceptions based on the energy in the room.
Immediate answers to questions, when the answer is known due to policy, or a previously resolved question is a lot like the firefighters response. A result of education and training. These situations result in "Instinctive action". The question here can be "where are the recipients in knowledge level of the subject?."

There is a phrase, "they don't know what they don't know". I know I have been there, but admitting that's where you are is another thing. Again, it's ok to admit,

"I don't have the answer but I will find it." It's also ok to say, "I'm going to need to pray about that."  Go to God's word, the answers are there. My brother Les told me, "B I B L E" stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and he's right.  Our eyes, hearts and minds should be focused on getting to our Heavenly Home. This messy world is but a weigh station. 

That is not to say that we lie idle while we are here, no. Jesus taught and left clear instructions, "GO, make disciples of men for the transformation of the world". And why is that important? Because through transformation of ourselves and others we become more like Jesus and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. And of course who else is best to guide our path, comfort and yes spark a fire in us than the spirit of the living God. Is this path easy, ......... oh far from it. All kinds of obstacles can impede our progress. But each can be overcome. If God calls us to it, he will equip us, support us and guide us through it. 

Interacting with others can bring it's own challenges. We are all uniquely made, with gifts, skills, talents and personalities. BUT ALL are made in the image of God for his purpose. He knows that purpose, we may not or understand others purpose, but with prayer & meditation we can discern our own purpose.

I have come around to Solomon's way of thinking. If I can ask God for anything it would be wisdom. So much more can be done with a good dose of wisdom. James 3:17-18 says  "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

So, go out there, Be a Blessing to someone, I promise, in turn you will yourself Be Blessed.

 

Food for Thought

I often look in from time to time, thanks to social media, on groups I have belong to or Churches I was a member just to see what they are now doing. Sometimes its to glimpse the face of an old friend and say hi. One of the most memorable
events I was honored to be a part of was called Winterfest. It's purpose was to be an outreach to the community. In the early years it started as providing a day of

fun including a man made snow hill that kids could fly down on plastic saucers. Some of the kids in that town had never experienced snow. It wasn't really snow, it was pounds and pounds of chipped ice, but it was VERY COOL! To go with it, the event offered other "Wintery things" like snowcones, photo ops with snow scenes, a chili cook off contest, drinks, hot dogs, face painting, bouncy houses, one year even a rock climbing wall. Every year it grew and grew. The community came by the thousands and for many of these families it was a dream come true because everything was FREE! Absolutely FREE! 

It was a lot of work and took LOTS of donations, volunteers and a few sponsors, but at the end of the day we all experienced that phenomenon of being blessed because it was such a blessing to others. There were many occasions I experienced that touched my heart like over hearing a child say, "daddy daddy can we get a hotdog?" in which the dad replied, "no honey daddy doesn't have any money". I stepped over and told him everything was free. The look of disbelief took me back, I continued, "seriously its all free, see the banner over the road, it says FREE." A bit misty eyed he sad, "well kids I guess this is our lucky day!" Although he felt that way, there was no luck about it. It was an intentional act of love extended to the community and God made sure this family was there to enjoy it. 

A bit later I saw them again and handed him a church brochure, telling him, "we have a really great free afternoon program for kids on Weds". A month or so later he signed them up for Wonderful Wednesday. Many families came to this church because they were first introduced via community outreach.  In 2021 Winterfest did not happen. Many community events didn't happen due to Covid, but I noticed they did have a 2022 Winterfest Community Outreach in a different format.

Having no budget the committee sought donations and received roughly $14,500. What they did with it warmed my heart so much. Here is what was reported during their worship service:

At a local Family Dollar Store & Gas station, 180 families received $25 gift cards, they paid for 123 breakfasts at a local deli, they paid the laundry fees for 15 families, they paid the water company $4,250 to help pay family water bills in the red, they gave $500 to the local Library for overdue book fees, they gave the town's Park & Rec dept $2,000, so they could offer scholarships to kids that wanted to play sports but didn't have the money and they took 104 pizzas & 1,600 cookies to the Elementary school and fed 830 children and school staff. Now that was a divine inspired community outreach. At a time folks are struggling to make ends meet, feed their families and pay their bills, Winterfest came through for them.

During that same service one of the Pastors described meeting people that day and hearing story after story of how the programs at this same church shaped the lives of these people now in their 20's. Never underestimate the effect of the things you do today.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed! 

Tradition & Revitalizing the Mission

 My religious affiliation is Methodism. I am a member of the United Methodist Church. I was raised in the Methodist Church and at the age of 64 am still an active, serving member of my church. The last few years have been very very difficult. We have lived through a virus that closed schools, churches and work places. Even as re-openings are occurring we are noticing a change in the atmosphere. Some people are not returning for a variety of reasons but even those returning are often hesitant to resume the fellowship known before. Is this a response to fear, is it apathy/complacency or a combination of both.

A recent podcast I listened to revealed 5 Reasons Why You Have an Apathetic Church Congregation. (https://youtu.be/yWKvnOwSi7s) It was very insightful. Monotony was listed as one of the 5 reasons. Now, understand part of being Methodist is being methodical. For the most part tradition is a main stay, but has it become just words. I was thinking about The Apostles Creed which in the service is followed by The Gloria Patri. Broken down The Apostles Creed is a statement of what we believe. It speaks to the core of our worship and teachings. We memorize this as children and if people are being honest (I am guilty) sometimes when it is being recited, thoughts might be on other things. As well The Gloria Patri- "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end, Amen, Amen." This an expression in music to dedicate our beliefs, and our prayers to be a Glory to the Trinity as it was in the beginning and shall remain to the end.

After the Offering there is the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Which originally written by Thomas Ken in 1674 as the ending to Morning, Evening and Midnight Prayers. We use it today to dedicate our offerings to the church as an expression of knowing all we have and all we give are blessings that flow from God. So next time you are in worship ponder on the words you recite and sing as this is part of how we can worship God.

OK back to tradition and contemporary worship. Yes there are many Methodist Churches that have embraced Contemporary Services with modern praise music, etc. Some exclusively, but many tend to also maintain the Traditional Service. The combination of both of those Worship Services can and do build large churches. 

It is important to grow the church and Methodism is defined by it's mission to make disciples. "The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The further mission of First United Methodist Church is to create and build inclusive Christian community through INVITING, FORMING and SENDING FORTH faithful, active disciples of Jesus Christ."

It begs the question, "Are we doing that?" Is that a priority in our church and if so how are we accomplishing that? The podcast refers to another reason for apathy as "Lack of Fellowship Engagement".  Some of that may be a result of Covid 19, but more than that have we lost that component of relationship building between our members? Do we have opportunities to have meaningful discussions about the sermon and what it was about? Do we have Bible Studies that generate conversations? Are these discussions and conversations building connections? Do they build relationships with other members that could then be defined as a community? What do people do with the information they receive in church? 

Another area in this podcast discussed "Reluctance to serve" Yes as they mention it should be a core value, but do we communicate which areas need people to serve and do we train people for that service? Do we make the "on-boarding" too hard? An area that has seen a drastic change in process for serving is the Vulnerable Adult, Youth and Children's Ministries and often these areas need the most help. Is it really a hardship to comply with screening processes,  meant to keep these populations, the volunteers who serve and yes the church itself safe? I guess it depends on what you believe the risk is and what message you want the world to know. Frankly, I view church and all inside it as my extended family. There is not much I would not do to protect my family. I am happy to stand in front of a tall wall to say "if you want inside this gate, we have a non negotiable process". And if I am wanting to enter that gate I would be thrilled knowing these safe guards are in place because I bring my children and grandchildren there.

 How do we revitalize our Church Community, our Church Family our passion and vision for the future? Ask the questions, "If this were my first Sunday, would what I see, hear and experience make me to want to come back? Am I a consumer only or would I find fulfillment and blessings in serving in this church? Is my personal mission in keeping with the mission God calls me to?"