Author: Randy Buchman

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Parenting 101

As I sit here and write this on a late Saturday afternoon, my middle son Aaron has arrived and is working with his guitar and chord charts – practicing for a gig tonight as Fratelli’s Restaurant. He is playing and singing there with his old high school pal Rhet Troxell. Most of my boys have done this sort of thing from time to time.

I wrote on Facebook that Aaron is performing there and invited everyone – which in my case is 680 “friends.”  He seemed to be struggling through the chord progression on a song, so I asked him how many songs they had ready, and he said, “Not enough!” So I answered, “So, I just invited 680 people, and now you’re gonna screw up!”  (He’ll be fine!)

Anyhow, the moment created a flashback for me. When I was quite young (like 14 or 15) and began singing solos in music programs and for specials at church, my mother – a fair musician herself – was so nervous she looked like she was going to just die any moment. Her lips were pursed, her brow furrowed, and her eyes were wide with fear. I learned QUICKLY that I should never look at her! It was as if she was communicating, “If you mess up, I’m gonna just crawl under the seats and hide!”  It was not encouraging.

I’m pretty sure I never did that with my boys and their musical endeavors, but I probably did with their running! But, a difference is that with running in cross country or track, I could scream and yell at them – unlike my mother, who had to suffer in silence. (She didn’t really suffer; she was the one who pushed me into that stuff, whether I wanted to or not.)

Any of you who have had more than one child know that they are never alike. Each is individual and endowed with certain talents and personality mixes. Though familial things may be seen – like music skills or running abilities – we need to remember they are all unique, and our encouragements need to be individualized as well.

That famous verse in Proverbs (which is not a promise, but rather a word of wisdom) should have the following emphasis to catch the original sense of it – “Train up a child in the way HE should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The encouragement here is to be a wise parent who looks to see what are the unique gifts, bents, and paths a child should pursue.

Haha… as I’m writing, Aaron is singing some song I don’t know (which is most all pop songs to be truthful) and Jesse comes running downstairs and says, “What are you doing singing that?  Is Kelly Garber going to be at this thing?”  And Aaron answers, “Yes, she is, so I’ll have to sing at least one Bon Jovi song!”

Well, I’m heading out to hear him. I’m going to post this now, but I’ll edit it later with a picture or two.

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Pray for THAT guy??

Well, it is a new year with the new blog, so, might as well start if off with a bang and with a topic of emotion, if not controversy! This is probably why people who grow up in New Jersey shouldn’t grow up to be pastors!

In church Sunday, an illustration was used of praying for and supporting President Obama. The point of the reference was not to necessarily get this specific application as an action step, but to make an illustration that would cause the listener to stretch emotionally. The speaker presented it in terms of “if Obama claims to be your brother in Christ, then you need to support him in prayer, and so forth …”  Is that really true? How do we evaluate that?

Well, before it was out of his mouth fully, I was already hung up on the “if” portion. I’ll confess that I don’t see the POTUS very much as my brother in Christ, apart from the most general sense of those words. Yes, he has called Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. And I guess I believe he really does espouse the Christian faith and is not a closet Muslim, though he has done and said enough things to fuel the doubters on that subject. And the Christian connection he had in the years leading up to his public ascendancy is one that we would not find biblically accurate. It was in a culture and vein of thought heavily endowed with a brand of “liberation theology” – which redefines the Gospel away from the spiritual issues of the blood payment of Christ as the atonement for sin, to seeing the work of Christ as an example to follow of liberating oppressed peoples from establishment power systems. (One can easily see how this category of biblical worldview would energize a left-wing activism.)

HOWEVER … the question is not ultimately one of prayer support by determining if he is truly a Christian brother or not. After all, we know that the world is full of people who carry the Christian label who do not really have a life changed by the Gospel. Jesus said there would be many like this – people who don’t really embrace the Gospel in a way of life-giving change.

The reason to pray for President Obama is because the Scriptures say to pray for all people in authority.  (1 Timothy 2:1-3 … “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.”) And I remind you that Paul wrote those words while under the heavy hand of a persecuting Roman government. The thought here is that our prayers for civil authority may work toward an establishment of peace for the sake of the Gospel and its proclamation … that as a peaceful civil society succeeds, so does the context for the work of the Church and the spread of the Word.

Some years ago, at the height of controversy in the Clinton administration, I referenced this passage and prayed for the President. A person in the church thought this was dreadful and went to the Elders with a complaint on the issue – about the pastor praying for an avowed abortion-rights person, etc., etc.  Of course, it was a simple matter to point out that praying for the President is a clear application of the words to Timothy.

So, we may pray for and support civil leaders in this way, while also NOT supporting their policies and even working for the success of alternative views. We may pray for their ultimate success (as in the terms above) while also accepting the reality that they do not hold to our values – which we may in turn give energy to through our efforts. So, for example, we may pray for the Administration to honor God on the issues of the value of human life, yet understand that they see it differently than the Scriptures, and so our energies are thrown toward what can be done through agencies like the Hagerstown Area Pregnancy Center. When the Romans threw away unwanted babies in the first century, it was the Christian community who went around and took them and gave them life. And they were ultimately respected for this work.

A difference between the Roman Empire and now is that there was no legal and practical means for protest or political action then. However, standing in opposition publically is a cherished right of the system of governance that we have, and I do not believe it is wrong for a Christian to participate appropriately – to call publically for a redress of grievances and speak to the decay of historic values and foundations. As many of you know, I have done this in a very public way.

Yet in it all, we need to remember that our primary mission in life personally, and in life together as a church, is to be God’s ambassadors as reconciling agents of the Kingdom to a lost world (2 Corinthians 5). Some may have a calling by God to serve in the systems of this world, but we are primarily citizens of another, eternal Kingdom and warriors in that cosmic conflict. I can honestly say that I have, in this season of my life, that calling to serve for a time in a political capacity. It found me; I did not seek it. I will tell you that honestly, I don’t really like it that much and am disappointed that even in the Conservative movement, there are too many who do not live exemplary lives and walk by the values they publically espouse. This is very sad.

So, I will pray for the President and all those in authority – which of course include many with whom I have much in agreement. My goal – our goal – is to see this country thrive … yet we know that there are historic values that have made this place exceptional in history. That exceptionalism is not because we are better as a people, but because there has never been another culture with the same “stew” of freedom and opportunity – for advances on all fronts, including the spread of the Gospel – as has been facilitated by the God-blessed ideals of those founders some 200+ years ago.

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The Name “Hudson”

What’s In A Name?

So I have a new grandson – about which I am quite pleased, I must say! And the Buchman name goes on. I only ever had one male cousin of the last name Buchman, who did have one son – who has no children.

Hudson Buchman

Hudson Roy Buchman was born to Nathan and Allie in the wee hours of Friday, December 30, 2011.

So, the name Hudson – where does that come from?  There are no other Hudson Buchmans out there (I checked!). Although I did find a “Dana Buchman Hudson Sunglasses” – apparently by the fashion designer Dana Buchman.

The name “Hudson” means “Hugh’s Son” … well, there is no Hugh Buchman – though that is the first name of my brother-in-law … the husband of my sister who died two weeks ago.

Henry Hudson

Of course, there is Henry Hudson – the explorer after whom is named the Hudson Bay and Hudson River, etc.  Nathan and Allie would not have any connection there. (Doesn’t the picture of Henry Hudson make it look like he is wearing one of those collar thingies Veterinarians put around a dog’s neck?)

Someone suggested a good nickname for the boy could be “Rock” – because of the famous actor Rock Hudson. But, he is only famous for people my age and older – none of my boys knew who he was or ever heard of him.

Rock Hudson

There have been a whole host of baseball players with the last name of Hudson. That is cool in my book!

The very first family car that I remember as a child was a Hudson. Any of the rest of you remember Hudson automobiles? My father loved that car and said that the faster he drove, the closer it got to the pavement. I don’t know that I believe that one!

1956 Hudson Hornet

The first thing that came to my mind with the name was “Hudson Taylor” (the person whom Taylor University is named after – it is not actually our friend Taylor Oliver who went there, as have all his kids). Hudson Taylor was a great man – the father of faith missions who opened inland China to the Gospel. He founded China Inland Mission. His model of operation was to live fully by faith and to break down barriers of communication to the extent of wearing Chinese garb – an action seen as very odd by other missionaries of the time. Historians have often written that Hudson Taylor made the largest impact for the Gospel to the greatest number of unreached peoples since the Apostle Paul himself.

Hudson Taylor

But in the end, my Hudson grandson is named for himself. His parents simply liked the name, and I do also. He can chart his own course, and I’m sure he will … yep, I’m sure … I’m getting my tickets as soon as possible for the 2036 Olympics, for example! There are running genes there from two sides!

(No pressure Hudson, just don’t mess up!)

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Plans for Reading the Bible in the New Year

Every year, Christians make plans to read through the Bible. It is a worthy goal, but like so many worthy things, the disciplined execution of such is the problem!

Let me direct your attention to an incredible new tool to assist and facilitate your Bible reading resolution for the New Year. It is on the following web site:

http://www.youversion.com/about/reading-plans

There are literally hundreds of reading plans from which you may choose, and then load to whatever device you have … in whatever way you’d like to receive it.

Let me give you just two examples of reading plans:

Example 1 – The Essential 100 » 100 days

The Essential 100 Challenge (E100) helps you get an overview of the Bible… without getting bogged down. The Plan guides you through 50 Old Testament passages and 50 New Testament passages — The Essential 100 — so you can see the big picture of God’s Word, and form a daily Bible reading habit in the process. E100 is an achievable way to have a “through the Bible” experience; it’s the Bible reading plan people love to complete.

Example 2 – Historical » 1 Year

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to read the Old Testament in ancient Israel? Or, the New Testament as the books were written? In this plan, the order of the Old Testament readings is very similar to Israel’s Hebrew Bible, progressing from Law to Prophets to Writings. The New Testament ordering is based upon research regarding the order in which the books were authored. Although this research is not conclusive, it may offer helpful insights to your Bible reading.

There are many other incredible features on this web page … so check it out. Actually, Eric is using some of the technological elements in his Wednesday night discipleship work with the teens.

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When Are You (Not?) Helping?

Our church staff meeting today featured an hour or more discussion on the issue of benevolence and helping people in need… and beyond that, what role to play with various agencies in town. There is not a clear answer, and I have struggled with this over my 30 years as a pastor.

The difficulty involves knowing when someone has a true and genuine need, and if by helping with the immediate need, are you facilitating a destructive pattern of life and continuing a culture of dependency?

A most difficult call is when someone connects with the church (either by a phone call or drop in visit) seeking financial assistance for what is often a convoluted story. There is no doubt that many of these situations involve people working over a list of churches with the same story – going even from town to town doing such as a way of life.

When I first came to Hagerstown, I was hit by a guy who some months before hit me with the same wild story at my previous church in New Jersey! When I confronted him on this, I got quite a vile change of tone and response. One of the other staff guys today talked about being at a McDonald’s this summer and hearing the guy in the next both calling one church after another with a story about needing a place to stay. When he got a “winner” he put them on hold (with the pretext of going to the bathroom) in order to call the hotel they were willing to put him it – to see if there was wireless internet for his computer!

Our general policy, with only occasional exception, is that we will only help people who either attend TSF or are connected to people in TSF. It is difficult to evaluate situations, but we REALLY do wish to help people who have a genuine need – and we are able to do so in many situations with people we know.

Another category of this discussion involves partnership with various agencies in the community that work to assist the poor and needy. Most of these do not have a spiritual component – which is not necessarily a disqualifying factor for us. We gladly work with Holly Place – for example. Evangelical churches in recent decades have not tended to put significant resources toward such endeavors – believing them to be outside the spiritual mission of the church. Additionally, for many, knowledge remains that in previous generations, social work activity ended poorly for many denominations with the Gospel being redefined as that social work, rather than the cross work of redemption for sin.

We have much room to grow missionally (the word we use to describe involvement outside the walls of the church and the church family). We want to do more and intend to lead in such directions. Yet we want to do this in a way that is helpful – to the agencies, to those receiving the aid, and to those serving in such endeavors.

I welcome any discussion on this – and definitive answers also!


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Animal Ambiance

So, my attempt at ambiance went all astray! “Animals never do what you want them to when you want them to,” said Arnold Horst. He should know – after years of farming and raising every kind of critter.

If you were not at church Sunday morning, I called the kids up front (as I did 6 years ago) and read them a story I had written about “Two Boys in Bethlehem.” To create a little bit of a stable/barn type of feel, I brought in a crate with two chickens and a rooster from my “farm.”

I thought sure that the rooster would give me at least a couple of crows – after all, he does it about every 30 seconds all day long, and even screams through half the night! But, in church, he was as quiet as a church mouse.

My Jack Russell Terrier is an incredible singer – simply amazing. She even seems to be trying to stay on pitch. I’ve thought to put her in our summer picnic talent show, but I know what would happen – she’d get the same stage fright the rooster had and clam up!

Maybe I should give up on the animals completely, but I’m not sure I’ve had a lot of success either with getting people to do what I want them to do when I want them to do it!

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Christmas Greeting to Church Family and Friends

I was with Vicki Crowe in her home later in the evening after Larry died of a heart attack some years ago. After a while, one of the family arrived – Larry’s brother Randy, who is a pastor in WV – and the first thing he said was, “Oh Vicki, we’re getting to have more people over there than we have here!” (His daughter had recently been killed in a car crash.) And as we know, not long after, Vicki went “over there” as well. That occurred during this season just six years ago, and oh how I miss that precious friend!

If you live long enough, the statement is true – you have more family in heaven than you have on the earth. A number of us this year on the ministry staff will be missing some folks around the celebrations of family gatherings. I’m not sure when I’ve seen a holiday season where there is so much pain in so many families. Just days ago, a family from my former church in New Jersey had a healthy college senior daughter contract some sort of strange pneumonia, and within 48 hours, she had died! How can this be?

But ultimately we are not undone! Our faith in not shaken, but rather reaffirmed. We can still access joy in this season (even if we cannot dredge up the “happiness” feeling), for the incarnation of Christ – and His subsequent Work on the cross – brings us the greatest gift … the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel – God with us. And through the Holy Spirit that imbues the Church, Jesus lives not only with us, but IN us! And beyond that, the Spirit is the “earnest” of our salvation – a down-payment as it were – that we shall inherit that life that will never end. This is good stuff!

And this good stuff all had its beginning in the physical world through the coming of Christ in that Bethlehem manger.

And so I extend to all of you – dear friends, family, and co-servants of Christ – the most wonder-filled and blessed of celebrations, be it through joyful uproarious hilarity and celebration, or perhaps rather even in the quiet of solitude and contemplation.

 

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Aging Through Christmas Story

A couple years ago for one of our Christmas shows, I played the part of Simeon. Lori Boutieller asked me to do it, and I always do what she asks!

Anyhow, I was thinking – this is what everything has now come to!  I’m now typecast as the old man in the Christmas story! Well, I guess I do look the part! You know – dignified, and all that!

But consider this: here is how it progresses if you are a male, and a life-long church attender. When you are a baby, you play the part of Jesus (even though you can’t remember doing it). Then, as a child, you get to be an angel, or a shepherd (and be creeped-out by wearing your bathrobe on the stage). As a young adult, Joseph is your role. When you get to be a bit older adult, you become a wise man. Next, as a more seasoned gentleman, you are given the fun part of playing the innkeeper. And finally, when you are about to die, someone like Lori comes along and says, “Could you dress up and be Simeon this year?” Sure, I’ll do it! Why … it is the pinnacle moment of a lifetime of Christmas thespianism! The next stop is heaven. It has to be; there are no more parts!

It says in Luke 2:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

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Christmas Music at TSF 2011

We had a great Sunday morning service this past week, with a variety of musical special presentations and teaching segments.

Luke Greffen and Renee Peterson put together a terrific worship team with a lot of special effects and extra instruments for accompaniment.

Each of the four lead singers – Luke, Renee, Aaron Buchman, and Laura Holtzman – took a turn as the lead voice for a special presentation song.

A huge highlight of the program was Dom Palmer and a dance team that he put together. The energy of it was fabulous, and the athleticism and contortions by these young adults defy belief! Dom has been using a room in the church on Sunday nights to teach and choreograph. It is amazing to see!

We also enjoyed a group of the children presenting three songs. Led by Fran Shay, this Kids Bridge class put on a great vocal display. Hopefully even more children will want to be a part of this in preparation for the Easter season.

No, it is not exactly the old “Christmas Show” that we have done often in the past. Those things are huge commitments of time and resources!!!  But it was a very productive morning. Thanks to all who participated and to ALL the people who attended! It was great to have to bring in extra chairs!

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Bella-isms

A new feature of life for me that was not present with my former blog is that I now have a granddaughter – who at age 2 ½ makes many funny statements. I’ll call them “Bellaisms.” They come out of nowhere and simply leave you laughing. I remember when her father and uncles did and said such things. Actually, Diana kept a log of funny statements, and I often encourage young parents to do the same.

I’ll give two examples here:

We were finishing a dinner in a Chinese restaurant, and as Bella opened the fortune cookie, her father said, “Read it Bella, what does it say?”  And she answered, “The Cowboys are good, Eagles are bad.”  (Smart girl!)

While at our house today, she was outside with our flock of chickens and two roosters running around. One of the big bad boys – a large “Black Jersey Giant” rooster – went after her by charging at her with flapping wings, etc.  It is honestly a scary thing for anyone, especially for someone so small that she is on head level with the bird. After a few tears, she settled down and heard the rooster crowing from across the pasture. She said, “He’s saying he is sorry … it’s OK black guy!”

I’m sure I’ll be writing more of these posts in the future.