Tri-State Fellowship

by

Aging 5 Years in 5 Hours

I remember seeing a comic some years ago that depicted a pastor and his wife at home on Easter morning – preparing to leave for church. And the caption had the pastor saying, “It’s funny, I used to like Easter.”

Now understand – I’m all for the resurrection and all it signifies, and celebrating it actually makes a lot more sense than celebrating Christmas (though again, the Scripture does not dictate that we should do either). But Easter Sunday – for a pastor – is a lot like looking forward to a looming final exam for the semester.

At Tri-State, we of course much fashion ourselves as creative and innovative … so we’re not going to let an Easter go by with just a sermon, four songs, a prayer and an offering – we’re going to somehow pull out a bunch of unique features.

I determined this year to do something that involved a number of the church children. If you were there on Sunday, you saw how great they did with their acting and singing – you can never lose when putting the kids up front. They were simply awesome.

We also had Jun Frias with a special song and had 3 videos and other features. Then, I find out early Sunday morning that the whole Boutieller family is down with a virus! They were leading all the music. So I came to church needing to not only put together the final details with my stuff, but to do the worship leading as well as the preaching, etc.  There just was not enough time to get it perfectly set up without any glitches. I remember having black hair when I woke up in the morning, and it was all white by noon.

But, the kids really did save the day and make it awesome. I was so proud of them. They are great kids and were a blast to work with. I wrote each of their parts to sort of display their unique personalities. It was one of the more fun things I’ve ever done in ministry. I’ll have to think about how to use them in some other format.

by

Team 500 – Charlotte, NC

Greetings everyone from Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m here with a group of about 30 pastor friends from our denominational fellowship – some of the finest people I’ve ever known. It is an awesome event.

Former Orioles broadcaster John Miller used to say that Maryland was “the land of pleasant living.”  Well, I’ve no complaint with that being true. But wow… this city here is amazing! All of the streets in the neighborhoods are lined with blossoming trees. It is an incredibly gorgeous city!  I’ve never seen a place quite like this other than Dallas – where you can drive mile after mile after mile of beautiful neighborhoods and homes! Our host pastor – Jimmy Kallum – swears that there are poor people and neighborhoods around here somewhere, but I ain’t seen them yet!

Pastor Jim Kallum of "The Church at Charlotte"

The purpose of our gathering is to talk about church ministry and share common challenges, experiences, successes, etc.  At the same time, I am both struck by how many similarities we have, and yet how many differences there are.

The differences relate to the broad varieties of communities and cultures we all come from. There are guys here from Southern California – places where it is almost impossible to hire church staff due to the extremely high cost of living. And as well, there are pastors in attendance from Iowa and areas where corn in king. Obviously, there are differences between these locales.

The similarities are the needs of people everywhere and the overall challenges of an increasingly post-Christian culture. An encouraging word is that we at TSF are doing so many of the same things that have been fruitful ministries in other locations. We just need to remain faithful, as it is God who gives the increase.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Kurt Trucksess of our EFC in Spirit Lake, Iowa - my techno-pastor buddy

by

The Frustration of Life Cycles

At the height of the hippie generation, I remember sitting in a high school class with a history teacher who was a World War 2 army veteran tank commander. Mr. Wilson had a crew cut, was still a chiseled figure, and oozed “duty, honor, country!” The several flower-child hippie students in the class were a total mystery to him. I recall him saying one day that life is full of cycles; and he then directed his remarks at the wire-rimmed, droopy-eyed, anti-war students who expressed their rebellion by sitting together at the rear of the class, “Someday, your kids are going to be pro-military, flag-waving Americans with short hair who look and think like me – just to annoy you!”  My guess is that this probably happened.

There are cycles to life, to values, to tastes, fashions and all manner of things. For example, the short hairstyles and clothing choices of my boys’ generation – wearing long shorts and black socks for example – would have gotten them beaten up at my high school as some sort of ….. well ….. I won’t use the word online. The heavy, thick plastic glasses that are common today were a thing of the 50s and 60s, were replaced by a series of wire-framed styles, and now are back again – thicker and larger than ever.

Things cycle in church ministry as well. In my 30 years of doing this, I’ve seen the adult Sunday morning education component switch back and forth at least 5-6 times between a.) topic-driven electives for whomever is interested, and b.) age- and life stage-related Adult Bible Fellowship groups. The pendulum keeps swinging.

But here is one that I did not see coming back around the corner behind me – an appreciation for the ambiance of the worship space. Younger generations have a renewed appreciation for the environment of the worship experience that engages all the senses. The contemporary-oriented groundbreakers of my generation must have been practical to a fault! We were not necessarily against a nice fixed-seat auditorium with artistic wall treatments, warm color schemes, and the best of lighting packages. But, we did not generally value this as a best use of Kingdom resources. When building TSF in the mid 90s, not only did we not have the finances to build a worship edifice, we chose not to … feeling that the space for meeting mattered little – the real ministry was people, relationships, communication of truth. Who cared what the room looked like? Even a warehouse would work! We’d use the savings for missions. And whatever space we built HAD TO, by our values systems, serve many multiple purposes for all ages and types of ministries. It was seen as a family room, not a living room. But times and preferences change – the pendulum swings, and this swing caught me in the back of the head!

Life does have cycles … but probably you need to be old to feel them as a frustration. And that makes sense, because when you are young, everything is still new. Hearing that anything you are now experiencing is but a repeat of the past is likely not much more than an observation you will weigh about whether to believe it or not – that maybe it is just the whining of an old generation – of people seeking to hang on to something they feel slipping from their grasp.

Solomon said, “Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look! This is something new’?  It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.”

 

 

by

Chrisisms

What is a Chrisism?  It is a Chris Wiles dry wit hilarious utterance made in passing – often going by so fast it is not heard by most people.  He is full of great one-liner comparisons and descriptions if you listen closely.

Today I thought I’d write them down while they went by. Truly the exposition of Scripture at TSF was among the best I’ve heard here, and Chris was pushing on the time and did not have as many as some other days, but:

–          “… as that great theologian Bruce Springsteen said, ‘Everybody’s got a hungry heart.’”

–          when talking about the early part of Jesus’ earthly ministry, “At this point Jesus is starting to get noticed and to gain some Twitter followers.”

–          while illustrating how people use Jesus for small needs rather than worship him as God … “It is like going to the doctor with a headache and he points out that you have a harpoon between your third and fourth ribs.”

–          “Maybe you are here today because your spouse drug you here, or literally drugged you here by putting some Tylenol PM in your coffee and donut.”

An oldie from the past, my all-time favorite Chrisism … while talking about the “Casket Store” in Dallas, where people can literally shop for their final bed, Chris said, “Imagine being a salesman there and talking to a customer and saying, ‘So, what have I got to do to get you into one of these today?’”

I have to put these on my blog, because my blog is a fun blog – some of the time. Chris’ blog – www.thornscompose.com – is more serious and academic and deep and all that stuff.  But you really should look at it, especially now – as he is blogging along with the current sermon series.

Today’s exposition of the Scriptures was just great, and really put you into the two passages in Luke that we featured this morning.

by

Marriage, Scripture, the State, and the Church – Complicated!

Last week the Maryland Legislature narrowly passed a bill allowing for same-sex marriage, and the Governor has signed it, as expected. This is not a subject about which the Scriptures can somehow legitimately be twisted to authorize. An appeal to referendum process will be pursued with this, though the pressures for legalizing such marital status is felt everywhere in the country. The increasingly secularized culture may provide for same-sex marriage proponents the weight of opinion in their favor, and thereby eventually prevail everywhere.

This is not the only issue that raises conundrums within the institution of the evangelical church. In my pastors’ email loop this week, a question was raised (too complicated to detail here) that certainly did not have an immediate easy answer. The scope of the question involved what is the nature of marriage:  A. in the eyes of the state, versus B. in the eyes of God.

Currently, when we (as a church) do a marriage, we are doing so for both a spiritual connection in the eyes of God, while also performing a civil ceremony in the eyes of the state. I believe that multiple pressures and difficulties are arising that in some fashion, these duties are going to be separate events at some juncture. I don’t know what that will look like exactly; nor do I know that it answers any and all questions. I would like to believe that it puts us in a better place. I have long said that we need an entirely new paradigm of the “Christian Wedding.”

None of this is as easy as it was some decades ago. I know that I now do ceremonies on occasion that I would have refused to do 30 years ago … now reasoning that working with people, who are going to get married whether I’m involved or not, gives me at least some opportunity to have a biblically-based impact in a transitional moment of their lives. I cannot say I’ve always been sure that God was pleased with me; though I don’t just want to be the guy who takes the easy way out and just says “no” to anything short of ideal (yet I would not facilitate for anyone who is writing off God and not stating their desire to follow Him).

I’m looking forward to the annual pastors’ gathering of E-Free guys that I go to each Spring. I believe this will be one of the top discussion items, as it has attracted the attention and thought processes of our denominational leaders – who were also weighing in with their thoughts on our loop.

I am amazed at how in the lifespan of one person (ME!), ministry has gotten much more complicated!

by

We Are Connected – No We’re Not! …. Yes We Are!

There are so many creative auto insurance commercials out there in recent years. I think I could write an entire year-long devotional book on ideas they generate.

One of the more recent ones features a young, long-haired, “emo” sort of edgy young man who rear-ends an older stereotypical serious business man dressed in a suit, driving a black high-end sedan.

Here is a link to it if you don’t know what I’m talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZxlqNht5jg

The older man immediately assumes the young fellow likely has some worthless cut-rate insurance policy, though they quickly realize they have the same coverage – even the same agent.

The younger guy seems to be almost drawn to a meta-physical revelation and says, “It’s kinda like we’re connected!”  This is obviously an odious concept to the elderly dude who twice asserts firmly, “No we’re not!” … though the obvious inference is that, like it or not, they are connected through their insurance coverage.

People who are different from each other – be it by age, interests, occupation, or a myriad of other qualities – will always find some difficulty in rallying around those fewer elements they have in common. This is human nature; it is not new – not even in the church of Christ. The family of faith is filled with quite a variety of people who have found a common eternal life insurance in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul had to remind the Colossians that “here there is no Gentile or Jew, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another …”

We are a very diverse church family at Tri-State Fellowship. We are no longer just a baby boomer church with a lot of teens and children. Now we have elderly people, families with teenagers, young families with little kids, newly-marrieds, young adults and every other category imaginable. But in Christ, we are connected – yes we are … no we’re not … YES WE ARE!

This is not a weakness; this is a strength – if we will embrace it for all it can give in terms of a rich diversity of people saved by grace. Why settle for a cut-rate church experience, where everyone is just like you?

by

Gail Lindman – Saint Extraordinaire

The memorial service for Gail Lindman was held at TSF on Saturday afternoon, as a portion of her family were in attendance along with about 60-70 local friends.

Gail and her late husband Mel (who passed away in 2005) were a major part of the founding of TSF and the advance of the church over these nearly three decades.

Bill Kesecker spoke at the service, while Ward Childerston presented a couple of songs. Karin accompanied and I read the wonderful passage of the 139th Psalm.

The family shared a number of thoughts and remembrances – speaking also of their gratitude for those who made a continued residence in Hagerstown possible until a couple of years ago. Though from the Midwest, Hagerstown really became their home and the place where their six children grew up.

Tim Lester and I reflected upon Gail’s profound encouragements to us as pastors. She was a regular part of community groups – especially the Barnes group in recent years – and exhibited faithfulness and a confident walk with Christ at all times.

The Lindman family is a model of what we want to see be a more common experience of our church community. This is a family where the faith has been passed down through the generations – such that there is no denial of the great value of – as Bill Kesecker said – a long walk in the same direction. Though the family has spread all over the country, the Lindmans served here as cross-generational mentors … and received as well the affections and heart-felt desires of many to be taught in a discipling manner.

This is what a legacy is all about. Why not desire the same – as much as is possible in as much time as remains? We could say as well that these thoughts really resonate with the theme we are exploring right now of “The Bucket List: Choosing to Live before You Die.”

by

Greetings from Florida

I’m here in Fort Myers for a week with Nathan and Allie and Bella and Hudson. Sorry about the snow squalls I hear you folks back north are having – that sorta stinks.

I’ve not seen a snake yet, though I’m sure they are not far away. When I see one, I’m gonna take a picture and get it on here for you to see.

However, I did see two Redmans today – yep, Paul and Tina. The church they attend here in the winter is a rather large one, and my family has been going to it also. So today, I looked around a bit before the service started, saw Paul and Tina, and just walked into their pew and sat down next to them unannounced. That was fun.

Hanging with the Snowbirds

The program featured a really great kids musical production – lots of energy and well-done.

by

Baby Bottle Campaign

It is that time of year again where, as in years past, we encourage your participation in the Hagerstown Area Pregnancy Center’s baby bottle campaign. This is the primary fund-raiser for this valuable ministry in our community.

Where else do you know that it can be said that someone or something literally saved lives? We hear of great stories from time to time, but it is without exaggeration able to be said that the HAPC saves literally hundreds of lives a year.

The medical services provided by the center – services that open deep conversations between workers and clients – come at a cost of operation. Along with an entire host of other evangelical churches in the community, we want to make this possible – to have the doors open as often as possible in order to reach young women at vulnerable times.

It would be wonderful to be able to see the evil of abortion overturned. But until that time, we may make a true difference by our practical support of this ministry of life!

So pick up a bottle at church – fill it up with coins, bills, and large checks – and bring it back by the end of February.

by

UPS and the Delivery of the Gospel

The UPS Delivery System

I was recently watching a business documentary on the shipping and logistics techniques of FedEx and UPS.  Many of you have probably heard me talk about my several years of working for United Parcel Service in Dallas during my seminary years. It was a very, very fast-moving environment. Everyone who worked with me on the primary sort aisle was a high-end college or grad student – all young and healthy guys who could memorize thousands of numbers (zip codes) and also re-arrange on the fly how they would all be grouped.

UPS has the 9th largest airline in the world

I have never worked harder in my life. It was a part-time job, and I’ve always said that you’d drop before you made it to eight hours! We were paid really well… at a rate that even today, over 30 years later, would be a decent wage.

Something I was very proud of is that I was undefeated in a particular test they would give us on eye-hand coordination. The supervisor would show you a grid chart of numbers, and you were timed as to how quickly you could put your fingers on the numbers in consecutive order.

UPS is the most efficient outfit I have ever seen. They timed everything for proficient operation. So, in this modern technological age, I guess I should not be surprised that the job I did is now completely automated with computer tags, scanners, and mechanical devices. These advances came a couple decades too late for my sciatic nerve – which reminds me from time to time of my years in Dallas.

However, the documentary presented one area where the continued personal touch of a human – the delivery guy – was indispensable. Everything else can fall apart if that person acts like a jerk!

The Gospel Message Delivery System

There are incredible advances as well in the resources for the Gospel to be presented to lost people. We have tracts and books and blogs and videos and web pages … literally libraries of materials to communicate the message of eternal truth. Yet it is still a practically indispensable element for there to be a delivery person who communicates the truth by a quality of life and capacity for verbally witnessing.

Romans 10 says this: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

As I said in my opening sermon of the year: “There is no growth path forward for TSF that does not include a church family who cares about lost people and is actively communicating it to people.”  The days of people just flocking through our doors out of curiosity are gone. We need to deliver the truth to them.