The Take-Away

I am not sure where it began, but during the last year or so the phrase “the take-away” has become an increasingly popular one. Teaching/learning sessions frequently conclude with it and now a daily news program on our local NPR station has it as a title. This leads me to wonder if we shouldn’t ask ourselves about the take-away not only as we preach or teach, but also when we order the life of the church as our efforts to appease various points of view can often leave others wondering what the Gospel message might be.

What’s the take-away when

-we preach matters of stewardship, but fail to consider how we take care of God’screation?
-we teach that Jesus loves all the children, but we do not support measures for adequate education and health care for children within our own state?
-we ask members to be faithful disciples by assuming church leadership roles, then we fail to use their gifts?

During this season of examination, confession and repentance, perhaps we need to daily reflect upon what the take-away has been by those we have encountered in our work and play. Are we living in right relationship with God and others? Are we serving as witnesses to the saving grace of Christ? This kind of preparation might lead us to an authentic celebration of Easter. The take-away is my focus for Lent. What’s yours?

Wesley Study Bible

I have been reading the promos for the Wesley Study Bible for several months, but it was only when I began to read some very positive reviews of it that I decided to buy one. I am not disappointed. This NRSV Bible gives understanding of the Wesleyan faith through text notes that reference the writings of John Wesley and sidebars by Wesley theologians that focus on key terms, like Prevenient Grace, Works of Piety and Sacraments. A third group of notes give insight into faithful discipleship in the Wesleyan tradition. This Bible was edited by Dr. Joel B. Green and Bishop William H. Willimon and published by Abington Press. It would seem to be a wonderful resource for those who lead Bible studies and want to make sure that they are conversant with Wesleyan terms and theology that define Methodism. In fact, I encourage anyone to purchase this Bible and refer readers to Cokesbury for details about it. Please note that the special introductory price of $24.95 is available only until February 28.

This week Larry Hollen has a good review of the Wesley Study Bible on his blog and Bishop Willimon has some interesting thoughts about it on his blog, also. I look forward to using this Bible in the days ahead, especially as I explore the Lenten texts.

Youth Ministry

For ten years, First UMC has had a faithful and dedicated youth director. Then, he was gone. His tenure far exceeded the eighteen months that youth directors usually serve and was ready for a change of focus. We wish him well as he begins his new ministry with children and adults in another church. So we are in the process of finding a replacement. All of this leaves me wondering what should youth ministry in 2009 look like?

First, I applaud the efforts of those who are thoughtfully and prayerfully considering the answer to this question for few things are more hot button within congregations than youth ministry. Everyone has an opinion and it is usually accompanied with quite a bit of emotion. In the past, good youth ministry was primarily programs, events and other gatherings. However, we are told that youth no longer want a cruise director; they want to do things that make a difference like service projects and mission trips. We are realizing that the relationships and role models have the greatest influence on the lives of our youth. Yet, adults seem to have difficulty moving beyond the memories of their own experience and want youth programs to mirror what was important to them. The challenge of bringing these threads of the discussion together seems insurmountable some days. We have a job description that includes everything but walk on water and expectations that are probably not realistic. How do we reconcile the wants and the needs for effective youth ministry? Perhaps, we should listen more closely to what our youth are saying about what they need as they seek spiritual direction and ask only one question of our youth director candidates. Will he/she show our youth Jesus Christ?

Newspapers Then and Now

The conversation continues about the future of newspapers and what this means to our society. This NY Times editorial reminds us of the influence of the newspaper in the past and what their demise might mean. Although I think the writer cites some compelling evidence of the importance of newspapers, I wonder if we already have passed the point of no return for the daily newspaper because of what it is. Most are a part of large media corporations with little investigative reporting or independent thought. Local human interest news often covers the front page and news of real consequence is hard to find. Probably the more significant issue is that of preserving a free press, one that is the voice of, for and by the people. We also need to be concerned about how we synthesize the vast amount of information that is available to us electronically and discern what we do with it. I feel that this is a discussion that should also extend to what we read or hear as church news. However, this is a matter for another day.

FYI – I am still not ready to give up the Sun-News and a cup of coffee each morning. However, I read several newspapers and news sources on-line, also.

A Long Way Gone

In the bestselling book, A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah tells about being part of the bloody civil war in his home country of Sierra Leone. A the age of twelve he and several other boys were forced to run for their lives as rebels destroyed the nation. Eventually, he found himself in a village controlled by the national army where he was compelled to join their cause and for over two years he fought for this army, killing and torturing while in a drug-induced haze. It becomes almost too painful to read of whom he was becoming. Suddenly, he is delivered to UNICEF for rehabilitation in Freetown. and the slow journey to recovery begins. Though he was “a long way gone,” the slow journey to healthy self-understanding begins. Although we read some about this time and are in awe of those individuals who are key to his redemption, there remain a lot of elements untold. Beah is still a young man and I would suspect that recovery is an unending story for him. This insight into the lives of many young children caught in the crossfire of political agendas and forced to become soldiers is eye-opening and begs us to be peacemakers. I recommend adding it to your reading list.

Forty-two Years Ago

It is hard to believe that 42years ago today Ron and I were married in the Jeffersonville Methodist Church (a UMC after the 1968 merger) in my Ohio hometown. My mother made my gown; my sister was my only attendant and the wedding created no debts. We said our vows amid family and friends, cut the cake in the fellowship hall in the church basement and left for a brief honeymoon in Lexington, KY. Two sons, two daughter-in-laws, and four grandchildren later we have lots of rich memories of a variety of experiences that have cemented those marital promises. Of course, there have been moments of tension and stress, but somehow we have honored our vows and continue to enjoy traveling life’s journey together. May this be a valuable legacy to our children and grandchildren.