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By Gary L. Shaw

District Superintendent, RISEM

RISEM Office: rim@neumc.org                                                             

 

Published February 27, 2010

Dear Pilgrims,

I play golf; not very well but it is one of those things that my children and I like to do together. As a golfer and one who likes the history of the game I have marveled at Tiger Woods and his climb to the top and sadly his rapid fall. I’ve seen him play about four times at the TPC and my son Steven will squeeze to the front just to see him swing a club or stand over a putt.  

Sports radio is full of talk noting that people will forget about all of this once Tiger starts winning again. In the Providence Journal on Saturday one married thirty year old was quoted as saying “All men cheat. It’s the nature of the beast. We’re wired that way. No one is going to remember what happened as soon as he starts winning again.”

On Sunday morning I heard the word: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” (Luke 4: 1)

I don’t mean to compare Tiger with Jesus, although my guess is in today’s culture Tiger may have more name recognition, but after hearing those words I thought about two excerpts from Tiger’s press conference.

 “I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules don’t apply. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me.  I stopped living according to my core values. Money and fame made me believe I was entitled. I was wrong and foolish. I don’t get to live by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me.”

“I was raised a Buddhist and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away in recent years. Buddhism teaches that craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security, it teaches me to stop following every impulse and practice restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught.”

I have no basis to determine if Tiger’s apology was sincere, but my spiritual journey and understanding of scripture tell me that what he said about temptation, entitlement, and the craving for security from those things “outside” are true. That is the journey of Lent, is it not? That “gut check” time when we look deeply into our souls as well as our lifestyles and seek to examine ourselves. What is tempting us? How are we living out our entitlement and privilege? (national and personal) What are the things that are eating us up inside even while we long and devote our lives to achieve it?

I think of Jesus in the wilderness, without food, able to do whatever he wanted to because he could, yet resisted the temptation of privilege and power and practiced restraint. Could it be that Jesus could do this because he was full and led by the Holy Spirit? In other words, it is not that the temptations of food, power, and privilege weren’t tempting, but Jesus knew that we too would face similar fates in our spiritual journey’s and his example is more than “Just say No”, it is stay connected,  stay in relationship, be full and led by God.

I don’t believe that “all men cheat; that it is the nature of the beast” and while people may forget all about this “when Tiger starts winning” my prayer is that Tiger will not forget and like each one of us, will take the time to daily examine our “inner and outer” lives for congruence, integrity and faithfulness.

I pray the Spirit’s leading for you and the church during this time of Lent.

 

Blessings,

 

Gary

 

 

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Published November 24, 2009 

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met” Matthew 6: 30-33

Dear Pilgrims, 

Grace and peace to you in the name of Christ Jesus.

I pray this finds you grounded in generosity and love as our nation turns to a time of reflection and thanksgiving.

I have been a particularly moved this fall by the number of people in charge conferences who have reflected on their own lives and in the life of the church around the question of “neighbor.”  I recently received the minutes from one charge conference and either by accident, intention, or Freudian spell check gone awry the heading read; “Minutes of the Change Conference.” Those churches that have had their charge conference may not have experienced this same attitude but more and more there seems to be a deepening awareness of the need for our churches to “walk into the neighborhood” and see who is around.

Steve reminded me of this the other day when he brought home the typical 5th grade construction paper project related to Thanksgiving. When I inquired of him how two diverse groups of people, Pilgrims and Native Americans, people who were probably suspicious of one another, might have met and shared a meal he simply said “I couldn’t begin to guess.” When I asked him how he meets new friends he replied, “Well, I guess you begin with something that you both like.” 

We begin with “what we hold in common.” 

In the Matthew text for Thanksgiving there is a wonderful reminder from Jesus of what we hold in common. There has been speculation over the years who Jesus is speaking to in this passage, the rich or the poor, but most commentators agree that when it comes to possessions and anxiety status is not the evaluator. Anxiety about possessions and money afflict both the poor in their longing and the rich in their keeping; there is no free ride. Excessive worry doesn’t help us solve a problem, reach a goal, or overcome difficulties but merely focuses our attention on ourselves instead of the bounty of God’s blessing and providence. So Jesus points to that which is spectacular and common drawing us to reflect on nature, arguing from the lesser to greater; “God cares for the birds and flowers, is it then not reasonable that no less care will be shown to each and every one of us?”

I have heard more than once during charge conferences people ask, “What if we moved?” “What if we embarked on a ministry of service to the poor?” “What if we had a prayer vigil?” These are difficult questions which are often dismissed with an inability or unwillingness to embrace the seeming impossible and impractical. In some cases these questions have been asked for months, years and even generations and yet there has been no action. I would suggest, certainly not in every instance, that the lack of movement is because there is too much “personal investment” and not enough “common good.” Or put another way, anxiety over what will happen (to me) shatters trust in the wisdom and leadership of God.

This Thanksgiving at the common table, in your homes, at church, in the community might we ask God to provide us a deeper insight of what it is we hold in common for the benefit of God’s glory, and identify what it is that keeps us locked into an anxious future instead of a Kingdom reality. After all as I reflect on the Christian life, ones life is qualified by what one seeks, not from the anxiety of what one has attained.  

Blessings,

Gary

 

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Published July 2, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

Well, I’m off….don’t know to do exactly what, but to conjure up phrases from the past…

No plans and no expectations of what the month of July will bring but I do know it will no doubt be filled with one Red Sox game, a couple of Paw Sox games, fishing with Steve, baseball games at the Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, periodic visits to Ocean Grove as well as Cape Cod and probably one of the Islands in the district, a whale watch, soccer with the Nor’ east Stingers and if we are lucky a trip to Maine. Then there will be reading, praying, worshipping and reflecting.

It is during the summer that I realize how privileged I am to be able to take a step back and reconnect with family and friends without all of the other agenda pushing around the edges.  I hope that you find some of this time as well; time to watch the wind change directions showing the subtle changes of the underside of leaves; time to enjoy a sunset, time to have a meal together that is not rushed or in front of the TV, time to grow and go deeper with God. It is, as one of the notes on my desk says “Life is not just about paying attention to more; it’s about paying more attention.”

I pray a blessed summer to all of you and suggest that as the spirit moves you might sit down one day and using the 100th Psalm as a guide and write your own psalm of praise and thanksgiving to the Creator who creates and reminds us to create Sabbath as well.

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

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Published June 24, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

It was good to see so many of you at Annual Conference this year. While it is always a crazy time for me, I am thankful for your prayers and seeking me out for conversation.  For some it was a quick handshake and others more involved conversation, in all cases your presence and kind words mean so much to me.

This View is a hodge-podge of miscellaneous stuff before I leave for vacation. I will be in the office until June 30th and then on leave for the month of July. Ron Wilson will be covering for me and the District Office will be open but on a summer schedule. Leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

A couple of reflections on Annual Conference:

The appointments were done a little differently this year with them all being read at once and people from all of the districts standing in the front. This was the first time I have seen this done and what struck me was the number of people, some standing five or six deep in the front of the stage! I realized the enormity of the work that happens from February-early June and the number of people’s lives, families and churches that are affected by this process. I saw a pastor who was announced for a new appointment look over his shoulder at the lay person from the church he was leaving, while taking the hand of the lay person from the church who was receiving him. I wondered if laity knew how much clergy look to them during these times of transition to give “permission leaving” and “supportive welcoming.” 

David Arruda (Faith Fellowship UMC, Mansfield, MA) received the Harry Denman award for evangelism. David was lifted up for his work with the 11th Hour Church and his willingness to engage in church transformation. Jim Carney was nominated by the Open Table of Christ for the Excellence in Social Justice Award for his work with walking on behalf of the poor and marginalized. Jim died earlier this year and his award was accepted by his wife Nancy. One of Jim’s last walks was from Boston to RI in support of immigrants and detainees.  Barry Burdick (Grace Westerly) and Thomas Demers (Chartley) were recognized as local pastors, Federico Carmona (Open Table of Christ) was commissioned as a provisional elder, Jinwoo Chun (Cornerstone of Faith) was ordained elder and Paul O’Neil (Acushnet-Wesley) was received as a full member of the United Methodist Church.

Many thanks to those who supported the RISEM District in the “Penny Challenge”.  The CCYM (Conference Council on Youth Ministry) no longer receives pennies but still does receive money. The New Hampshire District took the prize again and has won four years in a row! Donations from the churches totaled over $7,500 and RISEM came in with a little over $1,000. Two of the larger donations came from two of our smaller UM congregations: Bryantville UMC in Pembroke, MA with $300.00 and Cotuit Federated Church with $200.00. Thank you.

The “Penny Challenge” is how the CCYM raises money for mission; last year they helped the youth of the Duxbury UMC go on a mission trip to New Orleans, they have given scholarships for young people in the conference to be mission ambassadors to Africa, Cuba, Nicaragua, and India, and they help support those young people who want to be involved in Mission of Peace.  In almost every church someone will say that there are no youth; well now every church has an opportunity to “adopt” a youth and youth program. In 2010 I would love to see 100% participation in the penny challenge as the RISEM district way of supporting youth ministry on both a local and conference level; our support to the youth means raising up new leaders for tomorrow in the church as well as exposing them to mission and ministry at home and beyond New England. It’s not about the District winning a trophy; it is about the youth having the support and resources they need for their ministry and mission to the world.

Blessings,

Gary

 

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Published June 9, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

Grace and peace as we live into the season of Pentecost.

As I prepare for annual conference, and all of the last minute details that come with it, I find myself a bit overwhelmed. I said to my wife Melanie this morning that there is“heaviness” that I feel that I cannot get my head wrapped around. Maybe it is all of the things that need to be cared for in the next seven days (I hate deadlines and annual conference certainly has its share of deadlines) or perhaps it is my tendency to jam as much as humanly possible into every hour before I go on vacation; somehow rationalizing that if I don’t work on vacation, I must work 16 hours a day prior to that! Melanie, who I truly believe God placed in my life as a vehicle for common sense, simply reminds me to breathe and stop eating ice cream at 11:00 at night.

On the other hand I have found that much of my “heaviness” (you may have your own word for what you feel) is really anxiousness about change. There is something about annual conference in the lives of many churches and pastors that brings out this “it’s all about to change” uneasiness and we all have our own way of dealing with it, some healthy and some that is not.

Have no fear, this is not a lecture on how one must accept change, but an acknowledgment that it happens and it is not always easy, clean, understandable, or within our desires or comfort zone.

In 2002 I was appointed as the Superintendent to the Southern Maine District, within six months it was clear that there was going to be a change in the number of districts in the annual conference, which meant that there also needed to be a change in the number of superintendents. I was quite concerned, and while keeping an outward and positive image, I was also asking God why He would have me leave a perfectly fine local church appointment and go to Maine for a single year. I worried about the kids changing schools again and other family concerns. During that time I came across this prayer, I keep it tucked away in my “DS bag” as a ready reference to calm my soul and allow God to be present to me; it helps ground me in the work I do and calls me to remember that institutions are filled with individuals.  I know it is long, but I hope it brings you a similar sense of “becoming” in the midst of chan ge.

Blessings,

Gary

Better Than Nice and Other Unconventional Prayers; by Frederick Ohler and Beverly Hummel

Constant God

Dis – illusion us – of the siren notion

that change alone will do it.

Take from our souls

the great American lie

that life is always somewhere else up ahead

that somehow a new place

the next time

a new love

a new god

tomorrow's experience

will do it.

Help us to accept the fact that everywhere we go

there we are.

Help us to celebrate the truth

that unless it is well in our soul

it is no good

any    where

any   time.

Surprising God

dis - illusion us of the stolid notion

that change can be forbidden

that we can freeze time

eternalize place

or suspend animation.

Who of us has not wanted to stop the flow, the parting

the death of a sister

the loss of a friend

the growth of a person?

How we love to turn tents into cathedrals

transfigurations into booths

loves into possessions

and homes into museums

but Your love is out ahead calling for courage

resurrection

risk.

 

O God, it's not too hard to love a being

and be comfortable

but people aren't beings    they're becomings

and it's hard to love a becoming.

It hurts

it tears at our unfaith.

It's hard to love a becoming

unless we, too, by Your constant surprising

are also becoming

who we are.

Becoming God

proceed, we pray amen.

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Published May 28, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

Once again thank you for all of your comments and responses to these occasional ramblings. For those of you who are keeping score, Steven has broken out of his batting slump and starting to get the hang of little league pitching.

I’ve been doing some interesting reading lately as I begin to think about what it means to be a pastor and a church in the 21st century.* Clearly, as I move around the district, there are as many descriptions of 21st ministry and mission as there are churches and clergy. For some churches it is about survival and others transformation, for some clergy it is about making it to retirement and others initiating radical discipleship; I suspect that most of us, church, laity and clergy alike fall far closer to the middle than to either extreme.

Taken from the book “Sizing Up the Shape of the Church” by George Hunsberger, Reggie McNeal notes that one’s understanding of the church becomes determinative for the churches agenda.

“From the Reformation heritage comes the understanding of the church as “a place where certain things happen.” What these “certain things” are varies by tradition and denomination, but they include activities along the lines of preaching and teaching the Bible, observing the sacraments and engaging in worship. What happens “at the church” and how it happens, including doctrinal differences and nuances, establish people’s view of their own church and how it differs from other churches.

This view of the church seems to operate predominantly when the culture is Christianized. The assumption is that Christian values permeate all of society, so one goes to church to perform certain rites and then goes on with life in a way that will not be challenged by a hostile culture or deemed at odds with a Christian world view and practice. This is how church was viewed throughout much of Christian history after Constantine.

Hunsberger identifies a second view of the church in which it is seen as “a vendor of religious goods and services.” Though this seems a crass way to put it, I think it is an apt description of the program church. Members and participants expect the church to provide a range of services, from favorite music and fellowship, sports leagues and travel opportunities. In this view, other churches actually become competitors in the religious marketplace for the energy, money and affiliation of people they can attract and keep satisfied through the services they offer.

A third view of the nature of the church, Hunsberger suggests is seeing the church as “a body of people sent on a mission.” My question is,” Whose mission is it?” Lots of churches see themselves on a mission. They have carefully articulated mission statements, often having spent great energy developing them and making sure everyone understands them. The dilemma is that these congregations often wind up investing in a mission that God had no hand in framing.”

This quote is ripe for reflection and criticism but it certainly offers food for spiritual reflection. Every church should ask the question “How has God shaped our mission to the community?” Or, perhaps another way, “What have I/we (as our personal interest) placed in God’s way inhibiting my/our transformation as a person/church?”

I suspect that many churches fall into all three of the categories above; personally I think there is nothing wrong with that, but let’s not stop there. How do we take the best of who we are as a community of faith and pepper it so that we continue to stretch with God into something that God desires and not just what is comfortable for us? 

Blessings,

Gary

 

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Published April 9, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

It was during Holy Week some years ago that I sat holding my wife’s hand in the waiting room at Children’s Hospital. Our daughter Leslyn was to have some exploratory surgery that was not “life threatening” in and of itself, but could indicate a life threatening condition.

Like all parents we tried to remain poised and calm, trusting in the expertise of the physicians and staff that were charged with our eight year olds care. Her specialist asked if we might allow several others physicians to be part of the procedure; after all he noted we don’t see these kinds of things very often and it would be best to have other minds and opinions in the room; since Children’s is a teaching hospital we naturally consented. It wasn’t until we were introduced to the team, just prior to surgery, that our stomachs began to flutter. The team consisted of the chief of hematology, gynecology, oncology and the chief of surgery. Suddenly this “exploratory surgery” felt more serious, more invasive, more troubling, more ominous; too many “chiefs” with some pretty specific fields.

The four of them walked down the corridor to the operating room and we watched their backs as they slid behind the doors; we were both speechless. An hour later, the four of them reappeared, walking toward us yet this time their scrubs were blood stained and the look on their faces somber. Melanie gabbed my hand expecting the worse; I simply said “It will be OK, no matter what it is, it will be OK”  Dr. Laufer noted that Leslyn had lost a lot of blood for a child her size but she would be fine. The other physicians gave reports that were positive but hedged pending some blood work and biopsy results. They assured us that she had received the finest care and probably should spend the night to make sure that there was no additional bleeding. As I look at a picture of Leslyn and Steven taken at Fenway Park which is on my desk, her medical concerns have not been “life threatening” but they have been, in more than one way, “life changing” and “spiritually transforming.”

I am uncertain if my comment to Melanie “It will be OK, no matter what it is, it will be OK” is a affirmation of my faith in God, or as Frederick Beecher noted “wishful thinking while whistling in the dark.” Whatever it was I believed it, and I still do to this day. It didn’t take away the anxiety, or the fear and it didn’t heal or change the delivery of the “news”; but as the words came out and Melanie and I looked into each others eyes, there was, and I can still sense it thirteen years later a sense of peace, of trust that alongside those four doctors also came Jesus.

Holy Week is five days of bad news followed by an empty tomb. If I were a follower of Jesus in ancient days, I would have probably been more focused on the five lousy days, than on the impossible day. Even as a follower today, confident that the empty tomb is more than what it appears to be, confident in a resurrection reality, I can easily slip into living the lousy instead of loving the Lord. I can focus more on holding on than to letting go, into being a “failed” disciple because I don’t believe, trust, pray, know, love, give…..whatever…….enough; rather than a beloved child of God. To put it a different way, living the lousy doesn’t allow us to see the lavish.

“….I could not help thinking of Mary Magdalene-a woman whose faith was born in a cemetery so long ago. She discovered that even through she desperately wanted to, she could not hold Jesus anymore. He was alive and loose in the world. She could not pin him down to a certain place, a specific time. Now he was the Lord of all places, all times.

None of us can hold him in the way that Mary wanted. We can know him, though, alive inside our lives. We can feast on his Easter promise. We can look into the distance, watch for his veiled light, and trust. Trust that he is ever coming toward us.” (1)

I pray the “letting go” of the things that are binding, so that we might see and experience the Christ among us.

Easter blessings,

Gary

(1) Christian Century; April 7, 2009; “Living the Word”; John 20:1-18

 

 

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Published March 26, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

My last reflection about those seeking a “spiritual” connection versus a “religious” connection and quoting research by Gallop which noted that New England has the lowest percentage of people who claim that “religion plays a daily part in their lives” has drawn a great deal of commentary. I am thankful for the variety of research and questions that have come my way; if nothing else I am grateful that people find these ramblings interesting.

Allow me to share with you some of the reflections that returned to me. Paul writes:

I read with interest your recent commentary in "A View from the Bridge" and it prompted me to investigate something I've always been curious about (and something you are probably already aware of).  As background, in my daily life when I encounter "formerly churched" people who now consider themselves to be non-religious, they most often seem to be former Catholics. I did some research and found that there is a very strong inverse correlation between the % of Catholics in a state and the % of the population that considers itself to be religious. You mentioned that “Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas (are) the most religious states in the nation."  According to a recent study (see reference below), 8 of the top 10 states with the fewest Catholics are, in order, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Georgia (8th ).  In other words, all 5 of the most religious states are also the least Catholic.

Then you mention that "Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts are the least religious.” In fact six out of the ten least religious states are located in the soon to be New England Conference. (VT 42%, NH 46%, ME 48%, MA 48%, AK 51%, WA 52%, OR 53%, RI 53%, NV 54%, CT 55%).  According to my research, 4 of the top 10 most Catholic states are in the NE Annual Conference and are among the least religious. Those states are, in order, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut (4th), and New Hampshire (7th).

Correlation is not causation; however, there is a clear relationship between a states Catholic population and the percent of that state that consider themselves to be non-religious My hypothesis is that when Catholicism is rejected by much of its traditional base, those people often do not return to be churched elsewhere. What does/should the UMC do to better meet the needs of this specific group of "unchurched" who were once people of faith but now find themselves with no place to turn?

Kevin wrote:

The questions you raise in your musings on the Gallup "State of the States" poll are very stimulating.  Let me respond to your final question: "Will we have the ability to adapt…?  If by "we" you mean the institutional church - whether mainline or evangelical or Roman Catholic… and if the "us" includes the 52% of the population who do not self-identify as "religious," then the answer is no… the institutional church will not adapt.  The new wave of spirituality you correctly identify has more in common with Craigslist and Wikipedia than institutional Christianity.  This new wave has no need of "gate-keepers" or structure.  The institutional church is on the down-side of the bell curve.  I expect that if the Gallup poll had been broken down into age cohorts the results would have been even more discouraging for the institutional church.  Institutional mainline and evangelical Christianity stopped working for most of the young a long time ago.  Does there continue to be a place for the institutional church in New England?  Absolutely… after all there is still the 48% (even if that 48% continues to shrink).  Let's celebrate that.  But let's also recognize that something new is happening; and the new wine will not work in the old wineskin.  There is no need to lament the old wineskin… God honored it and blessed it for many years.  But let's remember it's not the wineskin that matters, it the wine!  What can we (those who have drunk deeply from the old wineskin) do?  We can send people out - being careful not to try to impose our old wineskin ways - to live and share the gospel.”

A couple of comments. In a recent Lily Foundation that came out of Trinity College in Hartford, CT, (summary below) there has been a significance decrease in Catholicism in the New England States. Rhode Island which has typically been one of the most heavily populated Roman states went from 62% of the population being Catholic in 1980 to 48% in 2008; essentially losing a generation of people.

That same study noted that the term “evangelical”, which is what I believe most Wesleyan’s are, be they progressive or conservative, has been co-opted to by various organization to express a “political agenda” as opposed to a spiritual passion inclusive of piety and social justice. While the Methodist Church continues to lose membership, as do all mainlines, are people “rethinking” how church is done and how relationships might be built in a different way? Do people recognize who we are (Christians) based on a negative perception (what we do/belief) instead of a positive? Do we recognize the death of the institution church, or are we in such denial that we cannot see its demise? And, in this season of Lent, as we approach Easter, “what is unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see?” Perhaps our Lenten journey is to pray for a new path, unformed as it is, instead of walking the same road with same destination.

Blessings,

Gary

 

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Published February 11, 2009

Dear Pilgrims,

A January 28, 2009 Gallup Poll entitled State of the States: Importance of Religion reports that when asked “Is religion an important part of your daily life?” 65% of Americans reported that religion is an important part of their daily lives. This conclusion was based on interviews of more than 350,000 participants around the country. The poll also breaks down responses to the same question state by state. Here the information gets a little more interesting. The poll finds that “Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas to be the most religious states in the nation, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts are the least religious.” In fact six out of the ten least religious states are located in the soon to be New England Conference. (VT 42%, NH 46%, ME 48%, MA 48%, AK 51%, WA 52%, OR 53%, RI 53%, NV 54%, CT 55%). (www.gallup.com)

I am of the opinion that this Gallup Poll reveals some deeper questions such as: What is the future of “religion” in New England? What is “religion” in New England? Why isn’t religion an important part of people’s daily lives in New England? While some like to believe that New England may be on the verge of a “religious revival” I am not sure the evidence would bear that out, but what if we were in the verge of a “spiritual revival?” That’s the question I would like to see answered, “Is spirituality an important part of your daily life?” I believe that the answer to that question would be vastly different.

One of the things I have learned over the years working alongside people in recovery, as well as in my own spiritual journey, is that addicts who identify themselves as Christians are often resistant to embrace step three in the twelve step program: “Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understand God.” Some have speculated that this is because addicts who have been raised in the church note that they have already tried the “God stuff” and it hasn’t worked, thus creating a resistance to trust and an unwillingness to “do it again.” Others have noted that addicts who are also “religious” may be unwilling to let go of a childlike understanding/relationship with God; an unforgiving, punishing, judgmental, unlistening, and failed miracle God.    In any case part of recovery is “reframing” a relationship with God that is personal, maturing and spiritually connected. It is the willingness to turn “will and lives” over to God, and letting something new develop that may have nothing to do with the past and may even make the future a little scary.

In my church travels I often hear churches discuss the need for new members along with the appropriate reasons why. The conversation is often about the needs of the church and not the spiritual needs of those who might be coming into fellowship. It is much like asking; Where is religion in your life, verses where is the working of the Holy Spirit in your life? When churches have assumed values of what it means to be “religious” or what it means to have “religion” in your daily life and try to impose it on others the result will often be a dying church. When a church understands the centrality of the Holy Spirit working, reshaping, reforming, recreating the body, exercising a mature and bold faith, the result is often that the church will grow. The “concept” is the same, at AA or UMC; it is about allowing God to direct us, and not us correcting God.

New England might not be the hotbed for a religious revival, but I am convinced that there is a spiritual awakening among us, the question for our churches is: Will we have the ability to adapt and allow the working of the Holy Spirit guide us deeper into something we don’t quite understand or will we try and assimilate the Spirit into the institution and extinguish the flame. It’s a personal question that requires turning oneself and the church over to God.

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

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December 15, 2008

Dear Pilgrims, Last Thursday night I awoke to the sound of a loud crack. The wind that had come howling in overnight had splintered a large oak tree that once stood tall between my neighbors and our yard. Thankfully it fell away from the power line that serves our two homes! When the midnight skies gave way to the dull grey of dawn not only could I see the one tree, but several others that had fallen to the wind providing a clue as to why we were without power.

My schedule had me driving to Lowell, MA on Friday morning and as I drove out of Seekonk and headed north one could see the terrible damage of the winds and flooding (Seekonk had over 4” of rain). Some roads were impassable due to downed trees and power lines others were closed due to flooding.

Heading North on 495 I moved from the wind blown trees, into this buffer zone and then into the significant damage done by ice and freezing rain. Just as it was at home, streets in Lowell, Dracut and Chelmsford were flooded, traffic lights lost their ability to guide, trees bent low touching the ground and those that could not bend, simply snapped from the weight and the burden of the ice.

As dramatic, dangerous, obvious and stunning as the destruction was in Seekonk and Lowell, there was a quiet beauty in the buffer zone; that place where the wind did not howl as mighty and the ice did not cling with perseverance. The meteorological space between the cold and warm front deposited a delicate coating of ice that the sun danced off reflecting a light that transported one to a magical, perhaps even mystical place. This wasn’t big, but it was beautiful. In the 19th chapter of I Kings where Elijah is confronted by God he discovers God’s presence in a “gentle whisper” and not in the wind, earthquake, and the fire. It seems that so often it is only the “dramatic” and the “loud voices” that grab my attention while the ordinary, the subtle, the everyday, goes unnoticed. Do you notice that in your life?

My son Steve is in the countdown for Christmas, he “gets” Santa more than Jesus, I suppose that is true of most 10 year old boys, maybe even of many adults as well. It is a lot more exciting and spectacular to think that this guy in a red suit flies all over the world pulled by reindeer with cool presents for good little boys and girls; and to think that Santa and his reindeer also eat the cookies, drink milk and have some crunchy carrots is pretty awesome too! Santa slides down the chimney (hot coals and all), Jesus walks in the back door, sits at the table and eats with us, walks with us, every hour….a presence so everyday, a whisper, the ordinary that I (we) sometimes forget to see its spectacular beauty. As we approach Christmas day, I pray that we will all be watchful of the Christ among us in the ordinary, the Jesus who comes in the back door, the Jesus who does not come with “shock and awe” but “aha.”

Advent blessings, Gary

 

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Published December 1, 2008

Dear Pilgrims,

Advent blessings.

Two thirds through charge conferences finds me reflecting on many of the things that I have learned in our local churches this year; the most amazing that in the face of declining economic trends as well as personal hardships the commitment to faith and the fundamental mission of the church remains strong.  There are some congregations that are struggling but the Spirit continues to rest upon the people allowing for anxiety and fear to be replaced with the promise of “God’s presence”; of course, this is all dependent on folk allowing God to be God and not getting so caught up in trying to control that which is not in our control.

I was traveling to the Cape and just as RT 28 becomes Palmer Rd. in Falmouth there is a sign that read “Bagged Leaves Wanted” with an arrow pointing down a small street.  This time of year driving 3-4,000 miles a month I often look for distractions and the sign was just that blessing.  I thought to myself, “Why would a person want bagged leaves?  How do you stop them coming once you have enough?  When is enough?”  I thought maybe the leaves are used for composting, or raising worms for fishing, but that seemed like a lot of leaves; I mean how much compost does one need!  As I later found out the person uses the bagged leaves to bank their home as a means of insulation in the winter.  Still the more I thought of the sign “Bagged Leaves Wanted” the more my mind wandered until it finally came to a place where I could ask “What signs do we demonstrate as a church, or as God’s people, that would encourage a sojourner to “inquire” about who we are?” 

Some churches have pithy sayings on their church signs and perhaps that is one means; another church has a Christmas tree in their front yard encouraging people to stop and say a prayer and light a bulb, some churches have clothing and food pantries.  All of this is well and good clearly one of many missional aspects of the church, but what about the deeper stuff.  What is it in our individual lives, or as the body of Christ, that would prompt someone to inquire of us; Why? How? When? 

In the 5th chapter of Matthew Jesus speaks of salt and light; or how we spice up the world and light a path for transformation.  These symbols/words/signs in the ancient world were just as powerful a metaphor for living in Christ as is “Bagged Leaves Wanted” for home insulation.

I pray that God will continue to use our local churches, as well as our individual lives to be the vessels through which the deeper questions of life, faith, hope, and discipleship might be queried.  I pray that we might be, as the collective body “salt and light for the world.”

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

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Published September 24, 2008

Dear Pilgrims,

     “Here in New York City, every day brings a dozen conversations about the financial crisis. Some people can think of nothing else. The world is changing before our eyes.

       In other places, the frenzy might be muted. But I urge you to see the whole, that is, to recognize that a change on Wall Street eventually changes realities in most other places. Worry here becomes worry there. If, as Chaos Theory suggests, a butterfly in Central Park can affect the weather in Tokyo, imagine what a tsunami in financial markets just south of Central Park can do.

      As people of compassion, this is a time for us to listen for the gasps.”

                                                                                                                                --Tom Ehrich from On a Journey

I’ll turn 55 this week; in UM lingo that means I’ve got 17 more years before I have to retire, 17 more years to ride out this financial crisis, and 17 more years to try and rebuild my small retirement portfolio. If I had my way I wouldn’t work until I’m 72 but with a 20 year old in college and a 10 year old who will be in college in 2016 I’m not sure if playing golf and volunteering at the church owned thrift shop is anywhere in my near future. Like many Americans I have read with interest the advice from financial analysts, checked my pension portfolio and have tried to figure out a way to cut back on spending in order to lessen debt and free up more money. Like many Americans I have focused first on myself and my families well being and forgotten or even worse ignored those for whom this crisis is a matter of life and death, and not “paper money.”

A while back the lectionary reading from Exodus focused on God hearing “the cries of the people of Israel” who suffered under the tyranny of their oppressor. Pharaoh didn’t hear those cries; God did, as God hears the “gasps” of the poor and oppressed today. It would be nice and so simple to believe that corporate greed, Fannie Mae, AIG, unscrupulous lenders, oil companies and Wall Street are the oppressors; but it would be an easy way out.  I would suggest that as Christians when we look first to our own needs and security without attentive listening to the “gasps” of others around us, then we too play the role of Pharaoh.

I’m not trying to lay guilt out here, I am simply reflecting biblically and theologically about my own place in God’s creation and responsibility of being a steward in God’s Kingdom; and frankly from what I can see there are not a whole lot of “me first” justifications that can be made. Perhaps graver than one’s personal response to this financial crisis will be the local church’s response. Already I have heard churches justify a reduction in missions, outreach to the community and programs in order to have enough “money to heat the sanctuary.” When I suggest that they might meet in a different location or someone’s home you would think I was speaking in another language. And indeed I am, I am speaking in “gasps”; for many of our churches both in the conference and in North America, this financial crisis is the “last gasp” of urgency that will determine what the future will hold and who we will be, as well as what our priorities will be as the people of God and the body of Christ.  

As followers of Jesus, my sense is how we balance the “gasps of the people” and “grasp of the Holy Spirit” will determine our institutional and spiritual future.

Blessings,

Gary

 

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Published August 12, 2008

 

Dear Pilgrims,

 

Grace and peace in the name of Christ.

Summer is nearly over and I realize that it has been months since I wrote to you.  It has been a quick summer but abundant in cucumbers and green beans; the tomatoes are just now staring to ripen with quickness.  It has also been a busy summer, conversation with pastors, meeting with local churches, lots of little league and town league baseball games, and one week of a rainy vacation.  Thank goodness there is time left to get in some fishing, one more PawSox game and hopefully a couple of good days of perfect (as near perfect as I can be) golf.

While I was at Jurisdictional Conference I witnessed a wonderful conversation between some young people. (By the way I was told by Melanie, that if she hears the word "conference" one more time be it General, Jurisdictional, Annual or Charge she is going to scream; sort of how I feel about Manny).  Anyway, I needed a place to sit, and there was an empty seat at a table of young people/adults.  I asked if I could join them.  (I could see their minds spinning and wanting to say no, but someone offered a reluctant "Sure.")  The conversation centered on a young woman getting ready to head off to her first year of college some distance from home.  She was expressing her anxiety about leaving what she has come to know as home; her dog, parents, siblings, friends, car and hangouts.  "These things have always been my security blanket, I could always find someone to talk to, vent to, complain to, and have fun with….it's scary going off and not having anyone, not knowing anyone."

They all agreed and offered the young woman advice on how to make friends, the need to bring something from home that was familiar, on how often to call home and talk to her parents and boyfriend, and to "stick it out."  One woman, who had just graduated from college said; "These are all important things and they do work, but no matter what you do or bring, you're life will change and it will be scary.  My first year when I realized how alone I felt and I didn't like my roommate, that's when I decided I needed to rely more on God than anything else and it was OK.  God's always there, even at 2 AM in the morning when I drank too much, or after an exam that I flunked."  Another person chimed in for a minute and said, "Yea, I love my parents, but sometimes it's a whole lot easier talking to God."

It's easy to "stay in love with God" when it's all good; and equally as easy to forget God in the midst of change.  If we profess that God is "rock and salvation" a "sure and present help in time of need" and that with God "we walk through the valley of the shadow of death" then why are we more inclined to cling to the old ways and the old securities than rather trusting in God "always and in all ways."  Is it the "human condition" or is it our own desire to stay in control of both time, life and God?

I was blessed that morning to be part of a conversation that blended a personal need for things common and a spiritual need for God.  Thank goodness that I had enough common sense to keep my mouth full of food and not add the fodder and folly and adulthood to that holy time.

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

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Published May 15, 2008

Dear Pilgrims,

Grace and peace in the name of Christ.

General observations about General Conference.
· Roberts Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure cannot and does not aid in the process of Holy Conferencing.

· 20% of the people do 100% of the talking.

· Perhaps of all main line denominations the United Methodist Church with its Wesleyan heritage of the “world is our parish” is uniquely equipped for global ministry; it’s in our DNA.

· We nickel and dime budgets while the generosity of UM people for mission and ministry locally goes unnoticed and unspoken.

· There are young adults who are becoming strong and vocal leaders in the UMC and there are the older more seasoned leaders who still have a strong influence and voice in the UMC; however, we have lost the leadership voice of the “in-between” (40-55).

· The true test of change is when people are willing to let go of their personal turf for the benefit of the body.

Any of this sound familiar? The world has changed, culture has changed, I’ve changed, but the reality of day to day living in the institutional world of the church has remained fairly constant.

The observations from General Conference are also the observations that I have made as a pastor in the local church as well as a Superintendent. For example:

· As a Superintendent I know I am in for a long night if someone starts off a charge conference or a meeting with a “motion”; or a parliamentary question. The end result of parliamentary procedure (note that it is not parliamentary process) is to get the work done and to define who the winners are and who the losers are. Is it any wonder why people become upset or feel dismissed in the local church when we resort to Roberts Rules as our primary source for decision making?

· I don’t have to tell you that in the local church we’ve lost upwards of three generations of people. When I speak to older adults (75+) about the church life of their children most say with deep regret that their children and grandchildren have no interest in church life. Even in this district there are churches thriving with younger adults and churches with older adults, but rare is the congregation that has an “intergenerational” mix.

· Then there’s the budget and this desire to live into we are all so poor. Granted many families made significant changes in their lifestyles in the past year because of the economy; but somehow we find a way to donate to the local food pantry, or to world relief, or to helping a neighbor in need. Why do we choose to live in the “my, my, my…how bad it is” instead of lifting up and telling the story of how God continues to pour out blessings of abundance.

You get the drift. God placed in us obedience for joyful living; not turf protection, not isolation, not keeping the church open so I can have my funeral there, but as people who live as part of the Resurrection-Pentecost promise. Let’s find a different way of grace-filled living so that we might more fully live as the body of Christ.

Blessings,

Gary
 



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Published March 21, 2008 

Pilgrims,

Some sound advice from Tom Ehrich; On the Journey

Church attendance will double, even triple this week, as so-called "Christmas-and-Easter" Christians find their way to Holy Week services.
What do we make of these twice-yearly participants? Are they "members" or "tourists"? Is their absence at other times an indictment of the congregation's offerings, or a sign of hypocrisy, a consumer mentality that savors the "show" but misses its deeper meaning?
The usual response of church leaders is, "Oh well, at least they get it right twice a year." Maybe a good show will change their behavior.
I would like to offer three perspectives on this Christmas-and-Easter phenomenon:
First, being on the fringe of church life is just as worthy as being at the center.
Second, congregational leaders need to learn from irregular attendees.
Third, irregular attendees need to examine their own reluctance to dive deeper.
Core-group members who run churches assume that being in the center is better than being on the fringe. That attitude, in turn, assumes that faith leads to church participation. In fact, faith leads in many directions. Some have nothing to do with hearing a Sunday sermon, attending Sunday School, or making a pledge.
Many faithful people want nothing to do with church life and its endless battles over sex, worries about inherited buildings, anti-modernist rhetoric and prickly, self-serving traditions. In fact, the Holy Week story suggests that it is the nature of religious establishments to stifle Messiah, not to honor him.
The locus of faith isn't the parish budget committee. It's the home, where people try to make responsible decisions about parenting, spending and sharing. It's the workplace, where believers get the message about honesty, justice, probity and loving neighbors, not exploiting them. It's the marketplace, where decisions about war or peace, oppression or justice, cruelty or mercy get worked out.
If we listened, we might learn that many Christmas-and-Easter Christians take those faith venues seriously. They do their best to "walk in love." They just don't see a connection between responsible Christian living and coming to church on Sunday, especially if what they find on a regular Sunday is uninspiring and self-serving. We might ask what we can do to help this daily walk, not stew about populating church committees.
At the same time, I think twice-yearly Christians should ask why it's twice, not monthly or weekly. If it's dull offerings at the corner church, they can shop around. If they see hypocrisy in their pulpit, they should seek the genuine elsewhere. I think accusations of dullness and hypocrisy are just a cover for consumer religion.
Many moderns have come to see faith as one more consumable, alongside autos, schools and food. This shouldn't be surprising in a culture where everything else is a commodity.
Problem is, being a consumer means being in control, but being a Christian means yielding control, dying to self, living for the other. This isn't some fine point of doctrine. This is the very core of the Christian Gospel. Whether the putative believer comes twice a year or fifty times, the message is always: "your kingdom come," not mine. "Your will be done," not mine.
Self-denial is profoundly counter-intuitive, especially in a consumer culture. I don't know any way to learn it except in a healthy faith community. Rather than blame their nominal parish for not doing more to earn their business, the irregular attendee should ask; What life am I squandering by not venturing outside my sphere of comfort and control

Pew study raises questions for Methodist leaders

A UMNS Report
By Marta W. Aldrich*

Mirroring most other mainline U.S. denominations, United Methodists are generally older, whiter and wealthier in a nation that is increasingly populated with young adults, people of color and families with modest incomes.

The United Methodist Church also is losing more members than it's gaining, with its parishioners increasingly moving to evangelical Protestant churches or choosing not to affiliate with another religious group at all.

That portrait of United Methodism was presented in a landmark study of religion in America released Feb. 25 by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Based on interviews with more than 35,000 Americans age 18 and older, the study found that U.S. religion is increasingly diverse and fluid--"a vibrant marketplace where individuals pick and choose religions that meet their needs," leaving religious groups to compete for members.

"There is no future for The United Methodist Church in the United States unless we can reach more people, younger people and more diverse people," said the Rev. Lovett Weems, a researcher and professor of church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, regarding the study's findings.

"It's not that we're not making the efforts or spending the money to reach younger and more diverse people, but we're not focusing our efforts on outcomes."

Nearly half of American adults say they have left the faith tradition of their upbringing, either by switching to a different religious group or choosing not to affiliate with a faith tradition at all.

Of the 53 percent who left the Methodist faith tradition of their childhood, the survey reports that 19 percent went to evangelical churches, 11 percent to other mainline Protestant churches and 3 percent to historically black churches that are not Methodist. Another 12 percent say they no longer are part of any faith group, and 8 percent moved to a non-Protestant religion.

"We found that people have choices when it comes to religion, and they're ready and willing to exercise them," said Gregory Smith, research fellow at the Pew Forum and one of the study's authors. "... It's a very dynamic climate that presents opportunities for various religious groups--and for nonreligious groups as well."

'Important foundational work'

The survey confirms much of the data collected in previous studies about both The United Methodist Church and religion in general in the United States. However, the breadth and depth of the survey provides a more detailed glimpse into trends that appear to be accelerating.

The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey (http://religions.pewforum.org/reports) estimates that, of the nation's 225 million adults, 78 percent are Christian, 5 percent belong to other faiths and more than 16 percent are unaffiliated. Of those who profess to be Christians, 18 percent identify themselves with mainline Protestant churches, including 5.4 percent with the Methodist tradition.

"This is important foundational work," said Scott Brewer, director of research for the United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration, which collects statistics for the denomination. "It's really the most comprehensive study of individual religious adherence that's been done in a long time."

As a researcher, Brewer said he is pleased that much of the church's previous data is being confirmed with a larger study. However, as a United Methodist, he is troubled by many of its findings.

"For whatever reason, a sizable population raised in the Methodist tradition is no longer Methodist. Maybe we haven't done a good job of showing what is unique and special and important about being a United Methodist."

The study shows that every major religious group is simultaneously gaining and losing members, and that those that are growing are simply gaining new members at a faster rate than they are losing them.

Mainline denominations have generally experienced across-the-board losses, with the Methodist tradition suffering a net loss of 2.1 percent. The United Methodist Church's own statistics show the denomination has 8 million U.S. members, a measure that has declined steadily for at least four decades even as membership has grown in Africa, the Philippines and elsewhere.

The Pew study says the group experiencing the greatest net loss by far is the Catholic Church at 7.5 percent, but its decline has been offset by the large number of Catholic immigrants coming to the United States. The survey identifies nondenominational Protestants as a "net winner" in the changing marketplace, more than tripling its population.

Believing without belonging

A significant finding is that one in six American adults today say they are not affiliated with any religious group, making them part of the fastest-growing segment of today's religious landscape.

More than 16 percent say they are unaffiliated, which is more than double the number who say they were unaffiliated as children. Among Americans ages 18-29, one in four say they are not affiliated with any particular religion.

"We need to be cognizant of the fact that increasing numbers of people are choosing 'none of the above' when it comes to religious affiliation," Brewer said.

"It's not really that we're seeing agnosticism growing by leaps and bounds as it is that we're seeing disengagement. It raises the question: Is our time and energy best used in competing with other faith traditions for the same decreasing share of active participants that go from one denomination to another? Or is our time and money better spent reaching out to those people not being reached by a faith community at all?"

Of the 16 percent who are religiously unaffiliated, only about a fourth describes themselves as atheist or agnostic. Of the rest who describe their religion as "nothing in particular," half say religion is not important in their lives, and the other half say religion is either somewhat or very important in their lives.

Although The United Methodist Church works to attract "seekers," some spiritually inclined people are also "institutionally suspicious" and wary of religious organizations that use such data to target them, said the Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards, director of worship resources for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.

"Every time we do that, we miss the point," Burton-Edwards said. "Instead of adjusting our message to get those people with us, we should be working to be in mission with people, whoever they are, wherever they are."

Burton-Edwards said the study's data is useful but shouldn't be the focus in measuring the church's vitality. It takes more than numbers, he said, to address the core question of whether the church is following Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

"We've got the paradigm turned around. ... It's not about getting people inside of the church; it's about getting Christians out," he said. "It's not how many people are in our organization, but what level of spiritual impression people are experiencing. How are they being imprinted with the likeness of Jesus Christ? And what is the impact crater around them as a result?"

Demographic snapshot

The study offered a demographic snapshot of United Methodists as mostly educated and married. There are more females than males and a higher concentration of United Methodists live in the South and the Midwest, followed by the Northeast and the West. Fifty-seven percent have an annual income of $50,000 or above.

Though the vast majority of the U.S. population is under age 50, United Methodists are overrepresented in every age category above 50 (55 percent) and underrepresented in every age category below that. Approximately 11 percent of United Methodists are ages 18-29. Seventy-two percent say they do not have children under 18 living at home.

The study says 93 percent of United Methodists are white. Two percent are identified as black, 2 percent as Latino and 1 percent as Asian, with the rest being of other or mixed racial backgrounds.

Church leaders, particularly with mainline Protestant denominations, have puzzled for decades over the shifting religious landscape.

According to Weems, the pathway for choosing a church home has changed significantly in the days from the American frontier to the 1960s, when such denominations thrived.

"Traditions and denominations don't tend to be the beginning point for people today when they select a church," he said. "The pattern today is belonging before believing. People have to feel like they belong first. It's the sense of belonging that opens the door for people to move closer to beliefs. It used to be the opposite. A person believed and then they found a community of believers where they could belong and grow."

Belonging, he said, involves questions such as: Can I experience community here? Does this church help me connect with God? How does it meet my needs and give me an opportunity to serve others?

"A lot of people say denominations and traditions don't matter any more, but I don't think that's the case. I think it's just no longer the deciding point and often not the beginning point when people select a church," he said.

Mark Chaves, a sociologist at Duke Divinity School, noted that Americans have become increasingly tolerant of other cultures and other faiths. "Large percentages of Americans today say there's truth in every religion and that one can achieve salvation through religions that are not their own," he said.

'A new thing'?

While Protestantism has long dominated the religious landscape and served as a driving force in American politics and culture, the United States is on the verge of becoming a minority Protestant nation, with barely 51 percent of Americans reporting they are members of Protestant denominations. Moreover, the Protestant population is characterized by significant internal diversity and fragmentation, encompassing hundreds of denominations that include evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants and historically black Protestants.

"Maybe what is happening ... is that God is leading us to an opportunity to learn to work with others in a way we have not contemplated before," said the Rev. Jerry D. Campbell, president of United Methodist-related Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology.

"In the mid-20th century, we thought it was a pretty good thing for Christians to learn to talk with one another, and that was the ecumenical movement. Now we assume that Christians should talk with one another, and God is saying that the conversation should be even larger."

Campbell views changing religious affiliations as a God-given opportunity for people of a variety of faiths to work learn and grow together. "We've got to get comfortable with change because God apparently doesn't like static environments," he said. "I think we have to realize that the fate of God's future for humanity is not limited to the success of the institutional church. Even if the church dies, God doesn't die."

Whatever follows the "era of denominationalism," Campbell hopes the Methodist tradition continues to be part of it.

"Scripture in Revelation tells of the new Jerusalem, where God says, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' That's a pretty expansive idea, and I think we've had ample warning and lots of signals that God is making things new. Perhaps this study is showing us just part of that."

EDITORS: The following information can be pulled out into a box format:

United Methodist Demographics:

Gender
Female, 57%
Male, 43%

Age
30-49, 34%
50-64, 29%
65+, 26%
18-29, 11%

Race
White, 93%
Black, 2%
Latino, 2%
Other, mixed, 2%
Asian, 1%

Educational Level
High school graduate, 34%
Some college, 23%
College graduate, 21%
Post-graduate, 14%
Less than high school, 8%

Marital Status
Married, 62%
Widowed, 12%
Never married, 12%
Divorced or separated, 11%
Living with partner, 4%

Number of Children
(under 18 living at home)
No children, 72%
Two children, 12%
One child, 11%
Three children, 4%
Four or more children, 1%

Income
Less than $30,000, 23%
$100,000+, 22%
$30,000-49,999, 21%
$50,000-74,999, 19%
$75,000-99,999, 16%

Region
South, 46%
Midwest, 29%
Northeast, 16%
West, 8%

SOURCE: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

*Aldrich is news editor of United Methodist News Service.

 

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Published February 27, 2008

Dear Pilgrims,

“In the midst of all this, Samuel, a boy dressed in a priestly linen tunic, served God. Additionally, every year his mother would make him a little robe cut to his size and bring it to him when she and her husband came for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "God give you children to replace this child you have dedicated to God." Then they would go home .” The Message  I Samuel 2:18-20

Question posed during a children’s sermon:  Where do pastors come from? (Answer below)

This fall in the middle of a rather heated charge conference someone remarked; “If only we had a younger pastor, with a family and a wife!”  I knew at the time this wasn’t about age, gender or even family, it was about the loss that many congregations are feeling as they age, and as clergy age. It was about a longing for the “good old days.” 

So often we hear that if we had a younger pastor we would have younger church.  I’m not sure of that logic, the Rev. Don Paige who was over at Kingston UMC managed to attract a fair number of college students even at the age of 88! Yet the assumption still carries weight.  In this District the average age of a clergyperson serving a local church is 57, within the denomination the average age has jumped from 49 in 1985 to 55 in 2007.  In other words, clergy are getting older than the population that the church is trying to reach.

When one examines this passage from Samuel two reflections are immediately brought to mind.  The first is this, that to immerse oneself in the text, one must approach it with an attitude of prayer-a God listening, God answering prayerful attitude.  The whole of the book is framed by prayer from Hannah’s prayer at the beginning (I Samuel 2) to David’s prayer near the conclusion of II Samuel (2 Samuel 2: 22-23).

The second reflection directly from the text of 2: 18-20 is simply this; what are we doing as the Christian community to pray, lift up, identify, care and support, those among us who may be called to Christian service?  The bold truth is that if we truly desire people to lead the body of Christ who are under the age of forty, we as the local church and Christians need to be part of the mentoring, edification and education of these people.  Have you asked yourself, “Who was the last person who entered Christian service from this congregation?”  Perhaps more important, “Who in the congregation might we encourage to dedicate themselves to a life of Christ in servant ministry?”  I know for me, if it were not for the likes of Hazelfern Appleton, Earl Atwood, Irene Oswald and Ron Adcock, I might have chosen the path of medicine instead of ministry.  They saw a spark, a spirit, a call in me that many times I was unwilling to hear and follow and encouraged me along God’s path.  To this day, I am grateful for their wisdom and spiritual insight, in so many ways they prepared me for my work in the body of Christ while saving me from my own self.

Take a look around, is there someone who you might encourage this day, someone that you see God has blessed, but may need a little encouragement along the journey.

Answer: Your church!

Blessings,

Gary

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Published January 26, 2008

Dear Pilgrims,

Like many of you I find time during the day for some kind of devotional reading and prayer; it is the grounding that keeps me in touch with the Lord and my own call to servant leadership.  This year I have once again (I think that this is the 3rd time through) turned to a classic devotional book by Oswald Chambers called “My Utmost for His Highest.”   First published in 1935 it was given to me in 1991 by a parishioner from the Wesley United Methodist Church in Lynn .

In the book there are scribbled notes from previous readings where I might have taken exception or been taken aback by Chambers insight into a specific passage.  While some of the devotionals are dated, both in context and the use of scripture (translations) there continues to be “pearls” of spiritual and practical wisdom that resonate with my current spiritual condition.

This week there was a reflection on a passage from 2 Corinthians (3:18) where Chambers notes that as we grow closer to God we become more mature and are filled with a Spirit that transforms us “and by beholding we become mirrors.”   In The Message the passage is translated a little differently “And we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”

My scribbled notes from the previous reading when I was a pastor of a church were “if only the people of the church could exhibit such glow that their lives would reflect the majesty of God.”  I do not know if it was the previous context, or if it is the current one, but reflecting on this page this time in prayer I found myself moving to a mirror and looking deep into my own eyes.  “Am I a mirror for God’s love?” was the question I asked looking directly into my own face.

I confess what I witnessed in the mirror was a dullness in my own eyes and not the “brighter and more beautiful” expression that Peterson uses.  What was God saying to me?  What lesson was to be learned?  Was I just tired or was there a spark missing?

Two lessons (for me).  One is that often times when we think of ourselves as part of the church it is much easier to think or believe or “act as if” we have the “glow” and everyone else has the “grouchies.”  I have heard in a variety of settings over a variety of issues people wishing that “those people” could be more like us; as if there was only one group that had leverage on God, or that there was only one way to allow God to enter into our lives.  The other observation is this, and it is just plain common sense, before we begin to think how “dull” others are, we probably ought to take a look in a mirror to see how “bright” we are!

The lesson for me was not about others, but how am I as husband, father, son, pastor, superintendent, friend, supervisor, disciple and sinner being transfigured and transformed by the Holy Spirit, and as a result allowing that beauty to shine forth as a witness to Christ. 

Well, first you have to look in the mirror.

 

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

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Published January 16, 2008

Dear Pilgrims,

Jerusalem, worship God!
Zion , praise your God!
He made your city secure,
he blessed your children among you.
He keeps the peace at your borders,
he puts the best bread on your tables.
He launches his promises earthward--
how swift and sure they come!
He spreads snow like a white fleece,
he scatters frost like ashes,
He broadcasts hail like birdseed--
who can survive his winter?
Then he gives the command and it all melts;
he breathes on winter--suddenly it's spring!

He speaks the same way to Jacob,
speaks words that work to Israel .
He never did this to the other nations;
they never heard such commands.
Hallelujah! Psalm 147: 13-21 The Message

New Years Reflection

What’s the first thing that you thought of on January 1, 2008? Can you remember you’re very first thought, memory, or action? Was it joy or regret filled? Were you alert to your surroundings or comfortable with the familiar? What did you smell, hear and feel? When you awoke did you think, even briefly, that this is a new day, a really NEW YEAR DAY!

I’ve never been one for resolutions typically because I fail at them. However, several years ago I did make a resolution on New Years Eve and it was this; to try and be as fully aware, awake and alert when I awoke on New Years Day. I wanted to enter the day with a sense of anticipation and expectation for the presence of the Holy Spirit working in and around me.

The alertness of the Psalmists calls us to consider the things that we just take for granted; a secure and peaceful nation, an abundance of blessing, the fickleness of New England weather and God’s presence with us. But more than what we take for granted, the writer also encourages us to seek the ways in which God is making all things new.

Now, two weeks into the New Year, what special word does God have for you? Have you heard it? If not, perhaps like so many others this new year has already been so consumed with the routine that we have failed to listen and be alert to the presence of the Holy One. Hallelujah!

New Year blessings to you!

Gary L. Shaw

 

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Published December 14, 2007

Dear Pilgrims,

In early November I attended “The United Methodist Way; a convocation of Extended Cabinets” at Lake Junaluska, NC. This event brought together all of the Bishops, Superintendents and extended cabinets for a time of dialogue and conversation about the church. It was the first time that such a gathering had taken place in over 40 years.

In order to prepare for this time of conversation I engaged in a 40 day time prayerful preparation and reading. My prayer was always to keep myself open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and to approach this time with hopeful expectation and not my usual institutional cynicism. The reading preparation was excellent: “The United Methodist Way; Living the Christian Life in Covenant with Christ and One Another”, The Character of a Methodist; John Wesley” and “Leadership Under Constraints” by Gil Rendle from the Alban Institute. I would encourage all pastors and lay leadership to read these articles; they have transformed some of my thinking and certainly provided some stimulating reflection for current and future ministry.

A comment that Rendle made has given me great food for spiritual reflection and while it is a paraphrase it gets to the point; “For the 21st century church there are only two choices; deep change or slow death.” When I first heard this it sent a shiver up my spine, like I had been alarmed by a bump in the night; intuitively, I also knew it to be true. Perhaps put another way; when we keep doing the same thing and getting the same results, is there any other outcome than slow death?

But deep change?

I began to think about the things I know and have experienced where there has been deep change. My friends in recovery know of deep change; the woman who once lived in a beautiful home with her children at the cost of physical and mental abuse and now lives in a group home shelter knows deep change; my uncle whose spouse of 60 some years died this summer knows deep change; the immigrants from Providence to Provincetown know deep change; the soldiers and civilians with missing limbs and confused minds know deep change; and it is fairly easy to count the biblical story of deep change from Exodus to Revelation. Reflecting on this caused me to think that “deep change” is much like “personal/institutional loss” no one enjoys it, no one wants, and no one wants to enter into the discussion of it.

We are at a point in the life of Christendom where we do not have the luxury to deny that deep change is a necessary part of renewal; and should we choose denial, by the time we acknowledge that it is time for the “deep change” it will be to late. What about the church you are worshiping in; where is it on the scale of “deep change” to “slow death”? And what about yourself, what is it that you are holding on to, in the church or in your own life that is preventing the “deep change” of the Holy Spirit to transform and renew? As a parishioner who I was walking with through his addiction said, “What am I so afraid of losing that I would rather choose to die?”

Advent blessings,

Gary

 

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Published November 30, 2007

Dear Pilgrims,

I pray this finds you well and finishing up the remainder of the Thanksgiving leftovers.  My family had a blessed thanksgiving with the arrival of our daughter Leslyn home for college accompanied by her roommate and sidekick Stephanie.  Since this was Stephanie’s first time away from her family during a holiday and first time north of Washington DC our daughter Leslyn tried to impress upon us that we needed to be extra hospitable.  “Dad” she said, “I know by now that you are worn out from charge conferences but remember we have guests coming and I expect you to be nice, considerate and not spend all of your time in your “man cave.” (in case you don’t know what that is it is my home office).

Prior to Stephanie’s arrival we tried to find out as much as possible about her traditions so that we might incorporate them into ours.  What does her family eat on Thanksgiving?  Do they have traditions and if so what are they?   We wanted Stephanie to feel at home, even though she wasn’t at home.  We did things that we don’t normally do, in order to have our guest feel as comfortable as possible.  We had turnips (I hate even the smell of turnips never mind cooking them); we went Christmas tree shopping (usually held off in the Shaw tradition to when it is dark and raining); we  went shopping on “black Friday” (not sure I’ll ever recuperate from that one); and we argued with the airlines on Sunday the 25th (how can one make a connection in Pittsburg at 8:00 PM, when the plan taking you to Pittsburg does not leave Providence until 9:00 PM)

While we made adjustments, Stephanie did as well; we baked cookies (and I wonder why I put on weight); she met both sides of the family mine and Melanie’s (but not at the same time!); we did the opening night drive by at LaSallette Shine as they turned on the Christmas lights; we roamed the streets of Boston (man it was cold) and Stephanie learned how to make cranberry sauce (you mean you have to do something with these berries?)

You know what, we all survived, in fact we had fun, we even laughed (especially when we played the board game “Are you smarter than a 5th grader”).

Marketing people acknowledged that the three most significant times that people are open to making a faith commitment or contemplate attending a church are 1) Advent/Christmas, 2) Easter and 3) The beginning of the school year.  As we prepare to enter into the time of Advent how will we prepare ourselves and churches for the visitors, the stranger, and the “old timer?”  How do we practice invitational hospitality?  Are there traditions that we hold that are so binding that they might actually turn folk away?  What questions might we ask of ourselves that could direct us toward new traditions, new discoveries, and new experiences of Christ among us?  In our context what is so exciting that we want to share with others? 

Hospitality does not mean that the visitor/guest conforms and changes, but that the host receives and accommodates. 

 

Gary

 

 

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Published May 17, 2007

Dear pilgrims,

Sitting at the Saturn dealership in Seekonk and going through all of the loose papers in my bag I came across  this tattered, coffee stained, crumbled paper that contained some of my notes from the Spiritual Life Retreat in Biddeford Pool, ME.  Funny, isn’t it, how you attend an event, take notes, pledge to yourself to incorporate those thoughts and notes in a practice of life, and then …well you know the rest; “the best laid plans on paper often end up on the bottom of the pile.”

Unearthing the paper was providential thing as it has allowed me to refresh my spirit as well as renew my commitment to a more disciplined time for spiritual practice.  Allow me to share with you some of the “one liners” that struck me during that retreat.

“The root of prayer is interior silence.”

“Contemplative prayer is the release of energy from the unconscious.”

“Prayer is offering ourselves to God.”

“Prayer is part of a personal relationship with God, not a strategy to get the attention of Jesus.”

“The power of the Gospel is the power to transform.”

And my favorite:

“The three obstacles to spiritual growth are: inertia, amnesia and manana.”

Inertia-the tendency of a body to resist acceleration; the tendency of a body to remain at rest.

Amnesia-a partial loss of memory

Manana-an unspecified future time

Been there, done that!  How about you?  How do we overcome these obstacles that limit us from establishing a spiritual depth and relationship with God, as well as a more fulfilling life and relationship with others? 

Inertia: Like so many I have a hard time getting going, especially to exercise, but when I do I always feel better.  Melanie (my wife) mentioned that when I come home from the gym that I “walk taller.”  Truth is, I feel the same way, like I’m not slouching or pressed down by the burdens of the day.  Take joy in each day's accomplishments and conversations with God and allow that joy to build into a life time relationship.  It took three years for Melanie and me to “get married” but that foundation, that every day joy has carried us through twenty-two years of joyful and difficult marriage.

Amnesia: We have to move beyond the “bottom of the pile” mentality.  If it is important it can’t wait.  We don’t ignore, forget or wait until tomorrow when the “engine light” comes on in the family car or when the teacher calls from school.  How we act and react has a direct correlation to our priorities and what we ultimately believe is important.  Take steps to remind yourself, a note on the refrigerator, a note on the PDA, a covenant with a family member or colleague.

Manana-The sun will come up tomorrow; but will we rise up tomorrow?  Like so many of you there have been several events that have touched the mortality of our family and lives these past months.  We don’t know the hour or the day, but we do know that today we have an opportunity to commune and be with Jesus.  How we prepare today will reflect on how we will live tomorrow, in every sense of earthly and heavenly.

I pray that my simple reflections while waiting for my car to be repaired might find meaning in your life.  Don’t put it off, dig to the bottom of the pile and find those things that may be difficult to begin but whose practice will bring joy and transformation to your spiritual, emotional and physical life.

 

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

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Published May 3, 2007

Dear pilgrims,

I had an opportunity to worship at Trinity UMC in Providence , RI on Sunday, April 29th as the church celebrated its 148th anniversary.  Trinity UMC has an interesting history as it is the original home of the Trinity Repertory Theater as well as a church that has transitioned through a variety of changing neighborhoods.  Currently Trinity is primarily a congregation of United Methodist Liberians and other West African immigrants.  The pastor of the congregation is Rev. Emmett Goodridge who is from Liberia .

Two observations.

First of all, it was interesting to note that I was considered a visiting dignitary.  In this congregation people don’t ask “What’s a superintendent?”, or even “Who is the superintendent?”  but they know my name, and my role as a general superintendent in the church.  It was kind of a shock.  As I got in line for the procession, I was the last person in, representing the Bishop.  During worship I sat in the “Bishop’s chair”, and was afforded several opportunities to speak as well as declare the benediction.  I’m not one for pomp and circumstance, or elevation by title or role, but it did cause me to pause and reflect on my call to pastoral ministry.  God did call me into ordained ministry, to be “set apart” for the ministry to the church.  While I believe that we are all called to servant ministry, and set apart with specific gifts from God, I was reminded in this service of the significance and importance of this. I wonder how often we reflect upon this in our own lives; God’s calling us into the world for the transformation of the world?

Second, were the offerings; note the plural.  Anniversary offering, an offering to recognize the guests in attendance, and offering for mission, and then the offering, not once but twice.  Each time there was an opportunity to give, people would dance down the aisle, greeting one another, shaking hands, praying and clapping, while the choir and congregation sang and encouraged.  It was a party of giving; or perhaps a giving celebration.  The church had raised over $3,000 by the time the “real” offering (as noted in the bulletin) was to be taken by the “lifters.”

I know, you’re wondering what a “lifter” is?  All of our churches have ushers who “pass the plate” and bring it forth to the pastor for a blessing, a “lifter” (as near as I can tell) is one part usher, one part evangelist, one part vision caster, and one part encourager.  These are respected lay people in the congregation who stand in the front of the church as the congregation brings their offerings to the table of God.  Before the offering the “lifters” lift the spirit of the church with testimony, challenge, encouragement and prayer.  The “lifters” will determine when the “offering” is finished, when it is time for the church to stop giving, when God has been properly praised and glorified.  The “lifters” will sometimes even challenge to match a gift making a gift of sacrifice in addition to the gifts that they have already made.  I’m not kidding; the “offering” was at least a half an hour of dancing, praising, testimony, laughter, singing and Holy Spirit presence.

That evening I made a note to myself, that people, who are serious about the Christian faith and their love for Christ, are indeed joy-filled people and joyful givers.  How’s your faith?  What’s your call?  How has God filled your life with joy, and your giving with thanksgiving?  Maybe it’s time to shake off the old “swamp Yankee” and dance, sing and give again and again and maybe even again.  Thanks be to God for the abundance of grace and opportunity to give.

Easter blessings,

Gary

 

 

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Easter Greetings,

Last week I had an opportunity to take a few days and attend the Spiritual Life Retreat that is co-sponsored by the Board of Ordained Ministry in Biddeford Pool, Maine .  I haven’t been back to that retreat center since I left the Southern Maine District in 2003, but I was quickly immersed in the beauty of the site and the time of prayer and reflection.  The retreat center is the Marie Joseph retreat center and it sits right on the Atlantic Ocean. A quick walk from the center (through the parking lot) and you’re at the beach, a bird sanctuary is down the road a piece, and a lovely golf course (for walking) is across the street.  An idyllic location to sit outside, or as was the case while I was there to place a chair in front of the window and just watch the ocean.

On Wednesday we were asked to “go apart” and reflect on Psalm 150 as part of the morning watch.  After a period of reflection we were encouraged to write Psalm 151 (in case you’re wondering there is no Psalm 151; it would be each persons 21st century unique psalmist creation.)  When we gathered back some folk volunteered to read their psalms and what a wealth of blessing, power and spiritual presence.  It was such a privilege to be allowed into their lives through their prayers and reflection.

Morning watch is not something I often observe.  My morning watch is usually a cup of coffee, getting Steve on the bus and rushing out of the house.  It often feels more like “morning wasted” than “morning watch.”  I know that God is present in each of these activities from taking the dog out to taking the trash out; the only difference is that I need to be “watching” instead of “wasting.”

In these Easter days, days after the stone was rolled away, Jesus came to the disciples and others in very common ways; so common in fact that there were “wasted” moments that were transformed to “watched” moments.  As I have reflected on these last several weeks it has been a tough time in many people’s lives, including my own.  Disappointment, illness, wonder, anger, sense of failure and discouragement are some of the feelings that I have known; perhaps you have as well.  Still I am reminded through the Psalms, the Easter story, past experiences and by faith, that the Eternal One walks with me and reminds me to “watch.”

Psalm Whatever

A Psalm of Praise for April 11, 2007

Biddeford Pool, ME

Give thanks for the Lord’s blessing.

Let all of God’s handiwork give thanks and praise.

Let the earth break forth with joy and the heavens shout Hallelujah!

Let thunderous ocean breakers kiss soft sand;

Let oaks and maples create a quilt of color and evergreens a verdant forest;

Let bulbs burst forth out of winter sleep and flowers bloom with royal authority

 

Give thanks for the Lord’s blessing.

Let all of God’s handiwork give thanks and praise.

Do not allow your people to be cast upon fortunes rock.

Guide our scarcity to the cool pools of your abundance that we might drink; receive, and;

Give thanks for the Lord’s blessing.

 

Let all of God’s handiwork give thanks and praise.

Let birds of the air sing, and rosehips bloom;

Let deer drink and sea grass whisper your name;

Let the sky burn with purple hues and red orange sunsets;

Let the bones of the faithful clatter and ring;

Let all of history and creation;

Give.

 

Thank you for our blessings;

 

Let all of God’s handiwork give thanks and praise.

Gary

 

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Published April 3, 2007

Holy Week Greetings,

I was sitting in one of Rhode Island’s more established chain restaurants (that shall remain nameless) having supper and killing time before meeting with a local church SPRC.

I was early, well early for me, I typically don’t eat supper until 7:30 PM on a regular basis, and during appointments and charge conferences it could be as late at 10:00 PM.  Yea, I know, real healthy!  This day it was 4:30 PM, I was an “early bird.”  (A foretaste of life to come.)

I was greeted warmly by the host and shown to my seat.  It was a booth out by the bar but still comfortable. I was the only person seated in this section.  The waitress came over and introduced herself as Sharon .  Now Sharon seemed like a nice woman, but immediately I noticed that when she spoke to me her gaze was not on me, but in the distance.

I placed my order.  So far so good.  But then things sort of began to unravel.  Sharon met up with another waitress who had just clocked in and they began to set the rest of the tables in the area where I was seated.  They talked of clubbing, men, drinking, all sorts of stuff.  While I found it insightful into the lives of twenty something’s, it was a wee bit too much information.  Sharon went back to get my soup while her co-worker sat three booths behind me.  That would have been fine, except that while she sat there she was chewing and snapping gum, oblivious to those who were around her.  (Am I sounding like a disgruntled old fuddy dud?).  When Sharon joined her, the gum snapping conversation grew more graphic and intense.

Sharon checked in on me from time to time in an odd way.  She would approach me to ask how things were, the soup, the meal, if I needed anything else, but while approaching she never came near.  What I mean to say is this; when she asked me how things were, it was always a couple of feet behind me, forcing me to turn my head to make eye contact and wondering if she really cared about what I thought of the service, or if she was more interested in getting back to her conversation with her co-worker.  Frankly, I felt that I was an intrusion in her work life and I began to fume.

No, I did not say anything to her. By the time I left I was weary of the conversation behind me, the gum snapping, and ready to meet with the local church SPRC.  Was my experience positive?  No.  While welcomed, did I experience hospitality?  No.  Was I just too uptight?  Maybe.

There are going to be folks who will join your church in worship this week; Easter week.  It may be their very first visit.  They may be going through difficult times and seeking the presence of Christ.  They may be looking for table fellowship.  They may be looking for servant opportunities.  They may be hungry for the word of the Lord.  How will you great them?  How will you welcome them?  How will you serve them?

The church is not for us; the church, the body of Christ is here to transform the world and individual lives.  It is good that we can partner up and share intimate details of our lives with those who we trust and love; but we also need to be aware that the very fellowship we share with one another can be a barrier that prevents the stranger from experiencing the Christ.

Take a look around this week.  Seek the stranger.  Offer the hospitality and love that Christ has given you.

Lenten blessings

Gary

 

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Revelation 3: 14-22; The Message

Published March 15, 2007

Write to Laodicea , to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says:

"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.

"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

"The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!

"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

Greetings Pilgrims,

The above text was used last Sunday as the Burrillville UMC and the Woonsocket UMC voted to merge to become “The River; the United Methodists Communities of Burrillville and Woonsocket ” heretofore, The River.

The concept name comes from the Blackstone River that flows through the Blackstone Valley as well as a biblical metaphor for many of the revelatory and healing experiences in the scripture.  Pastor Brian Souza used the later verses as part of the morning message noting that this is one of those times that Jesus has come “knocking” and encouraging both congregations to go deeper in prayer to see where this opportunity might lead them.  Brian noted that regardless of the vote, when we open our lives to Jesus and allow Jesus to come inside, not just hanging around the foyer, our lives and the church will become transformed. 

What struck me in the reading of the text is that while most of us know that Jesus can see into the deepest recesses of our lives and sin (although we often pretend that God does not look there; or better yet we can somehow cover up those places) here John of Patmos’ reveals God also sees into the deepest recesses of the church, our church.  Into each one of our lives and churches God sees.  Sees what, is the question.

What I witnessed on Sunday was a good sight. People were taking steps in opening their lives and hearts to Christ in confessional ways, trusting that in inviting Jesus deeper in their lives, that they would become transformed.  In worship, people announced celebrations of sobriety, anticipating graduation from college a mere 5 years after getting out of ACI,  a confession to the church body for the ways which behavior had wounded the body, an anointing, a prayer of forgiveness, laughter, and hope.  I believe into each of these individual lives, Jesus has been welcomed, folks are running after God.

What I also witnessed on Sunday was people taking a leap of faith about their future.  Both churches voted to merge together with a cumulative vote between the two churches of 34-2; I suspect that the two votes cast in opposition were more about “information” then they were about “unwillingness.”  The question now is whether the river of transformation that is flowing through the lives of these individuals, will also be the current that will keep the Spirit of God flowing through “The River.”  If Sunday is any indication, I believe that a new church has been “brought through the Jordan to the land which God has promised.”

Still, for us as we journey through Lent, the question of what would God see in looking at the church you worship at may be haunting.  So the revelation asks:  "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

 

Blessings,

Gary

 

 

 

 

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Published January 6, 2007

From the blog of Duane Clinker pastor of the Open Table of Christ UMC, Providence, RI

Chain of Events

Here's some reflection on the season. (Remember, for followers of Jesus the Christmas season ISN'T over on Dec. 25, - although thanks be to God most of the cultural madness is!)

Chain of Events # 1

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

-Jesus in Revelation 3:20

(After reading the Epiphany story in Matthew 2:13-18)

We celebrate Advent

No. More than that. We celebrate hope, all because

a young girl, faced insurmountable obstacles and

got a call, saw a vision;

responded with a simple "yes"

What about us?

That "yes" set up a chain of events that ends in our hope

But, "yes" is not the only chain builder

"no" does the same

in another more evil way

It plays itself out and soon troops descend on a little town

as wise men go home another way and

in the night, children are lost;

families are split

"Yes" and "no" are such powerful words

they never stand alone

Chains of events follow them like shadows

Souls are made, and also come undone

And there is always a knock at that door of

our insurmountable obstacles

an unthinkable call, a vision; a hope,

a chain of events waiting to be born

What about us?

Chain of Events # 2

Christmas - and I don’t have the spirit. I am praying about that. It is hard.

The phone rings and it is Laura (not her real name). I can immediately hear the tension in her determined, pleading voice. "I don’t know what to do. I came to the church once before and you helped us. I am disabled and sick and my husband has a medical condition that has left him unable to care for himself." Laura explains that the home health care has ended and she must care for, bathe and dress her invalid husband herself, but that she also has a serious heart and lung condition that prevents her from working or leaving the house for any length of time. They have a four year old child. "We have both always worked," she says, "but now I don’t know what to do." They live in Warwick , not too far from the church. Upon questioning, Laura says they have $884 in disability income per month. I promise that the church and Project Outreach will do something to help.

She is praying for help.

The phone rings again and this time it is Socorro. She is full of joy. One of the new small groups of the church has been trying to try to find a house for Luz who is an immigrant single mom with three kids who also now disabled and who is home less. Like Mary and Joseph the small group members have been knocking on a lot of doors. It feels like they have gone to every potential agency in the state. They keep praying and walking. Finally, on a street in the southside they have seen a "for rent" sign. They stop, explain that they are from the Open Table of Christ and reveal the situation. The owner’s heart is open. "I will rent to you. You write up the terms of the lease and bring it to me and I’ll sign it!" The rent for this two bedroom apartment is $550 per/month.

A prayer is answered.

A few days later, after Sunday morning worship in Providence , a group from the church crowds into the newly painted and furnished apartment to pray for God’s blessing. We pray in each room. Luz’s thirteen year old son asks to speak. It was he who first approached the members of the Open Table of Christ to explain that his family was home less. He stands straight and tall and thanks everyone in the room for being an answer to prayer for them. We pray together that this house will be an outpost of ministry in the community and that this family of three will be ministers in this place.

Before I leave, I tell the family about the phone call from Laura in Warwick . "It’s a family different from yours, but they are in need too. I will go see them next. I’ve got some food and Christmas gifts in the car, but now that you have a place, what can you give them to help?" Luz looks at me. "I will give them my oven," she says. Without hesitation she unplugs a new donated toaster oven from the wall and hands it to me. Her children run into the living room and pull three ornaments off the new Christmas tree to give too.

The prayer goes on.

I pull up at Hillsgrove in Warwick . Laura is already there. Her face is flushed red with embarrassment and blood pressure. I open the trunk and pull out boxes of food and stuff for her child donated through Project Outreach. She is thankful. "Wait," I say, "there is something more." I go to the back seat and pull out the oven and the ornaments. "There’s this Latino woman in the South Side who is involved with the Open Table who has been home less. She just got an apartment through the prayer and action of her small group. I told her about you and she and her children wanted you and your husband to have this oven and these ornaments. We are praying for you. Can you use a toaster oven?"

It is a rare moment. It is not charity, it is solidarity.

The chain of "yes" is unbroken. Advent has come and love has no boundaries.

Duane

 

Some save the date information

January 31-United Methodist Elder Care 10-3 PM-Clergy Tax Seminar-for clergy and local church treasurers.

 February 5- Sowing Hope

District Workshop with New England United Methodist Conference Staff

The theme of Sowing Hope will be woven throughout our time together, with workshops focusing on sowing and growing in our people, our congregations, and our communities.

All are welcome to attend.

February 17-Clergy Executive session-Worcester MA 1-4 PM

March 17-District Day with Bishop Weaver-Theme-Stewardship

April 22-48th Ecumenical Communion Fellowship Breakfast

 Nicaragua and Other stuff from Gary

 I will be traveling to Nicaragua from January 13-21, 2007.Should you need a superintendent (that’s a stretch isn’t it; who “needs” a superintendent?) call the office and Sue will direct you to the superintendent who is covering.

 I don’t often get feedback about The View from the Bridge so I do not know if folk find it helpful, clogging up their IN box, a waste of time, or what.If you have suggestions, ideas, or things that you want to hear about please let me know.

Gary

 

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Published December 19, 2006

Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like this--heart and soul--will ever regret it."  It's exactly the same no matter what a person's religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help.  "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help."  But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust?  And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted?  And how can they hear if nobody tells them?   And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?  That's why Scripture exclaims,

    A sight to take your breath away!

   Grand processions of people

  telling all the good things of God!  

 The Message  Romans 10:11-18

 Dear friends and colleagues,

 This summer Steve (my son) and I had a chance to go to the TPC in Norton to watch the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.  Of course Steve wanted to see Tiger Woods, and with proper positioning and patience, plus a little jostling, Steve got to see his idol Tiger Woods tee off on the first tee, up front and close.  He was pretty impressed and if truth be told so was I as Tiger and Vijay Singh made up the final pairing.

At these tournaments, caddies come first with the players’ bags, huge leather bags that must weight at least 25 pounds and place the bag in such a way that the front of the bag faces the gallery.  That’s key, because on the front of the bag is the players name, big bold or script lettering stitched into these leather bags.  The names are on the bag to allow the gallery to know who is on the tee, and I suppose it doesn’t hurt for free advertising of locating your clubs in case they get lost in transport.

Prior to Tiger and Vijay, Aaron Baddeley was paired that day with a fellow Australian, Robert Allenby.  One could not help but notice Allenby’s bag with the bright red lettering on the front.  Nor could one not help but notice Baddeley’s bag as it stood next to Allenby’s; no name, no ornate stitching, no sponsorship, just a simple symbol, a fish.

For the Christian we are living in the most significant combination of kiros and kronos time.  At Christmas the secular and the holy combine in an odd way offering Christian people an opportunity to boldly proclaim Christ.  Studies have shown that secular people are drawn to incarnation theology/events more so than resurrection; most people can conceive of God present moments even in their own lives, it’s a little harder to think that dead people can live!  So the question then becomes, what of it, or perhaps, how do we live and show it?

Paul noted that we, you and I, are called to be table setters, invitation givers, welcome wagons and good news gabbers and yet more often than not our voices are silent.  It is as if we have become closet carolers afraid that someone might hear us sing “Joy to the World” outside the comfortable confines of Sunday morning worship.

Aaron Baddeley didn’t win the tournament, but he did one thing, he put himself out there and made known his love for Christ.  How do we do this?  What does our life say about our faith?  What do our churches say about our love for one another and Christ? 

I pray that as once an empty manger was filled with God’s son, so might our hearts be filled with the Emmanuel…God with us, and through us the light of Jesus might shine.

Blessed Christmas,

Gary  

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Gary L. Shaw: rimds@neumc.org  

Published July 31, 2006

Greetings,

This will be the last View from the Bridge for a while as I prepare to enter into a time of renewal leave and vacation. I will be away from the office (and hopefully email and cell phones) from August 1-October 9. If there’s any kind of emergencies, there will be other Superintendents covering so please call the District Office, Sue will be able to resource your questions.

Some folks have asked what I’ll be doing for such a period of time . I’d like to say nothing, but that would drive me crazy. Items on the “list” include getting rid of the boat, cleaning out the cellar, cutting some trees, finishing the stone wall, getting (what’s left) of the dead bird out of the tree and spending time with family. That’s Melanie’s list.

Steven on the other hand has this as his agenda: whale watch, fishing everyday, baseball everyday, going to the aquarium (in Atlanta, GA), sorting out dad’s baseball cards, putting up the train set, praying for the dead bird in the tree and catching crabs at the beach.

Leslyn will be heading off for her first year of college at Virginia Wesleyan in Norfolk, VA. Her agenda is that typical teenage angst between “I can’t wait to get out of here” and “Dad, can we go to the movies together?” Actually her agenda is simple, I need money.

As for me, all of the above sounds pretty good…well maybe with the exception of the dead bird. I’ve got a slew of books to read, would like to exercise everyday in hope that I can build a healthy habit, want to play some golf, reconnect with family and friends (those that live with me and those that I have not seen in some time), continue to pray for all of the churches, pastors, district and the conference and lastly to listen to the whisper inside.

I am of the opinion that “God is not done with me yet” so I am excited to see what new horizons, expectations, dreams and plans that God has in store; the challenge, as always, is to empty myself so that God has room and opportunity to enter in. I hope that you find time away from the “what’s next” and hectic schedules and claim your calm.

As I say to Steve when we fish, “keep that line tight, stay focused and be patient.”


Gary

 

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Dear colleagues and friends,



As I was preparing a sermon for last Sunday I came across some information that I found rather interesting. 75% of the American protestant churches (you know, all of the mainline churches and independents from the Assembly of God to Zion Baptist) have an average weekly attendance of less than 150. In the United Methodist tradition that number jumps to about 82%, here in the New England Conference that number is over 90%.



I suppose one can look at these statistics in a variety of ways depending on the size of the congregation. Certainly the majority of our churches could say, “It’s good to be part of the majority.” Or, “At least we’re not the only ones.” Other churches might pat themselves on the back and congratulate themselves on being “ahead of the curve.” There is one response that covers all category of churches and that is that as Kingdom builders and followers of Christ we should be growing churches not for survival but because we have been commissioned and called as disciples to build and strengthen the body of Christ.



Last year I attended the New England Conference Congregation Development event in Rochester, NH. It was an excellent event with a solid key note speaker and a variety of workshops; there were about 400 United Methodist’s from New England at the event. (This year the event will be held October 26-28. I would highly recommend checking it out.) One of the worships I attended was put on by United Front Ministries where there was a discussion about church growth and definitions of church life cycles. The presenter basically broke down the life of a church into three stages, which I have presented below, but may be more clearly stated as “if the church isn’t growing then it’s dying.” I am particularly fond of the stage where most think a “successful” church should be….”recline.” It’s particularly appropriate since we just bought our first “recliner” and now I know 1) how easy it is to fall asleep in a chair and 2) how hard it is to get motivated when you’re comfortable.



Where’s your church at in this life cycle? Is the church in a clearly defined cycle or in-between? What’s appealing about congregations in these life cycle stages? How do we change? Can we change? These are all good questions for evaluation and reflection as we use the summer to re-vision and recreate God’s purpose for our faith communities. In the end, it’s not about the numbers; it is about the life, soul, and welfare of the person sitting next to you at the beach.



Gary



 

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"A View from the Bridge"

Dear friends and colleagues,

This will be more of a rambling message than anything; an affirmation that many former parishioners would probably make!

Yes I know it suppose to rain on Saturday, and I know it is May a month of graduations, proms, Mother’s Day, Emmaus weekend, and who knows what else.  It is also the RISEM District Day for 21st Century Evangelism in Warwick, RI.  Bishop Weaver will be sharing with us his thoughts and teachings about evangelism; we’ll get an opportunity to put into practice what we learned and also have an opportunity for fellowship and conversation.  If you live in the area and are unable to participate in the event I do hope you’ll come and worship with us at 7:30 that evening with Bishop Weaver preaching.  While it may rain, I pray that the weather will not dampen the enthusiasm that we have for sharing the good news and living faithfully.

Next Saturday, May 20th is the Pre-Conference meeting for pastors, lay delegates and others interested in the various legislations that will be presented to the annual conference.  Of particular interest is the new district and conference structure, the report of the Bishops Financial Summit, new pension plan for clergy, and several resolutions that will require conference action.

There are other events worth noting in the pages below and I do hope you’ll be able to find a moment to affirm the many opportunities for learning, enjoyment and renewal that are present throughout the district.

Blessings,

Gary

 

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Dear friends,

Max Lucado in his book “He Still Moves Stones” makes an observation of the resurrection texts that I had never thought of.  In effect he says that the stone was not moved so that Jesus could get out of the tomb but so that women could enter into the life of the resurrection.  Funny after all these years I had never thought about why the stone was rolled away and how much the first Easter people must have worried about it as an impediment to caring for their friend Jesus.  So when the women arrive, the very physical thing that they had worried about that might prevent them from their task of preparing the body for burial was removed.

In Matthew, after the earthquake, the angel and the rolled stone, as the Mary and Mary run to find the others, along the way they happen upon Jesus.  In Peterson’s translation, Jesus greets them; they fall on their knees and hold to him tightly as they worship him.  Jesus then says “You’re holding on to me for dear life!  Don’t be frightened like that.” And then he encourages them to go ahead and share the good news with the disciples.

I can’t help seeing the irony in all of this, the immovable stone that entombed Jesus, and the women holding on to Jesus.  One was placed there by Pilate’s men to make sure no one could steal the body of the crucified Jesus and claim resurrection, the other an outburst of pure joy, worship and love for the risen Lord.  What sometimes worries me is that our desire to “hold” Jesus as Mary and Mary did in divine adoration, has been transformed into a desire to “own” Jesus for our own cause, agenda, or even validation. 

As the early church celebrated the risen Christ, there was not the sense of ownership and privilege that we see today expressed by Christians around the world.  The stone was moved exclusively for men, or women, Jews, Greeks, Romans, rich, poor, disciples the same or the different; or it was rolled away so that the world would know the good news of the Christ’s resurrection.  The stone wasn’t rolled away so Jesus and the disciples could plan some “shock and awe” kind of theocracy or military rule, it was rolled away so that all could see that the promises, love and invitation of God is absolute and for all.

The Easter message "Christ is Risen!" that echoed through our churches last Sunday is not the exclusive refrain of the church, but an exclamation point for the world.  I wonder how we are doing at sharing that good news.

Gary

 

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March 28, 2006

"I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I'll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables-- Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, GOD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:2-3 The Message

I was standing in line at Dunkin Doughnuts growing impatient. Several people were in front of me with large orders. You know the kind, where the person who has been standing in line shuffling their weight from side to side finally gets to the counter and then pulls out a napkin, or a piece of scrap wood, a post-it note or even an old receipt. Of course you know that such an omen only means an order that the normal memory cannot hold, so it has to be written. Such was the case for the last two people and now with only one person in front of me I could taste the chocolate covered donut; that is until she pulled out her list.

She had two people helping her leaving me to grin and bear and shift my weight. Finally the order was processed and she began to make the necessary three trips to the car because everything could not be carried at once. On her last trip back, just as the counter help was handing me my change, the woman blurted out, “How much is an English muffin?” I don’t remember the exact response, but let’s say $1.35. The woman pulled out loose change along with dollar bills and began to count out how much money she had. Clearly she had enough; there must have been ten dollars on the counter. She stopped, stuffed it all back into her pocket, and let out a loud sigh. For some reason I asked, “Do you need some money?” She looked at me and said, “Yes, I do. I need seventeen cents.” I gave her a quarter and she ordered the English muffin.

“Every day” she said, “my boss sends me out to get coffee for the office. Every day it’s the same thing. And every day, when I come back he asks for the receipt and counts out the change to the exact penny. I know it looked like I had enough money, but if I came back seventeen cents short I’d never hear the end of it. You know, it would be nice, I mean, even once in a while, if he gave me a couple of bucks for gas, or something, instead he counts the change.”

Her English muffin was ready, she said thanks and we walked out the door together.

During this season of Lent God has provided me with some wonderful opportunities for reflection and prayer. I have been ill most of the month of March, first a respiratory infection, which led to a cold; they eventually made their way to the flu. There have been some days when I’ve slept so much during the day that I found myself up and wide awake in the middle of the night; and that hasn’t been a bad thing. One night I found myself reflecting on the story above, and while I initially gave myself a passing grade for being intuitive enough to ask the woman if she needed money, the real gift came when I recognized how hard it is for me to ask for help. The gift of that day was not my seventeen cents worth of generosity, but the God question that slipped through the darkness and into my prayer time and asked, “Gary, have you thought that perhaps your body is tired because you think you can do it on your own?”

While it may be as the saying goes “better to give than receive”, I can tell you for me it is harder to ask then to give. Part of my Lenten journey has carried me to the place where I have reflected on what I need; not for selfish purposes but for my own spiritual, emotional and physical health. I have found myself humbled as I have deepened my relationship with Jesus and discovered the great generosity of my Lord and all of you.

Lenten blessings,

Gary

 

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