Archive for November, 2009
Finding My Blind Side
Monday, November 30th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mary Beth was home from school. My Dad and his wife came to visit from San Diego. Our family gathered with dear friends on Thanksgiving Day and dinner was a joint project. We all brought different foods to share and it was a joyful celebration.
Friday we went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see the Faberge collection of jewelry and other works of art from the time of the Russian Czars. It was fabulous! Saturday we went to see the new movie “The Blind Side.” More about that later.
My Sunday School class is studying Adam Hamilton’s book “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White; Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics.” For the last few weeks, we have been discussing morals and ethics. Hamilton describes morality as, “the accepted standard by which we determine what is right and wrong.” He then goes on to talk about different ways of defining ethics and gives examples of ethics which are based on rules, consequences or virtues.
The book then describes some more Biblically based ways of determining what is right and wrong. Three rules which Jesus gives us are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; to love your neighbor as yourself; and do to others as you would have them do to you.
A more modern way to restate these questions is: Will this action honor God?; What is the loving thing to do?; and Would I want someone to do this to me? Hamilton also suggests that we can look to the Wesley Quadrilateral for guidance and ask ourselves whether or not our actions are based on scripture, reason, experience and tradition.
Finally, Hamilton quotes Martin Luther King as saying that the question we should ask ourselves when faced with a decision of whether or not to get involved is not “What will happen to me if I help?” but instead “What will happen to them if I don’t?”
Which brings me back to “The Blind Side.” If you are a Sandra Bullock or Tim McGraw fan, you are probably already planning to see this movie. But if you are a person who wants to live by any of the values described above, you really must see this movie. It is the true story of a white, upper class family in Memphis, living a full, rich and blessed life. Their lives are altered in ways that none of them could have foreseen when their paths cross with that of a teenage, homeless black boy.
I don’t want to spoil the movie for you so I won’t tell you more of the plot. But the movie starts with a description of where the term “the blind side” came from in football parlance. I’m not sure that the term is ever used again in the movie. However, walking out of the theater I was left pondering the many meanings of those words. In the several days that have passed, with the discussion of morals in Sunday School, I have been wondering, Where is my blind side?
Yesterday in Sunday School, we discussed which of the descriptions of morals or ethics define how we live our lives. One woman shared that she measures herself and her actions by what her mother did or would do. We also talked about the test of can you look yourself in the mirror and meet your own eyes.
Dealing with situations of morality in our world is not always easy. I wish I could tell you that the question, “What will happen to them if I don’t help?” is one that is foremost in my life. But then again, you know that I am human and so I don’t always succeed in living my life the way I would like to, the way my Mom taught me to, or by the rules that Jesus taught us.
But hear this good news! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 In this holy season of Advent. as we await the arrival of Jesus Christ once again, the opportunities of thinking about others abound. As they do, this year I’ll be trying to locate my “blind side” — so that I can live more fully into those values laid out for me by God and my faith. Will you join me?
Showers of Blessings,
Leah Taylor
Laity Blog: “Jesus Thanks You”
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or need clothes and cloth you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40
Last Friday I was at Conroe First United Methodist Church for a joint meeting of members of each District Leadership Team (“DLT”) and the Core Leadership Team (“CLT”). Eleanor Colvin, our Conference Director of Communications, and I were cleaning up tables together at the end of the meeting. When I handed something to Eleanor, she said,
“Jesus thanks you.” I stopped and looked at her and she just laughed. “That,” she said, “is the most common response I get when I say that to people but it starts them thinking!” She told me a story about calling her brother on Halloween and telling him, “Jesus needs you to pick up balloons and bring them to ‘Trunk or Treat’ to tie to the cars.” She told me that if she had asked him to do it for her, he might have made any number of excuses — maybe excellent excuses. But, by putting Jesus in the picture she made it clear to him that it wasn’t really for her at all but instead, it was for the work they were doing together for God.
Sometimes in the work that I do for the Annual Conference, it seems like the link to God is lost. But when I look back at the vision and mission, it helps remind me that although the Conference itself is really an administrative office, without the local churches, on the ground. in the mission fields, in our neighborhoods, there would be no need to have those administrative offices. If that were the case, there would be no connection, and we wouldn’t be United Methodists! But the Conference, along with the Districts, is part of the connection that can make us suck a powerful force, for God, in our world today.
If you attended Annual Conference last May, you will remember the presentation of the analysis of how the Model for Ministry, implemented in 2005 - 2006 is operating. There were several important things to be learned from the report but perhaps the most important thing was that the laity of the Annual Conference do not know what the CLT does and many did not even know of the existence of the DLT’s.
Since Annual Conference, the DLT’s have met among themselves and together. These meetings have focused on what the role of the DLT is and how it can be accomplished in ways that facilitate local churches to do ministry in every District.
After Annual Conference, the CLT went from meeting monthly to meeting quarterly. The CLT is the body which makes decisions for the Conference in between meetings of the Annual Conference. We are also the body that tries to look strategically at what issues the Conference might tackle to help live out the mission and vision of the Annual Conference.
But we realized that the DLT’s are the real link between the Conference and the local churches. Each DLT is functioning a little bit differently recognizing that each of the nine districts are a little bit different. But one thing that is true across all districts is that members of the DLT and the District Lay Leaders have been attending Charge Conferences with our District Superintendents. In my district, the DLT member listens to the congregation and then spends just a few minutes sharing the plan for our DLT — to become a resource for each church, to help find a resource for any church which might need help, and help share the churches success stories so that they might become a resource for others looking to do the same or a similar ministry.
In the Charge Conferences I have attended, I have been overwhelmed with the people who are already members of our churches and the great ministry they are doing … to change lives and reshape futures! In each place, I hear that members are trying to figure out how to look beyond those who are already in the church, trying to look outside their walls into their community to see how they can make a difference in their neighborhoods. Hearing these stories, seeing the efforts and work that is ongoing, reminded me of Jesus’ words from Matthew. There are so many people trying to feed the hungry, give drinks to the thirsty, clothe the poor and visit the sick.
In this week of Thanksgiving, as we head into the rich season of Advent, there are so many opportunities to give to those who are less fortunate than we are. In just a few days the Salvation Army bells will be ringing outside of every store and shopping mall. Our phones will ring with requests from different groups asking for donations for food baskets or gifts for children. Many of our churches will take up a special Christmas Eve offering which will be dedicated to a mission or ministry outside of that church. These are all opportunities to live into Jesus’ vision of sharing.
Generosity is great during this season, but unfortunately, need is great year round. As you set out on your faith journey during this holy time, I pray that you will carry the spirit of giving with you throughout the year. Then when you hear the words, “Jesus thanks you,” you will know that you don’t just do these things for yourself or for your church, but as you do them you are changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ!
Showers of blessings & Happy Thanksgiving,
Leah Taylor
Laity Blog: Do You Have Empty Pews?
Sunday, November 15th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Last Thursday afternoon I found myself sitting in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Houston — not a place where I can regularly be found. And, in the seats surrounding me were all kinds of Christians, not just Methodists but also Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Lutherans and, yes, even Catholics! There were 250 of us, representing more than 80 different churches. We were young, middle aged and older adults. The crowd was white, African American, Hispanic and Asian. We were all there to hear George Barna unveil the results of a survey commissioned by the Houston Coalition of Church Communicators or “H3C”.
The topic? “Empty Pews; Why Houston Christians Don’t Go To Church.” For two hours we sat spellbound; hearing some new, astonishing things and others that we knew or should have known. If someone from your church attended the event, they have a notebook of information they can share with you. If not, you can purchase the study online at EmptyPews.com. If your church wants to grow, you need this information. I’m just going to tease you with a few tantalizing details.
The information presented was based on a survey of 400 people in certain zip codes. I don’t know which zip codes were included so some of the data may not apply directly to your specific area. And, if you are not within the Houston Metro area, the specifics may not be perfect for you but I’m guessing that most of the general findings will fit you, too.
For purposes of the survey the term “unchurched” was defined as “people who self-described as “Christian” and included people who had not attended a Christian church in the past six months plus those who had attended in the past six months, but generally do not and who were not committed to the church they had attended during the past six months.”
Despite what we may think, the largest groups of “unchurched” Christians are not young adults. The two largest age groups are those who are 50-64 years old and those who are 35-49 years old. Of the unchurched Christians in Houston 58% range in age from 35-64!
Of the 27% of Houstonians who are unchurched, they ranked the following things as the biggest challenges in their lives (in order):
1. Health - personal and family
2. Finances - need for money and concerns about debt
3. Occupational challenges - mostly needing a job
4. Children - raising them properly
5. Lifestyle - too stressed and too busy
6. Religious - need to grow; bad church experience
The survey showed that unchurched folks are looking for a support system for their felt needs — those listed above. For the most part, they do not care about who the pastor is, the denomination of the church or how many people are in worship.
Now hear this — 78% of Houston’s unchurched adults have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is important in their lives today! When asked what might get them to go to church, 27% said they would be most interested to go if asked by a friend to accompany them . The Barna Group data urges us to be diligent — keep inviting our friends — when the time is right for them, they are likely to come.
The research also shows that once an unchurched person begins attending church the single most important ministry is the children’s ministry. The quality of the children’s ministry is more important than the theology or doctrine, the size of the church, the type of music and style of worship or the denominational affiliation.
The study closes with a list of guidelines for effective outreach to the unchurched. The number one item is that the people who are in the church must really want the church to grow! Our attitudes are more important than our programs! We must embody a culture where people care about other people.
For the past four years the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has stressed our mission and vision in everything we do. This survey is another tool that we can all use to change lives and reshape futures for Jesus Christ … for the transformation of the world to the Glory of God. It’s good stuff!
Showers of Blessings,
Leah Taylor
Living the Courage of My Convictions
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
As we commemorate Veteran’s Day today, our hearts are heavy. Not only do we hear regularly about the deaths of our service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, the murders at Fort Hood last week shocked our entire country. These senseless deaths defy rational explanation. And, the fact that the alleged gunman is a Muslim makes the whole situation that much more volatile.
Since September 11, 2001, it must be very difficult to be a practicing Muslim in the United States. In one day, these people went from a growing minority of our population to a group of “terrorists” both hated and feared in what was, for many of them, their home. Judging an entire group of people because of the acts of a few is problematic. But for many Americans, these folks have become the face of terrorism, striking out against the very values on which the United States is founded.
In just a few weeks we will celebrate, as a nation, Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving. It is a chance to cook great food and spend time with friends and family in a more relaxed atmosphere than what usually exists at my house on Christmas! Generally at Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude for many things — the time to be with those we love, the great food, the love of God. But I don’t remember much discussion around our table about the settling of the United States and what that first Thanksgiving symbolized. Am I starting to sound like your Fifth grade teacher?
Many of our ancestors came to this country because the practicing of their religion had become illegal or, at the very least, uncomfortable in the country from which they immigrated. Here, in the original colonies, freedom of religion was a priority. It is a freedom so basic to us as Americans that it is specifically stated in our Bill of Rights which was made a part of our Constitution shortly after we won our independence from the British.
As our country grew, the number of religions which have been observed here over the last three centuries has grown as well. From the original Quakers, our choices, just within the Christian community has grown tremendously. Here in Texas, you can find Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Disciples of Christ and non-denominational churches on most busy corners. But you can find Seventh Day Adventists, Churches of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses houses of worship at well. Look closely and you’ll find synagogues and temples where our Jewish brothers and sisters worship. And, more and more often you will see mosques being built.
Before we moved into town, an Islamic group purchased the property behind our old house. Many of us in the neighborhood were dismayed over the sale of the land — we had all enjoyed the pastoral setting behind our back fences. My dogs, particularly, were big fans of the cattle we would often see grazing in that pasture. Additionally there was concern over the increased noise and traffic we might see in the neighborhood. But as the Muslim community began meeting there on Friday evenings, we didn’t see a lot of traffic, but what we did hear were families celebrating and gathering together. We heard the kids playing soccer and we smelled the delicious scents of grilling meat from their communal meal.
As time has progressed, the community has begun to build their facilities. The actual construction is sometimes loud and annoying. Behind the fence of our house instead of seeing the cows of old, you will see bulldozers and cement mixers. But, as the facility is built and the construction completed, I don’t think it will be unwelcome in the neighborhood. My sense is that most of the Muslims who will worship in that mosque, and in the other mosques we see in our cities and towns, are probably just as appalled by the events at Fort Hood as all of my Methodist friends are.
Last Friday, I visited the Holocaust Museum here in Houston. I have been there once before but it has been at least five years since I toured the museum. Since I was last there, the museum has acquired a box car which is one of the types used by the Nazis to transport Jews and other “undesirable people” to the concentration camps of World War II. They don’t know if is actually one of the box cars used in the transport trains, but it gives you a pretty good idea of what those would have looked like.
In the same yard that houses the box car is a Danish fishing boat which was of the period and style of the boats used by Danes to save the lives of approximately 7500 Jews in a three week period of time after the Nazis occupied Denmark. The boat is small and built all of wood. The signs show viewers where the Jews were hidden and how many people could be moved in each trip.
As we walked away from that boat, I turned to my friend and said, “I’m not sure I would have had the courage to be one of those people who helped the Jews escape.” Fortunately for me, I have never had to make that kind of life or death decision — either for myself or others. However, right now, here in Texas and the United States, we are faced with the choice of how we will live with people who live in our communities who worship differently than we do. We each have to make the choice of whether we will judge the Muslims who live here as a group and choose to isolate them. Or will we have the courage to get to know these people as people. Individuals who are building lives for themselves and for their families; trying to find the right place to worship their God in the way they believe.
Yes, the events of last week at Fort Hood are heinous. There is nothing any of us can do to bring the murdered men and women back to their families. It will be a long time — maybe never — before we hear and understand the motivation of the person who killed them.
But for me, for once, I am going to have the courage to live my convictions. The courage to judge someone by who they are individually, by the “voice” of their actions, and not by the actions of others. I think this is what the Indians who celebrated that first Thanksgiving with the settlers did. And, I hope you’ll do the same.
Showers of Blessings,
Leah Taylor