Response to "Empty Churches"

Response to WSET-TV story – Empty Churches.

Over two days last week, WSET-TV aired a two-part special on the church called: Empty Churches.

If you missed the stories, here is the web address:

Part 1: http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14136999

Part 2: http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14144441

Part one featured two of our United Methodist Churches as mostly empty on Sunday morning.

Part two showed “Tree of Life” as a church that was full and attracting thousands.

I’m disappointed that two of our United Methodist churches that were making a difference in the midst of church struggles were used as examples of empty churches while none were used as examples of churches making a positive difference.

Court Street UMC was struggling with less attendance. New leadership and changes have not only helped the church do better but one of their younger members is now seeking the ordained ministry.

Fairview UMC recently became a distributor for Backpack for Kid’s Sake for one of our Elementary students and each week packs enough food for over 150 children to have plenty to eat each weekend. Fairview is also doing better.

I was upset that our churches were portrayed in a way that was not suggestive of how we are doing as a whole. These were two churches who in their own unique way are dealing with those issues with success as is our whole district.

And, why “Tree of Life” as the example of success when there are so many others? Why not use a United Methodist Church here as well in order to be more consistent?

I have known and admired Rev. Mike Dodson, the pastor of Tree of Life for years and I know he would be the first to say that his church is not the only answer to reaching out to the community in the name of Jesus Christ.

As I have spent the last two and half years travelling across the district I have come to love the pastors and churches in our area. I appreciate the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment that comes from each church.

But… the basic premise of the story, unfortunately, is true.

Overall church attendance is declining in America. More people sit at home on Sunday morning than go to church.

Mainline churches are declining while independent churches are growing. Many of our churches, including United Methodist churches in this area have more empty pews than full. Even the two churches mentioned struggle with filling empty pews.

Tree of Life is a positive example of how churches in the midst of decline are growing rapidly. We may not always agree with their theology or their style of worship but they are successfully reaching the unchurched.

Now… what should my response be?

Should I be upset that churches I serve and love were portrayed in a less than positive light? Sure. But that is a reflection of my pride rather than a legitimate response.

A better question would be: “How would God want me to respond?”

I think God would ask: “What can we do as churches to better reach out into the community for people who should be sitting in those empty pews?”

In Matthew 28, Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (18-20)

Jesus is given all authority. Our response should be…

Make disciples and baptize them…

Teach the disciples…

Jesus will be with us, even now when we struggle to fill empty churches.

Do we have enough passion for reaching out to the unchurched? Are we serious about offering the “Good News” of Jesus Christ to our friends and neighbors?

The truth is… we can do better.

Maybe this is the needed response to our 30 day prayer challenge. We’ve reached day 29 and like many of you I have been praying regularly for God to guide and direct us. What should be our big dream? How do we form those good teams?

So… how should we respond to the Empty Churches story?

God’s answer would be: reflection, repentance, prayer and a call for action.

Reflection because we do need to think about where we are today as the church and what our future could look like if we are not willing to make changes.

Repentance because we are not reaching the unchurched community as we should and we want to do better.

Prayer for God’s guidance as we ask for creative ideas that will help us get to know our neighbors better. Prayer for courage as we learn to share our testimony in a way that will be understood and appreciated.

Action as we assertively look to offer specific acts of kindness and ministry toward others in a way that visibly demonstrates our love for God and for them.

Rev. Mike Dodson with Tree of Life said something challenging and helpful when describing his church: “Our three things are being creative, innovative, and demonstrative.”

As churches, he was not saying, we should be more like “Tree of Life.” He was saying within our own beliefs and practices…

·         Be more creative in the way we worship and teach.

·         Be more innovative in the way we plan programs.

·         Be more demonstrative in the way we reach out to others.

Good advice but a huge challenge.

Jesus is given all authority. Our response should be…

Make disciples and baptize…

Teach the disciples…

Jesus will be with us, even now when we struggle to fill empty churches.

This is the biggest dream of all… make disciples and baptize.

This is the greatest team of all… teach the disciples.

Here is the greatest truth of all: Jesus will be with us.

Long after everyone has forgotten about the “Empty Churches” story on TV, our churches will continue to grow stronger by making disciples and teaching, secure in the knowledge that Jesus will be with us always, even to the end of the age.

Becoming a Tough Encourager

Despite my best efforts, sales were off and I was perilously close to being fired.

                                                        

Many years ago, I was hired as General Manager of an automobile dealership. My job began with such promise. At first, everything seemed fine and our sales were beginning to improve. But it wasn't long before old problems reappeared and sales began to drop. Yet, I was working harder than ever. What was going wrong?

My boss, Tom Riddle, would have been justified in finding someone else to run the dealership but instead chose to have a meeting with me. Our talk became one of those turning points that changed my philosophy of leadership and helped me understand the importance of becoming a tough encourager.

At one point, Mr. Riddle said: "I notice you are usually on the sales floor talking to customers."

"Yes, sir." I answered, thinking he would be pleased. "I try to meet everyone personally."

Mr. Riddle paused for a moment and then said something, I will never forget. "That’s fine but tell me something: Why do I pay the salaries twelve sales people when you are doing all of the work? Unless something changes, I will either have to fire twelve sales people or I’m going to have to fire you!"

What could I say? Mr. Riddle found my critical weakness. By insisting on doing most of the selling I was limiting our sales efforts to my capabilities and energy. One individual no matter how talented can only do so much. However, one person leading a team can accomplish miracles! A critical point that is true in business, family relationships, sports and especially our walk with God.

The writer of Hebrews sums up the whole purpose of being in God's church: Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

In other words, our calling as Christians is to hold tightly to our faith and encourage others to outbursts of love and good deeds! But how do we do that?

Encouragement is more than merely giving a compliment. Funk and Wagnall defines encourage: "To inspire with courage, hope or resolution." What I received from Mr. Riddle was definitely not a compliment (The compliments came later.) but what he said inspired me with courage, hope and resolution. I call it tough encouragement. I left his office that day determined to be a team builder and a tough encourager. A valuable lesson I would never forget.

As a manager, I learned to spend more time encouraging sales people to treat people honestly and fairly. I still enjoyed meeting the customers, but selling became a team effort utilizing the best of all our gifts and talents for the good of the business. Being an encourager also helped me stay employed.

As a church leader, it is still important for me to foster teamwork and offer tough encouragement. Like most organizations, churches have plenty of hard workers, but need more people who are willing to encourage others to outbursts of love and good deeds. Only then will we begin to act as a team filled with the power of God's Holy Spirit.

This is important: We are all called to be tough encouragers.

I still enjoy working with others, but my ministry has become a team effort utilizing the best of many gifts and talents for God. Paul said it clearly: "If your gift is to encourage others, do it!" (Romans 12:8)

By the way, being a tough encourager still helps me stay employed.

Hang in There: Bad Habit - Good Theology

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.  Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” (Psalm 51)

I have a confession to make.

I mean well, but I have a bad habit. People come to me frequently for spiritual guidance and counseling. I try to listen carefully and offer sound practical and Biblical advice whenever possible but make no claims to know all the answers so at one point I inevitably say to someone… “Hang in there!”

L   A couple is going through marital problems… “Hang in there? What is that supposed to mean?”

L   An alcoholic is struggling with addiction… “Hang in there? Is he really listening to me?”

L   A friend is told that he has cancer… “Hang in there? Does he think I’m a bat or what?”

People, who are looking for hope during a time of crisis, instead receive a canned answer… ”Hang in there!” They could watch a talk show and get better advice. I have a tendency to say, “Hang in there,” when my brain is on automatic pilot. To someone else it could be interpreted: “I don’t care enough about you to give a more meaningful answer, so ‘hang in there!’”

“Have mercy on me God…” I confess my shortcomings to you, Lord. Help me become a better listener. Help me to more thoughtfully and prayerfully answer the deep concerns of others. “…purify me from my sin.” 

Larry… what do you really mean when you say, “Hang in there?”

I thought you would never ask. The Bible calls it among other things: persistence.

U  Romans 2:7 - He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good…

U  Ephesians 6:10 & 18 - Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm… Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

U  Matthew 24:13-14 - But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world…

Here is the first part of the lesson: If you will persist in doing what is good… Be strong… Stay alert… Be persistent in your prayers… But those who endure… In other words, God completely understands your trouble, your disappointments and pain and says to you… “Be persistent!”

The second part of the lesson involves God’s reward for persistence. He will give eternal life… you will be able to stand firm… you will be saved… the Good News will be preached throughout the world… God’s reward for persistence amidst obstacles is eternal life and a heavenly reward.

Have you heard the story about an old mule that fell into a dry well? The farmer decided that neither the mule nor the dry well was worth saving. So, he decided to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the poor old mule was in a panic! But as the shovelfuls of dirt struck his back...the old mule began to... “shake it off and step up!” Each time the dirt hit the mule would shake it off and step up. It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly out of the well! 

What seemed to bury the old donkey, actually blessed him...all because of his persistence amidst the dirt. He was able to “shake it off and step up!” Maybe this is what it really means to “hang in there.” If we endure despite our difficulties and refuse to allow panic, bitterness, or self-pity control us...

The obstacles that appear to bury us could actually become part of God’s richest blessings! It may be a bad habit, but it is sound theology when I sincerely say… “hang in there!”

Prayers in the Midst of a Storm

This past week, in our leadership group that meets every Thursday morning, I shared what I believed was the most significant moment for me as a leader during the past year.

The lesson was about “Leadership in Turbulent Times.” Our churches face huge challenges today and we must face those challenges boldly as the church of Jesus Christ. So leadership is a key priority. The following happened in September of last year at our monthly meeting.

Rev. Young Jin Cho, District Superintendent in Arlington was leading our daily worship. As part of his message he confessed his failure as leader. He said: “Our churches are not growing in numbers or in faith so I am fasting before the Lord and asking for forgiveness and a new direction for our churches and for our district.”

His message was given with such sincerity and humility it was obvious we were all touched. I could literally feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the room. What Young Jin said out loud echoed what many of us felt inside. Our churches were not having the impact within our community that was needed. How could we do better?

Near the conclusion of the service as the last hymn was being sung, Bishop Kammerer came forward and knelt at the altar in prayer.

I found this gesture moving not because I had never seen her pray but because of her genuine act of humility by placing herself at the altar before God in a way we had not witnessed before. It was as if God was in the room preparing her and us for what was to come.

Following the worship service, the Bishop started our meeting by asking us to join her in fasting for the direction of our churches. She asked us to fast for one day each week for the remainder of the year and during that fast we should pray for God to guide us and work in us and to strengthen our leadership and our spiritual life with God and among each other.

It was a simple request to seek new direction from God through fasting and prayer but for some unexplainable reason, this time was different. I was moved because we were no longer simply doing the work of the leadership body.

We were agreeing to humble ourselves before God in fasting and prayer and turn the leadership back to God. We were a cabinet setting direction for the 1200 churches of the Virginia Conference. But, this time, we were the ones who needed to listen… to God and to each other.

This time, we would no longer be relying on our brains, our political connections or our leadership ability.

This time we were being asked to lay ourselves humbly before God and pray for God’s leadership… not our own.

This time we were being called to use our spiritual resources to fight a spiritual battle.

Over the next few months, I struggled with fasting and prayer one day each week. But in the midst of the struggle, I saw a vision for our church and for our district. In the midst of the struggle, I saw the reassuring presence of God reminding me:

Christ is still head of our church and God is still in control of creation.

In my devotional reading today, I came across this amazing story.

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

While the disciples panicked, Jesus remained calm and in control. Christ was in charge even in the midst of a storm.

We are in the midst of a storm today.

Our community is crying out for spiritual leadership. We no longer want to be like the panicked disciples in the boat crying out: “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

In the midst of our storm, I learned a lot from our Bishop. I found answers as I joined her in a time of fasting and prayer. I experienced God’s calming presence and I received affirmation of the same calming presence from many of you.

In the midst of our storm, we can refuse to panic.

In the midst of our storm, we can rely upon God.

In the midst of our storm, we can fast and pray before God.

In the midst of our storm, we can confidently look forward to Christ calming the winds and the high waves of water. We can know that God is still in control.

In the midst of our storm, we should anticipate our churches being in the middle of the solution not cowering in the boat.

In the midst of our storm, will you join me, by using the spiritual resources God provided for us… not for my sake but for the sake of our churches and our community?

1 Timothy 4:13 – “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them.”

Today, as you prepare for worship, know that spiritual resources are at your disposal. When you read Scripture, encourage the believers and teach… you are unleashing the almighty power of God.

When you fast and pray before God you are allowing God to work within you as a leader.

So today, I will pray before God and for you. This week, I will resume fasting and praying one day per week and encourage you to join me.

We live in the midst of a fierce storm.

But we serve a mighty God who can calm the winds and the waves. God is still in control.

I will be praying for you today. Better yet, may we pray for each other and for our churches and community and for our world.

Ruth: A Love Story and More - Part 2

Last time, you read about a Father and his two sons who were killed in Alaska. The mother, Naomi, wanted to go back home to Virginia but what would she do with her two daughters-in-law? One stayed behind but Ruth was determined to stick by Naomi's side. Living in Virginia was difficult for Ruth at first, until she met - Boaz.

"Boaz is a relative and dear friend," said Naomi. Then with a sly wink, she added, "but he is showing special kindness to you."

Boaz endured an especially traumatic divorce and long ago gave up any hope of finding another person he could share the rest of his life with. Over the years, he had been content to let restaurant and church become the main focus of his time and energy.  

But there was something about Ruth's steely dedication combined with a quiet dignity that attracted Boaz. One Sunday, people at church were making snide remarks about her religious beliefs. Boaz, who was normally quiet, said in an angry voice that all could hear, "Look, Ruth is respecting us enough to visit our church and learn. Maybe we should show some interest in her culture and background and learn something from her!"

Naomi and Ruth were sitting at the dinner table talking over the events of the last few months: The tragic accident, moving from Alaska to Naomi's former home in rural Virginia, the emotional and financial adjustments of trying to survive the loss of loved ones.   

"My daughter," said Naomi. "It's time that you gave some serious thought about your relationship with Boaz. He seems to care about you very much. Do you love him?"

"Yes, very much," Ruth replied. "Boaz has been so generous to give me a job at his restaurant, but it's become more than just appreciation. I really enjoy being with him, talking with him… laughing with him. Oh Naomi, it feels so good to laugh again! But neither one of us seem to be able to find the time or even know what to say that will take our relationship to a different level."

Naomi gave a conspiratorial smile and said, "Tonight, Boaz will be conducting an annual inventory after his restaurant closes. I want you to volunteer to stay and help him. For the rest of the evening you two will be alone, working. Meanwhile, pray that God will guide you from there."

Everything happened just as Naomi predicted. Boaz was visibly pleased to have Ruth stay and help him with a necessary but tedious task. Throughout the night, Boaz and Ruth worked side by side talking about each other, their hopes and dreams, even their diverse religious beliefs. "Would you tell me about your faith?" Boaz asked.

"Asatru has a lot in common with Christian ideals," Ruth replied. "We believe the goal of living is to lead a worthwhile and useful life. We emphasize nine noble virtues: Courage, Truth, Honor, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance and Perseverance. Jesus seems to teach those same values. I have come to admire his teachings!"

Boaz replied, "But Jesus is more than that, Ruth. I feel a personal relationship with Christ. I'm no preacher so I can't really describe it. I just know that Jesus is there somehow, within me. I would have never survived the divorce and the other painful incidents in my life without knowing that Jesus and my church were providing comfort and love! Does that make any sense?"

"Of course it does," said Ruth. "I am beginning to fall in love with Jesus just as I am with you."

Boaz was quiet for a moment before he smiled and said, "I have been in love with you for awhile." As they continued working side by side, counting, Ruth's hand softly brushed across Boaz's arm. They looked up into each other's eyes, shyly at first but as their gaze grew bolder their faces slowly moved closer together until at last they shared the first tender kiss of love.

Imagine that… Boaz and Ruth have their first romantic moment in a restaurant storeroom.  You can guess what happens next or better yet, read the story for yourself in the Bible. The book is titled, "Ruth."

Can two people from different cultures find love and happiness? Yes, of course they can, but it will be a struggle and requires lots of love and patience. "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Cor. 13:7) 

Can Christians respect and love people from other faiths without compromising their beliefs? Yes, but we must learn a new kind of love. Jesus said: "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." (John 13:34) The challenge is for us to love as Jesus loved with compassion and without judgment.

Look around and find someone you haven't noticed recently and offer him/her the love of God in a fresh new way. Meanwhile, I'm going to find a restaurant where my wife and I can enjoy a romantic evening by taking an all-night inventory.

Ruth: A Love Story and More - Part 1

Bad news travels quickly in a small town. There was a tragic accident in a remote area of Prudhoe Bay near the village of Deadhorse, Alaska. A father named Eli and his two sons were among those killed. After the funeral, Eli’s wife, Naomi took stock of her situation and decided to go back home to Virginia. There was only one problem. Both sons married native Alaskans and both women still lived with Naomi. Where would they go? They certainly couldn’t live in Virginia? Could they?

Naomi told both women of her plans and suggested they immediately return home. One woman took her advice and left the next day but Ruth refused. When Naomi insisted, Ruth refused again saying: "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." Together, the two grieving women wept.

Returning to rural Virginia was going to be much more difficult than Naomi or Ruth imagined. Life would be different… especially for Ruth. Before they even arrived, the local rumor mill was churning and the main topic was Ruth. One busybody said, "I was told Ruth’s tribe doesn’t believe in God but follows a another religion that worships a whole bunch of different gods with names like Odin and Thor. Who ever heard of such a thing? Wasn't Thor in a comic book?"

When Naomi and Ruth arrived at the old family house just outside of town, there was a crowd of friends and curious onlookers ready to greet them. "Is that really you, Naomi? We are so sorry?" 

"God has made my life very bitter," Naomi replied. "I hope that coming home will help us heal."

Ruth immediately went to the local restaurant looking for a job. The restaurant owner was Boaz, a distant relative of Naomi. Boaz reassured Ruth, "Listen, you stay right here and work with us as long as necessary. If you need food or anything else, let me know and I will try to get it for you."

Ruth thanked him warmly. "Why are you being so kind to me? I'm not from around here."

"Yes I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about the love and kindness you have shown Naomi since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother to live among complete strangers. May God bless you for being so kind."  

That evening, Ruth told Naomi about Boaz and how kind he was to her. When several of the young men in town tried to 'harrass' Ruth as she waited on tables, Boaz was quick to rush to her aid. One evening, as Ruth left to drive home, she found a shopping bag full of food and supplies in the front seat. She knew it could only be from Boaz.

Next: The exciting conclusion to the modernized story of Ruth. If you can’t wait, you can read the original story in the Bible in the book of… Ruth.

Light in the Closet?

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Mat. 5:14-16)

Max Lucado describes when an electrical storm caused a blackout in the neighborhood. He felt his way through the darkness into the storage closet where he lit four candles.

But as he started to take the candles out of the closet they started speaking to him.

“You can’t take me out of this closet.”

I know this sounds strange but bear with me.

Max felt foolish but he answered the candles and said: “Why won’t you come out of the closet? You are meant to give light. You can’t give light in a closet.”

The first candle said, “I can’t come out of the closet because I’m not ready. I need more preparation.”

The second said, “I have important meetings to attend and I need to get better organized.”

The third candle said, “I’m still trying to get my life together. I can be a bit of a hothead.”

The fourth said, “Being a light to the world is not my gift. I am a singer and she began singing, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." The others soon joined in.

Finally in frustration, Max starting blowing the candles out just as they were singing, "Won't let Satan snuff me out..."

As he walked back out into the darkness, he bumped into his wife and the story ends with this conversation.

"Where are the candles?" she asked.

"They don't...they won't work. Where did you buy those candles anyway?"

"They're church candles. Remember the church that closed down across town? I bought them there."

“Oh,” he replied. “Now I get it.”

--------------------------------------

I hope you smiled just a little as you read this.

How many in your church would say: “I’m not ready. I need more preparation.”

How many would say: “I’m not organized. We need more meetings.”

Or: “I’m still trying to get my own life together. Fix my own problems.”

Or: “This is not my gift. I would rather do something else.”

This in many ways is our frustration and challenge as a church. We are called to be a light to the world but so often we are keeping the light bottled up under a basket called, the church.

The truth is…

Every church at times contains people who would rather keep their light in the closet.

Every one of us, including you and me at times would rather keep our light in the closet.

So, why am I writing this?

First, to make you smile and see that you are not alone.

Second, to know that the answer will not come easily.

Third, to know that you are part of the answer.

My prayer for you this morning is to be open to God’s guidance and direction as you seek to be an example of the light and at the same time encourage others to join you.

May you feel God’s presence today.

May your light shine brightly today… inside at first but soon outside the closet.

Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit

My son, Stephen, loved peanut butter sandwiches. Actually love is too mild. He -- LOVED peanut butter sandwiches. Every meal, he wanted a peanut butter sandwich: not a peanut butter sandwich with jelly; just a (well you get the picture.) We traveled to restaurants having to carry a paper bag that contained -- you guessed it: a peanut butter sandwich.

Can you imagine the looks we received from waiters? “We would like two shrimp dinners. By the way, my son brought his own food. Nothing personal! Do you mind?”

Stephen was also very stubborn. Especially when it came to his eating habits. When he set his little mind to something, it was like trying to stop a freight train. I don’t know where he picked up that trait? (You can stop laughing now.)

“Would you like a hot dog?”                                                                                   

“No!” You could see his look of determination.

“How about some spaghetti?”

“No!” A tear was beginning to form in one eye.

“Please eat the broccoli?”

“No! I want my peanut butter sandwich!!”

As a parent, I simply could not let this continue. Something had to be done! (I know better now but Stephen was my first child. I hadn’t read the training manual.) My son could end up in college still eating those same peanut butter sandwiches. Can you imagine his first job interview -- over lunch? Oh, the shame of it all! Somehow, someway, Stephen needed to broaden his eating habits and I was determined to help him change. A showdown was brewing!

The day of the big battle started innocently enough. “I have to run a few errands. Why don’t you come with me, Stephen?” We pulled into the restaurant before the lunch crowd arrived. “Let’s get something to eat.” I ordered the food and began setting it on the table. The inevitable question beginning the first skirmish soon came: “Where is my peanut butter sandwich?”

“I didn’t bring a peanut butter sandwich, son. Why don’t you eat this hamburger?” (Can you imagine having to force someone to eat a hamburger? Is the world out of alignment?)

That determined look appeared on his face and the tears began. “No! I want my peanut butter sandwich!”

“Son, there will be no peanut butter sandwich today. You are going to eat this hamburger!” As father and son squared off in a quiet restaurant, I recalled an old sales lesson. In a battle of stares the one who looks away first, loses. This time, I would not, could not and dared not lose!    

Slowly, with a tear trickling down his cheek, he picked up the hamburger and took his first bite… His face slowly changed from a frown to a slight smile. Then he took a second bite and a third. Then Stephen actually reached for a french fry. Wow! As Mikey would say: “He liked it! He liked it!”

Larry is there a point to this story? Of course there is. My son settled for the security of peanut butter and overlooked a smorgasbord of delectable food to savor.

In many ways, don’t we all? We seek security and pass on new opportunities, which although involving risks, also lead to golden opportunities.

He complains about his job but never goes back to school to acquire new skills.

She says: “I’m lonely” and stays home watching TV.

Many of our churches cry out, “We want to be alive! We want to grow in our faith! We want to receive new families! We want a youth ministry! We want to make a difference in the world!” Yet so few churches are willing to venture beyond what they already know is safe.

It’s time to break the Peanut Butter habit!

           

For many years, I served as a pastor of small, medium and large churches. During those years we took a lot of risks together. At times, just like my son, we stubbornly clung to our peanut butter habits. At times we took risks and God blessed us. Sometimes our ideas worked, sometimes they didn’t. But in the end, we grew stronger as we sampled God’s amazing menu.

Jesus said this about food. “I have food you don’t know about. My nourishment comes from doing the will of God. Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (Parts of John 4:31-36) 

·         Jesus has a great menu waiting for us -

·         We receive nourishment doing the will of God -

·         Vast Fields are ripening all around you -

·         You will be paid good wages -

·         The fruit will be people brought to eternal life -

·         What joy awaits the planter and harvester alike -

Look at all those promises of good food!

Are you settling for a peanut butter sandwich when God offers so much more? Maybe it’s time to take a hard look at your relationship with God and with your church?

·         Venture out and sign up for a Bible study.

·         Join a small group that meets to pray and offer godly encouragement.

·         Suggest starting a prayer group at work.

·         Volunteer to help a neighbor in need.

·         Serve on a mission project.

·         Set aside more time for prayer.

Why settle for peanut butter when God offers: steak, lobster, salads, chocolate cake pizza. Well, you get the picture. (And I’m getting hungry!)

There is only one problem. My son still won’t eat broccoli!