tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90268380385757592152024-03-13T04:38:51.461-04:00scituatedrevA celebration of life in New England!scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.comBlogger480125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-89103814818221782702020-09-30T08:57:00.000-04:002020-09-30T08:57:02.144-04:00Don't anticipate, just...<p>This week's weather hasn't been conducive to getting in some big hikes. Monday's plan was to go up Washington and Monroe. However, after driving up to Franconia Notch, the rain got heavier, the fog thicker and cloud deck lower. I want to do these hikes - but it would be nice to have some fun while doing it.</p><p>So back home I drove, hoping Tuesday would be better - and I looked for some mountains that I could do even if the weather wasn't perfect. That put me toward Osceola, Little Osceola, and if all went well, jump over to Tecumseh to finish the day. Arriving at the trailhead early Tuesday morning, things looked promising. It would be in the upper 70's all day, and the sky above looked to be cloudy, but sun promising to poke through here and there.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NKB4_bZack/X3R_9QTDHKI/AAAAAAAABkI/tIJA8pG7j709jc8FGuBPUcGdGabwbSt_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CEFD6DDD-8105-4839-9ABF-E3EEC557EA18.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NKB4_bZack/X3R_9QTDHKI/AAAAAAAABkI/tIJA8pG7j709jc8FGuBPUcGdGabwbSt_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CEFD6DDD-8105-4839-9ABF-E3EEC557EA18.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Osceola<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>The lesson of the day came from a saying connected to a weekend experience I have both participated in and led. The saying is this: "don't anticipate, just participate." The meaning is fairly self-evident. Instead of being concerned about what's coming next, be mindful of what's happening now. Be in the moment. Let the moments unfold as they will. </p><p>This is often my challenge hiking. Because I know the mileage for each hike before setting out, and because I know my average pace hiking (somewhere between a snail's pace and a sloth's pace), I can calculate about when I should reach the summit, and when I should get back to the truck. If you haven't done much hiking in the mountains, let me tell you - that information is all well and good until you start climbing up over ridges and shoulders. As you get closer to the top, each climb up over a rise can make you believe you've finally reach the top - only to reveal another rise, another ridge, another scramble - and another. This was me as I moved up to Osceola's summit - anticipating - and getting frustrated.</p><p>The phrase of not anticipating occurred to me and I moved toward the challenging section between the two Osceola's. Just walk, I said to myself. Just walk, noticing and enjoying and when you get to top, you get to the top. And it worked. The hike up "Little" Osceola (not so little) was much more enjoyable, and before I knew it, I was at the top. </p><p>Unfortunately the phrase didn't stick when I drove over to Tecumseh to finish out the day. This hike is rated as moderate - and I guess that fits. However, there is a long, tedious and unimaginative section of this trail that just kills the spirit. It's like walking up a ski slope - an unending grind up a steady, thigh burning grade, except over rocks and steps, never changing, no views. It screams: Are we there yet? </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwmB0BYUHkc/X3R_rwn_ZMI/AAAAAAAABjg/XS2Ybr5AxogyVWQzO9UK3qjtgiNWeOt9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/32C73240-E570-4CC8-8A14-986CFF619510.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwmB0BYUHkc/X3R_rwn_ZMI/AAAAAAAABjg/XS2Ybr5AxogyVWQzO9UK3qjtgiNWeOt9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/32C73240-E570-4CC8-8A14-986CFF619510.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Osceola<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'll work on hanging on to "don't anticipate, just participate" the next time out. It may be Thursday before I can get out there as heavy rains look to hang around the mountains until Wednesday afternoon. Enjoy the pics - and thanks for the support!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K742dV2uj00/X3R_s2rX80I/AAAAAAAABjw/59xhWdSb5vUg-hdSD2Ng2xdCyo6XE79QACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CEFD6DDD-8105-4839-9ABF-E3EEC557EA18.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdH9j7v-2d4/X3R_sAOcsdI/AAAAAAAABjo/z-SOFGTMxEoduExQChJfr_Rgr_IALvQhACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/31567302-50BB-43B0-97EE-E3CDDAE1248D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdH9j7v-2d4/X3R_sAOcsdI/AAAAAAAABjo/z-SOFGTMxEoduExQChJfr_Rgr_IALvQhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/31567302-50BB-43B0-97EE-E3CDDAE1248D.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZqCwkR0KLU/X3R_sKqm1dI/AAAAAAAABjk/KFmomO3MddkMlhmM2ieUNzWoghBfGzougCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7376AAED-1743-476A-88BB-FD8786A6FC2A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZqCwkR0KLU/X3R_sKqm1dI/AAAAAAAABjk/KFmomO3MddkMlhmM2ieUNzWoghBfGzougCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/7376AAED-1743-476A-88BB-FD8786A6FC2A.heic" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back up toward Osceola's face<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT8p4Op_U7Y/X3R_srZeBbI/AAAAAAAABjs/f_sECOVVW5QMlLf7oO0aqpciXnwGs-52QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/98E78D42-82F4-43B7-AE2D-692E136982F3.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT8p4Op_U7Y/X3R_srZeBbI/AAAAAAAABjs/f_sECOVVW5QMlLf7oO0aqpciXnwGs-52QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/98E78D42-82F4-43B7-AE2D-692E136982F3.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tecumseh<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-21894531433063077702020-09-22T09:01:00.004-04:002020-09-22T09:02:36.877-04:00Background music<p> This week I'll head out to capture 5 more peaks, completing the list of 4000 footers in Maine. Along with using the Psalms of Ascent as a focus, I also keep a journal, recording details and insights from that day's hike.</p><p>My entry the other day came after a particularly challenging day. Certainly the challenge was in part due to the fact that I'm climbing these hills at age 58 and not 28, but my oh my, at the end of that day's hike, I was hurting. In fact, the hurt started while I was still a mile below the summit as scrambled over the loose rock on the side of the mountain. I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to make it to the top, never mind down, as my right knee seemed ready to lock up!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5IkNYl9ZnI/X2n0WtKiFCI/AAAAAAAABjU/vSWCaVJ1WSYaYsYQrZATwquY9AQpavZvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F12C9FC2-CA87-4F06-8CE3-0D37A3BBA2FE.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5IkNYl9ZnI/X2n0WtKiFCI/AAAAAAAABjU/vSWCaVJ1WSYaYsYQrZATwquY9AQpavZvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/F12C9FC2-CA87-4F06-8CE3-0D37A3BBA2FE.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p>Fortunately, after I summited, rested and had some lunch, the pain eased up, but it never really went away. In fact, of the 8 mountains so far, something has always been uncomfortable, a heel, a knee, a hip, something. As I rested in the tent that night, recording my thoughts for the day, it occurred to me that pain and discomfort is simply the background music of hiking, and more so now that I'm older. It then occurred to me that pain and discomfort, heartache and loss, is often the music playing in the background of our lives. This is more true the longer we live. In my preaching I've often said that everyone will at some point experience heartache and loss. It is simply part of life. </p><p>This might seem a dark and depressing outlook on life - but I actually find it adds hope, meaning and richness. When I made it back to my truck after the really difficult day of hiking, the experience was only sweeter - more meaningful - by the fact that there was discomfort (pain!) along the way. Even with the challenges, I made it! Looking at the pictures I took from the top were more vivid - more exciting -and gave me a boost of enthusiasm to go after the next one. </p><p>In a few hours, I'll load up the truck and head out toward the next mountains, and I'm grateful to have you, dear reader, along with me. Thanks to all who have given toward the Fisher Center, seeking a cure for Alzheimer's. As of this writing, you've helped me raise nearly $1000 so far toward my $6700 goal ($100 per mountain.) Thank you! Thank you!</p><p>This will be it from me for a few days until I get back down from the hill tops. Until then, let's keep on keeping on, even through the challenges and discomfort we face. </p>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-68020666537196812352020-09-21T22:23:00.006-04:002020-09-21T22:35:07.410-04:00Donate page<p> My apologies to those who have wanted to donate to the Alzheimer’s cause in support my hike, but couldn’t get the link. Unfortunately, the easiest way (and most cost effective) is to do it through Facebook. If your having trouble finding the donate page, here it is, again, through Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/donate/2273952846084131/2273952866084129/">https://www.facebook.com/donate/2273952846084131/2273952866084129/</a></p>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-73315547190118511432020-09-21T21:51:00.001-04:002020-09-21T21:51:22.574-04:00Pics from peaks 1 - 8<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaX5Q9c3rrM/X2lYeWykemI/AAAAAAAABik/IlSY6j_X-_cvc-9qosAVabefGG9SjQ0ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FF0484E7-0DB4-441D-A0B0-EDE7D205ACBE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaX5Q9c3rrM/X2lYeWykemI/AAAAAAAABik/IlSY6j_X-_cvc-9qosAVabefGG9SjQ0ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FF0484E7-0DB4-441D-A0B0-EDE7D205ACBE.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63fGbqalW78/X2lYcgDd76I/AAAAAAAABig/BhtQh0v9RqsuuKd3Wr02heAFfvCilscYACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FB1571EC-DAED-4C73-B53A-DC1B5B3972DA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63fGbqalW78/X2lYcgDd76I/AAAAAAAABig/BhtQh0v9RqsuuKd3Wr02heAFfvCilscYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FB1571EC-DAED-4C73-B53A-DC1B5B3972DA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7TNBhkeEdU/X2lYcAHuO-I/AAAAAAAABic/FJcfgyN9Lf0tRbEqWUBCEmKMrserTdmegCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EDF236F6-66C9-4D4D-9491-44026F1DAC6D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7TNBhkeEdU/X2lYcAHuO-I/AAAAAAAABic/FJcfgyN9Lf0tRbEqWUBCEmKMrserTdmegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EDF236F6-66C9-4D4D-9491-44026F1DAC6D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isxY-KD0CbU/X2lYbeL78zI/AAAAAAAABiY/xf-sDGL9v2cTqddzyvWAxJPJHhVneXTiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C3EFA089-C02E-4B99-A3F4-E3DF3DB97260.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isxY-KD0CbU/X2lYbeL78zI/AAAAAAAABiY/xf-sDGL9v2cTqddzyvWAxJPJHhVneXTiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/C3EFA089-C02E-4B99-A3F4-E3DF3DB97260.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sFilRAWEIw/X2lYaehDIvI/AAAAAAAABiQ/vFNzncZGxvUnHJ2mBQyiRgsUTNg-M31gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C3AD7D94-FACA-4191-9E6F-6E6186739448.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sFilRAWEIw/X2lYaehDIvI/AAAAAAAABiQ/vFNzncZGxvUnHJ2mBQyiRgsUTNg-M31gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/C3AD7D94-FACA-4191-9E6F-6E6186739448.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulMiac5YScM/X2lYWesOOlI/AAAAAAAABiE/iFr3r1ekfEE9Qiyi61EEMEjzzWXfwejxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3506BC59-3499-4BD9-9DBD-5CD3CDAA8DF8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulMiac5YScM/X2lYWesOOlI/AAAAAAAABiE/iFr3r1ekfEE9Qiyi61EEMEjzzWXfwejxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3506BC59-3499-4BD9-9DBD-5CD3CDAA8DF8.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apyy4oMtBGM/X2lYYX7dxNI/AAAAAAAABiM/0pG2RBXdCWgK77UcCOxLBRb2O6mhkc4JACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/65C5AA14-E1E2-4EF7-8964-926AA10FC48F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apyy4oMtBGM/X2lYYX7dxNI/AAAAAAAABiM/0pG2RBXdCWgK77UcCOxLBRb2O6mhkc4JACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/65C5AA14-E1E2-4EF7-8964-926AA10FC48F.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwWyhS79uCo/X2lYa8yh_PI/AAAAAAAABiU/boOVy1MQicom0NrlRFoiffoNtKgGaO2lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6D912A36-A82C-4D95-9F0F-F7ECEDED1946.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwWyhS79uCo/X2lYa8yh_PI/AAAAAAAABiU/boOVy1MQicom0NrlRFoiffoNtKgGaO2lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6D912A36-A82C-4D95-9F0F-F7ECEDED1946.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3_Ca-TstqY/X2lYXXXNRXI/AAAAAAAABiI/wgge8xyt6oIhdyCMi1DcwRn4eTEQ1qevgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4DE4E9DD-621E-4CD9-AB17-EC9824A01E84.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3_Ca-TstqY/X2lYXXXNRXI/AAAAAAAABiI/wgge8xyt6oIhdyCMi1DcwRn4eTEQ1qevgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4DE4E9DD-621E-4CD9-AB17-EC9824A01E84.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-86557916840812772452020-09-21T11:13:00.002-04:002020-09-21T11:17:35.392-04:004000 Footer Challenge<p>Starting September 14th, I began an 8 week renewal leave - a chance to recharge the batteries away from the day to day demands of work. This leave was supposed to have been this spring during which my wife and I were to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I don't need to go into any detail into what changed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h38Rug3vtmw/X2jA3_9gcUI/AAAAAAAABgc/BWS11foxV3Ur1tU539zo8clLFARRYsXQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4FFDB54E-F417-4119-AE4F-2CC994CE1916_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h38Rug3vtmw/X2jA3_9gcUI/AAAAAAAABgc/BWS11foxV3Ur1tU539zo8clLFARRYsXQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4FFDB54E-F417-4119-AE4F-2CC994CE1916_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Now, I'll do a pilgrimage of a different sort, and I'm inviting you to join me. My goal is to climb the 67 mountains that are over 4000 feet in Maine, New Hampshire and VT. I'm actually one week and 8 mountains into the effort already. Frankly, I waited a week before inviting you all to be part of this because I wasn't sure I was up to the task. After climbing the first two on September 14th, I was afraid I'd bitten off more than I can chew. I have spent weeks and weeks preparing, reading and researching and that first day on the mountain kicked my backside, not to mention a few other body parts. </p><p>However, here I am, a week later having climbed Avery and West Peak on Bigelow, Abraham, South Crocker, North Crocker, Redington, Spaulding and Sugarloaf! I'll be posting updates here from time to time on how things are going, doing my best to keep up during the days I'm not hiking.</p><p>Moreover, you can be part of my "support" team by friending me on Facebook (if we're not already friends) and joining my fundraiser, raising money for Alzheimer's research. My goal is to raise $100 per mountain and it would be great to know that I bring a bunch of friends/family with me in this effort. If you'd like to donate in the name of someone in particular, even for a particular mountain, let me know and I'll jot their name down in my hiking journal. Then I'll lift up their name when I summit that day. </p><p>Lastly, my "text" for the hikes are the Psalms of Ascent (120-134). These were traditionally read as Jewish pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem each year for the high and holy days. Each day I'll read one of these Psalms, seeking to connect the days walk to a focus on the divine. </p><p>Thanks again - and here are a few more pics from this week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KMfpYhbKiY/X2jCjJEIymI/AAAAAAAABgo/GTAsXN7KUzwT-coNeS14Lm-HXpt3m-MIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/06BF6AD1-7AA0-4116-B387-CF753946BE89.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KMfpYhbKiY/X2jCjJEIymI/AAAAAAAABgo/GTAsXN7KUzwT-coNeS14Lm-HXpt3m-MIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/06BF6AD1-7AA0-4116-B387-CF753946BE89.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YN3rhOINcKQ/X2jCuMZTI9I/AAAAAAAABg8/sOp2BhnVmAUkiBM1hW2gDG0tRUAZOKLZACLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFMphRGptSo/X2jCsYOGk4I/AAAAAAAABg4/_YXYOp_8VwsjrajyDRwGGYrJrN-MRMNAQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFMphRGptSo/X2jCsYOGk4I/AAAAAAAABg4/_YXYOp_8VwsjrajyDRwGGYrJrN-MRMNAQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9Pb4XdtM6s/X2jClOmXc3I/AAAAAAAABgw/xdiUCmmETvc1-A6asqNfibU1XdiC9gVagCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/421A336A-330E-4901-9E6B-78865237F18F.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9Pb4XdtM6s/X2jClOmXc3I/AAAAAAAABgw/xdiUCmmETvc1-A6asqNfibU1XdiC9gVagCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/421A336A-330E-4901-9E6B-78865237F18F.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47ipxP8V-FU/X2jCkEIERXI/AAAAAAAABgs/ZU2v-z_dZPgPDyZjgjrJU5k0neDm0RnKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/40082DF2-9707-4E66-86E3-A5E7AF920FE6.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3liWKdo7k8/X2jCnGlNXrI/AAAAAAAABg0/j_bvU3SdFjonos3FL8ADckDYCt6qrSq3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F9676D9D-8C9B-481F-A326-68DC0D1C6086.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3liWKdo7k8/X2jCnGlNXrI/AAAAAAAABg0/j_bvU3SdFjonos3FL8ADckDYCt6qrSq3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/F9676D9D-8C9B-481F-A326-68DC0D1C6086.heic" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PivjkUyEw0/X2jC-RiZDYI/AAAAAAAABhk/5h6-9JOCKvYYDttlzUjgsuRv1MoEiX13QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/06BF6AD1-7AA0-4116-B387-CF753946BE89.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PivjkUyEw0/X2jC-RiZDYI/AAAAAAAABhk/5h6-9JOCKvYYDttlzUjgsuRv1MoEiX13QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/06BF6AD1-7AA0-4116-B387-CF753946BE89.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-67541161209440115072019-10-22T13:59:00.002-04:002019-10-22T13:59:36.552-04:00Day 8 Minimalist Challenge ( or, Grannyism #53)Today is day 8 of my taking on the 30 Minimalist Challenge (<a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/">www.theminimalists.com</a>). The idea is that each day, you get rid of as many items as whatever day of the challenge. That means today I choose 8 more things to trash, donate or sell.<br />
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Let me just say that my clothes closet and bureau is the easiest place to go. This is saying something for a guy who might buy a piece of clothing for himself a handful of times a year. Much of what I have hanging or folded has walked in the door because my wife has found something at the thrift store or some other discount place. This means that in a very short amount of time, I have a bunch of stuff I don't wear.<br />
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The other easy place is books, though I question how much I can do there. It won't be long before I'm into the heavy duty theological stuff and I don't know how much of a market there is for that. Maybe a library?<br />
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At this point, there are 36 items that have already gone out or are on their way out the door. I am loving thinning out the closet; I hate looking at stuff that I know I'm never going to wear. The books are a bit more challenging. The philosophy of "just in case" fully kicks in when I put my hand on a book. "I need to keep this," I think, "just. in. case." It does happen - but I have to have to other conversation reminding myself that it doesn't happen so often that I can't let go.<br />
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I should add that my wife has been doing some cleansing as well with the challenge in mind. She's not counting items each day - she's just going for it. Her contribution to the cleanse has added hundreds and hundreds of items already that have gone out the door. (For example, I delivered no less than 16 bags of clothes to Goodwill last week that she'd set aside.)<br />
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My eyes are beginning to wander toward the garage. Hmm.....<br />
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So - are you in this challenge? Even a little bit?scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-2164561337736268402019-10-17T14:13:00.004-04:002019-10-17T14:13:46.269-04:00Minimalist Challenge Day 4Hey friends<br />
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It is day four of <a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/" target="_blank">The Minimalist</a> challenge and I can already see that there is definitely a "challenge" component to this. Day 1 and 2 were a piece of cake. Just pick out 1 and then 2 things to get rid of. Now, day 4, and I quickly am up to needing to choose 4 things, after having chosen 3 things yesterday. Below is picture of a few of the items that have made the list to either sell, give away or trash: guitar, trombone, amp, books, scale. Only the scale is in the discard pile. It doesn't work; I've tried to fix it. Then it sat in our bathroom for this past year, doing no one any good and taking up space. Why didn't we throw it away? I don't know. Just in case it suddenly and miraculously started working again? (It didn't, no matter how many times we took the battery out and put it back in.)<br />
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So day 4 it's going to be clothes, to add to the mountain of stuff my wife has already put in the garage to take to Goodwill. I figured it wasn't fair to count the stuff she's already culled before I started this challenge. How goes it for you? Are you in it with me?<br />
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scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-38513218506590877412019-10-15T15:44:00.001-04:002019-10-15T15:44:16.438-04:0030 Day Minimalist ChallengeHi Blog friends!<br />
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Wow, it has been way too long - and frankly, I just needed something to get excited about before I could realistically blog again. So this is it: The 30 Day Minimalist Challenge! And part of me is okay if you don't join me, the blog is a way to hold myself accountable for doing the challenge myself!!<br />
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I'm doing some teaching on "spending, giving and living with a conscience" (thanks Mike Slaughter), and in my research I ran across <a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/">www.theminimalists.com</a> - a couple of guys who discovered the freedom that comes from releasing your self from stuff so stuff releases it's hold on you. You should definitely check it out, but here's the challenge. It's 30 days, and on day one, you find something you've got in your house to get rid of - either sell it, donate it, or, if it's no longer good to anyone, throw it away. If you sell it, you give the money away to a worthy cause. Then, on day 2, you choose two things, day 3 you choose 3 things and so on. You get the picture. (Speaking of pictures, I'm going to post the pics of what I choose as well.)<br />
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Day one was yesterday, October 14th, and day two is today.<br />
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So for day one: a guitar. I have 4, plus a yukele, a trombone, a keyboard, and assorted other instruments. I only play two of the guitars and the yukelele, so right now, one of the guitars is going out the door - I'll sell it. The money will be part of my Christmas offering to the church, which, right now the plan is to give that money away over the year to help out people who need help with food, heat, new tires - whatever.<br />
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Day two is too easy - books. I'll find a willing vict...ummm, recipient who can use the books. I'll try not to do the book thing too often - because I could do this challenge with just books.<br />
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So keep coming back - I'll update, plus photos. Anyone going to join me?scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-72818646886183652642018-06-05T16:33:00.002-04:002018-06-05T21:36:31.360-04:00Participatory WorshipI spend a fair amount of time working with local congregations, helping them think through how to engage their mission contexts in meaningful ways. One thing that comes up is the need to make worship an experience that is more engaging, inspiring and participatory. This is particularly true if you are looking to grab the hearts of people who have little or no experience with corporate worship.<br />
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When I encourage congregations to design worship that is more engaging and participatory, I’m often met with blank looks. So here’s a list of some things you might try. I should say that one of my filters is that they need to be things that work in a crowd of not just 30 people but also work in a gathering of 300. <b>That means the typical “joys and concerns,” where people raise their hand and speak out their concern, doesn’t make the cut!</b> (See my previous post on this subject <a href="https://scituatedrev.blogspot.com/2017/03/full-contact-worship.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) You can’t do that with a large number of people. So here’s my list. I’d love to hear what you would add.<br />
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<li>Create prayer stations in many places in the worship space. People can use before, during, and after worship. </li>
<li>Invite people during prayer time to get with one or two other people, share a story from their week, then spend a few minutes praying for each other. </li>
<li>Train congregants (including children and youth) to lead various parts of the service to get more voices involved. </li>
<li>Add kid-friendly areas, with low tables or blankets on the floor, with crayons, books, etc. </li>
<li>Preach message and let people know that anyone who wants to stay a few minutes after for Q&A is invited to do so. </li>
<li>Include different people in the planning of worship, for example, different groups for different seasons of the church year. </li>
<li>Plan and implement using different visual, audio, kinesthetic and tactual experiences during the worship experience. (pictures, sounds, handouts, music, and more)</li>
<li>Celebrate communion more often, weekly if possible. </li>
<li>Use an intercessary prayer liturgy where after each intercession, the congregation is invited to speak to God themselves, in silence or aloud, based on the focus of the intercession. </li>
<li>Front load singing, not talking. At a church I recently visited, there was 13 minutes of talking (announcements and so forth) before I heard a single note of music. </li>
<li>Go to Pinterest and search “participatory worship!” </li>
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That’s a quick list I came up within 5 or 10 minutes sitting in my truck waiting for my wife Lori to finish some errands. I’m sure you and your planning team could come up with even more! I look forward to hearing what you have done or will do!</div>
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scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-40734328394831632452017-03-07T17:59:00.005-05:002017-03-08T21:58:17.824-05:00Full contact worshipIn my last post I shared some ideas of how to engage guests who come to the church facility to worship. In this post I share some insights on how to create space in worship that allows the visitor to participate - and to even experience the presence of God. Carey Nieuwhof highlights this in a recent <a href="http://www.careynieuwhof.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> post. He writes: "When people show up at a church these days, they want to experience God, not just sing a few songs and hear a helpful message. They want <i>God</i> more than they even want advice."<br />
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Take for example, prayer time during a typical traditional church in New England. (Again, most NE churches are small - under 75 in worship). It's often called the "Sharing of joys and concerns." What happens is that the worship leader (usually the pastor) announces that it's time for joys and concerns and people are invited to call out from where they are sitting what's going on their lives - things that they want lifted in prayer, family members who are experiencing challenges, health concerns, and celebrations of all sorts. Sometimes a microphone is passed around. Most often the joy or concern is simply shared without amplification. It's also a time filled with insider language, occasionally insider jokes, but certainly, from a guest's perspective, shared intimate knowledge of the regular attendees. (In a recent visit, one person took the microphone and announced: "I just wanted to let you know all know I'm back!" to a room of 35 others who certainly already knew she was back.) The gathering up of joys and concerns continues until everyone who wants to share has had the opportunity to do so and then the pastor will invite the congregation into a time of prayer. In the worst iteration of this version, the pastor then repeats everything that was just said, and then during the prayer, repeats everything one more time in the context of the prayer, as if God didn't catch it the first time around, whether amplified or otherwise. In the more tame version, the congregation is invited into a brief (typically 10 - 20 seconds) of silence, followed by a pastoral prayer and then often closed with an invitation for everyone to join in the Lord's Prayer. </div>
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You may have already figured out that I'm not a fan of the typical "joys and concerns" and you would be correct. There are a few reasons:</div>
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<b>1. It reinforces that idea that this time of worship is a semi-private event.</b> </div>
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Yes, it is public worship - but the message from the congregation is: this is really for us. It is internally focused. It is also confusing for guests who are expecting a public experience rather than one that is more intimate. This is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxemics" target="_blank">social science</a> and not simply church behavior. In public settings, people expect certain behaviors and certain kinds of social interactions between the people at the public event. For guests, worship is a public event. However, many small congregations, because they have been together for so long, many of whom know each other quite well, slip into behaviors that are appropriate for intimate settings. For long time members, church feels like an intimate setting. Therefore, it feels appropriate to share personal details. However, that kind of thing is only appropriate in smaller groups. Of course, as groups grow, it becomes impossible for everyone to actually participate once the group gets beyond a certain size. And for visitors, the disharmony between attending public worship, expecting a public social setting, and yet experiencing intimacy is confusing at best and off putting at worst. Whether confused or challenged, they are unlikely to return. Which leads to...</div>
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<b>2. It means the congregation will never grow beyond a certain size as it continues to reinforce small group/intimate behavior.</b></div>
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Worship with a crowd of 150 and you won't see this kind of prayer experience. It just can't be done. There are too many bodies in the group. However, unless the small congregation changes its behavior and begins to act in ways that are consistent with a larger group in a public context, it is unlikely to ever become a larger congregation that creates space for the guest. (I confess that I'm operating under the premise that we actually want to reach more people, and connect more people with an exciting relationship with God. If that's not where you are, this post won't make much sense.) Which leads to one of the most important issues...</div>
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<b>3. Those in attendance are robbed of the experience of meaningful prayer. </b></div>
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As Nieuwhof writes, "...[people] want to experience God." Prayer is one of those moments where we can do just that. But people, particularly those just beginning to explore the faith journey, need both the training and space to do that. Today the church needs to help people move into prayer. It's almost as if people need permission to figure this prayer stuff out. Heck, I'm a church guy and I need 10-15 seconds just to figure out how I'm going to address God! There's no better place to experiment and figure prayer out than with a faith community. </div>
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Each year my wife and I take a group of youth and young adults to Taizé, France. Our job is to stay with the 15 - 17 year olds through the week. Each day these young people are met by one of the brothers who sets the theme the each day and often does a bit of teaching in regards to the prayer service that happens three times a day. One of the things he'll explain is the 10 - 12 minutes of silence during the service. He'll say: "I know you wonder what you are supposed to do during that time. It's a long time. Here's what I do sometimes. The morning prayer service is right before breakfast. I'm usually pretty hungry. So during the silence, I'm often thinking, 'I wonder what's for breakfast?' And the mid-day prayer service is right before lunch. I'm usually pretty hungry. So during the silence I'm thinking: 'I wonder what's for lunch?' Evening prayer is after supper so I'm not usually hungry, so sometimes during that silence, I actually think about God." What I love about this teaching is that it gives the young people both the permission and the room to experiment with the time. </div>
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In the church, we can be even <i>more</i> creative, since Taizé has locked in on this time of silence. <i>We</i> can set up candles at a station that people can come and light. <i>We</i> can create a station with stones that people can write on and bring to prayer rail. We can give out post-its and invite people to write prayers and stick them on a prayer wall. We can provide written prayers from the zillions of prayers that have been recorded from the saints of old and offer them as a track to run on until people feel comfortable praying on their own. </div>
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And we can create space, whether it's silence, or space supported with meditative music, in order to give people the room to stretch their prayer muscles and maybe, in the midst of it all, have their moment encountering God. </div>
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<b>Too often we rob people of the experience of what it is to actually worship God because we are so busy talking to ourselves about ourselves.</b></div>
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So, how about your public worship event? Think about what it feels like from a visitors' perspective. Are you acting in intimate ways out of step with a public event? Are you giving the gathered people opportunities to worship God and experience God? How might changing just this part of the worship experience, giving people the chance to personally explore prayer, change the overall experience of worship? </div>
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One last note on intimate behavior in public settings: some of these churches I visit finish with one final action guaranteed to keep me away forever - gathering in a circle holding hands and singing a song together. You are asking a visitor who doesn't know you to hold your hand (intimate behavior) and then awkwardly stand there while you all sing a song you all know. Unless you're serving plenty of wine with communion, I, along with most of your guests, am long gone.</div>
scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-46026051281450263962017-03-01T13:16:00.002-05:002017-03-01T17:42:22.032-05:00The Art of Small TalkImagine you are a first-time visitor to a church. You arrive a few minutes early and find your way to the sanctuary. You've arrived before there is a greeter at the door so you find your way to a seat. People begin to fill in around you - the row in front of you, the row behind you, the row across the aisle from you. People begin to greet each other. The person sitting behind you greets the person sitting in front of you, and also the person sitting in front of the person sitting in front of you. But not you. Eventually someone sitting across the aisle comes over to greet you, and says, "I'm John Smith. I'm a trustee here. I hope you come again." And walks away to greet others he knows.<br />
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Imagine I'm a visitor with little or no church background and this is my experience of being welcomed. What are the chances that I will return?<br />
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Though this is a fictional scenario, it is based on many real life experiences I've had while visiting churches. I'm often greeted with the person's name, some sort of identification of what they do in the church, a quick "thanks for coming" or "hope you come again" and that's it. If during worship the service includes Passing the Peace (which is code for "walk around and say hi to everyone") the experience is often even more painful as I spend a fair amount of time on my own while the congregation greets each other. [<i>Passing the Peace, for church geeks out there, is an actual liturgical practice tied to confession - where the congregation offers a prayer of confession, recognizing the tendency of all of us to fall short of God's intention, and then, as a sign of reconciliation, the congregation offers "the peace of Christ" to each other, enacting the reconciliation we all enjoy with God and are intended to offer to the world.</i>]<br />
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So here I offer just a few things to do when a visitor drops by your worship experience:<br />
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<b>1. Assume the person has come for a reason.</b><br />
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Visiting a church for the first time is hard to do. It's not like attending other public events. Most congregations are fairly small (81% of UM churches in New England are under 75 in worship; 70% under 50), and people in small congregations tend to know each other so it often feels like walking into a semi-private event. When I was pastoring a local church, I was taking with someone in the community and invited them to church. They asked, "Can anyone come?" When a visitor has decided to brave all of those social hurdles and walk through the doors of the church, they are telling you something. "I'm here because I need something" or I'm here because I'm looking for something." Even if they've come simply to "check you out," they've come for a purpose.<br />
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<b>2. Visitors usually decide within the first 5 minutes whether or not they will return a second time. </b><br />
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Many first time visitors will time their entrance so they come through the door just as worship is beginning in order to avoid any awkward social moments. But even then, they are paying attention to various cues. Was it easy to find the right door? Did it seem like the congregation expects guests? Was I greeted in a friendly manner? When I sat down, did the people sitting near me acknowledge me? If there was time before the service started, did someone engage me in conversation? There are a few churches here and there where the time before the worship service is intended to be a time of silent meditation, but most New England churches are fairly casual and the time before the service begins is when people catch up and say hi. Visitors need to be included.<br />
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<b>3. The art of small talk</b><br />
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Remember, the visitor came to church today on purpose and for a reason. Hopefully they were greeted when they came in, and someone made sure the guest got what they need - a bulletin if your church uses one, a cup of tea or coffee or water if that's what your church does (and why wouldn't it!?), directions to the nearest restroom and all that. Now - the visitor(s) is/are sitting near you. It's your turn. In fact, you go first since you are the host. You approach the guest. This is not the time to tell them you are a trustee, or on the bell tower committee, or anything else like that. If the visitor doesn't have much of a church background, they won't know what it means anyway - and won't care even if they do have church background. It's time to engage in small talk. Light conversation. Something along the lines of:<br />
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"Hi, my name is _________. I don't think we've met before. Is this your first time here?"<br />
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Listen to their response.<br />
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Next: continue the conversation! This is not the time to wander off and talk to someone you already know. Make a basic connection. Check to see if they need anything - something to drink, do they know where the restrooms are, etc. More importantly, learn something about your guest. Ask questions, like: Do you live in the area? How long have you lived here? What do you do?<br />
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Listen to their responses. Respond appropriately. "Oh, I know that neighborhood - I have a friend who lives near there - that's a great area" - or - "one of the regular attendees lives over there." Or, I've always wanted to get over there. Or, how do you like it?<br />
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As time gets closer to the start of the service, end the conversation well. "It's great to meet you. I'd love to talk more after worship. (Or, I'd love to introduce you to someone - I think you'd really hit it off.) Would you join me for a cup of coffee or a cold drink afterwards? The congregation goes to the _________ room when worship is over. I'll show you the way." If you leave the conversation with something like "I hope you come again," you send different signals. It says: I'm done talking to you - now and for the remainder of your time here! Depending on the tone and timing, it says: we're desperate. <i>PLEASE</i> come back.<br />
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Just this basic kind of hospitality will go a long way to helping your guest feel comfortable and welcome. You are much more likely to see them again. And remember how important it is to show hospitality to strangers, "for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)<br />
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<br />scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-9062327231788212642017-02-07T15:08:00.002-05:002017-02-07T15:14:40.258-05:00Does corporate worship still matter?Trends on worship show that to be called a "regular" attendee of corporate worship these days means that you attend about twice a month. Recently Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of Church of he Resurrection (www.cor.org), sent out an email to his congregation acknowledging those at COR who had perfect attendance in 2016 as well as those who got an A+ (90% attendance or better). Today I had a chance to ask him about worship attendance at COR and their focus on celebrating that. First, how did it start?<br />
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15 years ago, he said, regular worship at COR meant someone attended 3 weeks out of 4. More recently, they found that the average was 1.75 times a month. In other words, regular worshippers attended less that twice in a month. They realized that if they wanted to see a difference, they needed to pay attention to this aspect of congregational life. The first year he took everyone with perfect attendance to lunch. There were only thirteen. Thirteen, in a congregation with 20,000 members! They also acknowledge the folks with 90% attendance. The next year they gave out insulated mugs to all 90% or above. It cost them $6000 - clearly paying attention changed the behavior. </div>
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After that, I asked him this: Take me deeper. Why does corporate worship matter?</div>
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Without hesitating, he answered (this is not verbatim but rather my summary of a conversation from a few hours ago. </div>
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Worship matters because it's important to be able to teach and expound upon the word of God. </div>
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Worship matters because it allows you to reinforce the vision of the congregation. </div>
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Worship matters because it keeps people connected to each other. Lower attendance correlates to lower and lower engagement and more people leaving the congregation "through the back door."</div>
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Worship itself taps into the power and meaning of what it means to be community together</div>
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Worship teaches us what to pray for - to be reminded or shown what else is going on in the world and that we all need to lifting those things in prayer. </div>
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Worship matters to God. Yes, we are to be worshipful everyday, in all we do, but God calls us to honor the Sabbath and make it holy - for God's people to come together in praise and thanksgiving. </div>
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Finally, he shared that higher levels of worship attendance correlate with other positive behaviors. People who are in worship regularly are more likely to be engaged in mission, are more generous, are more likely to be involved in other spiritual formation opportunities and so forth. </div>
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Worship matters. </div>
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So, my thought:</div>
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What is your congregation doing to help people grow in the practice of worship? What might you do to positively reinforce the practice of worship? And since inspiring and meaningful worship is critical to the spiritual growth of people early in their faith journey (think visitors here!), what are you doing to make sure each worship experience is just that - inspiring and meaningful? Long-time members will tolerate mediocre music, messages and ministry. New visitors will not - they look elsewhere - or worse, stop looking altogether. </div>
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So yes, worship matters!</div>
scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-13646579103249145532016-09-23T16:11:00.002-04:002016-09-23T17:13:37.632-04:00Four Types of Churches that will Soon DieThom Rainer recently wrote a blog about the 4 kinds of churches that will soon die (<a href="http://thomrainer.com/2016/08/four-types-churches-will-soon-die/" target="_blank">See his post here</a>). Maybe my interpretation isn't needed, but since I'm mostly writing to myself anyway, that's okay. With the work I do, it lets me think "out loud" so to speak.<br />
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The first one he lists is the "Ex-Bible" church. These folks no longer root their lives in the Scriptures. The Bible is just another book. I remember in one church I served we were dealing with a particularly challenging issue and we needed to make a decision. I invited the leadership into a study of relevant scripture and as they did, listen to what they heard God "saying" in terms of what decision would bring honor to God. After a while, the group began to talk and it became more and more clear what decision needed to be made. However, one person spoke up, seeing how things were unfolding and said, "Well, that's all well and good if you believe what's in the scriptures - and I don't!" I wish I could say that doesn't happen much, but unfortunately... <br />
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A less dramatic example of the Ex-Bible church is what might be called the do-gooder church. They are more like a civic organization than a church. Those in civic organizations, don't get on my case. I'm not denigrating the work of social organizations - it's necessary and valued. It's simply that the foundation of their work isn't the same as the church. The church only exists to continue to live the mission of its founder and sustainer - Jesus. The church is (supposed to be) the continuing presence of Christ in the world - a sent body - an incarnational representation of the Jesus in the world. Many churches are very good at doing good things, providing resources, offering free meals, running food pantries, etc. These are all good - but they are not incarnational representations of Jesus. They are generous acts. Generosity is part of the call. And so collecting money, socks, cell phones, turkeys, etc. is a very generous thing to do. The only thing is that it doesn't require a body. The scriptures keep pointing to a Body. It is THE radical difference between Christianity and other major religious - God took flesh and walked among us. The church is called to the same and can only live out it's mandate by staying connected to the story that reminds us of this narrative.<br />
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The third one Thom names is the "Bad Words" church, and by that he means churches embroiled in conflict. Unfortunately, this too is fairly common though I would argue that the conflict, at least in New England, is not as explicit as Thom describes. It tends to be much more passive aggressive. These are the churches that are ready to blame any and all for their continuing demise. "If we just didn't have sports on Sunday." "If our pastor would only....fill in the blank." "If we had a pastor who was married (oh, by the way, is a man married to a woman, they don't say) with 2.2 kids, we would grow." All of this takes away from the energy needed to actually be the church. It's the scapegoat allowing churches to blame something out there for their own challenges.<br />
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Granted, there is something sad about seeing churches grow smaller and less effective. It's heartbreaking when good, loving, Christ-centered people see their congregation dwindle to just a shadow of what it once was. They are meant for so much more and in their history, they often were. But as I often say to churches who invite me to work with them in order to turn things around and become vital, if the only reason you are doing this is to "keep the club open a little longer," then let's all go home. Church's, like many organization, have a life cycle, and sometimes it means death. There is something harmful about maintaining a church beyond what it's intended life is. And unfortunately, what can often result in trying to keep this kind of church alive is unrest - conflict - damage. It is similar to artificially keeping a loved one alive long after they are ready to pass from this life to the next. The good news is that nothing is wasted in the economy of God. All churches leave a mark and the legacy of every church continues beyond its physical existence. The faithful who once lived out their mission pass on the legacy to the next generation. Sometimes the resources of closed churches give birth to new expressions of faith. Each generation of faithful followers of Jesus stand upon the shoulders of those who came before, and as Hebrews 11 reminds us, just because you are faithful, it doesn't mean you will actually see the promises of God fulfilled in your lifetime. But be faith-full anyway.<br />
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Thom names two other kinds of churches - I'll tackle those in another post. If you are in a church like the two listed above - the Ex-Bible and the Bad Words church, all is not lost. It is sometimes possible to turn things around. I've seen it (see an earlier blog post of mine for an <a href="https://scituatedrev.blogspot.com/2014/11/is-church-turnaround-possible.html" target="_blank">example</a>.) Just know that some of the most challenging work you will every face is ahead of you. In Christ's peace...scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-60143899829682480652016-09-20T17:07:00.001-04:002016-09-20T17:07:12.683-04:00Relaunching new lifeHere's a video highlighting a new church start that moved into a facility of a former United Methodist congregation - a great example of new emerging from the old.<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/183512950" target="_blank">Jesus Life Center</a>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-11730539459825095752016-09-15T19:41:00.001-04:002016-09-15T19:41:58.541-04:00Healthy living means attending to the "little things"So I did promise comments on love, life and the ludicrous. This is ludicrous but it's definitely illuminating...and loosening? Enjoy! (and I don't mean just the article....haha!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.littlethings.com/farting-health-benefits/?utm_source=nat&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=health" target="_blank">Little things!</a>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-64231682573906788012016-09-08T15:58:00.001-04:002016-09-08T22:06:06.981-04:00Foolish businessThose of us in the official "Jesus" business can get a little frustrated, downtrodden and even feel a little beat up. Seems to be even more the case in the current post-Christian, post-church context. Which is why it's helpful to read the works of others who have experienced the same thing.<br />
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As any of you in the Jesus business, particularly those in New England, ramp up for a new program year (those of you not in the church may be surprised that the rhythm of church in NE pretty much follows the rhythm of the school year), you may find these words from Frederick Buchner encouraging, originally delivered to graduates of the Union Theological Seminary in VA. A reminder that yes, we are a bit foolish. But there is more - so much more. Enjoy - and be encouraged!<br />
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"It’s a queer business that you have chosen or that has chosen you. It’s a business that breaks the heart for the sake of the heart. It’s a hard and chancy business whose risks are as great even as its rewards. Above all else, perhaps, it is a crazy business. It is a foolish business. It is a crazy and foolish business to work for Christ in a world where most people most of the time don’t give a hoot in hell whether you work for him or not. It is crazy and foolish to offer a service that most people most of the time think they need like a hole in the head. As long as there are bones to set and drains to unclog and children to tame and boredom to survive, we need doctors and plumbers and teachers and people who play the musical saw; but when it comes to the business of Christ and his church, how unreal and irrelevant a service that seems even, and at times especially, to the ones who are called to work at it."</div>
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He later goes on, quoting from Lord of the Rings and this is where I might add the word..."However..."</div>
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"The road goes ever on and on</div>
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Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road</div>
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has gone, And I must follow if I can,</div>
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Pursuing it with weary feet,</div>
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Until it joins some larger way,</div>
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Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then?</div>
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I cannot say."</div>
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May you be foolish - foolish enough to stay on the road, even though you do not necessarily know where it leads. But the good news is - the road is clear. The road is itself Jesus. "I am the way...." </div>
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scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-74131851617616855152016-09-06T11:47:00.001-04:002016-09-07T21:54:08.396-04:00Aging, happiness and the churchThis summer I was on the road, listening to the Ted Radio Hour and it highlighted Professor Laura Carstensen who is the founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. In her research, she discovered that as people age, they (on the whole) become happier. It seems counterintuitive since as one ages, other things become more challenging - health, friends who move or die, etc. But the research is clear. In general, happiness increases as one ages.<br />
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During the radio show, Carstensen referred to an interview she'd done with two sisters, both elderly, who talked about losing many friends over the years. And Professor Carstensen said to them that there were many people in the area who were like them that they could meet and get to know. And the sisters both said that they didn't have time for that. Carstensen's first thought was "What are you talking about? You look like you have plenty of time on hand." But it turns out - they weren't talking about how much time they had in a day. It was how much time they had left in life.<br />
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Yes, we get happier as we age. But we also aren't as interested in making a new "old friends" because there just isn't enough time left in life. We are happy with our circle of friends and family, even if that circle is shrinking a bit. And we aren't going to invest the time to expand those networks - at least not in any significant way.<br />
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All of this makes me wonder about some of the smaller and older churches in New England. Attending many of these churches is like attending someone else's family reunion. There is lots of laughter, many hugs and people are genuinely pleased to see each other. They are, in general, happy places. (There are the toxic exceptions - a topic for another day!) If you are visiting one of the churches, the people will be polite. They might even offer you coffee and a delicious refreshment. But you aren't likely to be welcomed to the inner circle. They might ask you your name - then again, they may not. They may have a way of collecting personal information, but more than likely not. I have spoken to many people who have shown up in these churches as visitors, new to the larger community, and even after many years of attending, still feel like they are outsiders. One person wrote me a long letter describing the experience and said that as long as they showed up to do the work needed, everything was fine. But should they try to cross the invisible line of deeper community, it was clear they were not welcome.<br />
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Could it be that this dynamic of going deeper into the relationships we have, with a reduced interest in getting to know new people is at work in older churches? At an unconscious level, have they moved into a place in life where the effort to make new "old friends" is just more than they want to give?<br />
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It seems to me that it plays at least some part in what happens in older congregations that are growing smaller. Certainly there are other factors. I confess that I, when in my 70's or 80's, may not be jumping up to join the evangelism committee. What this means for the future of congregations like this, I'm not sure. But it causes me to rethink our approach to the work of church renewal with churches at this stage of life. It causes me to want to slow down and dig deeper into what makes these congregations tick. It reminds me to give thanks for the richness of grace and love being enjoyed by the members of these congregations, that even as the time horizon grows shorter, these congregations are savoring moments many of us won't understand - at least right now.<br />
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To listen to (or read) the interview with Laura Carstensen, go <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=414999589" target="_blank">here</a>, or to listen to her full Ted talk, go <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/laura_carstensen_older_people_are_happier" target="_blank">here</a>.scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-22338945451696371312016-08-31T12:44:00.004-04:002016-08-31T12:44:59.999-04:00First Twelve TrainingEarlier this month the New England Conference hosted a training event for potential church planters. The event, called First Twelve, focuses on how to gather and disciple the first twelve people who will become the committed core of a new ministry or new church start. Participants from both the New England Conference and Upper New York conference were in attendance.<br />
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You might find this video helpful if you are in the local church in New England to highlight how the faithful, generous giving of congregants makes it possible to do this important work in training leaders how to reach new people, more people, and younger people. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/180909752">https://vimeo.com/180909752</a><br />
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<br />scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-36590360082083840622016-01-16T05:33:00.005-05:002016-01-16T05:33:57.090-05:00Holy Spirit I PrayA copy of <a href="http://johnrlevison.com/" target="_blank">Jack Levison</a>'s new book "Holy Spirit I Pray," published by Paraclete Press, arrived on my doorstep the other day. It was a surprise advance copy delivered from the publisher so that I might give a review and share my thoughts. So - here they are!<br />
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First word: Jack never disappoints! His focus on the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is a gift to the larger church. His insights into the workings of the Spirit, the role of the Spirit, and our access to the Spirit offer readers a fresh way to experience the presence of God in their lives. Moreover, this book, a book of prayers written <i>to</i> the Holy Spirit, invite you and I into a more personal connection to God by interacting more directly with Spirit of God.<br />
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As he writes in the introduction, prayers written to the Holy Spirit are rare throughout history - a scattering peppered here and there. "Most Christians," he writes, "tend to see the Holy Spirit as a medium of prayer and worship..."<br />
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In this concise book, prayers are offered for the morning, nighttime, discernment and more, and each prayer is accompanied by a bit of scripture applicable to the prayer. And as is usual, Jack writes in a way that engages both heart and mind while speaking to God - to the Holy Spirit. This might be a great addition to your Lenten practices this year, a season to focus on the provocative activity of the Spirit in and through your life as you speak to the Breath of God. I recommend this as a great addition to your devotional library.<br />
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Here are a couple of examples from the book:<br />
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<i>Holy Spirit
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<i>I've no need for grand visions </i><br />
<i> strategic plans </i><br />
<i> blueprints for success. </i><br />
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<i> Bury me instead among the faint </i><br />
<i> the weary </i><br />
<i> the worn. </i><br />
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<i> I've no need for great speeches </i><br />
<i> striking sermons </i><br />
<i> thunderous applause. </i><br />
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<i>Busy me instead with laughter </i><br />
<i> a wordplay or two </i><br />
<i> mirth. </i><br />
<i>Amen.</i><br />
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Or this, from the sections on "prayers in time of crisis:"<br />
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<i>Holy Spirit, prompt me to wait,</i><br />
<i> to pause</i><br />
<i> to hear my own breath.</i><br />
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<i>Holy Spirit, teach me to listen,</i><br />
<i> to deliberate</i><br />
<i> to consider your own breath.</i><br />
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<i>Holy Spirit, prod me to speak</i><br />
<i> in hushed tones</i><br />
<i> in wisdom whispered.</i><br />
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<i>Amen.</i>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-20799803099007114202016-01-07T14:54:00.001-05:002016-01-07T14:56:00.111-05:00Message of renewalDear friends<br />
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So it's the new year and one of the commitments I'm making (and writing down in public!) is to post something on this blog a weekly basis for 2016. One of the ways I'm hoping to make sure that happens is that I've deleted my Facebook account. Don't misunderstand. I don't think FB is evil or anything like that. It can be a very good thing. The potential for connection and reconnection is vast. Granted, there is the danger of pseudo-friendship and pseudo-connection, but that's a conversation for another day.<br />
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For me, Facebook this year is a bit like the boats the James and John had when offered to follow Jesus. Boats are good things - necessary things when it comes to fishing. But for the work they needed to do in the near future, boats were going to get in the way. They had to leave the boats and nets behind. So...FB is my boat this year. Potentially good - but not for my immediate future.<br />
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As my first post this year, I offer you the first message I preached this year - the first Sunday of the year - invited back to my previous appointment in Scituate, MA. It was an amazing thing to be invited back, for one, but even more special because some young people who were just elementary students when I was there were being confirmed that day, and I got to be a part. The sound quality might be a bit challenging - no doubt because I can't stay still while I'm preaching. But you can here it for the most part - it's an invitation for all churches to consider what's required to be renewed - to make the course corrections needed every so often. The text on which the message is based is Colossians 3:12 - 17. May it be a blessing.<br />
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For message, click <a href="http://harborumc.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/6/9/27695315/jan_32016.mp3" target="_blank">HERE</a>scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-7574445136729529752015-06-21T17:30:00.001-04:002015-06-21T20:01:12.948-04:00I've been thinking a lot about the recent experience at the New England Annual Conference, the annual gathering of United Methodist pastors and lay leaders in the New England area. I spent a fair amount of time at the back of the room watching the process - the rhythm - the ebb and flow of our gathering. This year the event was laden with emotion. I encountered people from every arena: long-time leaders, first timer attendees, experienced parliamentarians, conservative, progressive - whatever label you might use - people that found themselves overwhelmed with emotion. I mean overwhelmed. Tears. Explosive expletives. Heartache. And this emotion continues to show up on social media.<br />
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Unfortunately, fingers are/were occasionally (often?) pointed - usually outward. Very few own their own contribution to the turmoil. It was always someone else's fault for the pain - for the hurt. Those with parliamentarian prowess flexed their muscles to make sure things went their way. Those with personal agenda were sure to jump to the microphone while so many sat and watched. People I love and respect were feeling pushed, bullied, ignored, disrespected and so much more. In the midst of it all, we ignored our own rules for the benefit of personal agenda. Those with a view to larger issues, the "big picture," beyond the rules of Robert were frustrated even as they failed to offer the necessary clarity and structure necessary to help the gathered body do what they needed to make good decisions.<br />
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In all of that, I was struck with a different "big picture" issue. The reality of change.<br />
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I don't pretend to have "THE" answer to what was going on. I don't presume to think that this is sole reason that our gathering this year was filled with so much angst, so much dissension, so much heartache. But I do think it's worth spending some time reflecting on the dynamics of change and how it impacted this year's gathering. This year, we changed many things for our gathering. We changed location. We changed our voting method. We had new leadership. We dealt with new housing, new ways of finding meals, new parking... lots of new things. Change itself unsettles us, particularly change that is imposed - change that comes from outside. And all of this is happening in the context of a culture that has changed DRAMATICALLY around us. This year's Episcopal Address only revealed the tip of the iceberg in terms of the changing landscape of religion and church in New England.<br />
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In the midst of all of the change we were experiencing, we were asked to make significant decisions about our future: closing a camp, closing churches, resolutions and motions and suspensions of rules and all the rest while we were experiencing so much more. Issues related to change.<br />
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Ken Blanchard has spent a lifetime looking at how organizations operate - what makes them operate well - and what can get in the way of optimum performance. This article highlights 7 dynamics in play with change. I have my own take on how these 7 things showed up in our gathering, but I offer them without interpretation at this point. Maybe it can be a beginning of a conversation. I've copied the article below, but here's the <a href="http://work911.com/articles/change7.htm" target="_blank">link</a> to the article itself. I wonder if reflecting on the dynamics of change alone might bring us to a new place of conversation - of being able to offer grace to each other - of bringing us back to a common purpose.<br />
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<b>Seven Dynamics of Change</b></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Whatever the kinds of change that people encounter, there are certain patterns of response that occur and re-occur. It is important that change leaders understand some of these patterns, since they are normal outcomes of the change process. Understanding them allows leaders to avoid over-reacting to the behaviours of people who, at times, seem to be reacting in mysterious, non-adaptive ways. </span><br />
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Ken Blanchard, well known management consultant, has described seven dynamics of change designed to help managers better address employee reactions to change. They are worth summarizing here. </div>
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People will feel awkward, ill-at-ease and self-conscious </h2>
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Whenever you ask people to do things differently, you disrupt their habitual ways of doing things. This tends to make people feel awkward or uncomfortable as they struggle to eliminate the old responses and learn the new. Think back to your own experience and you will discover this theme. Whether it be learning to use a computer, the first time picking up your infant, or dealing with a new reporting relationship, recall the self-consciousness that you probably felt. People want to get it right, and fear that they will appear inadequate. </div>
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People initially focus on what they have to give up </h2>
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Even for positive changes such as promotions, or those that result in more autonomy or authority, people will concentrate on what they will be losing. As a change leader you need to acknowledge the loss of the old ways, and not get frustrated at what may seem to be an irrational or tentative response to change. </div>
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People will feel alone even if everyone else is going through the same change </h2>
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Everyone feels (or wants to feel) that their situation is unique and special. Unfortunately, this tends to increase the sense of isolation for people undergoing change. It is important for the change leader to be proactive and gentle in showing that the employee's situation is understood. If employees see YOU as emotionally and practically supportive during the tough times your position will be enhanced and the change will be easier. </div>
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People can handle only so much change </h2>
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On a personal level, people who undergo too much change within too short a time will become dysfunctional, and in some cases may become physically sick. While some changes are beyond our control, it is important not to pile change upon change upon change. While changes such as downsizing bring opportunity to do other positive things, the timing of additional changes is important. If you are contemplating introducing changes (that are under your control), it may be a good idea to bounce your ideas off employees. A good question to ask is "How would you feel if....." </div>
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People are at different levels of readiness for change </h2>
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Some people thrive and change. It's exciting to them. Others don't. It's threatening to them. Understand that any change will have supporters and people who have difficulty adapting. In time many people who resist initially will come onside. Consider that those people who are more ready for the change can influence others who are less ready. Open discussion allows this influence process to occur. </div>
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People will be concerned that they don't have enough resources </h2>
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People perceive that change takes time and effort, even if it has the long term effect of reducing workload. They are correct that there is a learning time for most change, and that this may affect their work. It is important for change leaders to acknowledge that this may occur, and to offer practical support if possible. In the downsizing scenario this will be even more crucial, since resources themselves are cut. Consider following the downsizing with a worksmart process, whereby job tasks are<br />
reviewed to examine whether they are still necessary. </div>
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If you take the pressure off, people will revert to their old behaviour </h2>
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If people perceive that you are not serious about doing things the new way, they will go back to the old way. Sometimes this ill be in the open, and sometimes this will be covert. While Blanchard uses the word pressure, I prefer to think of it in terms of leadership role. The leader must remind people that there is a new course, and that the new course will remain. Coaching towards the new ways is also important. </div>
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<b>Conclusion</b></div>
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It is important for leaders to anticipate and respond to employee concerns and feelings, whether they are expressed in terms of practical issues, or emotional responses. When planning for, and anticipating change, include a detailed reaction analysis. Try to identify the kinds of reactions and questions that employees will have, and prepare your responses. Remember that the success of any change rests with the ability of the leaders to address both the emotional and practical issues, in that order. </div>
scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-61267875259133230892015-05-17T19:42:00.000-04:002015-05-17T19:42:06.330-04:00P.S.Now that Frost has meddled with my airport lounge life, I thought I should read his book (Incarnate). Here's a quote regarding excarnation:<br />
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"Ultimately, all this has resulted in a disembodied approach to the mission of the church, a drift toward nonincarnational expressions, where disembodied advocacy is preferable to the dirt and worms and compost of localized service. We see this in the preference for short- term mission trips and “treasure hunting” approaches to evangelism, where we are expected to minister to strangers we’ll never see again."scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-35095022022507535052015-05-05T18:38:00.001-04:002015-05-05T19:06:27.125-04:00Going deeperI recently attended Exponential, a church planting conference, in Florida. I went to a workshop led by Michael Frost that really challenged me - issues he raised that, as he views America from his native Australia, strike him as antithetical to deeper community - authentic community - obstacles to the kind of community envisioned by Jesus when he gave birth to the church.<br />
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He highlighted four characteristics:<br />
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1) <b>Excarnation</b> - Excarnation is the opposite of incarnation. You won't find the word in most dictionaries, but it is a real word - referring to a real ritual. Excarnation was a practice of removing flesh from bones - often done when someone was killed far from their home country. This allowed the body to be transported back to the home country in days when that would have been more difficult if flesh was stilled involved. Cheery stuff, huh?<br />
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Anyway, referring to a book called "A Secular Age" by Charles Taylor, Frost talked about how knowledge in today's culture has been "defleshed" in many places, particularly the middle class, suburban experience. Knowledge used to be embedded in the bodies of people. For example, that great recipe for homemade bread - it wasn't in a recipe book. People didn't look it up on an app, worrying about whether or not they added exactly 1/2 tspn. of baking powder, or an ounce of vanilla. The knowledge was in the finger tips and on the tongue. It was enfleshed - incarnated - and shared with others in the same way.<br />
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Frost challenged those at the workshop to relate this to the church - to the knowledge once embedded in the community of faith on how to live the ways of Jesus that now is knowledge that exists outside the community. This is my application to his ideas - it's now contained on our bible app, our prayer app, our small group app, etc. Our knowledge of scripture, prayer, other practices of faith (in many places, this includes service - we write the check but don't build relationship) has been defleshed. Our experience of community is often mediated rather than direct.<br />
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2) <b>Airport Lounge</b> - The second component or characteristic of modern life is that for many, it's bit like living in an airport lounge. Consider the metaphor. Airport lounge experience is temporary. It's liminal, a transitory experience. No one expects to be in the airport lounge for long. It's a stop over on the way to someplace else. It's superficial - just touching down from time to time but never really living there. It's having a home in a neighborhood, but not actually knowing the neighbors, not really. Knowing a neighbor's name isn't knowing them. Knowing them is knowing the details of life. It's knowing the kids, the occupations, the interests, dreams, hopes, fears, etc.<br />
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Consider how people often respond to the question: "So, what do you do?" (In fact, the question is often framed liminally: "What are you doing these days?") The answer typically begins: "Well, currently I'm....." <i>Currently</i>. As in, I'm doing this for now but I don't plan on doing it forever.<br />
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The impact, states Frost, is that "no one belongs anywhere because everyone can belong anywhere." We've lost a deeper sense of belonging. For a great movie that illustrates this metaphor really well, watch "Up in the air" with George Clooney.<br />
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3) <b>Tourism</b> - The third characteristic Frost pointed to is that of tourism. Many people live their lives as tourists. For tourists, it's all about them. It's about their experience. It's about geting the photo - and then moving on. Like the airport lounge, it's a temporary and surface experience, but it's about the experience - the thrill - and then moving on to the next one. Tourists don't settle in for the long haul. Many mission trips fall closer to tourist experiences than anything else. We don't live the life of the natives, whether we're on mission in Downeast Maine or a Central American country. We're just passing through. More importantly, many people find themselves living as a tourist in their own homes.<br />
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4) <b>Screen addiction </b>- The fourth characteristic Frost lifted up was our addiction to screens: television, tablets and smart phones. Screen addiction is when you can't read a book for more than 15 minutes without picking up your screen and checking in. Screen addication is when you can't pay attention to someone speaking from the front of the room without flipping up the laptop, firing up the phone. This isn't to demonize screens. They are a tool. I am writing this post on a screen. However, there are times to put them away.<br />
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I was recently in a meeting of about 40 people. A few folks were taking turns sharing information that small groups has come up. Each person spoke no more than 7 - 10 minutes. Because this topic is at the front of my mind, I watched the room. It only took a few minutes. People grabbing phones, laptops, tablets and they wern't taking notes. I checked. They were checking email, Facebook, web browsing - you name it. I'll confess. I was tempted. Even through I'm hypersenstive to this at the moment, my hand went into my pocket and pulled out my phone right in the middle of one of the presentations. I had to call to my higher power to resist! Screen addiciton means we aren't present to the other. We're not present to ourselves for any length of time. Maybe you've seen the spoof ad of a mother who gets a new gadget that shuts down all TV/wifi in the home at dinner time so she can get her family to be present to each other at the dinner table. It's probably not far off from reality in more than a few homes.<br />
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These ideas are really challenging me to think deeply about my own life, and my life as a follower of Jesus. A couple of these characteristics describe aspects of my life. The solution? To live the opposite. To live incarnationally. To live in my neighborhood - to know my neighbors and let them know me. To settle in. Be present. Keep the phone/tablet/screen in its place and use appropriately. I'm wrestling with what some of that means for me in my current setting - my ministry - my rhythm of life. I invite you to do the same and look forward to conversation.scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-52291041114423369002014-11-16T14:46:00.002-05:002014-11-16T20:00:56.118-05:00Is church turnaround possible?This is a question I am often asked as I work with churches looking to, well, turn things around. And somewhere in the conversation, someone, sometimes me, sometimes someone else, will say, "For God, all things are possible." This Bible verse is quoted so often it almost feels cliche. And yet, cliches are cliches because there is often truth embedded within it. And the truth is this:<br />
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"For God, all things are possible."<br />
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Today I visited a church that is experiencing turn around and it is without question a work of God. They are not done. They have not "arrived" - but they are experiencing new life, growth and a life in the Spirit. Let me tell you a bit about them.<br />
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Two years ago, things were bleak. Worship attendance had dropped in half from only a few years before. The worship experience was lifeless. The music was technically good (they had and have great musicians) but there was little life and no sense of the Spirit. They were in deep trouble financially, burning through endowed funds that would run out quickly unless something changed. Ministries were in decline. A preschool owned and operated by the church was $17,000 in debt and had only 8 children in the program. No young people had been confirmed in years. The congregation was aging and no new families were coming - or if they were, they weren't staying. I think you're probably beginning to get the picture. Many of the signs Thom Rainer highlights in his book "Autopsy of a Deceased Church" were present. Unless something significant happened - anything short of a miracle - we would soon be doing an autopsy on this congregation.<br />
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I worshiped at that congregation today. The pews weren't full (it is a quite large sanctuary after all) but there were at least three times as many people present. There was a full choir. There were two sacred dance groups, adult and youth. There was both an organist and a band. There were LOTS of new faces. The preschool? Now debt free and there are 19 children attending! Recent confirmands were singing in the praise band. There was life! There is life! There are new partnerships with other churches and other agencies in the city and beyond. The church is multicultural both in attendance and leadership.<br />
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Here's the thing - the music wasn't great. It was pretty good, but technically, not great. There were mistakes - a few flubs even. But it didn't matter. The singing? It wasn't great. It was pretty good, but I've heard better. But it didn't matter. It didn't matter because every moment of worship was filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. The music was played with joy in the Spirit. The songs were sung, by both choir and worshipers, with joy in the Spirit. Prayer was offered with joy in the Spirit. No deadly announcements. No deadly joys and concerns. Oh, joys were celebrated. Concerns were raised. They were offered in a deep, meaningful prayer, praising Jesus and crying out to God, by a lay person who was plugged into the community of faith and knew what was going on already and spoke to God with that knowledge.<br />
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What happened? Many things.<br />
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One thing was that they took a hard look at themselves. They engaged in an intentional process* where they took stock of who they were and where they were spiritually and emotionally. They analyzed the processes, or lack thereof, of hospitality, leadership development, and discipleship. They took stock of where they were in their faith practices, their devotion to the spiritual disciplines, the practice of generosity, and commitment to an outward focus. They analyzed the community around them, through demographic analysis and community leader interviews. After all of that, they asked the question: do we want to live or die?<br />
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They decided to live. Based on what they'd learned about themselves and their community, a strategic change in pastoral leadership was made. They were told that the new pastor wasn't going to hold their hand. Pastoral leadership as they knew it was over. There was a new commitment to an outward focused life. The pastor's priority was primarily to those not already part of the congregation.<br />
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Here's another example in how the congregation itself changed it's posture. As indicated above, the preschool was struggling. They decided that the preschool was an important part of who they are and they were going to invite families to enroll their children even if the family couldn't afford it. The vision of the preschool is to provide an environment in which children can develop both intellectually and spiritually and the church was committed to making that available. They believed this was part of God's call on the church. Soon, new children signed up. As word got out that they were providing spots, even if the family couldn't afford it, new partners came alongside, partners with money, partners willing to provide scholarships. As enrollment grew, other families signed their children up, some of these with the means to pay. And as mentioned above, today the school is financially strong.<br />
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In worship, they made a new commitment to celebrate God. They renewed their commitment to deep,<br />
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meaningful prayer. Small groups began to meet to explore what it means to experience a life in God. They began to experiment with new forms of worship. They renewed their commitment to service of the other, and not just service, but building relationships with those they served. A new group called "Mind, Body and Spirit" formed, providing space and support for people struggling with issues related to mind, body and spirit. The rhythm of the group includes a commitment to sharing how worship is part of a healthy and whole life.<br />
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It took time. But in the last year, nearly 20 new people have made commitments of faith. Young families are worshiping together. The worship is experience is diverse in language, in style, in format and in music. The congregation has begun to reflect the nature and make up of the community around it. And the community is noticing!<br />
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They are not done, but they are well on their way. And it has been a movement of God - a renewed commitment to live lives worthy of the calling of God, a renewed commitment to serve the community around the congregation and build relationship with the people who live in the neighborhood. They decide to live, and that even if they didn't make it, to live in a way that would bring life to others. Yes, turnaround is possible. "For God, all things are possible!"<br />
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*For more information about the assessment process this church used, give me a shout.scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026838038575759215.post-22712251400929358122014-11-05T14:48:00.001-05:002014-11-05T14:48:18.077-05:00Autopsy of a Deceased ChurchMuch of my ministry today involves working with churches and church leaders who are struggling to help their church stay vibrant. Some are struggling just to keep the lights on. This situation is not unique to my denomination nor to the my part of the world. Many churches in the U.S. are facing the same challenges.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DDrxzS0aEEY/VFp-kjL6gkI/AAAAAAAABTg/xGlHVZk_OAM/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-05%2Bat%2B2.45.59%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DDrxzS0aEEY/VFp-kjL6gkI/AAAAAAAABTg/xGlHVZk_OAM/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-05%2Bat%2B2.45.59%2BPM.png" height="200" width="147" /></a>Thom Rainer has published a great little book, based on research of many churches over the course of his ministry, called "Autopsy of a Deceased Church + 12 Way to Keep Yours Alive." It is not <br />
necessarily filled with new information, but it is an excellent summary of the factors that often lead to a church closing its doors for good, and the truth of how long the process toward that eventual end often is. The benefit of this book is that it could be a great conversation starter for church leaders as they review the 10 factors that Rainer highlights as leading to eventual death.<br />
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The book ends with good news - not easy news - but good news. There is hope. God of the resurrection can do all things through people willing to keep focused on the things of God. Much depends on the leadership of the congregation and its willingness to live sacrificially, toward each other and toward the communities in which they are located. If you are a leader in a local congregation, your leadership will be blessed by exploring the issues raised in this little book.scituatedrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12558412920882066184noreply@blogger.com2