Historic U.M.C. Decision to Become a More Intentionally Inclusive Church

 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)

As many of you already know, yesterday (May 1) our United Methodist Church’s General Conference (the top decision-making body of our denomination) overwhelmingly passed a historic vote to remove the 40-year old ban in our Book of Discipline prohibiting the ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals”, and to allow clergy the right to perform same-sex weddings if desired (read the full news HERE).  And on May 2 it also adopted a revised set of Social Principles that eliminate harmful language related to the LGBTQ community, such as the phrase “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching” (read that article HERE).

While these decisions are not really a surprise, it does represent a significant shift in the way we do our church business.  Now, individual persons, local churches, and Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry throughout our denomination have the authority to allow the Holy Spirit to help them determine for themselves the readiness of all clergy for ordination, and of all couples for marriage, regardless of their sexual identity. This is a decision, I should note, that is similar to a vote in the 1920s to allow divorced persons in our denomination to become clergy, and a similar vote in 1956 to allow women to become fully ordained clergy. 

While I recognize that not all will agree with these decisions, I, for one, celebrate these changes, and believe it will enable us to truly become a more inclusive church and denomination than we’ve been in our past.

                              Several Clarifications

Still, there are several things I think are important to clarify about these decisions:

(1) These decisions do NOT mean that the U.M.C. now officially endorses the practice of homosexuality.  To the contrary:  rather than prohibiting it outright (as before), it now neither prohibits nor endorses either gay ordination or same-sex marriages. Instead, we now officially recognize that Christians of deep faith and conviction interpret scripture differently regarding this subject. Some of our members (including some of you) still hold more "traditional/conservative" views on these subjects, while others (including others of you) hold more "progressive/liberal" views on these, while still others (including others of you) hold to a more middle-ground/"centrist" view.   And that is okay.  We can be a church that welcomes all of these views.  But regardless of where we find ourselves personally, this change recognizes that as Christians of God's grace, we can afford to “think and let think” about this and other non-essential subjects, since it is not at the heart of our faith or doctrine. 

(2) To my point above, these changes do not in any way alter any part of our Book of Discipline referencing essential Christian beliefs or doctrines (what are called our “Doctrinal Standards and Theological Task”, which include our “Articles of Religion,” all of which are the backbone of our belief and doctrine – read these HERE.) Again, since these subjects fall under parts of our beliefs which are not fundamental to our belief or doctrine, United Methodist Christians are allowed to think, believe, interpret scripture, and practice faith differently about this subject (and many others) as long as they hold to the essential orthodox teachings found in these Doctrinal Standards and Articles of Religion.  As one who -- for the past eight years -- has been a member of our own North Georgia Conference’s “Board of Ordained Ministry”, I can attest that these essential standards and doctrines are what our ordination interviews and process are focused on when we interview potential clergy for ordination.  This change now means that our Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry (such as ours in North Georgia) will no longer need to consider a person’s sexual identity (by itself) to be a prohibiting factor in their ordination – if they are orthodox in their beliefs and practices, and they otherwise pass the interview process, then they will be eligible to be ordained in our tradition.

(3) As anticipated, the secular press only reported the sensational part of these stories, rather than their fullness, potentially leaving readers with only a partially true version of what was decided (read the USAToday version HERE and the FoxNews version HERE).  I find it fascinating that these failed to report the passing of legislation which explicitly protects the right of clergy and churches not to officiate at or host same-sex weddings if they do not wish to, and that our supervisor (what we call our District Superintendents and Bishops) can not penalize clergy or churches for holding — or refraining from holding — same-sex weddings.  These are important pieces of this decision, because (as mentioned above) it further decentralizes the authority over this subject and gives individual laity, clergy, churches, and Conferences the authority to decide for themselves the readiness of a person for marriage and/or ordination (rather than being mandated “from above”).  As our own Bishop Robin Dease put it in her response to these votes, “Local churches can continue to serve and operate the way they have always done. There is no move to force the local church or clergy to do anything they are not prepared or willing to do” (Read her full response HERE).  The lack of this information in the secular news articles I believe gives a slanted view of the decisions and can potentially cause harm by enticing readers to conclude that these decisions were more radical than they actually was (yes, they were historic, but not radical!)

(4) Finally, three additional sets of legislation were also passed that rarely got reported in the secular press, either:

(a) One is the fact that the disaffiliation clause (Paragraph 2553 from the 2019 Book of Discipline that allows for local churches to leave -- or “disaffiliate” -- from our denomination) was deleted from this year’s Discipline.  This means that churches are no longer allowed to disaffiliate under this policy -- the rationale being that the time for misinformation, division, hurt, and distraction from the cause of Christ caused by this provision is over; and the time for healing and once again focusing on the work and call of Jesus in the world is now.   

(b) In its place is a new policy describing how churches may RE-affiliate with the U.M.C. who had previously left because the denomination was too restrictive and non-inclusive in its practice.

(c) Also adopted is a series of policies that decentralizes our whole denomination into world regions (aka the “Regionalization Plan”). Under this, assuming 2/3 of our Conferences ratify this change at their meetings this summer, each U.M.C. region throughout the world (i.e., North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, etc.) will have the authority to set its own guidelines and laws regarding non-doctrinal subjects (such as same-sex weddings and ordination), while at the same time being united under our common Doctrinal Standards and Articles of Religion. This legislation, in effect, recognizes and protects world United Methodism from being centrally controlled or dictated to from the United States, with each region now allowed to set its own guidelines regarding things not central to our doctrine.

Read more about all three of these decisions HERE .

Where Does That Leave Us?

Again, I recognize that we have church members (perhaps some/many of you reading this) and also local churches who still hold more traditional views and interpretations of scripture on this subject.  And we also have church members and local churches who are even more progressive on this subject than what General Conference decided.

However, my aim in sharing this news (and, I believe, the aim of the General Conference decisions) is/was NOT to change your mind or say that you are wrong in those views, but merely to encourage, invite, and allow us as a God’s people to be open to being able to “agree to disagree” on subjects like these, while still doing ministry together as a body of Christ.

Yes, these changes are certainly historic, but at the same time I believe they represent a new opportunity for us to be the church that Jesus established 2000 years ago – a church not defined by who is worthy enough to get in or not, but by how we include and invite ALL to a life-changing experience with Jesus.  As such, my goal is to be Pastor to everyone here at Cornerstone U.M.C., regardless of where you find yourself politically or theologically on this (or any other) subject.  Whether you are “traditional/conservative” “progressive/liberal”, “centrist/moderate”, Republican, Democrat, Independent… I value being and want to be your Pastor, if you will allow me to do so. The only thing I ask is that we all work together (challenging though it may be at times) to love and include all people, regardless of their beliefs, politics, practices, or sexual identity – to fulfill our church’s purpose of “building a Christian community that reflects the love of Jesus.”

In the end, as my scripture at the beginning of this article points out, we all are imperfect, broken humans (i.e., sinners) saved only by God’s free and inclusive grace – a grace that we ALL need (regardless of our sexual identity or practice), and towards which we are all called to claim and live in!  God bless you as you serve Him through our church!

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

In Christ,

Brian

 

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE and GOD’S HOPE

"What has come into being in [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:3-5)

One of the great experiences that I had with fellowship staff, family, and friends this past Monday, April 8^th was to watch the partial solar eclipse together outside from the church parking lot.  While we here in Georgia did not have a total (100%) eclipse like some places experienced around in the U.S. west and north of us, it was still an impressive sight and experience! (You’ll see in this article some of the pictures I took of the partial eclipse with my own telescope).

For the 10 or so minutes that the sun was blocked 81% by the moon, we all noted that even though it was not a total eclipse, there was still a palpable temperature drop, and the sky was noticeably dimmer – it felt sort of like dusk on a Fall evening.  Perhaps you were outside that afternoon during the time of maximum blockage (3:01pm here in Georgia) and experienced something similar! 

But as awesome as this was, its transient nature reminded me of the very first Easter… just as the life, love and hope of God’s “Son” got “eclipsed” by the “darkness” of death and evil from the cross on Good Friday, the reality was that was only temporary.  Instead, just as the sun eventually reappeared shining at full strength on Monday afternoon after the end of the solar eclipse, so God’s “Son” resurrected Jesus reappeared on Easter morning “shining” his full light, love and hope again, as well.

In the same way, just as there are times in which the light, love and hope of God gets eclipsed in our own lives by “dark” things like tragedy, death, disease, division, racism, violence, war, fear, and so much else, those things do not last either – the “light” of God’s love, hope, and peace eventually win out and drive the dark away! 

So, when God’s light is “eclipsed” by darkness in your life, don’t give up hope – its only temporary; his “Son” will soon shine again!  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

 

Jesus Is On the Loose!

“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:34-35)

A number of years ago, now deceased United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner shared an experience he had while leading a  children’s moment during worship in which he was talking with the children about Easter.  He asked “What did it mean that the tomb was empty?”  And without missing a beat, one of them  replied enthusiastically “It means that Jesus is on the loose!”

Mike takes it from there:  “That child was right.  Easter is not about worshipping a Risen Christ who is captured in our stained-glass windows, or in our wonderful choir cantatas, or in beautiful Easter lilies, or even in dynamic sermons proclaiming ‘Christ is Risen!’  No, Jesus cannot be contained in our celebrations of Easter.  He is on the loose!  He is out ahead of us!  He is already leading the way into new life.  In fact, the message of Easter seems to be, ‘You just missed him.  He was just here, but he is gone already.’  What do we do with such a Jesus?  He won’t stay long in any one place.  He is always moving on to the next place of need.

I heard a story a few years ago about a church that voted to open its doors to a homeless shelter.  This caused quite a controversy in that staid, respectable, religious congregation.  In fact, one woman who opposed the idea confronted her pastor in great anger by yelling, ‘If Jesus knew you were letting those dirty people into our church, he would roll over in his grave!’  She had missed the whole point of Easter:  Jesus isn’t in his grave.  He is on the loose.  And he is leading us to do ministry in hard places, with difficult people, in circumstances that are not easy…..

So, let’s take time to celebrate Easter.  But then let’s hurry on to try to catch up with Jesus, because he’s still on the loose!”
            [--Bishop Mike Coyner, cited in the newsletter of Trinity-on-the-Hill UMC (Augusta, GA) April 20, 2001]

My prayer is that wherever you find yourself this holiday season, you would remember that Easter is not a holiday on a calendar, but a spiritual event that should impact and guide all that we do and say as his followers.  Despite the reality of sin, turmoil and evil in our world, Jesus is still “on the loose”, working in the lives of those who will claim him.  Is he “on the loose” in YOUR life?

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

The Old Rugged Cross

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For' twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,  And exchange it some day for a crown.”

[--Verses 1-3 of hymn “The Old Rugged Cross,” #504 in The United Methodist Hymnal, by George Bennard]

This Holy Week, it is good for us to remember how God used the cross of Christ as a tragic and ironic instrument for the salvation of all humankind, and how through that cross, God’s great, wondrous love was shown to/for each of us! Jesus suffered and died there so that you and I might have victory and life today as Christians. Our salvation might be free to us, but it cost Jesus everything! Blessed is Jesus, who allowed himself to be nailed to a cross for your sake and mine! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

What Is God Saying to You?

Who am I? Where am I going? How does God fit into my life? How can my relationship with God help me through tough times?  These are a few of the questions we’ll be exploring at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in a new worship series called “VOICES OF LENT.”  

Shared during worship February 25-March 24, we’ll explore some of the spiritual themes of the Christian season of “Lent,” and how these can sustain and empower us in our lives today.

February 25 -- The Voice of Belonging (Mark 1:9-11)

Discovering our identity in Christ

March 3 – The Voice of Invitation (Matthew 14:22-32) 

                                    Learning how to answer God's calls

March 10 -- The Voice of Awe (Exodus 20:1-20)

Discovering the purposes of God’s law

March 17 -- The Voice of Forgiveness (Psalm 51:1-17)

Discovering the power of forgiveness

March 24 (Palm/Passion Sunday) -- The Voice of Silence (Mark 15:34-39)

Learning to trust God through difficult and trying times

 

L E N T

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus....” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

LENT.  No, it’s not just something that sticks to your clothes.  Instead, Lent is also a season of the Christian year in which we not only prepare our lives for the Easter message of life, death, suffering, and resurrection, but are also encouraged to identify with Christ by allowing us to be used by him as vehicles of God’s grace to others.

The word “Lent” itself comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means "spring" -- a reference to the "new life" that Christ brings to us, just as spring brings new life to nature.  For the forty days prior to Easter (beginning this coming Ash Wednesday, February 14th and culminating with Good Friday, March 29th), Christians are invited to focus upon how we practice following Christ in every arena of our lives: home; on the job; at church; in our finances; and in our relationships with others.

And because of its emphasis upon the sacrifice of Christ, Lent has traditionally been a time in which Christians are encouraged to give up worldly things in order to replace them with spiritual things.  As the above scripture reminds us, we are to “lay aside the weight(s) and the sin” that keep us from being the spouse, the friend, the work/schoolmate, etc. that God desires us to be.

What things hinder and interfere with you being the person who God created you to be?  worry?  jealousy?  envy?  bitterness?  pessimism?  fear?  pride?  a bad habit?  gossip?  a judging spirit?  Whatever it is, Lent invites us to give it up -- to junk it -- and, in its place, “look to Jesus” to equip us with those things (love, joy, patience, kindness, forgiveness, etc.) that can help us to “run with perseverance the race [of life] that is set before us.”

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

1 Corinthians 13 for Today

 “Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, CEB)

Today in worship, I invite our congregation to read together in unison a re-write of the famous “love chapter” from the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 that I wrote.  Here are its words in case you want to re-read it or share it with others…

            “If I worship God in a certain style that I know to be the ‘appropriate’ one, but look down my nose at others who worship differently, or have different skin color, politics, or cultural heritage, then I’m nothing more than a loud, ringing, obnoxious cell phone in a quiet, romantic restaurant.

            If while at church, I speak to all my closest friends each and every week, but fail to go out of my way to welcome the stranger and the guest, then I’m like a tourist at the Grand Canyon who’s only concern is that there’s no WiFi in my hotel room.

            If I do things ‘by the book’ in my church committee or ministry meeting, but ignore the spirit of love that that book represents, then I’m no better than a freight train intentionally running over an innocent bystander.

            If I’m convinced that I’m theologically ‘correct’ about what the Bible says, but don’t manifest those beliefs through my respect and love for others with whom I disagree, then in the eyes of God all my ‘correct’ beliefs count for precisely nothing.

            The heart of Christianity is love and humility in all things.  Acting in love is more important than being ‘right.’  Sharing Christ’s love is more important than whether or not we always get our way.  Love will never fail -- it’s to be the primary motivation for all we say and do in God’s church.

            In the past, when we were young Christians and a young church, we took pride in being gatekeepers of tradition; in not allowing new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new, different people from affecting us too much.  But now that we’re growing up and maturing in our faith, we know we can’t continue to act the way we used to.  Love requires that we give up our old, immature ways.

            So now these three remain: FAITH to trust God through changes and new things and new people; HOPE that we don’t have to be who we used to be; and LOVE which enables us to live and act more Christlike along our life's journeys.  But the greatest of these is self-giving, self-sacrificing, God-like LOVE.”

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Back to the Basics

Who is God?  Why believe in Jesus as God’s son?  Why do we need the church?  How is the Bible to be an authority in our lives? Invite your friends and family January 7 - February 11, 2024 as we explore answers to these questions and more in a new six-week sermon series called “Christianity 101." Come rediscover how the basics of Christian faith can help guide you in life!

 January 7 -- I AM  (Exodus 3:13-15)

The character and nature of God in our lives

 January 14 -- Who Am I?  (Mark 8:27-30)

The purpose and role of Jesus in our faith

 January 21 -- Got Spirit? (Luke 3:15-17,21-22; Acts 1:8)

The function and role of the Holy Spirit

 January 28 – Navigation (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

The Bible as God’s navigation system for life

 February 4 -- Body Parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

The purpose and need for the Church in our faith

 February 4 – The Heart of It All (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:35)

The heart of Christianity as a love of God and neighbor

O God, Our Help In Ages Past

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…” (Psalm 90:1)

January 1st marks the beginning of new year.  But where is the future going?  What unknowns await us?  What will happen this coming year in our community? …in our church? …in our nation?  What will happen in our personal and family lives?

Whatever happens, I am comforted by the fact that there is nothing that we might face that’s bigger than the God we serve.  In 1708, Isaac Watts wrote one of the most famous of his hymns to remind people of his day of the faithfulness of God in the midst of the unknowns of the present:

God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast,

and our eternal home.

Under the shadow of thy throne,

still may we dwell secure;

sufficient is thine arm alone,

and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,

or earth received her frame,

from everlasting, thou art God,

to endless years the same.

A thousand ages, in thy sight,

are like an evening gone;

short as the watch that ends the night,

before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,

bears all who breathe away;

they fly forgotten, as a dream

dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come;

be thou our guide while life shall last,

and our eternal home.

            [--Isaac Watts (1708), UMHymnal #117]

As we begin this new year, always remember that the same God who has been with and for us all in our past will guide and direct us in our future, no matter what it holds.  And never forget that God loves you and I do, too!   

Sing We Now of Christmas

"The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen…” (Luke 2:20)

“Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here
Sing our grateful praises to the maid so dear.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

From the Eastern kingdoms come the wise men far
Bearing ancient treasure following yonder star.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

From the distant mountains hear the trumpet sound
With angelic blessings on the silent town.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

Come let us surround him on this magic night
Gather here around him wondrous babe of light.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!”

[--Traditional French Carol, The United Methodist Hymnal #237]

Whether you can “carry a tune” or not, I pray that you will have a song in your heart as you listen for hope in the coming of Christ in your life this Christmas!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

WAITING...

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

I don’t know about you, but I have never been very good at waiting. Whether it is waiting in those long lines at stores or waiting on a parking space in the parking lot, it often seems that the closer something is, the more difficult it is to wait for it. In fact, our impatience seems built right into our culture and society – these days, Christmas carols and decorations appear even before Halloween!

Yet, the Christian season of ADVENT (from the Latin adventus, “coming” – a reference to the “coming” of Jesus in the past, present and future) encourages us to learn the hard and difficult lesson of waiting, of watching, of anticipating, and of expecting good things still to come. It encourages us to learn to wait for God to reveal Himself in His own way and time.

In the weeks leading up to our daughter Jennifer’s birth over twenty-eight years ago, Trish and I both were very much on edge. The due date arrived, then passed, and I remember thinking constantly, “How much longer, Lord?!” I’m sure it was the same for the early Hebrews as they waited for the Messiah to be born, probably also thinking, “How much longer, Lord?!” And it’s the same for us today as we often ask of our problems, “How much longer, Lord?!” Maybe it’s God’s way of trying to remind us that some of the best things in life (including true, genuine fulfillment, contentment, and joy) often come only through long, hard waiting.

So, during this Advent season (which begins this coming Sunday, December 3rd), I invite us all to let God teach us to wait… with patience, anticipation, and joy. One tool that can help us “wait” and prepare for the coming of Christmas is through our use of what is called an “Advent Wreath” — a circle of four candles which are progressively lit during the four Sundays of Advent, culminating in the lighting of the central white (Christ) candle on Christmas Eve. CLICK HERE for an order for an Advent Wreath lighting that you can download and use each week leading up to Christmas.

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Ba, Humbug Christmas?

Do your holiday preparations ever leave you feeling like “Bah Humbug!?” Does it sometimes seem like a challenge just to celebrate at all?  If this has ever been you, then join Pastor Brian and your fellow church family and friends in rediscovering the real meaning of Christmas through a holiday worship series called A ‘DICKENS’ OF A CHRISTMAS.  Offered at all of our Sunday worship services December 3 - 24, you’ll experience the power of Christmas like never before as we relate Charles Dickens’ familiar “A Christmas Carol” to the biblical Christmas story.

December 3 -- The Chains We Forge (Isaiah 61:1-3; Galatians 5:1)

Learning how to break the “chains” of our past

 December 10 -- Needing A Little Joy (Philippians 4:4-9)

   Discovering the Joy of Christmas through Music  

     (presented by our Music Ministry)

December 17 -- The ‘Business’ of Humanity (Micah 6:6-8; Luke 1:46-53)

   Remembering our task of serving the needs of humankind

December 24 -- The Person That I Was... (Isaiah 6:1-7; Matthew 2:1-18)

    Celebrating the power of Christmas to change us. 

Three Ways To Be Thankful

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.” (Psalms 92:1-2)

Back when I was still living at my parents' home in Fayetteville, I remember hearing my pastor share a Thanksgiving sermon that was especially meaningful to me -- enough that I wrote down the main points and have kept them all these years!  As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I share with you these same “Three Ways To Be Thankful” in the hope that they will inspire you as they did me.

During Thanksgiving, we are challenged to have…

1) Thankful Minds - learn to become aware of all the blessings given to you by God… your family, friends, health, and for people that helps us be the best we can be.  In the words of a famous hymn, “Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”  In other words, learn to acknowledge the outward blessings of God.

2) Thankful Hearts -- Philippians 4:6 says “Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.” Learn to be thankful for the inner, spiritual “gifts” of God in our lives… blessings that may not be outwardly apparent, but which one can choose to see as blessings with the right perspective.  This could include things like being “thankful” for being laid off, for an illness that causes us to see our need for (and reliance on) God even more, and even learning to be thankful for the troubles and trials of life that help us grow.  In other words, learn to acknowledge the inward blessings of God.

3) Thankful Hands -- James 1:22 says that we are to “be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”  “Hands” here represents our actions and deeds.  In other words, we are not called to keep our thankfulness of “mind” and of “heart” to ourselves.  Instead, we’re called to show thankfulness through what we do…  through our loving and caring for others, sharing their joys and sorrows, their good times and bad.

My prayer is that this Thanksgiving holiday, despite any challenges and hardships that you've faced lately, you’ll remember and enjoy God’s blessings in your life.  But more than that, I pray that you’ll also allow those blessings to inspire you to practice your thankfulness in the three ways above.  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Give Thanks for God's Saints

“To the church of God that is in... [Coweta County], to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 

called to be saints...” (1 Corinthians 1:2)

“Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days; a world without saints forgets how to praise.
Their faith in acquiring the habit of prayer, their depth of adoring, Lord, help us to share.

Some march with events to turn them God’s way; some need to withdraw, the better to pray.
Some carry the gospel through fire and through flood; our world is their parish; their purpose
is God.

Rejoice in those saints, unpraised and unknown, who bear someone’s cross or shoulder their
own. They shame our complaining, our comforts, our cares; what patience in caring, what
courage, is theirs!

Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days, a world without saints forgets how to praise.
In loving, in living, they prove it is true: the way of self-giving, Lord, leads us to you.”

[--Fred Pratt Green, from the United Methodist Hymnal, #708]

Each November 1st is “All Saints Day” on the church calendar -- a day for God’s people to celebrate and remember the lives of all God’s “saints”: those living now who call Jesus their Savior; and those who’ve gone on to be with the Lord this past year.

I pray that you will join me this Sunday (November 5th) as we celebrate and remember the lives of all God’s “saints,” including those of our church membership who’ve gone on to be with the Lord this past year. Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Football Faith

“Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. …That way they can take hold of the life that truly is life”  (1 Timothy 6:18-19, CEB)

In the game of football, the ultimate goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  No team ever wins a game without moving the ball forward, and -- likewise -- no quarterback can advance the cause of the team without distributing the ball to others. 

So it is with the Christian faith:  growing and maturing as disciples of Jesus Christ requires us to share the “ball” that God has given to us. In the scripture above from 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul advises his young apprentice Timothy that sharing is necessary not only for ourselves, but also in order for God’s “team” (the church), to move forward on the “playing field” of life. 

From October 15-29, through a spiritual journey called Football Faith, we as a church will be exploring the value of being part of God’s “team” through the practice of generosity:  the sharing of our resources and lives for the work of God’s kingdom.  We’ll learn the difference between ownership and stewardship, the importance of being a “team player,” the great benefits of at least one God-given tool for sharing, and the joy that results from generosity itself.

And by the time we celebrate “Touchdown Sunday” in our one combined worship service on October 29, our hope is that we will have been challenged to understand and claim how true life – true “victory” -- is not found in what we have (i.e., in “keeping the ball”) but in what we give away (i.e., in “passing the ball to others”).  You won’t want to miss a single Sunday in this unique and special spiritual journey!

In the meantime, however, I ask you to join me and your church leadership in praying that God will prepare our hearts to hear His message of transforming generosity, and to commit to being present in worship each week as we do so!

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

        Pastor Brian
 

“REVIVE: to return to consciousness or life; to become active or flourishing again.” 

All things in life from time to time go through periods of stagnation, dryness, and lifelessness, where we “go through the motions” of work and living, but lack energy, passion, and meaning. In those times, for life to continue and thrive, we must experience revival.

Join me September 3-October 1 as we share in a new worship series called “REVIVE” in which we’ll be using the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt to remind us of lessons about what it takes to experience personal and corporate revival, and for us all (like the Israelites eventually did) to find and live in our own “promised land.”

September 3 – “There’s A Burning Bush Near You” (Exodus 3:1-12)
        Experiencing revival by answering God’s call(s)

September 10 – “Cloud and Fire” (Exodus 13:20-22)
        Experiencing revival by trusting God’s protection

September 17 – “Manna and Water” (Exodus 16:2, 11-15 & 17:1 & 6-7)
        Experiencing revival by claiming God’s provision

September 24 – “Following God’s Directions” (Exodus 20:1-17)
        Experiencing revival by allowing God to guide and lead us

October 1 – “Remember” (Exodus 12:1-14)
        Experiencing revival by remembering God’s presence in all situations 

        and circumstances

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

How to Live "The Great Life"

What are the essentials of a “great life” with God?  And how do we go about practicing them?   When Jesus was asked these questions, he didn’t share a statement of faith to sign, or give an elaborate set of rationale propositions to adhere to.  

Instead, he simply gave two commands for us to follow. 1700 years later, the founder of Methodist Christianity, John Wesley, expressed these commands as three simple guides that have remained at the heart of the living and practice of faith ever since then.  

During the first three weeks of August, join myself and your fellow Cornerstone UMC family in this 3-part series as together we explore what it takes to experience THE GREAT LIFE with God.

         August 6 – Do No Harm  (Matthew 22:34-40; Romans 13:9-10)

         August 13 – Do Good (Luke 10:25-37)

         August 20 – Stay In Love With God (Matthew 22:34-40; Col.2:6-7)

 Remember that God loves you and I do, as well!

Faith Of Our Founders

“Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord….” (Psalm 33:12)

As we celebrate our nations founding, it is good for us to also recall the faith of those who were our founders. By no means could all of them be consider stalwart and orthodox church-goers. However, most of them did espouse and presume a Judeo-Christian spiritual context for America that is often either ignored or downplayed today. For example, consider some of the writings/sayings of our founders:

--George Washington’s First Inaugural Speech (April 30, 1789): “It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe... that His benedictions may consecrate to the... peoples of the U.S. a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes.... No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the U.S.”

[Jared Sparks, ed., THE WRITINGS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, 12 vols. (Boston: American Stationer’s Company, 1837, NY: F. Andrew’s, 1834-1847), Vol. XII, pp. 2-5]

--Thomas Jefferson’s SECOND INAUGURAL SPEECH (1805): “I shall need the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessities and comforts of life.” [March 4, 1805 in Saul K. Padover, ed., THE COMPLETE JEFFERSON, CONTAINING HIS MAJOR WRITINGS, PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED, EXCEPT HIS LETTERS(NY: Duell, Sloan & Pearce, 1943), p. 412]]

--Benjamin Franklin: “There is one God, Father of the Universe. That He is infinitely good, powerful, and wise. That He is omnipresent. That He ought to be worshiped, by adoration prayer and thanksgiving both in publick and private. That He loves such of His creatures as love and do good to others: and will reward them either in this world or hereafter... That knowledge and learning is to be cultivated, and Ignorance dissipated. That none but the virtuous are wise, that man’s perfection is in virtue” [Leonard Labaree, ed., THE PAPTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), Vol. I, p. 213]

In response, some have argued that statements such as these represent only pro-forma (i.e., “politically correct”) acknowledgements of religion from their authors, and do not therefore represent their personal views. However, the fact that they were written or said at all is significant – their authors must have believed enough truth about them to write or state them, whether they believed everything in them personally or not. As historian Noman Cousins explains, “Not all of the founders acknowledged a formal faith, but it was significant that their view of [humanity] had a deeply religious foundation.” [Norman Cousins, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST: THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND IDEAS OF AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS (Harper and Brothers, 1958), p. 10]

The point here is that regardless of their own personal beliefs, our founders obviously recognized the truth that nations are only as strong as the moral and religious life that undergirds them, and that when that is threatened, the fabric of society begins to unravel.

So, as we celebrate our nation’s birthday, may we celebrate by also remembering the God who has made it all possible, and by each of us helping to keep firm our commitment to being “one nation, under God.” Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

The Gospel According to Dogs

“Dogs do much more than just keep us company and give us love and attention -- they are models for how we can live better lives as humans.”  So writes Robert L. Short in his book “The Gospel According to Dogs: What Our Four-Legged Saints Can Teach Us (HarperOne, 2007).

It's this book that I've used as inspiration for a new four-part sermon series of the same title that I'll be preaching at our worship services at Cornerstone U.M.C. June 25-July 23 (with the except of July 2).  

This light-hearted, yet genuine, exploration of a few lessons we can learn about Christian faith from “man’s best friend” will give us all things to “chew on” as we go through the “dog days of summer!”

June 25 -- Woof! Goes the Christian (2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 15:21-28)

                Remembering the Christian values of humility, obedience & surrender

July 2 -- Patriotic Sunday Sermon and theme

July 9 -- Did Someone Say Food?!  (Matthew 5:6; Hebrews 12:1-2)

                Recalling the importance of singleness of purpose/devotion to God

July 16 -- Handsome Without Clothes (Matthew 7:6-8; Luke 12:1c-3)

                Learning to be real/transparent with others and God

July 23 -- Faithful and True, Happy to See You! (Luke 15:1-10; Zephaniah 3:17)

                Celebrating God’s unconditional love

To watch these sermons either live or via recording, visit our church's YouTube channel HERE.  In the meantime, remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Cruise Ship Christianity

"Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 8:17

There once was a widowed woman who more than anything wanted to experience the enjoyment of just one, single cruise aboard a luxury cruise ship before she died. So, she saved up her hard-earned savings and finally bought a ticket for a trip on a famous cruise line.

The day arrived for her departure, so she got on board and the ship set sail. Once seaborne, however, the woman never left her cabin. She ate food that she had smuggled aboard, and entertained herself in the cabin with games she had brought. All of this she did thinking that because she’d spent all she had on the cruise ticket, she wouldn’t be able to afford the high cost of the ship's meals or entertainment. What the woman didn't understand was that the price of her cruise package already included all these things. Consequently, she was living like a miser when she could have been “living-it-up” like a queen.

All too often, we Christians are like this: living life in our OWN strength and power, all because we aren't aware that when we “purchased our ticket to heaven” by accepting Jesus, the Holy Spirit was already included “in the package.” The Spirit is imparted to each and every Christian in order to give us the strength and power and wisdom to actually help us to LIVE our Christian lives.

Sometimes we need special experiences to help us understand, acknowledge, or “actualize” His presence, but it’s not like he’s never been within all the time -- when we become a Christian, we automatically receive the Holy Spirit. The question then becomes NOT “Do we have the Holy Spirit?” but “Does the Holy Spirit have us?” That is: have you allowed the power and presence of God’s Spirit to have free reign and access in your life? Or are you just skimping along, trying to live your Christian life and faith in your own strength and ability (and most often failing)?

Well, this past Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate that part God’s Holy Trinity who we all too often hear little about, but who is absolutely indispensable to our spiritual life. He is, after all, that part of God’s being whose constant presence helps and empowers us to be God's people. So, my prayer is that each day, you’ll remember and celebrate His power and presence within you and within each of us! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!