3 Reasons the death of the Presbyterian Church is a good thing.

To be clear, I am referring particularly to the Presbyterian Church USA, to which I am an ordained minister in.  And to qualify my comments, let me start by saying I have no desire to leave the denomination...I am simply tired of hearing how it "grieves the Lord" that churches are leaving the denomination.  So in a humble attempt to respond to like statements, here are 3 reasons I actually think it's a good thing our denomination is dying;

1. "There are no denominations in heaven."

I remember hearing this statement as a new follower of Christ and even in my years of studying Greek and Hebrew at seminary...this statements seems to hold true biblically.  I have yet to find the denominational idea in the scriptures.  While there are many good reasons for denominations (polity, theology and accountability to name a few), arguing for the survival of a denomination is not a biblical argument...it's a theological one at best, but in many cases it has become a sentimental one ("I have been Presbyterian all my life")...that is frightening to me, and telling.

2. Because the Presbyterian church is not the same as the Kingdom of God.

I am actively involved in my Presbytery (or at least I was until my Committee on Ministry reads this post), I sit on two committees (I can just hear the excitement exuding as both the people who read this think about what it means to be on a committee) and I am a Synod Commissioner (which is about as popular as David Hasselhoff's music career in the U.S...important to a few but not to most).  Let's just stop for a second and realize our arrogance when we argue for the survival of our denomination and demonize our brothers and sisters who are seeking dismissal.  Our denomination IS dying...let's be more excited about the kingdom of God than trying to penalize our friends for trying to leave.  Do we really want our epitath to read, "The smallest denomination with the largest endowment!" (To my non Presbyterian friends reading this...the statement has to do with churches leaving the denomination and being financially penalized, sometimes for millions of dollars in order to do so).  So, let's be excited for them in their desire to live out what they see as a more biblically accurate picture of what it means to be the church...every church and every denomination has to make a decision on how they interpret and live out their understanding of the scriptures.  This is done corporately and individually and for 2 millennium the Church (Big C church not little c church/denomination) has been articulating these interpretations through confessions (see Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, Westminster, etc....) so that the Church's witness might be lived out in orthopraxis and orthodoxy. (sorry if I lost you there)  My point is this...if churches want to attempt that "correct practice" and "correct theology" in a denomination other than the PC USA...let's be excited for that to happen because if it's really from God, then we will not be able to stop it, we will only be fighting against God (that's in the bible).  When the Son of Man comes in glory it appears he won't be separating sheep and goats by checking our membership certificates.

3.  So we can get back to Mission.

Our denomination is not dying because churches are leaving...our denomination is dying because we have forgotten our ecclesial vocation...to be the sent people of God, because our witness to the world matters.  We are spending more time arguing for why people should stay, and how much money churches should pay in order to leave, than we are trying to equip congregations to live out our vocation as the Church.  Let's focus on witness and mission to the world around us...your church won't die because of where your brother or sister in Christ decides to transfer his/her membership.  Your church will die, if you don't start building relationships with your neighbors.

In our last Presbytery meeting someone said, "We need to figure out how to stop churches from leaving!"...no Sir, no we do not...we need to start figuring out how to be the Church.

Why pornography is NOT harmless...

In the 20 years I've been working with youth and families, I have had countless conversations about internet pornography and it's hold on people's lives.  One of the biggest problems seems to be the fact that we aren't talking about it with our kids or each other and that scares the hell out of me.

Especially as a father of four young kids, who I know are just clicks away from entering  a world I pray they will never enter...but I know better.  Even if in the slight chance they are able to navigate their adolescents without ever clicking on to a pornographic website (which is about the same likelihood they have of catching a fart in the wind), I know they will be exposed by the seemingly innocent pornographic pictures circulating their friends smartphones who will say, "Hey, look at this!" or by mistakenly (or purposefully) clicking on a Vines video (or any myriad of other online "harmless" sites) of said nature.

Don't believe me that it's an issue?  PLEASE READ the article that I've attached to this post...my wife and I just read it and I am now praying for ways I can talk about it well with my kids.  Which, drum-roll please...is perhaps a start...just having the conversation.

It's more than the idea that boys and men are merely perverted in our thought life...science is doing more each year to reveal the fact that pornography is truly the drug of the new millennium.  "The Drug of the New Millennium." by Mark B. Kastleman.

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE and then get ready to talk about it with your kids...ask questions, know what they are looking at online...until there is no more demand, the supply of pornography will continue.  Perhaps in our lifetime, we can begin to take action...because pornography is NOT harmless.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2135203/Jamie-13-kissed-girl-But-hes-Sex-Offender-Register-online-porn-warped-mind-.html

The battle of Identity and Self Worth

I'm getting ready to go speak at a mens retreat soon and I've been thinking a lot about where we get our identity and self worth.  At the retreat I'll be sharing a bit about my childhood, growing up with a dad who battled mental illness, and my own issues with finding my value (identity and self worth) in life. I came across some pictures of me growing up...

 

 

The first is the summer after my 6th grade year (I was about 180 pounds there...with the mullet) and the other of my senior year in high school at a wrestling match (I was about 165 pounds there...)...when I saw those pics I realized, when I looked in the mirror during both of those times (and truth be told...sometimes even today),  I thought I was fat...both pictures and times, I still struggled with self worth, identity and ultimately worried about what others thought of me.

 

I guess it's especially hitting me in my attempt to raise our 4 kids to be gracious, loving, and sure of who they are...as I often catch my young daughters looking long in the mirror, or hearing of my sons adventures on the playground and who gets to play in what games, I have all sorts of questions.

 

What do they think of themselves...how can I help them navigate life well and do it with an assuredness of who they are?  If their self worth and identity become validated only through the approval of their peers or others...Sadly, I know where that road will lead.

 

My greatest hope for them, is that they will find purpose, value, identity not in created things, but in their Creator.  Oh, Lord...may it be so!

 



ENTITLEMENT :: The Number One Killer Of the American Church

What does it mean to be a part of a local church in America today?  

Let me start this by saying, I am so grateful to live in America...we have so many choices, and we have a ton of rights.  Intrinsically as Americans, we understand what it means to have rights...the very fabric in the development of the US Constitution protects its people, from the government (in theory...but, that's another blog) should the government try infringe on said "rights"...the first 10 amendments of the constitution that protect us, are called (shout out to Mr. Gerst here for US history in 10th grade)...THE BILL OF RIGHTS!!  In other words, as an American...you deserve things, and this "deserving things" has crept into every aspect of our way of life; (read these next several lines as a critique so my satire is not lost on you...)

You aren't happy with your family...get another one...because you deserve to be happy, life is too short.  You are stressed at work...take a vacation (or a nap)...you deserve it.  You aren't happy with your marriage...get a divorce, your irreconcilable differences are too difficult to work through...you deserve someone who will love you the way you need to be loved.  Your house is to small...even though you can't afford it, get a bigger one...you deserve it.  Your closet full of clothes are old and out of date, the 30 pair of shoes you own are so 2000 and late...get new ones, you deserve it!! 

You go to the grocery store...you have options.  You drive through the auto mall...you have options.  You go out to dinner...you have options.  You don't want to go to a gym...buy P90X and get fit in your home...you have options (enter Cross Fit sighs here!).  And SADLY...these options have become more "rights"...things you think you deserve.  "OMG...it is so inconvenient that we don't have a Whole Foods here."  Because Trader Joe's, Top Foods, and Food Co-Ops aren't enough!!

You are American...we have rights for crying out loud...and your pursuit of happiness is what really matters...right?  

And just like that...the church of America is doomed, because we take our entitled American ideals and place them on the church...grievously, our entitlement is killing the church.

What does it mean to be a part of the American Church today?  

What could it look like for the churches around America to start seeing their number one priority as pursuing God...not what we think we deserve to get out of the church.  What if we came to serve...not to be served (I think that's in the bible?! :D)  Not only is it killing the church...our Christian "Bill of Rights" is killing our witness to the Gospel.  You see the Gospel is the craziest thing ever...in fact, it's the only time as Americans we actually don't get what we deserve!!  

What if we (the church) started really understanding the Gospel...I bet it would change the way we "do" church, we might actually start to "be" the church.  #forgiveuslord #weknownotwhatwedo #orwedoandwejustdontcare

Gun Control, Homosexuality and Jesus...let's talk about this on the internet.

Actually, we'd most likely agree that such significant and complex matters aren't best "talked" about via the world wide web.

So instead of adding another blog about who's right and who's wrong, I thought I'd take a moment and ask for us to consider the possibility that relationships are probably the best place to have conversations about such important issues.

Before the next public figure, or entertainer says something about Gun Control, Homosexuality or Jesus that supports your side of the fence creating another internet meltdown, I thought I'd just ask; what would it look like for us to talk about these issues in person?  In actual relationships?

Seems like any partisan rhetoric causes us to hate each other...right now, my Facebook feed is filled with my friends excitement over the Seahawks, birthday greetings or how funny Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were at the GG's last night, but I guarantee you, as soon as a celebrity or politician makes another public statement about any number of like matter hot-button issues, everyone will turn to homophobic, intolerant bigots, or Nazi loving gun control fanatics, or Obama-care socialists...and just like that, with the stroke of a few keys; we hate each other!

Why do we let that happen?  What if we invited each other to coffee or lunch instead?  Perhaps have some folks over for a cold one and some conversation so that we might navigate these issues in more helpful ways?

Full disclosure; I am a pastor and as such, I do the best I can to have a biblical world view.  I know that brings up all sorts of thoughts in your head right now, but you have a world view too...and it may be that we disagree on certain issues, but I don't think you are an ignorant nitwit because you hold such a view...we are simply viewing things from a different lens.

Eugene Petersen writes about a pastors role as helping to keep people attentive to the things of God, and I try to live that out every day, but the truth is...nobody ever changes their world view because they lost an argument.  I have found over the course of being involved in ministry for the past 20 years (volunteer or vocation), that through relationships, in the daily conversations of life and faith that such space creates an opportunity to hear someone's side.  It certainly is not in the space of the internet that allows us to so quickly demonize each other.

So how about it...instead of posting about how amazing your ideas are in the freedom of your proclaimed enlightened autonomy, let's grab lunch!

Sorry that a persons death inconvenienced your commute...First World Problems!!

Today, there was a fatal car accident just outside of the town I live in.   It brought traffic southbound to a halt for hours.  Tragically, a man died...others, seriously hurt.  As I read some Facebook posts tonight, I was saddened to see how "inconvenienced" people were by someone's death.  Are we that entitled of a people, we can't wait long enough for such a horrific event to be worked through?

That person's family will never see them again.  You had to wait a couple hours to see your loved ones, and maybe you won't get as much sleep tonight...that family won't sleep tonight.  Are we in that much of a hurry?  What are we doing? 

Tonight I got to serve dinner and give a message at the local Union Gospel Mission, afterward I drove to a local grocery store and joined some friends who were ringing bells to help raise money for the Salvation Army.  The folks we served at the UGM and I'm sure many of the peeps that receive services from the SA, would have loved to sit in your warm, leather upholstered seats, listening to music while you share your vexation and disbelief. 

So, I'm sorry that a human beings death brought you some inconvenience...maybe tomorrow will be a better day for you.  In the meantime, perhaps this video of First World Problems will remind you of how ridiculous we've become.  I hope your commute is better tomorrow...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFuLSB73ciU

Robinson Cano and the world of Mental Illness...

As a life long Seattle Mariners fan, I was excited hear the headlines this morning, "Cano and Mariners agree to $240 MILLION!!"  No, this post is not about the craziness of paying someone insane amounts of money to hit a ball and round some bases...it's about providing a glimpse into the world of mental illness.

Most of my life, my dad battled mental illness (bi-polar/shizo-affective disorder...was the most recent diagnosis).  I grew up visiting my dad in and out of mental hospitals and all that they entail (watching him in struggle in straight jackets, being tied to beds, receiving extreme doses of anti psychotic drugs that have the affect of making someone a living zombie...literally the walking dead).  Before my dad would receive a 3-4 month stay-cay in our state mental hospital, he would go through weeks, sometimes months of manic, paranoid, delusional, and grandiose behaviors.  

I couldn't help but smile today, thinking that if my dad was still alive, he would have called me and said either "Rhyan, I'm moving to Seattle...the Mariners just hired me to help coach Cano!" or "I'm moving to Houston, the Texans offered me a coaching job." (In light of this mornings Houston Texans firing of Coach Kubiak) When I was younger, it was a bit harder to navigate such delusional calls, that would often lead to frustration...but now that they don't happen anymore, perhaps the "crazy" thing is, I sure wish they did!

He used to walk into the local police department and ask for his business cards so his peeps could contact him in his "undercover detective" work.  He went to a local high school one morning and announced in a class room that he was the substitute that day...the contracted teacher quickly called for help!  

When I would go to the local food bank with him, pick him up in all hours of the night at the local downtown bus-stop or any given destination of his walking pleasure, he had great friendships with the local transient homeless population...they were friends.  I learned more from my dad and his mental illness than I could have ever imagined...I learned that in light of HUGE state and federal budget cuts, and continued lack of local resources, folks with mental illness have fewer and fewer places to go.  Families are often at a loss of what do with their loved ones who suffer from such agonizing and difficult (to say the least) mental disorders...often they lead to abandonment, and you know, while I don't agree with it, I sure understand it...the ugly side of mental illness; threats, behaviors, manipulation, and more...are sometimes a living hell.

I'm not sure why I felt compelled to write this...perhaps it's the impending two year anniversary of the sentencing hearing for the transient young man who beat my dad to death?  Maybe it's the holiday season, and the memories that come with wishing my dad was still here and knowing that there are hundreds and thousands of families all over the country wondering what to do with their loved ones who are doing everything they can to estrange themselves from the very ones who care about them the most?  Maybe it's my hope for a world to be more empathetic and caring for those who battle mental illness?

My dad would call me at all hours of the night, sometimes to yell, sometimes to offer a threat, and sometimes to tell me that the lucky number for the day was "3"...I don't get those calls anymore...but I sure wish I did!!  Maybe this spring, I'll head up to a Mariner's game in his stead.