Previous Blog Postings
Posted 11/12/2008
In the past few weeks, I've had an attempted break-in and a rock thrown through my living room window. Unsettling, at best, pretty scary, really. A day after the rock through the window, I've had time to relect --
After a better night's sleep, than the one prior - I'm having some thoughts on my home invasions - about a month ago - an attempted break-in and then the rock through the window.
It has seemed anonymous and random. Especially the rock crashing through the window, with me sitting right there in the living room. It came from behind the blinds, from the dark - probably from the other side of the rock wall in the back. I'm having trouble imagining why all this has happened - or maybe not - that's why I've been shaky.
Now I'm going to get meta-physical on you, so watch out!
For some weeks, I feel like I've been coming home to a center within me ------- after a hectic, frantic, overwhelming almost three years in a new call, a new home, a new territory. There has been a press of vacant pulpits, programs that had no natural momentum and more importantly no natural organization (after many years of revolving door interim area ministers), all the expectations folks generally have of area ministry plus the changing dynamics for this level of ministry, demand of regional re-visioning - and my own hopes and visions for transforming the office, the area, and the ministry connections between the area churches.... whew!
That press has resulted in working to the cost of everything else - taking care of my health, doing much of anything for pleasure, connecting to family and old friends and making new friends, connecting to my new community, and most importantly neglecting the nurturing of my spirit, my soul, and my connection to the One who calls me to this ministry - and significantly and symbolically, I think - settling in, unpacking completely, and making my new house a home!
As I said, in the past few weeks, I've been coming to some clarity of vision about my area ministry - at least a direction and priority for it. I'm in the difficult stage of figuring out what in this work cannot happen and will need to be told "no". This new dawning clarity is also shining light on my own center (or lack thereof) in my personal, spiritual, and home life. There has even been new energy for this re-centering.
Then comes the attempted break-in and the rock through the window - frightful diversions of energy, to say the least. I have responded first with adding an alarm system and increased outdoor lighting to the house, and now repair of windows and a iron-work barrier to be added to rock wall, windows and doors in the next weeks. Now I think I'm ready to recognize and respond to the spiritual in all of this....
In the face of spiritual growth and understanding about my own life and ministry - the devil, Satan, evil, the natural and ever-present negative pull in the universe (that accompanies that ever-present positive pull in the universe) - whatever you call it - has reacted to try to distract, slow or stop that growth - with a rock through the window!
So I am, at this moment, reclaiming the pull of the positive, the call of the Spirit, back to the re-centering and re-visioning of my ministry and my life (ever, irrevocably entwined) and my home! I will have to continue to say no to what needs to be said no to, regardless of the opposition - human or spiritual [or meta-physical? :) ]. So I can say yes to this great and wonderful ministry that God has called me to in the Tres Rios Area, in El Paso, and in my own life!
On with the list making of all the "no's" that will have to be said. On with seeking of spiritual nurture and care for my self and my soul. On with claiming of time for fun, for making new friends, for dancing, for creative work with my hands..... On with responding to the phone number in the newspaper about the need for neighborhood organizations in my part of El Paso. On with finally unpacking, finding new furniture, painting of walls and the on and on of making this house my home!
I'm getting out my sage for a prayer for my home this morning. Now you can help by joining in prayer for all of this in my life.... and your own!
Blessings,
Charlotte
Posted 10/22/2008
My prayer for the people and our church, Regional Assembly Worship, October 19, 2008
In anticipation of the grace of your presence, we have gathered this morning, O God. And here have you met us –
In the warmth of hand and smile of friend and stranger,
in the opening notes of music, the lift of our hearts at the hearing,
in the silence of bowed head and darkness of closed eyes,
in the breath of song from our own lips,
In the memory of the recent days of scripture steeped, prayer infused, joy enriched time of refreshment and renewal.
Open our hearts and our minds for one more moment of worship, one more moment of inspiration, one more moment of strengthening for the continuing journey of following your call.
Lift us this day from that which clings - our fears of failing you, our hopes to control, our misplaced pride – for in our desire to serve, we lose track of the one whom we serve – you our most holy God and your children, our companions in this world.
Send us this day, from our assembly, grateful for the gifts you give, buoyed by our fellow servants in this church, centered in our discerning of your mission for us. Encourage us in our work, our rest, our play and our worship –so we might be your best evangelists and missionaries.
Hear our prayers for your church, throughout the world, and in our own home town. We pray for your people who call themselves the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – we love you and are seeking to recreate and renew our ministries in your name. Plant the seeds of your vision, guide us on the path of change and keep us faithful to your never-changing good news. Bless especially this day our leaders. We pray for Sharon, we pray for Dani – with thanksgiving – may your wisdom placed in their hearts grow and blossom in their leadership with us.
Thank you for this day to gather and all the blessings therein. Thank you for your call to us and your embrace of us in the body of Christ. Thank you for the joy and beauty found in the warmth of love of friends and family. Thank you for the grace found in our lives lived in you.
Through Christ and in Christ we pray, today and tomorrow, which we entrust to you now…. Amen.
Posted 7/21/2008
Magic Pill?
I hope those of you who share in ministry with me in the Tres Rios Area are realizing that I bring no magic pills to congregational transformation - because there are none.
We've been through an era - I might call it the "Net Results era" - if you're familiar with that Disciple's publication. For about 10 years or so, it was full of the prevalent thinking of the day.... that there was a magic pill - or project or program - that would bring your church back to the way it used to be a long time ago - I mean a loooonnnnnng time ago - let's say the 70's at the latest! Many churches want to go back as far as the 50's or 60's..... Whatever the era - we were looking for more people - especially young couples with children - to begin streaming back through our doors again. And why? Because it would make us feel better, and they could carry out all the programs we wanted and contribute more to our church budgets.
Well, at least two flaws in that thinking. First we had the wrong motivations - it was all about us, not them. And we didn't realize the times had changed around us - and even with the best motivations, young folks don't think and behave the same way anymore. And there are not as many young folks as there used to be - the boomers are getting old and even the boomers' children are getting older! OK - more than two flaws.....
I even had someone ask the other weekend - to my response "that times have changed" - they had the audacity to ask "why" - "why had the times changed?" Like there was a simple answer to that, and even if we answered that, we could change them back. We can't. So we need to understand the world as it is today.... because that's the world God calls us to minister to - and with.
Now we're back to motivation .... which is really the answer we're seeking when looking for a magic pill. I still can't promise that our work in transforming congregations will be easy. But it is a matter of motivation! When we realize that it is not about us, but about them - we're ready! God calls us (the church) to serve the world with a huge portion of God's Good News in Jesus Christ - and that would be in - hand's on help, advocacy, witness, story-telling and anyway else we can figure out to share that Good News!
John Buchanan in the latest Christian Century started with a different question - but ended up with the answer that all of us are looking for when we're hoping and dreaming of change in our churches:
"...it is important that the world see in the church something of the kindness, compassion and justice of Jesus.... Maybe the world would find churches more interesting and compelling if they showed something of the love of Jesus in their lives and practices. Maybe there is no more important and life-giving strategy for every church than finding something Christlike to do." http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=5016
Now back to Net Results, about five years ago they learned the lesson, that we're learning - and it probably wouldn't have been learned if we all hadn't kept trying those magic pills and found that they don't work - the lesson: its not about us, its about them; its about our own sustaining and empowering relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; and its about mission..... So check them out again, as well. http://netresults.org/net_results/
Blessings,
Charlotte
Posted 5/29/2008
Mercy....
There's a catchy new song out by an artist known as Duffy. The title is Mercy.... I like it, the artist is reminiscent of late 60's, early 70's (my era!) British pop rock/soul/r&b. You can listen to a free 30 second clip at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. This song also appears in a commercial for NBC's summer show American Gladiator..... interesting...... Then my scripture reading and meditation this morning came from I Peter 2:5, 9-10 which told me that "now [I had] received mercy!"
So what does mercy mean?
Well, let me tell you what I heard this morning...
It began with some Scottish Benedictine monks chanting in Latin from John 15 .... God chooses us, not the other way around. I was reminded that that God calls me however unsuitable I may think I am, God has chosen me.
When I got to I Peter, the first words, for some reason, brought all 30 of our TRA churches to mind -- "like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house ... to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Each church in Farmington, Albuquerque, Roy, Hobbs, Las Cruces, El Paso, Monahans, Odessa ..... a stone mortared together to offer what they can for the God's mission in the Southwest. Each church one spiritual brick in our house of God, the Tres Rios Area. A house with many bricks, a house, more than a brick, bricks together make a house. One church in covenant with others for a larger mission than can be served by one church alone.
Then, "...you are a chosen race, ... God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you..." Mighty acts? In the TRA? OHHHH.... the mighty acts are your's, God... But we are to proclaim them.... serve them... with our spiritual sacrifices....I'm still not sure the 30 of us are up to that, maybe mortared together to make a house, but I'm still not sure....
And at the last .... "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." God’s own people, not an exclusive club about power and status, but about service and solidarity. Together we are community, a spiritual house, each one of us a brick in this house, this community, together, called out for service…. I’m still not so sure we can live up to this call….. However, with the call also comes mercy….God’s mercy – without which the fulfillment of this call would not be possible. I see… the call and the mercy come together…..together….. both……
My question for you….do you believe the 30 churches of the TRA have a mutual call, a call from God to serve together, in ways we could not alone, as single, solitary congregations? This is not a rhetorical question. It is an actual question, I’m asking of you, expecting your answer. Our vision and practice of ministry and mission as an area depends on your answer. Do we continue to move forward, following God’s call, together? A question that will require an answer before we can ask the how?
I believe we have received that call – together – as well as the mercy needed to answer that call! But I need to know what you think…..
Posted 4/16/2008
I found this in Christian Century a couple of weeks ago, cut it out, am going to try to remember it, and wanted to pass it on...
NO PRETENSE: In giving advice to younger religious educators, Thomas H. Groome recalls the incident in which John the Baptist was asked whether he was the much-anticipated Messiah (John 1:19-20). John responded, "I am not the Messiah." Groome suggests that educators make John's confession their prayer. "So when you are not as good as you could be or should be, or when things do not go as planned (they never do), put your feet up and say, 'Well, I'm not the messiah'; leave the rest in God's hands" (Religious Education, Fall).
In my efforts to add a new discipline - writing this blog - I've had to put my feet up and say "Well, I'm not the messiah" - so I could forgive myself for not writing this week on Monday - and make it ok to write on Wednesday!!
Speaking of discipline... such an awful word for personal prayer time... maybe that's the problem - why that, of all things, seems so hard to remember and to fit in a busy schedule for anyone, much less a "minister"! Now if our personal prayer time was viewed as satisfying and fun as, let's say, a snack.... we'd all (especially me) be there every time. Well, isn't it better than a snack!!!! So maybe we should just re-name the whole thing... instead of spiritual disciplines... maybe we call them spiritual snacks..... I'm in!
After a retreat earlier this winter with my area minister colleagues, I've rediscovered a tool, an instrument for prayer. Have you all seen http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/? If not check it out, see if its something you'd like for your personal prayer times. It's a downloadble, to your mp3 player or computer, 12-15 minute guided time with scripture and prayer. There's the toll of a bell that calls you inward, some reflective and meditative music, a daily scripture read and some questions to guide your reflection and prayer --- with some space to pray.....
To generate some response among friends.... I'd like to hear about your spiritual disciplines (umm, I mean snacks!) What feeds you, what keeps you centered in our all too distracting world and ministry in it? What else could you use to encourage you? Could we help each other? Is there something our TRA ministry together could provide??
Click above to go the forum page to respond.... I want to hear......
Blessings,
Charlotte
Posted 4/7/2008
I spent this past weekend in Santa Fe. If you are imagining strolling around the plaza, skiing one last weekend in the spring, or delightful dining – you have only part of it right. I did have delightful dining at a church potluck and an after worship lunch shared with church leaders! Instead of strolling and skiing (yeah right!) I spent Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sharing my vision of congregational transformation and the key role of mission focus in that transformation with the leaders of First Christian Church, Santa Fe.
FCC had sent a small group to one of our transformation workshops held around the area earlier this year. This personalized workshop in Santa Fe was a follow-up to that. Having learned how the culture has changed around us and how the church is facing adaptive as well as technical change in the area workshop, these church leaders were eager to learn the “now what!” So I shared with them what a journey of transformation might look like for their congregation.
You might remember one of the final chapters in Dick Hamm’s book, which we used for the area workshops, sketched out the elements involved in this transformation work. That was the part of the workshop where we ran out of time, frustrating a lot of us! Well, now FCC Santa Fe, got some more of the story – how to move forward in exploring faithfulness, as well as, effectiveness in following God into the future.
And you can too! As a new priority for my ministry with you, for TRA’s ministry of supporting congregational transformation, I am hoping to engage with several congregations in personal consultation. I can come and share this initial next step workshop, I guess I could call it the “Now What!” workshop, with a group of leaders in your congregation. If you had a group attend one of the three workshops held late last year and earlier this year and your group was intrigued or maybe even exited about what they heard – give me a call and let’s talk! Maybe your congregation is ready for the next step – the “Now What!” of the transformation journey!
Blessings,
Charlotte
Posted 3/31/2008
This past weekend, not only did I preach at FCC, El Paso and brought them a Holy Humor Sunday, I also represented my voting precinct at the El Paso County Democratic Convention. I can't tell you which was the most humorous and which was the most fun!
As a veteran of many General Assemblies, it was apparent that the Democrats were not as well organized as us Disciples. But then again, they probably don't need to be, and maybe it's best that they're not. Some saw "inner circle, old guard politicking" in the confusion - to circumvent us newbies from having our say. Maybe that's true. Maybe the confusion resulted from unprecedented interest in this year's election. In any case, I still found my precinct delegate colleagues, as polite and as fair-minded as any fellow delegates at the General Assembly. I even felt that I was able to do my own "politicking", based on my vast Assembly experience, to get my candidate to prevail in my precinct, despite my candidate being the underdog!
Church and state ... I've found both to be ripe with concerned Christians and concerned citizens, hoping and working for a better community!
Which brings us to our Area Assembly, soon to convene in El Paso, April 25-26. Far less politcking, I'm sure. My goal for the event is to provide some substantial, excellent, timely continuing education for our church leaders - some fellowship (with BBQ) and some worship that will build our own TRA Disciple sense of community - and some reflection about our ministry together as Area and as Region, as we are involved in the discernment of more faithfulness and effectiveness in those ministries. I hope you'll be there!
Blessings,
Charlotte
Posted 2/8/2008
Hi friends!!
I was just searching the Disciples' web site for installation services online and saw this new item - Sharon Watkins' report on her experience with Southwest Region/Coastal Plains Area women at an all-women's build with Habitat for Humanity in Beaumont, Texas. Sounds like fun.... Maybe we ought to organize a TRA build!! http://www.disciples.org/watkins/lettersmedia/2008/blitzbuild/
I'm in my office for a day!!! After meeting with Regional Committee on Ministry about License Ministry issues, leading the Transformation Workshop in Albuquerque, retreating with my area/regional ministry colleagues in wonderfully grounding and uplifting spiritual retreat, working with Los Altos search committee, and wishing Michelle Tatlock well in her new move to full time chaplaincy and ending her ministry with Monte Vista.
I meet tonight with the Austin Park Trust Fund, when the Area requests a direct grant from them to continue and expand our ministry with congregations in transformation and revitalization.
Tomorrow I'm off to Ruidoso for a search committee meeting; then Hobbs to meet with new pastor, Carol Cabbiness; to Odessa for the last Transformation Workshop. Next week is Ministers' Week at TCU and a weekend installation of new pastor, Roxroy Reid, at East Mountain United Church, Edgewood, NM.
I bet you are as busy as I am!!
Blessings,
Charlotte