Reflections

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

April 25, 2012

IN WHAT DIRECTION ARE WE FOCUSED?

The General Conference for United Methodist began yesterday (Tuesday, April 24^th) in Tampa.  This morning Bishop Peter Weaver gave the Episcopal address.  Many have been passing on quotes from his address by Facebook and Tweeter.  In the words of Adam Hamilton, pastor at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas, “Bishop Weaver nailed it!  Stirring Episcopal Address! Resurrection Revolution!”

Dr. Leonard Sweet passed on this statement of Bishop Weaver’s address: “Too many have swapped the ‘Let's Go!’ of the Great Commission for the 'status quo' of no mission.”  That is the reason many churches are not growing.  They have made the church all about themselves. 

Years ago Dr. Herb Miller shared that he was challenged to ask his congregation to raise their hands if they had brought someone to Christ.  Then he backed off, fearing no one would raise their hand.  But that is the critical question – have I introduced anyone to my Savior? Since the early days of the church, people have brought people to Jesus. 

In today’s culture, it often begins with an invitation to worship or some event at the church.  We send a questionnaire to all first time worship guests.  One of the questions asked; “How did you hear about Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC?”  Over half of those who return the questionnaire say they were invited to our church.  Sometimes they even write in the name of the person who invited them. 

In Second Corinthians, Paul calls us to be Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19).  An ambassador is one who is sent out.  We cannot be ambassadors without going.  Yet, as Bishop Weaver said, we are often more interested in the “status quo” than in Christ’s mission of reaching the world.

 Shortly after we began the 9:45 service, one blamed me because his family was no longer sitting together during worship.  Some were going to the 9:45 service instead of sitting on the family pew at 11:00.  Today, the 9:45 service is not only our largest, but more baptisms and professions of faith take place in that service than the other two.  It is accomplishing what Bill Easum said, when he challenged us to begin a contemporary service at that time frame.  For those who don’t know the name Bill Easum, he is a United Methodist Church consultant who worked with our church about a decade ago.     

Bishop Weaver, in his address to General Conference also said; “None of this is for the preservation of the institution! But all of this is for the transformation of the entire world.”  Yet, the preservation of the institution, as we like it, is often our focus.  We tend to forget that this is not our church.  It is Christ’s Church.  And this church of Christ exists to make disciples for the transformation of the world.

I encourage you to continue to pray for General Conference as the business part of the Conference will soon begin.  It is my prayer that the mission of Christ will become the dominating theme of the congregation. 

Thanks to everyone who gave items, purchase items and served during the Mission Yard Sale.  Over $5,000 was raised to help send our Volunteers in Missions Team out.

Don’t forget, the CEC Golf Tournament is Saturday week, May 5^th.  The money raised will go toward the next phase of making the playground handicapped accessible.  You can go to the website www.gmvumc.org for registration and sponsor information.

    

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome.  You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org. 

Reflections From Brother Rudy

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
April 18, 2012

MAINTENANCE OR MISSION?

Sometime back, Bishop Willimon shared a piece in his weekly
message entitled “Maintenance or Mission?”
It was an excerpt from an article by Harold Percy that had been shared
with him from the website http://www.crossmarks.com
The article has some important insights during this time of transition:
MAINTENANCE OR MISSION?
1. In
measuring the effectiveness, the maintenance congregation asks,
"How many pastoral visits are being made?” The mission congregation asks,
"How many disciples are being made?"
2. When
contemplating some form of change, the maintenance congregation
says, "If this proves upsetting to any of our members, we won't do
it." The mission congregation says, "If this will help us reach
someone on the outside, we will take the risk and do it."
3. When
thinking about change, the majority of members in a maintenance
congregation ask, "How will this affect me?" The majority of members
in the mission congregation ask, "Will this increase our ability to reach
those outside?"
4. When
thinking of its vision for ministry, the maintenance congregation
says, "We have to be faithful to our past." The mission congregation
says, "We have to be faithful to our future."
5. The
pastor in the maintenance congregation says to the newcomer,
"I'd like to introduce you to some of our members." In the mission
congregation the members say, "We'd like to introduce you to our
pastor."
6. When
confronted with a legitimate pastoral concern, the pastor in the
maintenance congregation asks, "How can I meet this need?" The pastor
in the mission congregation asks, "How can this need be met?"
7. The
maintenance congregation seeks to avoid conflict at any cost (but rarely succeeds).
The mission congregation understands that conflict is the price of
progress, and is willing to pay the price. It understands that it
cannot take everyone with it. This causes some grief, but it does not keep it
from doing what needs to be done.
8. The leadership
style in the maintenance congregation is primarily managerial,
where leaders try to keep everything in order and running smoothly. The
leadership style in a mission congregation is primarily transformational,
casting a vision of what can be, and marching off the map in order to bring the
vision into reality.

9. The
maintenance congregation is concerned with their congregation, its
organizations and structure, its constitutions and committees. The mission
congregation is concerned with the culture, with understanding how secular
people think and what makes them tick. It tries to determine their needs and
their points of accessibility to the Gospel.
10. When
thinking about growth, the maintenance congregation asks, "How
many Lutherans live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?"
The mission congregation asks, "How many unchurched people
live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?"
11. The
maintenance congregation looks at the community and asks, "How can
we get these people to support our congregation?" The mission
congregation asks, "How can the Church support these people?"
12. The
maintenance congregation thinks about how to save their congregation.
The mission congregation thinks about how to reach the world.
The Mission Yard Sale
helps our Volunteers in Missions Teams reach out to the world. The resources raised will help with Team
member’s costs for travel, room and board.
The sale is this Friday and Saturday, April 20-21. They will
receive items for the sale this evening. If you would like to help, they will be
setting up the Fellowship Hall following the evening meal and working all day
Thursday. You can bring your items
tonight or Thursday or call the office if you need someone to pick up items for
the sale.

The CEC Golf Tournament is just two weeks away. The money raised will go toward the next
phase of making the playground handicapped accessible. You can go to the website www.gmvumc.org for registration and sponsor
information.


As always,
your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

The Palm Sunday Parade

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

THE PALM SUNDAY PARADE

This morning in chapel with the children of CEC, we talked about parades. The Palm Sunday parade was not much of a parade compared to the Gardendale Christmas parade or Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day parade. There were not bands or floats, but there was a welcoming crowd, as Jesus entered Jerusalem.

On my first trip to Jerusalem, a parade of “scouts” suddenly drew the attention of everyone in the Old City of Jerusalem. For about ten minutes, young persons in uniforms marched through those old streets to the beat of drums. Those streets are so narrow we had to step into some of the shops to get out of their way.

I imagine the Palm Sunday parade created a similar disruption in Jerusalem. As Jesus
entered the gates of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, a crowd welcomed Him with singing and the waving of palm branches. Those who were in the city that day were suddenly aware of this little
parade. At least for a few moments, this little parade had gotten their attention and changed what they were doing. Some may have joined in the welcome of Jesus. Others were probably upset that their shopping had been disrupted. And we know the religious leaders were angered by the reception Jesus had received.

Jesus still comes to interrupt our daily lives. He wants to be allowed into our daily activities. Jesus never meant discipleship to become simply a Sunday experience. In talking about discipleship, He said it involved a daily response: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23; NRSV)

Jesus is looking for more from us than fans who sing “Hosanna” on Sunday. Jesus is looking
for committed followers, who seek to put Him first each day. As we approach this Palm Sunday are you a fan or follower of Jesus?

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that are coming up Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday,
March 31, Clyde and Brenda Cork will be leading the Easter Egg Hunt for the children
of our United Methodist Children’s Homes. Be in prayer for these children and those who
will be giving leadership. This will be held at Camp Sumatanga.

Then on Sunday, April 1, we have the Community Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park.
It kicks off at 4:00 PM. Invite the children in your neighborhood to the Egg Hunt. If it rains, the Hunt will be moved to the Church.

Also on Saturday, March 31 our Family and Leisure Team is having a Bunko Party. It begins at 7:00 PM. The cost is $5.00, with the money going to the Handicapped Playground. Walk-ins are welcomed.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Connection Between Relationship with God and Others

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

CONNECTION BETWEEN RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD AND OTHERS

Our staff has been studying the letter of First John. One thing is very apparent in the
letter: “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8; NRSV) In many different ways, John teaches us that love for God and love for others are connected.

This morning’s “Daily Hope” (March 21, 2012) devotion by Rick Warren, came at this same truth from a different way. His scripture was Isaiah 26:3; “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3; NLT) He opened his devotional with this statement; “I have made an amazing discovery: The more time I spend alone with God, the better I get along with other people. I can count on it!”

Dr. Warren went on to make this application of the scripture from Isaiah: “When you spend time with the Lord, you turn your thoughts to him. Then, you get along better with others, because he keeps perfect peace in your heart, andyou’re not as irritable.”

I have witnessed this recently in my own home. Gina and I will be tense and frustrated and let those feeling come out in the way we talk to one another. Then, we go back and read our
devotional and pray and our attitude changes.

Dr. Warren went on to say; “The more you spend time with God, the more you will enjoy the rest of your time. It will be more productive and more beneficial. You’ll get along better with
others and have fewer arguments because you’re drawing closer to God.”

This raises a question; What am I doing to draw closer to God on a daily bases? Sometimes we think we are too busy to prayer and read the Bible. Those who seemed to have drawn closer to God, like John Wesley and Martin Luther, would say, “We are too busy not to pray.” Bill Hybels has written a very helpful book on prayer by that title: TooBusy Not To Pray. I commend it to
you.

Speaking of prayer, we have a new Sunday School class that is beginning this week using the Prayer Guide for General Conference. General Conference, the major policy making body for United Methodist around the world will begin in about a month (April 24 – May 4). Upper Room Ministries has developed this prayer guide. Here is the link to download
a copy of this prayer guide: http://50daysofprayer.upperroom.org/

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that are coming up March 31 and April 1. Clyde and Brenda Cork are leading the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of our United Methodist Children’s Homes. You can help support this mission by marking your check for, Children’s Home Egg Hunt.



Then on April 1, we will have our Community Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park. It will begin at 4:00 PM. Amy Sizemore, our Children’s Director, share that a person donated 1000. The
Children’s Team will fill these plus one’s they already had with candy and other prizes. There are bins around thechurch where you can place candy for this Easter Egg Hunt.

This Saturday, March 24th, there are two outreach opportunities: A Team will be painting at the Women’s Center, beginning at 8:00 AM. You can contact Danny Dunson if you would like to volunteer to help. ddunson@pinnacleptg.com

Also this Saturday, The Hispanic Team will pass out flyers in 100 Oaks Trailer Park. The flyers will announce the Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 and a new Hispanic Bible Study that will begin on April 4. If you would like to help with this outreach, meet here at the church at 8:30 AM.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

JOIN IN THE GREATER WORK OF PRAYER

Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works; Prayer is the greater work.” Our Prayer Team kind of took that as their motto several years ago. It is a reminder of the importance of prayer. But I wonder, does our practice of prayer say we believe it is the greater work?

Our Ministry Team on Prayer has decided they needed to do more praying than meeting. So each month, on the Third Thursday, they join together in the Chapel for prayer. Anyone is invited to join them at 5:45 for this time of prayer. The purpose is to make this more of a House of Prayer, seeking God’s direction and power for His Church here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon.

This Friday marks the beginning of another Prayer Opportunity. Upper Room Ministries has developed a Prayer Guide for General Conference. General Conference is the major decision,
policy body of the United Methodist Church worldwide. It meets every four years. It will meet April 24 through May 4 in Tampa.

In preparation for General Conference, Upper Room Ministries has developed a 50 Days of Prayer Guide for us to use before and during General Conference. The Guide begins this Friday, March 16 and continues through May 4, the last day of General Conference. You can down load the prayer guide at http://50daysofprayer.upperroom.org/

The 988 Delegates from United Methodist Conferences around the world will gather to act on issues that will determine the direction of the United Methodist Church for the next four years and even beyond. There are those who believe some of the decisions that will come before
this General Conference have the possibly of dividing our connection.

The Prayer Guide could be used in your personal prayer times and also with a group. This could be a good time to form a small prayer group who would get together each week and use this Prayer Guide to lead your prayer time. If you would like help in forming such a group, Marcia and I would be happy to help you.

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that are coming up March 31 and April 1. Clyde and Brenda Cork are leading the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of our United Methodist Children’s Homes. The children will gather from across the state at Camp Sumatanga. You can help support this mission by marking your check for, Children’s Home Egg Hunt.

Then on April 1, we will have our Community Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park. It will begin at 4:00 PM. The Children’s Team needs candy to fill over 1000 Easter Eggs for the Hunt. There are
bins around the church were you can place your candy. The sooner the better, so they can start
filling eggs.

This Saturday, March 24, the Hispanic Team will been passing out flyers in 100 Oaks Trailer Park about the Community Easter Egg Hunt and a new Hispanic Bible Study that will begin Wednesday, April 4th. If you would like to help with this outreach,be here at 8:30 AM.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Time With Jesus

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

TIME WITH JESUS

Are you using the Lenten Devotional Guide that was developed
by our Prayer Team? I have been blessed
each morning as I have read the devotional thought that was shared by one of
our Church Family. This morning I was
reminded by a devotional written by Danny Dunson to “Make Christ the
masterpiece around which everything else in your life is ordered.”

One way we keep Christ at the center of our lives is to pray. We live such busy lives and prayer can easily
be pushed out of our lives if we are not very intentional. I remember how Christ-followers like Martin
Luther and John Wesley guarded their morning prayer time and when they were
expecting an extra busy day, they would spend extra time in prayer preparing
for the day.

Another way we keep Christ at the center of our lives is the
daily reading of scripture. In yesterday’s
devotional, Jackie Phelps reminded us of the importance of reading the
instructions. It is difficult to walk in
God’s Way, if we are not growing in both the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

If you have not picked up a Lenten Devotional Guide, they
are available in the welcome areas around the church. Thanks to the Prayer Team for developing them
and for each who wrote a devotional.

In just over a month we will have our outreach ministries to
Children, two Easter Egg Hunts. For the
Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park, they need us to bring candy to fill the
eggs. For the Easter Egg Hunt at Camp
Sumatanga for the United Methodist Children’s Home they need our money to
purchase prizes. You can mark you check
for “Children’s Home Egg Hunt.”

Our Missions Faith Promise commitments continue to
increase. 92 have committed $63,348. We need $100,000 to sustain our present
commitments. Have you made your
commitment?

As always,
your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.