Long discussions can be had about favorite foods. The Best Thing I Ever Ate is a great show on the Food Network that asks famous chefs, "What is the best thing you ever ate?" The responses are interesting. Occasionally, they answer with a famous, well-known high end restaurant, but at other times their answer reflects the wonder of the dish in a small, not-so-famous eatery.
My favorite food has decidely little to do with the size 0r expense of the restaurant. A little Italian place, Rocco's Ristaurante, in Ceredo, WV, has a great gnocci verde that I love. I haven't had it for 20+ years, but it is one of my favorites. A Smokey burger from Smokey Valley Truck Stop in Olive Hill, KY, is always at the top of my list. The braised pork shank from Roast, Michael Symon's restaurant in downtown Detroit, MI, is the only dish from a high profile chef.
I would rather go to any of those restaurants instead of one of those bright-lights-cool-memorabilia-sports-bar places. All the spectacle. All the baubles. All the hype. For me, they just don't work. I like great food. I want to enjoy the meal where ever it might be. Don't distract me with the other stuff.
If only I were so discriminating in my spiritual life. My wife, Paula, and I have often talked about where we would worship if we weren't in the local ministry. We like big, small, intimate, discipling, active, vibrant, serving. We are entering a new phase of life as our son will be graduating from high school soon. What would we do as empty-nesters in a few years?
What if I chose a congregation like I now choose food? No hype. No sales slogans. No mass of people crowding the room. Just great food. Where would I go if I were looking for The Best Place I Ever Worshipped or The Best Place I Ever Served God or The Best Place for My Spiritual Development?
Restaurants are proof that just because a lot of people show up it doesn't mean that they have good food? I'm just sayin'.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
How do I love thee . . .
Is love measured best when it is expected? For instance, is the annual tradition of Valentine's Day the optimum time to determine the depth of a partner's love? Is a romantic evening the best measure of commitment?
For many of us, Sunday morning is the romantic date with God. Nice clothes, better than usual hygiene, tempered responses to stimuli, nicer than usual interaction with others, holier than thou righteousness, expected activities, etc.
Isn't the love I have for my wife better measured when we are alone and no one else sees us? Aren't "normal" days a better measure of how I treat her? Anyone can be nice a few hours a year.
How often have we attempted to measure our love for God by using our Sunday as the ruler? God, forgive me when I treat you like an appointment on my calendar.
For many of us, Sunday morning is the romantic date with God. Nice clothes, better than usual hygiene, tempered responses to stimuli, nicer than usual interaction with others, holier than thou righteousness, expected activities, etc.
Isn't the love I have for my wife better measured when we are alone and no one else sees us? Aren't "normal" days a better measure of how I treat her? Anyone can be nice a few hours a year.
How often have we attempted to measure our love for God by using our Sunday as the ruler? God, forgive me when I treat you like an appointment on my calendar.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
"Churches-Church of Christ/Christian" or "Non-denominational"?
The congregation I serve is finally cancelling our Yellow Pages ad. It is amazing the cost savings we will receive. I asked my secretary yesterday if we even had one in the office. For all intents and purposes, the internet had become the 21st century version of the YP.
In order to cancel your YP ad, you must send a letter to the Cancellations Dept. and notify them that you would no longer like to be included in their book. The employee I spoke to on the phone about the process also let me know that we needed to state where we would like our complimentary listing to go, or we would forfeit any listing. I was grateful for that bit of information.
So, now the decision had to be made as to where our listing would be placed. We have been under the "Churches-Churches of Christ/Christian" for years. In fact, we are the only listing under that heading which makes me wonder why we ever felt a bold listing was needed when we already stick out like a sore thumb. Other area "sister" churches are listed under the title "Churches-Church of Christ" or "Churches-Christian."
While these categories area utilized by many churches across the country, I find it ironic that my Restorationist tradition chooses to use definitions that give us a definite denominational feel. I am certainly not anti-denominational in the sense that I see a hierarchy as evidence of an apocalyptic connection to the beast or anything like that. I do choose to be a part of independent congregations that govern, serve, and direct their own flock. I see this as a faithful approach to the Biblical model.
The question I have is "Should we be listed under "Churches-Non-denominational" rather than any other category of denomination? I will probably opt for the category we are already in just without the bold text.
It's hard to believe that bold text costs about $600/year. I really wouldn't think you would use that much more ink.
In order to cancel your YP ad, you must send a letter to the Cancellations Dept. and notify them that you would no longer like to be included in their book. The employee I spoke to on the phone about the process also let me know that we needed to state where we would like our complimentary listing to go, or we would forfeit any listing. I was grateful for that bit of information.
So, now the decision had to be made as to where our listing would be placed. We have been under the "Churches-Churches of Christ/Christian" for years. In fact, we are the only listing under that heading which makes me wonder why we ever felt a bold listing was needed when we already stick out like a sore thumb. Other area "sister" churches are listed under the title "Churches-Church of Christ" or "Churches-Christian."
While these categories area utilized by many churches across the country, I find it ironic that my Restorationist tradition chooses to use definitions that give us a definite denominational feel. I am certainly not anti-denominational in the sense that I see a hierarchy as evidence of an apocalyptic connection to the beast or anything like that. I do choose to be a part of independent congregations that govern, serve, and direct their own flock. I see this as a faithful approach to the Biblical model.
The question I have is "Should we be listed under "Churches-Non-denominational" rather than any other category of denomination? I will probably opt for the category we are already in just without the bold text.
It's hard to believe that bold text costs about $600/year. I really wouldn't think you would use that much more ink.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
FB: A Window to the Soul
I am amazed by the posts people place on Facebook. They are at times crass, mean-spirited, vulgar, insensitive, unchristian, silly, childish, but they are always revealing.
As a pastor, I am amused by the number of people who have "friended" me who clearly don't realize (or care about) who reads their personal garbage. I have read language I would never associate with an open dialogue. I have been party to personal discussions of a sexual nature. I have read the bile spewed by one FB user at another. All manner of inappropriate communication seems viable on FB with little to no filter on the part of the authors. It is as if many people think no one sees what they are writing. (1) If you think no one is reading your trash, why do you write it. (2) If you realize your FB "friends" are reading this stuff, why do you write it.
I have to say that I see this as a very good thing. This uncensored, honest portrayal of life in America may be one of the most insightful tools toward understanding where we are as a society. I would rather people act as they are than act as they aren't. I don't like the garbage, but I would rather have real garbage than garbage that has been waxed and buffed to look like something else.
FB: a window to the soul
As a pastor, I am amused by the number of people who have "friended" me who clearly don't realize (or care about) who reads their personal garbage. I have read language I would never associate with an open dialogue. I have been party to personal discussions of a sexual nature. I have read the bile spewed by one FB user at another. All manner of inappropriate communication seems viable on FB with little to no filter on the part of the authors. It is as if many people think no one sees what they are writing. (1) If you think no one is reading your trash, why do you write it. (2) If you realize your FB "friends" are reading this stuff, why do you write it.
I have to say that I see this as a very good thing. This uncensored, honest portrayal of life in America may be one of the most insightful tools toward understanding where we are as a society. I would rather people act as they are than act as they aren't. I don't like the garbage, but I would rather have real garbage than garbage that has been waxed and buffed to look like something else.
FB: a window to the soul
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