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May 14, 2009 >> 10:52:02 PM

The Final Real Life for Real

May 14, 2009 >> 05:06:00 PM

The Final Dear Robbie

Dear Robbie,

What am I going to do with my life?

Sincerely,

A Lost Friend

 

Dear Friend,

You have posed a succinct, yet extremely deep existential inquiry and for that effort I will attempt a worthy reply. I wish I knew further the tone of your question; perhaps you are asking with a hopeful and bright demeanor that believes anything is possible. On the opposite pole, your question may be laden with anxiety, doubt, and an overarching sense of despair. Your signature, “A Lost Friend,” certainly hints that the latter tone may be more appropriate for my response. And although your identity is unrevealed to me, I have a feeling that I know who you are, friend.

I would like to address your signature first before I approach your question. The idea of being a “lost” person posits that there has to be a possibility of being a “found” person. At the same time, “lost” cannot be considered a status for someone if no one or nothing is looking for them. For example, the lost lamb in Luke 8 was only considered lost because its owner was seeking after it. You may be truly “lost” in this time, but only for the reason that you are being sought by something greater than you. To summarize, not only are you being sought after, but you also have the possibility of being found. Perhaps the idea of being “lost” does not seem quite so desperate now?

“What am I going to do with my life?” Can you imagine how many people are wondering the very same question at this very same time? Soon, graduation from the seminary will come and it will be time to start a new chapter. People tend to wonder what happens in the next chapter because its contents are untold.  Who can blame you for asking such a worthy question about something so mysterious?

Have you considered the past before you contemplate the future? You seem so desperate to know what happens in the next chapter, but do you remember what took place in the previous one? Do you remember the triumphs and the tragedies? I wonder if you agree that your experiences have left you wiser, stronger, and more prepared for life than before the last chapter. You have come this far and can expect to keep going.

To be honest, there is not a straight-forward answer to your question. But I am glad you are asking it because that means you are preparing space to be introspective about something so crucial. Perhaps it is appropriate to discontinue asking “what are you going to do with your life?”, because the truth is that you are already doing it. Many times over in this lifetime you will transform into the person you strive to be. But remember that Carl Rogers, the great psychologist, reminds us that “the curious paradox is that when we accept ourselves just as we are, then we can change.” Keep focus on the specific nature and design which your Heavenly Father bestowed to you. Accept and revel in who you are!

I will always be there for you, as you have been there for me. Keep your heart focused on the greatness of God. Worship Him every single day. Be a good servant.

Sincerely,

You

 

May 12, 2009 >> 10:47:37 AM

So long, Farewell

The sermon is finally over, the last hymn has been sung and you are thinking about whether you'll beat the other church in town to the restaurant , and then the preacher stands up and starts talking again.  This final statement is called a benediction (from Latin - literally good speaking).  It is intended to be something between a closing prayer and a blessing on the congregation. 

Closing worship services with a benediction goes back to a command God gave to the Levite priests in Numbers 6:22-27. Most of the Epistles also include a benediction (2nd Corinthians 3:14, Galatians 6:18, Ephesians 6:23, Philippians 4:19-20,  1 Thessalonians 4:23-24, Hebrews 13:20-21, Jude 24-25,).  Many pastors use one of these blessing for their benediction, but they are free to also tie it into the message they just preached, or to use it to address their particular congregation.

The benediction falls under the Sending category in the 4-fold order of worship (Gather, Word, Table, Sending). The benediction prepares the congregation to carry the message back to the world.  Often the pastor will raise their arms over the congregation or make the sign of the cross over them.

So as we end this year I will leave you with my favorite benediction

"May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". Amen

(adapted from Numbers 6:22-26)

Resources
Wikipedia

(image taken from http://www.rca.org/view.image?Id=4529)

May 06, 2009 >> 09:43:28 AM

Why Pastors Should Blog: Reason 16

For greater theological content.  The idea that the majority of people in the pews aren't interested in theological content is slowly becoming a myth.  Many churches now are starting to go deeper in response to this and Pastors are thinking of ways to encourage this growth.  Finding ways to make this content accessible is the challenge that many face.  Starting a blog and having that as the place for conversations outside of the realm of the sermon is a great way to solve this problem.  Dr. David Fitch is a pastor in the Chicago area and is on the faculty of Northern Seminary.  He blogs at Reclaiming the Mission.
 

May 04, 2009 >> 09:00:00 AM

Why Pastors Should Blog: Reason #11

To extend the conversation past the pulpit.  May times you could offer so much more teaching and depth to those within your community, but the sermon slotted time reigns you in.  One helpful thing to offer your community is your notes, your typed transcript (if this is your technique), or your study resources for the entire month of sermons.  Other great reasons can also be found here on a great post on the desiringGod blog.

Enjoy.  Feel free to contact jeremiah(dot)aja(at)asburyseminary(dot)edu if you'd like help on getting your blog started.

May 02, 2009 >> 09:00:00 AM

Why Pastors Should Blog: Reason #84

Blogging allows those within your community to see who you are "off the stage."  In the minds of many, you show up for the service on Sunday, the board meeting on Monday, and a few hospital visits during the week.  As you probably already know, there is much more than this in the life of a pastor.  There is flat tires, lawns that need mowing, trips to Chik-fil-a with the family, questioning and struggling through tough decisions, and the heartbreaking loss that ruined your NCAA tournament bracket.  Read more here on a great article from a student at Multnomah Biblical Seminary:

Enjoy.  With more than 84 reasons to blog, why shouldn't you?

May 01, 2009 >> 09:18:52 AM

Asbury Theatre Company Production: Review

The Diviners: a review of sorts by a novice

by Marilyn Elliott 

Friday night, a couple weeks ago, I sat in Estes Chapel and soaked in a story portrayed by ArTS, the Asbury theater company. Saturday morning I woke with the sounds of water in my head, churning about the meaning of baptism, cleansing and survival. Saturday night I fell to sleep pondering loss and love and how all lives are interlinked with people, even people unlike ourselves - how much we need each other to know who we are. Sunday morning my first thought was for those who might be stepping into the pulpit this morning with inner battles similar to Rev. C.C. Showners, a main character in the story. 

Only a strong movie or a powerful book comes back over and over. And not only did I think about this play, I felt it, for several days and feel it even now as I try to put into words what I experienced. The play is set in the thirties, and follows a disillusioned preacher from Kentucky as he tries to rebuild some kind of identity apart from his calling. I know about being a pastor, and I know about struggles with calling, and the pain of disillusionment.  

The ArTS troupe unapologetically pushed their story into my world – bumping into my own loves and fears, my own borders where sanity and illusion, saintliness and madness still hold small squabbles. With a thin purse, big hearts and loads of talent, the troupe gave me a remarkable evening of thought and entertainment. 

I don’t really know how to articulate a theatrical review. I don’t have the language. But I know the directing was strong because there were no scenes that lost energy and dragged. I know the lighting and effects people did excellent work because of the precision of the climax, where I struggled to breathe just as the actors did. I know the acting was strong because I was caught into the lives of the characters. 

Thank you! Courtney Terry, Craig Luttrell, Ben Cassiday, Lisa Trussell, Richard Bloodworth, Danny Gilroy, Elissa Haywood, Gloria Cole, Scot Beach, Jamie Farquhar and Jessica Fulton.