Christmas music is timeless. Except for patriotic music, most other styles of music lose their impact as time goes by. If you look at top 100 charts from each decade, each chart is different. None of the music of one decade stays popular into the next decade. Last Sunday on our drive home from celebrating Thanksgiving in North Carolina, Kathy and I listened to some of our favorite Christmas music. Here is some of mine:
The Many Moods of Christmas - Robert Shaw with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Handel's Messiah - the Christmas portion
An Evening In December - incredible a capella music from the 80s
Christmas with the Annie Moses Band - wonderful young musicians
Jingle All the Way - Bela Fleck & the Flecktones - use a mixture of bluegrass, fusion of jazz, or anything else that catches their interest.
Il Divo - The Christmas Collection - an incredible men's quartet
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Jay Rouse's wonderful arrangement for cello, piano & choir
Noel - Josh Groban - last year we performed Silent Night from this album - one of the best arrangements of this classic carol.
Christmas Colours - Maranatha Music - wonderful light jazz
Michael W. Smith - Christmas - one of the best
If On A Winter's Night - Sting
The Preacher's Wife soundtrack featuring Whitney Houston
The Wind Machine, a New Age bluegrass group - they have 2 Christmas recordings
The Christmas Album - David Foster, with a lot of wonderful artists
Anything from Mannheim Steamroller
As a musician, I have had the privilege of playing a lot of great Christmas music. Both in public settings as well as just for myself. I think being a musician gives you a greater appreciation for other musician's work. I will try and listen to at least a portion of each of the works from my list this year. If you are looking for some new Christmas music, go to iTunes and listen to samples of some of these albums. Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
It Was Hard To Drive Away
This past week we drove to Youngsville, North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham), to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and my sister and brother-in-law. We had great trips both going and coming. Our 3 teenagers even got along, for the most part.
My dad is 92 years old, very hard of hearing and getting very feeble. While it was a joy to be with him, it is hard to hold much of a conversation. One evening, however, all of us, together, spent some time in his bedroom. It was a fun, reminiscing time, and I'm glad that our children had a chance to spend the time with their grandfather. It was great to look at old photos and think about different times.
My mother is a saint. She, along with my brother-in-law, Terry, are the primary care givers for my dad. He needs almost everything done for him. On Friday night, he slipped out of his wheel chair on the way to the bathroom and I had to help my mom pick him up. She doesn't have enough strength to do what she does, but she does it anyway. I have never heard her complain about having to take care of my dad. Hospice care is involved now, and it is a tremendous help. Terry and Lila are incredible. There care for my dad is amazing.
My sister, Lila, and mom cooked a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. My sister is a vegan, and fixed several vegan dishes. The vegan turkey and stuffing was pretty good. We all enjoyed trying the various dishes and enjoyed all the traditional Thanksgiving food. It was good to have my dad at the table. Earlier in the week he was too weak to get out of bed. Later, my mom had to give him some morphine to help with extreme pain. He is struggling with congestive heart failure and it's starting to get the best of him.
On Friday we toured historical Wake Forrest and drove into Raleigh. We had a great time sightseeing.
On Saturday afternoon we said our goodbyes. I was emotionally overwhelmed as I said goodbye to my dad. I think I knew deep in my heart that this was my last goodbye before we see each other in heaven. For many miles I reminisced about my dad, the things he taught me, and the things I learned by just observing his life. You don't get parents any better than mine. This time together just reinforced that for me. On 6/18/2008 I wrote a blog titled Don't Forget To Sweep the Street. This was my dad at his best. It's worth searching for and reading.
My dad is 92 years old, very hard of hearing and getting very feeble. While it was a joy to be with him, it is hard to hold much of a conversation. One evening, however, all of us, together, spent some time in his bedroom. It was a fun, reminiscing time, and I'm glad that our children had a chance to spend the time with their grandfather. It was great to look at old photos and think about different times.
My mother is a saint. She, along with my brother-in-law, Terry, are the primary care givers for my dad. He needs almost everything done for him. On Friday night, he slipped out of his wheel chair on the way to the bathroom and I had to help my mom pick him up. She doesn't have enough strength to do what she does, but she does it anyway. I have never heard her complain about having to take care of my dad. Hospice care is involved now, and it is a tremendous help. Terry and Lila are incredible. There care for my dad is amazing.
My sister, Lila, and mom cooked a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. My sister is a vegan, and fixed several vegan dishes. The vegan turkey and stuffing was pretty good. We all enjoyed trying the various dishes and enjoyed all the traditional Thanksgiving food. It was good to have my dad at the table. Earlier in the week he was too weak to get out of bed. Later, my mom had to give him some morphine to help with extreme pain. He is struggling with congestive heart failure and it's starting to get the best of him.
On Friday we toured historical Wake Forrest and drove into Raleigh. We had a great time sightseeing.
On Saturday afternoon we said our goodbyes. I was emotionally overwhelmed as I said goodbye to my dad. I think I knew deep in my heart that this was my last goodbye before we see each other in heaven. For many miles I reminisced about my dad, the things he taught me, and the things I learned by just observing his life. You don't get parents any better than mine. This time together just reinforced that for me. On 6/18/2008 I wrote a blog titled Don't Forget To Sweep the Street. This was my dad at his best. It's worth searching for and reading.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Great Friends Are A Gift
For the past 5 months our lives have been turned upside down. After 36 years of continuous church ministry, I have been out of work for these 5 months. Our kids are in limbo, not knowing where we will finally land. We have lost our church family and many of the activities and events we would have been part of are no longer available to us. For the past 6 weeks we have not had any income, which adds to the feeling of being turned upside down. That's the bad news. Now for the good news.
Most Sundays we have attended a Lutheran church with 2 of our best friends. This is a wonderful church and we have been blessed, not only to attend, but to attend with our good friends. These are friends who love us and have helped us tremendously for the past months. Yesterday we attended a church in Wentzville with 8 of our friends. Not only did we experience a wonderful service, it was great to be with friends. We hadn't seen some of these folks since our departure from West County Assembly of God 5 months ago, so we had the opportunity to "catch up." At lunch with 4 wonderful friends, we laughed, had great conversation, and they helped Kathy and I talk through some issues relating to our house and inevitable move out of the St. Louis area. When we got home yesterday afternoon, Kathy and I felt so refreshed. Our outlook, for the most part, has been very positive, but there have also been some frustrating and discouraging times. To spend time with good friends yesterday is a blessing from God.
Other friends have blessed us as well. We've had groceries delivered, we've been taken to Sam's, twice, to "stock up." We have received many cards and notes, most with a check or cash. A friend took me to a men's breakfast and then filled my van's tank on the way home. One of our best friends was instrumental in having Starbridge Christian Center set up a special fund for us to help pay for our health insurance. West County Christian Academy blessed us with a pile of gift cards and a check. We used gift cards for groceries for weeks with all the cards they blessed us with. Kathy and I have both been invited to breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. We've had many phone calls that have been so encouraging. While I could have never imagined that we would be in this precarious financial situation, God has used our friends to bless us. We will never forget this. While we do not have a firm job offer yet, we have 2, and perhaps 3 possibilities, that should have us in a new job by January 2nd. Kathy and I have always known that God took care of His own. To experience it first hand, primarily through our friends, has been nothing short of miraculous. God is so good...
Most Sundays we have attended a Lutheran church with 2 of our best friends. This is a wonderful church and we have been blessed, not only to attend, but to attend with our good friends. These are friends who love us and have helped us tremendously for the past months. Yesterday we attended a church in Wentzville with 8 of our friends. Not only did we experience a wonderful service, it was great to be with friends. We hadn't seen some of these folks since our departure from West County Assembly of God 5 months ago, so we had the opportunity to "catch up." At lunch with 4 wonderful friends, we laughed, had great conversation, and they helped Kathy and I talk through some issues relating to our house and inevitable move out of the St. Louis area. When we got home yesterday afternoon, Kathy and I felt so refreshed. Our outlook, for the most part, has been very positive, but there have also been some frustrating and discouraging times. To spend time with good friends yesterday is a blessing from God.
Other friends have blessed us as well. We've had groceries delivered, we've been taken to Sam's, twice, to "stock up." We have received many cards and notes, most with a check or cash. A friend took me to a men's breakfast and then filled my van's tank on the way home. One of our best friends was instrumental in having Starbridge Christian Center set up a special fund for us to help pay for our health insurance. West County Christian Academy blessed us with a pile of gift cards and a check. We used gift cards for groceries for weeks with all the cards they blessed us with. Kathy and I have both been invited to breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. We've had many phone calls that have been so encouraging. While I could have never imagined that we would be in this precarious financial situation, God has used our friends to bless us. We will never forget this. While we do not have a firm job offer yet, we have 2, and perhaps 3 possibilities, that should have us in a new job by January 2nd. Kathy and I have always known that God took care of His own. To experience it first hand, primarily through our friends, has been nothing short of miraculous. God is so good...
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Final Week - The Resurrection
My daily read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year passage ended today's reading with the Gospels account of Christ's resurrection and ascension. As I have mentioned in my previous blogs about The Final Week, I have learned so much from this reading. It is always amazing to me that brand new truth emerges from passages that you have read countless times before.
In today's reading, something jumped out at me. I think it may have been because for the past several months I have been desperately seeking the will of God. There have been times in my prayer times where I wished Christ would sit in the love seat across the room from my favorite chair and simply talk with me. While I have sensed God's presence many times in these past weeks, it would be incredible to look in His face and hear His audible voice. There is an account of that right after the resurrection.
Matthew and Luke tell about Cleopas and an unidentified man traveling on the road to Emmaus. Christ joins them in the journey. He asks them what they have been discussing and they tell Him about the events of the past few days. Luke 24:17-19 He asked, "What's this you're discussing so intently as you walk along?" They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. 18 Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, "Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn't heard what's happened during the last few days?" 19 He said, "What has happened?" (from THE MESSAGE) What a great sense of humor. Here he is the main character of all the events and He's asking "what has happened?" He goes on to say, Luke 24:25-27 "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? 26 Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?" 27 Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. (from THE MESSAGE, emphasis mine)
What an incredible experience for these two men. Jesus starts at the beginning of the Word, goes all the way through the Prophets, and points out every prophecy that referred to Him. I think any of us would have paid a lot of money to have that kind of class with the Master. So when I pray, and think about Jesus sitting on our love seat, this is the kind of experience I had in mind. Wow.
In today's reading, something jumped out at me. I think it may have been because for the past several months I have been desperately seeking the will of God. There have been times in my prayer times where I wished Christ would sit in the love seat across the room from my favorite chair and simply talk with me. While I have sensed God's presence many times in these past weeks, it would be incredible to look in His face and hear His audible voice. There is an account of that right after the resurrection.
Matthew and Luke tell about Cleopas and an unidentified man traveling on the road to Emmaus. Christ joins them in the journey. He asks them what they have been discussing and they tell Him about the events of the past few days. Luke 24:17-19 He asked, "What's this you're discussing so intently as you walk along?" They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. 18 Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, "Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn't heard what's happened during the last few days?" 19 He said, "What has happened?" (from THE MESSAGE) What a great sense of humor. Here he is the main character of all the events and He's asking "what has happened?" He goes on to say, Luke 24:25-27 "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? 26 Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?" 27 Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. (from THE MESSAGE, emphasis mine)
What an incredible experience for these two men. Jesus starts at the beginning of the Word, goes all the way through the Prophets, and points out every prophecy that referred to Him. I think any of us would have paid a lot of money to have that kind of class with the Master. So when I pray, and think about Jesus sitting on our love seat, this is the kind of experience I had in mind. Wow.
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Final Week - Wednesday & Thursday
Traditionally, we celebrate Good Friday on the Friday before Easter Sunday. (duh) However, there is compelling Biblical evidence that Christ celebrated the Last Supper on Wednesday evening, was betrayed and arrested that same evening and then crucified on Thursday. Since this was the time of celebrating Passover, there has been an assumption that Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover on Friday. While I do not have enough room to go into a detailed explanation, basically, you have to have an understanding of the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the way in which the Jews reckon time. For instance, the Jewish day begins at sunset on the previous evening. This means, for example, that our Wednesday night is actually Thursday, and our Thursday night is actually Friday. If Christ is placed in the tomb on Thursday afternoon, He is there for three days, which lines up with the scriptural accounts.
Confused? Matthew, Mark and Luke record the disciples' preparation for the Passover on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. While the disciples assume they are preparing for the Passover meal, and that it will be held in two days, the meal we traditionally call the Last Supper was actually held on the day before the Passover, known as the Day of Preparation.
One of the most moving reasons for moving away from the traditional time frame is seeing how Jesus' crucifixion becomes the perfect type of the Passover Lamb. Under Hebrew law, the paschal (Passover) lamb is chosen on the tenth day and then kept up until the 14th day, when it is sacrificed for the sins of the people. If you count the days of the Jewish calendar, Christ was crucified on the Day of Preparation, the same day the sacrificial lamb was sacrificed for the Passover meal. Throughout the account of Wednesday and Thursday, more very specific prophecies as revealed in Isaiah 6 and 53, Psalm 41, and Zachariah 13 come to pass. The entire account of this week is an amazing one, full of revelation about Christ's sacrifice for us. Even though I've read these passages many times, I am learning so much this time. PTL
Confused? Matthew, Mark and Luke record the disciples' preparation for the Passover on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. While the disciples assume they are preparing for the Passover meal, and that it will be held in two days, the meal we traditionally call the Last Supper was actually held on the day before the Passover, known as the Day of Preparation.
One of the most moving reasons for moving away from the traditional time frame is seeing how Jesus' crucifixion becomes the perfect type of the Passover Lamb. Under Hebrew law, the paschal (Passover) lamb is chosen on the tenth day and then kept up until the 14th day, when it is sacrificed for the sins of the people. If you count the days of the Jewish calendar, Christ was crucified on the Day of Preparation, the same day the sacrificial lamb was sacrificed for the Passover meal. Throughout the account of Wednesday and Thursday, more very specific prophecies as revealed in Isaiah 6 and 53, Psalm 41, and Zachariah 13 come to pass. The entire account of this week is an amazing one, full of revelation about Christ's sacrifice for us. Even though I've read these passages many times, I am learning so much this time. PTL
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Final Week-Tuesday Morning
On Tuesday morning of Christ's final week before the crucifixion and resurrection, He is asked a question about the temple. Jesus begins a discourse on the end times that we find in Matthew 24 and 25. In chapter 25, Christ talks about heaven and our inheritance, and how that inheritance is gained.
31 "When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. 32 Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, 33 putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom (your inheritance). It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. 35 And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room, 36 I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'
37 "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? 38-39 And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' 40 Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.'
(from THE MESSAGE)
31 "When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. 32 Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, 33 putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom (your inheritance). It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. 35 And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room, 36 I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'
37 "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? 38-39 And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' 40 Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.'
(from THE MESSAGE)
Once again as I read this passage this morning, I was reminded of the over 550,000 children who are in foster care and 127,000 of those children who are waiting to be adopted. Adoption is one of the key elements of our relationship to God. Gal 4:6-7 6 You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" 7 Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. (from THE MESSAGE, my emphasis)
Foster care and adoption are a wonderful way for us to minister to Jesus. I can tell you from personal experience that foster care and adoption are wonderful ways to serve Christ. They are also, rewarding, frustrating, tiring, fulfilling, and a host of other things. One day the King will say to you, "Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom, your inheritance. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Final Week-Monday
Mark and Matthew record a couple of events that made a real impact on me as I read through these passages today. Mark records this in chapter 11; 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:
"'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Can you imagine the emotions that Christ is dealing with as he comes into the temple court. I think this was a case of righteous indignation. He physically cleans house. I imagine he was angry, frustrated and determined to make a point. He also fulfilled Isaiah's prophesy in chapter 56:7. Then Matthew records something that is a complete opposite to what has just happened. Matt 21:14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
Jesus knows he will be crucified by the end of the week. He also knows that His disciples and followers still don't realize that His kingdom will be an eternal, heavenly one, and not an earthly kingdom that will overthrow the Romans. In the midst of these emotions, Jesus takes the time to heal and minister to people. He also takes the time to enjoy the praises of the children who have gathered. When the chief priests and teachers of the law try to rebuke Him, His response is a fulfillment of Psalm 8:2. We need to take our cues from these children, from our lips should come praise. Praise God for Christ's example. What a wonderful account from Monday of the final week.
"'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Can you imagine the emotions that Christ is dealing with as he comes into the temple court. I think this was a case of righteous indignation. He physically cleans house. I imagine he was angry, frustrated and determined to make a point. He also fulfilled Isaiah's prophesy in chapter 56:7. Then Matthew records something that is a complete opposite to what has just happened. Matt 21:14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
Jesus knows he will be crucified by the end of the week. He also knows that His disciples and followers still don't realize that His kingdom will be an eternal, heavenly one, and not an earthly kingdom that will overthrow the Romans. In the midst of these emotions, Jesus takes the time to heal and minister to people. He also takes the time to enjoy the praises of the children who have gathered. When the chief priests and teachers of the law try to rebuke Him, His response is a fulfillment of Psalm 8:2. We need to take our cues from these children, from our lips should come praise. Praise God for Christ's example. What a wonderful account from Monday of the final week.
The Final Week-The Triumphant Entry
I've been reading through the Bible this year using the Daily Bible
in Chronological Order. It is a great way to read the Bible in
historical sequence. Today begins sections titled Final Week. I noticed something
in the triumphal entry into Jerusalem that I had never considered
before. As Jesus and the disciples approach Jerusalem, he says to them
in Matt 21:1-7; As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage
on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to
the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with
her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to
you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right
away." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the
prophet:
5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They
brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on
them. NIV
First, verse 5 is the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. It
never ceases to amaze me how many prophecies were proclaimed about Christ and
his coming to earth, that came to pass. The second item is that just on Jesus'
word, the people that owned the colt let him be taken by the disciples, who
they did not know. The other thing is that this colt had never
been ridden. Have you ever tried to ride a colt or horse that has never
been ridden before? I'm sure we've all seen a movie or video of the
"breaking" process that happens when a horse or donkey is trained to
have a rider. It is not easy, and many people have been hurt trying to do this.
The interesting thing here is that each of the writers say the same thing, they placed their cloaks on
them, and Jesus sat on them. To me, that is quite a miracle. No one had to
break this colt, it simply cooperated with the King of Kings as he prepared to
enter Jerusalem. The entire Final
Week is full of these kind of
events that get lost in the bigger story. This story never gets old. Over and
over again the Word reveals new nuggets of truth that strengthen our
faith and propels us to share this amazing story. Tomorrow, the Final Week-Monday.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Ageism In the Church
In 1968, Pulitzer Prize winning author, gerontologist and psychiatrist, Dr. Robert N. Butler coined the descriptive term, “ageism,” to describe discrimination against older adults (a term consistent in usage with ‘sexism’ or ‘racism’). While the problem continues in the secular world, age discrimination is also tolerated and practiced widely within the Church. This is not only not right, it runs against the grain of biblical scripture. In one of his recent posts on Christians and business, Dan Edelen explains how ageism in business has bled over into the church:
In a recent CASA Network blog, one of the writer's said this in relationship to younger and older pastors; While recently traveling with one denomination’s presbyter in California, he spoke to me of the difficulty leadership is having in connecting young pastors with those older and more experienced. “The younger leaders are not disrespectful,” he said. “They simply don’t want to waste time interacting with leaders they believe have little in common with them and with the way they want to ‘do church.’”
Sadly, in many churches today, "doing church" means excluding or not caring about older parishioners. As an older minister who has spent the past 5 months looking for a new church position, I can tell you that ageism is alive and well in the hiring process. Fortunately, there are still many churches who respect and include their older members in the life of the church. “Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come” (Psalm 71: 18).
The "old is bad" meme has caught on even within God's Body. Churches preach that your appearance does not matter and that age means nothing--while at the same time they kick out the gray-haired worship pastor in favor of the trendy postmodern guy who loves Coldplay.Sadly, it appears that more and more church leaders are buying into the worldly idea that young people are the only ones that count. Terms like "our target is 20s and 30s", or "our emphasis is young families" are the mottos that drive programming, worship music and sanctuary ambiance. Most churches have been built and supported by the older members of their congregations. When they question the changes that favor only younger people, they are told something like "you've had your day, now it's ours." While that may be true, to a degree, the insensitivity of demanding agreement without question creates a terrible conflict where either the long time member simply stays quiet, and wonders "where their church went?", or they feel like they must leave their longtime church to worship in a more blended congregation.
You can't go a day and not her some radio preacher talking about bringing legal challenges to abortion, gay marriage, or some other pet Evangelical cause. But where was D. James Kennedy when a guy in his fifties got a pink slip in California for being "too old?" Why isn't Jim Wallis camped out in Sacramento protesting? Where's the book by John Maxwell decrying "employment euthanasia" amid all that talk about leadership? . . . .
This is no way to live folks. And the Church's silence is pervasive.
In a recent CASA Network blog, one of the writer's said this in relationship to younger and older pastors; While recently traveling with one denomination’s presbyter in California, he spoke to me of the difficulty leadership is having in connecting young pastors with those older and more experienced. “The younger leaders are not disrespectful,” he said. “They simply don’t want to waste time interacting with leaders they believe have little in common with them and with the way they want to ‘do church.’”
Sadly, in many churches today, "doing church" means excluding or not caring about older parishioners. As an older minister who has spent the past 5 months looking for a new church position, I can tell you that ageism is alive and well in the hiring process. Fortunately, there are still many churches who respect and include their older members in the life of the church. “Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come” (Psalm 71: 18).
Friday, November 4, 2011
Jesus Is Helping Me
One of my favorite people was Richard Dortch. I first met him while he was the District Superintendent of the Illinois District. Later, he became the vice president of the PTL Television Network. He was responsible for inviting Kathy's family, ourselves included, to join the PTL staff. I worked with Pastor Dortch at the PTL church, Heritage Village Church. He asked me to recruit and develop a choir for the church services. We eventually had a 100+ voice choir that sang for the church services, television broadcasts of the services and seasonal productions. Pastor Dortch had a high stress job as the VP, however, he always was upbeat and had time for everyone that needed to see him. When you asked him how he was doing, he would always say, "Jesus is helping me." I love that phrase and have used it many times.
One of my favorite Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir songs is My Help (Cometh From the Lord).
I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help,
my help cometh from the Lord, the Lord which made Heaven and Earth.
He said He would not suffer thy foot, thy foot to be moved;
the Lord which keepeth thee, He will not slumber nor sleep.
Oh the Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy shade
upon thy right hand, upon thy right hand.
No, the sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night,
He shall preserve thy soul even forever more.
My help, my help, my help, all of my help cometh from the Lord.
These words are straight from Psalm 121. Here are the last two verses:
One of my favorite Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir songs is My Help (Cometh From the Lord).
I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help,
my help cometh from the Lord, the Lord which made Heaven and Earth.
He said He would not suffer thy foot, thy foot to be moved;
the Lord which keepeth thee, He will not slumber nor sleep.
Oh the Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy shade
upon thy right hand, upon thy right hand.
No, the sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night,
He shall preserve thy soul even forever more.
My help, my help, my help, all of my help cometh from the Lord.
These words are straight from Psalm 121. Here are the last two verses:
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Regardless of what comes, regardless of what you are facing, the modern day synopsis of Psalm 121 is Jesus Is Helping Me. The next time someone asks you how you are doing, tell them... Jesus is helping me.
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