Initial Help For Hurricane Harvey

As we all watch in complete shock over the historic flooding that has taken place in multiple places in Texas, we have an incredible opportunity to turn our empathy into action.

As United Methodists we are fortunate to have a Disaster Response team called UMCOR, (United Methodist Committee on Relief). The United Methodist Committee on Relief provides assistance to people in need and 100% of ALL donations go directly to the people in need.

Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing.

UMCOR is a Charity Navigator 4-star rated organization. United Methodist Committee on Relief has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.

You can make an impact by doing two things immediately:

1. Pray. Pray for the people that are affected by this disaster. Pray that God will bring hope and restoration to each person affected. Pray that healing can begin and pray that God will deliver those still in harms way. Pray for all those who are in rescue operations at this time.

2. Give. Remember, 100% of your contributions go directly to those in Texas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The link to give is below.

Click to Donate (Hurricane Harvey)

If you attend Mandarin United Methodist Church, you can give in worship on Sunday.
You may give cash in an envelope marked “Hurricane” or a check payable to MUMC with Hurricane in the memo, or give on line, selecting “other” and indicate “Hurricane.” (This is for those who will be in worship at Mandarin)

May God bless all those in harms way and may God bless you for your donation as well as your prayers.

I Cried.

The pain of hate. 

I cried. I haven't cried like that since I was a kid. And it came from the depths of my soul.

I pray every Sunday with our pastoral team at 7:30 a.m. There are five of us on the team and we have grown over the years to be vulnerable with one another.

This particular Sunday morning, prayer time came a day after the protests in Charlottesville, VA. We gathered around our circle and I listened to one of our pastors mention how they were really upset from the events of the day before in Charlottesville. I felt for this other pastor, because I could see the pain on their face.

And still will protect and serve. 

We began to pray in our group, all five of us pastors. This particular week, I went last. I began to pray and my prayer immediately went to what took place in Charlottesville. And in an instant, I began to sob. God immediately laid on my heart both pain and pride; all at the same time. Why would I feel that at the same time you may ask?

I felt pain. Pain for all people, especially the African American community this weekend, who are the recipients of hatred. White supremacists descended upon Charlottesville, wreaking of hatred and bigotry. The pain I felt in that moment was real. It hurt to know people I love experience this type of hatred daily.

This summer, my daughter began dating an African American young man. This young man is unlike any young man I have met before. He loves Jesus. Deeply loves Jesus. Regular church goer. Loves his family more than life itself and has a love for my daughter that makes me smile. He treats Alayna like a princess, the way she deserves to be treated.

My pain shifted some. My pain became more focused and went to Alayna and Jaelin. A most wonderful team! These two compliment each other so well. Jaelin treasures Alayna and Alayna treasures Jaelin. I thought of how Jaelin gets us to pray holding hands as a family around the table.  I thought of how Jaelin's grandma made a cake for Alayna so that our whole family could share. I thought about how we spent the day, both families in Pennsylvania playing at the natural waterslides in the mountains. I thought about how wonderful it was to know how happy my daughter is with this faithful young gentleman. And the pain felt for them wailed up again. Wherever they go, whether to the mall, or to the ballgame or just out to eat, they have to face scrutiny by people who are filled with hate. Stares, whispers and more will be the norm for them. All for what? Because of skin color? Really?

I cried harder and could barely get a word out in my prayer. Of of my dearest friends and sisters in the faith, Debbie let go of my hand and embraced me as she knew that Jeff St. Clair doesn't cry much.  She knew that Jeff St. Clair's faith in Christ allows him to get through many tough situations. She took on my pain at the same moment, as did my other brothers and sister in that circle.

In this moment I was reminded of a quote I once heard by Khalil Gibran, "Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding." In that moment of this prayer, my shell, that held back my understanding of how others feel this kind of hatred was shattered. I felt pain for others on an entirely different level. The last thing I want Jaelin and Alayna, as well as millions of others who experience hatred by supremacists, is to experience hurt, whether emotional or physical. NO one deserves to be hated upon. Hatred is a sin. Racism is a sin. White supremacy, or any kind of supremacy is a sin. There is NO justification for this behavior. This type of behavior is so far removed from the Gospel of Jesus Christ than anything I know.

When we, as United Methodists come into membership of the church, we are asked three questions:

1. Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world and repent of your sin?
2. Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
3. Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?

These are covenantal questions that we make with God and the community of faith when we join the church? A covenant. A promise to God that we will reject wrongdoing and we will resist oppression and injustice. A vow that we will promise to serve God in unity with people of all races.

I now see these questions in a new light. I see these covenantal questions with the lens of unity for one another. The pain I experienced in this prayer time allowed me to see so much. I gained an understanding of something I did not see. God forgive me for not seeing the pain of the inheritors of undeserved hatred. Forgive us all for our hatred towards anyone who is not "like" us.

After our prayer ended, this early Sunday morning, I was embraced by our team. We hugged. I cried more. They offered words of comfort. I love them for that.

In this moment, I also felt pride. Pride in Jaelin and Alayna for letting love of one another be the dominant trait in this relationship. The love they both have for Jesus and for each other is far greater than any fear a hater can impose on them or others.

Alayna said to her mom recently, "I feel sad when I see people not liking my posts or dad's posts on Facebook as much when a picture of me and Jaelin is posted." Alayna, don't be sad. Be sad for those that let differences outweigh our commonalities. Be sad for those who are restricted by those differences. God created us all in His image. I thank God for the beauty of that image, an image of diversity.

Friends, we got a long way to go. It is my prayer as I write this that you become transformed by the renewing of your mind and let love for one another be the dominant trait in your display of how you treat others.

"Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18

 

Uniquely Better

It’s interesting that this came out of my fortune cookie today for lunch. “Your example will inspire others.”

Some years ago, when I served as a pastor at Baldwin Community United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, PA, my Director of Christian Education at the time, Beth Lamb, made up pins to wear. The pins read, “I’m contagious! Pass it on!”

Of course we had many people look at us when we wore those buttons, however, it always led to a conversation as to what we had! We then said, “We have the joy of Christ living within us!” The joy of Christ is contagious. When you are around people who have joy residing inside them, you are naturally drawn to it. You crave it. You want more and when you experience that same joy, the natural result is to share it, or pass it on.

Inspiration. We all need it.

I was inspired this week. I mean...really inspired this week.

I’ve been attending The Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, FL. This simulcast conference is broadcast to over 400,000 people world wide out of Willow Creek Church in Illinois. Bill Hybels is their founding pastor and current lead pastor.

This conference brings in some of the greatest leaders and innovators of our time. I’ve heard CEO’s speak, Secretary of State speak, and this week, I got to hear much of the same. These speakers come and they inspire. They inspire leaders to lead. Whether in business or in the church, leaders come from all around the world to be fed, to be inspired and to be sent out to do the work God has called them to.

This week, one of my favorite speakers, pastors and teachers spoke, Andy Stanley. Andy speaks and it becomes a quote. Well, not all the time, but you know what I mean.
I read the title of his talk, “Uniquely Better” and I thought, “What’s this all about?” Here are a few learnings from Andy Stanley’s talk at the GLS 17.

1. Capitalize on Your Successes:

Stanley encouraged us to capitalize on our successes. Just the night before, our kayak ministry, “Kayaking With Jeff” posted the next trip. In 59 minutes of it’s post, JaxPaddleSports’ fleet was completely sold out.

We have found a niche in St. Johns County, outdoors and activity. We have come to find  that when we have a ministry opportunity outside, people gather. Whether it is a community event, a block party, a kayaking trip or even an outdoor worship service, people come!

Every church or organization is different. Some churches may find that their success is a Celebrate Recovery ministry. Other churches may have a strong relationship with a local school.

2. Discovering “Uniquely Better” is almost Impossible; Recognizing When It Comes By is Much Higher.

When we launched Kayaking with Jeff in 2016, we had no idea what to expect. When God first laid this kayak Fresh Expression on my heart, I thought it would be a group of people who had their own kayaks and we would hit the waterways together.

God brought us Alex Gallaher, owner of JaxPaddleSports. Alex was beginning his business the same time we partnered together for Kayaking With Jeff. In 1 1/2 years, God has taken this partnership and has truly brought transformation for both Longleaf and for JaxPaddleSports.

We didn’t discover “uniquely better” in 2016. We recognized it this year as kayaks/SUP’s are being rented in record time. We must figure out a way now how to expand this kayak ministry in new ways, so that we can capitalize on what God has blessed.

Sometimes, that means we fail when we try something. Not everything works. However, if something does work, be sure to recognize it and invest in it. God is blessing it, so take advantage of it! Don’t thwart the work of what God is already doing! The earlier we recognize our “uniquely better,” the more successful we will be!

3. Be a student, not a critic.

Stanley encouraged us to learn. Never stop learning. He said, “I will not criticize something I don’t understand.” Another quote Stanley mentioned was, “The moment we start criticizing, we stop learning, and the moment we stop learning, we stop leading.”

I am learning everyday as a church planter. Nothing is never the same. I don’t want to be a critic. I want to be a student. I desire to know more.

What about you? Are you moving from critic to student? Leaders learn.

4. Ask the “uniquely better” questions.

Is this unique? What would make this unique? Is this better? It is better...really?

Take a look at what it is you are doing. Whether it is a small group, a Fresh Expression, an existing congregation, look deeply into the organization. What is it that you appreciate about it? Capitalize on that. How can you take what God is blessing you with to the next level? Unique attracts attention.

I have been inspired this week to strive to be uniquely better, in all areas of life. What makes you unique? What makes your church unique? What makes your organization/business unique? Capitalize on your success.