Brave New World

Marilyn and I flew to Chicago in the autumn of 1999 to interview with the Union Church of Hinsdale.  We had no idea what to expect.  We knew very little about Chicago and almost nothing about Hinsdale.  We knew no one in the area.  David Knecht (pictured; he's on the right), the co-head of the Search Committee, was meeting at the airport- and we had no idea what he looked like.  It was all a great mystery.

David was there to meet us, and as we drove the 25 miles or so out to Hinsdale he talked excitedly about the weekend they had planned for us.  We were headed for the house of Mary and Tim McKenzie.  Mary was actually co-head of the committee with David, and her home would be the center of operations for the weekend.  Before heading there to meet the committee over lunch, we stopped in downtown Hinsdale to get our first look at the village and the church.  Both were like something out of a movie.  The church was large, old and majestic.  It was located just a block from downtown and across the street from the middle school.  Hinsdale was a beautiful little village.  My dear friend Pat Pribyl from Kissimmee had once lived in the area, and she would later tell me that "Hinsdale is what Celebration (the Disney planned community near Walt Disney World) wants to be when it grows up."  After a quick look around we were off to the McKenzie's home.

We knew right away that we were in a different world.  The house was not any larger than the rest of the homes we saw in the village- but it was HUGE.  As we were shown to our room we were amazed to discover the house had 9 bathrooms.  Nine.  We would later learn that the average price of a home in Hinsdale was $850,000.  We recovered from our initial shock and began a very long day of interaction and interviews.  I met with the committee all afternoon while someone took Marilyn around to see more of the community. 

The interview was the longest and most amazing I have ever experienced.  They questioned me about every experience I had ever had related to student ministry.  I had to recap my entire career.  I had to explain in great detail my philosophy of ministry.  I was tested on my knowledge of Purpose Drive Youth Ministry.  They wanted to hear all about The Pastor Who Shall Not Be Named and why I wanted to leave Kissimmee.  Every member of the committee had questions.  And then they began to talk about salary and benefits.  I was stunned.  They were offering more than double my FUMC-K salary and better benefits.  It was a huge job they wanted done, and they knew they needed someone with experience to do it- and they were willing to pay for it.  The power of my ego (thinking I was the only man for the job) and the money began a slow seduction of my soul; one that I would remain completely unaware of for quite some time.  For now, I just knew I really enjoyed this group of people.  By dinner time I was exhausted.  But not done.

That night the McKenzie's were hosting a party for Michael Surratt.  Michael was the church's longtime organist and hand bell director who had just spent a year on sabbatical.  A paid sabbatical.  I had been in youth ministry for over 20 years and no one had ever even mentioned a sabbatical.  The only sabbatical I had ever been a part of was sleeping on the floor in in the youth room at FUMC-K at our Radical Sabbaticals. At Union Church, Michael had taken one because it was required every 7 years!   And now they were welcoming him back with a party.  I was really growing to like this place.  At the party I met dozens of new people, and they all had questions as well.  I was getting the feeling that this church really cared about this Youth Pastor position.  And that was a great thing...

Tomorrow I will tell you more about David, Mary and the staff of Union Church.  I was about to be fooled by people who had no desire to fool me.  Sometimes we only see what we want to see...

Becasue of Jesus,

Meanwhile, back in 1999...

In the midst of all of the madness of the unending e-mails, phone calls and interviews as I sought to escape The Pastor Who Shall Not Be Named, I was contacted by the Union Church of Hinsdale (pictured).  After a phone interview with several members of their Search Committee I was very intrigued.  The head of the committee was a man named David Knecht, and he seemed to know his stuff.  He had spoken with members of the Youth Specialties staff seeking to get a handle on what they should look for in a Youth Pastor.  He had the entire committee reading Doug Field's excellent book Purpose Driven Youth Ministry (which had been a huge influence on the past few years of my own ministry) to get a feel for what a student ministry could look like at Union Church.  He sent me a questionnaire to complete.  It was very thorough, asking about my philosophy of ministry, my beliefs and my leadership style.  They wanted to know what books I had been reading and what other ministries I felt I could contribute to.  It presented me with scenarios and asked me how I would respond in certain situations.  I was impressed.

Union Church was a large church in Hinsdale, a very wealthy western suburb of Chicago.  Very wealthy.  It seemed to me it was a church with the desire and the resources to really reach youth in the name of Jesus.  A youth program had been in place for many years, and in the 1960's and 70's it had been quite vibrant.  It had dropped of dramatically over the years, and they were looking to go a new direction.  They need someone who could jump start things.  They thought I might be their man.  My ego told me the same thing... 

There were (in the beginning) only two major obstacles I could see.  One, this place was in Chicago.  It was hours away from my family, from Marilyn's family and from our friends.  It was a long ride to Walt Disney World and Myrtle Beach.  We would be facing this without any of the people and things we knew and loved.  Secondly, I knew almost nothing about the United Church of Christ, the denomination that Union Church was connected to.  At first I had thought they were Church of Christ, which meant no music in worship, and I would have never considered that.  I discovered that to be wrong, but I knew little else.  I began to research and found that the UCC was (in my mind, anyway) a cross between the Quakers and the Methodists I had been serving (more on that in a future post).  Marilyn and I decided that I should at least accept their offer to fly us up for an interview. 

Before flying to Chicago, I went into the office of The Pastor Who Shall Not Be Named and tried to speak with him about what was going on at FUMC-K.  I told him how much I loved that church and how much I loved the students I served there, the Youth Ministry Team we had put together, and the staff I worked beside.  I told him I wanted to stay, but I needed to know some things were open for discussion, like returning to a more contemporary worship style and a freedom to do ministry the way we had been doing it before he arrived.  I was promised nothing.  He might as well have said, "Bon Voyage, Carl!"  I was headed to Hinsdale.  Tomorrow I will tell you the story of the never-ending interview, and the beginning of a seduction.  Don't miss it!

Because of Jesus,

"Grilled Cheesus"

For many years people have "seen" religious images in the strangest places.  The Virgin Mary was once spotted in some french toast at a Waffle House.  The image of Jesus has been seen everywhere from the side of a building in Clearwater to on a rock in California.  And these images are significant to some people.  Songwriter John Prine once wrote, "I don't care if it rains or freezes, as long as I've got my plastic Jesus stuck up on the dashboard of my car..."  Personally I have never been into those kinds of things.  But this week's episode of GLEE has me wanting my own "Grilled Cheesus."

For those of you who don't watch GLEE (gasp!) let me give you a quick summary of the episode. Finn sees an image of Jesus in his grilled cheese sandwich and receives a spiritual awakening.  He attempts to get the Glee Club to sing songs of praise to God, which causes controversy (the old separation of church and state bit) and allows the other students to express their own feelings about religion.  In the meantime Kurt's father has a heart attack and lapses into a coma.  Kurt is gay and convinced that anyone who loves God hates gays.  He does not believe God exists, and wants no part of the prayers offered by his friends, both Christian and Jewish.  Finn discovers his sandwich does not have cosmic powers and loses faith.  In the end, Kurt's father seems to be coming out of the coma, and the characters are left to struggle with their own beliefs.

I have read blogs and articles from a number of Christians who were upset that the show never gave any definitive answers and focused on the doubt and questioning of the students.  I worked with students for a very long time, and I have to say that this may have been the most honest (and therefore uncomfortable) portrayal of the teenage faith journey I have ever seen on TV.  Coming to grips with faith is a messy thing.  Most of us struggle.  We experiment.  We are fooled by slick talkers and flashy performances.  Many of the lines coming from the cast of GLEE this week were similar to words I have heard from actual students in my ministries over the years.  Finn explains to "Cheesus" that he never went to Sunday School and he is unsure if praying is like making wishes from a Genie; "Do I only get 3?"  His prayers are totally inappropriate, but heart-felt.  Brittany, far and away the least intellectual of the group, asks "Is God is an evil dwarf?" after Puck  laments that "J-Money" (Jesus)  is a killjoy.  She also freely admits to falling asleep when she prays.  Rachel seeks to come to terms with her Jewish heritage, which seems to be largely based on the movie Yentl.  Teacher Sue Sylvester reveals she lost her faith when God didn't answer her childhood prayers to heal her sister.  As they all seek to offer love and support to Kurt they deal with huge questions: Why do bad things happen to good people?  Where is God when it hurts?  The questions of faith are so real to them, and even Kurt professes faith in something by bringing in an acupuncturist to work on his Dad.  In the end, Finn loses faith in Grilled Cheesus, while others seem to reconnect with their own spirituality.  Even Puck goes back to synagogue.

Through all of this, the character who holds it all together is Mercedes.  Her faith in Jesus  is unwavering, and she speaks out- yet she tries not to condemn others for their beliefs.  She convinces Kurt to go to church with her (by telling him he gets to wear a fabulous hat), where her entire congregation is praying for his Dad.  The sight of this flamboyant young gay man (who is also white) sitting in that African-American congregation  and feeling loved is amazing.  When the choir breaks out in song, you can feel the love pouring out on Kurt.  He is not ready to accept that love, but he can feel it.  Oh that the church in the real world would respond with that kind of unconditional love in similar situations...

Let me be clear, I do not recommend GLEE as a primary source of theology or moral guidance.  But I do find it interesting that a show so based in fantasy (musical numbers are never rehearsed, just performed!) offered such a realistic view of teenagers and faith.  Answers are not always easy.  So many times over the years I wanted students to see what I saw and know what I knew- but it seldom works that way.  It's a journey.  God is not always visible. We see things so differently.  When Puck sees Finn's sandwich, he does not see the face of Jesus- he simply sees a burned grilled cheese.  The grace and love of Jesus Christ are foreign to many.  The music for the episode spoke to the themes of doubt, struggle and faith- but I would have included one more song.  The Plumb classic God Shaped Hole (from Bruce Almighty) could have pulled it all together.  We are all seeking something greater than ourselves, a source of power, wisdom, mercy and light in this often dark world- even when we have no idea what it is we are looking for.  The song says, "There's a God-shaped hole in all of us, and the restless soul is searching. There's a God-shaped hole in all of us, and it's a void only He can fill."  For me, no matter the question, the answer is Jesus.  Mercedes knows that as well.  She also understands that in order to lead people to the Christ, you must first show those people His love.  A love without condition and without prejudice.  A love that this world does not understand.  If it takes a Grilled Cheesus to stir up that kind of conversation among us, then fry me up one right now...

Because of Jesus,

Random Ramblings #9

I, like Steve Martin (and the Muppets) am a Ramblin' Guy, so it is time for another edition of Random Ramblings!  I don't know about you, but I have had a pretty amazing week.  Here are a few of the things that have been on my mind:

• Marilyn and I used a birthday coupon to eat at the Mellow Mushroom last night while Will and the band were at an away game.  Excellent pizza, and the atmosphere made me want to break out some 60's and 70's music and chill.  Which brings me to this...
• Today would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday.  In my teenage years John was somewhat of a hero of mine.  I know you will find this hard to believe, but I am a little too young to have been caught up in the Beatles (although at my Jr. High School dances they would often play Hey Jude.  It was a very important song because it is over 8 minutes long.  You did not want to get stuck slow dancing with the wrong girl for 8 minutes...).  Lennon's solo efforts were, however, very important in my life.  He was THE spokesperson for the peace movement at a time when my own pacifism was just developing.  Although we came at our ideology from very different places (I am a pacifist because I believe it is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus; John hated violence and often saw religion as a primary cause of war.  I wish I could say his views were not justified...) songs such as Imagine, Give Peace A Chance and Happy Christmas (War Is Over) spoke to me.  When he was killed on December 8, 1980, a large part of the heart of the peace movement in USAmerica died with him.  Just over a month later Ronald Reagan was elected and the 1970's were officially over.  I often wonder what John Lennon would have thought about the world today.  One thing is for sure- he would have still been trying to get the world to "give peace a chance." 
• Marilyn, Will and I are having lunch today with Caitlin and Bethany Esry here in Tampa.  It is always so wonderful to see old friends.  Look out, Green Iguana- the last time we were there with former youth the laughter almost shook the lizard off the roof!
• I had a wonderful birthday on Wednesday, and no small part of it were all the nice notes from old friends here, on Facebook and on Twitter.  And Jerry Hanbery, who by his own admission would not return an e-mail from Jesus, called me.  You guys rock!Thanks again to everyone who took the time to wish me a good day.
• I discovered again last night, while trying to respond to a text message from Jennifer Minnigan Kuramochi, that the world's least efficient form of communication is me trying to type a text.  Pitiful.
• I am still looking for updates on what kinds of ministries my former youth are up to, so please send your stories along to me at youthguy07@aol.com  If you don't, I'll just make things up like I did for Amber Herrick and then you too will have to correct me!

• I have had the privilege over the past few weeks of working on a Bible study for a company called Interlinc to use with a music curriculum they produce.  I sent it in Thursday.  If you were ever in one of my youth groups, you no doubt saw Christian music videos that came from Interlinc.  Part of this project required me to preview a new album from Third Day called Move that will not be out until October 19th.  It is an incredible album, full of songs about hope and faith.  But you can't hear it yet- so na-na-na-na-na!!!  Seriously, thanks to Rick Bundschuh and Ken McCoy for helping me continue my step-by-step return to ministry.  I am so blessed.
• I have connected with many old friends from my National Youth Workers Convention days through Twitter, and have had a chance to say "thank you" to a number of people who had great influence over my ministry through the years.  It's been a blast to reconnect!

I'll stop there for today, although this has been a week just full of blessings!  Tomorrow (by popular demand) I will be sharing my thoughts on this week's GLEE episode, which dealt with questions of faith.  Get ready for my views on Grilled Cheesus!  Until then, stay faithful!

Because of Jesus,

Hall of Fame: Darin Miller

On Wednesday I talked about the web of ministry that is so visible to me in my life, and I mentioned the name Darin Miller (pictured with my lovely wife Marilyn).  His ministry and his web spread far wider than I can do justice to here.  But I will attempt to give you my little piece of his story today.

Sometime in 1994 (I think!) I was approached after worship at FUMC-K one Sunday morning by a young man I did not recognize.  Someone had told him I was the Director of Student Ministries (they most likely called me the youth guy, but I did have a title!) and he wanted to speak with me about volunteering.  A native of Alabama and a very proud alumni of Auburn University, he was going to be living in the area for a while, working as the chief engineer on the fire protection system at Disney's Boardwalk Resort.  It was under construction at the time.  We talked for a few moments and I discovered he had a Methodist background and a love of youth ministry and music, so I invited him to join us that evening for UMYF.  He showed up, and in no time at all became a valued part of our Youth Ministry Team.  He often played guitar with me at youth, and the kids simply loved him.  He also sang in every choir FUMC-K had.  Darin was a once-in-a-lifetime, fall-out-of-the-sky answer to prayer.  He went on numerous trips and survived some amazing adventures.  I seem to even recall Jocelyn landing on his head during a game...but he lived!

When his work at WDW was complete, he went back to Alabama and we mourned his loss.  But before long he was back, doing the same work at what is now Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  He jumped right back in with us until he once again had to return home.  Darin loved his job, and judging by the size of the projects he had been entrusted with was obviously very good at it.  But Darin was about to encounter a serious problem...

During his time in Kissimmee he had become very close to the Thacker family, and had spent a lot of time at their home.  As anyone who knows her will tell you, spending large amounts of time around Cathy Thacker will change you- for the better! Between his work with the youth and choirs and his time with Cathy, Darin was struggling with a growing feeling that God was calling him to ministry.  It all came to a head when the pastor at his church in Alabama called him into his office one day and told him their youth pastor was leaving- and wanted to know if Darin would be interested in the job.  He was a little stunned.  He called me late that night to ask me what I thought.  I encouraged him and told him that I felt God had gifted him for ministry, especially with youth.  That was what I said, and it was all true.  Still, what I thought was, "Are you insane?"   It was just difficult to imagine any sane person giving up a stable, high-paying job for a low-paying 75 hour a week job working with crazy people!  I mean who would do that?  You'd have to be some kind of fool- for Christ's sake!  We talked for quite a while that night, and I knew when we finished that he was taking the job.  God was calling- and Darin was listening.  He has been in full-time student ministry ever since.  God has blessed him with a wife, a family and great churches to serve.  In return, Darin has done amazing work bringing youth into the presence Jesus.  I thank God often for allowing me to be some small part of the web of ministry that Darin has created.  (In a related note, Cathy Thacker would give up her position as the general manager of a local car dealership to go into the ministry.  She is now a Pastor in Orlando.)

Today I induct Darin Miller into my Youth Group Hall of Fame for the faithfulness and joy he injected into our student ministries at FUMC-K.  Those who knew him in those days will never forget his contributions and his friendship.  I will never forget his faithfulness and willingness to be a "fool for Christ."  Blessings to you, old friend!

Because of Jesus,

A Moment With Mullins

Thanks to everyone for all the kind birthday wishes yesterday.  I am also amazed to have passed 35,000 hits to this blog.  It was a great day- and I don't feel a day over 50!

In the very first days of creation, in the book of Genesis, we find a question that has been debated throughout the history of humans.  Cain had just murdered his brother Abel, and God comes to him in Genesis 4:9- Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"   God spends much of the rest of the Bible answering that question with a definitive YES!  Over and over again in scripture we are called upon to love one another, encourage one another, enable one another, support one another and protect one another.  The entire story of Jesus is a love letter from God to each of us.  He sent his Son to die for us because He could no longer bear being separated from humans.  Scripture (1 John 4:7-8) tells us "God is love."  Jesus taught us in John 13:35- By this will they know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  Notice it does not say, "They will know we are Christians because we don't curse, drink, chew or go with girls who do"- but that often seems like our creed.  Why is it that Christians are so often the first to point fingers and the last to show love?

The late Rich Mullins thought it had something to do with the fact that many of us in the church tend to see ourselves as "saviors" rather than as "lovers."  We want to correct behavior, not love people despite their actions.  Rich said it like this:

God has called us to be lovers.  So we "love" as long as we see "results."  We give of ourselves as long as our investments pay off, but if the ones we love do not respond, we tend to despair...and even resent those we pretend to love.  Because we love someone, we want them to be free of addictions, of sin, of self- and that is as it should be.  But it might be that our love for them and our desire for their well-being will not make them well.  (From the book Rich Mullins:  An Arrow Pointing To Heaven by James Bryan Smith, 2000.  Broadman & Holman Publishers)

In other words, our job is to love.  God will handle everything else in His way and in His time.  You cannot prevent me from sinning- but you can love me anyway.  I used to say quite often that in this "fairy tale" that is life, the job of the church is to kiss frogs.  Not all will turn into princes;  some will give us warts.  But God places us here to kiss frogs.

Rich wrote the song Brother's Keeper to express his thoughts on this subject.  The chorus says:
                                                 I will be my brother's keeper

Not the one who judges him

I won't despise him for his weakness

I won't regard him for his strength

I want take away his freedom

I will help him learn to stand

And I will, I will be my brother's keeper

Listen to and watch the video below.  Then consider the question Cain asked of God all those years ago.  Are you ready to be "a lover of souls?"  Will people know you are a Christian by your love?  If the answer is YES, then I praise God for you.  Because I am one "brother" who needs some keeping...  

A Day Off

Today is my 51st birthday, so I am taking a day off from blog writing.  Kind of.  I mean, I did take time to write this, so it's not really a day off.  And I am so tempted to write about last night's episode of GLEE- it was stuffed full of great theological....stuff!  I want a Grilled Cheesus!  Hmmm...this all reminds me of "days off" when I used to work for churches.  Never quite happens the way you plan it.  Anyway, see you tomorrow for another Moment with Mullins.