Prayers and Response to "Empty Churches"

Prayer Needs

Tammy Franklin – Her Dad is coming home from nursing home.

Bill Burleigh – His daughter, Sarah and her fiancé lost their home by fire.

Day 29 of 30 Day Prayer Challenge.

Response to WSET-TV story – Empty Churches.

Over two days last week, WSET-TV aired a two-part special on the church called: Empty Churches.

If you missed the stories, here is the web address:

Part 1: http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14136999

Part 2: http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14144441

Part one featured two of our United Methodist Churches as mostly empty on Sunday morning.

Part two showed “Tree of Life” as a church that was full and attracting thousands.

I’m disappointed that two of our United Methodist churches that were making a difference in the midst of church struggles were used as examples of empty churches while none were used as examples of churches making a positive difference.

Court Street UMC was struggling with less attendance. New leadership and changes have not only helped the church do better but one of their younger members is now seeking the ordained ministry.

Fairview UMC recently became a distributor for Backpack for Kid’s Sake for one of our Elementary schools and each week packs enough food for over 150 children to have plenty to eat each weekend. Fairview is also doing better.

I was upset that our churches were portrayed in a way that was not suggestive of how we are doing as a whole. These were two churches who in their own unique way are dealing with those issues with success as is our whole district.

And, why “Tree of Life” as the example of success when there are so many others? Why not use a United Methodist Church here as well in order to be more consistent?

I have known and admired Rev. Mike Dodson, the pastor of Tree of Life for years and I know he would be the first to say that his church is not the only answer to reaching out to the community in the name of Jesus Christ.

As I have spent the last two and half years travelling across the district I have come to love the pastors and churches in our area. I appreciate the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment that comes from each church.

But… the basic premise of the story, unfortunately, is true.

Overall church attendance is declining in America. More people sit at home on Sunday morning than go to church.

Mainline churches are declining while independent churches are growing. Many of our churches, including United Methodist churches in this area have more empty pews than full. Even the two churches mentioned struggle with filling empty pews.

Tree of Life is a positive example of how churches in the midst of decline are growing rapidly. We may not always agree with their theology or their style of worship but they are successfully reaching the unchurched.

Now… what should my response be?

Should I be upset that churches I serve and love were portrayed in a less than positive light? Sure. But that is a reflection of my pride rather than a legitimate response.

A better question would be: “How would God want me to respond?”

I think God would ask: “What can we do as churches to better reach out into the community for people who should be sitting in those empty pews?”

In Matthew 28, Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (18-20)

Jesus is given all authority. Our response should be…

Make disciples and baptize them…

Teach the disciples…

Jesus will be with us, even now when we struggle to fill empty churches.

Do we have enough passion for reaching out to the unchurched? Are we serious about offering the “Good News” of Jesus Christ to our friends and neighbors?

The truth is… we can do better.

Maybe this is the needed response to our 30 day prayer challenge. We’ve reached day 29 and like many of you I have been praying regularly for God to guide and direct us. What should be our big dream? How do we form those good teams?

So… how should we respond to the Empty Churches story?

God’s answer would be: reflection, repentance, prayer and a call for action.

Reflection because we do need to think about where we are today as the church and what our future could look like if we are not willing to make changes.

Repentance because we are not reaching the unchurched community as we should and we want to do better.

Prayer for God’s guidance as we ask for creative ideas that will help us get to know our neighbors better. Prayer for courage as we learn to share our testimony in a way that will be understood and appreciated.

Action as we assertively look to offer specific acts of kindness and ministry toward others in a way that visibly demonstrates our love for God and for them.

Rev. Mike Dodson with Tree of Life said something challenging and helpful when describing his church: “Our three things are being creative, innovative, and demonstrative.”

As churches, he was not saying, we should be more like “Tree of Life.” He was saying within our own beliefs and practices…

·         Be more creative in the way we worship and teach.

·         Be more innovative in the way we plan programs.

·         Be more demonstrative in the way we reach out to others.

Good advice but a huge challenge.

Jesus is given all authority. Our response should be…

Make disciples and baptize…

Teach the disciples…

Jesus will be with us, even now when we struggle to fill empty churches.

This is the biggest dream of all… make disciples and baptize.

This is the greatest team of all… teach the disciples.

Here is the greatest truth of all: Jesus will be with us.

Long after everyone has forgotten about the “Empty Churches” story on TV, our churches will continue to grow stronger by making disciples and teaching, secure in the knowledge that Jesus will be with us always, even to the end of the age.

Help Wanted: Film Crew or Park View Mission

Lynchburg District Film Crew

Do you have a passion for telling God’s story through video?

Then the Lynchburg District has an opportunity for you. We are looking for 6 to 10 dedicated volunteers to tell the story of the Lynchburg District in a continuing series of short 2 to 3 minute video clips. You can work a camera, record ideas, be a narrator – there are a variety of needs. Join a Godly crew that will tell the story of the Lynchburg District.

Send me an email and tell me who you are, what church you are from and why you would like to be a part of the Lynchburg District Film Crew.

Write me: LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com

Park View Community Mission

In 2010 we gave 545,000 pounds

   

of food to over 21,000 people.

1,550 senior citizens

10,898 adults 18-64

8,590 children 17 & under.

The largest food ministry of this type in Central  Virginia.

Every month we give families a grocery cart full of nutritious food at a cost to us of $10; less than 20¢ per meal! This year we will help more people in both the city and the counties and give away over a million pounds of food. You can help. Just $10 a month will feed an entire family.

Imagine feeding a family healthy food for only $120⁰⁰ a year!                     

Don’t just imagine it—Do it!

$120 feeds a family with enough food to last two weeks each month for a full year.

You or your church can help this valuable district mission in three ways:

1.    Host a Wednesday night supper and service and serve and provide a meal for 125 to 150 hungry people.

2.    Take up a special offering in your church. Free Bulletin Insert available.

3.    Send a tax-deductible contribution to:

                        Park View Community Mission

                        2420 Memorial Avenue

                        Lynchburg, VA  24501

Prayer for Pastors and Leaders - 2/20/2011

Prayers

Rev. Eugene Condrey’s daughter, Deborah Gorman died suddenly on Feb. 14 of this week. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Day 22 of our 30 Day Prayer Challenge: How big is your dream? How good is your team?

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This past week, in our leadership group that meets every Thursday morning, I shared what I believed was the most significant moment for me as a leader during the past year.

The lesson was about “Leadership in Turbulent Times.” Our churches face huge challenges today and we must face those challenges boldly as the church of Jesus Christ. So leadership is a key priority. The following happened in September of last year at our monthly meeting.

Rev. Young Jin Cho, District Superintendent in Arlington was leading our daily worship. As part of his message he confessed his failure as leader. He said: “Our churches are not growing in numbers or in faith so I am fasting before the Lord and asking for forgiveness and a new direction for our churches and for our district.”

His message was given with such sincerity and humility it was obvious we were all touched. I could literally feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the room. What Young Jin said out loud echoed what many of us felt inside. Our churches were not having the impact within our community that was needed. How could we do better?

Near the conclusion of the service as the last hymn was being sung, Bishop Kammerer came forward and knelt at the altar in prayer.

I found this gesture moving not because I had never seen her pray but because of her genuine act of humility by placing herself at the altar before God in a way we had not witnessed before. It was as if God was in the room preparing her and us for what was to come.

Following the worship service, the Bishop started our meeting by asking us to join her in fasting for the direction of our churches. She asked us to fast for one day each week for the remainder of the year and during that fast we should pray for God to guide us and work in us and to strengthen our leadership and our spiritual life with God and among each other.

It was a simple request to seek new direction from God through fasting and prayer but for some unexplainable reason, this time was different. I was moved because we were no longer simply doing the work of the leadership body.

We were agreeing to humble ourselves before God in fasting and prayer and turn the leadership back to God. We were a cabinet setting direction for the 1200 churches of the Virginia Conference. But, this time, we were the ones who needed to listen… to God and to each other.

This time, we would no longer be relying on our brains, our political connections or our leadership ability.

This time we were being asked to lay ourselves humbly before God and pray for God’s leadership… not our own.

This time we were being called to use our spiritual resources to fight a spiritual battle.

Over the next few months, I struggled with fasting and prayer one day each week. But in the midst of the struggle, I saw a vision for our church and for our district. In the midst of the struggle, I saw the reassuring presence of God reminding me:

Christ is still head of our church and God is still in control of creation.

In my devotional reading today, I came across this amazing story.

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

While the disciples panicked, Jesus remained calm and in control. Christ was in charge even in the midst of a storm.

We are in the midst of a storm today.

Our community is crying out for spiritual leadership. We no longer want to be like the panicked disciples in the boat crying out: “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

In the midst of our storm, I learned a lot from our Bishop. I found answers as I joined her in a time of fasting and prayer. I experienced God’s calming presence and I received affirmation of the same calming presence from many of you.

In the midst of our storm, we can refuse to panic.

In the midst of our storm, we can rely upon God.

In the midst of our storm, we can fast and pray before God.

In the midst of our storm, we can confidently look forward to Christ calming the winds and the high waves of water. We can know that God is still in control.

In the midst of our storm, we should anticipate our churches being in the middle of the solution not cowering in the boat.

In the midst of our storm, will you join me, by using the spiritual resources God provided for us… not for my sake but for the sake of our churches and our community?

1 Timothy 4:13 – “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them.”

Today, as you prepare for worship, know that spiritual resources are at your disposal. When you read Scripture, encourage the believers and teach… you are unleashing the almighty power of God.

When you fast and pray before God you are allowing God to work within you as a leader.

So today, I will pray before God and for you. This week, I will resume fasting and praying one day per week and encourage you to join me.

We live in the midst of a fierce storm.

But we serve a mighty God who can calm the winds and the waves. God is still in control.

I will be praying for you today. Better yet, may we pray for each other and for our churches and community and for our world.

The Spirituality of Leadership

The Spirituality of Leadership - By Byoung Sam Kim - From "Leading Ideas"

The church of the future must emphasize spirituality. We traditionally have asked people to come to church simply because it is a good thing to do. But that won't work anymore if you are not capable of moving the spirits of those attending. Howard Schultz of Starbucks said, "I don't sell coffee. I want to evangelize coffee." He took away this wonderful word from us! Why do people drink Starbucks? Is it because of the taste of the coffee? There is a certain experience that they give you when you go to Starbucks, and people go for that. But the church has often lost its sense of spirit and experience in worship.

When I became pastor of Manna Church near Seoul, South Korea, I was curious to know what kind of pastor the church members expected me to be. So I asked the members of the congregation. I opened myself to whatever they wanted to say. I got two clear answers. Members wanted an ethical leader. They also wanted a spiritual leader.

Twice a year at Manna Church we have a special morning service. I told members that for this week I would fast and lead the services. The service time is about an hour and a half. It is praise, sermon, and then prayer. Because I was fasting through the whole week, it was very difficult for me. As the days went by, people noticed how different my face looked. Members began to say, "Maybe it is because you are fasting, but we can see a light shining on your face." I could never tell them how hungry I was.

For three years I fasted every time we had the early morning services. For three years it was hard, but that is when the members began to pray for me.

God gave us many miracles at the special early morning services. This year, over 4,000 people gathered at 5 am. More amazing was that over 1,000 children and youth came. When I saw all those kids, tears dropped from my face.

When I see the kids gathered, I always bow to them. I tell them, "I don't know what you will become when you grow up, but I have high hopes for you, and I respect you." And in the past year, other amazing things happened. The number of young adults attending the young adult Sunday service doubled. I do five sermons every Sunday, but I always preach for the young adult service. And I regularly bow to the young adults as well. The young adults know how much I love them.

I work very hard at being a good pastor to my church members. And that means being the spiritual leader they expect.

The Rev. Dr. Byoung Sam Kim is lead pastor of Manna Church near Seoul, South Korea. This article is adapted from a presentation Dr. Kim made at Wesley Theological Seminary in 2010.

Light in the Closet?

Prayers

Rob and Mary Alice Colwell – Passing of Mary Alice’s sister, Carolyn Gresham

Steve Turner – LGH for tests

Gene Condrey – LGH

Herndon and Kim Jeffreys – Noie, their daughter had surgery at UVa

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Mat. 5:14-16)

Max Lucado describes when an electrical storm caused a blackout in the neighborhood. He felt his way through the darkness into the storage closet where he lit four candles.

But as he started to take the candles out of the closet they started speaking to him.

“You can’t take me out of this closet.”

I know this sounds strange but bear with me.

Max felt foolish but he answered the candles and said: “Why won’t you come out of the closet? You are meant to give light. You can’t give light in a closet.”

The first candle said, “I can’t come out of the closet because I’m not ready. I need more preparation.”

The second said, “I have important meetings to attend and I need to get better organized.”

The third candle said, “I’m still trying to get my life together. I can be a bit of a hothead.”

The fourth said, “Being a light to the world is not my gift. I am a singer and she began singing, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." The others soon joined in.

Finally in frustration, Max starting blowing the candles out just as they were singing, "Won't let Satan snuff me out..."

As he walked back out into the darkness, he bumped into his wife and the story ends with this conversation.

"Where are the candles?" she asked.

"They don't...they won't work. Where did you buy those candles anyway?"

"They're church candles. Remember the church that closed down across town? I bought them there."

“Oh,” he replied. “Now I get it.”

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I hope you smiled just a little as you read this.

How many in your church would say: “I’m not ready. I need more preparation.”

How many would say: “I’m not organized. We need more meetings.”

Or: “I’m still trying to get my own life together. Fix my own problems.”

Or: “This is not my gift. I would rather do something else.”

This in many ways is our frustration and challenge as a church. We are called to be a light to the world but so often we are keeping the light bottled up under a basket called, the church.

The truth is…

Every church at times contains people who would rather keep their light in the closet.

Every one of us, including you and me at times would rather keep our light in the closet.

So, why am I writing this?

First, to make you smile and see that you are not alone.

Second, to know that the answer will not come easily.

Third, to know that you are part of the answer.

My prayer for you this morning is to be open to God’s guidance and direction as you seek to be an example of the light and at the same time encourage others to join you.

May you feel God’s presence today.

May your light shine brightly today… inside at first but soon outside the closet.

10 Wishes from a Pew Sitter

Day 12 of the 30 day challenge: How big is your dream? How good is your team? How are you doing?

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is listen and reflect. Thom Schultz of Group Publishing wrote “10 Wishes from a Pew Sitter” and I can’t say that I totally agree with it but I found these comments all stimulate discussion about how to be the church.

Suppose you could have a group of your church leaders sit in a room and do nothing but discuss these 10 wishes. Here are some questions that you might ask.

·         How can we practice hospitality in a way that allows visitors to feel welcomed?

·         How can we make our worship and sermons more relevant and meaningful?

·         How can we encourage feedback from the congregation that would help us truly provide worship that is stimulating, thoughtful and meaningful?

·         How can we set the example for balancing our devotion to serving the church with our devotion to serving the needs of our family?

·         How can we provide an atmosphere during or after worship where we can talk about how we should respond to what we hear?

·         Why does the writer want us to get rid of our pews… really?

There are more questions you can ask but what a great way to meet and talk about how we can be a better church in a rapidly changing world.

10 Wishes from a Pew Sitter                   -- Thom Schultz

As a pew-sitter, I have a few wishes for the church leaders I know and love:

1. Banish the "stand and greet your neighbor" time in the worship service. I know your intentions are good, but it's forced, fruitless and goofy.
2. Forget everything they taught you about three-point sermons. You're wildly successful if you can get across one point. Just one point. Then sit down.
3. Get out and spend time with real people. Schedule lunches at your members' workplaces and schools. Listen. Get a feel for how real people live.
4. Encourage regular evaluation. Use comment cards. Ask us what we remember from last week's sermon. Then take us seriously, and adjust.
5. Crank down the volume of the band. Allow us to actually hear the voices of the flock.
6. Burn the fill-in-the-blank sermon guides. They're insulting, distracting and ineffective. (Can you imagine Jesus using them? Let's see, "Feed my _______.")
7. Show hospitality. Encourage people to enjoy a cup of coffee-during the service.
8. Let us participate. Entertain our questions-during the service. Let the real people around us tell how God is working in their lives.
9. Relax. Make some real friends. Spend more time with your family. Don't schedule every evening with church meetings.
10. Get rid of the pews. Really.

God in the Midst of Joy and Pain

Prayers

Family of Jean Eberhardt – Celebration of Live Service yesterday – Leader at Heritage, within our District and Conference

Jerry Viemeister – Considerably better. Infection is healing.

Noie Jeffreys – Daughter of Herndon and Kim – Extensive Surgery at UVa on Thursday morning.

Several Unspoken Requests

Day 8 of 30 Days of prayer: How big is your dream? How good is your team?

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My past week could best be described as… intense. 

There were exciting events that were joyful to watch.

There were several agonizing setbacks that were painful to watch.

Several of the same events included elements of both joy and pain.

The writer of Psalm 30 seems to be describing such an intense time of joy and pain.

Psalm 30 - A psalm of David. A song for the dedication of the Temple.

I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.

You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

I love this description of God. Yes, at times God will be disappointed in us but like the ideal parent. Anger and disappointment lasts but a moment. But God’s love lasts a lifetime. Disappointments will come but joy will follow.

When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!”

Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain.

At times we are prosperous and there is a sense of fulfillment and security.

Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.

I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,

“What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave?

Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?

Then there are the painful times when there is a sense of helplessness and abandonment.

Here is the lesson…

At times we will experience both joy and pain.

The question: How will you respond?

The answer: Faith that God continues to love us in the midst of both joy and pain.

Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD.

Here is God’s prescription:

Hear me

Have mercy on me

Help me

Continue to hear me as I come to you.

Have mercy on me when I fail you.

Help me learn and grow from my mistakes.

So, at the end of an intense week of joy and pain… what does God promise?

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

Mourning will turn to joyful dancing.

Clothes of mourning will be replaced by clothes of joy.

At the end of an intense week of joy and pain… how should we respond?

that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O LORD, my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Continue to sing praises and not be silent.

Continue to give God thanks forever.

Joni Eareckson Tada, because of a diving accident as a teenager is now a quadriplegic. Yet her ministry and faith in God is an example for us all. In her daily devotional she wrote the following prayer for today:

Lord and Savior, I have every confidence in your character. You are utterly reliable and truthful. Today, I am going to take you at your word even if doubts or fears arise. You have the words of life and I am happy to say, I believe the Lord!

My prayer for you today is that you will continue to have confidence in the character of God whether you are in the midst of joy or pain.

I pray you will continue to believe that God is utterly reliable and truthful.

I pray you will take God at His word even if doubts or fears arise.

I pray you will have the words of life today and be happy to say…

I believe the Lord!

How Big Is Your Dream? How Good Is Your Team?

30 Day Prayer Challenge: How Big Is Your Dream? How Good Is Your Team?

Last week at Leadership Training we were challenged to make a commitment to pray over two questions that we have heard since our clergy retreat last September:

How big is your dream? How good is your team?

For the next 30 Days, I challenge you to join me in dreaming big. Every day, simply set aside a time for prayer and ask God to give you big dream. Here is what I predict:

1. You will have your life and purpose stretched far beyond what you ever imagined.

2. Some of you will make radical life changing decisions over the next few months.

3. Most of you will see a clear example of God working within your daily life.

4. Our church will become even more of a leader and example within our community.

5. Our church will take on at least one new special project through God’s leading.

6. Our church will become even more vital as you continue to make a difference for God.

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— (Joel 2:28-30)

How big is your dream?

What do you feel God is calling you to do or be this year?
What do you feel God is calling your church to do or be this year?

1. Big dreams are the product of prayer and spiritual preparation.
2. Big dreams often come from unexpected sources.
3. Big dreams at first sound silly and unrealistic.
4. Big dreams become a vision that will shape you and your church.

My Dream after 30 Days: ___________________________________________________

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men. (Mark 1:16-20)

How good is your team?

Who is on your team offering encouragement and help?
Who is on your church team helping to move the church forward?

1. Where is God on your team?
2. A good team needs good leadership.
3. A good team requires a willingness to share and sacrifice.
4. A good team requires constant nourishment.

My Team after 30 Days: ___________________________________________________

Please join me in the 30 day challenge and feel free to regularly email me and let me know how you are doing. My prayers are with you as you dream big and work to build good teams.