Random Thoughts and Ramblings

Tag: church

  • Sermon: “Sharing Jesus With the World”

    More or less, here’s the sermon I preached this morning. In hindsight, I probably should have changed the title because the sermon took a slightly different turn than what I envisioned earlier in the week. I ended up approaching the text as a prayer for the disciples Jesus would eventually leave behind. By extension, I believe Jesus was also praying for us, specifically that we would be united in our mission of spreading scriptural holiness throughout the world and that we would be sanctified by truth of God’s love. In other words, this is a call to unity, not uniformity in all things.

    I hope you receive a blessing from my attempt to articulate the message of Jesus.

    Text: John 17:6-19 (NLT)

    Think to when you can first remember hearing about Jesus. Who was sharing the good news with you? If you’re like me, it was probably your mother or someone in your life who’s like a mother to you. For me, it was my mother who I remember as the first one to teach me anything about faith. I was very sick when I was a child, something I’ll talk about someday, but this gave us a lot of time to talk about God and things about the faith. Momma was the first one who taught me to pray at bedtime and to pray when I was scared when I’d have to go to the doctor or to the hospital. She shared many a story out of her Bible. She was far from perfect, but my mother was the one who introduced me to Jesus.

    No matter who first shred Jesus with you, they still had to take the time and make the decision to do so. Every single one of us is set apart for a ministry of some sort, something that’s perhaps unique to how we’re gifted and equipped. There’s one ministry we are called to called to: Sharing the gospel. We get off in the weeds about having the correct words and all of that, but Jesus has already prayed for us to be prepared. He’s already prayed for us as we carry out the mission he started. Do we claim that? Are we united in this mission? This is precisely what Jesus prayed for and his desire for us today.

    Jesus knows that his time is growing short. If you’ve read ahead or know already, then you know that this just before he is betrayed and arrested. Jesus is obviously concerned for the apostles that he’s leaving behind. He knows that they’re still a rag-tag bunch who still don’t understand everything he has been trying to teach them. That kind of sounds like us, doesn’t it? He knows they have their disagreements and their arguments. Still, Jesus knows that he can’t stay much longer and so he does what our moms taught us to do in times of trouble: Pray. 

    Notice something about Jesus’ prayer: He wasn’t praying for his own worries or to otherwise be comforted. He prayed for each one of his students. And, honestly, I can’t help but believe he was praying for us too. He prayed that they might be protected from the whims of the world and those of the enemy. He prayed that the apostles be set apart as being in the world but not of the world, that the world might know that they are here but that their loyalty lies with God and God only. He prayed that they might be protected by God’s guidance and sanctified by the truth. He prayed that they might be emboldened to proclaim the gospel and that they might united in that truth. 

    Jesus also prayed that they might remain in the world to be His presence after he eventually ascended. Again, Jesus knew that his time was short, but he did not want the mission to end once he died, rose, and eventually returned to the Father. Jesus wanted the mission of reconciling humanity to God to continue and even to expand. Jesus knew that this would begin with his apostles being emboldened and strengthened to be the ones to keep it going. 

    I want us to receive this as a prayer for us as well. We are the continuation of the work of these apostles. We are not only the recipients of the gospel through others who answered the call of Jesus to proclaim, we are entrusted with the task of spreading the gospel t others. The best news that the world has ever received should not be kept solely hidden in our hearts, it should be shared and lived as loudly as possible. 

    Do I believe that Jesus expected all believers to be united in everything? No, I don’t. Jesus understood the reality of his people. As I already mentioned, the very apostles had disagreements amongst themselves and even disagreed with the meanings of Jesus’ teachings. The history of the Christian church is full of disagreements, splits, reunifications, even wars. Disagreement is part of the human condition. Jesus certainly knew that believers would not always agree. What I sense in this prayer is that Jesus does want us to be one in the mission to share the gospel, live the gospel, and make disciples who go out as sanctified believers to proclaim the gospel to new people. 

    This is a good opportunity to weigh where our loyalties lie. If we are supremely loyal to anything or anyone besides Jesus, then we need to repent. People, institutions, you name it… they all disappoint, disappear, reappear, and go through all the parts of a lifecycle. None of that is true about God, because God never changes. Jesus is always our messiah. We are his hands and feet. None of those things ever change.

    We are not called to be of one mind on everything but we are called to be unified in Christ. The fact is, people aren’t always going to agree on everything. Jesus didn’t pray for uniformity, where the believers would agree on literally everything, He prayed for unity, something that’s stronger than any differences that we, as the church, share. If we’re striving for uniformity, we are not going to be satisfied because there is simply no way that people are going to always agree on anything. This is simply not possible. Unity means we willingly set those differences aside for the sake of something much bigger than ourselves or our disagreements. In this case, we find unity in Jesus.

    A quote that I’m about to share is often attributed to St. Augustine but he didn’t say it. It was Marco Antonio de Dominis who gave us a great quote for today. What’s important for us to know about Dominis is that he was twice declared a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church during the days of the inquisition because he did not agree with some of the tenants of the Catholic faith, specifically the papacy. At some point during all of that, he wrote this: “in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.”

    As we prayed last week when we came to Christ’s table:
    By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
    one with each other,
    and one in ministry to all the world,
    until Christ comes in final victory
    and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

    May it be so, Lord. If we truly want to honor the person who first told us about Christ – maybe even our mothers – the best way to honor them is to remember that we are not of this world, but we are in it to be Christ’s presence and his hands and feet. Surely, we can all agree on that.

  • Would Jesus Have Live Streamed the Sermon On The Mount? (Nurturing Faith in a Digital Age)

    book, bible, training

    In today’s digital age, the landscape of ministry is undergoing a profound transformation. The advent of digital technology has paved the way for churches to expand their reach and engage with their congregations in unprecedented ways. While some critics argue that digital ministry fosters consumerism and promotes spiritual laziness, a closer examination reveals that the advantages far outweigh the supposed drawbacks.

    Embracing the Digital Landscape

    Digital ministry is not a replacement for traditional worship but rather an expansion of it. One of its most significant advantages lies in its ability to break down physical barriers. Geographic distances and mobility limitations no longer stand in the way of individuals seeking spiritual guidance and community. This accessibility is especially crucial for those who cannot attend in-person services due to health concerns or other circumstances.

    A Welcoming Community

    Critics sometimes argue that digital ministry fosters consumerism, creating an environment where people consume religious content without actively participating. However, this perspective overlooks the vibrant communities that form online. Digital ministry platforms often provide spaces for people to connect, share experiences, and offer support. Online communities can be just as warm and welcoming as in-person ones, promoting a sense of belonging and shared faith.

    Empowering Outreach

    Another advantage of digital ministry is its capacity to reach a broader audience. Through social media, streaming services, and websites, churches can share their messages with a global audience, transcending borders and cultural differences. This outreach enables congregations to engage with individuals who may have never set foot in a physical church. In this way, digital ministry can be a powerful tool for spreading the message of love, hope, and faith. In other words: Digital ministry enables the church to be the church wherever people are, just as it always has. People were once found in the pastures and market crosses. Today’s market crosses are social media platforms and other digital spaces.

    Flexibility and Convenience

    Digital ministry provides flexibility and convenience for both congregations and pastors. It allows individuals to engage with spiritual content on their own schedules, removing the constraints of specific service times. For those with busy lives, this flexibility ensures that faith remains a vital part of their daily routine. Pastors, too, can use digital platforms to deliver sermons and messages to a broader audience, ensuring that their guidance reaches those who seek it.

    Spiritual Nourishment

    Now, let’s address the criticism mentioned at the beginning of this article: the idea that digital ministry is a “cheap substitute” for in-person worship. This perspective is, at its core, a misunderstanding of the nature of digital ministry. While it’s true that digital ministry cannot entirely replicate the tactile and sensory experience of physical worship, it offers something equally valuable: spiritual nourishment.

    Digital ministry provides a platform for worship, teaching, and connection, allowing individuals to explore and deepen their faith. Just as a printed Bible can be a valuable tool for spiritual growth, digital ministry offers accessible, condensed, and convenient avenues for encountering God’s word and the teachings of Jesus. It doesn’t cheapen the experience; rather, it enhances it.

    Digital ministry presents a wealth of advantages, from expanding access to welcoming communities, empowering outreach efforts, and offering flexibility and convenience. While it cannot replace the beauty of physical worship, it complements it, providing spiritual nourishment to those who seek it in a digital age. The statement that online church is a “cheap substitute” fails to recognize the genuine opportunities for faith, community, and growth that digital ministry offers to individuals around the world. Embracing digital ministry is not about diluting faith but rather about extending the invitation to experience the transformative power of God’s love to all, wherever they may be.

    To Wrap Up

    To be clear, digital ministry or “online church” does not replace the physically gathered community. I don’t believe that digital ministry is intended to do that. On the contrary, I believe digital ministry strengthens the ability of the established physical church to reach more people than it ever could before.

    Would Jesus have live-streamed the Sermon On the Mount? Yes. Yes, he would have.

  • Embracing the Digital Age: The Importance of Digital Ministry for the Church

    Matrix movie still

    In an era where digital technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the church must adapt and embrace the opportunities presented by the digital age. Digital ministry, the use of technology to share the Gospel, build communities, and minister to people, has become increasingly crucial in fostering spiritual growth and connecting with the world. Let’s take a deep dive into the significance of digital ministry for the church, highlighting its potential to make new disciples, deepen relationships, and empower believers in their faith journey.

    To be clear: Digital ministry is not replacing (and should not replace) the physical/traditional church, but digital ministry should be taken seriously due to its ability to reach more people than the physical church ever could. In the 21st century, digital ministry is not optional but essential.

    Expanding the Reach of the Church

    Digital ministry transcends geographical barriers, enabling churches to extend their influence beyond physical locations. Through live streaming, podcasts, and online sermons, the church can reach a global audience, offering hope, inspiration, and guidance to those who may never step foot inside a traditional church building. It provides an opportunity to engage with individuals who are unable to attend in-person services due to factors such as illness and lack of transportation.

    Engaging the Unchurched and Dechurched

    The digital realm opens doors to connect with the unchurched and dechurched, allowing the church to meet people where they are—online. Social media platforms, websites, and online communities become platforms for sharing testimonies, addressing doubts, and fostering meaningful conversations and – hopefully – healing. By providing relevant, accessible, and relatable content, the church can attract individuals who are seeking answers, providing them with an opportunity to encounter God’s love and grace.

    Nurturing Authentic Relationships

    Digital ministry goes beyond broadcasting messages; it fosters genuine relationships. Through interactive platforms like video conferencing, chatrooms, and social media groups, the church can facilitate community building and offer pastoral care in virtual spaces. Digital small groups, discipleship programs, and mentoring relationships provide opportunities for believers to grow together, despite physical distances. Moreover, it allows the church to remain connected with members during challenging times, offering support, prayer, and encouragement.

    Leveraging Technology for Discipleship

    The digital age offers a myriad of tools and resources for discipleship. Churches can provide online Bible studies, devotionals, and digital libraries, making spiritual education easily accessible. Moreover, mobile applications, podcasts, and social media content can provide daily doses of inspiration, fostering spiritual growth and equipping believers to navigate their faith journey effectively. Digital platforms also enable the church to address current issues, provide apologetics resources, and engage in conversations that bridge the gap between faith and culture.

    Empowering Congregational Involvement

    Digital ministry provides opportunities for congregational involvement and participation. Virtual volunteering, online prayer groups, and collaborative projects engage believers in serving both their local community and the global church. Moreover, it allows members to utilize their talents and gifts for the advancement of God’s kingdom through digital platforms, such as website management, social media outreach, graphic design, and multimedia production. Embracing digital ministry encourages a sense of ownership and active participation within the church community.

    In Conclusion:

    In a fast-paced, digital-driven world, the church must adapt and embrace digital ministry to effectively reach, engage, and empower individuals for Christ. By expanding its reach, engaging the unchurched, nurturing authentic relationships, leveraging technology for discipleship, and empowering congregational involvement, the church can fulfill its mission in the 21st century. Digital ministry offers a unique opportunity to share the timeless message of the Gospel with a global audience, creating meaningful connections and transforming lives. Let us embrace the digital age, leveraging its power for the advancement of God’s kingdom, while remaining rooted in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

    One More Thing…

    To further demonstrate the value and versatility of technology, this post was (mostly) written by ChatGPT. AI is a tool in the same vein as a hammer or chainsaw: It can be used to build or to tear down. Technology is not a threat to the church; technology is an essential tool for the church in the 21st century.

  • The Impact of Disaffiliation on This Pastoral Family

    men's white dress shirt

    If you follow me on social media, you know that one of my churches has voted to leave the United Methodist Church. Their decision has a far-reaching effect on many fronts, including impacts on my family and me. As I am committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church, we will be uprooting ourselves and going to a new appointment that our bishop and cabinet discern best suited for my gifts and graces. Before I go further, let me be clear about a couple of things: 1: I’m not here to criticize my congregation’s decision, although I disagree with it for many reasons (I have shared these views with the leadership on multiple occasions). 2: I am not looking for sympathy or throwing a pity party. This post is me telling you how disaffiliation affects pastoral families because I have not seen a lot of discussion on this front. I believe people need to understand that disaffiliation has impacts beyond the congregation, the annual conference, and the general church.

    The most obvious impact for me is that I will have to move to a new appointment, thus (most likely – the cabinet is still discerning where to send other pastors and me) ending my ministry at both churches I serve. My other church cannot afford my salary on its own, and as I’m an Elder in Full Connection, I must serve full-time. I have loved serving my parish, and we have been through a lot together. When I first moved here, COVID-19 was beginning, so we navigated the tangled mess of two in-person shutdowns mandated by our bishop, social distancing, masking, and all the other things that came along during the pandemic. It was here that I grew in my skills related to social media and live streaming, was reminded of the importance of phone calls and text messages, and how to try and hold two new-to-me churches together while we had to be separate. Here is where I learned about being creative in bringing internet access and streaming capabilities to two churches in the middle of nowhere and where I could use those skills to help a nearly 200-year-old camp meeting revival join the digital age. We have mourned the loss of loved ones together, celebrated new people coming into the churches, and met many needs in the community. I don’t believe that God is finished with either of these congregations, and I hope they keep growing in Christ and making disciples.

    Not only have we weathered the ups and downs of the church, my family and I have had many events during our nearly three years here. When we moved here, we had a foster child that we hoped we would get to adopt. These churches walked along with us and cried with us when she left our home to return to her biological family (we’re thankful that this ended up being a positive thing for her, though we still miss her very much). They celebrated with us when the local CPS office was able to place two other children with us, who it looks like we will get to adopt by the time it’s all said and done (their cases are different, and both are on track to be legally available for adoption soon).

    The act of moving is not something I’m looking forward to. On top of the obvious tasks of packing up my office and boxing up our things in the parsonage, I have to say goodbye to these people I’ve grown to love. I have to depart a community that I have been able to be involved in through participating in events and being part of the volunteer fire department. My wife will have to (likely) find a new school to teach at, and my kids will have to adjust to a new house, school, and daycare.

    Many people take for granted the nature of itineracy. It’s naturally assumed that those of us who agreed to go and serve where we are sent would move silently and without emotion. For many of us, that does happen, at least it seems to. We – the clergy – don’t voice our lament very often. Yet, when a move is unexpected or due to sad circumstances, people should know that we go, but we don’t go without sorrow, grief, and sadness. Grief is especially the case for my family and me due to this move coming about because of disaffiliation. My father-in-law served this appointment when he returned from seminary, so Jessica remembers spending some of her growing up in the same parsonage that we now call home. She remembers people still here and those who have departed to the church triumphant as being like other grandparents, aunts, and uncles to her and her sister. For her, the grief is also raw and honest.

    I believe naming and expressing our grief is healthy. But, again, please don’t see this as me asking for pity or ranting against Pleasant Hill’s decision (even if I disagree, I will never fault a congregation for going in a direction they genuinely believe God is leading them). I hope that people understand that disaffiliation has far-reaching consequences beyond church doors. As I prepare for whatever is next, I thank God for our time here and mourn what feels like a profound personal loss.

  • A Christmas Eve Devotion: Light Has Come!

    Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

    This is, more or less, the devotion I gave at the Christmas Eve service for my charge tonight. We held a combined service at Pleasant Hill UMC in Lucedale. A video of the service can be found here.

    Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

    The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.

    For those who live in a land of deep darkness,[c]
    a light will shine.

    You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
    and its people will rejoice.

    They will rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest
    and like warriors dividing the plunder.
    For you will break the yoke of their slavery
    and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.

    You will break the oppressor’s rod,
    just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

    Isaiah 9:1-4 (NLT)

    Please take a moment and appreciate that we are sitting in a warm place with lights, running water, and heat. Right now, there are people even in our state who can’t make that claim. The arctic system that has brought us our lovely sub-freezing temperatures has caused havoc north of us in the form of snow, ice, and other nastiness. I’ve lived in two cities outside of Mississippi, and they are among the areas most impacted by the storm system. In Fort Wayne, Indiana, it was 10 degrees earlier today with a windchill of negative 14. Their forecasted low tonight is 5 degrees with a windchill of negative 15. Stanton, Kentucky, isn’t much better with a temp around 13 degrees, a windchill of 2, and a forecasted low of 9 with a wind chill of negative 5. Oh, and in both places, snow has already fallen, and more is on the way.

    I say all this to help us remember to be grateful and that the people of Israel were experiencing spiritual darkness and bitter cold. They felt as if no hope was to be had for them. Indeed, there were rabbis and others who knew of the prophecies promising a messiah, promising that Emmanuel would come, hope was alive, and God would deliver His people. But that was a long time ago. Many had given up, while others clung to the hope promised by Isaiah and others. Under the thumbs of people like the Romans and the Pharisees, the regular folks felt pressure from all sides. Pressure to conform to Roman culture, pressure to conform to the version of the faith that the Pharisees and Sadducees peddled. Even the Zealots had an influence demanding the people’s attention. People were crying out for the Messiah to come, for relief, crying out… for light.

    Indeed, our God is a promise keeper. God has never broken a promise to His people, and he was not about to start breaking promises where a deliverer was concerned. The light of Christ was about to enter the world, relief was coming, and life was being given to the people who had waited so long! The warmth of the Holy Spirit was also coming to comfort God’s people. God’s prevenient grace was already assuring the people that help was on the way. On the night Jesus was born, everything changed. The prophecy was fulfilled, and a promise made long ago was kept. God had sent the long-promised deliverer.

    As tomorrow is Christmas and we will be gathering to worship, we will not light the Christ candle tonight, but we do remember the night Christ was born. Look around and see the light that fills the sanctuary. Feel the warmth. If you’re joining us online, look at the light and feel the warmth around you. When Jesus came into the world as a baby, this was the spiritual light and warmth that had entered the world like never before. Grace and love were spilling into the world like never before. God’s people had been delivered. Today, because of the baby born in a stable somewhere in Bethlehem, we know true freedom from our sins, the warmth and light that only God can bring us. Love came down in a barn! Thanks be to God.

  • Worship Wars: Christmas Day Edition

    The last time Christmas Day fell on a Sunday was in 2016 and I remember the appalling feeling I had when churches began to announce that they were canceling their worship services for that week. The reason most often given was to allow parishioners and staff to spend time with their families. I was shocked that this was even a debate, let alone that churches were choosing to forego services on one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar. I said as much in a Facebook group for clergy and was derided by nearly everyone who responded. One that I remember informed me that I was “insensitive and out of touch with today’s church.” Another accused me of not caring about families and that I was an “egomaniac for demanding that people come to hear (me) preach.”

    And, yes, these were pastors saying these things.

    As you may know, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year. I recently began seeing comments from pastors who state their intention is to either not hold services at all or that they will be virtual-only for Christmas 2022. As you may have seen, dear reader, I’m very much pro-digital worship, hybrid worship, and other innovative means of encountering Christ. With that said, I do believe that communities that typically meet on Sundays should do so without interruption as much as possible (a pandemic being a prime example of when a church should consider gathering virtually and not physically). The statement I made on my socials was that any church that cancels worship on Sunday, December 25th, because it’s Christmas day is not a church, it’s a social club.

    I stand by that conviction.

    A Small Word About Me

    First, you need to know these things about me: I’m a foster father with two young foster children. My wife and I have family spread all over the state of Mississippi and beyond. We will have to travel a minimum of two hours in any direction to celebrate the day with any of our family.

    The reasons cited for calling off worship typically revolve around one’s family or to give volunteers a break. Family is important and so is rest. I get it and I really don’t want to sound like a jerk, but I believe those are awful reasons to cancel an in-person worship service or to offer a digital-only option if the congregation typically meets physically.

    Put down your pitchforks and hear me out.

    The Biblical Case

    The simple thing is this: God is to be the first priority for a disciple. This means that everything else – yes, even our family – takes a lower place on our list than God. I don’t believe God was bluffing when He told Moses, “I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:2-3 NIV) Jesus expands on this later on when he talks about the price of discipleship in Luke 14. The reality is this: The cost of discipleship is high. To be a true disciple, we must put everything else on the back burner and give our primary allegiance to God. This is the expectation that’s given to us and this is part of what it means to “take up (our) cross and follow (Him).” While I don’t believe that Jesus was literally teaching disciples to hate their families, I do believe that the point is clear that our families are not more important than our discipleship.

    Next, let’s talk about the meaning of the day we gather for worship. In the case of Christmas day, we will not only celebrate the birth of the Christ child but we will also celebrate resurrection and the life to come, a life that was only possible because Jesus was born and has ultimately conquered sin and death. Let’s think forward to the season of Lent: The reason it’s said that Lent is 40 days of fasting minus Sundays is because every Sunday – the day most Christians gather for the main time of worship – is like a little Easter, therefore we take a break from fasting and enjoy the grace and the victory that Christ has brought us. In other words, adherents don’t fast on Sundays because of the significance of the resurrection. Think of Christmas Day falling on Sunday in the same way: We’re celebrating more than “the baby Jesus in the manger.” We’re celebrating the fact that Jesus was born as one of us, ultimately died as one of us but also rose again and gave us victory over sin and death.

    Advent is not only about preparing for the Christ child but also about getting ready for the return of Jesus. Why would we not want to gather and celebrate that day together? #UMC

    The Practical Case

    The last time Christmas day fell on a Sunday, I was approached by a couple of people who were part of the church I was serving at the time who believed I should cancel the worship service. As one put it, “No one’s going to show up because they’ll be getting ready for lunch.” I flatly refused and made clear that we would be holding a worship service on that day. What was predicted to be a low attendance day by many ended up being more attended than our Easter service earlier in the year, partly because of people visiting from out of town as well as a couple of churches in the area that did cancel their services and their people wanted a place to go. For such as those, I will be leading worship in some form on that day.

    Consider this: Not everyone has a family with whom to spend Christmas with. Not everyone travels out of town. Not everyone has plans that would prevent them from attending a worship service. For some, Christmas is a very traumatic and sad day and to deprive them of the opportunity to attend worship on a day when they would normally do so would potentially (likely?) cause harm. I believe such deprivation would even be an act that would deprive them of love, the very definition of sin. I simply cannot wrap my head around not offering an in-person worship service even if only for them.

    “But it takes people to run a worship service and I want to give my people a day with their family!” That’s commendable, truly. Here’s my suggestion: Give them that day off. I promise, the worship service will be just fine without them. For nearly 2,000 years, the church did just fine without an army of volunteers to run things. In fact, the church flourished long before volunteers to run the projection and sound systems were even a thing. This is an opportunity for a simple worship service to be offered. Is it really vital to have projection and a light show? I promise, God will still be glorified if, in the case of large churches, the coffee shop and bookstore are closed so that people can relax. I promise that the lack of laser lights will not take away from the birth of Jesus. I’m also certain that, if projection isn’t done and we simply sing familiar songs even without instruments, that the worship will be acceptable and pleasing in God’s sight (perhaps even more so!). If the preacher simply tells the Christmas story and gives a few personal thoughts, I believe that’s perfectly fine too. The bottom line is that worship services need not always be a production, and Christmas day falling on a Sunday is a perfect time to put the concept of “simple church” into practice.

    Digital Isn’t Enough on Christmas

    Obviously, this doesn’t apply to a digital church or an online campus. For a congregation that typically gathers in-person, I don’t believe that digital is enough. As large of a proponent as I am of streaming and digital church, I don’t believe that a congregation that typically gathers physically should only offer digital for the sake of “family.” Are we going to start calling off services for the sake of secular Easter observances? Of course not (I hope not, anyway!). While that may seem hyperbolic and/or like a comparison between an apple and an orange, I believe the significance is similar. Easter is our holiest of days, but Christmas is not far behind.

    If we start compromising on meeting together for Christmas, where will it end? What does this say to other believers? What does this say to the world?

    If you’re tempted to comment “but what about covid shutdowns,” stop it. That’s a completely different situation and not even close to what I’m talking about here.

    It’s worth nothing that this discussion is almost entirely an American evangelical phenomenon. Christians in other parts of the world would not even dream of calling off worship for a holiday, especially one like Christmas that has a deep and direct connection to our faith. Christians in branches of faith such as Roman Catholicism and the various orthodox denominations would also scoff at the very idea of not worshiping on Christmas Day, especially when the day falls on a Sunday.

    We also need to remember that not everyone has reliable internet access to view an online service. There are also people who, for reasons all their own, don’t engage in online worship.

    To only offer digital worship this Christmas is a move laden with privilege. #UMC

    Am I Just Being a Grinch?

    I know, I know. You think I’m just being a big mean and green Grinch. Perhaps you also want to say some (ahem) Christian words to describe how you believe I’m being insensitive and even hypocritical in saying that I love some digital church but believe digital isn’t enough for one of our high holy days, not in a physical congregation. What I’m saying is that I believe that a congregation that gathers in its sanctuary on a Sunday morning should not call off the service just because of secular observances.

    We say we want to remember the “reason for the season,” and to “keep Christ in Christmas.” Year after year, people trot these lines out as a way of showing off their piety reminding us of what’s truly important about Christmas. We either actually believe this or we don’t. If we cancel Christmas worship, then these sayings are mere slogans for social media clout.

    It’s time to put our money where our mouths are.

  • Online Ministry is Ministry

    The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major shift in the ways churches conducted their ministries. Congregations that had been doing some form of online ministry (such as any congregation I’ve been appointed to – every single one has been engaged online in some form or another) suddenly had to increase their activity out of necessity. Likewise, churches that had never done online outreach were left scrambling because their physical doors were shut. The biggest misconception was that the churches were closed during the pandemic. The churches were never closed, they simply changed locations from a physical one to one in the digital realm. These ministries – even ones done with the pastor’s smartphone from their living room – had tremendous impact because, not only did the people of the church remain plugged in, new people were reached and were offered Jesus in ways that were barely thought of previously. Since that time, many congregations have even increased their online ministries with the realization that online ministry is no longer optional, it is essential.

    Online ministry is ministry.

    Since physical doors have reopened and people began returning to their pews, many congregations have, unfortunately, scaled back or even eliminated their online presences. I believe this is a major mistake and is actually antithetical to the Great Commission. The crux of Jesus’ message was for the church to go to where people are and make them disciples. Reality is, people are found online and that’s where the harvest is ripest. So, imagine my dismay when a church from my own annual conference shared this on their Facebook page last night:

    I want to be clear that I do not share this to shame them, but to illustrate that congregations really are taking this stance. This is often in a misguided attempt to “get people back in church.” Many laity I’ve talked to about online ministry have the notion that streaming and other forms of online ministry are keeping people away from church, as in the physical location, and that people who worship digitally are not “really in church.” This is a myth. They miss out on the fact that online ministry and streaming (streaming is but one aspect of online ministry) are connecting people to churches like never before and in ways that have been impossible for the church to do previously. They also miss out on who is engaging (no, it’s not just “kids”).

    If a church is not engaging with people online, then it is being ineffective. This is 2022 and we must stop fighting technology – and reality – and instead embrace the fact that we have an amazing tool that allows us to spread the gospel to more people than our buildings can even hold. The reality is that online ministry today is not optional, it is essential. I have all sorts of data and studies that I could quote on why online ministry is vital but, instead, I’d like to present some things that I have witnessed personally as I have led my churches to engage online.

    Homebound People Engage!

    Assumptions are often made that only young people are interested in streaming the worship service but I’ve found this to be far from the truth. What is true now and has been true for the entire time that I’ve been live streaming is that our homebound parishioners are the largest group of people who tune in. I hear from homebound parishioners nearly weekly and they are so grateful for being able to remain plugged in to what their church is doing and they enjoy getting to sing along, hear the prayers, and the sermons every week from wherever they are. When I was a youth, I can remember making recordings of the sermon at my church and making copies of the tapes(!) to send to our homebound people. Now, streaming enables these dear saints to simply log in and hit play without having to wait for a disc. Facebook groups can also enable them to share in prayer requests, congregational happenings, etc. Obviously, this does not replace face time with the pastor and friends from church visiting, but streaming and other forms of online ministry do enable one to be more fully plugged in.

    Online Attendance is Attendance. Online Giving is Giving.

    In spite of my own use of the terms, I wish we would get away from adding the qualifier “online” when we talk about those who worship and give digitally. The fact is, these spaces are just as valid and real as the brick and mortar buildings where we worship. There are a variety of reasons one would choose to worship online. Sickness is a major contributor, with many people having conditions that will not allow them to be in many public spaces due to the risk of exposure of COVID and other illnesses that could actually kill them. Perhaps it’s a family on vacation, traveling on Sunday who choose to listen to the audio portion of the service while they drive to or from their vacation destination. The reasons why do not really matter; what does matter is that they are still hearing the gospel and are still singing the hymns, praying the prayers, saying the liturgy. God still honors this and receives it. as a blessing to himself from those who are striving to grow closer to him. Remember this too: Assuming you have an online giving portal available for your church (and if you don’t, you’re truly missing a major opportunity), they are still giving their offering even if they aren’t putting a physical check or cash into a plate. The faithful are still being faithful. I even have someone who, to my knowledge, has never had. a connection to one of my churches but who faithfully watches the live stream and even contributes monthly through our online giving site. This is God at work!

    Here’s more food for thought: Before I began writing this article, I looked up the stats for the videos of last Sunday’s worship services at my two churches. By best estimates, an extra 10 people joined one of my churches for worship and an extra 20 joined the other last Sunday. People are being reached for Jesus who may not otherwise have been! And why? Because we live stream our services.

    Online Often Leads to Analog

    Studies show that when people are seeking a new church, one of the first places they turn to is Google and Facebook. People will preview a church and its ministries through the websites and social media pages before stepping foot into a building. They will typically watch a recording of a service to get a feel for how the church worships so that they know what to expect. In every congregation that I have served and where we have streamed, nearly all of the people who have visited in-person have told me they first found us online and watched playbacks of the worship services before deciding to come for a visit. In almost every case, these folks became some of the most involved parishioners I ever had. Recently, I had a family begin attending physically because of our online ministries. The wife had previously been connected with the church, been away, and came back when she found the church’s Facebook page. Yes, some people will choose to only participate online (the reasons why are varied), but most often worshipping online leads to occupying a seat in the physical sanctuary. Any church not streaming and engaging online is missing opportunities to invite people to worship who they likely would not have the opportunity to find otherwise.

    Let’s Bring It Home!

    I want to be clear that, not once, have I ever advocated for the physical church to be replaced with a digital one. I do not believe that churches should go fully online and stay there. With that said, we need to rethink what church is and what participation actually means. To be frank, what most church call “outreach” is ineffective and only serves the congregation that’s already there. Outreach in 2022 must include digital outreach and ministry in order to meet people where they are today. Church is not becoming a mixture of physical and virtual spaces, church has already become that. The church must embrace online ministry instead of fighting it. History has proven time and again that when the church resists new ways of ministry, the end is not good.

    The church must go to where the people are. In the days of Jesus and John Wesley, the people were in the town squares and the fields. In our day, the people are online. Let’s do as Jesus instructed: “Go.”

  • A Letter to the Global Methodist Church

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    Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

    I greet you in the strong name of Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the One who was, is, and is to come. The One who lived and died and rose again so that we may share in His victory over sin and death.

    This letter is one that I hoped to not have to write but it’s become evident that someone needs to say these words to you. If no one else will, I will. The reason is simple: I love you all.

    Seriously, I do. Do not agree with your choice to leave the United Methodist Church and to encourage others to follow you, but I also support you all in going in the way which you believe you are led to go. May you all continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ, may the love of Christ and the hope of resurrection be proclaimed, and may you and your congregations grow in grace, love, and in truth. My sincere hope is that we can all continue to be co-laborers for Jesus at the end of the day.

    With that said (and know that this next statement does not apply to all of you): I do not agree with your tactics, the lies many of you are spreading, and the fear that is being sown. Your attempts at spiritual and other manipulation are sickening and. it pains me to know that many of you willingly and, perhaps, gleefully participate in these games. Lying is a sin and I urge you all to repent. Even if you believe that you’re building God’s kingdom, the end does not justify the means. Based on what I have seen and heard, here are some areas where I believe the GMC needs to come clean.

    Admit that this was the plan from the start.

    You can’t kid a kidder and you can’t con a con artist.

    I told many friends of mine that, when the Wesleyan Covenant Association launched, a new denomination was also on its way. I was told repeatedly by WCA insiders that a new church was not in the works and that they had no such ambitions. One even told me – and yes this is a direct quote because I will never forget it – “We will stay. in the United Methodist Church until Jesus comes back.” (the person who said this to me is no longer involved in WCA/GMC because they realized they were being lied to) Well, here now we have the GMC, launched by people also involved with WCA. New denominations don’t just happen overnight, they take years of discernment and planning to launch. Just be honest and admit that this was the plan from the beginning of WCA. That much became clear to me quickly.

    Stop the misinformation campaign

    One of the main problems with politics today is that there is so much misinformation put out by campaigns, parties, and outside players, that it’s difficult to tell the truth from the lies. The biggest misfortune is that church folks seem to be keen on not only believing the political lies but also employing the tactics used on them. Especially the clergy, you all know that the United Methodist Church is not going to change to a doctrine that denies the divinity of Jesus, denies the trinity or any of the other fear-inducing claims some of you are making. Yes, there certainly are individual people within the UMC who hold such beliefs, but they are few and far between. It’s not uncommon for someone to make such a claim and when asked to name someone who said any of these things, they suddenly claim to feel attacked or otherwise can’t name anyone. Even if there was a movement within the UMC to change our articles of religion and confessions of faith, it’s next to impossible to do so because of the Restrictive Rules (again, this is something that should be common knowledge). This tells me that either people are intentionally misrepresenting the truth or that outsiders with no knowledge of UMC polity are being allowed to spread such rumors to benefit the GMC. Either way, it’s dishonest, disgusting, and sinful.

    The doctrine issue is only one aspect subject to rumors and fear mongoring. Spreading rumors that churches are not being allowed to leave is dishonest as well. A pastor stood up during my annual conference’s gathering and claimed that there was an annual conference in Texas (I don’t believe he said which) that was not allowing churches to disaffiliate if they wished to do so. I know for a fact that this is not true as I have colleagues in Texas – in two different annual conferences – who are actually part of disaffiliation teams that their conferences send to assist churches that wish to leave. There may be pockets of resistance, sure, but it’s not widespread and is most certainly not the conspiracy that a lot of you are making it out to be. The claim that pastors are being told not to talk about disaffiliation if asked is also almost entirely not true (again, I’m not naive enough to believe that it doesn’t happen but such “intimidation” is not widespread). At the request of our general conference delegation, there will be gatherings throughout the state to discuss specifics related to disaffiliation, largely to dispel the rumors and fear mongering going around. Frankly, this should not be necessary but since GMC is not doing anything to discourage such fear mongering, it is.

    Having worked in radio broadcasting and gaining extensive marketing experience as a result, I can spot a campaign when I see one. When different people are saying similar things and changing to a different topic at the same time, it’s intentional and straight out of a marketing playbook. GMC needs to stop this foolishness. I emphasize once again: Lying is a sin.

    Stop claiming that those who remain in the UMC are unfaithful

    More than once, me and colleagues who have expressed that we desire to remain in the UMC have been told that our souls are on the line. I’ve been called a false prophet, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and told that I’m leading my people straight to hell more times than I can count. Laity also have been told similar things. There are people truly telling others that, should they remain in the UMC, they are at risk of losing their salvation (I can’t help but notice that many of these comments come from anonymous trolls on various social platforms). This kind of spiritual manipulation is sickening and unloving. GMC needs to denounce this kind of behavior and actively work to stop it.

    The bottom line: Show love.

    Why is an organization that claims to be more faithful to the teachings of Jesus participating in such activities or allowing them to happen in their name? You’re either with Christ or against Him. You’re either trying to build His kingdom or one of your own making. If GMC is truly about Jesus and nothing more, they will see that truth wins out. To do otherwise is to be complicit in sin. My hope and prayer is that love and charity are shown. Brothers and sisters, stand for truth. Don’t stand for fear and manipulation. Any gains made through such means are ill-gotten and, well, scripture has plenty to say about that too.

    In Christ,

    Rev. Jonathan Tullos
    Elder in Full Connection, Mississippi Annual Conference of the UMC

  • Rescue the Lost Sheep

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    A few years ago, I attended a ministry conference where the featured speaker made a statement that I often recall: “God is in the rescue business.” One of the occasions where I found myself thinking of this statement was in a conversation this morning with one of my friends, who said, “I don’t like churches because of my issues and hang ups and what happened to me growing up there. I’d absolutely feel safe in your church. And that’s what’s important. Taking in the lost sheep and helping them feel like they have a sturdy shelter again.” Honestly, a statement like this is something every Christian ought to long to hear, that someone has even an ounce of faith because of their witness. Especially as a pastor, I like knowing that someone has rekindled their faith because I allowed them the space to explore and safely ask questions and express doubts. As a shepherd, my job is to seek the lost sheep and bring them safely into the care of Jesus, the great shepherd.

    Unfortunately, especially in the western world, Christians seem to have lost sight of the mission and of who God really is. Jesus didn’t come for the righteous, but for the sinner (Luke 5:32). Yet, this doesn’t stop many Christians from judging who is and is not worthy to attend their church. The idea often seems to be that people must all be alike and think alike in order to join a particular church. Here’s the thing, though: That’s entirely a modern construct. From its earliest days, the church – as in, the collection of people – was meant to be diverse in its make up and perspective. If you look at Acts 2 and other parts of the new testament that reveal the look of the early church, you’ll see that they were people from all sorts of places, walks of life, and outlooks. Some were totally convinced of Jesus being the Messiah while others had their doubts. Some were certain of how to express their faith from their Jewish background while others had never been Jewish and had no idea what was going on. Now, we want homogony in every facet and if a “sheep” wants to come to a particular pen who doesn’t fit with the other sheep, then that sheep is often ignored and sent back out into the world even more hurt and scarred than they were when they walked in.

    In such churches, any sheep who does not look and think the same as the current sheep aren’t welcome.

    The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) is a perfect example of what evangelism is supposed to be. The Pharisees aren’t happy that Jesus has been associating with “tax collectors and other notorious sinners” because, as the Pharisees saw it, they were not worthy of being loved by God. They had decided that these “sinners” were not welcome. Jesus uses the example of a shepherd who tends a flock of 100 sheep leaving 99 to find the one who wandered away and brings the lost sheep back. There, the sheep who wandered off and was malnourished, dehydrated, and injured can be cared for and healed. Jesus closes out this lesson by saying, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Luke 15:7 NLT)

    This is the job that Jesus wants His people to carry out: Find the lost sheep and bring them home, even if the sheep don’t quite “fit.” Bishop James Swanson once said in a sermon, “Being together does not mean being and thinking alike.”

    Our job is to go out, find the lost sheep, and bring them to Jesus to be made whole and healed. It doesn’t matter what we believe is “wrong” with them or how different they are, it’s still our job to show them to the rescuer. We don’t get to pick and choose who comes to the table because it’s not ours; the table belongs to Jesus.

    Rescue the perishing,
    Care for the dying,
    Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
    Weep o’er the erring one,
    Lift up the fallen,
    Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

    Rescue the perishing,
    Care for the dying;
    Jesus is merciful,
    Jesus will save.

    “Rescue the Perishing,” a hymn by Fanny Crosby

  • The New Worship Wars

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    I remember several years ago that one of the big churchy buzzwords (or maybe “buzz term” would be more appropriate) was worship wars. Basically, this was a term used to describe the struggles many congregations faced about traditional versus contemporary music in their worship services. Many churches opted to have separate traditional and contemporary services and, often, the result was turf wars over which service was better or which service’s attenders mattered more. Some opted to have blended styles of worship with contemporary and traditional music, liturgy, and other elements mixed together. The result of the blended approach has often been the fans of contemporary and traditional approaches arguing amongst themselves over which style was proper and appropriate. Still other churches have opted for either traditional or contemporary only styles of worship which has often resulted in people opting not to attend a particular church due to their worship style. I want to note that, in my experiences, the arguments for or or against contemporary or traditional worship have been rooted in personal preference and not in anything related to biblical teaching or to church tradition (remember: There was a time when even the organ was considered “contemporary”) and the resulting strife was anything but glorifying to God.

    The church has always been involved in such debates since there has been a church. Ever since this thing called “the church” has been in existence, we have been arguing about everything from the proper way to baptize to the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. While many of these arguments don’t become major in the sense that it can impact the entire church, we see a new front in worship wars emerging: In-person versus digital/online and hybrid forms of worship. Almost daily, I’m seeing posts on social media decrying one continuing to engage with their church virtually. Such posts essentially have the same message: “You have to come back to church,” as in physically and in-person. The strong suggestion is also made that virtual forms of worship are fake and that one who engages digitally is not actually worshipping.

    Baloney.

    Now, I know not everyone will agree. People will quote scriptures like Hebrews 10:25 as proof that not going to a worship in a physical space is invalid. Participating in the life of the church is vital but there are many more ways to do this than simply occupying a seat on Sunday morning (and if that’s al one does, they’re not really engaged). We have many ways by which we can participate in the life of the church and engage in worship – attending in-person services and activities are just one of the ways we can connect with one another.

    First, let me present some anecdotal evidence: I and many of my brothers and sisters in ministry have been able to reach far more people by live streaming our services and using tools such as Zoom and Google Classroom than we have ever been able to reach from our pulpits and our buildings. While people are obsessed with things like views on Facebook, there are ways to estimate who’s truly engaged online and who simply spends a few seconds watching and scrolls away. On average, my two churches have an addition 10-30 people engaged online every Sunday morning, people who would not be with us in any way otherwise. These are people who may not be regularly connected to a church and, somehow, found the Facebook page. One of my churches has even seen someone with no apparent connection to the congregation begin giving occasionally through our online giving platform. For all we know, this would have never happened otherwise. Colleagues of mine have told of similar events within their contexts.

    I recently attended the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas (as in, Adam Hamilton’s church) and found some great insights about digital and hybrid worship. Barna Group has done extensive research on preferences of digital, physical and hybrid worship and discipleship activities. What was revealed to those who attended a break out about digital and hybrid worship was:

    • While 52% of all churched adults surveyed preferred primarily physical gatherings, 35% preferred a mix of both (hybrid).
    • 41% of Gen Z prefers physical while 37% prefer hybrid (only 13% wanted digital onl).
    • 42% of Millennials prefer physical while 40% want hybrid (again, 13% preferred digital).
    • For Gen X, 47% prefer physical while 39% want hybrid (wow!).
    • Baby boomers: 71% prefer physical gatherings, but 24% want a mixture.
    • The biggest take away: A total of 87% of churched digital discipleship participants feel that digital forums for discipleship provide a safe space to speak openly,
    • Source

    Here’s the bottom line: Most people still prefer to gather physically (yes, even younger people) but significant portions of each generation group want a hybrid approach. One reason is being able to still interact with worship even if they can not be present at the time of worship. There’s also more: People also feel more free in asking questions and having more open dialogue online rather than in person. As an introvert, I completely understand as sometimes asking the tough questions in physical groups can be very intimidating. Reality is, some physical spaces within the church are not safe for tough discussions. With the modern tools at our disposal, we have opportunities to be more real with one another. The people have spoken: The winner of this latest incarnation of the worship wars is “both,” not just physical or just digital.

    Sunday morning is never going to go away (nor should it) but the church will evolve into a mix of digital and physical, and not just on Sunday morning, but throughout the week.

    In these discussions, one must also be careful not to discount those for whom digital is really their only option. We are still in a pandemic. Some people are simply not comfortable gathering in public spaces right now (this is a choice we ought to honor, not mock or try to persuade otherwise) and still others who have weakened immune systems who would surely die if they contracted Covid-19 or some other sickness. When we make statements that say “it’s time to come back to church,” we are not being sensitive to these groups (made up of people made in God’s image).

    We must be sensitive to the needs of our neighbors and respect their choices for their own health, regardless of our own preferences.

    The church has an opportunity: Resist the changes taking place and fight against it (which history should teach us does not work). Or, we can meet people where they are. Social media has a lot of bad stuff happening on it but, like anything else, it comes down to how we choose to use it. We can choose to use social media and other online platforms to meet people where they are, which is largely on social media. For a prime example of someone who excelled at meeting people where they are and communicating with them in ways that were accessible, see Jesus.

    Let’s put down our weapons of worship warfare and pick up our ability to love. As long as one is engaged with God – regardless of whether that takes places in a pew or on the couch – they are bringing him glory. Let’s do the same.