May The Gospel Be With You

I did not intentionally plan to be the guy writing the blog on May the Fourth, but I plan to make the most of it. For the non-nerds out there, May 4th is Star Wars day, only because May the Fourth sounds eerily similar to may the force [be with you]. The multilayered joke in the methodist tradition is to then add “and also with you”. (In a traditional style service there is a moment called the passing of the peace. The proper greeting is “The peace of Christ be with you” and the response is “and also with you”.)

While I was still a youth director, Star Wars episode 7 came out. Of course I had to think of a way to watch Star Wars with the teens, but in typical youth ministry fashion I also had to come up with a way to redeem it for spiritual purposes. Apparently old habits die hard. Anyway, we watched the Force Awakens over a few week span, but the catch was I wanted the teens to take note of what Christian themes could be found in the movie. It didn’t disappoint. Some of the parallels were super obvious. Some of them were a bit more obscure like Finn being the Prodigal Son. The thing that pleasantly surprised me though was that they were all able to connect the stories and themes of the Bible to the movie. I still think it’s a wonderful exercise and encourage you to try it as you celebrate May The Fourth.

However, you can also do this with just about any other movie. Top Gun: Maverick was the top grossing movie last year and has nothing to do with Christianity. But even in this movie you can draw similarities to the Bible. I mean, the whole movie itself is a continuation of the first and makes several nostalgic references to the original. It’s like how the New Testament is a fulfillment of the Old and contains 283 direct quotes. You can talk about training up the next generation (Proverbs 22:6), encouraging one another (1 Thess. 3:2), or doing whatever it is to the best of your ability (Ecc. 9:10).

The sceptic might say that the reason we can do this so easily is because the Bible has copied or borrowed from other narratives or real world scenarios and therefore is just a trope. However, I think it’s the opposite. For starters, large parts of the Bible are merely describing God’s interaction with His people. It is a written record of what has happened to humans. And because we are still human, the stories that we found compelling thousands of years ago still have a similar draw to us today. We love the hero’s journey, the underdog taking down the empire, epic battles and self sacrifice. So of course we can find these themes in Biblical works and in modern movies.

So whether you celebrate today by watching all 9 episodes or if it’s just another day in May, may the peace of Christ be with you.

Raise Them Up

As a parent, your greatest joy is seeing your child grow and develop into the person God has created them to be. You want your child to know and love Jesus Christ, and to live a life that reflects his love and grace. In this blog, we'll explore some of the ways you can help your child grow in her faith and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

First and foremost, you can help your child develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This starts by introducing her to the Bible and teaching her about God's love and grace. You can read Bible stories together, pray together, and attend church services and events as a family. By modeling a life of faith and discipleship, you can help your child understand what it means to follow Jesus.

You can also help your child develop a heart for service and compassion. Jesus taught us to love and serve others, and as we follow him, we are called to do the same. You can help your child develop a heart for service by volunteering together, participating in mission trips, and reaching out to those in need in your community. By serving others, your child can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from following Christ's example.

Another important way to help your child grow in his/her faith is to encourage them to develop healthy relationships with other believers. The Bible tells us that we are not meant to live out our faith alone, but to be part of a community of believers. You can help your child find a group of friends who share their faith and encourage them to participate in youth group or other church activities. By being part of a community of believers, your child can find support, encouragement, and accountability as they grow in their faith.

Finally, you can help your child develop a strong sense of identity in Christ. In a world that often promotes unrealistic standards of beauty and success, it's important for your child to know that their true worth comes from who they are in Christ. You can help your child understand that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God has a unique purpose and plan for their life. By helping your child find his/her identity in Christ, you can help her navigate the challenges of life with confidence and grace.

As a parent, you have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help your child grow in their faith and become a disciple of Jesus Christ. By introducing them to the Bible, encouraging them to serve others, helping them find community, and nurturing their sense of identity in Christ, you can help your child become the person God has created them to be.

When Its Time To Change

Autumn turns to winter,

And winter turns to spring.

It doesn’t just go for the seasons you know,

It goes for everything.

Shakespeare? Tennyson? Whitman? Close - the Brady Bunch. You might recognize this as the opening verse of their most famous song, “Time to Change.” It was written for the episode where Peter’s teenage voice began to change, threatening the family’s upcoming appearance on a local TV talent show. You remember that one. It was a major crisis for the family, but – not to worry – in the end they were able to compete when they cleverly incorporated Peter’s pitchy voice into the song’s chorus that reminds us to welcome change as a necessary part of life and growth. Crisis averted. I’ll spare you the Sha-na-nas.

The song may be a little corny and devoid of any deep theology, but it does make a good point. We cannot live or grow without experiencing change. The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, is credited with saying, “the only constant is change” and how much more so for Methodist pastors and their families. As you know, this past week our Senior Pastor, Dr. Alan McBride, announced his appointment to another church in our Conference. He and Karen will be leaving NUMC this summer, and they will be sorely missed.

As hard as it is to accept, change is not just inevitable. It is necessary. I know that in my head, but when faced with news like Alan’s departure, I soon realize the concept has not fully made the short eighteen-inch drop to my heart. So, like many of you it is something I have to process to find a continued confidence in Providence and a happy reassurance in our God’s trustworthiness. The most positive way for me to process this kind of news is to consider (1) occasions in our recent past that brought a need for change and (2) how God always used these circumstances to take us to a better place than where we started. I hope you will indulge me as I offer for your consideration three such occasions where we were broken spiritually, functionally, and physically and desperately needed change.

Let’s start with Alan. When he reported for work here, NUMC was a broken church – a family sharply divided. For months prior to his arrival, we had been caught up in a silly fight over temporal things and for some crazy reason we thought our disagreements could be resolved by a majority vote of the Church Council. It didn’t work out too well. When the votes were cast and a single, solitary vote separated the winners from the losers, Mark Munday took me aside and whispered words in my ear I will never forget – “Cal, we have failed to love people here tonight.”  He was right, and the explosive division that followed proved him so. Our fighting had left us spiritually broken, and it was time to change.

That year, Alan McBride was appointed as our new Senior Pastor. Ed Bush and I had the privilege of meeting him for the first time at Annual Conference, where he invited us to dinner.  I have told the story of this dinner many times, but it is worth telling again now because – in my opinion – it is a story of God’s great love for us and an event that will stand forever as a watershed moment for our church.

Not long into our meal and still reeling from the politics that had just crushed our body, I asked Alan a really stupid question. Consumed with finding a modern leadership solution that would bring us all back together, I asked, “Alan, what is your agenda for our church?”  His answer could not have been more Christ-like if he had kneeled down to scribble in the dirt. He said, “Cal, I think I’m going to come over there and just love on people.”  He was true to his word and before long, he had literally loved this broken church back together.

We still have disagreements, but we also enjoy a much greater unity - especially about the ideas that really matter. We have a stronger consensus on mission and a more accommodating flexibility on methods. Alan was just the change we needed, but not the last we would see.

Not long into Alan’s tenure, the COVID-19 pandemic crippled everything in our culture, including our ministry to this community. At the time, our church model, like most everyone else’s, was dependent on people actually being here on Sunday mornings to worship, take communion, share tithes and offerings, and minister to one another. Well, that model wasn’t going to work anymore. Now what? The pandemic had left us functionally broken, and it was time to change.

Our church leaders prayed and scrambled to redesign our systems and implement innovative technologies that would not only get us through the immediate crisis but would also deliver a new suite of capabilities for expanding our reach far beyond the Emerald Coast. Today, by God’s grace, our worship services are viewed on-line in time zones that span the globe. The Lord also used the pandemic to test and strengthen both our resolve and our ability to answer his call to be the light, life, and love of Jesus Christ in a hurting and broken world no matter the circumstances.  What the enemy meant for harm; God has used for a greater good than we even knew was possible. Everything changed, and we dramatically changed with it, but we still weren’t finished.

Just as we were getting back to in-person services, Hurricane Sally blew into town and devastated our aging church facilities. There was damage to every building on our campus and more than $2 million worth of repairs were needed for the sanctuary alone. We were still only limping back from COVID-19 and now Sally had left us physically broken and, you guessed it, it was time to change. Once again, we rallied around our gracious Lord and one another, having been strengthened by the unifying love of a great pastor and our victorious response to an unimaginable global crisis. We formed a task force with Romans 8:28 as our driving theme - “in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  It was long two-year struggle, but in the end, God used this crisis to make significant repairs and improvements to all of our facilities, including a total remodeling of our beautiful sanctuary – just in time for a new generation of believers to call it home. He turned what could have been a tremendous setback into a significant step forward in preparing our campus for the people and work he will continue to bring our way.

I thank God NUMC is no stranger to change. Each time we have stood before the gale of uncertainty, we have emerged on the other side stronger, closer, and better than ever. I have never seen our church more committed to the mission than we are right now. Building on what we have recently faced, we are boldly stepping forward with new leaders, new strategies, new facilities, and a new resolve to bring the love and grace of Christ to the world around us.

In the midst of all this progress, the prospect of Alan moving on now leaves us heart broken, and – like it or not – it’s once again time to change. I don’t think any of us can predict what that change will look like for us, for Alan, or for Shalimar UMC, but based on history and the promise of scripture, I feel confident in saying it will be good for everyone. As I have processed the news in this way, God has lifted from me the burden of wasting time entertaining my worst fears and most dreaded outcomes. I hope it will do the same for us as a church. I think it would honor God for us to dwell not on how the change will impact who we are today, but instead eagerly and obediently respond to whatever change he brings to make us into the church He wants us to be. Just like the Brady kids tried to teach us fifty years ago (and every day since in syndication) …

When it’s time to change (when it’s time to change),

Don’t fight the tide, go along for the ride, don’t you see?

When it’s time to change, it’s time to rearrange

Who you are and what you’re gonna be!

Oh, what the heck…

Shana na na na na nana na – shana na na na.

Shanna na na na na na na na – shana na na na.

Grace and Peace, my friends!

Spiritual Heroes

Easter Sunday is in the books! We saw many new faces as well as familiar ones. We were able to open two nursery rooms again, and Hildreth Hall was full of children.  NUMC is experiencing growth and momentum, and as Matt mentioned in his post last week, it’s all happening at an exciting speed. So, what now? It’s time for the church to embrace the young families that have been coming in and engage with the next generation. There are toddlers, preschoolers, school-agers, middle schoolers, and high schoolers that are looking for spiritual heroes right here at NUMC. As you get to know me, and my husband Chris, you will learn very quickly that our passion is for the next generation. You may not have children, or your kids may be grown and out of the house, but this post is for you as much as it is for those currently parenting little ones.

One of my favorite verses is from the book of Psalms, 78:4 “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and mighty wonders.” We must get the word out!

We know that parents play a vital and critical role in guiding, directing, and raising their own children, but I believe this call to tell the next generation extends to other people’s kids too. We have all been called to love God and love people… and that includes children. They are not JUST kids, they’re our future and the church’s future. Our responsibility to them as a body of believers, as Christ’s followers, is to understand and embrace how important their role is in the body of Christ.

What our kids need are spiritual Heroes. So, what’s a spiritual Hero you ask?

A spiritual hero is someone who comes into your life and leaves a lasting impression that points back to Christ before it points back to themselves.

I think we can all look back on our childhood and have someone come to mind that we looked up to and admired. A coach, a relative, a teacher, a pastor- someone who made a genuine impact on you. So how do we now, as adults, become spiritual heroes for the next generation?

I know some of you right now might be thinking “I am not called to kid’s ministry, teaching, or coaching…kids are not my calling or my gifting.” That is OK! We know from 1 Corinthians 12 that the body of Christ is made up of many different parts that are all important. You may not be actively engaged with a group of kids so to speak, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you’ve got at least one kid (or more), that God has put in your sphere of influence. That could be your grandkids, your nieces/nephews, your friend’s kid, or your neighbor’s kid! They’re out there! They are here too, right in our church waiting for us to step up and lead the way.

The first step to becoming a spiritual hero is to live out your faith. Pastor Reggie Joyner said, “The best way for a kid to know God, is to know someone who knows God.” Let your own kids and those around you see your excitement and love for the things of God. It’s one thing to tell a child how they should act and live, it’s impactful and memorable when they see you do it.

The next step is to invest some time. Be there and show up. If a teen from youth has a softball game, get there! If a single mom in your neighborhood has a child that needs to get to VBS, bring them. Ask kids how they are and actually listen! Pastor Joyner also said, “The reason you build a history with kids is so you can earn the right to influence their future.” I’ve only been here a very short time, but we have met some amazing kids at NUMC. All with their own talents, giftings, and unique callings. Every one of them has a story worth listening to.   

Last, and certainly most important, pray for the next generation AND for their parents. In today’s day and age, it is harder than ever to be a kid with what they’re facing. It’s also unbelievably challenging to parent them through it. As a body of Christ followers, we must all stand strong together and be a voice for those kids in our church and our communities. We need to pray for kids and their parents to find Jesus in a radical way. The next generation needs us to rise and be adults worth looking up to, and ones that are going to point them to Jesus.

Now don’t get me wrong, this is not just an attempt to try and get you to volunteer for nursery, kids, or youth ministry. Although, I will most certainly grab you an application if you’re feeling that heart tug. I’d also like to help break down any walls you may have put up about joining us in ministry. There is no age limit, or “cool quota” one must meet to make a difference in a child’s life. All you need is a desire to listen, show up, and share Jesus. No experience is needed, we will train and equip you! But even more importantly, I want you to finish reading this with a burden to pray for and be there for a kid who needs it; whoever that may be that God is putting on your heart. Every one of us has a child in our sphere of influence.

In fact, I’d love for you to pray with me today.

Lord, we thank You that You have called us to love God and love people, and we say a special prayer of thanks for all the children and young families that have come through our doors.

Lord, we thank You for all the people that prayed for and invested in us and helped shape and mold us into who we are today.

We ask that You help us to rise to the call of sharing Your word, Your goodness, and Your mighty works with the next generation. Let it consume us Lord, where we can’t keep that excitement in. Let it pour out to those around us, especially the children.

We pray for divine appointments with those kids that need a touch from You, reassurance, and encouragement. Holy Spirit, help us to be open and sensitive to those promptings.

We pray for our own kids. Ones that are on their way, ones that we are currently raising, and even the ones that are now adults and on their own. We especially pray for the prodigals, Lord. Place spiritual heroes in their path to point them to You when it matters most.

Speak to us today, Lord, about those kids you need us to minister to specifically.
We thank You and praise You for all our current NUMC kids and parents You’ve placed in our lives. Help us to stay focused on You as we all work on carrying out Your mission.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

If You Build It

Every once in a while a year comes along in the life of a church that is a landmark in its history. If the past couple of weeks are any indication, I feel like 2023 could very well be one of those landmark years. We invited a new staff member to oversee our children’s ministry while I am now moving to full-time youth/student ministry, and we are beginning to break ground on a moving project that will have a tremendous impact on how we do ministry for children and youth at Navarre United Methodist.

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16)

I’m often reminded at times with how Jesus spoke to the disciples concerning children being brought to him to be blessed here in Mark. The reaction I see from the disciples can be one that churches fall into even today. But Jesus stresses the importance that not only are they welcomed and have room in the Kingdom, they’re example of child-like faith is also the standard we should have as adults. Jesus also calls his disciples to “not hinder them.” The efforts we are putting forth this year are to make sure we are not hindering the growth of our children and youth. Each group has its own special needs in order to make that work. Our young people need an environment that is conducive to learn at their level and capabilities; as well as a space that is safe and designed for their spiritual growth! This is what many prospective families are looking for when they visit a church.

I have seen our church band together and put on amazing VBS weeks and raise funds for youth camps. However, I want to challenge us to not just save that energy for events or “once a year” activities. Let’s keep that energy for discipleship and intentional relationship building on a weekly basis! We do not need to wait to have a certain number of kids each week to begin investing in their spiritual growth. It reminds me of a line from one of my favorite nostalgic movies Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.” We are about to make an incredible investment in the spiritual lives of children, youth, and their families. There are so many families struggling with a plethora of issues in our world today, and if the church cannot provide that sense of safety, education, love, and peace in the lives of our community then what hope is there?

This means that we all may need to be more flexible and more patient with one another over the next few months as we make these transitions. We might have to put up with a little extra glitter on the floor, louder voices in the hallways, see a little bit of messiness. But all of these are just signs of children growing, learning, and having a little bit of fun in the Lord’s name. This is a joyful and wonderful noise. And my prayer is (as I hope it will be yours as well) that this year will be the beginning of many great things to come for our church.

Grace and Peace.