Vision Heals

This is my second blogpost written from my I-Pad. We are still very much in transition between two places; two houses, two churches, two call-settings, two lives. Computers are the new plumbline of civilization, and where there is no computer or wi-fi connection, there is virtually no life.  But, without a computer, I have been thinking about an interesting polarity that I am experiencing in my life right now.

On the one hand we are leaving a place, Highlands Church, that must feel a little shaken, and wounded, by the recent announcemnent that I have just stepped down as their senior pastor.  There must be the need for some healing, at Highlands, to be sure. Yet, at the same time, Highlands is a place that is reaching for new and exciting ministry avenues. There is a vision there about the future. 

Here on the other side of the Rockies, we are entering a place, First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, that must still be feeling a little shaken and wounded by the news that Jim Singleton is leaving.  Jim is their much beloved and extremely hard working lead pastor who is stepping down to become a full time professor at Gordon Theological Seminary..  And yet, as with Highlands, there is at First Pres. Colorado Springs a profound sense of excitement about where the church is going, what it is about to do, where God is leading it.  There is vision.  And so, in both cases, I have relearned the age old and important life and leadership lesson, that....

Vision Heals!

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit by the bedside of a dying friend. This person has been a Christ follower for many, many years, and has contributed an incredible amount to church and the kingdom. There was a sadness in the room as loved ones cried, and friends held each other's hands, and nurses wafted back and forth through the room, plugging and unplugging machines.. My dying friend was in pain. Not knowing what exactly to say in this situation (even pastors get tounge tied sometimes), I asked my friend, "What do you think heaven will be like?" My friend looked at me, unable to speak, but with an immediate glint of hope in his eye. It was as if the very vision of heaven, in the midst of the tubes and wires and anesthetic, helped him to rise above the pain of the current moment. I learned again that...

Vision Heals!

Just this past week, I prayed with a woman who has a debilitating chronic illness. This woman used to be vital, and strong, and very effective in her work setting. She asked me to pray that she might get her "old job" back again, by some miracle of God. But then she said, "no that will never happen, I will never be THAT well again."  After a moment or two more of conversation with my friend, I said, "Why don't we pray for the future and not the past. Why don't we pray that God will do something new in your life, in the midst of this illness.  Why don't we pray that the future will be just as rewarding as your "old job", but even better in it's own way. We prayed, and once again, a burden seemed to be released, and I witnessed that...

Vision Heals!

What areas of your life need healing? How might God breathe the essence of vision through that area of brokenness to bring life? The Bible says that, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The corollary to this must be that where there is a strong vision, healing and abundant life overflow.

All for now,
GB

Crowd Surfing!

I should begin by writing that since my laptop and computer are now packed up, ready for the move to Colorado springs, that this will be the first (and maybe last)blogpost I write from my I-pad. Please excuse the editing errors, I will blame them on Apple's spellchecker...

 For the past month or so, I have been contemplating and thinking about what the most important ingredient is in whether a ministry is successful or not. That is, I have been asking myself the question of what the most immortant dynamic in whether a pastor, or spiritual leader, is fruitful, effective, healthy, and happy in a particular call setting. Obviously this question is forefront in my mind as I move from an existing call setting to a new one. What is it that makes a great pastor? And, of course, the answer is - God! But what else? And I have arrived at an answer. A good/great pastor requires a great congregation. A pastor cannot exceed the support, spiritual maturity, effectiveness, faith, prayer life, of his/her church. Being a good pastor (I will refrain from the word "great" since only God is great, and humans are only very occasionally just "good") needs the support of a congregation. Here's the image that keeps coming to me.

 It's like Crowd Surfing!

 Have you ever been to a rock concert, when, at the most exciting moment in the show, the lead vocalist puts down his instrument (I've never seen a woman crowd surf before), and launches himself into the audience, and at the very same moment, a hundred pairs of hands reach up and catch the singer? What usually happens then is that the singer is moved throughout the audience, being held up and volleyed along by the people. If the people drop the singer, the singer falls to the ground, to be badly injured. But if the audience all work together to hold the singer up, he is safe, and actually has an enjoyable ride through the crowd. Being a pastor is like crowd surfing. Every week, from the front of the church, the pastor launches him/herself into the congregation, in the sermon. If the congregation are in prayer, and spiritual health, and have open hearts and minds, ready for the work of the Holy Spirit, the pastor is moved through the crowd, effortlessly, caringy, hopefully, and lovingly. It's actually a fun experience! And God uses this dance, to change lives, and renew hearts and souls.

 So, don't be surprised some Sunday if yours truly launches himself into the congregation, whereever I am speaking -for Crowd Surfing!!

 The question only remains, will catch me? I know you will! And God will be in our midst.

All for now,
GB