Christmas isn't over yet!

Did you know Christmas is not over? We often confuse the weeks of Advent with Christmas. Advent, however, is preparation for Christmas. After December 25, Christmas lasts twelve more days! As a cultural tradition, Christmas is increasingly driven by economic opportunity but Jesus followers can gently push back. In contrast to retailers who begin dismantling Christmas displays on December 24 (we saw workers at the local hardware store taking down decorations last Tuesday afternoon) we might consider leaving our decorations out at home until January 6. Who knows what faith conversations might spark by following a different Christmas rhythm than the world around us?

Some of us

A couple of folks asked for a copy of the bidding prayer I wrote for worship this weekend. Here ya go!

Some of us are worried… we need your promises

Some of us are busy… we need your peace

Some of us are tired… we need your rest

Some of us are distracted… we need your vision

Some of us are broken… we need your healing

Some of us are stuck… we need your way out

Some of us are lonely… we need your love

Some of us are joyful… we give you praise

Some of us are thankful… we give you honor

Some of us are glad… we give you glory

Some of us are relieved… we give you blessing

All of us are yours… we give you ourselves

~Steve Oglesbee, October 20, 2013

Speaking Truth in Love

"Embracing every person," the first of our e³ mission statement, means we relate to one another in healthy, whole, and Christ-honoring ways. We aspire to relational maturity which the Apostle Paul refers to in part as, "speaking the truth in love." (Ephesians 4:15). But what does "speaking the truth in love" look like? I have an example from the other day.

A fellow staff member stepped into my office and asked to talk with me for a moment. They went on to share about something I had said the day before in a larger gathering. I had conveyed a negative message to the group I had not intended. I didn't react very well to the feedback. I was defensive and pushed back, "but what I really meant was…" Then, after listening a little more I started feeling embarrassed.  I thought to myself, "Oh, man! I should've known better. What was I thinking?!"

As the sting wore off I realized this person had offered me the gift of "speaking the truth in love." Their feedback had three characteristics that we all could practice as we seek to live in healthy relationship.

First, the feedback was timely. Notice, I didn't say the feedback was immediate. This was not impulsive truth-speaking. It came a full 24 hours after the event took place. Enough time had passed for me to know this truth-speaking was thoughtful and prayerful, not impulsive. At the same time, the feedback came soon enough that the event was still fresh in my mind. This person loved me enough to wait. And they loved me enough not to procrastinate.

Second, the feedback was to the point. There was minimal prologue to the central message. They just got right to the point rather than beat around the bush not wanting me to "take this the wrong way." Truth-speaking that's to the point respects the person's dignity and allows freedom to respond to the content of the message.

Third, the feedback was in-person.  It wasn't a text message. It wasn't an email. This person walked in my office stared me in the eye and told me the truth. Perhaps one of the most counter-cultural ways we can live out our calling to "embrace every person" is to pick up the phone or meet in person. Rather than relying on electronic communication, let's deal with one another face-to-face in our truth-speaking.

Is the Holy Spirit nagging you to speak truth in love to a friend, family member, or co-worker? Be timely about it. Practice the 24 hour rule. Hold the message in prayer. Ask God to purify your motives. Be to the point. If God has something for you to say, don't put it off. Get to the point without beating around the bush.  Be in face-to-face. As much as is possible deliver the message in person. Timeliness may require some other form of communication at first, but follow up with a phone call or a personal visit.

The Apostle Paul promises that "speaking the truth in love" helps us "grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." (Ephesians 4:15). This is what we're striving for. Maturity in Christ is the goal.

"Engage every neighborhood"

I was out for my morning run not long ago when I heard footsteps approaching from behind. This in itself was not an unusual experience. I’m used to having people pass when I run. It was unusual that this fellow didn’t pass. He just saddled alongside and started running with me.

At first I was a bit startled. What was this guy doing? Most people run by themselves because they like running alone. My morning runs are a chance to clear my head and process the day. This guy was invading my space and interrupting my routine. But rather than try to outpace him (an unlikely prospect) or take a detour in hopes that he wouldn’t follow, I decided to embrace the opportunity and introduce myself.

His name was Jim. He and his wife had moved to Clear Lake a couple of years ago. We chatted about our kids, sports, and the weather – all the usual suspects. Jim works for a chemical company and attends University Baptist Church. I shared that I was one of the pastors at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church.

As we approached the end of the running path at Brook Forest Drive Jim turned to go the other direction. As we shook hands to say goodbye, Jim held his grip. “Steve could I pray for you?” he asked.  Before I had a chance to respond, Jim’s head was bowed. He prayed for my family. He prayed for my ministry at CLPC. He prayed God would bless my day and watch over me. And then he was gone.

God used Jim to “engage” me. The third of our Three E mission statement is to “engage every neighborhood.”  It means to live with a constant awareness that we are God’s people – the church – wherever we go and whatever we do. We are agents of God’s blessing in the world. That’s what Jim was doing.

My “engage” encounter with Jim also reminds me that as I live as God’s person in the world I will often be on the receiving end of God’s engaging. We do not control or dispense God’s Kingdom. Rather, we are partners and participants in God’s Kingdom. As agents of this Kingdom it is indistinguishable when we are the “blesser” and when we are the “blessed.”

Be blessed today. Be a blessing today. Engage your neighborhood with the good news that Jesus has risen. The Kingdom of God is at hand. 

embrace | empower | engage

For a couple of years "healthy relationships," "spiritual formation," and "missional engagement" have been the closest thing Clear Lake Presbyterian Church (CLPC) has had to an active mission statement. Aside from being a mouthful to say and not very easy to remember, our "we-care-abouts" (see our website) haven't really expressed what God is calling CLPC to do.

Beginning in May 2013 CLPC leadership (elders and staff) have begun to answer a handful of critical questions that define God's future for our church.

1. What do we do? (our Mission)
2. Why do we do it? (our Values)
3. How do we do it? (our Strategies)
4. When are we successful? (our Goals)

This is God's answer to the first question (What do we do?). Rooted healthy relationships, spiritual formation, and missional engagement, God is calling CLPC to: embrace, empower, engage. 

• We are called to embrace every person. Every person we meet is an opportunity to love just like Jesus Christ loved us. The quality of our relationships within the CLPC family and the way we reach out to those beyond our church family are public demonstrations of God’s new Kingdom life on earth. (Romans 12:10-13; John 3:16).
• We are called to empower every life. In Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers every person’s life for eternity starting with today. Individually and corporately we practice and teach daily dependence on the Spirit. (John 10:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Galatians 5:22-23).
• We are called to engage every neighborhood. We are agents of God's love and instruments of God's redemption in a hurting and broken world. As the Word incarnate Jesus Christ was sent by the Heavenly Father so we are sent by Jesus into the world. We care about blessing our local and global neighborhoods in practical and loving ways that proclaim the Kingdom of God is at hand. (John 1:14; John 20:21).

New Mission

Saul’s conversion in Acts 9 gave him a new relationship with God (‘Abba’ Father), a new family (sisters and brother in Christ), new power for living (Holy Spirit), and new freedom.  But here’s the sermon bonus point I didn’t get to this past weekend… Saul also got a new mission! Saul joins God’s mission of redemption for the world by taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Like Saul, our salvation isn’t just personal and private assurance of eternal destiny. It’s an invitation to God’s mission for the world.

This coming weekend’s Bible text is Acts 9:26-31 and the story of Barnabas’ introduction of Saul to the skeptical believers in Jerusalem.  I look forward to worshipping with you this weekend!

"52" Challenge Worship Wall

Dear Church Family;

One highlight of our recent visit to Israel was going to the Western Wall. The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) is an exposed portion of the remains of Herod’s Temple where Jewish worshippers pray daily. It is customary to place small pieces of paper with written prayer requests in the crevices of the Wall. Hundreds of thousands of tiny notes are left at the Wall every year. This is also where Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather every week for worship to begin their Sabbath. Our tour guide took us to the Wall for the beginning of “Shabbat” while we were in Jerusalem.  It’s hard not to be inspired by these faithful Jews’ dedication to the weekly rhythms of worship and prayer.

At the beginning of the 2013 I invited you to take the “10/10” and “52” challenge. The “10/10” challenge is to spend 10 minutes reading the Bible and 10 minutes praying every day. The “52” challenge is to find a place of worship every weekend in 2013.

To help us celebrate the “52” challenge in particular, we’ve created a “52 Weekends of Worship” wall in Philadelphia Hall. As you travel and vacation this summer bring back a worship bulletin from churches you visit. It’s never too late to take up the “52” challenge and make weekly worship a regular part of your family routine. Especially if you have children, nothing will speak louder to them about the importance of church than when you go out of your way to find a place for worship while on vacation.

By year’s end let’s fill our “52” wall with bulletins and notes from worshipping communities we visit across our country and globe!