I've got so many thoughts running through my head right now and I hardly have time to sort them out and post them here.
As you know, we have been doing our cold weather shelter for homeless men these past two weeks. This is a passion of mine and I absolutely am delighted that Community of Joy opens it's facility to be part of this.
First, I am proud of our folks! They serve with genuine love and humble spirits! They go above and beyond! A long time ago, I read a story of two guys eating McDonalds in the car by a downtown sidewalk... when a homeless guy walked up and stared at the one guy's burger long enough to cause that guy to roll down the window and hand the half eaten hamburger to him. Since then, I like to say, NO HALF EATEN hamburgers from us! And that is the way our folks roll!
Second, some folks are struggling with the fact that we continue to see the same folks over and over again year in and year out. While this is a sad reality, it doesn't make them less worthy of what we are doing. My thoughts go to how can we help them break the cycle to get out of the situation that causes them to be on the street? And at the same time, I realize that everyone won't be able to break the stangles. But no matter, they are worthy of our love!
Third, I hear some folks suggesting that some of the guys are abusing the situation. Maybe so, but in that regard they will have to account for their actions one day and so will I. I would rather be found guilty of extending love than withholding it. And further, if I didn't need the shelter I wouldn't want to stay in one... so, I would guess that they don't really want to be here either.
Finally, I learned this week that one week in the middle of March the two churches that are hosting it will only be able to accomodate about 45 guys... we have been running around 65. The plan was to tell some of the guys there is limited space. I feel that is unacceptable. If the two churches can't take more, then we need to explore other options to house the guys. So, I have asked our director and food folks if they are in and will be asking our leadership team to consider another week.... but this week NOT paying the $500 administrative fee, just incurring the costs of doing the shelter. Ofcourse, I will also need to check with our partner churches too!
So happy to be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus through these experiences! And am a proud pastor!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
They get it!
Yesterday just before the 9 a.m. worship gathering, I got a text from a family that was away for the weekend traveling to PA. They were playing travel bingo as they went. One of the items to find was "church". The mom says that the Anna shouted from the back..." I've got church.... Pastor Martin says that WE ARE THE CHURCH."
Indeed I do... the thing we usually call church is THE BUILDING... or as we call it THE MINISTRY CENTER. The church is people! Thus we are the church! And wherever two or more gather together... there the church is!
Such a neat story! Touched me deeply! Never know what seeds you plant!
Indeed I do... the thing we usually call church is THE BUILDING... or as we call it THE MINISTRY CENTER. The church is people! Thus we are the church! And wherever two or more gather together... there the church is!
Such a neat story! Touched me deeply! Never know what seeds you plant!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Sensitive Matter...
These men come from all walks of life. Some have been with us before. Some of those for several years. Others are new to the experience. Some just days into their journey of being without a home. When you reach out to that many people from the varied experiences that they come from and have it can be a challenge. Personalities get in the way. Inability to make good choices can be a frustration, especially when you are helping the person and you so want to see them break the cycle of homelessness but they can't seem to make wise choices.
Loving these guys calls for great sensitivity and a suspending of our judgement. They are all beloved children of Our Heavenly Father's. And they all have feelings and worth! Our task is to meet them right where they are and to share as much love with them as we can in the hopes that it will make their journey a little better and that they will glimpse in a new way the love of the Father and seek his help to break free!
Last night I had the opportunity to chat with one guy on our way to the hospital. He shared with me his 20 year battle with addiction to illegal drugs. They really have gotten a hold of him. Now he is 2 months clean and experiencing the challenges that drug use brings... homelessness, shunning from family, health concerns, shakes, inability to think clearly- at times. When I asked him how he is doing battle, he said that he is getting away from the people who are not good influences and he is grateful for a Christian friend who has taken an interest in him. When I asked what the friend does... he said, "mostly offers a good listening ear."
Notice that this gentleman didn't say, "offered me some good advice." Jesus met people right where they were. This involves listening to them. Allowing them to share their journey and struggles. Connecting with them and sharing love. It really is a sensitve matter!
Monday, February 14, 2011
It was LOVE!
On this Valentines Day, I thought I would share a story about what Love does...
Saturday night, Community of Joy openned it's homeless men's shelter for two weeks. We are in a rotation of churches in salisbury that open our facilities to welcome men who otherwise would be out on the streets. Early in the morning hours on Sunday, the police brought us a guy who had an unfortunate turn of circumstances and found himself homeless for the first time ever in his life and now only had the clothes on his back.
He has a job and wants to do everything he can to keep it. But he needed work clothes. In the second worship gathering at Community of Joy, our Shelter Key Volunteer announced the need and by the end of the day, she had the pants and shirt he needed. We stock new undies and socks at the shelter, so we gave those to him. As well as an offer to go buy him a pair of work boots that afternoon and the icing on the cake for me, was one man took the jacket off his back and gave it to him!
What compelled this kind of selfless action? It was Love... The love of Our Father God given to us to be shared with others!
Love wins and is a powerful thing!
Saturday night, Community of Joy openned it's homeless men's shelter for two weeks. We are in a rotation of churches in salisbury that open our facilities to welcome men who otherwise would be out on the streets. Early in the morning hours on Sunday, the police brought us a guy who had an unfortunate turn of circumstances and found himself homeless for the first time ever in his life and now only had the clothes on his back.
He has a job and wants to do everything he can to keep it. But he needed work clothes. In the second worship gathering at Community of Joy, our Shelter Key Volunteer announced the need and by the end of the day, she had the pants and shirt he needed. We stock new undies and socks at the shelter, so we gave those to him. As well as an offer to go buy him a pair of work boots that afternoon and the icing on the cake for me, was one man took the jacket off his back and gave it to him!
What compelled this kind of selfless action? It was Love... The love of Our Father God given to us to be shared with others!
Love wins and is a powerful thing!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Our Opportunity to Bless Others...
For the next two weeks, we will open our ministry center doors wide in welcome to 20 homeless men. We do it every year. Actually we are part of a larger group of 13 churches in Salsibury that host the Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Project to keep our homeless men's population from freezing to death during the coldest winter months.
For us, it takes three churches cooperating together to pull it off. Since we don't have a kitchen or fellowship hall and the cots are in our sanctuary/ dining hall. I always say that "surely God smiles when churches work together!"
The men come in off the streets at 5 p.m.... eat a delicious hot meal at 6 and then can stay in the warm and sleep all night. Wake up is at 6 and out the door by 7 after having been fed a hot breakfast and given a bag lunch to go. Because of our building size we host 20 men. Each week there are two churches that host the group. We are running about 60 men this year!
Yesterday, we were blessed by a ministry called Our Daily Bread. They gather nearly expired bread, and goodies from Giant and Strohman bread and deliver it to the shelters. So, we don't have to purchase bread for sandwiches and have some desserts to offer to supplement our delicious homemade pies, cakes, brownies and cookies. So cool that a couple would take this kind of ministry on and serve ALL the shelters in Salisbury and Princess Anne!
I have a dream that some day we will have a day center where these men (and the women and children that are hosted elsewhere) can go during the day and find the resourcing that they need to help break the cycle of homelessness. It indeed is a cycle... today I saw 4 guys that we have known for at least 4 years who are still homeless or homeless again.
What will it take to help them find the hand up that breaks the cycle?
For us, it takes three churches cooperating together to pull it off. Since we don't have a kitchen or fellowship hall and the cots are in our sanctuary/ dining hall. I always say that "surely God smiles when churches work together!"
The men come in off the streets at 5 p.m.... eat a delicious hot meal at 6 and then can stay in the warm and sleep all night. Wake up is at 6 and out the door by 7 after having been fed a hot breakfast and given a bag lunch to go. Because of our building size we host 20 men. Each week there are two churches that host the group. We are running about 60 men this year!
Yesterday, we were blessed by a ministry called Our Daily Bread. They gather nearly expired bread, and goodies from Giant and Strohman bread and deliver it to the shelters. So, we don't have to purchase bread for sandwiches and have some desserts to offer to supplement our delicious homemade pies, cakes, brownies and cookies. So cool that a couple would take this kind of ministry on and serve ALL the shelters in Salisbury and Princess Anne!
I have a dream that some day we will have a day center where these men (and the women and children that are hosted elsewhere) can go during the day and find the resourcing that they need to help break the cycle of homelessness. It indeed is a cycle... today I saw 4 guys that we have known for at least 4 years who are still homeless or homeless again.
What will it take to help them find the hand up that breaks the cycle?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
It happens so quickly!
Yesterday the Area One Church of the Brethren Pastors gathered at my dad's and discussed chapters 5 and 6 of the book AND : The gathered AND scattered church by Matt Smay and Hugh Halter. Always good to be pushed to think in new ways!
There are two major moves of the church. Gathering for worship, fellowship, growth. AND Scattering to witness, disciple, and serve. Most new churches do both with ease and somewhat equally, but it doesn't take long until the shift happens and we find that we are leaning more heavily toward the Gathering side.
I have witnessed this at CoJ. Before we bought our building we were much more weighted toward the Scattering side. Actually I would say we were more balanced between the two. Now that we have our buildning... we have shifted... not intentionally... it just happens... but we are more heavily weighted toward the Gathering side and often at the expense of the Scattering side. And moving the whole church back toward balance is like turning the titanic around on a dime. The only way I see balance coming is to do it the way Jesus did... by discipling a small group who then disciples a small group... and before long we have found some balance.
As I walked this morning at the mall, I listened to an Andy Stanley sermon in which he told a true story that happened to him that illustrates this unbalance at it's worst! Andy told of traveling with his dad, Charles Stanley to a church where they were invited to come to. He said they had not told the pastor they would come, just stopped by... they were ushered to their seats... the last row on the isle. During the service, Andy realized that all the front rows were full and then there were many empty rows between the front full rows and their row. By the way, they were the only ones in their section of the church. He thought it was odd... until the time came for communion... the ushers served all the front rows and then when they got to the empty rows, turned around and went back up front. Excluding Andy and Charles. Later, the pastor told them this was by design. The ushers intentionally seat guests in the back so that they won't take communion since they aren't members of the church.
How sad!
Let me be clear, that gathering is good... and necessary... but NOT at the expense of scattering! BOTH are necessary and important. We need to gather AND scatter!
There are two major moves of the church. Gathering for worship, fellowship, growth. AND Scattering to witness, disciple, and serve. Most new churches do both with ease and somewhat equally, but it doesn't take long until the shift happens and we find that we are leaning more heavily toward the Gathering side.
I have witnessed this at CoJ. Before we bought our building we were much more weighted toward the Scattering side. Actually I would say we were more balanced between the two. Now that we have our buildning... we have shifted... not intentionally... it just happens... but we are more heavily weighted toward the Gathering side and often at the expense of the Scattering side. And moving the whole church back toward balance is like turning the titanic around on a dime. The only way I see balance coming is to do it the way Jesus did... by discipling a small group who then disciples a small group... and before long we have found some balance.
As I walked this morning at the mall, I listened to an Andy Stanley sermon in which he told a true story that happened to him that illustrates this unbalance at it's worst! Andy told of traveling with his dad, Charles Stanley to a church where they were invited to come to. He said they had not told the pastor they would come, just stopped by... they were ushered to their seats... the last row on the isle. During the service, Andy realized that all the front rows were full and then there were many empty rows between the front full rows and their row. By the way, they were the only ones in their section of the church. He thought it was odd... until the time came for communion... the ushers served all the front rows and then when they got to the empty rows, turned around and went back up front. Excluding Andy and Charles. Later, the pastor told them this was by design. The ushers intentionally seat guests in the back so that they won't take communion since they aren't members of the church.
How sad!
Let me be clear, that gathering is good... and necessary... but NOT at the expense of scattering! BOTH are necessary and important. We need to gather AND scatter!
Monday, February 7, 2011
WHEN you pray...
Sunday we launched a series within a series... gonna spend 6 weeks on "The Lord's Prayer" as it is recorded in Matthew 6:5-13. First week, we talked about the intro that Jesus gives and what prayer is NOT!
It is not self righteous or self interest. It is not about us at all! Prayer is totally about God! Yet, the prayers we pray reveal more about us than they do about God! We often use prayer as a way to direct God rather than to direct us to a deeper connection with God.
Over the remaining 5 weeks, we will look at the 5 moves of this model prayer Jesus taught...
1. Our Father
2. Thy Kingdom Come
3. Give Us
4. Forgive Us
5. Deliver Us
Interesting that this model prayer doesn't use the words "My" or "Me" at all! It is inclusive. Our Father. Give us, forgive us, deliver us.
For Jesus everything was about connection and community... After all, the greatest two commandments were... Love God and Love others! Looking forward to delving more deeply into this model prayer that Jesus teaches! And moving beyond our selfish, self-centered prayers!
It is not self righteous or self interest. It is not about us at all! Prayer is totally about God! Yet, the prayers we pray reveal more about us than they do about God! We often use prayer as a way to direct God rather than to direct us to a deeper connection with God.
Over the remaining 5 weeks, we will look at the 5 moves of this model prayer Jesus taught...
1. Our Father
2. Thy Kingdom Come
3. Give Us
4. Forgive Us
5. Deliver Us
Interesting that this model prayer doesn't use the words "My" or "Me" at all! It is inclusive. Our Father. Give us, forgive us, deliver us.
For Jesus everything was about connection and community... After all, the greatest two commandments were... Love God and Love others! Looking forward to delving more deeply into this model prayer that Jesus teaches! And moving beyond our selfish, self-centered prayers!
Friday, February 4, 2011
A Culture of Thanks!
Today we served at Pinehurst Elementary School in one of our roles as Faith Based Partner there! It was no small task... to prepare 300 cups of HOT cocoa and to have them ready when the children arrived. But what a great group of servants we had! Thanks to Karen Townsend, Judy Urrasio, Brent Johnson, Jim and Carol Replogle, we got it done.
What really impressed me about today was the number of teachers and staff members that would come up and profusely thank us for coming and helping. In fact more often than not when a teacher walked into the Cafeteria, they came over to say thanks! And their thanks was so energertic and heartfelt. Sure made me walk out of there feeling great!
There seems to be a culture of appreciation and encouragement at Pinehurst! What a neat thing!
Imagine what a different impact the church would have on the world if we had that same culture! Committing myself to work at it at Community of Joy!
What really impressed me about today was the number of teachers and staff members that would come up and profusely thank us for coming and helping. In fact more often than not when a teacher walked into the Cafeteria, they came over to say thanks! And their thanks was so energertic and heartfelt. Sure made me walk out of there feeling great!
There seems to be a culture of appreciation and encouragement at Pinehurst! What a neat thing!
Imagine what a different impact the church would have on the world if we had that same culture! Committing myself to work at it at Community of Joy!
Refreshed!
A change of place + a change of pace = Change of perspective. It really does!
This is now the second year that I have taken advantage of the cheaper winter rates of hotels in Ocean City, MD to get away. It's only half an hour away, but the difference it makes is tremendous.
I take breakfast and lunch items so that I don't have to leave the room for those. But after a long day of praying, reading, dreaming, setting goals... I am ready to head out for a break at supper time. However, both nights I did take a book to read while waiting on my dinner.
With no one else around and no taxi running I am able to start my day early and go as long as I want... usually till well after supper. This year I was able to read 3 complete books (they were easy reads- a series of 3- each had 99 chapters of 1-3 pages in length.... and each chapter was an idea on the topic of the book) Alos completed half a book on my kindle. In addition, I was able to map out the preaching schedule through May. And on top of that, I set out 12 action steps of things I want to accomplish in the next month and a half.
Besides all of that, there was time to walk and pray!
Highly recommend getting away and changing pace for pastors! It really does change the perspective!
This is now the second year that I have taken advantage of the cheaper winter rates of hotels in Ocean City, MD to get away. It's only half an hour away, but the difference it makes is tremendous.
I take breakfast and lunch items so that I don't have to leave the room for those. But after a long day of praying, reading, dreaming, setting goals... I am ready to head out for a break at supper time. However, both nights I did take a book to read while waiting on my dinner.
With no one else around and no taxi running I am able to start my day early and go as long as I want... usually till well after supper. This year I was able to read 3 complete books (they were easy reads- a series of 3- each had 99 chapters of 1-3 pages in length.... and each chapter was an idea on the topic of the book) Alos completed half a book on my kindle. In addition, I was able to map out the preaching schedule through May. And on top of that, I set out 12 action steps of things I want to accomplish in the next month and a half.
Besides all of that, there was time to walk and pray!
Highly recommend getting away and changing pace for pastors! It really does change the perspective!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sabbath Brings Refreshment...
I have been practicing taking a day off (Sabbath Rest) for the past three weeks. And man do I feel the effects of it! I feel more productive when I am working. Have greater desire to work. Feel more rested and refreshed than I have for some time.
Typically, I am taking Fridays, but this week, I took Monday as I have some work related things to do on Friday. Didn't want to skip my day nor did I want to allow some things to encumber the day.
God knew what he was doing when he commanded us to remember the sabbath and keep it holy! Rest is important!
Now I am about to head to OC for a couple days to be on retreat and to do some planning for 2011. I firmly beleive change of place + change of pace =Change of perspective.
Typically, I am taking Fridays, but this week, I took Monday as I have some work related things to do on Friday. Didn't want to skip my day nor did I want to allow some things to encumber the day.
God knew what he was doing when he commanded us to remember the sabbath and keep it holy! Rest is important!
Now I am about to head to OC for a couple days to be on retreat and to do some planning for 2011. I firmly beleive change of place + change of pace =Change of perspective.
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