Mid-Week Missive

Accountability

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:58:00 GMT

In the last couple of days, I have heard the word accountability used a lot. For a lot of people it is a scary word, conjuring up visions of an overseer or a boss looking over our shoulder to make sure we are doing things correctly. I have heard it in terms of our political process. For example, when someone says that an office holder needs to be accountable to the people. I have heard it in terms of business. Such as when a board of directors or an officer of a company must be held accountable to the stockholders. I have heard it used in legal proceedings. For instance, when a guilty party must be held accountable for their crimes.

It’s an important word, accountability. It implies that there are consequences to our actions, and so, it’s good to have someone holding someone else accountable to make sure that the consequences are not bad ones. I have heard it used as a pejorative when someone says, “Well, they’re accountable to no one but themselves,” implying that they don’t care for anyone but themselves. But I have noticed something when I hear the word used. That is, that we seek accountability from others, but too often don’t insist that we also reach the same standard of accountability. And believe me, I am including myself in that! We want other people to do what they are supposed to do, but sometimes don’t react well when someone wants to hold us accountable. It can be uncomfortable when someone calls us on something and expects us to change.

Why am I bringing all this up? Because I have heard the term thrown around a lot lately. Yes, our politicians should be accountable to us, but there’s not a lot I can do as a single voter. Yes, the officers of the companies in which I have invested should be accountable to me, but as a single shareholder there’s not much I can do except remove my investment (which, isn’t big enough to cause a stir!) Yes, criminals should be accountable to society for their actions, but that is up to a judge to decide and what kind of influence do I have in that arena? Not much. And those who are accountable only to themselves? Well, in the long run we are all accountable to someone beyond ourselves.

Who, then, are we accountable to? How are to be held accountable? Well, when it comes down to it, I think we are accountable to God first and foremost, and that accountability will lead us to a place where the rest of our accountability questions are not all that important. I say that because if we truly seek to be accountable to God, we will work hard to be the person God would have us be. We will understand that God’s will for us is to live in a certain way, emphasizing love and kindness and hard work and devotion to God’s principles. If we do what is right before God, we won’t have to worry too much about the rest of it. In fact, I think a whole lot of the accountability issues in our society stem from the fact that we about being accountable to a whole host of other things – stockholders, the bottom line, success, providing every comfort of life for our families – and forget about our accountability before God. Now, I’m not saying that we should live in fear that God will strike us down or judge us harshly if we get out of line. I’m saying that if we truly seek to follow God’s will and word, to live a life that honors and serves God, doing our best to be accountable to God with every breath we take, then, the rest of it will pretty much fall into place.

Prior to his legal problems, John DeLorean, a former Executive Vice President of General Motors, wrote a book called “On A Clear Day You Can See General Motors.” His was a fascinating life, and for someone who grew up in Detroit, full of lots of good stories about the automobile industry and the city. One chapter of his book was called “How Moral People Make Immoral Decisions”. In this chapter he recounted the decision by General Motors to pay off lawsuits resulting from injuries and accidents resulting from the Corvair’s faulty design, rather than fixing the design flaw. They correctly surmised that it was cheaper to settle the lawsuits than to retool the car to be safer. It was a rational decision made by people who were accountable to the stockholders, the corporation, their fellow executives, the bottom line. DeLorean argued that a good part of the blame for this decision rests on a skewed sense of accountability. And while he didn’t use faith language to say it, if each of these people in charge at GM – the vast majority of them good, conscientious people of faith – had held themselves accountable to a higher authority, the decision to continue to produce and sell a dangerous car would never have been made.

With all the talk of accountability swirling around us these days, can we really change the world by seeking to be accountable, first and foremost, to God? No, but we can change ourselves. And that’s a start.

A Grateful Life

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:45:00 GMT

A friend of mine once said, “There is nothing quite so OVER, as Christmas!” She was right. We spend all of Advent leading up to Christmas. All around us the anticipation builds and the excitement reaches a fever pitch. The day comes, we celebrate, we praise God, we gather with family and friends, and then it’s over. Really, really, over.

Well, at least that’s what it feels like.

What we too often celebrate as the culmination of a busy season of plans and waiting, really should be celebrated as the beginning of a wondrous time of awe. Because the events of Christmas are nothing short of awe inspiring, but in and of itself, the birth of Christ is simply the start of things. It sends a signal to each and every one of us that God so loved the world that God became incarnate, fully human and fully divine, so that we might come into personal relationship with our creator and live full lives as children of God.

So, the next step is completely up to us. How are we going to keep the awe of the coming of Christ alive every day? How can we celebrate every day as sacred? How can we prepare ourselves to be the people God would have us be? Some of us will do it by making new year’s resolutions to study our Bibles more; to pray more; to take better care of ourselves; to reach out more to other people…and all of those things are great ideas. But I think there is a step before those things come about. That is, to start by seeking every day, in every way, to live a life of gratitude. That is, to wake up every day and give thanks for Christmas. To spend every day committed to celebrating the fact that Christ came to live among us. To walk through our lives seeking out those who need to see the bright shining light of the star of Bethlehem, and do our best to be that light. To give thanks for those who share the journey with us, for the gifts we have been given, for the talents that allow us to glorify God, for the ability to worship freely and openly. To give thanks for the spark of God that inhabits every single one of us and to seek that spark out in every person we meet. To simply be grateful for this God-given life.

When we find ourselves living that life of genuine gratitude, everything changes. Our problems don’t seem so big, our obstacles don’t seem so high, our desires don’t seem so important, and we find that we are more able to live in service to others in small ways and big. Not because that is what we are supposed to do, but because that is what we want to do. Because in God’s economy, gratitude for our blessings leads us to be a blessing to others. And the amazing thing is, the more we step out to be open and available for others, the more blessed we become.

Several years ago, three of us were having lunch with Fred Craddock, and before the meal came, we turned to Fred and asked if he would say grace. He simply said, “Are we grateful?” We all answered “yes”, and he answered, “Well, that’s what it’s all about.”

Christmas is over, but as we move into what the church calls “ordinary time”, my resolution is to be grateful that Christmas came, and comes, and will come again…today, tomorrow and every day. And that is indeed, what it’s all about.

Thankful

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:04:00 GMT

My friend Dick Mitchell has been going through a tough time lately. He awoke one day about 2 months ago unable to use his legs. Since that time, he has been tested, undergone major back surgery, been diagnosed with metatstic lung cancer (which had traveled to his back), begun intensive rehabilitation to regain the use of his legs, and prepared to begin raditation treatment and chemotherapy. All of this while he and his wife Linda do their “snowbird” thing in Texas. Dick has been on our prayer list and I hope you will continue to keep both Dick and Linda in your prayers.

But here’s the thing: Dick has kept several of his friends updated via e-mails and in every single one he has found a way to thank God for everything he has been given. As feeling began to return to his legs and slowly but surely it seems that he will walk again, he thanked God for therapists and healing. As he came out of back surgery, he thanked God for the skilled hands of gifted surgeons. As the cancer was diagnosed, he thanked God for medical breakthroughs that have allowed this awful disease to be fought. He also thanked God that this all happened where it did, close to one of the best oncology centers in the country. His message is clear, in the midst of everything, there is ALWAYS much to be thankful for.

Two days before Christmas, he sent something out that truly touched my heart. His sons, their wives, and his granddaughter were headed to Texas to spend Christmas at the rehab center with Dick and LInda. It was without a doubt the best gift he could have received. When I read what he wrote, I immediately e-mailed telling him I was going to steal it. He said he would be happy to have it shared. This is what he wrote:

“May your time in the next few days be as fun-filled as I anticipate ours will be. May each of us individually, and all of us collectively, also have that as a time when, in significant ways, that Almighty Love which is beyond our understanding somehow becomes palpable to us. Then may we be able to suck the stem cells of that Love into our fibers, suck enough in to keep and to share, and so become agents for the Source of Our Faith as we move on through our world: loving, caring, and sharing God’s Love with all who see, or hear, or touch us, now, and forever.”

In those simple words, Dick reminds us that there is always something to be thankful for, even in the midst of uncertainty and pain. I only hope I can live up to his charge, no matter what circumstances I find myself in. But, I’m certainly going to try. I hope you will, too.

Sharing Our Gifts

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:56:00 GMT

Without a doubt, the best gifts I have ever been given have not come in a wrapped package or gift bag. This is not to say that good things don’t come in packages or gift bags! It’s just that the best gifts have been intangibles that have been shared with me. And that word “shared” is very important here. A warm smile, a enveloping hug, a strong shoulder to lean on, a kind word, wise advice, the simple presence of someone who cares about me. You see, when those kinds of gifts are given away, it does nothing to diminish the giver, in fact, I think it strengthens the giver as much as it does the receiver. For me, that is the very definition of sharing – when we give of the gifts that we have been given.

One of the ways we at BCC have been gifted beyond measure is through the sharing of the musical talent of so many. All who attend worship at BCC, be it in our sanctuary or in our alternative services in the fellowship hall, have been richly blessed by those gifted singers and musicians who so lovingly share their gifts with us. What an array of talent we get to experience! No matter the style of music, I’m pretty sure that someone at BCC can play it! And in their sharing, our worship honors God in a very real way. This past Sunday was one magnificent example of the gift of music honoring God and helping us all to worship well. The Christmas Cantata was absolutely beautiful and once again reminded us that one of worship’s most basic functions is to prepare us to move into the world to declare the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sunday’s cantata certainly succeeded in doing that! Thank you to Rev. Beth Parlier for all her hard, loving work in sharing her gift as teacher and choir director of the highest order. Thank you to Michael Spassov for sharing his gift of beautiful organ and piano music that enriches us all. Thank you to the choir members, volunteers all, who find the time each week to practice the sharing of their gifts so that our worship might be enhanced each week. Thank you to all the wonderful musicians who provide musical leadership to “Praise on Peachtree” and who provide special music to all our services and gatherings. We may not say it enough, but your sharing of your gifts inspires us week after week after week. Thank you.

This Christmas Eve, we will hear special music from a variety of folks during our worship, and we will all be blessed by that music. But we also have a special gift shared with us before the service starts. Several weeks ago, LeAnn Blanchard mentioned to me that for years, her family – made up of talented professional and amateur musicians – played together on Christmas Eve at one church or another. In the sharing of that gift, their celebration of Christmas was also enhanced. Over the years, family members moved away and, like many families, found it hard to all be together at Christmas. But this year, everything lined up and they would all be together. LeAnn’s dad remembered fondly those Christmas Eves and wondered if there was a place they could play this year? Well, of course there is!

So, at about 5:40 p.m. this Saturday evening December 24th, LeAnn’s family will present a pre-service mini concert as their way of sharing their gift of music with BCC. They will play for about 20 minutes as prelude to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service. So come early, and receive the gift of music this Christmas Eve. It is in the sharing that we are all blessed.

Gifting and Re-Gifting

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:47:00 GMT

As we prepare for Christmas, we are acutely aware that this is the gift giving season. We look for the perfect gift for family and friends; we reach out to total strangers by putting money in the red kettle outside Wal-Mart or buying presents for the “Angel Tree” kids. We invite people into our homes, and visit in others homes, always bringing something to share. Lots of us use this time to sit down at the end of the year and decide how much we can contribute to our favorite charities, knowing that they are in the ‘giving’ business all year long.

What sometimes gets overlooked in all this is that fact that the season of Advent is designed to help us to prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child, and to help us focus on what that means. And at the heart of what it means is that we have been given the most wonderful gift we could ever imagine: a savior! And like all good gifts, the gift that God offers us in the form of the baby born in Bethlehem is one that delights and brings joy over and over again! We celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas, but the meaning of that birth and the magnitude of the gift don’t really begin to make sense until we reflect on Jesus’ ministry, his life, his death, and his resurrection. Because it is in paying attention to those things that we recognize what truly remarkable gifts we are given on Christmas Day: the gift of forgiveness, the gift of redemption, the gift of salvation, the gift of life as part of God’s Kingdom.

I think that is why gift giving comes so naturally to us at this time of year. Because we understand what it means to be the recipient of the greatest gift of all, we want to do our best to “give back” to all those around us. As we continue our journey through Advent toward Christmas, let’s remember that we have been given a gift of unending love. In grateful recognition of that gift, let us put ourselves in the mind to make giving our way of life, not just in this season, but all year round.

In the Spirit

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:28:00 GMT

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…it’s enough to dampen your Christmas spirit!

It is sometimes hard to get into the Christmas spirit and stay there. Just because we are in the anticipatory season of Advent, doesn’t mean that the rest of our obligations stop. In fact, if anything, they ratchet up this time of year. Almost every job out there has some “end of year” component that plops some big task on us and the “end of the year” donation requests fill our mailboxes. Add to the “end of the year” stress is the fact that we are buying Christmas presents, going to Christmas parties, planning Christmas pageants, attending special concerts and plays.

And then, to have to deal with this grey and drizzly weather, well, it’s almost too much! Almost. When we look past the busyness of our calendars, we realize that everything we do during this Christmas season is good stuff. The celebration with friends and family, the support of worthy causes that seek to make the world a little better place, the enjoyment of the hard work that goes into all the pageants and concerts and plays…it’s all great! But still, in our humanness, it is easy to lose our focus on the season and get overwhelmed with the pace. And the weather isn’t helping.

I was in that place earlier today. Not in a bad mood, just starting to see the things pile up that need attending to. All of them are great. All of them will be fun. But, I was feeling more of the pressure of Christmas than the awe of Christmas. Until I headed down to Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church to drop something off. On the way back, I looked up in one of the trees and saw one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in a while: about a dozen bright red cardinals adorning the branches of an evergreen tree. As I rolled by, they suddenly took off, filling the sky with blurs of red, heading off to the next tree. And suddenly, I was in right back in the Christmas mood again. You see, to me, cardinals are not just beautiful birds. Without going into detail, for Carol and me, cardinals are very special and serve to remind us of loved ones that we miss dearly. When we see the cardinals, we know that they are close, and that is a good thing. This morning, I saw the cardinals, and it was like blinders came off. Suddenly, the reason for the season lightened my step and put a little spring in it. Yes, I am just as busy now, but I am reminded that it is busyness with a purpose, and I thank God for that purpose.

What reminders are out there for you? What causes you to suddenly be launched into the middle of Christmas reverie? What can you look for today that will take your mind off the stress and busyness of life in December? Well, my pastoral advice to you: keep your eyes open, because it’s out there, and when you see it, things are going to change! And that is a good thing.

Advent

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:51:00 GMT

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite secular holiday of the year, and this year was a good one. Beginning with a beautiful Thanksgiving Worship service on November 20th and followed by an overwhelming afternoon of celebration on the occasion of 10 years of shared ministry for BCC, Jennifer Heinz and myself, it continued as Carol and I traveled to New England to visit friends and family. Put all of it together, and I could not be in a better place to begin my Advent journey. I simply cannot find words that adequately express my gratitude to this wonderful congregation. You have blessed my life, and I am so glad that we are on this journey together. The week of Thanksgiving ratcheted up those feelings of blessing as I got to spend a relaxing time with the person who has enhanced and brightened my life more than I ever could have imagined or prayed for, my partner, my best friend, my spouse, Carol. During the week we caught up with Carol’s sister and her husband and old friends from when we lived in Boston. Most notable was the reconnection with a friend that I worked with 25 years ago, who “fixed up” Carol and me, who stood up in our wedding and who we haven’t seen for close to 20 years. We got to meet his wife and son for the first time, and we spent a long time reminiscing, catching up and promising to not let it be so long, next time. From the celebration at BCC, through the whole of the Thanksgiving week, it was nothing short of holy time.

Which brings me to this holy time we have now entered. Advent is one of those times that we are given an opportunity to focus on the things that are important in our lives and in our faith journey. It is not always an easy time, because the entire holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, revolves around family and friends. When we face Advent having lost loved ones, or having experienced broken relationships, this season can make the pain of those losses all the more acute. When we want nothing more than to be with people we love, yet their death or disconnection makes that impossible, it is hard to celebrate. We miss them all year round, but there is something even more difficult this time of year. Which is why we need Advent more than ever.

Our Hebrew brothers and sisters of ancient Israel knew what that felt like. They had experienced the loss of their most holy place, they had been sent into exile, and as the years rolled by, they found themselves under the domination of foreign power after foreign power. At the time of the birth of Christ, Romans were in control, controlling through taxation and intimidation. As the Hebrew people moved toward their own sacred festivals, they were made very aware that things were not as they would like. They lived in the hope of the promised Messiah. They did their best to remain faithful. They celebrated God’s presence in their history and prayed for the coming of the Messiah. And on that night in Bethlehem, God broke into human experience and the hope of the promise became reality. But the funny thing is, the Hebrew people would not be aware of this for about 30 years, and even then, some were not entirely sure what had happened.

So it is with our own celebration of Advent. We celebrate what has happened in the past, even as we search for peace and grace in the future. We celebrate the birth of a baby on Christmas Eve, even as we mourn the loss of those who have gone before us. We wait on the promise of the return of the Messiah, even as we sometimes despair of what has become of our world. And that is exactly what made the events of my thanksgiving week so important to me. Celebrations took place, even as my thoughts were with those who could not be present. Reunions were enjoyed, even as the pain of impossible reunions were grieved. The joy of the present and the hope for the future is tempered by the reality of the present.

Advent is a wonderful time. But, it does not mean that it is always as joyous as the television commercials lead us to believe. All of us have suffered loss and all of us have had broken hearts. Advent allows us to deal with our pain in the hope that one day, the pain will lessen. Advent also lets us focus on the power of God and let’s us remember those times when God showed us grace. Advent puts us in touch with our Hebrew ancestors and reminds us that even in the midst of despair, we can still be open to God’s presence. That, finally, is the message that is most important to me: Advent is about remembering the past and praying for the future, while doing our best to trust God. Trusting God does not mean we put on a false smile and act like everything is okay. Trusting God exists in grieving when we need to grieve, with the full knowledge that God is with us: today, tomorrow, always.

Anniversary Celebrations

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:32:00 GMT

Yesterday was the anniversary of two important events in my life.

First, my parents were married 64 years ago yesterday, on November 15, 1947. They built a life in Michigan that eventually included my older brother and sister and, finally, me. My father was a school teacher and my mother a secretary. We were not rich, but we never wanted for anything. My father was a great handyman and so I don’t ever remember a repairperson being in our house. My mother could stretch a buck with the best of them. They took us to church, they grounded us in the faith, they emphasized the importance of education in our lives. But the most important lessons I learned from my parents came for just watching them together. They didn’t always agree on everything, but I never saw anything but respect and love between them. They provided us a home that was filled with that same respect and love, and one more thing: fun. I vividly remember a winter night when we were eating dinner. We had a big radio that sat on top of the refrigerator that would sometimes be on when we were eating dinner. Sometimes it was the news from “WJR: The Great Voice of the Great Lakes” and sometimes it was music. On this particular night, polka music came on the radio and even as we kids made fun of the music, my parents were incredulous and said, “Well, that’s because you’ve never danced to it.” And right then and there, they got up from the table and started “polkaing” (is that a word?) around the kitchen. At the time, I remember thinking, “Please God, don’t let any of the neighbors see this through the window.” But today, it is a wonderful memory of two people who loved each other and showed my siblings and I how to live, love and laugh. They were married 51 years when my mother died, and until the day he died 8 years later, I don’t think my father ever recovered from that loss. I miss them terribly, but today give thanks and celebrate all they gave me.

Second, ten years ago yesterday I became the Senior Minister here at BCC. When I arrived here I found a congregation that cared for one another, that truly liked one another, that had fun together, grieved together, worshipped together, respected one another and was committed to honoring God and growing in their faith, together. I came here with a sense of great anticipation and more than a little bit of fear. How would I be received into this community? Would my style mesh with theirs? What can we accomplish together? Here is what I have found: I was welcomed from day one, with open arms, minds and hearts. We have grown together, taught each other, reached out in faith together, stumbled together, helped each other up, and set our sights on what comes next. In this community, I found something that was akin to the family I grew up in: respect, love, laughter. We haven’t always agreed on everything, but what family does? But when a decision has been made by the congregation, the full support of all the congregation has been present. We have had times of great loss, but together we have helped each other through. We have had times of great celebration, shared with each other joyously. And never have we stopped trying to strengthen our faith. Never have we stopped trying to find new ways to worship so that all might be included, Never has a stranger not been welcomed, warmly and genuinely. And believe me, I know about that last one: because BCC welcomed me, a stranger, and 10 years later, I am still grateful.

These two are very different, yet there are similarities. In both instances I see great examples of strong faith. I am struck by the example of striving toward being the best we can be that both my parents and this congregation offer. I am overwhelmed by the love and respect that are the hallmark of both. And I am buoyed by the fact that in both situations, I am reminded of the importance of laughter and fun. And it is in those similarities that families and communities of faith flourish. I have been blessed by the parents and family of my birth. And I have been blessed by the family of faith here at BCC. And both of those things are reason to celebrate!

Steady On

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:11:00 GMT

Greetings on this beautiful fall day,

The last couple of years have been a roller coaster ride for many of our members, our church, our country, even our world. The economic picture seems to change almost daily. One day the world markets are up because of a rumor, or a jobs report, or maybe because Jupiter was aligned with Pluto…one day the world markets are down because the rumor was false, the report was flawed, or Pluto has ceased to be a planet. It is confusing at best; downright scary at worst. And the biggest source of our worries is that we have absolutely no control over most of it. We do our best to move forward, but if we are honest, many of us find ourselves a bit worried about what is coming next. It has, after all, been three years of uncertainty.

I am, by nature, a worrier. But in the past few years, I have become better at putting some things aside and setting my course forward. I’m still not great at it, but I am getting better. Whatever improvement I have I have made is because of two things: first, an understanding that I am NEVER in control and second, an understanding that I have made it through tough times in the past and will make it through these tough times, too. Having come to grips with these two realities, I find myself more able to move forward and focus on what I know I should be doing, rather than worrying about things too much. And when I reach more solid ground, I look back, amazed that once again, things are indeed, alright.

And what is it that I know I should be doing? On a personal level, it involves being a good steward of what I have been given, and doing my best to honor God with anything I undertake. In other words, if I do my best to follow God’s will for my life, give my best effort at anything I do, take care to remember that I am never alone, then I have taken care of all that I can control. As a church, it seems to me that we should do the same things. If we, as a community, seek to follow God’s will, if we give our best effort to honor God in all things, if we remember that God’s Holy Spirit is always with us, if we are good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, we will have honored God and that is all that we can do.

Still, times are tight. We entered this year thinking we may have trouble meeting our budget. Yet, we did our best to discern what God would have us do, we worked hard to be good stewards of our resources, and as we sit here today, it looks as if we will end 2011 in pretty good shape. But, 2012 looms on the horizon and the fact is, times are still uncertain, and we find ourselves in much the same situation as last year. And once again, the worries start to creep in.

So, what are we to do? I believe that our community practices should be the same as our personal practices: first, take a moment to remember that we are not in control. Second, think back to the tough times of the past and realize that we made it through those, and we will make it through these, too. And finally, when we are able to do those two things, we are to keep moving, keep doing our best to discern God’s will for this congregation, keep being good stewards of all we have been given and simply, keep being the church – faithful and persevering. And when we do that, we will know that God is with us, and we will be just fine, even when times are difficult. Being human, it is something that I need to be reminded of from time to time, and this morning, I received some affirmation that serves as that reminder.

I received a letter from Rev. R. Wayne Calhoun, Sr., the Minister of Evangelism and the Executive for Congregational Transformation for Disciples Home Mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. The letter indicated that Brookhaven Christian Church is in the top 10% of all Disciples mid-size congregations in the number of baptisms and new members in the past year. Rev. Calhoun’s take on this number is that it indicates that BCC is an “actively welcoming” congregation, providing a place of worship where people can “strengthen their spiritual horizons in a new context of ministry, worship and fellowship.” While recognition is not what we seek, this recognition serves as a reminder that when we do what we are called to do, when we step out in faith and open our doors wide, when we keep God as revealed in Christ Jesus at the center of all we do, things will indeed, be just fine. This accomplishment is not so much something to be proud of as it is a marker along the road; a marker that says, “Keep it up; you’re headed in the right direction.” As I reflect on this affirmation, I am heartened, and I find myself striving to do my best to live out the words of one of the great philosophers of my lifetime, Alfred E. Newman: “What? Me Worry?”

Hospitality

brad@brookhavenchristian.org — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:32:00 GMT

Greetings on the beautiful morning!

This past Sunday was, in some ways, a very special Sunday at BCC, and in other ways, it was a very normal Sunday.

To welcome Fred Craddock to our worship was a thrill and a blessing. I have heard him preach perhaps a dozen times, and never does he miss the mark or disappoint. It helped make our worship special. To welcome so many visitors was a real joy. Some of these visitors were old friends of BCC, some had connections with members of BCC, some were old friends of Dr. Craddock, some saw our sign and knew that this would be a special day. To celebrate with such a special reception following worship was a treat. It gave many people a chance to catch up, meet and greet Fred and Nettie Craddock, a chance to meet some new people, and a chance to simply be together.

All of these things – Dr. Craddock preaching, more than the usual number of visitors, a beautiful reception coordinated by Margie Kinney and Evelyn Lester with contributions from so many people – made for a special day.

But, the more I think about it, it was also a pretty normal Sunday at BCC. We gathered to worship our God together, like we normally do. We were inspired by beautiful music, like we normally are. We raised our concerns and celebrations and prayed together, like we normally do. We shared the Lord’s Supper, just as we normally do. We were led in worship, and served at the table by committed lay leaders and elders, like we normally are. We welcomed visitors warmly and graciously, like we normally do. We were able to catch up around the fellowship table, like we normally do on the third Sunday of every month.

Yes, it was a special Sunday, but it would not have been special had we not had the normal experience of worshipping our God together, welcoming visitors together, serving together. In short, it would not have been a special day unless we knew what it truly meant to be the welcoming, worshipping community that we are. Yes, things were ratcheted up just a bit, but the worshipping, the welcoming, and the serving are simply who we are and what we do. And that makes it special every time we gather.

I’ve always thought of BCC as a “happy” place. To see the smiles on so many faces, to feel the connection between so many people, it is hard not to be happy when we are together. But the real test of this is how we turn that happiness outward. When visitors can see that happiness, and feel it, and know that they are welcomed, that is called hospitality. And hospitality was on clear display this weekend. Today I talked to a friend who was here with her teenage son, and what she told me validated that, albeit in a sort of strange way. Her son, who is a fairly typical teenager tentatively trying to find his place in the world, went to the restroom just before the start of the service. When he returned, he said to his mother, “I need to go.” “What are you talking about?” she asked. “I need to get out of here…these people are way too happy! I came down the hall from the restroom and at least 15 people said ‘Hello’ or “How you doin’?’ or ‘We’re glad you’re here.’ It’s just weird.” Well, it may seem weird to teenage boys, but to me, it’s just BCC being BCC – making special the norm. Thank you for that.