Senior Pastor's Note
September 2, 2010
Dear Friends,
Over the past week, every morning I took my cup of coffee and looked over the beautiful mountains of the Park City, Utah area. I was amazed at the beauty of God’s creation and how even more majestic this area will look just a couple of months from now when the first snowfalls occur.
NO…. Pokey and I do not spend much time in the Park City area. This week was a special gift given to the pastors of the 100 largest United Methodist churches by a lay person from the Church of the Resurrection in Overland Park, KS as a means of spurring conversation among those, whom they believe, have the best chance of influencing the future of the UMC.
And, to make this week even more special (and interesting), the Council of Bishops met with us. It was the first time that the Leading Edge (the group of pastors for the 100 largest churches) and the Bishops have gathered to discuss the future of the UMC.
The cross dialog and conversation meant a great deal as we discussed such issues as the recruitment of young adults in the faith, the successful succession of long-term pastorates (an issue very much at the heart of our church over the past 10 years), pastor family health, and the planting of new congregations and worship communities.
The conversations could mark one of the most important crossroads for our denomination in over two generations. And, I have been so proud to represent GBUMC in these discussions.
But, probably the most important reason for the event, was the opportunity to catch up with old and new friends who live through many of the same issues that we do. There is something special about “knowing and being known” by people who are on the same journey as you.
That is why “Biblical Community” is such an important Vision Principle and Value going forward for us at GBUMC. The Bible says that we are “created in God’s image”. No, I don’t believe God is 5’8” with a beard, but like me, I believe the Father craves and needs time with His Child. And, the Holy Spirit provides a beautiful connection between the Trinity that, as many early Greeks described, functions much like a “dance” of cosmic proportions.
We are called to do this “dance of life” together… and to do it with passion and with joy. I know that many of you have found your place at GBUMC. That is wonderful! Make the most of it, don’t take it for granted and make it a centerpiece for your life.
But, also look for those who are outside the fold. Open your arms. Know that no one should—what’s our DLT (Doing Life Together) motto--- “try alone, cry alone or die alone”. We are in this together. Make sure you reach for those who need someone to offer a hand of hope.
And, for those of you not involved--- no matter the reason or excuse, there will never be anything more important than getting involved in a DLT experience. It is the “Church”.
Pokey and I were blessed to spend some time with other members of our extended Church family. We are so glad to be back home with our everyday Church family. And, we look tomorrow and the next day for whom God will send our way to make a part of our new Church family.
Now… a couple of items of business.
--Please take time to look at the fall teaching schedule. We have some great teaching studies and, once again, we will teach on “How to Use Your Bible”—back by popular demand.
--Please keep Praise Daze on your calendar. Sept 19-22 is going to be a blessing. On that note, I am looking for “Prayer Partners” to pray with me as we prepare for Praise Daze. We will pray together beginning September 7th online through email each day, but then we will pray together each Wednesday, either at lunch or in the evening before The Table.
---Finally, we are in the process of developing our Lay Leadership List for 2011. If you have any suggestions or self nominations, please contact Jo Anne and let her know.
Remember, we love you all.
Be Salt and Light… You Matter.
Shane
August 26, 2010
The Five InVisioned Future Principles for GBUMC
Many people have asked where the Visioning Committee of GBUMC stands in terms of developing the next phase of our Vision Plan for the congregation.
I am happy to report that the Vision Team has made great strides and has developed five preliminary areas of focus for our church to consider over the next weeks, months and years. These areas of focus were presented to the Church Council at its last meeting.
The FIVE Principles follow the teaching established in Acts 2: 42-47 when the first Christians arrived on the scene. These concepts are not just ancient principles but living, active ways to find God and to also be in ministry with each other.
Here are the Five InVisioned Future Principles for GBUMC:
•Biblical Community: One Church in multiple locations with various styles surrounded by ONE Mission.
"Hitting the Ground": We pray for every member of Gulf Breeze UMC to be involved on an ongoing basis in a regular DLT group experience.
•Celebrative Worship: Diversity in worship styles, evolving with the needs of our community, relevant to all ages, respectful of the sovereignty of God, and faithful to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
"Hitting the Ground": So that every person who attends one of our campuses may find a worship experience that allows for them to meet, be in fellowship with, feel the call of, and be challenged by the Creator of the Universe.
•Faithful Serving: God’s love offered with hospitality, hope and healing to all.
"Hitting the Ground": Every person serving in at least one ministry that reaches into the lives of those most marginalized and forgotten in our community-- "No One Cries Alone, No One Dies Alone, No One Tries Alone".
•Spiritual Growth and Development: Clearly defined paths for Christian Evangelism, Education, Fellowship and Missions.
"Hitting the Ground": That every person will find their passion for God's call on their life and the area to which He has called them to serve. Discovering of their spiritual gift for working in the whole Body of Christ, they will "go into the world"-- wherever that may be-- to teach, proclaim and include brothers and sisters into the fold.
•Authentic Generosity: An environment of faithfulness to God and His Church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness so that NO ONE is in need or goes without the basic necessities of life and home.
"Hitting the Ground": That every person will take on John Wesley's principles for resources in their lives by 1) working hard and being faithful to how God has called them to develop resources, 2) living frugally and faithfully so that every penny is utilized for the building of the kingdom and beyond, and 3) promoting generosity as more than an act of kindness but rather the kindness that comes from acting like Jesus.
As we learn to embrace these principles and to live them faithfully in our daily lives, we will see the Holy Spirit come to life in each of us, and, especially, in our church. These five principles change lives and change the world.
Over the next weeks, we will spend time unpacking each of these principles as to how they "hit the ground" so that we become the "hands and feet of Jesus" in our midst. As we have said many times, God has more in store for us than simply to "Love Jesus... He wants us to Love Like Jesus as well".
Be Salt and Light... You Matter! Shane
One other thing...
Please remember to put on your calendars "Praise Daze: A Teaching, Worship and Fellowship Event" scheduled for September 19-22 at the Fairpoint Campus from 5:00-7:20 pm. Dr. Bryan Collier, Founding and Senior Pastor of The Orchard UMC in Tupelo, MS will be the teacher for our four nights of worship beginning at 6:00 pm. Bo Parker and members of the GBUMC worship teams will provide worship leadership each night. We also have some special events planned. The children (up to grades 5) will have their own special worship experience each evening in the Children's building-- LED BY THEM! You won't want to miss that!
And, last but certainly not least, each night we will have a Fellowship Meal from 5:00-6:00 pm to make it easier for families to come from work and daily activities to be in worship with us. There will be a nominal cost per night per family and as always, the food will be top notch and the service incredible. Yes, I am talking about Terrye Takacs and her amazing team of volunteers.
If you have questions, please feel free to call the church office at 850-932-3594.
August 19, 2010
Praise Daze
Praise Daze!? Sounds unusual, I know. But, many of you remember the old time Camp Meetings whereby congregations gathered for great food, blessed music, and anointed teaching. Praise Daze is a good ole Camp Meeting but with a modern twist.
On September 19-22, Gulf Breeze UMC will host its first Praise Daze. These four evenings will be filled with a wonderful meal, some family game time, amazing music/worship and inspired Bible teaching from celebrated pastor/teacher/author, Bryan Collier.
Also, each evening, the children (up to the 5th grade) will have their own worship experience with great music and teaching as well.
The focus of Praise Daze is to invite the Holy Spirit into the life of our congregation in a very specific way to inspire, ignite and send us into the world to both Love Jesus and Love Like Jesus.
Bryan Collier is one of my dearest friends in ministry. He is the Founding and Senior Pastor of The Orchard UMC in Tupelo, MS, a congregation very similar in size to GBUMC. The Orchard is also one of the most innovative congregations in all of Methodism, pioneering new forms of worship and also multi-site campus models. Bryan is the author of "Becoming an Orchard", a book that details both the growth of The Orchard but also how other congregations can grow to their potential in Christ.
Bo Parker and the entire Worship Ministry Team of GBUMC will lead worship each evening with a variety of styles and experiences. You won't want to miss this time together as we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ and Praise His Name.
Please be in prayer for what God will do through these four days of revival. And, pray that God will use each of us to be the 'hands and feet of Jesus' as an Orchard planted in His name.
So, don't forget... put Sept 19-22nd on your calendars!
Be Salt and Light... You Matter!
We love you all.
Shane
August 12, 2010
The Five Virtues of Jesus, Part II
As we continue our discussion in this second part of my Senior Pastor's Note that I started last week, I appreciate the number of comments and questions I received from those of you who found Part I to be engaging and useful. Remember, as the Apostle Paul says, "Everything we do for God is useful!" (1 Corinthians 15: 58)
The final three virtues are just as exciting in that each of them not only changes our impressions of ourselves, but also re-frames how we see God and each other.
These virtues will sound awfully familiar, but, even with the most familiar of principles, it is important to remind each other of their value and importance from time to time. No one would argue that these three virtues are no less than "game changers."
3. Loyalty
The first is "loyalty." One of the subtle principles of Jesus' ministry was his loyal nature, not only to his Disciples but to all of those who followed him. It was easy in that culture for the Teacher or Rabbi to take on an air of "super importance." Jesus was the opposite. He exuded loyalty, love and grace.
Loyalty is an important component throughout the Bible especially in relation to the Gospel message. We are reminded throughout the Old Testament of God's call for humanity's loyalty to Him, but also of God's loyalty to us. In fact, it is this loyalty with which the power of the Good News comes to life and the Messiah comes to set us free.
God was loyal to the point of sending His own Son for our lives.
The writer of Proverbs says:
3 - 4 Don't lose your grip on love and loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
5 - 6 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. (Proverbs 3)
One of the all-time greats in baseball was Babe Ruth. His bat had the power of a cannon, and his record of 714 home runs remained unbroken until Hank Aaron came along. The Babe was the idol of sports fans, but in time age took its toll, and his popularity began to wane. Finally the Yankees traded him to the Braves. In one of his last games in Cincinnati, Babe Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several misplays that allowed the Reds to score five runs in one inning. As the Babe walked toward the dugout, chin down and dejected, there rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos and catcalls. Some fans actually shook their fists. Then a wonderful thing happened. A little boy jumped over the railing, and with tears streaming down his cheeks he ran out to the great athlete. Unashamedly, he flung his arms around the Babe's legs and held on tightly. Babe Ruth scooped him up, hugged him, and set him down again. Patting him gently on the head, he took his hand and the two of them walked off the field together.
There are people in our lives who need for us to cheer in their successes. But, there are even more who need for us to jump up and hug them, and make sure that they are not forgotten even when the chips are down.
Loyalty is a powerful tool for both the one remembered and for those watching and experiencing this virtue come to life.
4. Integrity
I once heard integrity defined as "how we act when no one else is looking." That seems both appropriate and daunting. Integrity is a cornerstone of how we treat each other in the name of Christ. When we lose our way in regards to integrity, we rarely find the heart of what God is trying to teach us. This is the foundation that reminds us of the blood that flows based on God's Promise and our integrity to live faithfully within that promise.
Two Scriptures that capture this discussion well are from Proverbs and 1 Timothy. Read below:
28 Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. (Proverbs 20)
11 - 14 Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed-keep that dusted off and in use. (1 Timothy 4)
"Teach believers with your life..." What great advice from the Apostle Paul. Literally, Timothy's integrity would become his greatest teaching tool.
Paul pushes Timothy and asks, "For what are we willing to live our integrity to the full extent of what God needs in the world?" Well, below is an opposite question but telling.
What are you willing to do for $10,000,000? Two-thirds of Americans polled would agree to at least one, some to several of the following:
Would abandon their entire family (25%)
Would abandon their church (25%)
Would become prostitutes for a week or more (23%)
Would give up their American citizenships (16%)
Would leave their spouses (16%)
Would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free (10%)
Would kill a stranger (7%)
Would put their children up for adoption (3%)
James Patterson and Peter Kim, The Day America Told the Truth, 1991.
The first time I read these questions, I was shocked at what people would do for $10,000,000. But, then I began to think about what people will do "everyday" for much less.
The Bible tells us that a person's integrity is broken down one small piece at a time. It is not the major collapses but the small, catastrophic breaches that will cause the most damage over the long haul.
Consider...
Scientists now say that a series of slits, not a giant gash, sank the Titanic. The opulent, 900-foot cruise ship sank in 1912 on its first voyage, from England to New York. Fifteen hundred people died in the worst maritime disaster of the time.
The most widely held theory was that the ship hit an iceberg, which opened a huge gash in the side of the liner. But an international team of divers and scientists recently used sound waves to probe the wreckage, buried in the mud under two-and-a-half miles of water. Their discovery? The damage was surprisingly small. Instead of the huge gash, they found six relatively narrow slits across the six watertight holds.
Small damage, invisible to most, can sink not only a great ship but a great reputation. Integrity is very important.
USA Today, April 9, 1997.
5. Gratitude
The Purple Dinosaur, Barney, that millions of children adore has a song that says, "Please and thank you" are the magic words. I remember Sarai Grace singing that song around the house after she would watch an episode of Barney. It was not only a catchy tune, but a great message.
In the parable of the 10 Lepers, Jesus heals 10 sick men but only 9 return. This grieves Jesus, not because he was looking for the kudos himself, but because their gratitude made a statement that was even bigger than their healing. "Did 10 get healed?" he said.
Here is the actual passage of Scripture:
14 - 16 Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."
They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough and he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17)
How many times in our lives have we missed the opportunity to say "thank you" to God because we became obsessed with the NEXT thing that happened to us. God not only wants to work, live and guide in our lives, He wants to share the joys and the possibilities.
The leper coming back was as much about his own potential now as it was JUST to say "thank you." It sent a bigger message to Jesus and to those around... "Hey, this man does what he says... you can trust him."
Gratitude always has a bigger message in store than simply "thank you." Be sure to pay attention to what God is saying every time gratitude is pointed out or called for. I believe you will be amazed.
It is said that on his retreat from Greece after his great military expedition there, King Xerxes boarded a Phoenician ship along with a number of his Persian troops. But a fearful storm came up, and the captain told Xerxes there was no hope unless the ship's load was substantially lightened. The king turned to his fellow Persians on deck and said, "It is on you that my safety depends. Now let some of you show your regard for your king." A number of the men bowed to Xerxes and threw themselves overboard!
Lightened of its load, the ship made it safely to harbor. Xerxes immediately ordered that a golden crown be given to the pilot for preserving the king's life -- then ordered the man beheaded for causing the loss of so many Persian lives!
The accolades of this world are fleeting, but God's love and care never dies. Believe in the One who believes in you. Not only will you find a different and better outcome, you will experience the fullness of a life brought back to his peace.
I hope these five virtues have meant as much to you as they did to me. Living them, knowing them, sharing them will make a difference. To some, they may seem foreign or only like concepts on a page. But, to those who will take a moment to listen, they will know that they are not the same after having made them a part of their journey.
Blessings and best wishes.
Be Salt and Light... You Matter.
Shane
August 5, 2010
A Love that Won't Let Go: Living The Five Virtues of Faith
Several years ago, I read William Bennett's book, "The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories". It was a wonderful book that unveiled a set of commonly held principles for how civilized societies approach both important issues but also the processes for making decisions in regards to these issues.
Many of Mr. Bennett's "virtues" come from the Judeo-Christian framework and he is not afraid to link our moral conversation with faith.
Recently, I read the book again. True to form, I was captured by the stories of moral challenge and courage. To think if all people would aspire to these foundations of principles, how much better our world would be. And, yet, I couldn't help but feel as though I had seen this conversation before, had heard its eloquent description of our challenges rounded by the truth of something deeper, bigger and better than what we had known.
Then, I realized I had watched this process unfold in Scripture many times where I had seen a common thread of virtues from the beginning of the Bible to the end.
I discovered that the Bible had its own list of commonly held "values", "principles" (you name it) that not only served as "destinations" for our moral discourse (as Mr. Bennett would agree) but also as our vehicles for both how and why we arrive there.
In fact, as I went back through Scripture and watched this tapestry of ideals for both idea and action unveil itself, I witnessed five Biblically imprinted "virtues" formed in and through God's story with us.
These five Biblically imprinted "virtues" are found from Creation to the Fall, through Redemption to our future Restoration in Eternity.
Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to share these Biblical virtues with you. Each virtue will have a short description along with a Scriptural reference for connecting the principle to everyday life.
Here are the first two...
Honor
Honor is how we act in sharing our beliefs. Jesus said that people will know you are mine by "how you love one another". He didn't say they would ask for a deep theological treatise or for great words. No, our actions would bear for us on the outside what we believed on the inside.
Focus Scripture: 16 - 17 This very day God, your God, commands you to follow these rules and regulations, to live them out with everything you have in you. You've renewed your vows today that God is your God, that you'll live the way he shows you; do what he tells you in the rules, regulations, and commandments; and listen obediently to him.
18 - 19 And today God has reaffirmed that you are dearly held treasure just as he promised, a people entrusted with keeping his commandments, a people set high above all other na tions that he's made, high in praise, fame, and honor: you're a people holy to God, your God. That's what he has promised. (Deuteronomy 26)
Thomas Carlyle says Show me the man you honor and I will know what kind of man you are.
I am not a huge fan of fairy tales (though my girls love them). I never read them much as a child, an obvious deficiency on my part. But, there is one Grimm Fairy Tale that I find particularly poignant. It is the story of the old man whose wife died, and he was forced to come live with his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. His daughter-in-law was not very happy with this arrangement particularly because the man was very old and feeble, and, thus, required a great deal of "looking after".
One day, at the dinner table, she became so upset with the old man and how he kept spilling his food, that she moved him to a table in the corner of the room. As his broken hands continued to fail, he would spill more and more food on himself, eventually resulting in the daughter-in-law putting a "pig's trough" in place of the table. It was humiliating to the old man. But, having no other choice, he simply sat in shame and ate there.
One evening before dinner, the parents heard their young son banging away at something in the next room. When they walked in, they saw that he had built a small pig's trough. "What are you making" the parents asked. "I am working on a pig's trough" the young boy replied. "But, why" his mother asked. "So, that I might be good at making yours when the time comes".
The parents immediately moved the old man back to the table and treated him with great honor.
We don't have to say much to proclaim or profess what we believe. Our actions will always "shout" louder than our words.
2. Purity
It is ironic that the dictionary connects 'purity' with 'freedom'. In fact the official definition for purity is "freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, or leads to inappropriate elements in our lives". That could include nearly any vice or broken area. In fact, as Paul describes in Galatians 5, it nearly does.
Focus Scripture: 21 The purity of silver and gold is tested by putting them in the fire; The purity of human hearts is tested by giving them a little fame. (Proverbs 27)
The following are a set of questions that test our purity levels. They come from a book by Paul Borthwick, entitled, "Leading the Way". The answers to these questions reveal much about how we see ourselves and the world, but, more importantly, how we see God's place in us.
Imagine how you would answer these questions. How would these answers frame your virtue for purity.
1. Are we being desensitized by the present evil world? Do things that once shocked us now pass us by with little notice? Have our sexual ethics slackened?
2. Where do our minds wander when we have no duties to perform?
3. What are we reading? Are there books or magazines or files in our libraries that we want no one else to see?
4. What are we renting at the local video stores? How many hours do we spend watching TV? How many adulteries did we watch last week? How many murders? How many did we watch with our children?
5. How many chapters of the Bible did we read last week?
Borthwick's point is that the last question set with the contexts of the other four questions says much about the kind of society we claim to be.
Did your answers surprise you? What do you need to do in order to re-define the "freedom" of your walk in Christ?
And, so, honor and purity greatly affect who we are in both our walk with God and with each other. To employ each as God intends will change our lives and change our world.
Next week, we will discuss the final three Biblical virtues. Until then, I would love to hear your thoughts on this or any discussion. Please take time to go to my blog and share your thoughts.
Finally, I leave you with this thought. We are all more than the sum of the words we can use. "Honor" and "Purity" can be JUST words to us. But, simply as words, we do not, we CAN NOT experience the full extent of God's life changing love for us. Our lives, no matter what words we use, have more to say.
Be Salt and Light... You Matter
Shane
Mt 5: 13-16
July 29, 2010
Five Smooth Stones of Ministry
Each week, I am usually in the middle of reading two to three books at a time. One book is for fun, probably a novel, autobiography or a work of history or politics. The value of such works are minimal except that they entertain and keep my mind off of other things.
I also spend a great deal of time with books devoted to deepening your personal spiritual walk. I love authors such as Brennan Manning, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, Frances Chan and N.T. Wright.
But, invariably, I am always reading at least one book about leadership and about developing a 21st century church using a 1st Century Model. And, each week, I make a list of sayings, phrases or comments that impress, challenge, confound or push me and, I hope, will push the church.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have marked three "sayings" or "principles" that not only caught my eye but pricked my soul, both as a leader in the Church at large but also for GBUMC in particular.
Here are these principles… (read more)
First, If we are to reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing. Craig Groeschel used this phrase in a leadership talk he shared several years ago and it is now part of one of his books.
It is estimated that of the 430,000 people in the Pensacola/Escambia/Santa Rosa County Metro Region, 280,000 of them do not attend church anywhere. Think about that number for a minute. As many people as we have attending one of our three campuses on Sunday morning, we would need 120 more Gulf Breeze UMCs in order to meet the needs of those new believers. But, even more profound, why, with so many churches in this area, do over half of our population choose simply not to go.
Maybe it is because these 280,000 are tired of the "old ways" that churches connect to them and try to make faith relevant for them. That is not to say that traditional churches don't have a place, but it does speak to the need for churches to be open for reaching as many people from as many places in as many ways as possible.
Even more important, each of the 280,000 represent more than a number. They are our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, best friends, roommates, etc.
From this point on, we will post a "Reach Wall" at the Fairpoint Campus that will have a picture which represents 10,000 of these persons. That would be 28 photos to remind us of how far we have before our job is finished.
Second, The Ideas for reaching the next generation will not come from the previous generation. My dear friend and Pastor of the highly successful Orchard UMC, Bryan Collier, uses this statement to remind his staff and leaders that the next generation has moved beyond our "capacity" to impress and persuade. Our only task is to provide an environment where the right staff, idea catchers and dream captains can build a place where each generation feels comfortable and excited.
But, that means the youngest generation is not, for the most part (and there are exceptions to everything) going to worship the way we do at 8am and 11am on Sunday at Fairpoint. Maybe not even the way we worship at 9:30am at Fairpoint or at 9am and 10:30am at Soundside.
No, worship is always changing because generations change. Does the message change? Absolutely not! But, the vehicles for reaching our younger crowd must develop and evolve into their own indigenous language, means of grace, and methods.
Over the next five years, GBUMC will commit itself to being a NEXTus Church, whereby we provide the most cutting edge worship, community, fellowship and learning available. And, we plan to grow larger by growing smaller, offering more and more worship styles in more worship settings with more worship sites than ever dreamed possible.
And... by the way.... when we do that, we will also be taking care of the first principle, too.
Finally, When our memories exceed our dreams, we are headed for death. We don't dream enough. Sure, we are in the visioning process and it is going very well (Great Job George and Greg!!!!) but we are talking about DREAMING!!!!!! The kind that wakes you from a deep sleep and causes you to stay up wondering what you can do to make it work.
This church is filled with great memories, but our memories, at times, exceed our dreams and it leaves us feeling old, tired and out of touch.
My wife's little 85 year-old grandmother loves to run down memory lane from time to time, but, as she puts it, she wouldn't want to live there. She wants to be where our girls are, where the action is, and where things are making a difference. Even at 85, her memories do not exceed her dreams. Do yours?
You know... I have spent a lot of time over the last 14 months feeling bad that I wasn't what some of you wanted, expected or really felt you needed as a pastor, because I didn't (or haven't) fit the mold or model of pastors gone by. I've tried, but it simply won't work. I am just not cut from that mold. Don't get me wrong, it is a great mold, just not mine.
But, truthfully, the problem is that no one will fit that mold. No one... In the process of trying to work the mold as we once saw it, we allow our memories to exceed our dreams. GBUMC deserves better than that. The legacy we so cherish deserves better than that. Our children and future generations deserve better than that.
Jesus says you can't do anything about the past, no matter how much you lament its loss. And, you can't do anything about tomorrow, for it will have enough worries of its own. But, today you can DREAM! And, best of all, we can dream together!
Paul says it this way, "Forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for Christ."
Friends, I want to hear your dreams. That is where the action is. And, the process of doing it together is where God's harmony can be heard.
And, so, in these three sayings we find our church, what God is working in our future and how we are to approach the challenge of making it so. But, along the way, we also get to have some fun, sing some praises, be amazed and in awe of His grace and love, and to wrap ourselves so tightly around each other, that folks will never mistake our affection for our church, for brothers and sisters, and for our God.
I love you all and pray for you daily. Please do the same for me.
Be Salt and Light... You Matter!
Shane
Clarification of Pastor's Note, July 30
I need to clarify a part of the Senior Pastor's Note that, after the sermon on the Five Smooth Stones, may seem confusing. It appears that my "editing" did not save as I had thought when I sent the copy to Jo Anne to include in the newsletter several weeks ago.
The first part of the "Note" was actually written when I arrived at Gulf Breeze in June 2009. As I mentioned, I had been praying about God's Five Smooth Stones for our transition into this new stage of our ministry life. My "edited" copy of the "note" explained that scenario. However, that did not make the final draft in this week's newsletter. I am very sorry about that. Yes, I "jotted" down the sayings from a series of talks, books and presentations I used to prepare my spirit before arriving at GBUMC.
But, as I also mentioned, because of some transitional issues after we arrived, I "shelved", or at least put in a drawer, the letter to the congregation. It was only a few weeks ago that the notebook containing the letter literally fell off a shelf and hit me on the head. And, so, I believed that as a sign from God to share them with you.
Second, though there were five principles, I wrote the first Senior Pastor's Note with only three of them mentioned, mainly because I believe people learn best in "threes". The letter was supposed to come out the week the sermon was preached. But, we held it in order to focus on other, more urgent issues at the time.
So, long story... even longer.... there are five "smooth stones" that I believe God shared with me as I arrived at GBUMC. I only intended to share three of them in the letter but by the sermon included a fourth one (mostly due to the urging of the Holy Spirit).
Okay... so I have confused you even more.
In order to make up for the confusion, I have included the entire set of five smooth stones below. I would love to hear your feedback.
1. If you want to reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things that no one else is doing. (Craig Groeschel)
2. The Idea for the next generation's most innovative products and ministries will most probably not come from the previous generation. (Outreach Magazine)
3. What ideas do I believe are impossible to do in my business but if I could do them would fundamentally change my field. (Joel Barker)
4. We are all emotionally in love with at least one thing that we should have gotten rid of years ago or used more often but didn't (Jim Collins)
5. When our memories exceed our dreams, the end is near (Chuck Bentley of Crown Ministries)
Be Salt and Light... You Matter!
Shane
Mt 5: 13-16
July 22, 2010
Leadership Summit
As you know, the 2010 Leadership Summit is fast approaching. Gulf Breeze UMC has had the privilege of hosting the Summit as a satellite site now for many years. It is always a blessing to not only participate in the life of each year’s Summit but to see how God continues to expand the conversation of leadership for us, our congregation and for sister congregations throughout the area.
Each year’s line up is always outstanding. In fact, every Summit, we believe that “this year” is the best the selection of speakers, topics and themes has ever been… Until the “next year”.
And, this 2010 Leadership Summit is no different. The scheduled speakers are not just tops in their fields; they are “revolutionary” in their thinking, skills and accomplishments. From the “old standards” of Bill Hybels and Andy Stanley (two of the country’s most innovative pastors) to business legends Jack Welch (General Electric) and Terri Kelly (Gore Company) to innovators and motivators Tony Dungy (NFL Coach and Author) and Jim Collins (Author, Good to Great), this year’s Summit is beyond anything we have experienced in the past.
And… that is saying ‘something’!
Please don’t miss this exciting time of reflection, reformation and redefining of what God is calling in you, your family, your staff and/or your organization.
The Summit begins on Thursday, August 5th from 9am to 5pm, and continues with the same schedule on Friday.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER AND ENTER PRIORITY CODE TEAM2010LS TO RECEIVE THE CHURCH PRICE.
If you have any questions or need any help please contact the church office.
Again, friends, this event is too important for you to miss. Whether it is leading a company, a church, a serving team, a Sunday School class, a small group, a men’s or women’s coffee, your family, your children or just your journey… the Leadership Summit is for you!
Allow me to pray for you and for us that God will bless this event:
Gracious God, we thank you for the opportunity to come together in an event such as the Leadership Summit, to hear these wonderful speakers, to be together in fellowship and to spend time considering how you want us to live deeper, richer and better in Your Will. Bless us, Father. Remove the obstacles and the excuses that keep us from registering and that will keep us from experiencing what You will say to us during these days. And, Father, we pray especially for those who will attend this Summit with NO IDEA of what they are doing there, but, yet, will experience a life changing moment with You. What a joy, what blessing, what a privilege it is to be a part of something so much in Your heart.
We love you, and we thank you.
Amen.
Thanks, my friends. I look forward to seeing you at the Summit.
Be Salt and Light… You Matter!
Shane
July 8, 2010
Extravagance in Plain Sight
(An Excerpt from the new book, "Prayers for the Gulf" with Prayers by Shane Stanford and Artwork by Anthony Thaxton.)
In 2007, the Washington Post newspaper organized a social experiment in the thoroughfares of the Washington Metro Subway System. Their goal was to assess whether people would respond to exceptional beauty set outside its normal context.
The plan worked like this...
A young violinist set up in one of the metro station stops and spent the next several hours playing for the daily travelers. At one point, the musician provided a 45 minute presentation using several exquisite pieces from such composers as Bach.
Over the course of his time in the metro station, nearly 2,000 people passed by the young violinist. Of that number, only six stopped to dialog with the man. Four of them were children, who were eventually pulled away by their rushed parents.
Though he did nothing more than open his violin case and place a sign that donations were accepted, the man received $32 dollars over the hours he played. For most people, this young man's impromptu concert was unrecognized if not unexceptional as they quickly moved on to their destinations.
How little they really knew...
The young man in question was actually Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. The night before, Mr. Bell had performed to a sold out audience at a large music hall in Boston where tickets went for well over $100 apiece.
The violin on which he played was one of the most expensive instruments in the world, valued at over $3.5 million. And, the pieces of music Mr. Bell shared were some of classical music's most complex and some of the world's most beautiful.
If people had only known...
But, does knowing the exquisite nature of something mean that it is worth more than in its simplest form? Mr. Bell would say "no" and so would those few who, though they had no idea who was in front of them, recognized that something extravagant was in plain sight.
Think of Creation.
Does a shoreline filled with beautifully adorned resorts and tourist areas seem more beautiful than an untouched stretch of natural coastline. Of course not. In fact, the opposite is most likely true. With all of the tools humanity uses to shape and decorate nature, it is nature itself that is the most extravagant... the greatest wonder.
And, best of all, it sits right in front of us. It is present every morning and every evening for us to enjoy. It’s a gift of God that we should never take for granted.
The busy life often keeps us from stopping to watch genius unfold. But, that is exactly what a sunrise or sunset becomes-- a brilliant cosmic work of art by the universe's greatest artist.
Our hope is that you will not pass by extravagance in plain sight while making the journey of life. You will not only be blessed for stopping, but you become part of the scene, part of the masterpiece.
And, so, we mourn our many wounds to nature. But, we should not miss the opportunity to make those wounds sources of healing and wholeness as we learn from our fragile nature and restore creation together. The music of Creation matters, and everyone plays a part.
Be Salt and Light... You Matter! (Matthew 5: 13-16)
Blessings,
Shane