According to the Bible, ‘envy’ is one of the seven deadly sins and at all costs is to be avoided…it’s related to that old saying, “be careful what you ask for…” or hope for...or dream for… or scheme for or deceive for… uh-oh...see why the caution...
However, if there is a good side to envy...like to ‘model’ or to ‘emulate’ or to ‘strive to be like’ then the men’s breakfast I attended in Scottsdale, AZ is one that others should take note of…
The place was La Casa de Christo Lutheran Church in north Scottsdale, an All-American city on the NE spoke of Phoenix...just about 30 minutes from the airport there as well as in close proximity to ASU Sun Devil stadium and the place where the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks play. Easy to find, the church sits on 20 acres and has shown significant growth in the last 15 years. Having a full-time pastor on staff to devote much of his time to ‘men’s ministry’ doesn’t hurt...you need to know. Pastor Andy has been there almost 40 years. Pastor Jeff just under 3 and he followed a pastor who set the tone for a growing attitude of men’s ministry including holding a prayer breakfast...but only for the last 7 years…
I went to visit La Casa at the urging of former TLU President, Dr. Charles Oestreich. “you need to get out there and see what those guys are doing,” he said. Chuck said this to me well over 2 years ago and so it was good to finally be able to walk the campus with their pastor and to meet with some of their key male leaders. Their ‘hospitality’ to me a stranger (yet a brother) was to be envied!
You need to know that La Casa voted earlier this year to leave the ELCA and become and independent Lutheran congregation. And you ALSO need to know that this church is one of the 3 largest ELCA churches in the Grand Canyon Synod to bolt from the ELCA which has placed a terrible burden on the ability of that synod to function well to the point of not being able to afford a hotel to have their annual assembly. BUT, you also need to know that Pastor Andy and the good people of La Casa de Christo have offered their facilities to “HOST” the synod assembly as a way of maintaining good relationships with the friends and co-workers in the kingdom… oh yeah...the breakfast...and here's what happened...
- Prayer Breakfast is ONCE a month during the school year only
- First Saturday of the month. Everyone is reminded. Not everyone attends
- Coffee pot goes on @ 7 AM. Food is served at 7:30 AM
- Attending were men from the 20's to their 80's....over 150 in attendance and each person wore a name badge...and even a badge was prepared in advance for me...
- Cooking is done by 'teams' of men on a rotation basis.
- La Casa's "Music Director" led the men in a variety of songs covering different generations w/ guitar
- Everyone was greeted by Pastor Jeff (staff pastor for men) and he turned the meeting over to their 'lead man' for 2nd welcome and announcements including men standing and introducing their guests
- The opening prayer was also led by La Casa's lead man...
- The Lead Pastor did a cool thing...
to the front of the line and then "works" the room while everyone finishes eating. THIS pastor stood at
the head of the line and handed out plates to EVERY man. Members, visitors and friends all got to be
eye-balled by the pastor and he was able to greet each person there! Never say that done before !
- A team of men work on the monthly keynote speaker schedule. It is always a key to gathering the men. This particular Saturday's speaker was a member of the La Casa and came forward 9 months after the death of his son (post-college age) and shared the incredible story of how he is now able to see God's hand in all the details of a story that became known nationally and internationally. Truly amazing despite my intentional lack of details here. And as many of us have similar stories to tell, it's not often any of us get up in front of 150+ other men and tell it. But, perhaps, that's one of the dynamics that makes the men's ministry at La Casa a safe and enviable thing...trust...
- There were prayers for the family and also for those soldiers who serve the USA at home and abroad. The prayers included an older man's family as news of his grandson's death was shared. Men were sitting at tables of 8-10 so there was a sense of community and shared grief and joy as news both good and otherwise was shared.
- The host team went to the tables to take an offering for the food...everybody gave something...
- Pastor Jeff gave a blessing for all attending...Go in peace; serve the Lord...which had huge meaning for all there as the who shared the story of the death of his son, while in Germany, made it very clear to all that he had been a spiritual slacker...church attender..good dad, husband and worker...but didn't act out his faith via his church. He also made it clear that this was not God's punishment but rather he sees in himself an opportunity to "go in peace and serve the Lord" in a brand new way...
But, what about the sense of community? Partnership? How many congregations in the ELCA or in our synod could pull together 150+ guys on the first weekend when school just started...and it's the last weekend of the summer before Labor Day weekend? Answer...very few...if any at all... But perhaps the visible was a product of what is less visible at La Casa...
As I met with 3 different men...late 20's mid-50 and mid 70...after breakfast, they made clear the following of their journey...
- Having the pastor's support is incredibly essential for all...newcomers and old-timers;
- Having a staff pastor to provide vision, energy and spiritual support makes all the difference from where La Casa was to where they find themselves today;
- Having a year round calendar of events and gatherings is critical. Some of the men who came to the breakfast had just returned 2 weeks prior from doing a project at the Navajo reservation 2 hours away. See? Not hard...just intentional;
- Small groups and one-time events has led to the men's ministry expansion. Holding a golf tournament (wow, in Scottsdale, AZ?) for their Spanish ministry outreach project, starting a 'hiking' team for young and younger men; having "bikers" group that hits the trails once a month; etc are just a short list of examples of how La Casa is building friendships, trust and honest relationships with their men...
- There is also a variety of adult education (there is another pastor on staff for "life-long" learning!) classes that men can attend together or with their spouse or a friend. Clue..."go, preach, teach and baptize.." Jesus said...
- Lastly, La Casa has an intentional 'training' system built into their year-round men's ministry...call God's Men 101, 201, 301 or whatever...they do have a way for men to get together and gain skills and confidence to lead other men... and shucks, guys...our men do that at work...gain skills and confidence so that they will have a greater sense of being part of the big team...
It would be good of all congregations (ELCA and others) to envy what is happening at La Casa de Christo...
One man @ a time; no man left behind;
Brian
