"One Brother and Another"

'ONE BROTHER AND ANOTHER'

a reflection on Matthew 21:28-32

They say a man's only as good as his word.  It's a trustworthy saying and it's all about trust.  It seems Jesus got into a little tangle with the Pharisees and chief priests of the Temple regarding the authority by which he taught.  So, he told them a story...

"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” asked Jesus.  “The first,” they answered.   Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

Have you seen the TV commercials lately having to do with connection to "and" and "or" or is it... 'and' OR 'or'...?  You know... having the choice between "sweet AND sour chicken" vs. "sweet OR sour"... or the choice about "nuts AND bolts" vs. "nuts OR bolts" in putting up the swimming pool ... or the coach who uses the megaphone to be LOUD but his gibberish phrases makes for his not being very CLEAR... "loud AND clear" vs. "loud OR clear"!  Very clever… and yet this is the time of the year…  where so many sing... are you ready...

… he’s making a list and checking it twice…Going to find out who's 

___(naughty) _____  or ____(nice)___________

But, Jesus comes singing a different song… at least according to Matthew!  It seems one son is naughty after being nice and the other brother is nice before being naughty...

So, let me suggest something -- both sons are wrong!  

When we actually look back to the 1st Century, we frame this parable via a sense of honor -- a son who publicly says "no" to his father is shaming his father even if he does what his father asks and the other son shames his father by saying 'yes' and not following through.  Do you know anyone like this?  Have you looked in the mirror lately?

When the parable hearer is asked to choose between the two sons, a dilemma arises. Both sons have insulted the father, one by saying no, the other by saying yes but doing nothing. But one comes to the family's aid by going into the vineyard and upholding family solidarity, while the other maintains the family's good name by appearing on the surface to be a good son. Would the father choose to be publicly honored and privately shamed, or publicly shamed and privately honored? In the first century A.D. that is not much of a choice. The real question is... "which one he would be more angry?" But in being forced to choose, he must choose between the apparent and the real, between one who appears to be inside the family and one who appears to be outside. 

Bottom line, my brothers, this parable is about doing the will of God (v. 31). The question, "What is God's will for my life?" is one that Christians often ask. However, answering that question with "obeying God and working in the fields" too easily leads to a works righteousness, which we try to avoid.  And we take a language lesson from the Greek here...

For me, the key to this parable is the word metamelomai (pronounce it like it looks!). Although the NRSV translates it "to change one's mind," (vv. 29, 32) that is not the most literal understanding of this word. Usually the idea of "changing one's mind" or "repenting" is conveyed by the Greek word metanoeo (Again, pronounce it like it looks!).

The prefix meta = "change" begins both words.  The verb noeo is related to activities of the mind (nous)  The verb melo has the sense "to care for," so we might translate metamelomai as "changing what one cares about" or "to change what one is most concerned about."  And that is something worth considering here... as we approach Christmas and a new year... 

Pastor Ed Markquardt once wrote… 

“Repentance” means “changing your mind which leads to a change in behavior.” Jesus also stated this theme at the very beginning of the his earthly work, “Repent and believe the gospel.” Jesus first said, “Repent.” He said secondly, “Believe the gospel.” Nowadays, many Christians focus only on one half of Jesus’ teaching: “Believe the gospel.” They/we often ignore the first part of Jesus’ teaching. “Repent.”

The vineyard, the world, is always in a mess.  There are always earthquakes in the Turkeys and Taiwans of the world.  There are always wars in the Mideast and rumors of war in the Koreas of the world.  There are always divorces and families falling apart.  There are always poor families living down the street, with not enough money and emotional resources to make it. 

And what is the predictable reaction of the church to this pain and devastation in the world around us, far and near?  Too often, we merely hold our worship services in the middle of the vineyard.  We have our Bible studies and small group studies in the middle of our brokenness and follow it up with a pot-luck supper and forget to invite the stranger or to risk going out of the parking lot and do something good for someone who will never have the capacity to pay us back.   That's why Martin Luther reminded everyone we are both 'saint AND sinner!'

And so God, in the parable for any day we read it, in his disgust for our unwillingness to do the needed work in the vineyard says, “I will go and find somebody else who will do the work in this world of mine.”  In other words, this parable is an invitation for us not to be like the Pharisees. It is a challenge to go into God’s messed up world and do the necessary work.  It's the realizing that Jesus would rather have us be more like the prostitutes and the tax collectors... more like the whores and the crooks... because despite their unworthiness to part of the Kingdom of God via the rules of the Pharisees and chief priests in the temple... they said, 'yes' to Jesus and chose what was most important...

Now, some have asked me... "well, why didn't Jesus add a third brother?  Why didn't he include a brother who honored his father by saying 'yes' and presented himself as a man of integrity by actually doing what he said he would do?  What about that guy? Wouldn't the story have a different turn if there was a 3rd brother?"

Well, of course... Jesus told the parable... "A man had two sons..." ...two disrespectful sons... sons like us... sons like me... sons like my dad... sons like my dad's grandsons... disrespectful and selfish... sons like you... sons like your sons and grandsons... and ALL of us are guilty... not one OR the other... but both... AND that is why this story has so much power for us... as we are driven to the moment of grace  where we turn to the only son who was faithful in all things... Jesus ... son AND savior... Jesus ... brother AND friend... Jesus... teacher AND guide... Jesus.. Lord AND God.. now AND forever!

May the joy of this time of the year and the 12 days of Christmas do a good work in each of you!

One man at a time; no man left behind,

   Brian

"UP, IN and OUT --- the Power of Prepositions"

Prepositions. We use them all the time. Small words. Powerful words. Necessary words. Connectors. They are the critical part of our vocabulary honing the details of what we say, how we say it – directing our thoughts and manner by which we communicate. You know. Word of God; faith in Christ; with the Holy Spirit. See? Even the opening sentence of the Bible begins with a preposition… “IN the beginning..." and as we talk our faith and walk our faith we find a great lesson in the power of prepositions. Men in Mission. Let’s see how this works. After all, men's ministry reflects the power of God... no beginning and no end and the main point is to tend to part that is in between.

I'm always being asked, "what can I do... what can we do... what can our church do for the men in our church and in our community?" Is there a 'roadmap' to help them build and sustain faithful and purposeful living is another way to ask. It's an honest question and I have found the work of Ps. Walt Kallestad and Fr. Michael Breen very helpful here. Some of what you read next is from their books, "Passionate Life" and its sequel, "Passionate Church." We all get passion. We need it. Christ showed it. Mel Gibson made a movie about it. The passion of God... the passion of the Christ...the one who has come to us in the person of Jesus... God in the flesh... with a passion that is in our hearts before we even know it. This passion is a gift from God that when we seek it we find ourselves discovering the joy... a complete joy according to Jesus... that only God can give.

Breen and Kallestad offer up some 'geometric' shapes to help us tend to our faith. The semi-circle is used to demonstrate the pendulum swing and rhythm of work and rest; of work and prayer; of work and fun. It's a good rhythm. They use the image of the circle to show how confession, grace and absolution direct our path from week to week... from one Sunday to the next. We think, plan and act. Sometimes we get things done. Sometimes we've left them undone. And when our thoughts and plans and actions do not line up with God's will for our life (see Deuteronomy 6:5 ff as a model for God's will) then we gather as God's people to observe, reflect and discuss this same will and in acknowledging our missing the mark we have opportunity to think, plan and act again. The God of second chances shows up again and again and this passion of God for each of us gives us courage and hope to continue on... and that is the rhythm of our lives.

The third shape the authors present is the triangle. It's that equilateral kind with 3 equal sides and connected to each side are three instructions.

• UP with God
• IN with the Church
• OUT with the world

Up, In and Out... powerful prepositions for 21st Century Christians! And once again there is the rhythm of God to help us maintain the flow of work and rest living deeply in God's present and returning grace as our life in God is more than personal; it is communal, corporate and missional.

Like the 10 Commandments, with the first three defining our relationship with God, the initial work of "up with God" is critical to all the rest. We don't serve from and empty chalice. We don't give what we don't have. We can't. We offer what overflows from us and our life within the church and our living together in the world as church is fueled when we are connected and 'up with God." It is as ancient as breathing and as the ancients practiced a prayer posture that included not bowed heads and closed eyes, but arms spread open, heads raised and eyes wide open so that God could see deep in our hearts as the heart has always been the first access point for God with us! Our 'up with God' efforts include quiet time for prayer; a regular pattern of introspective meditation; taking advantage of moments of confession to welcome God's forgiveness and as St. Paul reminded the Colossians that our connectedness to God includes singing hymns and spiritual songs as these are all part of our 'worship.' The 'up-with-God-ness' within us is essential and remember that Martin Luther took time for 'worship' as Jesus did, each Sabbath, and did so daily via a time for prayer each morning... for an hour ... at least and on more difficult days... he prayed for 2 hours. Wow, what a world we would have if the world did that! UP with God!

As we read the Bible, we can see quickly that God is very into 'community.' God is always speaking out to and gathering groups of people... prophets, priests and kings, disciples, elders, deacons, etc. Jesus called 12 disciples, sent out 70 in pairs to teach, preach and heal, 120 another time and on the day of Pentecost, St. Luke notes that 3000 were baptized as a result of Peter's preaching. God is always about community and we really can't actualize our Christian-ness by trying to be Christian alone or in our way or image. Check it out... the Bible speaks of the children of God, the people of God, the family of faith, the body of Christ, those called from darkness into a marvelous light, the followers of the Way and on and on we see that being a follower of Jesus the Christ is about being in community! So, up with God leads to being "in with the Church."

How did Martin Luther describe the Church? He said in the catechism that the church is where a) the Word of God was preached; b) the sacraments were administered rightly; and sometimes c) where the mutual conversation and consolation of the people is experienced, Luther's way of talking about sharing one another's joys and struggles. Do you recognize that Church? There is nothing solitary about it! Preachers need people who can listen. The people need a preacher who can share the good news and teach. And while taking a bath or shower is a private act of cleanliness, no one likes to play in the pool or swim in the ocean alone. In fact, the latter is frowned upon and frankly dangerous! We can call Holy Communion by a couple of names... The Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, the New Testament word for "giving thanks." Who would want to have Thanksgiving dinner alone? That would be a very quiet and lonely meal.

Or think of it this way... when people join our churches they stand at the baptismal font and in front of the altar and say words like this... "it is my intention to:

• live among God's faithful people (vs hanging out with the un-faithful!)
• hear God's Word (vs devoting oneself to Stephen King novels, etc)
• share in the Lord's Supper (a meal that only Christ can offer)
• follow the example of Jesus (now that's a loaded request all by itself!)
• strive for peace and justice in all the world (who can do this alone?)

And at the same time, as a mostly hard-working nose to the grindstone parish pastor, I would like to add a couple of extra lines like, support the work of this ministry via generous gifts of money and time and for people to read their monthly newsletters and emails.... the response heard is ... "I do and I ask God to help and guide me!" And when we are all about this effort day after day, week after week, season after season and year after year, the Church remains strong and faithful. So, being "in with the Church" doesn't just bring benefit to my own life, others nearby are blessed, too.

But to what end? Is the church just for us? Luther was amazed with delight to wrap his head around the words of Jesus... "pro me"... the Latin words about the Lord's Supper... that the bread and wine and the body and blood of Christ was "for me!" --- that Jesus' body and blood comes to us in that wonderful prepositional way--- in, with and under the bread and the wine! But, he also read Jesus' clear command to "do this" as the way to remember him, and that, also, in this feeding, in this collective and mysterious remembering meal, there was the task to share this grace and message with the world. Thus, to be up with God and in with the Church has no other destination but to be 'out with the world.' Jesus was also 'sending' and telling his followers to "go!" And so we do... we are sent and we go with confidence and with a message that leads others to a life that is overflowing with the kind of joy and peace and purpose that only God's Holy Spirit can provide.

In the end, we are the 'real presence' of God's sacramental mystery in the world. This is what church is. This is what men's ministry is part of and designed for. It is the trinitarian model that just about any man you know or I know can internalize and live out. And finally, here's why this is such an important thing... it's our story...

Three men walk into a bar. They are strangers. They all sit down and make their order... Scotch on the rocks, Tequila straight up and a Kentucky bourbon with ice on the side. The bar tender notices that he's never seen them in his bar before. "You know each other?" he asks. "No," they all chime in together. "Oh," the barkeep says. "What brings you here?"

The first man says, "well I just got pink-slipped. The company I've had 27 years of loyalty and the place I thought I'd retire from just cut me loose," as he pulled the rosy colored paper out of his pocket. "It was embarrassing having a security officer walk me to my car."

The second man says, "hey, me too! My gringo boss was a real jerk. He said we have to cut back to save money. So, me, Juan and Pito got the boot."

And before Paulo finishes, the third story unfolds..."Yeah, I knew this was going to happen. The man always says my job is secure. He's said that to me and my friends for the last two years and every so often, the team gets smaller and smaller. Today, it's my turn."

So, the good listener behind the bar stood stunned. "Man, all three of you are out of work, huh?" But, that wasn't all there was to tell... in a matter of minutes all three men tell their version of how they called home to tell their spouses the news and all three men heard similar versions of "oh, well that's just great... I can't take this any more....that's the last straw... I'm done... when you get home I will be gone... and oh by the way... that 24 year old unemployed college drop-out son of yours is passed out on the living room couch and his 17 year old sister just told me she's pregnant and does not know who the father is."

Up with God, in with the Church, out with the world. You and I walk in that bar next... minutes later. What do we say? Do we care about these three men? Their spouses and children? The grandchild who may bear his name? What do they want to hear? What do they need to hear? Most likely, they will not care that we believe we are simul justus et peccator... at the same time saint and sinner... they won't care whether we use bread or wafers for Holy Communion or whether our sanctuary has a big screen or not. They won't care if our worship music features a pipe organ, a mariachi band or we have drums or not. They won't care that Luther was smarter than Calvin or that we're praying God lifts up a visionary man to be the next pope or whether our nursery has a volunteer staff of parents or a paid attendant during worship and Sunday School. The won't care if we pray the Lord's prayer with 'sins' or 'trespasses' or in King James or modern English or Swedish, German or Aramaic. They just won't. They will want to know the answers to questions like ... "How did this happen?" "How long is this going to last?" and "What can be done to bring some calm to this storm?" And without saying or asking out loud they will be asking the two questions Dr. Rollie Martinson says are the 2 most intimate questions any man has... "Will there be anyone here for me?" and "Will God be here for me?" "For me?" ... that powerful prepositional phrase that can make all the difference in the quality of any man's life...

Prepositions. We use them all the time. Small words. Powerful words. Necessary words. Connectors. How will you help the men in your congregation and your world remain "UP" with God, "IN" with the Church and "OUT" with the world? And are you ready to walk into that bar for Jesus' sake? He won't want you to go alone, but Jesus does want you to go!

One man at a time; no man left behind!  You will want to share this with a friend...

Brian

 

P.S.  Comments and reactions to these thoughts are always welcome!

Men's Ministry--"LOVE YOURSELF" --the Year Round Work of Christ!

Men's Ministry-- the Year Round Work of Christ!

To All the KING's Men,

God's peace to you in Christ Jesus!  Thank you for being leaders in your congregations!  Our work is day by day, season by season, year after year!   

Here's a message from Matt Kindsvatter, Director @ Camp Lutherhill...

"Thank you!  We had over 145 people at Lutherhill chainsawing, trimming trees and pulling brush.  We want to thank everyone who was part of the workday for being a blessing to Lutherhill!

 

If you missed your chance to come out don't worry we will be having another workday coming up.  There is still plenty of work to be done on site.  If you would like to get your chainsaw on or just come and help out groups are always welcome at Lutherhill.  Free housing will be provided!"  

If you have any questions please contact Matt via office@lutherhill.org or 888-266-4613.

I'm sorry I was not able to share that time with you in October.  I would love to have been in this photo.  Matt said that there was about a 60-40 split male/female ratio and what a great project all of the folks in our synod helped out with!  Again, if your men would like to schedule a FRI nite /Saturday work day... that works for you... please let Matt know...

Now about the work that goes on year round... here's a short list of clues... 7 is a holy number!

1. Deuteronomy 6:4ff tells us to... 'love the Lord your God with all you heart, strength and mind;  Jesus added to this GREAT COMMANDMENT by saying... 'and love your neighbor as yourself!'
2. So, FYI... loving yourself is an important preface to loving your neighbor!  Love as in not a narcissistic way... to the exclusion of others and feeling superior to others...but none of us will be able to love those around us unless we have a good sense of self already. And THUS, Jesus would be right, that if we don't love ourselves very much... we will have a heck of a time loving others and that we WILL love them like we love ourselves, which might then not be all that much!
3. So how do you go about loving yourself?
1. Remember the value of the 10 Words (Commandments)  These were given to teach, protect and guide us in our relationship with God and neighbor;
2. Pray, worship and study the Word of God.  In short.  Feed you spirit!
1. Prayer is talking to God.  Do it!  Then listen;
2. Worship is the most important thing we do as God's people!  We don't 'go to church'... we ARE the church and the church gathers for worship weekly as was Jesus' custom (see Luke's gospel!)
3. Open your Bible.  Read it.  Find a study group.  Make a plan. Live it.  The Bible is NOT God.  We do not worship our Bibles... but the Bible is God's Living Word and story to us of the God we DO worship!
3. Eat right and exercise.  Call it a 'spiritual' practice and see this as a reflection that our bodies are indeed the 'temple of the Holy Spirit.'  Does the God who lives and dwells in you live in a mansion or garbage can?  Only you can answer that!
4. Encourage and invite others to the font and story of God!  Tell them, "Jesus wants  you to come to dinner with him before the big game!"
5. Give some money.  Serve those around you!  Give some time to your church, your community and be a loyal, honest employee at work!  Time does not replace money and polls show that those who give generously and serve others and above average when it comes to personal joy and attitude toward life.
6. The Cross of Christ deserves our reflection.  Take some time and read about crucifixion.  Jesus was no sissy.  The Romans were brutal.  Compare Jesus' last hours with your work day and weekend.  Be thankful!
7. Jesus gave his church a GREAT COMMISSION to go and tell.  This is urgent work!  The point of church.  Not to get people saved...but to tell them they are.  How would you act if you thought of yourself as just one poor slob only to find out you are the brother of the Son of God!  A prince of the Kingdom who is accompanied by the Prince of Princes and the Prince of Peace?  Now, there's a door open to a different way of looking at life... that life matters... that I matter... that Jesus has opened the gate to an eternal life and has 'renewed' the cosmos...

That's why we can go and tear down a camp that has been devastated by fire.  Jesus is renewing the world...daily... and we pray, Luther once reminded us..."your Kingdom come your will be done" not so that the Kingdom will come and God's will would enter in but that those 2 things are here all by themselves, even before our prayers and that we pray this so we will not miss them and be on the lookout for them and participate in them...  Man, that's good preaching! 

Know that God loves you in Christ Jesus----> so know you are loved----> so you can love the world for Christ's sake... the year round ministry we all do... one by one, two by two, team by team, church by church, synod by synod... and sometimes we just set a date and do it!

Plan ahead for FEB 10-11-12, 2012 in Kenner, LA for the synod's annual meeting... Mark the date.. more coming real soon...

One man @ a time; no man left behind!

      Brian

Gulf Coast Synod Coordinator for Men's Ministry

"The Church as SHIP"

Men...        ...'it's time to go to work!"

St. Paul once wrote, "transformation comes via the renewal of your mind..." We all need that from time to time… and as Lent approaches… here’s a hope-filled transforming thought…

We all know the CHURCH is people...but we also refer to the ‘building’ as church… but whether it be people or structure… what if we considered church as ship?

One of the first images of the Jesus’ church is the "sailing ship". The Armenians adopted this image early on as they claimed themselves to be the first “Christian nation.” They sailed to the Holy Land to see where Jesus lived, taught, died and came back to life! Even today, they are the caretakers of the Chapel of St. Helen, Constantine’s mother, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Having the sailing ship as a Christian symbol points to the idea that the church is in "mission" and when we read the writings of St. Paul, we recall that the fulfillment of the "mission" often required a vessel… From the earliest days to spread the message of Jesus to Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, the British Isles, the New World of the Americas, the south Pacific islands and even back to the continent of Africa the sailing ship was an essential tool. Without a ship the message would have been passed on much more slowly…

Now, some church sociologists liken the modern 21st Century church to a ship... remaining ‘in mission' but some have suggested that there are now 2 kinds of churches...the Aircraft Carrier church and the Cruise Ship church… similar but not the same… How do you know?  Which is which?? What makes them different? What kind of ship is your congregation?

The Aircraft Carrier is prepared for battle. It goes to where the needs are greatest. The carrier is prepared to engage in battle and has provided "training" so that each person is equipped to enter the battle with confidence. The aircraft carrier is a 'launching' station for those who are ready for flight and now wanting to take on the battle face to face. Sacrifice is the theme of the day. It makes a noticeable difference. Right away. This is the kind of image of church that Martin Luther wrote of as he shared his thoughts about the "priesthood of all believers..."

The other kind of church is the Cruise Ship church. It's fun. It's easy. People just pay the fee and take a ride. It only makes fun stops and doesn't require anything except to pay for the ticket and show up! Everybody who rides the cruise ship church expects to be served...not to serve... Everybody who rides the cruise ship church is wanting to dock quickly when the waters get rough...Everyone who rides the cruise ship takes the journey that is equipped to meet their personal needs…

I could go on here about lights and glitter and sumptuous meals vs. blood, sweat, darkness and toil, etc...but by now you already see the difference. You get the point. You're smart people.

But, which one is your church? Are the members of your congregation on the Aircraft Carrier? Or are some of the members of your congregation wanting the church to be the Cruise ship? And what about Captain Pastor?  Where does he or she lean?  It all points to what Dietrich Bonheoffer (the German Lutheran pastor who plotted to kill Hitler) wrote about in his book, The Cost of Discipleship when he addressed "costly grace" vs. "cheap grace." Costly grace is just that. There is a price to discipleship--the total of one's own life. "Cheap grace" is the trust that God will bail me out of all my messes because that's God's job... God works... I cruise...

Taking stock of these distinctions can really be at the heart of the matter  where your mission is headed and as you look ahead to the season of Lent looming before us.... you may find value in having this kind of conversation with your ministy leaders and partners....

So, as you prepare yourself for worship each week and as you ponder what Lent might be for you… take a moment to look in the mirror and consider that...

• The time of the Lent is about knowing oneself, the renewing of spiritual disciplines and sacrifice;
• A life that does not take time for confession… is already dead… some suggest;
• There are men in your life… in your family, congregation, workplace and neighborhood are ‘wounded’ and are looking for an invitation to get things right with God and themselves;
• Getting on the ship and taking part in the battle DOES save lives;
• Your getting on the right ship reflects YOUR life!

Take comfort in the wisdom of St. Paul...as he wrote to his friends in Corinth...

"17 God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him. And he didn't send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center - Christ on the Cross - be trivialized into mere words. 18 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hell bent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense." -Corinthians 1:17-18

Ok, it's time to load up the Aircraft Carrier...or would you prefer this Lent to take a cruise...????

One man at a time; no man left behind,

     Brian



NOTE We had a great time in Brenham for our Tri-synod Lutheran Men in Mission gathering last weekend... thanks to our Tri-Synod LMM Leader team for all the planning, Ps. Phil Fenton and the men of St. Paul's LC, Brenham for hosting and to all who attended...

AN OPEN LETTER TO COLLEAGUES AND MEN OF THE GULF COAST SYNOD...

CAUTION: Men @ Work

+MEN'S MINISTRY VALUE +     

UNDEREMPHASIZED & UNDERESTIMATED!

To All the KING'S men,

Put on your hard hat---it's time to go to work...so let me just say this out loud...not in anger nor with brashful boasting...just an honest announcement...

"Our synod's men's ministry is underemphasized & underestimated..."

There, now, I feel better and after reading this post, I hope you will too...laymen, clergy, AiMs and youth ministry network leaders alike...I really do beleive this---men's ministry in the Gulf Coast synod is underemphasized and underestimated... at best... and misunderstood at least...

A number of years ago, the Washington Post shared an article that stated (my paraphrase)

"even though our budget will present itself with more shortfalls equalling millions of dollars and the mayor has been arrested for posession of cocaine, everthing else in Washington D.C. is just fine." 

Some of you when reading this would say..."that does not pass the smell test!"  And you would be right.  There is not shalom in Washington D.C. and there is not shalom in the Gulf Coast synod when it comes to men's ministry.  Why do I suggest that?  Here are some symptoms...

• I read a lot of newsletters.  Most of our congregations have no visible sign of an attitude for men's ministry or seek to be engaging men in an intentional way by looking at their monthly calendar and in the body of the newsletter itself;
• After four years of seeking to reach out to all congregations to coonect with men, many of our congregations are still not in the KING'S MEN network;
• Only 3 pastors in the last 4 years have called to ask me about ramping up their men's ministry in their local setting;
• I don't always add a 'read receipt' to e-communications, but occassionally when I do, there are a couple of pastors who dump it..."unread;"  AND MOST RECENTLY...
• The Men's SpiritualityRetreat @ Camp Lutherhill with Campus Pastor Greg Ronning of TLU set as the presenter was cancelled due to lack of registrants...

Even though our bishop is a proactive voice for men's ministry and we have no worry of lack of funding for there is no budget, everything is not just fine...and again, I'm not angry, sad or being brashfully boastful...I am only sharing what I see...

Now, please understand... I cannot NOT do this work.  God's Holy Spirit has gripped my heart, mind, eyes, hands and feet and my attention to this ministry to, for and with men per all men's sake is a primary focus for me as a parish pastor.  We all have our passions and I have mine  ...ending global hunger in our life-time, tending to 21st century 'reformation' worship, and nurturing the family...especially 'blended' families to name my personal few and these do not take a back seat to all the other things that I find myself involved in pastoral ministry...preaching, teaching, coaching, ecumenical work, community service and being SEO (Second Executive Officer and subservient to Christ and his Gospel) tending to the visioning and administration of congregational life.  Understand---pastor or church staff or member...we are all busy... so that is why it is important to work and think and live 'smart' for the sake of the gospel we preach and the perfect and preferred kingdom work we are welcoming as we must all admit...this kingdom comes all by itself and thus OUR personal "busy-ness" should not get in the way of God's work...

Thus my point... men's ministry is NOT something 'extra' pastors and men and the church at large do...rather it is a way of seeing the ministry we do using the gifts of men and reaching out to all men with the good news of Jesus and inviting them to take their rightful place at the font and table and lead the church, their families and communities in lives of prayerful devotion to God and service to the world... let me try to say it again... a bit differently...

Men's ministry is NOT something extra... it is an attitude of faith that permeates the household of God and impacts the lives of men...one by one...two by two... and in small groups and large gatherings... men's ministry is not a program...with a goal to begin and a deadline to meet...men's ministry may very well be the ONE thing (beyond Word & sacraments) that every church in the ELCA can rally around for the sake of our work as God's people...

Said a bit more simple... it would seem obvious that if every man in every congregation were engaged fully into this ministry...the women and children would follow.  Men are called to lead.  So many don't and when asked...they don't know how... what kind of churches do we want?  That seems obvious, too!

Another way of lifting this up is to be a bit brash and confrontational... and that then comes with a challenge...simply stated... PROVE ME WRONG... there, I said it and I feel better now that I have... "prove me worong" and I say this with an honest understanding that if you try to do this..."prove me wrong"...I'm am confident  that God's Holy Spirit will prove this work to be of value to you and if you tend to this work over the next 2-3-5 years...your congregation and ministry will not be the same and will in fact be something I dare say you've not anticipated...

Four years ago, Bishop Paul Blom appointed me to serve in a volunteer position as Co-ordinator for Men's Ministry in the Gulf Coast synod. I have no real job description and yet I think I have a very big drum to beat and some of you have thanked me for beating that drum with passion and power.  You're welcome. Thank God, too..OK?  Because that's what I do when I hear from you that you appreciate that I keep this ministry out in the foreground of our collective synodical work...

Two years ago, our newly elected bishop, Mike Rinehart, asked me to continue in this position and do this work and that I would have his blessing for the next 2 years...and now at the end of September 2010 that time period has expired and the bishop has asked me to beat this drum for at least two more years...but as I said earlier...there is no deadline for men's ministry...so, I'm writing to you today to let you know...

1. I am honored and humbled to serve our synod and the ELCA in this role and will soon have a job description to present to synod council for affirmation and adoption;
2. Lutheran Men in Mission is a movement of the laity...they are called "KING's MEN" in the Gulf Coast Synod and some congregations are embracing this reality better than others.  Our best days remain the days to come;
3. The pastors, AiMs and Youth & Family Ministry network MUST get on board with this ministry attitude so that every man in every congregation gets the idea that they are LMM and have a ministry which is God given and intended to be shared.  You can find out about the importance of this ministry by simply reading the church newsletter, weekly bulletin, and listen for ongoing opporotunities to grow and serve.  Look.  Listen.  Respond.  Plan.  Act.  Review.  Look.  Listen, etc;
4. LMM serves the work of pastors and lay leaders in the church.  Thus, pastors, above all will benefit from this ongoing work...EX---teaching and coaching 5 men to make hospital visits IS an extension of pastoral care and also IS ministry by and for men...
5. Lutheran Men in Mission works to reach out to every man we know...those who are unchurched; those with a developing faith; those with a deep faith; those who are leading and coaching other men; AND men who are hurting...even their pastor who may be male OR female... Does your men's leadership team have a list of these men and a strategy to reach out to them?  Perhaps, that's the place to start...

Lastly, see it this way...men's ministry is NOT the best thing since sliced bread... It IS the bread...or at least one of the 5 loaves a young boy gave to Jesus to feed a multitude...5 loaves... worship...teaching...outreach...service AND men's ministry... and when congregations and pastors are tending to these five loaves...a couple of fish show up too... and you can call those whatever you like...but in the end a miracle occurs and their is great contentment on the plain (or mount!).

Please wander around this web-site for a bit... read some back posts...  check out some of the links... and so I invite the men in your church...including the pastors... to take time to gather at Peace LC in Pasadena on FRI-SAT  November 12 & 13... to hear David Dusek share 'hands on' ways that each congregation can use to amplify their ministry to men and for men...

Please know that you can call me anytime...832.858.4076... there I posted my cell number and I feel good about that...men's ministry may be undersestimated or at least misunderstood... but can never be under valued!!!.... and your call would never be taken as intrusive or considered an interruption... and when you call remind me to tell you the old story of the father who had little time for his son...and how the young boy set out to get the world together by first putting the man together...

One man at a time; no man left behind,

   Brian

"Generations of Fighting Men"

"GENERATIONS OF FIGHTING MEN"

"What fight are you willing to engage?"

My Great-great grandfather enlisted in the North Carolina 26th back in 1860. He was a farmer and was fighting for state rights. His Company I was attached to the Army of Northern Virginia and led by General Robert E. Lee as well as generals Ewell and Pettigrew. They all ended up at Gettysburg, PA in July 1863. His name was Andrew Jackson Hall.

I've climbed up Seminary Ridge where he was wounded on the first day of the battle there and I stood in the wooded area where the NC 26th and others gathered to take part in Pickett's Charge the 3rd day. Standing there brought a chill to my spirit. I could smell the stench of unkempt soldiers amidst the musket powder. I could hear the echoes of chattering voices by the treeline and sense the pee running down the soldier's legs as they looked across the open fields to see the Union army camped at the top of Cemetery Ridge. Have you ever been there? Go as a grown man, with stuff to defend. Go there and remember how cruel war can be and how brothers have treated brothers and how other men's politics take the lives of young men who often just don't know any better.

G2-Grandpa Hall was captured by Union soldiers on the 3rd day and while being taken to the train station, they stopped by a stream to get a drink and as family legend tells...he overpowered a guard, stole his gun and headed off into the woods. He didn't return to what was left of his unit and he didn't see any desire to continue any killing; so he followed the stars and the Indian paths from SE Pennsylvania and returned to NC like 100's of other soldiers who went AWOL each day at the end of the war. Perhaps this action secured the family tree. His grandson was my mother's father.

I have no recollection or proof that either of my grandfathers were ever in the military. Between the two of them they father 11 children...9 + 2...( at least that we know of) but truth be told they weren't very good at being "dad" and left a train wreck behind for two families. I tell people they loved Jesus...but the loved Jack Daniels more..." Thus, their battle lines were blurred as I'm certain that no good has ever come in a home where excessive drinking was the norm.

My father enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952. At age 22 he was a bit older than most young men his age that did so and his joining up became an answer to a certain lack of life clarity. I don't think he was ever really good military material but he did get some clarity...he'd rather be in Youngstown, OH with the young girl who would become my mother more than greasing planes prior to a bombing raid in some cold God-forsaken foreign country. He served barley 6 months being given a "sole surviving son" honorable discharge during the Korean conflict. And the one huge fight my father and I did have besides playing HS baseball ( or not) in 1970 and getting my haircut in 1972 was my announcing that I was going to register for the draft as a "conscientious objector." His line in the sand was bigger than Col. Travis's... and so I was on the list in 1972 as a 1A target of the draft board... garnering a number 123. No one in my class, however, was called up. That all ended the year before... a campaign promise of Richard Nixon ...to end the war in Viet Nam.

I have uncles and aunts who have served in the military. Some as short-timers and some who made it a career. They have served well and often where danger was near. I have a cousin who served on US Navy submarines and I have a nephews who are currently in the USAF and in the Army...one of them is actually "somewhere" in the Middle East...and in a message to me this past week he wrote these things...and I thought I would include them in this blog... and with his permission...

My room mate says hes going to start blogging. My response was "about what". He went on to explain too me that people blog about nothing at all. I told him
"Great! You got plenty of material to write about then". I read that I'm supposed to consume 18 calories per pound to maintain muscle growth so about 3600-4000 a day which I was doing for a while but I lost 2 pounds this week. Seems like the food is getting worse but its still very good by Army standards so I cant complain. It does make it hard to eat in excesses though.

On the upside my run has gotten better and I have put on weight so its a plus. Think I will gain a lot more back home though.

It rained here and I watched a local driving down the road and he got stuck in the mud. He got out and pulled a shovel out of the trunk, walked around to the passenger side and handed the shovel to the woman. Then he got back in the car out of the rain while she dug out the tires and put bags behind the wheels. After about 10 minutes of this the man spins the tires and the car gets free, and he takes off down the road, the woman running behind with the shovel in the rain with no shoes. After about 200-300 yards the man slows down and throws some shoes out the window. I was alternating between laughter and disgust. It didn't seem real almost like it was a comedy skit. Can't really see that happening back home, you get a flat and tell your girl to change the tire in the rain then when its fixed leave her on the side of the road. Can't imagine treating some one like that, or who would want too be with a woman that allowed herself too be treated that way. Some times I feel like the locals aren't worth helping, they are still stuck 500 years in the past. "

Yet, my nephew's tour of duty there is not his first. He signed up to go a second time!

So, there have been soldiers in my family surrounding me for over 150 years...perhaps even longer as we're pretty certain that William Gigee fought in the Revolutionary War as he was listed in the 1790 census in Ulster Co. NY...the town clerk...and yet I've never donned a military uniform despite playing countless hours of "army" with dozens of other young boys in the 700 acre woods behind my house growing up. And if you ask a soldier these days or their families, "Why?"...and we have a number of them in our congregation, too, they will say that they are not fighting for "taxation" or "state rights" or "slavery" as some have claimed..but that they are fighting for freedom...theirs, ours and even for the 'stranger.' It's a battle they are willing to engage themselves in. No doubt there will be a variety of opinions from the hawks and doves and those who waffle, like me, back and forth in the middle...

It's an odd thing for a Christian to engage in military combat some say. We speak the words, "peace be with you," Sunday after Sunday and we know the commandment, "You shall not kill," and we can quote some good lines like..."America, Love It or Leave It" and "End the War- NOW" or Benjamin Franklin's great quote..."there never was a good war nor a bad peace"... and yet we find that there are times when "a good fight" is our only resort... and ultimately reflects the battle lines men are willing to engage themselves in. Some will fight; some will not. Some will join up and others will run. What fight are you willing to enter?

I know some who think that Christians should be 'pacifists.' They say Jesus was a 'pacifist.' But, if that were true...I mean really true in the "pacifist" sense, then I don't think Jesus would have followed his Father's desire to "come and dwell among us" ... to "come and be one of us"...to "come and fight the powers of the evil one"....AND WIN!

It's what we sing these Easter weeks..."The strife is o'er; the battle's won..." Jesus entering the fight on our behalf...taking on Satan face to face...toe to toe...power to power...and giving us cause to shout..."Alleluia" ...Christ is risen... God is on the loose...

And this is battle that I have been willing to enter...I'm not alone...and it's the battle for men's hearts and minds...to fight for themselves, their families, their churches, their communities...to put both feet fully into the circle of faith and trust in God's ways for all things...Simple? Hardly. Important? Youbetcha. Some will be more determined than others...

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, the Bible reminds us and included in those witnesses are those who have given their lives ( A Memorial Day thought) for the sake of others as well as those who have engaged in life's battle in other ways as missionaries of the gospel and medical personnel who have brought a better quality of life to those who battle just to live one more day... or teachers who spend a lifetime equipping others to live well and be and do their best... or civil servants who seek to 'serve and protect' our communities and even the "good people" of our churches who do things for others as a sign that Jesus has entered the battle and won... and that makes all the difference...

At the end of John's Gospel, Jesus says, "My peace I leave with you...as the Father has sent me; so I send you..." which makes me want to believe that Jesus didn't say that so others would...he said so that I would go out and you would go out and engage the world with love and grace and purpose...

Thank you for being part of this generation's "fighting men." It's a battle we must fight as the war has already been won...

One Man @ a time; no man left behind,

Brian