Monday Morning Musings | October 21, 2019
Well, I missed the morning by a few hours this week. It’s been one of those days where I haven’t had a lot of time to sit at my desk. And there is still much to do, so I will keep this brief.
Last week, I had my first taste of a week without seminary classes and the need to study. It is truly astonishing how much difference a full night’s sleep makes! And I still had time to work on a number of different projects and catch up on things that have been neglected for some time.
One of those different projects was the beginning of KidStriders at Samuelson Elementary. For the last several years, I have helped with this program designed to encourage kids to be physically active. My job is essentially to use a smartphone or tablet to scan cards with a QR code to track kids’ laps around the track. It’s not hard, and it gives me a chance to get out of the office. Also, I built the app that tracks the kids’ mileage. So by using it myself, I’m “dogfooding.” That is, I’m the developer using my own product. So that’s fun.
Also this past week, I was able to help out with Samuelson’s Walkathon. This event raises money for the PTO, which in turn purchases equipment and other stuff for the kids at Samuelson. I won’t say what my job was, but it was a howl!
We had a church board meeting on Saturday. The board learned that our Celebrate Recovery ministry is shutting down this week after almost a year in operation. Due to several life changes among the leadership team, there is simply no way to sustain the program at this time. Perhaps we will return to it at a later date, but in the meantime, we are pressing forward to expand our Discover Group offerings. Discover Groups are DHWC’s version of small groups and Sunday School classes. For the last several years, we have had groups only on Sundays, during the mornings. On November 7, however, we will launch a Wednesday-night group which I will lead. I would love to hear what people think we should discuss! At present, I’m leaning toward digging deeper into the sermon from the previous week with Q&A, additional resources, follow-up thoughts, etc., and providing a preview for the upcoming sermon. Maybe I’ll even ask people to help with the study and crafting of the message. It should be fun.
Sunday, we had 40 in worship, including a couple of guests. It is always exciting to have guests! Did you know that the vast majority of people who do not attend church indicate that they would strongly consider attending if someone they knew invited them to do so? It would seem that Paul was right when he wrote, “How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). The most effective way to get people to come to church is to invite them! At DHWC, we’ve talked about this off and on all year with our +1 campaign. Are you still praying daily for your +1? Are you still working to engage them weekly? Are you still inviting them to church and faith? It’s been months, and my +1 hasn’t come to church yet. But I’m still praying and engaging and inviting!
The sermon Sunday was based on Jesus’ model for reconciliation, found in Matthew 18:15-20. In essence, Jesus outlines a three-step process for seeking reconciliation with someone who may or may not realize they’ve hurt us. Step one, as you may recall, was rebuking them discreetly. That is, go to them, one-on-one, and tell them that they’ve hurt you. Step two was bringing a friend. Ideally, this is someone who can substantiate what the person did, but if there is no such person, bring someone that the other person respects who can watch and hold you both accountable. If neither of those steps work, involve the church and do it all again. If the person still won’t repent, then and only then distance yourself from them.
From what I’ve been hearing, it was a timely message for a number of people. Honestly, though, it is a message that we can all use almost all the time. When we live in relationship, conflict is bound to happen. For those relationships to endure, we have got to get serious about seeking reconciliation.
This Sunday, we will return to Matthew 18, picking up in verse 21, to see how many times we’re supposed to offer forgiveness. I’m looking forward to the message!
I’m also looking forward this week to making more progress on my office. I discovered last week that I do actually have a desktop. Now, I need to rediscover the floor. I also need to re-organize my bookshelves. I realized the other day that I have too many books and not enough shelves. Tuesday, as noted, will be our final Celebrate Recovery at DHWC. Wednesday, we will hold Adventure Club and Youth Group. And Thursday, we are hosting a Lifeline Screening clinic. This business goes around to communities and does preventive screenings for a number of health conditions. And this weekend, I am officiating the wedding of Alexis Hackett and Bryce Hagner! It’s going to be an exciting week!
Oh, and the featured photo this week is of the maple trees in front of the church. They hit their peak color this week, and a mere photo can never do God’s handiwork justice! But I expect that, by morning, the wind will have picked them all but clean!