Anniversary Date...

Today is an anniversary for me. On April 27, 1997, there was an ordination service at Lincoln Park Baptist Church. I listened as my father spoke on the topic of "picking up the mantle" of ministry that has been passed down in our family. There were vows taken, commitments made, and prayers offered.

My question to the reading audience is this: what does ordination mean to people who are not being ordained? What's the significance of such an event? What are the expectations that come with it? How does it change the individual? How does it change the expectations on that individual? How does it make one different?

Maybe those aren't the best questions. If not, what questions are important?

My prayers are with you, church.

Pastor Kyle

Who Can I Be?

More from Peterson's book. In a chapter titled "The Unbusy Pastor," Peterson describes 3 things that will help pastors do significant things with their time. The first of these: "I can be a pastor who prays. I want to cultivate my relationship with God. I want all of life to be intimate - sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously - with the God who made, directs, and loves me. And I want to awaken others to the nature and centrality of prayer."

Now, I love this quote. I don't highlight much. But my question is: how would one go about doing this? What statements, what actions, what attitudes, what habits can I cultivate that will help others become a people of prayer?

What thoughts, people?

Paz do Senhor,
Pastor Kyle

Peterson...continued

As I continue Peterson's book, I came across this quote: "Hilary of Tours diagnosed our pastoral busyness as ir-religiosa sollicitudo pro Deo, a blasphemous anxiety to do God's work for him." He goes on to say that the two reasons pastors become busy are vanity, and laziness. I'm not sure I like this terminology. But, I have to admit that I can see where he's coming from. In regards to laziness, he says, "I indolently let others decide what I will do instead of resolutely deciding myself. I let people who do not understand the work of the pastor write the agenda for my day's work because I am too slipshod to write it myself."

I understand what Peterson is saying. He expresses a frustration that often targets us pastors. It is the tyranny of the urgent. We get caught up in doing what we need to do just to get through the day, instead of looking at what needs to be done in terms of leading a congregation of people to become more like Jesus. This is one of the reasons that I try diligently to keep my prayer retreat times. I need that time to re-connect with God so that I can lead appropriately. It is one of the benefits of this renewal time. I am able to spend time reflecting in ways that will help down the road. Thanks again, Avoca...and Lilly for this opportunity!

As you think about the ways in which you try and minister in your everyday life, whether you're a pastor or not, ask yourself the questions Peterson asked in this same chapter: "How can I lead people into the quiet place beside the still waters if I am in perpetual motion? How can I persuade a person to live by faith and not by works if I have to juggle my schedule constantly to make everything fit into place?"

When and where are you "refreshing" in your relationship with Jesus? When are you having YOUR sabbath?

Grace and peace,
Kyle

More from Peterson...

As I was reading today, I came across the following quote from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: "Our membership in the church is a corollary of our faith in Christ. We can no more be a Christian and have nothing to do with the church than we can be a person and not be in a family...It is part of the fabric of redemption."

I have my own opinion on this...very biased, of course. But what do you think?

If being a part of church is so important, why do so many neglect it? Is there a fear of being known well? Do we think that God doesn't care about our participation with other believers? Have we been so scarred that we're afraid to open up again, for fear of being hurt again?

Let The Reading Begin!

I've been reading Eugene Peterson's The Contemplative Pastor. It's a work from several years ago, in which Peterson sets forth his idea of what it means to be a faithful pastor in today's world. Peterson, best known for his paraphrase of Scripture called The Message, was a pastor for 30 years in a small congregation in Bel Air, Maryland. He had ample opportunity to move to a "bigger pond," but saw his calling as living with and ministering to a group of people. He never wanted to have a congregation bigger than 300, for he felt that he couldn't be effective ministering in a larger congregation than that. There is much to be admired in his approach. I want to share a few quotes with you, and if you're interested in engaging in some conversation on the subject, I'd be happy to entertain that possibility.

Peterson says: "The person...who looks for quick results in the seed planting of well-doing will be disappointed. If I want potatoes for dinner tomorrow, it will do me little good to go out and plant potatoes in my garden tonight. There are long stretches of darkness and invisibility and silence that separate planting and reaping. During the stretches of waiting there is cultivating and weeding and nurturing and planting still other seeds." I love this quote, for it puts into words what I've attempted to do here. I'm not shopping in a mall, looking for the quick fix. I'm seeking to help a people become all that God intended for them. That's not an easy task.

A little later, Peterson says this: "The pastor's question is, "Who are these particular people, and how can I be with them in such a way that they can become what God is making them?" My job is simply to be there, teaching, preaching Scripture as well as I can, and being honest with them, not doing anything to interfere with what they Spirit is shaping in them. Could God be doing something that I never even thought of? Am I willing to be quiet for a day, a week, a year?" The answer, often is "yes" for me. However, I am aware that often congregations are looking for the "quick boost" that will take the church to a "new level." And when that doesn't happen as quickly as it "should", then often you "fire the coach." Thanks, Avoca, for not firing me. Let's continue to grow into what God has for us!

A paz do Senhor,
Pastor Kyle

Home again, home again...

Wow. There is so much to talk about. Let me begin where I left off. Hannah and I visited Hope Unlimited for Children in Campinas on Monday and Tuesday of this past week. I was impressed by the things that they do, and the difference they are making. Truly, they are changing generations of lives, one child at a time.

The ministry began in the early 90s, as they literally rescued children off the street who were not wanted. Nowadays, they receive children from the court system, much like our foster care system. The government is trying to keep the stays at the ranch to 2 years. We're praying that this will not necessarily apply to Hope. They do a wonderful job of reaching and helping children to function in society. They teach school, and offer training is several trades: including auto-body repair, baking, cooking, computer design, and shirt screening.

When a child graduates from Hope, they have all the tools they need to succeed, and to change their family tree...and many have. Many go on to college, or into work positions. Especially successful is the auto-body repair training. They actually have companies asking for students who have gone through their training to work in the "real world."

We were blessed to see both campuses (boys' ranch and girls' ranch), got to help teach music class, and had dinner with the girls in one of their houses. The houses are set up with up to 16 children and house parents. The girls' houses are a little different, in that they have individual kitchens. We sang, we played, we took pictures, we laughed...a lot. Hannah is now considered a sister to lots of young girls, and they wanted me to be their dad. (how precious)

We then had the opportunity to listen to the choir rehearse for Easter services. They were wonderful. We prayed, and said our tearful goodbyes before heading back to Belo Horizonte.

Wednesday, we rested. It was much-needed. After an easy morning and early afternoon, Hannah and I taught ESL classes. I had the advanced class, and Hannah worked with Ann in the beginning class. Hannah did wonderfully! And I heard some stories that would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up! God has been at work in the lives of these missionaries, and I pray that they will continue to be faithful to the work God is doing.

Thursday was an amazing day. I had Maricio translate for devotions in the morning. It was his first opportunity to do so - and he did GREAT! I was so proud of his effort, and prayerful work. He was SOOO nervous. And God used him as we shared about...having different spiritual types, and connecting with God through those types. Allowing God to use who you are to reach people in this world.

In all, I would say, like those who've gone before me - I'd return in a heartbeat...after a few days off from flying.

Thank you Lilly Foundation. Thank you, Avoca Baptist Church, for the opportunity of a lifetime...can we do it again?

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kyle

Renewing the Blog...

It has been too long. With this renewal, I am able to catch up on some things that have been neglected. Hopefully, this puts me into a habit of updating this blog, and thereby keeping you in touch with what is happening in my life and ministry. I've spent the last week in Brazil with Bruce and Ann Borquist. To say that it's been a learning experience would be an understatement. I have met people with a desire to bring the whole gospel into the lives of those in their neighborhoods. By that I mean that it's not JUST about helping them reach heaven, but about helping them live lives that reflect the value that God has placed on them. We visited Ipatinga the first weekend here. There I met Pastor Wagner, who has started several different mission-ministries in the area. 2 were houses of recuperation for men with addictions. 1 was a daycare/sports complex, 1 a school for K-5. Each has its own board of directors, staff and ministry space. The difference in Brazil is that grants from the government are available to help with the cost, not just of building the buildings, but also of running the ministry. The government pays many of the staff, and provides much of the on-going operating budget. In fact, the government has often asked them to expand their ministries, because these are in short supply. I will update more in the near future. It may be that I'll need to wait until I return to give this the focus it needs. We're constantly on the move here. Tonight, I will preach at the Borquists' home church, and tomorrow morning will catch a flight to Campinas to see the work of Phil and Corrine Smith at Hope Unlimited. Pictures WILL be forthcoming. A paz do Senhor, Pastor Kyle