Kyle's Korner

Anniversary Date...

2011-04-27T12:45:00.001-07:00

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?

2011-04-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-04-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-04-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-04-03T02:48:00.000-07:00

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

Facebook shouldn't replace the blog...

2009-12-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

I know that Facebook shouldn't take the place of posting here, but as I post there, I forget that this venue also waits for some attention. So...

In Galatians, Paul tells the Christmas story this way: "But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." (Galatians 4:4-7, NASB)

This says so much, and says it so succinctly. The fullness of time...when the time was right. Born of a woman, under the Law - and under the Law, He was a rightful heir to the throne of David. Redemption - so needed. Adoption - a precious thought to me - God saying, "this one's mine."

Father, thank You for all that You have done through Jesus. Bring me into full relationship with You as I seek to honor You in all I do...through Jesus, Amen.

May the blessings of this Season be yours in abundance!

Grace and peace,
Kyle

2008-10-29T09:08:00.001-07:00

Do we need another program?

Now, that’s a loaded question. Many people think that “another program” will solve all our issues. I happen to believe that the answer is not in the program, but in the process. Let me explain.

Do you remember how Jesus boiled down all his teaching? In Matthew, an ill-meaning “teacher of the law” says, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36 - 40 - NIV).

Apparently, Jesus had given this some thought. It wasn’t that He just whipped out any and every command. He’d boiled down His teaching to just a couple of things. One – Jesus says that you should love God. This wasn’t a new concept to the Jewish scholars of the day. In fact, any well-raised Jewish boy or girl quoted this passage as a prayer at least 3 times a day. It was called the shema, and it’s found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” It makes sense. It sums up almost half of the “Big 10.” The teachers of the Law who were there, would probably have said that He did well just to name this one. In other words, Jesus agrees with us, so He must be right. Then – and I can just see the teacher of the law turning to leave Jesus’ presence at this point – Jesus adds something that gives that love for God some teeth. He says, “and the second is like it.” Jesus is telling them that the second part is EQUAL to the first part. In other words, the first part really doesn’t mean much without the complementary second part. This would have fried this teacher’s mind.

Now, I guess the answer to my original question depends on whether or not you agree with Jesus. Jesus said that the essence of discipleship was that we were to love God and love people. We’ve pointed that out in our statement, “a community of faith dedicated to connecting people to God and each other.” We want to do that because we see this as God’s command, and Jesus’ mission. And we should be about Jesus’ mission.

Maybe a better question in the beginning would be: do we have a process for making disciples? The answer to that question, I believe, is “yes.”

The process?
1. Connect to God – we do that in worship on Sunday morning. We do that through study of the word on Wednesday night, and during Sunday School.
2. Connect to others – we do that around tables on Sunday nights, and we do that in small groups where we care for one another like God intended (see Hebrews 10:24-25).
3. Connect others to God and each other. This encapsulates evangelism and service. We bring others to Jesus, teach them His ways, and help them grow in their relationship with God (connect them to God), and then we help them find people who will help them “do life” in Jesus’ way.

Some get stuck in the process. They see that they’re connecting with God at times, and feel like that’s the extent of what their commitment needs to be. But if Jesus was serious, our commitment doesn’t end there. We need to be committed to connecting to others as well. So, what’s the next step for you? Do you need to connect to others? Is Sunday night waiting for you? Do you need a deeper connection to others? Then maybe a small group is the next step for you. Do you need to serve? Jesus did tell us that we’re to be servants. If you do, then perhaps one of those existing programs would work for you. If not, then maybe there’s a mission outside our walls for you. Whatever the case, I pray and hope that you'll take the next steps necessary to be on the path to becoming more of what God wants you to be in this world. And I pray that we can take those steps together!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kyle

What's Next?

2008-09-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

As I sit to write, I notice that on the calendar, we’ve made a transition from summer to autumn. And in that transition, we will prepare for what comes next. We’ll batten down the hatches, insulate the windows, turn off the air conditioning, and make sure that the heater is ready for what’s next.

I wonder if we do the same with church? Do we really prepare for what’s next, or do we find ourselves in the midst of it, wondering how we got here and how we can get back to where we were? In his book, The Present Future, Reggie McNeal says that “The current church culture in North America is on life support.” This is his first sentence! The church culture he goes on to describe as dying or in transition, is that which was prevalent in the middle of the last century. He says: “So far the North American church largely has responded with heavy infusions of denial, believing the culture will come to its senses and come back around to the church.” That’s not really happening. Over the course of the last few decades, researchers have suggested that the perceived participation of people in churches (roughly 40%) has been greatly over exaggerated. The real numbers are closer to 25%. And as you go further down in the “generational food chain”, as he calls it, the numbers are even less. “The drop is from the 52% of builders (those born before 1946) and seniors to only 36% of gen Xers. Armed with this information, of course, churches are launching an all-out effort to reach gen Xers. I wish! Most churches have actually just written them off, waiting for them to grow up and learn to like what the church has to offer.” (p.3)
And McNeal writes: “Dawson McAlister, national youth ministry specialist, says that 90% of kids active in high school youth groups do not go to church by the time they are sophomores in college. One-third of those will never return.”(p.4) This isn’t just rebellion. This is exodus! The question is not “how do we do church better?” The question is “are we doing what the church was intended to do in the first place?” Are we making disciples of Jesus Christ? And does that process look the same as it did in the last century?

In the past, discipleship has emphasized learning as the primary goal of that discipleship. Unfortunately, just knowing isn’t enough. We’re not learning about God so that we can take a test on the information we’ve gathered. As disciples, we’re called to know God. Now, I’ve gotten to know a lot about Debby over the course of the last 18 years. I could probably even pass the test. However, I could do that without having a real relationship with her, too. Fortunately for me, I've also gotten to know her, not just know about her. Part of the problem with discipleship in the 21st century is that we don’t deal in relationship. And we wonder why there is no passion for Jesus and His mission!

Is it too late? Is it possible for us to wake up and be about the business of forming disciples of Jesus? I’m not speaking of making people who look like us, as comfortable as that may be, but rather those who look, serve and act like the One who transforms hearts and lives. What would you do if it meant the difference between reaching and losing a generation? What if that generation were your children or grandchildren? Would you model discipleship that is more than Sunday morning? Would you be a part of a small group who does mission and ministry together? Would you gather with friends over coffee and wade through life together? Would you make discipleship about more than just learning about Jesus?

Keep praying, Avoca. We can make a difference yet.

PK

Hosea and me

2008-08-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine being asked by God to do something that seemed just a bit too much? I don’t know, something like selling everything you owned and giving to the poor. Or maybe leaving your native land and serving God in a foreign place. What if you were Isaiah, and God told you to walk around naked for three years!? (Isa. 20:1-4) Or, what if you were Ezekiel, and God told you to lay on your left side for 13 months or so – only to tell you to lay on your right side for 40 days after that, not to mention the special diet God will have you on! (Ez. 4) Or, imagine if you’re Hosea’s mom. Your son comes home and says to you, “Guess what Mom? I’m getting married!” Think of the pride you’d have knowing your son was marrying into a fine Jewish family, with a good background, and wonderful history…until he tells you that God told him to marry a prostitute.

In Hosea’s story and prophecy, we see a picture of a relationship that is torn apart by sin. It’s a picture of a man who is faithful, even when his wife isn’t. It’s a picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. And I believe that there are many parallels in the book of Hosea to life in America today.

The Israelites had taken to worshiping a false god. This was their “spiritual prostitution.” They had melded the worship of Yahweh with that of Baal, saying that they were one and the same. Baal was the “god” of rain and fertility. The Israelites fell into the practices of their neighbors and abandoned God as the giver of prosperity (grain, wine, oil). They sought those blessings bestowed by Baal…and they worshiped Baal like the pagans around them did.

Now, if you read the book of Hosea, you’ll see some of this coming to light as God’s case against Israel is laid out in the later chapters. But a few things stuck out to me in my latest reading of the book. “Fertility” could be seen as “prosperity,” and we have a group of people who forgot the Giver of all good gifts in order to gain more for themselves. It was materialism. And I know that we don’t ever suffer from materialistic thought…or do we? Or is our problem more of a consumerist attitude?

Another item that stands out in this study is the way sin is portrayed. It isn’t just a “mistake” or something to be winked at. Sin is seen and portrayed as adultery in the eyes of God. Hosea understood this first-hand, but could also understand that God still loved the ones who had betrayed Him. There were consequences that were laid out for the nation of Israel in the book of Hosea, but there was also hope. There was hope for another, better day. A day of rejoicing. Oh, what a day that will be!

The book of Hosea is a great study, and it’s not too late to join us in this study as we see how God’s story is still relevant for us today!

But be careful. In the study of God’s Word, one could expect to be asked to change…into the likeness of God’s Son, Jesus. Are you up for the challenge?

Hope to see you there!

Pastor Kyle

Godspeed!

2008-08-13T13:59:00.001-07:00

Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.”

Endings and beginnings are sometimes difficult. We’re coming upon one of those difficult ones. Now, I don’t want to sound morbid, or foreboding at all, but there is something in me that is feeling a loss. This is one of the most difficult articles I’ve written.

June and Mary have let us know that they will not retire as our organist and pianist at the end of this month. It is the closing of an era. It’s not that they’ll no longer be in worship with us, but it will be different. For a long time, worshipers at Avoca have been able to look up and know that one or both of these ladies would be ministering to and with them. They have been here through thick and thin, through good and bad, through leadership changes, and family changes, and physical changes…they were serving. They were offering themselves to God, to be used by God as God saw fit.

Much honor is due them. We are not a group of people who like to laud each other. It’s too embarrassing. There’s too much pride involved. We don’t want to cause anyone embarrassment, but there are times when saying “thank you” doesn’t seem enough. And yet, “thank you” is what we’re able to do, isn’t it?

For a job well done, for a life of surrender, for your offering each week, we say “THANKS!” June and Mary. You have been and are a blessing to us. And we pray that you will continue to be a blessing in the future.

June took up the organ because it was a need in the church. She learned because the pastor asked her to play. Mary began as our worship and choir leader, and took up the piano when the need arose. They have gifts from God…and they use them – “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). Over the course of this next month, would you, as those who have been blessed by these gifted saints, say “thanks” in one way or another? Take the time. Say the words.

Mary Leahy, well done. June Luse, well done. You have served this congregation well, you have shown your love of Christ and His church to all gathered together on these Sundays. “I thank my God every time I remember you, always praying with joy for all of you. I thank God for the help you gave me while I preached the Good News—help you gave from the first day you believed until now. God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.” (Phil. 1:3-6)

We love you. I love you.
Pastor Kyle