1^st Sunday in March

(Romans 12; Acts 27 and 28:1-16)

Romans 12:2  ² Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Sounds good! But what does it mean? What exactly is the “world,” and why is it so bad? What does it mean to be transformed, and why is that so good? Ironically, we may not know what it means, but we are intuitively sure that this is good advice. Whatever “the world” is, we instinctively know we are already caught up in it, and we want to get out. We also know that any number of right wing and left wing ideologues are ready to tell us what to avoid and what to embrace. They often contradict one another. We’re fearful of following one cult, candidate, or cause lest we annoy another cult, candidate, or cause.

Maybe that is precisely “the world” that we suspect entraps us. It is a world of cults, candidates, and causes, all of which claim some kind of ultimate allegiance, and all of which have suspiciously ulterior motives. We yearn to connect with a God that is above all of these “gods,” hoping that by following this God we can experience what really is good and perfect. “God knows what that is!” we say. Yes. God does know what that is. We need to talk to God.

Yet to do so means some kind of transformation of our minds. It’s not just minor behavioral adjustments. It’s a more radical shift in our attitude or perception. How are ordinary people going to accomplish that?

Tom Bandy

Team Meditation: Leadership Courage

(Acts 27 and 28:1-16)

What kind of courage would it take to stand up to Roman soldiers who were holding you captive? What kind of courage to stick yourself out from 276 prisoners, soldiers, and sailors to try and convince them to not sail? What kind of courage to stand up to the sailors who were trying to escape the boat in a storm? What kind of courage to put other “priorities” aside in order to renew your mind, transform your life, and connect what is really good and perfect?

Two hundred and seventy-six were aboard the Alexandrian ship heading for Rome. Pagan sailors, soldiers, and then there was Paul. Paul who had experienced Jesus in a transformative way on the road to Damascus. Paul who spent three years as an apprentice in Antioch, training with Barnabas and others. Paul who still did battle with sin—“O wretched man that I am.” Paul who stood out because he practiced what he proclaimed. And two hundred and seventy-five pagans recognized his connection with God...enough so that they cut the lifeboat loose at his recommendation.

Your congregation is looking to you to lead courageously. They’re looking for leaders who prioritize God above all else—even above “common sense.” They’re looking for a leader with the depth of spirit that they can see hope for themselves. They’re looking for someone to show them the pattern of Godly living. A courageous leader unafraid to face the storms because God is.

Bill T-B

Worship Theme: Why Christ is Crucial

(Romans 12)

The Scarecrow wanted a brain, but instead he got a diploma. The Lion wanted courage, but instead he got a medal. The Tin Man wanted a heart, but instead he got a rather cumbersome pocket-watch. Christians want to be transformed, but instead we get...?

Church? The church is a poor substitute for transformation. Worship services, Sunday school classes, and committee meetings. But transformative? Not if the mass exodus of two million people a year is any indication.

The Bible? The Bible is a poor substitute for transformation. There are some dos and don’ts, a lot of stories, a bit of poetry, and even a love song. But transformative? The Bible remains the best-selling book in North America but is read less than local newspapers (which have declining subscriber list).

Where can we get a transformation, then? I’ve lived in the Emerald City (Seattle)—it’s not the home of transformation. And I’ve lived on the Emerald Coast (the North Gulf of Mexico)—it’s not there either.

Transformation is found, not in a place, but in a person, and seen perhaps most vividly in Paul’s agonizing cry:

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom 7:24-25 NIV) 

Bill T-B

Worship Design: Why Christ is Crucial

(Romans 12)

But how to renew the mind? Hypnosis?

If you’re a script-writer (or have one in your midst), this could make an interesting drama. The church brings in a hypnotist to renew the minds of the congregation. The hypnotist mesmerizes the audience and demonstrates his/her ability by hypnotizing a willing “victim” who is coaxed into barking like a dog. Another is told to bounce on one foot. And so on. Then the real test, to renew the mind of a Christian (or a pagan). The hypnotist gives them the suggestion and they immediately begin to...(Preach? Sing hymns? Cry out “Hallelujah”? Be an obnoxious Christian? Not change at all?—whatever works in your crowd or makes the point) 

Perhaps a brain transplant? Use a scene from Star Trek: The Original Series, vol. 31 “Spock’s Brain.” Use the clip where McCoy (DeForest Kelly) puts on the “Teacher” and suddenly can do brain-transplant surgery: “It’s child’s play!” to replant Spock’s brain. However, as he does the surgery he begins to lose the information until he returns to “normal” intelligence and Spock has to walk him through the rest of it.

From either (or both) of these will launch you into a conversation of what it takes to be transformed by the renewing of our minds through Jesus Christ.For those who want a dramatic climax, consider ordering butterfly chrysalides for a live release at the end of the service (www.butterflycelebration.com).

Bill T-B

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2^nd Sunday of March

(Isaiah 52 and 53; Luke 21:7-19 and 22:1-6)

“Grin and bear it!” “Hang in there!” “Don’t let go!” Keep going!” Don’t look down!” “Stay the course!” “No pain, no gain!”

Our language is replete with encouraging sayings to help you endure. These sayings are always most persuasive and powerful when you don’t really need them. They are “more easily said than done.” In the actual time of trial, endurance does not come from clever sayings but from deep convictions. The most profound conviction of all is that however bad the suffering gets, it matters. The pain is not meaningless. There is a point, a purpose, and a goal. There is a “finish line” looming ahead, and the fate of the world rests on crossing it.

Tom Bandy

Team Meditation: Leadership Vindication (Luke 21:7-19 and 22:1-6)

Leadership isn’t always a lot of fun. To paraphrase Scott Peck, “Leadership is difficult.” It’s all too often like having a red-and-white target permanently painted on your back with the bull’s-eye beckoning every available dart, arrow, bullet, spear, or throwing knife. Leadership’s theme song is, “Hit me with your best shot; Fire away.”

“You will be betrayed...some will be put to death...everyone will hate you...BUT...not a hair on your head will perish.” There are comforting words for you...eternity with a full head of hair.

But those are comforting words because you are a leader. You are going to take shot after shot after shot. And unfortunately, it isn’t going to get better. In the words of an older pastor I know, in great pain he said: “You know, it doesn’t matter how old you get, it still hurts when they talk behind your back.” But ultimately, after you’ve pulled all your hair out in this life, you’ll get it all back. By standing firm you will gain life.

Bill T-B

Worship Theme: Servant Leadership (Isaiah 52 and 53)

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated this week. Although it’s become an Irish holiday with green beer, corned beef, cabbage, and little red potatoes, it didn’t start out that way. St. Patrick had beautiful feet, for a former slave.

Patrick, born as Maewyn Succat in Scotland, was the son of a wealthy family. But at sixteen he was captured, exported to Ireland, and enslaved. For six years he labored for a cruel taskmaster, but during his enslavement received an education in the Celtic ways and languages by his captors. He ran away to freedom, but God ultimately called him back to Ireland where he brought the gospel to those who had once been his tormentors. And by his service, an island nation was transformed.

What would possess anyone to voluntarily return to a people who had mercilessly kidnapped him, other than to seek revenge? Why would anyone escape from slavery only to return as a servant?

Beautiful feet.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isa 52:7 NIV) 

Last week the congregation dwelt on transformation. This week, the fruit of transformation. It’s all about a renewed mind. A mind that equates servanthood with power. According to the prophesy, Jesus wasn’t anything to look at. He wasn’t beautiful—contrary to the songs that say otherwise. He wasn’t particularly powerful, in a worldly sort of way. He expected no one to bow and grovel, even correcting one who had called Jesus “good.” There was no pretense in the man. He barked no orders and carried no scepter. And yet, people came to hear him, to see him, to learn from him by the thousands.

Beautiful feet—not ones that are washed and pedicured, but ones that are naked, dusty, and willing to cross the rockiest terrain to serve the gospel to others.

Bill T-B

Worship Design: Servant Leadership (Isaiah 52 and 53)

Why servant leadership? What’s the advantage? In our culture it’s often the brash, take-charge leader who walks away with the gold ring, leaving the brass rings for those less “leader-like.”

To dive into this topic, begin with green (might as well, it’s on your community’s micro-culture’s minds anyway). You might want to tell the story of St. Patrick during children’s time, if you have one—or perhaps tell it in “big” church. I’d also recommend taking time to review George Hunter’s The Celtic Way of Evangelism and the first few chapters of Thomas Cahill’s How the Irish Saved Civilization to gain some insights on the what and how of Patrick’s ministry (both fascinating reads and excellent investments for your personal library, as well as the church’s library).  

Introduce the difference in servant leadership versus the world’s leadership, check out a clip from Welcome to Mooseport (2004). Set up the scene by explaining that Handy Harrison (Ray Romano) is the town’s handyman and former US President Monroe Cole (Gene Hackman) has just moved into town. A crisis arises when the town’s mayor dies and unwittingly both Handy and Monroe are asked to be the next mayor...Then run the clip when Handy tells Monroe that he is withdrawing from candidacy. Run the clip until Monroe has his outburst of how brilliant Handy is for undermining the former president.

The clip is a comparison and contrast of their leadership styles. This provides multiple threads to explore the facets servant leadership.

Bill T-B 

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3^rd Sunday of March

Matthew 16:24 – 17:23; Luke 18:31-43 and 19:28-44

Skepticism is trendy these days. It is more than logical ... it is customary. It is assumed. It is habit. Even the wisest of the ancients had no problem with caution. Better to look at a thing from all angles ... examine an idea for various perspectives ... reflect on the matter before commitment. The ancients didn’t have a problem with caution. They had a problem with arrogance. “Hubris,” the Greeks called it. “Sin,” the Jews called it. It was the human habit to assume truth could be contained by the human mind, and that goodness could be mastered by the human spirit.

We should ponder that when it comes to reading stories about Jesus divinity. These include stories about his transfiguration before the disciples, stories about his expectation and resurrection, and stories about his ability not only to heal physical illnesses but also to forgive sins and promise eternal life. It is fashionable to dismiss these stories as illusion, psychological aberration, ecclesiastical manipulation, or simply the foolishness of the ancients. But the ancients weren’t all that foolish ... and some would argue they were a good deal more intelligent that modern scientists who can cure cancer but cannot solve the problem of evil.

That is where faith comes in. As soon as modern truth has reached its rather limited boundaries, skepticism gives way to hope. Could the stories be true?  Could Jesus be divine? Is there really hope? It may be un-trendy ... but when life and eternal life are at stake, who cares about being trendy?

Tom Bandy

Team Meditation

Luke 18:31-43 and 19:28-44

Take Up the Cross

“We are going up to Jerusalem,” Jesus told them, “and the Son of Man will die there.” But the disciples didn’t understand. Its meaning was hidden from them (Luke 18:31-34). What would compel a perfectly sane person to confront a future like the one Jesus foresaw? Was it fortitude or foolishness that drew him ever closer to the culmination of his ministry?

There are two ways to approach a formidable future in ministry. Either we are driven or we are drawn. Driven-ness works towards a specific goal or a “preferred future.” People the world over are driven to achieve, but realistically, who has ever been willingly “driven” to the kind of ministry Jesus faced? Few could authentically say that the cross was Jesus’ “preferred” anything. And let us not forget that Jesus promised his disciples that we face a ministry fraught with persecution and trials of all kinds. Being driven by goals or a preferred future becomes futile when faced with difficulties that loom larger than life.

On the other hand, being drawn has exactly the opposite affect. When we’re drawn by the Spirit it’s like standing at the edge of a black hole—we cannot help but move forward and the consequences be damned. Just as Jesus pressed onward to Jerusalem, when we travel in Jesus’ footsteps in mission, we are inextricably pulled into the future, not with determination that fails in the face of difficulties, but with resolution that cannot be swayed even unto death. And when you are drawn by the Spirit, others cannot help but follow, for they too will be caught up in the divine vacuum of ministry.

Bill T-B

Worship Theme

Matthew 16:24 – 17:23

What a Savior Is

When it comes to Christianity, Missouri isn’t the exception—it’s the rule. “Show me” has been culture’s call for more years than most of us have lived. We live in a skeptical world where Murphy’s law supersedes all others. Indeed, for many, many of us, Murphy was an optimist and the church is the proof. Thriving Mega churches notwithstanding, North American churches are set to lose another million or two from its membership this year, just as it has over the last several years. Why? Because culture demands to be shown and we’ve not shown them much.

Jesus said, “I have come that you might live life to the full,” but the church is filled with Christians living quiet lives of desperation. Peter said, “Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have,” but no one’s asking because the church is filled with hopelessness. The scriptures promise the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon us from on high, but even our clergy feel largely impotent in the face of overwhelming evil. The pews are filled with people who desperately want the fullness Jesus promised, the hope Peter expected, and the power the Spirit offers; however, the church is often as skeptical as those on the outside looking in.

We’re looking for solutions to problems where solutions simply do not exist. Jesus never taught the twelve steps to fulfillment, the five keys to a happy life, or the three points of change. In fact, Jesus never used the word “change” (allasso) in his teaching or preaching. The closest he came was to use the word “convert” (strepho) in Matthew 18:3 “Unless you stepho [convert] and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” In other words, a full life doesn’t come from “changing” your habits or behaviors. Instead, we must experience a transfiguration, a transformation (metamorphoo) not unlike Jesus’ metamorphoo in our passage today.

Transformation isn’t a solution, it doesn’t solve any problem. Indeed, a transformed life creates its own problems, bigger and more vicious problems. Those who experience a transformation experience life reborn—it affects the motives and reality from the core, from the inside out. It’s a promised life that once experienced is immune to skepticism.

Our own transfiguration is as powerful and visible as Jesus’ was on the mount. It is not something that goes unnoticed because it pervades every pore of our body and affects every word and deed in our lives. The non-solution to the problem in the church won’t come because we will it, it comes because we surrender, give up, and embrace the cross fully. But not the cross Jesus was crucified on; no, that cross was his to bear. Transformation comes when you take up the cross you will be crucified on. Only when you have taken up your cross and surrendered fully and there is nothing left of you in your soul will the promised fullness, and hope, and power come upon you. It’s an expensive exchange for your soul, but it’s worth it.

Bill T-B

Worship Design (Matthew 16:24 – 17:23)  

Begin the service by running the clip Mr. Bean Goes to Church. The clip is available online or on the VHS tape The Amazing Adventures of Mr. Bean (1989). The scene introduces Mr. Bean at a rather stuffy church and it does a good job of illustrating what the church might feel like to outsiders—and occasionally some of us insiders. Use the clip to introduce the lifelessness that many experience when they visit the church.

To illustrate a transformation-type, use the scene in Shrek (2001) when Princess Fiona is at the altar with Lord Farquaad to be married and she is “transformed” by true love’s first kiss. This scene, though only a pale parallel to the life-transformation through Christ, can set the stage for speaking about transformation, surrender, and taking up the cross.

Bill T-B

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4^th Sunday in March

Luke 24:36-53 and Acts 1:1-11; Mark 14

There it is again! One of those weird stories! It is so tempting to interpret the resurrection of Jesus metaphorically, philosophically, or psychologically. Everybody does it. Yet the Gospel writers go out of their way to communicate that the resurrection literally happened. The dead body was alive again. Jesus in person ... the same guy we knew when we had supper with him a few days ago ... is up and around.

The Gospel writers are pretty smart people. They understand that if Jesus only metaphorically rose from the dead, then perhaps the hope of abundant life (i.e., healing, justice, forgiveness, acceptance, redemption, and all the rest) would only be a metaphorical hope. And is a mere “metaphorical hope” any real hope? Try giving metaphorical hope in the midst of famine, pestilence, war, or disease. Try having a party among lonely, desperate, abused, or guilty people that celebrates metaphorical hope. I doubt the music will be very loud.

So the choice seems to be that we either forsake our habitual skepticism and celebrate real hope, or we pretend to be more optimistic than we really are and celebrate a metaphorical hope. I suppose we might choose the former simply because we want it to be so, and we are willing to suspend logic. But perhaps we might choose the former because God wants it to be so, and God is willing to suspend logic.

Tom Bandy

Team Meditation

Luke 24:36-53 and Acts 1:1-11

Step Out in Confidence

Sometimes it seems like we spend our time standing and looking into the sky to recapture our hope. The past is a comforting piece of real estate that we tend to camp on most of our lives. We look to it for guidance. We look to it for hope. We look to it for direction. But the problem is, looking to the past for our future is like the apostles standing on the hillside looking up into the sky after Jesus was taken from them. There’s nothing really there. The past doesn’t exist. Like Jesus “in the clouds,” it’s our yesterday. It doesn’t exist in the here and now. Indeed, looking to the past for guidance for the future destines us to repeat shades of the past, only in a different time zone.

There is no hope in the past because we can never return there. You’ll never return to experience that “mountain top” spiritual high because you can never return. Sure, you can learn from the past, but believe it or not, living the gospel isn’t about returning to the past for out touchstones. The Jesus who ascended into the heavens isn’t a Jesus of the past. He’s a Jesus of the right now.

As an experiment, this week take whatever devotional time you normally spend in Bible study and switch it to dedicated listening prayer time. Don’t spend the time telling God anything during this time; instead, spend the time inquiring of God. Ask God to speak to your spirit. Ask God for direction. Ask God for guidance. Ask God...and listen. Look where God is leading, not where God has been.

Bill T-B

Worship Theme

Mark 14

The “Jesus” Story

Who is this Jesus guy, anyway? The North American culture seems to be pretty confused about it all. After all, isn’t Christianity the religion he started? Isn’t the church the organization he formed? And aren’t Christians supposed to be just like him? Jesus the healer. Benny Hinn the healer. Jesus the savior. Martin Luther King, Jr. the savior. Jesus the protector. George Bush the protector. Jesus the compassionate. Bono the compassionate. On the other hand, there’s Mr. Self-Righteous. You know who he is—the Christian who doesn’t smoke, drink, cuss because he’s a Christian, and he points it out at every opportunity. Then there’s Ms. Insulated. She surrounds herself with everything and everyone Christian (perhaps to remind herself, lest she forget)—and she doesn’t have the time of day for those heathen non-Christians. The list could go on for many paragraphs, but you get the point. There’s a lot of confusion in our culture about who this Jesus guy really is.

In Mark 14 we see the depth and the breadth of this man from Galilee. From eating with Simon, a man known for his leprosy, to accepting a fragrant pre-burial gift from an unnamed woman and recognizing that poverty is perennial; from speaking of his betrayal, to his plea for prayer; from his promises of presence, to his arrest and trial we see Jesus in many shades of complexity.

When religion is organized and institutionalized it is “simplified.” Oh sure, there may be many, many rules, but they can hardly cover the depth and breadth of the human experience. Life is reduced to black-and-white, good-or-bad, and dos-and-don’ts. But God did not become incarnate in order to create another religion nor to deliver a new list of rights and wrongs. Jesus manifest in the flesh to deliver a simple message that was as complex as he is. Love—and all the multifaceted practices that go with it. Love that accepts the unacceptable. Love that quietly sacrifices self for the sake of the unlovable and the stranger. Love that teaches ideals, but expects it will have to be forgiving. Love that puts people before religion—even the Christian religion. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the Jesus Story that changes lives, moves mountains, and quells confusion.

Bill T-B

Worship Design

Mark 14

Use an image of a rather complicated organizational chart or flow chart as the root image for this week’s service—the more colorful the better (see figure for example).

To launch into this theme, use a clip from the movie Yours, Mine, and Ours (2005). Use the scene when the North children rebel at the Beardsley children’s hijacked bathroom schedule (chapter 5, timestamp 32:10) and ends with Frank Beardsley’s (Dennis Quaid) solution when he reveals his “chart” on the chalkboard as an attempt to bring order to the chaos—the response of the children is not unlike that of those who see Christianity through the deeds, teachings, and actions of the church.

Bring the issue home by showing the progression of the Ten Commandments to the literally hundreds of laws the rabbis developed (for instance, there were 365 things the Israelites could not do on the Sabbath). Then show Jesus’ summation of the many laws to the two Great Commandments. Finally, use this to open a discussion on the complexity of Jesus within the framework of these two commandments.

Bill T-B