The True Meaning Of Christmas?

 Now I am sure that I will get comments on this post, but I want for you to think about it for a bit. I could be right, or I could be wrong.

 I find Christmas not to be a time of joy, but a time of sadness. We go out and spend so much money buying presents and other stuff over an event that in reality is a very sad event. Billions of dollars are spent every year over this season, but in reality none of the presents or trees, etc really have nothing to do with what we celebrate. 

 Imagine being a parent who's child says to you that they will go someplace to give their life in order to die for the sins of the people of the planet. We are brought up thinking that we will outlive our children, but here is one who will die before us.

 What would be even worse is knowing that your child will dies not only for the people, but the people that you yourself created ever so long ago. A place where very few of those that you created would actually give you the honor and praise that you ever so deserve by creating there life in the first place. The ones that you gave the commandment to Honor Your Mother & Father, but yet they choose not to honor you as their parent. Oh sure, some will honor you in a way that you deserve, but most will basically spit upon you. 

 Then you have a child who says to you that they will die for all of the sins of the people. You child who could of simply stayed in your place with all of the comforts that you have, but yet they choose to surrender all of that in order to get people to start paying attention and thinking about the way they do and honor you in there lives.

 You child goes and doesn't become a Priest, but a Deacon to the world. You child goes out among the rich and poor and speaks of the love that you have for each and every one, and that the rules that you should follow are really simple, that being to love your neighbor as yourself, and to love you with all of there being. You know the future in that they will nail your child to a cross where he shall die.

 You watch over time as they create a day to celebrate the day that your son arrived, but instead of spending time thanking you and your child for coming and reminding us what happened, and that your sins were and are forgiven, they spend there time in ways that will cause them to continue to sin, and in some cases those sins will be even higher than before.

  You also realize that when they celebrate the birth of your child really isn't on the day that he came upon this earth as it is told in your Holy Book, but then again you do like the fact that they are celebrating it. But then you sit and think about it and begin to under why they don't celebrate it everyday? Why aren't they celebrating the life of your child each and every day. Oh they do celebrate it on Sundays, but then they turn around and  as soon as they leave the temples that they have built to honor you, they go out and commit more sins like they really didn't take what they experienced really seriously.

 But then you sit back and smile, as you realize that even with all of the wrong that they have and are doing, there are many of your creatures who try and honor you in all that they do each and every second of there life. 

 Now I ask, which are you? What is the true meaning of Christmas to you?

Prayer Life

So tell me abut your pray life?

One the questions that comes up with the Commission on Ministry has to do with ones Prayer Life. This is a question that is put to most all of the people who desire to become ordained into one of the orders, and I figures that since I ask the question of those that I am Shepard to and interview on there pathway, I should answer the question myself.

As it would be seen in the eyes of most people, they would say that my prayer life sucks, because I don't get up early, or go to bed early, nor do I have a regular routine that most people would recognize. For me, setting aside a time and place for regular pray would only be empty and wasted time. I am not saying that it is what is do is truly 100% right, but it is what I find that works well for me.

I will admit that at times when I am in a church service, I really can't get into the prayers that are going on, and will even think about other stuff. But there are times when I am in a service and I am really moved by the prayers that are occurring at the moment. I am sure that there are some who are reading this who feel that I am wrong for this, but really think about the time that you are spending in church and what you really are doing is just saying the words from your mouth, but not really saying them from your heart. What is so different about it? I am being open and honest about it.

But don't get me wrong, as there are many a time when I am really praying through my heart as we say prayers during service, but I also recognize that there are times when I am just having the words come out of my mouth.

My prayer life is something that I don't confine to just certain times and/or days, but something that I try and do at all times. Some people will look up on what I am doing as meditation in the way that that they may see me doing it, and at other times they will not even realize that I am praying. I will spend time praying at all kinds of times. You may not see my mouth moving, but I feel that prayer is something that you can do through your mind without opening your lips.

There are times that I am traveling from one place to another and am in a conversation with someone, and while we are conversing with each other I am praying in my head. Now this doesn't mean that I am not paying attention to the other person, it means that I am expanding my mind and heart to allow it to happen. I am taking those feelings of anger and pushing them aside.

Many people have written books and given lectures and sermons on what they call the proper way to pray, but to me the proper way to pray many times is just between yourself and God. What works best for people is an individual thing, not something that can really be put down on paper or spoken. Yes those books, sermons and etc can help you find what works for you, but you can't put limits upon the way that ones prays.

I really don't think that God will reject your prayers if you are sitting on an airplane looking out the window and saying thanks for the beauty of the earth. I don't think that God is going to reject your prayers if you take a quick second and ask God to forgive someone that you have heard about on the news who has done wrong. You must remember that we are ALL God Children, and wouldn't you want for that person to pray for you when you have done something wrong?

So what is my prayer life like? I pray as I travel around from one place to another. I pray as I sit and watch TV. I pray as I do stuff on the Internet. I pray at all kinds of times and in all kinds of places. Am I in constant prayer. I can honestly say that I am not. I can honestly say that I should pray more than I do. I can honestly say that I try to pray as much as I can.

So sit and think about it, what is your prayer life like?

 

It's That Time Of The Year

 Well it is coming up that time of year for most churches, that being doing the annual Pledge Drive/Stewardship Campaign, in other words, it's that time of year for the churches to start asking its members to let it know how much money that it plans to give so that the churches can pan for the next year.

 But there will be some congregations were this won't happen, which is sad. Oh excuses will be given in many of them as to why they don't, which in the long run is going to not only hurt that congregation, but it will reflect on the leaders of that congregation. Should that congregation close, in the end the people who it will reflect upon the most will be the ordained of that congregation. I know of an ordained person who told his congregation that Stewardship had nothing to do with money. I feel really sad for that person, as I know of people in that congregation who want to pledge and be good stewards who want to pledge and be good stewards, but they spend the money on other things instead.

 I was brought up in a family where being apart of the church in different ways is a tradition that goes back many generations. We have not only given our dollars to the church, but our time in other areas of the church also. They have ranged from being both Laity to ordained. They have served on Vestries, Altar Guilds, Acolytes, Sunday School Teachers, Maintenance people, and so many other things. I myself has served as an acolyte, been a thurifer, lay reader, cup bearer, provide music for services, been in the choirs, sung in folk groups, intercessor, usher, served on committees and commissions, along with a number of other things.

 Why have I been involved in so many things? Because I was brought up to believe that pledging and stewardship is also more than giving money. But that without giving money to the church by pledging, the church cannot survive. How is the church suppose to pay people? How is the church suppose to pay the electric, water, gas and/or oil bills? How is the church suppose to be able to pay for the things that it uses during services? How is the church suppose to be able to pay for the buildings so that programs and events can happen? How is the church suppose to be able to even plan for the future if it doesn't know if it will have money in the future?

 If you think about it, you will also realize that doing such things like sending Missionaries out to spread the Great News of the Gospels couldn't happen. Oh I am sure that some would be happy because radio and television evangelist would vanish, but as much as one may dislike them, they are able to bring the Great News to those who are homebound, and with some people they record them because they have to work, so they watch them later.

 For some, going to church is a family event that brings the family together. We live in a world where there are so many distractions that going to church is the only family event that happens. The church is a place where many children learn discipline from others besides their parents. Church is the place where people make friends and find relationships with people who are similar in many ways to themselves. The church is the place where people come to celebrate the life of a Great person. But without money, these things can't happen, because the church would not exist.

 With some churches, they tell you how much you should pledge, and that amount is usually 10% of your income. But the truth is that the amount of money that you pledge is really between you and the Holy Trinity. I am sure that some will be told that they can't afford to pledge, or will be discouraged from pledging, but my hope is that they don't listen to the people telling them that, as that is the Devil speaking, and we all know that the Devil doesn't want the Great News to be spread out.

 But also pledge things that you will do in the church, being you join and sing in the choir, serve on the altar, host “coffee hour”, teach Sunday School, help to clean up around the place, or something of many other things that you could be doing. The church needs you involved in many ways in order to continue to spread the Great News of the Gospels to the world.

 There is a phrase that is said in different ways through most religions, that phrase being “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I was to change that praise into something that I want for you to think about. “Give Unto The Church As You Would Have It Give Unto You”

 Think about how your life would be if the church didn't exist. Would you be like you are if it didn't exist, or would you be worse off? How important is the church to you? Do you desire that the church and its people continue to spread the Great News of the Gospels to others?

 When the pledging starts, do and give what you feel is best for you and for the church in both money and time.

It's Time To Celebrate

Been trying to figure out why people are going to the Evangelic and other churches over some other denominations? What is it that they are doing that we aren't doing. I mean mainly, for the most part we are all spreading the Good News about Jesus, but why are some growing while others aren't?

This past Sunday I didn't go to my congregation, but headed out to another one to see a friend installed as the Deacon for that congregation. It was a wonderful and joyous service, and I felt really good when I left. It felt so good to sit in a congregation where I could really feel the Spirit. As I walked back to BART, I began to wonder what it was that they have that my congregation doesn't? I began to think about the other congregations that I had been in not only in this diocese, but in others, along with the non-Episcopal churches that I have been it. Suddenly it hit me earlier today.

At one time the congregation that I am in was actually growing. As I think back about it, it was doing something that it is no longer doing, and even though I an others have tried to bring it back, the big “We Can't ....” has gotten in the way and I sit and watch as those who want to either give up or simply leave.

What I had realized what the other congregation and the growing congregations are going is bring Excitement into the services. They are celebrating themselves and just sticking with the way things were. Think about it with the denominations that are growing throughout the world. We often say that we can't get the young adults into the churches, but think about the our services.

What is the first thing that we should do? Get rid of the organs. My congregation decided that the future of the music in the church would be done through a computer. When we moved over to using a computer, and even still to this day, people tell me how they are so happy to hear modern music and not the old classical stuff. That the modern stuff makes them feel closer to the Holy Trinity, where the classical bores them in many ways. If the congregation that I am in were to hold a concert that contained just classical music, only a couple of people from the congregation would show up. I find it interesting to listen as I play something modern and hear people singing along, where if I play something from the classical style they will ignore what is being played and will talk with each other. It's time to dump the organs and bring in not just computers, but guitars and instruments to put into peoples hands, with modern music that will cause them to clap and dance. Last night I did the music for a memorial service playing some songs that are somewhat modern, but still has been around for a while, and I was amazed at the number of people who sang along without using anything that had words on them. I find that happening many Sundays. When it comes to the older stuff, people need to look at the words, but not with the newer stuff. In a way it is telling me that the newer stuff is actually touching people's hearts, where the older stuff doesn't.

We need sermons that really reach into peoples hearts, gets them excited, uplifts them, makes them feel as those they have been touched, makes them want to jump up and down. Time to put an end to these really drab sermons that so many give. Time to put an end to the sermons where one has to tell stories about ones self, which many times are really unrelated to the any of the lessons of the day. The second that you realized that you have used a story many times, we frankly it is time to put that story away, as when you start to tell it people no longer paying attention to the rest that you have to say. It comes across as Boasting when one has to repeatedly talk about ones self. One of the things that I notice with the denominations that are growing and with the tv and radio people is that they bring excitement into their sermons. Their sermons excite people and reach into the hearts of people. That spend time talking about the Good News and the excitement of it. They bring something that seems to touch each and every one listening.

Here is an idea that I have mentioned before, but am changing it just a little. I say that once every 3 months that it is mandatory for a priest from elsewhere comes and does the service at each of our congregations. This would all happen on the same Sunday, and I am not talking about just the one service that Sunday, but ALL of the services that Sunday. No excuses are acceptable for it not happening at a congregation, and if it does happen, the clergy of that congregation are not permitted to do another service there until after the next shift happens.

Celebrate the people in the congregation, even better yet, celebrate the congregation. I know that there are congregations in the world that celebrate their founders on a special day. If you look on Youtube, there is a great video that I saw a few years ago of a church that held a Founders Day Celebration where they used music from different eras of the members of the congregation. As they played music from each era, the people of that era would stand up and dance the dance of that song. I wish that I could find it again, and I will have to take a look for it.

Another thing that needs to happen is that the elders of congregations are going to have to step back and let the younger folks run the church. The elders are going to have to look at themselves as advisers to then, and also not get in the way of progress. Churches need to come up to the modern times and need to be relate-able to those that the congregations are desiring to have in them.

But the churches also need to get outside of the doors. The churches need to push such ideas as Home Eucharist among members of different congregations. What this will do is to get people from different congregations to meet and talk with each other, sharing ideas and activities that each other are having. One of the sad things that seems to be going on are Control issues that some have. Some seem to want so badly to control the things that members of their congregations know that they are driving people away, not only from the congregations, but from the church itself.

One of our weaknesses is that we in the Episcopal/Anglican Church is that we don't have Bibles in the pews of our church. We have a hymnal, the Book Of Common Prayer, but it is rare that you walk into one of our congregations and actually find Bibles in the pews. I walked into St. Paul's, San Rafael, Ca, and not only was a amazed by the beauty of the place, but smiled more when I saw that they actually had Bibles in the pews. But also walk into the homes of most within the Episcopal/Anglican Church and see if you spot a Bible. Then actually open it up and try and figure out if it is one that is being used. I will admit that if you come into my place you will find a shelf full of Bibles, but one thing that you will notice if you walk into my bedroom is that I have one on my bed. You will also find a couple of that are well used sitting on a shelf next to my bed. There are many things within the Bible that are exciting, and we need to take that excitement out into the streets and into our congregations.

But the one thing that we each need to do is to bring excitement into our churches also. We can't just rely on the clergy to bring it, but we must also bring it. If some music is being played that just makes you want to clap, then clap. If it makes you want to dance, then dance. If whomever is giving the sermon says something that excites you, then give an Amen. If that sermon was great, applaud. did the choir sing something really exceptional, applaud. Let's get some life into the church.

If the churches don't start making changes and bringing excitement, the pews will continue to become more and more empty. So in the comments below, tell me, what do you think that we can do to help not only build the sizes of our congregations, but to bring excitement into the churches?

An Idea For Church Growth

The diocese that I live had a webinar last night and something came up that peeked my mind. It was something that was so simple for congregations to do that I am surprised that many of them don't do it. Now I don't know how well it would work, but it is something that we need to do.

The webinar dealt with a number of different topics, but the topic that interest me the most had to do with something that I have been trying to figure out how to do and to do over the last decade, that being the growth of congregations, not just in the Episcopal Church, but in all churches that serve the Holy Triune.

About 6 weeks ago, my pastor (my congregation doesn't have a rector/Vicar/Priest In Charge) said that he and I needed to sit and talk, as he feels that I hate him. I have no clue as to where that came from, as it is so far from the truth that it isn't funny. Yes I do dislike ad disagree with man of his actions, but hate him I do not do. Why do I mention this, because in at times he will do something that I notice in so many congregations and people (including myself) do, and that is to make excuses as to why something can't/isn't happening. Many congregations do this when it comes to growth and looking for new members. Now some congregations are good at it and are active in trying to get people into the pews each Sunday, but I think that many find excuse after excuse not to really try. Let's go through some of them.

“But if we get more people, it will mean that the leaders of the congregation will have a lot more work to do, and they don't have the time now.” - It could be that some of those new people that you gain will be leaders and make things easier for everybody.

“But we have tried in the past, even bringing people to help us.” - So I am guessing that you don't mind watching the congregation just vanish into history over time. Why not just shut the doors now?

“People come, but they don't come back.” - Next time that someone comes and visits, watch who welcomes them during the Peace and after the service. Was it someone other than a clergy person who approached them after the service? Were they invited to “Coffee Hour” and then just stood there alone while the “cliques” gathered to gossip? Walk up to them and introduce yourself, then engage with them in conversation and listen to them as they speak, as they may be looking for something in a congregation which your congregation currently doesn't have, but is something that you want to do. They could be the person to help in that area.

“But the area doesn't have that many people of my denomination living in it?” - Are you really sure? Have you talked with each and every person who lives within 25 square blocks? It is not unusual for congregations to have people drive by other congregations to go to the one that they attend. Despite what fiction television wants to tell us, many people don't know who the person is who lives right next door to me.

Oh I could go on and on with the excuses that I have heard, but let me mention the idea that came to mind while I was listening to the webinar, and some of the other ideas that have come into my mind.

“The congregation has shrunk because people have moved away.” - You know, there is a very simple thing that you can do when it comes to this. Why not create a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” letter that you send to the former address to the person that has moved? Now you should send it 10 minutes after “Bob” has moved, but give it a month. In this letter, you inform them about your congregation and the things that it has to offer. Now “Joe” may not come for service, but you may have some activities that “Joe” might be interested in getting involved in or might become the oh so well loved Sr. Warden in 5 years.

“We have a lot of renters in our area, and people are always moving in an out.” - Craigslist and other sites are great for finding out what is available in your area. Now it would be easier with houses, but why not send that letter to those addresses also. No don't do it the day that you see the advertisement, but keep a listing of those addresses and on the last Saturday or Sunday of each month, you send that letter out to the addresses of the previous month. Now some of those places will still be empty, but a lot of them will have someone living in them now.

 But we must also do more than get people into the pews, as we must teach and work with them to become apart of the family of the Holy Trinity. We must help each other remember that we too are also amongst the family of the Holy Trinity. We each must remember that in the things that we represent and live in the family of the Holy Trinity. Remember that the Holy Trinity loves you.

 So what ideas do you have for church growth?

"A Man Shows His Love ..."

 "A man shows his love for a cause by the amount of sacrifice he will make for it; and as consistency, honor and truth are the most precious elements in character, who could sacrifice more than he!" ~ Horace Mann

 A few weeks ago I was on a website that lead me to a site called "Makes Me Think" where people post a paragraph about something that has either witnessed or has happened to them. It's a really interesting site and really makes people think about different things.

 While on my flight back home today, I was reading the above quote in a letter Horace Mann wrote concerning slavery in California, and it got it me thinking about my life, and what I would like to see more and more people think about what was written.

 I began to think about a friend of mine that I met for the first time while I was on my trip. Lorielle is an actress and artist that I found to be a wonderful person to talk and spend time with. She also does an internet talk show where she spends time not only talking about her adventures as a struggling actress, but also talks about having a life full of positivity. One of the things that I have gotten to know about her over time is that it seems as though she has given up a lot of stuff and opportunities to try and have some success in a field where so many people have tried but didn't succeed, but I believe that she will. One of the things that she does is gets involved with different charities that she believes in. 

 I also think about Jesus. OK, we all know that Jesus is the Son of God, but Jesus could of taken the easy way and only done things that was popular at the time, and he still would of gotten his word out, but I don't think that his word would of spread out to others. But Jesus didn't take that route, and sacrificed his life for us because he loves us.

 But sit back and think about your life, and what you have sacrificed because of something that you have loved so much. What have you sacrificed because you knew and know you are doing the right thing for not only yourself, but because you really want to make this a better place for all? Would you continue to do your job if it didn't pay anything? How much time and energy are you really willing to put into something, or do you do something not thinking about the time and energy but because you truly love it?

 What does the above quote mean to you? 

Serving More Than 1 God

 I got to thinking about this after seeing a tweet by Father Alberto Cutie and some things that have gone on over the last few months. The more that I think about it, the more that I realize that all of us in some way try and serve more than one God. Now I am sure that some people will say that we really aren't serving more than one God in the things that we do, but in a way we do.

 Being that I am the person that provides the music for my congregation, at times it gets strange in that I am really not concentrating or spending any time really putting my full heart into honoring and giving Thanks to the Holy Trinity. But I do try and spend time giving thanks to the Holy Trinity, but it is not always at the congregation that I am a member of. Now I do try and get to the church when I can and remember, but I am often doing and thinking about other things, and with some of those things it means that I am serving another God and not the God of my faith and beliefs.

 But we all end up serving more than one God in many ways. We have become a society where we have cell phones, ipads, laptops and other things with us at all times. I will be in a congregation and see people with their bluetooth earpieces for there phone in their ear, or their cell phone will not be turned off and will suddenly go off, and sudden;y they will be getting up and answer it. It is like that cell phone is their real God. Of the several hundred times I have seen someone answer their phone once as it really been an emergency that I am aware of. There was a line on a movie a few years ago where a person's cell went off and the preacher said, "Unless that is God calling you, you can simply send them to voice-mail, turn off your phone and be here celebrate with others who are here to hear the word of the Lord."

 But we serve other Gods in other ways. We schedule ourselves in a way that is really unhealthy. We end up scheduling and getting involved in things that fall right behind each other, which means that we truly can't give 100% to each other. Oh we try to convince ourselves that we can handle it, but the truth is that we are trying to serve two God. If you are having to rush from one place to another, then you can't give 100% to one of them. Try all you might, you can't.

 I could go on and on about serving two Gods, but I think that we each should spend some time thinking about how we each are trying to serve more than one God in our life?

 Most importantly try and serve the one true God in your life.

Where Is A Church Service At?

 Over the last week I have been in places and online when a conversation about church and service times were talked about. Things like what time a congregation has a service, what type of service that a congregation has, the things that go on during a service and many other things church and service related. But a little earlier I really began to rethink about the topic.

 Yesterday I attended a service that most people wouldn't think of as being in a church, but now that I really think about it, I was in a church that has a service, but it didn't have all of the things that we see in our services most Sundays. There wasn't any stain-glassed windows. There were any pews with cushions on them.There were no candles. There wasn't any... well you know all of the stuff that we see within our services ever week, so I don't need to go further.

 In my diocese, like in some other diocese, a service exist that even though some within the diocese have heard about it, not many people actually attend it. I know that part of the reason is because many within this diocese don't subscribe to DioBytes to find out what events and other things are going on within the diocese, I know that in the congregation that the "Digital Divide" still exist, and I am sure that there are tons of other reasons people never see it. But I am getting off topic again.

Once a month, one of the people who is going through the ordination process has been doing what is called "Worship In The Wilderness" which I attended the first time yesterday. The main idea is to take the service out into a nature area and do it there. As strange as it may sounds, it is taking it back to how services had to be done in some areas. 

 As I was thinking earlier, I realized how much I really enjoyed it. I wasn't spending time worrying if things were going smoothly in the sanctuary or in the naive. It gave me time as we walked around to really give my attention to the beauty that God has bestrode and permitted up to get to see and know. As we walked through paths in Tilden Park I looked at the plants, trees and animals that we around, and was just amazed at the things that I would of never seen or thought about if I just kept my church service experiences to the walls of a building. It allowed me to really be with the Holy Trinity in a way that being within a building could never really give me.

 I as sat in service this morning at the congregation, I began to think about what a church building really means, and how in many ways we really need to get outside of the building from time to time and think about the what we are really doing? I also thought about the history of the congregation that I am in. According to the history of the church that my pastor wrote, it began in 1858 and was received into the diocese in 1860. In 1858 the clergy person that they got to come and do services at the house of one of the women that got the church started had to travel through marshland and other areas to get to it. As I was walking I thought about him and pictured myself traveling in the time that he did to go to somebodies home to celebrate the Lord with them. Imagining myself as I was on my way to celebrate the life of the Lord with them, and in my mind wondering if there are any animals that may try and attack me or if they were trying to blend into the background watching me and wondering where I was headed. I tried to imagine the smells that he encountered along way, and the things that he saw what we can not longer see anymore. I began to wonder what were some of the things that ran through his mind? 

 As we walked I also began to think about the about Jesus and people of that time traveling from one place to another. They had no cars, buses, bikes, truck and so on. I think that for many if they even had a burro to get from one place to the other they were lucky. As we would stop to do different things in the service, I imagined Jesus and his followers stopping as they traveled, and Jesus telling them parables and about Heaven. I imagined myself among the followers paying attention to each and every word Jesus spoke, and I wondered how Judas was feeling as he had a choice to make. 

 But as we walked, I also wondered what was so important about having a building to worship in, and could Christianity survive without them? How many have left the church and Christianity when they claimed that they didn't believe, but in reality if they had been doing it in the wilderness they would have a far deeper relationship with the Holy Trinity?

 I also thought about another service which occurs in San Francisco right now, and that being Open Cathedral. Open Cathedral takes place every Sunday in the UN Plaza area and at the Harvey Milk Library in the Castro area. Done outside, and everyone is welcomed. We often say that we welcome people through the doors, but in both cases there are no doors so truly all are welcomed. At times I wonder if the doors to the building that we have are truly open to all.

 If you live in this diocese, or one of the surrounding ones, check the Worship In The Wilderness website and see when and where the next one will be that is near you, and give it a try. Looking for something that you can do either alone or with your family, grab your Book of Common Prayer and a Bible and go out to a large park, a lake, or the beach and do a service where you break the service into parts where you stop and do a part when you feel that the Holy Spirit wants you to do something. So say that it is to hard to get to a place to do it? why not walk around the area that you live and do it? Sure if you live in a large city some people may look at you strange, but you may find others along the way who will ask what is going on and will then join you along your travel.

 But still the church building is important for some people, as they grow closer to the Holy Trinity by coming through the doors. Their are the people who need the structure of what happens within the walls of a building, as it helps them to bring structure and order into their life. 

 I would like to see both exist side by side. One thing that I would make a change in though is the things that the Deacon could do. In the Episcopal Church a Deacon is not empowered to do the blessing of the Eucharist, but this is something that I change. When it came to services that are outside, Deacons would have the power to bless the bread and wine for eucharist for these services. I think that more than any or the orders within the church, Deacons represent the church more than any other order. I am sure that some will say that it is really the priest, but in a way I think that the priest are acting in the role of a Deacon outside of the walls of the church. When a priest is involved in some non-profit charity in a spiritual way, I think that they are involved as a Deacon.Why not permit the Deacons to truly bless and bring the eucharist to the people outside of the walls of the church? But then again I don't recall Jesus saying that one had to be a priest, bishop or deacon in order to bless and celebrate the eucharist, only that we break the bread and drink of the cup. 

 So where is it important to you to have a church service at? Within the walls of a building or out in the open? I can't tell you what is good for you, as it could be both that brings you closer to the Holy Trinity.

Let Ye Without Sin...

 Over the last few months there has been we have been bombarded with news about Casey Anthony and the trail. As we all know, she was found Not Guilty of most of the charges against her but a jury. What I find interesting is how much this is much like the O.J. Simpson trail in that what the press is showing us is how people are upset about the verdict. The jury has been blamed over and over again because it didn't come back with the verdict that they wanted. People seem to forget that the jury had to go with what was presented to them, and could not have all of the stuff that the press was giving out.

 The press seems to be "Hell Bent" on finding out where she is now that she is no longer in jail, and in my view if they should find her, they will tell the public, which will mean that someone will try to kill her because they didn't agree with the verdict. If that should happen, the press will not taking any responsibility of it, but the truth is that they will be equal to the whomever should kill her. They will give all kinds of excuses, but they will be at fault.

 But as I think about it, the story of the woman at the well comes to mind. All of these people who were not on the jury are in a way throwing stones at her, and want to stone her to death. I really wonder how many of these people have lead a sinless life? Oh I can hear it now about the crime that occurred, and that it was a horrible crime, which it was, but the truth that we all need to remember is that their is no real different levels of sin. Well, as far as i recall the Bible doesn't have rankings on sins. A Sin is a Sin. Jesus died for ALL of our sins, and that includes such things as murder. Can you truly say that you have lead a sinless life?

 But as I think about it, I also wonder how many children do they see being beaten but yet don't bother to stop and help? Are these people stopping to help when someone is being bullied? How many of these people don't obey the law when driving by speeding? How many of these people have gotten into a car and driven after drinking alcohol? How many of these people claim to be a Christian but yet don't follow ALL of the rules written in the Bible? Can you claim to be sinless in everything? I sure can't.

 One of the local TV stations had a show on that asked something like, "If you bumped into Casey Anthony, would you say anything to her?" Within really thinking about it, I thought to myself that I would. I would ask her how she was doing, and if she needed someone to be able to talk to, and that I would be really interested in finding out about the Real Casey, not the one that the press and courts presented. I think that she really needs a Friend who wants to be with her as a Friend.

 I am sure that people would have a problem with becoming a Friend to her, but think about it. If you were in her shoes, wouldn't you want a friend that will not prejudge you based on your past, but will accept you for you? How many people do you have that you call friends, would you no longer would have as a friend is you found out that may have done something bad in their past? 

 Now it's bad enough in many cases when people blame their upbringing when they do something wrong now. I know someone who will blame their upbringing when they do something wrong, but after a certain point in ones life to do that really means that they still aren't an adult, but are a child. If one really looks around, they will find someone who was brought up in worse conditions, but yet managed to do great things. When they do something wrong, they don't blame their upbringing, but will take responsibility for their actions and apologize, as that is something that an adult does.

 But we already know that another case will come along and people will get upset about the verdict in that the person will be found Not Guilty, and people will take to the streets. But before you hit the streets to protest, ask yourself how sinless you are in your life? Ask yourself what had verdict you would of come up with if all that you had was the evidence that was put into front of the jury, heard only the testimony that the jury heard, and their was no outside influence to take into your judgement? 

 Ask yourself how many kids will die in this world because instead of sending money to a relief agency to feed them, you went out to an expensive dinner because the place was a cool place to be and you didn't want to cook a simple meal at home?Heck, many of them would of loved to of just had some rice to eat. Aren't you just as guilty as that person that you are accusing of being a murderer that the jury found Not Guilty?

 Can you honestly say that if you had been at the well you would of been able to pick up a stone and thrown it at the woman after hearing what Jesus said?

Gay Scientists Isolate Christian Gene

My Pastor's daughter came across this. It's 4 years old, has over a million views, and is simply funny...

A Cool "Flash Mob"

 I think that this would be fun to do....

Redefining Success with You in Mind

This is a video of a seminar that a woman named Bryn Drescher did. I watched it and it had me rethinking things when it comes to Success and other things. I will post a blog about my thoughts soon on my other blog, but I think that it is worth watching. It’s about an hour long, and open you mind as you watch, as it could make you a better person.

You can find out more about Bryn at her website http://mylifegps.com/

After watching this video, please click on this link and rate it... http://speakerrate.com/bryndrescher

15 Signs That A Church Is In Trouble

I found this on another website and just had to share it here....

15 Signs That A Church Is In Trouble November 4, 2009

#1 – When excuses are made about the way things are instead of embracing a willingness to roll up the sleeves and fix the problem.

#2 – When the church becomes content with merely receiving people that come rather than actually going out and finding them…in other words, they lose their passion for evangelism!

#3 – The focus of the church is to build a great church (complete with the pastors picture…and his wife’s…on everything) and not the Kingdom of God.

#4 – The leadership begins to settle for the natural rather than rely on the supernatural.

#5 – The church begins to view success/failure in regards to how they are viewed in the church world rather than whether or not they are actually fulfilling the Great Commission!

#6 – The leaders within the church cease to be coachable.

#7 – There is a loss of a sense of urgency!  (Hell is no longer hot, sin is no longer wrong and the cross is no longer important!)

#8 – Scripture isn’t central in every decision that is made!

#9 – The church is reactive rather than proactive.

#10 – The people in the church lose sight of the next generation and refuse to fund ministry simply because they don’t understand “those young people.”

#11 – The goal of the church is to simply maintain the way things are…to NOT rock the boat and/or upset anyone…especially the big givers!

#12 – The church is no longer willing to take steps of faith because “there is just too much to lose.”

#13 – The church simply does not care about the obvious and immediate needs that exist in the community.

#14 – The people learn how to depend on one man to minister to everyone rather than everyone embracing their role in the body, thus allowing the body to care for itself.

#15 – When the leaders/staff refuse to go the extra mile in leading and serving because of how “inconvenient” doing so would be.

Nominations Wanted by The Diocese of California

Please consider downloading a PDF version of this letter to distribute to your congregation. Click here to download. June 16, 2011 To: Congregations in the Diocese of California, The Episcopal Church Re: Nominations to Convention The diocesan Committee on Nominations is doing a new thing. The job is ages old. This diocesan-wide committee has been charged with finding willing church members with useful experience to be nominated to run for various positions at the diocesan level. At Diocesan Convention this coming October 21 and 22, delegates must elect one clergy and two (usually one; a vacant term must be filled) lay persons to the Standing Committee, two representatives from Convention (one must be lay) to the Executive Council, one Secretary of the Convention and one Treasurer of the Diocese. And it’s a challenge. The 2010 Convention elected to change the make-up of the Nominating Committee. It is now comprised of one clergy and one lay member elected from each of the six deaneries; most deaneries did this at the end of last year. There are twelve members, and two liaisons, from Executive Council and Standing Committee. A process is evolving and has begun. Members of the Committee have been and are attending their spring deanery meetings to spread the word and encourage deanery attendees to find amidst their own congregations people to nominate. You may have attended one of these meetings. Notices from the Committee have appeared in DioBytes. Your help is so important. We know that within the diocese are many good people whose knowledge, talents and experience should be brought to light. This diocese needs the skills and viewpoints of a wide range of Episcopalians — “cradle” to “converted,” “eco” to ecumenical, quiet to querulous — as we work to make our church vibrant in the near and far future. Please assist us in finding these people. Time is of the essence. Go to the diocesan web site, www.diocal.org, and select the “Convention” tab clicking on “Nominations”; you will be able to access the nominating form. And, you can read descriptions of the positions to be filled and the lengths of the term of office. The form should be filled out and submitted on line. Once someone has been nominated, he or she will be contacted by the Registrar of the Nominating Committee to obtain further information about the potential candidacy. The deadline for receiving applications is July 17, 2011. Have you a question? Read the web site material. Consult the members of the Committee on Nominations from your deanery listed under the “2011 Diocesan Convention” tab. Go to “Nominations” and click “Committee on Nominations.” Ask for inspiration and insight. Share the Committee on Nomination’s quest with your congregation and other groups of Episcopalians by announcement and weekly prayer in words of your own choosing. Lord Jesus Christ help us to see the ones you are choosing for diocesan work in your Church and to do our part to make their way easy and their burden light that they may give and receive your Love on earth. 1055 Taylor Street San Francisco, CA 94108 415.673.5015 (phone) 415.673.9268 (fax) convention@diocal.org (email) Click here for a direct link to the online Nomination Form.

But What If?

 In an earlier blog I talked about Howard Camping and the fact that I have learned from him and that I feel that I have actually grown stronger in my spirituality. I also said that I don't believe in his thing about the world coming to an end on October 21, 2011, which is something that he was saying long before much of the world even heard his Rapture words.

 For some reason the story of Noah came to mind a little bit ago, and then the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. Why they came to mind is something that I do now, then I began to think about Howard Camping. The story of Noah has been around for centuries, and one of the things that I remember about it was that he tried telling people what God was going to do, but they wouldn't listen. Over and over he told people, but they just wouldn't listen. Then there is the story of the boy, and even though the town did listen to him a few times, when their really was a wolf nobody listened.

 Now I wonder about Howard Camping? Yeah, I know that he was wrong in the 1990s, and that things didn't go as he said that they would this past May, but I wonder if he could be right about what he says is suppose to happen on October 21, 2011? 

 Now I know what the Holy Bible doesn't give an exact date as to when the Rapture will occur, but I am sure that it will happen, but I wonder if we are all missing the real point in that we really need to get our act together and live as though it will happen at any moment? Think about it. If the Bible did give an exact date, why wouldn't we just go out and do the things that we wanted to do, then days before ask God for forgiveness? What real purpose would it serve to live a life in Christ now if we knew that on a certain date it will all end and that we could be forgiven just by asking for forgiveness a few days before?

 Maybe the real message that Howard Camping was trying to get through to us is that we really should be living our life in Christ now? The lessons that I heard today in church seemed to have a theme that was around sin, mainly our own sins. Sit back and think about your life for a moment. Think about the ways that you have treated others. Think about the wrongs that you have done in life. If the Rapture were to come today, and you found yourself standing before God and your ancestors, how would you go about explaining the wrongs that you have done to others in the things that you did to them? Things like Apologizing for YOUR actions. You really can't blame others for the things that YOU choose to do, as they were YOUR actions.

 Now don't get me wrong, I am not claiming to of never to have done anything wrong to others. Believe me, I have done some stuff that I really regret and feel sorry for that I wish that I could make up to people in some kind of way. But with the help of the Holy Trinity, I think that I am trying my best not to hurt others in any way. Oh I know that I may screw up at some point, but I think that I am a far better person by being able to say that I am sorry to someone when I do error and not blaming things on others. 

 Oh I know that people will say that he should give all of the money back to folks who gave money to him, but I think that in this case if the world doesn't come to an end on October 21, 2011, that he should offer to pay back monies to those who gave it to him if they should request it. The thing is, I don't think that many people will demand any money back. I think that some will look at it like paying the lottery or betting on other things like a business stock, and they will simply accept it as something that didn't work out. I think that some will not want their money back, as they will feel that they gained something in there life. Maybe someone stopped doing drugs and committing crimes because of the words of Howard Camping, and now live a life where they are following the teachings of Jesus and leading a Christian life. Wasn't that money worth it?

 Maybe he does have it right, and we are being like those who didn't believe in what Noah was saying. Maybe God has put the date into the Bible and we are just to ignorant to see it, you know, like when you are looking for the salt shaker all over the table only to discover that it has been right in front of your plate the entire time. 

 Maybe he does have it right, and we are being like the towns people who didn't believe the boy when the wolf really came. Howard Camping has given several dates on things that people believed only for nothing noticeably happen.

 But what if this time he is right, you know like those that you didn't believe who said something would happen and it really did? Are you really ready for the world to come to an end and to face God to explain the wrong things that you have done to his creatures upon this planet? Are you prepared to look the person in the face that you did wrong to only to discover that person is really Christ returned?

False Beliefs

This blog isn't about really about false beliefs in any religion, but more about false beliefs in ones self.

 In my previous blog I talked a little about how people ask me how they can get involved in things in the church like I am. I mentioned the ezine Diobytes which is put out by the diocese that I live in. I am sure that there are other Episcopal and denominations that have there own ezine, and you should check to see if they exist where you live, and subscribe.

 But one of the things that I think causes people to invite me is that I don't spend much time talking about all of the things that I go to nor spend time boosting about the things that I can do. Now the Bible does teach against boosting, and I try not to, but at times I will.

 When I go elsewhere I try and listen to what is needed if something is brought up, and do my best not to insert myself into things because I feel that I have superior knowledge about what is going on. I think that if I were to do that, it would upset people. In the congregation that I am in, most of the time I listen to the people and if there is something that I can help with I do my best to help. When we switched over to using a computer for the music, it was because the organist had found a job that would require him to work some Sundays, and between his skills at being able to play and to put things into Midi format, and my ability to build computer systems, we went that route. It took a few weeks, but the congregation quickly came to love doing the songs via midi because one of the things that I was able to do with some of the traditional stuff is to change the instruments that they could relate to that our organ does not have the ability to do. What started off as an experiment turned into something that the vestry voted to be what is the now the official source for music in the congregation. The only time that they have had no problem with the music is when the now former organist would come back from time to time and I could talk him into playing something, as he knew how the congregation liked how something is played. Others have come in and tried to play either the organ or piano, but because they really lack the knowledge of what the people like, I have heard a ton of complaints. One portion of the congregation told me to NEVER let one of the people EVER play again for them, as they felt that the person was totally clueless as to how something is suppose to be played and did a really bad job with a number of errors. But going back to a non-midi format doesn't appear to ever going to happen again unless someone with top skills comes along.

 I think that another reason that they enjoy having me do it also comes to the music that I play before the service, during the communion and after service. I listened to what they had to say as to what they like, and I play what they like along with listening to what they have to say when it comes to what they don't like. I know that if I didn't listen to them, and played only the things that I liked or thought that they should hear, the church would become more empty than it already is. 

 With people who think that they have all of this knowledge about stuff and supposed skills, they really turn people off real fast if they don't bother to listen. They forget that the church does not revolve around them. They come upon a self importance that is damaging to the church. They impose what they want and really don't care nor see how they have really hurt the church. I think that the way to find a great Lay Leader in a congregation, or even a Great Clergy person in a congregation is to see how they interact with people. When they spend their time talking about themselves and all that they have done they really don't spend the time listening to learn about the people that they are dealing with, they turn people off real fast. When others come up with ideas and they claim to have knowledge and tell someone how wrong they are, they cause people to leave and go elsewhere. There beliefs can be so false that they not only hurt the church, but Christianity as a whole.

 Oh I can hear people saying something like "But when I was at (insert name of church here,) the people loved this, or it worked this way,) doesn't mean that they people in the congregation you are at now will want it that way, and it could be something that they did in the past and have no interest in doing it. Each congregation is different, and one really needs to get an understanding of the congregation first. 

 For some people they get a title and make more of that title than what they ask for. They ask for a title in order to do one thing, then think that they can do all a number of other things because of the title, but in reality they are claiming powers that they really don't have, then they get upset when it is pointed out to them that they don't have the power that they think they have. I feel sad for them, as many of them end up with hurt feelings and looking really stupid when it is pointed out to them. I'm watching someone now who thinks that the title they have means more than what they were given. It's really sad, as they will get hurt in the end.

 I think that some of the cults that exist today are because people who lead these cults have a false belief in themselves. These people have such self importance that it is really about them, not really about the Holy Trinity. But I also believe that some of these groups that we do refer to as cults really are being lead by the Holy Trinity and are doing the works that are needed.

 Want to get involved in your congregation? Learn to Listen, and if you have ideas on possibly improving things in some way or have something new that you would like to see happen in the congregation, have a conversation with people in the congregation and really hear what they are saying. Before you tell someone that they are wrong, wonder in your head if they can could be right. Open you minds and hearts to new ideas and ways of doing things. Ask where the congregation needs help, and step outside of your comfort zone to help in those things where you think that you can actually learn something new and build upon your skills so if needed you can step in and help. When you limit yourself, you limit the church. Always remember that the person that you think that you have more knowledge and skills than could be Jesus returned. Always remember that what did X number of years ago doesn't always apply to today. Always remember that the church doesn't revolve around you, but you revolve around the church. 

Get Involved

 From time to time someone will ask me about my activities in the diocese and how I find out about the events that I attend. The things that I go to I find out through different ways. For some things, someone will call me, with some an email is sent to me, in others I get invites from people on Facebook, while some come from my congregation's bulletin and others come from The Pacific Church News. But the best source for things is this diocese's ezine DioBytes. Sadly not many people in the diocese is even aware that it exist. In it you will find upcoming events, short blurbs about events that have past, and so much more. You may not find something to go to each week when it is sent out, but from time to time you will see something that will surely interest you in wanting to go to.

 One of the great things about going to many of these events is getting to meet like minded Episcopalians and realizing all of the wonderful things that are going on here. As long as I have been a subscriber, I have found things that I have really enjoyed and makes me want to go to other events. I have met some wonderful people that I wouldn't of met.

 So if you are interested in getting to know others in the diocese and to get involved in things, Subscribe to DioBytes, as it will be worth it. 

 If you would like to subscribe, Click Here.

 If you would like to check out the current DioBytes edition, Click Here.

Voices From The Pews

 The Christian church is interesting in that we go every week and hear clergy give sermons every week. We sit back and listen to the words that are said, and try to gain some insight in what the clergy person is saying. Some clergy spend prat of there time telling you about things that they have done, or some other story where you sit back and wonder what it has to do with the lessons that had been given that day. Others spend a bunch of time talking about the theology of the lessons, and one wonders how the lessons even relate to their life. But many clergy are really good in that they really know how to combine them.

 But one of the things that I seem to notice is that it has been rare in my life where the sermon/homily was given by someone from the pews who wasn't interested in becoming ordained in any way. I wonder how many people who sit in the pews have said to there clergy person that they would be interested in giving a homily at a service, but have been turned down with some reasoning given to them, but the truth of the matter is that the clergy person's real reason is because the person is not interested in having someone speak about the lessons who doesn't have any seminary teaching, or they are scared that the person who say something that the clergy person doesn't like and would feel that they would have to spend weeks trying to get the person to think in the way that the clergy person wants.

  Several years ago, the vestry of the congregation that I am in voted that the pastor had to take a minimum of 3 weeks off from the the church. We weren't trying to get him out to have someone else replace him, only that he hadn't taken time off in a few years, and we all knew that taking time off is something that is healthy for the body. He still hasn't taken that time off these years later with all kinds of reasons for not doing it, but finally this week he actually took this Sunday off. 

 He asked, and I gave him the names of a few clergy people that he should contact to come in to do the services this week, and if he actually ever did is something that I don't know. Last Sunday he handed me and a couple of people a packet that had this weeks service, and it turned out that he wanted us to do Morning Prayer. Jokingly I said to the two that were going to lead the service that they shouldn't use the "sermon" that he provided, but to do there own. How surprised I was today when one of them didn't even use it, but did one on his own, and the other one only used bits of it.

 Even though I don't speak Spanish (but I do understand some of it,) I sat and listened as the person who did the Spanish service gave a homily. I had really expected him to give the sermon that was provided, but he didn't even pick it up. I watched as people seemed to pay really close attention to each and every word that he said, and even got involved in it. I watched as people smiled at the things that he said, and how it seemed as though people could really relate to the things that he was saying like I had never seem before from the people. Here was someone that faithfully sits in the pews every week, really peaking to them.

 Even though we did stumble through parts of the service, I saw something that I had never seem before happen. There is a gentleman who has come to the service for a large number of years, who generally is very quiet, but he surprised me when the service ended and he spoke up and thanked the person for the wonderful job that he did, and the people applauded. They not only applauded him, but stood and applauded him. I have never seem this happen before in a church.

 In both of the English services, the sermon planned for was partly used, people paid attention and even got involved. The person who gave it made some changes and added some stuff, and actually made it better. It was a sermon that the people seem to really relate to.

 I began to wonder, should we stop the clergy from giving sermons at least once a month and have someone from the pews get up and give a homily? Are clergy so out of touch with the people that they can't give strong sermons that the people can relate to, and as I mentioned in an earlier blog that the theology that they learn in seminary has pulled them away from really being able to relate to the people? 

 Could our congregations grow if the laity were to give homilies on the them? I really don't think so, but it would give the laity empowerment in a way I think that they can begin to understand that they are the true power of the church. I think that it would make people really think and live into the teachings of the Holy Bible with a fuller understanding that they wouldn't get by listening to just what the clergy teaches them? Who knows?

 Now I know that coming September when our pastor is suppose to be away for several weeks, that he will use the claim that since it worked so well this time by doing Morning Prayer, so that will be the reason that he won't call in other clergy, but maybe it will mean that they people will realize that they are the church? 

 I really enjoyed today, and was would really like to see the clergy take a back seat when it comes to talking about the lessons of the day form time to time. By doing so, maybe they can hear and learn from us the laity...