Talk the Talk but fail the Walk.

I seldom let things get under my skin but something has. It has taken me several weeks to mull this over in my mind but it will just not go away. So, permit me to vent.

Several weeks ago, our youngest son who resides in NYC fell down a flight of stairs while at work. He gashed his head, broke an elbow and knee cap, and well as spraining writs ts and ankles. My wife and I could not afford a trip to NYC so we put out a prayer request for our son.

This prayer request was sent to friends as well as posted on our denominational Internet bulletin board. Had many responses for folk all over the country for which we are thankful and appreciative.

The rub comes from the church I pastored for nearly 17 years and to which my wife is a member. Only one couple from that church responded with prayerful support.

Now, this church is just 8 miles from our residence yet none of the ministers on the staff--they have 7 for a 50 member congregation took time to call or visit. None of the members with the exception of the above mentioned couple phoned, email, or sent cards. This is a church that boldly proclaims how much it cares for others and prays for people daily. Well not in this case and both my wife and I feel slighted by this lack of caring. In my opinion, they can talk the talk but fail to walk the walk.

I don't know why it takes 7 ministers to staff a congregation of 50. During my nearly 17 years with them, there was only one minister for a congregation of well over 100. And while I was not a perfect minister, I did sincerely try to visit those who needed it and to pray with them.

I doubt if I'll ever set foot inside that church again. And, when it comes time for my funeral, none of the ministers of that congregation will be asked by my family to officiate at my funeral.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

Dr. Ron

By Passing the Committee on Ministry

My denomination is a part of the Presbyterian and Reformed branches of Christianity. As such we are guided by a Confession of Faith and a Constitution. The Constitution spells out what each judicatory from the congregation, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly are to do. It has served us well for nearly 200 years [we celebrate our 200th anniversary in 2010].

That is until here lately when a congregation within our presbytery is becoming more and more independent by having a flagrant disregard for the Constitution. For example, it is the Presbytery's right to give oversight to those desiring to be ordained and, in fact is the body which ordains persons to ministry for service within the entire denomination. The Presbytery gives this responsibility to the Committee on Ministry with it reporting the progress of each individual to the Presbytery and recommendation for ordination. The Presbytery then in turn has the right to accept our reports and recommendations or not.

Part of the Committee's duties is to determine the educational needs of the person and to suggest the best course of action for him or her to take as they prepare for ordination. This is spelled out in the denominational Confession of Faith. There is also an alternative option for persons who for some reason [deemed reasonable by the Committee] are not able to attend a seminary.

I have said all of this to say this. The congregation referred to above has taken it upon its own to act as the presbyterial Committee on Ministry. This summer two persons from its congregation were enrolled in the Program of Alternate Studies and told what courses they needed to be ordained. Then the session of the congregation notified the Committee on Ministry that these two persons would present themselves before us at our semi-annual meeting.

One was surprised to learn he needed to go through the process of becoming a Candidate, Licentiate, and then Ordination. He expected to be received by the Committee and approved for ordination at the September meeting of Presbytery.

It is my suspicion the pastor mislead this person into believing this way. The other person is an ordained Korean Presbyterian Minister. Which in itself is an entirely different situation. If things check out then, the Committee might recommend the transfer of his ordination into our denomination. Here again, the pastor told him what courses he needed to take at PAS.

In my book, it is wrong for a pastor and local session to act as the presbyterial Committee on Ministry.

I've stated my views. What's yours?

I Lost It

Saturday, August 8th, I was in a good mood and felt rather good. I was attending a meeting of a committee which give direction and oversight to persons desiring to become ordained ministers within my denomination.

Things were progressing rather well until we met with one young man. When the chairman asked about his theological views he replied that he was orthodox, reformed, and a conservative. He went on to explain his position as being Calvinistic [our denomination is not]. He continued by sharing why he had left a certain denomination to set up his own church. That denomination he told us was too liberal and liberalism was heresy. He expanded this to include another denomination which he claimed was the first to allow homosexuals into the church. He held that church to be heretics as well. He continued his rant for several minutes and that's when I lost my cool.

I told him I was a liberal and did not appreciate being considered a heretic. And that I attended both "liberal" churches of which he spoke. I also told him I did not attend my denominational church because of their like-minded opinions of liberals.

I did of course remind him that I was a Christian with just a little bit of difference in interpretation of Scripture and that I had been nurtured as a fundamentalist. But during my faith journey, God had led me away from fundamentalism to the my current views. But, I reminded him, I still was a born again Christian.

I questioned him about homosexuality. He made the statement that all homosexuals are that way by choice and that there is nothing to the myth that it could be genetic in nature. I asked about the theological position of one who had accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour prior to coming out of the closet. He reply was that they made a choice to violate God's Word when they chose to become gay. I asked about their salvation once again and he implied they were not genuinely saved. I responded that I thought he had a lot to learn about salvation and homosexuals.

While I appreciate the views of others, this young man was so judgmental that I found it hard to believe. He expected us to interview him that day and have him ordained in September when the larger body met. The chairman and others told him that would not happen as there was a process he and others had to go through. That did not seem to rest well with him.

Before he left the room, I apologized for loosing my cool and tried to assure him that I would not hold his views against him as we went through the process.

It has been a very long time since I have given into my "Irish temper."

Ah, Sunday

Nothing in particular to write about today. Just that it is Sunday. Sundays are not the same since I retired from the ministry years ago. I don't have to be at church. I don't have to play the 'church games' that so many ministers do. Do I miss it? Not too much.

However what I do miss is the fellowship or family feeling of a congregation. Now, I am an orphan. Have no church family to speak of. My professional ethics prevent me from attending the church from which I retired. Another reason I do not attend is it has become radically theologically different. It is very radical in its conservative and evangelical approach to the Faith. Thus, my theological views are out of sink with theirs.

Any new congregation I visit would not afford the spiritual family connection as I would always be the 'adopted' family member. At my age, I am too old to be adopted and begin the process of being part of the family.

Ah, Sunday a day of relaxation for me in my retirement years.

Church Websites

I visit many church websites just to keep up on things. Most of them are current and updated on a regular basis. One, however, has not been updated in several months. It still contains the news that it will be moving soon to a new location.

However, that is not the case at all. All of their plans since the inception of relocation have fallen through for one or more reasons. But you would not get that information from its website. It still includes an architect's drawing of a church that will no longer be.

The lastest word is that the church will not relocate but remain in its current location despite some concerns the DNR [department of natural resources] has about the property beneath the current building. The website does not mention anything of this nature.

The pastor's blog has not been update in over a year. The associate pastor's has been updated recently.

All of this causes me to wonder about churches which direct us to their websites only to see outdated information. In this day and age, I think it speaks volumes about the church--perhaps being out-dated itself. I have no personal knowledge of this church only via its website and the things I hear from neigbors in the community.

Oh well, now I said it and I shall retreat to the wonderful world of a church website surfer.

Have a great and wonderful day.

Dr. Ron

Assumptions

As a Christian minister [retired], I find some Christians to be arrogant in their assumptions of persons. By this, I mean they make a blanket statement that all persons who do not worship God the way they do are in need of salvation. It does not matter if these persons are members of a Christian congregation or not, they are still in need of salvation. How arrogant can one be? Who are we to decide who is a Christian or not? Did God suddenly pass away and put these folks in charge of the "judgment" and "salvation" departments?

Yes, I believe persons need to know Jesus Christ but, I do not assume that everyone I meet or have yet to meet are sinners in need of salvation. Some may be while others may not be. God will lead me to those who need to see and to hear of His unconditional love and acceptance. My daily prayer is that God will enable me to be His witness by word and deed and in so doing He will open the doors or lead me to persons who are in need of His help or salvation.

Let's assume one thing. Let's assume that God will use us as His instruments of unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Have a great day rejoicing in the Lord.

Dr. Ron

Marching to the beat of a different drummer

The holiday season is history. Pondering the past holiday season, I realized this year that I was "marching to the beat of a different drummer." I no longer had to play the games people play during the holidays. I no longer had to be "sweet and charming" to satisfy the church folk at their parties, Christmas musicals, pageants, and worship services. In fact during the holidays, I only went to church once and that was a Christmas musical at one of my daughters' church. I really enjoyed it as it was inspirational and joy-filled"

I made this comment years ago to a group of ministers, "When I retire I will not go to church." Their response was typical in that I had to continue going to church. I asked "Why?" and made the following statement, "When my father retired from Ford Motor Company, he did not go back to work." While I have been retired from the ministry for several years, this past holiday season was the time I chose not to go to church. It is one of those expected games that people play and this season, I chose not to play. It felt good to relax at home watching the various holiday programs on the television. About the only time I go to church anymore is when I am a guest minister [consultant if you wish]. Then if feels good because it is something I chose to do.

As I stated earlier, I march to the beat of a different drummer. My retirement allows me to be the real me with no pretense and fulfilling someone else's expectations. I like this beat. And the beat goes on so that I can do it "my way."

Have a great and wonderful day. Remember, you only have one opportunity in life to be your real self.

Charity or Rudeness?

I have not been blogging for sometime due to work and other situations. The other day while sitting on the front porch drinking coffee on a warm December day, one of my neighbors stopped by for a visit. We chatted about the weather here in Missouri where one day it can be a very cold 30 degrees and the next day up in the 60's. We also inquired about each others health being the senior citizens we are.

As my neighbor sipped his coffee, he said, "Preacher, have you heard about the fiasco over at that little church on the corner?" To which I replied, "No." He proceed to tell me the story. It seems the choir and others were going Christmas caroling on a Sunday evening to various homes and afterwards to an adult only party.

The hostess had sent out invitations to a select group of the carolers or inviting them personally with the stipulation that no children or teens were to attend.

Well, it seems that on the night of the caroling, a couple with children joined the carolers. Let's just say for the sake of charity that this is a family down on its luck and whom the church has helped throughout the year. Helping them with food and other household items such as laundry soap and personal hygiene products. However, it seemed as though the personal hygiene products were not used as the body odor lingered in the air and at times made the persons standing next to them cough and gag. However, Christianity charity prevailed and no one said a word to the couple or the children.

Once the caroling was over, the invited couples ventured over to the gated community where the party was being held. The other carolers went to their homes. The party was barley underway when the doorbell rang. It was the pastor and his wife with the needy family. The children scampered in heading right for the buffet table. They began to handle the food, tasting some and putting others back on the table. The hostess and the other guest were astonished at their behavior.

The pastor said to the hostess, "We didn't think you would mind us bring this family as it is the Christian thing to do." Before she could reply, the mother and the teenage daughter were seen going into her bedroom by another guest who politely told them it was "off limits." Needless to say, the party was ruined by the behavior of the children and the adults with them. Their body odor was more pungent than during the caroling. The invited guests, who were trying to be nice, could barley stand to be near the couple or the children as they continued to dash throughout the house and piling their plates high with food from the table as well as leaving beverage glasses throughout the house.

My neighbor asked, "Preacher do you think the pastor and his wife did the right thing?" "No, I replied, "he as an invited guest knew that no children or uninvited guest should have been there. He embarrassed the hostess and the other invited guest by bringing them." To which my neighbor replied, "In my day, such persons were known as party crashers. And, I bet Dear Abby would agree with me that it was just plain rude."

For the record, I think it was rude as well. What's your opinion?

July In Happy Creek

July in Happy Creek
By
F. Thomas Rondy

[this is copy writed material not reproduction via any means without the expressed permission of the author]


It has been an unusual past several weeks in Happy Creek, MI, my home town. The annual 4th of July parade down Main Street was as grand and glorious setting the mood for the day’s event. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Four H’s Clubs, Future Famer’s of America, various church groups,and the American Legion Band stirred our patriotic emotions as they marched the route or rode on homemade floats. The crowd was enthusiastic waving American Flags. Happy Creek was a picture post card of patriotism that day. A Norman Rockwell glimpse of Americana at its best

The picnic was held at Hap’s Homestead as usual. Families brought their favorite picnic dishes to share. The food was placed on an extra long table in front of Hap’s Cabin. Pop was cooled in vast wash tubs filled with ice at each end of the table. The kids were allowed to run wild as they played softball or enjoyed themselves in some of the inflatable games or jumping tents. The young people went wading in Hap’s Creek or played volleyball. Some even wandered away for a while to sneak kisses out in the woods. The adults enjoyed horse shoes, three legged races, or just sitting in the shade talking with friends and neighbors. A grand time was had by all as they awaited twilight when the fireworks would commence.

Twilight descended upon Hap’s Homestead. Violet Crandall stepped on to the wood constructed platform which was draped with bunting and lined with American Flags. Violet and I were in the same class at Happy Creek High School. Violet distinguished herself as a singer. She was in the choir and sang solos at all the school and civic events ever since I can remember. She graduated from the Interlocken Conservatory of Music, was awarded a PhD. in vocal performance from Julliard. After several years in the chorus, she became the lead alto in the Metropolitan Opera Company. She retired from the Met last year moving back to Happy Creek.

She has been singing the National Anthem each year since 1957 and this year would be no exception. Violet was welcomed to the stage with thunderous applause. People just loved to hear her sing. She is one of Happy Creek's most famous citizens. The crowd was enthralled with her singing. The spell was broken when she began the last phrase, “…Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave ov’r the land of the free and the home of the brave.” For some unexplainable reason, a June bug though her mouth would be a good place to land. And, it did causing Violet to gag and cough. Embarrassed and humiliated she left the stage immediately without finishing the song. Some were shocked. Others cried openly. Several ran back stage to comfort Violet. Violet was inconsolable. She apologized to Mrs. Cripps, the organizer of the platform entertainment, saying how deeply sorry she was for ruining the song and the day’s activities. Mrs. Cripps hugged her, “There, there, honey it’s alright. We understand.”

The band played on. The fireworks began. Bang. Boom, boom. Oh’s and ah’s went up from the crowd. It was a grand and glorious night. Everyone enjoyed the 4th.

Well, not everyone. Violet’s head hung low and her hands covered her tear swollen eyes. Why had the June bug landed in her mouth? In all of her years of singing, this had never happened before. Why had it happened tonight?

Across town, Amy Lou and Ted, her son sat comfortably in the living room of their home. They had not attended the 4th of July celebrations. They were not too keen on community events. Keeping mostly to themselves except for Sunday visits to the John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church.

Amy Lou and Ted were not long time residents of Happy Creek. They moved here in February after she purchased Mildred’s Hair Salon and Emporium and Mildred’s house as well. Mildred was Happy Creek’s hair stylist for the last sixty-five years. She died one evening in January after locking up the Hair Salon and Emporium. She died in her sleep. Mildred was 89 years old when she passed.

Neal Boyer, the real estate agent, told everyone Amy Lou paid cash for both transactions. Eyebrows were raised. Questions asked. Who was Amy Lou Sommers? Where did she get the money? Why, had she come to Happy Creek? These and other questions captured the imaginations of Happy Creek’s town folk. Amy Lou Sommers’ name was on the top of the gossip list for a month or so until most of them realized she was a nice young lady, a good hair stylist, and that Ted was an honor roll student and good at computers. He worked part time for “The Geek Squad.”

The folks over at John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church don’t get too many visitors. The Covenanters are hyper Calvinistic. Staunch theologians and legalist. Like Calvin, the Covenanters would prefer the community to be run by the Church. Happy Creek’s other citizens hold a different opinion. Happy Creek is a diversified community of various denominations and ethnic groups. The Covenanters like to think of themselves as, “Defenders of the Faith.” You know those who keep the Church true, holy, and pure. A clannish group who can trace their ancestors back to the Ulsters. They refuse to participate in the Happy Creek ministerial association because it allows the Roman Catholic priest and the Jewish rabbi to be members.

The Covenanters were a bit taken back when Ms. Amy Lou Sommers and her son, Ted, visited them in March. She was cordially welcomed with a tad of suspicion thrown in for good measure. Amy Lou and Ted returned on a regular basis because it was only two blocks from their home.

She talked with Reverend William Campbell about becoming a member. Bells and whistles of suspicion began to go off in the good reverend’s head. He informed Amy Lou that he would take her request to the Consistory. He, also, informed her that the Consistory would meet twice to discuss her request. The first meeting would be open to the congregation for any comments the members might have. The second meeting would be a vote to receive her as a member. God only knows why Presbyterians vote people into or out of the church.

The first Consistory meeting took place the Monday after the first Sunday in July. The pastor, the elders, and most of the congregation were in attendance. The Stated Clerk kept minutes. During the discussion, it was noted that Amy Lou is an avowed Pescatarian and her son is a fan boy and both are addicted to Edamame. No one present knew what a Pescatarian was. They were certain, however, that no one like that should be a part of their church.

Mrs. Mary Jane McDonnell, the high school substances abuse counselor, told the Board and congregation about the dangers of addiction. “We have to think of our children,” she insisted. “We cannot tolerate anyone with an addiction to be a part of our God-fearing church.” The others agreed with her. A recommendation was made only to allow Amy Lou and Ted membership in the church after they both promised to disavow their devotion to Pescatarism and after six months of rehabilitation for being addictive to Edamame.

Others began to share some unusual things that happened to them since Ms. Sommers began attending their church. Michael McTavish worked for Happy Creek’s Utility Department. He told about an incident in May which startled him. He was in a cherry picker replacing a burn out light bulb when a bird flying over head “unloaded” on him causing him to drop the new light bulb and stumbling in the cheery picker. This had never happened to him before. He believed that the Pescatarian Amy Lou had something to do with it.

Mrs. Edith O’Brian told the group about Amy Lou’s cat. It was pitch black. The kind you see associated with witches during Halloween, which of course, the Covenanters avoid like the devil himself. Edith stated the cat’s name was “Druid.” “Now, who on earth gives a name like that to a cat?” she asked. “Mark my words, only a pagan witch would call her cat, Druid. I stopped going to her beauty shop when I found out she was a witch.”

The unanimous vote agreed that Amy Lou and Ted would not be allowed to be members of John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church. A letter of the vote including the recommendation was sent to Ms. Amy Lou Sommers. The Stated Clerk wrote a PS, “Our hope is that you will abandon your pagan ways and come to the Truth of the Gospel. We pray for your soul.”

Amy Lou and Ted never set foot again in John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church. She found another church which accepted her as a Pescatarian. In fact this church had a group of Pescatarian who met monthly. Her cat, “Drew Ed,” still warms itself in the beauty shop’s window and greets all of her customers with a welcoming “meow.”

Rumors can distort the truth. Coincident can lead to suspicions. Suspicions become paranoia. Lack of knowledge is often thought of as truth. It is difficult to explain things to people who have their minds fixated on paranoia and suspicions. Difficult as well to explain the read truth to those who are too busy playing with their mental blocks to listen.

So that’s the way it was this July in Happy Creek, Michigan, my hometown where 99% of the people are happy. It is a privilege to live in Happy Creek, the most fun place on earth to raise a family.

F. Thomas Rondy
©July, 2008

Pondering

I ponder and muse today about several things. First of all, as a retired minister when not preaching as a guest minister I take opportunity to visit local congregations of various denominations. In my many visits, there has been only one to make a follow up call or letter. The lady pastor called me the Monday after I had visited and during our chat I told her I was seeking a spiritual home. She assured me that she would do her best to help me along my spiritual journey. I enjoyed her sermon this past Sunday and I enjoyed our conversation on Monday. I plan to attend this next Sunday as well.

For the last several weeks, babies, infants, and toddlers have been left in cars by their parents or mothers. The television stations have done feature articles on these events noting that the temp inside the cars could within minutes reach a 100 degrees or more. Most of the moms indicated they had "forgotten" they had the baby with them or concluded they would be okay for "just a minute or two." The latest incident occurred at a near by theme park...where fortunately some tourist saw the infant in the locked car and called security. The mother's explanation was that she left the child there while she went into the theme park to pick up another child. Is preoccupation or 'forgetfulness' an excuse for the endangerment of a child? I think not.

For the last month or so I have been receiving letters from our denominational college and seminary requesting a donation to help them achieve a matching challenge or to balance the year end budget. Well, guess what? I need their help during my retirement years. After 40 plus years as an active pastoral minister, I have no retirement income other than Social Security and the part time position at the community college. Why do I not have a retirement income? Simple and short. The churches I served did not or would not participate in the denominational retirement plan. The denomination or its presbyteries did not make it a mandatory part of the minister's salary package. Thus, basically I live on Social Security. And, we all know what the economy is doing to our finances. It's either $4 for a gallon of milk or gasoline. So, will I send a donation to the college or the seminary? I think not.

Have a great and wonderful day.

Religious Panhandlers

A co-worker of mine at the community college writes in her blog about "Christian begging." Twice she has gone to a local store and each time there have been Christians at both the entrance and exit asking for donations for some type of church work. Their signs indicate the church and the product. This would be okay for her as she could pass them by without donating to their cause or taking time to chat with them.

Her problem comes when they speak to her and if she pretends not to hear them, their greeting becomes louder and louder as they ask her to donate. She tells them she is not a Christian but they still insist on her donating to their cause or can't believe what they have just heard. She spoke with the store's manager about the matter. He indicated he would take it up with the corporate office. The store is private property and thus, they have the freedom to allow groups to set up tables in front of their building. She indicated she knew that, however, it was her right not to be solicited or panhandled by this religious group or any other group. It is, also, her right to shop elsewhere if this continued.

She has indicated the store would not allow the poor or disadvantaged to panhandle in front of their store. Nor would they allow someone to whistle or "come on" to her as she entered or left the building. So, why would they allow religious panhandlers to be there?

During her shopping, she was approached by several other customers who agreed with her. Many of them were Christians who were active in their local church and thought it was disgraceful to be solicited by another church to donate to their cause. These comments made my non-Christian friend feel better in knowing she was not alone in her opinion on the matter.

I have never given this a second thought until now. I can see my co-workers point of view. Most often when I have encountered such [with the exception of the Salvation Army], I pass by without saying a word or donating anything being the introvert I am. Now, I just may have the courage and strength to do as my co-worker---confront them and or management.

Yes, this is a free country. Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I reside in an area known as the "buckle of the Bible belt" but their freedom ends where mine begins. Enough of religious panhandlers and their begging methods.

Not Just A Building

I have always said that a church is not a building but people. Certainly we need a building for the people to gather for worship, fellowship, study, and other things. However, the people are the primary church.

As I stated in a previous post, I was guest minister today at the First Christian Church, Gainesville, MO where I had served as an Interim Minister.

My wife and I were greeted with hugs, handshakes, and smiles as we enter the building. Those greetings set the mood for the worship service as the joy of the Lord abounded in the hallways and in the foyer. We were not the only ones greeted that way--each person who entered was embraced and given a smile. I had time to visit with some of the people who were there during my ministry. Each one had the same story to tell: "Ron, you kept us together during a difficult time. Bobby Jo is a real blessing to us as she had lifted our spirits to great heights. We were going through the motions of being a church while you were here and you challenged us to do great things for God. Bobby Jo has not only challenged us to do the same but has been our motivator and encourager every step of the way. We are so glad to have her as our pastor and so fortunate to have had you as our Interim Minister."

The worship service was great. The people were ready for worship. And, there were children and teenagers in worship which was a great joy to behold because while I was there there were just one or two children and no youth. It was great to see two teenagers bring in the flags and lead us in the pledges to both our nation's flag and the Christian flag. The service was a blending of traditional Christianity and the celebration of our nation's birth. I noticed about 8 to 10 children come forth for the children's moments and what a joy that was.

People, young, middle aged, senior citizens, long term members, new members, and a host of visitors all participated in the worship experience. They sang with enthusiasm and joy which thrilled this ole heart. Communion was a time of great reverence as the family of God gathered around His Table. It truly was good to be in God's House in Gainesville today.

I told the congregation their church was my spiritual home away from home. If it were not so far from Springfield, I would attend there each Sunday as they are what I believe a church truly ought to be...a loving, caring fellowship of people who are dedicated to Christ and ministering to the community and the world.

After worship, my wife and I were invited to eat dinner with several church families. It was a good time of fellowship and renewal of friendships. I sat across the table from a couple who were new to the church and they are so thrilled to be a part of that church community.

Was a day of blessing upon blessing for me at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Gainesville, MO. Trust your day was a blessing as well.

Ron

Guest Minister

This Sunday, July 29, I will have the joy and pleasure of being the guest minister at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Gainesville, MO while their pastor is on vacation.

I served as Interim Minister during 2006-2007 while they were seeking a new resident pastor. They were and are a wonderful group of dedicated Christians. It will be great visiting with them again as they hold a special place in my heart.

Their new pastor has lead the congregation in spiritual renewal and community outreach. If you reside in the Gainesville area or visiting in that part of the Ozarks take an opportunity to visit with them. I'm confident you will find a warm welcome and a loving spirit.

Ron

The Doll

Melanie writes about a mission trip to Romania in the blog, It's My Mission. It is a very moving and touching post about a little Romania girl and a doll.

My cousin has a ministry call Feed My Lost Lambs in the Philippines which he and his wife began a couple of years ago. I regret they do not have a website or blog.

Thus, children's missions are of interest to me.

God bless all who are involved in missions.

His Heart Was Broken

A fellow minister and friend of mine died several months ago. I had heard that he retired, due to health reasons, from a twenty plus year pastorate several years ago. I learned yesterday that was not the reason for his "retirement." A powerful minority forced him out because his messages no longer made them "feel good."

This kind of thing happens all to often within my denomination. I have a friend in Alabama who was forced into "retirement" because his sermons "were not spiritual" enough to suit a powerful minority. In my own case, fifteen years ago, another powerful minority indicated "they were not being fed spiritually."

The friend who died recently went into a serious depression following his forced "retirement." His heart was broken. He loved the Lord. Enjoyed preaching. Love his congregation only to have them force him out. He was even ignored and shunned by the "pious ones" who treated him so badly.

As I learned the other side of the story, I was told that he continued in his faith and asked Jesus to take him Home. Despite his broken heart, he hummed gospel songs, the songs of faith. I do not know which songs he sang but I can almost hear him sing, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand...." Broken hearted he held tightly to Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior and realized that the "church" was nothing more than "sinking sand."

Jesus came to get my fellow minister to take him Home. When Jesus came, his broken heart was mended and his depression was lifted. I can hear Jesus saying to him, "Welcome home, my good and faithful servant."

I know what my friend endured as I, too, when the church turned on my after nearly seventeen years went into depression and took a sabbatical from preaching. During the time of my healing, I came to realize that faith is not in a denomination or local church but in Jesus Christ. He was the source of my healing and continues to be my Companion and Guide.

I am back preaching as guest minister at various churches but, I don't attend my denominational church where I reside. I am so sick and tired of the church's politics wherein a powerful minority makes decisions for the majority claiming they know what is best for the congregation. Each day I live, I come closer to the Lord and my faith runs deep and strong. "On Christ the solid rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...."

List of Prayer Request or Prayer?

I receive several church newsletters from different parts of the United States. Most of the are about the same as they list the happenings or future events in the life of the congregation. Every single one of them prints a list of people who need prayer. It seems as though, the church desires each person to pray for those on the list.

I ponder this: Is is a list of prayer request or does it stimulate real prayer? Seldom do I see in any of the church newsletters a notice of a "prayer meeting." When I was a child and a youth, my home church had a prayer meeting on Wednesday evening. During prayer meeting, time was spent in concentrated and earnest prayer for those on the list or ones that were verbally mentioned that evening. It was a time of prayer power with only one song and a minute or two devotional.

Prayer can and does make a difference. When the Body of Christ gathers for prayer great things can happen. Continue with the lists, if you must, but spend extended time in concentrated prayer for those on the list. Certainly you can pray at home but we're easily distracted by phone calls, television, the kids, etc. Come together in the sanctuary--away from all distractions--and engage in prayer. No telling what God can do when His people pray.