Thank you Sharon for again for reminding me why I am a Disciple and a follower of Jesus. Again you have touched me in a place that gets lost amidst my frustration of the manifestations that pass for The Church today, inside and outside the Disciples of Christ. You have a special gift for holding up a faithful banner of God's love and helping us to stay focused. Again, thank you.

Sharon,

We've never met, but I thought I might stop by and pin something to your door. I have been a member of the Christian Church nearly all of my life and I recently moved to Tennessee. What kind of experience can I expect at a Christian Church today? Well, let's imagine….

That after fighting through all the traffic headed to the Baptist church, I pull up to the Christian church, the doors are closed and there is not a single person outside. For all we know, the church is closed for business on Sunday. I brave opening the door titled "Sactuary", with thoughts interrupting the entire congregation, but thankfully, the silence is reassuring, and I go forward. The minister seems a bit startled to see me, but manages an energetic smile and wave hello. Someone hands me a bulletin and I proceed to the back of the sanctuary. Mind you, I could have my pick of any seat on any row in the church but I'm content with sitting in the back. Folks pass by with polite smiles and overheard whispers. I wonder whether those whispers have anything to do with the last time anyone had seen a visitor at Church.

I glance at the bulletin to see the bold fiscal statement showing that we're half-way through the month and the Church is already several thousand dollars in arrears. I look up to notice that the Baptismal fount is nearly invisible, as it should be, tucked away behind the choir. Only the dusty coathooks above the fount give the location away. There are no baptisms scheduled, no new members, and later no invitation to join the church, but there is one prominent farewell scheduled. I guess it eventually balances out?

The service begins with some hymns that are not familiar, but certainly have that pre-Civil War ring to them. The choir sings slowly, haltingly, somewhat off-key, but with many, many flourishes. I glance around and note that the ladies far outnumber the gentlemen. I silently wonder if there are any leadership implications in this disparity. There are many prayer requests, celebration for children at camp, and the heart of the service arrives.

There is a moment for greeting and this is really where the Disciples shine. I must have briefly met and shaken hands with at least a half dozen people; warm, sincere people. It made me think back to a time when this denomination was actually relevant, and this ability to welcome others to the body of Christ was a big reason for that relevance. Now, I wouldn't want to ask anyone there whether they knew the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve Disciples, or any other Biblically material fact that might help win others to Christ, so I just smiled and shook hands. Surprisingly, I think to myself, what would it be like to have an entire denomination sharing the same bible lesson each Sunday? But then I realize that is heresy and return focus to the service.

The sermon begins slowly, focusing on Jacob wrestling with God. Somehow the minister turns the story to depression, relationship breakups, and with just seconds to spare a single word of hope. I had always heard of Jacob's story as one of energetic triumph, so it was quite interesting to see Jacob's impressive victory and beginning relationship with God turned to depression and relationship breakups. Who would have of thought that was possible? Certainly not me.

As the sermon ended, I anticipated the call for tithes and offerings, which is kind of silly because we all know tithing isn't required and really, we're the 2% denomination anyway. But in a magnificent surprise, the communion was served first. Is this even legal to serve communion before passing the offering plate at a Disciples Church? However, my fears were quickly allayed. This congregation, like nearly every other Disciples congregation, serves the familiar pre-baked tasteless, odorless, blanch white World War II surplus communion bread. I felt right at home.

At that communion moment, it dawned on me, that with the exception of the piano, the Church of Christ had finally won us over. There were no projector screens, no new media, seemingly nothing new ever; in fact someone could be suddenly transported from 1950 and would feel right at home and wouldn't even notice the 60 year difference. It's amazing what can be done when we remain on autopilot for sixty years.

The service finally ended, with the doxology and benediction, again with many, many flourishes. We were done and everyone started slowly filing to the exits. There was no coffee hour, no Sunday night dinner, I didn't know anyone and so there was no reason to stay behind. As I walked out, the minister thanked us for coming and offered to answer any questions we might have. The doors closed and again the Church was silent.


Next week, I will not be at that Church, instead I will be travelling to Fort Worth, to watch Texas Christian University play a football game against Air Force. I cannot help but think that TCU might offer us a lesson in again becoming relevant, worthy of our name, worthy of our denomination's heritage. I will visit the congregation I spent much of my youth at, and with any luck, will be able to attend a pet blessing.

Sincerely,

Michael Lane

Sharon, just thought I'd drop by to wrap up our conversation. We enjoyed a fantastic TCU Game this weekend. It cleanly played by TCU with strength and a determination to succeed. We were impressed by the staff, especially the well mannered, overworked, quite humorous shuttle driver, and by the fans. It was an occasion where more than two were gathered.

It was our first visit to TCU and the campus is resurgent filled with renewal, with new buildings and old, carefully melded together, respectful of Christian values. The chapel is carefully preserved, adjoined by new meeting halls, dormitories and a big beautiful book store. This renewal and resurgence was evidently something that was prayed about, planned, and moved forward. Wouldn't it be great if every Christian institution was experiencing this renewal and resurgence?

After the game we rose early Sunday to go to church. We were warmly greeted at the door, while walking in to find our seats, by at least half a dozen people, a couple of church elders and the senior minister.

My wife and I took a seat near the front of the sanctuary, which appeared unchanged after 30 years. I would have expected some change, some building, some growth but if it was there, it was not visible. Perhaps the trees had grown taller, blocking out light? The rest of the congregation, mostly women, filled in behind us. There was a brief, somewhat humorous moment with a microphone turned on when it should not have been, and the service began.

Three ministers were present; one spoke about real-life experiences of building on a strong foundation. The second minister spoke of congressional concerns, including a Church leader that I had known in my youth, now in the hospital. We sang a few hymns with strong accompaniment from the guest organist. The Senior minister then offered the sermon on the parable of the sower, speaking of seed that had dropped on rocky ground versus that which yielded thirty, sixty, a hundred fold. There was a slight dip into Calvinism, the elect and the eternally damned, at which point I wanted to shout out, "I'll cover your predestination, and raise you a great commission", but as we are a denomination seeking to inherit the earth, I remained seated. The sermon ended on a high note, with a call for self-improvement and real-life experiences with a certain brand of oatmeal pies, that aren't much to look at, but are very delicious. It was an excellent sermon, especially the oatmeal pies part. And the duet that followed was enthusiastic and well-performed.

The sermon brought memories of the parable of the mustard seed, probably because I like mustard. In high school, the cafeteria was serving dark brown corpulent mustard, telling the staff had no effect, so I wrote a letter to the school newspaper, threatening cataclysmic food fights, which of course had the desired effect. The bad mustard was replaced with good. At first, the cafeteria staff felt this was an attack on their good works, but after a brief, respectful discussion, I think we all came to the shared understanding that the dark brown corpulent mustard was not good fruit and that replacing it was the right thing to do.

The offering plate was passed, communion was offered, and it was quite blanch white, odorless and tasteless. I don't want to dwell on this, but I would be hard-pressed to recall a single instance of anyone exclaiming that they came to church clamoring for the communion bread.

We sang some more and the service was over. The person who sat next to us approached us after the service and invited us to Sunday school. It was a Matthew 7:16 moment for me. Like everyone else, we have had a good tomato crops and bushels of pears that we have taken to church, to share because it was good fruit. That's what you do with good fruit. Here was someone doing exactly that, reaching out and trying to share good fruit. Because we had a 10 hour road trip ahead of us, we declined the kind offer, but rest assured, such acts of kindness last a lifetime.

So it's difficult to see the core values, spirituality, and all that is good with the Christian Church tucked in far from the street, hidden behind overgrown trees, ever shrinking. It's difficult to be invited in a new city to a different denomination that is expanding, growing, sending missionaries out, seats filled to overflowing, seemingly overflowing with good fruits. Which church should I attend that gives my children the greatest opportunity for baptism and commitment to Christ? What would you do? Write your general minister a wake up call? I'd be happy to learn that there is a Christian congregation growing, gaining in membership, with no budget woes, an integral part of the community, much less 1,000 transformed congregations this year. But I'm not optimistic.

My earlier post mentioned issues with our congregations today that are challenges that I have seen previously answered; by a minister that stood outside the front door each Sunday to welcome each parishioner by name, by a minister serving in a small church that called his congregation to the front of the sanctuary to sit together as family, by an elder that decided to bake fresh flatbread after years of every tired attempt to wring the savor and meaning from the Lord's Supper, by a Christian church that brought adults and children together in the same (age-appropriate) bible lesson each Sunday. Other challenges, such as the lack of male leadership in the Church, our uneven record in the singing department, and lack of progress and loss of membership in the past 50 years are more problematic. We fight these challenges individually but seemingly never drive to the point where we can solve them thirty, sixty, a hundred fold. Apparently we have all the drawbacks of a movement and none of the advantages of a denomination?

True introspection is difficult. It's difficult for me to recognize all the ways I have fallen short as the spiritual leader of my family. It's difficult for me to see a denomination and church that has shown me so much love (and a few challenges too) struggle so mightily, trying to seek relevance.

As I say aloha, I'd like to share some "good fruits" with you; www.klove.com.; It's a radio station, on the internet too, was/is broadcast from Indianapolis, playing contemporary Christian Music with no denominational overtones, by all appearances it is simply God/Christ-centered. It is clearly a hundredfold seed planted, reaching millions weekly, displacing what would otherwise be secular thought and music. It is something I have and will share with my family. Clearly there remains a need for this kind of Restoration witness; a singular prayerful focus responsible for much of the success we've experienced, truly worthy of the Stone-Campbell legacy. And should you ever decide to have a Christian Church tent revival? I know this minister in Texas that can fire up an oatmeal pie sermon that just might get things rolling.

Sounds like that would be an awesome campaign for our church. New advertisement or something

Hi Michael,
You and I have shared some similar experiences of church and hold some similar opinions about where we need to go from here. We are truly in a new time where being and sharing the Gospel requires us to go outside the church walls and meet those who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. In our time we need to swing wide the church doors and expect the people who we have met outside to come in for nurture and equipping in the exciting, challenging life in relationship with a living Christ.
You extend a stark challenge. Thanks for stating it so clearly.
At General Assembly we plan to start each day at hotels with prayer and Bible, to challenge each other to "Tell it!" (the good news of Jesus Christ as we have experience that good news) and to learn more about how to open ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that this will be a contribution to generating a spirit of evangelism among us.
in the meantime, blessings on your own journey and your own calling to be and share the good news in the places you are called to witness.

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for your kind, patient and understanding response that goes beyond words. Per your advice I have been doing a lot of witnessing lately. More witnessing than I can possibly share. Let's start with the roof problems the local congregation is experiencing, caused by recent music performances. Pitch perfect and quite inspiring. Praise band, choir and bell choir. Wow. It's only been the last 3 Sundays in a row, so this may be a fluke. I'll keep my eye on that. The minister has posted sermons on the church website. One sermon focusing on humility is spoken with an especially mighty, powerful voice. On Wednesday night there's a church family dinner with the finest home cooking you can imagine, filled with friendship, Christian witness, Bible Study, and a church matriarch that reads really funny jokes, with sounds of young children and teenagers in the background. The congregation is in the process of calling a family minister. And already we've witnessed several instances of the congregation reaching outside its walls in mission. The sounds of renewal and growth? Yes. Do challenges remain for this and every other Christian Church? Undoubtedly. Are there things we all can do better? Unquestionably. But I am truly hopeful. And I am quite happy and thankful to drop the dry, crusty, moldy breadcrumb perspective borne of experience to be open to and to partake in the kind of renewal I've described herein. Did I mention the wafting odor of new bread, fresh-baked bread in the sanctuary this Sunday?

Blessings to you Sharon.

General Minister & President Sharon Watkins,

Isn't it wonderful to have the - TCU Horned Frogs (football team) in the National Spotlight? They are currently ranked # 3rd in the BCS NCAA Football Polls. Coach Gary Patterson & his staff have been "Top Notch" from the moment he has come to TCU. The TCU players, especially Quaterback Andy Dalton, are a delight to watch with their sportmanship ! ! !

All during the 2010 season, TCU has been in the Top 10. Now Mountain West Conference Champions & on their way to either the - Rose Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl - BCS National Championship Game!

Now with the spotlight on TCU & the Horned Frogs . . . shouldn't we as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) let people know who we are, too ? ? ?

Disciples need - more than ever - to get the word out . . . by taking the time for TV adds to be played during the Bowl Game that TCU is invited. At a minimum, I would suggest a TV add - right - before the - Half Time Break ! ! !

We need to let the Nation & the World know that TCU - is a - Disciples of Christ institution of Higher Education & we need to let them know - who the Disciples are ! ! !

Disciples would be remiss - to - miss out on an opportunity to - High Light - our - Denomination - on the Crest of this Wave of Attention toward the TCU Horned Frogs ! ! !

Thank You for Your Ministry & Leadership,

Mark