As a child, I always loved Vacation Bible School -- making the crafts, singing the songs, playing the games, and even the storytelling... As a youth I helped out and over the years I have continued to enjoy VBS.
As an adult, I must admit, there are times when I am less than enthusiastic about VBS. This was one of those years, as least on Monday. Why? I'm not so sure. Could it have been that my Asthma was still acting up or that I was tired before VBS began? Maybe. But that all changed through the week.
This year was a GREAT VBS YEAR. We had 57 children and youth in the program and the numbers increased as the week went on. But what amazed me the most was the joy in the hearts of the children and youth as they interacted with adults that loved them, cared about them and was glad to see them each day.
This year was the first year we had a youth class as part of VBS. We had 14 youth in the program and they were a wonderful array of youth. They were my blessing this week and because of their consistency it looks like we may be beginning a weekly youth program in the fall.
At church on Sunday, so many of those who were there shared how blessed they felt to see the joy on the faces of children they knew experienced difficulties in there lives. So many in our communities seek love, connection and caring. VBS is our chance to make a difference in Lancaster one child, one youth, one adult at a time.
I think maybe those who helped were blessed as much or more than those that came. May we each continue to be a blessing in our lives, community and world.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Unbinding the Church?!?
While at the Church Unbound Conference at Montreat, NC, we talked alot about the Church bound and unbound. Folks continued to ask what things bind us up, possibly get in the way to being the Church. Is it tradition? Is it that that's how we've always done it? Is it our preconceived notions about how to do church and to be the church? Is it the institution itself? Or is it us?
The question I kept seeing as I interacted with many who are questioning how and why we do church as we do it, was this: "How can we open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit's directing in a context where we expect this a certain way"? or How can make ourselves and our congregations accessable to those searching for a different way to do church?
I came to Montreat with one question or possibly many little questions: In an age where the majority of those under 40 are vacant from congregations, how do we reach out in the name of Jesus Christ, how do we through the power of God work to be God's conduit in the world? How do we engage those who do not relate to traditional worship into the worshipping life of our church? And how do I as pastor ready the congregation where I serve for such a call as this?
Did I find answers to these questions? Yes and No. Not specifics anyway. But what I did find was a comraderie among those asking the same questions as I. And as I continue to ask, question, and discern the future, just like we all do, I pray for those who are daring enough to do the same. For when we confront the calling to unbind what needs unbinding, we are deciding to be part of the transformation of the church -- to be willing to look at church differently -- to get ready to take part in being church in a wonderfully new yet maybe an ancient way.
And maybe it means first unbinding ourselves..... May we all allow the power of God to set us free......
The question I kept seeing as I interacted with many who are questioning how and why we do church as we do it, was this: "How can we open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit's directing in a context where we expect this a certain way"? or How can make ourselves and our congregations accessable to those searching for a different way to do church?
I came to Montreat with one question or possibly many little questions: In an age where the majority of those under 40 are vacant from congregations, how do we reach out in the name of Jesus Christ, how do we through the power of God work to be God's conduit in the world? How do we engage those who do not relate to traditional worship into the worshipping life of our church? And how do I as pastor ready the congregation where I serve for such a call as this?
Did I find answers to these questions? Yes and No. Not specifics anyway. But what I did find was a comraderie among those asking the same questions as I. And as I continue to ask, question, and discern the future, just like we all do, I pray for those who are daring enough to do the same. For when we confront the calling to unbind what needs unbinding, we are deciding to be part of the transformation of the church -- to be willing to look at church differently -- to get ready to take part in being church in a wonderfully new yet maybe an ancient way.
And maybe it means first unbinding ourselves..... May we all allow the power of God to set us free......
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