iHOPE

More Than Semantics

This is part three of my response to the formation of a new ‘denominational entity’ called the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECOP).  The first two posts are below

For my money, the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership (ZMP) is a terrific example of what happens when churches gather around a common mission. If this project stopped there, it would still be an inspiring story of what happens when churches respond to God’s Spirit.

But this story doesn’t end there.

  As the ZMP progressed in its work, connections were made with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. Conversations began about establishing an official connection between the Presbytery of Denver and the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.  In 2005, that became a reality. I was privileged to be part of a delegation that went to Zimbabwe to ratify a new, missional relationship between the two presbyteries.

Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing

This is part 2 of my response to the formation of a new ‘denominational entity’ called the ECOP.  You can read the first post here.

The Main Thing is to keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing

Max Dupree

One of the stated reasons for launching the ECOP, is to restore the ‘missional’ nature of the church. The PCUSA, we are told, has become so bogged down in bureaucracy and squabbling about ‘fringe’ issues, it has lost its core, its passion and its ability to effectively engage in Christ’s mission to the world.

I get it.  Who would want to be a part of a church like that? Not me.

That’s why I love telling people about the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership. It is a prime example about being ‘missional’ and keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing.

What Happened in Orlando- and Why I Wasn't There.

This past week, more than 2,000 Presbyterians met in Orlando for gathering to discuss the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA)- or rather, the lack it. Beginning last year with a letter from a group of (mostly large church) pastors that declared our denomination was "deathly ill", an organization called the Fellowship of Presbyterians (FOP) was formed and culminated in the unveiling of a new denominational entity called, The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECOP- their new logo is displayed above). You can read more about it here. While it claims that this split was not simply over the issue of homosexuality and ordination, it is also no secret that this has been the lightning-rod that spurred this movement. At this point, it is a new denomination that allows others to affiliate with it, even if they choose to stay in the PCUSA.

If you click on the links above and read through the materials, you will find some exciting materials about what the Church is called to be- and could be in the future. I love the passion, admire many of the leaders and embrace their stated values.

So why wasn't I part of the launch of this "new reformed body"?  I will answer that question more fully in the week to come, but I'll answer it briefly here with another question:

A Good Week to be "New Hope"

  It's been one of those weeks.

  There was a lot that was planned that didn't happen. That is because there was a lot that happened that wasn't planned.

  We had two funerals this week. One was for a man almost 91. The other was for a young man just 18.

In This Place & Time...

  I started a new sermon series for January on Prayer. Its one of those things that everyone knows you should do (and do more) but the dirty little secret is many of us don't pray very much. When we do, we feel like failures. What can we do to make prayer more vital, and more real?

 

  On Sunday, I suggested that the first thing we need to do is 'unlearn' some things we though we knew about prayer and about being 'spiritual'.  Contrary to the way many of us have been taught to pray (bowed head, eyes closed, hands folded & world blocked out), the best way forward may be to raise your head, open your eyes, unclasp your hands and engage the world God has given us.  In short,  I believe we will pray better when we become less 'spiritual' and more 'physical'.

Prayer in Worship : "Help Me Believe in Beginnings"

We are doing a series on prayer in January ("In This Place & Time...") and one of the prayers used in worship on Sunday was, "Help Me Believe in Beginnings."

Its a wonderful prayer for a new year- or anytime you are feeling like there is a need for a new beginning.

 

God of history and of my heart, so much has happened to me during these whirlwind days:  
I've known death and birth;
I've been brave and scared;
I've hurt, I've helped;
I've been honest, I've lied;
I've destroyed, I've created;
I've been with people, I've been lonely;
I’ve been loyal, I've betrayed;
I've decided, I've waffled;
I've laughed and I've cried.

You know my frail heart and my frayed history - and now another day begins.

Prayer in Worship, by John Baillie

We're taking the month of January to learn about Prayer- prayer that connects to the real world, "in this place and time."  I used a couple different prayers in worship and will post them throughout the week.

The first is from John Baillie. Whenever I am asked about a resource for prayer, Baillie is one of my first recommendations. He was a Scot and noted theologian of the 20th century. At one point, he was elected as Moderator of the World Council of Churches. He several books on prayer, with Diary of Private Prayer as the most well-known. This was the book I took with me all during my sabbatical a couple years ago.  If you want to deepen your prayer life, you could do a lot worse than pray along with John Baillie as your guide.