There's No Room for Competition in the Community of Faith

There's no room for competition in the community of faith. I know "competitive-type" elders, pastor's and church leaders like to rationalize the positive contributions it can make within a faith community, but our leader has already weighed in on the matter. His disciples were holding their own little competition about who among them would be the greatest:

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

The world offers enough competition. College athletics, the NFL, NBA, MLB and the PGA Tour can more than meet the competition quotient in each of us. Not to mention all the competitive posturing and positioning that occurs on the job and in the marketplace for sales, market position, promotions, business acquisition and mergers, etc. Perhaps the greatest example of competition is gambling. I was speechless many years ago as my son and I observed two men on the adjacent teebox at our little community golf course. They were trying to out-drive each other on the golf hole and one of the guys had put his brand new Big Bertha driver on the line for the longest drive. At the time that driver cost more than all the clubs in my bag! The guy lost and exploded with language that would make the film rating board blush. He was beside himself. What a great visual lesson for my son. I remember thinking to myself, "That guy has just spoiled a beautiful walk with a friend." My son and I continued our's.

For those who never seem to be satisfied with enough competition might I suggest a session with a good therapist. Follow competitive streaks long enough and you'll eventually find deep-seeded anger, serious control, or insecurity issues.

Competition by itself is not dangerous. In many settings it can be healthy. But a little of it can go a long way. Like fathers who "have to" beat their young sons in driveway basketball or on the golf course because it's the only way to "teach them" to learn how to really play. That's the biggest load of malarky to justify an adult driven competitive streak I've ever heard. Trust me, our children will have a lifetime to learn, appreciate and experience competition. I'm with the author of the best-seller, Life's Little Instruction Booklet: "When playing with children always let them win." Perhaps this is why Upward Basketball has become so popular. I like their approach where, "Everyone is a winner!"

Which really gets to the heart of church competitions. There's too much of it. And much of it originates with pastors. How God must ache over our positioning, posturing and inability to build up other churches and leaders, and our not-so subtle attempts at humor or gossip at the expense of other churches or ministries. Life is too short, the Kingdom too near, the culture too dark for Christ-followers to engage in reputational or statistical competition. God needs all of us and we need each other.

What would happen if we were cheerleaders for other churches and leaders in our community? I dare say the community reaction would be as shocking as when the Macy's Santa Claus directed shoppers to Gimball's in the classic Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street. So what do you say brothers and sister's in Christ? Let's shock the world by building each other up, exalting our Savior and building "His" church!

Hug Someone!

Hug your child today. Hug your spouse today. Hug a friend today. Hug your Mom or Dad. Hug friends and members of your small group. Hug someone you run into who's having a difficult time. Hug your doctor. Hug a co-worker. Hug your mail carrier. Hug your pastor. Hug your teammates. Hug the single mother, or senior adult who attends your church. Hug the Barista at your favorite coffee stop. Hug your dry cleaner. Hug your mechanic. Hug the plumber. Don't worry about being "PC" when you hug. Just hug!

Lee Shapiro a retired judge in Northern California became famous for hugging total strangers. He started with people in his courtroom and pretty soon it spilled into the courthouse and into the streets. Shapiro's colleagues dubbed him the "hugging judge" and his story was told several years ago by "Chicken Soup for the Soul" authors, Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen. Shapiro hugged everyone and everywhere he went he promoted this simple act of unconditional love. He became so popular he was invited to speak about his hugging efforts at corporate gatherings and conferences.

Our world and culture needs more hugs. We have become a fenced-in, lock the doors, fence out the neighbors, turn on the alarm, suspicious society. It's not without good reason. Tragic events at the hands of mad men, or terrorists like the shooting at Virginia Tech University earlier this week more than justify heightened security concerns. As this story continues to unfold on the Internet and on television, I keep seeing people who need to be hugged. Students, surviving victims, victims' families, staff, faculty, emergency response personnel, police, hospital personnel and even reporters covering the story need a hug.

No, a hug won't bring Monday morning back and keep the terrorist from killing and wounding innocent people before shooting himself. However, a hug can convey the greatest empathy and sympathy. It can bring healing. A hug can say, "I'm with you, even though I may not be in your shoes." A hug says, "I care". You can't get enough of hugs and prayers. Praying people should be hugging people. Isn't it time we proved it? Let's start a hugging and praying revolution!

Senseless!

The mass shootings on the Virginia Tech University campus (Monday, April 16,2007) that claimed over 30 lives and injured several others is senseless! Shock, awe, confusion, chaos, fear, worry, anxiety, profound grief, emotional numbing, all come to mind as the story has started to unfold. This tragedy is now being called the worst shooting in U.S. history.

Both houses of Congress observed moments of silence Monday and they were joined by the President in calls for the nation to pray on behalf of the students, faculty, staff and families connected to VTU. As the parent of a college student in another state I am numb. Words cannot express the anguish in my heart for the families of the victims and their fellow students.

I know this will not sit well with my NRA card-carrying, gun-owning and hunting friends (and those I know are very mature and responsible gun owners), but it needs to be said. Once again young lives have been taken by someone pointing and firing a gun. Yes, guns kill people. The old line, "guns don't kill, people kill", just won't work on this one. Do the math. Had there been stricter access to guns the shooter may have not a been able to carry out his dispicable and heinous act using a gun. No, I'm not advocating doing away with the Second Amendment right. But I am saying it's time we had an honest discussion and debate about making the purchase of any type of gun more difficult. We make kids take a test and attend driver's ed courses to obtain a license to drive. Why wouldn't we be just as serious about purchasing a gun? Will it stop the madness? No! But it will make it harder for guns to be used to harm innocent people.

Bottomline regardless of where you stand on the gun issue----the victims' families, the Virginia Tech family, and the survivors need our prayers. For those who know Christ, the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans offer the only thing I can hold onto in times of senseless death and tragedy:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39 NIV)

God is not an abandoning God, and I pray His presence will be more real than ever before to everyone connected with this horrific event. Today we are all Hokies and we mourn with our brothers and sisters in Blacksburg!

Needed Grace-givers!

I'm a grace-craver. I need, want and desire grace. From God, family, friends and people in general. Grace is something all of us need and crave. However, our culture seems to be awfully poor at dispensing it! The headlines, blogs, and tv newscasts regularly point out human failings. Most of us know when we've done something wrong, or missed the mark. We also know what we need to do about it. I believe the majority of humans have an inner detector that lets us know when we've blown it or messed up. It's called a conscience. And for those of us who are Christ followers it's called conviction.

I'm not advocating throwing out personal responsibility and accountability. We all need it. As my Mom always said growing up, "There are consequences for every action." However, our culture is really good at beating up the accused or jumping on the bandwagon of criticism for those who've messed up. Just ask the three Duke lacrosse players who were tried and convicted in public last year without a shred of evidence. And DNA later confirmed their story. Now that shoe is on the foot of the man who led the charge against them last year. I bet he'd sure like some grace right now and he's probably wishing he had been a tad more graceful in his public duties regarding the three players. Families and young lives have been dragged through the gutter of public criticism. Permanent damage has been done.

It's easy to jump on Don Imus whose recent venomous radio tirade on the Rutger's women's basketball team cost him his job, or the season long suspension of the NFL's Pacman Jones for off the field conduct. No doubt both of these men really messed up. But to be honest, I don't know either of them personally and I don't know their family situations either. Are they responsible for their behavior? Absolutely! I'm not advocating doing away with punishment, laws or personal accountability. But our tendency is to try and convict in the public court of opinion and we often continue to beat them up once justice has been served by the appropriate authorities.

As Christ-followers we know better, at least I do. Our leader was pretty clear when He told the story about our tendency to focus on the toothpick in our neighbor's eye as we totally ignore the 4X4 post in our own eye. What would happen if we spent the time we devote to talking about these situations or people in prayer? Praying for them, the situation, and those affected by the conduct? What if we dispensed the grace each of us so desperately craves and needs?

A seminary mentor of mine was fond of saying: "Grace is a liberal thing." He was absolutely right. God is so liberal with His grace. Why who in their right mind would want God to be conservative in His grace? Conservative grace only covers bits and pieces. That sounds dreadfully human and so incomplete. God's grace is liberally lavished on each of us so that we may share it with the world and give God glory. It's complete. I want to be a better grace-giver.

Can you imagine a world where Christians were known more for their grace than their campaigns against things or people, boycotts, harsh words and judgment? It might just reveal a grace-giving God. A Cincinnati area church that's nationally known as a pioneer in the ministry of kindness, had members say the following after each act of random kindness they performed: "Because Jesus has been loving and kind to us we can't help but be loving and kind to others." Now that will change a culture, community and a world!

Holy Week

It's Holy Week! The annual observation begins on Sunday (4/1) with Palm Sunday. This entire week we will remember, reflect, mourn, confess, celebrate and renew our hope as we commemorate the week of Jesus' passion before He ascended to heaven. As you move through this week, take time to reflect on the magnitude of what Jesus did for every one of us! Read Paul's hymn to Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) or the Gospel accounts of Passion Week and be reminded the depth to which Jesus went to prove God's love for us.

Easter is unapologetically Christ-centered. There's no confusion like Christmas with efforts to appease and include every single culture or faith tradition. Easter is Easter only because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His life and death is a historical fact. His impartation of God's eternal grace through His sacrificial death is a spiritual reality for those who call and claim Jesus as Lord. Salvation is through Him alone (John 14:6). You can't earn it, work for it, or buy it. It's all gift!

So enjoy this week, but while the culture emphasizes bunnies and candy to fill baskets, remember WHO made it Holy, Jesus Christ!

Heavy yellow dust descended upon Carolina houses, cars and driveways two weeks ago. It's a sure sign of Spring accompanied by an increase in Claritin and Allegra pharmacy sales! Low Country has been under the "pollen assault" for a few weeks now. The pollen count in the Upstate is high right now (10.6), and it's going to be that way for awhile. I won't bore you with a biological lesson in pollen. Read about it for yourself at Wikpedia. I washed our cars Saturday evening and they were both covered in yellow dust before Sunday worship was over!

While the yellow "sneeze and sniffle" dust reminds us that Spring has arrived, it also serves as a reminder that God is in control of creation and nature is following His bidding. You and I are not in control! For control types, let me repeat that, you and I are not in control! I need to be reminded of that from time to time. The world may be a small place thanks to technology, but God isn't. He's absolutely huge and creation is His handiwork. His painting is on display for the all the world to see. As we approach Holy Week, I'm going to try and focus more on the buds, flowers, bees, and warmer temps than I am on my allergies and the annoying yellow dust. May our earthly focus share the heavenly perspective of the psalmist who wrote:

You care for the land and water it;you enrich it abundantly.The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. (Psalm 65:9-13)

Go Dawgs!

Okay, please forgive the personal liberty I'm taking with this entry. But my beloved Butler Bulldogs (my college alma mater) take on SEC powerhouse and reigning NCAA champs, Florida tomorrow (Friday, 3/23) night. Their arrival at the NCAA Sweet 16 is no small achievement. This team was picked at the beginning of the season to finish in the basement of their conference! While they didn't win the conference tournament, they maintained a national ranking the entire season and beat some very good teams like Gonzaga and Tennessee to earn an at large bid to the big dance. The irony is that there's no major star on this team. The star is the TEAM! Head Coach Todd Lickliter was interviewed after the Maryland win last weekend:

I like to go and watch guys make the extra pass, I like to see guys cheer teammates, I like to see guys play without concern for themselves," said Butler head coach Todd Lickliter after defeating Maryland last Saturday. "So as we recruit, we want people that are somewhat selfless. That's a hard thing. We all have egos.

Coach Lickliter is being modest. What he's done with "team" play is just short of a miracle. And when you consider the huge cash disparity between Butler and the major conference schools they are facing in the tournament it's just staggering. ESPN's Kyle Whelliston described this David v.s. Goliath financial disparity in a recent article about the team play of Butler and Southern Illinois who barely lost to national powerhouse Kansas tonight:

And on Friday, Butler's program and its $9.6 million athletic budget will go up against national champion Florida and its enormous $78 million coffers. But already having defeated schools like Notre Dame ($55.4m) and Tennessee ($66.1m) in November, and Maryland ($46.2m) last weekend, the Bulldogs aren't going to be scared by a few extra bucks." For more go to: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney07/columns/story?id=2807490

I love an underdog. I love "team" effort any day over superstar obsession. Nothing against Durant, Oden and other superstars, but I love teams where no one remembers individual players' names, just the uniform color of the school. I hope these Butler Bulldog's remember the scene from the movie "Hoosiers" that was shot years ago in the very venue where they play their home games (historic Hinkle Fieldhouse) and remember the scene when Coach Norman Dale (played by Gene Hackman) measured the floor and showed his team from a rural small town that the floor at Hinkle where they were playing the state championship was the same size as their little school's gym floor in Hickory. That team had a great shooter, but it would take a team effort for the boys from the fictional "Hickory" to win a state title. By the way, the movie was loosely based on the 1954 victory by rural Milan over a big city school from Muncie.

For those who are regulars on this blog and need a "church" parallel it's simple. We achieve so much more for God when we focus on our collective strength and mission as the church (note a small "c") universal, instead of focusing on building a single mega-church, or promoting a mega-star pastor who takes the "show" on the road to large urban arenas pushing books, CD's and promoting their publishing wing. Think about it. Thousands and thousands of anonymous people are touched each week in communities of faith where unknown and unpublished people are simply living out their faith and pointing people to Christ while ministering in His name. Their focus is on the kingdom of God and less about building their church. That's a team or community approach. Jesus reminded two of his disciples that it's not about your position, order or title, when they were arguing and campaigning to sit at His right hand. It's about the kingdom and when we work together as a community of faith God wins every time!

Here's to the DAWGS! Win one for the late, great coaching legend Tony Hinkle and all those teams and students who struggled through the years to get you to this place! We'd like to see a win, but if you play your hearts out and leave it all on the floor and somehow still lose, hold your heads high because you will always be winners to the many who've called 46th & Sunset our academic home over the years! Go Dogs!