StoryWorks

The Lost Coin
via youtube.com

Last weekend I went to my neighborhood Best Buy to purchase a new digital camera for use on some upcoming trips. I spent more than I wanted to, but all the consumer guides pointed me to this purchase. I rationalized it as we do with many big purchases.

Well I used the camera -- which I loved -- for an entire week before I lost it. Or before it was stolen. (I'm not sure which.)

I spent several hours yesterday searching my car, my apartment and retracing my steps all over DC where I remember taking photos. But nothing.

I think it's likely that the camera either fell out of my bag or was pickpocketed out of my bag or I misplaced it.

But it's gone and I'm just sick over it. (I'm just not the type to lose things.)

This morning I thought about the parable of the Lost Coin and how Jesus told that story to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. As I was searching on the Net for commentary about the parable, I came across the video.

I think this pastor hit a very important point when he asked his congregation, "Do the people who come here matter? More than those who aren't here yet?"

Years ago when I was a teenager, each Sunday night, our youth director asked us to name out who was missing from our youth group meetings. I loved that because it prompted us to think of folks who maybe we needed to do a better job of including. It also was an instant community builder. If you knew why the people missing were missing, you were more likely to pray for them and reach out to them afterwards to see if you could help.

I wish more churches understood how important this is. In a busy, over-scheduled society, churches offer us grounding and people who hold us accountable.

But first, the nine people who are there every Sunday need to check in on the one who's not.

As for the lost camera, whoever finds it will have to charge the battery in the camera to see the photos I took. (Interestingly, they were mostly picture of people from my church.)

Maybe that will prompt the camera to be dropped off at the church's office.

Filed under: Church lost coin parable

Bridging Generational Differences at Church
via youtube.com

The first time I watched this video, I was completely caught off guard. I mean, it's hilarious.

Then I dug a bit and found this note on the You Tube video:

This was the opening video for our Student Fall Retreat called "You've Got Talent." Everyone is asking what inspired this. Here it goes...

1) We needed a great opening video that caught everyone off guard, and set the the tone for the weekend.

2) With this idea in mind, we thought we could use this video as a great object lesson about media choices (kinda creepy hearing your grandparents sing some of this)

3) This has been a GREAT transgenerational culture experiment. It has totally bridged a gap with our Senior adults and our students. Hope you enjoy!

In my church, we've been blessed with a huge number of new members in the last five years. Nearly all of these members are under 35. They are giving a higher rates that other members and they are a very active part of the congregation.

Some of our long time members, many of whom are over 75, are feeling a bit displaced. They have a different way of doing church and they are a little overwhelmed at the pace of change in our congregation.

I don't know what church created this video and I'm not sure of their theology, but I am sure that they were trying to address a similar generational divide. My guess is that they succeeded.

If our church is any guide, the divide isn't really age, but a comfort level with the pace of change. In my view, change is a sign of a healthy congregation. But try telling that to those who fear change or want to stop it.

What ideas do you have to make people a little more comfortable with the changes necessary to keep a congregation thriving?

Filed under: church Funky Fresh Senior Choir generational differences healthy congregations

Our Church's Benediction for Labor Day

At church today, I read a benediction focused on Labor Day. I wanted to share it with you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the carpenter's son, let your labors be for the Glory of God and for the common good.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Mary's son, let all of your living be for love.

In the name of Jesus Christ, God's Son, let our labor not be for a paycheck but for a world changed by God's love and justice.

May God, Creator of the universe, maker and shaper of all things, bless your labor as well as your rest. May the Son of God, the son of a carpenter, bless all of the work that you do. May the Holy Spirit, ever working for the new creation, bless your service and keep you in God's purpose, now and forevermore.

Amen.

Filed under: Benediction Church Labor Day
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