Why No One Cares about Soccer

Where I live (in Algona, Iowa) virtually no one is interested in the World Cup. And the more I think about that fact, the more I am bothered by it. Why? Because the World Cup is a worldwide phenomenon. Almost half the world's population tunes in to watch. HALF!!! I don't think that many people even own television sets so that really shows how many people go out of their way to watch.

It makes the Super Bowl look like an adorably tiny event in comparison. Even if you're not into sports, you have to recognize the political and cultural impact of these soccer teams. For example, I'm fascinated by how Barcelona and Madrid's teams represent long-feuding political factions.

Not watching the World Cup is like saying you don't care what happens in other countries. The World Cup is one of the largest shared events in world history... not participating just seems wrong.

Of course, maybe I'm just biased. A recent Freakonomics podcast had the title "Why America Doesn't Love Soccer (Yet)." [Even that title reveals something, haha, because South America loves soccer. It's only the USA that doesn't care]. The podcast suggested that most people who watch soccer have a connection to Africa, Europe, or South America. For me that's the case: my dad was born in Zaire and I have relatives living overseas.

I also wouldn't exist if it weren't for soccer. It's true. My dad was playing on his college soccer team and my mom joined a 'cheer squad' which wrote little encouraging notes to leave in their lockers. They didn't know each other before that. My dad asked her to dinner as a way of saying thank you and, as they say, the rest is history.

So where does all of this leave me? I've resigned myself to the fact that no one around me watches soccer. I'm okay watching in isolation (though actually, my wife has surprisingly gotten excited for this World Cup). My only concluding statement would be this: if you have never watched a high-quality soccer game before, check out one of these final games of the World Cup. Try to imagine what gets the world so excited every four years.

Church Photo Directory

Our church is about to take pictures for a new photo directory. The last one came out years ago so we are all excited to have something that represents our current community. And in scheduling the photos we have discovered two interesting groups:

1. Those who are not "members" but still want to be in our directory.

Several of these individuals have approached us cautiously to say, "I'm not really an official member. But I feel connected to the people of this church and I have enjoyed my time here. May I be in the photo directory?" For example, a person may come to our Saturday night worship service but then go to a different church on Sunday morning. Or they may join a midweek small group and begin to build meaningful friendships there.

We actually have quite a few people that fall into this category because our church cares more about spiritual encouragement than institutional loyalty. And truly, when I think of Algona UMC, many of these "non-members" are the first to come to mind because they are seeking and building the kingdom of God. They are the ones who want to grow in their faith, who share their victories and struggles, and are seeking God's will no matter where it may take them.

Should we allow them to join our directory? Absolutely! It makes no sense to say these individuals are not part of our church family. They are with us week in and week out, blessing and challenging us (and hopefully vice-versa). Including them in the directory is just common sense.

2. Those "members" who are M.I.A.

I had someone approach me today and ask, "What about our church members who have not heard that we are scheduling photos to be taken?"

I misunderstood the heart of the question so I answered, "Oh, good question! We have been encouraging the church family to share with other members about the photo directory. We also have been announcing it in church service for a couple of months. Plus, we have been e-mailing the announcement weekly and have included it in our monthly newsletters that are sent out."

This individual responded, "Some people don't come to church activities and don't read those announcements. How are they going to hear?"

Hmm. So let me get this straight -- we are talking about a group of people who, at least for the last several months, have not wanted to come to church activities or be involved with the church community?

Not only would I question if these individuals are part of our church in any real sense of the word... but I would also question, "Why!?" Why in the world would a person want to be in our church directory if they do not want to be involved with our church community or in any of our church activities? That makes no sense. It's absurd. Yet, I've recently been having this kind of conversation with a handful of different persons.

I want to end on a positive note by saying that if they are lapsed members, who are not active, M.I.A., those who have cut themselves off... then certainly our desire should be to reach out with truth and love. I encourage every member of our church to invite their friends and neighbors to come experience Christ-centered community. That's not just the job of church staff: If you are motivated by God's love then sharing an invite like that is just common sense.

A Healthy Church: 1 Thessalonians 1:5

 

"Our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."

 What made the church in Thessalonica so healthy and successful? Paul describes the reasons in the sentence above. Let's go through them one at a time:

1. Power

A healthy church has power. Paul was the first to admit he had no power of his own. The only way a ministry can have power is if it points to, and draws from, the ultimate source of power, which is God. In this context, ‘power’ means things that happen which are impossible without God in the equation. Miracles. I think that’s why God uses such imperfect people. A healthy church knows the true source of their power.

2. Holy Spirit

When Jesus ascended to Heaven, his disciples were freaked out. They didn’t know how they would grow the church without the physical presence of their Lord.   But Jesus told them that something even better was about to happen. After Jesus left, every believer would be filled with the Holy Spirit.  So at any moment of the day, in any place, you could have an immediate and up-close communion with God. If the believers in the Old Testament had any idea then I think they would have been jealous of the opportunity we have to be indwelt by God's presence. So really, for a healthy church to have the Holy Spirit means that a healthy church is aware of this up-close presence of God in their lives.



3. Full Conviction

What "full conviction" means is being sure of your beliefs. And how do you become sure? Well, over time you see the solid and lasting changes that following Jesus has made in your life. You become convinced that God has transformed you into a new person. And you know that nothing in this world could ever undo the love that God has for you.

When you think of this on the level of community, it has some really powerful implications.   One implication that pops into my mind is that genuine faith will outlast inauthentic faith, every time. All those bitter people who have taken their eyes off of Jesus, can’t outlast the love and hope that is being built up between followers of Jesus. Just can’t be done.

Rage against God

Christopher Hitchens was the charismatic and witty leader of a movement called the New Atheists. His debates are fascinating to watch and it only takes a few moments to see why he was the poster boy for militant anti-theism. For example, just watch the 4-minute opening statements of these panelists (Christopher was pitted against 4 esteemed theologians/professors).


I've recently been thinking about Christopher's struggles because I just finished a book by his famous brother, Peter Hitchens. Peter is an accomplished journalist who is just as articulate and brilliant as his sibling. What makes the story of these two brothers so interesting is that Peter was also an anti-theist until, in his adult life, he came to a powerful realization that Jesus is indeed the risen Christ.

Am I intrigued by these brothers because I also have a brother who seems the polar opposite of me? Just consider how my brother runs a successful fashion blog and is an incredible visual artist. I, on the other hand, wear clothes until they fall apart (though my wife is quickly changing that bad habit) and can barely draw stick figures. It's almost comical how evenly split we seem in life's pursuits, each being the complement of the other.

Regardless of how different brothers are, they love each other. At least I know I love my brother, and I believe Peter and Christopher (though their relationship was at many times rocky) still cared for one another.

The way I love is defined and motivated by one thing more than any other: the more I love someone, the more I want to tell them about Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is the redeemer.

Just like the panelists share in the above video, Jesus reveals the meaning of life. He is historically proven to be a man who resurrected from the dead, which he claimed is proof of his divinity. And following Jesus leads to an endless series of fun, fulfilling discoveries.

So today I've going to lift up a prayer for every pair of siblings who have differences. And as Mother's Day approaches, I pray for all families who will discuss matters of faith around the kitchen table or family room. May their conversations bring them deeper into relationship. Amen.

Stretch Your Comfort Zone through Faith

[The following opinion column can be found in this week's edition of the Algona Upper Des Moines newspaper]

How important would something have to be for you to step outside your comfort zone? I came face to face with that question a few weeks ago when I had the chance to travel to Haiti, a place where nothing would feel familiar.

My team was traveling to an orphanage with emergency supplies of baby formula, diapers, and baby clothes. These 400 pounds of items were donated by members of my church but also their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. I felt honored to represent my church and my town in delivering these gifts. Still, why me? Was it really necessary that I go?

While at the orphanage I held babies that had been abandoned by their parents. Some of these newborns had been left on the side of the road to die. Now that they were rescued and had formula, they would have a chance to live. My decision to come on this trip had impacted lives. Still, why me? Couldn’t someone else have come in my place?

My senses were overloaded. My ears filled with the strange words of a language I didn’t understand, the honks of cars swerving without traffic laws, and the constant shouts of “blanc!” meaning “white person!” In my nostrils, I felt the burn of garbage piles on the side of the road. In my teeth, I tasted the remnants of the goat, rice, and plantains that my team had for lunch.

All around me, children tugged on my shirt because they wanted to be lifted and held. These experiences are not quickly forgotten but still, why me? God does not need my help to reach the people of Haiti.

The answer to “why?” is that God nudged me to go. Maybe, just maybe, God is using this article to nudge you to go too. After all, God knows that we grow most vibrantly when we are outside our comfort zones. God wants to bring us to a place where we are depending on His strength because in that place, we will have a deeper understanding of His grace.

Last week we celebrated the lengths that God would go through to show someone how much He loves them. As Romans 5:8 shares, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The question is, how far will we go to share God’s love with others? Take a step this week; ask your pastor or missions director for an opportunity to serve.

To hear from the missionaries that live and work at this orphanage in Haiti, be our guest at Algona First United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 26, for 5 p.m. worship and 6 p.m. questions and refreshments. Thank you and have a great week.

Haiti Team in Algona

[I encourage anyone who lives in Algona to pick up a copy of this week's edition of the Algona Upper Des Moines newspaper. For everyone else, here is the text of a recent article on our recent Haiti trips]

Making a Difference in Haiti: Teams Find Stepping Out of their Comfort Zone Rewarding
By Mindy Baker, Editor

     If going to Haiti has been a part of your bucket list, but you didn't know how to make that first step, the First United Methodist Church in Algona will give you a hand.

     On Saturday, April 26, the church, located at 201 E. Nebraska Street, will host Haitian missionaries Les and Catherine DeRoos in a special worship service at 5pm, with a question and answer time following the service.

     "We wanted to have them for a Saturday service so that people could go to their home church on Sunday, yet still hear about their mission," said Matthew Wester, Director of Congregational Care and Development.

     First United Methodist Church has partnered with Global Compassion Network, an international group based in Eagle Grove that supports orphanages, provides disaster relief and helps build Safe T Homes. Over the past year, a scout team and two mission teams from the church have traveled to Haiti to help to help with the GCN mission.

     "I read an article on the Safe T Homes in the Iowa Soybean Digest," said Al Koenecke, who was a member of the scout team and part of the first team that traveled to Haiti in February for 10 days to assist with an orphanage for girls, building homes and a sanitation system. "It bothered me that, as a farmer, I had not heard anything about these Safe T Homes, and that corporations were sponsoring these homes. It bothered me as a Christian that they were doing my work. I needed to go and do something."

     Koenecke stated it took less than three phone calls for him to get involved with the GCN.

     A second team went in March, bringing supplies for a widows and infants village. A total of seven suitcases worth of donated baby supplies, each weighing 50 lbs., was taken to the village, which connects widows to abandoned or orphaned children.

     "Two things touched me the most," said Bill Burtnett, who brought his son Tom, a senior at Algona High School, on the March trip. "I've done travel in Mexico, but the poverty in Haiti is on a wider scale than I ever thought. It is so deep, and it is so disheartening."

     The other thing that touched Burtnett was the interaction with the orphaned children.

     "It breaks my heart that they don't know a family," said Burtnett. "They have a good life, but it's not the same."

     Also on the March trip was Doug Anderson, whose experience as a mechanic kept him very busy during his 10 days in Haiti, helping with water sanitation, building solar panels and overseeing construction of the Safe T Homes.

     "Whatever skills you have, they will use," said Anderson. "I was really surprised how well the children are brought up. They are all clean, happy and well-behaved. They are all so appreciative for the help you are giving them."

     For Judy Samp, who went on the February team, the opportunity to work in Haiti became a desire after hearing stories from the scout trip.

     "I was apprehensive at first, but now I want to go back," said Samp.

     For her, it was interacting with the children, teaching them marketable and life skills -- even with the language barrier -- that meant the most to her.

     "They are truly happy people, even with their poverty," said Samp.

     "Our culture is rich in monetary things, and poor in spirit," said Koenecke. "We complain. They are poor, but so rich in spirit. They have more joy in life than we do."

     Wester explained that the program is working on sustainable change for Haitians.

     "This is not a short term project. The Global Compassion Network is making change within for the children and women of Haiti," said Wester.

     Because of that, Wester, and members of both of the first teams, hope that the community attends the special service on Saturday.

     "This is a nondenominational program," said Anderson. "If you have ever even considered going on a mission trip, now is the time. Go with an open mind."

     "This program isn't just addressing physical needs and saving lives, it's also sharing the love of God," said Wester. "You'll work hard, but we're really helping to do major things."

     For more information, attend the question and answer program at First United Methodist Church, which will be held after the 5pm service on Saturday, April 26, or contact Matthew Wester at the church at 515-295-7241

Open Mic Prayer Requests

There's almost no wrong way to pray. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. And authentic prayer (which is truly seeking God) will inevitably lead to: a deepening sense of God's love, a more faithful alignment of your will to God's, and an increase in discernment throughout the day. Prayer is powerful.

So why is it so tricky to take prayer requests during a church service?

 

Photo credit: Lars Hammar via Flickr

Consider this imagined scenario: Pastor Jim takes a moment during worship to ask if anyone has a joy or concern they would like him to lift up in prayer. Eleanor's arm shoots up into the air. She is eager to share.

The only problem is that Eleanor is sharing some news she heard through the grapevine. As Eleanor begins to speak, Pastor Jim realizes that part of what she is sharing is inaccurate. To make matters worse, he is pretty sure Eleanor did not ask for permission to share about this person's struggle.

If you were Pastor Jim, how would you handle this situation?
     Would you gently cut off Eleanor and pray a general, less-detailed prayer for the situation?
     Would you correct Eleanor's information, running the risk of breaking confidentiality?
     Would you allow the worship service to be broadcast on local television? Or edit the prayers out?
     Would you change to taking prayer requests by card instead of by open mic?

These are real questions that ministry leaders have to ask themselves. On one hand, they want to encourage the congregation to be people of prayer. On the other hand, part of being a shepherd is to create a safe environment for people to grow in their faith. Hmm.

Well, I'll leave you to ponder that scenario. But let me end by sharing about something powerful that happened this past weekend at my church: Normally we have a time of open-mic prayer requests before the sermon. I really enjoy this time (even though I remain sensitive to the dangers described above). This past weekend, however, we changed the order of the service and our prayer time came after the sermon.

Wow, what a difference that change made! The music and sermon must have churned our souls because that responsive time of prayer felt genuine and Spirit-filled. And that's what prayer should always be -- putting the focus on Jesus and getting excited about next steps. So be encouraged today that prayer is a powerful thing and God wants to spend time with you.

Water for Shepherds Podcast Interview

I was recently interviewed for the Water for Shepherds podcast, which provides words of encouragement for spiritual leaders. The interview gave me a chance to talk about the ups and downs of ministry as well as what inspires me. It's always a good time to talk about God and His unfailing grace.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

My Recent Trip to Haiti

I recently got back from a mission trip to Haiti. My overall impression is that Haiti is a spiritually dark country (with voodoo, poverty, a corrupt government, and a complex relationship with international aid) BUT that the Gospel is creating new hope. In other words, we saw a lot of heartbreaking challenges but God's love is bigger than our brokenness.

Here is a picture of an orphan, Bebi, after she taught me how to count in Creole. I had a really fun time trying to communicate with the girls at the orphanage. Though I quickly realized how little French I could remember from my studies. During soccer games I would joke around and so the kids starting calling me kokay, little rascal.

These metal houses are made out of grain bin materials. Our team built two of them while we were there. When people see these pictures they wonder if the houses are hot inside. Surprisingly, the temperature is cooler inside the houses than outside, due to the double-layer heat shield on the roof and the hot air escaping through a vent on the top of the house. Plus, these houses are earthquake-proof, fire-proof, termite-proof, and will last for decades.

Global Compassion Network builds these homes so that needy families will have a new, safe, free place to live. The picture above is of a new GCN project, the Widows and Orphans project. Basically, widows are going to live in the homes and look after newborns who were abandoned by their parents. These babies will hopefully be adopted before the age of three but if not, they will then be moved into one of the nearby orphanages.

Three babies had recently been rescued and brought into the orphanage. Our team got to bond with them during our 10 day stay. Tragically, the day after we left, one of the babies passed away. His name was Levi and he was a little over a year old and by the time he was dropped off at the orphanage. The missionaries did what they could but it was too little too late, he had too many health issues. His death is a sober reminder of the high stakes, and that we need to keep these missionaries in our prayers.

On the bright side, our team was able to bring hundreds of pounds of baby items with us in our luggage. Praise God for generous donations from the Algona community. This baby formula, diapers, and clothes will make a real difference. Oh, and it also allowed us to have the strange/fun experience of checking a completely empty bag on the trip home. The airline ticket counter probably doesn't see a lot of empty bags like that.

So whew, I'm back in the United States again. Back to the convenience of putting toilet paper straight into the toilet, of speaking my own language, of walking down the street without hearing people yell "blanc!" meaning 'white person.'

And I can't wait to tell people about my journey. Why? Because my trip shows how God is at work, both in the hearts of Haiti and in the hearts of those team members who went.

A Little Inspiration

I've had this idea in the back of my mind; a Bible Reading Plan that contains, with each day, some interesting video or artwork. For example, let's say you're reading about the Exodus. What would the parting of the Red Sea look like from Google Maps?

If a reading plan contained a handful of images like this in each entry (artistic re-imaginings, performing arts, images that connect the Scriptures with our daily living), then I would tune in to see what came next.

Let's say you have a few more minutes to spend and you're in John 1. Here is a video of a dance/spoken word piece that beautifully demonstrates the story of the Gospel. The tap dancer is Jesus, the rapper is John the Baptist, and the other dancers are us.


"Words and Pictures" - Urbana 09 from InterVarsity twentyonehundred on Vimeo.

I remember seeing this performance at the Urbana Conference in 2009. At the time it really helped me to appreciate John 1 (and Genesis 1) in a new way. Of course the art of this Bible Reading Plan would, hopefully, just add to the reader's excitement to discover the biblical text. The Bible is vibrant, thrilling, and can shape our daily lives because the Bible is the primary way God speaks into our lives.

What do you think? Would you spend a few minutes each day visiting a reading plan like that?