April 27, 2011 Newsletter Article

…According to John The Lenten Season and Easter Sunday are past and what a glorious time it was. Thank you to all the people who rehearsed and performed music, who decorated the church, who led us through the “Journey to the Cross”, who participated in the All-Church Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt, and who participated in our Lenten Morning Prayers. I truly believe the Holy Spirit was experienced here. I have been reflecting on my Lenten Journey and have written about it on my blog. You can access it there if you are interested. On a personal note, I want you to know this has been one of the most spiritually moving Lenten seasons of my adult life. Now where do I go? Where do we go? A few months ago I sent Don Johnson and David Eck to a workshop sponsored by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation entitled “Creating a Congregational Culture of Generosity”. The basic premise of the workshop was the more connected congregants become, and the more involved they become, then the more generous they are with their talent, time, and treasure. To me the connectedness and participation comes as a result of increased spiritual depth. Everything changes when we grow in our relationship with God through the Risen Lord. As we, collectively and individually, focus on our Walk, then old concerns pass. Members are passionate and eager to serve. Participants intentionally invite and welcome others into our community. There is a joy and hope that is palpable, so much so that others want to experience it. Negativity and criticism are abated. There is a profound desire to serve God through participation in the faith community. How are we fed? First, it is individual initiative and action. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. No one else can open it, but you. The discipline of daily prayer and Bible reading is a priority only you can establish. I send out daily emails and scripture readings. Perhaps that is a start, but the “still small voice” speaking is always a personal experience. Second, we participate in corporate worship…regardless of the “style”. In corporate worship we stand before God with our praise and thanksgiving. The efficacy of worship is not determined about how we feel about it or “if our needs were met”. The power of worship is that one chooses to praise and worship God, regardless of life circumstances. Third, we are fed when we seek to feed others, to teach children, sponsor youth, call on the sick and homebound, make evangelistic calls, pray for our neighbors, work for the poor, seek justice, etc. Too often we equate depth of spirituality with busyness. Numerous meetings, obligations, and scurrying do not lead to a more profound relationship with God. Increased spiritual depth leads to increased involvement. Can one see that on the outside, which it is? Yes. Our involvement is an expression of our devotion to God. We do our “work” joyfully, not complaining or commenting on others “lack of commitment”, their “lack of participation”, or “the way they did or didn’t do their job”. We serve, not out of obligation, but out of love. Grace and peace, John McLemore