Goodbye to my friends

     I have been saying "Goodbye" to several of my friends.  You probably do not know some of my friends.  I estimate to have about 1,100 of them.  B. H. Carroll provided me some of my friends.  He wrote the volumes, INTERPRETATION OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE.  Carroll was a former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
     Two old timers (classics) adorn my shelves:  Armitages' HISTORY OF BAPTISTS and Orchard's BAPTIST HISTORY A. D. 33 TO 1800.  Orchard tried to prove that Baptists go all the way back to Jesus.  Armitage believed in what has been called the "spiritual kinship" theory in which he did not believe you could trace Baptists back to the first centuery but there were groups who are "kin" to us going back to the time of Jesus.  Neither theory is accepted by Baptist historians today, but they are classics.
     Then there are friends from my former professors:  REVELATION AS DRAMA by James Blevins, THE INTEGRITY OF THE CHURCH by E. Glenn Hinson, ACTS by John Polhill, THE WORD OF TRUTH by Dale Moody, ACTS by Frank Stagg, EXODUS by Page Kelly, DEUTERONOMY by Clyde Francisco, SURPRISED BY GOD by James Cox, etc.
     Some of my friends are from devotional writers:  PRAYERS by Michel Quoist, CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE by St. Augustine, THE SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN by Thomas Merton, KNOWING GOD by J. I. Packer, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by John Bunyan, PURITY OF HEART by Soren Kierkegaard, MARKINGS by Dag Hammarskjold, etc.
     A friend on administration:  THE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH by Rick Warren.  A controversial friend:  THE MESSAGE OF GENESIS BY Ralph Elliot.  A more recent friend:  COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY:  A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE by Siang-Yang Tan.
     I am keeping some.  I am leaving some for you, my friends, to take with you.  They are on tables in the Family Life Center.  They are my books.

CHANGING POSITIONS

     My announcement recently may have seemed abrupt so I want to let you in on the process leading up to my decision.  As I have anticipated at some time stepping aside as lead pastor I have considered the possibility of mission work or hospital chaplaincy.
     Two years ago in September I began taking a second unit in CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Spring River Christian Village under the direction of Dr. Richard Dayringer from Grove, Oklahoma.  Dr. Dayringer is a seasoned clinician who has supervised students, written several books on clinical work, and is a walking history book of the disicpline.  On Monday (my day off) from September through May I have finished a second and third unit in CPE.  This involved a morning in classes and peer group and clinical work in the afternoons.
     I was not certain that I wanted to serve as a hospital chaplain but that was a strong option.  Even if I would not serve as a chaplain, I felt the second and third units would benefit my work as a pastor.  I had completed my first unit in CPE as a part of the Doctor of Ministry.  While serving as a pastor, I also worked several hours in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO.
    Hospital chaplaincy positions do not come available that often and I was content to remain pastor at FBC and have been excited about upcoming ministries through the church.  However, Dr. Todd Decker, who heads up the Pastoral Care team at Freeman Hospitcal in Joplin, contacted me a few weeks ago.  After we talked, he offered me the position.
     Marie and I really struggled with whether this was an "open door."  On one hand I felt committed to continue serving as a pastor.  Severing long-time relationships over 33+ years could be sad indeed.  But after much conversation, prayer, and counsel, we felt this is an opportunity the Lord has provided.  We love the FBC family and pray the very best for her future.  I am excited about my ministry as a hospital chaplain.  Remember us in prayer.

DID ANYONE MISS ME?

     I have been a a member of the Nevada Rotary Club since June, 1979, when I accepted the position as pastor of First Baptist Church.  Over the past weeks (okay, months) I have been delinquent in attendance although I have paid my quarterly dues.  I have served on the Rotary board, served as program director, served as President of Rotary, and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.  This week I am going back to Rotary.  I wonder if my experience of being absent is like some who are absent from church worship and think about going back.
     AM I IMPORTANT?  I have not received one phone call from anyone telling me that I am missed.  Poor me!  When I go back will anyone recognize me?  There is an informal seating order and so will I sit in someone's spot?  Will people be glad to see me?  Will they even notice?  They are all faithful Rotarians and I have fallen from grace.  I may be sheepish.
     I HAVE MY REASONS OR EXCUSES.  Seems like my schedule has gotten the best of me!  Like last week I intended to go and I had an appointment that lasted much longer than I thought-- all the way through the noon hour.  Sometimes I have been out of town.  But to be honest there are times my reasons have been more like excuses.  I guess I usually make time for what I consider really important.
     THEY HAVE NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE ROTARY BIBLE.  Years ago when I was on the Rotary Scholarship committee we had a rule that no children of Rotarians would receive scholarships for college. Somewhere along the way that changed and I have noticed children of Rotarians have received scholarships.  That seems self-serving.  It doesn't seem to meet the "service above self" test.  But that is only my interpretation.
     I DON'T LIKE CHANGE.  I have tended to be a late arriver at Rotary.  Like some people I like to sit on the back row.  They formerly served food at the entry way so I could pick up my plate and go to the back of the dog leg dining room.  They changed it!  I have to go to the back of the dog leg to get my plate and end up sitting toward the front of the worship center, I mean dining room.  I just haven't liked some of the decisions that have been made.  But does that mean they were necessarily bad decisions?
     MAYBE IF THE PRESIDENT AND PROGRAMS WERE BETTER?  Oh, wait a minute.  I have not been there recently to know about the programs.  And let's see-- July started the new Rotary year.  I don't know who the leaders are now.  But a good Rotarian does not attend for the president or the programs.  A good Rotatian affirms the purpose of Rotary:  providing humanitarian service and building goodwill and peace in the world.  I guess what is true in Rotary is also applicable in the church-- it is not about me.

NOT A SILENT PEOPLE

    Baptists have quite often been known for controversies.  Walter Shurden, one of my former professors at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wrote a book entitled NOT A SILENT PEOPLE.  His book has separate chapters on controversies waged by Southern Baptists:  debate about our history, arguing about missions, arguing over slavery and segregation, arguing about our relationships with other denominations, arguing about theology, and arguing about the inspiration of theBible.
     What is the current controversy in Baptist life?  Calvinism!  Calvinism has come to be known by an acronym:  TUIIP.  The five points can easily be remembered when students are ask to define Calvinism.  T--Total Depravity-- we are completely effected by sin.  U-- Unconditional election-- some are elected to salvation and others are not.  L-- Limited atonement-- Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for all but not "efficacious" for all.   I-- Irresistible grace-- When God calls his elect they cannot resist.  P-- Perseverance of the saints-- you cannot lose your salvation.
     Calvinism is based on the teaching of John Calvin (1509-1564).  The extreme opposite of Calvinism is Arminianism based on the views of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) who started out as a Calvinist but changed his mind.  In contrast to Calvin's emphasis on the sovereignty of God, Arminiam believed that God limited his control with man's freedom and response.  Conditional election is based on man's response not on God's determination of who will be saved or lost.  God's grace can be rejected because of free will and his grace extends toward everyone.  And persons can turn away or fall away from salvation.
     Another word for Calvinism is "Reformed."  Nearly equal numbers of pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention considered themselves Calvinist/Reformed or Arminian/Weslyan.  However, about 60% of pastors surveyed are concerned about the effects Calvinism may have on our denomination.  The rhetoric on both sides has been extreme and polarizing.
     To add some "reason" to the current controvery there is a conference in Louisville, KY, this month entitled "Calvinism:  Concerned?  Curious?  Confused?"  Historically, Southern Baptists have considered us neither Calvinist nor Arminian.  We have held to a unique approach not tied to either extreme.  Where will the current conflict go?  Who knows?  But Shurden was right.  We certainly are not a silent people.

THE MAN BEHIND THE FLAGPOLES

   Recently the local paper ran an article by Carolyn Thornton entitled, "L. F. Richardson:  The man behind the flagpoles."  Mrs. Thornton introduced the former car-dealer in Nevada to a new generation.  He came to Nevada and started the Richardson Motor Company which survived for many years and he was active in community activities.  Richardson, who died in 1972, was one of the significant leaders in our church along with the former Don Kennedy.
     When I started serving as pastor in 1979, long-term pastor, Rev. O. V. Dodson had just retired, Mr. Richardson was decesased, and Don Kennedy had accepted a position as a Federal Judge in Kansas City, MO.  Although I had never met the man, his legacy lived on through the Richardson Scholarships.  Mr. Richardson believed in Christian higher education and affirmed the need for ministers to be adequately trained.  So through the Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Richardson Foundation ministerial students have received scholarships each year.
     At the present time, the scholarships are given to ministerial students who attend Southwest Baptist University.  Our church channels the money to the University.  When I came to town, $10,000 worth of scholarships were given each year.  Several years ago I requested the then chairman of the Richardson Foundation, Don Kennedy, to increase the amount.  They responded favorably and now $15,000 are administered each year.  Current Richardson Foundation Board members are:  Ron Fisk, Cindy Wynn, and Ron Chandler.
     FBCers can be aware that each year as college starts there are several young ministerial students who receive financial assistance through the church that Mr. Richardson loved so deeply.  His legacy continues.  Every year we post "thank you" notes on the bulletin board from students who receive the scholarships.
     The man behind the flagpoles?  Yes.  And now you know about the man behind the scholarships.

GLOBAL MISSION CELEBRATION

     When churches have big emphases sometimes the follow-up gets lost.  We had a big emphasis on missions at FBC, Nevada, MO, February 29 through March 4 called "Global Mission Celebration."  Pastor John Duncan coordinated the event and we had nine missionary units (some single and some families) here to share their stories.  Dr. Gordon Fort, Vice President of the International Mission Board, was the featured speaker on Sunday, March 4.
     The purpose of the GMC was to increase our commitment in mission giving and personal involvement locally and around the world.  In commitment to missions, we had three goals and FBCers surpassed the second goal of $80,150.  This is beyond our budget giving.  I want to follow up by telling you after the first quarter of giving we have been able to support missions around the world.
     In VERNON COUNTY  checks were written to Habitat for Humanity, Neighbors Center, Vernon Co. Ministerial Alliance Relief Fund, and the Youth Task Force.
     In MISSOURI chcks wee written to Windermere Assembly, Baptist Student Center in Cape Girardeau, Camp Kiersey, and the Missouri Baptist Children's Home.
     In NORTH AMERICA checks were written to the Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions, Diaster Relief, Adopt a Church Partnership, Amy Martindale, Iowa Missions, Teen Challenge USA, and All Nations Ministries.
     Around the WORLD checks were written to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions, African Inland Mission, Baptist World Alliance, Thailand Baptist Seminary, Gideons International, Compassion International, World Hunger, Wycliffe Bible Translators, New Tribes Missions, Gary and Carolyn Miller (Hungary), Alan Locke (South Africa), and Joel and Charlotte Brandhorst (Brazil).
     In terms of mission involvement we had a team return recently from ministry on an Indian Reservation in Macy, Nebraska, and another team return from Canada.  On August 2 a team of four will leave for Haiti where they will be serving in an orphanage.  Locally a ministery to people at local laundrymats called "Got Quarters?" has started.  I know the Bible warns about pride.  But in a healthy sense I am proud of you FBCers who have given your financial resources and time to make a difference in the Kingdom of God.

IMMIGRATION REFORM POSSIBLE?

     One of the matters before the United Stas has been the issue of immigration reform.  It concerns me because all of us or our ancestors were at one time immigrants.  On the other hand, realism suggests there needs to be processes in regard to protecting borders and providing pathways to citizenship.  And nothing is getting done.  Gridlock has become the key word in describing what goes on in Washington.  It seems like politics throws a wrench in the gears for any possible reform.
     Recently one possibility is emerging.  A biparisam ecumemical group calling itself Evangelical Immigration Table has drafted the Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform.  It has been signed by several leaders across a broad spevctrum.  Richard Land, who heads up our SBC Ethics Commission signed it as well as LifeWay Research, Focus on the Family, and the past SBC president.
     Here is the statement:  "Our national immigration laws have created a moral, economic, and political crisis in America.  Initiatives to remedy this crisis have led to polarization and name calling in which opponents have misrperesented each other's positions as open borders and amnesty versus deportation of millions.  This false choice has led to an unacceptable stalemate at the federal level at a tragic human cost.  As evangelical leaders, we call for a bipartisan solution on immigration that:
     RESPECTS the God-given dignity of every person.
     PROTECTS the unity of the immediate family.
     RESPECTS the rule of law.
     GUARANTEES secure national borders.
     ENSURES fairness to taxpayers.
     ESTABLISHES a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.
     We urge our nation's leaders to work together with the American people to pass immigration reform that embodies these key principles and that will make our nation proud."
      The breadth of support among religious leaders is rather amazing.  Convincing Washington politicians would be even more amazing!
     

DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS?

     Did you hear the news?  Southern Baptists took an historic step in June at the Southern Baptist annual convention held in New Orleans, Louisiana.  For the first time in our history, messengers elected a black convention president.  Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, ran unopposed at the SBC annual meeting.   Luter, a former street preacher, brought his mostly black New Orleans congregation back from near annihilation after Hurricane Kutrina in 2005.  About 7,000 messengers stood to their feet, cheered, and shouted, "Halelujah," after he was elected.
     Racism is something Southern Baptists have tried to live down for a long time.  Baptists were split during the Civil War era between the Northern (now American) Baptists and Southern Baptists.  Southern Baptists represented the culture and mores of the South.  In our early days we Nevadans were known as "Southern" sympathizers because we were always "bushwhacking" the federal (Union) troops.  That's why the troops from Ft. Scott burned our town and our church!  That is why we have the annual Bushwhacker Days.
     Several years ago Southern Baptists passed  a resolution sent to the National Baptist Convention (Blacks) to apologize for the racism in our history.  The President of the National Baptist Convention basically said, "Thanks, but no thanks!"  Too little; too late.  There were suspicions among those in the black Baptist Convention  that the SBC has been trying to reach upward mobile black families in the cities.  For the past five years, the SBC has seen a decline in membership.
     And then there is the name-- Southern.  I mean-- the Methodists dealt with the name change years ago.  They converted from "Southern" Methodists to "United" Methodists.  Northern and Southern Baptists could never get together.  But can we at least change our name?  Well, this year the messengers approved an "alternate" name.  Our alternate name is now Great Commission Baptists.
     Of course a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.  Or a  Baptist by any other name can be just as racist.  Or not.

THE HANGING OF JUDGE SMITH

     Last Thursday I attended the "unveiling of the portrait" for Federal Judge Ortrie Dale Smith in the Federal Court House in Kansas City.  After serving several years on the bench, judges are promoted to senior status and get their mug shots hung in the court house.  In typical humorous fashion, he referred to it as the "hanging of Ortrie Smith."
     Pastoral care memories emerge.  I was with Ortrie when B. J. (Brittany Jane) was born and he almost lost Kris in child birth.  I experienced the anxiety with Dr. Greenlund, Dr. Thompson, and Ortrie.  Thankfully, Kris lived and B. J. joined the other three, Mikki, Casey, and Angie.  Casey is also an attorney and B. J. is in her third year of law school.
     Fun memories emerge.  Ortrie was the one who got me into jogging in the early 80s.  We jogged with guys who were called the "Southside Jogging and Debate Society":  Chris Hoberock, Fred Seewoester, Jerry McBeth, and Howard Carter.  The initial jogging was in preparation for snow skiing.  Neither of us had done it but Marie and I and Ortrie and Kris (and later our families) took several Colorado trips together.
     Encouragement memories emerge.  Once during a sermon, I mentioned I was empty.  I felt like a milk shake and everyone had a straw in me.  While I was greeting people as they left, Ortrie handed me a giant milk shake.  He had sneaked out early!
     Leadership memories emerge.  Ortrie touched about everything in the community that needed leadership.  At a time of inertia at FBC, he became chair of a feasibility committee to determine how to proceed.  The proposal to re-locate had been defeated by a narrow margin.  He came into my office and asked, "So what do you want to do?"  I replied, "We need to stay together as much as possible and move forward!"  Both of us were propoents of re-location but he surmised, "You may not like how it turns out."  I answered, "I know."  But here we are today.
     People who know him will smile.  People who did not know him will ask, "Why would anyone ever name a baby Ortrie?"

President Obama's Justifies Same-Sex Marriage With Scripture

     Familiar to many people, even those who are not Christians, is the passage in Matthew's Gospel chapter 7, verse 12.  It has been called the "Golden Rule."  There are several different phrasings of the verse but the NRSV has it:  "In everything do good to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."
     More recently President Obama referenced the Golden Rule in his support of same-sex marriage.  Citing his faith, he told ABC, "In the end, the values that I care most deeply about, and she (Michelle Obama) cares most deeply about is how we treat people.  We're both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with views of others but when we think about our faith the thing at root that we think about is not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it's also the golden rule--  treat others the way you'd want to be treated."
     While it is good a president references both Christ's sacrifice and our Lord's words about treating others with love, it does not follow that his interpretation as applied to same sex marriage is an accurate one.  The Golden rule cannot be meant to indicate that "anything goes."  On the contrary, our Lord never compromised on values even though his forgiveness could touch the worst of sinners.  He was very forgiving and loving toward a woman who had committed adultery several times.  However, that did not mean that he condoned her sins.  Tolerating her sinful behavior would have been no help to her at all.
     "Hate the sin but love the sinner."  Both actions are a challenge. We can end up hating sinners whose behavior we do not approve.  That is a tragic mistake.  However, in "loving the sinner" we can also forget to "hate the sin."  God is love.  But God hates sin.  And so should we.  It is self-destructive and  corrosive for a society.  It was our sin that necessitated the crucifixion to which our President referred.
     He got it wrong on this one.

ANGELS UNAWARE

     On occasion people slip into one of our worship services unnoticed.  During the "shaking of the hands" with the preacher, I realize they are present.  The writer of Hebrews put it this way, "do not neglect to show hospitalilty to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it!"   Reference here may be to Abraham and Sarah who welcomed a foreigner into their camp and found out it was an angelic figure.  But we never know for sure who we might be welcoming!
     He doesn't have wings but a few weeks ago, George ("Dub") Steincross, attended worship as he was on his way to Oklahoma to visit relatives. "Dub" served as pastor in our state-- his last place of service was Second Baptist Church, Liberty, MO.  Dub grew up in out area and his fatheer was a banker and both parents were involved in the life of what was then the Nevada Baptist Association (now Osage River Baptist Association).
     Don Gundy does not have angelic wings either, but I did shake his hand last Sunday after worship.  He was just passing through. Don is from Vernon County and served as a pastor in several places in the state before heading up church-staff relationships in the Missouri Baptist Convention until the political winds were no longer in his favor.  He and his wife are great folks and it is always good to see them.
     Don grew up in the Walker area and his brother, Doug, was a former, local basketball star.  Their mother, Nell Gundy, was a member of our church family and I led in her memorial sesrvice in 2000.  Don's wife's grandmother, Emma Trower, was a member of our church.
     It was good to see old friends.  Don even pronounced a blessing.  Under questions and comments on the communication card he wrote:  "Impressive early service.  Keep up the good work!"  Thanks, Don.  We are doing our best!