DanMayes.net

Don't Kick Her While She's Down

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:42:00 +0000

Go read my newest post on [D]mergent.
http://ow.ly/8VhWS

Give me your expert opinion so I can ignore it.

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:58:00 +0000

First, three stories…

A close friend of mine once told me a story about someone they knew who had been an alcoholic for over 30 years. After a number of precipitating events this person finally sought out treatment. But a week later the alcoholic’s spouse cancelled all of the treatment appointments because the treatment facility “didn’t know what they were doing.” Apparently, the spouse knew much more than the treatment providers, and the fact that it hadn’t worked for the past 30 years was irrelevant.

One of my college roommates was struggling in a literature class. He took his paper over to one of the academic counselors (we used to call them tutors) to get help with the paper. The academic counselor gave him some advice on making his thesis a little more clear and cleaning up the grammar a bit. My roommate came back from the meeting frustrated. He refused to make any changes to his paper thinking that the academic counselor was just being nitpicky. Several days later he got a disappointing surprise when his paper came back with a low grade. The professor had marked him down for grammatical errors and an unsupported thesis.

I once visited someone who was in the hospital after having a heart episode (not quite a heart attack, but close). The funny thing is, when I arrived at the hospital I couldn’t find him. He wasn’t in his room, anywhere in the unit, and the nurse didn’t have any record of him going in for a procedure. After a few minutes he came walking down the hall in his hospital gown. He had visited the patient courtyard for a smoke. During our time together that morning I couldn’t help but point out the recommendation form the doctor had given him the day before, which recommended that he change his diet, start exercising, and quit smoking. He was also given a prescription for medication. “You gonna listen to any of this?” I asked. “Probably not,” he said. He didn’t even attempt to quit smoking, change his diet or begin exercising. He never even had the prescription filled. It wasn’t even a year before he had a full blown heart attack. But at least he was honest.

What do all three of these stories have in common? First, they all actually happened. Second, they’re pretty universal. Most of you can relate to having experienced a situation similar to at least one of these, if not all of them. And third, they are all metaphors for churches.

Many churches have internal issues that hold them back. Although occasionally the internal issues stem from the clergy leadership in place, that’s not usually the issue. Usually the internal issues have very little to do with who the pastor is. Evidence of this is readily available in congregations that have had numerous pastors in the last few decades and the same problems have perpetuated throughout their duration.

So congregations in this situation do what they do best: fire the pastor or get the pastor to leave. “Then,” they say, “we can get a GOOD pastor in here who can fix all this.” In an obvious avoidance of responsibility they look for a new pastor. And get one…another one.

The intensity of their situation demands someone highly skilled, so they set out with exacting requirements.

They need someone who is experienced in overcoming conflict. They need someone who can bring in young families and kids. They need someone who is an outstanding preacher and teacher. They need someone who is experienced in counseling. They need someone who is a strong administrator. They need someone who is skilled in grief and crisis care.

So they set out, looking for someone who has the right education, the right skills, the right qualifications. And then they hire that person.

And they promptly ignore everything their new “good” pastor has to say.

Years of decline and pastoral turnover take their toll and the leadership of the church begin to get desperate. “There must be someone out there who can help us fix all this!” they say. And someone in the denominational leadership who has great intentions of helping them understand and take ownership of their internal problems recommends that they hire a consultant.

They are reluctant at first. But they are also desperate. So they finally pony up tens of thousands of dollars to bring in a consultant. And they do their research. They hire a consultant who is an “expert” in their particular areas of struggle.

The consultant comes in with a host of surveys, a schedule of meetings and interviews, and lots of other tools to analyze the situation. The time finally comes and the consultant gives them a list of recommendations. The consultant, being faithful to do the job thoroughly, has noticed the internal issues and makes recommendations geared towards substantive institutional change.

And sometimes the congregation totally ignores the recommendations they’ve just paid tens of thousands of dollars for. Other times the congregation gets the list of recommendations and follows through with some of the smaller, easier issues, but ignores the ones that might be hard, expensive, or time-consuming.

It seems many congregations go to their pastors or consultants and say, “Give me your expert opinion…so I can ignore it.”

The question this brings to mind is, “Why?”

Why bother hiring a pastor with the right education and training if everything they say is going to just be ignored? Why bother paying tons of money to hire a consultant if everything they recommend is just going to be ignored?

That makes about as much sense as smoking during your hospital stay, going to the doctor and refusing to take the medication you’re prescribed, going to a tutor and refusing to make corrections on your paper, or going in for treatment and refusing to listen because your decades of addiction have made you an expert on sobriety.

Why bother?

We bother because we want things to be different, but we don’t want to do anything different.

We want to experience the benefits of things being fixed, but we don’t want to fix anything substantive about ourselves.

We want a scapegoat, someone to blame our failures on rather than take responsibility for them and learn from them.

We want to see change, but not be changed.

The Long-Awaited Response

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:59:00 +0000

This fall I was honored to participate in Spencer Community Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. I was even more honored to be cast in the role of Judas, which was very challenging vocally, theatrically, artistically, emotionally, and spiritually. I found the production to be very profound and engaging. Despite the controversy the rock opera has generated throughout the years, it continues to draw crowds wherever it is performed, and for good reason. Every night we performed this show people walked out deeply touched, many crying. Even the actors would shed tears (real ones, not stage tears) as Jesus' body was carried down from the cross.

Most importantly, the show engaged our theological thinking. Playing the different characters forced us to consider their motivations, their hearts, and their minds. Both Christians and non-Christians alike were openly discussing deep theological questions about Jesus. Some began thinking about Jesus for the first time years, others for the first time ever. I don't think a single cast or crew member would take exception if I said every single one walked away from the production much closer to Jesus.

This past Friday (Dec. 2) a Baptist pastor in our community published an article of condemnation upon all who participated in or even watched the production. I was granted the opportunity to publish a letter to the editor in the issue coming out on Dec. 6. It wasn't easy to keep my response to 250 words as they requested. In fact, it was impossible. Unfortunately, the online version of the article is not available without a subscription, but if you have a subscription you can find it here. But since I own the letter to the editor, I can publish it here.

Corrections for Josh Davenport

Last Friday Josh Davenport wrote an article harshly criticizing Jesus Christ Superstar. There were several falsehoods in his article. Davenport most blatantly erred attributing to Jesus the words, “I’ll never ever know why you chose me for your crime, your foul, bloody crime. You have murdered me! You have murdered me!” These words were actually sung by Judas. Davenport also criticized the opera for depicting Jesus as unwilling to go to the cross, which also is not true. In the opera Jesus sends a reluctant Judas to betray him, showing his willingness to go to the cross. Jesus’ only hesitation is in the Gethsemane scene, and is scripturally correct. Mark 14:36 is evidence that Jesus did not wish to undergo his human suffering but surrendered himself to God’s plan anyway. Davenport further misled readers by saying the opera depicts Jesus as “just a man.” Certain characters do doubt Jesus’ divinity: Judas, Herod, the Priests, and Pilate. This actually aligns with the biblical accounts.

Superstar was never intended as a historical depiction. It has always been billed as an artwork intended to provoke our thoughts about the deep theological issues surrounding Jesus. During the production Christians and non-Christians alike discussed questions about Jesus they may never have had the opportunity to ask otherwise. I personally witnessed several people draw closer to Jesus through their involvement in this production. For that there is no condemnation.

I must say that there are parts of Davenport’s article about which we agree, most importantly: Jesus is the Savior, the Risen Lord! However, I believe thoughtful consideration of other views is not anti-Christ-ian or blasphemous as Davenport asserts. Consideration of other views actually leads most to a stronger, deeper faith. A faith that cannot risk asking questions is a truly insecure faith.

Richard Mouw on Romney and Mormonism

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:38:00 +0000

Last week a prominent SBC pastor in Texas demanded his congregation cast their votes for Rick Perry rather than Mitt Romney (apparently Obama wasn't on the list of possibilities) because Romney is a Mormon.

Today, Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary, gives a very good response. It's good to see a prominent Evangelical speaking highly of ecumenical relationships. As expected, Mouw stops short of completely validating Mormonism, but he does bring a bit of sense to the discussion, citing the genuine devotion to Christ he has seen in Mormon leaders he has worked with. Read about it here.

Around the blogroll...

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Kirk shares some wisdom about sensitive conversations.

Derek dreams of killing church committees.

Pete invites us to drift.

Mark explains the difference between our ideas and the ideas we think we have.

Bill thinks he can dance.

Do you deny the resurrection?

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 03:07:00 +0000

I haven't followed Peter Rollins all that long, but when his book "The Orthodox Heretic" came out I immediately fell in love with his provocational style. His methodology for writing and speaking tweaks the pressure points of the religious in order to get us to see ourselves and our faith in a different light. I stumbled across this clip recently.

Hip Hop History Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:47:00 +0000

Good stuff here from Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake.

Click here if you can't see the video.

Dear Abby Gets It Wrong on Church Conflict

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:58:00 +0000

I’m not normally someone who reads the “Dear Abby” column, but yesterday as I was waiting on a pizza to cook, I picked up the paper and there it was.

Someone wrote in to Abby complaining about the pastor. They said he preaches at people and uses his pulpit to bully them around. Here's the link.

In response, Abby told them the appropriate action was not to talk to the pastor directly, but to go over his head and take it to the governing body of the church. If that failed, she said, they should “consider finding another ‘flock’ to join.”

Now, since Dear Abby is not a church scholar, not a biblical scholar, or anything else that would usually give her credence to be taken seriously, I would normally cut her some slack. But since she has more than “110 million” readers each day, a response might be more worthwhile than expected.

Sooo….here goes!

First, let me say that it is altogether possible and actually highly likely that the pastor is doing exactly what the reader says he is. I have had my fair share of run ins with bully pulpits and preachers who use less-than-loving tactics. But even if that is true, Dear Abby’s advice is still wrong and should not be heeded by Christians.

Why?

There are several other scenarios that are also equally plausible in this situation. It is possible that the pastor is not who the reader says he is and that the reader is just looking for an excuse to leave. This happens all the time. Many good preachers have been branded as bully pulpiteers for preaching things their parishioners don’t want to hear. It happened to the prophets. It happened to Jesus. And it still happens to faithful preachers today.

It is also likely that this readers’ characterization is somewhat true, but that the pastor does not realize the way his sermons are coming across. If the reader then heeds Dear Abby’s advice, he’s already been crucified before his governing body before he even knows what’s going on or has a chance to do anything about it.

And, as I said above (it needs repeating), even if the reader’s characterization is true, Dear Abby’s advice is still wrong.

Here’s why:

In the context of the Christian community Christ’s teachings and principles outweigh our emotional reactions. Jesus says to us: “If your brother sins against you…” (Matthew 18: 15-17).

And if we follow Jesus’ teachings we find there is a four step approach for addressing conflicts in the Christian community.

First, we take our issue to our offender face-to-face, privately. We all save face if we can work out our grievances in private. Of course, I understand there are situations where this cannot be done, such as in abuse situations, but in issues such as the presenting case face-to-face private conversation is the first step. The reader who wrote in should talk to their pastor privately first with the intention not of condemnation, but with the intention of working things out.

Second, if that doesn’t work, we take a wise church leader or two with us. When we sit down again to discuss the situation there are trusted people there to hold us accountable to each other and to help us understand each other. If the face-to-face meeting doesn’t work, an Elder or two, respected and trusted leaders in the church should be sought out. Triangulation is not the key here. The role of these two is not to take sides, but to mediate and to seek resolution and peace. The pastor and the parishioner have another chance, this time with help, to resolve their differences.

Third, if neither of those steps produces resolution we take it before the governing body of the church. Notice, this is the THIRD step in the process, not the first step as Dear Abby recommends. And again, the motive in this step is still not condemnation. If the person runs first to the board as Abby says, they do so without communication, without understanding, and without patience. They go to the board with emotional motivations, hoping to rake the pastor over the coals rather than resolve the issue. Instead, as a third step the governing body is sought out to bring about the collective wisdom of the community and a much-hoped-for resolution to the conflict.

Fourth (notice the third step was not the last!), if all else fails we “treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matt. 18:17). Now here’s where it gets tricky. We would normally assume this means we’re to part ways at this point, but we must pay attention to context! This teaching was issued by Jesus. So we have to ask: How did Jesus treat pagans and tax collectors? If we are honest we find that he reached out to them, he sent his followers to reach out to them, he dined with them, he offered forgiveness and healing.

Does this mean there’s never a situation where a preacher should be fired for using a bully-pulpit? No, of course it does not. There are situations where the person refuses to address their behavior and it negatively outweighs the faithfulness to the Gospel demands upon the congregation. But it does mean it should be a LAST resort. It means love should be the ethic in which we resolve our differences. It means resolution, not restitution, should guide our decisions in times of church conflict. And it means we have to approach our conflict with the conviction that God’s desire to forgive and unite us, as expressed in Jesus’ self-giving death on the cross, outweighs any emotional desires we may have.

And finally, finding another flock, as Dear Abby recommends, is almost never the answer. If we cannot forgive each other and find a way to restore our relationships we give a very poor testimony to the power of Christ. In all likelihood the reader is going to choose another church and find out that there are things they don’t like there, either. So they’ll have to start looking again…and again…and again. Disbanding, severing the bonds of the Christian community, gives false witness to the power of Christ.

So here’s my advice to “All Fire and Brimstone”: Stop reading Dear Abby. She doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about. If you have a question about etiquette or how to handle conflict in the church, a newspaper columnist should not be your first choice for seeking advice (it should seem rather obvious!). First, consult the scriptures.

And here’s my advice to Dear Abby: Since you obviously don’t know what the Bible says about handling conflict in the Christian community, and since you obviously don’t give advice based on the principles that guide the Christian community, stop giving advice on Christian community. Really, it’s for everyone’s sake, including your own. How awful would it be to have your reputation further tarnished in getting called out by those who aren’t syndicated!

Note: Neither the reader, nor Dear Abby, explicitly stated that it was a Christian church community. This assumption is totally mine. But I based that assumption on the fact that Dear Abby is a column that is Western, and particularly American, and on the language used. “Pastor,” “Fire and Brimstone,” and “Bully Pulpit” are all pretty exclusive to Christian circles. Additionally, it most other religious traditions in America there is not nearly as much freedom to simply go join another congregation. There may not even be other congregations of that particular faith in the given community. Church shopping and swapping is a particularly American Christian phenomenon for the most part.

3 Kinds of Christians (According to Leonard Sweet)

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:38:00 +0000

Today Leonard Sweet posted a thought-provoking statement on his twitter feed:

"3 Kinds of Christians: pooh-poohs (negative, disdainful), oom-pah-pahs (monotonous, legalistic), and umphs (vitality, verve, enthusiasm)."

I got to thinking about this post after the intial humor had subsided. And, as most probably would, I began thinking of all the types of Christians I've met and interacted with over the years. I think I've known several of each.

I've certainly known some Pooh-Poohs. These are the sort of folk who can suck the life out of a party. In church we often refer to them (lovingly, of course) as Black Holes of Spirit. They make it their purpose in life to rain on everyone's parade. For every great idea they've got a criticism. No matter how powerful and Spirit-filled the worship service is they always manage to find a complaint. They're a bucket full of spite and more. They bring SNL's character Debbie Downer to life.

And I've know a few Oom-Pah-Pahs as well. They are the stubborn tuba section who think people bought tickets to see just them rather than the entire symphony orchestra surrounding them. No matter what song the Spirit pours out upon the people, no matter what beautiful lyric is thrust into the life of the congregation, no matter what masterpiece of resurrection or resusscitation is pumped into the people by God, they drone their monotonous message: nothing must ever change, and they've got the rule book to prove it.

And I think I've met some Umphs as well, although they are a rare breed. Spotting an umph is a bit like spotting a snipe. You've heard of them, but they appear so infrequently (especially in institutional congregations) that it's easy to convince yourself they don't exist. They are almost all recovering Oom-Pah-Pahs or recovering Pooh-Poohs. But somehow, someway, they've allowed Jesus to destroy their self-propagational instincts and to disrupt their internal negativity. They've latched onto the joy of Jesus...nay, the JOY of Jesus, and they've become forever changed--forever ruined to the church, in favor of Christ.

After a brief flight into self-righteous mental classification of all the Christians I've known, the Spirit retorted with a bit of ego-shattering critique: I have been, and at different points in time still am, all 3 of these types of Christian. I am at times full of the JOY of Christ and ready to live completely for him and in him. Then at times I am full of negativity and criticism. And still other times I find myself droning on to the beat of the way things are and always have been.

And now I wonder, what type of Christian are you? Before you start reading this and thinking about the types of Christians that surround you, think first of yourself. When have you been each of these three? When do you usually become each one? And what would it take for you to become a perpetual Umph?

One Step Closer

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:33:00 +0000

As I write this I'm smack in the middle of my final Doctor of Ministry residency at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. This is the third year I've made this two-week pilgrimage to the Mississippi River for study.

The overall focus of UDTS' D.Min. program is Congregational Revitalization. And the particular emphasis has been in Mission Spirituality. During the first year we examined church renewal, sabbath, and compassion. Last year we studied the relationship between prayer and evangelism. And this year our focus has been on Justice.

This week we've studied Miroslav Volf, Howard Thurman, Nile Harper, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Geoffrey Wainwright, Gustavo Gutierrez, St John Chrysostum, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and several others. Saturday we visited Postville, IA, the small Iowa farm town which is also home to the largest kosher meat packing plant in the nation, and also experienced the largest immigration raid in US history.

By the end of this week I am required to have my doctoral project proposal approved. And after meeting with my advisors today, I believe I'm just a few small edits away. So next will come the actual implementation of the project. Tentatively, it will be titled "A Movement for Wholeness: Racial Inclusivity in Rural Ministry."

My bibliography so far consists of works by Anthony Reddie, David Shipler, Rodney Clapp, Paul Waddell, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan Davies and Sister Teresa Paul Hennessee, Douglas Sharp, Robert Priest, Alvaro Nieves, David Anderson, Joseph Barndt, Paula Harris and Doug Schaupp, Arthur Freeman, Marva Dawn, Michael Dixon, John Edwin, Yvette Flunder, Jennifer Harvey, Karen Case and Robin Hawley Gorsline, Mark Hearn, Elizabeth Hobgood, Jack Lundin, Gerardo Marti, Fumitaka Matsuoka, Wayne Meeks, Tex Sample, Jim Wallis, George Yancey, Ye Jung Kim and others.

And now I ask your assistance in two ways:
1. I would greatly appreciate your prayers in this endeavor, both for myself and my congregation.
2. A question: What other voices would you add to the litany of saints upon which my work will draw?

Orthodox Heretic...what a sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Here's a great little piece of news:

Peter Rollins' book The Orthodox Heretic is on sale for just 99 cents!
The catch: It's the Kindle version and the deal is only good for the next 2 weeks.

http://amzn.to/jwwKo6

Happy reading!

My first Children's book review

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:24:00 +0000

I know most of you are probably a bit surprised to see a children's book reviewed here. But there is a reason. The author, Tenisha Edwards, is a friend of mine. In fact, when we lived in Tulsa Tenisha and her family were our nextdoor neighbors. Tenisha recently published Mommy & Me Doggy Wash. It's a story about her and her son Larry and their adventures with a new puppy, named Happy. Through the experience of caring for the dog, Larry grew closer to his mother, learned about responsibility, and even opened his doggie wash to others in his neighborhood.

I'm delighted to recommend this book to you as something your children will enjoy. Perhaps you'll be inspired by Larry's story and do something similar with your own child!

You can pick it up on Amazon here.

The Pinkfoot

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 03:25:00 +0000

This week a national news media controversy was spawned when J Crew, a direct market retailer of overpriced clothing, included a picture of one of their designers painting the toes of her son pink. Some in the media responded less sanely than others.

So in honor of the controversy, my boys and I decided to join the fray. We all painted our toenails a nice Easter pink. Much to the contrary of what the narrow-minded fear-mongers think, none of us managed to become confused about what gender we are.

And some did not like it...

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:03:00 +0000

Yesterday I posted a video of a Jason Mraz song with which I feel connected. However, a few people contacted me with concern that the characterization of the song is one-sided; it fails to address situations in which divorce might actually be in the best interest of children, including situations involving abuse, concerns with which I am in agreement. Interestingly enough, the discussion didn't appear in the comments on this site, but rather in another format. So I have invited one person to post a response article, beginning a discussion on abusive situations when divorce is necessary. Look for it in the days ahead.

Jason Mraz on Divorce and others...

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Two years ago I bought Jason Mraz's album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Almost immediately I feel in love with the song "Love for a Child." Since that time, no official music video has been released for the song. However, I've noticed thousands of people have created their own videos for the song and posted them on YouTube. It's apparent that the song has touched a nerve with many people, as it speaks to the hurt divorce causes children, as well as to childhood devastation and loss of innocense in general.

Here's one of the videos I liked best:

The Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:41:00 +0000

Several weeks ago I had a dream. It was one of those dreams where everything feels so real that when you wake up you lay there for a while unsure of whether or not it really happened. These dreams cause you to second guess yourself, to pay more attention to ominous signs or foreboding circumstances.

At first I dismissed the dream as humorous and strange. Perhaps the tacos I ate the night before were a little too spicy. Or perhaps I'd watched something on TV and without realizing it caused myself to have some strange REM psychosis. Quite possibly it was caused by the dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream sequence in Inception. Whatever it was that caused it, I was only able to dismiss it for a while. But over the past few weeks it has returned to me time and time again. I haven't had the same dream over and over, but the dream has returned to my thoughts in such a way that I get lost in thinking about the implications of it, seeing it as possibly a metaphor of larger things going on around me.

The dream was simple in scope and nature, and it was this: One Sunday I arrived at church to find that the congregation had doubled in size. As exciting as it was, it was also a little nerve racking. But as the sanctuary was abuzz with all this new life and vitality, some people were very upset. They were so upset that after the worship service a special meeting was called. These upset few were demanding my resignation, for I, in some way, was responsible for this circumstance. They didn't say why they were mad at the growth, or even how I had come to be responsible for it. But they wanted me gone. The dream ended unresolved. Though I remember feeling confident that I would not be fired, I do remember feeling tremendously unsettled by circumstance.

Now I know it's important not to read to much into dreams. After all, they are quite often just dreams. But sometimes dreams may actually mean something. And as often as my mind has returned to this scene my attention has finally been grabbed.

So what if I am to learn something from this dream? What is it? If it is some kind of metaphor, what does it represent?

In many ways I think this dream speaks of how many within the church hold a sense of ownership over the congregation. When the congregation changes dramatically their sense of control is violated, leaving them angry, scared, and confused.

In other ways I think it is a very simple representation of the fact that some people, no matter what happens, will never be happy. There are some people within the church (and without) that could see extraordinary success and still find a reason to gripe.

I also think this dream in some ways represents my own misguided sense of personal responsibility for the church. While I have responsibility TO the church, and while I have responsibility AS A PART OF the church, I am not responsible FOR the church. Perhaps I am being reminded not to place myself, and to not allow others to place me, in the role that is befit for Christ alone.

So the reason I post this interior subconscious struggle in this forum is to seek your insight. What do you think about this dream or about these reflections I have made?

Fallon does Dylan does Charles in Charge

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:19:00 +0000

This video had me rolling. It's Jimmy Fallon doing an impersonation of Bob Dylan and singing the theme song to one of my childhood favorites: Charles in Charge.

Surrender/Sacrifice

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:35:00 +0000

One of the central themes of the Christian season of Lent is sacrifice. During the 40 days leading up to Easter we prepare ourselves to commemorate the death of Jesus and to celebrate his glorious resurrection. As we live this 40 day journey we attune ourselves to the self-sacrificing nature of Jesus’ life and God’s willingness to become mortal for our own sake.
But what is sacrifice really about? Is it about giving up chocolate or meat? Or is it about something that’s really deeper than that? I believe that sacrifice is really about surrender. When we sacrifice we’re really making a choice to give up on the temporal things in which we misguidedly place our hope. And we do so in order that we might be more ready to place our full and complete trust in God, the only sure source of hope.
John Wesley summed up this idea when he prayed:
“I give myself completely to you, God. Assign me to my place in your creation. Let me suffer for you. Give me the work you would have me to do. Give me many tasks, or have me step aside while you call others. Put me forward or humble me. Give me riches or let me live in poverty. I freely give all that I am and all that I have to you…Amen.”
As we begin Lent this 9th day March, may we come to live out that prayer of John Wesley and begin to surrender ourselves completely to God.

Funniest video of the year

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:49:00 +0000

I know 2011 is still very young, but here is the funniest video of the year so far.

An update

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:16:00 +0000

Hey, everybody!

Just thought I'd stop by and give you all a quick update on how things have been going since my last post.

First of all, I need to thank my family and my congregation for supporting me through what has been by far the most difficult time I have ever faced in my life. You all have been wonderfully supportive and loving. I truly have experienced the grace of Christ through your acceptance, your support, and your compassion.

Second, I recently performed in a play at the Spencer Community Theatre. I assumed the role of Mortimer Brewster in our production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Mortimer is a theatre critic who is engaged to Elaine Harper, but is reluctant to marry her because of his crazy relatives, three of whom are murderers, and one of whom thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. It was an incredibly great time, especially since my wife played the role of Elaine Harper! I appreciated the efforts of our cast and crew, especially our director, who put up with more setbacks than most could bear. Originally, I was cast as Jonathan Brewster, a psychopathic killer and masochist. My wife was cast as Martha Brewster, one of the murderous old ladies. But two people had to drop out of the cast, so we were moved into these roles.

I also broke my ankle two weeks before opening night. I was putting up Christmas lights on the house. In my attempt to get down onto the ladder I missed and hit the ground instead. My right tibula was broken, my ankle was out of socket, and all the tendons were torn. When my wife found me I was lying on my stomach and my right foot was pointed up to the sky, backwards. Thanks to two screws and a great surgeon I'm now out of my cast and in a walking boot. I have two more weeks in the boot, then eight weeks in an air splint. After that I have rehab and another surgery to remove the screws.

I appreciate your prayers during the last few months. I am certain that God was at all times attentive to your concerns and mine and was interceding on our behalf.

Dear Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:37:00 +0000

Dear readers,

I am a poor self-diagnostician. And it has taken the arrival of severe trial for me to wake up and realize how much some ignored issues have caused problems deep within me. I have ignored depression and anxiety symptoms for years. I've tried to cover the hurt and brokenness that is unresolved within me with accomplishments, achievements, and my public persona. All of this has, of course, caused a major abesence in my life and in my family: me. And my failure to do the work I should have done a long time ago has led to intense hurt on the part of my family, especially on the part of the woman I pledged to honor and support, cherish and stand beside nine and a half years ago.

But thankfully, ours is a God of redemption. Ours is a God of healing. God has redeemed worse problems and healed bigger hurts, so it is to him I go; it is him I trust in this time. And in order for the redemption and healing I seek to come about, my relationship with him and with my family has got to be tended to. God's desire is not to enhance the plans of my own choosing; God's desire is to completely transform me and use me within his plan. There is a tremendous amount of work for me to do. There is much work for God to do within me. The road ahead promises to be long and difficult. But by the grace of God I do not travel it alone. And I know as long as I hold tight to his hand and am obedient to him he will lead the way and keep me on the right path.

I sincerely hope it will be with understanding that you receive the news that this blog will be inactive indefinitely. I am not shutting it down, as I hope this letter may serve as inspiration for others to begin the journey towards healing that I have so reluctantly begun. Additionally, I hope for, nay, covet your prayers. As you great saints of the Church continually lift your prayers to God, please add my cause to your own.

Introducing: Faith Practices

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:27:00 +0000

Faith Practices is a new web-based resource for churches. I'm on the writing team for one of the units set to come out in 2011. So I thought I'd introduce the resource to you here.

You can get more info at www.faithpractices.org

Book Review: Same Kind of Different As Me

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:12:00 +0000

Knowledge is the enemy of fear; relationship is the enemy of indifference. In Ron Hall and Denver Moore’s story readers are encouraged to enter into, and to experience, both of these lessons first hand. Written in first-person conversational format, Same Kind of Different As Me is the telling of two worlds colliding, that of a wealthy white man who is trapped in an artificial life and a homeless African-American man who grew up enslaved by poverty. As their stories intertwine, hearts are changed, myths are debunked, and walls torn down. And as all this happens readers are challenged to investigate their own pre-conceived notions about justice, poverty, race, and reconciliation. Within this story lies a gem of truth about God’s action through people and how embrace of the other can lead to the birth of something truly wonderful and holy.

I’d like to recommend this book to you, but in order to so I must include a note of caution: it is deceptive in length. At 235 pages, it appears to be an easy weekend reader. But this book took me much longer than expected. In order to truly enjoy this work, you must enter the language of both characters and listen as if they are speaking to you. If you can do that, enjoy!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

New Article Published in HungryHearts

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:56:00 +0000

HungryHearts is a quarterly journal of Christian spirituality published by the Presbyterian Church (USA). My latest article, "Finding My Monastic Home," was published in the Summer 2010 issue. Here's the link.

SCL

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Mayes) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:28:00 +0000

I'm having a great time with my workshop group at School for Congregational Learning.
Wishing the Internet were more cooperative.