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January 17, 2003 Columns
From the Editor: For the Advocate’s sake, the time to act is now
From the Editor: For the Advocate’s sake, the time to act is now In this column for the next two issues I will be talking about the future of the Advocate. The columns will be different, because this one is being written to “insiders” - our current subscribers, many of whom are our longtime readers and friends. The next column will appear in our campaign edition on Feb. 7 and will be more of an introduction to the Advocate addressed to potential subscribers. (We always print thousands of extra copies of the campaign issue to be distributed in local churches. If your church hasn’t placed an order for complimentary copies, perhaps you would like to do so now by calling or e-mailing Keitha Thompson, our circulation coordinator, at (770) 465-1685 or keitha@wcadvocate.org.) To our current subscribers, what I want to say first of all is thank you for your support. Secondly, I have a request: if you appreciate the Advocate and find it beneficial in your faith walk, would you help spread the word about the newspaper and urge others to subscribe? The fact of the matter is that the Advocate has been experiencing a continuing subscription decline for many years and the newspaper’s long-term future could be in jeopardy, unless we do something to remedy the situation. I’ve already been in conversation with leaders in both conferences about the need for greater support of the Advocate. I’m saying the same thing to you, our readers, that I said it to them-if you want to preserve a statewide newspaper for the future, the time to act is now. When I first went to work for the Georgia United Methodist Communications Council in 1983-and began my association with the Advocate-the newspaper had over 32,000 subscribers. It’s now down to almost half that number. The two years I’ve been editor, we’ve continued to lose subscribers. This directly affects our financial well-being, because subscribers account for 70 percent of our budget. But the more troubling issue to me, as someone greatly committed to the United Methodist Church, is that fewer and fewer people are reading about this great church of ours and the mission and ministry it carries out not only in Georgia but also across the nation and around the world. When our board met last fall and we looked at the financial picture, we decided not to ask the two conferences for increased allocations but to concentrate on increasing subscriptions. That’s obviously the best all-around solution, because it would put the Advocate into the hands of more United Methodists while solidifying our budget. If I had my druthers, this is a column I would have preferred not to write, because I believe in emphasizing the positive rather than dwelling on the negative. At the same time, I believe the time has come to make our readership and United Methodists in Georgia aware of the situation at hand. You can make a difference in the support of the Advocate in your local churches. Please speak a good word for us. Or, even better, why not offer a gift subscription to someone you know would benefit from reading the newspaper? One district superintendent suggested sending the Advocate to doctors’ offices and to prisons. The possibilities are many and varied. Please know we are grateful for whatever assistance you give us. - To TOP of Page -
The Bishop’s Corner: Daily devotion draws believers closer to God The South Georgia extended cabinet members continue to seek to deepen our spiritual lives through daily devotional time and quarterly 24-hour spiritual retreats. These shared experiences draw us closer to God and closer to each other. It is our prayer that they will also strengthen our spiritual leadership within the annual conference and help us encourage others to develop such devotional time in their daily lives. The book that we are currently using to guide our daily devotions is Reuben P. Job’s A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader, which was published by Abingdon in 1997. Not only is it a wonderful devotional resource, but also it provides contemporary Christians with an opportunity to reflect upon the wisdom and insight of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. Excerpts from Wesley’s writings enable us to have a taste of his thought and spirit as we focus on weekly themes. The recommended daily pattern also includes scripture reading; silence for meditation; recording insights and commitments; prayers of thanks; intercession, petition and praise; and portions of great hymns. Spiritual reading is helpful in connecting us to the saints who have preceded us to the church triumphant. John Wesley can be instructive to us if we read what he wrote. As United Methodist Christians in 2003, I believe John Wesley’s insight can assist us as we examine the condition of our souls and put our faith into practice in today’s world. In a letter to John Trembath, Wesley wrote: “O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercise. You may acquire the taste for which you have not: What is tedious at first will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life: there is no other way. ... Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow.” Join with the extended cabinet and me in a daily time of devotion. Do it for your soul and to strengthen your ministry in God’s world. Michael Watson is bishop of the South Georgia Conference. He can be reached at bishopsga@aol.com. - To TOP of Page -
Pathways to His Presence: Teacher shows God is present in classroom After our recent Christmas break, teachers came back to school a day before the students. We gathered in the cafeteria for a morning workshop. Before the speaker began, we enjoyed socializing. After all, this is our family away from home. We had a lot to catch up on from our two weeks of vacation. That’s one thing I love about my job. I’ve been blessed to have many good friends down the halls of my primary school. I walked up to one of our younger teachers, whose love for the Lord is obvious. I asked about her little girl, and as she began to respond, her facial expression changed to one of excitement. She pushed back her chair and waved her arms back and forth. With great joy she shouted, “I got one! I got one! I led someone to Christ! It’s the first time I’ve ever done it!” She was almost glowing. I couldn’t help but smile! Several of us rejoiced with her, and then the speaker began. “Ask some questions that concern you in education, and tell one thing about your Christmas.” When my young friend stood, she moved quickly through her questions, and then she shared her news with the whole room! “That was the best part of my Christmas! I led somebody to Christ!” Wow! Her enthusiasm was exciting, challenging and contagious! I could hardly sit still during the class thinking about her authentic expression of joy. So often, people feel concern that God is no longer in the public schools. However, with young teachers like this going into our classrooms, how can he possibly stay out? What about you? Did you lead someone to Christ in 2002? Let’s pray for each other and for the church! What we know is too wonderful to keep to ourselves! Go out and catch someone for Jesus in 2003! BJ Funk is pastor of St. Peters UMC in Fitzgerald. She can be reached at bjfunk@planettel.net. - To TOP of Page -
From the Counselor's Notebook: ‘Women alone’ can intentionally enhance
lives The population of women who are single is increasing steadily. The biggest reason, of course, is widowhood. Women outlive men. There are now over ten million widows in the United States. There has been an increase in the number of women who divorce and do not remarry. The importance of these women being intentional about the quality of their lives was brought home to me this fall when I participated in a conference entitled “Women Alone Together.” It was for women who are single (by death, divorce or choice) and wanting to live meaningful lives connected and in community. So often single women, especially those middle age and older, feel like the proverbial fifth wheel in what is often a couple’s world. Dinner parties, as they say, are for six, eight, or ten, not five, seven, or nine. Life can be challenging. I want to share very briefly some suggestions:
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Cultivate the enjoyment of one’s own company.
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Develop your community.
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Develop your faith.
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Avoid escaping.
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Invest beyond yourself. Ron Greer is pastoral counselor with the Pastoral Counseling Service at Peachtree Road UMC in Atlanta. He can be reached at rongreer@mindspring.com. - To TOP of Page -
Movie and a Chat
Evelyn “Sweet Songs” was the theme of Z 93’s “out to lunch” program early in the new year. As I listened to the mostly familiar sweet tunes of my youth, I recalled each boyfriend-the former boyfriend, the boyfriend that never was boyfriend, the boyfriend far away and the boyfriend that broke my heart. Some songs I couldn’t imagine as hits, and I realized why some were forgotten in the archives of rock and roll. Somehow in each composition for the writer, composer, musician or listener, a heartstring was pulled, and in this day and time, “sweet” has a place in this world of violence and poverty. The movie “Evelyn” is definitely a sweet movie, but as reviewer, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie of The Atlanta Journal Constitution says, “most of its tear-jerking is honestly earned.” The film begins on Christmas Eve 1953 with the sweet angelic voices of a children’s choir singing. As the street concert concludes, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) sends his three children home before going by the pub to bring the mother home to their tiny flat in Dublin, Ireland. The little daughter, Evelyn, and the two younger sons are precious, and your heart goes out to them as they express little expectation that Santa will make a stop by their house, especially when their mother runs off with another man the day after Christmas. This broken family’s situation worsens with no work for Doyle, and under the Children’s Provision of 1941, the state takes away the children and places them in orphanages run by the church. Told that he will get his children back when his situation improves, Doyle focuses his attention upon finding work and once again being able to provide for them. However, when he goes to the minister of education to retrieve his children he finds there are provisions to take children away but none to send them back home unless there are two parents, no matter what. The film chronicles the fact-based story of a single father trying desperately to get his children back home. This is a modern David verses Goliath story, which needs to be told on behalf of all the less-powerful ones in our society, including the poor and the children. There is much to ponder and chat about after seeing this movie.
Hope
Truth
Been there “Angel rays” remind Evelyn that she is not alone, giving her the power even as a child to speak the truth in court. Remember that you are not alone the next time you are challenged to speak the truth! The Rev. Beth Luton Cook is director of church ministries education at Candler School o f Theology. She can be reached at bcook@learnlink.emory.edu. - To TOP of Page -
Laugh & Learn: Holiday surprises - a dose of love, case of flu Ambushed and knocked for a-winding! That is what happened to me Christmas Eve. I had a touch of the holiday blues. Those of us who have lost loved ones are acutely aware of their absence, especially amid the sweet season of Christmas. My prescription? Stay busy. Though I was sufficiently distracted, my holiday schedule was not appreciated by the one who now shares my home-a cheerful, golden-haired canine named Shadow. He was not receiving a sufficient amount of attention and he was not happy. Shadow’s former address was the Cherokee County Humane Society. I adopted him almost two years ago when he was just the little dog in pen number three. I can still remember the vet’s words, “Shadow is healthy and seems to be just over a year old. He probably won’t grow much larger than he is now.” Not! Faithfully consuming his Wal-Mart Old Roy dog food, Shadow quickly left behind his medium-sized body and matured into a creature resembling a small horse. So it was Christmas Eve when this creature-part dog, part horse, part human-decided to express his displeasure at the schedule that had kept me from playing with him. I stepped onto the patio that evening and walked in the direction of the dog food. In the spirit of good fun, Shadow swiftly ran toward me. With the momentum he had gained, the dog was unable to stop his 90-pound body. He knocked me to the ground and immediately pounced upon me for some Christmas Eve horseplay. (Note to Self: Start buying low-fat dog food!) He held no ill will toward me, of course. He simply wanted to have some fun. (Note to Self: Consider adopting a second dog to keep Shadow from being so lonely.) Lying on the cold ground, I covered my face to protect myself from his razor-sharp toenails. (Note to Self: Does Spa Sydell offer doggie pedicures?) The creature bombarded me with slimy kisses while doggie drool dripped onto my face and into my hair. (Note to Self: Locate a store that sells Doggie Bibs.) I struggled to stand, but found that to be impossible with a 90-pound dog/horse sitting on my stomach. So I remained pinned to the December ground with a sharp rock wedged between my fourth and fifth vertebrae (Note to Self: OUCH!) and dog drool garnishing my hair. (Note to Self: Use high-octane shampoo tonight.) From my unique view I suddenly glanced at Shadow and saw a look of complete exultation on his face. He loved me! And he craved love in return. (Note to Self: I would rather this be Mel Gibson, but you take life as it comes!) Wrestling free, I lifted my arms and gave that big dog a hug as I began to laugh-out loud. (Note to Self: Don’t worry what the neighbors think.) Despite the cold temperature and my long to-do list, I played! I threw a green ball with a bell inside across the yard and laughed as Shadow jumped, caught it, and swung his head from left to right to make the bell jingle. He chewed the ball until the bell disappeared into the frozen ice. (Note to Self: Buy a new green ball with a bell inside). I chased him around in circles until I fell over from dizziness. (Note to Self: Don’t do THAT again!) Finally, exhausted, I sat with his head in my lap until the sun slept and the stars lit the heavens that Christmas Eve night. What an unexpected gift I had received. For a few precious moments, I was a child, a ten-year-old playing and laughing. My holiday blues lifted and I thankfully turned my face toward the heavens. Ambushed and knocked for a-winding! That is also what happened to me on New Year’s Eve. I fell victim to a wicked stomach virus making the rounds. Instead of laughing and playing, I spent the day in front of the fireplace in an old flannel gown with a bottle of Pepto Bismol in one hand and a plastic garbage can clutched to my chest. So the cycle goes. Joy and sorrow . . . frustration and happiness . . . good and bad . . . ecstasy and grief . . . old and new. 2003 will be filled with all these things, you know. That is the way of life. And it is the way of God to be with us during each of those moments. Praise him for his precious daily presence! Happy New Year! Cathy Lee Phillips has written for many publications and her books Silver in the Slop and Gutsy Little Flowers, are available at Cokesbury in Atlanta. She can be reached at cathy@patchworkpress.com. - To TOP of Page -
Beyond the News:
Two heroes of generosity Stories of great generosity are inspiring! I am adding two new names to my personal list of generous individuals. They came to their wealth by different paths, but both are demonstrating the joy of giving. Thomas Monagham is my first addition. If his name sounds familiar, it is because he founded Domino’s Pizza, the company that made him a millionaire many times over. He is also a former owner of the American League Detroit Tigers baseball team. If Monagham is successful in his latest venture, he will be establishing the first new Catholic university in our nation in almost 40 years. Monagham, who had hoped to be a priest as a boy, has wanted to found a Catholic university for decades. Now he is working hard to make it possible, willing to spend at least $230 million of his own money to make it happen. Plans for the school, to be named Ave Maria University, are taking shape in southwestern Florida on 750 acres of land not far from the Gulf Coast city of Naples. The college will offer a traditional, faith-based education to as many as 5,000 Catholics. With an impressive board of trustees and a vision of gathering an outstanding faculty to teach intellectual and moral values of the Catholic faith, Monagham says about the school: “I didn’t promise it will be the biggest, but it will be the finest.” Although Monagham never acted upon his call to the priesthood, his life as a successful businessman and benefactor may influence more people for the good than he could ever have reached through ordination. My second nominee, a recent addition to the list of the super-rich, is 55-year-old Jack Whittaker, Jr., the Hurricane, West Virginia, Christmas day winner of the $314.9 million Powerball Lottery. Because he elected to take a single payout on the winnings, Whittaker will receive something in the neighborhood of $113.4 million after taxes. What caught my attention was Whittaker’s announcement that he is tithing his winnings, $17 million, to three Church of God pastors to help the poor. That’s the kind of response that warms every pastor’s heart. Just in case you are curious, he is tithing on the winnings before taxes. About his prize he said,: “I truly believe this is an opportunity to give testimony about tithing and spreading wealth.” Good to his promise, Whittaker was in church on the Sunday after receiving his good news. He said he would give his pastor a $334,000 check later that day - the first installment on his tithe. The oft-heard conclusion is that it would be “easy” to be generous if you won the lottery or had millions of bucks. But that’s not true. Cultivating the gift of generosity is equally challenging, and equally joyous, no matter what the bottom line on your Form 1040. Few of us are millionaires, but we can all be generous. The Rev. Creede Hinshaw is senior pastor at Mulberry Street UMC in Macon. He can be reached at mcreede@bellsouth.net. - To TOP of Page -
Guest Columnist:
Preaching stolen sermons Dr. Fred Craddock is one of the preeminent preachers in the United States today. He taught homiletics for many years at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. I had the opportunity to take several of his classes during seminary. One Sunday Craddock arrived unannounced at a student minister’s church to join the congregation in worship. The unprepared pastor preached one of Craddock’s published sermons word-for-word! The student blushed with embarrassment when the professor shook his hand afterwards. Straight-faced, Craddock said: “Great content, but you need to work on your delivery!” I do not know if the story is fact or fiction. However, an older minister once advised me, “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!” If it did not happen, then it could have. Such things occur every Sunday in pulpits across our land. A minister up north resigned last year over the issue of plagiarism. His church discovered that he had been preaching bought sermons for years. Yet he pretended someone else’s work was his own. Such practices are more common than most laity might imagine. I recently received a brochure in the mail advertising a preaching resource. The book contained a sermon for every Sunday of the year plus special-occasion homilies. The attached letter said the sermons could be used in part or whole, freeing up ministers for “more important work!” No mention was made of what work might be more important than proclaiming the gospel. Writing a sermon is like building a house. Preachers gather their materials from a variety of places. The final product is always a collaborative effort. I learned in seminary that quoting one source without attribution is plagiarism. Using several sources without citation, however, is research! Yet ministers sometimes forget to give credit where credit is due. Craddock has been quoted as saying: “Whoever steals from me steals twice!” Of course, he was probably quoting someone else! I will be the first to admit that I depend upon the research and writings of others. After 2,000 years of Christian preaching, it is impossible to say anything original in a sermon. Like the apostle Paul, ministers pass on what we have received. We stand at the end of a long bucket brigade, offering the water of life to a new generation. Yet ministers are also challenged to craft a message for a particular time and place. Although we rely heavily on others’ work, we must also work to make it our own. A sermon cannot be footnoted like a term paper, but neither should “borrowed” work be presented as one’s own. God’s word is communicated through human words; and the human words must ring with authenticity and integrity. Proclaiming the divine message through human agency is like working with high voltage lines. Such power must be handled with care and respect. Anyone who dares to proclaim, “Thus saith the Lord,” always does so with fear and trembling. Yet the results are always worth the risk. The Rev. Bill Burch is the senior minister at Sam Jones Memorial UMC in Cartersville. Contact him through www.samjonesumc.org. - To TOP of Page -
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October 20, 2006 |
| Inside Highlights |
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Touchdown: Buena Vista UMC wins over youth with Fifth Quarter event. Youth & Faith.
You are the clay: Well-known potter donates pieces to Trinity UMC. Christian Living.
Atlanta Braves player Brian Jordan will lead the annual Wesley Walk for Others around Stone Mountain. Inside Front.
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