From our Minister, David Green

Monthly Messages from
Senior Minister David Green

2008
April | March | February | January

2007
September | August | July | June

April 2008

Beyond Easter

What a glorious Easter we experienced! A cool and blustery but well-attended Sunrise Service, lots of folks - many first-time guests - in the 10:30 service, the ever-popular egg hunt, a terrific breakfast, and also during the 10:30 service we witnessed six baptisms, and on top of that, the addition to our family of seven more folks joining by transfer. I had to go home afterward and take a nap!

Easter came and went early this year. Actually, Easter never really "went" anywhere, as if we don't celebrate the risen Christ every Sunday we gather. And, until we reach the Day of Pentecost, the official "birthday" of the Christian church, we'll continue to be in the Season of Easter on the liturgical calendar.

This season focuses on how the event of the resurrection energized the followers of Jesus to take their first fledgling steps into becoming the church, as they began to understand who Jesus was in light of Hebrew scripture, and what his true identity, mission, and ministry were all about. They were connecting the dots between all that had happened and what they were called to do next.

In many ways we are like those early followers. Some of us still wonder about the resurrection, and for good reason: it was an earth-shattering moment in time where all of our presuppositions about life, death, and ultimate destiny were turned upside down.

We also resemble those disciples in that we constantly ask one another and ourselves, "What do we do now? How do we respond to this good news? How does this impact our lives, our families, our community, and our world?" Do we keep this news to ourselves, or risk our necks by sharing it?

One truism is that any community, ancient or modern, can easily become complacent or insular, believing that, "Yes, this is what we believe, we're happy with it, and if others want to join us, we're glad about that - but they must come to us."

Churches often take on that kind of unhealthy mindset. The post-resurrection disciples and other followers of Jesus were in turn frightened, jubilant, anxious, and eager. Some wanted to return to their old way of life: "Let's go back home to Galilee and do some fishing." Some wanted to stay in Jerusalem and hash things out with the Jewish religious establishment, who were suspicious - to say the least - of the claims being made about Jesus' resurrection.

There was the pull on the one hand to return to normalcy, and on the other, to reach out in ways that might prove dangerous. It wasn't until the Holy Spirit arrived like a rushing wind some 50 days after Jesus rose from the grave that those followers became full-fledged evangelists, boldly filled with the very same power that had propelled Jesus forward in his life and ministry.

But before the Spirit came, and in the absence of Jesus, I suspect there were far more questions than answers, more confusion than clear direction, more of a "circle the wagons" mentality than the desire to share the good news.

Thankfully, the Spirit did come, they did reach out with great vigor, and as we later learn, "…day by day, the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)

As a church we then have an enormous benefit the disciples did not enjoy prior to the Day of Pentecost. We already have that same Spirit with us; a Spirit that energizes, gives direction, consoles, provides confidence, and builds community. And on top of that, we have a really great story to share. The best story of all.

According to the Bible, then, the Lord should add to our number day by day. But if that's not happening, we need to seriously reflect on why.

I've observed that the members of our church, like many churches, enjoy attending because it's a time to reconnect with good and faithful friends. There's certainly nothing wrong with that; we all yearn for a place where we know we belong, and we're naturally drawn to people we know and love. We want to catch up on things with them. How are your kids? Is your mother doing better? How about those Spurs?

But in the midst of that kind of important interpersonal fellowship, we also need to be very aware: aware that we have, on a regular basis, a fairly high number of guests in our midst, visiting us perhaps for the first time, or those who may have become inactive and have returned to check things out.

It's crucial that each of us have a heightened sense of alertness to these folks, who have taken the time and made the often frightening but brave decision to get out of bed on Sunday morning and walk through our doors.

If every person who visited us once were to actually return twice, three times, ten times, and eventually make the decision to join us, our growth would be explosive. But so many of our first-time guests do not return, and that's a cause for concern.

It could be that they were searching for something different in terms of worship style, or preaching, or music. There might be any number of reasons, as unique as each individual.

But in all my years of ministry, I've discovered that the number one reason a person feels the desire to return, get involved, and join a church boils down to one word: relationships.

Relationships with other members, in the midst of seeking a closer relationship with God. Feeling as if they've found community, a safe place, friends they can trust. For the vast majority of folks, having valuable relationships matters a great deal more than almost any other aspect of church life.

Obviously, if you're a guest in church and that element is missing because precious few or - Heaven forbid - none of the members have recognized and affirmed your presence, if you haven't been introduced by a member to other members, if you haven't been invited to attend an event or activity, if you feel as if it didn't make a difference to anyone that you were even there - that you were invisible - it's highly unlikely you'll return. Who could blame you?

The bulk of our members no doubt feel that we are a friendly church. No surprise there; we already have friends here. But it takes a much more intentional effort to extend that friendship to others. Between services and after worship, so many of us cluster in small groups or make a beeline toward the parking lot after exchanging a few pleasantries.

Please stop. Look around. If an unfamiliar face enters your field of vision, go ahead and make the assumption that person is a guest. If they're already a member you simply didn't know previously, then rejoice because you've met a fellow member.

But if that person is indeed a guest, look them in the eye, smile, shake their hand, ask their name (and remember it), and tell them just how much it means to you that they would visit us. And don't stop there. Ask how they heard of our church, and as you're doing so, gather other members into your conversation so that they can also meet this guest. Surround them with love. Invite them back. Let them know about the next activity your small group is doing. Tell them what a great congregation this is. Introduce them to me.

That, my friends in Christ, is the answer to "What do we do now?" in light of the resurrection. This is what we do, with the help of the emboldening, guiding, energizing, community-building Spirit, after Easter: we invite others to share in that resurrection light. Everyone we encounter, whether before or after worship, or anywhere. But first, we must encounter them. That is how we will grow in number, day by day.

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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March 2008

Burnt Offerings: A Ton Plus Eight in 2008

First Christian Church members have very generously donated hundreds of pounds of nonperishable food to the Hays County Area Food Bank in the past several months – 201 pounds in January alone. Most of this food has been brought forward by our children during worship, collected from members, as the kids come forward for the children’s sermon. During the 8:30 service, members bring food as they come forward to receive communion.

This past month we also collected a bunch of food for the annual Souper Bowl of Caring, coinciding with Super Bowl Sunday (wasn’t that a great game, by the way – even if the Cowboys didn’t play?).

This offering of food matters very much to families who are our friends and neighbors; folks who depend on the food bank for basic staples that most of us take for granted when we’re in the grocery store. It’s a clear reflection as a congregation of our response to Jesus’ calling to feed the hungry and care for those less fortunate.

Now, a creative and exciting challenge: during the year of 2008, I believe that as a church, we can easily donate 2,008 pounds of food for the Hays County Area Food Bank. In other words, "a ton plus eight in 2008." Our Outreach Department will post a barometer in the Narthex illustrating our progress toward that goal.

This will mean that all of us will need to intentionally remember this challenge every time we visit the grocery store. Simply pick up an extra can or two of beans or corn, a box of rice or dried mashed potato flakes, a couple of cans of soup...that you devote to bring to church on Sunday. Perhaps we can think of it as our "grocery tithe".

When we get home from the store, we then set these items aside in a bag and bring them to church on Sunday. During worship, the children (or in the 8:30 service, anyone) will take these items forward. We will then deliver them all to the food bank the same week and families right here in Hays County will enjoy a decent, nutritious meal. It’s as simple as that and it’s what we’re called to do as disciples of Jesus Christ. Hardly anything could be easier.

Just think of it: 2,008 pounds of food! What kind of difference will that make in the lives of people in need? What kind of statement will that make about our commitment to being followers of Jesus Christ? What other church in San Marcos will take on that kind of challenge?

I believe we can and I believe we will! Remember: A Ton Plus Eight in 2008!

Public Awareness

The Public Awareness Team has designed a new bumper sticker that will be available to all members soon. The design includes a stylized Disciples Chalice (I think of it as the Chalice on steroids) and our website address.

After receiving much helpful feedback from members regarding the use of the Chalice versus using an oak tree design, it was determined that the Chalice was the way to go. I hope all our members will display this bumper sticker proudly on their vehicles, each becoming a rolling advertisement for our church. The bumper stickers will be available free of charge in the Narthex, so please pick up one for each vehicle you own, and stick it on!

Growing the Church

One of the most important tasks I agreed to take on when I was called to FCC last summer was that of growing our church. We need to approach this job honestly, intentionally, and as a long-term effort.

First of all, we need to acknowledge the fact that many members of FCC departed roughly three years ago when a tumultuous rift occurred. Some of our members left with a former minister to form a new congregation and some simply left out of disgust or disappointment at the way things were going.

I don’t want to downplay the impact of that event. Many members were terribly hurt, disillusioned, and disenfranchised. Almost every day, I speak with members who are still seeking to heal from that catastrophe. It’s such a shame that this happened, but it did. While we have to face that reality, we also need to address the question of whether or not that event will define us or limit us in the future.

One of my favorite authors, Viktor Frankl, wrote in his best-seller, "Man’s Search for Meaning," that whatever happens to us is far less important than our response to what happens to us. He should know, because he survived a Nazi concentration camp. In other words, we have the power to respond in positive, constructive ways to negative events. They need not define us. We have control over how we’ll move forward. More importantly, we have the ever-creating love of God to empower us.

With that power in our hands and hearts, here’s what I’d like to see happen:

• That we acknowledge the mistakes and other issues of our recent past.

• That we forgive those who we feel abandoned us or betrayed us, wish them well, and simply let them go their way, with our blessing.

• Trusting in God’s infinite ability to heal, transform, and reconcile, we look forward to an exciting future.

• That we intentionally seek to bring back into our fold those members who felt as if they were set adrift; those who’ve not found a church home, or who would like to return to us but might feel as if they would not be welcomed. We need to express to these folks that they are indeed welcome and needed. We want them back.

I have every confidence that we will grow and prosper as a church and do amazing things in Jesus’ name. But to make that happen will require the very intentional effort of every member. We must not be complacent; we must be proactive. Each of us must make it our personal mission to invite the people with whom we interact on a daily basis to visit our church. Every member must see it as his/her personal goal to hold forth the gracious invitation to be a part of something wonderful, being part of a loving, supportive and growing family of faith in Jesus Christ. Every member must "buy in" to our new slogan, "Everyone Belongs," and think of it not merely as a slogan but a reality that each of us is called to live out.

While we’re at church, we need to be on high alert for unfamiliar faces. Don’t assume that any person has already been greeted by a member. Guests are doing us a huge favor by paying a visit; the least we can do is acknowledge and welcome their presence. Resist the habit of clustering only with a small group of friends, with your backs to those guests who are strolling by unnoticed. Reach out, introduce, be genuine, ask questions, smile a bunch, and exude true biblical hospitality.

Ours is the best church in town...so let’s be darned proud of that fact and let people know it!

I know and believe that we will grow and I thank you for your efforts. As your minister, I’m going to do all that I can and am depending on every member to do his/her part. This is an exciting, growing moment for us...let’s keep this excitement and growth moving forward!

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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February 2008

Burnt Offerings: Ash Wednesday

Growing up as a Disciple, I didn’t experience many of the varieties of religious expression my Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and other friends enjoyed. Disciples and similar "free-church" traditions typically shunned practices that smacked of being too "high-church." We were down-to-earth, plain-spoken, and simply not interested in too much sacramental mumbo-jumbo that might get in the way of proclaiming a straightforward gospel message.

However, as time went on and more Disciples congregations began reaching out to other traditions – at least to compare notes – we discovered a treasure trove of liturgy, ceremony, and worship elements that can truly enrich our spiritual journey without compromising our basic tenet of "No creed but Christ."

Observing the Season of Lent is one of those practices we’ve embraced, but for many Disciples it still remains something of a mystery.

Lent, in most denominations, is the forty-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Different traditions calculate the forty days differently.

The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

In Western Christianity, Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday – the day before Easter. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter," a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.

In the English language, Lent was formerly referred to by the Latin term quadragesima (a translation of the original Greek tessarakoste, the "fortieth day" before Easter). In the late Middle Ages, as sermons began to be given in the vernacular instead of Latin, the English word lent was adopted. This word initially simply meant spring and derives from the Germanic root for spring (specifically Old English lencten; also the Anglo-Saxon name for March—lenct—as the main part of Lent, before Easter, usually occurred in March).

This year we will initiate the Season of Lent in an Ash Wednesday worship service, during which, worshippers will be invited to receive the sign of the cross made on their foreheads using ashes. Traditionally, the ashes are made by burning palm leaves that were used during the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration. The palm ash is ground up with a little bit of oil – olive oil is my favorite – to form a paste that will adhere to the skin.

Ideally, we would have our Ash Wednesday service first thing in the morning, to allow folks to wear the sign of the cross all day. If you’ve never experienced that, trust me: you do receive some curious stares. However, in the interest of having the service at a time when most every member could attend, it will be at 6 PM. Not much cross-wearing time, but you still get the idea. By the way, it’s a good idea to wash your forehead before going to bed, unless you want to wake up with a messy pillow-case!

Worship Attendance

Lately, our worship attendance has been lagging. I keep offering that it might be because of the lousy preaching, but everyone I talk to insists that’s not the case. Whatever may be keeping you at home or anywhere else but church on a frequent basis, please know that your presence is needed. The Membership Committee has organized a phone-a-thon on Wednesday January 30 (which of course will have already happened by the time you read this) for the express purpose of checking up on inactive members, making sure they’re okay, and letting them know we miss them and need them back.

I’ve read a lot of books and have attended several seminars on church growth and maintaining an active membership, and one constant, very simple action guarantees a growing, vibrant church: members being intentional about asking people – individually – to come to church with them. That also goes for our own members who’ve become inactive: invite them back!

All the advertizing in the world won’t grow a church if the members don’t feel personally responsible for the church’s growth. It can’t be relegated to an evangelism committee or to the pastor or to snazzy billboards. Every member must see it as his/her mission to invite a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or family member to come. We shouldn’t assume those aforementioned folks already belong to a church, but even if they do, so what? I seriously doubt anyone being offended by being asked, "By the way, would you be interested in visiting my church?"

As it happens, I invite people all the time, but that kind of thing sort of happens naturally with me once someone I just met discovers I’m a preacher. If you have that dread common among church members of appearing like a raving zealot if you were to ask a friend to church, get real. Be your wonderful self. Give it a shot. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. You may just be handing someone the best gift they’ve ever received: an invitation to become part of a warm, loving, compassionate family that worships a gracious God. That’s something to be proud of and to share!

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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January 2008

Burnt Offerings

In this New Year First, Christian Church will be making a concerted effort to heighten the awareness of our congregation in the community and draw in potential new members. A new group, the Public Awareness Team, is working on strategies to affordably and effectively market the church. My wife, Ellen, chairs this group, which includes Kerry Rash, Mike Wood, Brenda Damron, Rudie Stallings, and me.

Ellen, as you may know, already does this kind of thing for a living as Dean of Communication and Marketing at Amarillo College. She oversees a multi-million dollar advertising budget, has oversight of the PBS television station in Amarillo, and has many years of experience in the field of advertising, public relations, and television journalism. Even if she weren’t my wife, Ellen would be my first choice to head up this effort. The team does its work by telephone conferences with Ellen, until she is able to join us here next summer. And by the way, since she is my wife, I can’t wait for that to happen!

One issue this team has been developing is a "branding" for our church. Branding essentially means that we have a theme, logo, and color scheme that will be employed consistently in any advertizing or promotions we do. This will take the form of bumper stickers, any print advertizing we buy, any signs we develop, flyers, our letterhead and business cards, our web site, our worship bulletins, the little cards placed in every pew that indicates an interest in joining the church, etc. Just about anything you’ll see that relates to the church.

As a Disciples of Christ congregation, we have appropriately used our denominational symbol of the red chalice with the Saint Andrew’s cross in many of these applications. This stylized chalice was adopted in 1968 as our official logo when our "brotherhood" – after about 130 years - finally decided to organize formally as a denomination for the purpose of more effective mission work and organization both at home and abroad.

The red chalice with the Saint Andrew’s cross is near and dear to the hearts of many Disciples, because it speaks of our identity, our practices and of the primacy of communion in our worship life. The Saint Andrew’s cross adorning the chalice is a nod to our Scottish Presbyterian roots. If you have any doubts, take a close look at the British Union Jack flag – and you’ll find our white cross right there among the red, white and blue of that banner.

So, it might seem like a no-brainer that we would employ the chalice in any advertizing or marketing we undertake.

However, when it comes to marketing the church to non-Disciples, the chalice quite honestly can pose a challenge. Some will accuse me of heresy for suggesting the following and as a born and bred and diehard Disciple, it pains me to admit this...but...hold on to your hats...I believe our chalice may not be the best logo in the world in terms of marketing our church today. Okay...now please don’t burn me at the stake!

First of all, I know how important the chalice is for many if not most of our members, and I’m not suggesting we discard it as our symbol. Far from it. When someone visits or joins our church, I want to educate them about the symbolism of the chalice and its importance to our identity.

But from a marketing standpoint – when we want to promote our church to the general public - we must take a sober look at reality. And that harsh reality is our beloved chalice means absolutely nothing to people who don’t already have a Disciples background.

As a chalice-loving person, I’ve been dismayed over the years when I’ve encountered folks who are clueless about what this logo represents. I’ve actually spent time on a busy street corner in Austin showing the chalice to passersby, asking them what they thought it meant. Not one person had any idea, but several thought it must be a logo for some group that condemned drinking alcohol. That might come as a surprise to those of you who occasionally enjoy a drink, but it’s true.

When I’ve explained to friends, co-workers or the average Joe that the chalice logo is a symbol of my church, quite often the question has been, "So, your church is against drinking?" "Not exactly," I’d respond, and after five or ten minutes, they would be enlightened as to the real meaning of the chalice.

Friends, let me tell you, if it takes five or ten minutes to explain what a logo represents, it’s not the best marketing tool in the world.

I know what you’re thinking. If we don’t use the chalice in our marketing and public relations, then how will other Disciples be able to recognize us as a Disciples church? How will they find us? Will we look like an Independent Christian Church, God forbid? Those are valid questions, and I’ve pondered them myself.

But again, let’s do a reality check. There are approximately 750,000 active Disciples in the U.S., and that’s a liberal estimate. We’re not a large denomination, and there are simply not that many free-floating Disciples out there. And one of my main beefs about our denomination is that we’re guilty of recycling Disciples.

By that, I mean that some Disciples churches grow in number primarily by attracting Disciples who have relocated to their area. That in itself isn’t a bad thing, but my burning question is: shouldn’t we also be growing new Disciples – folks who don’t have a Disciples background already?

We’re guilty, as a denomination, of shuffling the cards: concentrating our efforts on reeling in the few Disciples to our congregations who’ve left another Disciples congregation. To me, that is an insufficient formula for growing a congregation, much less a denomination. And that is no way to rely on growing our own church. We can’t and shouldn’t depend on those few Disciples who happen to move here to bolster our numbers.

Let me be clear. We will continue to use the phrase "Disciples of Christ" in all of our advertising and promotional efforts. So let’s give those few Disciples who might move to San Marcos a little credit: they can easily identify us and visit us if they wish – Chalice logo or not.

In fact, I’ve learned that some Disciples congregations are moving away from using the chalice for precisely the reasons I’ve outlined. Not to move toward independence from the denomination, but to do a better job in promoting their congregation.

On the other hand, the argument could be made that the chalice – like it or not – does distinguish us from other churches. It sets us apart in the community. And we ought to utilize it. It’s us.

But who is "us", exactly? The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is an incredibly diverse collection of churches. From one congregation to the next, the theology, styles of worship, and forms of church organization are all over the map.

Many times, I’ve had a Disciples visitor from let’s say, Alabama, come to me and comment, "This doesn’t seem like a ‘real’ Disciples church," based on their own experience back home. If you’ve ever attended a general or regional assembly, you know what I mean. Disciples range from very conservative to very liberal in their theological stance, or from having a "high church" form of worship to having a very casual, praise-and-worship type of service, or from having a quite rigid eldership and board oversight to having a pastor-makes-all-the-decisions organizational structure.

In other words, to think that all Disciples believe and practice the same thing is to not be in touch with reality. I personally find this variety to be refreshing and expressive of the vast range of God’s work in the world. One area assembly worship service I attended several years ago was led by Hispanic Disciples ministers, and it was downright Pentecostal in nature. Many of the folks seated around me were grumbling, "This isn’t what we are as Disciples!" But I thought it was a wonderful expression of our diversity.

My point is that Disciples are not a monolithic group, that every congregation is different and that our common point of reference comes more from our shared Restoration Movement based history.

The Restoration Movement, which was part of the Second Great Awakening in 19th Century America, sought to unite all Christians into one body that would mirror or restore the church as it was expressed in the New Testament, and particularly in the book of Acts.

Our founders – Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone, and others - believed that if the New Testament church was replicated in its purest form, the Kingdom of God would be ushered in once and for all. Over time – and especially following the Civil War and into the 20th Century - this movement gave birth to at least three distinct groups: the Churches of Christ, Independent Christian Churches, and the Disciples of Christ.

As it happened, the Disciples of Christ turned out to be the more open-minded of these groups, accepting of a greater range of belief and practice, and permitting such things as women serving as elders and clergy, the use of instrumental music in worship, and embracing other denominations – and even Catholicism - as truly valid forms of Christianity. In other words, at our best we accept all believers, and we don’t pretend to have an absolute claim on the only way to be a Christian.

So, we are the beneficiaries of a long history of faithful folks who have sought to include all Christians under one roof. And, that is a legacy I firmly am committed to: I believe that one of our greatest strengths is that we are inclusive of all followers of Christ, and that we must be open and accessible to anyone who is a seeker of faith in Jesus, just as I am.

I couple this with the fact that increasingly, and particularly among young adults, there is a mistrust of organized religion. The explosive growth of huge nondenominational churches owes much to this phenomenon. Many times I’ve been asked the question by a potential member: "Does this church belong to a denomination?" When I respond in the affirmative, even though I explain that each of our churches function independently, own our own property, and are free to make our own decisions with no hierarchy calling the shots from on high, that’s usually the last time I’ll ever see that person.

So, perhaps we need to rethink using a denominational symbol from that standpoint. For those who join us who do harbor suspicions of denominations, I’d prefer to let them see for themselves that their fears are ungrounded as they become engaged in the life of the congregation. But waving a denominational banner in their face from the outset may have a chilling effect.

Normally, a decision made by a committee or task group – and no decision has been made in this case – should be respected by the rest of the members, who are always welcome to join a committee if they have an opinion on any subject. But in this case, I believe it is appropriate to have a friendly, broader discussion because of the emotional and pragmatic concerns related to how we use the chalice.

So, I’d appreciate your feedback. By the way, the other option we’ve discussed in the event we choose not to use the chalice is a logo of an oak tree. Not just any oak tree, but a drawing by Bernice Scott of the beautiful tree nearest our main entry. The tree logo, for me, expresses growth, permanence, stability, beauty, and our location in the Hill Country. Plus it’s our tree!

Please do let me know your thoughts and feelings on this issue. It’s important to me that we all "buy in" to any marketing or promotional effort we undertake, and that whatever we do is truly expressive of our wonderful congregation. You can contact me at the church, 396-1926, or .

Proud to be your pastor,

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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September 2007

Burnt Offerings

Many exciting things are happening in the life of First Christian Church in the month of September.

We'll be in full swing with our new Sunday School classes for all ages (and a very spruced-up Education Wing, Nursery, and Toddler Room); our Wednesday night "Family at First" program of dinner, adult Bible Study, and children's and adult choir rehearsals; our Friday "Dinners With David" in member's homes; my installation service at 4 PM on the 23rd; Consecration Sunday on the 30th, and much more.

In the midst of all this, there is one special event I want to highlight in particular and encourage you to mark on your calendar.

Our Trustees have established a new Permanent Fund at FCC, and to educate us on how such a fund benefits our congregation and its members, we have invited the Reverend Bobby Hawley, a Disciples' minister who serves the Christian Church Foundation, to preach during both services and offer special presentations on Sunday, Sept. 16. The Foundation serves as the trust department arm of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and helps in the areas of planned giving and stewardship of permanent funds.

Bobby worked with our trustees last year to help develop the Permanent Fund. He knows how important it is for us to now begin the process of educating the congregation about it and build the fund as a crucial asset for our church.

On the 16th, Bobby will make a presentation in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour at 9:30. I wouldn't normally encourage anyone to play hooky from Sunday School, but that day would be the exception. We want as many adults as possible to attend because the information Bobby will share is so valuable.

Following the 10:30 worship service, any members who cannot attend the 9:30 presentation or who are interested in a more in-depth discussion with Bobby are asked to RSVP to the church office no later than Wednesday Sept. 12 (396-1926). A lunch will be served, but we first need reservations.

Why are we doing this? In all my years of ministry, I've learned that many church members need basic inheritance information. They need it from someone (a) they can trust, (b) who understands the importance of the church, and finally (c) someone who is not trying to sell something. Too many folks make decisions from an uninformed position. I want you to be informed with absolutely no obligation.

I also know that too few people have a legal will - one that directs affairs the way they want. Without one, the State directs how things happen. I know many of us don't like thinking about such things, but instead, imagine how you can plan now to take care of your family and your cherished causes, all in the way you want. And while you do, you might be able to save yourself significant tax dollars!

That's why we've invited Bobby to meet with us. His presentations are for information only. They will equip you with basic tools to help you know what questions to ask concerning the development of your estate.

The Christian Church Foundation has been very helpful to ministers and churches around the country and it doesn't cost a thing. Hundreds of congregations and thousands of church members have benefited by using their services through the years.

Please come and meet Reverend Hawley on Sunday, Sept. 16, and plan on attending his presentation at 9:30, or make a reservation to attend the presentation following the 10:30 service and enjoy lunch with us. Our time with Bobby will be well spent. I hope to see you there.

Your Partner in Christ,

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

DR. ROBERT "BOBBY" W. HAWLEY is the vice president of the South Central Zone of the Christian Church Foundation. He is responsible for working with members, congregations, regions and other entities of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Great River, Oklahoma and Southwest Regions. Before joining the Foundation in November 1998 as assistant vice president in the South Central Zone, Hawley served nine years as senior minister at Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in El Paso, Texas. He also has served as an associate minister at Alamo Heights Christian Church, San Antonio, and chaplain for Juliette Fowler Homes in Dallas. He is married and his wife, Diane, is on the faculty of Harris School of Nursing at Texas Christian University. They have three children - Alicia, Kelsey and Noah.

A Texas native, Hawley (who prefers to be called Bobby) earned his bachelor's degree in social work from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, his master of divinity from TCU's Brite Divinity School and his doctor of ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas. He is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

Bobby has a pastor's heart and is wholly committed to his ministry to help individuals and families take full advantage of the planned giving instruments that are available in order to bring maximum benefit to themselves, their heirs and the church they love.

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August 2007

Burnt Offerings — A Resurrected Church

Resurrection is a core belief for Christians. We believe in the resurrection of Christ, and the promise of our own resurrection to new life when this life comes to an end.

But resurrection as a theological concept can go much deeper. We can have a taste of resurrection any time we experience a reawakening of our faith, when with awe we witness the return to health and vitality of a loved one who had been near death, or when we find reconciliation and forgiveness in a personal relationship. All of these are resurrection experiences because they point to new life, to hope, and to the awesome power of love over all else.

Churches can also experience resurrection. Vitality, growth, unity and healing can emerge from lethargy, decline, brokenness and hurt. Excitement can emerge from anxiety. Purpose and direction can emerge from indifference and aimlessness.

If we truly believe in the concept and the sheer power of resurrection, we can and ought to believe that nothing - absolutely nothing - is beyond God's ability and reach...and we should all recognize that First Christian Church is in the midst of nothing less than resurrection.

I witness the signs of this every day, and it is a beautiful thing to behold. So many members are coming to me to offer their enthusiastic help and support for a wide range of initiatives and programs. Whenever my friends, family, and colleagues ask how things are going for me here thus far, I respond, "I'm having a ball, and the members here are chomping at the bit to get things going. It's truly exciting, and it's a joy to be here."

I could easily write a small book about the wonderful signs of resurrection that are occurring at First Christian Church, but allow me to highlight just a few:

The MILES Team

We have established a new Member Integration, Life, Enrichment, and Service (MILES) team that will operate as an independent sub-group of the Evangelism, Membership, and Outreach committees. Chaired by Claire French, the MILES team is comprised of only a few members and myself, who will coordinate their activity with the aforementioned committees.

The goals of the MILES team are to:

1. Track and encourage the progress of FCC guests toward membership;

2. Mentor new members toward integration into specific areas of interest in the life of the church, including fellowship groups and Sunday School classes;

3. Keep track for one year of each new member's involvement in the church and provide follow-up and encouragement;

4. Move each new member into some aspect of service (or outreach) within or preferably beyond the church.

The MILES team will not necessarily perform this work by themselves, but will act as a coordinating body, recruiting and training existing members to act as mentors for prospective and new members. The team will rely heavily on the cooperation of and communication with the Evangelism, Membership, and Outreach committees to perform their task.

One important component of the MILES concept is the offering, up to three times per year, of a Membership Class, led by me during the Sunday School hour, for a period of four consecutive weeks. This class will be geared toward prospective and new members, and will cover Disciples of Christ history and structure, the history and structure of FCC, beliefs and practices, and expectations of membership.

Education

We are making real progress toward the hiring of an associate minister to act as youth director and education coordinator. With hope and the grace of God, we will have someone on board by September. Mattie Howard and Teri Stapp, Education co-chairs, are a busy pair these days. One initiative is an updating of our nursery facilities and policies, to make that area more attractive and welcoming for parents and their children. We are looking to renew a children's church program for children in preschool through 2nd grade. Two new fellowship groups will be developed for early elementary and older elementary age kids, to compliment our Chi-Rho and CYF groups.

*Please note: A Back to School Kickoff Sunday will be held August 26. In lieu of the 8:30 worship service that day only, we will have a breakfast, an open-house tour of the classrooms for children and youth, and recognition of children during worship. Throughout the year, Sunday School attendance and other awards will be presented to children during worship. Beginning August 26, a lectionary-based curriculum will be used in our children's Sunday School classes, and I will lead a lectionary Sunday School class for adults. In this way, children and their parents will learn the same Bible lessons that will also be our focus during worship.

We are also bringing back a Wednesday evening supper and program night, "Family at First," which will begin with a meal at 5:30, and follow at 6:15 with fellowship groups for children and youth, and an adult Bible study led by myself that will essentially cover the same material for that week's upcoming lectionary selection that will be studied during Sunday School and worship. Among other things, Sunday School teachers who attend the Wednesday night Bible study can learn more about the passage they will teach on the following Sunday. Chancel Choir rehearsal follows at 7:15 PM for those of you who want to add music to your ministry here at FCC.

Worship

A "Kids Welcome Wagon" will be stationed in the Narthex (A large red Western Flyer-style wagon) containing personalized bags, each containing materials that children can utilize during worship. Each bag will include crayons, a current children's worship bulletin (also lectionary-based), coloring books, and other age-appropriate magazines, books, and devotional materials. Beginning August 5, we are implementing a new practice during the second service: as the children come forward for the Children's Sermon, they will collect non-perishable food items from the members (who will need to bring one or two items with them each Sunday). The children will place these items in a large basket located immediately in front of the Communion Table. This practice allows the children to make a tangible offering each Sunday, it will be a sign of our congregation's dedication to serve the hungry in our midst, and for all it will be a clear sign that children are important to us. The food collected will be donated each week to the local community food pantry.

*Please note: during the month of August, in addition to or in lieu of food, the children will collect school supplies for underprivileged children in the San Marcos School District. You can always bring food items, but I encourage you to bring school supplies this month. You may bring an individual school supply item or provide for an entire set of supplies for one child in a sealed bag marked with the appropriate grade level (please refer to the supply list on the back of the August calendar in this newsletter). Want to be truly generous? Buy a complete set of supplies and place them in new book bag or backpack to make a child completely ready to start the school year off right! We will deliver the supplies to the SMCISD administrative offices, where they will be distributed to campuses with students in need.

Christian Men's Fellowship

We are initiating a men's fellowship group with a kickoff breakfast on Saturday August 4 at 7:30 AM. Robert Pruett is initially coordinating this group which will focus its efforts on a combination of fellowship and work; primarily work projects at the church, but also beyond. This is one of the most exciting developments to emerge since my arrival and I encourage all men to get involved!

SALT Groups

The newly-formed SALT groups (ask Lenore Bolton to find out what SALT stands for) provide a system for our elders and deacons to be organized for serving the church and its members. In late June the elders and deacons gathered on a Saturday to learn about the expectations and significance of their roles. It was a wonderful time of sharing and fellowship, and I so much appreciate the work of our elders and deacons, especially in the realm of helping care for our own members in times of illness or crisis.

Again, these are only a handful of some of the exciting things now happening at First Christian Church. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to be your minister, your friend in Christ, and your co-worker in these efforts. To serve a resurrected church is every minister's dream come true and I am living that dream. Thank you, God.

Your Brother, and Friend in Christ,

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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July 2007

Burnt Offerings

Hospitality: perhaps my favorite biblical concept, liberally sprinkled throughout the scriptures, but often overlooked. Hospitality is something we're regularly reminded of in the Bible, something we're called to demonstrate as individuals and as a church, and is behavior that is clearly pleasing to God, so much so that if we behave in a hospitable manner, God deems us as righteous.

My favorite hospitality story occurs in the book of Genesis, chapter 18. Out in the middle of nowhere, in a place called the Oaks of Mamre, living the nomadic existence of a tribal chieftain with a certain promise of God resonating through his head and heart, Abraham is interrupted from his daily routine by the sudden appearance of three dusty strangers straggling into his encampment from out of the vast wilderness.

Abraham doesn't ask these travelers what their business is or what in the world they're doing trekking about the desert. Even though Abraham is the revered leader of a substantial group of families, servants, large herds of livestock, and men-at-arms, he instantly - and incongruously - assumes the posture of a head-waiter at a posh restaurant when these complete strangers shuffle up to the threshold of his tent.

The three guests, who unknown to Abraham are actually angelic creatures (one of them turns out to be Yahweh himself in disguise!), are treated by Abraham to the very best of what he possesses. The best drink, the choicest meat, the coolest spot in the shade. Abraham literally runs to and fro to satisfy their every need, waiting on them hand and foot... because such is the tradition of the ancient Near East from time beyond memory.

Not that everyone in the region honors that tradition. Far from it. In the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, not too far distant, the residents have apparently forgotten this time-honored code of conduct, subjecting visitors seeking refuge to cruel and unjust treatment, up to and including sexual harassment as a form of sport to amuse the locals.

But not Abraham. He exhibits the best of what hospitality truly means, and it pleases God. So much so that the three strangers affirm that he and his wife Sarah (who rightfully should have long retired to a comfortable community in south Florida and been content playing Canasta every Thursday) would indeed be blessed with a male heir. Not surprisingly, Sarah chortles at this impossible idea - only to later deny her incredulous laughter...somewhat unconvincingly. And, by the way, the birth of Isaac occurs not long thereafter.

Perhaps almost as intensely as the famous test Yahweh later slaps on Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, this episode seals the deal in God's eyes that Abraham is truly a righteous human being worthy of God's enduring promise and blessing. And, it all has to do with the kind of hospitality God desires for all humanity.

Interestingly, many people of faith misconstrue the subsequent tale of Sodom and Gomorrah as an indictment of sexual deviancy, when in fact - viewed as a whole with the preceding story of Abraham and the three visitors - it is much more about hospitality, or the consequences of the lack thereof. In other words, viewed honestly, Sodom and Gomorrah isn't about homosexuality. It's about the absence of hospitality and the destructive consequences of such behavior.

So, what has this to do with us? Everything, as it turns out.

Consider for a moment the ministry of Jesus. At every turn, much to the consternation and conniption fits of the religious authorities of the day, the increasingly popular Jesus exhibited an outrageous form of hospitality. He welcomed and dined with sinners (prostitutes, those who had made themselves ritually unclean, etc.), tax collectors (reviled collaborators with the Romans), and other social outcasts.

By not only associating with, but by happily hosting such ne'er-do-wells, Jesus placed himself firmly as the model that God valued, and in mold of Abraham who welcomed unknown (and potentially unclean) visitors into his tent, who situated them in a place of honor, and who promised them a place in God's Kingdom.

Such activity earned Jesus no fans among the proper and upright citizens and keepers of the true faith, but he stubbornly kept on insisting that the Kingdom of God included any and all comers, even (gasp!) Samaritans, of all people.

The examples go on and on, but one more might bear discussing. In the Book of Acts, Peter tells of a wild vision wherein he is commanded to eat of all sorts of food strictly deemed unfit for observant Jews. In a nutshell, that vision is Peter's life-altering moment when his "Berlin Wall" must come down and he is from that point on able to welcome Gentiles into the burgeoning Christian movement.

God clearly wants us to be people who are hospitable, welcoming, accepting, nurturing, understanding, forgiving, and capable of getting over our old prejudices in order to fully embrace new friends in Christ.

The interesting thing is, in these biblical stories there doesn't appear to be any test for membership into God's family. The real test, it seems, is of how willing we are - as people of the covenant already - to welcome outsiders without qualifications.

After all, can any of us really say that we qualify to be included in God's kingdom? I cannot say that for myself. If I am included, it's an act of pure grace that I did nothing to earn. I'm surely not worthy, and by all rights I should not be welcomed. I'm as much a recipient of God's gracious, forgiving, and extravagant hospitality as anyone.

And we, as a church, should reflect that very same extravagant hospitality.

Let us welcome those who've felt disenfranchised by the church; those who've felt unwelcomed because they've made mistakes, or because they've been branded as unworthy. Let us welcome those who have honest questions and doubts about faith and life and where to go from here. Let us welcome those stragglers from the deserts of life. Let us welcome any and all comers.

Let us live out the kind of radical hospitality that earned Abraham the blessing of God and that Jesus died to make real. Let us be hospitable.

There are tangible and subtle ways we can do this; it really isn't all that difficult.

For instance, very simply, all of us can wear our name badges at church. We can make sure our facility is clean, inviting, and nurturing for people of all ages - especially for families with young children. During the moment in worship when we pass the Peace of Christ, we can seek out and embrace those folks we don't already know. We can invite our family members, co-workers, neighbors and friends (yes, even friends who belong to another church) to "give our church a try." And do so persistently.

We can discard the notion of being passive about whether or not someone will be welcomed at First Christian Church, and instead be proactive to ensure that hospitality will be everyone's experience here.

We can discard the language of "visitor" and replace it with the more appropriate word, "guest." After all, a visitor could be a strange alien from another planet, but a guest is someone we shower with attention and affection, a person we genuinely want to be in our midst, someone who walks away with the thirst to return because of the warmth and excitement they've experienced.

Hospitality begins with each and every one of us, and it has a power that transcends us, much like a pebble tossed into a still pond. The ripples will grow far beyond our expectations. It can expand to numbers greater than the stars in the sky, or the grains of sand on the shore. As a result, like Abraham, we can be deemed righteous by God. As followers of Christ, we can seek that same righteousness through his example.

I believe that First Christian Church will grow, both in God's Spirit and in number. I hope you share that belief with me. It is up to all of us to be the ambassadors of God's gracious hospitability. Let no one be a stranger here.

A radical, loving, accepting, forgiving, gracious, biblical hospitality is my own personal calling, my goal, and my dream, and I pray that you will share and live that dream with me...and that God in the grace that goes beyond our wildest expectations...may deem us as righteous.

Your Brother, and Friend in Christ,

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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June 2007

Friends in Christ,

I am excited and honored to begin serving you as Senior Minister of First Christian Church. I take seriously the task before us, but I also plan on us having a lot of fun together. There is much I could share with you about my specific plans for the weeks and months ahead, but the primary message I would like to offer is that I truly want to be a servant-leader among you.

First, I wish to acknowledge and offer my thanks for the ministry of Dr. McKibbin during this interim period. It is obvious he has done superb work in helping this congregation to heal, grow, and move in positive ways toward the future. Thanks be to God for ministers like James!

I am also very thankful for the hard work of the search committee under the leadership of Cindy Casparis, of Jackie Cable's warm and welcoming help in making my transition here a smooth one, and for Char and Mike Wood's eager and gracious counsel in many ways. All have made my coming to San Marcos a delightful experience.

As your new pastor, I pledge to take care of you, to listen to you, to consult with you, to pray for and with you, to be honest and straightforward with you, to be transparent in all matters, to not have any agenda beyond what is in the best interest of our church, to be your friend and confidant, and to do my very best in every aspect of my ministry among you.

I know your confidence in me will need to be earned. Unfortunately, based on your experience of the past few years, I am aware that some of you may have lost a measure of trust in the authenticity of the position I now hold. However, I respectfully ask you to step out in the faith that I will indeed be trustworthy and true; please grant me the opportunity to prove that I will do right by you, our congregation, and the gospel. I promise that your trust in me will never be violated.

That being said, I will need your help. I am not the Lone Ranger, riding in on a white horse to make all things right on my own. I do not pretend to know it all or be able to do it all. In order for First Christian Church to become the community of faith God desires it to be, your investment of heart, mind, and soul will be required. Your investment of time, talent, and treasure will be required. I will depend on you for many things. You deserve excellence on my part, and I'm prepared and happy to deliver. By the same token, my expectations for each of you are also very high. Our church deserves as much. God deserves as much - the very best we have to offer.

By the way, I want you to feel free to contact me at any time. I will always be accessible and available to you. My home address and phone number are available via the church office. My cell phone number is pending, but will be made known as soon as it is established. My email is .

For your gracious invitation to call me as your pastor, I am grateful, humbled, and more than ready to begin. Let's have a wonderful, positive, creative, enduring, growing, and blessed ministry together.

Ready to get started? I am!

Senior Minister
First Christian Church of San Marcos

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