Finding an "Idea"!

As April is about to dawn, I am reminded that it was about a year ago that I began contemplating the idea of writing a book. Here's the story:
Around this same time I had informally spoken to Joe Allison at Communications and Publishing about the idea of writing. It was during a March meeting of the Ministries Council in Anderson that I found out that One Voice Magazine had just published my very first article. At the time, I was surprised to find that it had been published. They distributed copies of the magazine to the Ministries Council members and I had opened it up to find the article published (these were advanced copies and Joanie told me they were trying to contact me at home at the same time to let me know that it was published). I decided to talk to Joe about writing since this was one of my dreams and goals and had been for many years.
Joe was a great inspiration. He was excited to learn of my interest in writing and inquired about what kind of writing did I want to do - books? magazine articles? devotionals? What was my interest. Not knowing what I was really saying I told him that I wanted to write books. Joe seemed surprised and told me, "I don't have a lot of people who want to write books". He then encouraged me to write but his encouragement was to let me know what it would take. He gave me a sheet of steps to accomplish before I could even consider writing. Research, comparisons with other materials, an expanded table of contents, and hours in front of the computer all lay ahead. What I was facing as I looked at that paper from Joe was . . . an idea. What would I write about? What was my "idea"?
Over the course of the next few weeks and months I contemplated what I would write about. Finally, before we left for Sabbatical, the idea came to me. I decided to write about something that I knew about, something that I had practiced, something that I had done a lot of - I decided to write about preaching. But, what did I have to say about the subject of preaching? What unique idea did I have to present to others who had spent the same or even more time practicing the art of homiletics than I had? What was my "idea"?
It was an idea that arose out of a lifetime of interest in preaching. What was the most unique and compelling idea that I had about preaching that could impact how others viewed their role in the pulpit? Over the course of many years, I have done a few first person, narrative sermons. In every case, the congregation had responded very positively to the presentation. I had donned outfits, used props, made them into more of a theatrical presentation. Never the less, they had been accepted very well. Back in the fall, however, I had attended a conference where a presentation on storytelling had taken place. Interested, I attended a small session with the seminar leader. It was very revealing. For the first time in my life I was being taught basic principles of storytelling. Now, for years I had been told that I was a good storyteller. But, in my limited creative thinking, I had never looked at the art of storytelling from the perspective of those who practice it in libraries, coffee houses, women's groups, VBS programs, storytelling conventions, and a myriad of other outlets (including the church). Suddenly, though, the whole arena of preaching took on a new look for me. As a result, I went back and preached a series of sermons during Advent that were all storytelling in nature. They were a huge success. And an "idea" was born. And that "idea" became the book whose picture accompanies this post.
I believe that you, too, have an idea. It may not be for a book or a new invention, but an idea that can change the world around you in some significant or small way. My father was a "Mr. Fix-it" kind of guy. He never wrote a book or invented a new widget, but he had ideas that he turned into projects that changed the neighborhood around him. He fixed things and developed projects that others needed. He changed things slightly - but he made a difference. So can you. Let the creative side of you come out. Share your idea in some way. Sharing your idea can change the world around you . . . and it can change you, too!

Sickness and American Idol

I have been sick today. The flu takes its toll and you spend the day coughing and sneezing and wheezing. Tomorrow I go to the doctor (at Joanie's insistence) to get a flu shot and something to try and knock this out.
The result of all of this is that you spend the day napping and watching TV. Tonight, Joanie and I are watching American Idol. I don't always watch the final competition of this show, though I think the tryouts are a scream. Tonight they are down to 10 contestants and we've watched the first 3-4 performers and all I can ask is, "Why?". Why is this show so popular and so addicting? There are blogs, websites, and weekday fans that swear by it - watercooler talk that goes on in almost every office. And I am trying to figure out, "Why?" I have a few reasons that have come to me but I warn you, I have the flu and may not make sense.

1. The American Dream - We love to watch those who go from rags to riches, from obscurity to fame. The only thing we like more is to watch them fall. How sad. I think the best show on television today is Extreme Home Makeover Home Edition because it is rags to riches story based not on talent and some hyped up call-in format but is based on the sacrificial giving of families who care for others or who have special needs. TV is never better than when it helps others rather than tear others down. Queen for A Day had it all over The Gong Show because it lifted people up. So does Extreme Home Makeover - it has it all over Simon Cowell.
2. Drama - My son, Jonathan, and I watched this show together one night at his apartment in Indiana. I enjoyed spending time with him. We got to discuss who we liked and argue about who should be voted off and who should be kept around. It was fun - and it had a sense of drama. We live in a time when we love to watch drama. I don't mean we like to watch dramas on TV, the movies, or on the stage. We love to watch drama in real life. In the church we often make a sport out of watching drama take place. The greater the drama the greater the spotlight. We like to watch drama in other people's lives, I think, because it allows us the opportunity to be distracted from the drama in our own lives.
3. Performance Under Pressure - I love sports in part because it is performance under pressure. Last second shots during the NCAA tournament, the last chance at bat during the World Series, the final drive at the Super Bowl - performance under pressure. I think we judge these Idol contestants on whether they can perform under pressure. That may be the most important draw of the show. After all, we all know what it is like to have to perform under pressure whether it is at work, on a test at school, on a date with someone we want to impress, or during a worship service solo or choir number or sermon. The problem is that our lives are not always judged by one moment under pressure. Or, at least, they shouldn't. I've missed my share of foul shots, incomplete passes, flunked tests, and poor sermons. One of the nice things about preaching is that you get another chance in a week. Maybe we should remember that about life.

But I could be wrong. I have the flu.

Hollywood and Theology

Joanie and I just returned from watching the movie, "V for Vendetta". It is an average film with a theme that attempts to update the principles of Nazism by assuming that Britain is under the control of a Hitleresque Chancellor and the country is under the thumb of a group of oppressors. Part of the updating of the story is to portray the church as corrupt and immoral - duplicitous with the immoral regime. Unfortunately, that smacks of truth closer than we may want to think. During the reign of Hitler the German Church not only was controlled by the Nazi's but was supportive of the Reich. Men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer were few and far between in protesting the sad state of the church during that time. Likewise, in the movie, the Archbishop is a sexual pervert who, for the sake of money and power, lends credence and support to the immoral medical procedures of the government.
It may be uncomfortable for those of us who have a strong faith both in the church and in the moral fiber of clergy to grapple with the image of an immoral church compromising with an immoral power. But we should wrestle with this image a little more than we do. The church, like every other person or institution, is not above being corrupted by the forces of evil and the power of sin. Clergy are subject to the same temptations and moral failures of those who sit in the pew or walk the streets. As my mentor always used to say, "Feet of clay, we all have feet of clay". It is harder to stand up for what you believe than it is to compromise your principles for the sake of expediency. Churches don't become corrupt over night. They lose their souls over years and years of compromise and giving into immorality nugget by nugget. After some years of "little white lies" the dark and foreboding ones seem smaller and more harmless than they are. The Devil's pitchfork seems humorous and the sin of society palatable. And no sooner have we acquiesced to the popular culture than the sound of hoofbeats can be heard in the distance. We must always be vigilant - standing for something, lest we fall for everything.

Recovering My Voice

It has been months since I have written anything on this blog. It is not out of a disinterest with writing or a lack of time or interest. Mostly, it has been about a fear of expression. So much has happened over these months since I have returned from my Sabbatical. Expressing myself in any forum that others might read could have been (and may still be) a risky proposition. However, I am in a place where my need for expression is greater than the need to keep things private. So, if anyone wants to listen in, that's fine. If not, the expression is valuable none the less.
In the midst of life when things seem less than secure, knowing that the first two ministry goals of my life have been accomplished is extremely fulfilling. My marriage to Joanie is approaching 31 years and we are more in love today than ever. It is a fulfilling kind of love that keeps us enjoying the pleasure of each other's company and the joy of spending hours in each others arms. God had been gracious in giving us these years together. We pray for just as many more in the future. My second ministry has been my boys. To see them married, creating homes, moving forward in their journey of life, and serving Jesus is rewarding beyond measure. How do you say thanks to God for giving life, health, and opportunity? He has, indeed, done great things.
I continue to wonder what God has in store for me in the future. Whatever He wants to do with me is just fine. I am His to use. I cannot grasp His full intent for my future. I am grateful for the years of ministry that He has given me. This new door of writing is a wonderful outlet for me and I appreciate the chance to fulfill a dream. I was just approached by One Voice Magazine to write an article (on a severe deadline) and I was able to do just that. Maybe, someday, I can be a full time writer. It would be wonderful.
As the old saying goes, I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future. That's enough. Amen.