Whiteboard: Have Mercy

It is the strangest story that Jesus ever shares.

And that is saying something, considering the peculiar nature of parables. Jesus often preaches and teaches with stories that challenge us and leaves us with as many questions as they do answers.

But this week, whew, this week's scripture takes the cake.

Luke 16:1-13 is better known as "The Parable of the Dishonest Manager," and it will challenge you seven ways from Sunday.

It goes like this: Once there was this guy who was really lousy at his job, but his boss never really noticed...until one day he did. The boss called in this really lousy employee and told him, "Hey, I've heard all this grumbling that you're coming up short in your work. Go get the books so that I can see just how terrible a job you've really been doing." So the lousy employee, recognizing that he's going to get fired and that there is no way he's going to get a good letter of recommendation decides to even further shortchange his boss so that he can possibly grease the wheels with anybody else in town who might hire him on one day as a way of saying thanks. It plays out like this -- the lousy employee goes through the books, sees everybody who owes his boss and cuts that debt in half. That way the debtors will feel like they got a bargain and lousy employees angry boss will at least have something in place of the gaping pile of nothing that he currently has.

You with me so far? Because things are about to get even crazier.

The angry boss says to the lousy employee, "Hey, good job man! That was some shrewd business you did there!" Then Jesus goes on to editorialize with a comment about making friends followed by a series of seeming double negatives ("if then you have not been dishonest...") before finally concluding the story with the exhortation "You cannot serve God and wealth."

It is confusing as all get out...but what if that is actually the point.

What if it is supposed to be confusing and nonsensical?

Jesus is talking about mercy here. What if the point of the story is, "Yeah, being merciful doesn't make a whole lot of sense...and God does it anyway!"

What if the point of the story is, "This lousy employee, this dishonest manager was able to illustrate mercy. So how much more so can the God who loves you, the God who sets you free be merciful."

Or for that matter, what if the equation flips just as easily in the opposite direction: "If this lousy employee, this dishonest manager can show mercy in what he does, then why in the world can't you show mercy in what you do?"

Ultimately that sounds like the kind of thing Jesus would challenge us to understand with one of his parables.

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Luke 16:1-13 The Dishonest Manager

Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.”

Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” 

So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” 

And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’

Three Things from the Elders Meeting

The Elders had their regularly scheduled meeting on Sunday September 11 right after worship. Here are "The Three Things" that you need to know from that meeting!

1) AZ Regional Assembly
We discussed the upcoming Arizona Regional Assembly (November 4 and 5 hosted by East Mesa Christian Church). This will be a joint Assembly/Asamblea as the Regional Assembly and Hispanic Asamblea will be held jointly for the first time in several years. We discussed the opening festival on Friday night, the guest speakers, business resolutions, and the registration process. You can learn more about the Regional Assembly/Asamblea by visiting RA.AzDisciples.org and you can register in the church office.

2) Open Letter on Racism
While I was attending the Regional Ministers and Moderators Forum in Indianapolis we set aside our business-as-usual agenda in order to have a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led conversation about race in the United States and Canada. As a result of that discussion the Open Letter to the Church in North America was written and then distributed (you will find my signature on the letter). I invite all church members to read that letter and engage in the type of faithful conversation that is described therein. We'll be talking more about this in our September 25 worship service that will focus on the Reconciliation Special Mission Offering.

3) Dialogue Team at FCC Scottsdale
Speaking of Spirit-filled and Spirit-led conversations, the Elders were brought up to speed on work of the Dialogue Team here at FCC Scottsdale. You'll remember that in the wake of the horrific gun violence of this past summer I invited members of congregation to join me in engaging in serious, faithful conversations on what can be a controversial subject. I am pleased to say that the Dialogue Team has been meeting regularly and made significant headway in this project. They have constructed a "Civil Discourse Agreement" that helps guide their conversations, modeled faithful discussion and dialogue, researched the topic of gun violence, and taken steps leading to real action on the issue. One such action is the upcoming "Sing Along for Peace" that we will host at FCC Scottsdale on Sunday September 25 at 2PM as part of Faiths United Concerts Across America series.

Even in the Darkest Times

It was at church camp two summers ago that our Middle Schoolers taught me a new song.

Now, I grew up at church camp and I was pretty sure that I knew all of the camp songs forwards and backwards, which is what makes the memory all the more special.

The song is based on words attributed to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and as we prepare for a worship service that will fall on Sunday September 11th, a full 15 years after the 9/11 terrorists attack against our country, the words of that song continue to call out to me.

Here is how it goes:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness,
tell everybody, woman and man,

that only Light can drive out darkness.

Only Light can. Only Light can.

And hate cannot drive out hate,

tell everybody, woman and man,

that only Love can drive out hate.

Only Love can. Only Love can.

You can be the change, 

you want to see.

You can be the cha-nge.

You can be the change,

you want to see.

You can be the cha-nge.

This Sunday I will tell the story of my own experiences of the September 11, 2001 attacks. I was in seminary at the time, living in Nashville which garnered its own share of national attention in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks for a hatecrime that was perpetrated in the downtown business district. And yet, even in those darkest times I can testify (and I will on Sunday) that love still shines. 

I'll see you this Sunday as we worship together and seek to shine a little more light (and love) into the world. 

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1 Timothy 1:12-17 Gratitude for Mercy

I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

Whiteboard: Philemon

It is a short book of the Bible that is long on meaning and power. 

This Sunday we’ll be talking about Paul’s epistle to Philemon and what it means to break the bonds of oppression one relationship at a time.

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Philemon 1-21

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus.I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Pictures: Kickoff Sunday

Many thanks to the Education Team at First Christian Church Scottsdale for putting together such a wonderful Kickoff Celebration this past Sunday!

We Kicked Off our Fall Program Year in style with an energetic event in the sanctuary that featured donuts and coffee (and juice boxes for the youngsters!), singing and fellowship, recognition of our teachers and blessings for our Sunday School  classes! It was such a joy to be a part of that morning and too see so many people participating in our Christian Education offerings.

Here are a few pics from the day!

Whiteboard: Rest Area

We call it a day of rest.

The Sabbath. The one-in-seven days that is set aside, made holy, and reserved.

That pattern is built right into the Bible. We read it in the very first of the Genesis creation stories ("On the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day"), it is right there in the middle of the Ten Commandments ("Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy"), and Jesus himself spends a fair amount of time talking about the Sabbath.

This Sunday I'll be talking about rest. How it is important; holy even. We'll talk about how Jesus viewed the Sabbath, and how in this work-a-day world the idea of "sacred rest" really has become radical.

Oh, and I'll be talking about the Olympics too! Because it turns out, one of the things world class athletes know that the rest of ordinary shlubbs don't really appreciate is the importance and necessity of rest. Don't believe me? Well come and hear about on Sunday!

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Luke 13:10-17 Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 

But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’

But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ 

When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Louisiana Flooding

As church members know, my father’s entire side of the family is from Louisiana.

The historic and devastating floods that have hit that part of the country have been close to my heart. Fortunately, at present my family is safe and the flood damage has been comparatively light. However, in other parts of the state the damage has been catastrophic.

Fortunately, Week of Compassion (the disaster and emergency response ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)) is already there. The faithful servants at Week of Compassion sent the following update early this week:

Heavy rains that began on August 11 and continued through the weekend have caused historic flooding in south Louisiana, especially around the Baton Rouge area.

By Monday morning, more than 20,000 residents had evacuated their homes. Among those who have evacuated are 27 families from First Christian Church, Baton Rouge.

According to Rev. David Chisham, pastor of First Christian Church Baton Rouge, no in-kind donations are needed at this moment. Instead, we encourage financial gifts, which can be used to meet immediate needs as they arise. As the church prepares to be a host site in partnership with the Red Cross, they are organizing volunteers for food prep, janitorial support, and laundry service.

Week of Compassion has been in regular contact with Rev. Chisham and Regional Minister, Rev. Nadine Burton. We have provided a grant to help meet the immediate needs of evacuees and will offer additional support as the extent of the damage becomes clear. Rev. Chisham told Week of Compassion Associate Director, Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold: "The numbers of those affected continues to rise as the mass of water moves south. Houses that were dry one day are full of water the next. We look forward to supporting our greater community, and God has been faithful in providing resources for us to respond to the need."

Additionally, with support from Week of Compassion, Children’s Disaster Services is deploying two teams of specialists to Baton Rouge. CDS associate director Kathy Fry-Miller reports: "They will be able to care for evacuated children in two shelters.”

To support flood relief in Louisiana, donate online by clicking weekofcompassion.org/donate and designate your gift for US Storms and Fires.

Please continue to keep Louisiana, everyone impacted by these terrible floods, and Week of Compassion in your prayers.

Whiteboard: Forgiveness

This Sunday we'll be talking about forgiveness.

I know. I know. In some way or another we talk about forgiveness just about every Sunday...and yet, we still aren't really sure what it means and what it looks like.

So, in times like this we turn to our good friend Frederick Buechner. Buechner is an author, essayist, humorist, and pastor (in alphabetical order) who wrote "Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC" as a kind of shorthand dictionary for just those sorts of theological terms that get us all mixed up.

Here is an excerpt from what he has to say about forgiveness:

"When somebody you've wronged forgives you, you're spared the dull and self-diminishing throb of a guilty conscience. 

 When you forgive somebody who has wronged you, you're spared the dismal corrosion of bitterness and wounded pride. 

 For both parties, forgiveness means the freedom again to be at peace inside their own skins and to be glad in each other's presence."

 Isn't that a great description! And here is what I like so much about those words: It works the same way with God.

Yes, forgiveness from God gives us the freedom to be at peace in our own skin all the while being glad in God's presence. I love it! And we'll be talking more about it this Sunday at worship. See you there!

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Hebrews 11:29-12:2 -- The Faith of our Heroes

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient,because she had received the spies in peace.

And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Whiteboard: Fear Not

What if faith isn't the opposite of unbelief?

What if faith is actually the opposite of fear?

That would help explain why the first thing the angels say in the Bible at the beginning of any miraculous, heavenly encounter is always, "Fear not!" They aren't simply saying, "Calm down, something amazing is happening here!" rather they are saying, "Have faith, because something amazing is happening here!"

Which is exactly what Jesus is doing with our sermon scripture for Sunday morning. He says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

It is an amazing thing that Jesus says there, isn't it. "Don't be afraid" which is to say "Have faith!" because "it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," which is to say "The thing God wants for you more than anything else is for you to be a part of God's kingdom."

So this Sunday our worship service is built around the fact that we are called to move from Fear to Faith and then all the way to Freedom. I'll see you on Sunday as we unpack all of those things!

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Luke 12: 32-40

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

Pictures: The Fifth With First

This past Sunday we celebrated "The Fifth With First!" with two wonderful projects.

Our Workship Team was out in the community, partnered with the Ronald McDonald House's Phoenix Children's Hospital Campus. We cleaned, we packed up sack lunches, and we washed a lot of windows...all in the name of supporting the families that are staying there while their loved ones receive long-term care and treatments at the hospital.

Meanwhile, back on the church campus the Outreach Team set up a work project on behalf of our mission partners at Operation Gratitude. Remember how we brought stacks and stacks of Christmas Cards to church camp this summer, so that the children and young people of Arizona would write their prayers and best wishes for our military servicemen and women who are deployed all over the world? And remember how our own kids took up the project as part of the SAIL Program this summer? Well, on "The Fifth With First!" our volunteers put the finishing touches on those hundreds of cards so that they can be sent off to the very ends of the earth bringing prayers, thoughts, and hope to those who are far away from home this Christmas.

Oh, and if you missed the excellent sermon from our guest preacher, Global Ministries Intern Henry Brewer-Calvert about the two years he spent in service of behalf of our church in the Dominican Republic, well, you can find it on the Church's Website by clicking here.

Enjoy the pictures from "The Fifth With First!"