Seven
Mission Goals for 2007
1.
An active youth ministry in place by the end of the year
2.
Hosting a quarterly Friends and Family Sunday (where we
invite non-believing family and friends to church)
3.
100% parish participation in the Franklin Graham festival
(i.e. everyone gets trained and brings a non-believing friend
to the festival itself)
4.
The vestry is seeking100% participation in Bible Study.
5
At least 30 new believers by this time next year.
6.
An active discipling program by the end of the year with
at least 4 leaders in discipling relationships.
7.
gathering at least 100 people for worship every Sunday.
Dear
Good Shepherd,
Good
Morning. There is a lot of news this morning so please read
the whole thing. But first, please tak the time to read
this fine article by our youth minister, Micah Towery:
Weekly Article: Is your Teenager
"Sexually Active"
by Micah Towery
I went with my
friend to the movies the other day. We saw a movie called
"Juno" about a high school girl who gets pregnant and
decides to keep the baby and give it up for adoption.
It was actually quite a good movie, and manages to skewer
pretty accurately the way many parents tend to mentally
disconnect from their own children after they hit puberty,
taking a "kids will be kids" attitude towards it all.
At one point, Juno (the pregnant one) is asked by an adult
"aren't your parents wondering where you are?" She replies,
pointing to her swollen stomach, "Nah. I mean, I'm already
pregnant. What other shenanigans can I get into?"
When Juno tells her parents she's pregnant, her step
mother replies, "Honey, I didn't know you were sexually
active." This plays into a running joke from the movie,
in which Juno often ponders why adults use the term "sexually
active" and wonders about the inherent absurdity of talking
about sex in those terms ("Will I suddenly deactivate someday?"
she asks at one point). Her parents are not actually as
poor as the above examples might indicate, but I found the
autonomy with which they treat their daughter to be stunning,
and indicative of how I see a lot of teenagers functioning
in the world today.
Teens today are caught between a world that tells them
they are still children, but gives them all the responsibility
of an adult. I don't know if the "adult world" realizes
what sort of situations this thrusts teenagers into, but
I can tell you teenagers aren't ready for it. Most
parents realize this, and don't want their own kids to be
thrust so suddenly into the weighty responsibilities of
this world. Thus, terms like "sexually active" are used
to mentally disassociate, to hold at arms length the reality
of what we are doing to our kids, what we are letting them
be exposed to. Our children are not having sex with many
different people (or the various things that lead up to
that), they are "sexually active." Polls tell us it is likely
that our children are "sexually active" or will be in a
very short while, and that there's nothing you can do to
stop it. You can, at best, prevent disastrous consequences
such as STDs or pregnancies. This is barely a compromise,
and, while it might seem like a reasonable response, it
ultimately transforms the parents into pathetic wailers,
following their children around begging them to "please
just be careful," as if it's the same as looking both ways
before you cross the street.
But the fact is, you're not even telling your children
to look both ways before crossing the street. You're letting
them run across a highway, hoping they wear a helmet, so
that if they do get hit, it won't be so bad. It's worse
than that, actually. Because condoms and sex education can
never protect children from the emotional damage they are
inflicting on themselves. If a child is cutting himself,
we address the physical issue as well as the emotional one.
We do not make him wear protective gear so that when he
tries to cut himself, he will not be able. Why then, do
we not stop our children from being "sexually active" when
it is hurting them equally? Because we pretend it is not
hurting them. We fool ourselves into thinking we can give
them all the tools to prevent harm, while ignoring the larger
damage it is doing to our children. If our children avoid
pregnancy and STDs, have they really managed to escape harm?
Of course not. Those of you who are parents know the enormous
responsibility that sex brings into a relationship (or especially
the lack of one).
There is, of course, no silver bullet used to solve this
problem. To pretend that we can protect children by fully
controlling their lives while at the same time preparing
them for the responsibility of the world is to actively
engage in fantasy. But we can prepare them. Parents must
be absolutely honest with their children, not use terms
like "sexually active" to soften the blow for themselves
and for their kids.
Instead of the highway analogy, let's think of this issue
as a river they must cross. The rapids are swift and there
are deadly rocks downstream. You tell your child to wait
for the boat. When they are little, you hold their hand.
After a while, they grow and gain some understanding, and
you don't need to hold their hand. But you stand beside
them, just in case they decide to run in. And then, after
some more time, you watch from a distance. At a certain
point you are out of the picture. You're not even watching
them from a distance. They are full grown and waiting for
the boat on their own. But when you are gone, or even when
you are standing with them, you do not give them a life
jacket and say, "just in case you decide to jump in the
water, here's a life jacket." To do so would give them the
false impression that they might be able to swim the river
and make it across in one piece. We don't say to ourselves,
well, kids will be kids, and a lot of parents are giving
them life jackets. Maybe the kids can all manage to make
it in the river together, sort it out amongst themselves
with the help of the life jackets. We say to our children,
"Don't cross the river. There are rapids and rocks, and
even with a life jacket you're going to be dashed on those
rocks and swept away by the current." We tell them "wait
fo the boat, because it is the only way to safely cross."
Crossing the river is not evil, but it must be done in the
proper and safe way and it that "proper" and "safe" way
is, according to the Bible, marriage.
Now, I know analogies like this one can often be tiring
and not really speak to the real issues at hand. But I believe
this one captures the situation pretty accurately. When
we are not there to stop our children, we must be completely
honest about the consequences of their actions. If we pretend
the river rapids aren't that bad, or the rocks aren't that
hard, or that, even if a kid does make it across, they won't
be beaten badly, then we are not living in reality either.
Culture tells us that it is inevitable that our children
become "sexually active" while teenagers. That we are not
being realistic if we think our teens won't be, and that
we are doing them a disservice if we don't give them condoms
and sexually educate them. But we are not being realistic
either if we think that a condom or sex education will actually
protect our children also. It's the same thing as giving
them a life jacket for the river just in case they decide
to jump in. The truth is we should be realistic about our
teenagers and sex. We should be extremely realistic. We
cannot pretend to ignore the issue, or hope that kids will
figure it out eventually. We must educate them fully. Half-truths
or hints don't do the job. We must speak to our children,
of course, in a way that is relative to their maturity and
ability to understand.
If a teen start having sex, the consequences will be
irreversible. Tell your teens about the consequences, physically,
emotionally, mentally. Don't expect sex ed to do it either.
If we think our teen is going to listen to a sex ed teacher
over a parent, then we need to seriously reevaluate our
parenting. At what point did a stranger gain the ability
to train your teen more effectively than you? Why is that?
The failings of a child often start with the failings of
a parent. This is not an easy thing to learn. Nor does it
make your job as a parent any easier. Perhaps it's why our
culture is so obsessed with helping our teens avoid this
sort of responsibility even at the greater moral cost. But
it is the reality of your job as a parent. To avoid it,
is to live in an even greater fantasy than any other.
end
UPDATE
CONTENTS
BAPTISM
THANK
YOU
ANNUAL
MEETING
ACOLYTE
PRACTICE
BYLAW
VESTRY
ELECTIONS
SERMON & PODCASTING INFORMATION
WEEKLY OPEN-DOOR HOURS
BIBLE STUDY
YOUTH INFORMATION FROM MICAH
HERESIES AND CULTS (ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIES)
NEWS
:
BAPTISM:
Benjamin Finch, the third child of David and Elisabeth Finch,
Grandson of Bob and Cookie Finch will be baptized this Sunday
at the 10:30am service. If you are new to Anglicanism, it
may seem odd to you that we baptize infants. We share this
practice with most Presbyteruans, Methodists, and Lutherans.
Baptism, among many other things, is, we believe, used in
the New Testament in much the same way circumcision was
used in the Old. It is a sign and a seal of the Covenant
between God and his people. God wanted Israelite male babies
to be circumcised to mark them or set them apart as his
own people, members of the covenant community. Circumcision
then and Baptism now does not save you. It does however
represent an initiation into the visible Church. Benjamin
will be marked and set apart as a Christian. We pray and
believe that if he is brought up to know Christ and his
Word, that one day, by the grace of God, what is represented
at Baptism, the cleansing from sin and being united to Christ
in his death and resurrection, will be fulfilled in Benjamin's
life when he comes to personal faith in Jesus Christ
There
will be some refreshments afterwards in the parish hall.
You are all invited.
THANK
YOU: to all who participated in the
gift exchange, potluck and undecorating for Epiphany last
Sunday. We had so many hands ready to help and willing to
work. Thank you again.
(second
notice, please read) ANNUAL
MEETING: Sunday,
January 20th, will be the Annual
Meeting. This is the time the whole church comes
together to hear the various reports for the year, elect
officers to various offices, and get a sense of the mission
and goals for the coming year. Every member of the church
is eligible to vote. But please come even if you are not
a member. It is very important to see how the church makes
decisions and to be involved in discussing the important
issues that have come to the fore this year.
We'll
keep our regular service schedule and hold the meeting between
the 8:00am and 10:30am services (during the Christian Ed.
hour).. Canons require the polls to remain open at least
one hour, so we'll open them at 9:15am and close them at
10:15am before the 10:30am service. This
means that we will not have Sunday School that Sunday as
all the teachers are invited to take part in the meeting
itself.
Breakfast/brunch,
will be served during the meeting...
ACOLYTE
PRACTICE: Next Sunday after the 10:30am service.
It is a very important meeting so please be there.
BYLAW:
At the Annual Meeting I will be introducing a new
by-law (a new congregational rule) for a vote at the Annual
Meeting that will ensure that every vestrymember, teacher,
and clergy-person at Good Shepherd has consented to the
essential biblical doctrines of the Christian faith. The
reason I will be introducing this by-law is so that in the
future, those who serve God in his Church at Good Shepherd
will do so in accordance with his Word. Faithfulness to
the scriptures is vital to the health of the parish and
the eternal destiny of the souls to whom God ministers through
us. There will be a copy of the bylaw downstairs this Sunday
(second
notice please read) VESTRY ELECTIONS and the calling of
an elder: There are three vestry seats up for election
this year and one warden (Jr) seat up for election. I believe
most of those currently serving in those positions are running
for re-election. But if you are hoping to run or want to
nominate someone please let Anne know this week so that
she can prepare ballots if necessary.
Serving
as an elder on vestry requires both faithfulness and commitment;
faithfulness to the Word of God and commitment to the mission
of the church.
Both
qualities are essential.
Without
faithfulness to the Word, plans are made and decisions taken
solely on the basis of worldly and/or practical considerations.
When
that happens a church runs the risk of acting faithlessly
or disobediently in times of trouble or crisis. It is more
important to have a committed believing Christian on vestry
than to have an able banker, attorney or CEO, however skilled.
Good Shepherd must always put God first and to do that we
need leaders who know and love his Word.
Likewise,
it is important to have someone committed to the mission
of the church; willing to put in the necessary time and
equipped with the necessary wisdom to see that mission to
fulfillment.
Before
you run or vote take some time to read the requirements
for leaders in the church found in 1st Timothy 3:1-10 (reprinted
once again in the “Good News for the Week“ section below)
and ask God to show you whether you or the person for whom
you are voting is called to this ministry.
After
expressing faithfulness to Christ and submission his Word,
Here are some of the primary requirements
for vestrymembers and wardens:
•
Weekly Attendance at worship
•
Monthly attendance at Vestry meetings
•
regular pledge
•
Baptism (for vestry) Baptism and Confirmation (for wardens)
We
expect but do not yet require all vestrymembers
and wardens to
•
Participate in at least one bible study and/or Christian
education once a week
•
Pray and read the scriptures daily
•
Tithe
SERMON & PODCASTING INFORMATION:
If you missed Anne's great sermon last week
or want to hear it again, you can listen to that sermon
and many more at the podcast
site .
(Second
Notice)
WEEKLY OPEN-DOOR HOURS: I've decided to start
offering office visit hours, Tuesday-Thursday:
10:30am-1:00pm . These are times I'll set
aside for you to come by the office if
you'd like without an appointment. Of course, I'll
be there at other times as well, but during these
times you can always catch me either in person or by phone
and, unless someone is there before you,
I won't be running off to a meeting or need to study or
write. I've made sure to include the lunch hour in
these visiting hours, so if you want to come by and talk
on your break and bring your lunch, please do.
I
encourage you to come by if you'd like to or need to talk
about anything at all.
BIBLE STUDY: All
the Bible Studies are up and running this week
YOUTH INFORMATION FROM MICAH
:
This Saturday, January 12, the elementary age kids are going
to see the new Veggie Tales movie, The Pirates Who Don't
Do Anything. We will be meeting at the Regal at 3:50 (the
movie starts at 4:05, but please show up a little early
so we can buy tickets and get settled in time for the movie).
This is a matinee showing, so the ticket costs about $5.75
(I believe). I suggest you give your kids about $10, so
they have a little extra to spend on candy/popcorn/etc.
As for Jr. and Sr. High, they will be meeting at regular
times on Sunday, 2-4, and 6-8, respectively, in the parish
hall. Parents, please get a copy of the youth schedule and
save the dates. Two dates in particular to remember are
Friday, February 22 for the Jr. High All-Nighter, and Saturday,
March 1 for the Sr. High Ski trip!
ADULT EDUCATION SERIES: HERESIES
AND CULTS :
This Sunday we will continue our discussion of Unitarian
Universalism and then bridge into a discussion of Bahai.
HAVE YOU…. shared your faith with a friend? The vestry has
challenged all of us to share our faith in Jesus Christ
with at least one non-believer each month.
Good News for the Week
2:1
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that
we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified
in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in
the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people
to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself
as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the
proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher
and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying),
a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1st Timothy
2:1-7)
Don't forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH
Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday January 13th, 2008
Monday:
pastor's day off
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
6:00 p.m. First Light Bible Study
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Thursday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
5:30 p.m. Shepherd's Bowl
6:30
Thursday Night Bible Study
Friday
6:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast/Bible Study
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Pastor's sermon prep day
Saturday :
10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study
4:30
p.m. Hebrew Class
6:00pm-8:00pm
Sunday
January 20th 2008 SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP (SEASON OF EPIPHANY)
8:00am Worship, Holy Communion and Sermon
9:15-10:15 a.m. ANNUAL
MEETING AND VESTRY ELECTIONS
10:30am Worship, Holy Communion, Music, Sermon
2:00pm to 4:00pm
Jr. High Meeting
6:00pm
- 8:00pm Sr. High Meeting
Matt+
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