Try this next time you're at gunpoint

http://abcnews.go.com/US/faith-stops-florida-robbery/story?id=11288067

Check out the link above. A woman shares her faith in Jesus with a robber. Pretty cool that it was caught on tape.

--Ben

A Funeral For Family

This week I've been involved in ministry to my family, especially my wife's Aunt Darla. My heart goes out to her in her loss. I was thankful to be with her on Monday just before they removed the ventilator, and then again during the week in preparation of today's funeral.

As a pastor I get called to do funerals every year, it is one of the parts of my job that is most stereotypical I guess. Pastors marry and bury people, that's part of the gig. But when it's family it is an altogether different experience. Some times I have a casual relationship at best with the people I am serving. I've been blessed that in most cases I've had a personal relationship with those from my church that I've presided for. But having a familial relationship makes things a little tougher, because I'm experiencing grief differently, and that makes it tougher I guess.

This morning I'll conduct the funeral of Uncle Phil. It will be the first funeral that I've conducted for the family, and as we age I guess it will be the first of many. I suppose I feel that I've been given the unique role of comforter and shepherd for the the family at large. I pray the Lord will help me to that end. I would appreciate your prayers as well.

--Ben

Fighting The National Weather Service

Last weekend we held our second God In The Great Outdoors (Gitgo) of the Summer. These services are different from our normal service in that we use illustrated messages with themes that set the pace for the whole event. Last Sunday we did Mission:Impossible and from the time you walked in the door you followed a burning fuse, had to get through customs with a passport, and I preached from a German checkpoint.

Probably the biggest surprise was the sport bike that came riding into the amphitheater and dropped off my Bible during the middle of my message. I heard people didn't realize it was a planned stunt. They just thought it was a random interruption until he stopped in front of me. Then they applauded as he road away.

The worst part of the day was that we had to fight the national weather service. Though we had diligently worked to invite friends, neighbors, and family only a few braved the heat to come out with us. I wanted to express that I was proud of the efforts of SRCers to get people to church. It just wasn't meant to be that time. Doing outdoor events under heat advisories may not be the smartest thing anyway, we're trying to find more flexibility under those conditions to move inside.

The best part of the morning was that God answered my prayer. At about 5:18 on Sunday morning I prayed in my office that God would use the message of the morning to bring salvation to the souls of people attending. At the conclusion of my message three people raised their hands to receive Christ and prayed the sinner's prayer. Here's the bottom line. We sweat, work, burn, setup, tear-down, have meetings, spend hours on little things to make the service stand out, give hard-earned money and effort for this one thing... Souls. Mission:Accomplished.


--Ben

Rest

This summer has been awesome as we've reached out to our community. God has opened doors for us and it has been a joy to Cultivate Community Connections. But I realized in early July that we were running high in the red zone. I appreciate the work of so many SRCers this summer, but have realized that we can't keep this pace up, so we've canceled the August outreach (Screen On The Green) and most of our small groups are wrapping up in August to free up some time for you to just rest.

There are seasons of planting, harvesting, and resting in nature. What's true for the soil is true for us as well. Next month is a month of rest. Then in September we start planting again.

--Ben

Life Commitments

This morning I met up with my Life Commitments group. My Tuesday morning group is made up of older men, and they bring a perspective that challenges me. They also like to talk more about the things we're learning. I love it because I feel like in some ways they are preparing themselves to share the material with other men. We're about two-thirds through the material now. So it won't be long till we're setting up the next round of discipleship -- Disciple Life. But I'm also looking forward to launching new L.C. groups and expanding it to women in 2011.

--Ben

A Closed Door For Us, An Open Door For Others

This week I met with a pastor that shared what God was doing in a small group at his church. They were growing more and more passionate about reaching their community through the local Public Elementary School, an idea they had learned about from SRC.

Over the last year we have really been moving our outreach focus to local communities, and seen the elementary school as the most localized family connection. We even approached our local school to volunteer to begin serving them.

At a church board meeting we conducted a study of what churches in our area are doing to serve the community and the results were not good. We found that of the churches that were doing "outreach" only one event was actually in the community. Everything else was "outreach" that required people to come to the church to receive ministry. This is what really drove us to start asking the schools what we could do to serve them. But the door was closed, we were not even given an appointment to talk in person with the principal. We were disappointed.

It turns out though that our disappointment (which I believe is temporary) was part of the journey for this other church to begin reaching out in a new way. Already they have painted a hallway, and are doing a "bookraiser" that will raise two thousand books for the classroom needs of their local public elementary school. Doors for them to serve the school are continuing to open. Their pastor credits us with this success.

Wow!

--Ben

Churches Can Grow In The Summer

Don't buy the lie that the summer slump prohibits churches from growing. I'll be honest, a couple years ago I believed that. When June approached I pretty much packed it up until September (October, more like) when people returned from vacations. I had always learned that church growth is most likely to occur when natural times of momentum were in play i.e. the school schedule in September, and resolution time of January.

Can I let you in on a secret that I've been learning? Church growth occurs when you are reaching out to your community. Here are some things that we experienced just this Sunday to illustrate ways your church can grow in the summer:

1. Small Groups. Have small groups in your church filled with people that like to be together, then encourage them to invite friends to the group meetings that are fun and meet every couple weeks. We had a guest on Sunday that had been invited to the picnic group, attended last Thursday and was at Severn River Church for the first time Sunday.
2. New Movers Postcards. We use a service that mails an initial postcard invitation to new movers in our community. We then send a matching second postcard within the month to our new neighbors inviting them again. Then we mail postcard invitations to outreach services that we're having throughout the summer. People are moving into your community this summer, and some of them are looking for a church to become part of. Sunday we had two different guests that had received mailers.
   
3. Outreach Services. We host an outreach service once a month in the summer called God In The Great Outdoors. It gives our people a reason to keep inviting even during the summer months. My observation is that not only do we have guests attend on the special day, but we have a residual effect that takes place on subsequent weeks. BTW, GITGO is a low intensity event. because we basically just do our normal service in an outdoor setting. This summer we had a guest show up that had been invited a year prior. I'm looking forward to Sunday because I know we'll have guests. We've been inviting people to church.
4. Neighborhood Outreaches. We have really started focusing on local neighborhood outreach. In our case we take a jumbo inflatable movie screen and show movies, provide games, and sell concessions. Sunday we had a family as our guests because we met in a local neighborhood.
   

Now the numbers of people week to week may not reflect growth because there is a lot of travel, but we're not building the number of butts in the seats, we're building the Kingdom of God. Pastor, if you'll keep your foot on the accelerator of outreach, you'll reach new people this summer.

--Ben

God Answers Nelson's Prayers

What a great weekend of ministry at Severn River Church! Thanks to all who were involved to make it happen.

First, let me take you back a couple months to when I announced on the blog here that we were starting a new ministry called Screen On The Green (we shamelessly stole that name from a church planter who stole it from some other church, etc.) But the bottom line is we're showing family movies in local neighborhoods on a jumbo inflatable screen. We had two opportunities one in Severna Park and one in Elizabeth's Landing, Pasadena. When I made that announcement a reader of the blog, Nelson Cross, commented that he and his family had come to faith because of an outreach in the same community years ago, and that he would be praying for the Elizabeth's Landing outreach in particular.

Well, Friday night was SOTG in Elizabeth's Landing and we had a tremendous night. The first one (Severna Park) wasn't bad, but the second one was a great improvement. We had a huge turnout, probably 65-75 people. The connection that we made was a good one with the community, but most importantly we got to talk with people about the church.

On Sunday we had a family from SOTG come and visit the church. We were so excited to have been able to serve them in the community and then be able to serve them in the church. Nelson's prayer was answered. In conversation our guest told me, "I didn't know this was put on by a church, but I'm glad I found it. I think God ordered my steps here tonight."

We know that Nelson is not the only one praying for us. Thanks to everyone who is standing with us in prayer. It was great to see that through cultivating community connections, we were able to bring people into our family of friends at the church as well.

--Ben

Screen On The Green -- Elizabeths Landing

War Room

I made a couple updates to the War Room today, and by War Room I mean my office. It's nice to have my wall calendar up as well as a white board for when I'm thinking on my feet. (The best way I think.)

It really is my favorite office yet, and certainly the best I've had since I've officed at home. There are a couple more things I'd like to add, but I take it one step at a time.

My favorite thing to do in my office? Disciple men. Life Commitments meets in my office on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 9:00 p.m. I love meeting with the guys and seeing the spiritual growth occurring in their lives.

Service Planning For July GITGO

Just had another Service Planning meeting for July's GITGO. I'm really looking forward to it. Our theme for this one is Mission: Impossible. It's going to be a great service. We're praying and planning for a great morning. Be sure to make plans now to attend and to bring friends for this special morning outdoors. GITGO will be Held July 25th.

--Ben

Hiding Behind The Mask

Ready to have some fun? Here are spiritual thoughts sparked by the A-Team kick that I'm currently on. (All of the seasons are available on Hulu.com) In the picture to the right is B.A. Barracus you'll note the black mask pulled over his face. Note also that the mask is not pulled down around the unique pile of gold chains (one of which has his name on it). What a great disguise! Ha ha ha.

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Last week I ran into a man who had struggled with addiction to alcohol for years and as a middle-aged man had finally left everything in the world behind to pursue freedom from his addiction at Teen Challenge. This man had checked into the program the last time I was teaching a course, and I had seen him check in. I would never have believed it was him that needed treatment though. I thought he must have been checking in his son or friend. He didn't look like an addict.

It came up last week and he told me that no one except his family knew about his addiction. In fact, when he went to resign his job to enter the program his boss argued with him that he was not an alcoholic. My friend told me, "I was drinking on the job, and he didn't even know it."

We can wear masks, but the truth is it doesn't hide us from everyone. No matter how good a mask you've got, you are still going to be known by some, maybe only a few, but by some. And there is One who sees you, the real you, no matter what kind of mask you wear in front of others.

My recommendation: Don't wear masks. Be you no matter what, and if you've realized the true you isn't what you should be, then turn into the grace of God and forgiveness in Christ. You may not look great, but at least you'll look graced.

--Ben

Don't Pass on Grass

This morning during Life Commitments this story [below] came up again in reference to overcoming sin and growing in grace. I shared it last week at Teen Challenge. As it turns out I didn't fully think through the context of telling it in a Drug rehab. So when I got to the part where I said, "Guys, some of you struggle with a particular weed, and you just get frustrated and say, 'I just can't get rid of my weed...'" That was about the time I realized that this illustration had a whole 'nother meaning to these guys. They were kind to me though. They seemed to really identify with it. I did feel bad for the one guy that everyone looked at and made comments to because apparently he couldn't get rid of his weed, and that's how he ended up there in the first place.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Don't Pass on Grass

It has been dry in the great state of Maryland. There's a water ban on that limits the use of sprinlkers, carwashes, etc. And as a happy homeowner, I want of course to have a nice lawn. Actually it's probably a parental thing. I want Sydney to walk in bare feet on our lawn and it be soft as the clouds she walked on before she descended to earth.

Ever since I moved in I've enjoyed working on my lawn, and I've planted grass and tried to get it to grow. I've applied "Weed and Feed" and killed the Dandelions. (meager success) But what I'm after is what my teacher mentioned last week in class. He said, "People worry about getting the weeds out of their lawn. (Sniff) I take a lot of pride in my lawn. It is always 3 to 4 shades darker green than anyone elses in my neighborhood. The secret is not to worry about the weeds, instead work on growing your grass. Grass that is think and healthy will make the environment impossible for weeds to grow in."

But when there's no rain, it's hard to get a nice lawn, so I went and bought a sprinkler. Now, I'm not breaking any laws, I run my sprinkler in the designated hours. And after 2 days I see no improvement, but I'm holding out hope; at least till I get the water bill, and then I may need to resort to spray paint.

So, what if we could draw an application from this little story? In fact, my proffessor did. He summed it up as an illustration of many people's struggle with sin. We spend so much time worrying about getting all the weeds (sins) out of our lives. If perhaps we could take time to invest in doing the good and right things, and making the righteous things in our lives thick and healthy, we would see the sins displaced.

I hope that's an encouragement to you as you GROW.

--Ben

Prayer And The Balitmore Orioles

Yesterday Severn River Church must have been full of faith because at the end of service I asked everyone to pray for the Baltimore Orioles. They had won their first three games of a four game series against the top of division Texas Rangers. So I asked for prayer that they would win their first road sweep of the year, and they did! It was their first four game sweep since 1995.

Now there are a lot of opinions on why the team has started turning around of late. Some have credited players coming off the DL, a bullpen that seems to finally be doing its job, etc.

But I have a more spiritual reason dating back to Jun 24th when they issued me my clergy pass. Since that time the team has gone 10 of 17. That's a .588 winning percentage. Put another way, if they had given me the pass from opening day the team would be boasting their best winning percentage in 13 seasons.

Think about that! :-)

Go O's

--Ben

When Blessings Pile Up

You know sometimes God answers our prayers, and we don't realize it until the blessings start piling up.

We've been praying for God to grow our church, and last week I realized that He has been. I mean, I've noticed when guests come to church, but this was a realization that 5 families/individuals have started attending the church in the last six months.

Second only to this realization was that there are families already waiting to connect in the next six months. God has got a plan and is answering prayers.

--Ben

In Closing

Sunday I was reminded of one of the classic lies preachers tell: "In closing." As I heard that statement repeated it brought me back to a few thoughts I thought I'd put up here.

1. I try diligently to not mention closing unless I'm really closing.
2. My presbyter says, "You know what it means when a preacher says, 'In closing' right? Nothing."
3. And finally, this thought came to my mind from the movie The Princess Bride: "You keep using that word [In Closing], I do not think 'um is what you think 'um is."

In closing,

--Ben

Finding Freedom in Patterson Park

This week I've been teaching at the Baltimore Teen Challenge very near Patterson Park. Sitting around the table with six students in the program that are working to set their lives in order and overcome their addictions to Drugs, Alcohol, and Pornography. They each come from slightly different backgrounds and different parts of the country, but now find themselves living together in this residential program and sorting through questions of recovery, family, and faith. I've been impressed with these men that they are making the decision to stick it out. The door isn't locked. They choose to stay there because they know it is the pathway to freedom.

This group was particularly inquisitive. In each session they would ask questions, and especially on the breaks the questions ranged from church to theology to education. I tried my best to answer their questions, and most of them I had an answer for. I have a lot of confidence in them, and look forward to hearing about their graduation; not just from the induction center, but from phase 2 as well.

--Ben

The Nephew

Today I get to go and meet my new nephew, Calvin Gilt. I saw a picture that was texted, and he looks healthy. What a joy it is to experience the excitement of new life in our family. Congratulations Sarah, Andy and Livvy.

--Ben

Absent-Minded Pastor

I make no secret of my absent-mindedness. Mainly because it is apparent to anyone that works closely with me. But sometimes I so out-do myself that I just have to share.

Last Sunday we had 5 first-time guests at SRC, and I enjoyed meeting them all. On Monday I took off work, and I usually send follow notes on Monday morning. Well, it was wearing on me so bad that I got up extra early on Tuesday to write the notes and get them in the mail.

Now I appreciate guests, and as a church we send a small gift of appreciation in the notes we send. Specifically, we send $5.00 gas cards from Exxon/Mobil. In each note I write, "You made the trip to us, now take a trip on us." (Clever right? I came up with it myself.)

Not so clever if you never put the gas card in. Wednesday night I was thinking about the folks that would be receiving those notes and I suddenly realized that I had no memory of putting the cards in the notes. So this morning I was on the phone apologizing to the folks I had mailed the notes to. They were good sports about it and laughed it off.

One of my finest moments of absent-mindedness.

--Ben

Life Commitments

Life Commitments is set to kick off for the summer next week. I've been preparing packets this week for the men. Most of them will be distributed tonight at the picnic group. This is the first time I've ever done a pilot program like this, and I really enjoy it because as an experiment there are things I like, and I get to find things I don't.

In the last session I really found that the meetings were too heavy on teaching. For this session I've really focused back on the scripture and the time the men spend with it. I think it will be more enriching this way. If not, well, that's what this group has volunteered to help me work out. So thankful for all the men that are participating. This year we've had seven men sign up to be part of it. We're looking forward to incorporating some newbies starting next week.

--Ben