Ten Things I Think I Think

1) As is my custom, this morning I checked out the online Sunday edition of The Goshen (IN) News, which I have done virtually every Monday since I left. Imagine my surprise when I saw this article on the costs of legalized gambling (http://www.goshennews.com/news/files/current/news1.html). Virtually every form of gambling has been legal in Indiana for a number of years now. Gambling related revenues, in fact, make up the single largest form of revenue for the State Government of Indiana, which is a situation that has resulted in much corruption. Mark my words after having lived it: put politicians in bed with the casino industry, and you have a recipe for widespread graft. Now, virually everything the gambling industry asks for, it gets, and while there are local success stories (namely the Riverboat in Lawrenceburg), the overall cost for the people of the state has been staggering. The article does a good job of profiling two people who now make up an estimated 1.5% (a conservative estimate made by the National Gaming Association... opponents of legalized gambling and other special interests estimate 3-5%) of the adult population of Indiana who are now gambling addicts, which comes at a cost (crime, incarceration, bankrupcy, etc...) of $13,200 a year per household.

Go to www.nolimacasino.org, get the facts, and join 270 other people by putting your name on our online petition.

2) Tonight, the City Council of Lima will vote on a working agreement with the Eastern Shawnee. Since I am not resident of Lima (I live in Shawnee Township), I do not plan to attend. I trust that if it's coming up for a vote, that Mayor Berger has counted his votes, and expects it to pass. I find it interesting that the two councilmen from Lima's two poorest wards, Derry Glenn and Tommy Pitts, are both vehemently opposed to this project. Having grown up in those neighborhoods, they both realize that the bulk of gambling profit in this county comes not from high rollers that are bankrolled to the hilt, but from the working poor. Tommy Pitts, for one, tells stories about men who signed over their checks to bookies as soon as they received them, leaving nothing for the family at home.

You can use the links page at www.nolimacasino.org to let your trustees, mayor, or council members know how feel about this proposed "resort destination" (i.e. casino) in Lima.

Alright... enough about gambling.

3) All reports on the "DaVinci Code" movie are less than positive. Sounds like a "2 hour plus" history and theology lesson about history that never happened and theology that is bad. Yesterday's sermon by Joseph on the book was a great one, so much so that we'll attempt to post it on the church's web page as an MP3 or wave file by the end of the week. It'll lose a little something without the pictures he used in the service (he does a great explanation on how DaVinci's "The Last Supper" is different than the other depictions in art during that age that'll raise the eyebrows... in a good way!), but you'll get the idea.

This week I'll be focusing some time and energy on the Gnostics, who were a group of people in Egypt who wrote the "gospels" that didn't make it into the Bible. It's in the Gospel of Mary that the coptic term "holy kiss" shows up, and since its a kiss Jesus gives to Mary Magdalene, it's the origin of Dan Brown's novel. As a quick precursor, I'll introduce you to the theology of Gnostics, which is essentially that the body and all things created in this world are evil, and that only the divine (spirit) is good. This belief took the Gnostics to make leaps of logic such as, but not limited too, the idea that Jesus never died on the cross, and salvation came not through him but a "secret knowledge" you would receive via the Holy Spirit. Not only did this contradict the Old Testament (where God called the Creation "good" every day He created it), but the single most important theological concept of Christianity, which is the atonement of Jesus Christ for humanity's sins.

Also, we'll discuss whether or not the Gnostics were champions of women's rights (but if you know that they believe the body is evil, and women are the ones that give birth, you can guess the answer to that question), understood "true judiasm" as it was practiced by Jesus, and if they wrote stuff in their texts that more accurate that the original Gospels, which are all claims made by the book. If that sounds boring, I'll make sure there's lots of good music. It'll be a good time for all.

4) Took a little 104 mile motorcycle ride yesterday with Shawnee UMC's "Ride and Dine Club". I don't own a motorcycle. I borrowed one from a gracious Sue Dickerson, a member of our church (and mother of Bruce, who one of my McClaren books). It was my third time on her bike, and by far the longest distance I've traveled on two wheels. I must say that the more I ride, the more I enjoy it. Nobody in the family is crazy about my getting into this, but they've all been supportive. Given the size and scope of the church's ministry with those who like to ride, it makes sense that I'd learn to do this.

Besides, it fits with the rest of my ministry. In fifteen years, I've had to learn a boatload of new things in order to survive. Fifteen years ago I didn't own a pair of skis, a guitar or bass guitar, I couldn't sit in on a drumset, fish, or hit a golf ball decently (although, most days, I still can't). I had never been a trip planner, fundraiser, a video producer/editor, a proprieter of a coffee bar, a contractor (here and abroad), concrete mixer, block layer, paramedic, financial planner, zealous advocate, a human resource person, counselor, trucker, plummer, IT expert, chef, floor stripper (of wax, not as a guy on a pole), event planner, interior decorator (God bless the people who had to live with my choices), real estate agent, mechanic, and (yes, believe it or not) fashion consultant. So, why not learn to ride a motorcycle? It'll just be the next thing.

5) Which leads me to this.... in high school, my father worried about me constantly. His biggest concern was that while I had lots of skills, I wasn't excellent in any one thing. For example, I played basketball, and was good enough to play for Lima Senior, but nobody would confuse me with LeBron James (or even, Jerome James). I sang, but I wasn't a soloist. I made decent grades, but not great ones. My whole life I've been a jack of all trades, but master of none. I guess Dad, and others like him (including a science teacher at LSHS who told me that I was the "biggest disappointment of my senior class.... thanks Mr. Emerick!) wondered if I was just too lazy to do anything particularly well.

Well, almost twenty years later what I have discovered in this job is you need to be able to do, or at least grasp a basic understanding, of a lot of different things. Whether you are talking to a CEO of a hospital or a secretary, dealing with the church's mortgage, discussing the building of a school with a bunch of masons, upgrading a computer, figuring out the political fallout from the decision you are about to make, buying a new boiler, or picking a piece of music of a worship service, you've got to have passing knowledge about a lot of things. While I'm no (fill in the blank here with your favorite preacher), While I hope to be at least be above average when it comes to giving a sermon (and thus become "almost great" at something) the ability I appear to have to learn something new, quickly, has served me quite nicely in the ministry.

So, to all you 2006 graduates and students out there, (here's a little lingo the kids can understand) don't listen to the haters! Use whatever gifts you've been given, whether specialized or not, and do what God created to do. Remember that, and you'll be fine.

6) A fine showing for LeBron James in this year's playoffs. And for all those out there who think he won't be the next Jordan cause they gave away Game Six against Detroit, remember this: Jordan once had a coach who couldn't understand how to use his gifts and a team with uneven talent around him, and early on in his career he couldn't get anywhere in the playoffs either. There's a famous image of Jordan crying while embracing the "Larry O'Brien Trophy". People forget that this picture was taken in the locker room after the Bulls won their first championship (his father, who would be murdered only a couple of years later, is standing behind him). Until that day, the knock on Jordan was that he was too selfish (people forget this, but sports fans debated it endlessly until Jordan settled the question) to ever win a championship, and that picture encapsulates the end of a burdensome journey for a man whose greatness was, until that day, was in question.

This year was only LeBron's coming out party. Whether it be in Cleveland (I hope) or elsewhere, someone will give him the tools he needs (an experienced coach who can coach defense and a teammate that can hit an outside jumper) to make the leap.

7) Watched Barry Bonds take a few cuts the other night (thanks to ESPN's obsession over him passing Babe Ruth's HR total), and it's hard to believe that years ago in Pittsburgh, the guy was known for hitting for average, base-stealing, and great defense. It's strange to think that if he had simply worked on the things that had gotten him to the big leagues that he'd definitely be a Hall of Famer. And now, with all the steroids allegations (the guy's head is so big that it has it's own orbiting moon), who knows?

8) Is the National Hockey League in the middle of its playoffs? If so, who is still playing? If a pro hockey league falls in a forest, and nobody hears it, did it actually happen?

9) Here's a link to what MSN says is the top twenty gifts people are ordering off of its site for 2006 graduates: http://shopping.msn.com/content/shp/?ctID=900. Want a piece of advice from a youth ministry vet who's attending hundreds of graduation parties: If you want them to be happy and excited, give 'em cash!

10) And finally, tried to go to bed early last night, but unable to sleep, I ended up watching VH-1's latest reality offering, "SuperGroup". The same network that gave you not one, but two shows featuring Flavor-Flav (Note to Grandma Great: He's a rapper who was popular in the 1980's who has somehow resurfaced on D-grade reality television), is now putting five rock musicians together to write a new song and perform it in twelve days.

Oh... and they put them together in Las Vegas, complete with VIP passes to local strip bars and dance clubs because rockers don't have enough distractions or drama in their lives.

The musicians are as follows:

• Ted Nugent: Having lived out his heyday in the 70's, the "Motor City Madman is now known as much for being pro-hunting, an NRA zealot, and conservative political commentator as a musician. Highly egotistical, Nugent has to be only person in the country praised by a sitting President for being "pro-family", years after convincing a family in Hawaii to make him the guardian of 17 year old female, who then became his live-in girlfriend.
• Sebastrian Back: Former lead singer of hair metal band, Skidrow, Bach now largely performs on Broadway. The self-proclaimed "bad boy of rock" just finished a stint touring as (I am not making this up) Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar".
• Jason Bonham: The son of the late John Bonham, drummer for Led Zeppelin, his main claim to fame in America is having been in the critically panned "Rock Star" with Mark Wahlburg. In the movie he played a rock musician so messed up that (in homage to Keith Richards who is rumored to do so in real life) he needed regular blood transfusions to survive.
• Scott Ian: Rhythm guitarist for band called Anthrax, he's credited for coming up with idea of fusing metal with hip hop (and he did so with Flavor Flav!), for having a really bad gotee (you think I'm kidding, but I'm serious).
• Evan Seinfeld: Was the frontman and bassist for some band called BioHazard, which apparently has sold 20 million albums, and yet I had never heard of them until last night. Now, he spends his time producing (and once again, I am not making this up) pornographic videos that feature his (ahem) wife... I don't even know what to say about this.

Anyhow the show profiles the made-for-TV band (apparently named, as I'm sure we'll learn in future episodes, "Damnocracy") as it profanely seeks a sound, a song, and a gig.... and if you think I'm going to miss an episode of the pop culture disaster, as Judas Priest says, "you've got another thing coming".

Until next time....

Ten Things I Think I Think

1) If you missed Lee Ann Patrick's tribute to her mother, Lois Herwick, yesterday at Shawnee UMC, you really missed some fine work. The obvious love and admiration that the two women have for one another is palpable, and the way that was presented by Lee Ann was very touching. A great "Mother's Day" Service, all around, and a special kudos to Lee Ann for a tribute to a mother that will be remembered and treasured by that family forever.

2) Had a nice day yesterday. We made the trek to Toledo to see Aimee's grandmother, Henrietta Little, who I think is turning 90 this year, and members of her clan from far and wide. Particularly enjoyed catching up with Aimee's cousin, CJ, who is a video guru, preparing to get married this fall in the great city of Chicago.

CJ has always been, well, "creative", and I mean that in a good way. He made a short video of a trip he made to London years ago that is still a favorite of our boys. He organized a music festival in the backyard of his parent's house to celebrate his mother taking beginning drum lessons later in life (she made her debut to great fanfare). He was the mastermind behind one of the flying machine's entered in Chicago's "Flugtag" four years ago, and he recently proposed to his fiance in a monkey suit. The guy has creativity coming out of his pores. Needless to say, I am excited at the prospect of what will happen at his wedding and/or reception. Truly an event not to be missed this September in the greater Chicago area (although, as of now, I'll have to miss it, due to my doctoral program.... curses!). Could be the very first wedding featuring a bear costume, pyrotechnics, and a bicycle made of cheese.

3) Also received the opportunity to spend time with my own family, as my brother and his wife joined us at my parents for Mom's Day. Dad insisted on cooking out on the grill, as per Bucher Family Tradition (which is treated with a mix of sacredness and sarcasm) even though it was 40 degrees and raining. My boys, having spent the day riding in the van to and from Toledo (where they played with CJ's dog "Dingo", to the point that the dog who never gets tired, looked beat), were in rare form last night. The highlight of the evening was a conversation where we re-hashed my Dad's idea for a novel he had a number of years ago involving two baseball players, a showdown in Yankee Stadium, Arab terrorists (which, he points out, was an idea he had years before 9-11), and these two baseball players coming together in the end for world peace. I guess if someone else writes the book, I just cost dad his million-dollar idea, but I've a sense it will still be waiting for him upon retirement, as the sports/political thriller genre is still largely underdeveloped and untapped. Anyhow, Mom and Grandma Great were surrounded by people they loved who were laughing, so you can't ask for a better Mom's Day celebration.

4) Watched the first and last episodes of "The West Wing" last night with Grandma Great. A very classy way of showing that the show, while its writing may have dropped off a few years ago (although this season, in my opinion, was every bit as good as any other), the quality of acting never waned.

I'm feeling, however, a palpable sadness, and yet am very grateful, this day. My love for this show coincided with my arriving at Goshen First UMC, and the start of my relationship with my former boss, Dick Lyndon. Originally, the show aired on Wednesdays, which just happened to be "church night" in Goshen. Because the youth ministry at First met that evening, I wouldn't complete my work until after 9pm (when I'd kick about 20 kids playing basketball out of The Life Center). Dick would tape the episode of The West Wing so we could watch it together. I used to let myself into their house, give his wife a kiss on the cheek, and make a bologna sandwich before we'd settle in to watch whatever would befall President Bartlett and the rest of the gang. I enjoyed this, immensely, because Dick would use it as a learning tool on issues of leadership, and, often, it would help us get a handle on some of the issues we faced as pastors in our church.

Mostly, I just liked spending the time with him.

After his death, I found it hard to watch the show.... until we moved home and Grandma Great and I made this our weekly date. And, much like Dick, she would tape the show, so that if I showed up late, we could watch it together. Now, we'll probably watch "The Family Guy", and whatever show we can both agree isn't awful (we gave "Desperate Housewives" a shot, but that show is just unwatchable), for which I am grateful.

Thus, the passing of the show reminds me of the passing of my friend, and the passing of time I now enjoy with someone who is a treasure in our family. Let's call it a bittersweet experience that has made my life all the richer.

5) As our departure for Wilmore approaches, I must admit that the stress this is putting on our home is growing. While the two oldest boys are excited about our "Kentucky Adventure" (Xavier, in particular, has built up the experience to heights not experienced before), the reality of making another move (our third in three summers) is starting to hit hard. Thankfully, this time we don't need to move all our furniture, but that's because Aimee and the boys aren't staying with me. For ten months, she'll essentially be a single mother, and it's this, above and beyond all other things, that's got us both spooked.

In 1998, I accepted a position on a the conference staff of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. I knew before I took the job that the position, which largely consisted of my doing a lot of church consulting and attending a lot of meetings, would require a lot of travel. What I didn't understand was how traveling a lot as a non-parent was different than traveling as a parent (as Max, our oldest, wasn't born until after I'd been on the job about a month). The experience of not seeing my family for days at a time was so difficult, that, eventually, although I loved the job (and was pretty good at it), I left it after only 8 months for something that enabled me to be home virtually every evening. It's a decision I've never regretted. Not once!

Now, we're staring down the reality of being apart, not days, but weeks at a time, and I can't say that the prospect of being gone is any more palatable in 2006 that it was in 1998. I don't know if this is true, but it seems like the older my boys get, the more they seem to need me. While I know kids are resilient and cope well with change, and I know what a great opportunity this is for me professionally, I wonder what kind of price we'll all pay this year for my absence?

6) Ben Wallace, Center for the Detroit Pistons, has guaranteed that tonight's game at the Q in Cleveland, will be the last of the Cavs season. Guaranteeing a win, Wallace stated to the journalist that they could print his prediction on whatever page of the paper they wanted, because in every other instance he's made a guarantee like this one, the Pistons have always come through. I've stated, again and again, that this year's playoffs will go down as the year that LeBron had his "coming out party", much like the years that Jordan led those early Bulls teams to defeats despite scoring 60+ points a game. So, don't be surprised if Wallace, and the Pistons, get more than they bargained for tonight.

There will be one more game at the Q after tonight. Just wait and see.

7) Hillary Clinton has fallen into some hot water after making comments related to the lack of a work-ethic among those in Generation X and Y (see this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12591415/). Apparently, Senator Clinton forgot she had a daughter making a six-figure income after completing an undergraduate degree from Stanford and a Masters from Oxford, and upon being reminded of this, apologized for her remarks.

I'll tell you that as long as I've lived I've listened to people who decry the state of the next generation. In particular, I've had to listen to baby-boomer pastors who deride the skills, intelligence, creativity, leadership ability, and grittiness of people my age. Phrases like "they've had everything handed to them on a silver platter" are continually thrown around by older people, who, in my opinion, are looking to stand up on the beaten down shoulders of those coming after them for reasons more associated to ego than reality. Having worked with some of the best that Gen X and Y have to offer, I can tell you that I don't harbor the same kind of concern for the future. I think some pretty sharp people are going to take the wheel, and steer this country into a direction that will be good for all.

My belief in young people was renewed again with the news that at Shawnee High School this weekend, the students crowned a Machal Hoops, a Senior with Downs Syndrome, as their 2006 Prom Queen. I'm fairly certain that in my, or my parent's high school, such a thing would have been unthinkable. That in the world that there will be highly intelligent people who will actually make the plight of those who are disadvantaged a priority gives me a sense of optimism that was lost for people like Senator Clinton when they became adults. No matter your age, I beg you, don't follow her example. Our future is in good hands.

8) A big "thumbs up" to the Allen Country Commissioners who have, at least for the moment, cut off negotiations with the Eastern Shawnee. While Mayor Berger continues to push this form of "economic development", the Tribe is now looking for privately held land which they'll have to purchase (as opposed to "given", which is what they wanted from the county) for whatever it is they ultimately hope to construct in this community. I say this because in the Lima News this weekend, we are being led to believe that the city is looking at, not just a casino, but a "championship-level 18-hole golf course", an "indoor waterpark", a "first-rate" convention center, a "five-star" hotel, numerous restaurants, and a shopping complex on par with the Easton Mall in Columbus that would provide "2000-2500" jobs all paying more than $25,000 a year.

Of course, the Eastern Shawnee have never built a facility like this before. They currently employ 400 people at a casino in Oklahoma, where they can, quite frankly, build whatever they want. Considering that another Oklahoma tribe was cited in the paper's article for having already done this kind of development, one would think that nothing would have precluded the Eastern Shawnee from having done this themselves. But, apparently the idea hadn't occurred to them until they tried to entice us with endless possibilities in exchange for a sweet land deal.

And, of course, nothing concrete about this proposal is being released to the public. All of the possible development listed above, is suggested, but never promised, which is an act that is getting old. Maybe if the Tribe, it's lawyers (who are making a killing right now), and local political officials treated us like adults by giving some particulars about this proposal, we could have some meaningful dialogue on the issue. Until then, the mistrust only grows...

9) Have completed five chapters of "The Secret Message of Jesus". No great revelations yet, but stay tuned.

10) And, finally, on Saturday we had the pleasure of attending a system-wide art show where a piece of pottery made by Max was on display. We were, and are, very proud of his work and look forward to bringing his work, and his award home for display on the family mantel. Many kudos to the art teachers and administrators who put on this great event for students and their families.

Ten Things I Think I Think

1) This blog has received almost 900 hits in the last five weeks, which, quite frankly, astounds me. Thanks to all of you who actually take the time to read this thing. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

2) Well, my two copies of the "Secret Message of Jesus" have arrived, and with almost tens of entries, here are the winners (and my reasoning for choosing them):

The winner of the first copy of the book is Bruce Dickerson from Hamilton, Ohio. Bruce and his wife are expecting a baby, and Bruce says that I should give him a book so that he'll have something to read during late-night feedings and diaper-changings. I've got to support a dedicated new father! Bruce, you'll get your copy of the book, post-haste. Congrats!

The winner of the second copy of the book, which will be the copy that I read before sending, and thus will contain whatever notes I happen to jot down (if any), is David Grant from Goshen, Indiana. Now, to be honest, this was a tough choice, because another Goshenite, Scott Mattern, offered me a pound of fine coffee from the Dominican Republic for the book, and everyone who knows me knows that I'm not above a bribe. However, listen to some of Brother David's reasoning for why he should get a book: Brian McLaren, like Bryan Bucher, has helped me to recognize the great distance between God and ourselves (myself), and to know that any attempt to reduce that distance by somehow moderating its demands misses the point altogether. And besides all of that, I am now a poor, struggling college student who needs a helping hand with a great new book!

He pled poverty and used flattery, all for a book. I couldn't turn that down.... although I would suggest that David, when he's finished reading, trade the book to Scott for the coffee, and send me a fair-share of God's blessed bean.

Congrats to the winners, and thanks to all for playing. I'll be giving away more books later in the year (as I read them for my doctoral work), so keep your eye on this blog for more chances to win.

And, for anyone who is interested, I do have a number of copies of the first chapter of the book, and would be happy to send it to you, free of charge, so that you decide whether or not you'd like to buy a full copy. I'll also post my review of the book as soon as I'm done reading.

3) The contest leads me to a suggested topic for the blog, which is this: Is there coffee in heaven? The short, straight, theologically-correct, and irrefutable answer is, yes, but only real coffee, and expresso, will be permitted. All instant coffees, flavored (fu fu) coffees, coffee drinks made with milk or milk-wanna-be products, and (of course) all forms of decaf will only be available in Hell, as God will allow no corruption of his holy nectar. While this position isn't biblical, I'm relying on special revelation given to me years ago during a vision I had in a period of great distress (I had given up coffee for Lent, and it was Day 3, when the withdrawl symptoms hit). You'll simply have to take my word for it.

4) A big "thank you" to to my Grandmother (or as we refer to her around the house, Grandma Great, since she is great, and a great-grandmother to my boys), who taped a copy of a debate sponsored by the New York Times on C-SPAN 2, between Thomas Friedman, author of the facinating new book "The World Is Flat", and Noble-winning economist, Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, a member of the faculty at Columbia University.

This was a great program, touching on a number of issues such as political and social instability in China, a question about how "flat" the world really is, and whether places like sub-Saharan Africa will fall further behind developed nations of the world, deepening the crisis of poverty and disease. The most telling, and troubling, aspect of the program was the time spent looking at how globalization will effect the middle-class here in the United States. Stiglitz made a point of mentioning that over the last four years, the actual take home pay of the average middle-class family in the US has actually dropped by about $1,500, while the average household debt continues to climb.

The implications for these trends, if they continue, are enormous. Virtually all sociologists, economists, and political geographers agree that a large middle class is what brings stability to modern societies. What happens if this middle-class gets squeezed economically-downward? You are seeing the results of this, for example, in France, where young adults who are beginning to realize that global competition could result in their being laid off, and are violently denomstrating against that possibility. What will the outlet be for people in this country who lose their jobs because they've been lost or outsourced overseas, particularly if they are unable to find something comprable in pay and benefits? How might the power of American workers, blue and white collar, continue to erode when moving jobs elsewhere can be done so cheaply?

I have no answers.

4) The sixth annual "Blessing of the Bikes" here at Shawnee UMC was another rousing success. About 600 motorcycles were blessed in all, and the Centrum was so packed for the actual service, that an estimated 200-300 people never made it into the door, waiting in the parking lot until it was time for the ceremony. With over 1400+ people here, you could make the argument that this service is bigger for us, attendance-wise than either Christmas or Easter. Just a mindblowing experience.

5) Am hunting down a book released a few years ago called "The Ghost Rider" by Neil Peart. Peart, who happens to be the drummer and lyricist for the band "Rush" wrote a book about a journey of over 55,000 miles he made on his motorcycle in 1998. The man traveled from Central Canada to Buenes Aires and back, by way of Alaska. The book details the places and people he encounters, but mostly it's a look at a man coping with the death of his 19-year-old daughter (car accident) and wife (breast cancer) all within a 10-month span in 1997. It's that story that interests me, for reasons I cannot yet explain. Because we don't have a large bookstore in Lima (Barnes and Noble where are you???), and our local library never bought it (but they are looking for a copy to be loaned from elsewhere), I'm kinda stuck with Amazon.com. If you do have a copy, and are willing to loan it for awhile, give me a buzz at revbdb@woh.rr.com .

6) The Cavs are on again tonight, and let's hope they make a better showing against the Pistons than they did on Sunday. 30 point blowouts are no way to compete in the NBA playoffs. While I agree with the pundants that they are likely to lose this series, I'd like to see LeBron do some Jordan-esue things (like score 63 points) during those years the Bulls made the playoffs, but didn't have the firepower to get past the "Bad Boy" Pistons of yore. I just hope he gives notice to the NBA, like he did in the Wizards series, that LeBron is coming, and we'd all better get ready. He is truly going to be, if all things hold steady, the greatest player of his generation.

7) Received a question, via the phone, about the nature of the resurrection of the dead, which would be unusual for others, but I'm a pastor, so it's kinda the norm. The core of the issue for this person was whether or not we (in terms of our soul) go to "heaven" upon death, or stay present on (under?) the earth until Jesus comes back (which kind of a theme in some of Paul's words to the Corinthians). I, of course, whenever I'm asked this question, always go to Jesus' words to the criminal on the cross, who upon asking if Jesus will "remember him in his kingdom", is told that "Surely today, you will be me in paradise.". If "today" and "paradise" are to be taken literally, that would lead one to believe that the soul departs for its great reward immediately. But it doesn't solve the issue of the "ressurrection of the saints" which is something Paul promises, and a belief we reaffirm in the Apostles Creed until this day.

My best guess is that Paul, believing like everyone else in the first-generation Christian church, believed that Jesus was coming back, now. Like, in their lifetime, which was a condrum as the Apostles, one by one, got whacked by the Roman authorities, and various members of the local church died. What, people wondered, happened to those people? Were their souls lost because they had passed before Jesus returned, or not?

Paul's answer is an attempt to assure all the faithful that we will all participate in the return, no matter when it happens. What that will look like, exactly, isn't spelled out clearly, but we should have no fear of death (which is really the issue at hand). If Jesus conquers death by rising from it (Jesus 1, Death 0), then death will not have the last word for us. How that looks exactly (do have a body, what does it look like, etc...) neither I, nor nobody else with any integrity (although I'm sure you can buy a book about it at the local Christian bookstore, which is stocked with quite a few books make theological claims that are at best dubious.... once again, we need a B&N to the rescue) can say. Just trust, friends, in the warmth and compassion of the One who loves you.

8) A big "thank you" to Mayor Berger who came to speak to the Lima Ministerial Association about the issue of a casino in Lima. I'm sure many of you are tired of me talking about this, but the Mayor's presentation only convinces me more that this project is, at best, a mixed bag for the citizens of this fair city. Like everyone else I've heard speak on this issue, no specifics are given on the amount of investment to be made, the nature of that investment (beyond bingo and slot machines that are bingo-themed... whatever that means), the economic effects (negative or positive) on the area, or even the nature of the jobs that will become available (full-time, part-time, etc...). No one can say how much "non-Eastern Shawnee" money is behind this project (which is scary, just from the standpoint that if one can assume that the Shawnee leadership is most concerned with taking care of their own people, their partners are probably more concerned with making as many dollars as possible) or how the construction of six of these facilities, I'm assuming fairly close together, all in our State will effect the projected "legions" of people proponents of this project expect to come to our city.

I mean, if casinos are in Massillion, Toledo, and Dayton, why drive to Lima?

I've learned after 15-years in the faith business, that when you intentionally try to keep people in the dark about the important, specific details, that a lack of trust will undermind their ability to believe in what you are saying. At this point, the Mayor, the Shawnee, their investors, and lawyers wouldn't last a day at a church, given how guarded and secretive they'v been about this things (which, we were told during secret negotiations between the city and Shawnee, was a project focused on "food processing", so the lies, half-truths, and deceit manifest from the beginning).

If you haven't yet done so, voice your opposition by putting your name on the online list of people who don't want a casino in Lima at www.NoLimaCasnio.org . Whatever their selling, we won't know what we've bought until it's too late.

9) Played baseball with boys yesterday. Max, who has received little instruction from me, thus far, in this particular game because, quite frankly, I'm not crazy about playing it (although I enjoy taking in a game as a spectator) is getting quite good at hitting and pitching. He still couldn't catch a cold, but I'm assuming that will come, in time. All in all, I enjoyed the time with him far more than the game itself, which is really the point. He could take up cricket, and I'd be there, wicked googlies and all.

10) And, finally, the family is dragging me off to dinner, so I've got to split, but I'd ask, before I go, that you'd take a moment and pray for a friend of mine who is struggling with his call to ministry, the choices he's made historically in that call, and where God might be leading him next. I've known him for eons, and he's really struggling, so light a candle and say a prayer that he might find peace in the midst of what he is discovering to be a difficult job. And say a little prayer for his wife, sons, and daughters.

God Bless.

Ten Things I Think I Think

1) One more week until the winners of the "The Secret Meaning of Jesus" contest are announced. We've received scores of inquiries and more than a few entrants, so get your entry in ASAP. For more info on the book and it's author, Brian McClaren, check out my last post. Special Note: For the person who wins my copy of "TSMoJ", you'll get to read all the notes I made in the margins and see real coffee stains left by yours' truly. A collectors item like no other! Once again, you can enter to win a free copy of the book by emailing me at revbdb@woh.rr.com. Include your name, a reason why I should give you a copy of the book, a suggestion for a future blog post, and an address where I can send you a copy of "TSMoJ" if you win.

2) Thanks for all the positive comments on yesterday's service entitled, "Grace In Three Movements". As I said in the 9am service, the secret to good preaching is scheduling good music, and yesterday the music department, in my opinion, hit a home run. Just lovely music from Shane and the team.

Lots of people have made it point, either in person or via email, to let me know that they had never heard Wesley's definition of "grace" before. The idea that God would reach out to all us all of the time (prevenient grace) was a new one for many folks, who never thought of the act of grace as being something offered even when its not being asked for. Lots of people were aware of "justifying grace" (the moment you realize that grace is being offered to you by God, and you decide to accept it), but, like me, question whether or not act of choosing to receive grace has to happen in one moment, or could be something that one could grow into over time. And finally, the idea that in "sanctifying grace" that it is as, or more, important to understand God as love as it is to become more loving (i.e. more like Jesus) seemed to throw a few people for a loop (but if you've heard me preach before, you'd know that this wouldn't be the first time I've said this). Anyhow, when people ask if the entire service can be done again, that can't be a bad thing.... we're not going to do it, but it was nice that they asked.

3) The idea of a "Day Without Immigrants", I'm guessing, grew out of an idea that was captured on film a few years ago. The movie, "The Day Without A Mexican" (here's the website: http://www.adaywithoutamexican.com/index1.htm) was a political comedy about a day where all of the people of Mexican descent, legal and illegal, vanished for a day in California. The movie did gross large amounts of money in Mexico, and made a blip on the pop culture screen here upon it's release in 2004. I saw it, and it was OK. Am guessing that the real thing today wasn't as disruptive as it was in the movie, but it is an interesting foray into life imitating art.

4) The Mayor of Lima is coming to speak to the Lima Ministerial Association about the proposed casino he is endorsing. The measure is currently on the backburner as we look to primary elections tomorrow, but I'm sure it will heat up again soon given the news that the Eastern Shawnee's request for an extention on their suit against the State of Ohio was granted, placing the new deadline at May 31st. You've got to admire the mayor for accepting the LMA's invitation, especially since he knows that there isn't one person there who will agree with him.

The Lima News ran a news story this Sunday about the Eastern Shawnee's casino and it's effects on tiny Seneca, Missouri (here are the links for the two articles: http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=25218 and http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=25219 ). Basically, what I got out of the article was that the casino is expanding rapidly, but the economic effects on the town have been neglegible. Pretty much the only people with anything good to say about the casino were local politicians, (who like the extra tax revenue) the school superintendent (who likes the extra tax revenue), and people who like to gamble. To those who argue that a casino will stimulate the local economy, I found it interesting that in the nineteen years since the casino's inception, not one new hotel or restaurant have been built in Seneca. Not one. And the effect on the local unemployement rate is still virtually unchanged.

Local clergy claim pretty much what we fear, that instances of addiction, abuse, divorce, bankrupcy, and foreclosure have risen in their churches and community. Not exactly the overwhelming economic windfall we've all been promised.... which why I will help keep up the fight against this casino, and for a Lima area "Barnes and Noble".

5) I am still looking for a motorcycle, and am quickly realizing that given our economic resources, the prospect for such a machine is growing dim. If you're going to take a pay cut to do doctoral work, money for diapers outweighs money for a Honda. In the Bucher house, that's the bottom line.

6) News out of Fiji: 62 year old rocker Keith Richards was hurt falling out of a palm tree. You couldn't make something like that up, even if you were under the influence of drugs.

7) Matt Parish, the young guitarist and singer for the band Ho-Ag, has returned to Boston after undergoing surgery at a hospital in San Francisco for a broken jaw. For those who read last week's blog entries, you'll know that Matt, while on tour, was jumped by seven men outside of a friend's residence in Oakland at 4pm in the afternoon, where he was beaten and robbed. Matt now has a titanium plate in his jaw and faces a long recovery. Thanks for the prayers... please continue to lift him up as he heals from this senseless act of violence.

8) Am thoroughly enjoying a book for my first class entitled, "You Only Have To Die", by James Harnish, Senior Pastor at Hyde Park UMC in Tampa, Florida. Harnish details what he learned after almost dying of a heart ailment which occured while he was struggling to work with lay leadership in his church to turn around a long, steady decline. After my experience in Goshen, which was the best of times, and the worst of times, I can relate to much of what he has to say. Here's a great excerpt from the book, where he details the areas where he thinks now, he blew it as a pastoral leader in this experience.

I Tended To Take Things Too Personally
Too often, I allowed myself, my faith, and my leadership to be the target of criticism and complaint. GK Chesterson supposedly said that angels can fly because they take themselves so lightly. I can see times when things would have gone more smoothly if I had taken myself more lightly. Som of the attacks were very personal, but I wish I had been more consistant in saying, "This really isn't about me. It's about who God is calling this church to be."

Cyrus Vance was a longtime Washington insider who served as Jimmy Carter's Secretary of State. He had a reputation of being a problem solver with a gift for making progress in international stalemates. When he died, Time magazine quoted Strobe Talbott, who said, "He is allergic to the first person singular.... Because he has so little interest in getting credit, the contending parties are more likely to trust him". One of the great dangers for leaders in the transformation process is that we forget that this is really not about us. It's not about credit or blame. It's about God's kingdom coming on earth as it is already fulfilled in heaven, through the life of this local congregation.

Taking yourself more lightly... a lesson I wish I had learned many years ago. Probably not a bad lesson for all of us.

9) On April 21st, 75 United Methodist Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgendered Clergy outed themselves by signing a letter sent to the Judicial Council of the UMC, which is revisiting two decisions it made last time it convened.

The first decision was the de-frocking of Irene Beth Stroud, an ordained minister whose "coming out" as a lesbian during her tenure at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown (PA) was captured in the fine documentary, "Congregation", which has been shown repeatedly on PBS. Beth Stroud is still seeking the return of her Elder's Orders, although, at this time, the UM Book of Discipline is very clear in stating that the church will not ordain gay or lesbian ministers.

The other decision was related to a UM-minister in Virginia who refused membership to a gay man who wanted to join his congregation. This issue is really as much about the Book of Discipline as it is about the man being gay, as the Judicial Council ruled that the Elder appointed to a local church/charge gets the final say on whether or not a person can be a member of that church. So, if the person had been denied membership because he advocated the legalization of marijuana, my guess is that this issue would have never have come up.... but that wasn't the case. So these two decisions are at the forefront of JC's work this coming week.

The fact that 75 GLBT UM Ministers signed the document is pretty unnerving. While they are being called "couragious" in certain quarters, at this time, none of the names have been made public. I'll call it "couragious" when that happens, because, essentially, those person will have just put themselves out of a job for their cause. Whether or not that happens this week as the Judicial Council meets remains to be seen, but as things stand now, what was designed to put pressure on a group of people to change past decisions, has, I fear, but into action a headlong collision between the far-right and far-left of our denomination at General Conference in 2008. My guess is that if these clergy aren't de-frocked by the time this meeting convenes, the far-right will call for a denominational split, which they will probably pursue whether or not their call is heeded.

Believe me when I say this: For certain people, there is no middle ground on this issue, and for them, the propect of some sort of compromise is nil. People will fight this thing to the bitter end, which was the conclusion of a body called to discuss this issue, that I helped lead in the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, reached in 1998. Those findings were subsequently buried by Bishop Christopher who didn't want to believe that this would be the case.

Mark my words, folks will not back down on this issue. It is a deal-breaker.

I don't fear a split for theological reasons. Institutions grow, shrink, split, and merge, and, quite frankly, they always will. And as far as I'm concerned, I don't think that at this time, sufficient evidence has been shown to change the UM's position that homosexuality is a sin. I don't happen to believe its a sin that's any worse than adultary, which we seem to treat with a sense of grace, but its a sin, nonetheless. I just don't think it's worth all of this fuss, as adults in local congregations ought to have the leeway to decide what grace this sin, like others, ought to be treated with in their context, and continue to dialogue about the matter at denominational meetings geared for that process, until such time that ongoing discussion is considered fruitless.

And, hey, nothing is forever, except God, so if the UMC looks differently than it does now I can accept that. It's just that when that day comes, all of us who are clergy will have a choice to make: Do we go, or do we stay? And our decision will put local churches in the horrible position of whether or not to follow, or go a different way, than their pastor. None of that decision-making will be pleasant or easy... and we will all have to answer for the pain, agony, and division it caused to God someday. That will be a sad day, where much grace will be needed, and I trust, received.

10) Finally, I don't think there is more amazing story in sports right now than the transformation of Kobe Bryant, guard of the LA Lakers, from "King of the Ballhogs" to "Extrordinary Talent Who Is Making His Team Better by Passing the Ball". If the Lakers win this series against Pheonix, and Kobe keeps his shot attempt numbers low, his transformation will be studied by coaches and players across this country who assess, once again, that basketball is a team-oriented game.

The only other story that even comes close to this one in this year's NBA Playoffs (thus far) is the method by which Reggie Evans tried to get a rebound away from Chris Kaman (which was so vulgur and dirty I dare not mention the particulars in mixed company - and I want to say to those who have played with me, that while I do play dirty, I have NEVER played that dirty. And if you any of you ever do that to me, I'll be sure to take myself very seriously, and lay you OUT. Consider yourself warned.). Just a great series of playoff games.... which of course, if any of my profs are reading this, I'm only reading about in the papers because I'm so hard at work doing my reading.

(Do you think they bought it?)

Have a great week.

"The Secret Meaning of Jesus" Contest Update

For those who missed it on this week's "Ten Things I Think I Think", I am conducting a contest to give away two copies of Brian McClaren's newest book, "The Secret Meaning of Jesus". Have had two people who have already emailed looking to win (which is probably two more than I expected). For your chance to win, all you need to do is email me at revbdb@woh.rr.com , and briefly tell me why I should give you this book, offer at least one suggestion for a future blog post, and an address where I can send you your copy if you win (postage is on me). The winner will announced on May 8th.

For those of you who have never read McClaren's work, I think you'd find it thought-provoking and interesting. McClaren is attempting to wrestle with Christian faith in a post-modern world.

What does "wrestle with the Christian faith in the post-modern world" mean?

Well, when I was a kid growing up in the 70's, the church's position on things like how inerrant the Bible is, who Jesus was, and the nature of how the world was created was defined largely by pastors and theologians, and while under attack by a few doubters, was pretty much accepted as "truth" by the rank and file in this country. But a few things have happened since those simple days. First and foremost, as fewer people here and Western Europe went to church (attendance has steadily declined since the 60's in the US, and since WWII in Europe), fewer people were around to hear what the local pastor was saying, and began to look in different quarters for ideas on religious faith. At the same time, scientific theories (like evolution) and discoveries (like dinosaurs) began to challenge the church's worldview about how the world was created, it's age, and how it works.

By the end of the 20th Century, the church no longer was the definitive voice on morality, issues of faith, culture, and education. With the advent of the internet and other means of diffusing information in volumes and speeds we've never encountered before, now people could decide for themselves what they wanted to believe about all things, including God.

Forced into a position where now it was simply "A" voice, not "THE" voice, on spirituality, the church in this post-modern (or as some would term it, post-Christian) age is being forced to deal with ongoing scientific discoveries (cloning, DNA manipulation, etc..), new discoveries made about the Bible by archaeologists and scholars that challenge some long held (and possibly erroneous) assumptions about basic tenets of the faith, and a world where fewer and fewer people know much about Jesus Christ. Fortunately, because science has failed to correct all of society's ills, a new sense of openness, particularly among younger people, is giving Christian apologists a chance to present its message and meaning in a new, fresh way.

Brian McClaren, who founded Cedar Creek Community Church in suburban D.C., through his lectures and writings, has become a leader among those who are attempting to renew trust and faith in people who felt like the church failed them, while at the same time telling the story of Jesus from a new perspective. This book will, for most of you, challenge your basic understanding of who Jesus is, but I guarantee you it will be worth the read and the struggle.

Hope to hear from you. More updates will given as the contest progresses.

An Eleventh Thing I Think: Pray for Matt

Matt Parish, a former youth groupee and lead guitarist for Ho-Ag, was robbed and assulted outside of an apartment in Oakland, California last weekend while on Ho-Ag's second national tour. Matt apparently went outside of the home of a friend to talk on his cell phone, was approached by seven individuals who demanded the phone and his wallet, and beat him when he refused. He was scheduled to be in surgery this morning, and will fly back to Boston (his home) as soon as he is able. Ho-Ag was forced to cancel the remainder of their tour, which, I'm sure, is a huge disappointment to all of its members. Pray for Matt, and the rest of Ho-Ag, as they cope with this senseless act of violence.

Ten Things I Think I Think (Motorcycle Diaries Edition)

1) This past Saturday, I completed, and passed, the State's required course for a motorcycle license. Apart from serving at a church with a motorcycle ministry, I decided to do this out of my experience, while in Goshen, of owning a little Suzuki Samurai, which is (for those who don't know) a very little 4X4 vehicle that looks like a small Jeep. With the help of a Suzuki enthusiast, I was able to take off the doors, modify the sideview mirrors to keep the vehicle street-legal, and with the cloth top off, enjoy the great outdoors at 40 mph. There was many an evening, after a very stressful day of work, that I could wring out my issues with only 20 minutes of freedom on the open road, before I got home, saving all the Buchers much grief.

And all at about 30 miles to the gallon!

I've missed that little thing (as have my kids) almost from the day I sold it. The vehicle didn't provide the most protection in the world, but it was so popular with Max that to this day, when he sees one he almost always asks me why we had to sell our "Jeep"?

Well, I've decided that I need another outlet for my stress beyond eating or watching TV. And while I did see a little Samurai for sale (with "$650" painted on the windshield), I guess I'd just like to try something new. If it doesn't work out, then I'll re-commit myself to four-wheeled vehicles, find a little Jeep, and start a "Blessing of the Topless SUV's". I promise!

2) Had a scare early Monday morning, which resulted in this post being a day late. Sunday, after attending church (not ours - more on that later) that morning, and lunch at my folks, I returned home to spend the day working in the lawn. We've got about 8 billion Shagbark Hickory trees growing in our front lawn, and if you want to be able to get a lawn mower over top of it, occasionally you need to rake up all of the tree waste (bark, sticks, twigs, and oodles of hickory nuts). I had actually started the job on Saturday, and it took another 8 hour day, and about 18 garbage bags to clean up the mess.

Well, after I quit for the day, I went to my grandmothers to watch one of the dwindling few new episodes of "The West Wing" (a show that, in my opinion, is finishing as strong as it started), and over a bowl of ice cream, I realized my left arm was sore. As the evening progressed, the pain refused to subside, and so, upon excusing myself, I headed for home, by way of the office to check some email and gather a little data). By the time I got home, however, the pain had not abated, and was even growing stronger. Thinking that all I needed to do was get some rest, I laid down, only to experience even greater pain as the night progressed.

Finally, at 3am, I got up, took some Tylenol (this horrible grape flavored stuff for the kids because it was the only bottle I could find - it said that kids over 89 pounds needed to take six tablets, so I emptied the seven left in the bottle), and gave a local hospital a call. You see, I thought that maybe, because of the nature of the pain, that I might be having a heart attack. Upon some discussion with a qualified professional, we concluded that this probably wasn't the case (although I'm scheduling a full physical workup with my doctor), but the only way I could get any relief from the pain was to sleep in my recliner. At about 5am, I fell asleep, and since I didn't wake up until 11am, my schedule got "de-railed".

Let me say this... it's a horrible thing to suspect that you are having a heart attack when your oldest child is seven years old. A very horrible thing.

3) Just finished "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. I couldn't recommend it any higher (a link to Amazon where you can buy it is in last week's "Ten Things"). Here's one of the (I thought) more poignant excerpts:

Analysts have always tended to measure a society by classical economic and social statistics: its deficit-to-GDP ratio, or its unemployment ready, or the rate of literacy among its adult women. Such statistics are important and revealing. But there is another statistic, much harder to measure, that I think is even more important and revealing: Does your society have more memories than dreams or more dreams than memories?

By dreams I mean the positive, life-affirming variety. The business organization consultant Michael Hammer once remarked, "One thing that tells me a company is in trouble is when they tell me how good they were in the past. Same with countries. You don't want to forget your identity. I am glad you were great in the fourteenth century, but that was then and this is now. When memories exceed dreams, the end is near. The hallmark of a truly successful organization is the willingness to abandon what made it successful and start fresh."

In societies that have more memories than dreams, too many people are spending to many days looking backward. They see dignity, affirmation, and self-worth not by mining the present but by chewing on the past. And even that is usually not a real past but an imagined and adorned past. Indeed, such societies focus all their imagination on making that imagined past even more beautiful than it ever was, and then they cling to it like a rosary or a strand of worry beads, rather than imagining a better future and acting on that. It is dangerous enough when other countries go down the route; it would be disastrous for America to lose it bearings and move in that direction. I think my friend David Rothkopf, the former Commerce Department official and now a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said it best: "The answer for us lies not in what has changed, but in recognizing what has not changed. Because only through this recognition will we begin to focus on the truly critical issues - an effective multilateral response to weapons of mass destruction proliferation, the creation of real stakeholders in globalization among the world's poor, the need for reform in the Arab world and a style of U.S. leadership that seeks to build our base of support worldwide by getting more people to voluntarily sign onto our values. We need to remember that those values are the real foundation for our security and the real source of our strength. And we need to recognize that our enemies can never defeat us. Only we can defeat ourselves, by throwing out the rule book that has worked for us for a long, long time.

Do yourself a favor, and read, or listen, to this book.

4) Interesting article this past Saturday in The Lima News about the coming "Revolution" in the way people are going to practice Christian spirituality (I would provide the link for you to read it yourself, but I can't find it on their website, which isn't good for you, them, or I). I talked to weeks ago about George Barna's book "Revolution" and his premise that people are tiring of the church in its institutional form, and are starting home churches where they gather for worship, prayer and fellowship on their own. Well, this article basically used this book as its source text, and the interesting part of it are the number of people who don't see how this movement can be viable to the degree that Barna claims it will become (more than half of all practicing Christians in the next 15 years).

Issues of trust (not being duped into joining a cult, for example) are the primary concerns I've been hearing from people. And, it's for this very reason, (a thought well-articulated over lunch by Eric Rummel, a friend, a seminary student, and a person who will always be "Bubba" to me) that I see house churches banding together in some loose form of association to establish some basic rules for things like accounting/theology/etc., which will inevitably evolve into a more institutional form of religious practice. Thus, those that are "sticking it to the man" will eventually become "the man", and some sort of reaction (like contemporary worship with pop music to traditional worship in the 80's) will rear its ugly head. Just wait, and see!

5) When is Lima going to get a Barnes and Noble? My kingdom for a place where one can read books and consume legal stimulants (although, the new "Norwegian" blend at "The Meeting Place" is a welcome addition to true coffee aficionados in this community - drink it if you have contempt for coffees flavored with raspberries, chocolates, or "creams" of any kind).

6) I'm 37 years old, and am now a member of a "street team". This weekend, I was contacted by a marketing person at the publishing house distributing Brian McClaren's new book, "The Secret Message of Jesus". How all this came to fruition is kind of a long story that boils down to me wanting a copy of this book for free. Now, as a member of a "street team", I'll receive two copies of the book (one for me, and one for a friend), and a bunch of "chapter cards" that I'll need to distribute at local bookstores (we have three, two small secular ones, and a religious bookstore where you can find plenty of artwork and very few books) and coffeehouses (which should be easy, cause we've got a grand total of "one") . I also need to write a review of this book on this blog, and on Amazon.com, which I think I can handle, if my public education doesn't fail me.

I've decided, in the spirit of entrepreneurship, to give my second copy (immediately), and my first copy (after I've read it) away to (all) two of you, my loyal readers. All you need to do is send me an email at revbdb@woh.rr.com , with the reason why I should give you one of these books, at least one subject you'd like me write about on this blog, and an address where it can be mailed (postage will be on me). I'll announce the winners in two weeks.

7) The Cavs are on tonight, as the LeBron James coming-out-party continues. As an aside, I can't remember enjoying the NBA playoffs as much as I am this year, when really, I ought to be reading for my first class. Max is rooting for the Miami Heat because he likes Shaq, but I'm sure I'll win him over onto the Cavalier bandwagon as LeBron leads it to victory (as Max tends to root for whoever is winning, which is a real problem during Ohio State football games when the Buckeyes fall behind). Xavier tends play with blocks when the NBA is on, kind of like most of America, so his interest is minimal, at best. He'll be more interested in football, anyway, given the fact he's had to survive being Max's little brother (which will make him tougher than a rhinoceros steak). Anyhow, "Go Cavs"!

8) After a two-week layoff, I'll be preaching this Sunday on the movements of grace: prevenient, justification, and sanctification. It'll be one sermon in three 5-7 minute parts, so hopefully the service will move along nicely. The source text is the "Road to Emmaus" (which is found in Luke 24:13-34), where some gentlemen encounter the risen Christ as they journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They go from not knowing who Christ is even though he is talking to them (prevenient grace), to realizing who he is fully (justifying grace), to witnessing to others that he is truly alive (an aspect of sanctifying grace). Hope you enjoy it, and for those who can't make it, I'll give a recap next week.

9) Sunday, I did go to church, but it was not hear at Shawnee. As a part of my upcoming doctoral work, I decided to make the trek to the Lima Community Church (of the Nazarene, which is a tag they have dropped in their literature and logo). LCC is the closest thing Lima has to a megachurch, averaging over 1900 in weekly worship in four services: a 6pm on Saturday night, a 9am on Sunday morning, and two 10:45am services on Sunday morning - one in their sanctuary and one in another large gathering room on-site that features live music and a sermon taped early that morning). My assignment was to take a look at the tech ministry of such a place, and organize my thoughts before my first class.

Well, I must say I was impressed with their technical set-up, which is expertly led by Sandie Millslagle, a delightful young woman who has more energy than ten of me. And what impressed me most about what I saw was how advanced their technology is, while at the same time how simple they are keeping their use of that technology. And all of this is made possible by Sandie, who breaks down the ministry in parts that can be easily managed by her volunteers. My experience with her confirms what I suspected while on staff at First UMC in Goshen - that if you want to have an outstanding technical ministry that can incorporate a number of different elements (in-service audio and video, simulcasting, taped sermons, webcasting, etc...), you will make light-years of progress if you have one person leading that ministry who isn't learning on-the-job, but is already experienced in such endeavors.

I want to make it clear that this is no knock on the volunteers we had in Goshen. They put in yeoman's hours for no pay, and had we actually provided resources for them to work on their expertise, we'd have saved hours and hours of experimentation that had to happen for them to get over the learning curve of things like video editing, sound engineering, and in-service video production. The longer I am away from there, the more I appreciate the kinds of things they can do, and all the ways it can enhance your ministry.

But, you could just feel the difference with a person with 12 years of professional television experience putting that expertise to work in a church setting. This is an important lesson, as most of us in this business usually nickel-and-dime tech ministry, while using all the available resources we have to hire program, worship, and maintenance staff. I get the sense that the demand for people like Sandie (who can easily put up podcasts or video webcasts, for example, of our sermons, for those of you who can't make it on Sunday) in the life of the church will continue to grow. Thank you Sandie, for sharing your knowledge and time with me.

10) And finally, the children of Shawnee will be holding an art sale this Sunday in support of VBS this June. If you'd like to make a purchase and contribution, just show up Sunday morning and find a piece that fits you. And if you can't make it, feel free to contact me at revbdb@woh.rr.com and I'll make sure to reserve a piece for you that can be had for a free-will donation.

See you soon!