Fifty Shades...

While the weather has taken over the number one news spot in my area, there's still much buzz about the Valentine's Day release of the film "Fifty Shades of Grey."  (Google it if you're unaware of the sensation it's creating.)  I don't hear many neutral reactions to the movie.  As is often the case, social media thoughts and pronouncements seem to move to the extremes.  For some, "Fifty Shades" has evoked a moral outcry.  They see at as representative of a perceived "ethical decline" in American culture.  "It's just mainstream pornography," is one sentiment I've heard.  Others express outrage on behalf of women.  They believe the film glories a sexual approach toward women that is demeaning, objectifying, and violent.  And there are those people who defend the film and/or the right of filmakers and production companies to create and market such a cinematic product.  Many of these folks are frustrated with people who critique the film without seeing it or reading the book.  They say the behaviors within involve two consenting adults and point out that we live in a land that values free expression.  They believe that other films are more violent and graphic, sexually.  "If you don't like it, don't go see it," they suggest.  I admit, I leaned hard to one of these extremes, initially.

I most likely won't see the movie or read the book.  This more about simple disinterest than it is about moral outrage.  While I'm suspicious of the message sent regarding treatment of women, I'm not in a position to judge the books, the movie, the filmmakers, those who see it, or those who promote it; nor do I want to do so.  And I'm painfully aware that too often followers of Jesus in North America tend to be known more by what we stand against that for which we stand positively.  Still, this is a significant social phenomenon in our land, and silence is itself a message.

The truth is that we all have specific lenses through which we view human relationships and the role of sexual expression in relationships, whether by design or by default.  Those lenses will impact how we view and evaluate "Fifty Shades of Grey,"  or anything else in our culture that focuses on sexuality.  So rather than say anything one way or another about the movie, let me simply explain my lens.

I believe all human beings are of sacred worth, period.   It's not a worth that we have earned or achieved.  It is a value given us by a God who has imparted the image of that very God to each of us. It makes each of us worth pursuing by this God, as much as we have tarnished the image of  God within us and between us.  I believe this rescuing, liberating pursuit is known in the life, death, resurrection, and promised return of the one called Jesus - God with us.  Because of the God-given, God-pursing value we each carry, how we treat each other matters.  Part of this God-given value includes the gift of human sexuality.  I personally believe this gift is most fully celebrated in the singular commitment of a marriage.  Regardless, though, sexual expression at its best is mutual, assuming equality in identity and power in the partners, and is as much or more focused on the fulfillment of the other as of oneself.  My tribe (United Methodism) expresses it this way:  "Violent, disrespectful, or abusive sexual expressions do not confirm sexuality as God's good gift...where one or both partners are exploitative, abusive, promiscuous...are ultimately destructive..."  (THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH-2012, Paragraph 161.H.)

So that's what I'm for.  That's my lens.  I'm not saying that has to be your lens; I'm just sharing mine.  Maybe the benefit of a cultural event such as "Fifty Shades of Grey" is that each of us can pause and consider the interpretive lens that informs and forms our views.

So don't tell me what you think about the "Fifty Shades" buzz.   I'm hearing plenty of that.  Tell me the lens that determines what you think.

I'll see you around the next bend in the river...

Leaving Sikeston

As of the first of July, 2015 First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, Missouri will receive a new lead pastor.  My time as lead pastor of this church will come to an end as of the last of June.  This is my decision, and not something proscribed to me by our bishop and district superintendent.  Bishop Schnase and District Superintendent Fred Leist are in full support.  It is not a decision entered into lightly.  Elaine and I have weighed this and prayed over this for several months.  This is not an easy decision.  We love the people and the ministry here and it will be extremely hard to leave.  However, we discern that it is time.  There are three main reasons for this:

• God is calling Elaine and me to a new, different direction in our discipleship and ministry.  The Holy Spirit has not made the specifics of this known to us at this time.  I am person under appointment, and I always fully trust the discernment of our bishop and district superintendents.  Having said that, it seems to us that my days of being the lead pastor of churches are coming to an end.  However it all plays out remains to be seen.
• God has brought First United Methodist Church-Sikeston to an amazing point in the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  We know that an even greater era in disciple-making ministry lies ahead.  I do not possess the necessary combination of gifts, skills, and sustainable energy level to provide the leadership needed for this next bold step forward.
• Even now God is preparing and equipping the person who will step into the lead pastor role for the next chapter in this church's great story.  For me to stay would inhibit this important God-designed step.  I trust the Holy Spirit, our bishop, and Conference leadership completely.  Bishop Schnase is totally committed to evangelism, reaching the unreached, "the church has left the building," and all the emphases that now make up our church's identity.  His investment in our church's future is deep and strong.  He will send a new leader who will not allow our church to take one step backward in our Great Commission focus - not one step!  

I have been in full-time pastoral leadership for 37 years.  I have been blessed to be a part of five awesome appointments.  In particular, in my wildest imagination I never could have pictured the life-changing, community-transforming impact God has demonstrated in and through the ministry of First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, Missouri.   I am so thankful for the faithful and courageous leaders and servants here, and to be a part of what God has done over the last decade.  I am excited about all that is ahead for this wonderful congregation.

Elaine and I invite your prayers as we venture forward into unknown territory.  For all that has been, we say thanks be to God.  For all that is ahead, we say amen; yes.  Come, Lord Jesus!

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.  Headed for a new stream...