“Study to show thyself approved unto God…” [II Timothy 2:15 K.J.V.]

It is hard to believe but another summer is gone and it is time for another school year. Education is a very important thing and regardless of your age, everyone should still be learning. However, not everyone agrees with this way of thinking.

Fortunately things have changed a lot since I begin my ministry but I was asked several times: “Are you a ‘Called Preacher’ or an ‘educated’ one?” This was always phrased in some a way that there was no doubt the two were mutually exclusive and being a “Called Preacher” was much better than being an “educated” one. I soon developed this answer: “I’m a “Called Preacher” who is perusing an education.” Some people accepted that answer and some still believed that an education would be the ruination of anyone, especially a preacher.

I found comfort is Paul’s words to Timothy found in the verse of scripture quoted above. Study to show thyself approved unto God. So that is my advice to you. So no matter if you are starting pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, college, an advanced degree or have been out of school for decades, study and continue to learn.

I found the following in an issue of Windows of Asbury which is published by Asbury Place which is affiliated with the Holston Annual Conference. The article did not name the Arthur but I think it is good advice. Use it well.

10 Simple Steps to a Happier Life

Be a part of Something You Believe In. Have a cause, volunteer, join a group, a church, a social club, and be passionate about a cause.
Spend Time with Friends & Family. The most important ingredient to happiness is to have meaningful relationships with other people.
Focus on What’s Good-Avoid Negativity. Be aware of your daily successes no matter how large or how small they seem.
Exploit the Resources You Have. What do you have in addition to your limitations? What are you good at? What are your gifts? Use them.
Set Goals. Goal-setting gives you something to look forward to, something to work toward, and creates structure in your day-to-day life.
Be Honest with Yourself & Others. When you really know who you are, what you want, and you are being true to yourself with actions that match, your happiness quotient will go up.
Savor the Natural Joy of Simply Pleasures. Enjoy a quiet time watching a bird or the clouds.
Learn Something New. The more you learn, the more aspects of your life you can be aware of, appreciate and enjoy,
Focus on Forgiveness. It frees the mind and heart to go forward in your life.
Laugh! As the old saying goes: Laughter is the best medicine.

Richard

Have you ever really wondered just “What is the church?” The Greek word is ekklesia and is derived from a word that means “a calling out.” It is used over sixty times in the New Testament, but only three times in the Gospels. All three of these references are found in Matthew. They are; Matthew 16:18,and twice in Matthew 18:17. Probably the best known of these is Jesus’ response to Peter’s affirmation that he is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then said: “And I tell you, you are Peter (Petros or Rocky in the Greek) and on this rock I will build my church.” [Matthew 16:16-18] Just what did Jesus mean and what is our understanding of the church?

Many of us think of the church as a building. We equate the church building with the church. The idea of sacred space is important. I admit that many times I go into the sanctuary to pray. I feel closer to God at the altar than I do anywhere else. Yet I know the building is not the church. I believe there is a thin line between caring for the building as we should and allowing the building to become an object of worship. When we are more concerned that the youth might scuff the floors, that the children might dirty the walls, that no outside groups can use the church because they might not treat it as well as we do, we have elevated the building to what is most important. We need to realize that the building is just a building and not “the church.”

Some of us think of the church as it organization, structure and form. In our denomination we think of Districts, Annual Conferences, Bishops and all the ministries that the United Methodist Church does. Let me say that I am proud to be a United Methodist. I believe our doctrine, structure and polity to be biblically based. In a practical sense our connectionalism allows us to do ministry in a much greater scale than any one congregation could possibly do. If you doubt this just check the number of missionaries, hospitals, collages, nursing homes, retirement centers and homes for children United Methodism supports world wide. Yet the church is more than that.

For me the question of what is the church may best be answered by an exercise I learned as a child. Put your hands together interlocking your fingers on the inside near your palms. Repeat after me “Here is the church.” Now extend your pinkie fingers upward and touch them together, saying, “Here is the steeple.” Now turn your hands over, after you have interlocked your pinkie fingers again, wiggle your fingers and say: “Now open the door and see the people.” The church is the people! Those “called out” of sin to be in communion with one another and with our Lord and Savior is indeed the church. More important than the building, more important than the structure and form, is the fellowship, care love and support of God’s people. That truly is the church!

I was privileged and bless to once more experience that love and support first hand during this Christmas Season. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, gifts, prayers, cards and all the other expressions of support I received. It was a great Season and again I say “Thank You Church” and may God bless you is my prayer.

Richard