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Tag: fruitfulness

  • What I Am Giving God This Year – A Life That Bears Delicious Fruit

    Advent_week2I'm reflecting on the custom of gift-giving, which is grounded in God's greatest gift to us. We spend a lot of time selecting just the right gifts for our loved ones. And what shall I give to God? Advent provides me with the opportunity to consider that question.

    John the Baptizer came preaching repentance, saying, “Bear fruit worthy of repentance. . . every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt. 3:8, 10). In other words, “Give God a life that tastes as good as it sounds!” That’s one of the things I want to give God this year, a life that bears delicious fruit. How do I do that?

    I have to recognize the need for change and growth. A plant that stops changing and growing stops producing fruit. Things happen to people that cause them to stop changing and growing and their lives are not fruitful. A life that tastes as good as it sounds knows the necessity of change and growth.

    I also have to learn to recognize good from evil. Have you ever bitten into a beautiful piece of fruit that has no flavor or is bitter? When dealing with fruit, it doesn’t take much more than a taste to tell the difference between good and bad. Why is it more difficult in dealing with the fruit of our lives? A life that tastes as good as it sounds recognizes the difference between good and evil. But then…

    I have to make a choice. We may not be able to choose our parents or color of our skin or land of our birth. But we must choose how to respond to the people and the conditions around us. To give God a life that tastes as good as it sounds, we’ll have to change and grow, discern between good and bad, and make some responsible choices.

    Our tradition includes both John the Baptizer and Jesus the Messiah! With only John, I’d know I am a snake, an unproductive bush. But with the Messiah, I know I have divine help to live a fruitful life.

    Christian Baptism is not so much the dedication of a person’s life to God as it is the dedication of God’s life to a person and to a community of persons. John baptized with water for purification. But Jesus brought a baptism that included fire and the Holy Spirit. In Baptism, we are incorporated into God’s life, provided opportunities to turn to God, warned that being a faithful witness is costly, and given the Holy Spirit to help us live a fruitful life that tastes as good as it sounds.

    Blessings,

    Ron Short Blue Sig Cropped

     

     

     

     

    The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
    Interim Rector
    St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
    Keller, Texas

     

  • A Fruitful Life

    Modern personnel practices in secular business settings emphasize the importance of performance appraisals. Some of that spills over into our perspective on our life as followers of Jesus Christ. That is not necessarily a good thing.

    Business and the economy are concerned with performance and productivity. People are useful as long as they are able to contribute to the bottom line. People easily become cogs in the wheels of commerce.

    Jesus was concerned about fruitfulness. He said, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).

    I recently helped a family say goodbye to a loved one. He was a renowned surgeon, husband, father, and Christian gentleman. During those last minutes of his life, they were not concerned in the least with his performance. They spoke of the wonderful life he lived and the stewardship of his gifts as a physician that allowed him to heal, save lives, give people another chance. "That was why he was put here," they said. He understood that God had made him a physician and guided his hands in God's healing work. He lived a fruitful life.

    Every life he touched made a difference to others. We'll never know how many.  Something The Rev. Robert H. Schuller said came to mind. "Anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed." Fruitful people go around planting seeds. Those seeds germinate, take root, sprout, grow, and produce fruit. And so the process continues from generation to generation.

    Here's a question: When you die, do you want someone to say about you, "He always had good performance appraisals," or do you want it said, "He lived a fruitful life"?

    Do what you have to do to earn a living, keep your job, and provide for your family. Be a top performer. But don't confuse being a cog in the wheel with living a fruitful, abundant, Christian life.

    I'll see you in Church!

    Ron Short Sig Blue

     

     

     

     

     

  • Invitation to a Holy Lent

    Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Ash_cross2

    With these words and with the sign of a cross of ashes imposed on our foreheads, we begin our annual Lenten journey. Those ashes, made from the palm branches we waved as we sang hosannas in celebration of Christ's Triumphal Entry last Palm Sunday, are a sign of the tentativeness of our praises and the shortness of our lives in the grand scheme of things. They mark the beginning of a season of reflection upon the impact we will leave in a universe that can and will go on without us.

    Anglican priest and physicist John Polkinghorne expanded my own thinking about those ashes and our place in this universe in his book Quarks, Chaos, and Christianity. He writes, "Every atom of carbon inside our bodies was once a star. We are all made from the ashes of dead stars." Then, he goes on to explain how special our universe is. "Only a cosmos at least as big as ours could endure for the fifteen billion years necessary for evolving carbon-based life. You need ten billion years for the first-generation stars to make the carbon, then about five billion years for evolution to yield beings of our sort of complexity."

    Woven into the complexity of our life is the "invincible divine purpose for good" and "the faithfulness of God who will not allow anything good to be lost." The death and resurrection of Christ bear witness to that truth and constitute the "seed event" of the new creation. From that "seed" springs forth fruit in the lives of those who follow him.

    So, when you receive those ashes, marked on your forehead in the sign of the cross of Christ, receive with them the invitation to examine your life, seek what is good, and discard whatever interferes with the fruitfulness and goodness you may contribute during your brief sojourn.

    I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. (BCP)

    I'll see you in Church!

    Ron Blue Small 2

  • With God’s Help, I Will

    Sliderimages900x350px_GetInvolved

    The Catechism of The Episcopal Church can be found on pages 844-862 in The Book of Common Prayer. This brief summary of the Church’s teaching is also known as “An Outline of the Faith.”

    Among the teachings we find in the Catechism is a description of how the mission of the Church is carried out and by whom: 

    Q. Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?
    A. The Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.

    Q. Who are the ministers of the Church?
    A. The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.

    Q. What is the ministry of the laity?
    A. The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.

    That means every member is a minister and every member has a ministry.

    During this time of transition, we are going to emphasize this teaching in a variety of ways. The vestry has appointed a discernment task force to work with me in this emphasis. The first thing we did was to bring the vestry a plan for increasing the effectiveness of our committees, guilds, and ministry groups. The plan, adopted by the vestry at its May meeting, provides for recruiting additional participants, rotating participants and leaders, and providing up to date descriptions of the expectations of each committee, guild, and ministry group. We are now in the process of implementing this plan, which we believe will add to the vibrancy and fruitfulness of The Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole.

    Our emphasis has included a series of sermons and articles that called attention to five practices that shape and sustain fruitful congregations. The concept of fruitfulness is rooted in the teachings of Christ; “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name” (John 15:5, 16).

    Fruitful congregations understand that every member is a minister, called by and connected to Jesus Christ. From him they draw the divine resources to carry out his work in the world. They intentionally repeat and deepen certain fundamental activities, seeking to perform them with excellence: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. In this parish, these five practices are carried out under the leadership and engagement of our committees, guilds, and ministry groups.

    During the month of June, we are asking each member to “Get Involved” in one or more ways in response to the Christ’s call. We’ve published a brochure that provides brief descriptions of many ways to get involved along with a Ministry Interest Indicator, which you may use to let the discernment task force, the staff, and me know where you believe you are being called to serve.

    You may already be involved. If so, great! Let us know if you want to continue to be involved in that way. Or, you may sense that it is time to move to another ministry. We’d like to hear from you about that. And, if you are not involved, tell us where you believe Christ wants you to bear fruit.

    “Get Involved” brochures are available in the Narthex, Hansen Hall, and the Parish Office. You can also access the brochure and the Ministry Interest Indicator online. CLICK HERE.

    Healthy transitions between settled rectors are times for the congregation to be especially engaged in the life and mission of the parish. I hope you will see this as a time to discern your ministry at St. John’s and pursue it “with God’s help.”

    I’ll see you in Church!

    Ron Short Sig Blue

     

     

     

     

  • Cultivating Fruitfulness: The Practice of Hospitality

    This time of transition presents an opportunity for conversations about cultivating fruitfulness in the life the parish. We’ll be referring to Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. I hope you’ll follow along and, if you would like to read the book, it is available at Cokesbury and Amazon.com. You may also wish to explore the website.  All of this is to help us to examine together how these five practices might apply to St. John’s as you look to the future with a new rector.

    • Radical hospitality
    • Passionate worship
    • Intentional faith development
    • Risk-taking mission and service
    • Extravagant generosity

    Most churches would describe themselves as places where hospitality, worship, formation, service, and generosity may be found. These are certainly characteristics of St. John’s. What differentiates fruitful congregations is when these characteristics become intentional practices that are so obvious that one must find adjectives that are powerful enough to describe what is going on.

    This week, we are exploring the practice of Radical Hospitality. Don't let the word 'radical' scare you. The Latin source of the word “radical” means “up from the root.” To use it in this context is to suggest something that is deeply rooted in our lives. Radical hospitality is actually an idea conceptualized by the Benedictine monks in the 5th century and is one of the central tenants of the Rule of St. Benedict. Radical hospitality is rooted in faith and deep personal convictions.

    How “radical” is the hospitality at St. John’s? If someone who visits us on a Sunday tries to describe their experience of our hospitality to someone on the following morning, might they describe it as “radical?” Robert Schnase describes radical hospitality this way:

    "The words radical and hospitality are not usually together in one phrase. To advance the church, perhaps they should be. Christian hospitality refers to the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. It describes a genuine love for others who are not yet a part of the faith community, an outward focus, a reaching out to those not yet known, a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, a willingness to change behaviors in order to accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers" (Five Practices, pp.11-12).

    Here are some questions a congregation might ask about its practice of hospitality:

    • Are newcomers invited to coffee hour or a meal following worship?
    • Do members speak to newcomers during coffee hour, or huddle with people they know?
    • Do newcomers receive notes and phone calls after a visit?
    • Do members seek out people whom they do not know during The Peace, coffee hour, events?
    • Are those who are new to the parish invited to serve in ministry groups, guilds, committees?
    • Do committees practice regular rotation of leaders and members?
    • What kind of welcome is communicated by inside and outside signage and media?

    I hope you will read the book, foster conversations with fellow parishioners, and be open to the possibilities we will be exploring in the coming weeks. And ask Christ to reveal to us some new, possibly terrifying, discoveries that will lead to a renewal of mission.

    I'll see you in Church!

    Ron Short Sig Blue

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sermon at Christ Church Cranbrook ~ January 27, 2013

    Epiphany 3C

     Listen to the Sermon for January 27, 2013

    Read the Sermon for January 27, 2013

     

  • An Epiphany From a Muscadine Grape Vine

    Jesus said, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

    The powerful imagery of Jesus’ description of the relationship between him and his followers became clear to me one day when I was jogging on the trail beside Buffalo Bayou west of Downtown Houston, Texas.  At one place along the trail, there are several pine trees that are completely wrapped up by muscadine grape vines.  The last time I had run past this site, the grapes were still green.  That day they were ripe and stood out boldly from the vine and its branches.

    What wasn’t so easily discernible was where the vine left off and the branch began.  I had never really Muscadine Grapes
    looked closely enough at vines and branches to notice that.  Jesus’ words came to mind.  The fruit that is borne by a grape vine comes as a result of the oneness of the vine and its many branches.  If you cut off a branch, it will no longer be capable of bearing fruit.  Actually, if there are no branches, the vine will not bear fruit until it grows new ones.

    As followers of Jesus Christ, we are able to bear fruit as long as we are connected to the vine and draw nourishment from it.  It may be difficult for anyone to distinguish between Christ’s life and the lives of his followers, just as it is difficult to distinguish the vine from the branches. The fruit Christ wants to give to the world is the result of the mystical union of the vine and its branches – his life and our lives.  The more branches there are connected to the vine, the more fruit there is.

    During the Easter season, I’m leading a Sunday morning series based on Robert Schnase’s book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.  The five practices are Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity.  In each case, the desired result is greater fruitfulness.  And in each case, that increase in fruitfulness depends upon our connection to Jesus Christ and to one another, a relationship that resembles that of a vine and its branches. 

    Apart from Christ, the true vine, we can do nothing.  Actually, we can do plenty of things.  We are amazing and resourceful creatures.  But the fruit of Christ comes only from abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in us.  It's not always easy to stay connected.  But that's the way it works!

    Ron Short Sig Blue

  • What I Am Giving God This Year – A Life That Bears Delicious Fruit

    I'm reflecting on the custom of gift-giving, which is grounded in God's greatest gift to us.  We spend a lot of time selecting just the right gifts for our loved ones.  And what shall I give to God?  Advent provides me with the opportunity to consider that question.

    John the Baptizer came preaching repentance, saying, “Bear fruit worthy of repentance. . . every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt. 3:8, 10).  In other words, “Give God a life that tastes as good as it sounds!”  That’s one of the things I want to give God this year, a life that bears delicious fruit.  How do I do that?

    I have to recognize the need for change and growth.  A plant that stops changing and growing stops producing fruit. Things happen to people that cause them to stop changing and growing and their lives are not fruitful.  A life that tastes as good as it sounds knows the necessity of change and growth.

    I also have to learn to recognize good from evil.  Have you ever bitten into a beautiful piece of fruit that has no flavor or is bitter?  When dealing with fruit, it doesn’t take much more than a taste to tell the difference between good and bad.  Why is it more difficult in dealing with the fruit of our lives? A life that tastes as good as it sounds recognizes the difference between good and evil.  But then…

    I have to make a choice. We may not be able to choose our parents or color of our skin or land of our birth.  But we must choose how to respond to the people and the conditions around us.  To give God a life that tastes as good as it sounds, we’ll have to change and grow, discern between good and bad, and make some responsible choices.

    Our tradition includes both John the Baptizer and Jesus the Messiah!  With only John, I’d know I am a snake, an unproductive bush.  But with the Messiah, I know I have divine help.

    Christian Baptism is not so much the dedication of a person’s life to God as it is the dedication of God’s life to a person and to a community of persons.  John baptized with water for purification.  But Jesus brought a baptism that included fire and the Holy Spirit.  In Baptism, we are incorporated into God’s life, provided opportunities to turn to God, warned that being a faithful witness is costly, and given the Holy Spirit to help us live a fruitful life that tastes as good as it sounds.

    Ron Short Sig 150-1