Wesleyan Christian Advocate

From the Editor: What changes will this year bring?

2008-08-10T11:14:00.002-07:00

Jim Nelson

Last week I celebrated my 59th birthday, so I thought I would write a column of personal privilege. I don’t know about you, but on my birthdays I always reflect back on what I have accomplished and look forward to what I hope to accomplish in the future. And for some odd reason the years ending in nine have been much more meaningful and life-changing for me than the ones ending in zero.

In 1968 when I was 19, I left the church. Throughout high school I had been very active in MYF (we weren’t united yet) and the church in general. I had entered college the previous year with the intent of going on to seminary, and becoming ordained. Consequently, I was asked to speak during the Student Sunday worship service. I spoke about what I had learned in Sunday school at that church; I spoke against the war and in favor of civil rights; I said war and racism are incompatible with Christianity. No one spoke to me after the service or for weeks to come. I was shunned, so I left.When I was 29, I started running, which I have been doing on and off ever since. I still run between 25-30 miles a week. I know that seems like a small change, but it has kept me healthier than I might otherwise have been.At 39, I again heard the call to ministry, began the process and entered seminary. I felt like I had been on the boat with Jonah for 20 years running away from God’s call. This was a major decision which affected my entire family. We all had to change our lifestyles significantly.

Ten years ago when I was 49, I went back to school to work on my doctorate, out of which came my first book on Faith and Politics, and led to my being more involved in politics.What will happen now that I’m 59? What life-changing decision will I make or will be made for me? How will I serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the next ten years?

As I have written previously, I love what I am doing. I always wanted to be a writer and now I am one. I have the largest congregation of United Methodists in Georgia. I reach over 20,000 people twice a month with the columns and stories I write and publish, a lot more people than I ever reached from the pulpit. Fortunately I do still get invited to preach at various churches on Sunday mornings. Of course with that large of a congregation comes the responsibility to be sure I write with honor and integrity, and I pray that I do. Perhaps this is the year I will work on becoming an evangelist. God continues to place on my heart the need to reach out to the least, the lost, and the forgotten in society especially those who, for whatever reason, the traditional church has failed to reach. I feel called to improve the lives of those beaten down by life; to give them hope and something to look forward to. The struggle as I see it is how do we remain true to what we believe, to the Scriptures and doctrines of the faith while at the same time being open, loving, accepting and respectful of those who need to hear our message? How do we reach those who have been hurt by the church in the past, and those who have rejected the church for what they think it believes?

From the Bishop: We are keeping Georgia on our mindsB

2008-08-10T11:14:00.001-07:00

Michael Watson

Margaret and I rejoice to know that we are going to be able to keep Georgia on our minds! We are grateful that after eight wonderful years in the South Georgia Conference we are going to be remaining in this beautiful state. We look forward to our opportunity to serve our United Methodist sisters and brothers and all the people within the bounds of the North Georgia Conference.So many of you in South Georgia have been very gracious to us by your kind words and deeds throughout our ministry together and during these recent days of transition. So many of you in North Georgia already have showered a loving welcome upon us. We feel blessed indeed. Our hearts are glad, and we give thanks to God for these two great conferences in United Methodism.

Georgia is a very special place. Georgia was the American home of the founders of Methodism, John and Charles Wesley. Now Georgia is home to nearly 500,000 United Methodists - more than the entire Western Jurisdiction. Georgia has some of the strongest United Methodist institutions in the world. Georgia United Methodists are in global mission and ministry that is transforming the lives of countless precious children of God all over the planet. Georgia United Methodists have had a great past, have a great present and look toward an even greater future. Margaret and I are grateful to God that we will continue to serve our Lord Jesus Christ with you here in Georgia.Bishop Lindsey Davis was fortunate to serve in North Georgia for the last twelve years, Bishop James King is fortunate to be coming to South Georgia, and Margaret and I have the remarkably glorious good fortune to have served in South Georgia and now to be assigned to North Georgia. Yes, Georgia is still on our minds, in our hearts and in our prayers. We ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers as we complete our assignment in South Georgia and begin our ministry in North Georgia.

Aging Well: The More You Complain the Longer God Lets You Live

2008-08-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Robert Beckum

Driving to my office, I saw a bumper sticker which caused me to wince. It read, “The More You Complain the Longer God Lets You Live.” Little did I know the sticker was an omen for my day. Before nine o’clock, a man called asking for help. “You know my mama,” he said. “She complains about everything, and now she’s complaining about the car I’ve bought for her.” “What did you buy?” I asked. “A Mercury Grand Marquis,” he said. Then, he explained, “She’s ninety years old and I don’t want her driving at all, but she refuses to give up her car; so, I got one I thought was safe.” He then made his plea for my help: “Would you mind making a pastoral visit to help smooth the waters with her?” Now, I knew better, but on this day I chose to ignore the way of wisdom (some would say common sense) and dashed off on this fool-hearted errand.I found Miss Sarah and asked about her new car. She muttered her dissatisfaction. I told her I drove a Mercury Grand Marquis and loved it. As I began to point out the car’s safety features, she held up her hand and said, “Now you can stop right there! I know why you’re here, and you’re wasting your time.” With dripping sarcasm, she added, “I’m so glad you like your car. But as far as I’m concerned those things have ‘Old Fart’ written all over them, and I’m not having one. My son knows what I want and I mean to get it!” Having been dissed by a ninety year old, my first thought was, “I really need to think about trading my car.” I managed to ask, “What exactly do you want Miss Sarah?” Her response was immediate: “I want a red convertible! I want to feel the wind in my hair when I drive!” I listened in amazement. Sarah was a life-long free spirit. She was an artist and concert pianist. At age ninety, she wanted to feel the wind in her hair as she drove.

After a polite retreat, I called her son to report my failure and suggested he go with the red convertible. “I was afraid you were going to say that,” he replied with a voice of resignation. For three years before her death, I delighted in seeing Sarah drive her red convertible around town, with her hair blowing in the wind. She never got a traffic ticket or had so much as a fender-bender. She knew what she wanted and she was not about to give in to the prejudices directed toward seniors—-even if it meant being branded a “complainer.” Sarah blessed me with a new vision for aging. I desperately want to live to be ninety and fight my son for a red convertible! Let him call me a “complainer” all he wants. Those of us who have the wind blowing in our hair as we drive will probably outlive them all.

Rev. Robert Beckum is Vice President of Church Relations and Development of Magnolia Manor.

From the Editor: We need to regain our Wesleyan heritage

2008-07-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

Jim Nelson

Has the United Methodist Church lost its focus? Have we strayed too far from our Wesleyan roots? Have we become the “dead church” John Wesley feared we would, devoid of passion? Have we forgotten the one condition Wesley required of those desiring admission to the Methodist societies: “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.”?Apparently the organizers of the 2008 Southeast Jurisdictional Conference believe we have or are about to. The theme of the Conference was “Living the United Methodist Way.” To help those attending understand what that means, they added four teaching session to the schedule. The sessions were led by noted scholars in the field of Wesleyan theology, and they were the best part of the conference.

Sure, the conference elected a Bishop, passed a budget, reorganized the structure of the Jurisdiction, and made Episcopal assignments. But they do that all the time. The teaching reminded us of why we were there, and what it means to be a United Methodist in the Wesleyan tradition. It is too easy to forget sometimes when we get wrapped up in the business of the church and attending to the details.Throughout the sessions we were reminded that to be Wesleyan we needed doctrine, spirit, and discipline. We must have an understanding of God; we must know the stories of the one who came to dwell among us; they need to be in our bones so they can shape us. We learned that Wesley’s core doctrine was that God is a God of universal grace and love. That Wesley read the scripture through the lens of 1 John; it affected the way he interpreted everything else. Plus, we were reminded that the original purpose of the Methodist movement was to spread scriptural holiness. But somewhere along the line we have lost that goal. As one of the instructors stated, “Our zeal to bring people into the church led to the neglect of the house itself,” which he said was holiness and moving to perfection. As one former Bishop asked, “If you aren’t going to perfection, where are you going?”

Too many United Methodists have lost the passion for the faith. Too many of the sermons I have heard lately have been nice stories: entertaining but not inspiring. They lacked a sense of urgency. We need preachers who have a passion for the faith, who themselves “desire to flee from the wrath to come,” and who want to take as many people with them as possible.No, I am not saying we need a lot of hell, fire and brimstone preaching. But we do need preaching that will change peoples’ lives. Preaching that will let people know that God loves them, and will help them to change their life circumstances if necessary. Preaching that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. As Christians we need to reach down into the darkness of the world, into the muck and mire of people’s lives and help lift them up into the light of the faith. We need to get over the idea that talking about Jesus, or our faith is somehow politically incorrect. We need to emphasize the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture reading/study, fasting, tithing, and service.

And, perhaps most importantly, we need to learn how to tell one another with love when we have left the narrow way that leads to salvation, and begun wandering off in the wilderness again. Church is about community; sharing our lives, our hopes, our sorrows with one another; and helping one another move toward perfection.

Lay Leader's Corner : A Change in Leadership

2008-07-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

Jane Finley

Having completed the work of the various committees of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference and heard reports, voted on restructure, approved the budget, and accepted the nominating committee’s report of delegates selected to serve on various boards and agencies representing SEJC; Friday evening’s program was filled with anticipation and excitement. In contrast to the Catholic tradition of white smoke from the chimney proclaiming a new pope elected, Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference had elected a new bishop on Thursday and moved on to the assignment of bishops which was the highlight yet to be seen and heard. We had a lively preliminary celebration which began with a performance by the energetic and talented VOY, “Voices of Youth” from the Virginia Conference followed by the world-renown Junaluska Singers.After much wonderful music and entertainment, the Stuart Auditorium fell silent as the Episcopacy Committee Chair Joe Whittemore read the bishops’ assignments.

With that, suspense was put to rest though the memory lingers of the many preemptive conversations and suppositions of who ~ but who ~ would be the new bishop. To our delight in North Georgia, we will have the great opportunity to be in ministry and get to know and love Bishop Michael Watson and his lovely wife, Margaret. At the reception on Friday evening, district lay leaders and district superintendents presented the Watsons with meaningful gifts significant of the area they represent. It was a great time of “meet and greet” for the new Episcopal family with the North Georgia delegation, friends and guests. As Bishop Watson assumes his assignment on September 1st, the family will settle into the new Episcopal residence in the Roswell area which will be only a short commute to the Methodist Center at Simpsonwood.

During this same timeframe, the North Georgia Conference Board of Laity will have transitioned with new leadership for the quadrennium. I, along with the four associate conference lay leaders, (Ron Davis, Mathew Pinson, Dianne Spencer and Dianne Traynham) am ramping up for exciting new ministry. The four Board of Laity sponsored programs will serve as our springboard and we are seeking persons to train and promote for district and conference leadership roles. We will rely heavily upon our four at-large members of the Board representing the Asian, Hispanic and African-American communities to assist in this effort to equip persons for servant leadership.

I invite you to visit our Board of Laity web pages on the North Georgia Conference web site: www.ngumc.org. There are many opportunities for emerging leaders to become knowledgeable of Methodist tradition and polity, group dynamics and opportunities for ministry through Leadership UMC; for persons with a call for lay ministry/mission and need to discern answers for the where and what questions, there is Lay Missionary Training; to enhance one’s personal skills and knowledge in speaking and serving in ministry through storytelling, bible study and other outreach, there is Lay Speaking Ministry; and through the utilization of one’s acquired skills, we assist churches in image, finance, music, evangelism and other areas of concern through Lay Revitalization Ministry. Seminars are forming now for this fall, so additional information is available through your district or associate conference lay leader, district office or on the web. All contact information is available through the web site or contact me at mjfarms100@aol.com or 706-886-4039.

Jane Finley is the North Georgia Conference Lay Leader.

Guest Columnist: No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

2008-07-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

Aubrey Alsobrook

The basis of this article is from a sermon Rev. Jim McIllrath preached at the Americus First United Methodist Church on May 18 and the Internet on the story of William Borden. William Borden was the heir to an enormous fortune. After he had finished high school at sixteen his parents gave him a tour of the world. As he visited Asia, the Middle East, and Europe he felt a growing burden for the world’s hurting people. Finally, Bill Borden wrote home about his “desire to become a missionary.” In response, Bill wrote two words in the back of his Bible: “No Reserves.”
During his college years at Yale he made an entry in his personal Journal: “Say ‘No’ to self and ‘Yes’ to Jesus every time.Borden’s first disappointment at Yale came when the university president spoke on the student’s need of “having a fixed purpose.” After hearing that speech, Borden wrote: “He neglected to say what our purpose should be, and where we should get the ability to persevere and the strength to resist temptation.”During his first semester at Yale he and another student began having a prayer time before breakfast. Soon another student joined them, and then another. By the time Bill Borden was a senior, 1,000 of Yale’s 1300 students were meeting in such groups.

Borden’s outreach ministry reached out in the community to rescue alcoholics and to rehabilitate them and founded the Yale Hope Mission.Upon graduation from Yale, Borden turned down several high paying offers. In his Bible he wrote two more words: “No Retreat.”He went on to Princeton Seminary after graduation. When he finished at Princeton he sailed for China to work with Muslims. He stopped in Egypt to study Arabic; while there he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25 year-old William Borden was dead.Was Borden’s untimely death a waste? Not in God’s plan. Prior to his death, Borden had written two more words in his bible. Underneath the words: “No Reserves” and No Retreats” he had written: “No Regrets.”Borden lived out Jesus’ words, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt.1:39)

From the Editor: One year down and counting

2008-07-02T06:17:00.001-07:00

Jim Nelson

This is my 24th issue as the editor of the Advocate. Or to put it another way, this completes my first year. It has been an exciting time. I have learned a lot about publishing a newspaper, developing stories, and most importantly not editorializing in news stories. Fortunately, I have a highly competent, dedicated, professional staff without whom I never could have gotten the first issue out the door.I describe my job as being an eyewitness to history. I am writing stories and columns that future generations of historians may read and quote as primary and secondary source materials in their efforts to understand the times in which we live.

I attended and have written about conferences and meetings I would otherwise only have read about. I had the opportunity to meet, talk with and interview leaders in the United Methodist church, the church in general, political leaders, and scholars; people I previously only saw from a distance. And I have gotten to travel. At times, on the editorial page I even get to argue with people. I strive to respect everyone’s position, and allow all sides of issues to be heard. I realize those who disagree with me are not evil, and are also striving to be faithful to God.

The positive comments about the Advocate from people at both South and North Georgia conferences were particularly gratifying. Several people commented on the fact I seemed well suited to this position. One person even told me she had just said to her husband that I finally looked happy. All of which is nice, but it does make me wonder how I appeared to everyone before.Having been a preacher for 18 years prior to becoming an editor, people often ask me if I miss being in the local church. Sure, some of it anyway. Like any job there are always some things you will never miss. I always said I was a good preacher, a really good teacher, and an excellent administrator, but I was only a mediocre pastor. Consequently, the one thing I miss most is being able to preach every Sunday. I have always been a public speaker, even as a child. I was the one in grade school that had the lead in plays. In the Army, I was the one who stood at the microphone and explained to the people what was happening. I was a radio DJ, and did voice over work for videos.

My undergraduate degree was in Speech/Theater. I even taught Speech Communication at Ohio Wesleyan University, and at what is now Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah. I was the primary spokesperson and speechwriter for the Cincinnati Bicentennial Celebration back in 1988. I was a President and Division Governor in Toastmasters and winner of several speech contests. And, the one thing I loved about campaigning was being able to speak to large groups of people.I have always been much better one on a thousand than I have one on one. And I have always been a better speaker than I am a writer, but at least as a writer I still get to communicate.

I am looking forward to my second year as Editor of the Wesleyan Christian Advocate. I hope it will be a time of transition from primarily a print publication to one with a viable presence on the Internet. Finally, if you need someone to fill in on a Sunday morning, or to speak at a Wednesday Night Supper, or other event in your church or community, please give me a call.

From the Bishop: How Can I Say Thanks?

2008-07-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

Lindsey Davis

Words truly are inadequate to express the heartfelt thanks overflowing in our hearts after our final Annual Conference with the gracious people of North Georgia. The entire week was one of thanksgiving for us. It was so much fun seeing the generous giving of our people to Nothing But Nets, the Child Rescue Center in Sierra Leone, Our Daily Bread in Athens and, of course, to Venezuela Now and Honduras Outreach. Taken together, you gave over $261,000 to missions and more continues to come into our Conference Treasurer.

The Thursday night celebration of our ministry here was terrific. Although Jennifer and I had a few tears in our eyes, it was a lot of fun. (Our grandchildren still believe it was a birthday party for me.) Thanks for coming, especially to all who stood in the long line at the reception to offer us personal words of greeting.

Soon a new Bishop will be named for North Georgia. Whoever it is, that leader will be fortunate to serve with such a loving group of disciples. The best is yet to come for North Georgia. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. We hope to see you in the years to come. But if we don’t, we will see you on the other side of the Jordan – what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus and shout the Victory.

All our love,
Lindsey & Jennifer

Bishop Lindsey Davis serves the North Georgia Conference. He can be reached at bishop@ngumc.org.

The United Methodist Church has lost its way

2008-07-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

The “news” coverage of the 2008 General Conference in the May 16th WCA confirmed my fears about The United Methodist Church. The UMC is on a path that makes the Hebrew’s forty years in the desert look like an organized “Sunday walk in the park”. The Board of Church and Society and the Women’s Division of the Board of Global Ministries will continue as members in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). The RCRC mission statement at www.rcrc.org and the Book of Discipline’s stance on abortion have very similar schizophrenic stances ignoring the right to life of the unborn.Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother...The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2004.

People of faith actively support women’s right to choose. We are pro-choice—not pro-abortion. Being pro-choice means we honor all choices. RCRC website, Common Questions.General Conference again rejected changes in the UMC homosexuality stance. The WCA reporting of this rejection is quite amusing. The majority report advocated deleting the “incompatibility with Christian teaching” and adopting “Faithful, thoughtful people who have grappled with this issue deeply disagree with one another; yet all seek a faithful witness.” One would think that a “majority report” would have the inside track on adoption, yet the “minority report” was adopted by the General Conference to retain the current language. Maybe the minority is actually the majority.

How long before the opinion of us in the pews is overcome by the well financed efforts of the homosexual lobbying organizations: Soulforce, Affirmation, Reconciling Ministries Network and Methodist Federation of Social Action. All UM’s should research these organizations. They and the press will not give up advocating change in the UMC position on homosexuality. As evidenced by the press time and photo in the WCA of the “marriage” ceremony of Julie Bruno and Sue Laurie. It is time for us “the minority” to organize and have our voices heard on the social issues plaguing the UMC. We could call the organization The Bible Is The Word Of God, Spiritual Action Committee.General Conference approves $642 million church-wide budget. That is a hefty wagon to pull considering we suffer a continued membership loss. Add an additional $3.7M of petition requests: $600,000 to study the church’s increasingly global nature, $290,000 for central conference affairs, $300,000 for a committee on faith and order, $115,000 for the church’s Judicial Council (likely to finance cases of transgender clergy and pastors officiating same sex unions that are not really “legal” weddings) and $50,000 for the Sand Creek Massacre site (a National Historic Site managed by the U.S. National Park Service). Imagine feeding the poor, housing the homeless or supporting missionaries with that $3.7M. Is the UMC a good steward of its financial resources?

Display of Boots represents “human cost of war”. The Council of Bishops recently called for an end to the war in Iraq and immediate withdrawal without calling on Al Qaeda to do the same. “War is incompatible with Christian teaching” except when someone declares a “just war”. Now who makes that crucial decision? “Just war” is a convenient tool used to advance political agendas of certain church factions. This war was started not by peaceful people but by those wanting to dominate the world in the name of a perverted ideology. If we are serious about opposing war; why do we continue to provide Chaplains to the U.S. Armed Forces? Why do many UMC young people enlist in such an abhorrent endeavor? (Thank God for those patriots serving in the Armed Forces) Our Council of Bishops and many members are out of touch with reality. Evil does exist and the battle is for the God given right of freedom and more importantly the very existence of the Christian faith.

The United Methodist Church is not united but fragmented with a myriad of “warring” factions. We no longer view the scriptures as God’s word that defines our theology. The UMC is on the same path as the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Embracing non-scriptural based theology and political correctness. Does the future a hold a gut wrenching split in the UMC?I pray our Council of Bishops, clergy, lay leaders and membership re-embrace the divinity of the Bible, stop re-interpreting the scriptures to advance political correctness and social agendas and get back to living the example of Jesus Christ.

Ron Asby is a member of St. Paul UMC Marietta, Ga.

From the Editor: How ‘open’ are we?

2008-05-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Jim Nelson

In this issue we didn’t report on many of the petitions submitted to General Conference that were rejected, resulting in no changes to the Book of Discipline. A few even had heated debates on the Conference floor, but still resulted in the Conference deciding to do nothing, and leave the Discipline unchanged.One that caught my interest dealt with the pastor’s authority in deciding who is and is not worthy to join the church. The petition was in response to a 2005 decision by the Judicial Council, which upheld a pastor’s decision to deny membership to someone whose lifestyle he disapproved of.

The majority report coming out of the legislative committee asked the conference to make it clear that pastors and congregations “are to faithfully receive all persons who are willing to affirm our vows of membership.” Whereas the minority report urged delegates to declare “pastors have the responsibility of discerning one’s readiness to take the vows of membership.”Both were rejected. But I found the report of the debate by the United Methodist News Service interesting. It stated that a member of the Georgia delegation speaking in support of the minority report said, “pastors must be good shepherds who care for their flock. Allowing anyone to come into the community could have unintended consequences.”

I’m confused. I thought we were all sinners, and none of us are “worthy” of the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Besides, what I believe is a sin; you may not and vice versa. Some sins are out in the open; even in-your-face. Whereas, others are more subtle, in the dark, done behind closed doors. The Bible tells us that a sin is a sin, and no one is any worse than any other. Who decides what behavior is acceptable and what is not?If “unintended consequences” is a problem, I am more concerned about the sins I can’t see, than the ones I can. They are often more insidious and can cause much more damage. So how do we keep out those whose sins we don’t see?

A church is defiled not by who it lets in, but by who it keeps out. Jesus said he came for the sick, that those who are well have no need for a doctor. Our churches should be full of the vilest people so we can help heal them, and lead them to Christ. Plus, how do we know the unacceptable person wasn’t sent by God, led by the Holy Spirit? If we deny them membership, are we not then denying or blaspheming the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin? Maybe God sent them to us because God knew that once they become active in our church, and felt the love that surrounded them, they would change their ways and live a more righteous life. Or maybe God sent them to teach us something. The Bible is full of stories of God using unholy people for holy purposes.

Jesus tells us that as we judge so shall we be judged. And isn’t “discerning one’s readiness” really just a euphemistic phrase for “being judgmental”? I don’t know about you, but I want to make the standard I set for God to judge me to be as low as possible. Being “good shepherds who care for their flock” could mean not diminishing the lives of our congregations by denying them the opportunity to interact with someone God sent to live and worship among them. Is “open hearts, open minds, open doors” just a slogan or what we truly believe?

From the Bishop: Hope for Africa Children’s Choir is a true blessing

2008-05-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

B. Michael Watson

The theme for this year’s General Conference of The United Methodist Church was “A Future With Hope.” Nothing demonstrated that expectant theme better than the presence and ministry of the “Hope For Africa Children’s Choir.” These twenty-three beautiful children, ages 5 to 12-years-old, and their wonderful adult leaders are winning the hearts of everyone who sees and hears them. It is a joy to know that loving resources from the South Georgia Conference have made it possible for this choir to travel from Uganda to the United States to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a remarkable way.

Last year, while I was in the East Africa Annual Conference on one of the many missions connected with our South Georgia partnership in ministry with that conference, a group of us had the thrill of sharing in the official opening of Humble United Methodist School in Mukono, Uganda. In this miraculous manifestation of God’s marvelous ministry through The United Methodist Church, we rejoiced to celebrate that over 200 beautiful children now live in hope because some of their sisters and brothers in Christ love enough to feed, clothe, house, educate, and medicate them. The school’s mission is to provide orphans and other vulnerable children with quality education enriched with vocational skills and Christian morals to develop self-reliant and faithfully fruitful adults who will live in service to others as God-fearing and responsible members of the human family.

A music academy was born out of this ministry. Now, the “Hope For Africa Children’s Choir” is a new and living embodiment of hope for the future through the precious sights and sounds of some of the world’s most vulnerable children. You will want to meet the children and adults in this wonderful ministry. On page 6 in this issue of the Wesleyan Christian Advocate you will be able to find their scheduled performances. I hope that you will be able to attend one or more of these inspiring events and that you will be led by God’s Holy Spirit to help continue this ministry with our sisters and brothers in Africa. Your help is a participation in a future with hope! Gifts can be made through any local church or directly to the South Georgia Annual Conference, P. O. Box 52101, Macon, GA 31208, designated to our East African partnership.

Mike Watson Resident Bishop South Georgia Area The United Methodist Church.

Aging Well: Mrs. Louise Short: A True Hero of General Conference

2008-05-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Robert Beckum

One of the highlights of General Conference was the brief address of Mrs. Louise Short. Her statement was not an official part of the day’s agenda—-just a courtesy. Sometimes, however, amazing things happen apart from the “planned agenda.” But first, let me tell you what was on the printed agenda. We began each day with “The HERO Report.” This report came jointly from The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women and The General Commission on Religion and Race. The purpose of this daily report was to “monitor” the language and behavior of delegates, pointing out terms of condescension or other alienating use of language, which would undermine our commitment to holy conferencing. Furthermore, the daily report celebrated the contributions of minorities, the marginalized—-those whose voices may be minimized by commonly accepted assumptions.

Now, back to the unplanned order of the day—-Louise Short. At age 102 she was attending her 20th General Conference. She is the widow of the late Bishop Roy Short, and she attended her first General Conference in 1938. In Fort Worth, she was perhaps the only person present who had attended every meeting of General Conference in the United Methodist Church. She challenged the first assumption of the day when she informed the two young men sent to escort (read help) her to the stage that she was fully capable of coming to the stage without their assistance. She began by saying, “I know that most of you are amazed that I am still alive, but the truth is I’m not only still alive, I’m still LIVING!”

Then, to the Delegates of General Conference who, in its ten days of meeting, totally ignored the needs and the contributions of older adults she raised two concerns more powerfully than any other voice. First, she raised her concern over the role of the laity. “We (the general church) need to do a better job of empowering the laity—-the people in our local churches—-to be in ministry and to reach people for Christ. Solid leadership comes from solid local churches and the people in them—-lay persons are the heart of our churches and everything we do must enable them to be in ministry.” Second, Mrs. Short voiced her concern that the people called Methodists might be losing their courage to stand as faithful witnesses to the most important social issues of our day. Her most important advice to the 2008 General Conference: “Keep the faith,” she said simply, “Keep the faith.”
In Louise Short’s five minute address I heard the prayer of the psalmist: “So even to old age and gray hairs, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come”(Psalm 71:18). She didn’t make it into the HERO report given daily at the conference. My guess is, however, she made it into the report of heroes, which truly matters. This 102 year-old saint gave voice to the concerns of millions of United Methodists and their hopes for the future of our connection.Rev. Robert Beckum is Vice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor rbeckum@magnoliamanor.com

From the Editor: It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Comin’

2008-03-17T17:41:00.001-07:00

Jim Nelson

Good Friday is the most holy day in the liturgical year. It is the Christian version of Yom Kippur: our Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement was not and is not a feast day. In fact it is the only day in the scriptures on which God commands the people to fast, “it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall deny yourselves and present the Lord’s offering by fire.” (Leviticus 23:27b) If you sacrifice to the Lord on that day in order to atone for all of your sins, they will be forgiven.On Good Friday Jesus was sacrificed upon the cross. He became for us a sacrifice to God so that all our sins could be forgiven.

For the ancient Israelites and for us today, this is not a day of celebration but a day of solemn remembrance of all the sins we have committed over the past year: intentionally or unintentionally. It is also a day to remember the sacrifice made on our behalf.Too many of us take that sacrifice for granted. We no longer remember what dying on the cross meant. We have so romanticized the event that we forget the pain and suffering Jesus endured. We no longer hear the sound of the lash tearing into the flesh of his back. Nor do we feel the rough splintered wood of the cross, which continued to rub against those wounds. Nor do we see the blood from the thorns driven into his head running down his face, mixing with the sweat and the dust and coagulating in his beard.

How many of us would willingly endure such suffering so that others might have life and have it abundantly?We need to honor that sacrifice. The highest attendance day of the year should be Good Friday, not Easter Sunday. Sure the resurrection is something to celebrate. We need to shout Hallelujah on Easter, recognizing his triumph over death. But too often we only want to focus on the Good News at the end, and not the suffering on the cross that preceded it.We also need to honor that sacrifice by how we live our lives. We need to ensure that Jesus did not die in vain merely so we could go on sinning in the world. We need to live our lives abundantly, and help others to do the same.

Today, Good Friday, should be a day of fasting. The discomfort from the hunger we feel is nothing compared to Jesus’s suffering on the cross. Today should be a day of quiet solitude and reflection. Read the letters of Paul, who had a well-defined theology of the cross. Read the story of the crucifixion in each of the Gospels. Seek once again the grace and the forgiveness of God. Mourn again this Friday and Saturday in unity with the disciples of Jesus who had just seen their leader executed, and worried if they might be next.Only by going through the crucifixion, only by focusing on the cross can we truly rejoice on Easter Sunday morning when we celebrate the empty tomb, and life everlasting. Only then will be able to truly understand those words made famous by Tony Campolo, in his book It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Comin’.

From the Bishop: What are our lives shouting about our faith?

2008-03-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

B. Michael Watson

Palm Sunday and Easter are days of glorious celebration that surround a week of testing, prayer, betrayal, trial, pain, and sacrificial suffering for Jesus. For Christians, remembering Holy Week is a central part of our annual liturgical journey through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.Palm Sunday through Easter is a high and holy week for us. Like the crowd on Palm Sunday long ago, children and adults still celebrate by waving and wearing palm branches acknowledging our Savior. We then are invited to spend the week seeking to understand what Christ’s saving, graceful, and redemptive love really means and what it cost. We remember that the first Palm Sunday crowd fell away as the week wore on.

In many instances those who lovingly prepare palms for today’s worshippers to wear make them into the shape of a cross! We know something that the biblical crowd did not know. We know about the cross upon which Jesus died. We know that Palm Sunday is not really the day of triumph. Easter Sunday is the triumphant day, and it takes a Cross to get to Easter.Drawing a crowd doesn’t prove everything. Winston Churchill was once asked what he thought about the large crowd that had come to hear him speak. Churchill is said to have responded by predicting that the crowd would have been much larger if he were being hanged. The Palm Sunday crowd that cheered for Jesus on Sunday was replaced by the crowd that jeered at Jesus a few days later. Shouts of hosanna were replaced with shouts demanding crucifixion.

We must be very careful about criticizing that first Palm Sunday crowd’s shallow commitment to Jesus until we have shown more commitment ourselves. We are the crowd today. What are our lives shouting? Are we willing to follow Jesus and remain his disciples in a sinful world that often rejects the divine love of a merciful Lord? Here are some discipleship questions for all of us. Are we willing to love our enemies as Jesus did? Are we willing to forgive those who curse us as Jesus did? Are we willing to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, heal the sick, and visit the imprisoned as Jesus calls us to do? Are we willing to give one day in seven totally to the worship of God? Are we willing to joyfully tithe to God’s work? Are we willing to serve our Lord Jesus Christ without thought of being honored for our service by others? Are we willing to spend time alone in prayer as Jesus did? Are we willing to study the Word of God and apply it to our lives as Jesus did?

Holy Week is a wonderful time for holy reflection on the life of Jesus and on our lives of discipleship. Easter is the time to celebrate that God’s grace is greater than the world’s sin. All who follow Jesus can celebrate the victorious life available to us through Christ’s saving act and marvelous resurrection. We have been empowered to overcome failure, sin and death because we have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Glory hallelujah!

Mike Watson Resident Bishop South Georgia Area The United Methodist Church.

Aging Well: High Maintenance Monkeys

2008-03-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Robert Beckum

I will never forget Helen. At age 80, she was the oldest person in our group. We were to introduce ourselves with a story—-any story that would “open a window” on our life or our experience. Everyone had shared a story except Helen. She protested that she didn’t have a story. She was a homemaker and felt her rather “ordinary life” didn’t have any stories that would interest anyone. “Try us”, we said. “I really cannot think of anything…except the time my husband sold our pet monkey to Elvis Presley.” Trust me, when someone has a story about selling a monkey to Elvis, I am all ears!

Helen stated she and her husband, Bill, were neighbors of Elvis in Memphis. Bill owned a television station and had always insisted on doing the weather segment of the local news himself. He was a quite a character and always appeared on camera with his pet monkey on his shoulder—-affectionately known to the viewing audience as the Weather Monkey. Helen explained, “Elvis thought the monkey was hilarious and begged Bill to sell him the monkey. Finally, Bill gave in and sold it to Elvis.” She went on to tell the monkey “toured” with Elvis for about six months. Once back home from the tour, Elvis came over and pleaded with Bill to take the monkey back. According to Elvis, “He’s cute, but he is one high maintenance monkey!” Needless to say, we all listened with rapt attention. Beyond the fascination with the Elvis connection, we assured Helen all of us could identify with the experience of finally getting what we had longed for only to end up with a “high maintenance monkey” on our back.
Stories have power—-power to share, power to touch, power to connect with the human experience. Unfortunately, many older adults, like Helen, don’t think they have a story or that anyone would care to hear it. Truthfully, older adults are treasure troves of stories, and when we take time to listen, this treasure enriches everyone’s life.

Part of the Renaissance Program (a signature program of creative arts for senior adults) at Magnolia Manor involves writing. In these writing classes we encourage and coach seniors to share their stories. It is not just another “activity to keep the old folks busy”. It is one of the most enriching, healing and meaningful aspects of our life together. Some stories are light-hearted and hilarious. Others are poignant and heartbreaking. All of them are powerful.Heard any good stories lately? Start by asking a senior adult to tell you theirs. You will not only be enriched but entertained. Their story will open a window on the soul—-yours as well as theirs. In the midst of all the story telling we might even hear hints of a larger story that tells us who we are, where we came from and where we are going. Christians who have told this story have always called it “the gospel.”

Rev. Robert Beckum is Vice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor.

From the Editor: The dis-connectional church

2008-02-10T18:02:00.002-08:00

Jim Nelson

One thing I have never aspired to in my nearly 20 years as a United Methodist pastor is being elected as a delegate to General Conference. Unfortunately, this year I find myself in the unenviable position of needing to go anyway. Last month I attended the Pre-Conference briefing held in Ft. Worth, Texas, the site of the 2008 Conference for representatives of each delegation and church journalists. That meeting confirmed my suspicions. I felt a major disconnect between what they were telling us would be presented and debated at Conference, and what has been my experience in the local church.

The local church is where faith meets the street. The people in the pews are concerned with the everyday issues of life: grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with a family member or close friend in the hospital, dealing with a disabled child, concerned about an alcoholic parent or friends hooked on drugs, wondering what to do about an unwanted pregnancy, worried about a family member in a war zone, and trying to find a balance between spending time at work to care for material needs of their family and spending quality and quantity time at home to care for the spiritual and emotional needs of their family and themselves. The problems people face everyday are the ones they bring into our churches looking for answers and seeking the peace they receive knowing God is with them no matter what.

General Conference however is in a totally different stratosphere. For example, one of the arguments sure to come up in the first few days of Conference is whether or not delegates will have wireless internet access on the floor of the Convention Center so they can stay connected to the outside world. Shouldn’t we be more concerned about how we help our congregations and our communities stay connected to God?Another heated debate looming on the horizon is whether the UM Pension Fund should divest itself of investments in companies doing business in Israel, and in particular Caterpillar, which manufactures equipment used to tear down Palestinian homes and to build the wall which will keep them apart. How many people make a decision about joining or leaving our churches based on the securities held by our pension funds?Now I know I am a cynic, but honestly I can’t believe that in 2008 the leadership of the church finally figured out what our “areas of emphasis” should be as a church. Did they just figure out that our future depends on having passionate, dynamic leadership filled with the Spirit of God and dedicated to doing the work of the Gospel? Or, that if we do not continue to give birth to new congregations as older ones who have reached the natural end of their life close, we will become extinct?

And, did they just realize that the mission of the church should be to work with the poor, and struggle to eliminate diseases in the world that are within our power to eliminate? Didn’t Jesus tell us that 2000 years ago, and weren’t those some of the admonitions God gave through Moses to the ancient Israelites over 3000 years ago? Come on, the growing, dynamic churches within and outside of the connection have been doing that for years. We don’t need an area of focus to tell us to feed the hunger, clothe the naked, and work to eliminate the systemic problems that lead to poverty, disease, and suffering in the world. That has always been our mission, or at least should have been.I am sure there are some positive things that come out of General Conference. I guess we do need to tweak and update the Book of Discipline on occasion. And, let’s face it, a lot of people do believe General Conference is important and relevant. But I question, that with the current size of the United Methodist Church and the advances in communications technology – is an every four-year gathering the best use of time and resources (millions of dollars) in furthering the kingdom of God and reaching those who are hurting in the world?
Oh well, Ft. Worth here I come.

From the Bishop: Keeping A Holy Lent

2008-02-10T18:02:00.001-08:00

B. Michael Watson

Ash Wednesday was February 6 this year, and Ash Wednesday is the first day of the holy season of Lent in the Christian year. I pray that this will be a holy Lent for you and me. During this season we have the opportunity to be intentional about our preparations for the glorious celebration of Easter. Our Lenten preparations can make a difference in our ability to recognize God’s powerful victory over sin and death as we worship on Easter Sunday with Christian all over the world.We often prepare for important events because we intuitively know that proper preparation can lead to more meaningful celebration. We prepare for birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, graduations, weddings, funerals, and many other special days. If we fail to prepare well, we can fail to grasp the full significance of the big event. Our preparation is important.

Some people make Lenten preparation by giving up something in their lives. Others make Lent a season of adding something special into their lives. Many attend Ash Wednesday, Lenten, and Holy Week services as a way of preparing for Easter morning and its Good News.Let me encourage you to do something different this Lent. Find a way to prepare for Easter that causes you to remember Christ’s sacrificial love every day during this holy season. Find a way to live toward Easter that glorifies God and opens you to God’s miraculous, loving, and saving grace. Give God the chance to work in and through your life during this season of Lent so that you will rejoice in the experience of God’s mighty power to overcome the greatest obstacles in human existence.

Lent teaches us that God works through difficult circumstances to accomplish dramatic victory. God is able to roll away every stone than is placed before his children. God is in the redemption, restoration, and resurrection business. Live that faith this Lent and prepare to experience God’s glorious Easter.

Aging Well: Dealing With Senior Adult Depression

2008-02-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Robert Beckum

Depression may rightly be called the “shadow illness” of senior adult years. There are many possible causes of the onset of later-life depression including: the loss of a loved one (spouse, child, pet or friend), changes in physical health (disability and decline as well as illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke or diabetes and dementia), and major life changes (a move, retirement, loss of mobility, diminished quality of life or increased dependency on caregivers). Many of these factors may converge to cause or to accompany the onset of senior depression, but the fact remains that depression is an illness. It is NOT A NORMAL PART of THE AGING PROCESS! Caregivers must encourage seniors, and seniors must encourage one another, to seek medical treatment for depression as an illness and not buy into the “normal part of aging” myth. The first step in successfully dealing with senior depression is to call it what it is. It is an illness (not a character flaw, personal weakness, or normal part of aging) and this illness needs sound medical treatment.

What are the signs of depression? The National Institute of Health suggests these warning signs of senior depression:Persistent sadness (lasting two or more weeks)Feeling sluggish for an extended periodExcessive worries about finances and health problemsFrequent tearfulnessFeelings of worthlessness or helplessnessUnintended weight changes (increase or decrease)Constant pacing or fidgetingDifficulty sleepingDifficulty concentratingPhysical symptoms such as pain or gastrointestinal problems (depressed seniors are more likely to complain of physical problems than to express sad, anxious or hopeless feelings)Withdrawal from usual activities——this withdrawal is usually accompanied by the explanations “It’s become too much trouble,” “I don’t feel well enough,” or “I just don’t have the energy anymore.”
Anytime older adults have signs of depression, they should see their health care provider for a complete medical check-up and explore the symptoms of depressive illness for possible treatment. These medical check-ups are easier said than done! While behavioral health care is vital for senior adults to have a full life, many factors prevent them from seeking the help they need. Fear of what family and friends might think can cause seniors to continue to suffer silently and alone. Worry over how to pay for the care they need and negative cultural stereotypes of people seeking behavioral health care can all contribute to seniors continuing to suffer in isolation.

It is not enough to name depression an “illness”. We must also take senior depression out of the “shadows” of fear, shame and ignorance and into the light of available medical treatment. One great place for available information about depression and treatment options for seniors is the website www.Seniorjournal.com. This first step will not only help you and your loved ones “deal” with senior depression but might encourage further steps helping to overcome this illness which afflicts far too many senior adults.

Rev. Robert Beckum is Vice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor.

From the Editor: God takes a snow day

2008-01-28T03:23:00.002-08:00

Jim Nelson

Something very unusual happened on Sunday, January 21, 2008. Something I have never personally witnessed before. God took a snow day. Unbelievable! God took a Sunday off, and was not available for worship in many churches across North Georgia. I have never experienced showing up at church on Sunday morning only to encounter a “CLOSED” sign on the door.
Sure some will say it was a safety issue. The roads may have been treacherous, and we would not want our people on them. But that should be the individual’s decision. Many of us did not have the opportunity to exercise our freewill and decide for ourselves. Besides, as it turned out God made sure most roads were passable. Plus, what about those who did not get the word and showed up only to find the church closed, they then had to drive back home for nothing.When I was serving two churches in Northern Nevada, one Saturday night it snowed over a foot and was still snowing Sunday morning. After the first service at the church in the town where I lived, I drove the 12 miles to my other church. The wind was blowing snow across the highway making it difficult to see. When I arrived I literally had to leave my car two blocks away, and trudge through the snow to the church. I was late, but upon entering I found everyone else already there, waiting. It had never crossed anyone’s mind that I might not be there, or that God would take the day off.

I have, as I am sure many pastors have, held services in the cold of winter when the furnace quit, in the heat of summer with no air conditioning, by candle light because power lines were down, when it rained and flooded the streets in Savannah, and in various other conditions that would have caused secular businesses to close. But we are the church. We serve God. God doesn’t ask us to worship just when it is convenient. Many a pastor has given a sermon on the excuses people give for missing church. Either worship is mandated by God or it’s not. And what about all those dedicated people who say their week doesn’t work right if they miss church on Sunday? Were they all condemned to a terrible week? Do those who pride themselves with years of perfect attendance at Sunday School, now have to have the dreaded asterisk beside their name because they actually only attended 51 weeks this year?Did every church that closed, or canceled an early service call everyone who might show up and inform them? Not everyone watches television all the time. I should have, but didn’t think of it in time, gone to the church, gathered all the others who didn’t get the word on the church lawn, sang some hymns everyone would know, given a prayer, read scripture, given a brief homily, and dismissed everyone with a blessing. I have done colder Easter sunrise services.

I do not mean to imply that I am some kind of saint. But when a priest was ordained in Exodus a rosette of pure gold was attached to the turban of the priest engraved with the words, “Holy to the Lord” and placed on his head. We are called to serve the Lord our God, which often means coming out of our comfort zone of safety. The point of worship is to help people make the God connection. How can those who are lost and hurting in the world, who are moved by the Holy Spirit to finally attend church, helped to make the God connection when church is CLOSED? And those who made a New Year’s resolution to attend church every Sunday had their streak broken at two.A couple of issues ago I wrote about “Sitting on the other side of the altar rail.” But no matter how frustrated I get, I would never miss church. It is a commitment I made to God a long time ago. Either church is important, or it’s not. Either we live the Word, or we don’t. Either we truly believe or we don’t. Church is NOT optional. God does not take a snow day.

Guest Columnist: Let us all be diligent

2008-01-28T03:23:00.001-08:00

Jamie Jenkins

Students were on their way home from Pinkneyville Middle School at the close of classes last Wednesday. Small clusters of adolescents were walking down the street, talking, laughing and engaging in normal horseplay for kids their age. In this ordinary scene were groups of two, three, or several boys and girls, black and white, Asian and Hispanic. All together. It was a “rainbow of ethnicity and races.”In his “I Have a Dream” speech of August 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of his desire for a future where all people would coexist harmoniously as equals. The words of Dr. King will ring in our ears and rest in our hearts forever.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”“With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

Bishop Woodie White in his annual “Letter to Martin” says “as we approach the 40th year since his death on April 4, 1968 the racial landscape of America has changed radically… (At the same time) some communities, schools, and everyday routines are more segregated today than they were 40 years ago.”Bishop White goes on to say, “There has been a fundamental shift in the American ethos. That doesn’t mean racism and sexism are absent from American life, but now they are antithetical to the American ethos, not a reflection of it.”“Both state and church have it right.! The inalienable rights for all is a core value of the state, and the intrinsic worth of human beings is a core value of the church.”“Perhaps the greatest challenge before us in 21st century America is to prevent the creation of a permanent underclass that, while not exclusively comprising black Americans, is one in which they are found in too greater number.”

Thank God for the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. and for all others who have led the struggle for justice and equality. Thank God for the progress that has been made. Let us all be diligent in working for the day when all God’s children “will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

The Rev. Jamie Jenkins currently serves as the assistant to Bishop Lindsey Davis in the North Georgia Annual Conference. This article first appeared in “Monday Morning in North Georgia” on January 21, 2008.

Guest Columnist: Is the Body of Christ Too Fat?

2008-01-28T03:22:00.000-08:00

Joe McKechnie

It was one of those statements for which I was completely ill-prepared. I was back home at my parents’ church for a Christmas cantata, and an elderly gentleman, a retired physician whom I have known for almost two decades, approached me, pointed to my mid-section, and tenderly (and seriously) said, “Joe, I say this in love. You have gained quite the pastor’s belly. You need to lose 20 pounds or you’re headed for a heart attack.” I was not expecting such a statement, and was a bit embarrassed. But, mere moments later I was able to appreciate the truth of his remark. The truth is, my diet and exercise is not what it needs to be. As a pastor I pay close attention to the discipline of prayer, Bible study, sermon preparation, relationship-building, and leading our congregation. And yet the condition of this temple of God has been gradually falling apart.

While I like to think of myself as a scholar (and follower) of Scripture, there are a few verses that I often fail to obey. There are numerous passages about the sin of gluttony (Proverbs 23:2, for example, declares that it would be better to cut your throat than to engage in gluttony!) In Galatians 5, Paul writes about the fruit of the Spirit when he mentioned self-control. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul was writing about how we treat our bodies when he writes, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” How can I justify an unhealthy lifestyle? There are many clergy who would be appalled at the thought of getting a tattoo or having parts of their body pierced, all the while asking for a second helping of mashed potatoes. As a pastor who deeply cares for his congregation, I worry about the devastating effects of drugs, underage drinking, abortion, and sex outside of marriage, all the while failing to acknowledge my own lack of self-control at the dinner table (or, preferably, the dessert cart!) What does my physical condition say about my discipline and self-control?

A recent national survey conducted by Duke Divinity School, indicated that 76% of clergy were either overweight or obese, compared to 61% of the general population. But it wasn’t always this way. Research from 50 years ago showed that clergy lived longer and had healthier lives than workers in almost every other vocation. Like many conferences, the Western North Carolina Conference had to tackle the issue of rising health-care costs for its clergy and had to struggle just to reach acceptable contract terms with its insurance provider. The Conference has seen its medical costs rise by 33% over the past five years, adding to the amount that each clergy spends on insurance.While the weight issues of many individuals are the result of genetics, most of us are getting bigger because of a lack of discipline and self-control. Leslie Sansone, author of the best-selling book “Walking Away the Pounds,” says that, as Christians, we must make our physical health a priority. She stresses exercise, because “no drug, no pill, nothing takes the place of what our natural body produces when we are in motion, because God’s design for muscle and bone is for them to be active.”

There’s a great story of legendary preachers D.L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon, who were great admirers of the other and looked forward to meeting one another. When they finally did meet, Spurgeon answered the door while smoking a cigar. Moody was shocked and asked, How could you, a man of God, smoke that?” Spurgeon smiled and pointed to Moody’s stomach and replied, “The same way you, a man of God, could be that fat.”Being in vocational ministry is demanding and stressful. At Arbor Pointe United Methodist Church, we are serious about the way we treat our bodies, and we pay our staff members for an additional five hours a week if they use that time to exercise. While a lifetime of good health and honoring the temple of God takes more than five hours a week, we hope to acknowledge the importance of our physical health. After all, when Jabez cried out to God to “enlarge my territory,” I don’t think he was talking about his waist size!

The Rev. Joe McKechnie is the at Arbor Pointe UMC in Jefferson, Ga.

From the Editor: Why faith matters in politics

2008-01-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

Jim Nelson

We hear a lot this election year about faith and politics. Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee is a former Southern Baptist minister, and Gov. Mitt Romney is a Mormon. And the Democratic candidates are speaking more openly and honestly about their faith and their beliefs.The question that we must ask then is – does faith matter? And the follow-up question is – should faith matter?

Since I wrote the “Faith and Politics” column for this paper for 11 years, as well as similar columns in other papers, and since I wrote a book on the subject, my answer is “of course.” But not in the way some people might think.TV commentators often get it wrong. They ask the wrong questions, and rant about the wrong issues. What denomination a person belongs to, or what religion they profess, or even if they profess a religion is not important. What matters is what they believe about life, nature, and how we should interact with one another.

When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied that we should love the Lord our God. But how someone does that or even if they do, regardless of what they might say, is something we can never truly know. But what they believe about how God works in the world, we can measure. And we can measure how their response to the second greatest commandment, which Jesus said is to love our neighbors as ourselves. How someone interacts with others and how they help people are the things we should care about.If you are concerned about the drought, global warming, or pollution in general, you should be asking whether candidates believe humans can have a dramatic impact on the environment, positively or negatively; or if they believe God is always in control, and/or that climate change is just part of the cycles of nature. Their beliefs will determine their position on government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, alternative energy sources, the Koyoto protocol, endangered species, wetland protection, and other environmental issues. Do they believe all people are born with the same possibilities in life? That an individual can become whatever they choose if they simply apply themselves? Or, do they believe genetics, society and the environment can dramatically affect a persons potential? That we cannot all achieve the same goals in life no matter how hard we try? And, are we or are we not “our brother’s keeper?” Those beliefs will determine their positions on education, welfare, universal health care, affirmative action and other social issues.

Asking whether someone is pro-life or pro-choice is not nearly as informative as asking him or her when they believe life begins. When does a person become a person? An atheist can believe life begins at conception and a devout Christian can believe life begins at birth when we receive the breath of life, and the Spirit of God. That belief will affect their view on abortions in general, late-term abortions, stem-cell research, birth control, morning after pills, and even end of life issues. On February 5, we in Georgia get to let the rest of the world know our views on those issues. We get to weigh in on who we think should be the next president of the United States.

Jesus may not have wanted to be king, and he may never have run for office even if given the chance, but I am sure he would have voted. He would have taken his responsibility as a citizen of a democracy or a republic seriously, knowing that we are the government, and we are responsible for what the government does in our name. Laws affect the lives of people, and Jesus would have cared about the people. When we don’t vote, we become responsible for whatever happens.

VOTE! It’s what Jesus would do.

From the Bishop: Be the 'Angel' in evangelism

2008-01-14T17:22:00.000-08:00

Mike Watson

It was a great joy and privilege to host the 2008 Congress on Evangelism in Savannah early this month. Sponsored by The Council of Evangelism and The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, the theme of this congress was Spirit of Faith Come Down and special honor was given to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley.

In my opening remarks to the 700 or so in attendance, I recalled something that I had read some years ago and reminded the participants that "the angel in ev angel ism could be you." In fact, I believe that each of us, as a Christian disciple, is called to the holy task of evangelism.
During this Season of Epiphany, we gratefully remember that Jesus came to show God's graceful love to all the people of the earth. It is the greatest story ever told, and now we have the glorious opportunity to share that Good News with everyone everywhere through word, deed, and sign. Our mission is to do just that. We have received authority through Christ's great commission to make disciples of all the peoples of the planet. What could be more exciting for this new year? What could be more exciting for the rest of our lives?Yes, it was wonderful to host the 2008 Congress on Evangelism in our state; however, it is even more wonderful to be the divinely appointed messengers of God's marvelous love all the time. Hallelujah, the angel in evangelism can be me -- and you! "And remember," Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, to the end of the age."Grace and peace,Mike Watson

Bishop Mike Watson serves the South Georgia Conference.

Aging Well: Paying Attention to Depression in Older Adults

2008-01-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

Robert Beckum
It’s a telephone call that still haunts me. I had just finished classes for the day at Candler School of Theology and was about to drive home for my student appointment. Before leaving town, I decided to call Aunt Sarah. The purpose of my call was to simply “check in.” I asked about the holidays and how she was feeling. To my surprise, she was amazingly upbeat. Sarah had a number of health difficulties, as did her husband. All the challenges facing them usually resulted in a long litany of complaints concerning the woes of getting older. But today was different. She was very positive. I was glad I had called, and I felt good about our conversation during my hour-long drive home.

Late in the evening, the telephone call came. A family member gave me the news. Aunt Sarah had taken her own life. What had I missed? For heavens sake, why didn’t I pick up on some clue in our conversation? All these questions of guilt and self-doubt flooded over me as they do with a family suicide and all the jagged, loose ends that accompany the tragedy. Aunt Sarah’s death, some thirty years ago, first exposed me to the whole issue of elder depression in a very personal way.Depression is a major condition for older adults. Approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over the age of 65 have signs of depression. Unfortunately, more often than not the depression goes unrecognized and untreated by many older Americans and their caregivers. In fact, the National Institute of Health estimates depression goes undiagnosed and untreated in 80% of the older adult population and often is not even recognized in nursing home residents. Why? Certainly ageism and prejudice are contributing factors.

How many senior adults have heard from their primary health care specialist in response to symptoms, “Well, what do you expect at your age? You are getting older.” In fact, 60% of older adults surveyed think depression is a natural part of getting older. It is not! Because of prejudices we all have toward mental health issues, 70% of older adults know little or nothing about depression. Only 30% of older adults believe depression is a “health problem.” Less than 25% of older adults surveyed indicated they would be willing to seek help for symptoms of depression from a health care professional. Sadly, older adults have the highest suicide rate of all age groups in America. Even more sadly, 70% of seniors who commit suicide have seen their primary care doctors within a month of their deaths without depression being discussed as a health care issue.

What can we do? Seniors can familiarize themselves with the symptoms of depression as they do with symptoms of other health issues. We can all work on our prejudices and attitudes, which will help take the issue of depression out of the shadows of guilt and shame and into the light of medical treatment. The good news is that medical treatment is highly successful in 70-80% of all cases of depression, when we create an atmosphere that recognizes depression as an illness and give encouragement to ask for help.After all these years, I realize why Aunt Sarah was so positive when I talked with her on the day of her death. She had found a solution to the pain and heaviness of her life. What still haunts me in these days of winter is that Sarah never knew there were other sources of help and health care solutions close at hand. Make yourself aware of the symptoms of depression, understand it is an illness, and know 70 to 80% of depression is highly treatable.

Rev. Robert Beckum is Vice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor.

Guest Columnist: Rekindling Our Love for Communion is key

2008-01-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

By Paul Edenfield

For the past few weeks, our Sunday school class has been reading Charles Yrigoyen’s John Wesley: Holiness of Heart & Life. This book is an introduction to early Methodist history and beliefs for small-group study and is useful not only to newcomers but also to members who are trying to deepen their understanding of John Wesley and his vision of Methodism.Our class has often discussed just how much has changed in the life of the church since Wesley’s time, particularly those “works of piety” that he did so much to encourage. The celebration of Holy Communion, for instance, is a striking example of just how far Methodists have strayed from their historical roots. Yrigoyen notes that “United Methodists usually celebrate the Lord’s Supper once a month or four times a year. John Wesley would have been mystified by this. After all, he communed an average of every four to five days during his adult life.”

Yrigoyen then goes on to quote from the 1787 sermon, “The Duty of Constant Communion,” in which Wesley wrote, “Let everyone … who has either any desire to please God, or any love of his own soul … [receive Communion] every time he can.” The entire text of the sermon is available online and offers much insight into Wesley’s fervent Eucharistic devotion. Wesley studied the early Christian writers constantly over the course of his career and praised the example of the “first Christians, with whom the Christian sacrifice was a constant part of the Lord’s Day service.”Of these early Church writers, Wesley had a particular affection for Ephrem the Syrian, the fourth-century poet and theologian. Indeed, his journals and letters indicate that he read Ephrem as early as 1732 while at Oxford, and he even managed to continue this study while in Georgia in 1736. We do not know for sure which of Ephrem’s writings Wesley was familiar with, but he was no doubt inspired by words such as these written about the Eucharist: “By means of the Spiritual Bread, everyone becomes an eagle who reaches as far as paradise … whoever eats the Living Bread of the Son flies to meet Him in the very clouds.”

How far we have come from that kind of heart-felt appreciation for the gift of the Lord’s Supper in the twenty-first century! Indeed, it is a safe generalization that Communion is the least favorite part of worship for many of us. I have even seen people avoid particular services because they knew that Communion would be observed. This apathy may exist for a number of reasons, but I think that in the final analysis it is very common to go through the motions of receiving Communion without feeling anything at all, that we often experience an emotional disconnect between the Lord’s Supper and what’s going on in our spiritual lives.

This lack of spiritual resonance is exacerbated when during our services we hurry through Communion to suit those who would like to get it over with as quickly as possible. It’s important to slow down and remind ourselves and each other what the Lord’s Supper is all about … in small-group discussions, sermons, and most importantly testimonials. Devotion is contagious. We can rekindle our love for Communion by sharing with each other about how this ancient practice of sharing bread and wine in the remembrance of Jesus continues to make a difference in our hearts and in our lives. John Wesley’s ministry endures as just such a testimony.

Paul Edenfield attends Rock Springs UMC in Lawrenceville.

From the Editor: Sitting on the other side of the altar rail

2008-01-01T06:27:00.001-08:00

Jim Nelson

Being the editor of the Advocate, I find myself on Sunday mornings being on the other side of the altar rail. That is somewhat of a new experience for me. For 18 years I stood in the pulpit of a church and led or helped lead a worship service. Now I sit quietly in the pew and observe.
I am afraid that I have become one of those parishioners that used to drive me crazy. I expect something from the service. Now I realize the church does not exist to satisfy me; that I attend church to worship God, to spend time in God’s presence, and to be in community with other believers as we share our faith in Jesus Christ.But the reality is that if the only reason I attend church is so I can worship God and acknowledge to the world my belief in Jesus; then it really doesn’t matter where I go. Any church will do. Well, almost any; there are some with bad theology we should not lend credence to even by our presence.

You have to admit, though, it is much more gratifying to go to a church that excites you. We should wake up on Sunday morning with a sense of excitement, a sense of anticipation, a sense of wonder. We should feel that today is the day we get to go to church and bask in the glory of God, sing praises to His holy name, and witness to our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus. I want to leave feeling challenged to live a better life. I don’t want to just be patted on the back in an “I’m OK, you’re OK” kind of way, nor do I want to be constantly berated and condemned as a sinner.

Some churches I enter I immediately feel the Spirit, the joy, the excitement surrounding the worship service that is about to unfold before us. But, in others I feel depressed, sad, an absence of the Spirit. Sometimes I just want to stand up and yell, and ask, “What are you doing? And, why are you here?” I fear most of them have forgotten.I want everyone to feel what I feel; to know what I know; to have the love of Jesus in their lives. I want everyone to be able to spend time in His presence every day, and to read His Holy Word. I want everyone to strive every day to walk as he would have us walk, yet knowing he will forgive us when we fail. My faith brings me joy, it brings me peace and a sense of contentment. My faith allows me to be satisfied with and to enjoy all that I have, and to not constantly be needing more. My faith helps me to accept life as it comes to me.There have been times recently when I wanted to stand up in the middle of a sermon and question the preacher. Particularly when s/he says something I disagree with or just don’t understand. However, I fear too many preachers and parishioners would find that unsettling.

Occasionally for a Sunday evening service, I would have an “Ask Dr. Jim” night. People could come and ask me any question about scripture or theology and I would give them an answer. Sometimes I would say, “I don’t know.” Sometimes I would say, “It really doesn’t matter.” And sometimes we would enter into a discussion about what we believe deep down. I think those were some of my better sermons, and except for the healing services, some of the better attended ones. Maybe I should start an “Ask Dr. Jim” column. I am sure that would create some discussions. Anyway, if you see me come into your church some Sunday morning, don’t worry. I will control myself. I won’t stand up and start arguing with the preacher. But, I must admit, it would be fun.

The Laity’s Corner: A new wind’s a ‘blowin’

2008-01-01T06:25:00.000-08:00

Lyn Powell

Whenever my grandmother sensed a cultural shift in the community, she didn’t call it a cultural shift – she simply said “there’s a new wind a ‘blowin’. As a member of the Council of Bishops’ Messaging Task Force #1 (which means there must be a #2 somewhere), I can share with you that indeed a new message will be introduced to the General Conference in Fort Worth this April.

To understand why we need a new message, we must look at the state of the church. We know, like all other mainline denominations, we have been losing serious membership since the 1970’s. In response to this challenge of declining numbers, the Council of Bishops has covenanted to focus its resources on, and hold itself responsible for, Seven Vision Pathways: Develop new congregations – called Path OneTransform existing congregationsTeach the Wesleyan Model for making disciplesStrengthen clergy and lay leadershipReach new generations of childrenEliminate poverty in community with the poorExpand racial/ethnic ministries
Next, the Connectional Table took the seven vision pathways and developed Four Areas of Focus for the entire denomination: Address the clergy and lay leadership crisisDevelop new congregations for new people – Path OnePartner with the poorStamp out killer diseases
So, what makes all of this a new message? What is so different about the four areas of focus? What is different, what has never happened before, is that the Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table, and the General Agencies have covenanted with one another to work collaboratively on the four areas. All thirteen Agencies are beginning to concentrate their energy, resources and budgets around the four areas, working together for best results. No more working in 13 silos.

In addition, the General Council of Finance and Administration has structured the denomination’s proposed budget around the four areas. The Connectional Table is asking every annual conference right down to the local churches to begin to draw in on the four areas. Think of it –– the whole church now has the opportunity to engage in an integrated, coordinated ministry experience. After General Conference, several teams will take this message of coordination to area events, where they will invite local churches to catch the vision and join the ministry of the four areas. Bishop Janice Huie made a powerful statement when she said “Imagine what could happen if all of us, by the grace of God, start to move in the same direction.” That is the message we will hear over and over at General Conference –– let us embrace these four areas of focus, reclaim the passion of the movement and shed the ennui of the institution. Now that is a message to get excited about!

Lyn Powell is the Lay Leader for the North Georgia Conference, and has been chosen to deliver the Laity Address at General Conference.

Helping warriors transition into citizens

2008-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

By the Rev. John Morris

Communities across the U.S. are about to experience the near simultaneous return of thousands of combat veterans: the proud, tired and bloodied, many after 22-month combat deployment. Towns will hail the returning warriors with wonderful “Welcome Home” ceremonies. The veterans will cherish the sentiment, then shoulder their duffle bags and simply “go home.” Unfortunately, “going home” is neither simple nor easy. Months of combat training and combat operations have forged these men and women into warriors. Within 300 hours of their last combat mission, they are demobilized and back on the streets in the U.S. The homes they return to will have changed. The majority of families learned to survive without their soldier: roles changed, children grew and family dynamics are altered. For a minority, marriages ended and families shattered beneath the stress of prolonged separation.

These proud veterans will face the daunting challenges of freedom. Gone is the austere, disciplined life of a forward operating base focused on missions and the camaraderie of the military unit. Ahead is the complex, multi-tasking, fast-paced world of work, family, civic responsibilities and/or school.The vast majority will face these challenges and handle them well. In fact, as past generations have shown, this generation of veterans will emerge as leaders in every sector of society. Discipline, combined with wisdom and the love of life appreciated by those who have seen it threatened will vault this generation ahead of its peers. Future governors, senators, doctors, lawyers, teachers, clergy, social workers and scientists undoubtedly are returning.A few will stumble. These troubled souls will wrestle with the effects of war on themselves and their families. They will need the best this country has to offer.
How communities can helpMost will need some support: employers willing to be patient as they wrestle to regain skills that have atrophied; educators willing to help them through the complexities of admission, registration and return to rigorous study; parenting classes to help them learn to parent the children they love but barely know; and wise counselors to help them negotiate new roles in marriage and families. They need medical providers who understand traumatic brain injuries, Middle Eastern parasites and skin diseases. Clergy who can listen without condemnation and help them soften the hardness of soul war can produce.

Mostly they need a community that walks with them and their families long after the yellow ribbons unravel. This community, deeply conflicted by the Iraq war, still honors the sacrifice made by these citizen-soldiers. It challenges our newest, “greatest generation” to continue selfless service by inviting them to serve in leadership capacities in business, education, government, houses of worship and nonprofit organizations. They need a community dedicated to bringing these soldiers all the way home, leaving none behind, and helping each to become the productive, healthy citizen we need.

The Rev. John Morris is a UM chaplain in the Minnesota National Guard.

From the Editor: The miracle of being fully human

2007-12-17T16:45:00.002-08:00

By Jim Nelson

Christmas – That time of year that should be filled with joy and celebration; and above all giving thanks to God for the greatest gift of all.I always feel sorry for those who in the hustle and bustle of buying, wrapping and exchanging presents, in the going to party after party often with too much alcohol, in the over indulgence of food; miss the true meaning of the miracle.How sad it must be for those children who are taught to spend Advent awaiting Santa Claus instead of the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Even though I may currently be an editor/writer and not serving a church, I am still primarily a pastor. And it is my pastoral heart that makes me want to share the real gift of Christmas with everyone I can.

We profess to believe that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Christmas reminds us of the fully human Jesus who came to earth and walked among us. Who emptied himself and became just like you and me.As Christians we have the privilege of worshiping a God who understands because he has been there. God chose to come to earth as a vulnerable baby, totally dependent on others to care for him. He cried when he was hungry, and had to wait for someone to feed him. He shivered when it was cold, and depended on someone else to warm him. As he grew, he passed through the awkwardness of adolescence, and the fickleness of childhood friendships. He sweated when he was hot, his nose ran when he had a cold, he bruised when he fell, and bled when he was cut.He had to deal with the temptations of materialism, power and glory; the frustration of not being able to make even his disciples fully understand his teachings; and the humiliation of living in a land occupied by a foreign invader with military installations and soldiers throughout.

Toward the end of his life, he felt failure when many turned and followed him no more (John 6:66). He suffered the betrayal of a trusted friend. His heart must have broken when his closest friend denied even knowing him. And, it comforts me to think that at times, being as isolated as the rest of us are from God, he too may have had a moment or two of doubt. It is easy to get wrapped up in the fully divine side of Jesus, but the miracle of Christmas is that it reminds us of the fully human side. Unlike other religions, we have a God who understands because he suffered just like the rest of us. What pain can we feel, what experience can we have that he did not also have? When we feel lost, alone, abandoned, betrayed, or just plain depressed; we can go to Jesus for comfort because he can relate not in some divine, all-understanding, all-knowing kind of way, but in a personal, I’ve-been-there kind of way.

In the United States we are truly blessed. Most of us did not start out in a manger, nor did we have to flee persecution. Most of us won’t end up nailed to a cross, our backs raw and bleeding from the torture of the lash. Unfortunately there are still parts of the world where people do have similar beginnings and similar endings. Because we are so blessed, we need to take extra time at Christmas to be thankful that God cared enough to come to earth as a baby, and to walk among us to show that he does understand how we feel. Merry Christmas.

Guest Columnist: I was homeless and you gave me no shelter

2007-12-17T16:45:00.001-08:00

By Andy Peabody

Sitting down, Stephanie, our housing director, slid an all-too-familiar piece of paper towards me. Immediately I knew what was happening in the ministry’s emergency night shelter. The first time was finally here; the moment I’d been dreading for months. “They came from Cherokee County looking for a place in the shelter,” Stephanie added.Looking away from the unsigned document, Stephanie asked: “Now, as I understand it, if they feel they cannot honestly sign this piece of paper stating they are United States citizens or legal permanent residents 18 years of age or older, we cannot provide them with emergency shelter even for one night, even if we have open beds.”

My head filled with emotions: values and rational processes all clamoring for my attention. Could I retreat from our position that whether or not we agree with this new law, the state of Georgia - and Cobb County - have told us we have to do this? Was I absolutely sure the shelter received the requisite county, state, or federal monies to make it subject to this new process? Might we offer the two men (who had already confided their undocumented status) the gift of hospitality and “sanctuary” in the sanctuary of the former church that now serves as our ministry’s emergency shelter? Was I prepared for the consequences of saying, “No, this is wrong and I choose not to do this – we will not turn these individuals away from the help we have within our power to extend”?

The document is an affidavit representing Cobb’s efforts to implement SB529, the Georgia Security & Immigration Compliance Act. While I vehemently disapprove of the law and the way my particular community has seen fit to enact its provisions, in that moment, I felt my hands were tied. I looked Stephanie squarely in the eyes and said with as little emotion as possible, “For now, we have to do this. If they can’t honestly answer in the affirmative, we cannot offer them emergency shelter, regardless of the extent of their imminent need.” For a long time after Stephanie left, I felt an absence greater than could be explained by her departure. A coldness had entered the room, one which wrapped itself around my heart. I closed my eyes and reached out for God in prayer, and instead felt a distinct and palpable absence of God’s presence. Then it hit me – in turning away two strangers in a strange land, I had turned aside Christ himself from the doors to which he had come seeking assistance. The longer I sat in solitude, the more convinced I became that I had done the wrong thing – whatever the law might say. I felt I had stepped from the light into shadow, and that to re-emerge into the light I would have to speak out for those who’d had no advocate to stand up for them when they came to our doors seeking shelter and hospitality.

So I am speaking out – not as the representative of MUST Ministries, nor of the North Georgia Annual Conference – but as a man who is deeply, deeply troubled by how far astray we seem to have wandered with SB529. Some, in good conscience, will disagree with me – so be it. I know and respect many who do. But I hope those who are similarly concerned will join me in speaking out, ardently and consistently, against policies that force us to choose between hospitality to fellow humans in need and obedience to the laws of our land.
Martin Marty, the eminent theologian and columnist for The Christian Century, reminded us at a conference in Atlanta recently - we all know what xenophobia is, but have we forgotten about xenophilia, love of the stranger, and hospitality? At times, we all must choose whom to follow; now is such a time. The need is literally knocking on our doors.

Andy Peabody is a probationary clergy member of the North Georgia Annual Conference of the UMC serving MUST Ministries in Marietta, Ga.

Aging Well: Christmas: A Story Told Through Older Adults and Neighborhood Angels

2007-12-17T16:41:00.000-08:00

By Robert Beckum

When Luke wrote the first story of Christmas, he deliberately told the story of God’s redeeming love through older adults and angels. Those advanced in age like Zechariah and Elizabeth or Simeon and Anna embodied the hopes, dreams and fears of all humanity. Angels proclaimed God’s response to humanity’s deepest hopes and greatest fears in the birth of Jesus. According to Luke, only two groups seemed to understand the significance of what God was doing that first Christmas—-angels and older adults. In my life journey, most of the angels (God’s messengers) I have known have been older adults. Chief among those angels was Mrs. Coulter.

Dora Louise Coulter did special things for all the children in the neighborhood where I grew up. She delighted in our presence. She asked about our hopes and dreams. Most importantly, she always listened to what we had to say as if what we were saying was the most important thing in the world. When we were with Miss Dora Louise, we not only felt special—-we were special, and we knew it! At least we knew we were special to her. She made the most wonderful gift baskets for all the children in the neighborhood at every holiday—-every holiday except Christmas. Accustomed to being on the receiving end of her generosity, our faces showed disappointment with the lack of Christmas goodie baskets.“Christmas is different,” she explained, “Christmas is not a time to focus on what we want or what we hope to get, but it is a time to give thanks for all God has already given us in priceless gift of his son.” She continued to say, “Christmas is not in the glitz or the glitter, it is in God’s gift.” Finally she said, “One day you boys will know and understand.” To little boys hoping for toys and candy, her explanation had little appeal. We all agreed she was being a scrooge. Still we wondered, “Why only at Christmas?” She is so generous the rest of the year. Little did we know she was trying to give us so much more than a goodie basket.

Only as adults did we learn it was on Christmas Eve many years before when Miss Dora Louise learned that her youngest son, Billy, had been killed by a Japanese sniper’s bullet. Every Christmas since, she avoided the tinsel and seasonal hullabaloo. Instead, she spent her time quietly giving thanks to God for the gift of His son—-and remembering her son as she lavished her love and attention on us. She was not a scrooge but as close to an angel as any of us little boys were privileged to know. Every Christmas, it is this older adult who reminds me not to focus on what I am “wanting” or “getting” but on giving thanks to God for the priceless gift of His Son that I have already been given and asking, “Where and to whom is God calling me to be an angelic messenger by sharing my love, my time and my attention?”

Rev. Robert Beckum is Vice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor.

Pathways to His Presence: Remembering My Baptism

2007-11-10T09:58:00.001-08:00

By B.J. Funk

Whenever my mother went into the cedar chest in her bedroom, she always allowed me to gently remove the yellowed envelope with my name typed on the front. I could feel it, smell it, hold it; but I could not open it until I turned thirteen. I remember the anticipation I felt each time I saw that envelope. Opening it would be one of the highlights of my life. Would thirteen ever come?Finally, the day came. Inside was a letter from the pastor who baptized me along with the crumbled rose that had sat on the altar on my baptism day, thirteen years earlier. Was I disappointed? Not a chance. My mother had done a grand job of telling me the significance of baptism, the importance of that day. The contents of that letter were like a fragrance that had been carefully guarded until the day I could better understand the meaning of that special day. The pastor’s letter explained the significance of my baptism. The rose meant that my church took time to notice the day a baby was touched by the imprint of God. I cry now when I think of it. Nothing about my thirteenth birthday party was as important to me as that letter.
I can’t explain this in understandable language, because it is a holy mystery. But on that day, when I didn’t realize who God was, God knew who I was. Through the symbol of water, He said to me, “You are mine. You belong to me.” Isaiah 44:5 says, “One will say, “I belong to the Lord…..still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s.’” On that day, God wrote on my hand, “The Lord’s.” No matter what happens in my life, I only have to look at my hand to remember whose I am. Thank you, Father, for the faded rose and yellowed letter. They are a symbol of a deep, life-changing truth.

Rev. B.J. Funk is associate pastor of Central UMC in Fitzgerald.

Aging Well: Choosing a Nursing Home for Mother

2007-11-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

By Robert Beckum

I did something this week that hundreds of people do every day. Still, it was difficult. I placed my mother in a nursing home. She is eighty-nine years old. Her health deteriorated in the last year, she fell two or three times a week, and my father was no longer able to lift her without threat of injury to her or himself. It was the right decision. It was a loving decision. It was a heart-rending decision. As my sister said, “If this decision is so right, it seems we would feel better about it.” Her comment reminded me of a fundamental principle involved in making the tough choices of elder care for our parents: When our heart and our head are in conflict, we often have to go with our head and trust that our heart will “catch up.” Still, making decisions about a parent's care is an affair of the heart.
One factor making my decision so emotionally difficult is the same factor which affects many families with an elderly parent from the greatest generation. In my mother's memory bank of fears there is no fear greater than “going into the nursing home.” No amount of calling this place a “skilled nursing facility” fooled her. In her mind the ultimate “N-Word” was “nursing” home---a term vulgar, insulting and demeaning to her. Her anger and fear had little to do with the quality of care given and much to do with the quality of life lost---loss of privacy, loss of independence, and loss of control. While our heads can help insure quality of care, our hearts are helpless in the face of a parent's losses due to age.
In helping others make this same decision practically every day at Magnolia Manor, I have prepared a forty-eight point checklist of things to look for in choosing a nursing home. My checklist is well intended and filled with good suggestions, even if I say so myself. Things are different, however, when it involves your mother. As I began the admissions process, I was amazed at how my “checklist” narrowed to one supremely important question. As I met the admissions director, the director of nursing and the administrator, I listened carefully and asked myself silently: “Is this a person I can trust with my mother's care?” A second question I satisfied before leaving was, “Does each staff member know they can depend on me to be a vital partner in my mother's care?”
From this experience, I have learned it is most important to establish respectful relationships with the staff of caregivers within a nursing center, as it is to check out a nursing center's reputation and record. Things are different when the patient is your loved one, and after all, every elder patient is somebody's loved one. As a result of this week, I think I will be reworking that checklist I have been giving to others, making sure that establishing a familial relationship with the care giving team is right at the top...

Rev. Robert Beckum isVice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor.

From the Counselor's Notebook: What the world needs now

2007-11-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

By Martha Tate

“The world needs a counterforce to disturbing thought and emotion.” - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I was one of the fortunate four thousand in attendance at the Mind-Life Institute XV at Emory. We witnessed a respectful, compassionate dialogue when East met West as His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, conferred with western neurobiologists, psychiatrists and researchers about “Mindfulness, Compassion and the Treatment of Depression”. The intent of the dialogue was to understand depression in physiological and cognitive terms and to explore the possibility that mindfulness based therapies, such as compassionate meditation, might be useful in the treatment and prevention of depression.Depression is the # one cause of disability worldwide and can lead to suicide, physical disease, behavioral and relational problems. Rates of depression are similar worldwide. Research indicates that the complex interplay between genetics and early life experience renders some people susceptible to depression.Depression is a condition with physiological, cognitive and emotional features. People with certain personality traits are prone to depression as their habits of mind are conducive to its development.
Researchers assess causality as 1/3 genetic and 2/3 environmental. Experiences such as early childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, poverty, exploitation and insufficient bonding predispose vulnerable people to depression. The age-old nature/nurture debate is best understood as a “both/and” proposition. It is in the interplay between “mind” and “body” that both health and disease are created and sustained.A cursory understanding of the mechanisms by which experience impacts physiology is necessary to grasp how compassionate meditation could impact depression and its devastating consequences. This is found in the early research on the physiology of stress reactions.
Stress, defined as perceived threat, stimulates the increased production of certain chemicals which trigger heightened activity in the autonomic nervous system. Heart rate and respiration increase, while blood is shunted from digestive organs to the major muscle groups fueling the “fight or flight” response. Prolonged, unremitting stress floods the body with these chemicals, which in turn damage the body and prohibit the relaxation phase with its cascade of complementary chemicals normally following the excitation phase. This is a recipe for all sorts of illness, including depression, to incubate.Conversely, positive, nurturing experiences, like healthy maternal/infant bonding, produce other chemicals, such as oxytocin, which actually mitigate against the adverse effects of stress and create a sense of well being.
Via these same mechanisms, healthful activities like meditation and psychotherapy also affect the expression of brain/body chemistry and are helpful in ameliorating depression. These practices are now proven to restructure the brain.In the research on compassionate meditation, participants first relaxed the body through mindful breathing. They then focused attention on the connection between their thought and feeling states. Finally, they focused on thoughts and images of love and equanimity, the desire of all beings for happiness and well being.Interestingly, regions of the brain associated with emotional and physical self -knowledge showed increased activity. Such heightened awareness allows meditators the ability to master, or at least influence, their mental and emotional states. The connection between the thinking and feeling brain was strengthened. Empathy, as measured by emotional reactions to pictures of distressed children, was increased, as was altruism, measured by the increased desire to contribute money to charity. Researchers concluded that compassionate meditation is a prophylactic for stress and emotional disorders, including depression.
As our Western scientific method investigates spiritual practices, we are privileged to understand from a new perspective what Christian seekers have always known. Deep prayer and meditation on the scriptures change us. As changed people, we impact our world differently. Perhaps Christ’s healing miracles operated in accordance with these principles; the power of His healing touch rewiring brains, bodies and beings. Christ is our example of perfect integration of mind/body and Spirit. Living in uninterrupted communion with God, He modeled for us the potential that God ordains. We fall so short, but gain so much in the trying. In Christ there is no East nor West, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.”
Martha M. Tate is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice.

From the Editor: I’m still speaking out

2007-11-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

By Jim Nelson

United Methodist Student day is the Sunday following Thanksgiving when most students are home from college and able to attend the worship service at their home church.Forty years ago as a Methodist scholarship recipient attending Ohio Wesleyan University, I was one of five students asked to speak at my home church on what was then Methodist Student Day.My family joined that church in 1952 when we moved into the neighborhood. For 15 years I attended Sunday school classes, was a member and officer of MYF, assisted in worship services, and worked around the church. The people in that congregation had become like family to me.
It was 1967. I spoke against the war, and in support of civil rights. I quoted scriptures and used what they had taught me in Sunday school over the last 15 years. After the service, we stood up front so the congregation could speak to us. Only one person spoke to me. Even the pastor, who had just been appointed, did not speak to me. After several weeks of being shunned, I stop attending that church or any other church for 20 years.Although I lost my faith in people, I never lost my faith in God. I still read the scriptures, spent time in prayer every day, and knew that God loved me. I still spoke out for what I believed. Yet, I wondered why they were so angry when I spoke about what they had taught me? They taught me Jesus was about love, compassion, forgiveness, and even sacrifice; that all people are equal in the sight of God.
After graduation, I enlisted in the Army and became an Airborne Infantry Officer. I served nearly three years on active duty, followed by another 10 in the National Guard and Reserves. I may be anti-war, but I believe in the idea and ideals of America.I have always tried, although not always successfully, to be faithful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I try to use Jesus’s teachings when I preach and/or write, and as you might suspect, I still make some people angry.Recently I saw the movie “Rendition.” Admittedly, the producers had a political agenda. They, like Sen. John McCain, believe torture is immoral and ineffective. McCain, one of the few people with first-hand knowledge, said, “It’s not about them; it’s about us.” It IS about us, particularly those of us who are Christians.
In light of Judge Michael Mukasey’s confirmation hearings to be Attorney General, I asked several people, “Which teaching of Jesus justifies torture?” I understand the political rationale and our national security interests. I understand how secular humanists and those or other faiths can support it. But I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus. Which commandment of His justifies “water-boarding” to get information? As yet, no one has answered my question.Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” And in terms of preserving our way of life he said, “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” As a Christian I would rather be arrested, persecuted and killed by an unjust government while remaining faithful to the teachings of Jesus, than to live by unjustly treating others to save my life in this world.Some would say I haven’t learned much from that Methodist Student Day in 1967.

Guest Columnist: Clergy killers are a problem for our churches everywhere

2007-10-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

By Randy Kanipe

G.K. Chesterton once said, “It isn’t that they can’t see the solution; it’s that they can’t see the problem.” In the October 5, Advocate the Rev. Stephens wrote about the problem of clergy incompetence. Certainly, ineffectiveness of our spiritual leaders is a serious problem. But incompetent clergy being ‘cycled through’ the system via the ‘guaranteed appointment’ is a minor issue. The larger issue is the rapidly increasing exodus of very “competent,” talented and gifted clergy. Pastors are leaving the ministry at rates never before seen. And they are being driven away by the very people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Competence is a highly subjective standard. And a witch-hunt, which is what an effort such as Stephens suggests could well turn into, is the last thing we need. When losing good clergy at a rate faster than we can replace them, we do not need to provide yet another avenue for local clergy killers to do their damage. A Duke University study found 85% of seminary graduates entering pulpit ministry leave within their first five years. And 90% of pastors currently serving churches are not expected to remain long enough to reach retirement! Why? Abusive and relentless congregational conflict aimed at the pastor.

The North Georgia clergy attrition rate runs as high as 90% for those having served 20 years or more – and so far is 70% for my own ordination class of 1994. The overwhelming majority of these pastors left not because they were incompetent or guilty of chargeable offenses, but because of the relentless abuse aimed at them in one appointment after another. They left simply to preserve what was left of their families, their sanity, their health and their faith. Statistics for female clergy are even more disturbing. They leave the ministry at rates twice as high as their male counterparts for the exact same reasons. Because of their gender, they are often maligned even more maliciously than male clergy.

The problem became so pervasive that in 2006, clergy serving the United Church of Canada joined the Auto Workers Union, to form a “Clergy Union.” They were so disgusted and fed up with the constant abuse, character assassination, and slander aimed at them – they felt they had no other choice than to unionize simply protect their ability to do ministry. “Incompetent” clergy could never have pulled off something as controversial as forming a union with all the theological, spiritual and ethical concerns such a move naturally engenders.
Watch the movie Forsaken to be released nationwide in November. The movie, a social documentary about clergy killers in the church is produced by CTLNYC Media Productions (an investigative documentary film company), highlights the actions of destructive people and groups driven by the spirit of evil. It illustrates what these people are doing to our clergy, our churches and most importantly, our collective Christian witness. The movie will also be on PBS with Bill Moyers.

And/or read Pastors in Transition: Why Clergy leave local church ministry, by Dean Hodge and Jacqueline Wenger; and Clergy Killers, by Dr. Lloyd Rediger.I personally know nearly forty friends, colleagues and mentors who have literally been shot at, physically assaulted, their families abused, driven to nervous breakdowns, spiritually abused, falsely accused, traumatized, harassed, stalked, and/or sued. Not because of their incompetence, but ironically because the work they were doing was very effective. Effective clergy are a threat to those who want to maintain the status quo.Some clergy do not do their jobs, which is inexcusable. They give all of us a black eye. But they are a distinct minority and it hardly requires a witch-hunt to ferret them out. The far greater problem is those laity who have become clergy killers; coupled with loving but silent, ‘uninvolved’ witnesses to the work of the clergy killers in their midst.

My concern is the spirit of Rev. Stephens’ article has unintentionally thrown gasoline on an already volatile situation for many competent clergy. I fear the effect of his proposal will be to empower clergy killers. He is simply uninformed as to how desperate people, hell bent on the removal of their pastor, will grasp at anything that will bolster their cause. If callously and carelessly filing charges of ‘incompetence’ on their pastor will get them what they want, then Stephens has inadvertently helped their cause. We do have a crisis in the church, but it is not incompetence on the part of clergy. The body of Christ is literally tearing itself apart over issues of ‘who will choose’ and ‘what will be chosen’ with very competent and talented clergy in the crosshairs of this fruitless debate. May God have mercy on our souls.

Rev. Randy Kanipe is the pastor of Salem UMC, Covington Ga. And the director of the Association for Stressed and Battered Clergy .

Guest Columnist: Christians and the Dalai Lama

2007-10-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

By Jan Love

As dean of the Candler School of Theology, I welcome the visit of the Dalai Lama to Emory. Some Christians may question the propriety of a Methodist-related institution extending a prominent forum to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists. I have actively sought encounters with the faithful of other religions and repeatedly discovered in such experiences the wide wonders of God’s good creation as well as new dimensions of my own Christian convictions.Nineteenth century Hindu mystic and guru, Sri Ramakrishna said, “Religion is like a cow. It kicks but it gives milk, too.” Noble acts of love and self-sacrifice are often anchored in deeply held religious worldviews. Unfortunately, so are some of the worst examples of human behavior. Historian R. Scott Appleby calls this the “ambivalence of the sacred.” All religions to varying degrees face a crucial dilemma. Does the witness of their followers demonstrate the power of the “milk,” or alternatively, the potency of the “kick?”

We live in a deeply religious nation where Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and others share the same neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, supermarkets, and university campuses. Across America, very different faith traditions increasingly bump into each other in small towns and big cities alike. How can we ensure that our inevitable encounters will enrich our communities, not destroy them? Universities have a critical role to play. Through its campus-wide emphasis on Religion and the Human Spirit, Emory cultivates a religiously diverse faculty and student body and fosters a culture of inquiry about religions and their relationship to science, health, the arts, and social interaction. Those of us who center our lives in a particular faith tradition have rich opportunities to nurture and practice our beliefs with integrity. We do so, however, in a context that promotes understanding and engagement across religious differences. Emory is neither indifferent to nor embarrassed by religion. Rather, this institution recognizes its significance and seeks to ensure its positive contribution to society. Helping diverse faith traditions cooperate rather than collide has become an urgent need in this country and across the world, but very few universities allocate significant talent, money, and facilities to pursue this high calling.

The upcoming installation of the Dalai Lama as Presidential Distinguished Professor is the latest in a series of Emory’s commitments to build bridges across religions and disciplines. Faculty and staff here have collaborated with the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives to develop and implement science education curriculum as a vital element of Tibetan schooling. Other faculty demonstrated an unequivocal correlation between the practice of compassion meditation and the reduction of depression levels in students and paved the way for the formation of Emory’s Collaborative for Contemplative Studies. These and other benefits of comprehending various religious traditions and their impact can be bountiful for the academy, the community and the world.

The Dalai Lama stands among a remarkable group of leaders who inspire not only the faithful of their own tradition but those outside it, too. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and shares this honor with Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elie Weisel, and Shirin Ebadi. Deeply committed to drawing on the strengths of Tibetan and western civilization, the Dalai Lama will offer his unique contributions to Emory’s mission of teaching, research, and community engagement. His vision of education stresses the importance of cultivating both heart and mind.
Such a vision accords with the Wesleyan heritage of Emory University, founded in memory of Methodist minister John Emory and his commitment to “mold both character and intellect.” As one who seeks to educate faithful and creative leaders who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in a 21st century multi-religious world, I am grateful for the presence of Dalai Lama on campus. He embodies, as he has done throughout his life, calm in the face of crisis, patient endurance in the midst of agony, determination in meeting daunting challenges, and bold hope in circumstances of seeming doom. With humor and intelligence, he reminds us of the graceful gift of human possibility. For this I give thanks to God.

Dr. Jan Love is Dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

From the Editor: Why I love Christianity

2007-10-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

By Jim Nelson

The Dalai Lama gave a presentation on “Buddhist Teaching” during his visit to Emory University last month. As I sat and listened to him talk about the Four Noble Truths and the ultimate nature of the mind being pure light complete with the absence of pain and sorrow, I thought about why I am a Christian.I have always tried to be respectful of other people’s beliefs. We are all free, or at least should be free, to believe whatever we choose about the nature of God and our relationship with God and with others. I have the obligation to witness to my faith, but if someone else chooses to follow a different path, then I need to “knock the dust from my feet” and move on.

I even sometimes disagree with how some Christians witness to their faith, but I always try to understand them. I realize they are sincere and just trying to be faithful to how they understand the Word of God. Maybe some of us are right, maybe all of us are right, maybe none of us are right. We just have to be true to what we believe God is calling us to be.But back to Buddhism. I can understand the attraction of a religion that promises joy and happiness, and a path to eliminating pain and sorrow from our lives. However, as I listened to the Dalai Lama explain the levels of suffering and how we attain a different state of reality, I had the impression it is something we do alone or at least alone with God.It seems to me that most of the pain and suffering we have in life is caused by others. To be in the world, to love, to be vulnerable, means we will at some point be hurt or feel betrayed. We do not resolve that pain by retreating from the world and the need for others, but by turning it over to God and by forgiveness.

Whereas Buddhism seemed to be somewhat egocentric, Christianity is a communal religion. The basic definition of communion is that it is an act of sharing with others.The purpose of a local church is to be in community with one another. The primary reason people give for joining a particular congregation is the people. The congregation functions as a large dysfunctional family. And I mean that in a positive sense. All congregations have the equivalent of that weird uncle, the crazy cousin, and that older aunt who sips a little too much sherry on occasion. But, what they mainly have is a deep, abiding love for one another.

They argue with one another, yell at one another, get frustrated with one another. But when it really matters, when one of them is hurting the entire congregation gathers around and supports them. That is what makes a church a church. That is what separates us from the other religions in the world. There is a lot we can learn from other faiths. We can learn the importance of daily prayer from Muslims. We can learn about meditation and living simply from Buddhists. We can learn something from all faiths. But we can teach them a lot about community. We Christians are all of the family of Jesus Christ. We “bear one another’s burdens.” We “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” When you are in church this week, look around you and hear the words of Jesus, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mt 12:49-50)

Guest Columnist: One Little, Two Little, Three Little….

2007-10-13T18:46:00.001-07:00

Stacey L. Hanson

Counting heads? Have you ever wondered how many dollars are spent by United Methodists to count heads? In my church a dozen staff members and volunteers each spend a little more than an hour every Monday consolidating data from attendance pads, Sunday school rosters, UMY sign in sheets, and Bible study rolls. That info is then entered into our database which is maintained by one full time staff member. Towards the end of the year (right about now) the database is cajoled into spitting out various numbers for charge conference reports and end of the year reports which are printed and published locally and elsewhere.

If the dollar value of the costs for collecting, recording, reporting, and publishing weekly headcount information could be accurately estimated, I suspect we would be surprised. I was when I did so for my local church (12K+ annually). But the dollars spent shouldn’t be the biggest surprise to us. Relative to the cost, it’s the little value that all that head counting adds to our mission that should. That’s not to say that accountability and measuring successes are valueless exercises. They are in fact the first principles for moving a church from being good to being great as Jim Collins notes in his book “Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great.”

But it is to say, or rather to ask, “What does head counting truly measure?” Is it effectiveness, popularity, commitment, discipleship? Possibly, but more data would be needed to prove these. Absent that further data, headcounts simply measure participation: that is “showing up”. And I don’t suspect that merely showing up (even more and more showing up) will move a church from good to great. I think we need to measure something else all together – progress. Measuring an individual’s progress through stages of discipleship would, in my opinion, provide us a much better indicator of our success at making disciples. Our head counting would then tell us how many of our people have entered into stage one, how many have left stage one for stage two, stage two for three and so on. This of course would force us to come up with a common definition of discipleship, a common process for making disciples, and name common stages of progress in that process. But don’t worry, we’ve done it before. Remember the subtle shift in Luke’s language calling the twelve “disciples” prior to their commission (The Gospel According to Luke) and “apostles” thereafter (Acts of the Apostles). He was marking their progress in the process.

Remember that the hallmark doctrine of early Methodism was Entire Sanctification (Christian Perfection) which expected a believer to progress in personal and social holiness throughout a lifetime by cooperating with God’s grace and employing various “methods.” Progress in a process was the standard. Of course such a focused effort to re-defining our present standards would amount to a new model of local church discipleship. I’ll save that one for a future column. But for now, the above examples can both encourage us to consider the hard work of defining and naming stages in discipleship as well as suggest to us how we might do so. And, until we do all the money spent on head counting will count for very little.

The Rev. Stacey L. Hanson is the Associate Minister: GROW at the Roswell UMC.

Aging Well: Elder Care

2007-10-13T18:45:00.002-07:00

Robert Beckum

With medical science constantly extending life expectancy, baby boomers will be facing the important challenge of caring for elderly parents on a larger scale than any generation before them. The Family Caregiver Alliance estimates 22.5 million people are currently involved in elder care-giving in the United States alone. These numbers will more than double to some 50 million by 2020. There are few roles in life more rewarding or more stressful than caring for elderly parents.

Who are these caregivers?65% of elder caregivers are women.The average caregiver is 49 years old, married, and works outside of the home earning an annual income of $35,000.On average, these women spend a total of 12 years out of the workforce raising children and caring for an older relative.33% of these women decreased their work hours to care for an older loved one, 29% passed up a job or promotion because of elder care-giving demands, 16% had to quit their jobs and 13% retired early because of care-giving responsibilities.Most alarmingly, women who provide care for elderly loved ones are six times more likely than the general population to suffer symptoms of depression, anxiety and debilitating physical illness resulting from their care-giving activities.

While there are many personal and relational rewards in caring for our elders, care-giving is an extremely stressful and, from a health perspective, dangerous undertaking. Learning to care for oneself while caring for others will be the biggest challenge facing many baby boomers in the next twenty years. Ted Conover, writing for the New York Times Magazine, states the issue clearly: “The American dilemma, in the twenty-first century, is what to do about the hidden costs of longevity—-not just the economic ones, but the intimate, personal costs as well.”The truth of the matter is we need to be much more intentional about support systems and resources for elder caregivers in our culture. It is obvious family caregivers will play an expanding and increasingly important role in the care of senior adults for at least the next two generations.

One of the best resources I’ve found is a book entitled, Fourteen Friends’ Guide to Elder Caring (Broadway Books). Of course, I do not think reading a book will provide instant solutions to all the complicated challenges of elder care-giving. But this is not “just a book.” It is the sharing of personal journeys by elder caregivers that is both informative and inspiring. Fourteen women, friends since high school, share their struggles, joys and what they have learned as each cares for their elderly parents. It is written as an invitation to a fifteenth person, the reader, to join them on this care-giving journey. If you are in the role of caregiver for an elderly loved one, I can’t urge you strongly enough to buy a copy and share the journey with them. I believe it will be the best investment in self care you can make.

Rev. Robert Beckum Vice President of Church Relations and Development Magnolia Manor.

From the Bishop: Humble Place: How you can help

2007-10-13T18:45:00.001-07:00

B. Michael Watson

The recent Wesleyan Christian Advocate article about our South Georgia/East Africa Partnership and the Humble United Methodist School in Uganda has caused several readers and churches to ask me to tell them again how they can help with this remarkable opportunity to be in Christian mission to the precious children in East Africa. I am happy to share this information with as many as are interested in joining this effort to make disciples of Jesus Christ as we minister to highly vulnerable children and battle the killer diseases of poverty such as HIV/Aids and malaria.

It is so easy to do a lot of good. By contributing through your local church to one of three South Georgia Conference Advance Special Mission Funds, you can literally make a world of difference in the lives of some of the poorest children in the world. A gift of $1,500.00 will feed, clothe, house, educate and medicate one child for one year. Humble Place, which is what we affectionately call the Humble United Methodist School, Church, Clinic, and related ministries, is currently seeking the funds to provide this kind of total care for over 200 children. Every gift of any amount is a blessing in this holy cause.

There are three funds to which you can give. Each one has a separate Conference Advance Special Mission number. They are: Humble Place Program/Scholarship Fund # 1754, Humble Place Capital Fund # 1764, and the South Georgia/East Africa Partnership Fund # 1696. Each one of these funds is a vital part of this wonderful ministry. We need money for programs and scholarships, money for buildings and upkeep, and money for the support of the partnership between our two conferences which enables us to continue this mission ministry.Surely we have 200 individuals; Sunday School classes; mission committees; other groups of children; youth, or adults; or local churches who would make a commitment to fund at least one child for at least three years. What about you, or your group, or your church?Dear God, let it be.

Bishop Mike Watson serves the South Georgia Conference.

From the Editor: Why the Advocate Matters

2007-10-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

By Jim Nelson

“Hope isn’t believing that we can change things; hope is about believing that what we do matters.” Vaclav Havel, President, Czech Republic.As the editor of the Wesleyan Christian Advocate, I have a lot of hope because I know that what we do here matters. We have the privilege of writing the first draft of history. It is not just a cliché; it is the truth. Future generations of historians will view the stories we write as primary source documents. Those historians will cull through our archives in an effort to understand what happened, and to help their readers understand why the church is what it is in their day.

Without knowing what they are, we are preserving the signs and omens that future generations will focus on as the beginnings of the watershed events of their past. What those signs are can only be fully known, and fully appreciated, in hindsight. If we do not write them down, how will our descendents know what happened and why?As journalists, we do not have the proverbial seat at the table. We are not the creators of history. But we are allowed to stand directly behind the table: observing, documenting, and in some cases analyzing what happens. We record history.Often I wonder what those future historians will glean from what we write today. Is the church in a downward cycle of decay, soon to become extinct? Will they be trying to figure out what went wrong? Or, are we perhaps on the cusp of a new beginning, and are the signs we are writing about the beginnings of the next great revival? Which story that seems somewhat innocuous to us now will they see as the defining moment when everything began to change?

We know today that the division of Israel, which ultimately led to its demise began long before Solomon died, before Absalom revolted against his father David, before even David slept with Bathsheba and then had his friend Uriah killed to cover it up. It began in 2Samuel 11:1, “at the time when kings go off to war,” and David stayed home. An innocuous incident that sparked a chain reaction ending in catastrophe for the people of Israel. What are we doing or not doing today that will result in the survival, revival or demise of the church tomorrow?
My hope is that there are among the readers of the Advocate astute individuals who can spot trends, and take action to reverse negative ones and enhance positive ones. We all need to stay informed; to pay attention to what is happening, and to be able to react to a changing environment before it leaves us behind.The Good News is God will help us, but God will not do all the work for us. God gives us talents, but we have to use them. God opens doors, but we must walk through them. The Spirit will put ideas in our heads, but we must implement them.

The other hope I have is that God works through the Advocate, helping you and others to see what is happening, to discern trends, and to have the knowledge necessary to keep the church moving forward along the narrow path, toward the narrow gate.What we do matters. Help us keep the Advocate alive, and serving God. Continue to subscribe and encourage all of your friends and family to do the same. The person you get to subscribe may be the one that spots the trend that helps us all.