02 Oct Recommended Book: The Very Large Church

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
I have been meaning to post this for sometime. When I remember, I’m traveling and away from my computer, and when I am close, I forget. But anyhow, I read a book recently that I thought would be good to recommend to you. It is The Very Large Church, by Lyle E. Schaller. Now, when some of you come back down to earth, let me tell you why I recommend the book. It has nothing to do with large churches or small churches. Rather, it is one of the more excellent books I’ve read describing the culture we live in. The chapter “The Consequences of Consumerism” should be required reading for every pastor, staff, board chairman, commission chairman…in other words, anyone in leadership in your church.

Mr. Schaller has a very perceptive mind as it relates to understanding our culture and the church. I dare say that this book will answer some of the questions you’ve been asking for some time, regardless of the size of your church.

Anyway, this is one of those “for what its worth” entries. Let me know what you think when you read it. Oh yes, if you don’t want to purchase a copy, check it out of your local library. If they don’t have it on the shelf, I am sure they could get it for you. It will be worth your trouble.

30 Sep Mowing, Vision, and a Focused Eye

I’ve been a little tardy in posting to the blog. No excuse really, just busy. But we all could say that, couldn’t we? Well, I was thinking about writing this post this morning while I was mowing my lawn–or more precisely, while I was on my lawn tractor. Yes, I have a riding lawn mower. I really don’t need it with my present lawn, but I purchased it while I was in Ohio and had a bigger lawn to mow, and I kept it. You see, I was raised on a farm and somehow riding that lawn tractor around my lawn takes me back to many enjoyable hours riding the old Allis Chalmers W-D across our fields plowing, discing ground, planting, etc.

Anyway, this morning as I mowed I realized that I was using a skill taught to me long ago. It was how to drive a tractor across a field in a straight line. Today’s tractors have GPS, but back then, to drive in a straight line you would pick out a distant object in line with where you wanted to go–a tree, telephone post, building, etc.–and then drive while keeping your eye fixed on that object. It was amazing how well it worked. When you got to the end of the field and looked back, you would see that you had driven in a pretty straight line.
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29 Sep Laughter

I have been in a number of serious conversations over the past months. But last week I was told a joke that struck me at the right time in the right way and I had to laugh. And I laughed, and laughed and laughed. It felt so good. It was one of those deep belly laughs. You know the kind. You shake, get control, then think about it again and start the process all over. Other people nearby wondered what in the world had taken hold of me. It felt like the sun shining on a cloudy day, bringing light and warmth.

Scripture speaks about laughter. Sometimes it is associated with the drunken laughter of fools. But more importantly laughter is portrayed as the natural result of the joy of seeing the Lord work in powerful ways. He brought the captives back to Israel, and they were filled with laughter. He brought Job out of his troubles and he laughed. He made outlandish promises to Abraham and Sarah laughed thinking about it. God is not puritanical. He is the God who created and celebrates laughter.

Be clear: There is a time to laugh and a time to mourn. (Ecc. 3) So laughter must be appropriate. But we are made to laugh. When was the last time you laughed? Did you know that we who are a part of a congregation are to so obey and follow our church leaders that their work is a joy, bringing laughter? (Hebrews 13:17)

If you’ve been too serious lately, find something to laugh about. Something simple, pure and joyful. You will be amazed the effect it will have on you. It will make those around you wonder what got ahold of you.