Dr. Burrows' Blog
New June 2009: See the current Church Newsletter for the most recent Pastor's Perspective.
"Leading Beyond the Walls" a Huge Success
Let me begin this perspective by saying that I am truly excited about the number of persons who came out and participated in the book review of Rev. Adam Hamilton’s book, Leading Beyond The Walls. I was also blessed by the number of people who read the book, even though your schedule would not allow your physical participation. During this two-day study and using Rev. Hamilton’s book, we were convicted to do a better job as a congregation in the areas of hospitality, membership intake and retention, financial accountability, serving in our area of giftedness and establishing church wide values and expectations for all members.
The book study was a first in a series of book studies with the pastor designed to empower, enlighten, energize and engage our members theologically and spiritually. The study also gives members a chance to continue visioning a preferred future for our church. Through these studies, members are able to see beyond what is. They can also eradicate the notion that systemic change is rarely attainable in downtown mainline congregations. Vigorous and stimulating dialogue and exchange takes place that allow members to grow; express their views and challenge the current condition of our church.
Unlike the “30 Families” gatherings where we are intentional about identifying our current congregational performance and where we would like to be in the next 10-15 years, the book studies gives our members a chance to be in dialogue with leading experts in various fields of congregational life. As we read and comment on the subject matter, we are able to see how many of the methods and programs identified within the text can benefit our congregation.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this process is the formulation of small group ministry within the life of our congregation that goes beyond social gatherings. It is the desire and prayer of the pastor that in time, these small group sessions will evolve into life transforming, DNA altering congregational growth. It is my desire that all members, especially our leaders get involved in these opportunities as we strive to maximize our potential and spiritual gifts to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in general and in Franklin County specifically.
God is now leading me to begin a process of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of our congregation based on the results of Transformational Surveys performed over the last two years. It is my hope and prayer that as we grow in our ability to maximize our potential and perfect our process for making disciples for Jesus Christ, we can systematically change the culture of our church to reflect a dynamic organism on fire for God.
More...Church of the Resurection and Ottawa FUMC
There is a certain buzz in the air and it has nothing to do with bees and honey. The buzz that you hear has everything to do with a pilot program that is in the development stage between the Church of the Resurrection (COR) and Ottawa First. Many members are getting excited about the possibility of what this can do for Ottawa First and also the potential for other United Methodist Church around the world. For the members who have not heard or need more information, I have included a excerpt of the email that I sent to Rev. Hamilton of COR regarding this possibility.
“It has been a long time since we talked at Jurisdictional Conference. Specifically, I approached you with a mentorship plan for church revitalization. The plan basics are to take churches who are ready to move to their next level of leadership, faithfulness, vitality and growth, and partner them with a mentoring congregation that will facilitate their next steps in faithful discipleship. I would like Resurrection Church and Ottawa First to be a prototype for our annual conference and our denomination in this effort.
While the decision of the denomination to establish new faith communities is critically necessary, I strongly believe that there should be continued and aggressive progress toward revitalization. As an adjunct faculty member at United Theological Seminary, Dayton Ohio, in the area of establishing new faith communities and redeveloping existing faith communities, my research has led me to a finding that I believe would excite you. My research has shown that revitalization historically has less than impressive long-term results because we have not selected the appropriate congregations to revitalize. Historically we have poured tremendous resources into congregations that are on the verge of death ignoring those congregations who have the necessary ingredients for moving to the next level. My research has also shown that the churches we typically ignore are ignored because of a faulty presupposition of their inherent strength without analyzing the detrimental effects of long-term dormant conditions. History reveals many congregations had tremendous “hey days” but now, are either barely keeping their doors open or have closed. Dormant congregations are dying as well, just at a much slower rate.
I believe we need to nurture congregations who are at a dormant state, like Ottawa First and other top 40 churches within our annual conference who have good worship attendance, sufficient financial resources, a viable plant and facilities, ongoing ministries and multi-media capabilities and assist them in reaching their next level of growth and vitality. We should not be satisfied with our congregations just maintaining even though they appear healthy. If we are not growing as local churches, ultimately we are dying.”
As you can see, there are no details regarding where we are headed. However, our goal is to grow our church beyond where we are utilizing many of the techniques outlined in Rev. Hamilton’s book, Leading Beyond the Walls. If nothing else, we need between 350 – 400 people in worship each week to FULLY provide ongoing upkeep and vital ministries for this community based on our current financial needs and giving record. Currently we are between 225 – 250. We know that many of you are giving the most you can give, and many of you have been giving sacrificially for a very long time. By increasing the number of people who give, will ease the burden by increasing the number of people who actually participate in meeting our financial needs. Please pray about this phenomenal opportunity of God and get excited about where God is taking us.
More...Collective Church Interest
One of the greatest misconceptions in many churches is that membership is equal to salvation or being saved. While many churchgoers are saved, being saved does not guarantee the quality of the church. Quality of life and the quality of the church is generally interpreted based on a personal commitment made by those who have a vested interest in and are willing to make great sacrifices to make their vested interest become a reality. Rarely do we interpret the quality of life in a church based on common interest and shared values; this creates an invisible void that systematically drains the life out of the church. Therefore, personal self-interest must give way to communal and collective interest in order for the church to remain effective and vital.
Frequently, persons will express great dissatisfaction with their church. Usually this dissatisfaction stems from a personal self-interest and a disconnect between their personal vision for the church and how the church actually functions. Dissatisfaction usually spells trouble for the local church causing a loss in momentum, reduced spiritual vitality, stagnant financial resources and most importantly, the absent of faithful members. When this occurs, a critical question to be raised among dissatisfied members is "Did You See Jesus." If not, maybe it's because you're coming to church for the wrong reason. Let’s not forget, self-interest is a powerful phenomenon in our lives. And when self-interest is unmet, it's easy to displace our frustration on events, persons and institutions, which in most cases, are not the underlying problem. Again, personal self-interest must give way to communal interest if the church is to reach its fullest potential and quality of life.
This is where leadership is essential. Effective church leaders should always model Jesus for the congregation. Leadership in the church is not about self-interest but about a collective understanding of leading the congregation toward a shared vision. When church leaders model a Jesus-like character, it makes it easier for others to "See Jesus." It is when leaders are not lead by love or by a Jesus-like spirit that individual self-interest will give way to selfishness causing chaos, disharmony and a lack of mutuality and trust. While none of us are perfect, all of us are called to be church leaders. Therefore, we must be willing to submit to the authority of the Lord and guided by God's spirit. We must be able to answer the question, "Do We See Jesus," with "Yes We Do." I hope you see Jesus in the lives of all our members, especially our leaders.
More...Count Your Blessings and Give Thanks
As we enter into this season of heartfelt love and joy, a multitude of issues and concerns that are global in nature confront us; war, the economy, recession leading to a possible depression, unprecedented job layoffs and an unstable and unpredictable world market causing stress, doubt and fear. In the midst of these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, as the church, we have a God who is greater than our circumstances. As we contemplate those issues that cause grief and fear, it is good to know that in spite how things look or seem, God has already blessed us and God will continue to bless us in the future. In times like these, we need to lean and depend on Christ our Savior, and we need to give thanks unto God for what we do have; after all, without God, things would be exponentially problematic. In times like these, we must confirm, “attitude is everything.” Well, it is no different when it comes to thanksgiving and giving thanks. The attitude we carry with us through life is of paramount importance if we are truly to live lives that demonstrate our gratitude towards God for God’s movement in our lives.
Perhaps you are not feeling too blessed during this season. Maybe you cannot see the gifts that God has given you. Maybe the pain of life has overwhelmed you to the point where you do not see anymore how blessed you truly are. Like so many people today, maybe you have been so blessed and favored, that even those blessings do not look very good anymore. How, then, can we overcome our mindset of apathy and move towards a true spirit of thanksgiving in a culture that teaches us to enter into the rat-race and compete for status with a world of un-thankful people.
I think we need to recognize the blessing of God in all of their many manifestations and give thanks to God even when it seems impossible to do so. We must make an effort to recognize the blessings we have systematically taken for granted. Next, we must focus on what we do have rather than on what we do not have, and see if it does not improve our attitude.
What else can we do? We can thankful that we do not already have everything we want. If we did, what would there be to look forward to? We can be thankful when we do not know something; this gives us the opportunity to learn. We can be thankful for the difficult times. During these times, we grow. We can be thankful for our limitations, because they give us opportunities for improvement. We can be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build strength and character. We can be thankful for our mistakes. They will teach us valuable lessons. Finally, we can be thankful when we are tired and weary, because it means we have made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things. However, a life of true fulfillment can come to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. As hard as it may be, we must find a way to be thankful for our troubles, and when we do, they can become our blessings.
As we look around us at the land of plenty that we live in, it is my prayer that we will see through new eyes each day the ways that God has blessed us and never take God or those blessings for granted. This year, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we each see God for who God really is and see ourselves for who we really are: People who have been blessed beyond measure and people who NEED to give thanks to the giver of every good and perfect gift. We have been given the bread of life, we know this bread and have had our only lasting hunger sated, may we now be truly thankful to God who deserves our thanksgiving!
More...Did You See Jesus?
The blessed event that introduced Jesus to the world and into our hearts and lives is now over. I hope we saw Jesus on that day. It was a most gracious time in salvation history, one that may have been the most significant Christmas in many of our lives. As we move beyond that blessed event, we must live our lives knowing that Jesus’ birth was not in vain, and because of Jesus, our lives are enhanced. Jesus was born in order that we all might be saved, for this is the will of God for all who call upon the name of Jesus.
As we live in recognition of God’s gift of Jesus, we must go and present Jesus to the world. We must make the Jesus event a Big Deal in a world that seems to have become numb when it comes to salvation and living a saved life. However, one of the greatest misconceptions in many churches is that membership is equal to salvation or being saved. While many churchgoers are saved, being saved does not guarantee the quality of life that being a Christian should afford. Quality of life as a Christian is born out of a desire to be a gift to others as Jesus is a gift to us. It is generally based on a personal commitment made by those who have a vested interest in Jesus Christ and are willing to make great sacrifices to make their vested interest a reality for others.
Now more than ever, persons will express great dissatisfaction with their church. Usually this dissatisfaction stems from a personal self-interest and a disconnection between their personal vision for the church and the Biblical basis for the church. The Biblical basis for the church is to meet the needs of the least of these and share in communal adoration and praise for what God is doing in our lives. Unmet dissatisfaction usually spells trouble for the local church causing a loss in momentum, spiritual vitality, financial resources and most importantly, members. When this occurs, a critical question to be raised among dissatisfied members is "Did You See Jesus." We must always come to the church looking for Jesus, just as people look for gifts under a Christmas tree. When our self-interest for the church is consumed in finding and seeing Jesus, our sense of dissatisfaction will slowly dissipate. Lets not forget, self-interest is a powerful phenomenon in our lives. And when self-interest is unmet, it's easy to displace our frustration on events, persons and institutions that in most cases are not the underlying problem.
This is where knowing the reason for the church is essential. Vested members in the church should always model Jesus for the congregation. Membership in the church is not about self-interest but about a collective understanding of being the church for the community and the world. When church members model a Jesus-like character, it makes it easier for others to "See Jesus." It is when members are led by love and by a Jesus-like spirit that individual self-interest will give way to being more like Jesus and serving others. While none of us is perfect, all of us are called to be faithful. Therefore, we must be willing to submit to the authority of the Lord and guided by God's spirit. We must be able to answer the question, "Do We See Jesus," with "Yes We Do."
More...Faith In Action
An article from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society dated March 9, 2009 featured a West Virginia UMC congregation taking on the challenge of putting their faith in action. Faith in Action is a national program where congregations are compelled to take Jesus to the streets and be highly visible in their community doing what Jesus would do in this the 21
st century. For more information about Faith in Action please see this website
http://www.putyourfaithinaction.org/.
The church participants, over 100 strong took to the streets providing services in over 22 different work projects that too approximately 1 and ½ days to complete. The task was an intergenerational effort where the members of the church wore tee shirts saying, “Don’t Go to Church, Be the Church.
I’m excited about the possibility of what a local congregation of about 650 members is doing in a West Virginia town of approximately 19, 000 people. Here’s the point, we have a great opportunity to be the church for the residents of Ottawa and the greater Franklin County area. Think about it, very few churches are highly visible in the community, we can be among the first to reach out and get something contagious started for the Lord as w put our faith in action.
Reaching, Teaching and Sending,
Dr. F. D. Burrows, Sr.
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More...Healing and Curing: There is a Difference
For the last year or so, as a congregation, we have experienced the loss of members due to death. Whether expected after a long and pronounced illness, sudden and unexpected or because of a disease that was discovered diagnosed and deemed untreatable leading to a rapid decline that ultimately ended in death; death did occur. During these times, members sought the Lord in prayer for healing and a possible cure to their loved one’s condition. I write this perspective to help explain the difference between healing and curing. I write in order to assist those who are finding it difficult to deal with perceived unanswered prayer that led to the loss of their loved one.
“To cure,” means to restore to health, soundness, or normality. It means to correct a harmful or troublesome situation, to bring about recovery, or to rectify. On the other hand, healing is a quite different phenomenon. It too has multiple definitions, which include making sound or whole, to restore to health, to restore to a sound or normal state, and to mend. Both healing and curing means restoration to health, but the definition of healing mentions "making whole," this is not a feature of curing. Curing busies itself with situations or bits that have gone wrong, while healing seems to concentrate on the "wholeness". When we restore something to a sound or normal state, we do not necessarily have to restore it to its original state. This was the meaning behind the prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter’s pronouncement that “By the wounds of Jesus, we are made whole.” In other words, through the work of Jesus in our lives, we are whole; enabling us to be brought back in right relationship with God. It means we are able to have eternal life with the Lord in a place of perfection, free from sin.
Too often, we mistake the work cure for healing and often we use them interchangeably. During defining moments in our loved ones lives, we don’t take the time to be grammatically or even spiritually correct in our attempt to connect with God who can do anything but fail. Nevertheless, we must remember, God’s will for our lives actually happens, even when we do not understand it. With God, our loved ones receive a cure and healing at the same time, provided we are able to transcend our carnality and see them as God sees them in the spiritual realm.
Healing therefore can take place in spite of illness or even death. In fact, before we leave this earthly life we will have to heal to some degree because in the spiritual realm, there is no discomfort and no pain. All is well, after we have passed on. Suffering has finished, and life is fine now, everything is "whole" again. Our greatest challenge is not to confuse our desire to keep our loved ones with us at the expense of God’s plan for their lives.
More...HELP
In the 18th Chapter of the Old Testament Book of Exodus, Jethro, the father-in-law to Moses comes to pay Moses a visit in an effort to provide some good fatherly advice. After observing the working habits and extensive level of responsibility that Moses shouldered in leading a captive people into a land of freedom, Jethro was compelled to speak up. Ultimately, Jethro advised Moses that what he was doing was wrong and if he continued on the path he was treading, he would wear himself out and the people as well. The Good News in this story is that Moses took the advice of Jethro and made some adjustments in his administrative leadership style that made a huge difference in his results and performance as a leader of God’s people.
In the case of Moses, there was no system of delegation of duty and there was no organizational chart to assist Moses in being effective; he just worked as hard as he could and did the best he could with what he had to work with. Many experts of today would say that Moses was “flying by the seat of his pants.” In those days, Moses did not realize that he could solicit help nor did he realize that the job of moving a captive people to a land of Promise was as difficult as it was. In fact, Moses probably assumed that the thought of freedom would be enough to mobilize the people to get to their promised destination. Little did Moses know that the people would meet strong resistance from one another, face the elements of nature and suffer from a lack of food and other resources for survival. All Moses was depending upon was for God to lead them with “A pillar of clouds by day and a pillar of fire by night.”
For us the story is a tad bit different. Yes, as the leader of the church, I do need help; however, the help I need is based on a preexisting ministry organizational plan; I need help from the leadership that is elected to serve us and I need cooperation from the members of the congregation who sit in the pew. Without you and your assistance, what we are doing is wrong and going to wear all of us out. Already many of you are suffering from burnout, and if we don’t begin to pull together toward a common goal and in a common direction, we will end up wandering around in the desert of our own inadequacy.
For the mean time, as we tweak our system to be more efficient, just know that I need your help. The most important aspect of your cooperation is this: If you are able to get out, yet need a pastoral visit; please don’t hesitate to come by the church and see me, I’d love to talk to you. If you can’t get out, please call Mary Lee McElfresh and set up a time that I can come to see you. All persons who are in the hospital or are experiencing a crisis, I will see you immediately and adjust my schedule accordingly.
We are in the midst of a great awakening and we are in the midst of an awesome movement of God concerning us. This means that we can’t afford to stop the positive momentum of moving forward. These are exciting times and we are making great progress in the name of Jesus. My prayer as we continue to receive the blessings from God for being faithful to the task of revitalization and wholeness as a congregation is for each of you to do your part in assisting me in meeting your individual needs.
More...Honoring Our Past, Anticipating Our Future
Jennie Wilson penned the words to the hymn, “Time Is Filled with Swift Transition.” The words say, “Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build you hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand. When your journey is completed, If to God you have been true, Fair and bright the home in glory, Your enraptured soul will view.”
Indeed, it seems that life is filled with swift transition. A number of issues and concerns face our nation, we are in a major recession, we are engaged in two national wars, India is under attack and pirates are ravaging the high seas like never before. It seems like only yesterday that all was going well and none of these problematic concerns was before us; the transition has been swift.
Our church is likewise experiencing what seems like swift transition also. We face multiple concerns that will not go away unless we take decisive action as a community of faith. Other concerns are manifesting themselves based on the age of some of our members. In times like these, it is good to know that we can hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Action toward our concerns must be inclusive of all members; young and old, both in age and tenure.
As we seek to address the growing needs of our church, it is imperative that we build our hopes on things eternal, enabling us to sustain ourselves for a future that is just on the horizon. We must be concerned for those among us that are aging gracefully and have a heart to serve but not the ability. We must be concerned for those who are new and are just learning how to care for God’s most precious earthly gift, the church. We must be concerned about the sacred space that we occupy, that we maximize our potential for its use as well as its upkeep.
As we enter 2009, we will make transitions that many may consider swift. Transition, modification, retrofitting, and renovating are words that signify change. Change is often a challenge to our comfort zones and our normative sensibilities. However, changes occur every day and often without our permission. Not so with us; we are hopeful that every member is interested in the church enough to come and let your voice be heard as we prepare for a future that is ours to enjoy if we prepare for it. Our history has been rich and we honor those on whose shoulders we have stood. We honor their work, sacrifice, dedication and zeal for this sacred space; however, we must prepare this place for a new era; a time that is foreign yet familiar to all of us.
To help us, we are looking to collaborate with the Church of the Resurrection and utilize their expertise and experience in church growth to assist us in forging a new trial for the future of our church and the benefit of our community. With their assistance, we hope this to be a pilot program for other congregations to replicate. It is my prayer that you join others and me in taking up this arduous God-sized task.
More...How Prepared Are You ?
Today is the beginning of Advent, a time of great expectation and meticulous preparation. It is a time that anticipates the coming of Christ afresh into our hearts and our lives. This is sacred time and should be used to critically reflect and analyze the nature of our faith, the quality of our witness and the intentionality of our actions. Advent symbolizes the depth of commitment and the intensity of our awareness and love for those who, within themselves embody the spirit of God. Therefore, Advent is not a holiday that comes and goes with the passing of time, rather, Advent is a process of growing from one year to the next in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
As we are blessed to experience Advent afresh each year, it should be marked by a noted increase in our spiritual maturity and our Biblical knowledge of God based on the 21st century world. God gives us Advent as a means of grace and a means of restoration. During this season, we are afforded time to pray, be penitent, and work at modifying our behavior to be more like the One who was, is, and is to come.
Advent is inclusive of four weeks leading to Christmas Day. Each week builds on the next in excitement and dedication. During this season, families should strive to come together as a collective sign of God’s communal grace. Friends and loved ones should gather together as a sign of the extended family and God’s desire that we are united as one, just as God and Jesus are one.
Critical to the season of Advent is the sincere need to sing and praise God for the gift of Jesus that never loses its power and relevance in our lives. We sing because the songs of the season touch our hearts and we praise because we are captivated by the consuming love of God.
Never should we take Advent as a time to commercialize the birth of Jesus as many do who celebrate Santa Claus and the counterfeit meaning of Christmas. When we look at this season theologically, we would realize that Advent is a time to gain and not a time to lose. It is a time to grow and not a time to regress. However, based on the commercialized notion of Christmas, more people over extend their credit, are made to feel guilty about purchasing gifts and have feelings of despair once the season is over. There is no sense of rejuvenation and revival of the spirit, and there is no appreciation for the greatest gift that has ever been given.
This year, I urge you to be prepared to receive Jesus Christ afresh into your heart. I urge you to take serious your relationship with God and make God a greater priority in your life. I urge you to spend less and give more. Give more love, give more service, give more joy and give more opportunities for people to forgive and be forgiven. You might be surprised at what you experience if you are prepared and willing to receive Christ into your heart this Advent season.
More...It's A Family Affair
Our theme for this year is “Focus on Family”, and as such we are striving to make a deliberate attempt to provide our families with the best possible resources to strengthen their Christian witness. As we continue seeking ways of making your family’s spiritual enrichment a success, we also welcome your input to this effort. After all, if we are to be the body of Christ and become a part of the larger Church, all of us must feel a sense of pride and ownership in who we are and where we live out our Christian faith.
Our Family Night Live activities are growing stronger each week and several new activities are being added to the line-up of what we are able to provide families when they attend. Because what we do is considered a Family Affair, we do not want to have fun and fulfillment without you. Therefore, if you are available on Wednesday nights, please feel free to join us for a good time in the Lord.
When it comes to worship, we continue to improve in our authentic attempt to evoke the presence of the Holy Spirit in our services. As we grow in our ability to trust one another and the Holy Spirit, exciting and miraculous things will reveal themselves to us. I do not know about you, but I feel a strong spirit of love and kinship permeating our congregation. We are quickly becoming a group of wounded healers who are determined to maintain spiritual integrity and a spirit of wholeness in all of our gatherings.
Our children and young people are becoming visible and I pray we continue to make them a major priority in all that we do. The children’s sermon and other opportunities for our children to participate in the worship service remind me of the Church of old when as a child, I looked forward to serving God in the sanctuary.
All in all, there is enough excitement around First United Methodist to start an epidemic that will spill out into the greater Franklin County area much like the spirit of Pentecost causing our church to grow like we have never seen or experienced.
It is my prayer that each of you feel the excitement and the love that is ours to share as we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
More...Looking Ahead to 2009
Just as quickly, as we entered 2008 it seems as if it is already gone and 2009 is pressing its way into our lives. What am I saying; for many of us, we have been on a roller coaster ride that seems to have gone out of control. You would not believe the number of members who are suffering from fatigue, burnout and sheer exhaustion. Neither would you believe the number of family relationships that have stretched to critical limits due to the complexities of schedule coordination and a lack of quality time as a basic family unit.
It would seem as if the more we do, the less we have, and in the end, our desire to get up and go, our excitement to take on new things and our ability to forge new frontiers seems to lose its competitive edge. This level of disappointment can reduce our capacity to dream dreams and have visions; it reduces hope and ultimately becomes the catalyst for fear. However, we know that God is not the author of fear and there is a viable solution to this pressing predicament.
God has placed upon my heart as spiritual leader of the church to move us to a place of rest and refreshment. During this season of refreshment, we would be required to build up our spiritual muscles, increase our ministry and mission endurance, realign our financial obligations, purge programs and ministries that have become ineffective and enjoy powerful and dynamic worship and fellowship on a weekly basis. During this season of refreshment, we would be intentional about reviving our spirits through church-wide revivals led by leading pastors across the country in addition to reshaping and recasting our congregational image throughout the Franklin County area. We would become intentional about radical hospitality and being a welcoming presence to the community.
This would also necessitate the cessation of spending that would be inconsistent with the vision and direction of our church during this season. Core Values would be determined, a plan for our future would be established. Intentional family ministries would continue to emerge while intergenerational ministries will find their way into each and every members heart.
Ultimately we would take all of 2009 to listen to the voice of God and allow God to convict our spirits, direct our hearts and energize our efforts into maximize our potential as the body of Christ. We will not pour the “baby out with the bathwater,” but we will avoid activities that will lead to member lethargy and burnout.
We have a great opportunity ahead of us as a congregation and I am up to the challenge of making our future as great as our past has been. I’m up to the challenge of recreating the level of excitement and passion for God and the church that existed in the early years of our history and I’m positive that many of you share my excitement. I invite you to join me on this journey of faith where together, we can do all things thought Christ who gives us strength and power.
Reaching, Teaching, and Sending,
Dr. F. D. Burrows, Sr.
More...Positive Progress
Many of you should be familiar with a phrase I use quite often, “God will provide our increase.” This phrase is based on years of experience in trusting God in the midst of insurmountable odds, situations and circumstances. I know that many of you have experienced this same movement of God. What an incredible feeling, to have God meet us at our wits end and provide us with more than we could ever ask or imagine. For those of you who have not experienced this encounter with God, it might be because you have not given God enough credit for who you are, what you have and how you got it. If we consider our progress in life a result of our own might and strength, we negate the opportunity to see God working for our benefit.
Today like never before, we are challenged to the core of our understanding. It seems that answers to complex issues and situations are beyond our ability to comprehend. We find ourselves second guessing routine sound decisions and we do not seem to be able to come to consensus regarding issues too common to our existence. When these moments come, we feel helpless and hopeless and we do not know where to turn. The good news for us on today is that if we look to the hills which cometh our help, we would recognize that our help comes from the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth.
As we look to the hills, we discover that God provides. The positive progress that many of us pray for, hope for and long for is still found in Jesus. Jesus is still the answer to all the world’s problems and Jesus is excited about helping us achieve God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. As a church, I know that many of you have been praying, hoping and longing for many positive things concerning our church. We want the best for God’s house and God’s people, yet sometimes, we do not know how to make it happen. Again, the good news is found in the reality that God provides our increase.
As we prepare to work with the Church of the Resurrection, we must be crystal clear about what our future as a congregation will look like at least 20 years from now. We must visualize the church, the people, the ministries and the lives that God will transform because of our faithfulness. We must work together to establish clear goals and standards that will ensure us good success long after our lives of active service is done. Now that is what I call positive progress. I invite you to join us in visioning a future for our church that exceeds our wildest imagination?
More...Serving the Lord Faithfully
One characteristic all healthy, growing churches have in common is a commitment to serving the Lord faithfully. Joshua told the Israelites, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." As individuals as well as a corporate body, we must be committed to serving the Lord with all of our hearts. Heartfelt service to God will require that we are deliberate, determined and demonstrative. First we must be deliberate. This means making conscious, reasoned decisions and purposeful, intentional choices. We must be deliberate in prayer for our families, our churches, our neighborhood, our communities and our nation. We must be deliberate about passing our faith on to our children. If they are to be the world changers of their generation, we must instill in them the faith that has made a difference in our lives.
Second, we must be determined. Being deliberate means making a conscious decision; being determined involves follow-through. The moment we make a conscious decision to serve the Lord, the enemy will go all out to distract and deter us. The devil fears nothing more than Christian people committed to prayer, spiritual disciplines, the Word of God and determined to serve God no matter what. We must be determined to love one another, lift up one another in prayer, encourage one another, and make ourselves accountable to one another.
Finally, we must be demonstrative. We must not be afraid to show our love for one another. If people outside the church see us who are in the church freely loving each other in godly love, they will be drawn to the church, because that kind of love is unknown in the non-believing world. We must be demonstrative in the way we stand up for what we believe and the way we put or faith into action. One common accusation that unbelievers make against the church is that it is full of hypocrites. While accusations will always be made against the church by misinformed people, we must endeavor to be genuine redemptive people. While there is no perfect church, we must nevertheless strive to be genuine.
And so, as we enter 2009, it is my prayer that we include a greater portion of God in our lives and everyday routines. It is my prayer that each of us find it within ourselves to be deliberate, determined and demonstrative regarding our own commitments to God and our church. There is tremendous excitement around Ottawa First. We are growing and we are experiencing fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. As we continue to realize that this is our time to do great things for God, we will attract more people who find themselves wanting to be a part of our movement. All of this will be made possible as we serve the Lord faithfully.
More...Something To Think About
It all happened so suddenly, so it seems, that a country as rich in resources as the United States could be standing on the verge of collapse. Acute and critical critique has been the clarion call to all who will listen and respond. Opinions under the guise of solutions have been birthed by persons who seemed to have only been born yesterday. The blame game is running rampant and we have somehow been caught up in the craze. The yarn of our sensibilities is unraveling as we move with expedited urgency toward a place we have never been before.
And then it happened. Somebody stumbled upon a book, a book of wisdom as old as time itself, a book that contained the formula, the recipe and the solution to the madness. And as the book was opened, a passage seemed to be lifted from the page. It said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is among us".
The one who stumbled upon the book found it to be stimulating and affirming; therefore, it was shared with others, even with those who were unknown. Over time, a great awakening occurred; a revelation of salvivic proportion illuminate within the hearts and minds of all who read the book. And as those who read the book began to align their lives by the instruction contained within its pages, slowly, ever so slowly, the madness began to stop.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He still is the answer to the world’s problems. We must read his word, follow his example and find new life in his care; and when this happens, the madness will stop. This is our blessed assurance in times like these.
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More...The Greatest Gift
Anticipation characterizes the Christmas season. The faster pace and distinctive trappings of the season remind us that something is about to happen; a festive holiday filled with excitement, wonder and love regardless of what is going on all around us. For children, the anticipation of waking up early to the joy of new toys, clothes and the enjoyment of gift getting will be a first priority for sure.
Adult have also find out "if they get what they had hoped to receive this Christmas." And yet, after all the pomp and circumstance come to an end, and the great mystery about what is in all the boxes has been solved, there is still a Gift that many of us will still not have opened.
Even though Jesus was born a very long time ago, we must still affirm that he lives on today and forever. This is what Christmas is really all about, we are to rise from our sleep and celebrate the birth of Christ as a gift that never stops giving.
In our worship we are to remember that God became flesh and dwelt among us, beginning with the birth in Bethlehem. We are to also affirm that the living reality of Christ is born in our hearts and lives as we have life. In a way, the Christ child is born over and over again as we walk through life striving to make heaven our home and seeking a closer relationship with God. Therefore, Christmas affirms for us facts that are true throughout the year: God's love and the salvation God provides for us in Jesus Christ.
But at the end of the day, when all the wrapping and boxes have been put in the trash, when all the food and drink have been consumed and all the guests and loved ones have gone their separate ways; for many of us there still remains one gift left unwrapped. And for many of us, unwrapping this gift is as frightening as opening a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If you are a true child of God, what are you waiting for, why won't you unwrap the gift of life? What is it going to take for you to recognize that none of the tangible gifts that you will receive, no matter how much love was put into them, can ever replace the greatest gift you will ever receive?
Go on, it won't bite. But if you dare to open it, I promise that it will give you unspeakable joy. You see, the greatest gift that you will ever receive is the gift of Jesus Christ. And as fast as you receive it, you've got to give it away so that others can come to know as you know, that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. I thank God for this indescribable gift in my life and I’ve been blessed to share this gift with each of you. Merry Christmas!
More...The Ideal Church
Over the last several weeks, members of the congregation have been voluntarily giving of their time to gather and talk about the future of our church under the banner of 30 Families. The fact that this is a volunteer group makes the work that we do exciting. Persons who attend this process are members of PPRC, Finance, Trustees, Evangelism, Witness, Leadership Development, Nurture & Outreach Ministries and members from the pew. In other words, members from every leadership area in the church are present and working with other families to dream of a church that is exciting, breath taking and spiritually health. We welcome you to come out and experience the excitement that is building each time we gather.
We do not make any decisions that are the responsibility of the church conference or the church council. However, when we identify improvements for the immediate benefit of our church and spiritual life together, we agree to get them done and we do it. This is what the church is intended to be, a committed group of Christian people having all things in common and working for the glory of God and the salvation of their souls.
When we gather, we dream, hope and pray for our church. We encourage each other, young and old to find strength in the possibility that we can have a church where all are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit while having the time of our lives in community together. We find energy in the endless possibilities of ministry opportunities and how our church can be a place for all people to find refuge in God.
Since we know that we are not perfect, we have challenged ourselves to recommit our lives to a level of faithfulness that assures the kind of church we are proud to call our own. It is our hope and desire that some of our passion and zeal will transfer to those of you who have a heart for God and a love for our church. We are confident that together we will build this church into a dynamic organism for the glory of God and have fun while doing it.
Some of the dreams and expectations for our ideal church include:
· Active youth
· Active people
· Small groups
· Spiritual Growth
· Community Outreach
· Jamming for Jesus (JAM)
· Food/Fellowship
· Mission/Immigration
· Church Affiliated Recreation
· Music Programs
· Friendly Warm, Inclusive Hospitality
· Outdoor Projects
· MONEY
· and being a Community Family
We are determined to come together with one mind living out our time together under common values and beliefs.
This entire year, we have agreed that our theme would be
“Focus on Family.” This is inclusive of individual families and the family of God that we affectionately call our
“Church Family” which includes all of our members as well as those who we expect to attract through our excitement.
More...We've Come This Far by Faith
Faith is one of the critical factors in developing a deeper relationship with the Lord, yet many of us have difficulty in increasing our faith life. We are able to recite, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" yet have difficulty moving beyond the "mustard seed" size faith. As a result, we are like cars that are in desperate need of a tune-up. In other words, we sputter along in life not realizing the full potential of whom God has called us to be, when all we need is a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives.
For many of us, we move along hoping and praying each moment that we are not required to put our faith into action. I wonder what would happen if all of us were required to show signs of our faith growing each day in order to stay alive. Well guess what, we are. In order for us to realize the maximum benefit in serving the Lord, we must constantly expand the limits of our faith. We must be willing to test our faith and take risks in the name of the Lord.
But for many of us, we have resigned ourselves to singing that old familiar song of the church "We've Come This Far by Faith." Therefore, we just move along life's highway singing our little hearts out:
“We've come this far by faith,
Leaning on the Lord,
Trusting in God’s Holy Word,
God’s never failed me yet.
Oh, can't turn around,
We've come this far by faith."
But then, there are those like some of the members of our congregation who, despite their circumstances have moved from singing to putting their faith in action on a daily basis. You know who they are, that's right, they're the ones denying themselves and are busy caring for sick relatives, caring for children in need, visiting the sick, supporting the caregivers, giving a word of encouragement and supporting their church family however possible.
When you think of faith, think of them and include them in your prayers because they have truly "come this far by faith." But not only them; we should also see ourselves coming this far by faith as well. We all need to be able to articulate how God has blessed us and how we respond to those blessings by being a blessing to others. And when we all do this as a church family, operating as the body of Christ; coming this far by faith will be a joyful refrain for all to sing.
More...What a Fellowship
I don’t know when, but somewhere between October 2008 and today a dramatic change has come over our Church. We seemed to have fallen in love all over again. There is a great sense of urgency in my soul as I watch with great anticipation the resurgence of God in the lives of our members. God is systematically becoming the center of our joy and the reason for our being. God is repairing the breach that has disconnected our connection. God is building bridges over which new and dissatisfied members are coming to the Lord. God is allowing us to laugh and enjoy the fellowship of one another. We are having fun and I’m having the time of my life working to build the best congregation that we can be.
Look around, children are running; they’re all over the place. Families are sitting together, worshipping together and taking communion together. Over 40 children participate in the Children’s Sermon with strong affirmation from proud parents and members. Young couples are getting to know each other and hanging out after worship. Older members are feeling confident that they’re leaving the church in capable hands and that the church has a future for generations to come.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace of mind leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus. This joy that we have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.
I welcome your comments.
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