Worship
Community
Mission

Spring 2010

Notes from Paul

paul

March 18
A Restoring Kind of Love

The beauty of one’s faith and belief system is seen in its ability to live itself out. We’ve all heard (and many have been a bit guilty) of the maxim “so heavenly-minded but no earthly good.” May that not be true of us. May this theme of “freedom” that we have been studying for the last several months demonstrate itself in good and practical ways.

It would be easy to simply conclude with the creed that we are free in Christ and leave it that. But that would neither be helpful to our lives nor be true to the Galatians letter we are studying.

What does freedom in Christ look like in our lives? The foundational quality of Christian freedom is love. This freedom (or to use the Apostle Paul’s language: the evidences of spiritual maturity) includes serving others in love (5:1-15). Another evidence of freedom and spiritual maturity (vv.16-26) is the manifestation of true spiritual virtues, the foundational one being love (“the fruit of the Spirit is love”).  

As the letter draws to a close, we are told that freedom in Christ or spiritual maturity deals with the issue of responding correctly to a fellow Christ-follower who sins. We are told what to do and how to do it (6:1-10).

If one of our fellow Christians gets caught up in sin, we aren’t supposed say “see, I told you all that freedom stuff is dangerous,” and throw the Law back at him. We aren’t even supposed to tell everyone we meet about this “unfortunate” moral fall. As spiritually mature people, we are supposed to “restore” them (e.g. pick them back up, help them fix their brokenness).  

How are we supposed to help and restore our sinning brother or sister? “Gently,” we are told, delicately, with meekness.  

Don’t we all truly long to be part of a fellowship like that? A community that celebrates its freedom in Christ and exhibits love, even to those who have spiritually fallen down.

Do you know anyone who has fallen and strayed a bit from Christ? Maybe that person is afraid the Body of Christ will slam them or add to their guilt. Why not surprise them? Why not exercise your freedom in Christ and show them a restoring kind of love. Now that would be real spiritual maturity.


March 25
Continuing to Embrace Tomorrow

“Embrace Tomorrow” has been The Chapel’s vision statement for two years running now. Its goals and initiatives have sustained us during our leadership transition and have provided a sense of God’s direction and directives as we look toward the future.

A key component—“New lives, New places”—was our way of describing God’s heart for new ones to embrace Christ and for him to receive authentic worship in new ways and cultures under The Chapel’s umbrella.

This Palm Sunday, we celebrate the exciting opening of a new worship venue at Green Campus. Resonate has been quite an experience in Akron with so many people of all different ages worshipping in a contemporary and intimate culture (if 300 people can be called intimate). So now in East End at 9:00am in Green, we are launching the new Resonate hour for those on that campus who desire such an experience and hope you’ll invite many guests as well.

Last Sunday, several of us were part of a “Town Hall” meeting at Valleyview Chapel. I was able to give a bit of our church-site vision and answer many questions of what it would like if Valleyview became a site in the Wadsworth area.

On invitation from the Valleyview leadership, The Chapel entered into a ministry relationship with them. As a staff and trustee board, we prayerfully sensed the Lord leading us to seriously investigate this as an opportunity to bring Christ and The Chapel’s influence to this significant part of Northeast Ohio. As we move toward a potential formal arrangement, enfolding Valleyview into The Chapel, a number of good questions arose regarding logistics, staffing, finances, and strategies.

There are various things on our website (the-chapel.org/valleyview) that can help explain some of the details of this endeavor. As a church we press on, prayerfully embracing tomorrow, longing to see new lives follow the Savior, and worshipping him in new Chapel places.


April 1
Yes, He is Risen!

From the Gospel writer we know as Luke, we read these words concerning the resurrection of Jesus and his initial appearance to a group of women: “But they (the apostles) did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” (Luke 24:11)

The risen Jesus first appeared on that Sunday morning to a group of his female followers. In their excitement and bewilderment, they announce to the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead. This is a notion that Christians today perhaps take for granted and one at which others increasingly balk (not unlike the apostles).

A couple of things come to mind this Easter as I observe Luke’s story. Firstly, let’s not be surprised when our friends don’t accept readily our belief in resurrection. Like you perhaps, I have recently been talking with a friend about my hope for our mortality—the resurrection of Christ. Though not belittled, it sort of gets categorized in the area of myth or spiritual nicety. Some modernists, of course, simply dismiss Jesus’ resurrection out of hand.

Patience—that’s what we need when speaking of this hope to others. Imagine how the women felt when they shared this extraordinary truth to Jesus’ apostles only to be rebuffed as nonsensical. Imagine that … the first skeptics were the Lord’s disciples. What can we learn? That belief in resurrection is not easy and sharing it must be accompanied by prayer. And let’s not forget the Holy Spirit, who must do a work in the hearts of those who hear the Gospel in order for it to be received with faith.

The other thing that Luke’s account reminds me of is the ring of believability in his story, for he mentions women first. The testimony of women in those days was not considered trustworthy (sorry ladies). Their word was simply not deemed credible. So, if Luke were making up a story about Jesus’ resurrection so as to persuade his unbelieving friends, he certainly wouldn’t mention that women were the first to witness this incredulous event. (Unless, of course it were embarrassingly true.)

On this Easter 2010, we may rest confidently that our greatest physical enemy—death—has been dealt a fatal blow. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a beautiful hope to embrace and share! A hard concept to believe, no doubt. A dangerous one to dismiss, please don’t. You may be surprised what you discover if you open yourself up to the possibility of an all-powerful God raising someone from the dead. And then to find out he did it because he loves you and hates the thought of you facing your mortality without hope! Think about it.

And Happy Easter. Or as the Christians have been saying for generations: He is risen. Indeed!


April 8
Tiger and Me

Rubberneckers—that’s what they are called. They gawk from the sanctuary of their cars as they slowly drive by the accident scene to get a better look and take in all the gory details. We get annoyed because this just adds to the traffic jam, slowing everything down even more. And yet c’mon, we all do it a bit, don’t we?

That’s sort of what the Tiger Woods saga became. A horrible wreck of lives and reputation and the public is doing a lot of rubbernecking—aren’t we?

Now, if from the car accident I begin thinking in terms of lessons: “I should always wear my seatbelt, and I’d better not text when I drive, and I must limit my talking on the phone, and speeding is really dangerous, and I hope they’re going to be alright.”

So it is with the Tiger Woods mess: “My personal disciplines and choices are huge and with major ramifications to many people; the consistency of my actions and parenting are vital to the growth of my children; trust is so easy to lose and hard to gain back, so I’d better be really careful; I am so grateful for the grace and redemption that Christ and Christianity offer; I hope they’re going to be alright.”

Let’s stop being rubberneckers and resolve to be life-learners for the benefit of everyone and the glory of Christ.

A few things—Chapel-wise:
• New lives, new places. I am grateful for the great start for our new Green venue: Resonate II. Many new worshipers in a fresh culture.
• The engagement with Valleyview Chapel is moving along quite well. They will be hearing a sermon series in May on our core values: Worship, Community, Mission. It won’t be long until the two congregations vote to make this relationship permanent. Stay tuned.
• Next Sunday we will be studying and celebrating the ordinance of baptism! Many who have recently put their trust in Christ will be giving a public display of this great picture of grace.

What a joy and privilege it is to be your pastor. Together with the entire staff, I am thankful for you and pray for you often.

 

April 15
A Different Story

Stories are in. Have you noticed? Nothing captures the attention like a story. You’re at a boring family get-together. Yawn … Until your favorite Uncle Carl tells an animated and funny story about locking his keys in the car.

The pastor is delivering a truth-filled, though a bit of a dry message. And then he breaks into a story about a heroic survivor of the Haitian tragedy. Later he shows a clip from the movie Up. You’ve reengaged.

God loves to tell stories. He longs to communicate with us and have us understand his love and even himself—as best we can.

The rainbow is a picture of God’s grace and his promise to not judge the world again by water. The parables were stories that Jesus told to make the mysterious accessible and the spiritual concrete.

Sunday we celebrate the rite of baptism. An “ordinance” that God designed to tell a picture story. Baptism tells the story of the “death” of the old me before Christ. The immersion into the water identifies me with Jesus’ death and the coming out of the water with his resurrection.

You may even say that the water of baptism pictures the Lord washing my sins away.
To many, the Christian faith and church seems to be an outdated, unattractive religion full of rules and dogma. Let’s set the record straight by telling a different story. A loving, unselfish story that we tell with our lives.

 

April 22
A Ten-Letter Word ...

… meaning “nobility of mind, magnanimity of life, a deliberate willingness to give or share unselfishly that comes from the Old French, ‘of noble birth.’”

What is a quality that is a dominant attribute of God? It has been seen repeatedly from the beginning of creation. It is a very important, albeit rare, human quality. A character quality, very difficult to instill in small children.

What is a personality trait we find very attractive and refreshing in others (from family members to employers)? A key characteristic, essential for the spiritual health of The Chapel's body enabling us to serve Christ and love people more effectively.

Maybe by now you’ve guessed the word. Generosity: the word breathes with life and open-handedness and Christ-likeness. Generosity: the disposition of a Christ-follower’s life—my heart, my mind, my actions—bent toward benefitting others for the sake of God’s kingdom. This generosity is spurred on by the great generosity of our God, who gave us his Son (how will he not also give us all things?) and the abundant new life. And so, as an act of worship and obedience, the believer shares of his resources (time, money, influence, knowledge etc.) for the sake of others and the glory of Christ.

As followers of Christ, we come to know that our life is for others. That’s the way God is. He generously gives himself and gives away everything. When I try to hold on to myself, to live for myself, I lose myself, my life, my joy and the privilege of living the way God intended me to—with others, for others, generously.


April 29
Mammon

Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and money.” Instead of money, Jesus actually used the Aramaic term “mammon.”

Though not a “real” idol, mammon became personified so as to describe its alluring ability and our tendency to serve it, worship it even.

For us today, as well as for the folks in Jesus’ day, Mammon is the personification of the excessive adoration and devotion of money and wealth. Mammon is really the god of excess, the god of “more.” Mammon demands that its worshippers strive toward excess, that they exceed the limits of what is wise, what is godly. Frankly, what is enough?

And in so doing, Mammon has succeeded in keeping its subjects from being generous. For if my life is tied up in the pursuit of excess and more, I will have no time or margins to be generous, or to give generously to the things that really matter.

Did you know that the average American household credit card debt is $8,000? Think of all of the wise things that must be ignored because too much of one’s wealth and attention is given to Mammon and the interest payments he requires. No time to be generous. No ability to give generously to the Lord’s work at The Chapel or to that couple who have been called by God to serve elsewhere and have asked for your partnership. No means to go out on that date or buy that special thing for your loved one. The issue really becomes, who is in charge. Am I serving money, or am I using the money God gave me to accomplish godly, generous purposes?

Mammon is a demanding god. Let’s commit to saying “enough is enough”! Let’s commit to doing something about our bondage to debt and to the unwise pursuit and purchase of excess. We can help. The Chapel has a department equipped to help with financial counseling and wisdom. Give us a call.

Generosity is borne out of an encounter with the generous God who enlists us in his generous purposes. That encounter begins with a decision as to whom I will serve, God or money. Our Lord Christ is the only One worth pursuing for my money.


May 6
Generosity and Mothers

What’s a six-letter word that is practically synonymous with “generosity”? What are we celebrating all day on Sunday?

You got it—Mother. How appropriate to conclude “The Generous Life” on Mother’s Day! I don’t want to turn mom into an idol or pour exaggerated praise on her, but often our mothers have been the picture of generosity. In God’s design, the mother is intended (and even gifted) to be a model of generosity. Not only to be received but to be emulated by all of us.

The well-educated, highly motivated career woman scales back her ambitions just a bit to raise her little ones. That’s generosity!

Tomorrow, Sue and I pick up my mom from the airport. She has spent the last two months with my sister in Spain. She couldn’t be anywhere else but with her daughter as she encouraged her through chemotherapy treatments. That’s generosity!

Mary, the mother of our Lord, had to endure ridicule (you’re a virgin mother?), endangerment (the flight into Egypt) and horror (watching her son be crucified) all because she said “yes” to her God. That’s generosity!

So many women put aside their pain and loneliness of infertility as they watch their motherly counterparts be honored on this day. And they help celebrate them too. That’s generosity!

Single moms. 24/7 moms. Doing the job of two. Without the fatherly piece of the puzzle, they forge ahead doing their best by God’s grace. Doing it alone, yet doing it with all their heart. That’s generosity!

The Lord Jesus, frustrated at his children’s ignoring his love and rebelling at his leadership said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I tried to gather you together as a mother hen does her chicks but you would not respond.” Our Lord, like a patient mother, lovingly showing us the best way. And still waits when we say no and go our own way.

As we honor mothers and think again of generosity, may the Lord compel us to respond to his patient and generous call, to receive his Son and live the way we were intended to.

Generosity is borne from an encounter with the generous God who enlists us in his generous purposes.


May 13
All for Him!

So, here's the week at The Chapel: Lots of life, lots of activities, lots of biblical application, lots of Christ.

On Tuesday, May 11, over 700 homeless and nearly homeless people came to the Akron Campus to take advantage of Project Homeless Connect. From food, to dentistry, to haircuts, to lots more helps, we saw so many folks helped and so many Chapel volunteers assist in supplying tangible love. In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. (Matt. 25:40)

A vital meeting of Chapel leadership and Valleyview leadership, as we discussed issues and details regarding the potential marriage of our two churches. The great potential for the kingdom of God and for Christ's impact in the greater Wadsworth area has to outweigh some of the risks and discomfort that this "enfoldment" may bring. Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Matt. 16:18)

A dear member went home to be with the Lord—thankful for Jack Killion's faithfulness to Christ. A staff couple tied the knot—congratulations Jarrod and Molly! Pastor Steve got the best news possible—cancer-free! And our Care Pastor keeps right on caring. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. (Ps. 23:1)

We completed the Generous Life message series, reminded that generosity begins when we encounter our generous God who enlists us in his generous purposes. Not only money and offerings, we are called to be generous with our time and talents and treasures. It is required of a steward that he be found faithful. (1 Cor. 4:2)

The Chapel scattered—Mozambique, Tennessee, greater Summit County, the four corners. Serving Christ, giving cups of cold water and warm food, living and telling the Truth wherever we go. Go into all the world and make disciples. (Matt. 28:19)

Barely scratching the surface. But a sample of what the Lord is doing and what you, The Chapel's family, are doing in his name, in his world!


May 20
Camp...Changing Lives for Christ

Almost everyone has a camp story. They are not always stellar. As a 12 year old, I went to a camp in central Ohio. I guess it was the thing to do. My experiences were memorable, to say the least. I remember Mr. Vickers, he was slightly older than dirt. He was a real natural woodsman and lived on a steady diet of dandelions. My mates and I raided the girls' cabin—and got caught. I had to clean the latrines with a toothbrush. I'm not making this stuff up. Camp was memorable to me in an odd way. I don't blame the camp for my misadventures. I never went back.

Sara, my daughter, had quite a different camp experience. Different kid. Different camp. Camp Carl was her summer oasis every year growing up. Like a magpie, she would chatter endlessly after her week there. She would go on and on about the water sports and the horses and the new friends she made (sometimes financially-assisted kids—though she was unaware). And the spiritual depth she was gaining, not just her words, but her actions screamed of the presence of Christ.

May is the month at The Chapel that we emphasize Camp Carl. For summer sign ups, sure. But also to make requests to our church family to make generous gifts to Camp over and above general offerings. These special gifts help defray the operating costs and help fund our "camperships" to assist kids who want and need the Christ-centered experience and can'-t really afford it.

Thanks for considering a financial gift to Camp Carl. And thanks to the Lord who so abundantly and regularly uses Camp to change kids' lives for Christ, forever.

May 27
Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty

If I may, some pastoral thoughts as we watch the stock market stumble again and the economic recession hang on like a bad cold…

Several moods and issues are gripping many of us these days and are affecting our lives and families in big ways. Fear, or at least uneasiness, about the future is a predominant mood as I hear many people talk. That is so understandable. Fear and aloneness are a bad mix. The support and fellowship of others is always important, especially during times of extreme concern like today. We are the body of Christ. The Chapel is designed with our community groups so that we can love on, pray for, and communicate with each other in personal ways. Please know that and avail yourself.

Like an incessantly demanding boss, significant personal debt can become an all-encompassing preoccupation. Just a little ray of light or fresh air could go a long way to give hope and a sense of freedom. If we, the church, can help you with getting your financial house in order, please let us. Colleen and her staff are equipped to give hands-on practical advice and help. 

And here's another casualty about the days we live in: the sense of joy and a good, positive mood is so often missing from our demeanor and outlook. Many of us are becoming doomsayers or waiting for the other shoe to drop. A bit of perspective and Christ-centered hope and even personal fun may go a long way.

There's a line in the Psalms that has always intrigued me. It reminds me that our God allows difficulties and troubles in our lives; but that they purposefully yield a good fruit. It goes like this, "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6).

These days are hard. Harder for some than others. To simply grumbleor ignore them or get angry would be to miss God in them. May the Lord use these days to strengthen his church, to encourage his people, and to allow us to be a light of perspective and hope in an uncertain, troubled world. 

June 3
Soul Music

Do you have a favorite song? How about a style of music? If we polled everyone we know and everyone in church we would get a vast array of opinions and personal preferences. "I like classical." "I prefer hip-hop." "I'm a country-western fan!" And so on. As many tastes in music as there are moods in our lives.

And that is rather like the Psalms we will be studying together for a good part of the summer. Some Psalms are wonderfully jubilant declaring God's greatness and thanking him for his loving–kindness. While others sing the blues wondering why God is silent or where he went off to or why I was dealt such a bad hand.

They sound a lot like life, especially when we are being honest and admit that we don't have all the answers and that the spiritual life can be very hard and disappointing at times. And so like the psalm writers we try hard to line up what we believe about God with what we are actually experiencing right now. Begin to read the Psalms not just for knowledge but to acquire a relationship with the Lord who at times seems so near and and other times seems too busy to care about me.

Sunday we begin our “Summer in the Psalms” message series. Our prayer is that we will encounter our God and Savior Christ in the words and moods of the Psalms. That we may empathize with the feelings and experiences of the Psalm writers and that our trust in God will grow more real and honest as we soulfully mediate on their words, God's words.

Several challenges as we start the series:

  • Would you consider reading the entire Book of Psalms this summer with us? What a good spiritual discipline and resource for your heart and mind. We have created a reading list that will lead us through all 150 Psalms during the summer. You can download the reading schedule or pick up a hard copy at any welcome center.
  • "Be still and know that I am God," the Lord reminds us in the Psalms. An urgent call from our God to experience him in the quiet places that are so often missing in our world today. The challenge: Men, we will be having a retreat of silence this fall–September 10-11 and September 17- 18. Why not commit to one of those weekends? Why not reserve a spot for a friend or husband or dad?
  • "The Lord is my Shepherd …" Look for Jesus. As we experience life's high and lows, know that Jesus is our good shepherd leading us in life's experiences. We are never alone. As we integrate our lives with the words in the Psalms, it is Christ who encounters us there. Who empowers us to overcome temptation, who gives us the perspective to give thanks even when life is unfair, who receives our praise when we don't hold back and worship with all of our might!

It is Jesus whom we worship and whom we live for. It is for Jesus that we wrestle with the Psalms and allow them to inform our realities. It is Jesus who is both our shepherd and the Lamb of God who secures our forgiveness so beautifully sung about in the Psalms.

So here we go with “Summer in the Psalms.” May our hearts be united as we journey through these great biblical songs. And may the Lord use them to glorify his Son as we draw near to him.

June 10
Meditation and His Word

As we dive fully into summer and into the psalms messages, let me give a word on the art of meditation. I believe this is the key to some good summer reading. I like what J.I. Packer says, “Meditation is a lost art today. Christian people suffer grievously from their ignorance of this practice.” Let’s try it in the book of Psalms this summer.

So, how do I go about meditating on a psalm (or any other Scripture for that matter)? I have tried to follow this simple plan over the years and I’m sure it can help you as you strive to know God’s Word better. We’ll call it “Paul’s Four Rs of Meditation.”
• Choose a Psalm, read it out loud. You hear it better aloud.
• Reflect on it. Mull it over. Hear it as a word from God to your soul. Personalize it; let it nurture and challenge you.
• Respond to it. Turn the psalm into your own words to your Father. Thank him, praise him, ask him.
• Rest there. Just be there, absorb God’s promises and rest in his words and let them take root in your heart.

And I’d like to thank you for your faithfulness and generosity thus far and would ask that you would prayerfully consider an extra gift to The Chapel and Camp Carl. Pray, meditate, and do as the Lord leads. There are so many lives that are touched by the ministries within the walls of the church as well as at camp and we are so grateful.  

June 17
Father's Day, Summer, and Beyond

On Father’s Day, I will think about my daughter and son-in-law and how much I love them, about my own dad and his impact on me, and about our heavenly Father whose model is unattainable and whose love is unquenchable.

A few summer thoughts before June gets away:
Kids, kids—everywhere are kids. Vacation Bible School at Green as well as Camp Straight Street. Our hope is to see many children laughing and having fun around the theme of super heroes (Batman and Robin to be exact) while interacting with Christ’s love for them. This fall we will be launching an entirely new security system for our Sunday morning Kids’ Ministry on both campuses. Thanks for being a church that so loves and prioritizes kids and desires to see more come through our doors.

New lives, new places. Our “Embrace Tomorrow” vision to reach many others for Christ extends beyond new children to new areas of Northeast Ohio. We will soon reach a decisive place of commitment in our relationship with Valleyview Chapel. In July, the congregation in Wadsworth will be voting to accept their leaders’ recommendation that they become a part of The Chapel. We then, as a church, will need to vote to officially enfold Valleyview as part of The Chapel. This has great potential!

Staying connected in prayer to our manifold “missions” this summer—young ones at Camp Carl, teens in South Africa and Toronto and stateside, college students in Haiti. In the fall, new pulpit-connected Home ABFs again (would you lead or be in one?) and men’s retreat of silence (would you reserve a space for dad?). In financial support—thanks for considering a generous response to our three-week summer emphasis.

As I prepare for my ministry/study leave to Italy, I need your help. I would like to end the summer with a message series entitled “You Asked For It.” As I am thinking and praying for you, I’d like to know what issues are on your heart. Personal spiritual issues, thorny theological issues, straightforward biblical issues. I want to know what they are. If you would email me at You Asked For It, I will collect them and summarize them into several sermons later in August.

How’s your Psalms reading going?

That’s all for now. Think nice things about your dad.