How Powerful is God?
Have you ever asked that question? Of course you have. You probably haven't asked it in that exact way, unless maybe you're a skeptic and you're trying to stump a Christian who can't really conceive of how powerful "all-powerful" could possibly be.
Anyway, on my handy-dandy Google Reader is a great blog called "Stuff Christians Like" and today's post really hits a home run in the "How Powerful is God?" question.
We often get caught up when it seems like God couldn't possibly do what we're asking/needing Him to do. But what we're really doing is asking the question: is __________ more powerful than God?
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
How I Got into the UMC
I am going to make every effort to keep this to the point, but that may be impossible.
As you know, I grew up in a non-denominational Christian Church, and for the hard time I gave that church in my last post, I generally liked that denomination. Sometimes a little dogmatic on some issues, but neverthelesss, I liked it. When I was in college, I first attended a "non-denominational Christian" church for a while, but it was a long bike ride from campus. Then I went with a friend to a charismatic independent church plant, which got a little "crazy" for me, then I switched to a Presbyterian church that was near campus (I really enjoyed their contemporary service and there were a lot of other college students there). That was the church where Tara and I were married.
After we moved to Kentucky for seminary, we joined Southland Christian Church, where I eventually did an internship and was Ordained. As it turned out, once I graduated from seminary, it was going to be Tara's turn to do grad school, and she was looking toward Ohio State University (or, more specificially, THE Ohio State University). Incidentally, she wanted to go there for a certain professor in her field, and he turned out to be a Bozo, but her violin teacher, Michael Davis, was a true gem.
During my final year of seminary, my leadership professor, Tom Tumblin, called me into his office with a possibility for a job... in the Columbus, Ohio area, in a UMC.
Now, mind you, I never had any intention of joining the UMC. Though seminary at Asbury, I was one of the minority (non-UM students). Most of my friends were in the UMC, and I had to listen to their complaints about the system and their boards who would sometimes demand long trips home just to ask, "How are things? Fine? Great. See you next year."
But I took a course on John Wesley and I really began to appreciate him and the movement he began. I appreciated his take on the way of salvation (though I got several different descriptions of what it means to be "entirely sanctified" - including one professor who bragged that he had attained entire sanctification, but who treated people like dirt...).
Truth be known, many times during my first appointment, I prayed that God would "release" me from the UMC. I didn't like the "hoops" I was required to go through for them to recognize my credentials (the worst of which was an awful "Local Pastors' School"). I didn't like the "I won't ever change, so don't even suggest that I do" attitude (which is by no means singular to the UMC). Oh, and I've complained enough about the beaurocracy that I don't need to say anything further about that in this post.
Yet every time, I felt God was telling me to "wait" (yeah, I probably had made the tactical error of praying for patience). In fact, I also discerned that God was telling me that I had placed myself in the UM system, so obedience to the system (hoops) was something I also had to learn.
Doctrine has not been an issue for me with the UMC. I found that my upbringing had prepared me well for UM Doctrine. Partially, this has to do with the fact that Methodism is practical more than theoretical in its doctrine. There are some practices I have some issues with - itineracy, guaranteed appointment, top-down structure... but I agree with enough to overshadow these things.
I am going to make every effort to keep this to the point, but that may be impossible.
As you know, I grew up in a non-denominational Christian Church, and for the hard time I gave that church in my last post, I generally liked that denomination. Sometimes a little dogmatic on some issues, but neverthelesss, I liked it. When I was in college, I first attended a "non-denominational Christian" church for a while, but it was a long bike ride from campus. Then I went with a friend to a charismatic independent church plant, which got a little "crazy" for me, then I switched to a Presbyterian church that was near campus (I really enjoyed their contemporary service and there were a lot of other college students there). That was the church where Tara and I were married.
After we moved to Kentucky for seminary, we joined Southland Christian Church, where I eventually did an internship and was Ordained. As it turned out, once I graduated from seminary, it was going to be Tara's turn to do grad school, and she was looking toward Ohio State University (or, more specificially, THE Ohio State University). Incidentally, she wanted to go there for a certain professor in her field, and he turned out to be a Bozo, but her violin teacher, Michael Davis, was a true gem.
During my final year of seminary, my leadership professor, Tom Tumblin, called me into his office with a possibility for a job... in the Columbus, Ohio area, in a UMC.
Now, mind you, I never had any intention of joining the UMC. Though seminary at Asbury, I was one of the minority (non-UM students). Most of my friends were in the UMC, and I had to listen to their complaints about the system and their boards who would sometimes demand long trips home just to ask, "How are things? Fine? Great. See you next year."
But I took a course on John Wesley and I really began to appreciate him and the movement he began. I appreciated his take on the way of salvation (though I got several different descriptions of what it means to be "entirely sanctified" - including one professor who bragged that he had attained entire sanctification, but who treated people like dirt...).
Truth be known, many times during my first appointment, I prayed that God would "release" me from the UMC. I didn't like the "hoops" I was required to go through for them to recognize my credentials (the worst of which was an awful "Local Pastors' School"). I didn't like the "I won't ever change, so don't even suggest that I do" attitude (which is by no means singular to the UMC). Oh, and I've complained enough about the beaurocracy that I don't need to say anything further about that in this post.
Yet every time, I felt God was telling me to "wait" (yeah, I probably had made the tactical error of praying for patience). In fact, I also discerned that God was telling me that I had placed myself in the UM system, so obedience to the system (hoops) was something I also had to learn.
Doctrine has not been an issue for me with the UMC. I found that my upbringing had prepared me well for UM Doctrine. Partially, this has to do with the fact that Methodism is practical more than theoretical in its doctrine. There are some practices I have some issues with - itineracy, guaranteed appointment, top-down structure... but I agree with enough to overshadow these things.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Why Stick With the UMC?
A conveniently ;-) anonymous comment noted that I seem fulfilled by ministry but that I'm discontented by the beaurocracy of the denomination. From someone who knows me only from reading my blog, "Anonymous" pretty well hit the nail on the head.
I do get pretty frustrated with the beaurocracy (which I've typoed "beaurocrazy" twice already... Freudian slip maybe?). I get frustrated at a top-heavy denomination where it sometimes feelss like the "top" believes that the local churches exist to support them instead of the other way around. I get frustrated at Robert's Rules of Order. I get frustrated in listening to the same gripes, same petty fights, and same arguments every year at Annual Conference, arguments which accomplish nothing (except raising the collective blood pressure of the attendees).
I get frustrated when pastors (or churches, or church employees, for that matter) complain that they never get return phone calls from the beaurocracy - their complaints aren't the problem; the lack of response is.
So the big question is: why don't I leave for the "fairer pastures" of a more independent church?
That's a good question; and the short answer is that I believe that God called me into the United Methodist Church. There are certainly negatives in this denomination (some I've listed and others I'll let you come to your own conclusions on), but there are positives, and I believe that the West Ohio Conference has been working on the positives.
I like being connected. When I was growing up, the only time I ever felt connected was when I went to church camp. It seemed to me that we (in my local non-denominational church) possibly tolerated other churches of our same non-denomination but we certainly did not tolerate the abomination that was denominationalism. In fact, I had the distinct idea that if one was not in our particular slice of Christianity, they might indeed not be Christian. I like the spirit of cooperation inherent in the UMC. Communion, for example, is open to anyone, regardless of denominational background, if they "earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another." This seems a lot more healthy than the alternative.
The clergy connection has been "forced" in our district (if not in our Conference) in monthly meetings with the District Superintendent (now with the Assistant DS); we've had a great breakfast monthly where we get to know one another, support one another, pray for one another, find out what's going on ministerially, find out what's going on on the Conference level, etc.
The connection has also been "forced" through "cluster" meetings between clergy. Apparently some have been able to liberally interpret what a "cluster" is in their context, and my first foray into this arena was a little less than stellar, but over the past year I've found friendship, accountability, and encouragement through my group. It's been helpful to go to district or conference events and actually know people.
Another way I've experienced the connection is through a Bible study that happens at another UMC. One day almost three years ago, Pastor Greg R invited me to their "worship committee" meeting - which was really a Lectionary Bible study. Through that, Greg has become a very good friend, as has Ed W, a retired pastor (who has some beliefs that are quite different than my own).
I experienced some of the good through some of the beaurocracy in the "Supervised Years program" (otherwise known as "Probationary Period" - everyone likes to be "on Probation" don't they?). Though I first hated that process, I met some really neat people in it, and some of them have become my friends. I've often lamented how hard it is to make friends, and the connection has made it possible.
This post has gone long enough - I'll post at another time about how I ended up in the UMC.
A conveniently ;-) anonymous comment noted that I seem fulfilled by ministry but that I'm discontented by the beaurocracy of the denomination. From someone who knows me only from reading my blog, "Anonymous" pretty well hit the nail on the head.
I do get pretty frustrated with the beaurocracy (which I've typoed "beaurocrazy" twice already... Freudian slip maybe?). I get frustrated at a top-heavy denomination where it sometimes feelss like the "top" believes that the local churches exist to support them instead of the other way around. I get frustrated at Robert's Rules of Order. I get frustrated in listening to the same gripes, same petty fights, and same arguments every year at Annual Conference, arguments which accomplish nothing (except raising the collective blood pressure of the attendees).
I get frustrated when pastors (or churches, or church employees, for that matter) complain that they never get return phone calls from the beaurocracy - their complaints aren't the problem; the lack of response is.
So the big question is: why don't I leave for the "fairer pastures" of a more independent church?
That's a good question; and the short answer is that I believe that God called me into the United Methodist Church. There are certainly negatives in this denomination (some I've listed and others I'll let you come to your own conclusions on), but there are positives, and I believe that the West Ohio Conference has been working on the positives.
I like being connected. When I was growing up, the only time I ever felt connected was when I went to church camp. It seemed to me that we (in my local non-denominational church) possibly tolerated other churches of our same non-denomination but we certainly did not tolerate the abomination that was denominationalism. In fact, I had the distinct idea that if one was not in our particular slice of Christianity, they might indeed not be Christian. I like the spirit of cooperation inherent in the UMC. Communion, for example, is open to anyone, regardless of denominational background, if they "earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another." This seems a lot more healthy than the alternative.
The clergy connection has been "forced" in our district (if not in our Conference) in monthly meetings with the District Superintendent (now with the Assistant DS); we've had a great breakfast monthly where we get to know one another, support one another, pray for one another, find out what's going on ministerially, find out what's going on on the Conference level, etc.
The connection has also been "forced" through "cluster" meetings between clergy. Apparently some have been able to liberally interpret what a "cluster" is in their context, and my first foray into this arena was a little less than stellar, but over the past year I've found friendship, accountability, and encouragement through my group. It's been helpful to go to district or conference events and actually know people.
Another way I've experienced the connection is through a Bible study that happens at another UMC. One day almost three years ago, Pastor Greg R invited me to their "worship committee" meeting - which was really a Lectionary Bible study. Through that, Greg has become a very good friend, as has Ed W, a retired pastor (who has some beliefs that are quite different than my own).
I experienced some of the good through some of the beaurocracy in the "Supervised Years program" (otherwise known as "Probationary Period" - everyone likes to be "on Probation" don't they?). Though I first hated that process, I met some really neat people in it, and some of them have become my friends. I've often lamented how hard it is to make friends, and the connection has made it possible.
This post has gone long enough - I'll post at another time about how I ended up in the UMC.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
...But I don't even listen to the lyrics...
I am still in the process of converting my cassette tapes to digital format, and this afternoon I had a realization. The Boston song "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" which I always thought was a rather sweet (though heathen) love song is really about a freaky stalker.
And I still don't know what to believe about the R.E.M. song my brother convinced me was about circumcision.
I am still in the process of converting my cassette tapes to digital format, and this afternoon I had a realization. The Boston song "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" which I always thought was a rather sweet (though heathen) love song is really about a freaky stalker.
And I still don't know what to believe about the R.E.M. song my brother convinced me was about circumcision.
Friday, February 22, 2008
What is Your Spiritual Type?
Click on the title above to take your spiritual type test. My results are as follows:
You are a Lover, a feeling type, whose spirituality comes primarily from the heart or emotions. You value freedom, independence, and spontaneity. Along with your gift of enthusiasm, you show us how to have fun and appreciate beauty. More than any other type, you know how to experience joy. This puts you in a unique position to experience God in the moment, to revel in what is happening around you, and to be in the present tense.
To Lovers, God is a nurturing parent. Prayer for you is often extemporaneous, speaking to God about what is on your heart at the moment. Music moves you deeply; so does heartfelt preaching and worship. You believe that real faith must be shared. Consequently, many Lovers are interested in missions or in spreading the Gospel through the media. You are passionate about holy living.
On the other hand, a Lover's impulsive behavior can get you in trouble. You sometimes focus on satisfying immediate desires to the detriment of investing in longer term needs. You have been known to exude a "holier-than-thou" attitude toward other spiritual types. That does not endear you to us. Guard against thinking that to be right everyone else must share a spiritual experience similar to yours. You also may need permission to acknowledge anger, disappointment, sadness, and doubt, and to allow yourself to be less than ideal.
Learn about other types: Sage Prophet Lover Mystic
Famous Lovers:
Snoopy Aunt Bee Alanis Morissette Billy Graham Julia Butterfly Hill Andrea Bochelli Joey Tribbiani His Holiness, The Dalai Lama Mary Magdelene Captain Kirk
Click on the title above to take your spiritual type test. My results are as follows:
You are a Lover, a feeling type, whose spirituality comes primarily from the heart or emotions. You value freedom, independence, and spontaneity. Along with your gift of enthusiasm, you show us how to have fun and appreciate beauty. More than any other type, you know how to experience joy. This puts you in a unique position to experience God in the moment, to revel in what is happening around you, and to be in the present tense.
To Lovers, God is a nurturing parent. Prayer for you is often extemporaneous, speaking to God about what is on your heart at the moment. Music moves you deeply; so does heartfelt preaching and worship. You believe that real faith must be shared. Consequently, many Lovers are interested in missions or in spreading the Gospel through the media. You are passionate about holy living.
On the other hand, a Lover's impulsive behavior can get you in trouble. You sometimes focus on satisfying immediate desires to the detriment of investing in longer term needs. You have been known to exude a "holier-than-thou" attitude toward other spiritual types. That does not endear you to us. Guard against thinking that to be right everyone else must share a spiritual experience similar to yours. You also may need permission to acknowledge anger, disappointment, sadness, and doubt, and to allow yourself to be less than ideal.
Learn about other types: Sage Prophet Lover Mystic
Famous Lovers:
Snoopy Aunt Bee Alanis Morissette Billy Graham Julia Butterfly Hill Andrea Bochelli Joey Tribbiani His Holiness, The Dalai Lama Mary Magdelene Captain Kirk
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Small Church Manifesto
This week (through Rev. Dulce's blog) I read this offering from dailypress.com:
Pastor Offers Up a Small-Church Manifesto.
I just had to respond.
Enough already, indeed.
1. Is it your goal to be mentioned by the media or discussed in religious circles? If it is, then do something newsworthy. Don't just sit on your hands and whine that you're not mentioned. Either do something noteworthy, or enjoy your place in the Kingdom. Someone famous once said "The last shall be first and the first shall be last..."
This week (through Rev. Dulce's blog) I read this offering from dailypress.com:
Pastor Offers Up a Small-Church Manifesto.
I just had to respond.
Enough already, indeed.
1. Is it your goal to be mentioned by the media or discussed in religious circles? If it is, then do something newsworthy. Don't just sit on your hands and whine that you're not mentioned. Either do something noteworthy, or enjoy your place in the Kingdom. Someone famous once said "The last shall be first and the first shall be last..."
2. Is someone out there claiming that "small churches aren't church?" If so, they're not claiming it loudly enough, because I've never heard it. In fact, here in West Ohio, I've heard something that sounds like, "We recognize that lots of our small churches are struggling, so we are working hard to help them make (or continue making) disciples for Jesus Christ.
3. You won't buy any materials from big churches. Fine. But you do realize that these "big churches" are making their materials available simply because they have found something that works and they want to share it with other churches. And if you listen to the pastors (who you so flippantly brush off), they'll tell you that you have to fit their material to your own situation. Yes, it takes work. It's not simply one-size fits all. So anyway, if you aren't buying anything developed by a big church, whose stuff are you using? Are you developing your own? I'm sure that doesn't cut into the time you're spending with your flock, now is it?
4. So your sanctuary "isn't suited for 'today's contemporary worship services'" is it? Suddenly you're also the expert in what "today's contemporary worship service" looks like?! Guess what: it looks different everywhere. And not every "contemporary worship service" involves jumping around. In fact, much of it is quiet and allows a time and place to meditate and commune with God. Which can be done in a pew. (Not taking into account that pews aren't comfortable, they don't allow multiple-use of the space, and they often promote a performer/audience worship style that frankly I'm not comfortable with).
5. Who ever claimed the inferiority of pastors who haven't led trips to the Holy Land or to AIDS-ravaged Africa (I can only suppose you, like many other jealous types, are taking your potshots at Rick Warren here - at least if you're going to call him out, don't be a chicken - go ahead and call him by name), or use a lapel mic or wear casual clothing and preach from a stool?
For many, a trip to the Holy Land has been an eye-opening trip that has enhanced and awakened a spiritual life. I've never been, so I can't say first hand. I'm glad that there are some who have the gifts to help them plan such trips, because I don't, and many people have profited spiritually because of such trips.
As for AIDS-ravaged villages, what are you doing about them? Or is it "someone else's" problem? Thank God for Rick and Kay Warren and what they are doing about AIDS in Africa (and a whole lot more). Thank God for Michael Slaughter and Ginghamsburg Church's Sudan Project. It's easy to grumble that "they have money so they can do these things" and then sit and do nothing. When we do that, Satan wins.
As for lapel mics, I've found that they aren't that hard to figure out. And ask the congregation I serve; my delivery has improved greatly since I got one. If you can't figure it out, find someone who can. Chances are, anyone under the age of 35 will be able to figure it out. If you don't have anyone in your congregation that fits that description, well then, we've found your new mission field haven't we?
6. It's plain to see that you don't like video clips. Guess what: Jesus used the media of his day to tell stories. I guess he wasn't "preaching" but was leading a "story telling festival" then. We learn different ways. Simply hearing is one of the least effective means of getting someone to retain information. Seeing is more effective (and doing is more effective still).
7. I have to quote this one. "We will no longer use any statistics produced by religious research groups that are paid for by our denominational contributions and then used to predict our extinction." So, how do you evaluate your effectiveness? Do you have a better means than the research groups? Do tell, so that the rest of us can use these tools as well. And what do you tell the churches who have closed, whose "extinction" might have been prevented had they followed the plans set forth by "religious research groups"?
8. Is it a problem that large churches require large means of transportation? You'd be screaming louder if you went to a conference and couldn't park anywhere because every member of that large church contengent drove themselves. As for the Krispy Kreme comment, maybe they are actually watching what they put into their bodies (I don't have any room to talk on this point, because although I work out and burn it all off, I pretty much eat whatever I want).
And what brings you to the conclusion that large churches travel in buses because their members are all strangers to one another? Shoddy logic here, my friend. Of course, there are many people in large churches, and the chances of knowing everyone are extremely slim, and perhaps they could get to know one another on a bus trip. But then again, that's why successful large churches have small groups. Every person doesn't have to know every other person.
9. I'm glad that you sent mosquito nets to Africa. Nobody should take anything away from your church (or any other church, small or large) who reaches out to strangers with their hard-earned funds. You've changed someone's life, and that's awesome. But realize that big numbers with big momentum can change the world! Many, many lives can be changed, and many, many people reached for Jesus Christ.
10. Have your leaders really "forgotten you?" Have you talked to your District Superintendent about this? And did your Bishop ever really get lost on the way to your church. Oh, I get it, you're talking rhetorically. And I bet most of your article is simply rhetoric. You could have said it better by simply saying this:
Small, traditional churches (and not simply mega-churches) are filling vital needs in disciple-making and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Wouldn't that have been less divisive than what you wrote? Are you that angry at large churches? Is it because you aren't pastoring in one of them? Do you consider your "over $50,000 (in 1980s money)" as well-spent, or do you feel you threw it away because now you are serving Jesus Christ in a small church?
11. You are certainly meeting a need (with regard to your prayer request time). By your use of statistics, you are meeting the need of 1/2 of the people who attend your church. 20 people. Are there any other needs outside the walls of your building? Are there people who need to know the saving love of Jesus Christ - perhaps some young people who have been burned by the church or have no church background whatsoever? Or maybe single moms? You get the picture. Who are you striving to reach?
Kokomo Indiana's Grace UMC whose web site I was looking at yesterday (in Pastor Chris's blog) posed the question: What group of people will we want to focus upon to develop/design ministry in order to reach for God through (our church) over the next ten years? I challenge you to ask the same in your congregation.
Perhaps the answer will surprise you (maybe not, who knows?). And just maybe someone else has done something along those lines - it might even be a mega-church whose materials might (gasp) help you.
I didn't set out to attack the author of this article so heavily, especially since I don't even know who she or he is (the name listed at the end of the article is only a last name, and it doesn't match up with the (clearly outdated) web site out there). Correction: I found the pastor's name on a history page - which helps me understand that the church's web site is at least 7 years out of date. However, when I read his "manifesto" I felt compelled to respond. Too many have allowed their "small church" status to cloud their eyes to the powerful things God is doing elsewhere... and to the powerful things that God could be doing through them.
The bottom line is that every church should be making disciples for Jesus Christ. We should all be seeing baptisms and people joining through confession of faith. We should all be reaching out to our communities and to the world with Jesus' love (in practical, tangible ways). All of us should be gathering in small groups to "do life together" and to study scripture. All of us who are UMC should be paying our full Apportionment. That's the bottom line. If you are, congratulations! But if you aren't, then don't complain and attack those who are.
Monday, January 21, 2008
More Thoughts on the Ordination Process
In his blog (Enter The Rainbow), Andy Bryan laid out some good thoughts on his personal journey to ordination in the United Methodist Church. You can read his thoughts HERE.
This is my response.
I agree that neither seminary nor the candidacy process should be "dumbed down" to "let people in" - ordained ministry is hard, and we do need good tools to do it.
The difficulty is that I don't necessarily think that seminaries or the candidacy process are doing the job. I learned a whole lot more about growing in a healthy church in the church I attended during seminary than in seminary itself. I learned a lot of Greek (not much Hebrew, I'm sorry to say) and I learned how to study the Bible and thus to write good biblical sermons. I learned about how to answer questions of theodicy. I learned "old hymns good, new music bad" from my worship professor. I learned all about John Wesley (and changed my attitude about the dude). I grew in my spiritual knowledge and relationship with the Lord.
But I didn't learn much about leadership.
I didn't learn how to deal with difficult people (though I was told people could be difficult).
I didn't learn how to empower people to do ministry (instead of simply receiving ministry).
I didn't learn how to be a change agent - in the church or in the community.
I didn't learn how to balance family and ministry (though at least I was told that this was necessary).
Much like Andy's testimony, I agree that "I wouldn't be who I am, nor could I do what I do without having been formed in the crucible of seminary." Don't misunderstand me in my "I didn't learn" list above - I learned TONS in seminary, and some of the learning has to be done with one's feet on ministry ground - it's practical learning, not simply theoretical.
I think the candidacy process is supposed to be like that. And maybe it was for Andy. It wasn't for me. Now, I learned to not only "take" the process, but to actually enjoy it. I loved my supervised years (probationers) group. The two elders who led this group loved us and we loved them and each other. It was a good sharing and growing time. They supported me through some tough stuff I went through in the church, and when I asked for a fourth year to complete the UM seminary courses that I hadn't done in my MDiv (for those who don't know me, I came in from another denomination and wasn't in the UMC until after I graduated from seminary), my group (including the facilitators) voluntarily chose to stick around for another year. And when things got screwed up after the 4th year, they told me they would stick it through with me for another year (as it turned out, they didn't need to, but they were certainly affirming in what could have been a really ugly situation).
My Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) interview team was fantastic. They (like I) showed up in 2006, only to find out that I couldn't be interviewed (because of what I mentioned in the previous paragraph about a screw up). They returned last year and I had a great interview with them; I felt like they were colleagues who wanted me to succeed, both in the interview and as a pastor. They asked hard questions because they really wanted to know how I would answer, not just to trip me up.
That said, besides Andy's story, I have not heard anyone else who has told me that they had "fantastic mentors." I have not heard of anyone else who has someone at the Conference Office reminding them what forms needed turned in by when. In fact, I've been told (by persons in the Conference Office and on the BOOM) that they purposely don't help out with that sort of thing just to test the probationer.
Andy said this:
Maybe this should be true, but unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the attitude of our Conference. The entire supervised years program seemed ordered toward discernment of calling.
One of the problems, as I see it, is that the process is often for the sake of the process. Much like the goal of attending public school seems to often be the attainment of a paper (diploma) that states that you completed public school (yes, I know, another rant for another time), is the goal of the process to state that someone completed the process?
I remember hearing our bishop tell the district clergy a few years ago that there was one pastor he didn't know how to deal with - this pastor had completed the entire process with no problems, but now (then) he was subtly destroying church after church, and he was guaranteed an appointment. Had the process helped him? nope.
As an associate pastor, I had conflict with the senior pastor who I worked with. Did I learn anything from seminary or from the candidacy process to help me work through that? Nope.
In my ministry, I've had to deal with a "generation gorge" that I nothing in seminary or the candidacy process ever prepared me for (or told me about) - in fact, unlike the "gorge" that the referenced article mentioned, it's more like a canyon, (not simply a Buster leading Boomers, but a Buster leading in a culture of Builders) - and the process (seminary and candidacy) ignored any such generational issues. In fact, in my supervised years group, only one other candidate was under 40. make that 50.
I have a whole lot more to say about this, but it's late and I'm t i r e d.
Good night...
In his blog (Enter The Rainbow), Andy Bryan laid out some good thoughts on his personal journey to ordination in the United Methodist Church. You can read his thoughts HERE.
This is my response.
I agree that neither seminary nor the candidacy process should be "dumbed down" to "let people in" - ordained ministry is hard, and we do need good tools to do it.
The difficulty is that I don't necessarily think that seminaries or the candidacy process are doing the job. I learned a whole lot more about growing in a healthy church in the church I attended during seminary than in seminary itself. I learned a lot of Greek (not much Hebrew, I'm sorry to say) and I learned how to study the Bible and thus to write good biblical sermons. I learned about how to answer questions of theodicy. I learned "old hymns good, new music bad" from my worship professor. I learned all about John Wesley (and changed my attitude about the dude). I grew in my spiritual knowledge and relationship with the Lord.
But I didn't learn much about leadership.
I didn't learn how to deal with difficult people (though I was told people could be difficult).
I didn't learn how to empower people to do ministry (instead of simply receiving ministry).
I didn't learn how to be a change agent - in the church or in the community.
I didn't learn how to balance family and ministry (though at least I was told that this was necessary).
Much like Andy's testimony, I agree that "I wouldn't be who I am, nor could I do what I do without having been formed in the crucible of seminary." Don't misunderstand me in my "I didn't learn" list above - I learned TONS in seminary, and some of the learning has to be done with one's feet on ministry ground - it's practical learning, not simply theoretical.
I think the candidacy process is supposed to be like that. And maybe it was for Andy. It wasn't for me. Now, I learned to not only "take" the process, but to actually enjoy it. I loved my supervised years (probationers) group. The two elders who led this group loved us and we loved them and each other. It was a good sharing and growing time. They supported me through some tough stuff I went through in the church, and when I asked for a fourth year to complete the UM seminary courses that I hadn't done in my MDiv (for those who don't know me, I came in from another denomination and wasn't in the UMC until after I graduated from seminary), my group (including the facilitators) voluntarily chose to stick around for another year. And when things got screwed up after the 4th year, they told me they would stick it through with me for another year (as it turned out, they didn't need to, but they were certainly affirming in what could have been a really ugly situation).
My Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) interview team was fantastic. They (like I) showed up in 2006, only to find out that I couldn't be interviewed (because of what I mentioned in the previous paragraph about a screw up). They returned last year and I had a great interview with them; I felt like they were colleagues who wanted me to succeed, both in the interview and as a pastor. They asked hard questions because they really wanted to know how I would answer, not just to trip me up.
That said, besides Andy's story, I have not heard anyone else who has told me that they had "fantastic mentors." I have not heard of anyone else who has someone at the Conference Office reminding them what forms needed turned in by when. In fact, I've been told (by persons in the Conference Office and on the BOOM) that they purposely don't help out with that sort of thing just to test the probationer.
Andy said this:
The candidacy process is not the place to discern your calling; it is where you
go in response to it.
Maybe this should be true, but unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the attitude of our Conference. The entire supervised years program seemed ordered toward discernment of calling.
One of the problems, as I see it, is that the process is often for the sake of the process. Much like the goal of attending public school seems to often be the attainment of a paper (diploma) that states that you completed public school (yes, I know, another rant for another time), is the goal of the process to state that someone completed the process?
I remember hearing our bishop tell the district clergy a few years ago that there was one pastor he didn't know how to deal with - this pastor had completed the entire process with no problems, but now (then) he was subtly destroying church after church, and he was guaranteed an appointment. Had the process helped him? nope.
As an associate pastor, I had conflict with the senior pastor who I worked with. Did I learn anything from seminary or from the candidacy process to help me work through that? Nope.
In my ministry, I've had to deal with a "generation gorge" that I nothing in seminary or the candidacy process ever prepared me for (or told me about) - in fact, unlike the "gorge" that the referenced article mentioned, it's more like a canyon, (not simply a Buster leading Boomers, but a Buster leading in a culture of Builders) - and the process (seminary and candidacy) ignored any such generational issues. In fact, in my supervised years group, only one other candidate was under 40. make that 50.
I have a whole lot more to say about this, but it's late and I'm t i r e d.
Good night...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
| You Belong in Dublin |
 Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town. |
I can't believe, of all places, that this thing thinks I should live in Dublin, Ohio. Oh, you mean there's another Dublin? Don't tell the residents of the Columbus suburb (or is Columbus a suburb of Dublin?)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Social Networking?
The phrase "social network site" has been bandied about over the past few years and I didn't really know what it meant. I do have a facebook page, but I'm still figuring out what that exactly is and what the draw is.
It hit me this evening when I was in the shower.
I remembered that way long ago, I belonged to a social networking site.
I visited it every day.
I had 1,419 friends there, some of whom I knew pretty well, others of whom I thought I knew pretty well, and still others whose faces I knew but who I didn't really know at all.
Most of the time I spent there was really wasted time, but there were some good times and I had some meaningful conversations.
There were all sorts of clubs and affiliations, some more meaningful than others, some requiring more than others, and some open to anyone.
That "social networking site" was called high school.
The phrase "social network site" has been bandied about over the past few years and I didn't really know what it meant. I do have a facebook page, but I'm still figuring out what that exactly is and what the draw is.
It hit me this evening when I was in the shower.
I remembered that way long ago, I belonged to a social networking site.
I visited it every day.
I had 1,419 friends there, some of whom I knew pretty well, others of whom I thought I knew pretty well, and still others whose faces I knew but who I didn't really know at all.
Most of the time I spent there was really wasted time, but there were some good times and I had some meaningful conversations.
There were all sorts of clubs and affiliations, some more meaningful than others, some requiring more than others, and some open to anyone.
That "social networking site" was called high school.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
A "Get to Know Me" Christmas List
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags: I like my presents wrapped, but I don't care what kind of wrapping it is. It can be a Wal-Mart bag or newspaper (comic section please!), but I like to "wrap" gifts in gift bags. Unless they are for Jonathan, because it's just so fun to watch him tear into the wrapping paper.
2. Real or Artificial tree? Artificial. I'm allergic.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after Christmas. Hopefully before Easter. :-)
5. Do you like Eggnog? Ahhhh, yeah.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child? My dinosaur set - the one my parents, errr, Santa, delivered downstairs much later than the rest of the gifts.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. We usually put up the one my sister hand painted for us, but this year we're sticking with the Little People one.
8. Hardest person to buy for? It used to be Tara's parents, but this year, when they decided that they "didn't want" gifts from us (really, they couldn't afford to reciprocate), it was really easy to get them something (no, I know what you're thinking, and it wasn't just easy to find them something because they didn't want anything; it was easy to get them something because they can always use things with their grandchildren on them).
9. Easiest person to buy for? My mom. There's just so much that she likes.
10. Slinky. I got it from Greg O in the fourth grade and I was horribly disappointed.
11. Christmas Cards: Snail mail or E-mail? Snail mail, definitely. And when we get ones with pictures, we save them and put them in our scrapbook at the end of the year.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie/Show? "Charlie Brown Christmas" is the only one I'd even watch. I don't like the rest of them. Except that one with the BB gun is pretty funny, especially if you're watching it with certain people.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Seriously we've been collecting gifts for Jonathan since right after his birthday in May.
14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present? We are the royal family of re-gifting.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Food... we have great meals on Christmas. Last year it was this huge breakfast spread. It was awesome.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored. Definitely.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home? I'd rather stay home on Christmas day.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Donner Party, Blitzen, Vomit, Cupid, and my sister's favorite (from her favorite Christmas movie) Prancer.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? An angel
21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Christmas morning, duh.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How early the stores start playing Christmas Music.
23. Shopping: Online...
24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside(or at all?): We usually do some lights on the house, but we haven't done any this year. We have a wreath on the door and Grandma Skelly's fiberoptic Santa on the porch.
25. Favorite Christmas cookie? Yes, please.
26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry? I have a couple of Christmas ties and a pair of Christmas socks.
27. Do you believe in Santa? I have pictures of the kids with him.
28. Favorite Christmas tradition? Reading Luke 2:1-20 before opening gifts.
29. Favorite Christmas memory? Maybe not when I was a freshman in college and I was at a girlfriend's house on Christmas evening and her step-dad and step-brothers were passing around a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. I think maybe it was last year watching Jonathan opening his presents, each accompanied by a huge"WOW!"
30. Embarrassing, Chaotic, or unexpected Christmas moment? I got a box labeled "Corningware" from my favorite aunt, the one who always gave great gifts. I was crushed. But then I opened it up and found my second favorite gift ever: G.I. Joes (the big ones)
I stole this list from Tina.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags: I like my presents wrapped, but I don't care what kind of wrapping it is. It can be a Wal-Mart bag or newspaper (comic section please!), but I like to "wrap" gifts in gift bags. Unless they are for Jonathan, because it's just so fun to watch him tear into the wrapping paper.
2. Real or Artificial tree? Artificial. I'm allergic.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after Christmas. Hopefully before Easter. :-)
5. Do you like Eggnog? Ahhhh, yeah.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child? My dinosaur set - the one my parents, errr, Santa, delivered downstairs much later than the rest of the gifts.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. We usually put up the one my sister hand painted for us, but this year we're sticking with the Little People one.
8. Hardest person to buy for? It used to be Tara's parents, but this year, when they decided that they "didn't want" gifts from us (really, they couldn't afford to reciprocate), it was really easy to get them something (no, I know what you're thinking, and it wasn't just easy to find them something because they didn't want anything; it was easy to get them something because they can always use things with their grandchildren on them).
9. Easiest person to buy for? My mom. There's just so much that she likes.
10. Slinky. I got it from Greg O in the fourth grade and I was horribly disappointed.
11. Christmas Cards: Snail mail or E-mail? Snail mail, definitely. And when we get ones with pictures, we save them and put them in our scrapbook at the end of the year.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie/Show? "Charlie Brown Christmas" is the only one I'd even watch. I don't like the rest of them. Except that one with the BB gun is pretty funny, especially if you're watching it with certain people.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Seriously we've been collecting gifts for Jonathan since right after his birthday in May.
14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present? We are the royal family of re-gifting.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Food... we have great meals on Christmas. Last year it was this huge breakfast spread. It was awesome.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored. Definitely.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home? I'd rather stay home on Christmas day.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Donner Party, Blitzen, Vomit, Cupid, and my sister's favorite (from her favorite Christmas movie) Prancer.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? An angel
21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Christmas morning, duh.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How early the stores start playing Christmas Music.
23. Shopping: Online...
24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside(or at all?): We usually do some lights on the house, but we haven't done any this year. We have a wreath on the door and Grandma Skelly's fiberoptic Santa on the porch.
25. Favorite Christmas cookie? Yes, please.
26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry? I have a couple of Christmas ties and a pair of Christmas socks.
27. Do you believe in Santa? I have pictures of the kids with him.
28. Favorite Christmas tradition? Reading Luke 2:1-20 before opening gifts.
29. Favorite Christmas memory? Maybe not when I was a freshman in college and I was at a girlfriend's house on Christmas evening and her step-dad and step-brothers were passing around a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. I think maybe it was last year watching Jonathan opening his presents, each accompanied by a huge"WOW!"
30. Embarrassing, Chaotic, or unexpected Christmas moment? I got a box labeled "Corningware" from my favorite aunt, the one who always gave great gifts. I was crushed. But then I opened it up and found my second favorite gift ever: G.I. Joes (the big ones)
I stole this list from Tina.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Way Too Long
It's been way too long since I blogged. Not necessarily because I haven't had anything to say, but more because I've been busy getting ready for services, recuperating from a sore and stiff neck (I'm telling you, sleeping is dangerous!), and just not having much time on the computer.
Of course, when I'm away from the computer, I think of all sorts of interesting things to include in a blog post. Like this morning - I was on the way to meet with my covenant group and these ya-hoos on the radio were arguing about what is a good gift for Christmas. More specifically, they were debating whether socks and underwear were proper Christmas gifts. The woman was insisting that both were highly appropriate as Christmas gifts, while the man was complaining that they were not. 
Her point was that if she got underwear for Christmas, it would be the "more expensive" kind, so she would be thrilled for it.
His point was that socks and underwear are utilitarian and that getting them would be the equivalent of a woman getting a sweeper... not a good idea.
She said that women will tell you what they want and then they're upset when the man doesn't get them what they wanted. That may be true in my house, but it's not in many others. In fact, once I had a teenage girl ask me what to get her boyfriend for his birthday. I asked what he wanted. She replied, "He told me he'd like a CD."
"So buy him a CD" I told her.
She was flabbergasted at the very idea, because, as she and her friends explained, if roles were reversed, she'd be mad if he got her the CD (which, in this scenario, she would have asked for). In fact, she would have been upset that he had asked at all, because he should have known her well enough to know exactly what she wanted.
Nonsense, I told her. We men aren't subtle. If we say we want a CD, we want a CD.
We don't want socks and underwear for Christmas. Unless we specifically ask for them. In which case, bring 'em on.
Monday, November 12, 2007
A Strange Idea
Someone in the Bible study this morning said that he believes in life on other planets and that when we die, we get to be Messiahs for those planets.
Sounded awfully Mormon to me.
I didn't like the idea, and here's why: I'm not cut out to be anyone's Messiah. I've already thought that through. Though I accept Jesus' free gift of Justification, and though I believe that I have been Sanctified (set apart for God's purpose), and though I believe that I am "going on to perfection," I haven't yet gotten there. And for a Messiah to be effective, to be more effective than the average Joe, to be a real Messiah, that Messiah has to have something special. And to be able to make sacrifice for everyone, that Messiah has to be sinless.
Which I'm not.
And that word "everyone" brings me to another point: suppose for a moment that there is life on another planet. Wouldn't Jesus' sacrifice, if it is indeed for everyone, count for "them" as well? Or is it a limited atonement?
My friend, who made the weird comment, believes in universal salvation. Why would other planets even need a Messiah if there's universal salvation? Why would ours?
Someone in the Bible study this morning said that he believes in life on other planets and that when we die, we get to be Messiahs for those planets.
Sounded awfully Mormon to me.
I didn't like the idea, and here's why: I'm not cut out to be anyone's Messiah. I've already thought that through. Though I accept Jesus' free gift of Justification, and though I believe that I have been Sanctified (set apart for God's purpose), and though I believe that I am "going on to perfection," I haven't yet gotten there. And for a Messiah to be effective, to be more effective than the average Joe, to be a real Messiah, that Messiah has to have something special. And to be able to make sacrifice for everyone, that Messiah has to be sinless.
Which I'm not.
And that word "everyone" brings me to another point: suppose for a moment that there is life on another planet. Wouldn't Jesus' sacrifice, if it is indeed for everyone, count for "them" as well? Or is it a limited atonement?
My friend, who made the weird comment, believes in universal salvation. Why would other planets even need a Messiah if there's universal salvation? Why would ours?
Thursday, November 08, 2007
An Honest QuestionDo I get my Good Housekeeping seal of approval revoked for cleaning the table with a vacuum cleaner?
Just wanted to know, for hypothetical's sake.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Why Do I Blog?
I've seen all sorts of internet interaction, and I
have heard all sorts of questions/debates along the lines of "Does real community happen on the internet?" I have read many blogs (and many of you who read this will be the owners of those blogs I read).
The blog is an interesting animal. It seems to be a fast way to get news out. I use blogger technology to help our congregation to know our prayer needs, and I publish my weekly sermons on a blog. For some, this "getting the news out" means commenting on local, national, or world news. I comment on local news so much as it affects me - but that's getting ahead of myself. Much of the national news commentary (here) seems to be espousing partisan politics (mainly by bashing the other side. This type of blog gets lots of press and many readers, but what does that really accomplish?
Something I frequently see (and usually bypass) is the ever-so-common "I saw this on tv" blog. Yikes. Sorry, I know that some of you really love your tv shows, and I'm not much of a tv watcher. But I read a lot of books (a lot) and some of them are very good, but I don't feel the need to blog about them... I guess if a book were significantly bad, I'd probably write about it just for the benefit of my family.
I'm also not much of a "my favorite professional sports team did..." kind of blogger. Now if I go to a game, I'm likely to comment on it, because it will be a significant experience (like when I went to the EPL soccer game back in 2003). When I do write about sporting events, it's usually because I have a personal stake in them (I like to sometimes write up match reports of games I've played or coached in, and our New Knoxville Rangers are having a break-out year this year which makes me pretty proud).
I like to read blogs with significant thought put into the posts. That doesn't mean they have to make me think, but the thought behind it is important. I used to love my sister's newspaper column because it brought back all sorts of memories. My brother used to sometimes help his friend "Frank" out with "article research" and I loved reading his columns.
But mostly, I like to read blogs about the lives of people I know. Sometimes I can get to know someone better by reading their blogs. Occasionally I've even made a real-world friend by reading their blog.
So why do I blog?
I mostly blog because I like to write.
I've seen all sorts of internet interaction, and I
have heard all sorts of questions/debates along the lines of "Does real community happen on the internet?" I have read many blogs (and many of you who read this will be the owners of those blogs I read).The blog is an interesting animal. It seems to be a fast way to get news out. I use blogger technology to help our congregation to know our prayer needs, and I publish my weekly sermons on a blog. For some, this "getting the news out" means commenting on local, national, or world news. I comment on local news so much as it affects me - but that's getting ahead of myself. Much of the national news commentary (here) seems to be espousing partisan politics (mainly by bashing the other side. This type of blog gets lots of press and many readers, but what does that really accomplish?
Something I frequently see (and usually bypass) is the ever-so-common "I saw this on tv" blog. Yikes. Sorry, I know that some of you really love your tv shows, and I'm not much of a tv watcher. But I read a lot of books (a lot) and some of them are very good, but I don't feel the need to blog about them... I guess if a book were significantly bad, I'd probably write about it just for the benefit of my family.
I'm also not much of a "my favorite professional sports team did..." kind of blogger. Now if I go to a game, I'm likely to comment on it, because it will be a significant experience (like when I went to the EPL soccer game back in 2003). When I do write about sporting events, it's usually because I have a personal stake in them (I like to sometimes write up match reports of games I've played or coached in, and our New Knoxville Rangers are having a break-out year this year which makes me pretty proud).
I like to read blogs with significant thought put into the posts. That doesn't mean they have to make me think, but the thought behind it is important. I used to love my sister's newspaper column because it brought back all sorts of memories. My brother used to sometimes help his friend "Frank" out with "article research" and I loved reading his columns.
But mostly, I like to read blogs about the lives of people I know. Sometimes I can get to know someone better by reading their blogs. Occasionally I've even made a real-world friend by reading their blog.
So why do I blog?
I mostly blog because I like to write.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Quiz From RevDulce
1. What do you believe is the biggest barrier to ecumenical relations between various Christian communities? Let me count the barrers... I'm not sure if there is one specific biggest barrier, but rather, there are all sorts of barriers that work together to make an even bigger one. Part is traditionalism (we've never done things like that), if it's fear (like the fear that if we work with them, then we'll lose people to them or lose our unique identity) or laziness (just another thing to work into our already busy calendars) or apathy (why should we work with them). Another part is that often churches don't come out of their shells to even work with other churches within their denominations; why should they then work outside?
Those are my answers and here are the rules if you want to play too:1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”2. I will respond by posting five questions for you. I get to pick the questions.3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
1. What do you believe is the biggest barrier to ecumenical relations between various Christian communities? Let me count the barrers... I'm not sure if there is one specific biggest barrier, but rather, there are all sorts of barriers that work together to make an even bigger one. Part is traditionalism (we've never done things like that), if it's fear (like the fear that if we work with them, then we'll lose people to them or lose our unique identity) or laziness (just another thing to work into our already busy calendars) or apathy (why should we work with them). Another part is that often churches don't come out of their shells to even work with other churches within their denominations; why should they then work outside?
2. What is the one food you could not live without? And will you hide it in the fridge so that no one gets the last one? I'm pretty easy going when it comes to food, and I'm having a hard time pinpointing one specific food I can't do without. Maybe it would be an ice cold Coke. That's my treat (and lately I've been treating it as my dessert). I don't have to hide it, because nobody else in the family drinks pop, but if everyone else did, it wouldn't matter because every time pop is on sale, I stock up (like father, like son). But if it was the very, very last can... I'd probably hide it. But I'd be more creative than to hide it in the fridge.
3. What does your congregation do that upsets you the most? Complain about furniture. I've been moving some of the furniture around on the stage (and off the stage) and I've gotten more flack about that than anything. One big thing was that I don't like being behind the giant pulpit because it provides physical distance between me and the congregation (and there's already enough distance between clergy and laity, especially in a small town), so I've moved it back and preach from a music stand. Boy oh boy that's upset people. And it hit me in the board meeting Monday that if we were as passionate about winning souls for Christ as we are about moving the furniture, we would see full-scale revival in this town.
4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why? My wife and I think St. George, Utah, looks like the ideal place to live. It's a stones throw from Zion National Park and is also near Bryce Canyon National Park. Fantastic hiking, camping, backpacking... all just a close drive away (closer than grocery shopping is here). It would be nice to have something other than complete flat land everywhere you look, though.
It's the second fastest growing metropolitan area in the US, according to Wikipedia (yeah, I know about getting your information there...), so obviously others have decided that it would be a great place to live as well. And, yes, it does get pretty darn hot there in the summer...
5. Are you a technology junkie or are you still changing the television by a knob on the front? What's a television? heheheh. You might not believe that we do not have a remote control for our tv, but that's true. I had one, but it died (battery leaked in it), and then I got another one (with a VCR that we no longer have), but it died too, and we never bothered to get another. So we go up to the tv and adjust the sound or change the channel. But we don't have to change the channel much, because we only get 3 channels (NBC, PBS, and a local religious station that also shows local sports highlights and occasionally full games). So if we're going to watch something, we watch it. I have a Palm Pilot that I got in 2001 (it's a dinosaur as far as technology goes). I have no cell phone. I do have an mp3 player, which I like very much. So I would say I'm no technology junkie!
Those are my answers and here are the rules if you want to play too:1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”2. I will respond by posting five questions for you. I get to pick the questions.3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
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