A Norvell Note

We Need You!

By: Tom Norvell

Vol. 17 No. 32 | August 11, 2014

Another thought on being an encourager: We need you!

Encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope; to persuade someone to do or to continue something; the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, or belief. We need more encouragers.

You are an encourager when you, as parents, coaches, friends, and fans, surround your little league team before they go on the field and as they come off the field (win or lose) and shower them with high fives, pats on the back, fist pumps, and affirmations that say, “You played a great game!” “You did a great job!” “You can do it!” “We believe in you!” “We are proud of you!”

You are an encourager when, as a teenager, you take the time to sit down with an older friend, ask for advice, listen to the advice when it is given, and express appreciation for the influence the person is having on your life.

You are an encourager when your favorite golfer leaves a green, whether it was played well or not, and they hear your cheers of: “Keep it going!” “Keep your head up!” “You’re the man!”

You are an encourager when you move close to a young woman, put your arms around her, and hold her while she cries.

You are an encourager when you call a friend you have not heard from in a while and say, “I’ve missed you.”

You are an encourager when you stop the work you are doing to help a co-worker understand their job and talk with them about how they can do it better.

You are an encourager when you notice the little things that are done around the church that almost nobody notices and you find that person and say, “Thank you.”

You are an encourager when you take the time to write a handwritten note to the man who has not been in church for a while and say, “I want you to know that I miss you.”

You are an encourager when you text your best friend and say, “Thanks for being my best friend.”

You are an encourager when you walk alongside the little old lady in the grocery story and ask her if you can help her get her groceries to her car.

You are an encourager when go to your teacher and say, “Thank you. I’ve learned so much from you.”

You are an encourager when you promise to pray for someone, then you send them a note to let them that you have just prayed for them.

You are an encourager when you thank the server who hands you your coffee and you leave them an appropriate tip.

You are an encourager when you see someone do a kind deed and you make a point to tell them, “I saw what you did. Thank you.”

You are an encourager when you sense that someone is having a tough day and you ask them, “Are you okay?” And you wait for the answer.

You are an encourager when you look your son or your daughter in the eyes and say, “I’m proud of you.”

You are an encourager when everyone in the room has lost hope and you remind them that with God all things are possible.

You are an encourager when you come across a passage of Scripture that reminds you of someone you recently had a conversation with, and you send them an email including the Scripture and say, “This verse reminded me of you.”

You are an encourager when you are listening to someone you love as he shares his greatest fear and deepest regrets, and before you offer advice you say, “We should pray,” and you pray.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13, NIV)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 31 | August 4, 2014

When a dream you have had for years, maybe a lifetime, begins to fade and you realize it is probably not going to come true, you ask the questions, but there are no answers.

When disease suddenly attacks an otherwise perfectly healthy body you ask the questions, but there are no answers.

When a marriage that began with all the hope and joy that a couple can envision ends with heartache and sorrow you ask the questions, but there are no answers.

When a child walks away from everything you taught them, refuses to explain, and cuts off all communications you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When what you desire of your heart is always just beyond your reach you ask questions but there are no answers.

When the love you crave from another human being never develops you ask the questions, but the answers do not come.

When you think you are doing the right things, making the right decisions, and moving in the right direction but the results you had hoped for and assumed would come do not, you ask the questions but sometimes the answers do not come.

The questions? Why? Why me? Why us? Why not? Why not now? When? How? Ever?

When you wake up and realize that you are blessed beyond your wildest imagination you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When your marriage has grown and matured and becomes a blessing to others, you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When your children make good choices, walk faithfully with the Lord, and experience the fullness of life you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When you feel like a complete failure in everything you have ever done and cannot remember the last time you did something right, yet you have been blessed beyond measure, you ask the questions but the answers do not come.

The questions? Why? Why me? Why us? Why not? Why not now? When? How? Ever?

Sometimes there no answers. At least there are no answers that we can understand. If you will look behind it all — the pain, the confusion, the frustration, the disappointment, the questioning, the joy, the celebration, the amazement — there is an answer. It is the answer who holds the answers to all the questions.

The answer is God. He is there. He has been there through it all. He will be there through it all. He will not leave us. He will not forsake us. He is beyond our understanding. His thoughts and reasons and actions are beyond our comprehension. He is God. He is the answer to the questions that seem to have no answer. Ask your questions. He can handle them. When you see Him, your questions will disappear.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)Then Job answered the Lord:
“I am unworthy — how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer —
twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:3-5)

Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 30 | July 28, 2014

This is my plea: Let’s just be the church.

You may begin reading and think, “Man, this guy is angry!” I am not (and if you say that again I may unfriend you on Facebook). That was a joke. I am not angry. I am not bitter. I am not one of those “against everything” people. The goal of my preaching, teaching, writing and counseling is to help people know Jesus and follow His teachings. If you do not believe that look at my Twitter profile (@TomNorvell). That means it has to be true, right? I am for doing everything within our power and using everything available to us to help people know Jesus and follow his teaching.

I am not angry, but I am tired. I am tired of us pretending to be the church but not living like we are the church. I am tired of us playing silly and ridiculous games that make people think we are the church but failing to follow through with the loving message of God.

At times it appears that we are more committed to trying what is trending to get people into our buildings than we are to being what we need to be when we interact with people. We sometimes seem more concerned about convincing people that we are right, they are wrong and that they better join our team than we are of loving them like they are and where they are. Sometimes it appears that we have forgotten who we are.

We are not…

A civic club.
A social club.
A country club.
A coffee shop.
A fast food restaurant.
A resort.
A discount department store.
An entertainment center.
A complaint department.
A recreational facility.
A political party.
A judicial system.

There is nothing wrong with any of those businesses and organizations. They all serve a good purpose in our communities. I am not against any of them. I am not suggesting that we are better than any of those businesses or organizations, nor am I ignoring the fact that we can learn much about connecting with people from these businesses and organizations. But, they are not the church. We are. We should not expect them to be what God has called us to be.

Let’s just be the church!

Let’s just be what Jesus told us we are.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV)

Living as light and salt is different.

Living as light and salt is bringing good things to people. The good news. Good attitudes. We are good neighbors. We are good hosts and hostesses. We are good people. We make life better for people around us.

Living as light and salt is surprising people by loving them, being patient with them, and going the second and third mile with them.

Living as light and salt is not giving up on people even when they fail again and again and again.

Living as light and salt is forgiving them even when they don’t ask for it or deserve it.

Living as light and salt is using language that encourages, lifts up, and refreshes people around you.

Living as light and salt is being generous with people who do not expect you to be generous with them, and more generous than you are normally.

Living as light and salt is listening when you prefer to talk, and sometimes talking when you would prefer to remain silent.

Living as light and salt is protecting the weak, helping those who are helpless, and defending the defenseless.

Living as light and salt is walking with and in the Spirit and dumping the garbage in our lives and leaving it behind.

Living as light and salt is refusing to play foolish and stupid religious games and getting serious about imitating God.

Living as light and salt is loving God and His people.

This is my plea: Let’s just be the church.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 29 | July 21, 2014

After I had completed my comments I moved back to my seat as others continued participation in the time of communion. Just as I was about to sit down a young woman whom I had never met moved up beside me and introduced herself. She had been present a time or two before but we had never talked.

She proceeded to tell me how she felt compelled by God to talk to me. I assumed she was struggling with something and needed prayer or guidance. I was stunned to learn that she was simply seizing the moment to encourage me. She was not needing me to tell her “everything will be alright,” to offer words of hope for her, nor did she need me to pray for her. Instead, she wanted to encourage me.

She spoke of how she felt the presence of God in me as I spoke. She sincerely explained that she genuinely felt that God was using me to make a difference in this church and that she was deeply grateful for me letting Him guide me as I serve in His Kingdom.

That’s it. She encouraged me and then moved back to her seat.

I learned later that she had shared similar words with another of our members. Both of us expressed how we were moved to tears.

Earlier in the service our youth minister shared this passage:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19–25, NIV84)

This kind and attentive woman obviously took God at His word and considered how she might “spur another on toward love and good deeds.”

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,…” (Hebrews 10:24, New English Version)

“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out,…” (Hebrews 10:24, The Message)

She had considered, she pondered it, she thought about how she might encourage me. Then, she did it.

She sought me out of the crowd. She took the risk of interrupting me from my private thoughts about the Lord’s sacrifice and encouraged me.

She took advantage of the opportunity to share a kind and genuine message of encouragement with the one who sees it as his role to encourage others.

She was creative. She was brave. She could have waited until the end of the service. She could have written me a note, or a text, or an email. She could have messaged me on Facebook. She did none of these. Instead she took advantage of a moment to tell me face to face that she sensed God’s presence in me.

I felt guilty for assuming she was a needy person coming to ask me for help. I felt ashamed of my arrogance. I felt sad that I had labeled her as a taker. I felt all that, but mostly I felt blessed that she was a giver and a noticer and an encourager. I felt honored that she had taken the time to seek me out and share the message God had placed on her heart.

I was blessed that morning. I will continue to be blessed every time I think about her. I will be challenged by her example to seek out someone to encourage, someone to bless, or someone to express my appreciation for how they are allowing God to be visible in and through them.

Let’s see how inventive and creative we can be in encouraging others to love and do good deeds. Let’s consider it and let’s do it.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 28 | July 14, 2014

While visiting our son and his family in Brooklyn, New York recently we spent quite a bit of time walking. Only rode the subway one time. The rest of the time we walked. We walked to restaurants. We walked to the stores. We walked to the farmers market. We walked to the coffee shop. Mainly, we walked to parks.

While in the city the weather was unbelievably comfortable, except for a couple of days when it was oppressively hot. Going to the park on those days was not a bad walk, it was mostly down hill. Going home from the park was another story. It was hot. We were tired. We were hungry. It seemed like every street was up hill. We would turn at an intersection hoping we had reached a plateau. It seemed as though we were always walking up hill.

Life feels that way some times.

Occasionally we will have a down hill day, or week, or month. Life is easy. Like…well…a “walk in the park.” Everything comes easy. Work is easy. Relationships are easy. Marriage is easy. Being single is easy. Being a teenager is easy. Parenting is easy. School is easy. Spirituality is easy. Communication is easy. Sports are easy. Life is good!

Then, we get tired. We come to a hill. A big hill. A steep hill. And the hill goes on and on and on. We reach a plateau and think, “Ah, we made it,” only to face another hill to climb. It seems like we are always walking up hill.

In those times nothing comes easy. Life is hard. Work is hard. Relationships are hard. Marriage is hard. Being single is hard. Being a teenager is hard. Parenting is hard. School is hard. Spirituality is hard. Communication is hard. Sports are hard. Life is not good.

We want to quit. We want to stop walking. But, we can’t. If we quit, we’ll never make it home. We will never make it to the air conditioning. We’ll miss the refreshment of the cold glass of water that awaits us. We will miss the fellowship of resting with the family. We will never be able to look back and share the memories of what we experienced. We can’t quit.

For much of Jesus’ life He walked the world as if He were walking down hill in the shade. He went about teaching, touching, healing, encouraging and giving hope to weary travelers. He assured them that though in this world life is difficult, He has overcome the world. He encouraged them to walk and not quit. As He walked the people could see that there really was joy in His journey.

One day Jesus started up a hill. As He walked He carried a cross. His cross. When He could not carry it alone someone helped Him carry it to top of the hill. When He reached the top He died.

Those watching assumed his journey was a waste. We know that it was not. At the end of the upward climb was victory. At the top of the hill death was defeated. At the end of His climb the Father was glorified.

As we walk, even when it seems our walk is all uphill, we remember that because He climbed the hill victory is ours. We remember that at the top of the hill there will be reunion, restoration, refreshment, and rest.

Keep walking and remember He has walked up the hill before you, and He is walking with you now.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 27 | July 7, 2014

I sat in the packed church sanctuary for the memorial service of a minister friend who served one church for forty years. Co-workers, friends, and family members shared memories and offered praise for a life well lived. Videos and music illustrated the fullness and richness of this good man’s life. There were tears, there was laughter, there was joy and there was sorrow.

As I listened I wondered, what if that were me, what would they say? Would people talk about what a fun guy I was? Would they share stories of how I enjoyed the journey? Would they talk about how much I loved people and how much I loved the Lord? Would they talk about me making a difference in the lives of people? Would my co-workers talk of what a privilege and joy it was to work with me? Would it be a celebration of my life or would it be a sad memorial for a man whose life had simply come to an end?

I’m not fishing for affirmation or compliments. For me to spend the time during and after a memorial service reflecting on my own life is fairly normal. Maybe a bit more at this service because he was a minister, so close to my own age, and such a good guy.

These reflective thoughts may have been more intense after having had contact with two men earlier in the week who have helped shape my life in very powerful ways. The conversations with these two men reminded me of the commitment I made many years ago to live “life to the full” (John 10:10). All of this together remind me of who I want to be, who I have tried to be, and the legacy I want to leave. It caused me to recommit myself to throw off distractions that keep me from living the life I want to live and the life I believe the Lord wants me to live.

A few months back I designed a bracelet. You know the bracelets I’m talking about. The colorful rubberized kind that so many wear. After wearing a couple of different ones for several years I decided to combine them into one of my own. [Photo above]

The message is simple and formed out of Scripture:

No Complaints!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

No Fear!

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

Finish Strong

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (1 Timothy 4:6-8)
As a companion to those three phrases I want people to be able to look at me and remember me as a man who lived, as Paul instructed, “Walk by the Spirit.” To live a life that is characterized by these qualities. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Emphasis mine) Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

Somewhat like Joshua, “You can choose to live however you please to live, but as for me, and I hope my household, I’m going to live like this.”

No Fear.

No Complaints.

Finish Strong.

A life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 26 | June 30, 2014

For several weeks there was speculation about what was being built at the intersection just below our church building. Some said a gas station, but that quickly proved wrong as the style of the building and parking lot became evident. Others hoped for a nice restaurant. Personally I hoped for a coffee shop that would allow me to run a hose directly from their place to my office. Also wrong. The guessing and speculation ended when the sign was erected: a dental office and a mattress store.

What? Another mattress store? Why? There’s one literally right next door. There’’s another about a quarter of a mile down the road. There are two more just over a mile in the other direction…and they are right across the street from one another. Do we really need another mattress store?

From another perspective…

For several months we wondered what they were building on the vacant lot in our neighborhood. Maybe a park? Maybe a school? Maybe a shopping center? Maybe a putt-putt course? Finally a sign went up. Whaaaaaat? A church? Another church?

Why another church? There are churches all over the city! There’s a church just down the street. There’s another church of the same tribe less than a mile away. And, there’s probably a dozen more churches within a five mile radius of the new church. Do we really need another church?

One reason for so many mattress stores is because people have different opinions about what type of mattress they prefer to sleep on. Some like a firm mattress. Some like a soft mattress. Some want a mattress that is adjustable. Some prefer a mattress that is divided in two so that each person can adjust their side without bothering the other person. Each store offers a variety of mattresses and warranties and discounts. Each store has this in common: “We sell mattresses.”

Personal preference also has a lot to do with all the different churches. Some prefer one type of worship over another. Some prefer one type of preacher over another. Some like large churches, some like small churches and some like medium size churches. Some base their preferences on the type of ministries that are offered for children, students, and senior citizens. Most people, at some level, have Biblical reasons for choosing a church. Based on their understanding of Scripture a church should look a certain way, act in a certain way, and sound a certain way. Anything different is wrong.

Unfortunately, and sometimes too often, churches are formed because one group reacted angrily to the actions of another group and packed their things and left. Others leave because they felt forced out. Other feel they have lost control so they got angry and left. With the current changes in worship some choose a different church because they preferred another style, or could no longer tolerate the new style (or the old style).

Whatever the reasons — right, wrong, or indifferent — the casual observer and the honest seeker may watch and wonder why so many churches?

I wonder if the One who came up with the idea and is the reason for church might move among us and also ask: Why so many churches?

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21-22)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 25 | June 23, 2014

UPDATE: A few weeks ago I wrote about a golf course in our area that has closed and how quickly it has fallen into disrepair (It Doesn’t Take Long). Good news! Someone has worked over the last few weeks to do some mowing and cleaning of debris. On a recent walk I could see significant evidence that the beautiful piece of earth is not being totally forgotten. Today I learned that next weekend the old course will be the site of a Disc Golf Tournament. Supposed to be a big deal. Glad the beautiful piece of earth is being used for something good and being cared for. I am certain many of you have been losing sleep over the status of this former golf course, so I wanted you to rest easier.

 
The reason I walk by or through that golf course is because I am concerned about my health…physical health, mental health and spiritual health. Noticing how we sometimes abuse or neglect the earth reminds me of how I sometimes abuse or neglect my body and my soul. When I neglect or abuse my body and my soul I suffer the consequences.

I offer these three “Rs” that I find helpful in caring for my soul.

Relax.

This may involve sitting on my deck with a morning cup of coffee. It may involve sitting on a beach with a cup of coffee. It may involve sitting in my office at my desk with a cup of coffee. (Coffee is important to my relaxation.) This may take place on a Sunday afternoon in our living room with a ballgame, or a golf tournament, or a mindless sitcom on the television. Feet propped up on the ottoman. Head back, mouth open, eyes closed. Relaxed.

Relaxation may take place on a golf course. It may involve taking a long walk along a serene path. Before my knees and ankles started talking back to me it often involved a good long run.

Whatever is relaxing for you, do it often and regularly. Some people fish. Some people hunt. Some people cook. Some people eat (take it easy on that one). Some people like to read novels. Some people like to write. Some play a musical instrument. Some work on cars.

Find what relaxes you and do it. Do not make it a chore. The object is to relax.

Reflect.

This also often involves having a cup of hot coffee in a quiet place. Often it involves a pen and a journal, or my Day One journal on my laptop. The key for me is to write. Write about my week. Write about my day. Write about what troubles me. Write about what brings me joy. Write about frustrations. Write about disappointments, failures, hopes or dreams. These articles are often the result of a time of reflection when I simply started writing about what was on my mind.

If I wake in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep I get up and journal about whatever is on my mind. Once I have emptied my mind I can lay back down and fall right off to sleep.

Failure to make time to reflect is one of the tragic losses of our fast paced, get-me-on-to-the-next-thing world we live in. By reflection I simply suggest that you take some time after finishing a project, transitioning from a major event in your life, or the ending of a relationship and spend time in quiet reflection. What was good about it? What was bad about it? What did I enjoy? What did I hate about it? Sometimes it is nothing more than honestly expressing my feelings about a life event.

Refuel.

If you spend all your time relaxing and reflecting people may call you a lazy day-dreaming bum. You will not accomplish much. To refuel means to regroup, to retool, to refresh your spirit and restore your soul so that you can get back into action. Without the refueling you may never get back in the game.

You are not designed to be constantly overbooked, overextended, and fatigued. The refueling process is where we regain our energy. Refueling involves allowing yourself time to recover and plan your next move.

We need times of relaxation, reflection, and refueling. If we fail to refuel we will forget our purpose of being: To know and help others know Jesus.

When I neglect my body and soul by failing to relax, reflect, and refuel I am more likely to become overwhelmed, overcommitted, overstressed, overextended, frustrated, fearful, frazzled, and fragile. That is not a good way for me to be.

How is your soul?

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 24 | June 16, 2014

All week long I have been trying to think of something inspiring, encouraging, challenging, or funny for fathers, on this Father’s Day. Has not happened. So, here I sit late in the day on Father’s Day doing what I typically do on Father’s Day which has been a fairly t
raditional Father’s Day: preach in the morning, teach a class, enjoy a nice lunch at a nice restaurant, watch the final holes of the U.S. Open, later tonight I will watch game 5 of the NBA finals, and occasionally I flip the channel to check the scores in the College World series or the World Cup. It is a tradition.

It is a tradition that my wife and children have always tried to make sure does not get broken. They
have been, and continue to be, very supportive (maybe tolerant is a better word) of my tradition of watching championships in sports. It is a very relaxing way to spend the day. I love the tradition.

There are other traditions that I enjoy as well. I like certain foods on holidays. On Thanksgiving I like turkey and dressing. On Christmas I love sausage balls (made by my wife) and divinity (made by my sister and/or my daughter). On my birthday I like the coconut cake (Dorothy Johnson’s coconut cake) that my wife makes. I think it is important to be with family or at least have some form of significant communication on birthdays and other special days. I hope I can continue these traditions, but if they change I will survive.

I have other traditions as I go through the work week. On Mondays I like to do fairly light stuff in the office. Late on Monday I like to start working through my sermon for the next Sunday. By the time I leave the office on Thursday afternoon I like to have my sermon pretty much completed. I like to have at least an idea for these articles early in the week so that I can let it simmer, and prefer to have the article completed by noon on Saturday (that rarely happens). Traditionally I am finishing the articles late on Sunday…like today.

I have other traditions that involve spiritual things. I love that we have a fairly similar style of worship from week to week. And I love it that we are beginning to traditionally do things differently. I love our tradition of a cappella singing…when it is done well. I also love other types of worship settings and music.

There are other traditions that I am glad are changing. I love the way weddings that were once steeped in traditional language and activities are becoming more traditionally different. I feel the same way about funerals. I hope we can continue to adjust our worship settings to enhance communication and promote relationship building experiences. I am glad I am not required to wear a suit and tie when I preach or when I go to the office during the week. I love that if I prefer to wear a suit and tie I can.

I hope some of the tired and worn-out traditions continue to fade away. I hope that some of the new traditions that we are developing do not become tired and worn-out traditions. I hope we continue to be very prayerful about the traditions we change and the traditions we keep. I hope that we continue to understand that traditions are not necessarily bad because they are tradition, that they are not law and that traditions can and at times should be changed, and that changing them does not mean that we have abandoned the faith, the fellowship, or the Father.

I hope Jesus never has to say this to me: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8) Or this: “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

Father’s Day is almost over. Another tradition is about to come to an end. If next year we spend the day differently I will be fine. Traditions, even really good traditions, can change.

Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 23 | June 9, 2014
As I sat in the exam room waiting for the doctor I could hear lively conversation and laughter on the other side of the door. A nurses station was only a few feet from the door of the exam room. I could hear them talking, but I could not understand anything they were saying. I could hear them laughing but I had no idea what they were laughing about. For a moment I imagined they were looking at my chart. Whatever the topic of their conversation, and whatever or whoever was the subject of their laughter, I was excluded. I was not privy to what they were talking and laughing about.

For a brief moment I was curious. At another time in my life it might have hurt my feelings. When the doctor came in I forgot about the group outside. After giving me a good health report and directing me to the check-out desk the doctor commented on what a good time the group at the nurses station was having. I left without knowing what they were talking about and not giving it much thought (except for the purpose of this article).

For me to be excluded from the conversation at the nurses station (and many other conversations) is not a big deal, however there is one time when I not want to be excluded or to exclude others: When God’s people are gathered.

There are those times when I wonder if our language — churchy language — may exclude our guests? When we talk about things we have known and experienced all our lives we may be excluding someone who has recently joined us. Our guests may feel like they are in one room listening to a muffled conversation in another room. We talk about sermons, songs, communion, and spirituality assuming everyone knows what we mean. They may not. We may assume they understand our insider comments, when to do what and how and why. They may not.

We talk about projects and special programs and upcoming events as if everyone knows the when, the where, and the why. They do not. They may wonder what it takes to become part of the “in” group.

We talk about salvation, redemption, restoration and revival in ways that may sound condescending to those who are searching for salvation, redemption, restoration and revival.

There is the possibility that our guests will leave our assemblies unconcerned about missing the message, feeling perfectly fine without knowing the inside jokes, and unaffected by missing the meaning. There is also the possibility that they won’t. Do we want to take that chance? Should we be making it so difficult?

What disturbs me even more than the fact that sometimes we exclude people by using our “part of the club” language, is that too often we do it with a sense of pride in our exclusivity.

Maybe we would do well to take the approach of some of the earliest Christians as described in Acts 15:19, “So here is my decision: We’re not going to unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master” (The Message).

Let’s remove the walls, open the doors, tear down the barriers, and clean-up our language and stop our activity that would cause anyone to feel excluded, left out, or out of the loop. Let’s make it easier for people to turn to the Master.

Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.