I’ve been a clergyman for one year. One Year. I’ve learned a lot. I know people say they never stop learning, but I feel like I’ve learned doubly a lot this last year.

I’ve enjoyed it though. It’s weird though being a professional spiritual person.

It’s weird how people see clergy as their connection to God. The clergy run the people’s  spiritual encounter with God (Sunday morning services) with the emphasis on a lecture from God (sermon) and maintain God’s house (church).

I’m not sure I’m so comfortable with this view. Many people believe these things–even if they vocalize. It’s how they view pastors, the church, the sermon, etc.

Am I really the connection between God and man? Is a pastor’s sermon really the words of God? Is a church building really God’s house?

So what is my role as a clergy, as a professional spiritual person?

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ… (Ephesians 4:11-12)

It’s to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. It’s to give them everything they need to be the people of God & do His work. It’s to empower, equip, facilitate, provide opportunity, teach, etc. Not to be the mediator between God & man.

There’s something powerful in that. It’s been a great year of equipping the saints for the work of ministry… and I’m looking forward to many, many more!

I’ve heard clergy talk about how impatient Americans can be. How we want everything and we want it now. Their favourite examples talk about how fast we want our food.

The microwave – Americans want their food right now so they zap it in the microwave.

Fast Food Restaurants – Americans want their food right now so they go through a drive-thru and order their fast food. If it isn’t a 3 minute process, they are upset.

Do I believe that Americans can be impatient? Yes. Do I believe these are good examples? No.

Part of the marketing of the fast food restaurant is that You Can Have it Your Way… and right away. If that company does not deliver in any of the expectations it has put on itself, then yes I can understand why some Americans are unhappy with them.

Agree? Disagree?

Quickly, another fast food thought: Having fries at the bottom of the bag is the new norm for me. I expect that and am really disappointed when there are no more bonus fries.

January 18, 2009. I got to preach at my church in Cleveland, OH – NewSong Church.

I preached on the entire book of Galatians. Yes sir.

I looked at Paul’s story, the background of the church of Galatia, and the content of the book. The words in that book still speak volumes to us today.

You can download my sermon here. Enjoy!

I had an earlier blog entry that took a long, hard laugh at the words of Dan Gilbert, the Cavs owner, in frustration that Mo Williams was not asked to be in the All-Star Game. (His words were: stupidiculous, idillogical, and preposterageous)

Well, breaking news: Mo Williams is in the All-star game.

And the Cavs owner was so happy he made up some more words. ESPN reports:

“It’s unfortunate that Chris Bosh is unable to play in this year’s All-Star Game in Phoenix,” he said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “The entire Cleveland Cavaliers organization are thankful that the NBA called on Mo Williams to take his rightful place on the Eastern Conference squad. In fact, we think it is ‘fantacular,’ ‘extraordulous‘ and ‘phenomerful.’”

I’ve heard for the longest time that I had to try a Five Guys burger. The L.A. Eater explains that “Five Guys is to the East Coast as In-N-Out is to us (the West Coast)”.

That’s a huge statement! I had forgotten about Five Guys until Mark Batterson twittered about eating there this last Wednesday.

The closest Five Guys is 30 minutes away from my APT., but on Thursday I made the trek to Lakewood to see what all the fuss was.

I ordered a Cheeseburger (comes with 2 patties) with about 6 toppings, a regular fry (which serves two), and a regular drink (mr. pibb hmmmm). All of this came out to be about 9 dollars.

Five Guys is very simple. They only serve burgers, fries, and hot dogs. You then have your pick of condiments for the burgers and dogs. Even the inside of their store is very simple–only white on the walls with red squares scattered throughout.

The burger was ginormous and insanely delicious! The fries were some of the best I can recall having and I couldn’t finish all of them.

I left extremely satisfied. I wanted to yell on my way out, “THANK YOU FIVE GUYS. THAT WAS SO GOOD!”

Hey, now that I think of it, they had 5 employees working when I went there. Hmmm 5 guys. Anyway, GO THERE! It will be worth the drive and price!

Five Guys Burgers: A++

As some of you know, Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard, Mo Williams, was recently snubbed an All-Star spot by the commish in favor of Ray Allen (ridiculous).

Anyway, ESPN recently had an article about the Cavs making up words to display how disappointed they are. These are some pretty amazing words:

“Ben Wallace was right when he called Mo originally being passed over for the All-Star Game a shamockery,” Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said in a tongue-in-cheek e-mail to The Associated Press. “But not naming him as the natural and obvious replacement for the unfortunately injured Jameer Nelson is stupidiculous, idillogical and preposterageous.”

I really push myself sometimes.

I get so busy with things I’m involved with. Not bad things. Usually really good things. Now that I work for a church, I’m committed to a lot of church events–worship services, small groups, meetings, meals with families, weekend retreats, other events. Family, friends, other work I’m involved in.

I find myself skipping my day off because this needs to be done or that needs to be done.

In all of this, I’ve found that I really need times to just relax. I mean I don’t go crazy. I don’t lose my temper. I won’t die if I don’t take day off.

But going nonstop for weeks at a time affects me. It affects my creativity, my passion, my productivity, my energy level.

Right now, I feel somewhat burnt out.

And I let myself get to this place every few months before I step back and make time to relax.

Boom! Creativity is back. Desire. Energy. Productivity. All Back.

I really need to stop using my days off to work. I need to let myself use my days off to relax and think and read and pray.

I guess God’s idea of a Sabbath really is for the best. It’s not for His well-being. It’s for mine.

I’ve heard that before, but now I’ve learned it the hard way.

We need Sabbaths. Are you observing your Sabbath? I sure need to.

On August 31, 2008, I got to preach at my church, NewSong Church, in Cleveland, OH.

I spoke in a big picture way on Light and Darkness as seen in the New Testament, using that analogy to the fullest to explain the Kingdom of God.

Well finally after quite a few months, here it is in MP3 form:

http://www.mediafire.com/?mjqznnuxkym

P.S. I have one coming I just preached. It’s on the entire book of Galatians

P.S.S. No way did I listen to this before I put it up. I hate hearing myself speak.

Last night at NewSong’s Wednesday night Bible Study, Pastor Bradley said the most glorious statement of all time. He was continuing his study on the book of Acts and was concluding his teaching for the night.

And that’s when he said it. He said, “I want to share with you something I wrote today for NewSong’s blog...“

That’s right. Pastor Bradley is not only blogging, but he’s talking about it from the pulpit.

Here are some blog entries by other creative bloggers:

• Mark Batterson – Experience Trap
• Seth Godin – The Goals You Never Hear About
• Perry Noble – How Do You Feel About the Shack
• Shane Duffey – What Leadership Demands
• Seth Godin – Lonely, Scared, & Bitter
• Scott H. Young – Boredom is the Enemy

Interesting new book came out today that I cannot wait to read:

What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis