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As I am coming into this advent season, I have been drawn to the way everything that happened in the recorded chain of events around Christmas doesn't make a whole lot of sense. First that the vessel God chose to bear his son was an unwed poor teenager. Regardless of how she felt, I'm sure Mary didn't say anything to her neighbors about angels or God. Actually, it looks in the text like she ran away to stay with her cousin for a few months. In addition to that at the time of his birth Jesus, Mary and Joseph were homeless. Like many homeless, they were not welcome in the inn, but could stay with the animals away from the normal folk. The people who the angels appeared to were the people the rest of society didn't like, shepherds who were not welcome in the towns because of previous anti-social behavior. The modern day equivalent would be angels appearing to street corner drug dealers. This anti-normal pattern reminds me to treat respectfully and with honor the modern day pregnant teens, homeless, and "small time" criminals. It reminds us that God holds dear the people on the margins of society. As Quakers we speak of "That of God" in everyone, but I don't always do a good job at looking for it. This Advent season, I feel the Spirit reminding me that God is at work in every life, it is only for me to open my eyes instead of shifting my gaze away nervously.
May your Holiday season be filled with warmth and cheer and reminders of God's presence in all that you come in contact with.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Gil George
Monday, December 11, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Starting to get a feel for things
Now that I have been the pastor of a church for a couple of months, I am starting to learn about some areas that I need growth in. The main one is in planning and using a scheduler of some sort. My wife, who has a very organized mind does the planning/ scheduling thing naturally, while I have tended to be a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy. What I have found is that with the limited time that I have, I have to organize it better so that I am using the time I have to bring pastoral support to the church. My qualms stem from not wanting to organize the Holy Spirit out of the picture. I don't want to be serving my day planner. So I am struggling with the idea of holding my schedule lightly.
This idea of holding something lightly is a very Quaker concept and stems from what are called "Meetings for Clearness". Meetings for clearness are held to discern God's will in a given area, and to hold something lightly is to permit God to do what He wills with the decision/object/idea/person that you are in discernment over.
So getting better organized is something that I am needing to grow in.
I have also initiated a discernment process in the Meeting to figure out what God's call on us in our community is. We know that we have been placed in the neighborhood we are in for something more than meeting on Sundays. What I am trying to lead the Meeting in is a direction for addressing the concerns, needs, and dreams of our neighbors. I am looking forward to seeing how this process plays out over the next few months.
The evening service has been a source of life for me. I feel the ability to receive from the Holy Spirit more than in the mornings since the mornings are more dependent on the proclamational gifts of Pastorship.
God Bless,
Pastor Gil
This idea of holding something lightly is a very Quaker concept and stems from what are called "Meetings for Clearness". Meetings for clearness are held to discern God's will in a given area, and to hold something lightly is to permit God to do what He wills with the decision/object/idea/person that you are in discernment over.
So getting better organized is something that I am needing to grow in.
I have also initiated a discernment process in the Meeting to figure out what God's call on us in our community is. We know that we have been placed in the neighborhood we are in for something more than meeting on Sundays. What I am trying to lead the Meeting in is a direction for addressing the concerns, needs, and dreams of our neighbors. I am looking forward to seeing how this process plays out over the next few months.
The evening service has been a source of life for me. I feel the ability to receive from the Holy Spirit more than in the mornings since the mornings are more dependent on the proclamational gifts of Pastorship.
God Bless,
Pastor Gil
Thursday, October 05, 2006
1 month in
Hi All,
Sorry for the length of time between posts, but whooo! How busy life gets. I have started as Pastor at McKinley Hill Friends Church, and am trying to get to know the neighborhood the church is in better, I have started off an evening service that I am very excited about. The service starts off with some music, then goes into a time of silent prayer where we release our cares and concerns, then we have some contemplative music, then a Lectio Divina which is a time where you read a scripture passage twice and then have a time of silence (3-5 min) and ask What word or phrase jumped out at you? Then repeat the reading and silence and ask what image, poem, song, or memories has the passage triggered? Then repeat the reading and silence and ask what action do you feel called to?
It went really well, and I felt nourished in the times of silence. I have had a chance to meet with some of the long term participants in the church, and have asked the church to start praying about a vision and direction for the church, and I fully expect the Holy Spirit to work through those prayers as we come together to discern God's will for us.
Sorry for the length of time between posts, but whooo! How busy life gets. I have started as Pastor at McKinley Hill Friends Church, and am trying to get to know the neighborhood the church is in better, I have started off an evening service that I am very excited about. The service starts off with some music, then goes into a time of silent prayer where we release our cares and concerns, then we have some contemplative music, then a Lectio Divina which is a time where you read a scripture passage twice and then have a time of silence (3-5 min) and ask What word or phrase jumped out at you? Then repeat the reading and silence and ask what image, poem, song, or memories has the passage triggered? Then repeat the reading and silence and ask what action do you feel called to?
It went really well, and I felt nourished in the times of silence. I have had a chance to meet with some of the long term participants in the church, and have asked the church to start praying about a vision and direction for the church, and I fully expect the Holy Spirit to work through those prayers as we come together to discern God's will for us.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Being Called
I have been informed by McKinley Hill Friends Church that they would like me to officially be their pastor.
I still very much see myself as in a development stage, but think am starting to feel that God is opening this opportunity as the next step in my development. As of right now I am feeling that this is what God is calling me to. I must definitely admit to having some fears about this. I have been told that this meeting is very resistant to change, and I definitely tend to be an agent of change at times.
I personally have not experienced this resistance that has been described to me, but I feel a sense of flexibility in the body that I haven't seen in many places.
The people there seem to be very prayerful, and I think that if I can encourage them in that, then change can flow from their connection to the Holy Spirit in a more natural way that stems not solely from the visions of men, but from discerning the will of God. I have been spending some time in solitude while my wife is at class, silently waiting on God, and I feel a sense of energy and light when I consider what the future may hold at McKinley Hill.
Some of my challenges are more technological in nature, as the meeting doesn't have a web site or e-mail addresses. There is a phone and fax machine, but as you can tell by my blogging, I appreciate the connections that arise from the internet.
The most important aspect to me are the people of the meeting. There are some who definitely possess leadership abilities that I hope will be ready to mentor others as they are drawn in. There are some very talented musicians, and some people who instinctively live into hospitality. There are some bumps in the road that I can see coming, but for a first pastorate I think that there are some important lessons that the Holy Spirit will teach me through the people of McKinley Hill.
This post is mainly just random processing, so sorry if it wasn't very well organized. This is very much a reflection of my current thought patterns around this time of calling.
Grace and Peace,
Gil George
I still very much see myself as in a development stage, but think am starting to feel that God is opening this opportunity as the next step in my development. As of right now I am feeling that this is what God is calling me to. I must definitely admit to having some fears about this. I have been told that this meeting is very resistant to change, and I definitely tend to be an agent of change at times.
I personally have not experienced this resistance that has been described to me, but I feel a sense of flexibility in the body that I haven't seen in many places.
The people there seem to be very prayerful, and I think that if I can encourage them in that, then change can flow from their connection to the Holy Spirit in a more natural way that stems not solely from the visions of men, but from discerning the will of God. I have been spending some time in solitude while my wife is at class, silently waiting on God, and I feel a sense of energy and light when I consider what the future may hold at McKinley Hill.
Some of my challenges are more technological in nature, as the meeting doesn't have a web site or e-mail addresses. There is a phone and fax machine, but as you can tell by my blogging, I appreciate the connections that arise from the internet.
The most important aspect to me are the people of the meeting. There are some who definitely possess leadership abilities that I hope will be ready to mentor others as they are drawn in. There are some very talented musicians, and some people who instinctively live into hospitality. There are some bumps in the road that I can see coming, but for a first pastorate I think that there are some important lessons that the Holy Spirit will teach me through the people of McKinley Hill.
This post is mainly just random processing, so sorry if it wasn't very well organized. This is very much a reflection of my current thought patterns around this time of calling.
Grace and Peace,
Gil George
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Sermons, Sermons and more Sermons
Hi all, Things are moving along. I am in the middle of an awesome book called "Slavery, Sabbath, War and Women" the book takes a look at the theological arguments around these issues, and analyzes the way each side uses the bible. This is a very insightful book, and has helped me understand the way I look at the bible, and has shown me some of the flaws in my approach. Really cool. I am now preaching twice a month at McKinley Hill Friends Church, a little church that is between pastors. The cool thing about having to come up with a sermon is that you get to look at scripture in depth. The funny thing is that I found myself over-analyzing scripture, and noticing other over-analysis. For example, today I preached on John 2:1-12. There is a passage in there where Jesus' mom asks him to work a miracle in the middle of a party. Jesus replies with a Now isn't the time, Why are you trying to get me involved? The insight I had is that Jesus was just saying, like any guy at a party when his mom interrupts and asks him to do something, "But Mom, can't you see I'm busy?" Nothing profound, just somebody in normal life, but because Jesus said it, people started trying to read more into it then He probably intended. But I have been doing a lot of preaching lately, and am starting to get into a groove in sermon writing.
Have a great Day,
Gil
Have a great Day,
Gil
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Mentoring
Now that I have made it out the other side of the interview, I am meeting with Pastor Mark Kelley from Vancouver. Him and I are meeting and working together on my development in preaching, education and team leadership. I have been preaching at my home church http://www.ovfc.org, and at McKinley Hill Friends Church in South Tacoma.
In education, I am reading Slavery, Sabbath, War and Women by Willard Swartley, and it is looking pretty interesting. It is an interesting examination of how the dominant culture of our time can influence the way we approach and interpret the Bible. I have had experience in team leadership, and am waiting for an opportunity to continue developing as a leader, but don't want to force something since I know that God will provide the correct opportunity in His time. My next post will be about the book I am reading, and what insights I am gaining about what I am bringing in the way of preconceived notions to the bible and my faith.
Grace and Peace,
Gil
In education, I am reading Slavery, Sabbath, War and Women by Willard Swartley, and it is looking pretty interesting. It is an interesting examination of how the dominant culture of our time can influence the way we approach and interpret the Bible. I have had experience in team leadership, and am waiting for an opportunity to continue developing as a leader, but don't want to force something since I know that God will provide the correct opportunity in His time. My next post will be about the book I am reading, and what insights I am gaining about what I am bringing in the way of preconceived notions to the bible and my faith.
Grace and Peace,
Gil
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Whew!! The interview is done
Well, I had a good interview with the Board of ministerial service. I was asked to tell my story, and in the interest of time, I told my story by mental process, through significant events, and through spiritual events. The board asked me some questions about education, like what I was doing now, what my plans for the future are,etc. I told them about my school attempts, and that I am enrolled in a community college, and that I would like to continue my education at least to masters level, but that I need to stay focused on the present steps to achieving that goal. They asked me some questions to get to know me better, and I came out of the meeting feeling that the board had my spiritual development at heart, and they made me feel welcomed and honored.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Interview and sermon prep
At the end of this month I am meeting with the Board of Ministerial service for an interview based around the questions I answered previously in this post and for them to grill me a bit on my beliefs and all that fun stuff. I am looking forward to this meeting, but I wonder what the board is thinking about my somewhat other than normal answers.
Other than that I have had an opportunity to preach recently, and was drawn to "The Lord's Prayer" as a good sermon for the new year. I felt led to delve into it a bit more deeply than the usual drive-by praying of it that usually happens. I also delved into one of my favorite pastimes which is song parody, and added a brief parody of what is really going through our head when we sing "I Surrender All."
You can listen to it at Olympic View Friends Church
The preparation was a little intense for this one, as my computer was down, and I had to do my research mainly in paper form. I learned that I can still do it well, but I am grateful for how much faster research can be done with good software, and the internet at your disposal.
As I was walking home from church on Sunday from our worship planning team meeting, the creative juices were still flowing. We had been discussing how the church was positively responding to some of the worship music where we took a hymn and swapped it's chorus with a modern worship chorus that fit. One of the hymn suggestions for the next week was "Trust and Obey", and if ever there was a hymn that could use a stronger chorus, that's one. What I came up with was to attach the Gospel chorus "I'll say Yes, Lord, Yes" to "Trust and Obey". After doing some looking with my wife, both songs were in F, so we didn't have to figure out chords or transpose anything.
It was really cool how that worked out, and I can only thank God for the bolt of inspiration that struck.
I'm genuinely enjoying the leadership roles that I am increasingly finding myself in, and am sometimes wondering if another shoe is going to drop, but I think I am learning about what Christ meant when He said "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Labors are easier when you enjoy what you are doing.
Grace and Peace,
Gil
Other than that I have had an opportunity to preach recently, and was drawn to "The Lord's Prayer" as a good sermon for the new year. I felt led to delve into it a bit more deeply than the usual drive-by praying of it that usually happens. I also delved into one of my favorite pastimes which is song parody, and added a brief parody of what is really going through our head when we sing "I Surrender All."
You can listen to it at Olympic View Friends Church
The preparation was a little intense for this one, as my computer was down, and I had to do my research mainly in paper form. I learned that I can still do it well, but I am grateful for how much faster research can be done with good software, and the internet at your disposal.
As I was walking home from church on Sunday from our worship planning team meeting, the creative juices were still flowing. We had been discussing how the church was positively responding to some of the worship music where we took a hymn and swapped it's chorus with a modern worship chorus that fit. One of the hymn suggestions for the next week was "Trust and Obey", and if ever there was a hymn that could use a stronger chorus, that's one. What I came up with was to attach the Gospel chorus "I'll say Yes, Lord, Yes" to "Trust and Obey". After doing some looking with my wife, both songs were in F, so we didn't have to figure out chords or transpose anything.
It was really cool how that worked out, and I can only thank God for the bolt of inspiration that struck.
I'm genuinely enjoying the leadership roles that I am increasingly finding myself in, and am sometimes wondering if another shoe is going to drop, but I think I am learning about what Christ meant when He said "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Labors are easier when you enjoy what you are doing.
Grace and Peace,
Gil
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