Saturday dahlia post (on Friday afternoon)

Here is my Saturday "dahlia" post. The flowers are listed from the top of the page to the bottom.

Jayleene G

Camano Sitka

CG Highlight

Calamity Shane

Aubrey Grace


Have a wonderful time in worship this weekend!

So Long, Clif—Part 3.

Dahlia of the day: Pam Howden.

Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will not be seeking another term as Stated Clerk. Today is the third day of critiquing Kirkpatrick’s self assessment of his time as Stated Clerk.

In looking back at his service as Stated Clerk, Kirkpatrick said:

“Serving as Stated Clerk has offered me a platform I would never have dreamed possible—to serve the church I love and to give expression to my passions, my sense of call, and my gifts for the things that really matter. It has been a tremendous privilege to give voice to the witness of our church to the gospel and to justice and peace in the world, to be a leader in the ecumenical movement, to guide the church (even in our contentions) toward unity in diversity, to uphold our Constitution, and to pioneer in new ways to express old truth as we seek to discern the mind of Christ and develop a polity and a church for the 21st century.”

“…to give voice… to justice and peace in the world…”

Clif has been a consistent advocate for justice and peace in the world. He has worked to promote justice and peace—even when particular situations were not popular among all Presbyterians. While Kirkpatrick has done a good job in this area I believe that he kept his focus on “issues” that were popular in some corners of the PCUSA when there were even larger peace and justice issues going on around the world. Where is the rallying call from his office for the poor, oppressed, hurting and HIV/AIDS victims in Africa? The Israel/Palestinian conflict is a major focus for the PCUSA when there are millions of people dying in Africa. Our denomination’s peace and justice folks are having “talks” with Caterpillar Corp about divestment while the continent of Africa is going through massive droughts, civil wars (with mass murder of civilians) and unrest and an HIV/AIDS pandemic (or is it an epidemic at this point?). Read the news… in China Christian house-church pastors being arrested and sent to jail (no outcry from Kirkpatrick), Christians are killed in India for their faith (no outcry from Kirkpatrick) and in several areas of the world Muslim’s are killing folks who have converted to Christianity (no outcry from Kirkpatrick). It is my hope that the next Stated Clerk will have the guts to expand our efforts in peace and justice to situations beyond those causes deemed popular by our current peace and justice efforts.

“…to be a leader in the ecumenical movement…”

In this area I would give Kirkpatrick a grade between acceptable and good. He has worked the “normal channels” of the ecumenical movement very well. He works well with the big named ecumenical groups. I believe his commitment to the ecumenical movement kept him from taking a hard line with some ecumenical groups when they were not being fiscally responsible. The PCUSA has the right to demand fiscal responsibility from those groups where we are the major financial contributor. Our local churches have to be fiscally responsible—the General Assembly doesn’t come to our aid if we have financial shortfalls due to irresponsibility. Once again, I would have like to see Kirkpatrick be truly ecumenical. At the national level the PCUSA works well with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Disciples of Christ, the United Methodist and the Episcopal Church. I have served as a pastor in four communities. In only one of those communities has those churches been regular participants in the local pastors/churches group. Independent and conservative churches have been more than willing to partner in those groups than the so called “progressive” denominations. The PCUSA seems to think that “ecumenical” means hanging out with those who are most like you. The PCUSA would be building bridges with the Assemblies of God, Southern Baptists, Conservative Baptists, Missouri Synod Lutherans, Church of the Nazarene and independent churches (to name a few) if it was truly interested in being ecumenical. In recent months there has been some movement to build bridges with some of these denominations. There might be some hope in this area! I hope that our next Stated Clerk will be truly ecumenical.

So Long, Clif—Part 2.

Dahlia of the day: Insipic. (This is the most unique dahlia in my garden. The photo in-no-way does it justice. The main blossoms are large, but extremely difficult to photograph (they tend to be on the main stem with higher sides buds around them. Everyone who sees Insipic comments on it.)

Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will not be seeking another term as Stated Clerk. Yesterday I began a critique of Kirkpatrick’s self evaluation of his time as Stated Clerk. Yesterday I looked at two areas: “…expression of my passion…” and “…my sense of call…”.

In looking back at his service as Stated Clerk, Kirkpatrick said:

“Serving as Stated Clerk has offered me a platform I would never have dreamed possible—to serve the church I love and to give expression to my passions, my sense of call, and my gifts for the things that really matter. It has been a tremendous privilege to give voice to the witness of our church to the gospel and to justice and peace in the world, to be a leader in the ecumenical movement, to guide the church (even in our contentions) toward unity in diversity, to uphold our Constitution, and to pioneer in new ways to express old truth as we seek to discern the mind of Christ and develop a polity and a church for the 21st century.”

“…my gifts for the things that really matter”

Really matter to whom?

What are the “things that really matter? There is no concrete mechanism for deciding the issues that really matter to the denomination. For example, on several occasions the General Assembly has voted to change ordination standards to open the way for straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons who are sexually active outside of a marriage between one man and one woman to be ordained as Ministers of Word and Sacrament (in non-Presbyterian lingo—pastors). Did those General Assemblies decided “what really matters?” Or, did the Presbyteries and the rank-and-file of the denomination decided what “really matters” when they defeated these proposed changes by ever increasing numbers? Does the Washington D.C. office of the Presbyterian Church decide what “really matters” when it advocates positions that are contrary to General Assembly policy and actions? Or, is it the responsibility of the Stated Clerk to ensure that the Washington office complies with GA policy and actions? The last General Assembly passed the infamous PUP report (Peace, Unity and Purity). Presbyterians across the nation called upon the Stated Clerks office to give an interpretation as to the meaning of what was actually passed. For weeks, even months, the Office of the Stated Clerk was silent. Our denomination was in an uproar. Did that matter?? Silence.

There are things that Kirkpatrick cares passionately about—these things matter to him. I am confident that he uses his gifts to work toward these things (what ever they may be). Other than that, I do not believe that he has done an acceptable job of recognizing the things that “really matter” to the PCUSA.

I will comment more specifically on how he fulfilled his position description at a later time. I have searched and searched the internet for that position description and my searches have come up empty. I have found position descriptions for dozens of presbytery stated clerk positions—nothing for the GA position. I am considerably more tech savvy than the average Presbyterian in the pews—if I can’t find the position description then the average Presbyterian won’t be able to find it. I have e-mailed the Stated Clerk asking for a copy of the position description.

“…to give voice to the witness of our church to the gospel…”

Wikipedia definition of gospel: “… to denote the proclamation of God’s saving activity in Jesus of Nazareth, or to denote the agape message proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth…”

I don’t believe that that average Presbyterian has heard the Stated Clerk “give voice to the witness of our church to the gospel.” The average person who reads a newspaper has never heard the Stated Clerk “give voice to the witness of our church to the gospel.” National church leaders probably have heard the Stated Clerk give such a witness.

The PCUSA and the world need to hear from the Stated Clerk of the PCUSA on a consistent basis. We need to hear what is happening in our church and how we are doing at witnessing to the gospel of Christ. The report does not always have to be “rosy”—we don’t need the Stated Clerk to blow smoke up our butts. We need to hear the truth—even if it hurts. For once I would like to hear the Stated Clerk say that we are doing a crappy job of evangelism. I would like to hear our Stated Clerk say that we have failed our Racial/Ethnic Schools and Colleges as they cease operations due to financial difficulties. I know, I know—they are all “independent” entities. Still, if we “claim” them to be our racial/ethnic schools and colleges then we had better do something about this critical situation. Speak to us, Mr. Stated Clerk!

In my opinion, the Stated Clerk has done a so-so job in this area.

So Long, Clif—Part 1.

Dahlia of the day: Fern Ridge Magi.

Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will not be seeking another term as Stated Clerk. The Presbyterian Outlook quoted Kirkpatrick as saying, “At the same time, I am also eager to have more quality time with my family, to be able to devote myself more fully to the responsibility I have undertaken since 2004 to serve as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and to share in the life of the church, both locally and globally, in new and creative ways.” I want to wish Clif well in his future endeavors.

I think it is important to look back at his tenure to see what his legacy will be. Was he a good leader? Was he a great leader? Was he a poor leader? Was he a horrible leader? What can the next Stated Clerk expect when she/he steps into office?

Let me begin by stating that the job of Stated Clerk in the PCUSA is a thankless job that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I am reminded of a Super Bowl commercial about herding cats. I imagine that leading the PCUSA is a lot like herding cats! There is no “unity” in our denomination. There is no common “purpose” in our denomination. Passionate people and congregations try to exert their will on the PCUSA and some are even willing to defy denominational requirements and standards. Come to think of it, it may be easier to herd cats than it is to lead the PCUSA.

In looking back at his service as Stated Clerk, Kirkpatrick said:

“Serving as Stated Clerk has offered me a platform I would never have dreamed possible—to serve the church I love and to give expression to my passions, my sense of call, and my gifts for the things that really matter. It has been a tremendous privilege to give voice to the witness of our church to the gospel and to justice and peace in the world, to be a leader in the ecumenical movement, to guide the church (even in our contentions) toward unity in diversity, to uphold our Constitution, and to pioneer in new ways to express old truth as we seek to discern the mind of Christ and develop a polity and a church for the 21st century.”

Over the next several days I am going to evaluate Kirkpatrick’s self evaluation of his time in office.

“…expression to my passions…”

Kirkpatrick is passionate about the PCUSA and various aspects of the church’s life and witness. The Stated Clerk has to be cautious about being “outwardly” passionate about the issues that divide our denomination; after all, his service is to the entire denomination. I must confess that I have never met the man. (he may be glad about that) Those I know who have met him have talked about his sincerity, commitment and dedication to the church. They say that he is a good man—a man of strong faith. We should never doubt his passion for the church.

Our next Stated Clerk MUST be passionate about the church.

“…my sense of call…”

Kirkpatrick has a sense of his call to ministry. His sense of call must be strong! Our denomination has gone through some very stormy waters during Kirkpatrick’s time of service. A person without a strong sense of call would have left office a long time ago. There are multiple aspects to a person’s calling: to ministry, to service, to the local church, to the denomination and to the greater church. The only portion of Kirkpatrick’s sense of call that is appropriate for me to comment on is his call as Stated Clerk of the PCUSA. Believe it or not, I do believe that Kirkpatrick was called by God to be the Stated Clerk of the PCUSA. Having said that, like many pastors, I believe that he stayed in the position beyond his time of calling. It is hard for me to fault him for this. I continually ask the Lord if I have been at Evergreen too long. I think that every pastor, presbytery leader and denominational leader should be asking the same question. It is hard to leave a position that we love. It is hard to leave a position that we care passionately about. It is hard to leave the people that we care for and lead. It is hard to leave community connections. It is hard to leave when our family is rooted in a community. I am glad that Kirkpatrick has felt a sense of release from the calling to be the Stated Clerk of the PCUSA. It is much better for him to “go out” in this manner, rather than to be voted out at a General Assembly meeting.

I hope that our next Stated Clerk has a strong sense of call to be the Stated Clerk of the PCUSA. I also hope that the next Stated Clerk continually asks God when it is time to leave the position of Stated Clerk.

Pastoral Visits – the Changing Landscape of Ministry (Part 5)

Dahlia of the day: Fairway Pilot..

Take your spouse:

I have a great wife. She works full time for World Vision in the area of grant compliance. She has a LONG day—when you figure in the commute both ways. Every now and then she goes to the hospital with me. During last winter’s power outage she went with me to check on some of our “older” folks. People love it when she goes on visits with me.

I know a retired pastor who practiced home visitation in just this way. He would take his wife with him when he would do home visits. He wife is a dear! People would love it when she came with him for a visit.

Taking a spouse on a home visit is one strategy for pastoral home visits.

Dinner at our house:

(Note: This strategy works best if the pastor is married.) Where is it written that a pastoral home visit has to occur in the home of the parishioner? An earlier post talked about how threatening it can be to have the pastor stop by a parishioner’s house. Why not have people over to the pastor’s house? The dinner doesn’t have to be fancy. A few years ago Brenda and I tried having Taco Tuesday at our house. We would invite people over for a simple taco dinner every few Tuesdays. We let people “build their own” tacos. It was a simple dinner. We let people know that the evening would not be long and drawn out since it was a school night. I would do the cooking (I normally do) since Brenda would get home just a little before the others would arrive. Taco Tuesdays were great—maybe we should do them again.

Training others in visitation:

Every church has sacred cows. Mark Twain once said, “Sacred cows make the best hamburger.” I would say that sacred cows make good hamburger if you don’t get serious injured while dispatching them. The “pastoral home visit” is a sacred cow in some churches. There are many people in the congregation who would be excellent at doing home visits. Many of these same people would be more than willing to carry out home visits. The challenge is in educating the congregation on the topic of home visits. We have to move the church away from thinking that the pastor’s home visit is the only one that really counts. A visit from a deacon counts! A visit from a member of your small group counts! A visit from an elder counts! A visit from a person from a Church School class counts! A visit from another person from the congregation counts!

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Evergreen’s strategy:

The leadership of Evergreen knows that there are not enough hours in a week for me to do home visits. People in our new member’s class (held at my home) are politely informed that they should not expect to see me in their home unless they have some sort of life issue: sick, a death in the family, a family crisis, a financial crisis, etc. On those occasions I will be there as fast as I can get there. I visit people in the hospital. Hospital visits take a lot of time. Just the drive to the hospital eats up a lot of time. There are six hospitals in the general area and it can take almost an hour to reach three of them (plus one on a military base and that one takes even longer to get to). There are weeks when I have two or three people in the hospital. There just isn’t much time available for home visits. Most people are very accepting of this reality of life at Evergreen.

Here is what we do at Evergreen.

• Deacons—our front line of care: We have a great Deacon board. Every person who regularly attends Evergreen has a deacon assigned to them. The deacon prays for every person under their care. The deacon sends cards and letters to every person under their care. The deacon tries to keep regular contact with every person under their care. The deacon (without violating confidentiality) notifies the pastor if a person has some special need.
• Small groups—caring for each other: Evergreen does not have lots and lots of small groups; however, we expect our small groups to care for those who are a part of their group. The small group members practice pastoral care.
• The pastor—available for those with the greatest need: The pastor is available for those with the deepest needs.