pastor

Pastor Tim Keller is the Man

Won Kim — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:11:00 -0800

In case you’re not familiar with Tim Keller, he’s a New York Times bestseller, a gifted orator and founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. To those fond of Keller, he’s often regarded as the “thinking person’s pastor,” with sermons that are culturally relevant, exegetically sharp and profoundly practical. On any given Sunday, Keller can in one breath be heard quoting C.S. Lewis, an Old Testament prophet and an op-ed from The New Yorker.

Having visited Redeemer church a dozen times or so, I can attest to Keller’s ability to connect with the casual New Yorker, and by casual I mean well-read, successful and impeccably groomed. His congregation, which now hovers around 5,000 people, have known for years what many Christians outside Manhattan are finding out—Tim Keller is a powerful figure in the church.

He was most recently featured in New York Magazine, which is as influential a publication you will find here in the Empire State. Written by Joseph Hooper, the feature does a very good job of capturing the conservative feel of Redeemer, the makeup of the congregation and the persona of Tim Keller. This isn’t the first time Keller has been covered by notable media—New York Times ran a piece on Keller, as has Newsweek and a shout-out in Time. Christian media has run aplenty, such as this recent piece in Christianity Today.

I’ll be honest; I think Tim Keller is phenomenal. His downloadable sermons are worth its price in gold, and his influence in New York City is far-reaching. As one of my several friends who attend Redeemer (known as Redeemerites) will proudly say, “Tim Keller is the man.” I agree wholeheartedly, but I would follow that up with a near-identical sentiment if not for one article change: Tim Keller is a man.

There are many Tim Keller-like figures in the Christian world. Whether they’re artists, bloggers, pastors, authors or leaders, we have put them on a very high pedestal. It’s important to remember that as extraordinary as these individuals are, they are at the end of the day just a man or a woman like you. In our celebrity-driven, consumerist culture, let us never forget the words of John the Baptist after his disciples pointed out that the ministry of a certain Jesus of Nazareth was outgrowing his, “He must become greater; I must become less.” I’m sure that’s a sentiment Tim Keller would gladly preach.

No Risk, No Reward

jodie howerton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:43 -0700

Last week, my husband jumped out of an airplane.

For a sermon illustration.

He's done lots of things for sermon illustrations. He has used real fire and real chain saws to drive a point home. He uses the verbal illustration most often. He talks about me, his kids, and his friends in sermons all the time. If you know him long enough, you will appear in the weekly sermon. It's an honor, actually. Well, most of the time. He once tattled on me to the whole congregation, claiming that I was a "cusser", a foul mouthed human being. The congregation laughed, because they all knew he was exaggerating, and I had to answer a thousand questions about the incident inthe hallways after the service. In my defense, I uttered one small word (not even a really bad one) in front of my kids and they delighted in repeating it over and over. They told daddy and a sermon illustration was born. You just can't trust kids these days. I must note here that sometimes the stories in his messages are stretched the ever most teensiest bit.

This time, though,the point he was trying to get across could not be done from the safety of a stage or from behind a pulpit. The message was too big, too risky, too important. He called me week before the stunt and I could immediately tell something important was on his mind.

"Hey babe," he said.

"Hey."

"How's your day going? Are you having a good day?"

"Yes. I am...Why do you ask?"

"Well, um...I was wondering what you'd think if I jumped out of an airplane...."

"HUH? WHAT? Wow. Well, someday I think that would be fine. Would you mind picking up some milk on your way home?"

"Friday. I want to skydive on Friday."

I was dumbfounded but, surprisingly excited for him. I felt inclined to allow him the space to experience pure- adrenaline -rush- only- supplied- by- insanity. I'm proud of the fact that we're generally a risk taking family. We deal in adventure. We do roller coasters, we hike, we do marathons and triathlons. We prize toughness. We sometimes forget to wash our hands. Skydiving was a new addition to the list but, I said I would endorse his escapade with one condition. I wanted to be there.

After all, someone would have to collect his broken bones if the chute didn't open.....

So, Friday, the kids and I traveled to the airport with Mike to watch him fling himself willingly from a perfectly good airplane. He had to sign a waiver. You know, that document that lets you know that if anything happens as a result of your OWN CHOICES, the operator of the COMPANY THAT PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY, is not in any way liable for anything catastrophic that may or may not happen. I shouldn't have read it. It was not what one would call GOOD FOR THE NERVES. Here are some exerpts:

"Jumping out of an airplane is a very dangerous thing to do. Please do not ever say that we told you skydiving is safe. It is not." It goes on to list the different injuries one can sustain from skydiving, "broken legs, angles, wrists or fingers," and "death from hitting the ground too hard."

He signed it, kissed me and our 2 kids and boarded the airplane. Just as he was heading out to the air strip, we spied this quote on the wall:

"Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping." This prevented me from begging him to return immediately to the car.

The kids and I watched his plane take off, watched it disappear in the clouds, and watched a tiny white speck plummet toward the earth. I was mostly calm. At least that's what my kids would tell you. Inside I was desperately trying to quiet the crazy raving lunatic telling me that I would never see my husband in one piece again.

When the parachute deployed, we could see and hear him clearly. Relief flooded by soul. He made it down safely and I was able to breathe normally again. You can watch thevideo at the link below.

http://vimeo.com/7150174

So, why did he jump? What was the point he was trying to prove? Overlake is

heading into a huge, mind blowing vision campaign. The campaign itself is not mind blowing but, it's goals are. Goals like 1,000 slaves set free, 2,000 orphans adopted into loving families, 1,000 churches planted, 50 Community Health Centers to combat HIV/AIDS......

We're asking our congregation to give of themselves in a way that many of them never have. We're asking them to take this risk with us and give of their time and resources in sacrificial, radical ways, even in the midst of this crazy repressive recession. We're asking them to trust God.

These things, my friends, are why I let my husband jump out of an airplane.

Eugene Cho: If I Were Jon and Kate's Pastor

Guest Voices — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:15:09 -0700

Eugene Cho, a second-generation Korean-American, is the founder and lead pastor of Quest Church in Seattle and the executive director of Q Cafe, an innovative non-profit neighborhood café and music venue. He and his wife are also the visioneers of a new organization to fight global poverty called, One Day's Wages.

You can stalk him at his blog or you can follow him on Twitter.

If I Were Jon and Kate's Pastor

I'd been intending to write some blog posts on marriage, dating, and other issues related to relationships. But in light of recent events I thought I'd share a few personal thoughts about Jon and Kate Gosselin's announcement <http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=415602> to proceed with divorce and end their marriage.

The Gosselins, of course, are the "stars" of the TLC reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8. The show <http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html> follows the life of the Gosselin family, which includes Jon and Kate and their eight children -- fraternal twins and sextuplets. It is currently the most popular show on TLC. About 9.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the season premiere last month in the wake of constant tabloid rumors that the Jon and Kate's marriage was on the rocks. And, sure enough, on that show the couple revealed that they were experiencing a rough patch in their relationship.

So when TLC revealed last week that the couple would make a special announcement on Monday's episode, many people anticipated the worst -- and they tuned in <http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/06/jon-and-kate-ratings.html> to witness the tragedy. Last night's episode, which was the first full Jon & Kate that I've seen, topped the season premiere by 800,000 viewers.

Before last night, I'd only seen snippets of the show here and there. But, for whatever reason, I remember the episode where they were at church, sharing their story in front of their church community with their pastor, and recounting God's faithfulness in their lives.

And now, it's come to this ... Last night's announcement had no mention of God, covenant, church, community, or prayer. I wonder what kind of pastoral/spiritual care and counseling they are seeking and receiving. So, let me ask you this:

If you were in Jon & Kate's community group or were their pastor, how would you advise/counsel them?

I have no personal connection to the Gosselins, but it is indeed sad to see their troubled marriage exposed and exploited in the public arena of reality TV. Let me also say that I really have no idea about all the details and gossip. I just know stuff is going on because of the buzz and all the magazine and tabloid covers. But if I were Jon and Kate's pastor and were approached by them for counsel, I would share three simple things:

1. "The show must go on ..." // No, the show must not go on ... the Marriage must go on, but the show is absolutely unessential. This show needed to have ended a season ago. The show may have been a good idea at one point, but it's no longer a good idea. You're sharing their pain and drama in front of an audience of people who have no deep soul connection with you. Mercifully, TLC announced today that they were halting production <http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=415770&gt1=28103> of your show until August to allow your family to adjust to its new reality. But I believe it would be best for you, Jon and Kate, to end the show permanently and spend some quality time with your counselors, pastors, community, and family.

Ending the show should have been the announcement on Monday. Give reconciliation, counseling, and healing a chance without the cameras.

2. Remember your vows. Remember your covenant with God -- and with one another. When you're angry, upset, hurting, and bitter, the marital covenant doesn't often prevail. Rather, it's those feelings that dictate your actions. What you are feeling -- anger, bitterness, betrayal, etc. -- are all legitimate. You are experiencing every one of them.

But our feelings can also betray us, which is why we make and honor these vows and submit -- joyfully, respectfully, and, at times, painfully -- to our covenant.

Because of our covenant with one another and with God, we seek to live by Grace. We strive to listen to the other person, understand, seek counsel, ask for forgiveness and forgive, pray, communicate our feelings, pray some more... If you believe God brought you together, God can sustain your relationship if you confess, repent, and receive and extend grace to one another.

3. Repent ... for God loves you. It's as short, honest, and real as possible: Repent. Apologize. Forgive. And start the healing process. God has never stopped loving you both and your entire family.

Above all, despite their televised announcement last night, I'd tell Jon and Kate: Reconciliation is possible. Do you believe?

Love With A Jackhammer

Nick Bogardus — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:16:05 -0700

You go through phases as you live abroad. When you first get there, all you can see are the differences. First it's just the obvious differences of language, lifestyles, and quality of life. Then it's the differences in cultures and customs, and slowly that starts to reveal thought processes and worldviews; the deeper stuff that underlies all of those bigger differences. Around that time I think you begin to see the similarities between your home culture and new culture as well. The differences aren't so imposing and the similarities make it all welcoming.

One way you notice differences and similarities is by looking at how people do their jobs. Every culture has teachers, politicians, policemen, grocery store clerks, doctors and so on. Observing those shared professions help give you insight into the larger culture as well.

Then, sometimes, something happens and you're reminded of just how different it is.

About a month ago one of the elders of the church here died. It was a little sudden though not unexpected. He had been at the church for a long time, it was like his second family, and from what I understand he was dearly loved by the congregation.

The pastor of our church is a great guy; hugely generous, caring, and passionate. Part of the Monoglian/Buddhist tradition is that, when someone dies, everyone visits the family's house to share food and mourn. This happens for a period of days (if not longer). So, as the pastor, he was at the family's house to comfort and counsel. In the midst of his own grief over the loss of his friend, he ministered to his friend's' family through that mourning period.

Then, not only did he have to officiate his friend's funeral, but because he was his friend and pastor, he helped dig the grave. How many pastors, or people in general for that matter, have dug their friend's grave back home? More so, in M*ngolia it gets so cold that the ground freezes completely solid. It might as well be concrete. So, in the below freezing, sub-Siberian winter, our pastor dug his friend's grave with a jackhammer.

I've been fortunate to not have been around very much death in my life, but from what I've seen in America it is usually a pretty sterile thing. Here is this man, this friend, this pastor sinking his hands into muck of life and death. Who, in the midst of his own grief, comforts and consoles, and who not only braves temperatures you only see on Planet Earth to dig the hole in the ground for his friend's body, but he does it with a jackhammer. The he climbs out, dusts himself off, and says goodbye to his friend by doing the funeral.

It's the little differences that you see like that, that are humbling and inspiring; and for which I'm truly grateful to be here to see.