Scott Miller Blog :: Good Stuff

GC, Mennonites, and the Star Spangled Banner

At the risk of making enemies, let me blab for a few minutes on what I think about all of the hubbub over Goshen College's reversal of a decision to play the National Anthem at the beginning sporting events. I see 2 separate issues here –

1) A private college desires to make a decision on an issue that they are fully able to make by themselves. Why should the public have any say (and as much as I understand the pressure, why should my Mennonite friends feel pressure from the public) on what a private college does? Is there really a large group of GC alumni and donors that are up in arms over the decision to halt the playing/singing of the national anthem at games? If not, take the heat for standing up for what you feel is the right decision (as it seems GC is doing) and I'm sure with time, it will all blow over. I'm sure they are out there, but I have yet to speak with a bonified (sp?) Mennonite who is upset about this latest decision. It's mostly people outside of the Mennonite church that have issues. If you disagree with the stance they take on this, send your kids to Bethel, Taylor, or Indiana Wesleyan (all great local Christian schools) for college! But why waste your time trying to debate the issue? (oops…that last comment might be brought to you by the non-combatant Mennonite blood that runs in my family)

2) Is it out of hatred for their country that Mennonites don't sing the national anthem or place their hand over their heart while reciting the national anthem? This is really an interesting question. From my perspective, and though much like their Amish brethren, the Mennonites are hard to understand on some issues, I would answer no to this. The feel I get from most Menno's is not a sense of hatred for their country, but a sense of the US not being any better than any country. I could be all wet on this, but I see it as a love for 'all God's people' leading them to have an allegiance only to Christ, and deeming any kind of patriotic feel toward their own country as out of order…as out of order as a Republican decorating his/her car with a donkey. My suggestion, which I will make b/c this is my blog (hah!), is that we back off of the harsh accusations and generalizations we are throwing at the Mennonites and work a little harder to understand and know them. After all, these people do love Jesus, and at the heart of their doctrine, believe much like you and I, and I quote, "salvation is by grace through faith in Christ."

So, as most of you know, I am not a Mennonite (as an audible gasp is heard across blog land). I do know many of them, and appreciate their friendship and fellowship in Christ.

I actually would place myself on the side of being highly patriotic. I love this country, and do feel God raised us up for a specific divine purpose in history. I think it's silly and stupid of anyone to try to revise God out of the history of our country. I see no contradiction at all in pledging allegiance to the flag, nor in singing the national anthem. In fact, I enjoy taking part in both of these as it seems to remind me of how blessed I really am to be born in the US and have the freedoms I have b/c of men and women who have fought for my freedoms. Yes, yes, my ultimate freedom is in Christ, but b/c I live in the US, this freedom in Christ can be fully lived out in freedom as opposed to persecution.

I am proud to be a part of an imperfect, yet amazing country. I love the USA, and Megan and I are fostering this same love in our kids. But, any person who knows me will know where my true allegiance is – in Christ.

Thanks for reading! Now, without silly debates and mudslinging, what are your gut level feelings on this?

Spiritual Battles and God’s Power

So, I was reading in Luke 4, about when Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days. Of course we know he was fasting at this time as well. Though I do practice the discipline of fasting (less often than I should), I really can't imagine a food fast for 40 days! Holy Cow! Than, on top of that, being 'taunted' by the Devil as well? I'm typically tempted to be short and abrupt with others when I'm fasting, wondering what's wrong with everyone else (when really, it's all me). I can't imagine working through 40 days of prayer and fasting, all the while carrying on a conversation with the Devil where he is constantly taunting me!

Here's what got me though - Verse 14, after the whole temptation saga was over for now (as verse 13 says the devil "left him until an opportune time"), the Bible says, "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…"

That's the crazy thing about the power of God. You go through one of the fiercest spiritual battles of your life, and perhaps you end up emotionally, maybe even physically, beaten up. Not so spiritually, because spiritually, there is a new fierce "power of the Spirit" that is at work within you. You are spiritually farther down the road having faced the battle. Times of struggle are not meant to take us out, but to strengthen us. If we run from God after the battle, we're shooting ourselves in the foot. Spiritual battles are meant to empower us further...to beef us up spiritually and build our faith!

Don't know what you are facing, but let me encourage you that it's not for nothing! Like Jesus, God's plan is that coming out of this battle, you experience even more of the "power of the Spirit" in your life…in your marriage…in your family…in your job…in your witness! Now that is good stuff…

Blogging, TV Ministry and Larry the Cucumber

I don't blog nearly as often as I used to. I can't really put a finger on it other than I think Facebook has somewhat filled the blogging void. When I do blog, especially about something from deep within the recesses of my gut, I find it has a bit of a healing and encouraging effect on me. I also really enjoy getting what's in my mind onto screen for the world to see…knowing full well, today, a daily average of about 12 people will probably visit this blog…hah! I am reaching the masses let me tell you. It's kind of like when you hear a ministry on TV talk about how they are reaching 10 million of the United States TV viewing audience b/c they are on TBN (or insert whatever station). The fact of the matter is, 99.5% of those 10 million will typically jump right past you on their way to another channel. Yep, you are reaching the masses much like I'm reaching the masses Mr. and Mrs. TV ministry people!

Though I'm being a bit sarcastic, I'm really not anti TV ministry, just think we ought to be realistic, especially in our attempts to raise funds on air - "if we only had another million dollars this year, we could reach another 100 million souls for Jesus." You would have the opportunity to reach another 100 million souls for Jesus, but not necessarily be reaching them any more than my blog is reaching the whole blooming world.

How did this post turn to TV ministries?

So, yes…I will continue to blog…I will continue to hopefully create at least one significant blog post a week that will make you laugh, perhaps cry, and overall, be moved (much like Larry the Cucumber was moved).

Elkhart Campus Re-joining Middlebury Campus

After much prayer and discussion, we've made the decision to combine Pathway's Elkhart Campus back in with the Middlebury Campus as of July 3, 2011.  Please listen to the this podcast to hear Jason share his heart on this, which includes a few minute of my thoughts on vision at the end.

You can then listen to the same talk I made at the Middlebury campus by following the same link.

Your pastor wants you to know this about guests @ your church…

Was thinking through some practical ways to welcome first time guests at Pathway, or any church for that matter:

1. Get past the "I'm a guest" stage...hah!  If you've attended for a few weeks, look at yourself as a regular, not a guest!  Get plugged into the life of the church and at least one serving opportunity there at the church (ushers, greeters, etc.)!  I could say more, but let's leave it at that.
2. Park as far away as you can from the door!  If you are a single mom, or have a hard time walking, etc., you are absolutely exempt from this.  But if you are physically able, take one of the parking spots in the far end of the parking lot.  Save those closest to the doors for our guests.
3. Get your booty in service!  I know it's nice to chat in the lobby over a cup of coffee, but it feels a bit awkward for our guests to be the only one's sitting in a section until halfway through the song service!
4. Give up your seat!  That's right...if you EVER see a guest headed to the front row to sit b/c that's the only open spot, you invite them to take your seats and get your family to the front row.  Don't ever make a guest sit on the front row unless they want to.
5. Greet, greet, greet!  Ok...I realize that not everyone is a natural greeter...but...even the most inward person alive can make a huge difference in a guests experience by simply saying, "Hi, glad to have you with us today."  or "Hi, I'm _______________, what was your name?  Great to have you at Pathway (insert your church name) today."  Go out of your way to make people feel welcome (with sincerity of course!). 
6. Lookout!  Be on the lookout for anyone that seems to be lost.  Looking for a bathroom?  You show them where they are.  Looking for Kid's Church?  You walk them there. 
7. Pray!  Pray throughout the week that God will give you favor as you invite others to a weekend service.  Also, pray that those that come receive Christ, and get what God desires to give them...Hope...Salvation...Healing! 

Good stuff! What would you add to this list?

MOH and Agriculture

Here's an update on how one of Pathway's newest strategic missions partners are helping impact culture in Haiti via agriculture! When we were down there in February, we built houses which sit on a small parcel of land. What you see in this video is what they are training the Haitians to do with their land!

MOH 500 & Farming God's Way from Mission of Hope Haiti on Vimeo.

 

What I’ve Been Reading…The Reagan Wit by Bill Adler and Bill Adler Jr.

I think Megan got this book from her dad's bookshelves the last time we were over there. Ronald Reagan was a simple, but extraordinary leader. He was the greatest president of my life time. This book is full of little humorous anecdotes and thoughts from the Gipper. Everything from continual jabs at the Democrats, to the funny things he said during the whole ordeal of being shot. Nice diversion in the middle of a busy season of life and ministry!