Where in the world is.....Albania?

Last year at this time, I wouldn't have been able to tell you anything about the country of Albania. What a difference a year makes.

Last fall, I was invited to co-lead a discovery trip of Valor Christian High School students to Albania by one of my colleagues. Discovery trips are the short-term mission trips that Valor encourages its students to participate in. I think it is one of the remarkable distinctives of the school. This year, between spring break trips and summer trips, we will be sending nearly half of our 840 students on a discovery trip somewhere in the world! Our mission statement is "To Prepare Tomorrow's Leaders to Influence Their World for Christ." The Discovery program achieves this goal better than any other aspect of their education with our school.

After thinking and praying about it with my wife Denise, we both agreed to be trip leaders for a spring break trip to Albania. This was designed to be an Arts focused trip, and so the team we handpicked to go consisted of students with specific and proven abilities in the areas of dance, drama and music. We ended up with a team of 23 students and 5 adults.

Albania is a fascinating country. When communism came into power throughout eastern Europe, Albania embraced it as well, and became famous for being the most atheistic and closed country on the planet. Christianity was all but stamped out there. With the fall of communism in 1992, Albania opened its doors to the rest of the world for the first time in decades. Campus Crusade for Christ was among the first to move in with the gospel, and has done a remarkable work in evangelizing and discipling the young people of Albania ever since. Albania is a country with a deep love for America and the American culture, in spite of being 70% muslim.

The 10 days we spent in that country were some of the best ministry of our lives. Our partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ was part of their three week evangelistic campaign with high school and college students. Our students were able to participate alongside of the Campus Crusade staff in a variety of outreach opportunities. They performed three concerts in public venues, visited and performed at six different schools, performed with Albanian young musicians several times, performed on the streets and in a Roma gypsy community, and led worship for a church on Easter Sunday. But the greatest and most meaningful ministry they had was in participating with discussion groups throughout the week, meeting and sharing their faith with Albanian young people who are open to the gospel and wanting answers to the meaning of life. None of us wanted to leave when it was time to return to the USA.

We were told to expect spiritual fruit there, but we had no idea the spiritual harvest that would come as a result of our partnership in ministry with Campus Crusade. By the end of the three weeks, they had 162 who publicly accepted Christ as their personal Savior, out of approximately 900 students that were ministered to in one way or another! Some of our students were present to see some of these decisions in their discussion groups.

We all fell in love with Albania, with the Campus Crusade leaders and staff, and with the people of this delightful country. Thanks be to God for allowing us to minister in His Name on the other side of the world.

Oh, and to answer the opening question: Albania is located directly above Greece and across the sea from Italy.

A Man and His Sign

I went to a Colorado Rockies baseball game two nights ago. My son is home for the summer, and my wife and I wanted to take him to a game before he heads back to the east coast to begin a new job there.

I wasn't expecting a great game. The Rockies were playing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are a good team. The Rockies are not a good team this year. As it turns out, it was an interesting game. The weather was threatening all game, and even caused a rain delay at the beginning of the 9th inning. We ended up winning the game in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the 9th inning.

But the most impactful thing actually happened on the way to the game. As we were walking towards the stadium, we were caught at a red light along with a crowd of other Rockies supporters. As we waited for the light to turn green, I noticed a small, elderly man standing in front of the crowd, holding a hand-made sign. As soon as the crowd began to gather, he went into action. Holding his sign up high, he began quoting scriptures at the top of his voice. "Ye must be born again." "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved." "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned." He spent about a minute proclaiming the future judgement and the need of a Savior. When the light changed, he lowered his sign and stopped his preaching.

I was watching him the entire time. He wasn't eloquent. He wasn't well dressed. His sign was crude and a bit hard to read. But I was rivetted. He boldly proclaimed the truth of Christianity in front of dozens of people. And I was glad that we have a country still where a guy like him can witness of his faith in public without fear of being arrested or put in jail.

I wondered how the crowd would respond to him. I thought they would be mocking him almost right away. A crowd like that, there were plenty of people already drunk, already talking loudly, probably ready to put down a guy like him. I was surprised, though. The talking got quieter, some even listened to him, but no-one gave him a hard time. No-one.

As I passed him, I put a hand on his shoulder and told him "Amen, brother. I'm a believer too." I wanted to encourage him in what he was doing. I hoped that brief encounter would let him know he was not alone. I wanted him to not give up in proclaiming the good news.

Then I thought: would I do that? Would I stand outside Coors Field with a sign, preaching to wave after wave of sports fans as they arrived at the stadium? Would I be that bold? Willing to risk being heckled or harassed for what I was saying? Even perhaps physically jostled or attacked? Arrested? I was reminded that the Apostle Paul was horribly mistreated for his bold witness for Christ.

I felt like I had seen an example of the Apostle Paul there on the corner of Blake Street in downtown Denver. And I was convicted by his bold witness. Shamed that I have never taken that bold a step for my Savior. Wondering why he was doing that when I had never even thought of doing something that radical for Christ.

Two days ago, I found a new hero. Someone who inspired me to be more intentional, more bold, more outspoken, in speaking the truth of the gospel to others. I hope his example changes me. I want to change. I want to make a difference in people's lives. To be a witness for Christ. God, please help me to be that kind of witness for my Jesus.

B.C. and A.D. redefined

I would like to borrow these two well-known and defining acronyms from history to help in processing what is happening in our family right now. The defining date for us that separates these two is January 25th, 2012. That is the date my daughter Stephanie found out she has cancer.

So for me, B.C. stands for Before Cancer, and A.D. stands for After Diagnosis. When Stephanie continued to have unexplained medical symptoms over the course of this past year, she would not accept doctors who told her she needed more rest, or should take more vitamin D. She continued to seek out further medical testing and I thank God she did. After a PAP smear finally showed the presence of cervical cancer, there was relief over finally having a correct diagnosis. Now she knew what it was, she could begin a process to "fix" it.

But our A.D. has been anything but smooth. Every time there has been further news from the doctors, it has been worse news. From cervical cancer, with surgery as the solution, we went to metastasized cancer, with at least one lymph node infected by the cancer. From there, we have had biopsy results reveal the cancer is a rare and aggressive cancer, resistive to treatment, called endocrine-neuro cancer, which requires basically throwing everything at it to try and get rid of it - chemotherapy and radiation, right away, and over the course of the next 6 months.  

Our A.D. world has been completely redefined by her cancer. Nothing is the same.
So many things that were important before her diagnosis have become so much less important now. Our jobs. Getting our home ready to sell. Keeping up with the laundry. Going to the gym each morning. Eating regular meals.

Our priorities have completely shifted. Now, these are the things that are important to us: Taking care of her and her husband's needs. Finding out as much as possible about her cancer and the treatment regiment needed. Organizing meals. Getting her to the hospital, to doctors appointments. We want to be sure we are there for her at every turn.

Through it all, we have drawn even closer to God and to our faith in His ultimate goodness in our lives. His Word has become our daily sustenance. Prayer has become a way of life. The encouragement of others who have stepped forward to walk this path with us has become as precious as gold to us.

God has ministered to us in our pain, in our uncertainty, in powerful ways. He is our strength, our comfort, our rock. He is working good...always! The story Stephanie is telling through her blog, derailingmydiagnosis.wordpress.com, is being followed by hundreds of people already. Her journey of faith has gone viral, reaching to people all over our nation, all over the world!

We don't know what the future holds. The road will be long and difficult. But we are learning so much, and there is so much more to learn. Lessons from the caring hand of our loving Heavenly Father.

Speak, Lord. You have our attention.    

Worship in a museum

Last Sunday afternoon, I found myself in the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York City. I was there chaperoning a group of students from Valor Christian High School, the school where I teach. We were there over the school's fall break. After establishing a time and location for meeting back up, I sent the students out in groups of 2 or more, and found myself alone, free to do whatever I wanted to do with the next hour and a half.

Where should I go? What did I want to see? I folded open the map guide to the museum and looked it over. Other than the musical instruments room, nothing particularly caught my fancy.

It was then I had an impulsive idea. Why not try to find all of the pieces of art that depicted Jesus Christ, especially those that depicted Him either on the cross or following His crucifixion? With nothing more than that as my goal, I got my camera out and began to slowly meander my way through the various exhibit halls. If it didn't deal with the subject of Christ's life here on earth, I didn't give it a second glance.

This was a treasure hunt that brought me riches beyond what I could have imagined. I found marble statues, silver-stamped processional pieces, inlaid wooden scenes, stained glass panels and, of course, numerous paintings, both large and small. Each one brought me to a stop, and I found myself quietly meditating on each piece of art. And I worshiped.

I was impressed at the commitment it took for each artist to fashion their art; with the hours (and days, weeks...months!) it took them to complete their masterpieces. I marveled at the skill and giftedness required to present the Savior within the context of their own personal and creative viewpoints and using their choice of artistic mediums. I wondered what they were trying to communicate about their own spiritual journeys and faith. And I worshiped.

I finally entered a hall where I was immediately drawn across the room by a painting. It was by Manet, and it depicted the crucified Jesus, now down from the cross, dead, and with two angels near Him. As I sat down in front of it, I began to notice some of the unique perspective the artist had in painting the scene. Jesus body is laying face on to the viewer - the first time I have ever seen this positioning of His body. It allowed for a complete detailing of his crucifixion wounds, from his nail-pierced feet to his wounded side. And I worshiped.

I then looked at His face. It was unlike any other depiction of Christ I have ever seen. His features were...well, they were not those of a handsome man. He looked ugly. His hair was dishevelled, his beard spotty and unkempt, his cheeks sunken, his bone structure angular and disproportional. And then the verse came to me: "There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him, and people turned away" (Isaiah 53:2). Manet's depiction of my Savior's appearance brought home to me the humility of God in taking on human form to die for me. And I worshiped.

Right there. In the middle of the museum. On a bench. In front of a painting I had never seen before. Painted by someone I do not know. Someone who, as he used his paints, canvas and brushes, had no idea the impact his work would make on a man so many years later. A man who happened upon his painting in a room nearly 150 years later and thousands of miles away from where it was created.

I worshiped my Savior last Sunday. In a museum.

Dancing in the Mine Fields

I can't claim the title I am using for this blog. It is the title of a song by Christian troubador, Andrew Peterson. His music is always thoughtful, well-crafted and creative. It's a song written in tribute to his marriage, and describes the all-out commitment marriage requires in a beautiful and poetic way. Sermons could be preached, seminars led, using nothing more than the text of this song.

Maybe it has invaded my thinking because, in a week's time, I will be giving away the third of my four daughters. At any rate, here are some of the profound takeaways for me from his song:

1. Marriage is not just a beginning, but also an end.
While we frequently focus on the new relationship between the two getting married, celebrating the new union with all of its promise, marriage also represents the end, or death, of their lives as single people. No longer should their focus be on themselves; singlehood breeds narcissism, but marriage necessitates self-sacrifice and selflessness. Along with the vow "I Do," and all that it encompasses, is also a list of "I Don'ts" in terms of how we are to lay our lives down for our life mates.

2. Marriage is a risky venture.
The song title reveals that it is a dangerous thing to entering into a mutual and life-long marriage. There are many pitfalls (mines) that can destroy a marriage. We know this to be true. When one of every two marriages end in divorce, it can safely be assumed that marriage is a fragile thing. There is a reason why so many vows include references to sticking it out regardless of difficult circumstances that may arise: in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, etc. At my niece's recent wedding, I was impressed that they included in their vows this phrase: "I will never divorce you."  

3. Marriage is idealistic.
The love passage, I Corinthians 13, says that love believes all things and is quick to forgive. Never let anyone try to burst the bubble of optimism with which you start marriage as a young person. In the song, Andrew describes that he and his wife were considered too young and nieve when they began their marriage. Even so, he is celebrating 15 years of marriage as he writes his song. The fact that marriage is God's idea, His plan, is reason for great optimism.

4. Marriage is meant to be enjoyed. 
I love the picture of a couple dancing. My wife loves to dance. Her idea of a great date is for the two of us to go out dancing. She could dance for hours. There is something magical about dancing with your wife or husband. It is free and uninhibited. It is a courtship. The rest of the room disappears as you enjoy each other in the dance. Dancing is a picture of all the other ways a couple can enjoy the journey through life with each other. So go on: dance!

So go get the song on itunes. "Dancing in the Mine Fields" by Andrew Peterson. And if you have begun to lower your expectations for marriage, particularly your own, I encourage you to begin believing the best about marriage!

An American Myth - Worship Leaders need to be young, guitar-toting rockers with cool hair and tight jeans.

I just heard of yet another friend of mine who was asked to leave his position as worship pastor at a church where he had served for many years. That makes four of my contemporaries in the last year or so, all of whom were told the church is "going in a different direction." What do each of them have in common? They all recently turned 50 years old. And now, they are all looking for work, and finding it hard to find. They are all questioning whether they have a place in the church at this stage of their lives or if they are all washed up.

What causes a church to make such a decision? I can tell you what it wasn't. It wasn't moral failure, lack of excellence, character issues or spiritual shallowness on the part of any of these men. Each of them are excellent musicians who love the Lord and His church, and have dedicated their lives to serving Him with their musical gifts.

So what was it that brought their ministries to an end? Each of these churches have bought into a new philosophy of worship that has been sweeping across churches in America. To attract more young people, they have concluded they need to emulate what they see at the trendy, successful mega-churches: they need a young, guitar-toting rocker with cool hair and tight jeans to lead their worship. They believe that, for their churches to really grow, they need a worship make-over. And so it is out with the old, in with the new.

What these churches fail to recognize is that their gain is also their loss. They trade the known for the unknown, thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. They trade a worship veteran for an inexperienced and often ego-driven youngster. They trade someone with a life time commitment for someone looking for the next step up the success ladder. They trade someone with a proven ministry mindset for someone who frequently doesn't understand what being a pastor really means. They trade a mentor for someone who needs to be mentored.

The only other church ministry position where being older means being obsolete is the area of youth ministry. That has been true for quite some time, and almost universally so, although I have seen a growing number of youth pastors who are surviving (and thriving) into their grandparenting years. I applaud this for many reasons, first and foremost because with their increased age, these men have now parented their own children through the teenage and young adult years. That gives them real-life experience no twenty year old can bring to the spiritual care of teenagers.

Running after the latest trend in worship reveals the heart of a church's worship philosophy. Remaking worship in order to target the younger generation seems like a good idea on the surface. After all, what church wants to fall behind in terms of staying relevant? And if younger people aren't coming, or are visiting but not returning, and then blame the worship, doesn't that warrant the change? 

I don't think so. To focus on one generation is to neglect the others, and that just doesn't describe how the Bible views the Body of Christ. Our love and care for one another is what will draw people to the Kingdom. We are described as having many parts yet all are valuable and useful. Which is why I believe so strongly that the best model for worship is an inclusive, multi-generational approach. One where grandparents and grandchildren are both able to worship together in the same room, learning and growing as they see how the other's worship language and needs are being met.

I believe a multi-generational worship approach can be achieved by a worship leader of any age as long as he understands that worship needs to include a variety of generational preferences, is willing to stay current with a part of the worship  being offered, and is willing to share his worship leadership with others of different (usually younger) generations. It also requires the complete support of church leadership, including the senior pastor. Another must is regular, consistent, and intentional teaching about worship so that the church's worshipers don't fall into a consumerism, me-centered mentality.

The damage caused by tossing out an older worship pastor and pursuing a younger one just to follow a trend is something I believe God will hold church leadership responsible for. The Church is not the business world, where change for change sake is often quite acceptable, and where phasing out older workers for younger ones helps save money on salaries. This is the Body of Christ, where every member is of value. Including fifty-year-old worship leaders.   

Do you dare to ask God to speak to you?

My wife and I have been on an interesting journey this past year. After leaving the church ministry last May where I had been serving as Worship Pastor and Musical Director for eight years, I found myself in an unfamiliar place: being without a church home, and beginning a journey to find a new church.

This was unprecedented for me, because I had always been on staff as Music Director at every church I attended - employed by the church I attended. After all, you kind of have to attend the church that is paying you to be there to lead their musical program!

We have not been in any hurry. There was some burnout, more than I realized, after having been in church work for over twenty years. In fact, now that I am teaching, this past Christmas season was eye-opening to me. Our family was together for the holiday, free of the pressures of church programs and services, and actually all at home on Christmas Eve together. Weekends have been restorative as well, without the weekly pressures of preparing and presenting multiple services full of music.

Nevertheless, the desire to worship with other Christ-followers, to be taught God's Word, and to be in community with other believers, has remained, and even grown over time.

Finding a church to call home is hard! As my wife and I have visited various churches, we have discovered that our list of things we desire in a church has come into sharper focus. Having come from a large church situation, you might be surprised at what we are looking for; then again, you might not be surprised at all.

1. Authentic, deep, caring, real-world relationships and community
2. Small scale programming and building facilities
3. A focus on reaching out to the community in real-life acts of service
4. A flexible approach to church that allows for the Spirit to intervene with what has been planned and prepared with His agenda and purposes
5. A dependency on God that is revealed by the leadership being humble and teachable
6. Worship that is emotionally moving, overwhelmingly about God and definitely not about the "performance"
7. Teaching that is Biblical yet consistently applied to life

It has taken us nearly an entire year to find a church that we believe fulfills these requirements. It is a church plant, barely a year old, that meets in a hotel ballroom each week. It is a young church demographically; we are among the old ones there. They don't have everything figured out, but their authentic desire to follow Jesus and share Him with their world shows in everything they do.

Last Sunday was not unusual, even though it was Easter Sunday. There were technical difficulties, and parking problems, and church did not start on time. But as I walked into the building, I asked God to speak to me through the worship and the message, and did He ever!

I found tears streaming down my face as I worshiped God. The words of the modern praise music ministered to me, revealing who God is to me, and causing my soul to respond with unhindered thanksgiving and praise. The message was genuine, and clearly the result of time spent with God and His Word. I was challenged to go deeper, to meditate on the truths shared, as I wrote down key points in my I-phone notes app.

As we left, I had an opportunity to thank the pastor for His message. His response was to thank me for being there, and to share that He could probably learn a lot from me and from my years of church experience. A humble leader.

On the walk to the car, I told my wife that God had impressed on me that morning that this was where we should attend church. Her response? I thought God was telling me the very same thing today! A wonderfully confirming moment, seeing God tell us both the same thing independently of each other.

I do firmly believe that God will speak to someone if they ask Him to do so. An open mind, an open heart, and open hands, all give Him the opportunity to lead us in the right direction as we seek to follow Him. It's a great place to be!