IPad – Yes, I want…

This is amazing! Yes, I would definitely like to have one.  Is it perfect?  No. I’m sure better things will come.  But, this is really a game changer.  The one thing it is missing is Flash.

Here is a YouTube video, where Charlie Rose speaks with a panel about the IPad.

Tim

To Much Distraction…

Frontline had a good presentation last night called, “Digital Nation.” It was all about being digitally wired, always plugged in, those of us born into the age of the interwebz.  We think we can multi-task.  We do three to five things at once!  We study, listening to music, posting on FaceBook/Twitter/Email/WoW/Farmville/name your favorite web endeavor.  We are so proud of ourselves…yet, we are so bad at it.  They mentioned a study going on at Stanford where they are finding out that in the end, those people – having grown up in the digital age – that supposedly are soooooo good at multi-tasking; tend to be horrible at everything they are trying to do simultaneously. Go ahead and take the time to watch it…online.

So, I’m convicted.  I’m plugged in, digitally wired, wirelessly connected.  I am utterly distracted.

I used to read.

Yes, I still read; but I’m not talking about sermon preparation.  That is part of my job.

I mean, I used to read things out of pure enjoyment.  I read series after series of sci-fi novels.  There’s wasn’t a fantasy novel by Terry Brooks that I wouldn’t pick up.  Yet, now when I’m supposed to be reading three  books at the same time (some are a reread); I find that I’ve finally finished a horribly short little work by Eugene Peterson…Months after beginning it.

Back before college, I would have finished in one sitting on a Saturday.

“The Contemplative Pastor,” is a great little book.  I highly recommend it to everyone in ministry.  It is barely 171 pages long, so short as to almost be considered a short story.  He is so utterly readable, that I can’t blame the book.  It has to be me.

So, I am committing to read an hour a day, unrelated to sermon prep and bible study.  During this time, the email applications shall be closed; the phone shall be on silence, and I shall temporarily be unplugged.  Perhaps something shall be gained which was lost.

Tim

Help for Haiti and it’s Orphanes

There’s been so much on the news, on the radio, just so much information. My heart continues to break for the people of Haiti at this time.  We have a chance to be Christ to others now.  I pray that we take advantage of the opportunity to qualitatively love others without any expectation of recompense.

That being said, there are a hundred and one ways to donate.  Our church is sending it’s donations through the Texas Baptist Men.  They are a great organization that does wonderful work.  We also listed the donation information for Doctor’s Without Borders.  We’ve all heard of the desperate need for medical personnel and associated items.

Since I was sick yesterday, I spent the majority of it on the couch watching Fox News.

Yes.  That Fox News.

Anyway, there was a reporter at one of the many badly damaged orphanages around the area.  This lead me to look in on a college friend of mine (Christine Moers), who has adopted from Haiti.  Needless to say, she’s been blogging more than a bit about it.  One of her posts was of a benefit concert in Austin.  She had links to some of the artists, which eventually lead me to this YouTube video.  Aaron Ivey’s family has already adopted one child from Haiti, and has been in progress of adopting a second.

This video simply speaks his heart.

Tim

Letter of Appreciation to FBCLW

Dear First Baptist of Lake Worth,

I hope that everyone experienced a joyful Christmas.  In the midst of the six hour drive to Hempstead, and the four hour drive back, my mind kept coming back to you.  I feel that I am truly blessed to be your pastor.

I can’t begin to say how proud of you I’ve become.  You went beyond yourselves in our Foreign Mission’s offering.  People would have understood if we hadn’t been able to meet our goal.  But, in the midst of the Recession, you overcame.  When asked to give, you gave repeatedly and sacrificially.  During a time of pessimism, darkness and fiscal depression; you lit a light of joy within me that is hard to explain.  Yes, it would have been considered a small thing to most congregations.  Most people out in the world won’t even come close to understanding.  But, I saw a love for our missionaries in concrete action.  I saw dedicated giving during a time financial frivolity and selfishness.  We abundantly exceeded our goal, with a week to spare; all because of you.  It helps me to look forward to what we can do in the upcoming year.

Just know that I’m proud of you.  I’m proud to be called to this church.  I’m proud to carry the mantel of pastor for this congregation.  Thank you for making it so.

Sincerely,

Bro. Tim

Pastor, FBC Lake Worth

All I Want for Christmas…

Is a more fret-able guitar, and a years worth of lessons from this guy:

Here is his Website, be sure to see the Promo Video.

Just a Prayer…

Heavenly Father,

I would ask that you might bend your ear.  I know what Scripture says about coming “boldly,” and all that, but I also know who I am in relation to you.  I owe you everything, everything that is good and worthwhile within me comes from you.  So, I come seeking your presence, knowing I deserve absence.  Thank you for being more than willing to give me your caring attention.

Please look in on Russ today.  I’ve not taken the opportunity to check in on him as I should.  He is always such a great guy to be around and mess with.  Please keep him safe.  He willingly puts himself in harms way so that nOObs, such as I can remain safe.  I ask for clarity to be bestowed upon him.  Concerning what, I’ve no idea…but, you do.  Help him in the areas of relationships and fatherhood.  Let him know that you care for him, and take an interest in who he is.

I ask that you might be with Rick this coming week.  He’s taking some time to get away and reflect.  Let it be both a peaceful time, as well as a convicting time.  To many guys like me, he’s seen as a mentor.  You don’t think of negative aspects of a mentor’s life and personality.  You don’t think of them as sinners, in need of their Lord’s daily care.  Yet, he still desperately needs your daily care.  Spend some special time with him.  Let his time of reflection be a time of transformation.

Be with Steve this week.  Give his family a great victory.  It is great to see a couple that loves you, and is committed to you.  However, that doesn’t mean they are without care.  Even though I may not know any specifics, I’m sure they are in need of your care this day.  Urge them, call them, empower them towards your will.

I pray for my friends who may be interviewing for jobs this week.  Give them great victory in this.  I’m assuming that it is in your will.  Of course, if you have something different for them in mind, let them know it.  Otherwise, help them to get the jobs they so desperately need.

Last of all, be with our church.  Help us to actualize some things.  Give me wisdom as people look for me to make decisions.  We want to grow, but mostly just in numbers.  I ask that we might grow in Christ-likeness.  Let that be in my heart as well.

Tim

Convention- Family Friendliness, Some Thoughts…

Ok, so you want to have a family friendly annual meeting.  Here are some thoughts from a young husband that deigned to bring his wife and 22 month old son.

You ready?

Here it goes.

First thing: High Chairs.

Seriously.  If you want “young families” to be there, then be ready for them to bring their “young” children.  I’m not talking just about the myriad of dinners happening at night, I’m also talking about the congregational area next to all the booths.  If you don’t want the kids, then I’m thinking you don’t want the parents.

Along with the first, how about some Children’s Safety Seats in the shuttle busses.  I know you aren’t going to do it.  But, don’t try to market the shuttles if 1) they never really show up, and 2) they aren’t safe for our younger children.  The state has rules regarding this, pretty strict rules if I remember.  Rules that deal with weight, height, and all sorts of things.

Did I mention that the shuttle never seemed to show up on time?  Yeah, it really was that bad, which leads to our third thing – Hotel Placement/Transportation.

If you are going to offer some special hotel deal to bring the young families in, then 1) have it right next to the Convention Center (not a mile away), or 2) Let people know that they will have to use their cars.  #2 is the best option, in my opinion.  That saves on the BGCT trying to invest in child safety seats.

Concerning Hotels in general – If a young family is taking you up on some special deal, it is probably because they are poor.  They don’t get paid a bunch at their church, lucky to make over $30K.  Their spouse has to work a job just to make ends meet.  Don’t put them in a hotel where they are going to be blowing $25 on parking, and over $100 on two days worth of breakfast.  It would have been better for us if you would have gotten us rooms at the local La Quinta, which has free parking and a continental breakfast.  It would have been cheaper to pay for parking at the convention center than paying for breakfast at the mega-expensive downtown hotel.  Oh, and the La Quinta usually has a little refrigerator, where young families can keep the drinks/goodies for their young children which they may use at night.

Now, if you want to prepare for young children…you know, those that come with young families…then perhaps looking at some sort of childcare would be appropriate.  I’m thinking, you have one large hall set aside, and maybe ask a couple of local Baptist Student Ministries to man it.  You may be able to borrow some child appropriate games/toys/etc. from some local congregations.  Be ready to have something in this area to take care of babies through toddlers.

Next, have events for the older children.  Practically every medium to larger church has some kind of video game in their youth department; borrow them!  Have a game room set up for the younger kids, maybe some activities for them to take part in.  Have some workshops that would interest teenagers.  If nothing else, have a movie room where they can be for a couple of hours.

Also, have something for the spouses.  That one booth for minister’s wives doesn’t count.  Have specific workshops geared toward parenting, ones that deal with marital issues, finances…you know, things that really count.  The dialogue on Calvinism is nice, but totally useless in the walk-a-day world.  Also, remember that women are in ministry as well.  The newer breed of husband desires to be greatly supportive of their wives, and very well may be attending the “spouses” workshops.  We are beyond the “Minister’s Wives” stereotype.

Maybe this can give the committee charged with figuring this stuff out something to think about.

Tim

Convention – Family Friendliness, a Preface

I think that I should explain where I’m coming from in regards to my upcoming remarks.  I do not give the BGCT Annual Convention high marks concerning Family Friendliness.  This is important to me.

You see, I’m of the generation that grew up without fathers.  The term, “Latch Key Kids,” was made up to identify many in my generation.  Many of us grew up, for all tense and purposes, in a single parent home.  Some of us found ourselves there by the death of dad, a divorce which split the family, or because our father spent more time at work (and with hobbies) than with us.  This last is best described as an Absentee Parent.

I started out with a single mom.  My biological father died two months before I was born.  My mother was raising a step-daughter, two biological children, and one on the way.  To say it was rough, is an understatement.  My first male role model was from a Vietnamese family that lived with us for a while when they migrated to America.  To this day, I will always consider Dr. Doan to be my primary care physician.  His was the first male knee I remember being rocked on, the first male hands to push me on a swing, and the first male lap that I climbed up on.

My mother got remaried when I was around five years old, to Tom Lynch.  His life centered around work and football.  He garnered a thirty year reputation of hard work and fair dealings.  He worked every day but Saturday.  His main hobby was watching the TV… a very loud TV.  The only time I remember his regular attendance to my extracurricular activities was when I played football in 8th grade.  I hated football, with a passion.  I loved band and choir, yet the football game was what he showed up too.

Please hear me, I’m not saying he was a bad father, as they went at that time.  Actually, he was a regular father.  He was similar to the other dads that my classmates had.  He was an absentee father.  In my life, but not a part of it.  During my Junior High and High School years, dad lived in Hempstead while the rest of the family was in Palacios.  We were effectively split, for reasons that I was unaware of until much later in my life.

My senior year in high school, my two best friends found out both of their parents were getting divorced…on the same day.  Their parents were as disconnected from their lives as my parents were.  Their parents either worked the long hours, supposedly making life better for their families, or were so engrossed in their hobbies that they had little time for their children or each other.

As a reaction to that, all three of us live lives based upon Family priority over lives of Professional priority.  Though our mothers and fathers may say that they did as well, we guarantee that our version of it will look vastly different.

Now, fast forward to seminary life.  I was living next door to a couple of female English Grad students one year.  We visited quite a bit, developed a nice little friendship.  One of them lamented her lack of dating since getting to Baylor.  I promised to set her up with one of my friends.  She vehemently said, “No!”  She refused to date any of those preacher boys.  I asked her why, and her answer had to do with her father.  Her dad was a prominent preacher of one of our larger BGCT churches.  He was a model pastor of a larger church, for a long period of time.  He had been held up to us as someone to emulate in college and seminary.  I was shocked!  She explained what her problem was.  You see, she freely admitted that he was a great Pastor, and a great Father; but in her view he was a total failure as a Husband.  His wife always got the short end of the stick.  She was always playing second fiddle to the church and her daughter.  In the daughter’s opinion, her dad never showed any real, significant love to her mother.  She refused to marry someone like that.  She refused to marry a preacher.

As I read Scripture, I see where God has called me to live sacrificially for my wife, as Jesus did for the Church. Never am I called to sacrifice my wife and child upon the altar of a congregation/vocation.  Before someone gets up in arms about the Kingdom, let me say this.  Yes, I am to sacrifice for the Kingdom, to carry my cross in “following Jesus.”  That does not necessarily equate with “working for the church.”  When I see what I’m commanded to do, I’m to love my family most of all.  If I’m a failed father/husband, then I’m a failed Christian/Minister.

So, for me this means that I will choose to skip things, like annual conventions, if I feel that too much time is being taken away from my family.  I’m not interested in the big church, big position, big paycheck if it means my wife and son experience family life sans a husband/father. From an experiential perspective, you might say my first priority is my wife, and my second priority is my son. However, my first allegiance is to the One that commands my priorities to be ordered so.

As of this moment, the BGCT Annual Convention does not offer enough compelling reasons to expect me to leave my wife and child behind for three days.  Also, they don’t have anything to compel me to bring them along next year to McAllen.  I pray that the Committee named by President Lowrie, full of all those East Texas/Dallasite individuals, come up with something good.  You’ve a tall order to fill.  Have you ever tried to take a young family to the Annual Meeting?

I have some suggestions, some very specific ones, which will come in my next post.  Again, I just wanted to let people know where I’m coming from.  I’m one of those husbands/fathers that refuses to be as the ones that have gone before me.

Tim

P.s. in regard to my “East Texas/Dallasite” comment.  We’ve a large state, and I believe it should be better represented.

Thoughts on an Annual Meeting…

First off, I had two things going on.  Let’s call them tests for the BGCT Annual Meeting.

1) I wanted to see how “Family Friendly” the convention was.

And

2) I wanted to see what it would be like to “tweet” the convention.

The short answers for the questions are: 1) Not at all, along with 2) a royal pain.

Now, for  a longer explanation of my answers.

I’ve attended our BGCT Annual Conventions for six years now.  This was my first year to bring my family. For the record: I, my wife of 8 years, and our 22 month old son made the trip.

I had no intention of submitting my 22 month old son to constant booth hopping, multi-hour general assemblies, and passing him around like a church offering plate.  However, I did want to introduce him to some of my favorite HPU/Truett professors, and try at least part of a General Assembly with him.  That was the intention at least.

We left Lake Worth very early for the convention, spending the night at Grandma’s house in Hempstead (Saturday night).  We spent most of Sunday with her, and my sister’s family in Wharton, making it a mini-vacation.  We were signed up for the young minister’s rooms made available by the Center for Effective Leadership.  To make it clear, they were giving free rooms at the Hyatt Regency to ministers under the age of 36.  Since I don’t turn 36 until December, I barely squeaked by.

With confirmation number in hand, I approached the front desk of the very swanky hotel around 7:00 that evening.  It turned out my confirmation number brought up someone elses name.  I commented that he may not want to room with my 22 month old, and the front desk immediately saw the problem.  All I had were emails, no phone numbers at the time, so I felt kind of up a creek.  About an hour later, they found an empty room that I could charge at the current rate of $200+ per night for two nights (one night, with all the taxes and charges added was $333).  It was past my child’s bed time, and my wife was getting tired as well.  I took the room, putting it on my church credit card…

…did I mention that my church is working in the financial red?

Back to the story – having gone through all of the mailers/online info concerning the meeting, I knew that there wasn’t any child care, nor spousal activities.  So, we decided that she and my son would go back to Wharton to be with Grandma and the cousins.  Grandma was truly happy!  We ate breakfast at the horribly expensive restaurant, and then I got to wait on a bus that never seemed to come.  Luckily for those of us waiting, the DBU bus had some room.  I’m a tad bit late, but that is ok.  The people at the Credentials Booth are walking miracles.  I look into my bag, and I had forgotten my information to register!  However, 10 minutes and a friend (fellow pastor) vouching for my identity, I was credentialed and registered!  Kudos to the Credentials Committee!!!

I walk thru the college booths, seeing some old friends, and I’m given two tickets to the HPU dinner for that night.  This is a huge thing for us.  You have no idea how much I love HPU.  It is the best Baptist College in the STATE!  More ministerial grads are still in ministry after 5+ years than any other school.  HPU has it’s stuff together, you need to send your kids there!  This dinner was going to be my son’s introduction to Annual Meeting life.

I make my way to the first General Assembly and begin to tweet/FaceBook my way through it.  You see, my Twitter is set to also post to my FaceBook account.  My poor FB friends had not idea what was coming.  Needless to say, I’ll never do that again.  Perhaps it is due to my inability to multi-task, but I missed more trying to get digitized tidbits out there, that I felt like I missed 1/2 of the meeting.  I enjoyed the worship band, but when I looked out at the frowning faces of the crowd, I had an insatiable inclination to take a picture, post it to FB entitled the “Frozen Chosen.”  Well that, and it was below freezing in the hall.

My wife and child get back in time for the HPU dinner, and I get to be the proud papa showing his son off to his favorite college professors.  I was in heaven…for a while.

Did you know that there are no high chairs in the Convention Center?

Hint to the new committee just put together, GET HIGH CHAIRS if you want events to be Family Friendly.

So, little Darren is being passed in between my wife and I.  At first he’s bashful…until Dr. Auvenshine begins to give his presentation.  I love Dr. Auvenshine.  It seems that my son does too.  He thought Dr. Auvenshine was initiating a dialogue… Oh, and did I mention that we were at the front middle table?

Yeah… we were.  Yes, Darren doesn’t have an inside voice.

My embarrassed wife decides to take Darren for a walk in the foyer…next to the escalators…which totally fascinates my son.  Apparently, he had a total melt down when mommy didn’t allow him to play on the escalators on his own.  Did I mention “Total Meltdown?”  Yeah…it was.

So, instead of making the second General Assembly that night, I’m taking my frazzled nerved wife, along with a tired (but trying to be hyper) son back to the hotel.  She climbes into the bed, assuming the fetal position, as I undress and bathe our little bundle of joy.  At 8:45pm, I crawl into bed next to my best friend in all the world…and, she tells me to scoot over…she is sore and tired.

Did I mention that our son is sleeping in a travel bed? In our room?  Yes…quite an experience.

The next morning, we spend lots-o-cash on the over priced breakfast, and it is decided to drop me off at the Convention Center, while my wife takes my son back to Wharton to bless Grandma a third time in as many days.  She absolutely refuses to take him to a General Assembly, lest he decides to help the President in moderation procedures.  Grandma is thrilled.

I tweet the thrid and final assembly, and my FB friends are beginning to revolt. Who knew that so many people didn’t care about Denominational Conventions?

I make it to the G5 Conference, which had to be the best thing there this year.  I was only able to make the first half, because of travel.  The first session was tremendous.  I’m still saddened at having to miss the second.  However, we wanted desperately to leave before 5pm.  You see, travel back to Fort Worth was going to be around 5 hours or so.  We would be getting in greatly after our boy’s bed time.  So, I was picked up by 4pm, and on our way home.

Obviously, this isn’t every detail of our little adventure, but you get the picture.  My wife refuses to go to McAllen next year.  There is just no way.  However, I may pray her out of that decision.  But, to all those East Texas and Dallasite members of the Committee to study the family friendliness of the meeting, you have your work cut out for you.  As of this moment, in my own personal (experiential) opinion; the Annual Meeting is an absolute HORROR for young families.  I will make some suggestions in an upcoming post.

Be Well,

Tim

P.s. A little preview to what’s coming… Most guys my age grew up with absentee fathers.  We’ve no desire to be like our dads.  You need to make a place for families at the convention.

Annual Convention Tweeting

My family is traveling to H-Town for the BGCT’s Annual Convention. Actually, I’ll be at the convention, while my wife and child are visiting with grandma.

I’ll endeavor to tweet my way through it. I’ll try to get a blog up when I can, though that will probably have to wait until the evening. It will be interesting to see how my iPhone battery holds out.

To be honest, I’m not expecting much to happen. Lee won’t be there to offer his motion, and everything else seems to be business as usual. But, I’m looking forward to seeing some college and seminary friends. I’m especially looking forward to seeing my college proffs.

There are a few break out sessions that look interesting. There is one on the missional church concept. We’ve not had a viable BGCT person on that since the let Minatrea go. Let’s face it, the last time a convention related committee was told to look towards the future; the came back with a name chang. I’m expecting TX Baptist to realize that God’s heart is a Missional heart about ten years after everyone else. Still, there is at least one break out session this year.

I’m also interested in the young leader discussion. Granted, this will be my last year to be a part of it. The cut off age seems to be 35. I turn 36 in December. I think there is another session on pastorial leadership that is being offered. If so, then I might go to that one instead. I believe this to be my weakest area, and will seek out all the continuing education on it I can.

There is a session on Spiritual Formation, that I’m praying goes beyond the drivel that has been passed onto us so far. I haven’t heard a half way competent speaker on it since the days of Epicenter. Most of the time it is focused on teachers (read Sunday School teachers) giving there students more “real life application.” There has been a repackaging of the 80’s Sunday School methodology, masqaurading as Spiritual Formation/Transformation. Please, will somebody bring back Dallas Willard, or Bob Roberts, Jr.?! Seriosly, someone actually experiencing it would be a big plus. Well, I’m going to see if anything different is coming down the denominational pipe. Who knows, miracles still happen.

I’ll see you later,

Tim