It is one of the great ironies in my life that I work in a department which includes foreign languages. This song is about equivalent to my Spanish level. (Plus I also have trouble with eleven).
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Thrill of Victory...
Soccer Round-Up
Squealer:
Squealer’s and Scooter’s games were at the same time, so we ended up running back and forth between them. I had Squealer duty first and saw him score his first goal!!!!!! Or rather to say, that he was at the head of the scrum that migrated into the goal along with the ball (and about three of the kids).
His team was superior to their opponents only by virtue of the fact that they were a little older and thus concentrated on the game the whole time. The other team was quickly distracted and would only have three of the four kids going after the ball at any given time. Squealer ended the game in goal, although the ball spent the entire time down at the other end of the field (pitch?). I was behind him in the goal as a helicopter parent, trying to keep him interested in the game. The game ended without the other team even shooting at his goal while he was goalie. He was quite sad and lamented “I didn’t get to play.”
By far the most excitement of the game was afterwards when there were snacks. When the coach announced that there were snacks, there went up a tremendous cry and they assaulted the mother who was unfortunate enough to have drawn snack duty for game one. While he ate his snack, Squealer was bitten by an ant in an, uhhh uncomfortable and private place that necessitated a trip to the doctor’s office today (he’s fine).
Scooter:
I didn’t catch as much of her game, but she played very well as a defender during the time I watched. She cleared the ball out from her end of the field (pitch?) on numerous occasions and her team won 3 to 1. The low point of the game came right after she went in and I was distracted talking to Skeeter. When I looked back out there I saw that she was crying and clutching her thigh. I yelled at her (while the game was ongoing) and asked her what was wrong. She told me that a bee had just bitten her on her leg.
When she came off she was crying hard (it was her first bee sting). Through tears she said “Well, at least it died.(sniff, sniff)” I said “Did you kill it?” Through her tears she rolled her eyes and said “Daddy, everyone knows that a bee dies after it stings you.” Ummm..right, I certainly knew that, though entymology was not foremost in my mind with a weeping daughter.
Skeeter:
We were smoked. Destroyed utterly. Due no doubt to excessively poor coaching we were pummeled 4 to 2. Skeeter played well and aggressively. A pall was cast over the team when one of the coach’s daughters took a wicked shot to the mouth by soccer ball. It was apocalyptic as she bit her tongue and blood flowed as high as a horse's bridle profusely. The little girl is Skeeter’s best friend and Skeeter was sad for the rest of the day. (Although she is also doing better today).
All in all, I think the following video summarizes our day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPk_IZ44DMc
Squealer:
Squealer’s and Scooter’s games were at the same time, so we ended up running back and forth between them. I had Squealer duty first and saw him score his first goal!!!!!! Or rather to say, that he was at the head of the scrum that migrated into the goal along with the ball (and about three of the kids).
His team was superior to their opponents only by virtue of the fact that they were a little older and thus concentrated on the game the whole time. The other team was quickly distracted and would only have three of the four kids going after the ball at any given time. Squealer ended the game in goal, although the ball spent the entire time down at the other end of the field (pitch?). I was behind him in the goal as a helicopter parent, trying to keep him interested in the game. The game ended without the other team even shooting at his goal while he was goalie. He was quite sad and lamented “I didn’t get to play.”
By far the most excitement of the game was afterwards when there were snacks. When the coach announced that there were snacks, there went up a tremendous cry and they assaulted the mother who was unfortunate enough to have drawn snack duty for game one. While he ate his snack, Squealer was bitten by an ant in an, uhhh uncomfortable and private place that necessitated a trip to the doctor’s office today (he’s fine).
Scooter:
I didn’t catch as much of her game, but she played very well as a defender during the time I watched. She cleared the ball out from her end of the field (pitch?) on numerous occasions and her team won 3 to 1. The low point of the game came right after she went in and I was distracted talking to Skeeter. When I looked back out there I saw that she was crying and clutching her thigh. I yelled at her (while the game was ongoing) and asked her what was wrong. She told me that a bee had just bitten her on her leg.
When she came off she was crying hard (it was her first bee sting). Through tears she said “Well, at least it died.(sniff, sniff)” I said “Did you kill it?” Through her tears she rolled her eyes and said “Daddy, everyone knows that a bee dies after it stings you.” Ummm..right, I certainly knew that, though entymology was not foremost in my mind with a weeping daughter.
Skeeter:
We were smoked. Destroyed utterly. Due no doubt to excessively poor coaching we were pummeled 4 to 2. Skeeter played well and aggressively. A pall was cast over the team when one of the coach’s daughters took a wicked shot to the mouth by soccer ball. It was apocalyptic as she bit her tongue and blood flowed as high as a horse's bridle profusely. The little girl is Skeeter’s best friend and Skeeter was sad for the rest of the day. (Although she is also doing better today).
All in all, I think the following video summarizes our day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPk_IZ44DMc
Monday, September 24, 2007
From Alan to Schlomo
It's not often that two of my favorite areas of interest watermelon seed spitting and Manimal reruns Dallas Cowboys football and Old Testament studies, overlaps.
But it appears that Alan Veingrad, an old name from the Cowboy's 1992 Superbowl run, has converted to Hassidic Judaism. See the Dallas Morning News story here.
He's also changed his first name from Alan to Schlomo.
(Schlomo is Hebrew for Solomon and is no reflection on Veingrad's impressive 40 time).
But it appears that Alan Veingrad, an old name from the Cowboy's 1992 Superbowl run, has converted to Hassidic Judaism. See the Dallas Morning News story here.
He's also changed his first name from Alan to Schlomo.
(Schlomo is Hebrew for Solomon and is no reflection on Veingrad's impressive 40 time).
Friday, September 21, 2007
All Good Things
Imagine that you are a “successful” pastor. You are called to a church and are faithful to that place of ministry for decades. Under God’s direction, you have navigated countless crises, business meetings, weddings, and funerals. You have made thousands of hospital visits and shared countless meals at every restaurant in town.
But beyond those more formal times you have spent with people are the deep relationships you have forged. You've been with families when they are at their best and when they are facing the deepest emotional chasms of life. You’ve attended high school football games and town parades. You’ve celebrated the joyous births and the tragic deaths. These shared experiences have brought you into a close relationship with many in the church. In some important ways you are closer to some families in your church than you are to some of your family members. You are now at the end of your ministry and can look forward to years of retirement with the self-satisfying knowledge that you have been faithful in all things.
But you have one more ministry task before you.
You must leave this church.
Bob Campbell, former BGCT president and long time Houston pastor has written a piece for the Baptist Standard arguing that a retired pastor can remain at his home church if he adopts some specific guidelines. While each of his guidelines are reasonable, I think that they are also overly optimistic. A retired pastor will always exert an effect on the church, no matter what steps he, the new pastor, or the church may take to prevent that from happening.
If things go exceptionally well with the new pastor, there are still issues. If the retired pastor excuses himself from business meetings and is both publicly and privately supportive of the church’s leadership, he will still be on the new pastor’s mind as someone who would (at least tacitly) need to be included in the loop on certain decisions that involve changing long held traditions. Even with a successful transition to a gifted successor, the retired pastor will still occupy an important place in the hearts of many in the church. When the retired pastor says that he will do no funerals or weddings “unless asked by the new pastor”, it still puts an inordinate pressure on the new pastor to include him. “Well, Brother Smith, I will not participate in your wife’s funeral unless asked to by the new pastor.”
And it things go bad for the new pastor they will go worse with the retired minister in the background. He will serve (even against his wishes) as the individual around whom opposition will coalesce. Not only will people speak nostalgically about his past ministry, they will also wonder about what he might be able to do again. If the new pastor leaves, the former will likely be asked to ride in as a knight to restore stability.
It is a sad irony that the place where a pastor has invested so many of his years is the one place to which he cannot retire.
The retired pastor has sacrificed himself for his entire ministry. He must make one more sacrifice.
But beyond those more formal times you have spent with people are the deep relationships you have forged. You've been with families when they are at their best and when they are facing the deepest emotional chasms of life. You’ve attended high school football games and town parades. You’ve celebrated the joyous births and the tragic deaths. These shared experiences have brought you into a close relationship with many in the church. In some important ways you are closer to some families in your church than you are to some of your family members. You are now at the end of your ministry and can look forward to years of retirement with the self-satisfying knowledge that you have been faithful in all things.
But you have one more ministry task before you.
You must leave this church.
Bob Campbell, former BGCT president and long time Houston pastor has written a piece for the Baptist Standard arguing that a retired pastor can remain at his home church if he adopts some specific guidelines. While each of his guidelines are reasonable, I think that they are also overly optimistic. A retired pastor will always exert an effect on the church, no matter what steps he, the new pastor, or the church may take to prevent that from happening.
If things go exceptionally well with the new pastor, there are still issues. If the retired pastor excuses himself from business meetings and is both publicly and privately supportive of the church’s leadership, he will still be on the new pastor’s mind as someone who would (at least tacitly) need to be included in the loop on certain decisions that involve changing long held traditions. Even with a successful transition to a gifted successor, the retired pastor will still occupy an important place in the hearts of many in the church. When the retired pastor says that he will do no funerals or weddings “unless asked by the new pastor”, it still puts an inordinate pressure on the new pastor to include him. “Well, Brother Smith, I will not participate in your wife’s funeral unless asked to by the new pastor.”
And it things go bad for the new pastor they will go worse with the retired minister in the background. He will serve (even against his wishes) as the individual around whom opposition will coalesce. Not only will people speak nostalgically about his past ministry, they will also wonder about what he might be able to do again. If the new pastor leaves, the former will likely be asked to ride in as a knight to restore stability.
It is a sad irony that the place where a pastor has invested so many of his years is the one place to which he cannot retire.
The retired pastor has sacrificed himself for his entire ministry. He must make one more sacrifice.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Random Conversations
Conversations I’ve had over the past week:
Conversation #1 (At Home)
Skeeter: “Dad, do you know where my shoes are?”
Me: “Skeeter, I don’t even know where my own shoes are right now.”
Conversation # 2 (At Soccer Practice. Caleb is 8)
Me: “Caleb, at the beginning of the drill did you hear me tell you to pass the ball three times before you shot it?”
Caleb: “Yes”
Me : "While you were dribbling to the goal did you hear me shouting at you ‘PASS! PASS! PASS!!!!!”
Caleb: “Yes”
Me: “Why didn’t you pass the ball???”
Caleb: “Because I’m hyperactive!!!”
...silence...
Me: “Do you see that goal over there on the other side of the soccer fields?”
Caleb: “Yes”
Me: “Go run from here to there five times as fast as you can.”
(I'm experimenting with the hypothesis that an exhausted hyperactive kid is more manageable than a rested one. I'll report back the data as the season progresses.)
Conversation #3 (After Kadie asked me to take Squealer to Cubbies)
Teacher: “Do you have his mission money for this week and last week? Did he memorize his verses? Did he bring his item for show and tell?"
Me: “Ummm, I, uhh…Kadie was busy and she asked me to uhhhh..."
Teacher: (Interrupting) “Or are you just drop off Dad?”
Me: (In a crystal moment of clarity) “Yes, that’s it exactly. I'm merely drop off Dad.”
Conversation #4 (Out on a date)
Lastly, I took Kadie out on a date last Thursday evening. We went to a nice restaurant and returned to our Vue, which has a standard transmission. I had parked on an incline. I turned it on and then absentmindedly put it into reverse. We heard a horrendous screech as the car painfully moved a few inches backwards.
I quickly took the car out of gear.
Kadie: “That would be the parking brake, genius.”
Conversation #1 (At Home)
Skeeter: “Dad, do you know where my shoes are?”
Me: “Skeeter, I don’t even know where my own shoes are right now.”
Conversation # 2 (At Soccer Practice. Caleb is 8)
Me: “Caleb, at the beginning of the drill did you hear me tell you to pass the ball three times before you shot it?”
Caleb: “Yes”
Me : "While you were dribbling to the goal did you hear me shouting at you ‘PASS! PASS! PASS!!!!!”
Caleb: “Yes”
Me: “Why didn’t you pass the ball???”
Caleb: “Because I’m hyperactive!!!”
...silence...
Me: “Do you see that goal over there on the other side of the soccer fields?”
Caleb: “Yes”
Me: “Go run from here to there five times as fast as you can.”
(I'm experimenting with the hypothesis that an exhausted hyperactive kid is more manageable than a rested one. I'll report back the data as the season progresses.)
Conversation #3 (After Kadie asked me to take Squealer to Cubbies)
Teacher: “Do you have his mission money for this week and last week? Did he memorize his verses? Did he bring his item for show and tell?"
Me: “Ummm, I, uhh…Kadie was busy and she asked me to uhhhh..."
Teacher: (Interrupting) “Or are you just drop off Dad?”
Me: (In a crystal moment of clarity) “Yes, that’s it exactly. I'm merely drop off Dad.”
Conversation #4 (Out on a date)
Lastly, I took Kadie out on a date last Thursday evening. We went to a nice restaurant and returned to our Vue, which has a standard transmission. I had parked on an incline. I turned it on and then absentmindedly put it into reverse. We heard a horrendous screech as the car painfully moved a few inches backwards.
I quickly took the car out of gear.
Kadie: “That would be the parking brake, genius.”
A Bad Fit (II)
But certainly in the months and years following that job rejection, I have come to see God’s hand even in that. Certainly the way that things play out, I see that I would’ve been a poor fit in that particular seminary setting. Although I never anticipated working in a state school context, I have seen my current position as a more appropriate context for me. During my time at seminary, I developed only one friendship with a faculty member. There was often the sense of a distance between faculty and students, I think a part of the reason was the adversarial nature of those times (1991-95). Faculty could never quite trust the students. There was an institutional fear among faculty (and administration) that a faculty member was only one tape recording away from a call from the trustees.*
And a lack of trust can be a problem. In an ideal setting, a class is conducted more as a dance than a debate. A seminary setting would not allow me the freedom to explore difficult issues from as many directions. Students are always aware of what the right answer is. Since students are generally unaware of my own biases until the end of the semester, I am able to advocate more than one position in order to challenge the student's presuppositions.
Scot McKnight made the (unusual) jump from seminary (TEDS) to college (Northpark) and has blogged on this very issue. I follow his thinking in this area. (At least his first three points).
I’m pleased to see God at work in this State University and feel called to be here.
As I’ve briefly noted before, I do have a sense of sadness in regards to Southwestern. Since Ashley asked, I do have a few comments:
On the matter of the letter from an anonymous seminary professor. There are certainly discontents at every university and many people unhappy with their jobs. There are also many who have axes to grind due to real or imagined slights. I have no idea of course, if any of the professor's statements are true, no doubt some of them are. I would simply say that this is not necessarily an indication that any unusual things are going on there. And despite the anonymous nature of this blog, I agree that these charges shouldn't be hurled from behind a cloak of anonymity. (Although I certainly understand why they were. SBC seminary professors are afforded minimal protection from capricious dismissals).
As to the women’s home-making program? I personally don’t see it as a necessary component of higher education. I’m not even sure what degree would credential a person to teach in that field. But ultimately, that is a decision for the ATS, not for me.
The main argument in favor of teaching it is that wives are colaborers with their husband in ministry. I certainly agree with that, and have even blogged about it. But I am unsure of its priority. I think that there are several other areas where our seminaries would better prioritize their efforts in education. For example, additional coursework dealing with any of these issues would be a start. Combined with the Klouda dismissal, it certainty seems to me that the seminary has a clear stance regarding the role of women with which I disagree.
As a sort of post script, several months ago, I ran into Ken Hemphill. He was in our community leading a workshop on his new endeavor, Empowering Kingdom Growth. I was tempted to approach him and thank him for not hiring me. But I didn’t want that come come out as too snarky, so I just introduced myself among the throngs of others.
He did me and the seminary a favor. (I did however, ask him what he thought of Ratatouille)
P.S. I neglected to mention that I left my mark at Southwestern. Literally. A few days before we moved out of our Carrol Park triplex, I engraved my initials in a plot of wet cement that is still there, forever connecting me to the institution. (And leading my father to mutter to my brother Bartolo, “Do you think he’ll ever grow up?)
*Kids, back when I went to school we recorded sound on these things called "tape."
And a lack of trust can be a problem. In an ideal setting, a class is conducted more as a dance than a debate. A seminary setting would not allow me the freedom to explore difficult issues from as many directions. Students are always aware of what the right answer is. Since students are generally unaware of my own biases until the end of the semester, I am able to advocate more than one position in order to challenge the student's presuppositions.
Scot McKnight made the (unusual) jump from seminary (TEDS) to college (Northpark) and has blogged on this very issue. I follow his thinking in this area. (At least his first three points).
I’m pleased to see God at work in this State University and feel called to be here.
As I’ve briefly noted before, I do have a sense of sadness in regards to Southwestern. Since Ashley asked, I do have a few comments:
On the matter of the letter from an anonymous seminary professor. There are certainly discontents at every university and many people unhappy with their jobs. There are also many who have axes to grind due to real or imagined slights. I have no idea of course, if any of the professor's statements are true, no doubt some of them are. I would simply say that this is not necessarily an indication that any unusual things are going on there. And despite the anonymous nature of this blog, I agree that these charges shouldn't be hurled from behind a cloak of anonymity. (Although I certainly understand why they were. SBC seminary professors are afforded minimal protection from capricious dismissals).
As to the women’s home-making program? I personally don’t see it as a necessary component of higher education. I’m not even sure what degree would credential a person to teach in that field. But ultimately, that is a decision for the ATS, not for me.
The main argument in favor of teaching it is that wives are colaborers with their husband in ministry. I certainly agree with that, and have even blogged about it. But I am unsure of its priority. I think that there are several other areas where our seminaries would better prioritize their efforts in education. For example, additional coursework dealing with any of these issues would be a start. Combined with the Klouda dismissal, it certainty seems to me that the seminary has a clear stance regarding the role of women with which I disagree.
As a sort of post script, several months ago, I ran into Ken Hemphill. He was in our community leading a workshop on his new endeavor, Empowering Kingdom Growth. I was tempted to approach him and thank him for not hiring me. But I didn’t want that come come out as too snarky, so I just introduced myself among the throngs of others.
He did me and the seminary a favor. (I did however, ask him what he thought of Ratatouille)
P.S. I neglected to mention that I left my mark at Southwestern. Literally. A few days before we moved out of our Carrol Park triplex, I engraved my initials in a plot of wet cement that is still there, forever connecting me to the institution. (And leading my father to mutter to my brother Bartolo, “Do you think he’ll ever grow up?)
*Kids, back when I went to school we recorded sound on these things called "tape."
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A Bad Fit
Recent articles have caused me to do some thinking and reflecting. In late 1998 I interviewed for an Old Testament position at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. At the time I was only a few years removed from my completed MA degree at SWBTS and the idea of returning to Fort Worth was incredibly attractive. All other things being equal, “Foat Wuth” remains our favorite place to have lived. To get a chance to go back there would’ve been a dream come true.
After an extended discussion with the faculty in OT, they asked if they could put my name forward for the position. They scheduled an interview with President Hemphill and with Provost Tommy Lea (who sadly died that following year). It was an intimidating experience. As the OT faculty arrived in the room to observe thespectacle interview, it dawned on me that their credibility was on the line as well. They had after all recommended me.
The conversation with the president and the Dean was very congenial and thorough. They asked me questions about my testimony and call to the teaching ministry. They asked me about the newly revised Baptist Faith and Message and if I could teach in accordance with its principles.
The only “huh?” moment in the process was when President Hemphill started off a question “Due to the recent movie about the Exodus, there’s been renewed interest in the JEDP theory. What do you think about Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch?”
What!? My stance on Mosaic authorship is a fair question to ask, but I was flummoxed by its supposed connection to a cartoon. I haven’t known too many biblical scholars who take their cues from Dreamworks.
But despite that non sequitor by the end of the conversation, I had a good feeling. Dr. Lea did most of the questioning and led us all through my views on various topics. Finally President Hemphill stood up and thanked me for coming. The Old Testament faculty were silent through the whole experience. As I filed out with the faculty into the hall, a mentor of mine slapped me on the back and said “Taran, you just hit a home run.” I turned to him smiling, but then he continued “Unfortunately your team is losing by 15 runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.”
Apparently the other candidate for the position was interviewed right before me and was the clearly preferred candidate by President Hemphill. In fact, the other candidate was invited to lunch after his interview by the President. (When the person interviewing you asks the other job applicant to lunch, it’s not a good sign.) The other candidate was a longtime professor at Criswell College and (in retrospect) was a better fit for the direction of the Seminary that was I. The years have born that out as he has risen successfully into upper administration at SWBTS.
I received the official rejection letter a few days later and our whole family was heart broken by the news. (More tomorrow)
After an extended discussion with the faculty in OT, they asked if they could put my name forward for the position. They scheduled an interview with President Hemphill and with Provost Tommy Lea (who sadly died that following year). It was an intimidating experience. As the OT faculty arrived in the room to observe the
The conversation with the president and the Dean was very congenial and thorough. They asked me questions about my testimony and call to the teaching ministry. They asked me about the newly revised Baptist Faith and Message and if I could teach in accordance with its principles.
The only “huh?” moment in the process was when President Hemphill started off a question “Due to the recent movie about the Exodus, there’s been renewed interest in the JEDP theory. What do you think about Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch?”
What!? My stance on Mosaic authorship is a fair question to ask, but I was flummoxed by its supposed connection to a cartoon. I haven’t known too many biblical scholars who take their cues from Dreamworks.
But despite that non sequitor by the end of the conversation, I had a good feeling. Dr. Lea did most of the questioning and led us all through my views on various topics. Finally President Hemphill stood up and thanked me for coming. The Old Testament faculty were silent through the whole experience. As I filed out with the faculty into the hall, a mentor of mine slapped me on the back and said “Taran, you just hit a home run.” I turned to him smiling, but then he continued “Unfortunately your team is losing by 15 runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.”
Apparently the other candidate for the position was interviewed right before me and was the clearly preferred candidate by President Hemphill. In fact, the other candidate was invited to lunch after his interview by the President. (When the person interviewing you asks the other job applicant to lunch, it’s not a good sign.) The other candidate was a longtime professor at Criswell College and (in retrospect) was a better fit for the direction of the Seminary that was I. The years have born that out as he has risen successfully into upper administration at SWBTS.
I received the official rejection letter a few days later and our whole family was heart broken by the news. (More tomorrow)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Soccer Dad
In a strange twist of fate that reminds me for the 5,237,009 time that God has a sense of humor, I am coaching a soccer team. Some back story is in order.
In an omission that probably qualifies as child neglect in several states, Kadie and I have never enrolled the kids in any organized sports. (Although we did have them in Tae Kwon Do for a few years). With our work schedules and general challenge of being poorly organized, we’ve never taken the time to do so. But that changed on Saturday.
Kadie is trying a radical new schedule that will put her in the position of working all night, two days a week. That allows her to be at home every evening and gives us more flexibility to have someone at home with one kid while the others go to practice. Because of this, we (foolishly?!) enrolled all three kids into a local soccer league sponsored by a megachurch in our area. None of our kids have ever played before.
All games and practices are on Mondays and Saturdays over the next two months. We figured that their practices would overlap and we could drive out to the soccer fields and get all the practices over at once. But that was not to be.
On Saturday morning we arrived in the early morning heat for Squealer’s 10 am practice. He was hot and sweaty and enjoyed it immensely. His coach gave each parent a resume showing how he played on the high school and collegiate level. He then gave us an outline of a typical practice and worked the kids hard for an hour. Squealer loved it.
Skeeter’s practice was at 12:00 pm (?!) and also wore her out. It was hot….Africa hot…Tarzan couldn’t take this heat. Unfortunately, they had no coach. A friend of mine volunteered to be their coach, but only on the condition that I be his co-coach. Despite the fact that my own playing experience was 30 years ago and the only game I’ve watched since was Germany "crush" South Korea in the World Cup almost 13 years ago (and I only watched that whole game because I was there). I know little to nothing about the game. I can describe the difference between the 3-4 and the 4-3 defense in football, explain the infield fly rule in baseball, distinguish between carrying and traveling in basketball, but all I know about soccer is that you can't touch the ball with your hands.
So coaching a team should be quite interesting.*
Scooter’s practice was at 1:00 and was even hotter. Her practice was more of a tryout as her age group (Under 15) will be subject to a draft. Of the three kiddos, I was mostly concerned with her. As a Tween, I think she’s in a demographic that is generally more concerned with being cool and fitting in that her younger siblings. She was a bundle of anxiety. Fortunately, there were a few others who had never played before and she fit in beautifully.
*My brother Bartolo will be the one chortling the hardest over this delicious irony. He was a soccer star who would’ve played at the highest levels had he not made the wise decision to follow his passions into other areas instead. He once broke a guys nose who was going for "his" ball. I have no doubt that he had the talent to go as far as he desired. He even played on the same select teams as this guy! I feel certain that he will be giving me some soccer drill suggestions.
In an omission that probably qualifies as child neglect in several states, Kadie and I have never enrolled the kids in any organized sports. (Although we did have them in Tae Kwon Do for a few years). With our work schedules and general challenge of being poorly organized, we’ve never taken the time to do so. But that changed on Saturday.
Kadie is trying a radical new schedule that will put her in the position of working all night, two days a week. That allows her to be at home every evening and gives us more flexibility to have someone at home with one kid while the others go to practice. Because of this, we (foolishly?!) enrolled all three kids into a local soccer league sponsored by a megachurch in our area. None of our kids have ever played before.
All games and practices are on Mondays and Saturdays over the next two months. We figured that their practices would overlap and we could drive out to the soccer fields and get all the practices over at once. But that was not to be.
On Saturday morning we arrived in the early morning heat for Squealer’s 10 am practice. He was hot and sweaty and enjoyed it immensely. His coach gave each parent a resume showing how he played on the high school and collegiate level. He then gave us an outline of a typical practice and worked the kids hard for an hour. Squealer loved it.
Skeeter’s practice was at 12:00 pm (?!) and also wore her out. It was hot….Africa hot…Tarzan couldn’t take this heat. Unfortunately, they had no coach. A friend of mine volunteered to be their coach, but only on the condition that I be his co-coach. Despite the fact that my own playing experience was 30 years ago and the only game I’ve watched since was Germany "crush" South Korea in the World Cup almost 13 years ago (and I only watched that whole game because I was there). I know little to nothing about the game. I can describe the difference between the 3-4 and the 4-3 defense in football, explain the infield fly rule in baseball, distinguish between carrying and traveling in basketball, but all I know about soccer is that you can't touch the ball with your hands.
So coaching a team should be quite interesting.*
Scooter’s practice was at 1:00 and was even hotter. Her practice was more of a tryout as her age group (Under 15) will be subject to a draft. Of the three kiddos, I was mostly concerned with her. As a Tween, I think she’s in a demographic that is generally more concerned with being cool and fitting in that her younger siblings. She was a bundle of anxiety. Fortunately, there were a few others who had never played before and she fit in beautifully.
*My brother Bartolo will be the one chortling the hardest over this delicious irony. He was a soccer star who would’ve played at the highest levels had he not made the wise decision to follow his passions into other areas instead. He once broke a guys nose who was going for "his" ball. I have no doubt that he had the talent to go as far as he desired. He even played on the same select teams as this guy! I feel certain that he will be giving me some soccer drill suggestions.
Monday, September 10, 2007
New Fangled Technology
Kadie and I recently procured separate cell phones. We’ve had one line for the last few years and only now have felt the need, and the possession of sufficient finances, to get a second line. Plus our old phone died.
New phones, however, brings new features. Our old phone was incapable of connecting to the internet machine, but our new phones can. But we’ve been unwilling to pay the extra $16.95 a month that will allow us to do so. They both also take crummy pictures, but without an internet connection…what can you do with that?
I’ve also been familiarized with the process of the “ring tone” that allows you to purchase a song and have that installed as your own distinctive ring. Furthermore, you can designate a particular tone for a particular person. With that in mind, I made two new ring “downloads” off the internet machine.
For my all-purpose ring I selected my favorite song by the late great Rich Mullins entitled “Calling Out Your Name”. Call my new number and that’s what I’ll hear.
Then I downloaded a distinctive ring for Kadie, something I’ll hear only when she calls. I decided to go with the (not late, but still definately great) Norah Jones' “Come Away With Me” a song by that singer and inspired by that book. It goes off only when Kadie calls.
It always makes me smile when I hear her call…
New phones, however, brings new features. Our old phone was incapable of connecting to the internet machine, but our new phones can. But we’ve been unwilling to pay the extra $16.95 a month that will allow us to do so. They both also take crummy pictures, but without an internet connection…what can you do with that?
I’ve also been familiarized with the process of the “ring tone” that allows you to purchase a song and have that installed as your own distinctive ring. Furthermore, you can designate a particular tone for a particular person. With that in mind, I made two new ring “downloads” off the internet machine.
For my all-purpose ring I selected my favorite song by the late great Rich Mullins entitled “Calling Out Your Name”. Call my new number and that’s what I’ll hear.
Then I downloaded a distinctive ring for Kadie, something I’ll hear only when she calls. I decided to go with the (not late, but still definately great) Norah Jones' “Come Away With Me” a song by that singer and inspired by that book. It goes off only when Kadie calls.
It always makes me smile when I hear her call…
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
BiVo, TiVo, and the Incarnation
Bowden McElroy offers an excellent summary of the advantages of the Bivocational pastor (BiVo) to the Traditional in-place Vocational pastor (TiVo?). Bowden offers three advantages:
1. There is a biblical model for the bivocational minister
2. It prevents a "hired gun" mentality for pastors
3. It promotes "fearless" ministry because no one's livlihood is held hostage
I agree with each of his points and would like to add two of my own. First, and related to #2, is the fact that the minister can better identify with the laity. When the pastor wrestles with balancing a “secular” career and church ministry, I believe that he associates himself more closely with the laity by sharing their struggles. (I put quotes around secular because I think that the sacred/secular dichotomy has done more harm than good.) When the minister preaches on the importance of sharing faith with a coworker or of loving an unlovable boss, he has more credibility.
The parishioners identify more completely with a bivocational pastor because he has become like them. In short, the BiVo is a more incarnational approach than the TiVo. In fact, one of the greatest elements about Christ's Incarnation is this very point. We could apply Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses” to this question by noting that “We do not have a pastor who cannot sympathize with our balancing act of work, family and church.”
Second, I think that church leadership would benefit more from a more varied vocational expertise. I daresay Bowden’s own contribution to the SBC conversation is most enriching because of his training in counseling. He sees things that the rest of us normal people don’t see. But counseling is obviously not the only beneficial field. One’s vocation can become the lens through which one views church activity. A professional manager, development officer, script writer, or a self-employed plumber would each bring a different perspective from the traditional pastor.
Consider a common trajectory for a Southern Baptist pastor’s ministry. For many it starts as they are given responsibilities as teenagers in church. Then they graduate from a Baptist university, then a Baptist seminary, and eventually take the pulpit of their first church. They often remain in this position for the rest of their life. Such a system can promote myopic and insular thinking.* Combine this with an autocratic pastoral approach and other perspectives can be shut out. A bivocational minister can make a tremendous contribution to church life.
*Be clear about what I am not saying. I am not arguing that the BiVo is superior to the TiVo. I’m arguing instead, that there are advantages to the BiVo approach that make it just as necessary and important in the contemporary church.
1. There is a biblical model for the bivocational minister
2. It prevents a "hired gun" mentality for pastors
3. It promotes "fearless" ministry because no one's livlihood is held hostage
I agree with each of his points and would like to add two of my own. First, and related to #2, is the fact that the minister can better identify with the laity. When the pastor wrestles with balancing a “secular” career and church ministry, I believe that he associates himself more closely with the laity by sharing their struggles. (I put quotes around secular because I think that the sacred/secular dichotomy has done more harm than good.) When the minister preaches on the importance of sharing faith with a coworker or of loving an unlovable boss, he has more credibility.
The parishioners identify more completely with a bivocational pastor because he has become like them. In short, the BiVo is a more incarnational approach than the TiVo. In fact, one of the greatest elements about Christ's Incarnation is this very point. We could apply Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses” to this question by noting that “We do not have a pastor who cannot sympathize with our balancing act of work, family and church.”
Second, I think that church leadership would benefit more from a more varied vocational expertise. I daresay Bowden’s own contribution to the SBC conversation is most enriching because of his training in counseling. He sees things that the rest of us normal people don’t see. But counseling is obviously not the only beneficial field. One’s vocation can become the lens through which one views church activity. A professional manager, development officer, script writer, or a self-employed plumber would each bring a different perspective from the traditional pastor.
Consider a common trajectory for a Southern Baptist pastor’s ministry. For many it starts as they are given responsibilities as teenagers in church. Then they graduate from a Baptist university, then a Baptist seminary, and eventually take the pulpit of their first church. They often remain in this position for the rest of their life. Such a system can promote myopic and insular thinking.* Combine this with an autocratic pastoral approach and other perspectives can be shut out. A bivocational minister can make a tremendous contribution to church life.
*Be clear about what I am not saying. I am not arguing that the BiVo is superior to the TiVo. I’m arguing instead, that there are advantages to the BiVo approach that make it just as necessary and important in the contemporary church.
To Be (Unanimous) or Not To Be
One of the more lengthy discussions our Pastor's Search Committee has had was over whether or not our recommendation to the church will have to be unanimous. Those who believed that the committee should be unanimous emphasized the fact that our church is very unified right now, and that that unity should be reflected in the recommendation. In addition, there was the belief that if we are each sensitive to God’s direction, then our conclusion will be inescapable. Finally, there was also the concern that a divided committee might help to provide a divided church in the long run. If things with the new pastor went south, then those who had opposed calling him all along might mention that to the church.
Arguing against this view was the position of some that we can never be sure that everyone else on the committee has a proper relationship with God. Someone could act selfishly, like Achan, and be out of step with God’s will.
Ultimately, after much discussion we decided that we would only present a unanimous recommendation to the church. Although I see strengths on each side, I ultimately think that we will be fine with pursuing unanimity as a committee. We have a good group serving and I trust their sensitivity to God’s direction.
(Back to main Pastor Search Committee Menu)
Arguing against this view was the position of some that we can never be sure that everyone else on the committee has a proper relationship with God. Someone could act selfishly, like Achan, and be out of step with God’s will.
Ultimately, after much discussion we decided that we would only present a unanimous recommendation to the church. Although I see strengths on each side, I ultimately think that we will be fine with pursuing unanimity as a committee. We have a good group serving and I trust their sensitivity to God’s direction.
(Back to main Pastor Search Committee Menu)
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