Recent busy times at Lakeview have had a direct correlation with my lack of blogging lately. Things have heated up on the pastor search front. In the last few weeks we have visited a candidate’s home church, invited him up for an intense theological interview, and then (last night) voted as a committee to recommend him to the church this coming Sunday.
We now are moving on to the next phase of the search: negotiating a salary, presenting a compensation package to the church, and explaining to the church why we are recommending a pastor who is a good thirty years younger than his predecessor.
I’ll blog on each of these items in the coming days.
Exciting times...
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Thursday, April 24, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tenure at SWBTS????
While reading through this recent Baptist Press article on the recent meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Board of Trustees, I came across this nugget:
Trustees approved the tenure of Ian Jones, assistant dean in the school of educational ministries' division of psychology and counseling and director of the Baptist Marriage and Family Counseling Center. This represents the first tenure approved since Patterson became president in 2003.
While I've only briefly mentioned a tenure situation at SWBTS before, this news is stunning. No tenure at all granted in five years? Either no one has come up for tenure, many people have been denied tenure, or (most likely) there was a high turnover rate right when Patterson was elected president and only now have people put in enough time to qualify for tenure.
But it still seems a little lean.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
A Quiet Passing...
I doubt that anyone who wanders by Coffespoons has ever heard the name Roy Melugin. He passed away last week at the age of 70 after an extended battle with cancer. He was a long time Old Testament professor at Austin (Presbyterian) College and spent his retirement years as a professor at Texas Christian University.
Roy was a world class scholar on the book of Isaiah. Isaiah scholarship over the last 150 years assumed that there were multiple writers, writing in different geographical and temporal contexts. They argued that Isaiah 1-39 addressed a very different historical setting than did chapters 40-66. Dr. Melugin was ardent in his view that this was mistaken. He explored the various connections between these two sections and argued that Isaiah is a single literary piece.
If he was theologically conservative, he was unashamedly liberal on social issues. He marched for racial justice in the 1960’s and was informed by the prophets as he consistently spoke out against the widespread injustices of our world today.
But none of that directly affected me. In 2001, I attended the regional meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature for the first time as a faculty member. I also presented my first paper to the conference. Dr. Melugin came to the session and heard my stuttering, sweaty, angst-ridden presentation. After it reached its miserable conclusion, he came up and made a few very charitable comments. I was stunned that this gifted academic would be so gracious as to offer me praise and encouragement after my first paper.
Later that evening as I arrived on my floor of the hotel, I stepped out of an elevator as he was stepping in. I quickly thanked him again and awkwardly said something to the effect that “If you ever see me make some mistake around this conference or commit some breech of academic etiquette, please let me know.”
The doors of the elevator began to shut, and in my mind’s eye I can still see his thin, wiry arm snake out to prevent the elevator doors from closing. He looked me in the eye, through his thick owlishly-round spectacles and said to me sternly. “I will Taran, I will. But remember, we are now colleagues and I will expect that you will do the same for me.”
That thought has remained with me until this day. Because as I transition (be it in the church, work, or personal worlds) from the stage in my life when I am the awkward newcomer to when I am the veteran expert, I hope that I will be as gracious, considerate and compassionate to those who come after me.
May he be received into God’s eternal rest.
Roy was a world class scholar on the book of Isaiah. Isaiah scholarship over the last 150 years assumed that there were multiple writers, writing in different geographical and temporal contexts. They argued that Isaiah 1-39 addressed a very different historical setting than did chapters 40-66. Dr. Melugin was ardent in his view that this was mistaken. He explored the various connections between these two sections and argued that Isaiah is a single literary piece.
If he was theologically conservative, he was unashamedly liberal on social issues. He marched for racial justice in the 1960’s and was informed by the prophets as he consistently spoke out against the widespread injustices of our world today.
But none of that directly affected me. In 2001, I attended the regional meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature for the first time as a faculty member. I also presented my first paper to the conference. Dr. Melugin came to the session and heard my stuttering, sweaty, angst-ridden presentation. After it reached its miserable conclusion, he came up and made a few very charitable comments. I was stunned that this gifted academic would be so gracious as to offer me praise and encouragement after my first paper.
Later that evening as I arrived on my floor of the hotel, I stepped out of an elevator as he was stepping in. I quickly thanked him again and awkwardly said something to the effect that “If you ever see me make some mistake around this conference or commit some breech of academic etiquette, please let me know.”
The doors of the elevator began to shut, and in my mind’s eye I can still see his thin, wiry arm snake out to prevent the elevator doors from closing. He looked me in the eye, through his thick owlishly-round spectacles and said to me sternly. “I will Taran, I will. But remember, we are now colleagues and I will expect that you will do the same for me.”
That thought has remained with me until this day. Because as I transition (be it in the church, work, or personal worlds) from the stage in my life when I am the awkward newcomer to when I am the veteran expert, I hope that I will be as gracious, considerate and compassionate to those who come after me.
May he be received into God’s eternal rest.
Monday, April 07, 2008
War and Wiring...
The Pastor Search Committee continues to work quietly in the background, like a box fan whose hum has faded into the general noise of a busy room. Because we’ve been talking to several pastors I’ve been a little reticent to post much on our work. Last week we completed our lengthy look at the Baptist Faith and Message and I think that the committee found it very valuable. The section that generated the most heated discussion (ironically) was the section on peacemaking. We almost came to blows over the appropriate role of non-violence. (Reminding me of course of this clip from Dr. Strangelove). Our church has been unquestionably supportive of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, understandably so since we have several members and even more relatives of church members fighting overseas. But we had some conversations as we looked at several texts about what Jesus had to say regarding peace. Now I’m giving some thought to what we will do next to generate discussion at the beginning of our meetings.
One other thought has been on my mind a lot. I’ve detailed the history of our church and its previous pastor in several posts. Once characteristic of our church that causes me some concern is that our congregation is very willing to be led. Following the pastor is wired into our DNA. More than anything else, that thought has been weighing on my mind and in my prayers as we talk to these various pastors. I’m concerned that we will bring someone in who will repeat the autocratic mistakes of past leadership.
Of course we try to ferret out their views on church polity that out as we talk to them, but most people can talk a good game. They all say some version of “I will work through the existing committee structure of the church.” But at times you wonder.
(Back to main Pastor Search Committee Menu)
One other thought has been on my mind a lot. I’ve detailed the history of our church and its previous pastor in several posts. Once characteristic of our church that causes me some concern is that our congregation is very willing to be led. Following the pastor is wired into our DNA. More than anything else, that thought has been weighing on my mind and in my prayers as we talk to these various pastors. I’m concerned that we will bring someone in who will repeat the autocratic mistakes of past leadership.
Of course we try to ferret out their views on church polity that out as we talk to them, but most people can talk a good game. They all say some version of “I will work through the existing committee structure of the church.” But at times you wonder.
(Back to main Pastor Search Committee Menu)
Thursday, April 03, 2008
How to Sabotage Your Church
Bob Perry is the President of the Organizational Health Associates with extensive experience troubleshooting congregational conflict. Perry, in the vein of the Screwtape Letters (except without all the demons), wrote a recent article called “How to Sabotage Your Church” In this article, he offers advice in how to disrupt the unity and cause division in your local church. He then offers some guidance for church leaders confronting these issues.
He writes that if you really want to sabotage your church, then do the following (I added the last two thoughts):
1. Threaten to leave the church. (the spoiled brat syndrome).
2. Threaten to withhold your offerings. (Using stewardship to manipulate others)
3. Create unhealthy triangles. Involve third parties in your conflicts with others. When you have a conflict with another, instead of continuing to work on the problem, recruit allies and marshal your forces to destroy the other.
4. Sow negativism – fostering a “here we go again” whenever problems or issues arise. Instead of keeping unhealthy criticism to oneself, you should make an effort to call others and share with them your negative attitude as well.
5. Become the “clearinghouse” for complaints. That is, become the one to whom people go to express their negativity, realizing that you will cultivate and encourage their negative spirit through listening to and affirming their views.
(I add two more)
6. Avoiding confrontation at all costs. Any problems will recede and finally go away if we simply ignore them and pretend that they don’t exist.
7. Centralize power in the hands of one. A sincere church leader will never misuse sole authority.
Other suggestions?
He writes that if you really want to sabotage your church, then do the following (I added the last two thoughts):
1. Threaten to leave the church. (the spoiled brat syndrome).
2. Threaten to withhold your offerings. (Using stewardship to manipulate others)
3. Create unhealthy triangles. Involve third parties in your conflicts with others. When you have a conflict with another, instead of continuing to work on the problem, recruit allies and marshal your forces to destroy the other.
4. Sow negativism – fostering a “here we go again” whenever problems or issues arise. Instead of keeping unhealthy criticism to oneself, you should make an effort to call others and share with them your negative attitude as well.
5. Become the “clearinghouse” for complaints. That is, become the one to whom people go to express their negativity, realizing that you will cultivate and encourage their negative spirit through listening to and affirming their views.
(I add two more)
6. Avoiding confrontation at all costs. Any problems will recede and finally go away if we simply ignore them and pretend that they don’t exist.
7. Centralize power in the hands of one. A sincere church leader will never misuse sole authority.
Other suggestions?
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
How I Spent My Spring Break
I spent it in bed and on the couch with a flu-like virus. Because fair reader, I don’t have the time, nor you the patience, for in depth reviews of the culture I’ve consumed over the last two weeks, I thought I’d share with you a brief summary and one thing I liked or disliked about each movie/book/TV show. Adding much richness to our movie watching experiences was the fact that DIRECT-TV offered free HBO/Cinemax for the weekend.
When one is both sick and tired of chicken noodle soup with saltines, what else is there to do but read, watch, and pray? Here’s how we spent some of our time…
Without further ado…
Two Books:
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness I already reviewed it here.
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary -- written by the author of Krakatoa. He’s not really a historian, but Simon Winchester can spin a yarn. Just read the three page preface to the book and then decide not to read the rest. C’mon, I dare you. One of the interesting things about the book is it gives the history of the production of the Oxford English Dictionary, a mammoth undertaking that benefits us all even today.
Movies
Little Women (1994) This film was a hidden gem. I’d missed its theatrical release, but the cast overflows with fine actors from Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Susan Surandon to Christian Bale. A gripping story with much laughter and crying as we watched this one a couple of times (well, I watched it once. Kadie and the girls a few times). Kadie got this for Scooter’s Easter Basket.
Stuart Little A gift(?) for Squealer, I watched it for about 5 minutes before I could stand no more. I recall the book fondly as I read the masterpiece about childhood alienation.
Two things jumped out at me about the film: M. Night Shymalan wrote the thing and Hugh Laurie stars in it. But this film is a CGI mess. Almost the worst of the films we saw. Almost. Which brings us to…
The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl – Just a CGI disaster. Painful to watch and even more painful to try to discern a plot. Any goodwill built up for Robert Rodriguez in the great, I mean GREAT, family films of Spy Kids 1 and 2 is flushed away in this fluorescent colored dreck.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The girls saw it for the first time, only on the condition that they close their eyes when Jones tells Marion to do so during the death angel scene at the end. They absolutely loved it. I cannot tell you how gratifying it is to hear them burst out laughing when Indy shoots the swordsman after he performs a variety of impressive sword maneuvers.
Flicka – A girl and her horse movie. Perfectly acceptable. Better than expected Tim McGraw performance. Maybe Skeeter’s favorite movie.
Superman Returns – I had pretty low expectations for this one, but they’ve been exceeded. I loved the opening credits, which were identical to the 1978 credits. The actor has his Christopher Reeve impression working well, particularly his Clark Kent nebbishness. Kevin Spacey does his best to chew the scenery, but can’t get me to forget Gene Hackman. And I miss Ned Bettey’s unctuousness “Mistah Luthoh”. One marked improvement is Kate Bosworth over Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. Even as a nine year old, I recall thinking how the movie might have improved had the Lois Lane-Superman flight over Manhattan ended somewhat less romantically and more “tragically”.
(And speaking of rebooted franchises, how did I miss this?! Must not get hopes up…)
Hot Fuzz – Clearly the Belle of the Ball among these films. I had no expectations other than the fact that Roeper and the other guy liked the film and said it was funny. It is a modern British film and is therefore profanity laced and has a few cheesy slasher moments….but my-o-my I laughed at this tale of a tough London cop who ends up in a small town that sounds a lot like Lone Oak. But for a different view, see a recent post at Mr Ginger’s pad. Yhaarp.
The Miracle Maker – A required Easter viewing around our house. Still in my mind the best visual depiction of the life of Christ, bar none. And it’s Claymation!!!!!
The Blues Brothers – I hadn’t watched this in years and I didn’t watch all of it again either. Simply not that funny.
Idiocracy – Very disappointing film from Mike Judge of Office Space fame. The film posits an entertaining (and easily defensible) premise that our society is getting more and more stupid each passing generation. But it depicts this in an idiotic way. I could stand about 15 minutes of it.
Radio Days – I hadn’t seen this Woody Allen treasure in a decade, but it has that right combination of charm and whimsy that makes it delightful. It’s a grow up version of A Christmas Story as Allen waxes nostalgic on the role that the medium of radio played in New York life in the 1930’s and 40’s.
The Dark Crystal “That is one weird puppet movie” was Scooter’s comment after it was over. (This comment has now, in my mind, become one of the greatest lines in our family’s lore.) I’d forgotten a lot of it, but I agree with her sentiments. Kadie picked this DVD out for Skeeter’s Easter basket. Not sure that Jim Henson was smoking when he contrived this plot.
TV Series
John Adams (3 volumes) – A great show on HBO, with high production values. The book on which this is based (McCullough’s John Adams) is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. So I had high expectations and they were met. The high point of this series for me is that it accurately depicts the close love affair that John and his wife Abigail sustained for years often over great distances. Their personal letters may be the greatest romance literature in American history, simply a joy to read.
House (about 6 episodes) -- For another post
When one is both sick and tired of chicken noodle soup with saltines, what else is there to do but read, watch, and pray? Here’s how we spent some of our time…
Without further ado…
Two Books:
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness I already reviewed it here.
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary -- written by the author of Krakatoa. He’s not really a historian, but Simon Winchester can spin a yarn. Just read the three page preface to the book and then decide not to read the rest. C’mon, I dare you. One of the interesting things about the book is it gives the history of the production of the Oxford English Dictionary, a mammoth undertaking that benefits us all even today.
Movies
Little Women (1994) This film was a hidden gem. I’d missed its theatrical release, but the cast overflows with fine actors from Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Susan Surandon to Christian Bale. A gripping story with much laughter and crying as we watched this one a couple of times (well, I watched it once. Kadie and the girls a few times). Kadie got this for Scooter’s Easter Basket.
Stuart Little A gift(?) for Squealer, I watched it for about 5 minutes before I could stand no more. I recall the book fondly as I read the masterpiece about childhood alienation.
Two things jumped out at me about the film: M. Night Shymalan wrote the thing and Hugh Laurie stars in it. But this film is a CGI mess. Almost the worst of the films we saw. Almost. Which brings us to…
The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl – Just a CGI disaster. Painful to watch and even more painful to try to discern a plot. Any goodwill built up for Robert Rodriguez in the great, I mean GREAT, family films of Spy Kids 1 and 2 is flushed away in this fluorescent colored dreck.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The girls saw it for the first time, only on the condition that they close their eyes when Jones tells Marion to do so during the death angel scene at the end. They absolutely loved it. I cannot tell you how gratifying it is to hear them burst out laughing when Indy shoots the swordsman after he performs a variety of impressive sword maneuvers.
Flicka – A girl and her horse movie. Perfectly acceptable. Better than expected Tim McGraw performance. Maybe Skeeter’s favorite movie.
Superman Returns – I had pretty low expectations for this one, but they’ve been exceeded. I loved the opening credits, which were identical to the 1978 credits. The actor has his Christopher Reeve impression working well, particularly his Clark Kent nebbishness. Kevin Spacey does his best to chew the scenery, but can’t get me to forget Gene Hackman. And I miss Ned Bettey’s unctuousness “Mistah Luthoh”. One marked improvement is Kate Bosworth over Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. Even as a nine year old, I recall thinking how the movie might have improved had the Lois Lane-Superman flight over Manhattan ended somewhat less romantically and more “tragically”.
(And speaking of rebooted franchises, how did I miss this?! Must not get hopes up…)
Hot Fuzz – Clearly the Belle of the Ball among these films. I had no expectations other than the fact that Roeper and the other guy liked the film and said it was funny. It is a modern British film and is therefore profanity laced and has a few cheesy slasher moments….but my-o-my I laughed at this tale of a tough London cop who ends up in a small town that sounds a lot like Lone Oak. But for a different view, see a recent post at Mr Ginger’s pad. Yhaarp.
The Miracle Maker – A required Easter viewing around our house. Still in my mind the best visual depiction of the life of Christ, bar none. And it’s Claymation!!!!!
The Blues Brothers – I hadn’t watched this in years and I didn’t watch all of it again either. Simply not that funny.
Idiocracy – Very disappointing film from Mike Judge of Office Space fame. The film posits an entertaining (and easily defensible) premise that our society is getting more and more stupid each passing generation. But it depicts this in an idiotic way. I could stand about 15 minutes of it.
Radio Days – I hadn’t seen this Woody Allen treasure in a decade, but it has that right combination of charm and whimsy that makes it delightful. It’s a grow up version of A Christmas Story as Allen waxes nostalgic on the role that the medium of radio played in New York life in the 1930’s and 40’s.
The Dark Crystal “That is one weird puppet movie” was Scooter’s comment after it was over. (This comment has now, in my mind, become one of the greatest lines in our family’s lore.) I’d forgotten a lot of it, but I agree with her sentiments. Kadie picked this DVD out for Skeeter’s Easter basket. Not sure that Jim Henson was smoking when he contrived this plot.
TV Series
John Adams (3 volumes) – A great show on HBO, with high production values. The book on which this is based (McCullough’s John Adams) is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. So I had high expectations and they were met. The high point of this series for me is that it accurately depicts the close love affair that John and his wife Abigail sustained for years often over great distances. Their personal letters may be the greatest romance literature in American history, simply a joy to read.
House (about 6 episodes) -- For another post
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