The Gospel in 15 seconds...?

As the unofficial chaplain of the first shift Waffle House crew in Lincolnton, NC, I listen a lot, learn a lot, and think a lot.  I noted that not only does this crew work nearly every Sunday morning, but they also ALL must work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day--many of them working double shifts.  Some time back, I offered to bring in and offer Communion for those who wished to receive it.  I re-checked with the manager and he eagerly said, YES!  BRING IT!

Carol and Ashley

Today was the day.  During a packed pre-lunch rush, I sat at the "high bar" at the end.  I prepared the elements, noting the Christmas themed outfits and hats worn by the staff.  I sipped my coffee and watched and waited for small opportunities to share not only the elements of bread and juice, but also to share the story--THE story, the Gospel of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection and the meaning of that for us today.

Jason and Zach on the grill, small glimpse of Pam to the left

Busy?  Yes.  They rushed back and forth, orders being called out, "MARK ONE PLATE, SCATTERED WELL, COVERED, SMOTHERED, AND CAPPED!"  Cooks (usually 3 on the grill at once) scrambled to work in tandem as they called back orders, cooked, put the meals together and called for PICK UP!.

Management moved back and forth and tempers were flaring after a customer decided not only was she going to be unreasonably demanding, but that she was going to stay a while, too--apparently just to be grinchy.

There was a constant hum of customers, those seated and those waiting to be seated.  The guy next to me, blissfully oblivious to what I was doing (and that was cool with me) even after I explained it when he said "nice cup" to my chalice, talked and talked to me about the woman who was complaining about her food.  His language was peppered with "colorful metaphors" to help draw me a mental picture of the way he felt about the woman attacking our friends on the grill.

In other words, LIFE WAS HAPPENING ALL AROUND!  Far too chaotic to fit into what I had learned in seminary about the sacred need for a sacred setting for the sacred meal at a sacred table.  Yet here I was, grace in hand, feeling more and more inadequate by the minute.  It was hardly the setting I'm used to for communion.  We learn about the altar table during worship (called the Lord's Table with the elements on it), home communion, hospital and communion, even communion on retreats, etc...But this was not familiar territory.  I must admit, I was nervous.  So was the staff.  Had I misjudged our still budding relationship?  Were they not really eager to have this brought to them like I had thought?  Was I making a mistake?

Soon, one of the servers came over and said, "ok, I'm ready!"  I knew with the crowd and with their responsibilities, I had precious little time.  I could only say, this is to remind us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  He died for our sins and so we could be saved." I offered a piece of sweet Hawaiian Bread and the chalice, quickly explaining the means of receiving through the intincion method.  The Body and Blood of Christ was offered for you...She took the bread, dipped it in the juice and consumed the elements.   I smiled and she realized that was it!  "Wow!" she said, "That was cool.  I've never done that before!"  There was a server that didn't know me, watching.  I offered, she refused politely.  Oops, maybe this was a bad idea.  No one else was coming--like for a long time.

But then, one by one, they approached until most of them had received the elements.  No pressure, not all were interested and that was surely OK.  I was amazed that almost every one of them remarked that this was the first time they had ever received communion--like in ever!  With each, I had only seconds to tell the story, to offer the elements and instructions, and then let them go back to work.  And then I would wait until the next one found a few seconds.

much more proper and liturgical

As I reflected on the experience, I had to ask myself some questions...Was it liturgical?  Of course not.  Was it proper?  Was the dignity of the service maintained?  Probably not according to many.  Did it adequately demonstrate the sacred meaning of the sacrament and purpose of Communion?  hmmm.  I hope so.  But you know, we Methodists see the Sacred Meal as being a means of grace and practice an open table in celebrating the Eucharist.  And so, it was....simply and yet amazingly that--a means of Grace.

The gratitude of those who chose to receive was evident... "That's the first time I've done that!  Thank you so much for thinking of us!"

My, how we've failed as pastors--as the Church.  We offer communion to those who come--we practice an open table, yes; but the tables are locked up in our sanctuaries behind closed doors and liturgical restrictions.  When there is an entire world out there who have never experienced the grace that is offered in the simple offering of bread and juice (wine).  We forget that when Jesus initiated this simple service, it was after a sacred meal but it was ordinary elements of bread and wine--common meal for common people and his instruction was that as often as we partake of this common experience, we should tell the story, share the food, spread the love (and experience the GRACE).

Simple...yet Grace abounds

I've experienced many times the first time someone has received the Holy Meal.  But this was different.  Here, amidst and amongst the hustle and bustle of ordinary life, folks experienced communion, most for the first time, in their life setting.  Communion, like Jesus, comes to them as they are, where they are, to meet their needs.  Grace Upon Grace.  Grace abounds.  The Body of Christ broken for you.  The Blood of Christ spilled out for you.  Simple yet extraordinary.

I'm still learning...We still have a lot to learn.  But only if we get out past the walls and quit trying to force others into our church mold.  It's time we found a way to mold the church to the world's need, while maintaining the simple yet extraordinary gospel of Jesus.

May the Grace of God be with you as you take the opportunity today and all your tomorrows to see Jesus in the simple and the extraordinary...





Blessings.

First Church of the Waffle House, Lincolnton, NC

Ok, I admit it...I'm a Waffle House Junkie.  I eat there most every morning.  I just have grits and bacon, a cup of coffee, and my morning paper.  I sit at the bar, eat, read....and I watch and listen, interacting with both customers and employees.  And I learn about church...Yup, I sure do.  Everything I need to know about what a church should look like, I could learn at Waffle House--at least the one in Lincolnton, NC.  It's pretty amazing, too.

I see a couple of the cooks who are always willing to step up when someone needs something.  Somebody needs something fixed... "I'll stop by and look at it after work."  This doesn't just apply to employees, but to regulars as well.  There is a microcosm of the larger community there.  There are a core group of regulars, all with nicknames...Preacher (that's me), Cowboy, Santa Claus, and Uncle Eddie (plus the one they just call the Pecan Waffle Lady).  They all seem to know were the others live, crossing both ways over the counter--employees and customers.

I think it was this atmosphere that lead me to feel so compelled when one of the cooks had a fire at his house and everything in the house needed to be replaced due to smoke damage.  I rallied my church and a couple other churches to DO something and we did...but it wasn't just us. Don't get the impression that they NEEDED the church.  They already have that type of community within the walls of the ole Waffle House.

While we were supplying mostly money and gift cards, others (again, customers and employees) were offering rides, paint, furniture, TIME, and other items of need for the cook, his wife, and three teenage daughters.  And my God, they are soo appreciative.  And these are not "church folk" doing all of this stuff we consider to be "church work."  In fact, most of them are right there at the Waffle House while we are in church on Sundays...

What too many of us church folk don't realize is that we don't own the patent on helping others.  In fact, they seemed to do it more naturally than the church in most cases.

I watched this morning as they celebrated when one of them won $1000 in a scratch off.  I realized as I listened that Uncle Eddie and his wife had cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and brought it to the Waffle House for those having to work.  Yup, he brought the servers Thanksgiving meals.  Today, he brought Red Velvet Cake (recipe's been in the family for 150 years).  The young employees all have his number so they can call for a ride if they find themselves in ANY situation where they feel they shouldn't drive, or they need a ride, or they need someone to bail them out of whatever trouble they might find themselves in.  Uncle Eddie's a Vietnam Vet with a big heart and a short temper ("I've got my issues, Preacher!"...Don't we all) but he protects those kids up there like they are his own.

Santa Claus is struggling with his own issues with aging and a wife that took a tumble and had a break.  Employees know right where he lives and go visit.  They take care of their own.  And, too, while they aren't perfect by any means, they genuinely try to share the love with all who enter their doors, whether they know them or not.  Today, there was a couple there and well, based on their accents, they "weren't from aroun' chere."

That sat at the bar with me and Uncle Eddie on a crowded morning and soon, they were laughing, and asking questions about the town.  Then she began to share.

We came down last weekend, me and my sisters and our families to visit our mom.  She got tangled up in her walker the first day we were here...she fell...she broke her hip...she just couldn't muster the strength to survive the surgery...we're taking her body to Florida...keep questioning if we did the right thing...tears, laughter, sadness, hope, fear, feelings of guilt...waffle house sharing...

Soon, the regulars and employees (no preacher needed) were offering comforting words of support and encouragement to these strangers passing through on a tragic journey.  They left as if they, too, were regulars--laughing, hollering above the noise--"Thanks everybody.  Really, thank you so much!  You guys have a great day!  We will be back!"

Yup, there's a lot to learn about church from Waffle House.  And if we could take those lessons back to church with us--there just might be hope for us yet...

Nobody likes a jerk.

Nobody

Don't let being a jerk be your witness for Christ...

If you are a recipient of God's grace 

That means you didn't deserve it...

So act like you know that...

It's important

Really

It is.

That is all

Blessings,

Pastor Tommy

Facebook Theology?

Disclaimer.  I know some of you posted these things.  I'm not picking on you.  It also may have nothing to do with you. Lots of folks post these things and thankfully, they all make me think...

I saw a post today (and yesterday, and last week, etc, etc.) that said, "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"

Great intentions.  Let's find a way to encourage folks to give thanks and to do so regularly!  Let's remind folks to be good stewards, for all good things come from God.  It is our Christian duty and responsibility to care for the things God has given us--to remember that even our very life is a gift from the Creator.

But still...

I type this as I look at my son, playing with our cat, Sam.  My daughter is in the other room, playing with the new kitten.  Each of them is dependent on me and my wife for their very survival.  We give them (all four of them): food, shelter, clothing, toys, entertainment, etc.  All good things come from us.  But they are not (any of them) at a maturity level yet to understand their full dependence.  OK, we'll ignore the cats for now as some may argue they aren't made in the image of God (others might disagree).  Imagine what you would think of me if I were to adopt this new policy with just my children.

Anything my kids don't thank us for today, we'll take away tomorrow.  My son didn't say thanks for his shoes (he's had them for a while, but still, he should remember to be thankful EVERY DAY.  Tomorrow, he goes to school barefoot.  My daughter forgets to thank us for rice--a staple in her diet.  Tomorrow, she goes hungry (yes, without rice, she just might).

I don't need to take the example any further as I'm guessing you know already what you would think of me.  Many of my dearest friends or family members would be calling the authorities to have the kids taken away and the kids would not have the absolute assurance that we will always be here for them.  They might not could put it into words, but they'd feel it... Mom and Dad are petty and small minded, uncaring and inhumane.

And so, while I appreciate the good intentions, I think God is a better parent than we will ever be.  I think God's children will not have the feeling of absolute assurance that God will always be there for us if we feel threatened that God might simply come and take away those things we were derelict in giving thanks for yesterday.  I think the idea, when you think about it, gives those on the margins the idea that God is petty, small minded, uncaring, and inhumane.

So, to answer the question..."What if I woke up this morning and the only things I have are the things I remembered to give thanks for yesterday?...Well, I think my God would have just gotten a lot smaller....

So what about you?  What are some others you've noticed.  Leave me a comment below with those questionable Facebook Theological posts you've seen.

Whatever you think of God or God's actions...God is bigger than that, too.

Blessings
Tommy

It's got to be all about something...

I am asked to write a newsletter article every other month.  I wanted to find a way to make a history of such things if someone were to come along and see, for example, what was said last publication.  So here it is--a new blog specifically for the family and friends of McKendree UMC in Lincolnton, NC.

The address is www.mckendreemcpastor.blogspot.com (yes, that's McKendree McPastor DOT COM...lol).  I will archive (from this post on) those newsletter articles as well as other thoughts, pictures, announcements, etc.  Please find the blog online and subscribe.  Every now and then, let me know someone is reading it by making a comment, posing a question, or just giving it a thumbs up.  You can also share it with your friends and family--a good way to encourage folks to come visit out church or some church event!

You're just now getting to know me a little better as I'm getting to you know all of you.  And while we have much to point to with pride in the goings on at McKendree, you and I have MUCH work to be done.  What do we do here at McKendree?  What's it all about anyway?

There's meetin' time--lots and lots of meetin's.  By God, we're Methodists and that's what we're good at. I sit here and overlook the calendar and you know, if it weren't for meetin's we might not have much to do at ALL.  Council on Ministries, Admin Board, Trustees, SPRC (?), Finance, Worship, etc, etc, etc.  We are all about meetings.

There's Food.  We eat a lot--I mean a LOT.  We Methodists know how to hold a fork.  We got 3rd Sunday meals, Women's meals, Men's meals, youth meals, and sometimes we meet over a meal just to decide what meal is next.  We love to eat.  We are all about eating!

There's worship and learning times.  These are meetin's with each other, and with God and it's for feedin' the soul, not the belly!  Good times. And we are faithful to keep them all!  God bless us!  We are all about Worship!

But when someone wants to know what we are all about, do we tell them meetings, food, worship and learning?  What's it all about anyway?  I borrow from my good friend, Donna Coone, and tell you it better be that we can say with integrity--IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE.  Everything we do together, individually, as the church, as a family, as members of the body of Christ--if it's not about love--what is it about?  What possibly could be the point of all of this if there were no love?

Read that part of Corinthians that says we can speak, sing, preach 'til the cows come home, but if have no love, we're no more impressive than a clanging cow bell!

Invite your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to come see us at McKendree and when they want to know what it's all about--what WE are all about at McK UMC?  Tell them It's all about LOVE.

And with that, let me say, I LOVE each and every one of you!  Really I do!

Blessings

Pastor Tommy
www.mckendreemcpastor.blogspot.com