You see, he was under the assumption that I had to be a pastor to preach. And since I resigned from the typical pastorate last autumn, I must not be preaching anymore.

I do miss the whole string of actions that is typically considered preaching: prayer, study, listening, creating, speaking. I miss the interaction with a group of listeners/participants. I do occasionally get this opportunity. That’s about all I miss from pastoring.

Especially since I’ve been able to preach everyday in my new role as a shelter manager.

The “sermons” I’ve preached while elbow deep in some dark earth while planting flowers around the building, or while propping up a very intoxicated resident, or while sharing a meal with someone who hasn’t eaten anything for 24 hours, or while listening to a resident friend as he smokes and reminisces about his life choices … these are more profound, more real, than anything I pontificated on in a typical sermon.

Every single day I preach with the way I live my life.  And while I’m usually very particular about the preachers I would go sit down and listen to, the sermons that are forced upon me each day but those I rub shoulders with are spectacular.

What I’m experiencing these days helps me understand why Jesus rarely preached in the temple or synagogue.  And the few times he did, somebody got run out with violence: either him or those corrupting the house of prayer.

Rather, Jesus chose to preach while living life.  Occasionally he would sit in a boat, or on a hillside and teach.  But usually this preaching was in the context of his actions: either feeding people or meeting their physical shortcomings with healing and forgiveness.

Jesus’ most startling and wonderful sermons came while he was walking with his friends through fields or from town to town.  Or while sitting at a well where women came to draw water.  Or while creating some art in the dirt.  Or while drinking and eating with societal rejects.

The imposed pressures and expectations of a “preacher’ that come from the church are so off-base with what Jesus actually did.

And, at least for me, I’ve heard the call to “go and do likewise.”

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• Why I’m Serving as a Shelter Manager – Part 2
• Why I’m Serving as a Shelter Manager
• Changes
• Bresee and Rejection
• What Is a Minister? – Part 3

It’s encouraging to know there are some Ezekiels, Isaiahs, and Jeremiahs out there.

Imagine how lonely the original prophets must have been. They were blessed because everyone spoke evil of them, hated them, derided them for not getting with the system.

But it was a lonely blessing.

I would not be able to sustain this journey in isolation. God’s grace is good. But it’s wonderful when the grace is found in the form of fellow sojourners who understand what you’ve experienced and why you are where you are.

Do you feel like the North American institutional Church (and churches) just isn’t jiving with the Gospel mission of Jesus of Nazareth? Do you wonder if you are alone, insane, jaded, out of touch?

Put your thoughts and feelings out there. Look for those who are allowing the organic grace of God to permeate their lives. Be willing to discover, and be discovered by, Christ-followers who are hearing the beat of an old, old drum.

They are out there. We are out here.

So, God, may your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is where you are …

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• Still Detoxing
• A Lenten Exercise: Analyzing Exile – Conclusion
• In the Meantime …
• A Lenten Exercise: Analyzing Exile – Part 4
• Some Excellent Quotes from Jim Wallis

“As a result much effort is being made to elegantly house the gathering of the people who are supposed to meet and worship God. Elaborate and expensive buildings are erected, often as a burden and sometimes to the distress of the people; and usually as places of spiritual desolation. That there should be a plain, unostentatious place for the people to gather, where especially the poor and those whom the world despises, should have special opportunities, there is no question. But the eras of nice church buildings have been times of spiritual decline from the days of Constantine and his mother Helena until today.”

–Phineas Bresee, Nazarene Messenger 6/13/1901

Sounds like he’s talking about post-Christian US America, doesn’t it?  But check the date … 1901, people!  What a visionary he was.  And what an inspiration today.  The voice of the prophet echoes over 107 years and nails the reason for our spiritual decline.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
What does this quote do for you?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• The Legacy of Bresee
• Bresee and Rejection
• Being the Church Around a Meal
• Semi-accidental Stumbled-upons
• Book Comments: “Beyond Smells and Bells”

Chuck was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a few short weeks ago.  He went through a succesful surgery, which I sat through with him.  He had been released from the hospital just a few days ago.

Something happened with his heart and the blood thinners he was on.  He just couldn’t make it.

I’m surprised.

You see, Chuck was 71 years old, but as his surgeon told me upon the completion of his operation, “Chuck had the insides of a 30-year old.”  That means he was healthier and in better shape than me!

Chuck worked out a couple hours everyday and rode his bike about 20 miles.  Chuck was our primary drummer for worship gatherings.  I was the backup.  The only reason I was even playing drums at all was because Chuck inspired me to pick up my sticks again after 20 years of not playing.  And my 3-year old, Eliot, loves playing drums because of “Mr. Chuck.”

Chuck inspired me in a lot of ways.  Though on in years, he was open to anything.  Though used to a large-church setting, he loved our little community of faith.  Chuck’s wife has been battling terminal cancer (the “no use going through chemotherapy kind”) for several years.  We all thought Chuck would outlive her.  Chuck cared for her with the meticulous care of a bedside nurse.  He was a hero.  I realized that as I held his wife’s hands and prayed with her over Chuck’s lifeless body.  I heard her say, “You were my angel.”  And he was.

That’s probably why I spent a whole day driving him to Savannah for his operation and staying through it.  That’s probably why I visited him a few days after and stayed for several hours.  That’s probably why I shaved him and helped bathe him while he was in hospital.

He had done so much for his wife, and me, and others … how could I not be a servant for him?

I saw Jesus in Chuck.  And because Jesus is resurrected I not only know that Chuck and I will play drums together again, and Chuck will workout again, and Chuck will ride his bike again … I also know I must serve others the way Chuck served his wife, and me, and …

I must serve here and now, because God’s kingdom has been inaugurated.  I know that because I’ve known Chuck.

For me and my family, a little rhythm has gone away with Chuck’s passing.  It’s a rhythm that we will need to step into.  A rhythm that we should now pick up for Chuck, as we serve others in Jesus’ name … just like Chuck did.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Who is a “Chuck” in your life?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• My Father’s Work
• Loss and Love
• Being the Church Around a Meal
• 24-hour Prayer Vigil … Hours 19-24
• 24-hour Prayer Vigil … Hours 2 & 3

Today I’m sitting in Memorial Hospital in Savannah, GA.  My friend (our 70-year old church drummer), Chuck, is in a 6-hour surgery for prostate cancer.  He has no family in the area.  His wife, Margie, is suffering from terminal cancer and is in Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick.  So I volunteered to bring him and be here during the surgery.

There was a time, when I would be fretting that I’m not getting any “work” done if I sit in a hospital waiting room all day by myself.  There was a time I considered planning, preparing, study, etc. to be the most important work I need to be doing.  That time is over.  Today, I can think of nothing better than sitting in this waiting room, praying for Chuck … and Margie … letting administrative things sort themselves out; praying for others I know; praying for Jesus to let me know him a little better today; possibly meeting others in whom I can see Christ in this waiting room.

Not much “church-building” going on today.  At least church-building in the understood sense.  Probably won’t be much nor any church-building in my plans in future either.  It’s not my job.  Nor is it yours.  Jesus builds, grows, and forms the church.  I’m just part of God’s universal church, trying to keep my family in the Way of Jesus; letting God provide me and my family with opportunities to shepherd, support, listen, care.

Maybe you are like I have been in times past.  Thinking that being in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ means doing “churchy” things, keeping a good attendance at worship, paying attention to church leaders and pastors, trying to be “good” or “righteous.”  I’m convinced these days that being a follower of Jesus and the God whom he called Father is not really related to those things.  It’s about listening for God’s voice, getting to know Jesus, trusting in God’s love for us, keeping your family faithful to the Spirit’s voice, living life with others who are on the same journey.  In this way, worship becomes not a weekend hour or two, but a way to live.

So I’m worshipping today.  As I wait to see Chuck after his long surgery.  As I trust Jesus to be with Chuck, and Margie, and me, and my family, and you.  The trappings, and requirements, and obligations are melting away.  As I turn my eyes on Jesus, I’m seeing only … get this … Jesus!  And like him, I must be about my Holy Father’s work.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How are you worshipping through the way you live this week?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• My Friend, Chuck
• Not Living By Bread Alone
• Loss and Love
• “If I could just be one . . .”
• “Why Bother?”

We stayed with some very good friends who just a few months ago lost their baby an hour after he was born. Several late-night talks with them were difficult and sad and heart-wrenching.

We had some extended family news come our way that shook life circumstances for Heather’s side of the family.

A good family friend, mentor, and church leader at my old stomping grounds unexpectedly took his own life.

All of this during our “vacation.”

I have been experiencing a lot of sadness, brokenness, doubting, and feelings of helplessness of late.

Yet here’s what I’m learning … God has a way of weaving beauty out of brokenness and despair.

I’m not one of those who blames God for everything. I mean, if God really controlled everything with the way the word is today, that’s not a God I could worship, much less serve. No, it seems that scripture and experience tells us that evil just happens. Yet in the midst of evil, God longs to be in relationship with his creation. And if we let him, God will create something surprising and wonderful out of the shards of sadness, grief, despair, and hopelessness that invade our lives from time to time.

For instance, with the happenings I mentioned above … We got to spend quality time with some best friends during their dark days of anger and despair. We got to hug and be present and just listen. All in all experiencing a deeper level of friendship … and they did too.

We see my wife’s family pulling together with others in their faith community to truly seek God’s leading in their situation.

We were able to be with and comfort the family of our friend. We remembered his actions of love and compassion throughout his life. We saw his young grandson turn to God’s story in the days that followed in order to make sense of the situation.

God is weaving something beautiful, even when all seems lost. God is faithful to love us and care for us, even when we feel abandoned. God is relentless in his activity to create wonder and hope, even when we feel like he has nothing to work with.

This is the God I worship. This is the God I serve. This is the God I’m anticipating will surprise me again soon in wonderful ways.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How is God taking your brokenness and making something surprising and wonderful out of it?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• Where Is God in Brokenness? – 14 months later
• Persecution
• 3 Things I’ve Learned about Leadership
• Resigning and Then Taking Up the Call Again
• Sacrifice of Comfort

When I can’t sleep, or the pressure of the work at hand causes me to retreat, or I go researching something which long ago I lost sight of and can’t for the life of me remember … That’s when I find myself doing it.

What? I find myself reading the rants of various “Christian” perspectives from those with fundamentalist leanings or those with emergent-as-a-system leanings. I find myself picking apart weak theology, or shallow ecclesiology, or emotionally clouded apologetics.

And then to decompress and recover the minutes wasted as I vicariously follow the intra-Christian absurdities that plague the reputation of Jesus-followers, I flip on my iTunes and here’s what plays: “The Lark Ascending.”

And my entire being stirs for authentic life lived in Christ. Just now as the lark swirls higher into the clouds with my sense of reality girded under its wings, I look at my dim and empty living room, remembering what took place here 24 hours ago:

A small group of 10 friends … some we’d known a few months, some just a day … gathered for a time of food, fellowship, and simply sharing life. We laughed, got to know each other better, shared space and time in a sacred way. We lived the lark … we’re still living the lark.

And the Spirit encourages me that life lived is the thing … the most important thing … the very thing for which God became a baby writhing in a cow’s food digs … the very reason God yielded the sacred life to a public execution … the very reason Christ took up his life again and breathed on the assembled his Spirit of grace and truth.

SO TELL ME:
Are you living the life? Or are you avoiding it?

SO TELL ME SOMETHING ELSE:
If you are living the life … How? Why?

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.Related Posts:

• Not Living By Bread Alone
• What Is a Minister? – Part 1
• The Grace that Goes Before
• Prayer for the Week
• Sharing the Journey

Tags: fundamentalist, emergent, ecclesiology, Jesus-followers, Lark Ascending, authentic, friends, sacred way