Presby-Musings

Years ago, I was facilitating a leadership retreat for an ecumenical group of students and adults when an argument started over whether Christians should have tattoos.   It didn't take long before the entire session we had planned was hijacked because of the debate.  The people who gathered for this retreat represented a number of North Florida church youth groups from different theological and denominational backgrounds--conservative, progressive, Baptists, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Non-denominational, and the like.      There were a few of us in the room who actually had tattoos, and our ability to lead was being called into question by some of the participants.  Lines were quickly drawn and before we knew it, that one argument grew into several arguments, and the group began to devolve into factions.   It was at that point that a young woman stood up with her Bible in her hand.  Everyone got quiet as she r...

I know someone who lives their entire life in fear and suspicion.  I am sure you know someone like that, too.  They read into every comment you make, finding criticism where there is none, uncovering personal slights that were never made, always assuming the worst.  These kinds of people live their life in constant fear.  It's a sad and hellish existence.   There was a lady like this in one of my former churches, who served as a volunteer in youth ministry.  One day I gathered for lunch with my main youth volunteers and proceeded to praise them for their gifts and talents.   My purpose was to encourage and inspire them.  She left the meeting and immediately phoned a friend and told her that all I did was belittle her, make her feel small and not as good as the other two leaders.   When you begin to travel down the path of fear and suspicion, when it becomes the way you live and move in the world--it taints every aspect of your...