You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43
The other day Michelle Mendoza interviewed Pastor Ricardo and myself for a program on KCIS Radio. During that interview we had the opportunity to share with her how we feel the favor of God in our new bilingual worship service at 12:30 on Sundays - Esperanza. We were able to share that one of the great advantages of a “bilingual” format is that English speaking people could begin to learn Spanish and Spanish speaking people could begin to learn English. We explained that the worship songs are done in Spanish and English. (It is amazing to hear the blending of both languages in tune to the music.) When someone like Ricardo preaches, Pastor Rey or our intern pastor, McKenzie, translates. We shared that one of the highlights is after the service when we have a delicious Hispanic meal and the incredible bilingual fellowship.
It was exciting to have the opportunity to share with our community through KCIS what is happening here at Washington Cathedral. In building a great caring network, God has called us to reach through cultural barriers and be a diverse community in the name of Jesus.
Dr. Daniel Shaw a noted Christian Anthropologist says in his book Folk Religions “since God is beyond human culture the only way we can rightly interpret the Word of God is with Christians from more than one cultural context.” The discussion is inspired and allows us to see God from beyond our personal cultural biases. We have all known that God is beyond culture. When Jesus taught, he addressed cultural mores using the formula – “You have heard it said, but I tell you ……” He was not putting down culture but he was fulfilling the deepest expectations and highest ideals with the profundity that one would expect from an interview with God.
Another of our new services is Catalyst Redux, which represents a new post modern culture. Many from that culture question much what has been associated with Christianity and expressed by the culture of Modernity. Their Saturday night 8 pm service is very creative. The service encourages multiple voices sharing the message, rather than just one. The participants mix art, poetry, discussion and candle light with open interaction of the class of cultures often representing religion in the 21st century. What a joy it is for me to see those who have been completely turned off by the Christian religion to find a new fresh faith in Jesus Christ at this service. Our intern pastor, Ben McCary, is working diligently on this Catalyst Redux project under the close directorship of Pastor Scott Burnett and it is having much success.
Recently, I attended 11 different worship services at Washington Cathedral not counting weddings and memorial services. Every service was different. In every service I could feel the presence of God and I was deeply touched. What an adventure! It is going to be so exciting to see what God has in store for us in the next year.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Esperanza Service
I recently received this letter from David Fox and I was so impressed by his passion for the Esperanza service that I just had to share it with our church family.
Today’s premier Esperanza service was fabulous. It was the beginning of a new era at Washington Cathedral – the day the church took an incredible step towards reaching not only the “unchurched,” but the “churched without a church.” In other words, Latinos in Redmond who have no church nearby with services in their own language. The level of energy in the sanctuary was apparent right from the first Praise Team song, when Alex Wolf strummed an incredible Flamenco-type solo on his guitar. Pastor Ricardo Uribe could no longer contain his enthusiasm and ran over to the congas. He slapped a beat that took the rhythm of both the song and the service to new heights.
When Mackenzie Debow opened the service with announcements in Spanish and English, and we all knew that this dream of a bilingual service at Washington Cathedral was now a reality. After she invited us to meet two new people during the snack break, the congregation took it several steps further and introduced themselves to anyone they didn’t recognize. There was so much excitement in the air; it made me want to meet every unfamiliar face there.
God was clearly present with us, encouraging fellowship across cultures. I have always been intrigued to know that there exists a country in West Africa where Spanish is spoken, but I had no idea that I would meet a couple from Equatorial Guinea right here in our own sanctuary! There were people from several other Spanish-speaking countries present, as well as North Americans who had learned Spanish both here and afar. And many people without any Spanish background attended the first Esperanza service, where they heard a powerful message and had a wonderful time!
The best part of the service was Pastor Rey’s sermon entitled “What is in your hands?” based on the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-28. With Pastor Ricardo translating into English, Pastor Rey drew parallels with the challenges faced by young King David, Moses, and his own experience of getting cut from an all-girl volleyball team. We all know how enthusiastic Rey gets when he’s at the pulpit, so having to pause every sentence for Ricardo to translate for him was truly a challenge! At times Rey couldn’t think of a word in Spanish and said it in English instead, so Ricardo said the word in Spanish for him. Next thing we knew we were hearing a sermon in English being translated into Spanish! Pastor Elise later remarked that hearing it twice really allowed the word of God to sink in.
I was so proud of everyone’s willingness to reach out across cultural and linguistic fences to share the Gospel of Jesus. Kelsey Robinson had just returned from the High School mission trip to Honduras and put her newly-acquired Spanish to the test as an usher. Kelly Glenn did a wonderful job of giving the offertory prayer in her best “Castellano.” Sara Clark led the Praise Team with songs in Spanish, English and a combination of both! There were plenty of people working hard behind the scenes as well. Gigi Bresolin and Josh Kildall missed this wonderful service so they could lead the first bilingual Esperanza service Sunday school class. Josh said it was a good start, as only two out of eight children left the classroom in tears!!
I encourage you all to step out of your comfort zone and attend the new Esperanza service at 12:30pm Sundays. Better yet, reach out and invite a friend to come experience God’s presence with you. Who among us does not know someone who speaks or has studied Spanish at one time (maybe even you?) There are mini-flyers available in the atrium that will make it easy for you. Pastor Roy Seymour was brave enough to attend, he can now say, “Que Diós te bendiga” (God bless you.)
Have you tried the Esperanza service yet? What did you think?
Monday, July 9, 2007
What Are You For?
When Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:15b
I was so inspired by Colonel Erskine Austin’s part of the sermon last week. He talked about point #2 - “Freedom is Not Free.” It was a great moment for everyone in our church having our lives marked by such a wonderful man. He said something that really made the hair on the back of my neck raise up. His statement was, “Pastor Tim and I agree on the principle ‘it is not what you are against, but it is far more important what you are for!’”
It is easy to stand against almost everything. But, the more important issue is “what are we proposing for the future?” Pastor Scott gave me a book the other day entitled Presidential Courage. It tells the story of how brave leaders have changed America from 1789 to 1989. One thing I couldn’t help but notice is the diversity of philosophies -- George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan and others. They all have one thing in common -- in the complexity of their life challenges they found a vision to pursue. A vision they could stand by, and hang onto as they pounded out the practical issues. They were prepared to sacrifice because they knew in the final analysis the vision was bigger than they were.
Let me ask you a question. What do you stand for? What can you get behind? What will you be remembered for? And what in your life requires an enormous amount of courage just to continue? So much courage that you cannot possibly do it by yourself – God must help you.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every person who complains about our society or government, or community, or a business, or faith would instead propose a change to improve it? And what if they backed up that proposal for change with an offer to wade in and help until the change came about? Can you imagine what kind of world it would be if there was just this one attitude change?
I for one am tired of religious people being known for all the things that they are against. What are we for? What changes are we proposing and what are we doing to wade in and back up that proposal with an offer to help?
Tim White
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Summer Time
Here we are, right on the verge of summertime! Wasn’t it January last week? Time flies…
How do we tune in to the sunny season before it’s over? Something that helps me slow down a little bit and enjoy life is remembering what I love about it. Here are a few things that leap to mind:
Summertime is full of favorite fragrances…
The smell of coconut and chlorine means there must be a pool nearby. Blue pool-water below and blue sky above is a beautiful place to be!
And what could be more summery than the smell of a fired-up grill? You might love the aroma of steak over charcoal; I’m partial to salmon and portabellas… yum!
Of course, there’s the scent of fresh-cut grass, which I especially enjoy when somebody else did the mowing.
Summertime is full of favorite sounds…
During the sunniest months, I load up the CD player with music from Brazil; it’s the perfect sonic backdrop. Seventies “power pop” hits the spot too (Badfinger, Big Star, The Raspberries…), and there’s no denying Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” its rightful place as summer essential.
Give us those nice bright colors
Give us the greeeeens of summer
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah…
Sometimes songs I don’t even like carry wonderful summertime memories. For instance, “Close To You” by The Carpenters transports me back to my favorite Adirondack lake.
Hearing Dave Niehaus call a Mariners game on the radio is a surefire sign of summer. He helps me find the rhythm of the season.
Clocks and calendars seem to have less power in July and August. There are better things to do than worry about what time it is – things like nothing! Nothing is an excellent thing to do in the summer.
Camping is a great way to do nothing; it provides shape and substance to no-agenda. Lounging on the back deck with a book, or shooting the breeze with a friend can do the trick too.
Oh, and let’s not forget one of the very best things about summer in Redmond, WA – the air-conditioned sanctuary at Washington Cathedral! It’s cool to be cool.
What are some of your favorite things about summer? Leave a comment about your favorite aspects of the season.
How do we tune in to the sunny season before it’s over? Something that helps me slow down a little bit and enjoy life is remembering what I love about it. Here are a few things that leap to mind:
Summertime is full of favorite fragrances…
The smell of coconut and chlorine means there must be a pool nearby. Blue pool-water below and blue sky above is a beautiful place to be!
And what could be more summery than the smell of a fired-up grill? You might love the aroma of steak over charcoal; I’m partial to salmon and portabellas… yum!
Of course, there’s the scent of fresh-cut grass, which I especially enjoy when somebody else did the mowing.
Summertime is full of favorite sounds…
During the sunniest months, I load up the CD player with music from Brazil; it’s the perfect sonic backdrop. Seventies “power pop” hits the spot too (Badfinger, Big Star, The Raspberries…), and there’s no denying Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” its rightful place as summer essential.
Give us those nice bright colors
Give us the greeeeens of summer
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah…
Sometimes songs I don’t even like carry wonderful summertime memories. For instance, “Close To You” by The Carpenters transports me back to my favorite Adirondack lake.
Hearing Dave Niehaus call a Mariners game on the radio is a surefire sign of summer. He helps me find the rhythm of the season.
Clocks and calendars seem to have less power in July and August. There are better things to do than worry about what time it is – things like nothing! Nothing is an excellent thing to do in the summer.
Camping is a great way to do nothing; it provides shape and substance to no-agenda. Lounging on the back deck with a book, or shooting the breeze with a friend can do the trick too.
Oh, and let’s not forget one of the very best things about summer in Redmond, WA – the air-conditioned sanctuary at Washington Cathedral! It’s cool to be cool.
What are some of your favorite things about summer? Leave a comment about your favorite aspects of the season.
Friday, May 25, 2007
In God's Image
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 3:27
There are many things in life that I love to observe. I love birds. I could sit and listen to the birds sing at dawn and waist the better part of an hour. The image of bird watchers has not always been the most macho of images. But I plead guilty, I like birds. I also love to observe insects. When I was a boy I would spend a whole day just watching insects and then would read everything I could about a species of ants or bees. I love to observe stars and someday we will have an observatory on our campus. I have been accused at being like an “old mother” bragging about people in our church. I am amazed at the entrepreneurs in our church that have started from scratch and really built something that financially benefits their employees and our economy. I am amazed at the scientists in our church and the joy I see on their faces when they speak about their chosen area of study. I am amazed at the craftsmen in our church that rebuild cars as a pastime or maintain sailboats. I am amazed at computer programmers, mathematicians, musicians, poets, and stay at home moms. I admire people in service organizations that are the backbone of all their organizations accomplishments. I love to talk to teachers, mechanics and electricians. I enjoy people because the Bible teaches that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. That we are all created in the image of God.
I see flashes of God’s image in the dry sense of humor of a homeless man, or an act of caring by a tired nurse. I see brilliance and genius in the craft projects that children bring home after Sunday school or in the questions of a critic. We are all made in the image of God.
Look in the mirror and see your features and remember – you are made in the image of God.
Your God’s image assignment this week is to take a moment to observe people and look for God’s footprints. Ask someone who loves you to discuss with you the footprints of God’s image in your life.
There are many things in life that I love to observe. I love birds. I could sit and listen to the birds sing at dawn and waist the better part of an hour. The image of bird watchers has not always been the most macho of images. But I plead guilty, I like birds. I also love to observe insects. When I was a boy I would spend a whole day just watching insects and then would read everything I could about a species of ants or bees. I love to observe stars and someday we will have an observatory on our campus. I have been accused at being like an “old mother” bragging about people in our church. I am amazed at the entrepreneurs in our church that have started from scratch and really built something that financially benefits their employees and our economy. I am amazed at the scientists in our church and the joy I see on their faces when they speak about their chosen area of study. I am amazed at the craftsmen in our church that rebuild cars as a pastime or maintain sailboats. I am amazed at computer programmers, mathematicians, musicians, poets, and stay at home moms. I admire people in service organizations that are the backbone of all their organizations accomplishments. I love to talk to teachers, mechanics and electricians. I enjoy people because the Bible teaches that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. That we are all created in the image of God.
I see flashes of God’s image in the dry sense of humor of a homeless man, or an act of caring by a tired nurse. I see brilliance and genius in the craft projects that children bring home after Sunday school or in the questions of a critic. We are all made in the image of God.
Look in the mirror and see your features and remember – you are made in the image of God.
Your God’s image assignment this week is to take a moment to observe people and look for God’s footprints. Ask someone who loves you to discuss with you the footprints of God’s image in your life.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Compartmentalizing the Future
For I know the plans for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
The other day, I had the opportunity to play a round of golf at Bear Creek Country Club with an airline captain, the director of a futurist think tank, and a director of a financial investment company. In 18 holes of golf, none of us talked about our profession or personal life. The only exception was when I hit my tee shot in the yard of one of my playing partners. He said with a smile, “I know the owner of that home quite well and I will retrieve your ball.” I asked, “Whose house is it?” He said with a smile, “It’s mine.” For the rest of the golf game we talked about the weather (it was hailing at times.) We told a few jokes, mentioned our families, and talked about golf.
I think that is the way men are. We are very good at compartmentalizing our lives and just because you know us in one setting, doesn’t mean that you know a lot about us. And one huge compartment that many of us never get around to opening is “the future”. Are you ready for the future? I think all of us have some fear of change. The kids keep growing up, jobs keep changing in description, the community just keeps changing as time goes along. Sometimes, we just wish change would go away. But as we know, change is coming and nothing can gear us up for the future like faith. Faith says, God is in charge of the future! Faith says, God will help us prepare for the challenges of the future! Faith says, stop whining about change, step up to it, and respond with a positive attitude. Faith even says, lets get excited about the great things God has ahead for us in the future.
In faith, I can say that I am not afraid of old age. There maybe a hole in one still waiting for me. There are new levels of wisdom to be achieved, new accomplishments of mentorship to be adventured through. In fact, in faith, I can believe that God has a better idea than death called eternal life.
Your greatest ideas are yet to be thought of, your deepest friendships are yet to be experienced and your greatest accomplishments are yet to be enjoyed. God has good things ahead for you and me.
Jeremiah 29:11
The other day, I had the opportunity to play a round of golf at Bear Creek Country Club with an airline captain, the director of a futurist think tank, and a director of a financial investment company. In 18 holes of golf, none of us talked about our profession or personal life. The only exception was when I hit my tee shot in the yard of one of my playing partners. He said with a smile, “I know the owner of that home quite well and I will retrieve your ball.” I asked, “Whose house is it?” He said with a smile, “It’s mine.” For the rest of the golf game we talked about the weather (it was hailing at times.) We told a few jokes, mentioned our families, and talked about golf.
I think that is the way men are. We are very good at compartmentalizing our lives and just because you know us in one setting, doesn’t mean that you know a lot about us. And one huge compartment that many of us never get around to opening is “the future”. Are you ready for the future? I think all of us have some fear of change. The kids keep growing up, jobs keep changing in description, the community just keeps changing as time goes along. Sometimes, we just wish change would go away. But as we know, change is coming and nothing can gear us up for the future like faith. Faith says, God is in charge of the future! Faith says, God will help us prepare for the challenges of the future! Faith says, stop whining about change, step up to it, and respond with a positive attitude. Faith even says, lets get excited about the great things God has ahead for us in the future.
In faith, I can say that I am not afraid of old age. There maybe a hole in one still waiting for me. There are new levels of wisdom to be achieved, new accomplishments of mentorship to be adventured through. In fact, in faith, I can believe that God has a better idea than death called eternal life.
Your greatest ideas are yet to be thought of, your deepest friendships are yet to be experienced and your greatest accomplishments are yet to be enjoyed. God has good things ahead for you and me.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Expectancy
That God can be known by the soul in tender personal experience while remaining infinitely aloof from the curious eyes of reason, constitutes a paradox best described as darkness to the intellect, but sunshine to the heart.
A.W. Tozer
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40:3
Today, as I work, I am watching the back wall of the Randy & Rod Halvorson Re-Creation Center go up. The crane is lifting the massive steel beams into place and it is amazing how beautiful the new building is becoming. It is a dream becoming reality.
When our family spends time together, we enjoy talking about what it will be like when Rey and Elise’s baby is born in August. What does he look like now, what will he look like when he’s born? Will he have Rey’s wide smile and Elise’s determination? Becoming a grandparent is such a time of discovery! All of us speak up when Elise is around, knowing her baby can hear us and hoping he will become accustomed to our voices. Jackie and Elise told me that the baby must really be accustomed to my voice with all of the sermons he has heard. I try to get Elise to watch basketball, hoping that it will help make the baby a sports fan. Jackie has picked up the hobby of constantly scavenging for baby paraphernalia and I don’t think she can pack one more thing into our garage! No wonder they call it a time of expectancy.
I think many of us feel somewhat like that about our new recreation center. What is it going to be like? Wow – it will change our lives! What a blessing to the community. Is this all really happening?
But the same thing is true of our relationship with God. As Tozer put it, we have a tender, personal experience with God but it is a paradox because there is still so much we don’t know, so much to be learned. And the not knowing about God is sunshine to the heart! It is positive expectancy about life and faith. I suggest to you that this is a great way to live.
It is like this, you live in this room, and you’ve lived there for years. It’s comfortable because you know everything in the room so well that there is a large element of what we shall call, boring. And in the room is a button. It is a little bit scary, and a little bit exciting. No, it is not the “Easy Button” in the Staples commercial, but it is a big button and this button is marked “Surprise!” I suggest to you that the surprise button is God. It is God unleashed. God in an authentic uncontrollable relationship with you and therefore your relationship with life.
I pray that God represents surprise in your life this week!
When our family spends time together, we enjoy talking about what it will be like when Rey and Elise’s baby is born in August. What does he look like now, what will he look like when he’s born? Will he have Rey’s wide smile and Elise’s determination? Becoming a grandparent is such a time of discovery! All of us speak up when Elise is around, knowing her baby can hear us and hoping he will become accustomed to our voices. Jackie and Elise told me that the baby must really be accustomed to my voice with all of the sermons he has heard. I try to get Elise to watch basketball, hoping that it will help make the baby a sports fan. Jackie has picked up the hobby of constantly scavenging for baby paraphernalia and I don’t think she can pack one more thing into our garage! No wonder they call it a time of expectancy.
I think many of us feel somewhat like that about our new recreation center. What is it going to be like? Wow – it will change our lives! What a blessing to the community. Is this all really happening?
But the same thing is true of our relationship with God. As Tozer put it, we have a tender, personal experience with God but it is a paradox because there is still so much we don’t know, so much to be learned. And the not knowing about God is sunshine to the heart! It is positive expectancy about life and faith. I suggest to you that this is a great way to live.
It is like this, you live in this room, and you’ve lived there for years. It’s comfortable because you know everything in the room so well that there is a large element of what we shall call, boring. And in the room is a button. It is a little bit scary, and a little bit exciting. No, it is not the “Easy Button” in the Staples commercial, but it is a big button and this button is marked “Surprise!” I suggest to you that the surprise button is God. It is God unleashed. God in an authentic uncontrollable relationship with you and therefore your relationship with life.
I pray that God represents surprise in your life this week!
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