Last night at the vine, we had a Thanksgiving meal with the regulars as well as several new people. We had a great time of community, and it proved to be a major relationship-building occasion. After dinner, we played several games of Mafia, and it totally opened up most of our new people. It was great. We finished up at 11:30pm...a little too long, maybe. Everybody was in high spirits as we ended the night, though.
Now, my wife and I are off to Central and Northern California for the Thanksgiving weekend. Probably won't be blogging till after. Peace!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Building community through food!
As the holiday season is pretty much here, beginning with Thanksgiving, there is one element throughout that we can’t do without: Food! Not sure what others will be eating here in CA, but in my family and circle throughout this season, we will be eating Turkey (Thanksgiving, of course), stuffing, arroz con gandules (rice-PR style), habichuelas (beans, PR-style), tamales, pasteles (PR-style tamales), frijoles puercos, buñuelos, flan, and who knows what else will be added to the Mexican-Puerto Rican-US mix.
As I was reading earlier today in the Bible, I ran across the early church’s custom to eat together, which some called “Love Feasts.” It’s unbelievable how much “connection” and relationship-building can occur between people at the table…having some eats. Jesus did it countless times, the early church did it as well and even today it occurs quite often. I’ve experienced this connection with people throughout my life and have noticed its beneficial effect in ministry as well as in doing life with people.
However, I have had somewhat regrettable times in my life where I did succumb to the individualistic milieu of the society and instead of contributing to something so organic as community, I contributed toward its demise. Of course, I don’t purposely do this anymore, but I have to consciously make decisions as to promote community…even through something so mundane as meals. To eat...everybody does it. Why not eat together once in a while? I mean, who doesn’t like to eat???
How much does this individualistic society influence us to the point we don’t eat together as families or as faith communities? How could we connect to unbelievers through meals? Could we be more “effective” as missional followers of Christ through…food?
As I was reading earlier today in the Bible, I ran across the early church’s custom to eat together, which some called “Love Feasts.” It’s unbelievable how much “connection” and relationship-building can occur between people at the table…having some eats. Jesus did it countless times, the early church did it as well and even today it occurs quite often. I’ve experienced this connection with people throughout my life and have noticed its beneficial effect in ministry as well as in doing life with people.
However, I have had somewhat regrettable times in my life where I did succumb to the individualistic milieu of the society and instead of contributing to something so organic as community, I contributed toward its demise. Of course, I don’t purposely do this anymore, but I have to consciously make decisions as to promote community…even through something so mundane as meals. To eat...everybody does it. Why not eat together once in a while? I mean, who doesn’t like to eat???
How much does this individualistic society influence us to the point we don’t eat together as families or as faith communities? How could we connect to unbelievers through meals? Could we be more “effective” as missional followers of Christ through…food?
Monday, November 24, 2008
While on my way to Mexico to get married, I didn't get all the results to the US' presidential election until I arrived at my in-laws' house. Polls had Obama up decidedly over McCain...and they were right this time. At the end of the day, I heard the news...Obama was the president-elect. Talk about history being made!By the way, I received some type of forward (email) about several past presidents being African-American as well. Not too sure how reliable those forwards are...
Have I been gone that long??
So much has happened in the past few months, accounting for the relatively long hiatus from the blogosphere. Was involved in several regional church events during the summer months, a fall festival at the vine and also my wedding a few weeks ago...that’s right, my wedding! The lovely Janeth Beltrones is now my beautiful bride, and we have been learning so much from each other in the last 2 weeks. It’s been a great beginning to our lifelong journey and adventure together.
We’ve also had some changes as of late at church. A couple of people left but others are coming…slowly but surely…all unchurched! How I love that! It’s a long process, but that’s what we’re in the business of doing.
Relational ministry tends to bring results in a long-term sort of way, and it can be real easy to get discouraged as no “immediate” results are evident. However, God is always working behind the scenes, and we’re trusting that he is doing much more than we can ask or imagine. In addition, relational ministry tends to have longer lasting results as well…at least, that’s been my experience in my short ministerial career (including ministry before pastoring the vine).
We’ve also had some changes as of late at church. A couple of people left but others are coming…slowly but surely…all unchurched! How I love that! It’s a long process, but that’s what we’re in the business of doing.
Relational ministry tends to bring results in a long-term sort of way, and it can be real easy to get discouraged as no “immediate” results are evident. However, God is always working behind the scenes, and we’re trusting that he is doing much more than we can ask or imagine. In addition, relational ministry tends to have longer lasting results as well…at least, that’s been my experience in my short ministerial career (including ministry before pastoring the vine).
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