Archive for the 'Highland' Category

Returning to Twenty

Published
by
Mike
on September 16, 2005
in Highland, memories and preaching
. 13 Comments

I met this morning with “my group of elders.” I can’t tell you what a blessing it is. They’re there to encourage me and to support me.

I remember an experience from another time in life when “my group of elders” was often upset. It was a scolding session. One time one of them barked at me, “When are we going to get back to preaching about the gospel?” I was preaching a long series on the cross. And he wanted to know when we were going to talk about the gospel. The frightening thing is that this man had been in many places of spiritual leadership.

It’s so nice to have trust for the 40 brothers who serve as our elders. At times I miss a meeting and find out decisions that have been made. Even when I don’t understand, I have no doubts about the prayer and spiritual discernment that went into it. If it doesn’t sound right to me, my assumption is that there is something I don’t know. For that I’m very thankful.

But most meetings don’t center on decisions, anyway. They center on prayer, affirmation, commissioning, and encouragement. Especially, prayer. I’m a better man for being allowed to peek in these past fourteen-plus years.

- - - -

Yesterday I sat next to my buddy Eddie Sharp, one of the world’s great ministers, during the ACU Preacher’s Workshop (or whatever it’s called). As I listened to Paul Scott Wilson — author of The Four Pages of the Sermon, God Sense, Broken Words, and Preaching and Homiletical Theory – I was transported back to when I was 20. It was like a wave falling over me as I was swept up in remembering how eager I had been to preach. I was all of a sudden in the Harding library reading my Greek New Testament. I was listening to Jim Woodroof preach at the College Church. I was bug-eyed listening to the passion of Terry Smith and Landon Saunders. I was underlining in my first NIV New Testament. I was soaking up the words of Neale Pryor and Jimmy Allen, Tom Eddins and Jerry Jones. I was sitting in chapel listening to the powerful words of faith from Cliff Ganus.

For just a brief moment, I got to be twenty again.

Joe and Becky

Published
by
Mike
on September 4, 2005
in Highland
. 6 Comments

Here’s the article about Highland’s outreach minister, Joe Almanza. He and Becky are an amazing couple who are leading us outside the safe walls of “church” into the world that God so loves.

The Drew Bledsoe Mistake

Published
by
Mike
on August 29, 2005
in Highland
. 15 Comments

Yesterday at Highland we announced that Dr. Jerry Taylor is joining the Highland staff part-time as the associate preaching minister. What a blessing to us! Jerry is one of the very best preachers you’ll hear in your lifetime.

Folks at Highland heard me tell this yesterday. When I received the good news that Jerry was going to accept the offer, I e-mailed my buddy Rick Atchley to tell him (knowing that Rick feels the same way I do about Jerry and his preaching). He responded immediately that it reminded him of how excited Drew Bledsoe was when he learned that Tom Brady was joining the Patriots. Moral of the story: beware when the back-up is better than the starter!

Oh, well, it’s a situation I’ve learned to get used to since coming to Highland. (Other regular fill-ins who are Highland members include Jack Reese, Randy Harris, Mark Love, and Steve Weathers!)

Jerry is a much-loved Bible professor at ACU. For the past couple years, he has also been the preaching minister at the great 10th and Treadaway church, but he decided that he didn’t have the time to continue in that capacity.

We’re going to be blessed under his preaching ministry. He’ll preach most of the Sundays I’m gone (beginning October 9 during the Zoe conference) and several Wednesday nights.

Remembering Glenn Owen

Published
by
Mike
on July 27, 2005
in Highland
. 16 Comments

I still miss Glenn Owen.

As many of you know, Glenn was a Highland elder and one of the anchors of Herald of Truth ministries for many years.

When I first came to Highland, Glenn and I had a few disagreements in elders’ meetings. I felt uncomfortable with the level of disagreements, but each time a meeting was over, Glenn embraced me and told me that we could disagree but walk out as best friends. I’ll never forget that lesson. Glenn believed that it was healthy to honestly express your disagreements, that it was good to listen to each other, and that it was important to walk out as friends. Friends don’t have to agree all the time.

There are scores of Highland “kids” (now in the 20s) who would tell you that one of the most important parts of their faith formation was the group Glenn called his “Prayer Warriors.” He would get Highland kids together and tell them that he was counting on them to support him with money and prayers during his mission trips. Little did they realize at the time that their funds hardly supported the trips. But Glenn knew that if they gave their meager resources they would feel invested in missions. He would show up every once in a while on Saturday mornings with a hundred or so Egg McMuffins to report to his prayer warriors about what God was doing through their prayers.

Several times Glenn would give our high school grads a quarter each with a note telling them that if they ever get in trouble they could call him and he’d be there ASAP. (This was a few years back — when calls were two bits!)

And once, when one of our high school students ran away from home, Glenn searched night and day looking for him. He searched every hotel and followed every lead in West Texas.

When I think of Glenn Owen, I think of the shepherd who searches for the lost sheep.

Six Months Later . . .

Published
by
Mike
on July 15, 2005
in Highland and the wreck
. 15 Comments

In three hours it will be July 16 — six months from a day we’ll never forget.

Diane was at the church building working on a project with the 6th grade girls she teaches on Wednesday night. I went to pick Chris up. I watched vehicle after vehicle pull into the parking lot with weary teenagers, exhausted from a long, sleep-deprived weekend, pile out. But the vehicle carrying my son never came. “Must have been at the end of the caravan,” I thought.

Then I caught eye contact with our wonderful new youth minister. I think she tried to hide the terror, but she couldn’t. These were kids she loved, too. And she — and only she at this moment — knew what had happened. It fell to her to start breaking the news that a certain group of families needed to go to Hendrick’s emergency room.

I went up to tell Diane. One of the hardest moments of my life. We had buried a daughter; fear filled us at the thought of having to face the loss of another child.

At the hospital, our little group of parents huddled in a waiting room, as we waited for the ambulances to arrive. Word came to two families that their children were being airlifted to Ft. Worth. Off they went. Then the others began to arrive.

My dear friend Jim Morrison, an ER physician, went into work when he heard about the accident even though he wasn’t on call. When Chris came in, Jim came to us trying to put on a brave face. He kept telling us that he looked pretty beat up but that they needed to do some tests. When we saw him — and I can hardly write this now — we couldn’t really recognize him. He’d be bludgeoned. That’s when we leaned into his ears and whispered love, prayer, and a childhood-favorite poem.

Very soon Jim delivered the good news that the CT-scan looked pretty good. There was a problem with a vertebrae, but the head looked good on the inside.

Shortly after that (or maybe it was during that time — it’s all pretty compressed), news came to the Bourlands that Brody had died. I have come to know Bret and Jennifer Bourland as two amazing people of faith — but even that doesn’t prepare you for such a loss.

Well, the story goes on, and I’ve written about it more than enough in the past.

But I’ll never forget that before I took off for Ft. Worth by car (since only one parent was allowed on the plane), I posted a note on this blog. January 16. And within hours, we had heard from people all over the world — people praying for all those who’d been injured and for the Bourlands.

I have no words to describe what that means.

Watch for an article in the Abilene Reporter-News (www.reporternews.com) with an update on Highland and these families six months after the wreck. I think it will be in tomorrow.

Senior Sunday

Published
by
Mike
on May 16, 2005
in Church and Highland
. 10 Comments

Yesterday was “Senior Sunday” at Highland as we recognized and challenged our 48 high school seniors. A few thoughts:

1. Years ago as we called off their names, we listed all their honors from high school. I never liked that. Some kids had lots of things to mention; others didn’t. But why should church be a place where once again someone without all the honors feels left out? Now, we don’t even mention those. We’re proud of all such honors, and hopefully people have told them so through the years. But on Senior Sunday we tell how they each responded to two questions: Who at Highland has had a profound impact on your faith? What are your favorite memories in the youth group?

2. For almost every senior, something is mentioned about trips. I’d say the majority say, “My favorite part of being in the youth group was going to Mexico.” “Faith cometh by hearing” (Rom. 10:17, KJV)? Well, that’s true. But faith also cometh by doing — by participating in the work of God in this world! You might think they’d talk about ski trips or camping trips. Both are wonderful. But it’s the time when they go work in the hot sun to build a church building and when they encounter genuine poverty that they remember.

3. I kept hearing the name of Marti O’Rear come up. All those years later (they left her children’s ministry seven years earlier!), and they still remember how this amazing woman nurtured their faith–especially in the musicals.

4. Senior-after-senior kept mentioning how Sarah, who only became a full-time youth minister in January, had helped lead them to faith. And someone pointed out that she’d been with them since they were in sixth grade (as an intern). Was she fourteen at the time? (Sheesh, I’m getting old.)

5. I love seeing our huddle leaders up there hugging every senior as they receive their Bible. What a privilege for these students to have been mentored by three such godly, fun couples. But you know what? Try to thank them, and they’ll all tell you this: “Hey, we got more out of it than we gave.” There is a certain “perk” to being a huddle leader: Your own children have older mentors who are almost part of the family. One of the things you pray for as a parent is for older role models, and this way it’s almost guaranteed.

6. I love this Sunday each year. It reminds me how important community is. It reminds me how every lesson taught, every card of encouragement sent, every word spoken in the atrium, every sermon preached matters!

7. My favorite moment was when Jim read one young man’s response to “my favorite memory at Highland.” I’ve known him since he was four, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. But his favorite memory has been timing the prayers of the elders each week to see who prays the longest. I just didn’t see that one coming. And I could hardly bring myself under control. Precious memories come in many different forms.

Thanking the Good Samaritans

Published
by
Mike
on February 21, 2005
in Highland, friends and the wreck
. 20 Comments

Still this morning I’m emotionally exhausted.

Yesterday I preached on Eccl. 4:7-12 and the importance of community. “Two are better than one.”

At the end, I talked about how clearly that truth had been taught in the past five weeks to the eight families who were directly involved in the wreck. We learned of the vital importance of community from so many people.

First, there were the seven Highland boys in the following vehicle who were told by the driver (as he got out to go help) to stay in the car. They began praying immediately for their friends. They prayed when we (the parents) didn’t know to pray.

There were also the many people all over the world (check out the comments on my January 16 blog) who carried us in prayer and encouragement. When we were frozen by fear and could hardly pray, others offered those prayers.

I invited the eight families down. It was an emotional sight to see everyone up there–two in wheelchairs and one on crutches, Brody’s parents and brothers, and all the rest of us.

Then four from the group–two children and two parents–offered testimonies about what they’d learned about friendship and community.

Here is what Diane said:

“When I first heard the news that my child was in a serious car accident, I could hardly bare the fact that he was somewhere alone, hurt, and afraid and I wasn’t there. Then a couple of days later I heard news about those who helped our children. I can’t begin to tell you how comforting that was for me.

“In this world where people are afraid to get involved, our children were surrounded by warm, caring adults. As a mother, I am especially thankful for the women who were whispering into our children’s ears with their calm, soothing voices. I’m thankful that they took our place in the dirt, since we couldn’t be there. And I’m grateful that they held our children’s hands and provided their mothering touch.

“On that cold Sunday afternoon in January, these women and men became community in a way I’ll never forget.”

After her words, we invited down many of those who had stopped to help our children and Julie as they lay injured that afternoon. We had invited all we knew of — many of whom our families had been in contact with by phone to thank and to learn more. And yesterday these “Good Samaritans” came to Highland from New Mexico, Monahans, Midland, Lubbock, and Abilene. Can you imagine what it was like for us to see them in person for the first time? Diane and I got to be with the woman who sat by Chris’s side the whole time to calm him, keep him warm, pray for him, and try to keep him awake. When we weren’t there, she became a mother to him.

Then we invited down all the emergency response people who were able to come. We had 13 or 14 able to come from Citizens EMS, Southwest Helicopter, Eula Fire Department, the Callahan County Sheriff’s Department, and a Callahan County judge.

Once they were all down, the church broke into long standing ovations at both services. Then as the elders and wives gathered around all of us, Dickie Porche thanked God that these people didn’t pass by on the other side.

In between the services, we had a private reception with the eight families and all these care-givers. So many of the parents spoke words of appreciation during this time. I was especially struck by what one dad said: our eight families are bound together forever.

So, yes, I’m emotionally wrung out.

These people who stopped to hold Brody as he was dying and to care for the other seven as they were cold and frightened are a living witness to this old text:

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the one who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together,
they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands
is not quickly broken.

“Into All the World”–but not for the Copes

Published
by
Mike
on February 15, 2005
in Highland, friends and the wreck
. 2 Comments

Really looking forward to having Brandon and Zoe at Highland this Sunday morning. There are some amazing things that will happen. More on that later. . . .

- - - -

Sunday night we bowed out.

Our covenant group has been planning for a long time to go together to Washington D.C. for a spring break mission trip. We’re part of Highland’s 2005 “Into All the World” ministry that is sending about 500 members all over the world for short-term missions.

But there are just too many issues with travel right now for Chris. If it were two months later, we’d be fine.

We’re so thankful that at least some of the group is still planning to go. As I told them, it felt like another casualty of the wreck if the whole trip fell through.

We reflected Sunday night — our first time back together since the wreck — on how unlikely it was that two of the three children who had to be flown to Cook’s were from our little group. We were so thankful to circle around them and pray.

Speaking of our covenant group kids, here’s a great article about Audrey Maxwell.

Highland: Location, Location, Location

Published
by
Mike
on January 12, 2005
in Church, Highland and missional
. 5 Comments

By most standards, the Highland building isn’t in a great location. Have you noticed there isn’t exactly a lot of construction going on around us? Wylie area — yep. University Hills — uh-huh. A few other spots around Abilene. But not much around S. 5th and Highland.

Almost everyone in our church drives past at least one other C of C to get there.

Crime, poverty, drugs — all fairly close to our humble abode.

Several years ago the elders considered the possibility of moving. They looked at the area south of town — around where Beltway is (as I understand it). They also talked about being on the loop somewhere. But they decided prayerfully to stay.

Because we’re not using “most standards.” We are using the standards of the in-breaking kingdom of God. And by those standards, we’re in a wonderful place!

Think of our new brothers and sisters from the Colonial Apartments. A few years ago that was just a nasty drug nest. Now Highland rents two apartments–outposts of love and ministry. Think of all the Colonial kids who just performed the Christmas pageant at our building.

Think of all those university students who walk the neighborhoods around our building, just greeting, loving, and praying. There’s a kind of openness they might not find in my own neighborhood–wonderful as it is. (Did you read Larry James’s recent blog about how he lives in “Mayberry with an edge“?)

Think of our gym being full of children every afternoon for Boys and Girls Club or of all our neighbors who are joining us for Oasis meals.

Location, location, location. Thank God, we’ve got it.

The Announcement About Women

Published
by
Mike
on October 10, 2004
in Highland
. 39 Comments

I minister alongside 42 men whom I deeply respect. These shepherds are men who have taught me so much. (There are 45 if you count Wally, Grady, and Clois. Technically they are no longer elders, but I just prefer to think of it as if they’ve missed the last several meetings. In my mind, the three of them will always be shepherds of the Highland Church!)

This morning’s announcement came from a long, prayer-filled study of scripture. These are hardly men who make decisions because of the prevailing culture. They are wanting to follow the lead of the Spirit and be obedient to scripture at every turn.

Here’s the announcement that Jack Griggs read:

Throughout its 75-year history, the Highland Church of Christ has been blessed in countless ways. One of the most apparent of those blessings is the spiritual giftedness of our members and the way that their gifts have been poured out to benefit others.

Another of those blessings is the willingness of this Highland family to seriously study God’s Word and to take direction from what is revealed. Over a decade ago, the Highland elders began to study, pray about, and discuss among themselves the roles of women in various worship and ministry activities. The result of that interaction was a congregation-wide study a few years ago on the role of women in public worship.

After that period of study, the Highland elders decided that it was time to encourage the participation of women in various ways in public worship. From the earliest conversations with members, the elders communicated that it was not the intention of Highland leadership to place women in the role of elder or preaching minister. However, the eldership concluded that it is scriptural for women to participate in all other ways.

It has been our intention to implement these changes in roles carefully–seeking natural ways to allow our women to join our men in using their gifts. Over the past few years, you have seen the fruits of this intent. Ministry reports, congregational announcements, the sharing of testimony, and participation in praise teams and dramatic presentations by women have become fairly common. More recently, you have witnessed women reading scripture, serving communion, and leading prayer.

Brothers and sisters, your elders want you to know that we firmly believe that such activities are fully scriptural and that we are grateful that we have been able to have this experience at Highland. We are also aware that these actions represent a great amount of change and that change can–and does–produce anxiety. Please know that we are not callous to those feelings. Yet, we believe that scripture provides all women and men the opportunity to share their God-given gifts. Thus, you will see women continue to be used in worship as natural and appropriate occasions arise.

We want you to know that when you see a woman taking a public role in worship, it is being done with the knowledge and approval of the eldership. For those of you for whom this is a difficult transition, we encourage you to patiently seek God’s peace as our church family prayerfully moves through this transition.

For those of you who were not at Highland during our intensive study or if you were here but owuld like to refresh your study, we will be offering a class this spring that will lead you through the scriptures that led us to our decision. Or, if you would like to talk with an elder about this, please let that be known. We are always willing to spend time with you.

God has blessed the Highland church with people who are willing to serve in thousands of ways. We trust you will join the Highland shepherds in praising the Lord when you witness that service in your fellow sisters and brothers.

I’m not posting this announcement so that readers can print it off and give it to their elders to say, “We ought to do what Highland has done.” We’ve made it clear from the beginning that we’re trying to discern where the Spirit is leading us through scripture at this time. But there is a lot of misunderstanding floating around, and I thought this might help clarify . . . and maybe even bless.

I get to hang out a couple days with Landon Saunders (and two other buddies) this week, as I have each year for the past decade. His house has become my Valhalla, a hall of healing.