New Monmouth Musings: Measuring Your Spiritual Growth

Dear Friends,



We have a cottage on Lake Ontario in northern New York, and one of our most significant annual family traditions was to measure the annual growth of our children. One of the first actions they would take after our five-and-a-half-hour pilgrimage to the lake would be to run into our bedroom, where Jean and I would measure them to see how many inches they had grown over the previous year. I remember how excited they were to be measured. They seem to take competitive pride in noting who had grown the most. Those growth marks are still penciled on the wall of our bedroom. This past summer I was once again reminded of these visual growth testimonies, and I thought to myself how grateful Jean and I are that all of our children are healthy and still growing-albeit not in the physical sense as measured by some old pencil marks on a wall, but in the spiritual sense of maturing in their understanding of who they are as children of the King. There is no stunted growth in any of their lives. 

The Apostle Peter reminds us that we are to "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ". (2 Peter 3:18). "Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Peter 2:2-3).   Growth like children is not automatic for as Tennessee Ernie Ford used to say (I know this reference really dates me) "Too many people start out at the bottom and sort of like it there."  How sad that many of our lives are spiritually stunted, maybe we stopped growing many years ago, and sadly we are now learning that death begins where growth ends. 

I don't remember who said it, but many years ago I copied a quote that I have never forgotten, the writer said, "When someone misses the opportunity for growth and improvement, he may feel regret. If he goes long enough without growing, he begins to feel he has had an unused life. And that is not unlike an early death". 

How unlike the words of William Barclay, the author of one of the best New Testament commentaries ever written who said, "We should count it a wasted day when we do not learn something new and when we have not penetrated more deeply into the wisdom and the grace of God."  

It is easy to be like the child who decided he would quit school. He said "I hate school; it is an awful place. All they do is ask a lot of questions. I can't write. I don't know how to read, and they won't let me talk. There is nothing to it, so I quit."  "But son," the dad said, "you are only in kindergarten."  And there are some who still may be at the kindergarten stage of their spiritual development. They haven't gone far enough for the fun. They are spirituality stunted, stagnant saints who have never learned that death begins where growth ends. 

Only toadstools pop up overnight. Growth takes time, it takes effort, and it takes a steadfast commitment to daily self-improvement. One of my favorite writers was the legendary basketball coach John Wooden who once said, "It is what you learn after you know it all that counts." 

So, my encouragement to all of us, myself included, is to find that spiritual wall in your home and see how you measure up. Are you growing and if not, why not? Today can be the start of a new commitment to spiritual growth, and a good place to begin is at Genesis 1:1 and a wonderful place to end is Revelation 22:21. I promise if you read everything in between you will be a different person, maybe becoming a spiritual giant in comparison with what you were a few years ago. Let me encourage you to join a Bible study or a small group or a Sunday school class. Look for a place to serve, commit to worshipping weekly, giving generously, and serving passionately.  Make a difference in someone else's life, and you will make a difference in yours as well. 

I end with the words of a senior saint who ends his correspondence, with these closing words: "Yours at 83 and still growing." 

May each of us capture his spirit.

Yours in faith and friendship,
Pastor Tom

New Monmouth Musings: What Group Are You In-50%, 40%, or 10%?

Dear Friends,

Many of us have heard of the 80-20 Principle which states that 80 percent of the work in any organization will be done by 20 percent of the people. However, I recently read a recent Gallup poll that suggests that the working few are even fewer than this poll would suggest.

The Gallup poll taken a few years ago suggests that only 10 percent of church members will be actively involved in some aspect of ministry. The same poll also revealed that 50 percent of church members won’t serve in any capacity, no matter what you try to do to enlist their involvement.  So that leaves 40 percent of the church who would willingly serve if given the opportunity.

Shortly after reading this, I had a dream-seriously-and I imagined I was standing before the congregation and during my sermon I asked by a show of hands how many would love to do something for the church, and guess what? Every hand was raised. It was a pastor’s dream until I realized it was just that, only a dream. Yes, there was some congregational fibbing going on. Some who raised their hands weren’t serious about service; they only raised their hands because they had been shamed into service.

Now let me say this about those in the 50 percent category. They may be no less spiritual, or no less committed than others in the congregation. They love Jesus like others in the church, but they may have decided to invest their time in non-church activities. Hopefully, those in this 50 percent category will one day discover the joy that springs from serving with others where lasting relationships are formed and friendships are fashioned. However, if statistics are true, this may never happen.

Now for those in the 10 percent category, let me say thanks for the ways you have chosen to serve. This church would not be what it is today without your unselfish service, and for that service we are most thankful.

Now if you are among the 40 percent who would like to serve in some capacity but have never been asked or who have wondered what you could do, let me suggest a few places where you might begin.

There is always a need for people to help with the transportation of our senior saints, who need rides to and from church. Some of them have need for light shopping, and others would just love a personal visit.  There are also members living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, who would be overjoyed to know that someone cared enough to spend a few minutes of their time with them.

There are opportunities to provide meals for those coming home from the hospital, or who because of some health challenges, might enjoy an occasional home cooked meal. Our Youth groups are always looking for those willing to cook an occasional meal for their Thursday night meetings, and if you are interested in providing such a meal, please contact Ellen Durant.

We have several men and women serving in the armed forces who would love to receive a letter or a care package or who would be encouraged to know that you were regularly praying for them. It is always nice to be remembered on your birthday, and some of you who have writing gifts might enjoy penning greetings to those celebrating birthdays or other special occasions.

Next week, we will once again be delivering food for Thanksgiving to those in the Middletown area, who are going through some challenging times.  Volunteering to be a part of the delivery system is a great way to serve and spread Christ’s love. To volunteer please speak to Pastor Nick.

You may not feel competent to do hospital calling, but let me assure you that if you are willing to undertake such a ministry, we will train you. One of my best friends is the hospital chaplain at Riverview, and he repeatedly reminds me of the need for people to do hospital visitation.

The Fellowship Hour doesn’t just happen on its own. There are people who assist in setting up chairs and breaking down tables, and who help set out the food and assist with the cleanup.

We can always use teachers and teachers’ aides, nursery helpers, and check-in personnel.

There is always a need for greeters, and welcome table volunteers, and if this is an interest you possess, all you must do is speak with one of our pastors.

We are always looking for people to stuff bulletins or do filing, or be available to assist your staff with secretarial skills. If you are a gardener there are flowers to plant, and if you are a painter there are walls to paint. There are repairs to be done if you have carpentry or plumbing or electrical skills, and if you like to knit or crochet, there are always baby blankets to be fashioned, and if you interested in audio visual activities you could serve with our audio visual team.

If you don’t see a place where you can be involved, then just ask God to show you what you might be able to do to share His love with others. Someone once said that “The secret to success is to find a need and fill it.” You just might be the filler!

Why not start praying today about what you could do to serve Jesus. You may not think it is much, but like those loaves and fish the little boy placed in the hands of Jesus, He can multiply their value a thousand-fold.

As pastors we would love to hear any ideas you have for serving God, so start praying and let’s look forward to the exciting ministries that God desires to  birth among his people.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom

New Monmouth Musings: “What I Learned from Dave Furniss About Doing Ministry”

Dear Friends

I confess that at times counseling can be challenging, and yes, even frustrating, especially when people keep coming back with the same issues without ever putting into practice the actions you suggest. It reminds me of the story of the pastor who turned undertaker. When asked why he switched vocations, he said when I was a counselor people would come to me and I would try to straighten them out, but they would keep coming back again and again with the same issues. I just grew too frustrated to continue, so I decided to become an undertaker, and now when people come to me when I straighten them out, they stay straightened.

As a pastor, it is hard to see people fail to heed the counsel you often provide, especially when they continue to return complaining that nothing has changed in their life.

Dave Furniss is one person, who proved to be an exception to this pattern. Dave is the guy who can be seen walking up and down the pews greeting people as people are singing our first worship song. One day I commented to him how proud I was of how he had gotten out of his comfort zone to greet people in a what some would call a rather untraditional way. I asked him what prompted his decision to greet people in the way he did. Now Dave was never shy, mind you, about engaging people, but I never recall him being so eager and so outgoing in his efforts to make people feel welcome. When I asked him, what motivated him to become a “model” greeter, “ He said I watched and listened to you and when you kept telling us how important it was to greet people, I simply did what you told us to do. Wow! May his tribe increase.

Dave has been going through treatment for cancer, and he was not in the service last Sunday, but  his greeting mission went uninterrupted, as I took a cue from him, and proceeded to try and fill his shoes, while walking the aisles during the first hymn and greeting as many people as I could,  just like he taught me. I felt a little uncomfortable interrupting people’s singing, but it was worth it knowing that I was helping to carry on Dave’s ministry even when he wasn’t there. It is a wonderful thing when people heed the advice and challenges of their pastors, but it is just as wonderful when as pastors we learn and heed the advice of our people. That’s why I often remind you that ministry is mutual; we learn from each other.

Now I have never been in a church where greeting people continued through the singing of the first hymn, but I like it, and I hope you do too. In fact, I personally plan on carrying on Dave’s unconventional greeting, and I would offer you a challenge to do the same. What if three or four or five of us chose to get outside our comfort zone and join in carrying on Dave’s welcoming ministry each Sunday. But if this challenge proves to be too much of a stretch for you, let me give you a few alternatives. Why not greet and get to know and welcome the people sitting around you before or after service? Why not invite them to join you in the Family Ministry Center following service? Why not invite them to a Bible study or a special event? And lastly, for those who are really looking to go out on the limb and “do something uncomfortable for God”, why not invite them to your home for a meal and time of fellowship?

Not only will you make Dave and your pastors happy, but you will bring great joy to the One who taught us “to love one another just as He has loved us,” for in doing so “the whole world will come to know that we are His disciples.” John 13:34-35

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom

New Monmouth Musings: A Lesson I Learned on the Way Home from the Hospital 

Dear Friends,

We have all heard the words, "little things mean a lot," but last week I had the joy of experiencing just how truthful this frequently uttered expression really is. While at Riverview Hospital waiting for the elevator to open, I witnessed a mother and a daughter expressing their concern over the news they had recently received regarding a doctor's prognosis regarding a family member. The daughter had her arms wrapped around her mother trying to console her. As I stepped into the elevator, I realized I had a real opportunity for ministry. As mom and daughter stepped off the elevator, I commented that I had witnessed their tearful embrace before stepping into the elevator, and I wondered if I could pray for them. They were caught off guard, but quickly the daughter commented how much she would appreciate prayer. I asked them how I could pray, and they briefly related the circumstances of their concern. I prayed for them and their loved one and after a warm embrace I headed for the parking lot, but not before they profusely expressed their gratitude for my taking time to pray with them.

My encounter with them lasted less than a few minutes, but during that time I really felt like I was being used by God, as I sought to encourage this grieving mom and daughter. As I later reflected on the experience, I was wonderfully reminded that in God's scheme of things "little things do mean a lot." It took only a few moments to minister to this grieving mother and daughter, and yet in that brief time span, I not only brought hope and encouragement to them, but I experienced the joy of knowing that God had used me to make a small difference in two lives.

All too often we tend to under estimate the value of the small things that we do as His servants, but I often discover that it is in those tiny and seemingly insignificant expressions of love, that God has a way of multiplying their value. A young lad had only a few loaves and fishes to offer Jesus, but from God's perspective when these gifts were placed in the hands of Jesus, those fish and loaves would be greatly multiplied, and they would satisfy the hungry crowd gathered on that Capernaum hillside. Yes, it is true that "little things really do matter" and  "those random acts of kindness" when performed in the spirit of Christ's love have a way of being multiplied in value. 

Someone will often ask me, "Tom, do you remember what you said or did," and when they go on to describe the words or action I will often respond, "no, I don't remember." Then the person will explain how those words or actions impacted their lives, and I am always surprised to learn the impact of those seemingly tiny and insignificant acts of love.

I close with the words of Mother Teresa who said, "Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love."

So let’s be about the business of looking for those opportunities to serve, knowing that even the smallest and most insignificant act of service will be multiplied in value when it is done in His love. 

Yours in faith and friendship,
Pastor Tom

P.S. "If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."

Monmouth Musings: Update on Tom and Jean's Cancer Challenges

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been quite some time since I sent an update to you on our physical situations, and since we will both will be away at our Lake Ontario cottage, I wanted to update you on our health challenges. Jean continues to do well with the exception of dealing with fatigue, which prevents her from being as active as she would like to be. She was given a clean bill of health in March after chemo, surgery and radiation. Her biggest need right now is for weight gain, so please keep that in mind when you pray for her.

I was planning to head to the lake the first week in July, but I have been recently struggling with the side effects of chemo-mainly fatigue and dizziness caused by frequent bouts of dehydration, which drops my blood pressure resulting in lightheadedness (no comments please!). In my mind it is something new, but there are others who might suggest otherwise.

After church this past Sunday, one of my special  friends suggested to me in the Family Ministry Center that I shouldn't wait until July to head to the lake, but that I should consider leaving after services on the 24th. I thought about his comments, which were based on how he viewed my physical situation, which has resulted in my working more of late from home than the church and certainly at a much slower pace than I am used to. Yesterday, after spending eight and a half hours meeting with my doctor, having blood work and receiving chemo, along with a couple of bags of fluids for hydration purposes, I returned home depleted of energy and ready to seriously consider my friend's suggestion. Interestingly enough, my doctor also confirmed my friend's observations when he said, “I need to slow down and consider stopping ministry for the duration of my treatment”, which is only five weeks away. This was something I didn’t  want to hear, as it has been so difficult for me to step back from doing what I love to do, but with Pastor Jared and Pastor Nick providing such strong leadership, and a great support staff to complement their ministry, I feel very comfortable about stepping away for my vacation a little earlier than I expected. Jean and I plan to be away until the middle of August, and during that time, we will be joined by our children and grandchildren, something we really look forward to each year.

As you may know, Jean and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary this month on the 19th, which interestingly enough is Emancipation Day on my calendar. I confess that emancipation may have been something that we both have both thought about at times during those 50 years of marriage. But it always comes down to the question we both ask of ourselves: "Who would have either one of us" ? Seriously speaking, we are grateful for our marriage, and the time the Lord has given us to love one another, and we look forward to whatever challenges and adventures He has in store for us in our future time together.

We were both so surprised by the celebration you held for us following the second service. Just before I wrote this message this morning, elder John O’Neill dropped by to deliverer the beautiful poster board display with notes and pictures of Jean and I and our family. Also Included was a packet filled with a number of additional personal and encouraging notes that you had taken time to write. What a blessing to read those hand-written notes, which so beautifully expressed your prayers for us, and which shouted out your love and appreciation for our ministry. Special thanks to Julie Harris who helped compile the notes and who assembled this wonderful display, which now proudly hangs on our bedroom wall.

We are so blessed by the many ways you reach out and love one another, and how grateful we are that we are a part of the family that is encompassed by that love.

When I think of you, I am conscious of the words the Apostle Paul penned when he wrote the Philippians reminding them of his love. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:3-6 RSV

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom

New Monmouth Musings: The World Needs Dreamers

New Monmouth Musings: 

The World Needs Dreamers

Dear Family,

I love the story of the little ten-year-old boy, who was selling pencils door to door in his neighborhood. When an interested adult at one house asked him the reasons for selling pencils. He replied, “I want to raise six million dollars to build a new hospital for the city.” Amazed, the inquiring adult exclaimed, “That’s a mighty big job for just one little boy, isn’t it?” “No,” the little boy responded, “I have a friend who is helping me.”

I love that little story because I love that little boy. I love hanging around people like that-those who dream big dreams-and I believe the world needs more people like this little boy. It needs people who are not afraid to dream and risk and dare to tackle great challenges. That is how progress is made and history is changed.

It was just 300 who were left from Gideon’s original army that defeated the Midianites, and it was only 120 faithful prayer warriors in that Upper Room who, after having received the promised Holy Spirit, ventured out boldly to win their world for Christ. And it was Jonathan with only one of his armor bearers who routed the whole Philistine army, because he knew that “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or few.” (1 Samuel 14:6)

God has never been concerned with great numbers when it comes to accomplishing His will and purpose. The world needs dreamers, who desire to do great things for God, and who look to God and not the oddsmakers, for they know that one with God is always a majority.

A number of years ago, the late Robert Schuller, helped transform a non-descript drive-in movie theater in Orange County, California, into the magnificent Crystal Cathedral. Unfortunately, following Schuller’s death, the church’s  influence and its once famous television ministry waned, and today it is home of the Orange County Roman Catholic diocese.  Whatever one thinks of Schuller’s theology, one can not dispute the fact that what he accomplished for Christ was the direct result of his willingness to dream big dreams.

He writes, “My dreams had all come true and when the dream comes true it dies. It no longer sustains and feeds you. I have since written this prayer: ‘O God, let me die with my best dreams left unfulfilled’. It’s a profound prayer for if I lived to see all my dreams come true, I will have died before I died.” Renew Your Life! Catch a New Dream, Robert Schuller, p. 6

Whether in the church, at home, or in the office or on the athletic fields, we all must dare to dream big dreams, for dreams are the stuff from which success is made and the foundation on which progress is achieved. And you know it ain’t half bad when someone calls you a dreamer, for I know of another dreamer. His name was Joseph, and his brothers sarcastically labeled him a dreamer, and he didn’t do too bad for himself and his God.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom

New Monmouth Musings: A Special Need for Prayer and Changing Dulcineas into beautiful Spanish Queens.

Dear Friends,

Before I share a devotional thought with you, let me ask of you to be in prayer for Jiju Johny and his son, Jeffrey, as they travel back to India to see Jiju’s wife Prasanna. They have been active in our church and both have been working in high tech jobs with AT&T. Prasanna went home several months ago to visit her family having every expectation that she would be allowed to return to her family. However, once she sought to return, she was unable to receive clearance. Jiju will be heading to India on Saturday in hopes of assisting her in her efforts to return. However, if he is unsuccessful, this wonderful family, who only came to know Christ  a year ago, will not be returning. Please pray for Jiju and Jeffrey as they return to India and for a favorable outcome of their immigration crisis.

One of my favorite plays is the “Man of La Mancha.” In it we witness how a would-be Spanish conquistador named Don Quixote was used to transform a woman, who pictured herself as a “wretched kitchen slut,” into a beautiful Spanish queen named Dulcinea. He simply gave her a new name and began treating her as a new person. The play closes with those unforgettable words we all have heard or sung: “To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe, to bear the unbearable sorrow, to run where the brave dare not go.”

Like Don Quixote, we need to be dream believers for people who don’t believe in themselves.  And then we need to do and say the things that help them believe they can become the person we see them to be. We need to help them dream big dreams-seemingly impossible dreams- and let them know that we will always be there to support their dreams, no matter how big those dreams may be.

The German philosopher, Goethe appreciated the power we possess to bring change in people’s lives. He wrote “Treat a man as he appears to be, and you make him worse. But treat a man as if he already were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be.”

I remember hearing about a pastor who was called to a cold church. It had a reputation of being as frigid and unfriendly as an iceberg. Not willing to be deterred by its reputation, the pastor kept finding little things to applaud and affirm regarding the church’s warmth of Spirit. He kept pointing out examples of their friendliness, and he continually shared stories from the pulpit about the different ways that members were reaching out to new visitors. Before long, those members began to see themselves in the same way the pastor was describing them, warm, friendly, and caring and slowly the church was transformed into a different church, one where warmth and friendliness replaced a cold and unfriendly congregation.

Yes, there is power in the spoken word. Adam Clarke became a great scholar and preacher. He was also the author of a set of commentaries and a book called Christian Theology. But when he was a child his father told his teacher that “Adam wouldn’t do well in school.”  The father based his assessments on what he saw in his child at the time of his meeting with his teacher. The teacher responded, “He looks bright to me.” Those words changed the life of this eighteenth century Irish scholar. Just three words, but oh how powerful those words were and how wonderfully God used them to change this young boy’s life.

Whether it is our children, students, athletes, employees, or just anyone who crosses the pathways of our life, the expectations we have for them and the encouragement we offer them can unlock closed doors that open their lives for future success.

Paul exhorts us “not to let any unwholesome words come out of your mouth but only those that are helpful for building others up according to their needs.” (Ephesians 5:21)

Everyone needs encouragement, and everyone needs to have a Don Quixote in his/her life, who knows how the power of encouraging words can bring change in a person’s life. Who knows how the words you speak to someone might encourage them to see what they could become-even transforming a self-loathing woman like a Dulcinea into a beautiful Spanish queen.

Start praying today for God to bring a Dulcinea into your life, and then ask Him to show you how to encourage them and help them see and believe their life can be wonderfully transformed into that beautiful Spanish queen.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom