Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[Fresno Bee]

One woman’s kindness to a fellow Starbucks patron resulted in more than a thousand others spreading the holiday-season generosity in this northwest Washington town. A regular patron at the chain had paid for the person in line behind her a few times before, according to The Everett Herald. But on Wednesday, her good deed set off a chain of 1,013 customers paying for the next person’s drink.

Read about it here.

[From me]

I always knew that those of us who go to Starbucks are a different breed.  This is a cool story.  I know a few churches that have encouraged people to do these kind of deeds.  It would be nice to do it everyday.

What do you think?

I read an article last September about a pastor named Rick White in Church Executive Magazine last September. As I read the article I knew that I had to talk with Rick. I looked up his church’s website and wrote Rick an email. Rick emailed me back and gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him. We talked for a half hour or more and he encouraged me to continue on the path I was leading.

We have emailed back and forth ever since. Rick was going to be in Charlotte a few months ago but he had to help another pastor who was in the news through some difficult times. One thing I’ve learned already about Rick is he has a heart for God, his family, unbelievers, his church and pastors. He apologized for not being able to get up with me but said he wanted me to fly to Nashville, TN and spend 2 days with him. I told him I could drive but he insisted that I fly and he would take care of the expenses. I really don’t know how I could repay him and The People’s Church. They not only paid for my flight but they rented me a nice vehicle, took me to Outback, and put me up in an unbelievable hotel. I don’t know what to say. I truly don’t deserve this kindness.

When I got to Franklin I pulled into The People’s Church parking lot. I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who directed me to Rick’s office. Rick’s administrative assistant Venita Graves-Cagle is a gracious host. Rick invited me into his office and then immediately into their Worship Planning session. There were about 7-8 staff members who participate in this meeting. Following that meeting I went back to Rick’s office. He has a study off his office and Rick is a huge golf player. Not only that but Rick is Bama fan and a graduate of my alma mater Samford University.

Rick and his Executive Pastor Dick Wells talked with me for an hour or more. That was a very powerful meeting but the lessons I learned I will keep to myself. Following that meeting I went with the staff to the worship center for their prayer time. They pray for each other then break into groups and pray for members of the church who are in need. Rick invited me to pray with a volunteer staff member Diane Cobb. Diane reminds me of my wife Cassandra in she is very perceptive. The prayer she prayed was spine chilling.

Then Rick took me to Outback Steakhouse and I enjoyed hearing His story. I capitalized His because I mean God’s story for The People’s Church. When Rick came to The People’s Church it was 1st Baptist Franklin. It was a growing church but as Rick says most of their growth was transfer growth. There were many denominational big wigs who were members. Rick attended a Willowcreek Conference and was moved by a church that was actually transforming a community. He came home and realized that God wanted him to transition his church. It has been hard. The People’s Church is a member of the SBC but they are not politically active. Rick himself goes on at least 3 mission trips a year. The church has 7 partnerships with countries around the world. When the tsunami hit they immediately sent $100K then took up another $100K a few weeks later. They have sent over 30 groups to New Orleans. They are impacting their community. I wish you could have heard one of the prayer requests that I heard today from Sunday’s service.

Rick made an interesting observation. He said The People’s Church attenders and members have every kind of struggle you can imagine and that is what happens when you are being the hands and feet of Jesus. Some people don’t know how to respond to that. But think about it–in a hospital you will see hurting people. To me that is what a church should be. It should be a place where people can be healed spiritually. This church is truly missional. For this reason I am naming The People’s Church as Pharisee Busters.

I am looking forward to learning a whole lot more on Wednesday and then I fly back home late Wednesday.

I want to brag about the people at my church Durham Memorial Baptist Church. Last Thursday I received a call from one of our children’s workers (Mark) telling me about a 9 year old girl who lives in our community who is struggling physically. She has cancer and her family has very little money. He was approached by a lady asking our church to give this girl a Birthday Party. Mark said he would check it out and take care of everything.

Last night our church held a party in honor of this young lady who is a different than most of our members. The fellowship hall was decked out. All of the tables were decorated in girlie colors. Those who organized it put up a Princess throne on the stage with lights and balloons. She must have had over 30 presents from our members who have never met her. She got a new bike and other great presents.

Outside on of our members brought two horses for pony rides! All of this was organized since last Thursday! I’m speaking from Matthew 25:31-ff this week and it is amazing how God orchestrates events.

I’m so proud of our church for truly “Investing and Inviting” and becoming the “hands and feet” of Jesus.

What will people say about you when you die?

This week has been a tough time for one family in our church. The Suttons teach a median adult Sunday School class and have been active members for years. Their middle son, Marty passed away this week.

Marty Sutton is my Pharisee Buster for this week. I didn’t have the honor of meeting Marty but his story touched me deeply. You see, Marty and I are the same age. I guess it hit close to home for me. He was found in his car following a workout at the YMCA on Monday morning. He died of a massive heart attack.

Marty’s story is a true Pharisee Buster. He was diagnosed with Leukemia at 12 years old. He was given 4 years to live but he lived 31 more years. He was told he would never have children yet he had 2 boys and a girl. As I sat in the hospital Monday with Gene our Music Minister we were both moved when we saw the teenage boys grieving over their dad’s passing. I guess it hit me because I thought that could be my children.

The funeral was held at First Baptist Church, Clover, SC. (just southwest of Charlotte). The reason I am making Marty a Pharisee Buster is because he was just that. At the service I heard story after story about what a difference Marty made in the lives of people who knew him. He really loved God. The service was celebrative. Jesus was glorified in his life and his death. I thought of this verse as I think of people like Marty.

Philippians 1:21-23: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

His brother-in-law who is a missionary in Scottland came back and read Marty’s testimony! It was powerful! He was a deacon and Sunday School teacher at his church when Adrian Dupree came and held a revival at FBC Clover. It was then that Marty realized that he wasn’t really a follower of Jesus. He made a decision to follow Christ then.

Marty changed after that night. His pastor read passages from his prayer journal. Wow! People gave testimonies of how God used Marty in their lives. I was moved. That service was such a witness for Jesus. There is no way a person there could not have left without feeling the presence of God.

What will people say about you at your funeral?