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Pastor Tim's Blog

connecting faith with everyday life

What does it mean to “be called”?

6/24/2022

 
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Discovering, embracing, and living out Jesus’ call for our lives is a part of our future together as His church family.

But, what does it mean to “be called”?

Some might say it’s the “inner leading” that draws us to something. Afterall, Elijah experienced God’s “still small voice” calling him (1 Kings 19:11-13). 

Others might equate it to a combination of a clear purpose and learned skill set (Genesis 1:28, Deuteronomy 28:12-13).

Yet, Biblical tradition suggests that affirmation is part of the equation, too (Acts 6:1-15).

This Sunday, we will discover what the Bible says about “being called” and experience Jesus’ calling in an up front and personal way.

What are inner and external calls? I’m glad you asked.

Inner Calls are those still small voices. As author and pastor Craig Groeschel calls it, it’s the “it”. You know when you have “it”. You know when you don’t have “it”. You’re drawn to “it” and “it” energizes you. You have an inner drive and passion to do more of “it”. Simply put, “it” is what you love. There’s nothing physically proving you have an inner call. It’s largely subjective and personal.

External Calls are those which you tangibly and physically possess. They’re the positions you hold. They’re the roles that you fill. They’re the opportunities you seize. Life examples include parenthood, child, and grandchild. Professionally, you can be called as a teacher, auto worker, baker, butcher, or small business owner. Civically, you’re “called” as a neighbor, citizen, and friend. All these external calls can be proven by a certificate, contract, or agreement. They’re usually given by somebody or a group of people - not assumed or experienced “on your own”.

Let’s apply inner and external calls to what we’re doing on Sunday.

Our inner call begins long before we arrive at church or log onto oslc.com. It begins with a desire to gather together. God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit!) motivates, energizes, and creates a desire for us to “go to church”. We then experience inner calls during silent prayer and reflection as we confess our sins - personally and quietly; as we join our hearts together during the scripture reading and prayer times; and during our sermon time. Through music, we also are inspired and stirred to sing soft or loud… verbally or silently… our song is a response to the inner call of God - the Holy Spirit’s work in us!

Our external calls are bold and direct. We remember our baptisms as we shout, “amen” in response to our invocation, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. It’s a resounding agreement that we have both an inner call of faith to be here (we belong!) and that we are present with God and one another. We then are directly told that we are forgiven. Signed. Sealed. Delivered to us on the cross. And the proof is that Jesus lives to tell us. We’re then invited (called) to Jesus’ table to share bread and wine with Him and each other. We are then sent with Jesus’ blessing to do Jesus’ work in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. You can’t get more direct affirmation than this.

This Sunday we will celebrate inner and external calls in two special ways.
  • We want to affirm the 75 students and adults who have (digitally) signed an agreement to serve kids and their families at Vacation Bible School (VBS), next week. Their responsibilities are given, not assumed on their own. They’ve been equipped, and prepared to serve the over 200 kids and their families with the love of Jesus. They will have an opportunity to say, “yes, amen” to this “external call” during both services.
 
  • And, Trevor. He will have an opportunity to share his “inner call” story during our message time. Afterwards, we will affirm (or commission) his “external call” to serve as a Director of Christian Education through a formal ceremony acknowledging his promises to serve in this capacity and saying, “yes, we agree that God is really working in and through him!”. We’ll then send him out with blessings as he transitions from Our Savior to his new church family in Georgia.

I want to end with this… Have you felt God’s “inner call” to something, or do you want to discover God’s “inner” call in your life?

If you want to discover/rediscover that call and clarify what that specifically means, perhaps your next step is talking with a coach. A coach can help you discover and live in your calling.

You can learn more at oslc.com/coaching and schedule a time with them by scrolling to the bottom of that page.

Trust me, you will not be disappointed.


​Descubrir, aceptar y vivir el llamado de Jesús para nuestras vidas es parte de nuestro futuro juntos como la familia de Su iglesia.

Pero, ¿qué significa “ser llamado”?

Algunos podrían decir que es la "dirección interna" lo que nos atrae hacia algo. Después de todo, Elías experimentó la “voz apacible y delicada” de Dios llamándolo (1 Reyes 19:11-13).

Otros podrían equipararlo a una combinación de un propósito claro y un conjunto de habilidades aprendidas (Génesis 1:28, Deuteronomio 28:12-13).

Sin embargo, la tradición bíblica sugiere que la afirmación también es parte de la ecuación (Hechos 6:1-15).

Este domingo, descubriremos lo que dice la Biblia acerca de “ser llamado” y experimentaremos el llamado de Jesús de manera directa y personal.

¿Qué son las llamadas internas y externas? Me alegra que hayas preguntado.

Las llamadas internas son esas pequeñas voces tranquilas. Como lo llama el autor y pastor Craig Groeschel, es el “eso”. Sabes cuando tienes "eso". Sabes cuando no tienes "eso". Te sientes atraído por "eso" y "eso" te da energía. Tienes un impulso interno y una pasión para hacer más de "eso". En pocas palabras, "eso" es lo que amas. No hay nada que demuestre físicamente que tienes una llamada interna. Es en gran medida subjetivo y personal.

Las Llamadas Externas son aquellas que posees tangible y físicamente. Son los puestos que ocupas. Son los roles que cumples. Son las oportunidades que aprovechas. Los ejemplos de vida incluyen paternidad, hijo y nieto. Profesionalmente, puede ser llamado como maestro, trabajador automotriz, panadero, carnicero o propietario de una pequeña empresa. Cívicamente, eres “llamado” como vecino, ciudadano y amigo. Todas estas llamadas externas pueden acreditarse mediante un certificado, contrato o acuerdo. Por lo general, los da alguien o un grupo de personas, no asumidos o experimentados "por su cuenta".

​Apliquemos llamadas internas y externas a lo que estamos haciendo el domingo.

Nuestro llamado interno comienza mucho antes de que lleguemos a la iglesia o iniciemos sesión en oslc.com. Comienza con un deseo de reunirse. El Espíritu de Dios (¡el Espíritu Santo!) motiva, energiza y crea el deseo de que “vayamos a la iglesia”. Luego experimentamos llamadas internas durante la oración y la reflexión en silencio mientras confesamos nuestros pecados, personalmente y en silencio; mientras unimos nuestros corazones durante la lectura de las Escrituras y los tiempos de oración; y durante nuestro tiempo de sermón. A través de la música, también somos inspirados y motivados para cantar suave o fuerte... verbalmente o en silencio... nuestro canto es una respuesta al llamado interior de Dios: ¡la obra del Espíritu Santo en nosotros!

Nuestras llamadas externas son audaces y directas. Recordamos nuestros bautismos mientras gritamos, “amén” en respuesta a nuestra invocación, “en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo”. Es un acuerdo rotundo que tenemos un llamado interno de fe para estar aquí (¡pertenecemos!) y que estamos presentes con Dios y unos con otros. Entonces se nos dice directamente que somos perdonados. Firmado. Sellado. Entregado a nosotros en la cruz. Y la prueba es que Jesús vive para decírnoslo. Luego somos invitados (llamados) a la mesa de Jesús para compartir el pan y el vino con Él y entre nosotros. Luego somos enviados con la bendición de Jesús para hacer el trabajo de Jesús en nuestros hogares, lugares de trabajo, escuelas y vecindarios. No se puede obtener una afirmación más directa que esta.

​Este domingo celebraremos los llamados internos y externos de dos formas especiales.

  • Queremos afirmar a los 75 estudiantes y adultos que han firmado (digitalmente) un acuerdo para servir a los niños y sus familias en la Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones (EBV), la próxima semana. Sus responsabilidades son dadas, no asumidas por sí mismas. Han sido equipados y preparados para servir a los más de 200 niños y sus familias con el amor de Jesús. Tendrán la oportunidad de decir “sí, amén” a esta “llamada externa” durante ambos servicios.
 
  • Y, Trevor. Tendrá la oportunidad de compartir su historia de "llamada interna" durante nuestro tiempo de mensaje. Posteriormente, afirmaremos (o comisionaremos) su “llamado externo” para servir como Director de Educación Cristiana a través de una ceremonia formal reconociendo sus promesas de servir en esta capacidad y diciendo: “sí, estamos de acuerdo en que Dios realmente está trabajando en y a través de ¡a él!". Luego lo enviaremos con bendiciones mientras hace la transición de Nuestro Salvador a su nueva familia de la iglesia en Georgia.

Quiero terminar con esto… ¿Has sentido el “llamado interior” de Dios a algo, o quieres descubrir el llamado “interior” de Dios en tu vida?

Si desea descubrir/redescubrir esa llamada y aclarar qué significa específicamente, tal vez su próximo paso sea hablar con un entrenador. Un entrenador puede ayudarlo a descubrir y vivir su vocación.

Puede obtener más información en oslc.com/coaching y programar una cita con ellos desplazándose hasta la parte inferior de esa página.

Créame, no se decepcionará.

Baptism. Father’s Day. Juneteenth.

6/17/2022

 
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Baptism. Father’s Day. Juneteenth.

Those are three different experiences. And, I believe Jesus celebrates each of them.

What are they?

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you might already know a little bit about baptism. Baptism is an ongoing God-given celebration experienced in a human way. It’s a celebration of a faith relationship with Jesus. And, because of that faith relationship, we are totally forgiven, adopted into a greater family, and invited to participate in God’s work in the lives of other people and our world. Yes, baptism is a single event, too… but a baptismal lifestyle (or as we say, a life on mission) is something we live out in our thoughts, words, and actions which strive to look and sound more like Jesus, everyday.

If you’ve grown up in the United States, you might have celebrated Father’s Day at least once in your life. Father’s Day is an annual human celebration for the God-given gift of fathers. It began in Spokane, Washington. That’s right… Spokane. Sonora Smart Dodd felt strongly that fathers needed to be honored and recognized for their roles in their families and society. According to Wikipedia, “she approached the Spokane Ministerial Alliance and suggested her own father's birthday, of June 5, as the day of honor for fathers. The Alliance chose the third Sunday in June instead… So, the first Father's Day was celebrated June 19, 1910, in Spokane”.

You may have heard about Juneteenth… but you may have never celebrated it. Juneteenth is an annual human celebration for the God-given gift of freedom. It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. According to the New York Times, it has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. In 2020, it became a federal holiday. Also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day”, “Freedom Day” and “Emancipation Day”, every June 19th, we remember the day in 1865 that General Granger announced freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 which released enslaved African Americans. I’m reminded of 2 Corinthians 3:17 which says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. Indeed, “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Baptism - an ongoing God-given celebration experienced in a human way.
Father’s Day - an annual human celebration for the God-given gift of fathers.
Juneteenth - an annual human celebration for the God-given gift of freedom.

Three distinct celebrations. One weekend. And I believe Jesus is celebrating all three. So, this Sunday, we will celebrate them with Jesus.

Here’s what Sunday will look like both onsite and online…
  • Special Father’s Day video at the beginning of the service
  • Focused Prayer Time around God-given human and spiritual freedom
  • Celebrating Five New Baptisms in the middle of the the 9:00am service
  • Baptism Remembrance Celebrations in the middle of all services
  • No communion, this week (resumes on Sunday, June 26)
  • Keeping Jesus’ cross at the center of our platform (chancel), we live in God-given freedom as we begin to rearrange the band and altar in order to prepare for VBS and Hello, Dolly! rehearsals and performances.

When Jesus is our foundation and at the center of all we do, even three unlikely celebrations can come together to love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

Why? Because God created and gave us all things (Colossians 1:16) - baptism, fathers, and freedom.

And it’s always good to celebrate God’s good gifts for our enjoyment and to love and bless our neighbors


The Mindset of This Year’s Graduates

6/10/2022

 
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You may have noticed that this year’s high school and college graduates may see and live life a little differently than some of us “older” people do. By the way, that’s really strange for me to write because while I’m only 22 years removed from my high school days, my sister in-law and I recently realized the sobering fact that we are now closer to retirement than high school.

I digress.

I think we would all agree that every generation (including our own) is shaped a little differently through our experiences. For example, while I remember some of the pre-911 days, my siblings do not know of a time when the word “terrorists” hasn’t been associated with school safety. Sad, yet this reality has shaped how we all think of security, safety, and what is acceptable or not. It also determines what we inherently value which in turn shapes how we live our lives.

Of course, the stories surrounding our younger generations that run the headlines are often telling the narrative of radical extremes. We may use words like, “entitled” and “snowflake”. Yet, the mushy middle majority of this up and coming generation - this year’s high school and college graduates - give us incredible hope. We would probably say that every “next” generation does.

That’s why I’m writing this post.

In a conflicted, chaotic, and confused world, we need a generation of people like our graduating students to serve, work, learn, and lead with the gospel in fresh, creative, and innovative ways.

I’m not talking about “professional” church work, either. I’m talking about the fact that while this year’s graduates may volunteer in their community and church, most of their relationships, transformation, and impact will be in their workplaces, homes, and neighborhoods.

Why? Because the gospel which transforms all of life is active everywhere.

So, to better appreciate this year’s graduating students, I want to share with you Marist’s Mindset List for the Class of 2025. They haven’t released the list for the Class of 2026 yet, but will post a link here when it is released.

You can access the list here.

This list of general mindsets, attitudes, and trends among high school and college students will help us understand how God might be using them (and all of us!) right now and into the future to shape and reshape our lives and world.

I mean, fast forward 25 years from now… how will politics look different? (I sure hope they will!). How will economics change? How will public education look radically different than it does today? How will social systems improve to help and serve more people?

And if the gospel fire of the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of this generation, then God is at work in all of these areas - and more! And wherever the Spirit is at work, there is change. It’s just what Jesus’ Spirit does.

That’s why I can’t wait to see how this year’s graduates will be the presence and power of Jesus that shapes and re-shapes our lives and world.

And to be honest, it’s not just graduates who do this… each of us are called as part of God’s Oikos (extended family) to do the same.

How does your relationship with Jesus change the way you live at home, work, school, or in your social circles? Drop a note and share a story with me about it!

Pastor Tim


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    Meet Pastor Tim

    Tim Bayer has served as Our Savior's Lead Pastor since September 2019. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Concordia University - Irvine, a National Leadership Facilitator and Resource, and with the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

    Tim studied sociology, psychology, and theology prior to earning his M.Div at Concordia Seminary - St. Louis. He also is a candidate for an Ed.D (ABD) in Transformational Leadership.

    He is married to Beth and they have three children. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors, experiencing culture, and pizza and movie nights.

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