What an incredibly difficult ten months this has been for so many Americans.  In addition to the struggles many of us had with life in general pre-COVID, a recent national survey indicates that, during this pandemic, we have had a three-fold increase in the number of Americans exhibiting signs of depression! That is a staggering statistic. 

Yet there is still an amazing, under-utilized ministry tool available to us, and which can be used effectively “at a distance”: the telephone.  All of us should be considering whom we need to call; someone we suspect might need human contact during this depressing pandemic when so many are experiencing social isolation.

However, I am not suggesting one of those “Hi,-how-are-you?-Fine” kind of conversations.  I’m thinking of meaningful, thoughtful and repeated conversations where the recipient feels cared for; where you are both a friend and a counselor.

One of my favorite Scripture passages is Ephesians 3:16-19.  “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is that love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  This text, at least in part, captures a vision of what the fellowship of the Body of Christ can and should be.  And in pre-COVID, more “normal” times I would like to think that my brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling are being supported and encouraged by their congregation.  Well even if that was the case then, it is far less likely now.  There are so many out there who are feeling cut off from whatever social support system they could once count on from their fellow church members.  And this will be an on-going issue for many months to come.

This ministry challenge — and opportunity — came to mind when I read a November 19^th New York Times column written by David Brooks.  This article focused on some of the keys to having “deeper conversations.”  And the following insights and recommendations from Brooks are by no means limited to face-to-face conversations.  They can just as easily be utilized on the phone.  Here are five of the recommendations David Brooks shares when it comes to facilitating “deeper conversations.”

1. “Ask elevating questions…Some questions, startling as they seem at first, compel us to see ourselves from a higher vantage: What crossroads are you at?…Whom do you feel most grateful to have in your life?  What problem did you once have but now have licked?  In what ways are you sliding backward?”

2. “Ask open-ended questions.”  Instead of questions that tend to limit conversation, “better questions start with ‘What was it like…’ or ‘Tell me about a time…’”  I would add, “What has been the hardest part of this pandemic for you personally?”

3. “Treat (your) attention as all or nothing…In conversation it’s best to act as if attention had an on/off switch with no dimmer.  Total focus.  I have a friend who listens to conversations the way congregants listen to sermons in charismatic churches — with amens, and approbations.  The effect is magnetic.”

4. “Don’t fear the pause.  Most of us stop listening to a comment about halfway through so we can be ready with a response.  In Japan…business people are more likely to hear the whole comment and then pause, sometimes eight seconds, before responding, which is twice as long a silence as American business people conventionally tolerate.”

5. “Keep the gem statement front and center.”  In this time when our culture seems embroiled in partisanship and conflict this is a particularly apt insight from Brooks.  He writes, “In the midst of many difficult conversations, there is what mediator Adar Cohen calls the gem statement.  This is the comment that keeps the relationship together: ‘Even when we can’t agree on Dad’s medical care, I’ve never doubted your good intentions.  I know you want the best for him.’”

One additional quote that Brooks shared in this article is from journalist Amanda Ripley: “Humans need to be heard before they will listen.”

I have some suggestions of my own when it comes to these deeper, more meaningful conversations.  And these apply to both phone and online communication.  One is that for on-going relationships it can be helpful to set up each conversation in advance; preferable agreeing on a next time at the conclusion of the previous conversation.  That way he/she has the assurance that you will continue to be available; that this is not a one-time-only conversation.  And finally, I think that it is helpful if this person knows you will be praying for him/her.  I’m not talking about the judgmental cliché, “I’ll be praying for you.”  Instead, “I want you to know that I am including you in my prayers each and every day.”  And then do it.

Pastor Don Brandt

Congregations in Transition

“Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21)

We prioritize things.  Do we have things in the right order?  Let’s see, Jesus gets five minutes in the morning and/or evening and a couple of hours on Sunday.  Is this the way we deal with the One who is above all?  Jesus is above all names and has dominion, power, and authority.  The first commandment tells us to love the Lord with all our being.  Check your priorities and make sure they are set in the right order.

Lord, where I do not have temperance and I am unbalanced, help me see more clearly and come into balance.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may walk humbly with You, the One in whom we all have our being.  Lead me to be one who lives out Your commands and follows You all the days of my life.  Let me not give You just lip service, but give myself whole-heartedly.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me O Lord in the way of truth so that I may humbly walk where You lead.  Direct my days and my deeds so that I may live the truth that You are the One, above all others, and therefore, the most important person and the One who is central in my life.  Lead me as You will Lord and let my heart be conformed to You.  Amen.

“And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20)

How do we know these things are true?  He who is able to raise the dead has promised to raise all in order for us to stand before Christ on the final day.  If Christ was not raised from the dead, then we who believe are to be pitied.  But Christ has been raised from the dead, so believe in the One who has conquered sin and death.  He who overcame sin and death, has overcome them for all who believe in His name, even unto the blessed assurance of salvation.

Lord, all mystery is in Your hand.  You have come and revealed the way to life everlasting.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of the life You have revealed so that I may walk humbly with You.  Guide me this day to know the overwhelming truth of what You have done.  Guide me in Your goodness to see each day the best way to live in You and then live the life You have given me.

Thank You Jesus for making the way of salvation possible.  Thank You for paying the price that no one but You could pay.  In Your care, and by Your direction, guide me this day to live into the life You give knowing that in You alone is all hope and the promise of eternal life.  Direct my days and deeds, O Lord, so that I may always be found walking with You.  Let my mouth speak Your praise and my deeds show Your precepts.  Amen.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Do you read the words and see the message?  We have not yet received what is ours, or should I say, the promise of what will be.  We have been given the power to become children of God.  As children, we will inherit eternal life.  These are the promises that belong to those who follow Christ.  Come then, as one who lives in the hope of promise, and be enlightened in the truth of the Lord.

You have given all good things necessary so that those who believe may know their portion in You, Lord.  Guide me this day in the way of truth so that I will not wander around searching for whatever I may hope to find, when I already have the inheritance promised which all of us are searching for.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of living that prepares me in the hope You give to live into the life You promise.

Lord Jesus, You have paved the way and paid the toll so that all who follow You may walk the narrow road of promise which leads to life eternal.  Guide me in the way of truth so that I would not be as one who is searching, or as one who has no hope.  Guide me in the salvation way to live this day and every day You give me, in the truth You have revealed once for all.  Help me always follow You in all of Your ways.  Amen.

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16)

We all need encouragement.  Listen to the Word and be uplifted up in the truth of grace which has been purchased for us by our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Give thanks for those who are faithful and have shared the Word with You.  Pray, so that others might receive what You have been given.  In and through all things, look to the Lord who provides in abundance for all our needs.

Lord, each day You provide for all of those who have need.  Guide me this day, O Lord, so that I would walk humbly with You, both giving thanks and praying for others as I have been prayed for.  Teach me to be like You, Jesus.  Help me in my journey of being conformed to Your likeness so that I would grow each day in the grace and mercy which uplifts all who believe and be prepared for all that is to come.

Lord Jesus, You have prepared the way for all of those who believe.  You prayed for the disciples and even for me in the garden.  You went to the cross so that all of those who follow You would not perish, but have everlasting life.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You have prepared so that I may walk with You leading me this day, and humbly submit to Your guidance and authority.  Lead me, O Lord.  Amen.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Gospel rightly preached.  The Gospel of grace tells us that we cannot do it on our own, but that we are to trust the Lord in and through all things.  We are to trust that He has accomplished our salvation.  Many still try to do it on their own, but we know we have a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  Come then into the truth of the Savior and live in the hope we all have, knowing that by His blood we are healed.

Lord, let me not become mixed up about what I believe, or how I live this life You have given me.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see through all the difficulties this world places before me to live the simple Gospel of grace.  You have given Your Holy Spirit so that I may, moment by moment, know which way to step and the direction to move.  Help me learn to listen to the Word of truth knowing that in You I can trust in Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, You have sent Your Holy Spirit so that all who believe might walk in newness of life.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You have established so that I would not chase after the world, but walk according to Your Spirit.  Lead me this day to know what is right and what is wrong and to do those right things You give me to do.  Lead me and I will follow.  Speak to me and I will listen.  Amen.

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12).

There are a couple of ideas here which the devil uses to divide Christians: inheritance and predestination.  These things point to what God is doing.  Never forget that God gets all of the verbs.  Is not an inheritance what you anticipate receiving after someone dies?  Does not predestination simply speak of what is already known?  Yes, Jesus died, and we inherit His life.  This was the plan God established in the beginning and so it was predestined to be as God willed.  He who knows all has done this.

Lord, let me not be taken captive by theologies that titillate and instead help me to stand on the firm ground of Your revelation of grace and mercy.  Lead me according to Your goodness to know what You intend for me and lead me according to Your will to fulfill what You know needs to happen in my life.  Let my hope always be in You, the truth You have revealed, and the grace which is mine through the cross.

Lord Jesus, You have paid the price for my redemption.  You have set the course for my life according to what was planned from the beginning.  In You alone is hope and an eternal future.  Lead me, O Lord, according to Your purpose so that I may walk by Your grace, live in the faith You have given, and love as You teach me to love.  May all I do be a reflection of Your love in me.  Amen.

“In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth” (Ephesians 1:9-10).

Every word of Scripture is important, but sometimes there are too many words for us and we become confused.  The problem is ours and it is not with the word.  But perhaps this will help:  God is up to something bigger than we now realize; He has opened your eyes and He has asked you to join Him.  That’s it.  Will you join Him, trust that all that needs to be done has been done so that You may join and always be with Him?

Lord, help my unbelief and guide me in the way of a life of faith.  Take away the hindrances that get in the way and shut down the voice of this world so that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy alone.  Lead me Lord in all of Your ways so that I may be guided now and forever in truth.  Your Word is truth and You are truth.  In that mystery, lead me today and every day You give me in this age.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh who has come among us, be my rock and fortress.  Guide me in the way of truth so that I may see more clearly each day all of the good things You have done.  Help me now and always to see through this age’s wickedness and cling to You, my Redeemer and Rock.  Help me to humbly live and willingly serve in the will of the Father, doing that which is pleasing in His sight.  Amen.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7-8).

Through His blood, that is, at a price we cannot pay, Christ redeems us.  Jesus paid the price so that we would be redeemed.  For the forgiveness of our trespass, that is, for going where we should not be, He takes on Himself the penalty.  What is presented is simple, but how we react is often so complex.  Yet, it remains simple.  By His blood you have been redeemed and He holds out His hand so that you would take it and follow Him all of your days.

Lord, this world plays games and does not abide in the simple truth that You have redeemed us.  You and You alone are the Redeemer.  Lead me in the way of truth so that I would humbly walk with You always and be guided by Your goodness and mercy.  Let me not listen to this world’s lies but be transformed by You who has redeemed me at great price from the iniquity that this world preaches and lives.

Thank You, Jesus, for all You have done.  I really do not know, nor do I understand but a small portion of this.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth so that I may live into this life of faith You have given me.  Teach me to trust You above all things, learning to love as I have been loved and to share with others as You have shared with me.  You are the One Who redeems and You alone are the One who saves!  Amen.

“In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:5-6).

In the Gospel of John, we are told that the power to become children of God is given to those who see the light shining in the darkness.  Here, it is said that He who knows us destined that we would be conformed to the image of Christ.  Walk then as one who has been given the greatest of all gifts and learn to love as He loves.  Walk in the way of the Lord and live into the purpose for which You have been created.

Lord, there are many things I do not know.  You are always present and You, who knows all things, have called all who have faith to be conformed to Your image.  Lead me this day in the way of faith so that I would humbly walk according to Your instruction and in the Father’s will.  You have freely bestowed upon me the gifts of grace.  Help me learn to bestow these gifts upon others.

Lord Jesus, in You is all hope and an eternal future.  You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Help me to live this life which You offer.  By Your grace, You have given me the power to become like You.  Help me become what You know I will be and lead me so that I may make my life’s focus that which is good, eternal, and pleasing to the Father.  Amen.