MethoMergent

Aha! Experience from Leadership Network

2010-04-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

40 Cutting edge voices, six minutes each, amazing insight!
Listen to one a day and be challenged over the next month.

Aha! Experience from Leadership Network

Giving Church Another Chance

2010-03-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

Why have I stayed connected to the Church? Why do I serve a United Methodist Church, or participate in organized religion at all? I have been asked this question repeatedly, probably because I have spent a lot of time with young adults searching for their own identity and they want to know what “Church” has to do with their “faith.” With an eye toward Good Friday where the religious nailed Jesus to a cross, I have been reflecting on MY five reasons for staying connected, they are: history, accountability, theology, synergy, and reality.

History—God has chosen throughout history, for whatever reason, to work through the flawed forms of the Church. I am not discounting all the times when the Church has blown it. History is full of times when the Church’s human leadership has led it to do incredibility stupid things, but historically when God has chosen to work, it has been through the Church. From the beginning God has called a people to act as prophets, proclaimers, and priests to a world separated from God. Don’t you want to be part of something that has deeper roots than the disposable, internet culture that surrounds us?

Accountability—being held accountable is something most of us resist, but that all of us need. It keeps us from becoming either manipulating dictators or narcissistic navel gazers. Part of this comes from some very negative experiences with “independent fellowships” and “churches” from my childhood, where the leader exerted absolute and very manipulative control over the people. Being part of a denomination, or “organized religion” holds me and the church accountable for our behaviors, beliefs, and balance. Having to answer for my personal ministry and for that of the church I serve to another person who I have agreed to be accountable makes me consider things differently than I would if I had absolute control. It also keeps me from becoming a navel gazer, practicing postmodern monk-hood and withdrawing into a conclave of self-important backpatters who would stand “against the world” by completely withdrawing from it. Down deep, don’t you want to be held accountable to a higher level of living?

Theology—the Church teaches who God is and holds those truth revealed throughout history. It grounds us in creeds from the first century and give us roots in today’s disposable culture and challenges my self-centered approach to scripture with a broader understand of God’s divine action in the world. Don’t you want to be exposed to thoughts bigger than you could think alone?

Synergy—we can do far more together than we can individually. Margaret Mead said it well about the importance of a small group of faithful people studying scripture together, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Or Mother Teresa, “I can do what you can not do, you can do what I can not do, together we can do great things.” At its best the Church organizes around the mission to proclaim Christ and make him known through acts of mercy, words of hope, and signs of worship and wonder. Paul talked about “two or more,” and then planted churches of thousands. When we come together we dream bigger dreams, do bigger things, and live better lives than we can as individuals in our closets praying alone. Don’t you want to be part of something bigger than yourself?

Reality—I have learned in my spiritual walk, that I can’t do this alone. There have been times in my life when I considered walking away from the Church. When I became frustrated with its human frailties and shortsighted leaders. When it seemed to me to do more harm than good, but then something would happen to remind me how much community matters. There are no perfect churches, but there are perfect moments when, through the mess we make of it, God gives us a glimpse of heaven in a child’s prayer, the funeral of a faithful saint, or the baptism of a new believer. Do you really want to miss that?

These are some of my personal reasons. I do not believe it is a comprehensive list, and certainly not an authoritative one. These thoughts need some more work but they are where I am as God gives me another chance, as Easter morning and the promise of the resurrection is on the horizon and I have another chance to serve the people I love through the Church. Won’t you give it another chance? I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Dr. Marty Cauley

Home in Asheville, NC

2009-10-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to our beautiful home in Asheville, NC. This is a great, four bedroom house with a view of the Pisgah National Forest. We did ton's of work to our home in Asheville, NC because we never planned to sell it! It has a brand new roof, just put on in June, and a great yard for your kids to play in!

The school district is good, the neighbors are friendly without being intrusive, the subdivision is built out so there will be no surprises later on! Take a look and make this house your! We hope you love it as much as we do!

Dr. Marty Cauley

When Will the UMC Get It?

2009-04-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

I believe one of my life callings is to help the UMC get it! That is, get how to leverage our amazing influence, locations, passion for social change, and evangelical roots to make a significant difference in our communities. One of the ways we COULD be doing that is through open source media and idea sharing facilitated by our denomination.

LifeChurch.TV was founded by a former UMC pastor, Craig Groeschel who left the denomination to plant a church. It is now, arguably, one of the most influential churches in America, rivaling Northpoint Community Church and Andy Stanley.

Below is their idea to help make Easter more visible online to the billions on the internet and engaged in social media. I think its time we took a lesson from churches like this and started reaching the next generation, one YOUTUBE video, on Twit, one Facebook message at a time! What would happen if UMCOM took a page from this book and asked every UMC blogger, Facebooker, and Twitter to share an extremely well done Igniting Ministry invitation to Easter worship? That is why I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Marty Cauley

Twitter Secrets and Tips Revealed

2009-03-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

All Things Twitter!

Twitter Secrets and Tips Revealed

Record Phone Calls

2009-03-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

Great and free way to record conference calls and interview calls for free!

Record Phone Calls

Why I Believe in the Next Generation…

2008-09-25T10:31:00.001-07:00

I work with young adults. That is to say, that when I employ them to be on my staff my goal is to work with them, not have them work for me. I have learned over the years that people rise to the level of the expectations placed upon them, so I raise the bar as high as possible and challenge the young people I encounter to rise…and they do! I believe in the next generation for five reasons: ingenuity empowers them; injustice enrages them; challenges enthrall them; culture equips them; and hope inspires them. The future they face is not as bright as the one they should have inherited but I know that they will rise to the challenge!

Ingenuity empowers the young adults I encounter. A simple example is the I-Phone. It was supposed to be a closed system; applications would have to be approved. Young adults took this as a challenge and “hacked” their I-phones and created a myriad of specialize applications for it. They are not bound by pre-conceived ideas or limitations. One author contends that those of us who are older (that hurt since I’m “only 43”) think linearly, but Mosaics (my preferred name for this generation) think in webs. Every line interacts with, informs and influences every other line. This allows for a level of creativity and ingenuity previously unheard of. Young adults are ingenious; if you don’t believe me, just ask one.

Secondly, injustice enrages them. There is a seemingly inherent moral compass inside of this generation that is completely intolerant of social injustice. Whether it is it the crisis in Darfar, the AIDS pandemic in Africa, or local poverty, they attack injustice. Whereas Boomers found injustice a minor bother and were willing to send $10 to the cause of the day, Mosaics pack their bags and head to Bolivia to dig wells and to India to distribute mosquito nets.

Additionally, challenges enthrall them. Mosaics love to be told what they cannot do and what is “impossible.” Challenges give them the opportunity to utilize all of their resources to attack and discover new ways of beating the system. Mosaics think fast and act fast. They love a fast-paced, challenge-laden environment.

Part of their ability to adapt to any challenge so quickly is that culture has equipped them to be flexible, fast and focused. The speed of change in our culture is moving faster than at any time in history, and Mosaics swim in the waters of change almost effortlessly. Cutlure has taught them to be flexible and keep their options open, to think and act fast because the opportunity will pass you by and to be completely focused on the emergent problem at hand so that, once it is solved, you can move along to the next one.

Lastly, an perhaps most importantly, hope inspires them. Amdist the rapid pace of change, the challenges of our world and the injustice that surrounds them, Mosaics continue to manifest hope. They are not blind optimist, but deliberate realist who still believe they can change the world. They are unwilling to accept the status quo and are ready to make their mark upon the world.

I believe in the next generation because they are persons of ingenuity, compassion, and hope. It is now our job to help them mold that energy into a synergistic force for good and then get out of their way. If I were to offer faith-based leaders three words of advice they would be to expose Mosaics to big ideas; equip Mosaics to lead; and encourage Mosaics to follow their dreams.

Never underestimate the power of a Mosaic to be willing to study, research and grapple with big ideas. Expose them to a myriad of speakers, teachers and ideas, even some with vastly competing views, and let them weigh out the options. This is a generation built upon the idea that intellectual capital is the greatest force on earth, expose them to as much of it as possible.

Allowing Mosaics to lead is risky but rewarding. They will not follow the path of those who have gone before them but that does not mean they will go astray. Mosaics will try new things, come up with vastly different ideas and be willing to take risks. So what if they fail as long as they learn and are able to take their experiences and move forward. Let them lead.

Lastly, be a dream enhancer rather than a dream squashier. Help them grasp the scope of their dream and map out a way to accomplish it. Help them understand the cost of following the dream and the benefit if it is accomplished. One ridiculous dream may be what it takes to save the planet!

I believe in the next generation, in their abilities, their ideas and their values. The future rests in their hands, lets help them by investing in them with all that we have.

I remain:

Consumed by the Call,
Marty Cauley, Believer

Gracious God, who gives dreams and inspires hearts, help we who are older equip, inspire and enable the Mosaics to take their place in Your history and make this world, Your world. In the name of the young adult who has made a way for our salvation, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

An Idea

2008-08-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

So in the spring of 2010 I would like to pull together a group of Methodists to discuss, engage and learn from the emerging church movement. The first step is to gather a list of possible presenters and create a proposal. Let me know who you think should be there and what churches, individuals and groups should be invited to attend! This could be revolutionary as we try to reach a new generation! I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Marty