ITLOC (In The Life Of The Church)
Chance the Rapper and Reminders
Today Chance the Rapper dropped a new album. I love Chance so this is exciting news for me personally – although I recognize that it might be less exciting for some of you. Music is funny like that. It connects with each of us in such different and specific ways.
I’ve loved Chance for a few years now. My brother played Sunday Candy for me one time a few summers ago and that was all I needed. And then I saw him in concert in Houston a couple summers ago (which is really saying something about my affection – because Houston is horrible) and my obsession was pretty much cemented. And THEN – a real nail in the coffin situation – Chance played this song with Daniel Cesar on Stephen Colbert (which is a real triple whammy of a situation as far as wins are concerned – here’s a link if you want to watch it).
The song is called First World Problems. And there are a couple of lines in the third verse that punched me in the heart so hard that I don’t know that I’ve ever stopped thinking about them. You have anything like that? (I think we have a whole Sunday School class devoted to that idea so I feel pretty certain that you probably do.) Do you have anything that has just grabbed you in such a way that you find yourself thinking about it regularly for forever? Well that’s what this song – and particularly these lines in the third verse - were like for me. Here are the lines:
I hear the scene snappin', and I'm the team captain
No more knee slappin' or shoe shinin' or shoe signin' 'til the dream happens
I'm just gon' keep rappin'
And y'all just keep clappin' and keep actin'
Like Flint got clean water and y'all don't got teen daughters and black friends and gay cousins
Y'all just gon' say nothin'
Know that the day comin'
Knees bowed, tongues confessin'
The last ones gettin' first dibs on blessings
These lyrics hit me in a way that is two fold: 1) how often am I walking around ignoring the pain and oppression of others? How often am I doing nothing to work towards justice for the people of Flint? For our collective teen daughters and black friends and gay cousins? How often am I saying nothing? I want to be the type of person who says something. And 2) it reminds me that there is a day coming when the last ones will be the first among us to be blessed. It is easy to wallow in the pain that is happening all around us in the world. But we don’t believe that this is the end – and I am reminded here (by Chance) of the good news that helps me to continue to work for justice. And to constantly ask myself - where am I looking to be first in line? Am I looking to be first in line now? In the reality of my every day life? Or do I really believe in the idea that there is a day coming when the last ones will get first dibs on blessings? Do I really believe and live a life that supports the idea that there is a day coming when all things will be reconciled in Christ? Because there is no better news.
Friends – I would love to hear from you. How does this verse hit you? Or maybe this doesn’t do it for you – tell me what does! What strikes you in ways that are both encouraging and convicting? If you have any thoughts or questions you can email me here.
Summerside - July 26th at 7pm
TONIGHT! It’s Backside, but in the summer.
Leadership Team Nominations
We are looking for new folks to serve on the leadership team. Here is some information for you to consider from the bylaws. We have 4 positions open, two of which are students.
Section 1. Leadership Team
(A) Purpose. The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC. The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.
(C) Qualifications. Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description.
(E) Term. Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years. While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time. Members serving as student member commit to a year with the chance to renew up to three years.
Nominations begin now. So if you'd like to nominate yourself or anyone else, please use this link. (this is the link to put in - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiBWA_LjB7dwfVwEMn4aEUvJ7iRPMFWz8-jzTAWC34GmcQ8Q/viewform
Announcements
Preacher: Taylor, Luke 11:1-13
End of Summer Party: 8/7
UBCYP cookout: 9/7
Work is Worship
Coffee: Craig
Mugs: Ron and Rissé Miller
Money Counter: Mike D
Greeters: Blaylocks
Leadership Team
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@baylor.edu
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
UBC HR Team
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com