ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Pentecost
Church Shopping (by Josh)
Hello friends. I was thinking, it’s August and that means transition is in the air. There are two important calendars in University settings. The first is the one that the whole world observes, namely the January 1st - December 31st calendar, but then there’s the more important calendar which is the academic calendar. August is the proverbial January. New places. New experiences. New friendships. New churches?
I should now pause to reflect on who might be reading this. Our mailing list for this newsletter is substantially larger than our congregation. That means I’m writing to people who: 1. attend UBC happily and are not looking for a new church 2. people who kind of attend and who were at one time interested enough to sign up for this newsletter 3. people who have moved on from UBC, but still read this affectionately (or perhaps unaffectionately) 4. people who have never been, but for one reason or another have interest in who we are.
In some sense I’m writing to none of you, but in another I’m writing for all of you. Still, I think a universally true experience we all have is that we all have conversations with people about which church might be the best fit for them. So if you happen to be a discerning person reading this or if you know where you want to be, but might like some clairvoyant questions to help you get clear answers, read on.
I cannot tell you how many times folks have come to us over the years and been stunned to discover that after many years of worshiping at church _________, they, one day, either painfully or curiously, discovered that their church did not believe the same thing as them. This always puzzles me, but then I remembered that I went seminary and have a ferocious appetite for reading between the lines. When I scout a church, yes, I read the what they believe page, but that’s usually standard mumbo jumbo that is either copied from someone else’s website or nearly identical with a few nuances in key buzzwords like “community” and “authenticity.”
If you really want to know what a church believes google them. Are they in the media for any reason? What for? See if the pastor lists what she is reading. What is that author about? What material are their small groups studying? Who’s the publisher? What topics are being addressed from the pulpit? Is the church quiet when controversial headlines dominate the news cycle?
But let me be more specific. Every twenty years or so, churches deal with hot button conversations. It was inerrancy of the bible in the 70s. It was women in ministry in the 90s. It’s currently LGBTQ acceptance. There will always be discussions that are dividing the church. Let me tell you what churches do. Churches want you to be a part of them no matter what you believe. What they want is for you to innocuously become rooted, involved and committed to the community. So churches will front the broadest most mellow seemingly accepting position they reasonably can.
Lest I sound like I’m casting stones, let me admit that UBC does this too. We claim that we have a big tent. We claim we want a diverse community. We claim to make space for all kinds of people, but the truth is, that UBC is not a good fit for everyone. There are other churches that are better suited to serve the needs of a certain kind of believer. Realizing this and owning it was a healthy part of my development as a pastor. Now when folks are new, instead of merely trying to get them hooked or plugged in, I try to spend time helping them discern if UBC is actually a good fit for them.
In what follows I offer two examples of how I’d ask discerning questions if I were to look for a church. They are centered on the questions: does the church support women in ministy and does the church accept the queer community.
Does the church in question support women in ministry?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Can women serve in all capacities?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Can women preach on a Sunday morning?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Can women be pastors?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Can women be lead or head pastors?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Are women in positions of strategic leadership in the church?
“Yes!”
Great next question: When was the last time a woman preached?
“last week!”
Great next question: Does the church have a history of hiring women when qualified candidates applied?
“Yes!”
Cool.
Will my queer friends be accepted if they worship here?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Can they serve in all capacities?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Can they take communion and be married here?
“Yes!”
Great next question: If a queer couple worshiped here could they be members?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Will they be included in visible public moments like baby dedications, pictures in the directory, and making announcements for areas they offer leadership in?
“Yes!”
Great next question: Would a queer person be considered for a pastoral position at the church if one were to come open?
“Yes!”
Cool.
I’ve included these two examples because they are both areas that UBC has discerned answers to, but you could ask these kinds of questions about any number of theological issues. My point is not to call out any church or even condemn how they might answer. Again, I think it’s just as important to find a church that suits the needs of an individual as it is to welcome them. Perhaps UBC wouldn’t be a fit for many people because of our answers. My point, and it’s a point that I do think applies to all churches, is that churches should be ready to give clear answers to any kind of nuanced question one might want to answer.
So as you encounter people who are looking, ask them what about church is important to them? Does it matter what the church believes? How it worships? How can one be connected? Who can be connected? And then I would suggest helping them think of discerning questions they could ask key leaders to find answers to those questions.
Looking to volunteer with UBC’s Youth Group? Look no further!
If you are at all interested in volunteering with our Youth (grades 7th-12th), please send an email to mailto:kieran@ubcwaco.org letting us know!
Kindergarten Commission
As a special part of the liturgy this Sunday we will celebrate the movement of our mighty five year olds as they move from the carefree world of pre-school to the daunting world of kindergarten. Please add these to your prayer list as we prepare to commission them for the next phase of life and formation in front of them. If you have a kindergartner and have not been contacted, please contact taylor@ubcwaco.org.
Meet The Newest UBCer
Name: Adelina Rose Chatham
Birth weight: 8lbs 2oz
Birth height: 20.5"
Birthday: 6/9/21
Enneagram Number: 1 w 9
Welcome Back Lunch (options for Inside, Outside, and To-Go)
We are so excited to kick off the Fall Semester, and welcome old friends and new friends to UBC. This week, after church, we will have our annual Welcome Back Lunch. This is a great time connect with new and returning UBC’ers. We will be catering El Crucero, and we will have a vegan/gluten free option to cover all your dietary restrictions and convictions. We are also mindful of the many ways folks are practicing keeping your neighbor safe during the pandemic. We want you to eat lunch, and we want you to feel safe doing so! We will have options for you to eat inside, outside, and to-go boxes should you want to take your lunch to the park with other UBC friends. We would love for you to join us for lunch Sunday. If you have any questions/concerns, please email toph@ubcwaco.org
The Cove - Helping Homeless Teens
Friends, UBC’s newest community partner is a wonderful ministry that works with homeless HS teens in the greater Waco area. They are in the midst of a 100 day housing challenge. You can see the flyer here. Will you consider buying or donating some items to help furnish these new spaces? If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org
Looking for a Unique Housing Opportunity?
Good Neighbor Waco, a Christian non-profit organization, is seeking singles or married couples to serve an average of 7-10 hours per week in exchange for partially subsidized rent (no children or pets). Resident volunteers live in adjacent buildings; each resident volunteer has a private bedroom with shared bath, kitchen and living room. A portion of the service hours involves hosting groups using the community rooms at 2301 Colcord Ave. and participating in household upkeep or administrative work. With their remaining service hours resident workers are encouraged to create and run neighborhood projects in their areas of interest including the arts, urban gardening, community engagement, education, worship, etc. Applicants would commit to 9-12 months of live-in service, to begin August or September (with specific dates and roles to be discussed during the application process). All-inclusive rent is $335 per month. Residents must be able to live and work well with others and contribute meaningfully to community living. Applicants over 21 are preferred, although exceptions may be made. For more information and an application please contact board member Laine_Scales@baylor.edu
Parishioner of the Week
Rachel Caldwell for volunteering her time and talents to take staff pics for the church website.
Upcoming Events
9/9 Young Professionals Game Night
9/9 College Women’s Group Coffee Kickoff
9/12 Sunday School & Mi Casas Start
9/17 Power Point Party
9/22 “Church Hurts” Group (the Mars Hill Podcast Experience) Starts
9/29 Liturgy of Gratitude
9/30 Night of belonging
11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students
12/9-10 Study Hall
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.
Chair: Kathy Krey kathykrey@gmail.com
Ben Raley: Benjaminrale y@gmail.com
Bryce Sandvall: Bryce@holeintheroof.com
Katie Valenzuela: KatarinaEValenzuela@gmail.com
Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com
Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com
Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com
Student Position: Davis Misloski
Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
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.
Erin Hill: erin.albin1@gmail.com
Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com
Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu
Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com
Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com