“Our core beliefs are the convictions that are revealed in our daily
actions,
based on what we actually do.”
Greg Ogden
In the summer of
2012, The Atlantic magazine ran a
cover story about the wide use of Facebook in our present culture. What the
editors of that magazine found most startling was how pervasive is the practice
of misrepresentation. A significant number of persons on Facebook actually
present a personal profile that is simply untrue – identifying favorite books
that have never been read, favorite television programming that is never viewed
and hobbies that are never pursued. These people are not lying, except maybe to
themselves. They really wish to read those books, view PBS and the History
Channel and enjoy gourmet cooking. Simply, there is a chasm between what is
desired and what is.
I believe this
phenomenon is as old as there has been human life. There exists within each one
of us the ambition to be better, faster, stronger and more intelligent. In
truth, it has little to do with our desire that others to see something more in
us. We want more in us. The Apostle Paul says as much when, in a conversation
with God, he declares that the things he wishes not to do he does and the
things he wishes to do he doesn’t. Paul isn’t remotely concerned about what
others think of him. It is all about what Paul thinks of Paul. If he was on
Facebook, he would be no different than many of us. Paul would be guilty of
misrepresentation.
During the
transition period between Senior Pastors, First Presbyterian of Delray Beach
was asked for what was most important in the new ministry that would follow Dr.
Ted Bush. Second to strong preaching, a significant number indicated the desire
for help with intentional spiritual growth. Tending to matters of walking more
closely with Jesus and experiencing a life that is continually transformed by
that walk is a high and worthy ambition. The question presses, is that the
idealized self or a path that will intentionally be sought?
On Saturday, November
9th, First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach will welcome Dr. Greg
Ogden as the first presenter for the Center
for Christian Formation. I am confident that we begin this new ministry
with the finest thinker and practitioner in spiritual formation working in the
church today. His one purpose on that day is to provide the understanding and
tools for personal growth in your walk with Jesus. My hope, as your pastor, is
that what this church posted on its Facebook page, figuratively speaking,
results in a strong presence for our first Center
for Christian Formation.
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