RESPECT

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY? -- RESPECT

PART 1A - THE CHURCH

 

This is the first of several THOUGHTS on why I believe RESPECT is missing in the world and why I believe that this is important. As I discuss these specific areas, there may be times when an area requires more than one THOUGHT. Because of the nature of this PAGE, I would prefer to write several short articles rather than one long one. If you have ever considered sending a reply to my THOUGHTS, I hope you will do it during this series. I don’t have all of the answers, and you may see things differently from your perspective.

 

RESPECT -- What I learned about respect in the Seminary and the early days of my ministry:  I remember that September morning when my first class, at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, began at 7:30. I had only met three of my classmates, two who lived in the trailer court where I did and the third had been at the University of Omaha where I also gone to school. Bill had been in the same Luther League Federation in the Omaha area. We filed into the classroom where someone asked my name and gave directions to my assigned seat. We were talking and getting aquainted with each other when all of a sudden, everyone stood up and there was total silence. I didn’t know why others stood up, but I did also. The bell was ringing, I heard the door close and footsteps coming from the back of the room. The Professor walked straight to the podium, placed his books and notes where he wanted them and proceeded to pray. When he said, Amen, he indicated that we could be seated.

 

My first thought was that we stood for prayer. As the days and weeks went by I understood that we were standing because a Servant of God walked in to teach us the Good News of the Holy Gospel. Not standing for the person, not because he was a Professor with high academic credentials, not because we were getting ready for prayer, but because this person was carrying the Gospel in his mind, in his notes, and in his books in preparation for sharing it with us. In fact, for the very same reason that in the High Church Entrance Procession, we are standing when the bearer of the Holy Bible processes past. It is the same reason we stand for the reading of the Holy Gospel.

 

I don’t know if they still stand at Wartburg when the Professor enters the room, but I hope they do. From that seemingly insignificant act of standing, the tone was set for me to RESPECT not only God’s Word but also the bearer of His Word be it a Pastor, Professor, or the person that simply shows me with his life and tells me with his words, that God Loves me. More tomorrow...

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

02/09/07

 

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY?  -- RESPECT

PART 1B - THE CHURCH (Continued)

 

This is the second of several THOUGHTS on why I believe RESPECT is missing in the world and why I believe that this is important. As I discuss these specific areas, there may be times when an area requires more than one THOUGHT. Because of the nature of this PAGE, I would prefer to write several short articles rather than one long one. If you have ever considered sending a reply to my THOUGHTS, I hope you will do so during this series. I don’t have all of the answers, and you may see things differently from your perspective. Other articles in the series are may be found here.

 

RESPECT - Often there is a problem defining the word CHURCH. Some people say the CHURCH is a group of people who gather together to Worship God, wherever that might be. Others say the CHURCH is a building that may be used to worship among other things. There are other definitions but most of them have a relationship to a building or a group of believers.

 

My personal belief is that the Church is a Building in which a gathering of believers come to worship. In the Old Testament, God gives specific directions concerning a specific building that is to be the center of Worship. In the New Testament, Jesus storms through the temple upsetting tables of the merchants and money changers, proclaiming that they had made His temple a den of thieves. How do we RESPECT this building, this Church? We show this RESPECT by being certain that the building invites people in and points them to God in His Heavens.

 

To show this RESPECT we:

Keep the landscaping well trimmed, weed free, and designed to show the beauty of God’s creation.

 

Keep the structure in good repair with regular painting, cleaning of the bricks or stone, making sure the roof, eaves, and steeples are always inspected for possible leaks, loose bricks, or shingles.

 

Keep the walkways, drives, and parking lots free of litter, keep them well lighted, and keep interior steps and halls free of obstacles.

 

Keep ahead of needs of the handicapped by having in place various plans and equipment that would say to a visitor with a handicap, we have prepared for you being with us; we are glad you came.

The RESPECT we show in pointing people to Heaven is through being sure that our worship, education programs, social service activities, and all activity point to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 

I believe that we also need to rethink the architecture of the Church. There have been some beautiful buildings erected in the past years. When the beauty of today's form and style replaced the majestic spires and steeples, did that make the Church just another building? I think it did. I think we need these spires, steeples, bell towers, and lighted crosses. What would the cost be if a stranger passing through was looking for a Church, but could not see a steeple. The stranger would probably pass on by.

 

To RESPECT, let us not be afraid to spend extra dollars, energy, hours, and effort to proclaim that this is God’s House and we are proud to share it with you.

 

GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE

 

02/10/07

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY? -- RESPECT

PART 2A -- THE BIBLE

 

Is there still RESPECT for the Bible today? Some would say that there is. They would argue that RESPECT is shown in the uproar that arises after the TEN COMMANDMENTS, brief Biblical passages, and pictures depicting a Bible Story are ordered removed from public places. To this I would ask, where is the RESPECT for God’s Holy Word when voices are raised in anger, where threats are made, and when civil disobedience interrupts and overshadows the good that is done or could be done. To me, when demonstrations get out of hand, when God’s teachings are ignored, this shows not only a lack of RESPECT, but nearly a rejection of God’s Word.

 

Some would say there is RESPECT and remind us that the BIBLE continues to be a best seller at the Bookstore. I would agree with that and follow up with the question, Where are those Bibles now? In former days, you could almost always see a Bible on display in homes. Often it was placed on the big coffee table in the living room. Some of these Bibles were used on a daily basis while others only once a week when they were picked up so the surface they were on could be dusted. To be used daily is RESPECT; to be picked up only for dusting purposes is lack of respect.

 

Selecting the type of BIBLE we use for daily reading or study also shows either RESPECT or lack of respect. Some Bible translations give the suggestion that they are written so that everyone can understand them. People who write, publish, promote, and sell these books, in my opinion show a lack of respect. In the early 1970’s I attended a Convention of my denomination where some clergy were arguing that it was okay to include words of swearing and cursing in order to reach the poor, the minorities, or the less educated. I not only felt this was a lack of RESPECT for God’s Word, I also felt that it was a slap in the face to the groups that were mentioned. "My ways are not your ways, says the Lord," is a reminder that the BIBLE is not sixty-six simple lessons to know all there is to know about God -- that is lack of respect. The Bible is a challenge that we can only begin to understand through the eyes of faith. "I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief..." -- that is RESPECT. By the way, faith is sometimes more of a factor in the lives of the needy, the minorities, or the less educated than it is in the lives of those who look down on them.

 

There are some wonderful BIBLES where the pages are tattered and show the wear of gentle fingers turning them over and over again. Can you think of a better sign of RESPECT? Would this be a better world if the RESPECT that seems to be missing when we think of the Bible could be returned? What a great need there is for RESPECT for the BIBLE to again find its place in homes, in schools, in business, in government ,and YES even in our churches.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

02/11/07

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY? -- RESPECT

PART 2B -- THE BIBLE (Continued)

 

This time I want to speak of RESPECT for the content of the Bible. All during my active ministry, whenever I read the Gospel Lesson, I would say that it was from St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke or St. John. When I was writing the Devotions for my book, I was also using the title "Saint" when the passage was from one of the Gospels. I was advised, by a Christian friend that it was not standard literary protocol to include the word "Saint" with the name of the writer of the Gospel. I also noted that the St. was omitted in the online Bible website that I use. I did not think much more about it and dropped the word Saint as a title. In the past year I have come to the conclusion that I was wrong and that I have been showing a lack of respect to the Bible and to the writer of the individual Books by omitting the word Saint. Somehow when I say or think the Gospel according to St. Luke, it seems to lift it up, put it on a little higher level, and this is how it should be. This is RESPECT.

 

When people study and read the Bible, they may being showing disrespect without realizing it. Think about: If you come to a word that you don’t know the meaning of or do not understand, what do you do? If you stop and look up the word in the dictionary, that is RESPECT.

 

If you come to a thought that you don’t agree with, what do you do? If you ignore it and then forget about it, that is NOT respect.

 

The greatest RESPECT that we can give to the Bible is to pray before reading it, asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds, that ALL of God’s Word would be revealed to us – even those words we do not understand and those thoughts we do not agree with.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

02/12/07

 

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY?  -- RESPECT

PART 2C - THE BIBLE - (continued)

 

Earlier I shared with you some thoughts about RESPECT and lack of respect for the Bible. In writing the Devotion that was posted yesterday, another thought on the Bible and RESPECT came to mind. If you were talking about a really interesting book that you had just read, you would probably able to give a word outline of the main features and be able to quote some of the phrases that impressed you. The phrases that you quoted would have more meaning because the listener could place them in the context of the book that you had described.

 

If you were talking about a passage from a Book of the Bible, could you give a word outline of the Book so the listener could place the passage in context?

 

If you could do a better job of a word outline of a fiction or non-fiction book than you could with a Book of the Bible, what does that say about RESPECT for the Bible?

 

GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE

 

02/15/07

 

 

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY? -- RESPECT

PART 3A -- THE CLERGY


I am sure that I write this THOUGHT out of my own personal feelings, and that is probably the same for anything that I write on these Web Pages. I am also sure that there are many Clergy who would disagree with many of my opinions. Regardless, it is my hope that the words that I write are pleasing to God.

In the years since I was Ordained in 1962, I have seen respect for the Clergy diminish. Here is one example:

The Pastor was always called “Pastor.” To the people, the use of The word, Pastor seemed to set the person apart. Over the years, they began to say Pastor Joe and now in many places it is just, Joe. The argument for this change of title was that we are all equal in God’s sight, that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, and so some Pastors began to say, call me Pastor Joe instead of using my last name. Finally it was, just call me Joe. I agree that being called Pastor does not make one holier. That is not what the word is intended to imply. The word Pastor is intended to say, “Here is one that you can go to and trust that he will Pastor (Shepherd) you.” You go to a Doctor because of the medical training, you go to a Judge because of the legal training and you go to a Pastor because of the theological training. Throughout my ministry I always would ask to be called Pastor or Pastor Claussen, but never Pastor Ron. In adult social gatherings I was okay with just Ron, but never with children present. When I went from the Parish Ministry to the Public Relations and Fund Raising Ministry, I no longer had a congregation. At that point, I preferred that they call me Pastor or Ron, but again, never Pastor Ron.

It is my belief that when Pastors gave up the RESPECT and went to Pastor Joe or just Joe and when people took away the respect by using those terms, that loss of respect was also seen in the relationship of the Pastor and people to the Church and to God. Is it easier to take a REAL problem to the Pastor or to the friend, Joe?

Is it easier for the Pastor or Joe to tell his good friend that he needs to repent?

Is it easier to confess a sin that has been bothering you to the Pastor or Joe?

Some of you may have answered Pastor and others Joe and that is okay. For me, I would much rather choose Pastor instead of Joe. We all need Joe in our life, but when I have a need, I want a Pastor who is a servant that God has sent to be my earthly Shepherd. We can leave the person on level ground with us, but let us take the Title of his calling, PASTOR, and elevate it again to a higher level of RESPECT.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

02/13/07

 

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY? -- RESPECT

PART 3B -- THE CLERGY - (continued)

 

Yesterday, in Part A I talked about respect for the title "Pastor." My emphasis was on the RESPECT that should be shown by using the title that represents one who is a Servant of God and is called to be a Shepherd (Pastor) for the people He is called to serve.

 

In this THOUGHT I want to suggest how a Pastor can show RESPECT to God and the people he is called to serve. I will be the first to admit that during my years of active ministry I fell short in many of these areas. I seek the forgiveness of God and of the people I served.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT if he spends a minimum of an hour a day in Prayer and Bible Study.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT if he does not give an evasive answer to a question just to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT if he preaches and teaches God’s Word without skipping the verses that might make someone feel uncomfortable or even get them mad.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT when his public actions point to a life lived God’s way and not the world’s way.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT when he is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any emergency needs of the people.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT when he believes that his ministry is not a job, but a Calling. Called by God, Responsible to God.

 

A Pastor shows RESPECT in many other ways.

 

The world is missing RESPECT. We can each do our part to bring RESPECT back to being an important action. If there is something for which you RESPECT your Pastor, tell him so in person, by letter, or via e-mail.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

02/14/07

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY? -- RESPECT
THE LAW, HANDICAPPED PARKING


I suppose that I am a little more sensitive to this issue than most people. Laws vary from State to Sate. Here in Ohio you can qualify for a Handicapped license plate or a window card if you are not able to walk more than a certain number of feet without stopping to rest or without assistance. Assistance can mean a wheelchair, cane, crutches, walker, artificial limb, leg brace or holding on to someone’s arm. Also included are reasons that are not visible such as heart or respiratory problems, just to mention two.


What I have observed is that these parking spaces are often filled all through the day and evening. The majority of the people have an obvious need to park there. What about the rest of them? Because of the unseen reasons, I have never made a judgment, but questions have come to my mind.


Does the person who gets out of the car and then runs into the store have a legitimate right to park there?


Does the person who carries material, tools, and equipment into the store to do some repair work, making many trips to get all of the supplies inside, have a legitimate right to park there?


Do the people who get out of the car and engage in pushing and shoving each other as they horse around while walking into the store have a legitimate right to park there?


Why is it that when it is cold, snowing, raining, or windy that there are more people parking there who raise questions in my mind?


In this case, RESPECT for the law, the Handicapped Parking Law, also gives RESPECT to the handicapped. Just an aside:  In bad weather if you use a Handicapped Parking space because you know that handicapped people would not go out in that kind of weather, that is DISRESPECT. If you do not take that space because you know that handicapped people have appointments, need things from the store, like to go out to eat, and are normal just like you except that they need closer parking, you are then thinking of them as a person and that is RESPECT.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

02/18/07

 

 

WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WORLD TODAY?

RESPECT -- FOR OTHERS


When you sit all day as I do, you see things that others don’t. This is because my eyes are aimed at a lower level than if I were standing. I see more things at ground level, and some of those observations bring thoughts to my mind.


On these days when snow has been falling, one of these thoughts came to my mind. People had to walk through new fallen snow in order to enter a building. As they entered, I saw three different actions taking place. There were those who stepped inside the door and stopped. They moved their feet back and forth on the entrance mat trying to remove every bit of snow or moisture before they continued into the store. Then there were those who entered, stomped their feet on the mat once or twice and entered. Finally, there were those who walked right in without stopping or stomping.


When people in the first group walked across the floor, there was no sign of moisture. From the second group there were traces of moisture as they walked and a small amount of water on the floor when they stopped to transact their business. The ones from the third group left snow with every step and a puddle at the point where they were making their purchase.


The amount of moisture left on the floor as the person walked and shopped showed how much RESPECT the shopper had for the merchant and the other shoppers:  RESPECT for the merchant who strives to keep the store clean and dry so it is safe for all who walk on it; RESPECT for other shoppers who expect to be able to walk safely while making their purchases.


If you don't make sure that you're not tracking snow into a building and leaving puddles, that is not only lack of respect, but it is also a violation of the Commandment, Thou Shalt Not Kill.  Part of the understanding of that Commandment is that we will not do anything to harm our neighbor but help him in every way.


This may seem like a trivial thing, but think about the water you are tracking in. The merchant has put the mat there for you to use. RESPECT the merchants wishes and use it; it may keep you from harming your neighbor.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 


02/23/07

 

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