UPDATED tammy faye and a turkey...

Today I watched the "Eyes of Tammy", a documentary on Tammy Faye Bakker. I do admit that I enjoyed her story. However, I did react after she and her once husband Jim lost their fortune and she had the audacity to pray, "Why me, Lord?"

So it got me to thinking. O.k, I'm taking the day off so thinking is relative! My thought: What does Tammy Faye and a turkey have in common other than their names starting with the same letter?

It's in the prayer. "Why me, Lord?"

To Tammy's credit...by the time she was ravaged with cancer she wasn't asking, "Why me?" She faced her future with those thick, gloppy eye lashes till the very end. Those who thought she had no purpose are wrong. She died with courage and joy!

Perhaps Tammy and a turkey have something to teach the church. What would happen if we faced the reality of death? Would we make different decisions? Would we have courage to step outside the bounds of long term dysfunction? Would we, like Tammy, discover courage and joy we don't have now?

Here's a Thanksgiving toast to Tammy and to all turkeys!

A few facts for those stuck in denial and wonder what facing death has to do with the future of the church:

a. When I began my journey in ministry the denomination I serve had approximately 4 million members. We now have a bit over 2 million.

b. The church I currently serve once had 1000 members, we now have 550 members and that is stretching it a bit. We really have around 400 and not long from now that number will move into the 300's.

These are two numbers of many that indicate pending death. The denial comes when members of the church national and local believe that we should keep doing the very same thing and get angry when some attempt to move in a slightly different direction.

Is there any good news? Yes. Some churches realize pending death, face the fact and it is then and only then that new courage, perspective, and joy is discovered and eventually new life.

The realization of death can open one to life.

I give thanks this Thanksgiving for those I serve with who have the wisdom and vision to move towards new life. I pray for those who continue to say, "You don't know, you don't understand, you can't help."