Stewardship, Trees, & SUVs

I'm 27 years old. I can barely remember not recycling. When my family moved to Windham, NH in 1990, the town already had mandatory recycling. So it wasn't until I went to college (in Quincy, MA) that I didn't throw every can, bottle, and piece of paper in a different bin. And I was even more conflicted when we lived in Kansas City, KS for two and a half years, an area where I only found one person who recycled, and he just considered it "a hobby." Recycling was for those liberal tree-huggers.

Speaking of trees, we just spent a week in northern Vermont on our annual trip to the family camp on Lake Champlain, just north of St. Alban's Bay. I attribute much of my love for creation to spending summers growing up on the edge of the Lake, watching the sunset, catching various small creatures of the wild, and driving the backroads of the Green Mountain state, full of incredible views of trees and mountains. (Here are a few pictures of our family vacations this summer, including some decent sunset pics.)

So I was brought up - both in the home and in school - to be concerned for God's creation through care for the environment. Throwing a Diet Coke can or a newspaper into the trash gives me about the same feeling that throwing a dime or a quarter into the trash might. It just doesn't feel right and feels like a waste. For similar reasons, I turn out lights whenever I can (a never-ending job with little ones whose greatest feeling of power and self-ability is to flip those little light switches and watch the grand change it makes).

In college, when I started driving a 1993 Volvo 850 that came with the gadget built in that tells you your average gas mileage and your current gas usage, I began being more concerned with how much gas I used. It was as much a hobby and a money-saver as it was a world-saving activity, but ever since then, it's been a concern.

The fact that we are in the market for a new (used) car coupled with the transportation needs of a family of five means that we have to buy another big vehicle. If I could, I would get a Geo Metro or Toyota Prius. But we can't. It's not practical right now. We made the decision a while ago to be a one vehicle family for the foreseeable future. We challenged ourselves on the American assumption that every family needs two vehicles. We're going along just fine with but one.

I guess I'm settling on the thought that being a good steward - both of finances and of God's creation - goes beyond the first look. Though we're likely to purchase an SUV or minivan (we've somewhat settled on the Honda Pilot) - a vehicle that drinks rather than sips gasoline - there are other factors at hand. Sure...we could also buy a small car for trips to the grocery store and for my daily travels across the South Shore, but in addition to the purchase of the car, that would mean more insurance, more registration fees, and more repair costs. This would further hinder us financially, and limit our ability to contribute to the compassionate needs and ministries that we care about, which for us is also part of being good stewards.

(On a side note, we finally got our economic stimulus check, part of which we've been planning for Kiva loans. We lent for three more last night and will do at least one more. Kiva is great - check it out. I'm not sure this is what Mr. Bush and the Congress meant by "economic stimulus," but it works for me.)

Anyway, I guess this post is a release for me. In a time when everyone is down-sizing vehicles and doing their best to help curb dependency on oil, it seems at first glance for me that we're going the other direction.

There are other things that we can do and are doing to alleviate our usage of depleting natural resources. We compost. We recycle everything that we can. I've just purchased one of these. And I've even *gasp* gone through a day here and there lately without showering...I know: "How gross!"...but it's really not. Daily showering is another American assumption that is in the vast minority of the norm throughout history and even the modern world. We've done really well this summer and the past few to minimalize the use of our window ACs.

As much as it's stretched our budget a bit, I think these oil problems are a good thing in the long run. We Americans have long overrun our allotment of the resources of the world. We need to change our ways. If you want to be challenged on these things, read McLaren's latest book, Everything Must Change.

Ordination Recap and Some Thanks

So I was indeed ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene last week (click here if you care about pictures). Some have asked me “how I feel.” Well, honestly, I’m thankful. Another asked me if my sermon was better the day after. I don’t know, although, I did feel a bit more confident…? Another asked what ordination meant to me. Well, here’s what the Church of the Nazarene says (in part):

401.6. Theology of Ordination. While affirming the scriptural tenet of the universal priesthood and ministry of all believers, ordination reflects the biblical belief that God calls out and gifts certain men and women for ministerial leadership in His Church. Ordination is the authenticating, authorizing act of the Church, which recognizes and confirms God’s call to ministerial leadership as stewards and proclaimers of both the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ. Consequently, ordination bears witness to the Church universal and the world at large that this candidate evidences an exemplary life of holiness, possesses gifts and graces for public ministry, and has a thirst for knowledge, especially for the Word of God, and has the capacity to clearly communicate sound doctrine.

I actually appreciate that. I think it’s a worthy statement.

More personally, I saw the day as a statement of faith in me by the church community. I was not ordained by Paul Cunningham. He was the presiding General Superintendent over the New England District Church of the Nazarene, who chose to ordain me. And it is indeed quite a statement of faith, one that I must and will remember.

So in one sense, it was an end.

But in a much greater sense, it was a beginning. I am stating here publicly that I commit to continue seeking the face of God. This means that I acknowledge I have more to learn and will until the final consummation (I think the title of this blog is testimony to that). I give anyone and everyone permission to call me out on the day I stop learning. I think one of the greatest weaknesses that has put the CotN and evangelicalism in danger of not having a voice in the world is the lack of desire to continue being formed and shaped as the culture around us changes. The thought that we have ministers serving on the foundation of an M.Div. of several decades in age and a few CEUs here and there should give us no wonder that we aren’t connecting with today’s generations. Jesus Christ may be the same yesterday, today, and forever…but the culture he loves is not.

So…I hope to continue learning, to continue being shaped and formed, to continue being moved by a Spirit that is always in constant motion (it’s no wonder that the images for the Spirit are fire & wind, no?).

So while ordination was a time to look to the past and remember all we’ve come through to get where we are, it’s also a challenge to be alive in the future.

By the way, I confessed to someone recently that I have been on the BU School of Theology website quite a bit recently…but due to reasons of finance and family, another degree is not likely any time soon.

There are times in life when you just feel like you need to thank somebody. The event of ordination made me think of all the people who have shaped and formed my life to this end (beginning). I want to take some time to thank some people who have led me thus far in ministry in the Kingdom.

Of course, the danger in doing this is forgetting someone. I’m going to go ahead and risk the danger, with apologies to those I may remember later. I want those I have remembered to know that I am thankful for what they’ve done in my life as I have headed into ministry in the Kingdom of God.

Kenny Stanford – For picking a non-athletic clumsy toe-headed seventh grader to the FOL volleyball team. I had no reason to be on that team, but you have no idea what it meant to the confidence of a shy, young boy. And then you just kind of adopted me into ministry. And now, for your friendship, advice, and sounding board ears.

Jeff Lane – For being a model to a young teen and now, for your friendship. It’s nice to know that you’re “out there” too (in more ways than one).

Don & Lori Jeffrey – For driving me to countless youth events and being “youth pastors” where there were none. For opening your home to me.

David Landry – For giving tough advice and challenge to a young teen. Your example spoke to me.

Gerry & Sharon Deroschers – For your advice and challenge to serve Christ amongst my peers.

Dave Brown – For demonstrating to a young teen what it means to love and have passion about something.

Dan Eddings – For your demonstration of leadership.

Bev Keuther – For your encouragement to a young teen to keep on in serving the Lord.

John White – For leading a church community that always encouraged the development of young people: for giving us a chance to minister and lead. And for letting me be a part of a youth group when I had none.

David Bickom – For spending so much time with a young guy and giving me a sense of humor.

Mark Metcalfe – For encouraging a young musician.

Ed Frost – For your friendship. I’ve always felt like I am your equal.

Nick Mucci, Jarrod Spalding, Jamie Wilson – For your friendship in college and since. It’s so great to know that I’m not alone in what I’m doing.

Ryan Scott – For your quiet friendship, countless conversations over IM. I am challenged by you, and all for the better.

Mike Schutz – For challenging me to think and ask tough questions of God and humanity.

Fred Fullerton – For your mentorship in some tough times in college, for your friendship now as a peer.

John M. Nielson – For encouraging Meghan and I as we sought the will of God. And for your example in family and ministry.

Tom Oord – For helping me understand that it’s okay to challenge my own thinking, to doubt, and for showing me my own foundation for believing in God by your own testimony.

LeRoy Hammerstrom & Ken Constantine – For passing me! But even more so, for encouraging a young college student to follow the voice of God, despite the confusing road I was on.

Anita Henck - For your encouragement in confusing times.

Bill Clay – For challenging me to be sanctified daily. Starting now.

Hans Deventer (and others on Naznet) – For giving me a place to present ideas, challenging me to be able to know what I’m talking about and allowing me to grow in grace and knowledge, all the while in love.

Clark Armstrong – For giving me a chance, for your encouragement, your loan forgiveness, your willingness to share the helm, your release, your passion, your quickness to demonstrate emotion, and your example of “plodding along.”

Golda Masters – For demonstrating to me a “fight to the end” attitude. For your love and “gramma-like” care to a poor young couple and their son. For your comradeship.

Tim Pusey – For always seeking out a lowly seminary student in a Kansas City crowd of bigwigs.

Brian Postlewait – For your constant challenge to think about what it means to be a part of the Kingdom.

NTS Profs – I could list each one of you individually and say how you impacted me. Thanks for leading me in ministry for the Kingdom.

Ron Benefiel - Though you don't even know it, for showing me that I can stay...and how.

Russ Metcalfe – For your example to the next generation, and your continued willingness to seek the face of God despite “time served.” And for daily prayer.

Jossie Owens – For not throwing away a letter and giving a chance to a young and crazy guy.

Larry Ogden – For demonstrating to me that generations other than my own can think too. And your grace.

Geoff DeFranca – For being a bigwig that’s not afraid to challenge the ways of our small corner of the Kingdom of God.

Scott Newell – Your sense of humor is a reminder to me to “chill out.” Thanks for praying with me every week. And thanks for starting a church community in Hingham.

Larry & Martha Wilson – For being a counselor who took interest in a young guy in his cabin. And for continuing the work in Hingham.

Mike Matthews – For your open and welcoming arms to me and my family when you probably had good human reason not to. And for continuing the work in Hingham.

Ron & Patty Parker – For your example and quiet advice. (Oh yeah, and for your daughter, my partner in ministry).

Floyd Nease - Though it may surprise many (and perhaps none more than yourself) to find your name on this list, conversations we've had have shaped my understanding of God, one way or the other. And thanks for being a sounding board each week, as in my head, I've often deleted portions of a sermon after thinking, "Uncle Floyd would think that's ridiculous." Quite often, you've been right.

Jeff – For talking theology. I look forward to more of it.

Mike Lyle – There are several on this list to whom I could give a lifetime of thanks (both in breadth and because they deserve it). You’re one of them, and I hope I can do it. Thanks for your honesty and transparency.

Grandma & Grandpa Scott - For your demonstration of what it means to be dedicated to service in the Church.

Grandpa Nease – I don’t even know where to begin. I guess if I were to pick one thing in relationship to service in the Kingdom of God, thanks for your example of humility and grace. That’s what I hear about the most as I talk to people who knew you well.

Mom – I continue to be pleasantly surprised sometimes, as I think about theology, to remember back to some conversations we had when I was growing up.

Dad – Good grief, where would I start? I guess it all started with DNA, but thanks most of all for your example of humility, grace, and plodding along despite a lack of acknowledgement. I imagine I’ll be needing that too.

Meghan - Thanks for not giving up on me, especially when we've talked late into the night about some whacko theological thing or another. I love how we've grown together.

(I really didn't mean for this to sound like I won the Oscars or something...it's just that there have been times when people have thanked me for something I've not even remembered doing, and it was an encouragement. I guess I want to do the same.)

Been a while: Brief Update & Ordination

So it's been quite a while since I've posted. Things are as crazy as ever with the three kids and the church community. But life is good.

Perhaps the two or three of you who might actually check this thing can notice a few changes around the site. One, I have the URL now (thanks to J-Twitch) www.jeremydscott.com. The old address will still work too. I hope to add to the links across the top as time goes on. We'll see...

In other news, Meghan and I get to go away alone for three days and two nights this week. North Street gave us a bedandbreakfast.com gift certificate, and we're hitting up The Maine Stay in Kennebunkport, ME. We're really looking forward to it.

And then next week I'll be ordained by the New England District Church of the Nazarene (pending GS approval...hehe...). It's been no secret here on this my site, on other blogs, and at Naznet.com that I have in the past and still do differ with some aspects of the Church of the Nazarene. However, it's taken me three years of seminary and almost five years in full-time ministry to decide that even with such variances, I believe that I can make a beneficial impact in the small corner of the Kingdom of God called the Church of the Nazarene.

Even still, that doesn't completely dispell a slight nervousness that I have in knowing that as I kneel down next Saturday, May 31st for ordination in the CotN, there is an implication to many that I'm swallowing the Manual whole. It's the future disagreements that make me slightly nervous. However, I'm quick to point out that when a resolution to change an aspect of the Manual fails at our General Assembly, no one's asking for the credentials of those who voted on the failing side.

To clarify, I uphold the Articles of Faith (though I'd change some wording). I actually really value our Articles of Faith - I think they're worthy. But there are other areas of the Manual that I find disagreeable, but not enough to make me feel like I can't support the CotN, all "in spirit and in truth" (see John 4:24).

I value much of the tradition of the Church of the Nazarenes. Our roots move me. The dedication of many to compassion inspire me. There are leaders in spotlight positions from whom I have benefited, demonstrating to me great humility and leadership. And I am excited about what the CotN is doing locally (near me). I am excited about North Street, though I've for sure learned that community is a long, hard road.

Anyway, I wanted to fire this blog up again. We'll see if it takes me ten months to post again.

Infant Baptism

On Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2007, Meghan and I gave our twin girls, Brenna Munro & Brooklyn Gwen, for infant baptism. Click here for all the pictures. It was a beautiful gathering.

Our son Brayden Wesley was also baptized as an infant on Christmas Sunday, December 25, 2005. We have just the one picture you see here. This one was special because his cousin, Karter Landen Kern, was dedicated at the very same time.

For all three of our children, we were blessed to have their grandfathers - both elders in the Church of the Nazarene - present and overseeing. Our families were well-represented (with all the Parkers present for Brayden's baptism and most of the Scotts present for the twins' baptism).

These were important events for the Scott family. Meghan and I "dedicated" our children to God the day we knew they existed. We chose infant baptism for all three for a number of reasons. Baptism is many things. Perhaps at the forefront for us, it is the public entrance (welcoming!) of an individual into the Christian community of faith. In my own experience (and in Meghan's), we were both born "into" the Church. We've never known life outside of the Church. While we've had our fallings and shortcomings, we've really always been a part of the Church. We want the same for our children.

So yes, we made that decision for our children. They can choose to accept or reject that decision at an appropriate age - as they can and will with all the decisions we'll make for them throughout their early lives. It's obviously our hope and prayer that we raise them in ways that are most conducive to them making the choice to follow Christ.

What happened at their baptism was a sign of and to something, not an end. I believe that this is true for all baptisms. Baptism is a sign and symbol of what happens in one's life.

One thing that was beautiful about the gathering for Brooklyn and Brenna's baptism is that our community of faith got to recognize the affirmation of a little girl's own infant baptism. Just the week before, a girl in the church prayed to acknowledge Christ. For her, it was the "confirmation" of her own infant baptism that her parents had initiated when she was a baby. It's good to see it come full circle! It's to this end that Meghan and I pray.

The last thing I'd add for now is that it's important to us that this happen within our local church community. As a reception into the community of faith, these children become a part of the Church through this local church. North Street had already been so supportive of the kids in every way, but it's important to me (as Dad and as Pastor) that the community be reminded that these children are theirs.

Meghan and I get the unbelievable privilege, joy, and responsibility of taking care of these three kids for a few years. What we do will shape them tremendously. This is an awesome responsibility and one we don't take lightly. I'm not sure there's anything more important in our lives for which we can be so directly responsible. This is it.

By the way, we don't hold infant baptism as prescriptive for anyone (though I'll recommend it in my own community). We just chose it as we saw it best for our kids.

For Brenna & Brooklyn's baptisms, we used about 90% of the order of service that Dennis Bratcher provides at the Christian Resource Institute (click here to see it).

Brian McLaren on the Kingdom

I think I've demonstrated here before that I love the image of a kingdom in describing how God works. Jesus talks about it all the time. We have good and bad examples of the image in the Old Testament. Personally, I think I might like it because I've always been fascinated by these kinds of stories - The Princess Bride, The Sword in the Stone, King Arthur, etc.

There were recently two videos put on my favorite visual liturgy site (The Work of the People) of my favorite author, Brian McLaren in which he discusses the image of the Kingdom of God. I've posted them both here (sorry...I'm not sure how to get them to not start playing both at once...you'll have to use the pause button).

Good stuff.