Summer BDG at SMC

Today I received approval from the Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) Chaplain to initiate a Bible discussion group (BDG) for students this summer. The past few weeks, I’ve been increasing my time on that campus, and the people I’ve met are fantastic. This summer BDG is a promising opportunity to help students grow in their faith. I have invited a few students and encouraged them to invite their friends. We still need to decide when and where to meet each week. Please pray that God will use this group to bring glory to Him and to empower students to more faithfully follow His Son through the power of His Spirit.

If you’re on Facebook, you can access the group profile by clicking here.

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Transitions

In my last post, I mentioned that I was planning to speak at Spartanburg Methodist College Tuesday night. I did, and God blessed my time that evening with the SMC community. 62 students were in attendance, plus the chaplain and me. The students seemed to pay attention, and they responded with some good questions at the end.

Wednesday morning, I was on that campus again to preach in the weekly chapel assembly. About 200 people attended that event, and I spoke about transitions in life. Here is a summary of the sermon.

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Life is filled with transitions. One of my teachers several years ago said that the only constant thing is change. We go through many transitions in life, like graduating from high school, going to college, adjusting to college during the freshman year, choosing classes, declaring a major, selecting a career, making and losing friends, beginning dating relationships, breaking up, and deciding what to believe.

How can we survive the transitions in our lives?

When I was a child, we often sang a hymn that begins to answer that question. It’s called, “Hold to God’s Unchaning Hand,” and the first verse says:

Time is filled with swift transition,

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchaning hand.

That hymn ties nicely to an old story in the Bible. It’s an ancient story with contemporary applications for transitions.

In Deuteronomy, the Israelites have been wandering in the wilderness for forty years. The generation that experienced God’s mighty deliverance from Egyptian slavery has almost completely died off. A new generation is about to enter the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites, reminding them of whose they are and, therefore, who they should be and how they should act. God, through Moses, gives the people several commands, but they are more than dos and don’ts; they are based on God’s characteristics. The Israelites should want to live in ways that please God because God has been so good to them.

Moses warns his people that the new land has other cultures of people who worship other gods and do things that are not appropriate for God’s people. These different people and their strange beliefs and actions will tempt the Israelites to forget their identity as God’s people and to do things that neglect God’s goodness that is supposed to shape their faith and behavior.

The people are coming to a major transition, and Moses reminds them of what God has done for them and what God expects of them. Then he goes up on a mountain to die, and Joshua becomes the Israelites’ new leader.

Joshua has already proven himself as a great military commander. He has been Moses’ assistant for several years, and he has learned from Moses’ wise leadership. He has learned to commune with God, and he has learned that he is not perfect. He has shown his confidence in God’s faithfulness.

Now Joshua must lead the Israelites through a major transition, from being wildreness wanderers to claiming the Promised Land and settling in their own towns. But Joshua has never done this before. In fact, no one has. He probably feels afraid and uncertain and nervous, which is why Moses and God and the military officers tell him to be “strong and courageous.”

In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, near the end of Moses’ farewell address, he commissions Joshua as the new leader and says, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

In Joshua 1:6, God tells Joshua,”Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.” Then, in verse 9, God tells him, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” In verse 18, some of the military officers also tell Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” This theme pops up again near the end of the book, in chapter 23, where Joshua tells his people to “be very strong.”

But how are Joshua and his people to “be strong and courageous?”

In 1:6-9, God tells Joshua how to do it. He is to obey what God has said, talk about what God has said, meditate on what God has said, and know that the Lord will be with him.

In 23:6-11, Joshua tells the people to “be very strong,” and he gives them some ways to do that. They are to obey what God has said, avoid serving other gods, “hold fast to the LORD,” remember what God has done, and be “very careful to love the LORD.”

This advice is for God’s people in all ages. It was for the ancient Israelites. It was for the early Christians. (Hebrews 13:5 quotes Joshua 1:5.) And I believe it is for us today, too.

When you encounter transitions, whether large or small, follow the insights from this biblical story.

Remember whose you are, and let whose you are determine who you are and how you live.

You will experience temptations to live in ways that are contrary to your identity as God’s people. When this happens, remember the words of Joshua: “Be very careful to love the LORD your God.”

Remember the good things God has done throughout history and in your own lives.

Follow the guidelines God gave to Joshua as he was preparing for the Israelites’ great transition. Joshua was to obey what God had said; and in order to obey it, he had to read it and study it. He was to meditate on what God had said, and he was to talk with people about it. He was to remember that God was with him. All these things helped Joshua do what God had said.

So as you try to find your way through the transitions in your life, remember these biblical principles:

1. Read and study what God has said.

2. Meditate on what God has said.

3. Talk about what God has said.

4. Remember the good things God has done.

5. Remember that God never forsakes His people.

6. Let these practices shape who you are and how you live.

God will get you through the transitions, and those transitions will strengthen you and glorify God. Through it all, remember: “Be strong and courageous!”

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[All quotes from the Bible come from the New International Version.]

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Introduction to Steven

As many of you know, I am working toward a second master’s degree. I am scheduled to take History of Christianity 2 at Abilene Christian University this spring semester.

The professor asked the class members to post Facebook responses to these questions: “What is your name and what would you like to be called? Where are you from? Tell us something unusual about your hometown. Tell us about your family. Are you single, married, have children? What is your vocation and/or occupation? Why are you taking this class? How do you see it fitting with your vocation or ministry? How comfortable are you on a computer? What do you do most often when online? What music do you listen to or what kinds of films do you enjoy? What attracts you to specific bands or movies. What do you enjoy reading or doing when you have free time? What else would your best friend tell us about you? What else would a parent or teacher tell us about you? What things are you excited about concerning this class? What are your apprehensions or fears about this class? What else would you like to tell us about yourself?”

My response was two posts, as indicated by the P.S. Here is a modified version. Happy New Year!

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My parents named me Steven Tramel Gaines. My first name derives from the biblical character with the same name (misspelled in the English translations of the Bible, of course). My mom gave me her maiden name as my middle name, leading to a tight connection with my extended family. Obviously, my last name comes from my dad’s family. I call myself “Steven,” as do most people. I also answer to “Steve,” but I never sign my name that way, except when I sign a birthday card “Uncle Steve.”

While my parents were living in Prosper, Texas, I was born in a neighboring city, McKinney, Texas. Both of those cities are northern suburbs of Dallas. My family moved several times, and we lived in a few Texas towns (Allison, Lamesa, and Afton) and at the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home before finally “settling” in the tiny community of Imperial, Texas, which housed about 400 people. The high school was small enough that I got to participate in many extracurricular activities, both academic and athletic, including six-man football. The town is flat, hot, and dry. It’s a desert community with a passion for football.

Tamara is my fantastic wife, and we married in July of 2005. We met when she moved to Abilene to start graduate school at ACU, where she earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology and then taught and counseled in the Department of Student Success for three years. She has a heart for marginalized populations and is a former board member of Hope Haven of Abilene. She is originally from the northwestern part of Arkansas and completed her bachelor’s degree at Harding University. She is a Razorbacks fan. We do not have any children yet.

I keep one foot in church ministry and one foot in higher education. My full-time job is with the Central Church of Christ in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I’m primarily a campus minister, directing our new ministry with university students; but I also preach occasionally and do some other tasks for the congregation. In addition to working with Central, I teach two public speaking classes each semester at the University of South Carolina Upstate.

As a Master of Divinity student, I am taking this class as a degree requirement. More than a requirement, this course provides knowledge that can help ministry be more responsible and stories that can enrich faith and life.

Computers and I usually cooperate fairly well, as long as everything works properly. When I encounter any technological problems, I dial a friend. Most of my time online involves email, Facebook, blogging, and finding recipes.

I listen to music that enhances my faith, raises my soul, and/or helps me understand culture(s), especially worldviews and experiences of university students and young adults. I enjoy films that challenge my faith.

I like to read books that increase my understanding of faith experiences and struggles in my generation and that of the students I serve. I also occasionally read poetry and novels, preferably from other cultures. (Yes, of course, I read the Bible each day too.) In my free time, I play cards or board games, hang out with Tamara and guy friends, going on hiking and camping trips, watch occasional movies, write, and visit local coffee shops (no Starbucks, please).

My parents would tell you I am the greatest son ever. My teachers would say I need to be very intentional about staying disciplined in my studies. And I would try to live up to their expectations.

I am excited about filling in some of the gaps in my knowledge of our story, and I look forward to sharing some parts of that story with the students I serve. I anticipate ending the class with a greater understanding and appreciation of people, events, and ideas that have shaped who we are and where we are going. I hope to sense God at work through the pages of history.

Apprehensions or fears about this class? I, like David, have heard that the professor is somewhat difficult. But trust me–he is not as vicious in a church setting.

What else can I tell you about me?

I grew up in a Christian family, was baptized just before my tenth birthday, began preaching in high school, and lost my faith and became an agnostic as an undergraduate university student. God brought me back to faith, which now manifests itself in me differently that how I have seen it in many of the traditions of the religious heritage in which I grew up and still live, worship, and minister. Now I relish any opportunity to join students in faith crises.

I try to avoid political conversations in church contexts, and I refuse to pledge my allegiance to any political party, but I do vote. The marriage of the Christian faith with the Republican Party frustrates me. I long for the church to act like Christ’s body in caring for the poor and ostracized of all varieties. I struggle with understanding how to obey Christ’s economic commands in my affluent society. I live in a community with a history of racial inequality, and I try to equip students to embody the reconciliation for which Jesus died.

God has blessed me with many ministry experiences in other cultures, and I recently returned from a short time with churches in Southeast Asia. I am a fan of real Asian cuisines, but I can enjoy some American varieties too. I also appreciate Mexican food and Abilene steaks.

Let me add a P.S. I answered the hometown question by telling you about the town in which I spent the most years of my childhood. Maybe I should tell you about the city I currently call home. Spartanburg, SC, is part of a small metroplex of about half a million people. Spartanburg and Greenville are the largest cities of the region and have many smaller towns surrounding them, creating a mini-DFW. The land is beautiful, with gentle hills, tall trees, lakes, rivers, and lots of grass. The Blue Ridge Mountains are only about a 30-minute drive away, and we can drive to the beach in just a few hours. We are a day-trip driving distance from Atlanta and Charlotte. The community has some cultural richness, as mentioned in my first post. I enjoy working with the church and university in Spartanburg, but I dislike being so far away from family. (My wife’s family is in Northwest Arkansas, and my family is mostly in West Texas–about three hours west of Abilene.)

The new campus ministry with which I work seeks to reach students on five local campuses–University of South Carolina Upstate, Wofford College, Converse College, Spartanburg Methodist College, and Spartanburg Community College. We also are beginning to have a presence on the campus of North Greenville University. USC Upstate is our primary campus of emphasis. All together, there are about 13,000 college students in Spartanburg during the semesters.

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