Reflections on Tom Watson

For those of you who didn’t get a chance to witness 59 year old pro golfer Tom Watson’s run at a 9th major championship…you missed more then just a potential chance to witness history. Although Tom would miss an 8 ft. putt on the final hole and go on to lose in a 4 hole playoff to Stewart Cink, he did it with dignity and class. I heard a news reporter refer to Tom’s class as “old school”, as if to suggest today’s athletes have lost a bit of that “class” when it comes to how they handle themselves in defeat. We’ve seen it before, from Lebron James not shaking hands after losing, to Tiger Woods slamming his club and spouting off a few choice words. It’s no secret that I don’t care for Tiger Woods and the way he throws a fit. I understand that he’s competitive, believe me, I’m VERY competitive myself. But I can’t even let my kids watch golf because of Tiger’s language and temper tantrums. That’s why it was so refreshing to watch Tom Watson lose with grace and dignity and serve as an example that there is more to life then winning and losing.

Update 6/17/09

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated the blog.  It’s easy to let time slip away.  

I’ve been settling in to my new job as worship pastor at Allen Memorial.  I’m really enjoying it.  The band is awesome.  Not only are they good musicians, but they’re good people.  The pastor and staff are incredible.  Allen is a church that is intentional about discipleship!!

Things at home are going well.  My son Jonah just turned 7.  Alaina and Alexandra are becoming little ladies.  Michelle is busy obsessing about chicken coups and yard work.  My wife is really wanting a chicken coup.  She wants to be able to get fresh eggs. I thinks it’s a pretty cool idea, but I’m not very “handy” when it comes to building things.  We’ll see.

Into The Great Wide Open

I often compare my life to a giant jukebox. That means that I typically have a song for every season of life. That’s the power of music. It can sum up in 4:30 seconds what couldn’t be said in a lifetime. My life is about to change “again” and it “Into The Great Wide Open” as Tom Petty would say.

When I left full-time ministry over 4 years ago…I was laying it down and leaving it in the Lord’s hands. Although I continued to lead worship here and there, it was on my own terms and at my own pace. I eventually stepped away from it altogether. Although I guess you could argue that working for a Christian radio station is “full-time” ministry. It really doesn’t compare to the day to day of pastoral duties.

With that said. I have officially taken up a full-time position at Allen Memorial Church in Salisbury, MD as the worship/media pastor. I’m gonna miss everyone at the radio station. It was always a dream of mine to have that job. I felt so honored when they gave me the chance despite not being qualified. I had a great mentor and friend in Rodney Baylous. He is truly one of the greatest men I have worked for. And hopefully I’ll still be available to help out if they need me.

So here we go into the great wide open….a rebel without a clue?? Nah…I feel really good about this one. All of us are called to share the message of hope. And God has gifted each of us to do that in a special way. I’ll take six strings and the truth any day.

Recent Reflections

The church has come a long way in terms of catching up to technology and trends.  It has served a good purpose.  It has narrowed the generational gap.  However, with that being said, nothing…and I mean nothing will ever take the place of doing the work that God has called us to.  And that is to GO OUT and make disciples of all nations.  We need to recognize the importance of relational ministry.  Sure…we can use cool production, great worship and a relevant message, but it will never take the place of real one on one discipleship.  Church should only be one component of what our faith looks like.

I asked myself the question recently…”How many unsaved friends do I have” and “besides leading worship…what am I doing to personally reach the lost?”  Sad to say the answer was “very little”.  I may work at a Christian radio station and I may lead worship at church…but that will never take the place of doing the work of personal evangelism.  I cannot hide behind these things.  Don’t get me wrong.  I know that you can’t go out and force yourself on people.  Most of us run in cirlces of influence.  My prayer though is that all of us will look at our lives and step outside of what feels comfortable.  There are people that we probably know that are bound for hell and we just might be the difference.  Call that person up and have a cup of coffee.  Even if he or she isn’t someone you’d typically hang with.

“Lord…please give me favor with people.  That I may influence and not be ashamed of the Gospel.  That I might be bold in my witness and make the most of every opportunity.  Thank you for your grace and forgive me of my lazy attitude toward the salavation of others….Amen”

March Worship Madness

Just an FYI.  I’ll be leading worship for the first four Sundays in March at Allen Memorial Church in Salisbury.  I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the worship team and staff.  Looks like good things are happening there.  I’m excited to be apart of it…if only for a season.  Contemporary service times are 9:30 and 11am.  Pastor Bill is starting a series called “Divorce-proof Your Marriage.”  Visit www.allenmemorial.org for more info.

The question I’ve been asked “Did you ever think you’d be leading worship at a Baptist church?”  The answer: “I never thought they’d cancel the Cosby Show…but they did”  Essentially…what I think doesn’t matter in the scope of what God is doing.  I want my desire to be His desire.  And He has always been faithful to speak to my heart.  God is doing some really cool things in all denominations across the board.  If He is no respecter of persons…then the same might apply to denominations as well.  I’m honestly looking to be apart of something that still has some sort of tradition left to it.  It seems so many churches are making radical intentional steps to tear out the old wooden altar for a cool mocha bar….which is all good and well…I just personally imagine a scenario where tradition, media and the Holy Spirit can peacefully exist.  Of course I’m not talking about the kind of tradition that makes the word of God “null & void”, I mean the kind that enhances ones experience and draws us into the presence of God.  I’m not even sure what that looks like, but I’d like to find out.  See you at the pot luck dinner!!

Life Update

Just thought I’d write a “catch-all” about what I’ve been up to these past few weeks.  I just finished a busy week.  Saturday night I played at a Valentines event.  I was joined by a friend (Aaron Hearn) who played keyboard with me.  I’ve always loved strings and keys…so I’m excited about writing some songs with Aaron. These new songs aren’t going to be your typical “Corey Franklin” songs. Not even sure what that means…but there going to sound different.  I’m not playing guitar on these songs, which is a big deal.  I wanted to be free to focus on vocals.

Sunday I co-led worship at Bay Shore Community Church.  It’s always a blessing to go back there and see so many people that I miss and love.  A good friend, Paul Donovan, also came back to play guitar.  It was a very special Sunday.

Be praying for me.  I’m at a bit of a crossroad in life.  I’ll have some decisions to pray through and I need wisdom.  The Lord has been so gracious to grant me favor with so many people.  I have truly been blessed.  The other night when I was playing at the Gala…I looked out into the audience and I saw people from every part of my life over the past 15 years.  At one table was Carlton Jones, he was the farmer that I worked three summers for when I was younger.  When he heard I was doing a CD he gave me $100.00 to help.  At another table was Pastor Joe Lecates.  He was associate pastor at the first church I attended after I got married.  He was always so encouraging.  And then I saw Al Hook.  He was my junior high leader when I was youth pastor at Bay Shore.  His passion for the Lord was contagious.  Then there was Bev. She worked with me at the Dukes Lumber.  She always kept me in-line.  I saw Mary Hildebrand.  Her son “Jake” was in my youth group.  She has cancer and the doctors have told her that they can’t get all the cancer.  The look in her eyes still spoke of hope.  I could go on and on about the people I got to see.  At first I complained because as far as the music went…it didn’t go all that well.  But the Lord showed me something more important.  He gave me a glimpse of the past and the people who helped shape me.  I am truly blessed.

Classic Bay Shore

Found these little treasures. This is me leading worship in 2005 at Bay Shore Community Church. I’ll post a few more from time to time. Don’t mind the bad lighting. I look evil!!

Fast Food Religion

I’m sure I’ve heard that term before. And it seems to stand true. We live in a fast food culture that allows us many different choices and options for daily living. That being said…I see this pattern in the church all to often.

Have you ever been to a church and then maybe visited a year or two later and was like “where did everyone go?” You didn’t recognize a single face. I’m not saying it’s always any fault of the church. It just seems people tend to migrate to the latest and greatest thing. I know it’s not true in every case. I’m sure it just comes with the territory. I mean lets face it…people are people (profound statement, I know) Scripture does talk about people wanted their ears tickled. Basically…tell me what I want to hear.

I know there are many different styles in the church culture. And I can appreciate that fact. I think dynamics play a part in shifting trends. You’ve got communities where there is an overwhelming majority of traditional churches. Many of them may be lifeless and stale. Then you have a few exceptions of more relevant and trend setting churches within that same sphere. Many people are looking for the truth. They are looking for something that is real. Some are just looking for religion. I’m not convinced that relevant and trendy will win out at the end of the day.

I’m not sure why people drive in and out of churches. I’ve talked to a number of friends who are wandering in the wilderness. They love the Lord and the body of Christ. They just feel like they haven’t found what they’re looking for in a church. So it raises two questions 1. Do we have unrealistic expectations of the church? 2. Do we need better churches? I won’t lose any sleep over it. Just something to ponder.

Adam Bender

Something to give you hope…

Slow To Speak…Quick To Stutter

Those of you that know me know that I have a speech impediment. Actually…I stutter. Some people that I know might not be able to pick up on it. That’s because I don’t do it much anymore. I think it started when I was 5 although I can’t be sure. My wife swears it’s because my mom made me switch from my left hand to my right…whatever. The point is…I stuttered. Honestly, I think it had a lot to do with talking way to fast and getting ahead of my self. It was also anxiety. I still struggle with talking on the phone and other social scenarios. My wife would tease me that I would always order 4 hamburgers at a drive-thru…”Yes I’d like a ham …ham …ham …hamburger” she thought she was so funny.

I was teased pretty heavy in my middle school years. There always the toughest. It taught me humility early on and I’m glad for it. It didn’t, however, shut me up. I started taking speech therapy in elementary school. I was paired up with a girl who couldn’t pronounce the letter “r” very well. I thought “man, at least she can get the letter out!” My speech teacher told me something that I almost forgot about until the other day. She told me that I would probably want to chose a profession that required little to no talking and one that didn’t put me with a bunch of people. Basically…marry someone rich so you never have go out in public!! Little did she know that God had plans of his own for my life.

So I made it to high school and didn’t need therapy anymore. It seemed my stutter began to improve as I grew up. I felt confident to begin doing things I would never have done years before. I acted in the school play. I sang in the choir.

Looking back it’s kinda funny that I was encouraged to live my live around my impediment. The Lord, however, in His infinite wisdom and good sense of humor, would call me to a ministry of speaking and singing publicly. Currently I work in Christian radio hosting a mid-day show. All from someone who should “avoid” any job that would require him to speak. I’m so glad we serve a God who sees what others might never see. He gives grace to the weak and uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

So what’s your excuse for not using the gifts God has given you? Know that what society perceives as weakness…God sees as a strength. I may still stutter on occasion, but that won’t stop me from opening my big mouth for the Lord!