Send Me!

One of the most startling core beliefs of Washington Cathedral is that we a serving church. We live in a world where people honk their horn in traffic wanting everyone else to get off the road because they are in the way. People are evolving into egocentric members of the new modern society. Washington Cathedral’s core value of “Care for the People You Find and Find People to Care,” does not resonate with some people. I heard someone say: “It makes me tired to think about building the greatest caring network ... can’t I be a Christian and just not care for my neighbors?” And I get it - many people in this age of vacations and energy-saving devices are just tired. We are in an age where we receive reports that over 50% of people feel that nobody cares about them. My heart goes out to them and our community.

Our DNA to care and serve comes from the DNA of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t work if we are not constantly infusing our hearts with the Jesus we have chosen to follow. And the source of my joy and strength is Jesus; and to be on his team and do the things he teaches us to do.

This week we will experience an inspirational worship aimed at freeing us of those things that

weigh us down and rob us if our energy and love of life. If we want to be All In for life, then we need to let down our insecurities and dare to belong. But to belong we need to learn to serve, because that is what following Jesus means. And yes, there is a lot to learn about the way serving can fuel us rather than make us tired. I don’t think any of us can afford to miss this weekend of worship.

Your friend always,

Pastor Tim

Belonging...

Phase One of our new, church-wide campaign on ALL IN brings us to Belonging. The first opportunity for each of us to belong in a local church is a really big step. Most never really experience this step towards life blessing. You can try out a church, even for 35 years, and still miss the security and the rest of knowing that you belong. Isaiah Chapter 2 teaches about this big step. It shows how we must relax and trust in an organization of imperfect people and vast cultural differences. Only God can help unusual people to love one another and become the Family of Christ.

We had a great 35th Anniversary and thank you for your part in the astonishing history of Washington Cathedral! This week hear a testimony from someone who was really transformed by the love, acceptance and forgiveness they found in our fellowship. We have an amazing slideshow of the history of this great caring network. Also, be lifted by the vision of this body of Christ for the near future.

I know you will be encouraged and strengthened in your life from the worship this week. Strengthen your bond of belonging to a great organization who actually believe that-

“greater is he who is in you then he who is in the world.”

Your friend always,

Pastor Tim White

Celebrating 35 Years

by Pastor Tim White

35th Anniversary since the beginning of Washington Cathedral.

Life is lived in moments, not clicks on a dial. You can tell me about your life by telling me great stories of interconnected moments. If you miss those moments, then you miss life.

This weekend is one of those moments that you cannot afford to miss. We will be thanking God with all our hearts, for the past 35 years in this community and experiencing a chain of miracle moments called Washington Cathedral. Everyone is invited to share in an unforgettable moment. The pioneers who established this church, those who helped us who have moved on but still remain part of the family, and new attenders. We all have had a role in this story so let’s celebrate together! The church will be decorated with pictures and balloons. The music will be a “Once-Every-35 years” experience! The worship will cause your heart to soar. Experience the epic story, see the pictures and voices of adventures gone by and experience the vision for the next 35 years. Join in a delicious brunch to enjoy together after the 10:30 service and a short all-church meeting following the brunch. Don’t miss this close encounter with a landmark dream.

Your friend

Pastor Tim White

Get Back Up

by Pastor Tim White

I was waiting and visiting with a good friend as he was getting ready to go to glory. That might sound strange to you, but in my world, it is a vivid depiction of this event. We were laughing and sharing stories as we were waiting for the moment that was coming - he would be passing on to heaven. Finally, he looked up at me as we shared this moment of friendship, and his voice, deep and full of character, said “well it’s been quite a party hasn’t it?” I replied with the same expression in my eyes, just as he started to change the subject - “Yea, it has been quite a party.” I could see and feel the glory of this moment as we looked back on years of adventures with all the amazing victories and defeats. And he did go to glory. Anyone that entered that hospital room right then would have seen, tangibly, that moment of glory.

How? Why? Because my friend had chosen courageously many years ago to get in the Great Game. He was no spectator; he was a full participant in everything that matters in life.

We have been studying from Hebrews 11 - The Faith Chapter and learning about how we can get in the Game of Life.

We conclude our series this week on “How to Get Back Up Again.” We are all going to get knocked down at some point because life is a contact sport. To be in the game is not for the faint of heart. This is an essential skill to learn - the art of getting back up again. Please join us as we move forward in our ‘getting back up again’ skills.

Let me remind you that on the first weekend in October we will be having a Big 35 Year Anniversary Celebration of Washington Cathedral. I have received over one hundred congratulations to our church for this our 35th Anniversary! It is going to be a big party and we would love for you to come.

Your friend for the rest of my life.

Pastor Tim

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

by Pastor Tim White

"Be yourself - everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde.

When you get to heaven, God is not going to ask you why you weren’t more like Moses. He won’t ask you why you weren’t more like Billy Graham or your dad. He will ask you why you weren’t more like you. Think about it, God designed you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Jesus Christ died for you so that you could be free of all the weights which would hold you back. He alone can set us free from sin and the urge to self-destruct. God has an idea of you, and it is a beautiful idea. The struggle against all the pressures that would push you to go down the broad road that leads to destruction are great. But Jesus would love to inspire us to take the high road as we reach to become our best selves.

This weekend you will receive the inspiration in our study of the Faith Chapter in Hebrews to go for it. I have a friend who is a football coach and he is having a tough year. He posted on social media, “heck yes, it is a gol’ darn hard year! But I just need one person to believe in me.” That is translated from coach-speak to preacher-speak. I immediately posted - “I believe in you go for it.” He sent me a note - That is all I needed pastor - we are going to turn around this season.

It was Emerson who said, "Faithful to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is one of the greatest accomplishments.” I can see it. I can see it by watching kids on the playground. I can see it by listening to the voice of an adult who feels that they’ve lost their way. And I can see it in the Love Chapter. I would be so encouraged to see you in church this weekend. Come with an open mind and heart ready to have God download the inspiration that you need in order to be the person that you were meant to be. The music will be great.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

God's Surprises

by Pastor Tim White

Let me share with you a positive thought for your day. Did you know that every day that you have ahead of you, God will surprise you with a gift that you can rejoice and be glad in? As you know I have so many inspirational stories from 45 years of ministry. One of my favorite stories is of a young marine from our church during the Kuwait war. A young Marine Captain was ordered to Saudi Arabia to prepare for the invasion. No one knew how long this war would take. The young marine was a newlywed and as you would expect, his wife was deeply distressed. So, he went to a local florist and asked them to bring his wife flowers every week while he was gone. You can imagine what a blessing this surprise was to the young wife. I have good news! Your Heavenly Father intends to surprise you with a gift every day for the rest of your life. How do you sign up? Come to church and I will tell you how the rest of your life can be a series of amazing gifts from a loving God.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Faith to Run

by Pastor Tim White

Part of the answer to most theological questions is that it’s not all about you. That was the premise of Rick Warren’s phenomenal best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life. Hurricanes happen, earthquakes happen, diseases happen and it happens that people can make terrible choices. God’s heart breaks when a baby dies but we don’t stop praying. When tragedy happens, we get to work loving and caring the way only God would do. So, the crowd is cheering in Hebrews Chapter 12 when we even think about running the race God has set before us. But why are most people afraid to join this happy minority who enter the great game of life? One of the reasons is that we need more faith to dare to run the race. Most pull up with a loser’s limp, so they have an excuse for never really trying. The disciples once asked Jesus, “We believe, can you help our unbelief?”

This week we will be studying the 11th Chapter of Hebrews -The Faith Chapter. Can you imagine what a blessing our church could be to the world if we all increased our faith by 25 percent? That is what we are shooting for this weekend at Washington Cathedral. Won’t you join us?

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White

Get In The Game

by Pastor Tim White

What an exciting time of year! Students and teachers are going back to school. Some preachers even going back to church. Football, soccer and cross-country participants getting back in the game. We were made to get in the game. It is the greatest hunger of humanity. Our lives were meant for an exciting purpose, but since life is not all about you, then we will be most fulfilled when we are using our gifts to help others. That is God’s way and we will never be happy until we get in the game.

I love Hebrews 12 which teaches us that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses so we should set aside every sin which would so easily beset us and run the race. Are you ready to quit being a spectator and become a participant in the great game of life?

Join me this weekend as we begin a new series on Hebrews as I get back into the great game.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Soulful Hospitality

by Pastor Tim White

God’s Life Make Space for Others

The Bible has a lot to say about the gift of hospitality. In the Middle East, ever since time began, hospitality is no joke. I remember when I was living in Jerusalem and my Archeology professor challenged us to try and make friends with some Bedouins. A friend of mine, Dave Hamlin and I, spotted some out in the desert and we made the long hike to meet them. It was a little bit spooky because they recognized no boundaries and their lifestyle had not changed since the time of Abraham. We did not speak very much of their language, but they invited us to have dinner with them. When we told our Professor (who was a famous Israeli General) he replied, “all of the cultures of the Middle East hold hospitality as one of their highest ideals. It’s a little like Alaska where you can go to jail for not showing hospitality to someone in need. Hospitality can be a matter of life and death in the desert.”

Dr. Marty Folsom is preaching this week on Soulful Hospitality. Jackie and I had the honor of being Marty and Cindy’s guests for a dinner and an evening of fellowship. They both worked together to show us “five-star hospitality”. God worked through their gift of being relaxed and encouraging as well as in the excellence of the whole evening.

The church reaches new people when we extend hospitality. Our families become strong when we learn hospitality. And we become more unified and loving when we practice hospitality. Be praying that I will be able to return and preach on Labor Day Weekend, but until then, you are in great hands with Dr. Marty Folsom this weekend.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

P.S. Join us for worship this Saturday at 5:30 pm or Sunday at 10:30 am. Out of town or unable to join us in person, catch us on Facebook Live at 10:30 am Sunday (or view it later on the Washington Cathedral Facebook Page).

When God Calls - Answer the Phone

by Pastor Tim White

Never in all of history have so many of us failed to answer our phones as much as we do today.

Right? We are bombarded by phone calls from people that tell us that we are in trouble with the IRS and you must mail them gift cards to pay to the debt. Surveys, free vacations, amazing investment opportunities (which would cause us to go broke if we fell for their scams). Even spam calls from those selling a product to help us with all the spams. Our home phone (which we have had for 35 years) has not been answered for a couple of years now. Every time it rings it shows up on our TV, but we don’t even have a phone to answer it anymore. We have tried to cancel it, but our Cable Company told us it would cost more to cancel it than to keep it. When I published my Doctoral Dissertation, it contained my Vitae which included my phone number, so I guess I deserve a few international calls every day. The less efficient television, print and radio advertising have become, causes companies to invest in Robo calls.

What if God called us and we did not answer? One of my favorite people in the world - Ron Wilbur, will be preaching this weekend on that very subject. For those who don’t know, Ron, and his wife, Faye, are former members of our church. They were dependable pioneers for Washington Cathedral helping other pioneers to found this church. Ron soon became a reluctant but fruitful TLC leader for us. Their advertising agency grew to include several cities until their office in Orange County became the most fruitful office. As their business continued to grow, they attended Saddleback Church where they met Rick Warren. Rick called Ron into ministry in Saddleback’s small group ministry. Ron advanced to become a Director of Small Groups at Saddleback. Following the DNA of Washington Cathedral, he also started a ministry of his own called Motel Church Ministry ministering to some of the people who are very isolated and living in motels. This ministry became a national ministry.

This weekend Ron will be sharing why Jesus urges us to “Ask, Seek, Knock.” In other words when God calls, we do need to answer the phone. If you want to be inspired, then please don’t miss Ron Wilbur preaching at the weekend services at Washington Cathedral: 5:30 pm on Saturday and 10:30 am on Sunday. Don’t forget if you are out of town or for some reason can’t be at one of our services, you can always attend our service via Facebook Live. Check it out on the Washington Cathedral Facebook Page.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White