When i was a kid, my parents and pastor made me go. It was torture. And yet, part of it was fun. I still rememember the dance on the last night. Hormones were thicker than the late June humidity. It was itself a rite of passage, having gone to confirmation camp. When I told my school friends what I did in June, they said "What's that?" I had the same question and I still do.
I love outdoor ministry. I love camping. My three-year old son loves it now too. He's been sold on it because of the bugs and the little cabin we get to sleep in.
But the content of the experience is not what it ought to be. We have a week with middle schoolers in the woods without cell phones, tvs, or parents to interfere.
Why teach them in a classroom? They need to experiment, to practice the best possible Christian practices...
I will get the 7th graders to make Lutheran rosaries. I had the 8th graders involved in a silent, experiential walk through the Passion of Jesus. Group Publishing puts out these dvds with slides and mood music that walk a group through a prayerful meditation. Tomorrow, we will reenact parables of Jesus and make rosaries. And we will pray.
When i was 14 the last thing I wanted to do at summer camp was take notes in a classroom about the gospels or Lutheranism. I wanted to have fun. And I wanted a girlfriend...Jesus had nothing on Tammy!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
out on a LIMB
I don't want to be that church; the one I described in my last post. I don't want to be irrelevant, hypocritical, or dispassionate. I want to go out on a LIMB and invite us to be a living hope inspired to serve in a trying time. I want us to embrace the missional way of Jesus and be the church that responds to our changing and challenging context with passion and grace. (Maybe I should go to work for LDR or LWR or GM; three wonderfully responsive, yet publically unrecognized parts of the Lutheran church.)
Are you feeling any of this too? Like God expects more from us? I want us to go out on a LIMB together. LIMB is an acronym for Lutherans as Intentional Missional Bodies. LIMB. It's a gospel image from John 15, the vine and the branches. The church as Jesus' limbs--His hands, His feet. Bearing the marks of the cross and yet going out, reaching out, walking together with people. Going out on a LIMB means taking risks, being bold, bearing fruit!
Here's what I propose. if you are interested in discovering ways to go out on a LIMB as Jesus' called disciple, email me. We will get started. I envision a learning community, mission driven and committed to practicing a spiritual way of life for the sake of the world and the coming kingdom of God. We will gather for a meal and an initial discussion this summer.
This is open to lay people and clergy. Its ecumenical too. So invite a mission-focused friend.
synod assembly
The Lutheran Church is a corporate body of believers with multiple expressions of one faith. There is the congregational expression, the conference expression, the synodical expression, the regional and churchwide expressions. What I mean is that as a church with a mission and a message (Jesus' way, truth, and life) we visibly express ourselves in communities. My congregation is one way. Another way is when synod's assemble annually---usually in the spring. We gather the 260 plus congregation's together by sending clergy and lay voting members to Gettysbuirg,PA to be the church for a few days. About 800 people gather. Our tasks: Worship, edification, and business. Here's what actually happens.
Pick a topic of global import today, something you'd like to think maybe God is attending to or dealing with in a hopeful and good way, through the work of the spirit in the church. What did you choose? Hunger? Poverty? Homelessness? War and peace? Care for creation/global warming? Deforestation? AIDS? Malaria? Sexual exploitation of women and children? Education in developing nations? Technology/media/business ethics? (Think isolation, privatization, outsourcing/slavery). Medical/health insurance ethics? (Think major profits vs. uninsured and underinsured Americans). Not too difficult to think of a few major issues facing our world today. Wonder if God cares? Wonder if God is doing something about the mess we're in?
Now for the major disconnect! In assembly we addressed none of these things. Not one. We did take a couple of offerings to continue supporting a school in Tanzania. But we said nothing about global warming and our culpability as carbon emmitters, wasters, and contributors to greenhouse gases. We said nothing in protest to the war we are fighting; not to mention anything remotely interesting about interreligious relations/dialogue. We did not take a stand on health insurance, technology, or sexual exploitation of anyone.
Now, I am guilty too. I did nothing, said nothing, enacted nothing. I regret that very much and intend to respond. I intend to call the synod to account. And I intend to take action to say something about these things which matter to most people.
What did we do? We argued about homosexual clergy and whether or not they should be allowed to serve, be ordained, and be in a mutul and faithful relationship. We argued about gay marriage. We argued about whether the church should discipline gay people who are practicing ordained ministry and are not celibate.
The closest we came to dealing with God's justice rolling down was when we decided to make "Fair Trade" a missional priority. (Mennonites have been hip to it for years.) basically you pay a fair price for goods sold through a non-profit coop in oder to assure that farmers receive a fair wage. It increases local economies and unfetters farmers from corporate fat cats who squeeze them to death. But other than fair trade, a non brainer issue, we said and did nothing.
So why didn't we take action? Our vision is too narrow. Pharisaism is rampant among leaders. Our grace is not grace. It is conditioned by a puritanical legalism that is not Lutheran. I am no antinomian. I believe the law is good.But not when it injures the neighbor. Mostly, we don't really care about what most people care about---thus reinforcing the dual claims of irrelevancy and hypocrisy.
Yes, our opinions would be diverse about many issues. How might we come to consensus? Discernment--a spiritual practice that requires prayerful listening to God's Word and the word on the streets wuold have to be practiced. We would have to view ourselves as a missional body with a message pertaining to the world's concerns. We would have to want to engage the world, actual people. We would not be allowed to create straw men to distract us from the real issues.
We would have to listen to Jesus. Perish the thought!
Pick a topic of global import today, something you'd like to think maybe God is attending to or dealing with in a hopeful and good way, through the work of the spirit in the church. What did you choose? Hunger? Poverty? Homelessness? War and peace? Care for creation/global warming? Deforestation? AIDS? Malaria? Sexual exploitation of women and children? Education in developing nations? Technology/media/business ethics? (Think isolation, privatization, outsourcing/slavery). Medical/health insurance ethics? (Think major profits vs. uninsured and underinsured Americans). Not too difficult to think of a few major issues facing our world today. Wonder if God cares? Wonder if God is doing something about the mess we're in?
Now for the major disconnect! In assembly we addressed none of these things. Not one. We did take a couple of offerings to continue supporting a school in Tanzania. But we said nothing about global warming and our culpability as carbon emmitters, wasters, and contributors to greenhouse gases. We said nothing in protest to the war we are fighting; not to mention anything remotely interesting about interreligious relations/dialogue. We did not take a stand on health insurance, technology, or sexual exploitation of anyone.
Now, I am guilty too. I did nothing, said nothing, enacted nothing. I regret that very much and intend to respond. I intend to call the synod to account. And I intend to take action to say something about these things which matter to most people.
What did we do? We argued about homosexual clergy and whether or not they should be allowed to serve, be ordained, and be in a mutul and faithful relationship. We argued about gay marriage. We argued about whether the church should discipline gay people who are practicing ordained ministry and are not celibate.
The closest we came to dealing with God's justice rolling down was when we decided to make "Fair Trade" a missional priority. (Mennonites have been hip to it for years.) basically you pay a fair price for goods sold through a non-profit coop in oder to assure that farmers receive a fair wage. It increases local economies and unfetters farmers from corporate fat cats who squeeze them to death. But other than fair trade, a non brainer issue, we said and did nothing.
So why didn't we take action? Our vision is too narrow. Pharisaism is rampant among leaders. Our grace is not grace. It is conditioned by a puritanical legalism that is not Lutheran. I am no antinomian. I believe the law is good.But not when it injures the neighbor. Mostly, we don't really care about what most people care about---thus reinforcing the dual claims of irrelevancy and hypocrisy.
Yes, our opinions would be diverse about many issues. How might we come to consensus? Discernment--a spiritual practice that requires prayerful listening to God's Word and the word on the streets wuold have to be practiced. We would have to view ourselves as a missional body with a message pertaining to the world's concerns. We would have to want to engage the world, actual people. We would not be allowed to create straw men to distract us from the real issues.
We would have to listen to Jesus. Perish the thought!
Monday, June 04, 2007
monday monday
So I go to visit the sick mother of a community member today at the county home. I can;t find her. I run into, however, a young woman from my previous pastorate. She's working there in admissions. She's living in the city with her cat. We chat for a few minutes. Mostly small talk about life. I think she's an occasional attendant at the church I used to serve. Maybe more than occasional. We didn't talk about that. I wonder why I ran into her. Was she merely a distraction from some other tasks? There were more distractions today than actual work. What does it mean when I have time to spend chatting in a nursing home lobby for twenty minutes on a Monday afternoon? And I had already spent over an hour at the mall with my wife, kids, and mother-in-law. I went to get lunch with them and the women thought I might get some new slacks and shorts. After that,I stopped at Cokesbury for some more books. Four more books. All good reading, I'm sure. Somedays I don't know what I should be doing.
I have taken to handwriting simple, personal notes to people. I'm sending cards and messages to folks as a means of contact. I wonder if it might be effective? In this culture of email and cell phones, it is insteresting to write and send a badly handwritten little note to someone. My handwriting sucks. I wonder if people will care? I send little words of encouragement, prayers, God's Word. Years ago, correspondence like this might become a treasured possession. Will all of these notes and cards end up in the trash seconds after opening/reading?
I have taken to handwriting simple, personal notes to people. I'm sending cards and messages to folks as a means of contact. I wonder if it might be effective? In this culture of email and cell phones, it is insteresting to write and send a badly handwritten little note to someone. My handwriting sucks. I wonder if people will care? I send little words of encouragement, prayers, God's Word. Years ago, correspondence like this might become a treasured possession. Will all of these notes and cards end up in the trash seconds after opening/reading?
emergent emergency
So I've read the books. Hell, I breathe missional ecclesiology. I recognize the need and the opportunity within our small mainline Lutheran congregation to be transformed by the Spirit of Jesus to love and serve the world. I'm into the whole global justice/ local missions thing. I seek to offer worship that is inspired and inspiring, collecting the deep spiritual gifts of the great evangelical, catholic, apostolic, and sacramental tradition into a kairos experience of liturgy. I desire koinonia, the mutual sharing of all the gifts of Christian faith and life, among a diverse body of believers, practicing the faith in the midst of a cracked (broken and fragmented) world. I long for peers relationships with fellow disciples.
So why isn;t it happening? This is a God question, I suppose. What am I not doing as a spiritual leader?
I would like to be part of a vibrant spiritual community. I would like to be a leader in such a community. I feel called into that. So what must I do? The books can paint a vision of such a community and the transformation needed to get from here to there. How do I move the system?
So why isn;t it happening? This is a God question, I suppose. What am I not doing as a spiritual leader?
I would like to be part of a vibrant spiritual community. I would like to be a leader in such a community. I feel called into that. So what must I do? The books can paint a vision of such a community and the transformation needed to get from here to there. How do I move the system?
Friday, June 01, 2007
June
Luke's first birthday (May 30) came and went faster than the virus we're passing around the house. High fevers, body aches, and fatigue are the symptoms. Luke had a rash, too. How nice for him. Happy 1st Birthday. And I gift you with...an infection! Think of the accompanying rash as "icing on the cake". Welcome to the human body, susceptible to attack without warning.
Jonah watched "Wizard of Oz" for the first time this week. His response was not what I expected. No fear of witch or fying monkey. I still shudder when Elvira Gulch transforms into the wicked witch as she flies outside the Gale house during their journey inside the cyclone. Not Jonah.
And I still shed a tear when Dorothy says farewell to the Scarecrow, just before the ruby slippers carry her home to Kansas. JOnah could have cared less. Maybe he's not old enough to appreciate it. Maybe the context has changed too much. He's already seen "The Lion King" and "Finding nemo", two great Disney films about coming-of-age and finding one's way, one's identity, one's gifts in family and community. Maybe Oz pales in comparison to "Pride Rock" or "the great barrier reef". Or maybe they are OZ for Jonah. Every generation needs an OZ, a kind wizard, a colorful world where good triumphs over evil. Most obviously, Harry Potter and the wizarding world of Hogwarts symbolizes the multivalent story of good v. evil, coming-of-age, and the "magic" that accompanies such an experience.
Nevertheless, an annual trip down the yellow brick road is good for the mind, the heart, and the "inner Lion" seeking courage to serve bravely in a world where wicked ones roam.
Jonah watched "Wizard of Oz" for the first time this week. His response was not what I expected. No fear of witch or fying monkey. I still shudder when Elvira Gulch transforms into the wicked witch as she flies outside the Gale house during their journey inside the cyclone. Not Jonah.
And I still shed a tear when Dorothy says farewell to the Scarecrow, just before the ruby slippers carry her home to Kansas. JOnah could have cared less. Maybe he's not old enough to appreciate it. Maybe the context has changed too much. He's already seen "The Lion King" and "Finding nemo", two great Disney films about coming-of-age and finding one's way, one's identity, one's gifts in family and community. Maybe Oz pales in comparison to "Pride Rock" or "the great barrier reef". Or maybe they are OZ for Jonah. Every generation needs an OZ, a kind wizard, a colorful world where good triumphs over evil. Most obviously, Harry Potter and the wizarding world of Hogwarts symbolizes the multivalent story of good v. evil, coming-of-age, and the "magic" that accompanies such an experience.
Nevertheless, an annual trip down the yellow brick road is good for the mind, the heart, and the "inner Lion" seeking courage to serve bravely in a world where wicked ones roam.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
School Shooting
Described as the worst school shooting in US history, on Monday April 16th a lone gunman killed 33 people at Virginia Tech. A population of 25,000 was rocked by this senseless violence, perpetrated by a VA tech student, a senior. Students and teachers were among the victims. Two dozen people were injured, a dozen remain hospitalized. The gunman ended his own life.
What motive, what evil, what struggle explains such an act?
People will seek answers. People will seek justice. People will seek comfort.
All I know is that Jesus was executed unjustly too. God is hidden in suffering. Tragedy, though part of the divine drama we call existence or life, is not the last word. It is a penultimate word. What greater good comes from senseless violence and tragic murders? God only knows. Maybe a community can identify ways in which they can embrace people who are struggling, depressed, lost, angry, fragile, desperate etc...Maybe we can build spiritual communities where no secrets are hid and people are encouraged to live in peace and hope. Maybe we can teach young people how to cope with the demons that surround us, who promise us false comforts, false justices, false power. My guess is that this person had lost some power somehow or some postive self-identity. After all, he killed himself too.
Maybe we learn that violence plagues humanity. It is only by believing in a God familiar with violence, as victim and perpetrator, that violence makes any sense. The God of the Hebrew bible does his share of wrathful smiting. But the God of the Gospels finds Himself weeping from a cross. This God suffers a violent death. Why? This God seeks to end violence, to root it out by replacing it with a way of life so non-violent that only grave,criminal injustice moves practicioners to abandon it in defense of self or neighbor. That way of life is called 'LOVE'. "Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you." --Jesus.
God be with the families of those who died and comfort all who mourn. be with the students and faculty of Virginia Tech as they cope with the events that are shaping them. Show us all how to make sense of such violence, how to embrace your radical ethic of love, and how to be merciful to one another. God of new life, hear our prayers. Amen.
What motive, what evil, what struggle explains such an act?
People will seek answers. People will seek justice. People will seek comfort.
All I know is that Jesus was executed unjustly too. God is hidden in suffering. Tragedy, though part of the divine drama we call existence or life, is not the last word. It is a penultimate word. What greater good comes from senseless violence and tragic murders? God only knows. Maybe a community can identify ways in which they can embrace people who are struggling, depressed, lost, angry, fragile, desperate etc...Maybe we can build spiritual communities where no secrets are hid and people are encouraged to live in peace and hope. Maybe we can teach young people how to cope with the demons that surround us, who promise us false comforts, false justices, false power. My guess is that this person had lost some power somehow or some postive self-identity. After all, he killed himself too.
Maybe we learn that violence plagues humanity. It is only by believing in a God familiar with violence, as victim and perpetrator, that violence makes any sense. The God of the Hebrew bible does his share of wrathful smiting. But the God of the Gospels finds Himself weeping from a cross. This God suffers a violent death. Why? This God seeks to end violence, to root it out by replacing it with a way of life so non-violent that only grave,criminal injustice moves practicioners to abandon it in defense of self or neighbor. That way of life is called 'LOVE'. "Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you." --Jesus.
God be with the families of those who died and comfort all who mourn. be with the students and faculty of Virginia Tech as they cope with the events that are shaping them. Show us all how to make sense of such violence, how to embrace your radical ethic of love, and how to be merciful to one another. God of new life, hear our prayers. Amen.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
prodigal/beloved son
Lost. Forsaken. Damned. Separated. Segregated. Walled. Left out. Left behind. Missing. Missed. Stranger. Foreigner. Alien. Refugee. Homeless. Rejected. Dejected. Downtrodden. Torn apart. Isolated. Denied. Broken. Excised. x-ed out. Excommunicated. Ex-con. Aimless. Rootless. Wasteful. Wasted. Refuse. Trash. Undone. untied. Unyoked. Unemployed. Uninsured. Insecure. Unsafe. Unknown. Unhealthy. Misunderstood. Miscreant. Misguided. Disregarded. Disrespected. Disenfranchised. Dismantled. Disintegrated. Dehumanized. Degraded. Demeaned. devalued. Derided. Lonely. Suffering. Cursed. Cross. Dead. Jesus.
Jesus. Risen. Alive. New. Whole. Healthy. With. For. By. beside. Insider. Within. near. Intimate. Dear. Beloved. Embraced. Kissed. Accepted. Included. Invited. Personal. Known. Safe. Received. Welcomed. Precious. Treasured. Honored. Blessed. Revered. Worshipped. Adored. Family. Friend. Neighbor. Brother. Citizen. Community. Home. Beloved. Child. Daugther. Son.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
fruitless trees, good gardener
As I prep to preach the Gospel for this Sunday, I am struck by Jesus' serious tone. "If you do not repent you will all perish as they did." To turn from the sinful life to the life of Jesus is not easy. We can't do it alone. We need others to help us, to tell us the truth about ourselves, and to help us seek Jesus' way in all things. I think the following article from "Pulpit Resource", a journal I read for sermon help, says something about us:
"We were watching a TV program on "New Paradigm Churches", those burgeoning churches, many of whom are found in Southern California. A young man was being interviewed, a pastor of one of those fast growing churches. His church gathers each week, led in music by a rock band, a church with a median age under thirty.
The reporter asked the pastor to what did he attribute the phenomenal growth of his congregation. The pastor replied,"I think you've got a generation of young adults that never had anybody look them into the eyes, and say directly to them, in love, 'You really, really suck.'"
Jesus knows that God desires to spiritually nourish us for an abundant life. But we choose the "food" that doesn't nourish. We make idols, we lust, we test Christ, we complain. What our the American idols? Money, cars, sports, home ownership, entertainers. how do we test Christ? We keep on sinning, knowing full well what we do. But trusting that God will forgive us forever. But what if judgment is real? What if God won't put up with our crap forever? "He will come again to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end." We profess it as truth.
Jesus tells a parable about an unfruitful fig tree. The vineyard owner wants it cut down, but the gardener pleads to give it another year. He promises to dig around it and fertilize it. If, after a year, it still does not produce, cut it down. How are we like the unfruitful fig? How has Jesus interceded for us, tended and nourished us? Bad news: We suck, we are fruitless. Good news: God doesn't suck. God loves sucky people. God won't tolerate people who know they suck and reuse to stop sucking. We are meant to bear fruit. We are meant to offer ourselves to the creative justice/mercy/love mission of God.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Coffee House Conversations begin in April
Postmodern Culture/Christian Spirituality
Coffee and Conversation every Wednesday at 6:00 pm
Javáteas Coffee Café; N. Reading Rd. Ephrata, PA
Topics: (likely to evolve, because stuff happens)
April 18---can I be spiritual and not religious?
April 25---Who is my neighbor?
May 2---Why is prayer hard?
May 9---How can I experience God??
May 16---why do we keep breathing?
May 23---what is peace?
Come for the conversation, the community, and the coffee…Open to everyone
Postmodern Experiential Worship
Postmodern Worship Gathering
Sunday Night, March 25, 6:04 pm
Javáteas Coffee Café; N. Reading Rd. Ephrata, PA
Encounter the mystery of GOD in
Candlelight, acoustic music, silence, incense, prayer, water, listening for GOD,
The Lord’s Supper, peace, art, truth, beauty, faith, hope, love.
For the Spiritually hungry person.
Monday, February 12, 2007
FLAME
Family
Life
As
Mission
Education
God has a mission. To reach every family on earth with the message of the Gospel and to invite them to participate in the new life that is offered in it.
The Gospel is about love for God and neighbor that is put into action through words and deeds that build up, benefit, and beautify community. JESUS shows us how to love unconditionally, sacrificially, and completely.
Christians are called by the Spiirt to love others, by following the way of JESUS, who empowers us and inspires us to follow. Everyday we can make the world better for someone else. When we do, we participate in the ongoing creative healing of creation. GOD's justice/love is the disciples' calling.
A Christian life is learned and shared by adults and children in daily activity. We are made disciples as we learn the way of Jesus and practice it at home, work, school, in in neighborhoods.
You are invited to a new community of families devoting themselves to his way of life together. Together we will explore worship, learning and equipping, family mission opportuniites, and spiritual practices for daily family life. Our goal is to find common ways to practice our faith together.
Join us for a family lunch on February 18th at Zion Lutheran, Akron. 12:30 pm. RSVP at 859-2100 or pastormattl@dejazzd.com
Monday, February 05, 2007
Disaster in Fla.
Central Florida was hit by several tornadoes this weekend, killing as many as 20 people, and destroying a lot of property. To assist in the recovery and restoration efforts go to www.ldr.org. Lutheran Disaster response is on the ground and will be for a long time. Anyone want to go help?
weddings?
Say you're 20 something and you haven't gone to your traditional family church in a couple of years---you've been a Christmas/Easter person. Your parents don't get you. You were raised as a "churchgoer" in a church going family. Your parents go religiously. You have never been given a relevant alternative in which to be faithful. Its always been 'church' or nothing. In or out. After so long, being out wasn't so bad. And you were busy enough living life. But something was missing.
But then, a crisis! You want to get married. In church. You believe in GOD. Maybe even in Jesus. You pray. You want to live a life that is meaningful, spiritual, and hopeful. You want to help people in your community. You have no church affiliation, but you want to be married before God and faithful Christian witnesses. You call around. You pick the Lutherans because they're sort of catholic protestants. Fewer rules, but still sacramental and generously biblical. Yet not pretentious or judgmental like some bible churches might be. But every Lutheran church, every Catholic, everyone you call gives you the old church rule: Non-members cannot be married here! Membership gives one access to a Christian practice you expected. What do you do? Do you dance and "join" in order to meet the requirements? Or do you go to the justice of the peace and get legal without the blessing of God's Word, community prayers, and the unity of the Sacrament? What do you do? Membership has its privileges. Non-membership can have painful, unexpected consequences.
Gen xers are facing this reality. Some are feeling it more seriously than others. They want to be in, but they're not connected. They are prodigal, lost. And it ain't all their fault. maybe if the church found a way to really welcome them. maybe if the church wasn;t so concerned about worship attendance and membership. Maybe if the church was concerned about daily spiritual Christian formation---how to follow Jesus on the ground, in your home and work place. maybe if an alternative community was born for these people.
What if gen xers just revolted and formed a community of believers outside of 'church', who can become church for each other. A new fellowship of believers with all of the gifts and dreams of GOD within.
I, for one, do not reject anyone who calls seeking to be married in the church. I know that it's code word, sometimes, for people of faith living outside of Christian community, seeking a way in. Sometimes its not. Sometimes its people who just want to get married with no strings. But often its people who want the strings, the community, the spirit-filled life, the hope and love of God, the Word, the sacrament, the meaningful missional life to care for the world. When it is, I want to help them be faithful!
Missional acts
Become a big brother or big sister.
Help a neighbor. Paint, cook, clean, etc...
Babysit.
Share your stuff.
Swing a hammer with habitat for humanity.
Make a meal for someone who is sick.
Listen to someone's sad story.
Visit elderly folks at a nursing home.
Give time at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
become a compeer friend (Lancster Co. organization dedicated to mentoring people with mental illness).
serve at a youth center.
pray for people.
buy fairly traded goods.
sponsor a World Vision child. (www.worldvision.org)
collect school supplies, health supplies for World relief. (www.lwr.org)
Make a quilt for LWR.
Give a blanket or a coat to someone who is cold.
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus.
Help a neighbor. Paint, cook, clean, etc...
Babysit.
Share your stuff.
Swing a hammer with habitat for humanity.
Make a meal for someone who is sick.
Listen to someone's sad story.
Visit elderly folks at a nursing home.
Give time at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
become a compeer friend (Lancster Co. organization dedicated to mentoring people with mental illness).
serve at a youth center.
pray for people.
buy fairly traded goods.
sponsor a World Vision child. (www.worldvision.org)
collect school supplies, health supplies for World relief. (www.lwr.org)
Make a quilt for LWR.
Give a blanket or a coat to someone who is cold.
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus.
worship and mission
i made a kind of discovery reading the gospel this past week. i believe that the church (ecclesiology) is not the church apart from mission (missiology). Its not really a discovery so much as a reminder or a revision of thought. Here's what that means:
We've been taught that the way people come to know Jesus or to be made part of the church is through/in worship. Getting people to "come to church" and "go to church" is the entry way to Christian life. We talk about inviting people to worship. I've been guilty of this way of thinking too---that worship is the Christian life. There is no church without worship. Worship has been the central, and sometimes exclusive, practice of the church. Chruch is defined by us as what we do in worship. We exaggerate the place of worship/liturgy within the Christian believer's life. So we say, Where does one find church? In that building on sunday morning where people are sitting or standing in pews worshiping God.
But what if that assumption about worship being primary is false? What if Jesus and His followers were not primarily worshipers, but primarily missionaries? Jesus calls and sends His disciples before anything remotely like worship occurs in the gospels. And Pentecost? When the Holy Spirit comes, are they driven together to worship? No! Actually, they are scattered by various tongues and languages to share the gospel news. When the church is persecuted, do they huddle together for worship? No. They are scattered outside of the city as witnesses. When Jesus sends the 12 or the 72, does he equip them to be worshipers or worship leaders? No. He equips them to bring peace, hope, healing, justice, food---for people. The early church was primarily a church in mission---A church in action on behalf of the poor, the outcast, the least, the marginalized.
Worship was a result of mission! They gathered for worship to refuel, to rebuild,to revive, for the gifts of faith, hope, and love found in the koinonia--the shared fellowship of believers. Worship doesn't beget mission; Mission begets worship.
Here's the thing. The big machine of Christendom taught us that worship is the heart of what Christians do. Mission is a result of what happens in worship. We think worship comes first for people. Then we are sent out. but what if the Christian life were primarily missional and, out of necessity, worshipful? Its no wonder the early church pieced together worship practice from synagogue practices; Baptism and Eucharist deriving from Jesus' own missional life of cleansing rebirth and sarificial eating and drinking. The church didn;t have time to be overtly creative. They were too busy living out the gospel.
Implications: What if we were called to invite people to live differently first? To live counterculturally, generously, sacrificially, spiritually, marginally? And as a result of it, we are drawn together to worship the GOD who called us and sent us to live in these ways? What if worship is necesary for the Christian who is out there living it because mission-living is spiritually hard? We are drawn together for spiritual food, in order to endure. Word/Sacrament becomes food for missionaries.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
a new community?
Tonight we begin a new community. I'm not wholly convinced that anything is going to happen. I have a lot of public communication to do. But, I do think GOD is up to something here. At least I hope so. I'm tired of feeling like a hamster on a wheel. I do believe that I have been sent here to lead something different with church. I'm not quite sure how. In fact, I'm fairly certain that I have no clue about what i'm doing half the time. But I've heard stories like this before. I'm just trying to figure out how to work within the current context of congregational renewal and redevelopment, while also engaging in this external evangelism bit. I don't know. There are some good things happening at ZION. but a radical shift is needed. Kelly fryer identifies it in her book "Reclaiming the 'C' Word: daring to be church again." I think all congregation leaders need to read this book to understand what has happened and what needs to happen now. I commend that book to anyone attempting to lead the church into a missional future and anyone who doesn't know what that means.
In a nutshell, the way things were isn;t the way things are and we need to start operating with new assumptionsnd expectations. More on that later...
In a nutshell, the way things were isn;t the way things are and we need to start operating with new assumptionsnd expectations. More on that later...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Postmodern Questions, Ancient answers
Javáteas coffee house presents:
X’s and Why’s? PostModern Questions for GOD
Are you a post-Christian gen- xer? You believe in God, maybe even Jesus, but you don’t attend church?
You would like to experience the benefit of a spiritually meaningful life, but you’re not sure how?
How can you integrate postmodern culture with ancient Christian spirituality?
Can you be a Christian who is not a religious church-goer?
Is GOD available? Are you available?
Join the conversation, enjoy the coffee and the new community!
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Everyone always says that school doesn't train you for the real world. School,at best, teaches you how to think in a way that may prepare you for the real world. To some extent. But it doesn't train you to be creative, innovative, or courageous as a leader. The same is said about seminary training for ordained Lutheran ministry. Sure, the biblical, theological, and therapeutic aspects of ministry are taught and studied. But they never trained me to do mission development, to restart a congregation, or to evangelize within and outside a congregation. And that is what I am doing. This is more like mission work, more like starting from scratch. It's a lot like starting a new congregation. Except that the old congregation has not gone away. Everyday now, I find more and more that I am doing mission development or redevelopment work for which I was not well equipped.
Now, I don't think the congregation really hired/called me to do that either. I suspect they hired me to lead worship, visit them, and care for them in times of need. I think they hoped I would naturally bring some enthusiasm to worship and maybe bring in a few young families to fill pews and plates. But redevelopment? Not so much. Which is precisely why it is a redevelopment ministry.
Here's an example. Lent. In Lent, Christians gather more intentionally to practice a spiritual life in community. It usually includes a simple meal, bible study, and prayer. Three practices that Lutheran Christians have perfected---especially the potluck supper!
I have recently been told that we can't offer a dinner this year because no committee planned it and Lent is only five weeks away. What? Lent is not a new thing. We do this every year, or so I thought. So how is it that we are not able to pull this together? And secondly, when I gave them a plan to consider regarding the week night spiritual practice fo meal, bible study, prayer I was told that it would take too long, that no one would come, that we can'tpull it off so quickly. When offered as a cooperative event with two other Lutheran congregations I was told that we don't want shared ministry.
How do I continue to lead here?
Now, I don't think the congregation really hired/called me to do that either. I suspect they hired me to lead worship, visit them, and care for them in times of need. I think they hoped I would naturally bring some enthusiasm to worship and maybe bring in a few young families to fill pews and plates. But redevelopment? Not so much. Which is precisely why it is a redevelopment ministry.
Here's an example. Lent. In Lent, Christians gather more intentionally to practice a spiritual life in community. It usually includes a simple meal, bible study, and prayer. Three practices that Lutheran Christians have perfected---especially the potluck supper!
I have recently been told that we can't offer a dinner this year because no committee planned it and Lent is only five weeks away. What? Lent is not a new thing. We do this every year, or so I thought. So how is it that we are not able to pull this together? And secondly, when I gave them a plan to consider regarding the week night spiritual practice fo meal, bible study, prayer I was told that it would take too long, that no one would come, that we can'tpull it off so quickly. When offered as a cooperative event with two other Lutheran congregations I was told that we don't want shared ministry.
How do I continue to lead here?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
the basics
Daily bible reading, prayer, fasting (abstaining from something), and giving to others. These are the basics. By practicing these ancient Christian spiritual practices, one receives GOD's gifts. And the gifts God gives are that some would be apostles, some evangelists, some preachers and teachers to equip the saints for the building up of the body. Practicing these things gifts us our Christian identity, or vocation, our calling. We discover who we are as Jesus' followers by doing these things. We fool ourselves if we think we can be a Christian and not practice these basics.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
the next move
I'll say more about what I've been reading later. Suffice it to say that I am deeply committed to what I am calling the third way or the emerging paradigm. I can't say that it's right, but only that it feels good. My next move is to connect with the people at the coffee shop and get them on board. It will serve as an initial meeting place. I am looking for a weekly Wednesday thing and a monthly Sunday thing. I am open to other weekdays, too. or mornings. whatever. part of this wil be decided by the group who connects to it.Mike Linn is interested, but the question is when can he participate? So today I will meet with Ashley to talk turkey. Each step is key in aligning with God's vision. Last week I met with Dave Fisher and with Katie Sollenberger. Both visits were extremely fruiful. I have registered for this Creative Transformational Ministry gathering in two weeks, too. I hope it bears fruit too. And I'm reading like a fiend.
Step 3a: I will begin to invite others to the conversation. I intend to begin with post-Lutheran Christians, as well as a few others who are floating around in limbo. I believe there are many people who would like to spiritually connect with GOD and a community of friends, but have not found it. Mainline and megachruch have their approaches, their methods, their answers, their practices and doctrines. I suspect that there are some who have disconected from both of those scenes for one reason or another. They are Post--whatever they were. They retain some residue or baggage from those paradigms, but have serious gaps in thier own lives of faith not being addressed. can something like this address them? It's happening in other places. maybe here now too. What might emerge is a new paradigm, a new way of being church or following Jesus in missional living. I wonder what might come of this. I am trusting GOD to provide whatever is needed. I am only trying to plant and water seeds.
I hope to provide a venue for intimate night worship outside of Zion. We will likely do it at Zion once a month too. because there are a few Zion folk who appreciate it or seek it. John is on board musically. The five ancient worship practices are fully experienced: singing, listening, praying, sharing, and sending.We employ familiar, new, and ancient texts in song. We encourage open experiment in prayer. We are sacramental---confessional and communal. We are missional---desiring to commit ourselves to daily intentional practice in following Jesus. I wish i could find my copy of Brian McLaren's "The Secret Messge of Jesus". I lost it when i was half finished with it.
BTW, almost finished with Donald Miller's book "Blue Like jazz". Good stuff.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Waitin on the world to change
I've been rocking out for about a month or so to John Mayer's new CD "Continuum". He finally melds his creative musical genius with some incredibly profound lyrics to make a near rock masterpiece. I pan to share some of it at our next youth group meeting. We've invited our youth to bring thier music to share and to discuss its meaning, how it shapes our thoughts and emotions. Its should be an interesting discussion. I'm not sure which song I'll share. I could share a Beatles song too. I would likely share "Here comes the sun", one of the best songs ever written.
"Waiting on the Word to Change", John's first single from "Continuum", is a protest song about Gen X's longing for a better world, a world with peace and justice. I hope we can live up to his insight that one day our generation will rule the population. may we do so with wisdom and with mercy and love.
My favorite song is called "The Heart of Life". The chorus is "Pain throws your heart to the ground; love turns the whole thing around; know it won't all go the way it should, but I know the heart of life is good." I feel like he's singing Jesus' song to the brokenhearted. The second verse is, "You know there's nothin new, bad news never had good timing; then the circle of your friends will defend the silver lining." Isn't that what happens when people go through a crisis? Friends try to make you feel better, see the silver lining. Maybe its better to recognize that the pain is real, that love alone can heal, that the world is still broken, but the heart of life (GOD) is good!
There is a song called "Belief" that struggles with how religious ideology, fundamentalism, can destroy. "Everyone believes," he sings. One's beliefs govern one's actions.
The deepest, soul searchign song is called "Stop this train". Using the metaphor of a constantly fast-moving train, JOhn strugles with the pace of mortality, aging, etc...he reflects on the fear of losing his parents and his longing to remain youthful."Don't know how else to say it, don't want to see my parents go; one generations length away from fighting life out on my own." Amazingly its a conversation with his dad that helps himn understand that life is a continuum, a constant movement. At some point on the continuum, you don't want to stop the train or go back. You simply accept the course of life as it has been.
Its not often that a new CD, a newer artist, catches my mind. John did it. he renewed my hope for the future of rock music. Thanks, JOhn Mayer.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
post-christmas almost
we took down the tree. the douglas fir that invaded our family room for two plus weeks is gone. so are the lights and the gifts piled beneath it. we've packed it in for 2006. my 33 month old son tearily asked us why we took it down. "why is Christmas done?" he asked. sadly, I was ready for it to be done. i had holiday burnout. i was ready to return to the office and to normalcy. but i bet GOD knows my son is right.
christmas is not done. so long as the efects of the incarnation continue to play themselves out in the world, christmas is not done. its not done with any of us because Jesus is not done with us. GOD keeps breaking in to our lives and reminding us who we are, who we are not, and who GOD is. GOD keeps coming, keeps invading our family rooms.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
At the Movies
"The Nativity Story" is the new cinematic depiction of the birth of Jesus, as recounted in both Matthew and Luke. All of the characters make an appearance: a teenage Mary and a 20 something Joseph are well-cast and play nicely together as betrothed strangers drawn together for a divine mission to bear the Son of God for the world. In one scene they ponder together the mystery of the unborn child's divine identity. Joseph wonders if he'll be able to teach him anything at all. And mary wonders when they will know, what sign will they see indicative of His transcendence. Interesting speculative writing cohesive with the pondering that Luke's Mary is prone to do.
I found two flaws in this film. First, the Angel Gabriel was neither mysterious nor awe-inspiring in any way. It's the angel of the Lord for God's sake. And there is no heavenly host singing "Gloria in excelsis" to the shepherds. I sought more from hollywood with regard to the appearance of the angel. (He does appear several times; to Mary, Joseph, shepherds...) I was waiting for, at least, a blinding light to engulf the screen for ten seconds. But, nothing. Too andropomorphic for any real sense of "angel Gabriel" to make the grade. He looked like Barry Gibb in 1978.
And second I waited for King herod to be more ruthless, mad, manic in his jealous struggle to cling to "power". In Zifforelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" the great Peter Ustinov nails King Herod as a tyrannical villain with an insanity defense. In his order to slaughter the innocent boyso of Bethlehem Ustinov shouts, "Kill them. Kill them all," as he runs through the palace. In "nativity Story" the role is played with a subtle suspicion and a less vulnerable sense of royal challenge. he doesn;t take Messianic fulfillment seriously. He is capable of doing away with any future challenge to his throne, threatening even his son and heir Antipas. Its more like the Godfather than a fearful lunatic here. I longed for the lunatic!
He is, however, cast niceley against the comic relief team of the three stooges, known better as the Magi. Their sort of spirited and hopeful quest to find the star that shines on the baby King is characterized by a light and fun engagement. They don't take themselves too seriously. Its the baby who gains their religious respect and worshipful devotion. Contrast that with Herod's fear and jealousy. If only Herod had been played more charismatically.
That, in a nutshell, was the missing piece for me. Charisma. From the entire cast. Mary and Joseph were played with the proper emotions of two young people caught between human law/social customs and God's radical transcendence of them. if there had been some more charisma, some awe, transcdendence, deep emotions stirred, then we could have called this a masterpiece. Not to say that I wasn't moved. If yo love Jesus and the story of His birth, you will love this film.
In the end, realism is the intent of the film. People of all faiths can enjoy this film. Mike Rich and Catherine Hardwicke did not set out to evangelize through fil-making. They sought out to tell this story in its simple dramatic power. I think they understate the drama with a purpose. Jesus was after all born to two peasants from a tiny, unimportant village in a small, impoverished colony of the great and powerful Roman Empire. Jesus was born in the shadows, in the dark, behind the scenes, hidden from the mighty and powerful. This movie allows for His incarnation to come as it did, in weakness, humility, and silence.
PS--the sountrack is lovely.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
to pray
"To pray is to ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy." Ambrose Bierce.
How true. But there is another truth to it. God indeed will temporarily unnull the laws of the universe for the sake of HIS beloved child, made in God's image, and made worthy through the heart of Jesus. And so Jesus taught us to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name...
Messiah
Do you pray? Do you pray to Jesus? How do you address Him? We know that Jesus, since the time of His incarnate ministry, was known as Jesus Christ. The latter is the Greek Word for Messiah. Whenever we pray or confess or sing we call Him the Messiah. In Advent, the four weeks preceding Christmas, we devote ouselves to the expectation of HIS coming again. We hope for His coming as merciful judge and inaugurator of the new age. And we call him "Messiah". So what does it mean to do so? We take a Jewish notion of God's activity for granted, don't we? I mena have you ever stopped to think about Jesus Christ? Half of the time we say it without any thought at all, sometimes in disdain or anger as a kind of curse. But what does it mean to give this title to that man named Jesus?
Today, with my talk about Messiah, bible study was challenging. But this is a good time to think about what we say and believe about Jesus the Christ---the Messiah, the anointed one. It is no small leap to say that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel, rejected by His own. Its an even bigger leap to say that said Messiah was also GOD in the flesh. Adonai, the LORD. Emmanuel, God-with-us. This was, in Judaism, a blasphemous claim of self-idolatry. It leads to His execution.
Although a Messianic eschatology, a belief in a redeemr King ushering in a new age of peace and joy, unity and prosperity for God's people, was a widespread belief, Jesus did not fit the criteria for this Messiah. Many Rabbis in the time of Jesus taught that Messiah would come to rescue them from the hands of the Roman occupiers. Messiah would usher in a golden age, a return to the days of King David, the ideal King. messiah would embody the ideal and His reign would not end. Messiah was also a priestly or prophetic character who would stand between God and Israel forever as their chief defender and seeker of mercy. he wuold also be judge of the nations, the gentiles, and the unrighteous Jew. His judgment would be harsh and weed out the bad seeds.
There were multiple strands of thought in Judaism about Messiah at the time of Jesus. The gospel writers claimed that Jesus, in many ways, embodied the Messiah foretold in the prophets. But students of the hebrew Scriptures would disagree or at least struggle with agreement.
I have been doing a little basic study of Judaism's messianic thought. I have discovered that the claim of Jesus' Messiahship and the subsequent eschatology of the church are tied into Judaism more integrally than I knew. One cannot understand the title or Jesus' expression of it, nor know how to live as those who follow this Messiah, without understanding Judaism better. Our future hope is not unlike Jewish eschatology. We believe in an ultimate time of divine promissory fulfillment. God will vindicate, bring justice, healing, peace, a new rule and a new life. This is a shared hope of Jews and Christians. We, however, come at it from two different points of theological departure. Christians begin and end with the Christ event---the life,death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jews come at it from their understanding of the Torah and the Prophets.
Anyway, what I have come to believe is that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel and the savior of the world (a title that also shows opposition to the dominant powers of Rome). I have come to believe this and I understand that Jesus and His storytellers were influenced by Jewish Messianic thought. He is portrayed in such a way as to bolster these titular claims. And yet, something compelled the story to take life in the lives of so many others. Even though Jesus was not the kind of Messiah they thought they were watching for. Not the kind of savior they thought they needed. I think it is clear evidence in favor of His resurrection from the dead. What else would have prompted the radical leaps of faith His followers took to identify Him as Messiah, savior, Son of God. God in the flesh.
Today, with my talk about Messiah, bible study was challenging. But this is a good time to think about what we say and believe about Jesus the Christ---the Messiah, the anointed one. It is no small leap to say that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel, rejected by His own. Its an even bigger leap to say that said Messiah was also GOD in the flesh. Adonai, the LORD. Emmanuel, God-with-us. This was, in Judaism, a blasphemous claim of self-idolatry. It leads to His execution.
Although a Messianic eschatology, a belief in a redeemr King ushering in a new age of peace and joy, unity and prosperity for God's people, was a widespread belief, Jesus did not fit the criteria for this Messiah. Many Rabbis in the time of Jesus taught that Messiah would come to rescue them from the hands of the Roman occupiers. Messiah would usher in a golden age, a return to the days of King David, the ideal King. messiah would embody the ideal and His reign would not end. Messiah was also a priestly or prophetic character who would stand between God and Israel forever as their chief defender and seeker of mercy. he wuold also be judge of the nations, the gentiles, and the unrighteous Jew. His judgment would be harsh and weed out the bad seeds.
There were multiple strands of thought in Judaism about Messiah at the time of Jesus. The gospel writers claimed that Jesus, in many ways, embodied the Messiah foretold in the prophets. But students of the hebrew Scriptures would disagree or at least struggle with agreement.
I have been doing a little basic study of Judaism's messianic thought. I have discovered that the claim of Jesus' Messiahship and the subsequent eschatology of the church are tied into Judaism more integrally than I knew. One cannot understand the title or Jesus' expression of it, nor know how to live as those who follow this Messiah, without understanding Judaism better. Our future hope is not unlike Jewish eschatology. We believe in an ultimate time of divine promissory fulfillment. God will vindicate, bring justice, healing, peace, a new rule and a new life. This is a shared hope of Jews and Christians. We, however, come at it from two different points of theological departure. Christians begin and end with the Christ event---the life,death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jews come at it from their understanding of the Torah and the Prophets.
Anyway, what I have come to believe is that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel and the savior of the world (a title that also shows opposition to the dominant powers of Rome). I have come to believe this and I understand that Jesus and His storytellers were influenced by Jewish Messianic thought. He is portrayed in such a way as to bolster these titular claims. And yet, something compelled the story to take life in the lives of so many others. Even though Jesus was not the kind of Messiah they thought they were watching for. Not the kind of savior they thought they needed. I think it is clear evidence in favor of His resurrection from the dead. What else would have prompted the radical leaps of faith His followers took to identify Him as Messiah, savior, Son of God. God in the flesh.
a genuine Christmas
No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud, those who, because they have everything, look down on others, those who have no need even of God---for them there wil be no Christmas. Only the poor, the hungry, those who need someone to come on their behalf will have that someone. That someone is God. Emmanuel. God-with-us. Without poverty of Spirit there can be no abundance of God. ---Oscar Romero
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
What is the Gospel? It has taken on so many secondary meanings that it has become a word lost to Christians and the world. It may mean a certain type of music. "For some it means the invitation to an individual to accept the forgiveness of sins, so to preach the gospel, to evangelize, is to spread the message oof this invitaiton. For others, it means correct teaching about the work of Christ, so that "evangelicals" are those who hold to traditional doctrines. Elsewhere 'evangelical' is the current word for protestant." John Howard Yoder.
But Yoder believes that Gospel is a word best understood in the language of revolution. Yoder says, "Gospel is the good news having seriously to do with the people's welfare." It is news that changes a community's fate, its status, its life. Gospel is when the Iranians set free the hostages in 1980. Its when the Berlin wall collpased. Its when nazi death camps were liberated. Gospel is when the fate of a community is changed from despair to hope., from tragedy to fortune.
For a long time, and for many Christians, gospel is the promise of eternal life---heaven. For others it is the forgiveness of sin, the expiation of guilt, the death of anxiety. These personal ways of understanding the gospel's purpose are true, but only partial visions of its far reaching consequences. When we understand gospel in the language of revolution we begin to see how transformative Jesus intended to be, indeed is for those who believe in Him.
"The priority agenda for Jesus, and for many of us, is not mortality or anxiety, but unrighteousness and injustice. The need is not for consolation or acceptance but for a new order in which [humanity] may live together in love. In his time, therefore, as in ours, the question of revolution, the judgment of God upon the present order and the imminent promise of another one, is the language in which the gospel must speak. What most people mean by revolution,the answer they want, is not the gospel; but the gospel, if it be authentic, must so speak as to answer the question of revolution. This Jesus did." ---Joihn Howard Yoder, theologian.
Luke's Christmas story is the story of this quiet revolution. Hidden in the babe of Bethlehem is the revolutionary, liberating, GOD.To take on that particular flesh was to take on the very weakness and vulnerability of an oppressed, backwater, impoverished "royal" family. Mary and Joseph embody all who are in need of rescue from the present world order. Without God's intervention and their trust in God, their story is impossible. It opposes every power and perception of this world. from the imperial might of Augustus to the tyrannical reign of Herod, Jesus is a a revolution waiting to happen.
Are we revolutionaries?
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Mary's Word
"What business have we of reversing the priorities of Mary's Magnificat, filling the rich with good things and sending the poor empty away? There's nothing in any sacred scripture anywhere that says that the whims of the rick should best the rights of the poor. How, Sunday by Sunday, can Christians pray "forgive us our debts" and not think of third world countries, some of whom are spending three to five as much paying off foreign debts as they do on basic services to their own people?" ---William Sloane Coffin.
:A friend who had spent a sabbatical working with refugees in Southeasa Asia once sent me a homemade Christmas card...a black-and-white snapshot of a Cambodian mother holding her infant in her arms...In silence, the photgraph spoke powerfully about Mary as a presence in our world, a constant reminder that in the incarnation the omnipotent God chose to take on human vulnerability...a child born not to wealth and power but to an impoverished peasant woman and her uneasy husband in the rural backwater of a small, troubled, colonized country."---Kathleen Norris.
Today is Pearl Harbor Day and the end of U.S. global isolationism in the face of militant fascism. It was a surprise attack that alerted every American to the global threat overwhelming Europe and Asia---a threat that finally reached outr own shores. We could no longer stand by. We were compelled to act.
In my estimation Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attacks tell us somethig about American life. Americans are not particularly watchful or vigilant. We don't know what hits us until it does. Nor are we particularly visionary in our estimation of global politics and economics. We don't know our place in the world, our collective responsibilities as members of the global national community. Why not? What is in our collective unconscious, our national story,that prevents us from being more aware? Why are we mind-numbingly slow to recognize our place in the scheme of things; and that our place of honor among the nations requires of us a great deal of humility and sacrifice?
Today we honor men and women who's lives were lost in the 1941 attack, and those whose lives were lost in the resultant war effort.
"Prince of peace, we pray for our enemies and those who have waged war against us. We pray for our fellow countrymen who have given their lives in battle. We pray for those who continue to follow orders to protect us from the ravages of war. But we also pray that you might awaken us to the poverty and pain around us. Alert us to the ways in which we cause global strife, warfare, and injustice. Make us attentive to the struggles of our neighbors and show us how to serve them. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Compassion's Money
What if the U.S. chose to spend the money we spend at war to rebuild war torn nations? What if we risked our own national security in order to actually serve the needs of the desperately poor around the world? Imagine using that money and our highly educated human resources to improve the lives of people suffering from AIDS in Africa or suffering from genocide and oppression in Israel/Palestine. President Bush had an opportunity five years ago to stand as a world leader who understood empathy and compassion, rather than retaliation and destruction. He could have called 9/11 a global tragedy, carried out by a few Saudi terrorists fueled by a radical interpretation of Islam and by the injustice perpetrated by American imperial dominance of the global financial market. American consumerism, entitlement, and faithlessness to the God of the Bible ignites that religious fuel. The God of the bible is clearly a God who defends the poor, the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, the refugee, the woman, the child, the castoffs, the cutoffs, the left outs, the persecuted and oppressed. God is a God of justice which is guidedn by compassion.
And yet, we cause daily, hourly, weekly, annual struggle. And we are numb to it. We are isolated from it. But look at your clothing. Where was it made? Who made it? How much were they paid to make your clothes? How much did you pay for them? Who benefited the most from the money yuo spent on your clothes? Was it the Chinese woman who stitched your shirt together or the businessman who sold them to JC Penneys? You thoughtless generation. No wonder we are at war and you are not changing your habits. In ten years, you will have spent a lot of money paying for a war effort you did not necessarily believe in. But since you are satisfied with your place in the global food chain, you don't see a reason to change. You don't know how to change it. What of the American Spirit that dsought independence from tyranny, not for freedom's sake alone, but in order to make a more just society where more people had opportunity to live good lives. Where is our boldness? Compassion is a bold political move because compassion requirs that you are not nub to the pain of others. It requirs that you embrace the pain of the other in an effort to accompany them, console them, offer them a communnity of hope. And our neighbors are dying from hunger. Nobody should live on less than $2.00 a day.
What are you going to do about it today?
And yet, we cause daily, hourly, weekly, annual struggle. And we are numb to it. We are isolated from it. But look at your clothing. Where was it made? Who made it? How much were they paid to make your clothes? How much did you pay for them? Who benefited the most from the money yuo spent on your clothes? Was it the Chinese woman who stitched your shirt together or the businessman who sold them to JC Penneys? You thoughtless generation. No wonder we are at war and you are not changing your habits. In ten years, you will have spent a lot of money paying for a war effort you did not necessarily believe in. But since you are satisfied with your place in the global food chain, you don't see a reason to change. You don't know how to change it. What of the American Spirit that dsought independence from tyranny, not for freedom's sake alone, but in order to make a more just society where more people had opportunity to live good lives. Where is our boldness? Compassion is a bold political move because compassion requirs that you are not nub to the pain of others. It requirs that you embrace the pain of the other in an effort to accompany them, console them, offer them a communnity of hope. And our neighbors are dying from hunger. Nobody should live on less than $2.00 a day.
What are you going to do about it today?
Real Money
"By one estimate, the war in Iraq may eventually cost us $2 trillion! Which raises the question: how else could we have used this money? Acording to Nicholas Kristof (New York Times, October 24), it is four times the amount of money needed to stabilize social security for the next 75 years, and it is four times the amount needed to provide health care insurance for all uninsured Americans for the next decade. Every minute we stay in Iraq costs another $380,000." --Christian Century, November 28, 2006, p. 6.
My Father-in-law thinks we could avoid a full blown Iraqi civil war and actually stop car bombings all together by purchasing a new car for every Iraqi. It would have ot be the same vehicle, same make, model, color, etc...Maybe a Ford Focus. For less than the cost of the war effort, every Iraqi would receive the gift of a new car. Who wants to blow up a new car? And if all the cars are the same, there's no competition. Iraqi oil companies would thrive, auto mechanic schools would be full. Just an idea.
My Father-in-law thinks we could avoid a full blown Iraqi civil war and actually stop car bombings all together by purchasing a new car for every Iraqi. It would have ot be the same vehicle, same make, model, color, etc...Maybe a Ford Focus. For less than the cost of the war effort, every Iraqi would receive the gift of a new car. Who wants to blow up a new car? And if all the cars are the same, there's no competition. Iraqi oil companies would thrive, auto mechanic schools would be full. Just an idea.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
light of lights
"Light of Lights! All gloom dispelling, thou didst come to make thy dwelling here within our world of sight.
Lord, in pity and in power, thou didst in our darkest hour rend the clouds and show thy light.
Praise to thee in earth and heaven now and evermore be given, Christ, who art our sun and shield. Lord, for us thy life thou gavest, those who trust in thee thou savest, all thy mercy stands revealed." St. Thomas Aqinas.
Monday, December 04, 2006
moonlight
Moonlight
moonlight shining dimly in the dark, i see your dirty face, your dusty self,silently shrinking from fullness to newness;
strange how the new moon is invisible, as if all begins in darkness, letting light emerge carefully, slowly, night after night after night.
moonlight reflecting rays that are not your own, the greater light hidden behind global grandeur, or global danger. we turn away from the light of day only to catch her constancy in the dusty mirror of your face. the great light always illumines the earth, even in shadows, where you light the path through midnight depths.
Moonlight, we are like you. No more than dust, beholden to the earth's pull, her gravity, her allure---her worldliness we cannot escape. We shine, but not an inner light transcendent of ourselves. Our light is moonlight, mystery, madness---a dim reflection of the sun's pure light. And so too, we glow in the darkness, searching for the end of night, longing for the warmth of the sun, the light of day to dawn around us, exposing our soiled selves. we long for night to cease, to be forever comsumed by the gret light of GOD. To fade away as the sun rises, never to set, to fall, to darken day again.
Come great light, overpower our moonlight reflection with your brightness and turn our advent hopes into Christmas Joy.
a good wine
I enjoy a glass of wine with my wife. She's a semi-sweet girl--mostly White Zinfandel. I am not. Anybody have any suggestions for a good merlot?
I recently had a fairly decent Pinot Grigio by MonteVina, California.
I like semi-dry to dry wines. From chardonnay to cabernet.
Anyone drink Cabot,an Italian wine...?
Always searching for a decent dinner/after dinner wine.
javateas and the Spirit
its a quaint little coffee bar on the north side of town. i've been in there twice now; once for a mocha and once for lunch. I would like to host a gathering there for conversation about Jesus, God, life, stuff...maybe to review interesting books, movies, or discussion topics. I hope to stop by this week to find out if they're interested in providing hospitality. We'll see...I'd like to publicize it soon. I think they host some other activities already.
a new look
time for a change. here is the new look for my blog. what do you think? i hope the content of my blog continues to build a community. i'm open to suggestions...
anyone intersted?
I'm calling it "x's and why's: the quest to question God." I intend to get a small group of peers together for conversation. This is a little tricky because I am an institutional man---I dress like a church pastor a lot. I have an office, etc...But I believe that my peers are interested in meaningful relationships and meaningful experiences that will motivate and inspire their lives. They hunger and thirst for GOD, for the mystery in the madness, and for JESUS (although they may not even know HIM yet). They're searching for someone to make sense of what they experience in life. They know it can be found in many places and ways, but they are savvy shoppers and know what is a cheap knockoff and what is authentic. Authenticity is key. The church does not appear authentic to them. Why? The mega church is not gospel, its culture with an agenda. The mainline church is not gospel, its what remains after the church gets inculturated and politicized and rich---which will happen eventually to the mega churches, too. Authentic followers of JESUS will thrive under only a few conditions; one, they are a persecuted or rejected minority, not "the moral majority or the leaders of nations"; two, they are small, weak, dying, suffering servants willing to give all to rescue one more. three, they are deeply sacramental--needing the water of baptism and the bread and cup often. they are evangelical, needing to listen to JESUS. They are apostolic---sent out with a clear mission for the day to live life in the world for the world, the neighbor.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Christ the King
Robert Powell in "Jesus of Nazareth"Does anyone else find it subversive that Christians declare allegiance, faith, loyalty to this King whose Kingdom is not of this present world order? Does anyone find it contrary to follow this servant King, this compassionate Lord, this sacrifical monarch, while continuing to serve our own self-interests? Or our nation's self-interests, when those interests cause war, economic disaster, and global tyranny? How might we become ambassadors for Christ the King during this Holy Season of hope and peace? Are we not His loyal subjects, his servants, his students? To where does our king lead us? To the mall, the outlets, the online shopping plaza or to the prison, the homeless shelter, and the hospital bed? "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life." If we echo Peter's commitment to Jesus, what does that mean? His crown, a crown of thorns. His throne, a cross and tomb. His power, made known in weakness. He stands in direct contrast to the powers of this world. Do we stand with HIM?
Pouring Justice
I've been drinking coffee for 10 years or more. Every Year I give it up for LENT. But I may not give it up in 2007. Not because I crave a caffeine fix more than I used to, but because I need to buy coffee to make a difference in a village in Nicaragua or Tanzania.
Do you drink coffee or tea? Do you drink folgers or maxwell house or starbucks? Do you know that for a dollar or two more you can actually bring justice to a global neighbor?
Thanks to Lutheran World relief and their partnership with Equal Exchange, a non-profit coop that supports growers in developing countries like Nicaragua, we can buy coffee at a fair price and know that the growers of that coffee are receiving a more just payment for their labor. You must buy the coffee in bulk cases (6-12 ounce bags per case, apprx. $31.00 per case).
For the Holiday Season, I have the coffee and tea available for sale at ZION. We have a mixed assortment of coffees and teas from around the world. The coffee will go for $6.00 a bag and the tea for $4.00 a box. I can also take additional orders for gifts, etc... And I can show yo how to purchase the coffee on line.
if you go to www.lwr.org and follow the link to buy coffee on line you will be taken to Equal Exchange's site for sales.
I only drink fairly traded coffee anymore. It makes sense and it's simple. And the Hazelnut blend from Central America is delicious!
I want to be ready
I want to be someone who is ready to share my hope. Not only on Sunday morning from the pulpit. Not only in bible studies or in meetings. But everyday. In small and subtle ways with people I meet. I want to be ready to encounter strangers in such a way that the conversation will lead to Jesus. I don’t mean that I want to be comfortable asking passers-by if they believe in Jesus. I don’t mean to become a “bible beater” in the pejorative sense. I mean I went to embody the Spirit of Jesus in my daily encounters with others. So that in regular old conversation we might invite God to address us somehow. That we might experience Jesus.
I met her at the wash and lube. We were waiting for oil changes and tire rotations. She read a “Star Wars” novel. I noticed that everyone in the room was reading something; a newspaper, Popular Mechanics, an employee manual. The news was on the television, and as usual, it was all bad. So I commented in the awkward silence of a small room with four strangers waiting, “Good news again today.” That’s all it took. In the course of the next 7 minutes she and I talked about politics, war, religion, work, school. Not car washes. Heavier things. Things that sort of matter. She lives in Lititz, went to Warwick. She works for a local manufacturer exclusively doing government contracts, military safety equipment. She was 22 but had worked there for 3 years. “It’s a job,” she said. She’s Episcopalian, a member of St. James in Lititz. “But I’m 22. I like to sleep in on Sundays and haven’t been in a long time. I should go.” When she asked what I do I told her. She said, “So you must have some religious views and feelings about the war.”
Its then that the cashier’s window opened and called me up to pay. I hesitated. I felt like a moment was passing that I could not somehow control, get back, rewind. I needed a DVR or a TiVo so that I could simply pause the live action, reverse it, and start again--only more prepared to respond. You know, I guess what made people follow Jesus was that he was actively responsive. He seemed to know what to do immediately. He was able to address every encounter with meaning and hope. Or to address the enemy with passion and justice.
What did I do? I walked away. She was 22 and we were talking about religion, politics, war, work, life. And I walked away.
Advent is the season of hope, of anticipation, of preparation for the coming of the one who brings light and life and hope and peace to all. And although I was alert to the holy moment and its possibilities, I was unprepared to respond. I might have said, “Don’t go to church because you should. Go because you love it or you need to hear God or you want to give back and say thanks.” Or I could have said, “As a follower of Jesus I guess I’m against the war. The whole love your enemies thing, you know? What about you?” 7 minutes at the wash and lube could have meant so much more than a safer trip to NY. God wanted to change more than oil. As Christmas approaches, people are more receptive to sacred things. Next time I’ll be prepared. Maybe I’ll get my tires rotated too. With love
I met her at the wash and lube. We were waiting for oil changes and tire rotations. She read a “Star Wars” novel. I noticed that everyone in the room was reading something; a newspaper, Popular Mechanics, an employee manual. The news was on the television, and as usual, it was all bad. So I commented in the awkward silence of a small room with four strangers waiting, “Good news again today.” That’s all it took. In the course of the next 7 minutes she and I talked about politics, war, religion, work, school. Not car washes. Heavier things. Things that sort of matter. She lives in Lititz, went to Warwick. She works for a local manufacturer exclusively doing government contracts, military safety equipment. She was 22 but had worked there for 3 years. “It’s a job,” she said. She’s Episcopalian, a member of St. James in Lititz. “But I’m 22. I like to sleep in on Sundays and haven’t been in a long time. I should go.” When she asked what I do I told her. She said, “So you must have some religious views and feelings about the war.”
Its then that the cashier’s window opened and called me up to pay. I hesitated. I felt like a moment was passing that I could not somehow control, get back, rewind. I needed a DVR or a TiVo so that I could simply pause the live action, reverse it, and start again--only more prepared to respond. You know, I guess what made people follow Jesus was that he was actively responsive. He seemed to know what to do immediately. He was able to address every encounter with meaning and hope. Or to address the enemy with passion and justice.
What did I do? I walked away. She was 22 and we were talking about religion, politics, war, work, life. And I walked away.
Advent is the season of hope, of anticipation, of preparation for the coming of the one who brings light and life and hope and peace to all. And although I was alert to the holy moment and its possibilities, I was unprepared to respond. I might have said, “Don’t go to church because you should. Go because you love it or you need to hear God or you want to give back and say thanks.” Or I could have said, “As a follower of Jesus I guess I’m against the war. The whole love your enemies thing, you know? What about you?” 7 minutes at the wash and lube could have meant so much more than a safer trip to NY. God wanted to change more than oil. As Christmas approaches, people are more receptive to sacred things. Next time I’ll be prepared. Maybe I’ll get my tires rotated too. With love
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Hope in the dark
Hope in the Dark
Advent Night Worship
Mystically Candlelit, contemplative intimacy
December 3, 10, 17 6:04 pm
Gen Xers Seeking to Follow Jesus
Zion Lutheran Church, 435 Main St. , Akron
Advent ready
I want to be someone who is ready to share my hope. Not only on Sunday morning from the pulpit. Not only in bible studies or in meetings. But everyday. In small and subtle ways with people I meet. I want to be ready to encounter strangers in such a way that the conversation will lead to Jesus. I don’t mean that I want to be comfortable asking passers-by if they believe in Jesus. I don’t mean to become a “bible beater” in the pejorative sense. I mean I went to embody the Spirit of Jesus in my daily encounters with others. So that in regular old conversation we might invite God to address us somehow. That we might experience Jesus.
I met her at the wash and lube. We were waiting for oil changes and tire rotations. She read a “Star Wars” novel. I noticed that everyone in the room was reading something; a newspaper, Popular Mechanics, an employee manual. The news was on the television, and as usual, it was all bad. So I commented in the awkward silence of a small room with four strangers waiting, “Good news again today.” That’s all it took. In the course of the next 7 minutes she and I talked about politics, war, religion, work, school. Not car washes. Heavier things. Things that sort of matter. She lives in Lititz, went to Warwick. She works for a local manufacturer exclusively doing government contracts, military safety equipment. She was 22 but had worked there for 3 years. “It’s a job,” she said. She’s Episcopalian, a member of St. James in Lititz. “But I’m 22. I like to sleep in on Sundays and haven’t been in a long time. I should go.” When she asked what I do I told her. She said, “So you must have some religious views and feelings about the war.”
Its then that the cashier’s window opened and called me up to pay. I hesitated. I felt like a moment was passing that I could not somehow control, get back, rewind. I needed a DVR or a TiVo so that I could simply pause the live action, reverse it, and start again--only more prepared to respond. You know, I guess what made people follow Jesus was that he was actively responsive. He seemed to know what to do immediately. He was able to address every encounter with meaning and hope. Or to address the enemy with passion and justice.
What did I do? I walked away. She was 22 and we were talking about religion, politics, war, work, life. And I walked away.
Advent is the season of hope, of anticipation, of preparation for the coming of the one who brings light and life and hope and peace to all. And although I was alert to the holy moment and its possibilities, I was unprepared to respond. I might have said, “Don’t go to church because you should. Go because you love it or you need to hear God or you want to give back and say thanks.” Or I could have said, “As a follower of Jesus I guess I’m against the war. The whole love your enemies thing, you know? What about you?” 7 minutes at the wash and lube could have meant so much more than a safer trip to NY. God wanted to change more than oil. As Christmas approaches, people are more receptive to sacred things. Next time I’ll be prepared. Maybe I’ll get my tires rotated too.
I met her at the wash and lube. We were waiting for oil changes and tire rotations. She read a “Star Wars” novel. I noticed that everyone in the room was reading something; a newspaper, Popular Mechanics, an employee manual. The news was on the television, and as usual, it was all bad. So I commented in the awkward silence of a small room with four strangers waiting, “Good news again today.” That’s all it took. In the course of the next 7 minutes she and I talked about politics, war, religion, work, school. Not car washes. Heavier things. Things that sort of matter. She lives in Lititz, went to Warwick. She works for a local manufacturer exclusively doing government contracts, military safety equipment. She was 22 but had worked there for 3 years. “It’s a job,” she said. She’s Episcopalian, a member of St. James in Lititz. “But I’m 22. I like to sleep in on Sundays and haven’t been in a long time. I should go.” When she asked what I do I told her. She said, “So you must have some religious views and feelings about the war.”
Its then that the cashier’s window opened and called me up to pay. I hesitated. I felt like a moment was passing that I could not somehow control, get back, rewind. I needed a DVR or a TiVo so that I could simply pause the live action, reverse it, and start again--only more prepared to respond. You know, I guess what made people follow Jesus was that he was actively responsive. He seemed to know what to do immediately. He was able to address every encounter with meaning and hope. Or to address the enemy with passion and justice.
What did I do? I walked away. She was 22 and we were talking about religion, politics, war, work, life. And I walked away.
Advent is the season of hope, of anticipation, of preparation for the coming of the one who brings light and life and hope and peace to all. And although I was alert to the holy moment and its possibilities, I was unprepared to respond. I might have said, “Don’t go to church because you should. Go because you love it or you need to hear God or you want to give back and say thanks.” Or I could have said, “As a follower of Jesus I guess I’m against the war. The whole love your enemies thing, you know? What about you?” 7 minutes at the wash and lube could have meant so much more than a safer trip to NY. God wanted to change more than oil. As Christmas approaches, people are more receptive to sacred things. Next time I’ll be prepared. Maybe I’ll get my tires rotated too.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Its time
Its time to start a new way. I'm uncertain how to start, but I have to do it. Its been so long that I've been stuck. I don't know anybody. How will I meet them, my peers? I feel like I'm going to kindergarten for the first time. Who should I speak to first? If you are reading this and you are one of my peers and you are wondering how to be faithful to Jesus without being trapped in something called 'church' that hardly resembles the kingdom of God Jesus had in mind, pleae respond to me. I want to invite you to a conversation about things that matter, which may lead to some new thoughts, feelings, or passions. It may lead to a new understanding of God, yourself, your neighbor, the world, your small and important part in making it better. If it doesn't lead there, then its not worth doing.
In two weeks, we begin a season called Advent, which precedes Christmas. It is a four-week time of preparation for the end of the world as we know it. Four-weeks may not seem like much given that trajectory, but it is what we have. I would like to get together during that time. How about Sunday nights at 6:04?
In two weeks, we begin a season called Advent, which precedes Christmas. It is a four-week time of preparation for the end of the world as we know it. Four-weeks may not seem like much given that trajectory, but it is what we have. I would like to get together during that time. How about Sunday nights at 6:04?
Dear Church and other issues
I've been at a conference with a couple of peers for three days. I picked up a pile of new books and three of the dvds from the nooma series--a series of short films that deal with faith in Jesus. I'm reading a collection of books right now that I would like to call writings for the new reformation. The church must be reformed in postmodernity by faithful followers of Jesus who are tired of the church as it is; and tired of the culture as it is. Diagnosticians have been examining the body of the church for decades to determine where exactly the heart beat is and is not audible anymore. What is clear is that liberal mainline churches' vital signs had weakened. Many of those churches are on life support, barely breathing, hoping against hope to survive a little longer. But its terminal.
The evangelical megachurches appear vital and alive, but they have the same disease that eventaully weakened the mainliners. That disease is called 3P: POWER, privilege, prestige. When churches drink from that cup, the end is only a matter of time. Mostly because this disease first effects the hearing. And once the hearing goes, the church cannot receive the Word of God. Once that happens, the vision is next---the church loses sight of its teacher, its Lord, and the direction he travels. People begin to follow the bright lights, the flashy noise, the guy with the best smile, who can put a positive spin on anything. We fall back on our default mode of existence-ignorance, entertainment, and comfort. Things like service, mission, the cross, suffering, are forgotten. What we're fed is the poision of self-justification---we have what we have because we are special, blessed people of God. Forget the poor, the oppressed, the last, lost, and least. And reject those who reject you, too.
Soon, the church is so curved inward in attempts to keep the messiness of life out, that there is no air left.
So, the megachurch is really just the new mainline. 50 years ago mainline protestants were at the top of the religious food chain. Now, we are not. And the evangelical fundamentalists are. Funny how we are duped into thinking that the one with the most toys wins. The one with the most power, prestige, and privilege is the best. How wrong we are!
So, here I am. And I am not concerned about church attendance or membership. I am concerned about following Jesus and helping others to do so. The good news is that a big dose of humility can often heal the disease of 3ps. Since we've had that dose, I suspect that means we're on the road to healing as a body. But we have to be ready to reject the 3ps and listen for the voice of GOd. Being ready is called faith. I know we have that. Its a gift, not unlike humility. When you need it something happens to give it to you. In our case, loss, weakness, diminshment, fear, rejection, and the like have been the recipe for humility. We have been humbled so that we can arise, emerge, evolve.
I am hopeful in this moment. And right now I am ready to lead the mainline revolution. Taking the lessons of history, good and bad, into the present day we are able to see a clearer future.
Why don't we just ask ourselves these questions: Are we willing to experience humility and loss as a gift? Are we willing to die in order to live? Are we willing to seek the truth, when it hurts? Are we willing to follow where He is leading us, especially when we know it will NOT include the 3Ps that we love so much. (As much as one can love a disease of the heart).
The evangelical megachurches appear vital and alive, but they have the same disease that eventaully weakened the mainliners. That disease is called 3P: POWER, privilege, prestige. When churches drink from that cup, the end is only a matter of time. Mostly because this disease first effects the hearing. And once the hearing goes, the church cannot receive the Word of God. Once that happens, the vision is next---the church loses sight of its teacher, its Lord, and the direction he travels. People begin to follow the bright lights, the flashy noise, the guy with the best smile, who can put a positive spin on anything. We fall back on our default mode of existence-ignorance, entertainment, and comfort. Things like service, mission, the cross, suffering, are forgotten. What we're fed is the poision of self-justification---we have what we have because we are special, blessed people of God. Forget the poor, the oppressed, the last, lost, and least. And reject those who reject you, too.
Soon, the church is so curved inward in attempts to keep the messiness of life out, that there is no air left.
So, the megachurch is really just the new mainline. 50 years ago mainline protestants were at the top of the religious food chain. Now, we are not. And the evangelical fundamentalists are. Funny how we are duped into thinking that the one with the most toys wins. The one with the most power, prestige, and privilege is the best. How wrong we are!
So, here I am. And I am not concerned about church attendance or membership. I am concerned about following Jesus and helping others to do so. The good news is that a big dose of humility can often heal the disease of 3ps. Since we've had that dose, I suspect that means we're on the road to healing as a body. But we have to be ready to reject the 3ps and listen for the voice of GOd. Being ready is called faith. I know we have that. Its a gift, not unlike humility. When you need it something happens to give it to you. In our case, loss, weakness, diminshment, fear, rejection, and the like have been the recipe for humility. We have been humbled so that we can arise, emerge, evolve.
I am hopeful in this moment. And right now I am ready to lead the mainline revolution. Taking the lessons of history, good and bad, into the present day we are able to see a clearer future.
Why don't we just ask ourselves these questions: Are we willing to experience humility and loss as a gift? Are we willing to die in order to live? Are we willing to seek the truth, when it hurts? Are we willing to follow where He is leading us, especially when we know it will NOT include the 3Ps that we love so much. (As much as one can love a disease of the heart).
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
ALL Saints
"On All Saints Day its not just the saints of the church that we should remember in our prayers, but all of the foolish ones and wise ones, the shy ones and overbearing ones, the broken ones and whole ones, the despots and tosspots and crackpots of our lives who, one way or another, have been our particular fathers and mothers and saints, and whom we loved without knowing we loved them and by whom we were helped to whatever little we may have, or ever hoped to have, of some kind of seedy sainthood of our own." F. Buechner, "Listening to your life", p. 290.
GRACE
"A crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. The grace of God means someting like this: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have ben complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things wil happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can separate us. Its for you I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too." F. Buechner, "Listening to Your Life, p. 289.
All Hallow's eve
“Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world.” M. Luther.
On All Saints Day, we are compelled to remember the past and the good we were permitted to give and to receive. We remember those faithful departed ones, most dear to us, who are the saints of our lives. And we remember all the saints, from the apostles and martyrs to the exemplary witnesses and teachers of the faith who we never met, but upon whose foundation our faith is built. We dare not forget them, for their memory in part inspires our living. When we remember them, we remember their innocence and the way in which they somehow showed GOD to us. We remember their exemplary behavior, their good nature. We remember His compassion and her servant heart. We remember her joy and his stalwart commitment. We remember the pew they sat in or the ministry they exercised. It is the good we recall with some sorrow in their passing. We light a candle in memory of the light they shared with others.
And yet, on the eve of all saints we are mindful of those devils among us, too. Some Christians avoid Halloween and its paganistic origins. “We dare not empower witches and devils by observing such a night.” I disagree. To avoid Halloween is to avoid SIN. How can we remember the ways in which God’s grace is incarnate among us in the saints of life, if we don’t also recall the power of Sin and the devil’s wicked ways as well? No saint is purely innocent, though our memories and observances might falsely report it. Halloween helps to tells the whole truth about the saints and devils we’ve known and loved. It also reminds us that we are both saint and sinner, angel and devil, blessing and curse. And we can thank God that both are true. Because without God we are bedeviled sinners with no hope.
So as we think back on our loved ones, we recall that his faithfulness to church was coupled with unfaithfulness to his wife. We remember that her diligent service was rivaled by her passionate bigotry.
We dare not forget that evil pervades the human heart as well as the good. We dare not forget the holocausts, the genocides, the school shootings, the diseases, the war, the famine, the abhorrent injustice that bedevils us. We dare not forget how greed, lust, and excessive comfort beguile us. We dare not forget how doubt, frustration, and impatience plague us daily. We dare not forget our Sin. A memorial of Sin reminds us of our need to stand before God humbly, vulnerably, without privilege or power. All Saints and All Saints Eve demonstrate the human condition to us. We are sinners, devils, wicked foes of God, and enemies of Jesus. And we are blessed saints, beloved of the LORD, partners in the gospel and heirs according to the promise of God in Christ. Without Sin, there is no Cross. Without the cross, there is no salvation. Without salvation there is no life outside of Sin.
So trick someone before you treat them. Sin and grace are not an “either/or”, but a “both/and” reality. I for one can’t wait to see their faces! Happy Halloween. And a Blessed All Saints day, too.
On All Saints Day, we are compelled to remember the past and the good we were permitted to give and to receive. We remember those faithful departed ones, most dear to us, who are the saints of our lives. And we remember all the saints, from the apostles and martyrs to the exemplary witnesses and teachers of the faith who we never met, but upon whose foundation our faith is built. We dare not forget them, for their memory in part inspires our living. When we remember them, we remember their innocence and the way in which they somehow showed GOD to us. We remember their exemplary behavior, their good nature. We remember His compassion and her servant heart. We remember her joy and his stalwart commitment. We remember the pew they sat in or the ministry they exercised. It is the good we recall with some sorrow in their passing. We light a candle in memory of the light they shared with others.
And yet, on the eve of all saints we are mindful of those devils among us, too. Some Christians avoid Halloween and its paganistic origins. “We dare not empower witches and devils by observing such a night.” I disagree. To avoid Halloween is to avoid SIN. How can we remember the ways in which God’s grace is incarnate among us in the saints of life, if we don’t also recall the power of Sin and the devil’s wicked ways as well? No saint is purely innocent, though our memories and observances might falsely report it. Halloween helps to tells the whole truth about the saints and devils we’ve known and loved. It also reminds us that we are both saint and sinner, angel and devil, blessing and curse. And we can thank God that both are true. Because without God we are bedeviled sinners with no hope.
So as we think back on our loved ones, we recall that his faithfulness to church was coupled with unfaithfulness to his wife. We remember that her diligent service was rivaled by her passionate bigotry.
We dare not forget that evil pervades the human heart as well as the good. We dare not forget the holocausts, the genocides, the school shootings, the diseases, the war, the famine, the abhorrent injustice that bedevils us. We dare not forget how greed, lust, and excessive comfort beguile us. We dare not forget how doubt, frustration, and impatience plague us daily. We dare not forget our Sin. A memorial of Sin reminds us of our need to stand before God humbly, vulnerably, without privilege or power. All Saints and All Saints Eve demonstrate the human condition to us. We are sinners, devils, wicked foes of God, and enemies of Jesus. And we are blessed saints, beloved of the LORD, partners in the gospel and heirs according to the promise of God in Christ. Without Sin, there is no Cross. Without the cross, there is no salvation. Without salvation there is no life outside of Sin.
So trick someone before you treat them. Sin and grace are not an “either/or”, but a “both/and” reality. I for one can’t wait to see their faces! Happy Halloween. And a Blessed All Saints day, too.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
X’s and Why’s? the quest to question GOD
Coming Soon: Watch for posting about date, place, and time
WHAT?---A Gathering of peers with questions to ask. ““To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions.” Sam Keen, religious philosopher.
WHO?---- I am a person of faith and a follower of JESUS. I am 32 years old. They have labeled us GENeration X. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35, you’re in it. I seek to gather others for conversation, coffee, and cake. (deep in the conversation, dark on the coffee, chocolate on the cake).
WHY?---- To engage my peers in the quest for a better world. To identify and encounter GOD in the mysteries and questions of life. To NOT have all the answers. To be a faithful follower of JESUS. To make community. To find what’s missing.
With conversation topics: Is it possible to experience God? What is religion good for? Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Moses, and me? Sacred text? Am i spiritual and what is spirituality? Why is there nothing on TV? Bono vs. Bush, and compassionate politics? Are we a lost generation? What is faith? How can we be hopeful in a big way? Why we need Dr. Phil and why we don’t need Dr. Phil.
WHAT?---A Gathering of peers with questions to ask. ““To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions.” Sam Keen, religious philosopher.
WHO?---- I am a person of faith and a follower of JESUS. I am 32 years old. They have labeled us GENeration X. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35, you’re in it. I seek to gather others for conversation, coffee, and cake. (deep in the conversation, dark on the coffee, chocolate on the cake).
WHY?---- To engage my peers in the quest for a better world. To identify and encounter GOD in the mysteries and questions of life. To NOT have all the answers. To be a faithful follower of JESUS. To make community. To find what’s missing.
With conversation topics: Is it possible to experience God? What is religion good for? Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Moses, and me? Sacred text? Am i spiritual and what is spirituality? Why is there nothing on TV? Bono vs. Bush, and compassionate politics? Are we a lost generation? What is faith? How can we be hopeful in a big way? Why we need Dr. Phil and why we don’t need Dr. Phil.
What I believe about Christian Worship, pt. 3
It is catholic and apostolic---We who are invited and gathered are sent to share the good news and feed the hungry. Our apostolic mission is universal. It excludes no one. No one is outside the possibility of GOD”S saving grace. No one is outside the possibility of becoming part of CHRIST’s body. Worship is catholic when its scope is universal. That is, when it does not cater to the preferences of a homogeneous group, but is cast in broader strokes. Catholic worship is expressed through variety and embraces new and old, familiar and unfamiliar, ancient and modern, music and silence. Worship that is not catholic is narrowly defined in its language and practice. It is characterized by a dull uniformity to the likes/expressions of the few, rather than expansive worship expressions of the many.
Apostolic worship is missional and inspires a lifestyle outside of the four walls of the church building and the 1 ½ hours of weekly worship. Worship that is not apostolic only satisfies the inner needs of the self, without inspiring service.
Apostolic worship is missional and inspires a lifestyle outside of the four walls of the church building and the 1 ½ hours of weekly worship. Worship that is not apostolic only satisfies the inner needs of the self, without inspiring service.
What I believe about Christian Worship, pt. 2
It is sacramental---That is it mediates the spiritual presence of God by actual physical means. We believe that GOD is truly present in the crucified yet living, resurrected body of JESUS made visible and edible in the sacrament. We remember Jesus when we eat the bread that is HIS body and drink the wine that is HIS blood. We are washed, drowned, revived, refreshed in the waters of Baptism. The sacramental character of worship is personal---it is expressed in daily living. Every day we are renewed, remade by GOD. Every day GOD nourishes us. Faith tells us this is true. Worship reflects this truth.
Sacrament is invitational---we are invited to the table freely and openly because JESUS welcomes us to meet HIM there. We are invited to the waters of Baptism because JESUS commissions us to “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT…”. That GPD chooses to invite is historically obvious. Why and who and when GOD chooses to invite is a mystery. So too the presence of GOD in sacrament is a mystery we cannot fathom by reason, but only by faith—a blind trust in HIS promise recorded in Scripture. When the table includes everybody and the baptismal life is offered to those who do not know GOD, we are sacramental.
Sacrament is invitational---we are invited to the table freely and openly because JESUS welcomes us to meet HIM there. We are invited to the waters of Baptism because JESUS commissions us to “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT…”. That GPD chooses to invite is historically obvious. Why and who and when GOD chooses to invite is a mystery. So too the presence of GOD in sacrament is a mystery we cannot fathom by reason, but only by faith—a blind trust in HIS promise recorded in Scripture. When the table includes everybody and the baptismal life is offered to those who do not know GOD, we are sacramental.
What I believe about Christian Worship, pt. 1
It is evangelical---the core of it is the message of the gospel, the good news proclaimed by JESUS. Contained in this message is hope, love, peace, joy, new life, forgiveness, freedom, justice, rescue. This message is radically inclusive. No one is excluded. Everyone is invited to hear, see, believe and live. Mark’s JESUS embraces Jew and Gentile. Matthew’s JESUS embraces the nations. Luke’s JESUS is the savior of the world who inspires witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. And John’s JESUS is the savior of the cosmos. It comes to us as a promise from GOD for all humanity. It comes with a commission to its hearers and believers---to share this message with all humanity. Evangelical worship inspires evangelical living. We are called to bear Jesus’ message in the world for the sake of all people. Worship must reflect this radically inclusive gospel. This inclusivity is expressed in hospitality. We invite and welcome all by what we do together in worship. If we do not welcome and invite all, we are not evangelical.
Apples and Community
On Saturday, nine of us joined 180 other people in an apple orchard in Lebanon County. For over two hours we picked fallen apples off the ground and bagged them up to be taken to the central PA food bank, among other places where the needy are not forgotten. Several church youth groups, adult volunteers and teens, spent their Saturday morning on a crisp fall day serving hungry people they would never see. The event coordinator invited me to address the group and pray before we began gleaning. I reminded the group that the agricultural practice of gleaning is biblical, found in Deuteronomy. The LORD commanded the farmers to leave a portion of their produce for the poor, the widows, and the orphans so that they might not be neglected in the harvest. The first fruits that the farmer picked, a tenth or tithe, was also dedicated to God for the priests to eat. So the LORD got the firsts and the poor got the required leftovers. I prayed for the orchard-owners who generously shared their bounty. I blessed God for abundantly providing. I commended the poor and hungry into the hands of the compassionate God who feeds us all. After that, we started gleaning on hands-and-knees. Some picked faster than others. A veteran harvester like me could pick six or seven times faster than some of the teens. In the end, we all participated. I met some people there. On the back of an old ford pickup truck, I met two teenage girls who attend Trinity Lutheran in Lebanon. One of them is a student at Cedar Crest middle school, where my wife taught before our boys were born. My wife taught her older sister. I made sure to get their names to tell my wife that I met the sister of a former student. It’s fun to make connections.
After we picked apples and loaded them onto trucks and wagons, we stopped by the farmer’s store for some apple cider and cookies. Then we drove to camp Kirchenwald for a picnic lunch and a hike to a favorite spot. It was a beautiful fall day. We picnicked under the pavilion. Then we hiked out to Buzzard’s rocks, a place like Devil’s den in Gettysburg, where large boulders make for fun climbing. Along the way there we missed a turn and bumped into two hunters. We tracked back to the left turn and finally made our way to the rocks. The kids climbed. We watched. I sat down atop one of the large boulders. As I sat there, about a mile from camp I gazed down at the rock to see a name etched in it. It was the name of the girl I met at the orchard followed by ’06. There were 186 gleaners. I knew one new name, the name of the sister of one of my wife’s former students. She is a 7th grade Lutheran. At some point in the past, she had climbed that rock with a youth group, a church group, a summer camp cabin group, a family, and written her name. When had she been there? Why is it that I met her and found her name at Buzzard’s rock? What forces are at work to create such a coincidence? The church, the people of God who serve and live in the name of Jesus, is a family. We travel along the same pathway. We journey together. We seek the same God, the same justice, the same grace. We work in the same valley and climb the same rocks. We share the same bread and cup, hear the same Word. And every once-in-awhile we are reminded how good it feels to be in relationship with these people who belong to Jesus and share His dream of a new creation. With love, Pastor Matt
After we picked apples and loaded them onto trucks and wagons, we stopped by the farmer’s store for some apple cider and cookies. Then we drove to camp Kirchenwald for a picnic lunch and a hike to a favorite spot. It was a beautiful fall day. We picnicked under the pavilion. Then we hiked out to Buzzard’s rocks, a place like Devil’s den in Gettysburg, where large boulders make for fun climbing. Along the way there we missed a turn and bumped into two hunters. We tracked back to the left turn and finally made our way to the rocks. The kids climbed. We watched. I sat down atop one of the large boulders. As I sat there, about a mile from camp I gazed down at the rock to see a name etched in it. It was the name of the girl I met at the orchard followed by ’06. There were 186 gleaners. I knew one new name, the name of the sister of one of my wife’s former students. She is a 7th grade Lutheran. At some point in the past, she had climbed that rock with a youth group, a church group, a summer camp cabin group, a family, and written her name. When had she been there? Why is it that I met her and found her name at Buzzard’s rock? What forces are at work to create such a coincidence? The church, the people of God who serve and live in the name of Jesus, is a family. We travel along the same pathway. We journey together. We seek the same God, the same justice, the same grace. We work in the same valley and climb the same rocks. We share the same bread and cup, hear the same Word. And every once-in-awhile we are reminded how good it feels to be in relationship with these people who belong to Jesus and share His dream of a new creation. With love, Pastor Matt
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