empty rockers and full calendars

The rocking chair is not an image for daily ministry, is it? I wish it were. Silver bay in the Adirondacks has become a sacred place for me and my family because there are empty rocking chairs. They beckon us to stop and sit awhile. To enjoy the day and the hour without a schedule book, a watch, an appointment calendar. It is necessary. Because Martha needs Mary's example.
Ministry is so haphazard. A routine is nearly impossible. Flexibility and availability are critical. I am constantly overscheduled. Between visiting people(both insiders and outsiders), tending to necessary chores (chaplaincy stuff), disciple-making, and community organizing I am full. I rarely have a day to regroup. And tonight a meeting is cancelled. We will have a meeting on Thursday night that I am looking forward to. Add on that the "beyond the local context" ministry I am involved in--I call it Apostolic ministry (building up and serving the body of Christ in its broader expression) and my life in ministry is stretched pretty thin these days. Much of it is good, healthy, inspiring stuff. I love that Steve is calling me, because in so doing he is calling to GOD. I have become thier priest, their pastor, their servant friend. But I also feel responsible.
I guess I have the post-family retreat reality blues. Because Silver bay was sooooo wonderful for us. I have rarely looked forward to something happening again. Not since college. A sacred place for us used to be Mountain Dale Farms, where Cherie and I got engaged. Where we first "met", where we first talked. I guess you can say where we fell in love. Sounds romantic or maybe a bit cheesy, but its true.
I am excited about the missional group meeting tomorrow and the opportunity to share in the various ways that God's Spirit is working among us. I am deeply encouraged by the eucharistic fellowship group meeting weekly in the city. I am excited about conversations with exiled young people seeking Christian fellowship. I am excited about LAMPa. All of these things are gifts of God and tasks of discipleship.

But, despite all that, it is the empty rocking chair that is calling me and Cherie... "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest..." I love Jesus as much for that promise as any other in Scripture.

Brian McLaren at lambeth

Lambeth

From: brianmclaren, 1 month ago

Lambeth

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Brian McLaren gave a plenary session at Lambeth in July 2008.


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next Sunday...

Matthew 22:15-22---Who has the best tax plan? Who is your emperor? Who rules your life, your money, your choices, your heart?

Matthew 22. Sunday's Word. On rejecting divine invitations.

Tupper ware. When I was a kid, my mom was invited to tupper ware parties all the time. I remember that she would go sometimes, but rarely. Usually she thought of an excuse not to go. She hated the concept of being sold through friendship, it cheapened the relationship she thought, to feel obligated to go and buy something.
And there are also weddings, right? And other parties? Events of varying degrees. They can impose on our lives and schedules. We can get invited to things that we don’t want to attend, but feel obligated to do so. Not all events are like this of course. Many times we are invited to things we expect to attend and enjoy, and sometimes we get invited to something that surprises us, to which we expected no invitation, but were honored to participate in. I’ve been honored once or twice to participate in various weddings. There are invitations we accept. And those we reject. There are invitations we accept out of obligation or necessity. The boss’ daughters’ wedding shower. The birthday party. That wedding. It happens.
Interestingly enough. Jesus used an illustration like this to teach. But it is twisted a little. It raises questions, doesn’t it? Who treats the King’s slaves in such a scornful way? Had they no fear of the King? What sort of King was not powerful enough to coerce his subject to do his bidding? Is not that the right of kings? Could he not have forced them to come? Why then did he send an army and destroy them? Were not these his invited guests? With friends like them, who needs enemies? I sort of wonder if they weren’t his enemies. Was this wedding meant also to be a truce, a treaty, a cease fire, a unifying event? I suspect maybe. Maybe this King saw the opportunity of his sons wedding as a place where he could deal graciously with his enemies. But they rejected this scheme. They would not be his puppets. They would not go. And they would send a message back through the slaves, that they were not going to let the King boss them around. They were probably martyrs for their anti-King cause on the day after the troops descended on their village.
Then Jesus tells us that the wedding hall was filled with anyone’s. So the guest list went from the King’s enemies to Joe Six pack and the Hockey Mom next door. Did any of these people really know the King or his son. Were these guests family, friends, or merely subjects?
And then there is the part about the wedding robe and the speechless guest who is tossed into chaos and darkness. Into the dungeon of despair.
For many are called but few are chosen.

How do we unpack this? In Jesus’ day, you were either chosen or not. You were invited to the heavenly banquet or not. And people argued about who was in and who was not, within Judaism. Jews were chosen. But within the Abrahamic family there were arguments about who was really in God’s good graces. Law-abiding Pharisees? Or sinners who cry out to God for mercy? The poor widows? Or those who have been blessed with wealth? Those who believe in the resurrection or those who believe in the gift of this life. And Jesus tells them that they’re all missing the point. Because their pedigrees don’t determine their fate with God. Their actions do. How are they responding in their lives to the reality of God’s reign? If GOD is in charge, if GOD is like a King who invites people into the banquet, then are you available or not? The language of this parable is messianic banquet language found in Isaiah and the Psalms---it was a familiar way to talk about the anticipated reign of GOD.They knew what Jesus was saying. And they knew who he was talking about. So the questions tumble out of it: What actions reveal that you have surrendered your will to that of the King? How do you respond to the King’s requests? Because Sometimes we’re satisfied being on the guest list and decide that we don’t have to go, that we don’t want to go, that we can decide. That’s the real rub. Is life self-determined? Are we really capable of making good decisions, the right decisions? Or are we meant to hand ourselves over to GOD, trusting Him to know what is good and right and true for us? That is the meaning of Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus saw people who were so comfortable in their election, in their circumcision, in their membership as Jews that they were refusing to live a life consistent with the will of the God who chose them. He claims that God wants more than our occasional acknowledgement. God wants our love, our devotion, our hearts, souls and minds. God wants every piece of us. And he demands it. He is GOD. Who are we to decide how and when God gets to speak to us? Are we gods?
And as for that one who gets tossed out? He didn’t understand why he was there or for whom. He was, perhaps, a wedding crasher---There for the food, the women, and wine, but not for the King’s son. Showing up is not enough. Its not enough to receive the benefits of membership. Its like joining a club but never working out. It matters that you take part in the event. And the event is nothing less that the wedding feast of the King’s Son. What the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day were rejecting when they rejected Jesus is the divine feast for the Son who had come to take His bride. Jesus’ bride is the church. His beloved. This is about divine love, a sacred romance that captures us. Think of the most wonderful wedding you ever had the privilege to attend. That is what we are called to be part of on Sundays. This is the feast and celebration. This is the wedding banquet of the Son of God. And it is not enough that you showed up. Its better than deciding that you have better things to do. When did it become an option to choose GOD? Its not. Never has been. God chooses us. The thing is, God is not the kind of King who destroys people for rejecting His invitation. Instead, he sends out his servants to find others. Today he found you.
When we are here, we are invited to adore Christ and His bride. We are invited to witness the beauty and power and love and glory of GOD and to surrender ourselves to it. That is ultimately the claim of any disciple of Jesus. I have surrendered my will to God. I have no power anymore save what God gives me. I become a slave. But a slave who loves His master because His master is so good. GOD does not coerce or threaten. God invites. On behalf of my LORD I invite all of you to this feast of love. It happens every week. Amen.

Acts 6

Last Wednesday we read Acts 6. This is what we heard. The apostles faced an administrative problem in the daily table service. Some of the Greek widows were being "overlooked" or neglected by the Hebrews. (There is ethnic division in the community that is effecting service for the poor ad vulnerable.) The apostles respond to this neglect by identifying another problem. They are neglecting the Word of GOD in order to serve tables. in a sense they have abandoned God's Word to serve the poor. Interesting how there is already a division occurring within gospel ministry---service of the Word and service of the people. Incarnational mission in the community leads to neglect of God's Word. And so they respond. They could have decided to divide the labor between the 12. 6 of us will serve the Hebrews and 6 of us will serve the Greeks. But they don't. They make a bolder move. They step out of the daily table service ministry and hand it over to seven others, known in the community for their Spirit and wisdom. Philip and Stephen are part of this group of emerging, indigenous servant-leaders. The apostles actually give up, surrender their public role as "soup kitchen volunteers". And they devote themselves to the service of the Word and to prayer. Now, this was not the first monastic community, either. They were not spearating social ministry from prayer. That is a later construct and one that impoverishes the church. But we can learn a lesson here. Both the administrative business of the church and the sacred business are equally important. We ought not to neglect either. As a result of the apostolic decision to serve the Word and prayer (a priestly function) "many priests became obedient to the faith." What happens when a church council decides, for example to eliminat bible study from meetings? I think it diminishes our capacity to hear God speak to us regarding the other business at hand. We like to keep God out of our "secular business decisions", don't we? Bible study is fine, so long as it doesn't interfere with our priorities.
One of the questions the story asks us is "who or what is being neglected in the church?" Is God's Word and prayer being neglected, left out, abandoned? Is daily service rendered to the vulnerable and the least being neglected? I find it interesting that ther eis little more said about this daily table service. How did it emerge? What was it about? Acts is ambiguous about this for a reason. t is enough, I think, to hear that the community was serving the poorest and most vulnerable every day somehow. And the result was a good problem to have. They were serving a growing number of people, both Jews and Greeks. They were becoming multicultural. And they were struggling. The response was that the apostles empowered others in the community and gave away that ministry so that they could devote themselves to God's Word and prayer. And the selected men met a certain criteria or lithmus test: people who are well-regarded, full of the Spirit and wisdom. They were passionate about Christ and the mission, and they were thoughtful about how to engage in it. The apostles literally laid hands on them, thereby publically acknowledging their empowerment and authorization.
Amazingly enough, in this congregation there are people who do not acknowledge that the church has empowered and authorized me by ordination to this ministry, to call this flock to discipleship that includes attention to God's Word and prayer, and attention to the needs of the local/global community. But it is not surprising. When Stephen, one of the seven, speaks truth about Jesus to people in authority he is stoned to death. I know what its like to have stones cast at you. Funny thing is, they don't hurt me anymore. I suspect they didnt hurt Stephen either.
May God be glorified.

Acts 5

I was teaching acts five on Wednesday and discovered how Psalm 118 shaped the Apostles' ministry. I am emboldened by what i see them doing. basically evangelism is telling others that the amazing stuff happening in their community is a result of God raising Jesus from the dead. When someone is healed, the apostles said, "jesus did that." And they were willing to say it to anyone, anywhere. And they didn't avoid confrontation. In fact they practiced ministry in Solomon's porch because it was the meetingplace/marketplace between temple Judaism and the gentile world. Itwas the mediating space between the holy of holies and hell on earth. where the saints and the sinners met together.and they turned the porch into a school, a hospital, and a soup kitchen. As a result, the community gathered in that public space became a sign of the kingdom of GOD announced by Jesus. What if we could be the kind of church that was open, public space where people might gather to receive the gifts of Jesus---healing, forgiveness, food, water, shelter, peace, compassionate mercy, economic justice through sharing. I pray that others might come to see and hear the apostles' ministry in Acts as an example of our own baptismal vocation in this age.

Acts 5

GOD, you are so cool

God is awesome. I love when a group of people get together and you can tell Jesus is there somehow. I love it when a group of people are all on the same page and are ready to let God use them to accomplish the mission. tonight we were able to take the next steps in creating a space in our building for relational ministry to occur. like solomon's porch, we are preparing to open a marketplace of free and necessary items (clothes, household goods, food, other stuff) for our neighbors. we have seen how faithfulness has been multiplied at the open door clothing bank in lititz. every year for five years Lititz methodist increased its output of generosity, providing school kits and backpacks to families. five years ago they made 75 school kits. this year they made over 840. five years ago they gave out no backpacks. in fact in the course of about three years they started giving away backpacks for kids--from 320 to over 800. amazing. loaves and fishes, man, loaves and fishes. God sees abundance. we see scarcity. God creates a way in which economic justice might occur in a local community through a spirit of generous sharing that embodies the faithfulness of God. God is awesome.
Jeff neikirk has agreed to teach confirmation...and in our situation that means to walk with and mentor three to five young people. Also awesome.
I am learning about being a mission church training mission servants. we are not a full service church, said my friend Shawn. we are a mission school and a worshipping community of disciples following Jesus. So the goal is to invite and encourage people to become part of the training and practice.
The prayer class I'm leading right now has been neat too. I think it will become a repeatable learning experience. maybe annually. a way that we train small groups to pray...
"For God alone my soul in silence waits." psalm 62:1.

a youthful church

I am sick of youth ministry being the red-headed subordinate step-child to the real adult church ministry of our modern,aging congregations. When youth ministry is a subculture of the Christian ed. comittee and afforded an annual "youth Sunday" appearance and a small budget for "activities", the church fails to empower, equip, and encourage the leadership of people under the age of forty. Most youth ministry is done outside of the congregation in our synod; in LYO events. Again, youth are discipled and equipped at these events, but not so much into a daily, weekly rhythm of life in congregations. Many return from youth events with spiritual power and find congregations unwilling to release them into ministry and leadership.
A generation of Americans chose to keep their children under their authority by creating longer dependency in a demographic called "young adulthood". Young adults are not full adults, see. Not capable of the management-style leadership of their savvy parents.I get tired of my elders sitting around a room criticizing this next generation, not realizing that I am in the room--boldly leading a church that is largely being stifled by an unyielding generation of adults.
So, I met with Jay Eckman. He believes, as do I, that it is time to build a church of youthful leaders. There are plenty of faithful adult disciples under the age of forty who are ready for authentic Christian community that embraces the mysteries of God, the stewardship of all creation, and the cruciform mission of suffering love for the sick, poor, isolated, marginalized, oppressed, and hungry neigbors. I wonder if, as we connect various conversations that are occurring around us, a new church community might emerge? What might a church look like whose leaders and followers are all under the age of forty? What moght a church look like whose worship, learning, and service is conducted by those same young adults who are currently disconnected from their parent's or grandparents church? A church that embraces a DNA of spirit-led innovation, cross-centered love of neighbor, and a deep commitment to God's Word, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. I wonder if God is calling us to be a new kind of church with a new way of life together. We shall see.

the conversation continues...

So, what began as a conversation at a coffee shop, became a weekly conversation between Rodney Martin and me. Rodney is a progressive Mennonoite pastor in Lititz. He has the missional/emergent DNA and is involved in dialogue with the Greek Orthodox church.
Rodney and I invited Brian to join the conversation, which has become a missional order. We are a sort of brotherhood, meeting weekly for intentional prayer, dwelling in the Word, and conversation. We are growing. We have invited Ryan, a cutting edge emergent/postmodern community leader from the Brethren church. And we have invited Shawn, B in C church planter, who is building a community of faith in the city of Lancaster called Inner metro green. We will continue to invite others to become part of this order or way of life. We see ourselves as the next wave of catholic evangelicals, who envision and embody a missional communion as the body of Christ in our local context. We do not need to create a theological statement of commonality in order to practice the gospel together. This Monday afternoon we will celebrate the Eucharist together! We are using a daily lectionary and prayerbook published by the Lutherans. We will read 1 Corinthians 11 as a common source of our practice of the Lord's Supper. We will pray Hippolytus' eucharistic prayer and use other prayers from the pre-schismatic orthodox church as a visible practice of unity. This is amazing. Unprecendented? Maybe. Have Lutherans and anabaptists shared a commitment to WOrd and Sacrament fellowship, and a commitment to becoe the church in mission together, too? I know many ministeriums that server their communities together. But do they celebrate sacramental worship? My hope is that this fellowship evolves, expands, and develops a mission of hospitality whereby leaders from a variety of traditions might come to the one table to share the bread of life.

deny yourself

My wife went down to the Lititz Public library this morning. Its a big morning. Story time sign-ups are today for the fall story times. if you don't get there early enough, you'll not get a spot in the story time you want. Soshewent down at 8:30 and stood in line for approximately 100 other moms. While in line, two friends stood in front of her and behind her. Rather thanrelinquish her spot to talk with her friend, the woman ahead of my wife talked around her, as if she wasn't there.
Cherie listened to the women talk abou themselves. Which day will be their manicure day, which days and hours will be their exercise/rec center days. They talked about their husbands' rec time to ride mountain bikes, etc...They were sharing their schedules. "Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30c to 11:00 is my exercise time. Wednesday afternoon is my manicure day. Thursday morning is my mom's bible study group." It all sounds like keeping up with the Joneses, self-improvement, consumerism. Cherie came home and told me about it because she has no plans for herself. Oh, she did schedule to get her haircut next week. But she and I spend little time or energy in self-improvement, at least not in the kind of self-improvement that most consumer Americans partake in. The expensive club memberships, spa treatments, even night's out with friends are not on our agenda these days. Why not?
If any want to become my followers they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me." Self-denial is unpopular at best, absolutely anathema to most Americans. Rather thanself-denial, we seek to affirm the self, adore the self, adorn the self, gratify the self, pamper the self, protect the self, idolize the self. Self-importance is the defining character trait of most Americans. Autonomy, self-rule, self-governance, self-indulgence, self-centered living. independence is a virtue that leads to self-idolatry, rather than freedom. True freedom comes in the denial of the self that Jesus embodied. Paul's use of kenosis, self-emptying, in Philippians 2 reveals this amazing act of GODseen in the life and death of Jesus. He surrendered his will to GOD, the one greater than all others.
We pray, "...your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Being called to live like Jesus today means to deny the self-idolatry of our culture. not easy. Not popular. What should I do with my Ipod?

King, Obama

Today we are seeing history. Almost 146 years ago Abraham Lincoln, Illinois lawyer who became President, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This began a revolution in American life that continues tonight...
It was 45 years ago today that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave one of the most fambous speeches in the 20th century; "I have a Dream..."
Tonight Barack Obama, Illinois lawyer and US Senator, will address the world as the first African American nominee for President of the United States!
This is a pivotal event in black Amrican history. We should pause, thank GOD, and vote for Obama.
I'm not even sure it matters whether or not we agree with him politically. He has emerged at a time when the US needs a change in the way our leaders understand and use power. he has emerged at a time when a season of hope is necessary. People have called his message of hope nothing but words. But I say, without a more hopeful vision we will never attain a better state of the union. Dr. King would attest to that. 45 years later his words of hope, his dream speech still empowers and challenges us. It is a vision to which we must all aspire. Without a visionary leader whose aspirations actually consider the needs of all people, especially the suffering isolated poor, the infirm, the prisoner, the elderly and the very young.
You know, I think most of us just want to be inspired. We want to experience something greater than ourselves that calls us to a higher way of life. I don't believe that Obama or any President for that matter is going to accomplish world peace, economic equality, health for all people, meaningful employment for every able bodied person, a new car, green renewable energy, and a weekend getaway for two to the Bahamas! I believe that communities can envision, plan, and work toward these goals. I believe there are millions of factors affecting the potential fulfillment of any of these dreams. As many factors as people...How will my sons benefit from our labor and what will they dream, attain, and offer for their kids?
I will say this: Just seeing the possibility that a black kid raised by a single mom who chooses to work in south chicago doing urban community development about low income people, can emerge as a hopeful Presidential candidate is inspiring enough for me today!
Apart from the messianic-like anointing in speech after speech that is offered to American Presidential candidates, I assure you, dear reader, that the only political leader I know who is able to fulfill promises of such high magnitude was crucified for having said so. That being said, dreams worth pursuing and hopes worth announcing tend to require sacrifice to attain. For the Christian disciple that means living in such a way that nothing else matters but the fulfillment of the dream. Kingdom of God living means taking up the cross. I am suggesting that a new kind of President must be willing to suffer with us. I am doubtful of that. And so all of my hope is on Jesus the king and the Kingdom I am coming to see more clearly and love more deeply.
So watch the DNC tonight and see history. But see it in its bigger context...because through history God is moving us toward the dream ,the vision, the new creation---a much bigger deal than the American dream.

Get behind me, Satan!

What prevents us from living the way God intends? Or who? Why? Today is Wednesday so we gathered here for prayer and bible reading/discussion. What we learned is that God does amazing things in people's lives. Certain of us are able to interpret most things in the context of the divine creation drama---everything is spiritual. When we do, especially when the church shares the message of the cross and resurrection of Jesus, people resonate with it---it brings hope. But there are people that will always oppose the things that God does. What kind of a God creates resistance? Or allows it? God seems to revel at the possibility that people can change, see the light, have their minds reoriented.
I was asked yesterday, how is God shaking my world? I'm not exactly sure. So I wonder if its fair for me to call others to reorientation/transformation when I can't right now identify where God is working on me. How am I struggling? I guess with setting mission priorities, with attending to prayer, silence, reading. And I do sometimes fail to move. But I don't have the motivation to produce. Maybe I should. Maybe I should be more productive somehow. I am concerned about connecting with younger adults and calling them to faithfulness. I have thought about the lack of connection that I have with peers andothers in my generation localy who might benefit from a spiritual friendship.
maybe if I join the Lititz rec. I will have a point of contact. And maybe if I connect at javateas more regularly...I am not in a situation that offers me contact, I have to create it myself. And that is hard. under what pretense do I meet people? Work, school, church, or other affinity groups are venues for relationship-building among peers. None of the above opportunites are afforded to me for peer-to-peer relationships. Maybe if I get connected at Akron Elemntary a little deeper I'll meet some peers who are teaching there. Although that is hard too. How much time would I have to spend there as a volunteer in order to buld relationships with other faculty?
So many obstacles prevent me from seeking out others. I long for a community of faithful peers seeking to be together for worship, friendship, and simple mission. But I have no clue how to get such a thing started here. Any suggestions anyone?

why silence

I'm going to try an experiment with someone who, I think, is ready to hear from GOD. She is a yuong adult, single, working woman, living uot of state. She is struggling with her dad's terminal illness and her need for forgiveness to heal their relationship. Not that their relationship is tragically broken, because they are a family and they do love each other. But, there is pain in the unfinished business of wounded history. Forgiveness is the key to unlock the Kingdom of GOD, according to Jesus. Forgiveness opens the door preventing us from entering in full relationship with GOD and the other. To be released from guilt, shame, punishment, and the need to be judge and punisher is a huge gift that people struggle to accept and receive. How overburdened people are with these painful demons. But forgiveness must be practiced, tested, experienced, lived, and worked on. Forgivenenss is like learning to make and fly a kite. Yuo gotta have the right materials, wind conditions, and a willingness to let something go by a very thin string into the sky.
So, I suggested that she undertake a spiritual discipline as part of the healing process. She is going to counseling, but I think a holistic approach to health is important and often neglected by the medical community. I don't blame them. There is little science or empirical evidence to support the concept of the spirit or the soul. But if you breathe, you are spiritual. And not just a cardio-pulminary, vascular system. We are more than flesh and blood.
So, I have asked her to join me (I won't ask someone to do something I won't do myself, unless it is impossible for me to do it), in six days of ten-minute fasting moments. ten minutes of silence for six days, in a quiet place, outdoors, with a single white paper that has a question written on it: "Why?"
On the 7th day, we are supposed to write the answer to the question. ONe hour of silence in a week. That's it. And then we respond. We will share on the 7th day.
I don't know what will happen. Will GOD surprise us both? Will we be disappointed? Will the reward simply be the silence? or the question? or the answer? Will any healing come from such an exercise?
She and I both realize a need for silence and the lack of it. She is willing to try this, can't hurt we guess. And, at the very least, it keeps us talking about healing as a spiritual process as well as a mental/physical one.
I've never tried such an experiment with anyone who has sought spiritual counsel from me before.
Listening for GOD in the silence and in the question, what will I hear or see? Who will I become? I feel some risk in the undertaking, but I know that I am doing this with and for someone else, too. I suggested that we do this because I am walking with her, accompanying her on her spiritual journey. And she is accompanying me, too.
What do you experience in silence? In a question? Can GOD speak a Word to us through a spiritual practice such as this? May Jesus join us as we seek to listen.

Spiritual direction and Democratic politics

I have a cool job. It's hardly a job. It's more like a lifestyle lived out than a job. Today I will spend my day in conversations with people--often about what it is to be fully human, to have an abundant life (not wealthy material abundance, but spirit-filled, joyous living abundance). I will talk about GOD and Jesus and the Holy Spirit actively living and breathing and creating and saving us. And I will get to pray for a while.
I will visit some elderly folks this afternoon. Some need visited because no one visits them. How we neglect widows and the aged. We service them, nurse them, medicate them, and assist them with physical needs. But sometimes even families avoid going to see them. 94 years old. Sitting alone in front of the TV set for hours every day. Very few of the 168 hours in a week include a visitor who is there because of love. I get to go and say, I am here because of love and love alone. It is not a job that brings me here. No obligation. Just love.
Some would say, thats not true. That every visit I make is made on account of my position as Pastor. I say that the position is merely a way in which I can function in this way of life/love and not be accused of "shirking my duties" or avoiding "real work." The ordained ministry is a vehicle through which I am able to be the person God calls me to be. Its like wearing credentials. I'm always a follwer of Jesus, but being a pastor affords me the space and time in our culture to practice this way of life. IN so doing, I am able to help others practice it too in the ways they are able, in the midst of life's busy challenges.
Oh, I love Michelle Obama. She spoke at the Democratic convention last night. She wears sincerity and integrity like a wedding gown. I've never been so excited about presidential politics and the possibility that a family might lead the United States into a vision that is bigger and better than many Americans dream. I think Obama is hopeful because he has seen what ought to be and he knows how to get there. I connect with them on this level. Hope is when the big vision of the best life is revealed to someone who can lead a people toward its fruition.
Today it will take a person who is willing to cut through the crap and cling to the vision and move forward despite adversity and opposition. Someone who listens to the needs of the opressed and the least. Someone who is willing to love others and live that love with integrity, purpose, and strength. I think it will take leadership that sees a new direction, a departure from imperial consumeristic culture. I also think Obama is young enough to understand postmodernity as a deep cultural shift that requires leadership that understands the turmoil of such a shift in the minds of three or four generations who see the world and speak about it in markedly different ways. I wonder what kind of spiritual counsel a President Obama would seek out?
Speaking of which, time for me to go to York and pray with my spiritual director.

meaningful conversation as ministry

Does anyone else have the "post-olympics, broadcast tv totally sucks, too tired to read a serious book, need to be entertained before bed" end-of-summer blues? maybe it's just me. I thought I would be watching the Democratic National Convention in prime time, hoping to hear Michelle Obama tonight. Instead there are a couple of sex-focused comedies (thoughtless and adolescent), or a couple of (un)reality tv shows. I have rarely been so disinterested in television.
Today was a full day. Ministry consisted in a few conversations: Three were scheduled, two were unscheduled. One was less a conversation and more about someone telling me a story about how they met a deceased friend many years ago. Two other connections were really made to schedule conversations another time given the depth and breadth of the topics we need to talk about. Another connection was an ongoing relationship with a coworker and friend who needs spiritual friendship for vocational discernment. Which reminds me that Brian McLaren's book, "More Ready than you realize" is angood text on having spiritual conversations with people---listening to people for discernment and to help them discover communion with God.
I also accompanied Rodney on a little mission, as he continues to be triangulated in a very unhealthy marriage. We transported a woman from filing a PFA in Lancaster to her home, where her husband awaited her. he also confronted Rodney. I think he may be dangerous. he may have deluded hmself into believing that he would be justified in hurting his wife and calling it self-defense. he may have actually convinced himself that she is evil or abusive and that he is right to hurt her to "protect" his kids. he clearly demonstrated anger
So today I was able to walk and talk with people, mostly other Christians struggling to discern what is right to do or so in given situations. I guess it was a good day. Tomorrow is spiritual direction with Rich---looking forward to prayer and conversation.

Summer Footwear and the worship of the triune God

Lutherans of a certain generation remember a time when what one wore to worship mattered. There was a time when you wore your Sunday best and your best shoes to church. And now we live in such an informal, relaxed culture, that going to church and going to the ball game may not constitute different dress. is that okay? There are evangelical churches, especially megachurches, who have understood inclusion to mean that informal and relaxed apparel is normative and hospitably received---even expected! I think that some folks who go to Willow Creek might feel out of place by wearing a dress or suit and tie. So what ought we to think today about church clothes? There is a bigger question with respect to church culture and clothing or appearances. Who is welcome to hear God speak? Are there reasons why certain people should be excluded from the Christian community gathered on Sunday morning? Are there rules that play in our minds, part of being raised in a certain church culture, that determine whether or not someone is welcome? What about how someone dresses, what they wear? Are some people to be excluded because of their appearance? I wear sandals in the summer time. Others have worn shorts, jeans, flip-flops, etc… in worship, even when I preach and preside at the table. For some, this is a sign of disrespect. Am I disrespectful? If you know me, you know that I adore Christ, love GOD with my heart, have indeed devoted myself to Jesus and His way of love---as humbly as I can. I am not perfect. I am not trying to be right, either. I am trying to be authentically me. I dress the way I dress because I am who I am. I also pray that I am not offensive. I am, however, aware that I have an opportunity here to proclaim something. Jesus opposed the religious rules of His day that excluded people on grounds of uncleanliness. He welcomed, embraced, and included outcasts and sinners. This was not popular among the Pharisees. Jesus was rejected for authentically being God’s Son and announcing that the kingdom of God had come to the poor, the gentile the child, the outcast, the prodigal, the sinner, the thief. He did not seem to care about people’s clothing or religious habits. He loved people as they were because each is wonderfully made in the image of GOD. Jesus did, however, become angry about injustice and about excluding people from synagogue and temple on the basis of certain rules. So, I wear sandals because my footwear does not matter to God. Jesus loves me. That’s grace. And, Jesus calls us to welcome people NO Matter how they are dressed, how they smell, who they vote for, where they live, what color their skin happens to be, or what music they love. I don’t determine whether or not you are worthy to receive communion before I give it to you. It is a gift for everyone—no matter what you wear!
In my congregation, we recently had a clothing giveaway. Not a single person who came to that community event returned to thank God in worship here. (That's not to say that they didn't worship somewhere else). I have to wonder---do people without the "right" clothes feel excluded or judged by church people who dress up?
What will be the response when teens who come to worhsip here are told that their dress is inappropriate and disrespectful? Will they leave? Is a church that is out of step with the current cultural context viable? What do faithful people wear?
Jesus' only talk on dress has to do with worrying about what we will wear. "Consider the lillies of the field," says Jesus. Their beauty is unmatched even by Solomon in all of his splendor. Be who you are, wear what you've got.
So, I'll wear sandals to worship. Hey, someone said, "Who does he think he is, Jesus?" I say,if I'm going to be compared to anyone, I'm honored that it is my Lord. I pray that my heart, my love of others, my devotion to God is what reminds people of Jesus--not just my sandals.

Peace

I attended a conference last week titled, "Preaching peace in a Constantiinian world." It was sponsored by a group called "preachingpeace". I think a better title would have been practicing peace in a Constantinian church. The basic thought, espoused by most historic peace churches (Mennonites, Amish, Brethren...) is that before the Constantinian edict of Milan, the Christian movement was a peaceful movement, characterized by a non-violent polemics against the empire of Caesar. "Jesus is LORD" was a radical olitical statement of non-allegiance to the Roman emperor. Allegiance to Jesus the Messiah, Lord, and King, savior of the world, and prince of peace meant that one's life was bound to his death and resurrection. This meant that suffering at the hands of a persecuting empire was an act of faith. But under the rule of Constantine, the church goes from being a persecuted body to a politic that persecutes others in the name of Jesus. Constantine beleives that the cross gives him victory over his enemies, thereby uniting the sword and the cross as a weapon of conquest. Triumphalism becomes the theology of the church/state under Constantine. The result is 1,700 years of church collusion with the militant empires of this world. To our own day and the United States. The civil war proved that one cannot use the bible to justify warfare. When scripture authorizes violence against ones own brother then I think the rule of the house divided against itself cannot stand applies.
And yet, righteous imperialism thrived in the early 20th century. And with good cause, for there were atheistic enemies in the world--socialists and communists.
And now, are we fighting a Crusade, a holy war with Islamic extremism? Who will call Christian imperialism what it is---an extremist element within the Christian church?
I am a Lutheran. We have cited Augustine's just war as part of our self-understanding. God's peace is eschatological. In the interim, there is sometimes a righteous cause for violence--to protect the innocent. But, in today's world--who is innocent and who is guilty? Who is a civilian and who is an enemy combatant? Ever since Vietnam, warfare has become a gray, messy battlefield. And what doe Jesus command to "love your enemies" entail for us? To turn uor swords into plough shares is a sign of the kingdom of GOD according to the OT prophets. If Jesus is the prince of peace who came to bring not peace but a sword, how do we reconcile these things? I think Jesus came to bring spiritual division between one generation of Jews and the next. And what he means by generation, by parent vs. child, is that the family of GOD will be divided by His coming among us. And so it was. The children of Abraham were divided in their allegiance. Some followed Jesus as Christ and some did not. But I digress.
I have ben somehow converted by the teachings of this conference. I was always, I think a Christian pacifist, but now I am also aware of the impications of this theological position in this age.
Brian McLaren spoke about the stories or myths or paradigms that shape our worldview, understandings, realities. He named a number of them and placed them alongside the gospel. Christians are people who are telling an alternative story, a hopeful story, good news. if the Constantinian story has been one of triumph through military power, the gospel story is resurrection from the dead. The gospel story is about the "triumph" of evil and death; and the rising of true, divine power after evil's "triumph". I would like to read N.T. Wright's book Jesus and the Victory of GOD in response to what I have heard and seen.
I did leave the conference with questions? What is peace? is it possible before th eschaton? Is God peaceful? Is government good and, if so, what government? I think democracy has had a positive effect on the humanitarian rights of women, children, the outcasts. And yet it too is an interim reality. Ultimately, the church and the Kingdom of GOD is a strange kind of monarchy or a united trinitarian leadership that is not authoritarian or domineering in their use of power, but power exercised through self-giving love. How do we embody that when there is so much violence globally? Should the church have a greater role in quelling violence through nonviolent protest? How many Christian martyrs will there be before the end of the age? Will I be one? What if I'm not? MLK, Jr. said its not enough to hate war and violence, one has to love peace and pursue it.

weeping and rejoicing

On Sunday a dear woman, Gladys, age 78 and mother of three, had a massive stroke at home. She was worshipping with us at Zion only an hour or two before.
The family spent a couple of days with her in the hospital, though she never regained consciousness. She died around 7:00 am on Tuesday morning. I was privileged, as Pastors and spiritual leaders often are, to be with her and her family in the days and hours before her death. The breadth of human emotion is expressed in a time of imminent mortality. We laughed and cried. And there was GOD's grace and mercy.
Then, Tuesday night I went to Vacation Bible school at Zion in Leola. Cherie and I are offering gathering music to welcome kids every night. It is fun and light-hearted and happy-clappy.
So, on Tuesday I spent time mourning with a family in mourning and rejoicing with a crowd of rejoicing kids and adults! What other job in the world is like this---with people in the midst of the ups and downs. It can feel like a roller coaster, schizophrenic, and I love it!

trailer park incarnation

This famous picture Of Jesus is not Jesus. Sorry everybody who has this picture hanging in your house somewhere. It's not Jesus. I saw Him last week.
On Thursday afternoon I decided to take some flyers to a couple of local trailer parks, inviting residents to our 1st clothing giveaway and community cookout. I went to Hilltop first. Its a nicer trailer park, modular home park south of Akron. Most of the units in this community are newer, nicer dwellings. I saw a few people outside and invited them, all said thanks.
Thenk I decided to drive over Steinmetz toward the Clark's neighborhood on Hurst. On my way, however, I noticed a few mobile homes I'd not noticed before. It is a small park with maybe twenty dwellings on Steinmetz in Akron. I walked through and distributed flyers. Most of the dwellings were in disrepair, older, and poorly maintained--I wuold call them glorified shacks. There were a few vehicles in the park. I saw two women, one with an infant son, and an older woman in her fifties or sixties. I admit that being there felt like I was in the third world. Broken glass, old vehicle parts, papers, trash, cigarette butts. After I finished distributing I saw a man behind me. He was taller than me and thin. He wore torn shorts and a t-shirt. He had long, dark hair and a beard that had a braid in it. He wore sunglasses and held a long stick that he spun like a weapon. He was an amputee, missing his right hand. He was smoking. I approached and said hi. He said hello. I asked if he received a flyer. For what, he asked. I said, from my church...he immediately said, "No. I'm not into organized religion." To which I responded, "Its just a cookout." "Yeah, I know," he said. I left. I quit distributing after that. I thought about that park, that guy, the condiions of poverty I perceived there. I wondered how detached and isolated the residents may be from the places, people, and things that might improve their situation. I judged them with pity, felt some anger about not knowing they were there, and wondered how to reach out to them. After my encounter with the guy I decided that some people are beyond my capacity to reach. I don't know how to relate there. I felt like an intruder, an invader, and an unwelcomed presence. I was not dressed in the clothes of organized religion, clergy garb. But the very thought of a church presence there was rejected by that guy.
The clothing giveaway came and went. Around 200 people were welcomed here to receive gifts of clothes and food. I didn't give a lot of thought to that guy.
Then, last night in bed after beign awakened by baby Eli for the night time change and feeding, I had an overwhelming feeling. I had the feeling that that guy in the park, the dirty, bearded, scary-looking amputee, was Jesus. And I can't shake it. I think he was Jesus. It isn't his appearance exactly, but the enitre brief encounter that stirs me. His opposition to "organized religion" raised my anxiety and caused me to keep moving. I didnt know how to respond to him. he cleary dismissed my invitation without even seeing what it was for. What if he was Jesus? Did I miss an opportunity to hear something important or to offer something to Him? Or am I being called back there even now by Jesus. And if so, how and in what way? Might I go there with Rodney and set up a table with hot cocoa or coffee or food or something? I don't know. But I was stirred last night by the image of this guy--this Jesus in the flesh of a man in a forgotten old trailer park in Akron. I know that I saw Jesus there. I think the message may be hidden in that very encounter. Maybe I am supposed to realize something about this context and about local poverty and the church's role in it. Could it be that orgnized religion is seen as elitist, exclusive, and dipassionate? Are we viewed as condescending, know-it-alls, who think we can fix the "problems" with a little money and annual benevolence?
I saw Jesus last week. And last night he came to me again to reveal himself to me in that park so that I might be changed by Him for Him for others for GOD.
I saw Jesus. Funny, the other week Jesus was a woman who came to me for prayer, money, and my cell phone at javateas too. Her name was Betty, a poor soul with an oversized black t-shirt that read, "Yay, God" on the front. Ask Mark Rutter about it.
Is part of discipleship to see Jesus everywhere, incarnated in the faces of random people we bump into on the way? Do we see Jesus often and am I only now becoming more attuned to His presence? It seems that the more I allow myself to be sent, the more I sense Jesus is sent to me. he's everywhere, but mostly in the person next door. May you come to see Jesus in the people you encounter, who are sent to you in the stranger you would have chosen to avoid, overlook, or dismiss. May you see Jesus in the person you might fear. I want to see Him again.