Every so often, I get the itch to start planting a church again.
And every so often I slap myself for thinking about that.
Church planting is hard work, but what I liked is that I was able to find a place for me in the church, where I seem not able to fit in. But it was hard dealing with people. Maybe if I didn't have to deal with people I would be successful in church planting, but since the church is made up of people...
That's the frustrating thing about it. People are so illogical. You have people who say they want to support your new church plant and want to be a part of it, then you never hear from them again. Don't you think if you SAY you are intersted in something that you will do it?
I've always felt that part of church planting meant having to be a schmoozer. I tend to think the successful new churches are those who have very people-friendly pastors. I try. I mean, I meet new people for coffee and try to be sociable, but I think people can see that I am not comfortable meeting them. It's not that I dispise them or anything, in fact, I want to get to know them, it's just meeting people is hard for me. Always has.
So, I don't think church planting is for me in the near future, unless I'm part of a team with a very perky person leading. I'm just not made to be the outfront leader.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Brother from Another Planet, Continued
So, this morning at church someone comes up to with a flyer about an event. I said I would like to place this on the website to invite the wider community. The person hesitated because the intent was to be more internal than external. I hesitated not knowing how to respond.
I share this because it's another one of those events that makes me wonder if I have Asperger's. There was nothing that stated the event was not to be widely publicized. I just thought that churches tend to have public events that everyone is welcome to attend. I couldn't pick up the cue that just because it's a fun, fellowship event that it is supposed to be public and not geared towards fellowship building.
This is what I have to deal with all the time. Church can be a minefield, because there are SO many unwritten rules to contend with. It kind of like putting together a puzzle without the picture.
Just another question...
I share this because it's another one of those events that makes me wonder if I have Asperger's. There was nothing that stated the event was not to be widely publicized. I just thought that churches tend to have public events that everyone is welcome to attend. I couldn't pick up the cue that just because it's a fun, fellowship event that it is supposed to be public and not geared towards fellowship building.
This is what I have to deal with all the time. Church can be a minefield, because there are SO many unwritten rules to contend with. It kind of like putting together a puzzle without the picture.
Just another question...
Sunday Sermon- March 23, 2008
The Associate Pastor at Lake Harriet Christian Church, where I am a member asked me to join her in "tag-team preaching" on Palm Sunday and Easter. We also worked together on Maunday Thursday when we shared that service with Linden Hills United Church of Christ, a local congregation. Here is my half of the Easter Sermon.
“Beyond Belief”
John 20:1-18
March 23, 2008 (Easter Sunday)
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
For those of you who are regulars here, you will notice that both Tammy and I are preaching today, giving one of our “tag-team sermons.” However, this one is a bit different. Tammy had asked if we could do this sermon in a dialogue, trying to answer questions we both had about today and the text. After reading both the Matthew text and the text we heard today in John, my question was how we can not be afraid when we see so much chaos going on. Tammy's question is this: Beyond professing belief in a risen Jesus Christ, would I hear him if he called my name? Would I? Do I? Do we...as church?
This dialogue should not be viewed as just the two of us talking. See it instead as an opening to asking your own questions. Asking questions on Easter seems a little odd. We are supposed to be celebrating Christ being raised from the dead and asking questions seems to be like taking away the punch bowl at a party. But the fact is, this is the day to be asking questions because, well today is so unbelievable. Jesus came back to life? Isn't that impossible? And what does that mean? We can't not ask these questions. This day is just to miraculous to leave them unanswered. So let's start.
So, Tammy: My question is based on the Matthew text that was read in the early morning service. In two occasions, the women were told not to be afraid, first by the angels and then by Jesus himself. If I were in the women's place, I don't see how I could not be afraid. Earthquakes, angels and a friend who supposed to be dead now come back to life? I'd be plenty scared.
But then, I always seem to be plenty scared. I worry about financial issues, about discerning my call as a pastor, about my aging parents, I seem to be worrying about a lot of things. And I think about how so many are worrying if they will remain in their homes, or are dealing with lack of health insurance or being reminded of Minnesota Foodshare this month, how many are trying to make ends meet and put food on the table. So what does Jesus mean that we should not be afraid? We have every reason to be.
Tammy, you asked a question that got me thinking. Yes, as Christians, we profess a risen Christ. But would we recognized Jesus if he walked around today? Would the church?
I am reminded of a story I heard a while back. Jim Wallis, the well-know evangelical leader, once gave a speech to a gathering of urban pastors. He talked about the wonderful ministries he saw taking place around the country. For some reason, the pastors got angry. A friend wondered what was up. Wallis responded that the problem with liberal Christians is that they fear that all this talk of a risen Christ is actually true.
I don't say this to harp on liberal Christians, but I do wonder at times if we don't really want to believe Christ is risen. Because if we did, then we would have to make some drastic changes.
You know, every year during this time of year, we are subject to various stories in the media about Jesus and Christianity. During this time of year, we are asked, “Do you believe in the ressurection?”
The reason behind the question is if we actually believe that Jesus came back to life. I have no idea how this all happened. As Barbara Brown Taylor has said, we don't know, since no one was there except Jesus and God. What we do know is that the tomb was empty. Jesus wasn't there, he had outgrown the tomb. He had people to meet. He had a message to spread.
The question no one asks, except Tammy, is what difference does this all makes? Have we seen the risen Christ? Do we see Christ alive, or is he another revolutionary that died a heroic death?
I believe we see the ressurection when we see hope and life where there is supposed to be none. I want to share one example that I actually saw on Good Friday. Some of you know that my partner Daniel is the music director at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Mendota Heights. It's where we had our commitment ceremony. One of the members there is a young mother by the name of Amy. Amy is in her thirites and has two young children and a loving husband, Warren. She also has a breast cancer that has metasticized. She recently had surgery on her back that was related to the cancer that is ravaging her young body. She was not expected back in church for several weeks because of the surgery, but on Good Friday, she showed up with her husband. What's been amazing through all of this is that she still has a face full of hope and love. You look at this beautiful woman and think that life really sucks. Here is a young woman, with life supposedly ahead of her, dealing with a devasting illness. She might not be able to see her children grow up to graduate from high school or get married. Her husband might have to face raising his two children alone, without the woman he loves. And yet, there seems to be a hope eminating from her that is imaginable.
When I see Amy and her husband, Warren, I see the risen Christ. In a place where there is no hope, hope breaks through.
This is where we will find the risen Christ; breaking free from the tombs of hoplessness and telling others that he is alive and well. Death will not keep the Risen Christ down.
Do you see Christ, alive and well? If so, where?
The question we need to ask today and everyday is not if the ressurection happened or how it happened, but what difference does it makes? In my mind, it makes all the difference in the world. Christ is Risen. He is risen, Indeed. Alleluia!
“Beyond Belief”
John 20:1-18
March 23, 2008 (Easter Sunday)
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
For those of you who are regulars here, you will notice that both Tammy and I are preaching today, giving one of our “tag-team sermons.” However, this one is a bit different. Tammy had asked if we could do this sermon in a dialogue, trying to answer questions we both had about today and the text. After reading both the Matthew text and the text we heard today in John, my question was how we can not be afraid when we see so much chaos going on. Tammy's question is this: Beyond professing belief in a risen Jesus Christ, would I hear him if he called my name? Would I? Do I? Do we...as church?
This dialogue should not be viewed as just the two of us talking. See it instead as an opening to asking your own questions. Asking questions on Easter seems a little odd. We are supposed to be celebrating Christ being raised from the dead and asking questions seems to be like taking away the punch bowl at a party. But the fact is, this is the day to be asking questions because, well today is so unbelievable. Jesus came back to life? Isn't that impossible? And what does that mean? We can't not ask these questions. This day is just to miraculous to leave them unanswered. So let's start.
So, Tammy: My question is based on the Matthew text that was read in the early morning service. In two occasions, the women were told not to be afraid, first by the angels and then by Jesus himself. If I were in the women's place, I don't see how I could not be afraid. Earthquakes, angels and a friend who supposed to be dead now come back to life? I'd be plenty scared.
But then, I always seem to be plenty scared. I worry about financial issues, about discerning my call as a pastor, about my aging parents, I seem to be worrying about a lot of things. And I think about how so many are worrying if they will remain in their homes, or are dealing with lack of health insurance or being reminded of Minnesota Foodshare this month, how many are trying to make ends meet and put food on the table. So what does Jesus mean that we should not be afraid? We have every reason to be.
Tammy, you asked a question that got me thinking. Yes, as Christians, we profess a risen Christ. But would we recognized Jesus if he walked around today? Would the church?
I am reminded of a story I heard a while back. Jim Wallis, the well-know evangelical leader, once gave a speech to a gathering of urban pastors. He talked about the wonderful ministries he saw taking place around the country. For some reason, the pastors got angry. A friend wondered what was up. Wallis responded that the problem with liberal Christians is that they fear that all this talk of a risen Christ is actually true.
I don't say this to harp on liberal Christians, but I do wonder at times if we don't really want to believe Christ is risen. Because if we did, then we would have to make some drastic changes.
You know, every year during this time of year, we are subject to various stories in the media about Jesus and Christianity. During this time of year, we are asked, “Do you believe in the ressurection?”
The reason behind the question is if we actually believe that Jesus came back to life. I have no idea how this all happened. As Barbara Brown Taylor has said, we don't know, since no one was there except Jesus and God. What we do know is that the tomb was empty. Jesus wasn't there, he had outgrown the tomb. He had people to meet. He had a message to spread.
The question no one asks, except Tammy, is what difference does this all makes? Have we seen the risen Christ? Do we see Christ alive, or is he another revolutionary that died a heroic death?
I believe we see the ressurection when we see hope and life where there is supposed to be none. I want to share one example that I actually saw on Good Friday. Some of you know that my partner Daniel is the music director at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Mendota Heights. It's where we had our commitment ceremony. One of the members there is a young mother by the name of Amy. Amy is in her thirites and has two young children and a loving husband, Warren. She also has a breast cancer that has metasticized. She recently had surgery on her back that was related to the cancer that is ravaging her young body. She was not expected back in church for several weeks because of the surgery, but on Good Friday, she showed up with her husband. What's been amazing through all of this is that she still has a face full of hope and love. You look at this beautiful woman and think that life really sucks. Here is a young woman, with life supposedly ahead of her, dealing with a devasting illness. She might not be able to see her children grow up to graduate from high school or get married. Her husband might have to face raising his two children alone, without the woman he loves. And yet, there seems to be a hope eminating from her that is imaginable.
When I see Amy and her husband, Warren, I see the risen Christ. In a place where there is no hope, hope breaks through.
This is where we will find the risen Christ; breaking free from the tombs of hoplessness and telling others that he is alive and well. Death will not keep the Risen Christ down.
Do you see Christ, alive and well? If so, where?
The question we need to ask today and everyday is not if the ressurection happened or how it happened, but what difference does it makes? In my mind, it makes all the difference in the world. Christ is Risen. He is risen, Indeed. Alleluia!
Sunday Sermon-March 30, 2008
I haven't posted one of my sermons in a while. As many of you know, I don't have a call right now, but I've been doing a ton of supply preaching at various places in and around the Twin Cities. Last Sunday, I preached at a United Church of Christ congregation in Maple Lake, a small town about 50 miles west of the Cities.
“Go Ahead, Touch the Wounds.”
John 20:19-31
March 30, 2008
Bethlehem UCC
Maple Lake, MN
A number of us have scars. Some are scars from an accident, some are surgical scars. I have a scar on one of my eyebrows from the time I banged my head against a marble coffee table when I was about a year old. I have another scar from the time the placed a catheter into my side to drain the fluid that had built up around my lungs when I was battling a major infection a decade ago. My mother and aunt have reminders of their battle with breast cancer in that there are scars from having a breast removed or a lump removed.
All scars involved pain at some point. Even long after we get better, those scars remind us that things were not always well, that there was sickness. Scars remind us that the world can be a very unfair and cruel place.
In today's passage, we see the disciples locked up in a room fearful of the religious and political authorties. Peter had just seen the tomb was empty and might have wondered who took the body and who was coming for them next. Would they suffer the same death Jesus did? Would their bodies be taken away by the authorities, not giving their loved ones a body to mourn.
Then, Jesus appears. Jesus, who they thought was dead, was alive. The disciples were joyous, except one: Thomas. He couldn't be joyous since he wasn't there. Why he wasn't there, we don't know. But when he does show up, he is not convinced by the disciple's joy. He wanted to see Jesus for himself, in fact he wanted to see the wounds himself.
Well, Jesus does appear and tells Thomas to touch his wounds and believe. And Thomas does.
Usually, people tend to focus on Thomas in this story. “Doubting Thomas,” who refuses to believe in the risen Christ. He should stop doubting and simply believe that Jesus is alive.
But this time around, what interests me is the fact that Thomas wanted to see the wounds of Jesus and that Jesus showed them to him. Why did that matter? Isn't it enough to see Jesus alive? It was enough for Mary, and the disciples, so why wasn't it enough for Thomas?
The Bible doesn't really answer that question. But we know that Jesus does what Thomas requests. He tells his disciple to place his finger in his wounds and believe.
Go ahead. Touch my wounds. That was what Jesus was saying to Thomas. And it is something that Jesus is saying to us as well.
The God we serve is not a God that is disconnected from life. This God came and walked among us and suffered like any human being. The wounds remind us that this was truly the Immanuel, God with us- one that shared our common lot.
I have to believe that Thomas didn't want to just meet a Jesus that all was all well and better, as if he never suffered. He wanted to meet a Jesus that had really gone through hell; anything else was just an apparition, a figment of the imagination.
Jesus wants us to touch the wounds of the world outside the walls of this church. We are called to touch the wounds of the hungry, the outcast, the lonely and see Jesus in them. As Jesus said in the parable of the Sheep and Goats in the book of Matthew, Jesus is found in the face of the poor.
I grew up in Flint, Michigan, a rust belt city. The first church I was a member of was New Jerusalem Baptist Church. We had baptism and communion on the first Sunday of the month in the evening. While we went up to receive communion, I remember hearing an old Spiritual that went like this:
I know it was the blood, I know it was the blood,
I know it was the blood for me.
One day when I was lost, he died upon a cross,
I know it was the blood for me.
I have no idea where the song comes from. But I do know that like many Negro Spirituals, it comes from people familiar with pain, in this case, racism and discrimination. The song talks about a God who suffered like my ancestors. This was a God that they could identitfy with, a God who could understand their pain. It was as if Jesus was showing his wounds to African Americans who were dealing with such unfairness.
The Season of Easter is a time of celebration. Jesus is alive, death has been defeated. But we miss the point the Easter if all we do is keep it to ourselves. Instead, we are called to go and “touch the wounds” of those who don't know the good news of Easter. We are called to suffer with them and bring them this wonderful hope that Jesus is alive and the powers of death will not have the last word.
So let us go and and tell others that Christ is Risen. Let us shout Alleluia! But let us also touch the wounds of the hungry, homeless and lost. Let us see God in them and let us share the good news of Easter. Amen.
“Go Ahead, Touch the Wounds.”
John 20:19-31
March 30, 2008
Bethlehem UCC
Maple Lake, MN
A number of us have scars. Some are scars from an accident, some are surgical scars. I have a scar on one of my eyebrows from the time I banged my head against a marble coffee table when I was about a year old. I have another scar from the time the placed a catheter into my side to drain the fluid that had built up around my lungs when I was battling a major infection a decade ago. My mother and aunt have reminders of their battle with breast cancer in that there are scars from having a breast removed or a lump removed.
All scars involved pain at some point. Even long after we get better, those scars remind us that things were not always well, that there was sickness. Scars remind us that the world can be a very unfair and cruel place.
In today's passage, we see the disciples locked up in a room fearful of the religious and political authorties. Peter had just seen the tomb was empty and might have wondered who took the body and who was coming for them next. Would they suffer the same death Jesus did? Would their bodies be taken away by the authorities, not giving their loved ones a body to mourn.
Then, Jesus appears. Jesus, who they thought was dead, was alive. The disciples were joyous, except one: Thomas. He couldn't be joyous since he wasn't there. Why he wasn't there, we don't know. But when he does show up, he is not convinced by the disciple's joy. He wanted to see Jesus for himself, in fact he wanted to see the wounds himself.
Well, Jesus does appear and tells Thomas to touch his wounds and believe. And Thomas does.
Usually, people tend to focus on Thomas in this story. “Doubting Thomas,” who refuses to believe in the risen Christ. He should stop doubting and simply believe that Jesus is alive.
But this time around, what interests me is the fact that Thomas wanted to see the wounds of Jesus and that Jesus showed them to him. Why did that matter? Isn't it enough to see Jesus alive? It was enough for Mary, and the disciples, so why wasn't it enough for Thomas?
The Bible doesn't really answer that question. But we know that Jesus does what Thomas requests. He tells his disciple to place his finger in his wounds and believe.
Go ahead. Touch my wounds. That was what Jesus was saying to Thomas. And it is something that Jesus is saying to us as well.
The God we serve is not a God that is disconnected from life. This God came and walked among us and suffered like any human being. The wounds remind us that this was truly the Immanuel, God with us- one that shared our common lot.
I have to believe that Thomas didn't want to just meet a Jesus that all was all well and better, as if he never suffered. He wanted to meet a Jesus that had really gone through hell; anything else was just an apparition, a figment of the imagination.
Jesus wants us to touch the wounds of the world outside the walls of this church. We are called to touch the wounds of the hungry, the outcast, the lonely and see Jesus in them. As Jesus said in the parable of the Sheep and Goats in the book of Matthew, Jesus is found in the face of the poor.
I grew up in Flint, Michigan, a rust belt city. The first church I was a member of was New Jerusalem Baptist Church. We had baptism and communion on the first Sunday of the month in the evening. While we went up to receive communion, I remember hearing an old Spiritual that went like this:
I know it was the blood, I know it was the blood,
I know it was the blood for me.
One day when I was lost, he died upon a cross,
I know it was the blood for me.
I have no idea where the song comes from. But I do know that like many Negro Spirituals, it comes from people familiar with pain, in this case, racism and discrimination. The song talks about a God who suffered like my ancestors. This was a God that they could identitfy with, a God who could understand their pain. It was as if Jesus was showing his wounds to African Americans who were dealing with such unfairness.
The Season of Easter is a time of celebration. Jesus is alive, death has been defeated. But we miss the point the Easter if all we do is keep it to ourselves. Instead, we are called to go and “touch the wounds” of those who don't know the good news of Easter. We are called to suffer with them and bring them this wonderful hope that Jesus is alive and the powers of death will not have the last word.
So let us go and and tell others that Christ is Risen. Let us shout Alleluia! But let us also touch the wounds of the hungry, homeless and lost. Let us see God in them and let us share the good news of Easter. Amen.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Rev. Misfit
It's kinda odd to share this with people, but I guess I will throw it out there and see what happens.
For many years, work and finding work has just been a disaster. Jobs would end badly, I'd get in trouble for some reason. I thought once I got into seminary and then ordained, things would get better for me. But they didn't. My first job was as a youth pastor at a local congregation. Ended badly. Then another position...same result. Even before that, I was interning at a local church and there were some rough patches there too.
In 2004, I took a job as a law clerk in a big Minneapolis firm. Again, it was disasterous. The problem, as it was in past experiences was that I didn't pick up the unwritten expectations of people. For me, life was suspossed to be logical and make sense and in many of these situations, they were far from logical. I kept stepping on people's toes without really knowing I was doing it.
Take the first job at a church in 2002. I interviewed and took that job of youth pastor, but then asked things about pay that I should have asked before I took the job. I didn't understand why the people responded with anger when I was just presenting information.
All of these experiences led me to start thinking I was a bad pastor. I have lived with the feeling that something was wrong with me and it made me afraid to do ministry. I started to see church as this minefield where if I made the wrong step, someone would blow up in my face.
Another strange thing happened along the way. I found my current job as the IT/Communications person for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. It's been fun, because I get to be behind a computer all day and design websites and layout the newsletter. Because this has been so good for me, it make me wonder: why is this job working when others haven't?
About a year ago, I started to think that something was different about me. But now I was seeking a medical solution. For a while I've read and heard stuff about adults with autism or Aspergers Syndrome. For some reason, every time I've heard that, I've felt in my gut that this is me. Maybe.
It's funny, because when I remember hearing about autism, I remember that kid from the 80s tv show "St. Elsewhere," who didn't do anything. I wasn't that.
But, I've started to hear of people who have autism or AS and aren't catatonic. It's interesting that all the stories I've heard about Asperger's relate to being an odd duck, like being an alien on a planet.
The thing is, I've always been a guy that's missed social cues. My first boyfriend and now best friend would note that when he was all lovey dovey, I wouldn't get it. It took me a while to get jokes and I take everything very literally. Flirting made no sense to me, and in some way it still doesn't. Neither does small talk. Dating has always been somewhat of a trial.
I've been reading the book "Look Me In the Eye" by John Elder Robison. (He's the brother of one of my favorite authors, Augusten Burroughs.) He has Aspergers and he tells his story. While I didn't have a life like his, there were some similarities.
So, I am going to see if I can find a professional to get tested and know for sure. I guess I need to know if this is why employment has been such a bitch for me.
Hell, it might explain why growing up was so damn difficult.
Of course, one question I always have is, how in the world can one be a pastor with Asperger's? I mean, most pastors have to read people like a book and learn to engage in small talk. I can do the big things, like preaching and leading worship, but can one be an "aspie" and a pastor? I've tried to see if there is anything on pastors with Asperger's, but I can't find anything. Hopefully someone out there has an answer.
So, I will keep all 5 of you who read my blog updated. I just want to know that I am not the bad person I have made myself out to be.
For many years, work and finding work has just been a disaster. Jobs would end badly, I'd get in trouble for some reason. I thought once I got into seminary and then ordained, things would get better for me. But they didn't. My first job was as a youth pastor at a local congregation. Ended badly. Then another position...same result. Even before that, I was interning at a local church and there were some rough patches there too.
In 2004, I took a job as a law clerk in a big Minneapolis firm. Again, it was disasterous. The problem, as it was in past experiences was that I didn't pick up the unwritten expectations of people. For me, life was suspossed to be logical and make sense and in many of these situations, they were far from logical. I kept stepping on people's toes without really knowing I was doing it.
Take the first job at a church in 2002. I interviewed and took that job of youth pastor, but then asked things about pay that I should have asked before I took the job. I didn't understand why the people responded with anger when I was just presenting information.
All of these experiences led me to start thinking I was a bad pastor. I have lived with the feeling that something was wrong with me and it made me afraid to do ministry. I started to see church as this minefield where if I made the wrong step, someone would blow up in my face.
Another strange thing happened along the way. I found my current job as the IT/Communications person for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. It's been fun, because I get to be behind a computer all day and design websites and layout the newsletter. Because this has been so good for me, it make me wonder: why is this job working when others haven't?
About a year ago, I started to think that something was different about me. But now I was seeking a medical solution. For a while I've read and heard stuff about adults with autism or Aspergers Syndrome. For some reason, every time I've heard that, I've felt in my gut that this is me. Maybe.
It's funny, because when I remember hearing about autism, I remember that kid from the 80s tv show "St. Elsewhere," who didn't do anything. I wasn't that.
But, I've started to hear of people who have autism or AS and aren't catatonic. It's interesting that all the stories I've heard about Asperger's relate to being an odd duck, like being an alien on a planet.
The thing is, I've always been a guy that's missed social cues. My first boyfriend and now best friend would note that when he was all lovey dovey, I wouldn't get it. It took me a while to get jokes and I take everything very literally. Flirting made no sense to me, and in some way it still doesn't. Neither does small talk. Dating has always been somewhat of a trial.
I've been reading the book "Look Me In the Eye" by John Elder Robison. (He's the brother of one of my favorite authors, Augusten Burroughs.) He has Aspergers and he tells his story. While I didn't have a life like his, there were some similarities.
So, I am going to see if I can find a professional to get tested and know for sure. I guess I need to know if this is why employment has been such a bitch for me.
Hell, it might explain why growing up was so damn difficult.
Of course, one question I always have is, how in the world can one be a pastor with Asperger's? I mean, most pastors have to read people like a book and learn to engage in small talk. I can do the big things, like preaching and leading worship, but can one be an "aspie" and a pastor? I've tried to see if there is anything on pastors with Asperger's, but I can't find anything. Hopefully someone out there has an answer.
So, I will keep all 5 of you who read my blog updated. I just want to know that I am not the bad person I have made myself out to be.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
In The Middle
I've been a mainline Protestant for about 16 years. I grew up in the evangelical and black churches and found the mainline churches a breath of fresh air...for a time. In many ways it still is a better option than what I grew up with, but as I stayed, I started to notice that a more liberal Christianity had some of the same blind spots that their more conservative brethren had.
One thing I've noticed is how much many progressive Christians talk about the importance of community. I agree with that. But at some point, I've noticed that for some community is less a place where there are people with different thoughts and backgrounds, than a place where everyone thinks the same and where no one has to be challenged with a different viewpoint.
Carroll Howard Merritt shares in this post about how good it is to be in a place where she can preach what she wants to preach. She notes:
This leads me to thinking. Maybe the Spirit is moving, but maybe it's also that she is in a place where everyone agrees with what she is saying. It's easier to be "prophetic" when you are preaching to choir.
She also is frustrated by those who are looking for a middle way:
Her concern is that rushing to the middle leaves out those on the edges. I can understand to a point, but what about those who are truly in the middle? Not all of us are out protesting at abortion clinics or at a peace march. We have our issues, but we aren't as strident those on the edge. In many cases, we want the church to focus on worshipping God and feeding the hungry instead of fighting the latest battle in the culture wars. I think sometimes there is a rush to the middle because some of us don't want a repeat of what we see in the wider culture, where everything is seen in the terms of red/blue, liberal/conservative.
And maybe instead of seeing this as the middle, it's more about trying to live in true community. You see, when I think of community, I think more of something like living in a small town or your family. You have relatives you love and those you don't care for. But they are all part of the family and you try to live together. My problem at times when I hear churches talk about "community" it's really about creating spaces where everyone thinks just like you do. But in my view, that's not community.
Community is when you can worship with an old man who doesn't condone you being gay and yet cares for you and likewise.
Community is when you can still love your fellow pastor even when they rant about the President or the way and you happen to have opposite views.
I think the "middle ground" is a place where we can see all of our differences and yet see Christ in each other. That's community.
One thing I've noticed is how much many progressive Christians talk about the importance of community. I agree with that. But at some point, I've noticed that for some community is less a place where there are people with different thoughts and backgrounds, than a place where everyone thinks the same and where no one has to be challenged with a different viewpoint.
Carroll Howard Merritt shares in this post about how good it is to be in a place where she can preach what she wants to preach. She notes:
I’m in a progressive church now. There are very few things that I can’t say here, as a peace-loving feminist. I spend a lot less time worrying, and a lot more time ministering. With that freedom, my preaching’s gotten much more authentic and a whole lot better.
And I can’t help but notice that my writing’s gone from a crashing, swirling, damned-up pool to a steady, flowing stream, because I’m not calculating the consequences of every word. My mind has more space to think. I don’t have to worry about losing my job if someone takes the time to read what I have to say. I have more creativity here, I sense the Spirit moving more.
This leads me to thinking. Maybe the Spirit is moving, but maybe it's also that she is in a place where everyone agrees with what she is saying. It's easier to be "prophetic" when you are preaching to choir.
She also is frustrated by those who are looking for a middle way:
So, is there any way that we can move our discussions from looking for some sort of middle ground to allowing freedom for people? Instead of rushing to moderation, could we each forge a path where we are and have a vision for more than one way? Or is that an inherently liberal position?
You know, I’m just concerned about all those people who are trying to find their way. I know there are members in our church who couldn’t attend most congregations in the country. But they’ve found a path to God in our progressive Christian community. And, I admit, I’m concerned about me. And other leaders on this path. Because it’s just so much easier when we don’t have to pretend to be a moderate.
Her concern is that rushing to the middle leaves out those on the edges. I can understand to a point, but what about those who are truly in the middle? Not all of us are out protesting at abortion clinics or at a peace march. We have our issues, but we aren't as strident those on the edge. In many cases, we want the church to focus on worshipping God and feeding the hungry instead of fighting the latest battle in the culture wars. I think sometimes there is a rush to the middle because some of us don't want a repeat of what we see in the wider culture, where everything is seen in the terms of red/blue, liberal/conservative.
And maybe instead of seeing this as the middle, it's more about trying to live in true community. You see, when I think of community, I think more of something like living in a small town or your family. You have relatives you love and those you don't care for. But they are all part of the family and you try to live together. My problem at times when I hear churches talk about "community" it's really about creating spaces where everyone thinks just like you do. But in my view, that's not community.
Community is when you can worship with an old man who doesn't condone you being gay and yet cares for you and likewise.
Community is when you can still love your fellow pastor even when they rant about the President or the way and you happen to have opposite views.
I think the "middle ground" is a place where we can see all of our differences and yet see Christ in each other. That's community.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
What Do You Want to Do Today? (Hell if I Know)
Easter is done. Well my work in Easter that is.
This Holy Week was busy- I helped lead the Good Friday worship with the Associate Pastor and we did our famous "tag-team" sermons for Palm Sunday and Easter. For a guy without a call, I have been quite busy.
Being busy has helped me not feel so sorry about myself, but I am still asking some questions and trying to see where the answers are. I am wondering how to live out my call in spite of some obvious obstacles.
About a month ago, I was sitting with a subcommittee of the Committee on Ministry of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ (trying saying that fast three times). I was seeking what is called "Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing" which is a fancy way of saying that I was seeking standing in the UCC. We Disciples have an agreement with the UCC which allows among many things, exchange of pastors. During the meeting (where I was granted standing, by the way), one of the pastors said very matter of factly, "You know that it will be hard for someone who is black and gay to find a call."
He didn't say that to scare me or discourage me, he simply stating the truth: that many UCC congregations aren't ready for a gay and/or black pastor. I understood, but I have to say I was a bit saddened by that.
As I've made my way these last few years, I have discovered that this whole gay thing has scared some people off from even looking at me. That can be a bit trying. I mean, I don't want to be one of those people who never really gets to express their God-given call.
But while I am determining if people can get past the whole gay thing, I also don't know what I want to do.
There is still a part of me that wants to get back to church planting. I have a heart for it and in a way, it's saying "screw you" to all those that don't want to call me. Every so often I wonder if giving up on Community of Grace was such a good idea. What I do know is at the time when we stopped, I was out of gas and angry for reasons I'd rather not rehash. But what if we gave it a go again?
Then there is part of me that would be happy working as a deacon of sorts; being a bridge between church and world. For a long time, I've tried to describe doing something like this, but never had the words until I read about deacons historically.
Then, there is "door number three" where I am working with a UCC pastor who wants to start a young adult ministry. It sounds intriguging and I'd like to see where that goes.
So, I don't know where I am being led. I am thinking that because of my unique situation, I am going to have to carve out a space for me and hopefully find people willing to help me.
It will be interesting to see where this ends up. Hopefully not a dead end.
This Holy Week was busy- I helped lead the Good Friday worship with the Associate Pastor and we did our famous "tag-team" sermons for Palm Sunday and Easter. For a guy without a call, I have been quite busy.
Being busy has helped me not feel so sorry about myself, but I am still asking some questions and trying to see where the answers are. I am wondering how to live out my call in spite of some obvious obstacles.
About a month ago, I was sitting with a subcommittee of the Committee on Ministry of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ (trying saying that fast three times). I was seeking what is called "Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing" which is a fancy way of saying that I was seeking standing in the UCC. We Disciples have an agreement with the UCC which allows among many things, exchange of pastors. During the meeting (where I was granted standing, by the way), one of the pastors said very matter of factly, "You know that it will be hard for someone who is black and gay to find a call."
He didn't say that to scare me or discourage me, he simply stating the truth: that many UCC congregations aren't ready for a gay and/or black pastor. I understood, but I have to say I was a bit saddened by that.
As I've made my way these last few years, I have discovered that this whole gay thing has scared some people off from even looking at me. That can be a bit trying. I mean, I don't want to be one of those people who never really gets to express their God-given call.
But while I am determining if people can get past the whole gay thing, I also don't know what I want to do.
There is still a part of me that wants to get back to church planting. I have a heart for it and in a way, it's saying "screw you" to all those that don't want to call me. Every so often I wonder if giving up on Community of Grace was such a good idea. What I do know is at the time when we stopped, I was out of gas and angry for reasons I'd rather not rehash. But what if we gave it a go again?
Then there is part of me that would be happy working as a deacon of sorts; being a bridge between church and world. For a long time, I've tried to describe doing something like this, but never had the words until I read about deacons historically.
Then, there is "door number three" where I am working with a UCC pastor who wants to start a young adult ministry. It sounds intriguging and I'd like to see where that goes.
So, I don't know where I am being led. I am thinking that because of my unique situation, I am going to have to carve out a space for me and hopefully find people willing to help me.
It will be interesting to see where this ends up. Hopefully not a dead end.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Way We Were...And Are
Around 1977 or so, my dad and I started going to this barbershop on Detroit Street in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. It was called Eddie and Earl’s Barbershop and it was your typical African American barbershop, if such a thing exists. Black men from all walks of life would come to this shop to get their hair cut, especially for church on Sunday.
While I was waiting my turn and reading copies of Jet and Ebony magazines, I remember seeing a poster that caught my attention. It read: BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.
Those words were important back then. It was the 70s and the civil rights movement of the 60s was a very recent memory. I remember grown-ups sporting Afros and celebrating Black Pride. My mom bought encyclopedias on Black History to remind me that my people had a proud past. After centuries of being told by this country that we were dirt, Blacks in America starting feeling good about themselves.
It was during that time that black pastors like Jeremiah Wright took the pulpit preaching black liberation. While I’ve had mixed feelings on liberation theology, it was an attempt to see that the words of God were not simply about the “sweet by and by” but about justice here and now. I can imagine his words against a nation that prided itself in being ordained by God were a breath of fresh air to blacks as well as a few liberal whites.
My problems with Rev. Wright’s words are not that he isn’t patriotic enough. Christians place God first, not the flag. What does bother me is that his words reflect a nation that doesn’t exist anymore.
This is not to say that America has licked its racial problem. That will take time to solve and we still have issues (such as people who think hanging a noose is funny). But the fact is, America has changed in many ways. In the 1950s, my Dad couldn’t get a hotel room when he was traveling. He faced overt discrimination growing up in Louisiana. Today, he can stay in a hotel room in Tennessee and get a hot meal at a restaurant.
The America that Wright has preached about is one that seems irredeemably racist. It will always treat blacks as second-class citizens. It is an America without hope.
But the fact is, this society has changed. Overt discrimination is no longer in fashion. Blacks hold high positions in political office. And of course, a black man is running for President. Black America demanded the United States live up to its words and it did - for the most part.
I think that’s what bothers me about Rev. Wright as well as others: it’s as if the achievements of the last 40 years never happened. No, we can’t rest on those laurels, but we shouldn’t ignore them either.
Maybe Rev. Wright’s words made sense when Black America was still trying to find its voice, it’s self-esteem. Maybe those words were needed when White America turned a blind eye to its own hate. But I don’t know if they are needed now. To look at what words are needed now, one can only look at the man that has sat in the pews of Rev. Wright’s church: Barack Obama. I don’t always agree with him politically, but his words of hope and unity talk about the best in this country and that together, black and white and everything else, we can tear down the remaining walls of discrimination.
While I was waiting my turn and reading copies of Jet and Ebony magazines, I remember seeing a poster that caught my attention. It read: BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.
Those words were important back then. It was the 70s and the civil rights movement of the 60s was a very recent memory. I remember grown-ups sporting Afros and celebrating Black Pride. My mom bought encyclopedias on Black History to remind me that my people had a proud past. After centuries of being told by this country that we were dirt, Blacks in America starting feeling good about themselves.
It was during that time that black pastors like Jeremiah Wright took the pulpit preaching black liberation. While I’ve had mixed feelings on liberation theology, it was an attempt to see that the words of God were not simply about the “sweet by and by” but about justice here and now. I can imagine his words against a nation that prided itself in being ordained by God were a breath of fresh air to blacks as well as a few liberal whites.
My problems with Rev. Wright’s words are not that he isn’t patriotic enough. Christians place God first, not the flag. What does bother me is that his words reflect a nation that doesn’t exist anymore.
This is not to say that America has licked its racial problem. That will take time to solve and we still have issues (such as people who think hanging a noose is funny). But the fact is, America has changed in many ways. In the 1950s, my Dad couldn’t get a hotel room when he was traveling. He faced overt discrimination growing up in Louisiana. Today, he can stay in a hotel room in Tennessee and get a hot meal at a restaurant.
The America that Wright has preached about is one that seems irredeemably racist. It will always treat blacks as second-class citizens. It is an America without hope.
But the fact is, this society has changed. Overt discrimination is no longer in fashion. Blacks hold high positions in political office. And of course, a black man is running for President. Black America demanded the United States live up to its words and it did - for the most part.
I think that’s what bothers me about Rev. Wright as well as others: it’s as if the achievements of the last 40 years never happened. No, we can’t rest on those laurels, but we shouldn’t ignore them either.
Maybe Rev. Wright’s words made sense when Black America was still trying to find its voice, it’s self-esteem. Maybe those words were needed when White America turned a blind eye to its own hate. But I don’t know if they are needed now. To look at what words are needed now, one can only look at the man that has sat in the pews of Rev. Wright’s church: Barack Obama. I don’t always agree with him politically, but his words of hope and unity talk about the best in this country and that together, black and white and everything else, we can tear down the remaining walls of discrimination.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Notes from a Black Pastor
Note: This originally appeared on the blog the Moderate Voice on March 15.
Well, considering that I am an African American pastor, I should say something about the whole affair concerning the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Barack Obama's church.
I have to state, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and also have standing in the United Church of Christ, the denomination that Rev. Wright and Trinity belong to.
Now, that I've got that out of the way, when some of the early rumors were swirling about the church, I tended to think this was nothing more than falsehoods. I thought that a church that was trying to "uplift the race" was probably a good thing and even though I don't agree with Sen. Obama's views, I did affirm his spiritual roots at a church that was focused on social justice and helping the least of these.
Now that I have seen and read the sermons Rev. Wright has preached, my views have changed a bit.
Most African American preachers will inject social concerns into their sermons. Because of our experience with slavery and later segregation, we tend to see Christianity in a more prophetic role, where God is on the side of the downtrodden. While I mostly preach in predominately white churches (and I tend to have a more subdued style than most black preachers) I do tend to talk about care for the poor and about the fact that God loves and accepts all regardless of color or sexual orientation. I believe that as Christians we are called to strive for justice and I do try to make that point in my sermons.
That said, the sermons by Rev. Wright go waaaay over the top. He paints an America that I don't recognize and throws in falsehoods and a tinge of anti-Semitism that I believe shames all African American preachers.
There is no way you can explain away Wright's belief that 9/11 was basically "just desserts" on America, especially a few days after the event. Then there is his giving into dark conspiracy theories such as the one where the government gives black people the drugs. Or, his talk of Zionism as white racism.
There is just something wrong about what Rev. Wright is doing. It's not that he isn't patriotic enough as some on the right are yelping: it's that this man seems an inverse of the late Jerry Falwell: a mean-spirited preacher that uses the Bible to further his agenda.
How will this affect Sen. Obama? I don't know. This will probably blow over like so many other stories about slip-ups by surrogates. But then again this might have legs. As some have argued, this is not like John Hagee mouthing off his anti-Arab rants after having endorsed John McCain. McCain doesn't go to his church. (McCain should have denounced those remarks nevertheless.) Obama and his family have been part of Trinity for 20 years. As Shay over at Booker Rising notes: "If you've been going to a pastor's church for 20 years and he married you and baptized your children, you agree with most of what that pastor says."
I don't know if Obama agrees with what his pastor says, but it is going to look that way because of his long ties with Rev. Wright.
As Ross Douthat explains, Obama is going to have to do more than say this is just his "crazy uncle." He notes:
Obama's rhetoric has been one of unity and hope. I take him at his word. But he will have to come to terms with his pastor's extreme views because, if he doesn't, we can expect the GOP to use Rev. Wright's sermon in commercials this fall.
Update: The United Church of Christ, Rev. Wright's and Sen. Obama's denomination has responded to the story, supporting the congregation. In the past, I would have agreed this was a smear, but no longer.
Update, Part Deux: Sen. Obama released a statement on Rev. Wright's comments. Hopefully, his handling of this situation along with Rev. Wright leaving the campaign, will allow this to blow over. Good for the Senator.
Well, considering that I am an African American pastor, I should say something about the whole affair concerning the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Barack Obama's church.
I have to state, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and also have standing in the United Church of Christ, the denomination that Rev. Wright and Trinity belong to.
Now, that I've got that out of the way, when some of the early rumors were swirling about the church, I tended to think this was nothing more than falsehoods. I thought that a church that was trying to "uplift the race" was probably a good thing and even though I don't agree with Sen. Obama's views, I did affirm his spiritual roots at a church that was focused on social justice and helping the least of these.
Now that I have seen and read the sermons Rev. Wright has preached, my views have changed a bit.
Most African American preachers will inject social concerns into their sermons. Because of our experience with slavery and later segregation, we tend to see Christianity in a more prophetic role, where God is on the side of the downtrodden. While I mostly preach in predominately white churches (and I tend to have a more subdued style than most black preachers) I do tend to talk about care for the poor and about the fact that God loves and accepts all regardless of color or sexual orientation. I believe that as Christians we are called to strive for justice and I do try to make that point in my sermons.
That said, the sermons by Rev. Wright go waaaay over the top. He paints an America that I don't recognize and throws in falsehoods and a tinge of anti-Semitism that I believe shames all African American preachers.
There is no way you can explain away Wright's belief that 9/11 was basically "just desserts" on America, especially a few days after the event. Then there is his giving into dark conspiracy theories such as the one where the government gives black people the drugs. Or, his talk of Zionism as white racism.
There is just something wrong about what Rev. Wright is doing. It's not that he isn't patriotic enough as some on the right are yelping: it's that this man seems an inverse of the late Jerry Falwell: a mean-spirited preacher that uses the Bible to further his agenda.
How will this affect Sen. Obama? I don't know. This will probably blow over like so many other stories about slip-ups by surrogates. But then again this might have legs. As some have argued, this is not like John Hagee mouthing off his anti-Arab rants after having endorsed John McCain. McCain doesn't go to his church. (McCain should have denounced those remarks nevertheless.) Obama and his family have been part of Trinity for 20 years. As Shay over at Booker Rising notes: "If you've been going to a pastor's church for 20 years and he married you and baptized your children, you agree with most of what that pastor says."
I don't know if Obama agrees with what his pastor says, but it is going to look that way because of his long ties with Rev. Wright.
As Ross Douthat explains, Obama is going to have to do more than say this is just his "crazy uncle." He notes:
So far, Obama has attempted to laugh off Wright's penchant for inflammatory rhetoric, comparing him to "an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," and suggesting that this is "what happens when you just cherry-pick statements from a guy who had a 40-year career as a pastor." But as Wright's America-bashing gets more airtime -- and as his Obama-boosting sermons put his church's tax exemption at risk -- Obama may have to go further down the road to explicitly disavowing his pastor. His connection to Wright isn't the equivalent of John McCain's going to Liberty University to make nice with Jerry Falwell. It's the equivalent of John McCain taking his wife and children, most Sundays, to Jerry Falwell's church. And the disconnect between Obama's studied moderation and his congregation's radicalism requires more of an explanation than he's offered so far.
Obama's rhetoric has been one of unity and hope. I take him at his word. But he will have to come to terms with his pastor's extreme views because, if he doesn't, we can expect the GOP to use Rev. Wright's sermon in commercials this fall.
Update: The United Church of Christ, Rev. Wright's and Sen. Obama's denomination has responded to the story, supporting the congregation. In the past, I would have agreed this was a smear, but no longer.
Update, Part Deux: Sen. Obama released a statement on Rev. Wright's comments. Hopefully, his handling of this situation along with Rev. Wright leaving the campaign, will allow this to blow over. Good for the Senator.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday Sermon- March 16, 2007
“It's Sunday, But Friday's Coming.”
Matthew 21:1-11
March 16, 2008 (Palm Sunday)
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
A little over nine years ago, I was on one of the most life-changing trips of my life. I was in my second year of seminary and decided to use the January-term to take part in one of the cross-cultural experiences all seminary students had to take. I decided to do the one in Honk Kong/China. It was led by Paul Martinson a professor at Luther Seminary, who happened to be born in China to Lutheran Missionaries. We spent two weeks in Hong Kong, learning about life in the city, especially after the changeover from British territory to a part of China. But far more interesting was the week we spent in Mainland China. We flew from Hong Kong to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in Western China. Our objective during this part of the trip was to see Chinese Christianity in action, especially in the small villages that we an hour's drive from Kunming.
We were greeted by the villagers as if we were movie stars. They gave us the royal treatment, the best food and a place of honor at the local church service. For many, this was the first time they had seen Christians from the outside world and they were excited to see us.
I remember one such greeting. We got out of our bus and had to walk a short distance to the village. We could see from the distance that the town had pulled out all the stops. The townsfolk lined the streets and there was a banner welcoming us. There was loud cheering as we walked down the Main Street. It was a joyous day to meet fellow Christians from the other side of the world.
My time in China was exciting, but it had an underside. Throughout the trip we were escorted by officials from the State. As my professor said, it was deemed “for our protection,” but he and we all knew that was not true. The officials were friendly, but their job was to make sure we and the people were met were kept in line. It was a powerful reminder that we were not in a free society like America, but one where the State kept a wary eye on its citizens.
Today is Palm Sunday. This is the day we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We read that Jesus asks his disciples to acquire donkey and then the make their way into the city. People begin laying down their cloaks, and spreading palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” to the passing Savior.
Sometimes it's easy to see this day as a day when we celebrate Jesus as the King. We just sang the tune “All Glory Laud, and Honor” this huge celebratory hymn. As I was preparing for this sermon, I was told over and over again, that this was an example of Jesus as a different kind of King: one that would not rule like Herod or Pilate, but would rule by giving up his life.
This is all true. But like my travels in China, there are shadows underneath all the happiness.
In our culture, I think it is easy to not really focus on the gathering dark that is coming. In the churches that I grew up in, we went from Palm Sunday to Easter, without really having time to pause and reflect the betrayal and sorrow of Maundy Thursday, and the grief of Good Friday. Sure, there were services on Good Friday, but they were done in the knowledge that Easter was around the corner and everything would be okay.
But everything is not okay. It will be in the end, but right now, we don't have that hope.
Jesus comes in to town and the people shout “Hosanna!” That word means, God save us. They weren't simply shouting for joy, but were crying for help. They wanted Jesus to save them from the Romans, from their lives of poverty. They wanted to see Herod overthrown and Pilate run out of town. But Jesus would dash their hopes. Herod and Pilate would work with the religious leaders to bring Jesus down. He couldn't save them, at least not in the way they were hoping.
In some traditions, this day is called Sunday of the Passion. They decide to tell the entire story of Holy Week, sans Easter. Some churches do this because they know people will not be able to attend some of the various church services during the week, so they want to tell the whole story ending with the crucifixion. People are left with Jesus dead on a cross. All hope is gone. We are left to feel as the disciples and the friends of Jesus must have felt: alone and shocked; saddened and angry.
Palm Sunday is a reminder of how our perceptions of God come crashing down and we are left with a dead God on a cross. We are left like the disciples, in a state of shock; feeling that there is no hope.
We have all felt that way at sometime: when a loved one unexpectedly dies; when you find out you have cancer, when a beloved child causes you untold grief. We wonder where God is in our lives and get mad that God is not acting in the way we want God to.
The evangelical pastor, Tony Campolo, has a saying “It's Friday, but Sunday's coming.” That phrase is a phrase of hope. We all have Good Friday moments in our lives, but we are to take hope that Sunday, the day of resurrection, is on the way. As important as that is, we also need to sometimes live with a contrasting phrase: “It's Sunday, but Friday's coming.” Disappointment is on the way. God will fail us. We will lose hope. I'm not saying all this to say life is hopeless, but to remind us that we will face dark times in our life and we need to be aware of them and live in those moments.
If there is any hope in this coming week, it is that Jesus has experienced the same disappointment and fear that we have. Jesus cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” from the cross. He feels abandonment from God and from his friends. Jesus is disappointed by God. The One that freed the Israelites from the Pharaoh's grip could not save God's own son. Jesus knows how we feel.
It's Sunday. But Friday is coming.
Matthew 21:1-11
March 16, 2008 (Palm Sunday)
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
A little over nine years ago, I was on one of the most life-changing trips of my life. I was in my second year of seminary and decided to use the January-term to take part in one of the cross-cultural experiences all seminary students had to take. I decided to do the one in Honk Kong/China. It was led by Paul Martinson a professor at Luther Seminary, who happened to be born in China to Lutheran Missionaries. We spent two weeks in Hong Kong, learning about life in the city, especially after the changeover from British territory to a part of China. But far more interesting was the week we spent in Mainland China. We flew from Hong Kong to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in Western China. Our objective during this part of the trip was to see Chinese Christianity in action, especially in the small villages that we an hour's drive from Kunming.
We were greeted by the villagers as if we were movie stars. They gave us the royal treatment, the best food and a place of honor at the local church service. For many, this was the first time they had seen Christians from the outside world and they were excited to see us.
I remember one such greeting. We got out of our bus and had to walk a short distance to the village. We could see from the distance that the town had pulled out all the stops. The townsfolk lined the streets and there was a banner welcoming us. There was loud cheering as we walked down the Main Street. It was a joyous day to meet fellow Christians from the other side of the world.
My time in China was exciting, but it had an underside. Throughout the trip we were escorted by officials from the State. As my professor said, it was deemed “for our protection,” but he and we all knew that was not true. The officials were friendly, but their job was to make sure we and the people were met were kept in line. It was a powerful reminder that we were not in a free society like America, but one where the State kept a wary eye on its citizens.
Today is Palm Sunday. This is the day we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We read that Jesus asks his disciples to acquire donkey and then the make their way into the city. People begin laying down their cloaks, and spreading palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” to the passing Savior.
Sometimes it's easy to see this day as a day when we celebrate Jesus as the King. We just sang the tune “All Glory Laud, and Honor” this huge celebratory hymn. As I was preparing for this sermon, I was told over and over again, that this was an example of Jesus as a different kind of King: one that would not rule like Herod or Pilate, but would rule by giving up his life.
This is all true. But like my travels in China, there are shadows underneath all the happiness.
In our culture, I think it is easy to not really focus on the gathering dark that is coming. In the churches that I grew up in, we went from Palm Sunday to Easter, without really having time to pause and reflect the betrayal and sorrow of Maundy Thursday, and the grief of Good Friday. Sure, there were services on Good Friday, but they were done in the knowledge that Easter was around the corner and everything would be okay.
But everything is not okay. It will be in the end, but right now, we don't have that hope.
Jesus comes in to town and the people shout “Hosanna!” That word means, God save us. They weren't simply shouting for joy, but were crying for help. They wanted Jesus to save them from the Romans, from their lives of poverty. They wanted to see Herod overthrown and Pilate run out of town. But Jesus would dash their hopes. Herod and Pilate would work with the religious leaders to bring Jesus down. He couldn't save them, at least not in the way they were hoping.
In some traditions, this day is called Sunday of the Passion. They decide to tell the entire story of Holy Week, sans Easter. Some churches do this because they know people will not be able to attend some of the various church services during the week, so they want to tell the whole story ending with the crucifixion. People are left with Jesus dead on a cross. All hope is gone. We are left to feel as the disciples and the friends of Jesus must have felt: alone and shocked; saddened and angry.
Palm Sunday is a reminder of how our perceptions of God come crashing down and we are left with a dead God on a cross. We are left like the disciples, in a state of shock; feeling that there is no hope.
We have all felt that way at sometime: when a loved one unexpectedly dies; when you find out you have cancer, when a beloved child causes you untold grief. We wonder where God is in our lives and get mad that God is not acting in the way we want God to.
The evangelical pastor, Tony Campolo, has a saying “It's Friday, but Sunday's coming.” That phrase is a phrase of hope. We all have Good Friday moments in our lives, but we are to take hope that Sunday, the day of resurrection, is on the way. As important as that is, we also need to sometimes live with a contrasting phrase: “It's Sunday, but Friday's coming.” Disappointment is on the way. God will fail us. We will lose hope. I'm not saying all this to say life is hopeless, but to remind us that we will face dark times in our life and we need to be aware of them and live in those moments.
If there is any hope in this coming week, it is that Jesus has experienced the same disappointment and fear that we have. Jesus cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” from the cross. He feels abandonment from God and from his friends. Jesus is disappointed by God. The One that freed the Israelites from the Pharaoh's grip could not save God's own son. Jesus knows how we feel.
It's Sunday. But Friday is coming.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Finding Home
A while back, I got an email from someone. He had mentioned that I had expressed an interest in house churches and he was also interested. In the end, we realized we weren't interested in the same things. Tim, who I now consider a friend, had grown up in the Lutheran church and wanted to try a "liberal" house church. I can understand, so I am hoping he can get this thing off the ground. One of the sticking points is that he wants to have a big worship service every once in a while and I wanted something more regular.
I mean, I never seem to meet people around here who have a passion for new churches and people whose passion is worship. I seem to meet people who don't have that same passion that I have. Maybe God is telling me something; maybe it's time to put this new church thing aside.
But the other thing is do I have to give up my love for worship? That's been something I've loved since I was a little kid. I feel that I meet a lot of people in some settings that don't have that as their passion. And I can't seem to find a faith community where I feel free design and create worship opportunities. The best thing that I loved about Community of Grace was being able to create and participate in worship experiences. Now that Community of Grace is gone, I don't have the opportunity. I mean, I have helped in planning on occasion, but not at the level that I once did.
I don't know if I will ever find a place where I can be at home and use the gifts God gave me. I want to believe that something big will happen that will provide direction in my call, but what if it doesn't? There are times that I wonder if God is playing a big trick on me. I don't think it's true, but I do wonder if God is up there looking down at me and saying "sucker."
Okay, that's a bit harsh. But it's frustrating to have this desire to ministry and not finding a place and in some cases not even feeling wanted. That's another story.
Cheerful thoughts on a Thursday....
I mean, I never seem to meet people around here who have a passion for new churches and people whose passion is worship. I seem to meet people who don't have that same passion that I have. Maybe God is telling me something; maybe it's time to put this new church thing aside.
But the other thing is do I have to give up my love for worship? That's been something I've loved since I was a little kid. I feel that I meet a lot of people in some settings that don't have that as their passion. And I can't seem to find a faith community where I feel free design and create worship opportunities. The best thing that I loved about Community of Grace was being able to create and participate in worship experiences. Now that Community of Grace is gone, I don't have the opportunity. I mean, I have helped in planning on occasion, but not at the level that I once did.
I don't know if I will ever find a place where I can be at home and use the gifts God gave me. I want to believe that something big will happen that will provide direction in my call, but what if it doesn't? There are times that I wonder if God is playing a big trick on me. I don't think it's true, but I do wonder if God is up there looking down at me and saying "sucker."
Okay, that's a bit harsh. But it's frustrating to have this desire to ministry and not finding a place and in some cases not even feeling wanted. That's another story.
Cheerful thoughts on a Thursday....
Monday, March 03, 2008
The Audacity of Hope?
Fellow blogger Bruce Reyes-Chow is running for Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He has a fascinating post about four shifts that his denomination needs to take. I won't go into all of them, but I will highlight number 4:
While Bruce was talking about his Presbyterian Church, he could have been talking about my own denomination, the Disciples of Christ. I don't know what has happened, but at least around these parts, it's as if people took some hopeless pills. People are constantly tearing each other down, talking trash that such and such church will close, that these churches have no mission and how we should just give up and just join the United Church of Christ. It's all negative and you wonder if they really believe in a God at all.
Maybe it's a mainline malaise. Maybe we have become so used to loss that we tend to think venture inward, fearful of the future and tearing down anyone who has the audacity to believe things can change for the better.
But I have to believe I serve a God that has done the impossible; a God that has taken the weak things of this world to shame the strong. David defeated Goliath. Gideon and his small army defeated the mighty Midianites. And the Messiah came from a backwater town.
It's hard to be a cheerleader, especially me (there is a reason I call this blog "Oscar"). But you know, I do believe in hope. As Jim Wallis once said:
Yeah, churches are losing members and budgets are getting smaller. But we serve a powerful God. Do I have start yelling, "Yes, we can?"
Any resemblance to a certain candidate is purely intentional.
Towards engagement driven by hope and optimism and away from reactions based on suspicion and scarcity. We can no longer operate as if new life and hope are not realities. I believe that too many of us only know how to feel useful if we are in a climate of fear and desperation. Too many of us only know how to play the role of malcontent and/or gatekeeper and do not know how to operate within a climate of hope. In fact, when we are really unhealthy, we may even create negativity and chaos when it is not there, simply so we can come in and operate in a more comfortable setting. How many times have folks tried to move things forward only to run into walls of negativity and fear? Now this is not simply a stage-of-life issue, but a reality that we, especially the church, must deal with. Jesus did not come to bring despair, but hope. If we the church, of all institutions, cannot live into that idea, we might as well pack it in and go home. Movements of hope do not demand ease and smooth sailing, but a common understanding that through the struggle and communal hard work, there is new life ahead.
While Bruce was talking about his Presbyterian Church, he could have been talking about my own denomination, the Disciples of Christ. I don't know what has happened, but at least around these parts, it's as if people took some hopeless pills. People are constantly tearing each other down, talking trash that such and such church will close, that these churches have no mission and how we should just give up and just join the United Church of Christ. It's all negative and you wonder if they really believe in a God at all.
Maybe it's a mainline malaise. Maybe we have become so used to loss that we tend to think venture inward, fearful of the future and tearing down anyone who has the audacity to believe things can change for the better.
But I have to believe I serve a God that has done the impossible; a God that has taken the weak things of this world to shame the strong. David defeated Goliath. Gideon and his small army defeated the mighty Midianites. And the Messiah came from a backwater town.
It's hard to be a cheerleader, especially me (there is a reason I call this blog "Oscar"). But you know, I do believe in hope. As Jim Wallis once said:
Hope is a decision you make. Hope means believing in spite of the evidence and then waiting for the evidence to change.
Yeah, churches are losing members and budgets are getting smaller. But we serve a powerful God. Do I have start yelling, "Yes, we can?"
Any resemblance to a certain candidate is purely intentional.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Worshipping Accross the Ages
My fellow Disciple blogger, Danny Bradfield, asked me recently about worship with different generations. His concern is with having different worship services that attract different generations. He wanted to know my opinion.
Well, I like worshipping with different generations. We have people who are in their 90s to people in their teens. I like this mix. I like trying to learn from those several decades older than me.
I know that some people want different services to reach out to younger ages, but I worry that making a "hipper" worship service will leave out the wisdom of the older folks. And I think the older people have something to learn from us young ones. I guess I would rather have blended worship that appeals to different generations, than in trying to separate the tatooed set from the "blue hairs."
Maybe in the end, a community of God should try to strive towards diversity, not just in color, but in age as well.
Well, I like worshipping with different generations. We have people who are in their 90s to people in their teens. I like this mix. I like trying to learn from those several decades older than me.
I know that some people want different services to reach out to younger ages, but I worry that making a "hipper" worship service will leave out the wisdom of the older folks. And I think the older people have something to learn from us young ones. I guess I would rather have blended worship that appeals to different generations, than in trying to separate the tatooed set from the "blue hairs."
Maybe in the end, a community of God should try to strive towards diversity, not just in color, but in age as well.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Back in the Day....
I really liked the 90s band Luscious Jackson. It was kinda cool too see this all-women band with some really cool street-wise music. I downloaded their 1999 song, "Ladyfingers" and decided to see the video. You can see a good link here.
Below is another one (not as good) that appeared on the old MTV show, "120 Minutes." For you young ones, this was when MTV played music.
Below is another one (not as good) that appeared on the old MTV show, "120 Minutes." For you young ones, this was when MTV played music.
Worship: Adults Only?
I will admit that youth ministry is not my strongsuit, but something that has always bothered me is churches that have Sunday School during worship service. I don't get that.
I was chatting with some other church professionals and guy who works with youth at a local church was upset that Sunday School took place during worship. He commented that the youth are in classes from babies to high school. He then said it was no wonder that the youth don't go to church after high school since they were never included in the first place.
I don't know what possesses people to think that placing kids in Sunday School, while the grown-up worship is a good idea. Since when did worship become "Adults-Only?" We might as well put up beaded doors like the ones we see at those Adult bookstores.
The thing is, worship should be for everyone. Kids should be able to participate in worship. I know, sometimes kids talk in worship or they look bored, but I'm beginning to think they are aware of what's going on. If we exclude them from worship, the message they recieve is that this isn't something that's worth doing.
I know that adults are probably not doing this out of some ill will. It's probably a tradition going way back. But just because it was done in 1958 means it has to be done in 2008.
If I ever am asked to lead a church with such a setup, that is one sacred cow that's going to become a juicy hamburger.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday Sermon- February 24, 2008
“A Woman and the Son of God Enter a Bar...”
John 4:5-42
February 24, 2008
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
I am a terrible joke teller.
Believe me, I've tried. But ever since I was a child, I've have done a bad job of telling jokes. If I was kidnapped by Al Queda and the only I would be granted freedom is to tell the jokes, well I would be their involuntary guest for quite a long time.
But listening to jokes can be fun. I know that at some point, we have all heard a joke that begins like this: “A priest, a rabbi and a Baptist preacher walk into a bar...” The people who walk in the bar maybe different, but it's still the same joke. A few people enter a bar who don't seem to fit. We don't expect a priest, a rabbi and a preacher to enter a bar together. We don't expect them to even be at a bar. That's what makes the joke so interesting: it's throwing people who don't normally associate with each other in situations you don't expect them to be in.
The text from the book of John is one of my favorite stories. Just like the joke, it throws together people you don't expect to be together in situations you don't expect them to be in. As the story begins, Jesus and his disciples are traveling through Samaria. Now, most Jews would go out of their way to bypass Samaria. They did this because they didn't like the Samartians. The Samaritans were related to the Jews, but they were mixed with other heritages and because their role in the past which included tharwting their Jewish cousins, they were called “half-breeds” by the Jews. The Samaritans returned the favor, by hating the Jews back.
So, Jesus travels in enemy territory. He is then left alone at the local water hole while his disciples go into the town to buy food. It was noon. Now, I've never been to the Holy Land, but I have been to parts of the world that are known for being hot. I've visited my relatives in Central Louisiana and traveled in Spain...in August. In both places, it gets incredibly hot during that time of the day, with the sun high in the sky. You don't want to be outside during that time, and for the most part, you aren't. Most people stay inside. But not Jesus. He is sitting here in the hot sun, near a well, with no way to get the water in the well.
At this point, something odd happens. A woman is approaching the well. This is odd, because normally, women, and it was women in those days, went to get water from the well in the early morning and the evening, times of the day when the sun was not so hot. And yet, this woman was heading towards the well with a bucket to draw water for her needs. Many have speculated that this woman might have had a reputation in town and going to get water in the middle of the day, meant not having to deal with the cold stares of the townsfolk.
Jesus sees the woman and asks her, “Give me something to drink.” The woman looks at Jesus and notices maybe by his skin tone or his speech that he is Jewish. That must have sent chills up her spine that her hated enemy was sitting there asking her for drink as if she was his servant. She then responds, “Why in the world would ask me, a woman and a Samaritan, for water?”
Jesus then starts talking about water again- but not the water in the well. He speaks of a Living Water, a water that will quench the thirst of this woman forever. At first, she was still a bit skeptical, wondering how he could get this water without a bucket. Then she starts to ask if there is any way she could get this water and not have to come out in the heat to get water. At some point, Jesus asks the woman to call her husband. She responds quickly that she has no husband. But Jesus sees through this and calls her on it.
You have to imagine this woman was scared. She was already and outcast because of her past, and she didn't need this Jew looking down on her. But how did he know? She wonders if this man is a prophet and starts talking about God and worshipping on the mountain where her fellow Samaritans went to meet God.
At some point, Jesus reveals himself to her as the Messiah. She runs back to town and tells the townsfolk that this man told her everything about her. Could this be the Messiah?
This story is about grace. This morning, we sang what is probably the most famous hymn: “Amazing Grace.” Many of you know the history of this song. It's writer, John Newton, was a slave trader. Talk about your shady pasts. He had traded people like commodity. He felt like the “wretch” in the song. And yet, he knew that God had saved him. He was lost, and now he is found. He was blind in sin and now he sees.
This woman was an outcast. Whether or not she was an innocent victim or someone with a seedy past, doesn't matter; she is on the outside. And yet, Jesus reached out to her. He crossed the boundaries of ethnicity, gender and probably 200 other boundaries to reach out to this woman in grace and love.
But this story isn't simply about what Christ did, though that's incredibly important. It's also about how the community that claims to follow him lives. We call ourselves Christians. Do we respond to the people we meet with the same grace that Christ did? Could we love those who might be doing something we might not necessairly agree with?
The fact is, outside these walls, there are people who are dying of thirst. Not real thirst, though there are people who are dying of thirst, but they want to be loved. They know they have a past, or are doing something people might not like. They have felt like an outcast. All they want is a welcoming hand that loves them regardless of their past. Are we willing to cross our own boundaries to share the love and grace of Christ with them?
Let me tell you the story of a real outsider. Many of you know Jim Galvin, who was a member of Community of Grace. He has shared with me on occasion that having a church that openly welcomed him even though he was gay meant a lot to him. He had felt excluded from other churches in the past because of his orientation, but he found a place to be. Jim found grace.
I don't share this story to pump myself up, since I was the pastor of this church start. I share it because it is an example of welcoming the various “people at the wells” in our own lives.
The theme for today is baptism and in a short time, I will be passing out a seashell to add to your growing altars at home. Shells are the traditional symbol of baptism. Baptism is a time when we are welcomed in to the church. But there is something more going on here. It is in the waters of baptism that we are reminded that God loves us. God knows us totally; all our faults and all out shortcomings and loves his still. We are loved madly by God. Jesus was willing to sit in the middle of a desert in the middle of the day to tell this woman that she was loved by God. That's love. Jesus went to the cross to show that love to all of creation. THAT's love.
Baptism reminds us we are loved that much by God. And if we are loved that much by God, shouldn't we return the favor by carrying that love forward? Can we cross the boundaries of race, sexual orientation, political ideology, theological differences to love somebody?
Baptism is a reminder that we have been given Living Water, a water that reminds us we don't have to go anywhere else to feel loved, because we are loved by God, all the time.
A Woman and the Son of God enter the bar...and everything changes for the better. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Picture: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, by He Qi.
Why Christian Educations (Kinda) Sucks
My friend Tim (aka Feral Pastor) recently shared with me something he had once heard concerning youth and Christian Education. He said that "Jesus played with the children and taught the adults. We tend to do the opposite."
How true. Look at any opening for a Christian Ed director or pastor and what we find is basically someone that works mostly with youth. Churches tend to have strong Sunday School programs that stress the basic Christian story. But as kids get older and into adulthood, Christian Ed becomes nonexistent or become "adult forums" where they talk about the latest public policy concern but not studying the Bible.
I sometimes wonder if the reason mainline churches are languishing is because we make kids sit down and learn, instead of playing with them. I also wonder if it's because people who want a more hefty, deep-thinking Christianity come to church and find nothing that feeds their mind and soul.
If I were to design a position in a church for me centered on Christian Ed, I would design a program for the whole church, not just the kiddies. I would try to create a "lay seminary" where people could actually try to understand their faith. Yes, I would still have some adult forums, but I would also have classes where people would really grapple with Scripture and come to understand the story of God working in the world.
Is there a church out there (in the Twin Cities) willing to take me on?
How true. Look at any opening for a Christian Ed director or pastor and what we find is basically someone that works mostly with youth. Churches tend to have strong Sunday School programs that stress the basic Christian story. But as kids get older and into adulthood, Christian Ed becomes nonexistent or become "adult forums" where they talk about the latest public policy concern but not studying the Bible.
I sometimes wonder if the reason mainline churches are languishing is because we make kids sit down and learn, instead of playing with them. I also wonder if it's because people who want a more hefty, deep-thinking Christianity come to church and find nothing that feeds their mind and soul.
If I were to design a position in a church for me centered on Christian Ed, I would design a program for the whole church, not just the kiddies. I would try to create a "lay seminary" where people could actually try to understand their faith. Yes, I would still have some adult forums, but I would also have classes where people would really grapple with Scripture and come to understand the story of God working in the world.
Is there a church out there (in the Twin Cities) willing to take me on?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Creative Ministry
Yesterday was a good day. I found out I was approved for Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing in the Minnesota United Church of Christ. The Disciples and the UCC have an agreement that allows for the sharing of resources and the exchange of pastors. I am excited by this, because it gives me an opening to work with the UCC. I am trying to find a church that is willing to try something new in ministry. One wish is to get a group of people with a passion for mission that would try to live a new faith community. It would be church planting, the monastic way, I guess. In chatting with a UCC pastor, she noted there were churches that had some interest.
The other thing that has interested me is being an associate pastor in a church whose role is mission and maybe starting a new worship service. The problem is most churches with Associates tend to stick them with youth, something I don't have the skills for. I would love to do Christian Ed, but I would want to run youth and adult, again something that is not normally done.
I sometimes wish that churches could see different ways of using ministers, instead of the ways that have been used for decades.
Maybe there is a church that would be willing? We shall see.
The other thing that has interested me is being an associate pastor in a church whose role is mission and maybe starting a new worship service. The problem is most churches with Associates tend to stick them with youth, something I don't have the skills for. I would love to do Christian Ed, but I would want to run youth and adult, again something that is not normally done.
I sometimes wish that churches could see different ways of using ministers, instead of the ways that have been used for decades.
Maybe there is a church that would be willing? We shall see.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thoughts from a Unitarian Church Planter
Okay, that title isn't a crazy at it seems.
I'm starting to like Unitarians. I still don't always agree with their theology, but they have some good things to share. One of the bloggers that I like to check out on occasion is Ron Robinson, a Unitarian-Universalist pastor in Oklahoma that has some experience in church planting. His posts always make me think about what it means to be church and a recent post is no different. Here are some of his views concerning church growth:
Robinson is saying that church planting is about community: a community living in a way that is different from the prevailing culture. It gets back to the idea of the church not as a place, but as a people living a certain way: the way of Jesus.
Tomorrow I meet with someone from the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ. I want to share my idea of working with a congregation ready to try something new: to gather a group of people interested in being the church and start in a local area and see what happens. It's just crazy enough to work.
Who says you can't learn anything from Unitarians?
I'm starting to like Unitarians. I still don't always agree with their theology, but they have some good things to share. One of the bloggers that I like to check out on occasion is Ron Robinson, a Unitarian-Universalist pastor in Oklahoma that has some experience in church planting. His posts always make me think about what it means to be church and a recent post is no different. Here are some of his views concerning church growth:
Find groups of five people who can work together as a team, who have an entrepeneurial and mission passion, and turn them loose. Self-sown seeds. Watch what happens. By entrepeneurial I don't really mean it has to be business-minded folks although lord knows that will probably help more than by seminary-trained liberal arts message-weighed down people like me; but people who can be risk-takers. And don't be afraid to invest in the places you wouldn't ever be told to invest in by demographic studies. What has it gotten us to go to those areas where there are abundant higher education degrees? Though there is so much still to be done, and so many potentials even in the places loaded down with Starbucks. It's time to have the vision to expand in all directions.
But even those ideas coming from the top as new ventures are probably doomed. So I am back again to linking 12 people as apostles, those who are sent, who can model culture change, attract people on fire, feed their health and starve the dysfunction that will grow up in reaction. People who know in their bones what Church is, and that it is good to seed a diversity of little church expressions of Church. These 12 may be from all over,but they will share associational life together, retreating together, mentoring others, a kind of new monastic order of missionaries, going out into the wilderness of the new environment and bringing back reports to share of the findings and learnings and experiments of others, inspiring others to do the same with others in their areas, or getting away from the bounds of geography, with others in their niche culture, through the technologies. And as these people come into contact with others existing churches will be changed and new endeavors of church, growing their own resources, will sprout. What the association does is resource the start-up missionaries, the 12, and join in prayer, adding new if needed, and thinking not of 3 year cycles and results but 300 years.
Robinson is saying that church planting is about community: a community living in a way that is different from the prevailing culture. It gets back to the idea of the church not as a place, but as a people living a certain way: the way of Jesus.
Tomorrow I meet with someone from the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ. I want to share my idea of working with a congregation ready to try something new: to gather a group of people interested in being the church and start in a local area and see what happens. It's just crazy enough to work.
Who says you can't learn anything from Unitarians?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Open and Affirming Church Planting
I remember hearing years ago, that one the things that should happen is planting churches that are already welcoming to gays and lesbians. I tried to do that, but it didn't work the first time.
Today, I read that Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, is planning on starting five new churches. Cathedral of Hope bills itself as the world's largest gay church and has been a part of the UCC for about two years.
Now, they are a megachurch and can afford to do this venture, but still, what a step of faith. And in a part of the country that isn't always known as accepting of gay folks, no less.
Kudos to Cathedral of Hope. May God bless them as the spread the Good News of Christ.
Today, I read that Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, is planning on starting five new churches. Cathedral of Hope bills itself as the world's largest gay church and has been a part of the UCC for about two years.
Now, they are a megachurch and can afford to do this venture, but still, what a step of faith. And in a part of the country that isn't always known as accepting of gay folks, no less.
Kudos to Cathedral of Hope. May God bless them as the spread the Good News of Christ.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Church Planting: A Step of Faith
Every so often, when I feel down about myself, I tend to read this article by Bob Hyatt, a church planting pastor. I like reading his short essay because he reminds me that church planting isn't crazy.
Something that has struck me lately is that planting a church is really an act of faith. Hyatt writes:
I remember a while back asking someone if they were every interested in planting a church. The person said no, saying something related to the fact that there wasn't any financial security in it.
I thought about that. Having been part of mainline churches, something that seems to be a big concern is that if so and so is going to start a church, they need a good salary and benefits package.
I'm not saying that pastor and other church leaders should not be paid. What I am saying is that in many cases, we aren't so willing to take a step of faith, in planting churches and in the funding of church plants and planters.
Having grown up in a evangelical household, what I noticed was how people who were called to ministry were willing to go out and find a job or raise money to fund their calling. These people believed strongly in what God had called them to do and they were willing to step on in faith knowing that God would be with them all the way.
When I was working with Community of Grace, it was near impossible to get churches to fund us. Many of the churches are struggling, dealing with shrinking budgets and shrinking memberships. Such concerns cause the belts to tighten. Some pastors thought new churches were a waste of money and that these resources had to be spent on existing churches.
I think sometimes that we mainline Protestants suffer from a lack of faith. Yes, we say we believe in God, but I think we don't really trust as much as we like to. Of course, there are probably a lot of evangelicals that are just as untrusting of God as mainliners, it's just that I have really seen it among mainline churches.
But, what if we had faith that God is at work? What if people were willing to pray for church planters, and support them in anyway they can (not just financially)? What if we had a passion for mission, to share and be Christ with the world, that we were willing to help anyone who had a passion to start a church? What if we just had some faith?
Something that has struck me lately is that planting a church is really an act of faith. Hyatt writes:
Fear? Is it scary? Yes, of course it is. But for me, a turning point was realizing that I had never really done anything in my life that required actual faith. Yes, I had picked up and moved to Europe for two years. Did that require faith? I had a great salary waiting for me, a church community to integrate me, and the knowledge that if it didn’t work out, I could always just find something else to fall back on. Faith? Sort of, but not really.
I came to the point in considering church planting where I realized that I simply didn’t want to get to 70 and look back never having taken an actual step of faith… never having started something, never having begun a journey whose end I could not clearly see from the beginning. I didn’t want the regret of not having taken a shot at a dream of mine.
Finances? Sure- that was a consideration. When we decided to plant the church we had just bought a house and gotten pregnant. I knew that looking back this was either going to seem like a great step of faith or a complete lack of common sense. I suppose the jury is still out on that…
But we had to decide, my wife and I, that if taking this step cost us our house, set us back financially… that simply wasn’t too big a price to pay for God’s kingdom. If we did what we felt we needed to do, and there were financial costs, so be it. We’d rather see people come into relationship with God than have a house. We’d rather see those who have given up on church find community again than have a new car. We had to ask ourselves “What is the absolute worst thing that could happen if we do this?” And when we really started looking at it, it just didn’t seem like that big a deal.
I remember a while back asking someone if they were every interested in planting a church. The person said no, saying something related to the fact that there wasn't any financial security in it.
I thought about that. Having been part of mainline churches, something that seems to be a big concern is that if so and so is going to start a church, they need a good salary and benefits package.
I'm not saying that pastor and other church leaders should not be paid. What I am saying is that in many cases, we aren't so willing to take a step of faith, in planting churches and in the funding of church plants and planters.
Having grown up in a evangelical household, what I noticed was how people who were called to ministry were willing to go out and find a job or raise money to fund their calling. These people believed strongly in what God had called them to do and they were willing to step on in faith knowing that God would be with them all the way.
When I was working with Community of Grace, it was near impossible to get churches to fund us. Many of the churches are struggling, dealing with shrinking budgets and shrinking memberships. Such concerns cause the belts to tighten. Some pastors thought new churches were a waste of money and that these resources had to be spent on existing churches.
I think sometimes that we mainline Protestants suffer from a lack of faith. Yes, we say we believe in God, but I think we don't really trust as much as we like to. Of course, there are probably a lot of evangelicals that are just as untrusting of God as mainliners, it's just that I have really seen it among mainline churches.
But, what if we had faith that God is at work? What if people were willing to pray for church planters, and support them in anyway they can (not just financially)? What if we had a passion for mission, to share and be Christ with the world, that we were willing to help anyone who had a passion to start a church? What if we just had some faith?
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Are You the One
It's funny how God works. Just when you think that you are alone, God speaks, and boy does God speak.
I happened to be just surfing on the web when I stumbled upon this blog by BJ Woodworth, the pastor of Open Door, a Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Woodworth was recently ordained and his father, also a Presbyterian minister, gave the charge. He based it on Luke 7:18-23 where John the Baptist asks Jesus if he is one or should he be expecting someone else. Rev. Woodworth spoke about the pain and dissapointment that pastors face. Our expectations don't meeting the reality and well, God has some 'splaining to do.
Here is part of what Rev. Woodworth said:
Trust and hope.
I have not been shy about being disappointed these past five years as an ordained pastor. I've dealt with setback after setback and wonder: where is God? Why does this have to be so freakin' hard?
But maybe God is saying that we, that I, have to trust God and have hope. What do I have to lose?
Hope has always been an important word for me. Maybe it's because in the end, that's all we can hold on to: that despair and dissapointment are not the last word.
All I can do is hope.
I happened to be just surfing on the web when I stumbled upon this blog by BJ Woodworth, the pastor of Open Door, a Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Woodworth was recently ordained and his father, also a Presbyterian minister, gave the charge. He based it on Luke 7:18-23 where John the Baptist asks Jesus if he is one or should he be expecting someone else. Rev. Woodworth spoke about the pain and dissapointment that pastors face. Our expectations don't meeting the reality and well, God has some 'splaining to do.
Here is part of what Rev. Woodworth said:
Jesus’ response to such a question is simple – he says I know you may be disappointed but I am asking you to trust me. You see even if Jesus had struck Herod with fire, freed John from prison and pulled up the other tares in John’s life, he would never have been truly free apart from a deep trusting relationship with Jesus.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are not offended by me – or stumbling over me”. We may be tempted to stumble over people and circumstances, pain and disappointment but we’re really stumbling over Jesus, offended by Jesus because he’s moving too slowly or because he hasn’t removed the tares in our life and the real temptations to look for something else – a better method, a new program, another seminar or a field with less tares – or even worse, tempted to join the thousands of pastors each year who give upon their call. My son – stay the course – have a burning patience – that quality of faith which keeps you living in the already and not yet – that will give meaning and strength to your ministry. Disappointments and even failures will come but you have a vision of the splendid city – you have hope – and just like the prophet Jeremiah, “before you were born God set you apart and appointed you to be his spokesman to the world.”
Trust and hope.
I have not been shy about being disappointed these past five years as an ordained pastor. I've dealt with setback after setback and wonder: where is God? Why does this have to be so freakin' hard?
But maybe God is saying that we, that I, have to trust God and have hope. What do I have to lose?
Hope has always been an important word for me. Maybe it's because in the end, that's all we can hold on to: that despair and dissapointment are not the last word.
All I can do is hope.
I Oughtta Be in Pictures
So, I finally figured out what was wrong with the video.
Now that it's fixed, here it is:
Now that it's fixed, here it is:
Friday, February 01, 2008
Feelin' Funky (And not in a Good Way)
I've been in a funk today.
I was a bit frustrated trying to upload a short video I did on the webcam. I guess it's too big to upload or this is one of those problems faced by those who have Windows Vista.
But the larger problem was dealing with my call. I feel like I;m on the edge of trying this church start thing again...and then I hesitate. What if I fail all over again? Do I really have the skills to do this? If I am called to do this, then why is no one wanting to follow along and help? Am I really a worthwhile pastor? If church planting isn't for me, then what is?
It's enough to put me in a tailspin and feel like the situation is hopeless, and it has.
As I wander in this time of transition, something that I've noticed is that I am a better second fiddle than I am leader of the band. Does this mean I should consider being an Associate somewhere?
I don't know. What I do know is that at least today, I feel very lost and alone and wondering if my call will ever be fully realized.
I was a bit frustrated trying to upload a short video I did on the webcam. I guess it's too big to upload or this is one of those problems faced by those who have Windows Vista.
But the larger problem was dealing with my call. I feel like I;m on the edge of trying this church start thing again...and then I hesitate. What if I fail all over again? Do I really have the skills to do this? If I am called to do this, then why is no one wanting to follow along and help? Am I really a worthwhile pastor? If church planting isn't for me, then what is?
It's enough to put me in a tailspin and feel like the situation is hopeless, and it has.
As I wander in this time of transition, something that I've noticed is that I am a better second fiddle than I am leader of the band. Does this mean I should consider being an Associate somewhere?
I don't know. What I do know is that at least today, I feel very lost and alone and wondering if my call will ever be fully realized.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday Sermon- January 27, 2008
“red church, blue church, whose church?”
Matthew 4:12-23; I Corinthians 1:10-18
January 27, 2008
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
About a year or two ago, I went down to Des Moines to lead a class at the School for Congregational Learning. I had prepared long and hard for the meeting and expected several people to show up at the meeting to hear about new church planting. As the time came for the class to start, I waited for people to show up. Well, two people ended up attending the class. Two. And the two who attended were interesting.
The first guy was a pastor of a church in Southern Iowa. As we chatted, I started to realize this person had a reputation of causing trouble in his congregation. At some point he started talking about one the problems with the denomination: ordaining gay pastors.
Ohhhhhkay.
I remained calm, putting on my best poker face. This was going to be an interesting class.
The second person arrived. It turns out she was a member of the same congregation who had opposed this pastor. The tension in the room was thick. I was wondering what in the world had I done to be placed in the middle of this argument.
I went ahead and did my presentation. I talked about Community of Grace, the church plant I helped start, and how it was a welcoming congregation to gay and lesbian people. In the end we had a good conversation, as good a conversation as you can have under these circumstances.
When the class mercifully ended, the pastor who had complained about gay pastors came up to me and apologized for his remarks. As hard as it was to hear those remarks, I accepted his apology with as much grace as I could.
And I was glad this was all over.
Our culture today is a fractured one. We divide ourselves, by race, or political persuasion. One might hope that the Church would be the one place where there would be a sense of unity. Nope. We are divided on a bunch of issues, from sexuality to inclusive language to well, the color of the carpet in the sanctuary.
Now when Tammy asked me to be part of what I like to call “tag team preaching,” I was expecting to preach only from the Matthew text, but I think God had other plans because the text from I Corinthians kept popping up in my mind. Maybe its because I've been busy all week dealing with an a meeting that took place among local Presbyterians about gay ordination, I don't know. Paul is writing to the church at Corinth and he is pretty upset. He hears that there are divisions among the congregation. People are saying that they were baptized by this person and that and dividing themselves along those lines. Paul comes in and says that the important thing is not who baptized who, but the preaching of the gospel.
He talks about the message of the cross and about the church being in agreement and not division. Does Paul mean that we should all think the same and never argue? No. We are faced with a lot of issues that need to be fleshed out. But I think the unity Paul was talking about was that no matter who baptized who, or what one thinks on gay ordination, or the war in Iraq, we are united in Christ and must be Christ to each other. In the end, the gospel isn't about these issues, but is shaped in the life of Jesus, who lived a sacrificial life that lead to the cross.
When Jesus called his first disciples, he said they would be fishers of people. Their ministry would be one of living for Christ and others, not living for whatever particular issue that comes by.
Disagreements will come. But the question is how will we as Christians handle ourselves? We show each other grace and love and even when we disagree, or will we be just like the rest of the world, thinking of ourselves and not others?
The gospel passage is a passage about discipleship, about following Christ. Paul's letter reminds us that this walk with Christ is one that costs. The way of Cross is not easy, but since Christ has walked down that road, we know we aren't alone.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Matthew 4:12-23; I Corinthians 1:10-18
January 27, 2008
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
About a year or two ago, I went down to Des Moines to lead a class at the School for Congregational Learning. I had prepared long and hard for the meeting and expected several people to show up at the meeting to hear about new church planting. As the time came for the class to start, I waited for people to show up. Well, two people ended up attending the class. Two. And the two who attended were interesting.
The first guy was a pastor of a church in Southern Iowa. As we chatted, I started to realize this person had a reputation of causing trouble in his congregation. At some point he started talking about one the problems with the denomination: ordaining gay pastors.
Ohhhhhkay.
I remained calm, putting on my best poker face. This was going to be an interesting class.
The second person arrived. It turns out she was a member of the same congregation who had opposed this pastor. The tension in the room was thick. I was wondering what in the world had I done to be placed in the middle of this argument.
I went ahead and did my presentation. I talked about Community of Grace, the church plant I helped start, and how it was a welcoming congregation to gay and lesbian people. In the end we had a good conversation, as good a conversation as you can have under these circumstances.
When the class mercifully ended, the pastor who had complained about gay pastors came up to me and apologized for his remarks. As hard as it was to hear those remarks, I accepted his apology with as much grace as I could.
And I was glad this was all over.
Our culture today is a fractured one. We divide ourselves, by race, or political persuasion. One might hope that the Church would be the one place where there would be a sense of unity. Nope. We are divided on a bunch of issues, from sexuality to inclusive language to well, the color of the carpet in the sanctuary.
Now when Tammy asked me to be part of what I like to call “tag team preaching,” I was expecting to preach only from the Matthew text, but I think God had other plans because the text from I Corinthians kept popping up in my mind. Maybe its because I've been busy all week dealing with an a meeting that took place among local Presbyterians about gay ordination, I don't know. Paul is writing to the church at Corinth and he is pretty upset. He hears that there are divisions among the congregation. People are saying that they were baptized by this person and that and dividing themselves along those lines. Paul comes in and says that the important thing is not who baptized who, but the preaching of the gospel.
He talks about the message of the cross and about the church being in agreement and not division. Does Paul mean that we should all think the same and never argue? No. We are faced with a lot of issues that need to be fleshed out. But I think the unity Paul was talking about was that no matter who baptized who, or what one thinks on gay ordination, or the war in Iraq, we are united in Christ and must be Christ to each other. In the end, the gospel isn't about these issues, but is shaped in the life of Jesus, who lived a sacrificial life that lead to the cross.
When Jesus called his first disciples, he said they would be fishers of people. Their ministry would be one of living for Christ and others, not living for whatever particular issue that comes by.
Disagreements will come. But the question is how will we as Christians handle ourselves? We show each other grace and love and even when we disagree, or will we be just like the rest of the world, thinking of ourselves and not others?
The gospel passage is a passage about discipleship, about following Christ. Paul's letter reminds us that this walk with Christ is one that costs. The way of Cross is not easy, but since Christ has walked down that road, we know we aren't alone.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
One Big Happy
So, I am tag team preaching this Sunday.
This is something I regularly do with Tammy, the Associate at Lake Harriet. I do one half of the sermon, and she does the other half. It seems odd, but it works.
Normally when I preach, I preach from the gospel and the call of Peter, Andrew, James and John does have a pull. But I am drawn to the epistle for this coming Sunday: I Corinthians 1:10-18.
This verse says a lot about the current state of the church. We divide ourselves on SO many issues, sexuality, war, the economy, inclusive language, that we forget what unites us: Jesus Christ. More often than not, I've learned that while I might not agree with my more conservative brothers and sisters, I do see many of them as seeking to find ways to love and serve God like I do.
I still need to do some thinking on this passage, but I think I know what I will be preaching on.
This is something I regularly do with Tammy, the Associate at Lake Harriet. I do one half of the sermon, and she does the other half. It seems odd, but it works.
Normally when I preach, I preach from the gospel and the call of Peter, Andrew, James and John does have a pull. But I am drawn to the epistle for this coming Sunday: I Corinthians 1:10-18.
10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
This verse says a lot about the current state of the church. We divide ourselves on SO many issues, sexuality, war, the economy, inclusive language, that we forget what unites us: Jesus Christ. More often than not, I've learned that while I might not agree with my more conservative brothers and sisters, I do see many of them as seeking to find ways to love and serve God like I do.
I still need to do some thinking on this passage, but I think I know what I will be preaching on.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sunday Sermon-January 20, 2008
“Hospitality. Enough Said.”
John 1:29-42
January 20, 2007
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
In the business world, what makes a company good or bad, what makes it thrive or fold up, is how good its service is.
Several years ago, I was in need of a new car. My 1992 Chevy Corsica was on it's last legs and I needed something soon. On the advice of a friend, I drove down one snowy afternoon with a friend to Northfield to look at cars. We stopped first at a GM dealer and looked around. What was interesting was that no one came out to say hello. Usually in car dealers, someone is there before you even have a chance to look. But the sales staff kept away. Then I went to a Ford dealership nearby and found a car that I like. We went in to start doing the numbers and see if I qualified for a loan. Since I was in school and working part time, I didn't qualify for a loan on my own. Not a problem, I thought, since I had never bought a car before and because I knew that my Dad would co-sign the loan. But I remember that the finance guy was worried. I have no idea why, but he was. I decided to put down a deposit and started writing out the check. At that point, our timid finance guy said the most stupid remark ever. “Will the check bounce?”
I was taken a back. I mean, why in the world would I drive 40 miles in a snowstorm, in a car with bad breaks, no less, to write up a bad check? I thought his statement was a bit bigoted. Looking back, if I had my wits, I would have stopped writing the check and left immediately. But I was thinking clearly so I did write the check. That did not bounce, I might add.
The thing about the experience, was that I did not feel any sense of hospitality. I didn't feel like I was welcomed at either dealership and made to feel like common criminal instead of someone who was going to fork over some money their way. It made me not ever want to consider buying a car in Northfield again.
We may not think that hospitality is something that churches should be concerned about, but in reality it is something we might want to start taking seriously. The fact is, bad “service” in a church has negative effects on the church as a whole. In a book called “unChristian” by David Kinnaman of the Barna Group (which does religious research) found at that a large majority of young people aged 16-29 view Christianity with in his words, “resentment, hostility and disdain.”
Here are some the findings about how this group views Christians. 91 percent view the church as anti-homosexual. 87 percent view Christians as judgemental and roughly an equal number view Christians as hypocritical. 70 percent thinks the church is insensitive to others.
None of these numbers are good. In fact, they are horrible.
The gospel has Jesus encountering John his cousin and some of John's disciples. John greets Jesus as the lamb that takes the sins of the world. Two of John's disciples were so intrigued that they came up to Jesus wanting to know more. Jesus responds by saying, “what do you need?” When they answer, he responds, “come and see.” They do and end up staying the whole day talking to Jesus. This propels them to share what they have witness with others who then have an encounter with Jesus.
If you want to know about hospitality and how important it is, look to Jesus. Jesus welcomes these people who have interest in him. He welcomes their questions and his actions have an impact on their lives. Now, they truly knew Jesus was the lamb of God, not because John had told them, but because they had seen for themselves.
Jesus had this knack of welcoming people. He welcomed the Pharaisee Nicodemus who had questions to ask, the woman at the well who was a woman with a shady reputation, and many others. In every case, his hospitality brought these people to truly encounter Jesus. It was the actions of Jesus, not words about him, that made the difference.
Lake Harriet is at an interesting juncture in its life. We are deciding our next steps and what this church will look like down the road. I sadly can't join you this afternoon as you start part two of this process, but I do want to leave you with this message: how hospitable are we? Do we welcome those who might be different from us? Do we welcome those of different races, ethinic groups and sexual orientations? Can we provide ways to actively live that out in our own lives, but also as a community?
This question is just as important as the congregation's financial health or choosing a new pastor. I would say it is even more so. The fact is, many in my generation and the generation behind me, think the church is full of hateful, bigots. Now I know that isn't true, but there are many who have bad experiences and that has colored their whole lives. The only way that can change is by having a group of people who can prove to people that their negative perception isn't all true. That means creating and maintaining communities of inclusion and hospitality that are truly living this gospel out as Jesus did.
During my time with Community of Grace, I was amazed out how many people had a negative perception of Christians. Some people had been treated harshly because of their sexual orientation. But there were other reasons people stayed away from church; a manipulative pastor, a cold congregation and so on. I realized that the church has a big job on their hands: trying to change the perception of a group that is supposed to be about love.
A few years ago, my partner Daniel was looking for a new car. We stopped at a Toyota dealership here in the Cities and met a nice older woman named Nancy. She showed us the car we were interested in and was all around a helpful person. She was well aware that we were a couple and wasn't scared away. What was amazing is that she shared a part of her life with us. She told us of her children and what they were involved in. I was impressed by the experience, and when my friend Erik was looking for a car, sent him her way. He ended up buying a car from her.
When people met Jesus, they wanted to tell others. We who are called the followers of Jesus, encounter people who will not know Jesus unless we are Christ to them. Get this wrong and we lose more than a potential member; we end up becoming an obstacle.
When people darken the doors of this faith community or your own home, they are looking for something. What will our answer be? Will we be like Christ and say, “Come and See,” or will we tell them to get lost?
Hospitality isn't just about manners; it's about the gospel itself. Thanks be to God. Amen.
John 1:29-42
January 20, 2007
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN
In the business world, what makes a company good or bad, what makes it thrive or fold up, is how good its service is.
Several years ago, I was in need of a new car. My 1992 Chevy Corsica was on it's last legs and I needed something soon. On the advice of a friend, I drove down one snowy afternoon with a friend to Northfield to look at cars. We stopped first at a GM dealer and looked around. What was interesting was that no one came out to say hello. Usually in car dealers, someone is there before you even have a chance to look. But the sales staff kept away. Then I went to a Ford dealership nearby and found a car that I like. We went in to start doing the numbers and see if I qualified for a loan. Since I was in school and working part time, I didn't qualify for a loan on my own. Not a problem, I thought, since I had never bought a car before and because I knew that my Dad would co-sign the loan. But I remember that the finance guy was worried. I have no idea why, but he was. I decided to put down a deposit and started writing out the check. At that point, our timid finance guy said the most stupid remark ever. “Will the check bounce?”
I was taken a back. I mean, why in the world would I drive 40 miles in a snowstorm, in a car with bad breaks, no less, to write up a bad check? I thought his statement was a bit bigoted. Looking back, if I had my wits, I would have stopped writing the check and left immediately. But I was thinking clearly so I did write the check. That did not bounce, I might add.
The thing about the experience, was that I did not feel any sense of hospitality. I didn't feel like I was welcomed at either dealership and made to feel like common criminal instead of someone who was going to fork over some money their way. It made me not ever want to consider buying a car in Northfield again.
We may not think that hospitality is something that churches should be concerned about, but in reality it is something we might want to start taking seriously. The fact is, bad “service” in a church has negative effects on the church as a whole. In a book called “unChristian” by David Kinnaman of the Barna Group (which does religious research) found at that a large majority of young people aged 16-29 view Christianity with in his words, “resentment, hostility and disdain.”
Here are some the findings about how this group views Christians. 91 percent view the church as anti-homosexual. 87 percent view Christians as judgemental and roughly an equal number view Christians as hypocritical. 70 percent thinks the church is insensitive to others.
None of these numbers are good. In fact, they are horrible.
The gospel has Jesus encountering John his cousin and some of John's disciples. John greets Jesus as the lamb that takes the sins of the world. Two of John's disciples were so intrigued that they came up to Jesus wanting to know more. Jesus responds by saying, “what do you need?” When they answer, he responds, “come and see.” They do and end up staying the whole day talking to Jesus. This propels them to share what they have witness with others who then have an encounter with Jesus.
If you want to know about hospitality and how important it is, look to Jesus. Jesus welcomes these people who have interest in him. He welcomes their questions and his actions have an impact on their lives. Now, they truly knew Jesus was the lamb of God, not because John had told them, but because they had seen for themselves.
Jesus had this knack of welcoming people. He welcomed the Pharaisee Nicodemus who had questions to ask, the woman at the well who was a woman with a shady reputation, and many others. In every case, his hospitality brought these people to truly encounter Jesus. It was the actions of Jesus, not words about him, that made the difference.
Lake Harriet is at an interesting juncture in its life. We are deciding our next steps and what this church will look like down the road. I sadly can't join you this afternoon as you start part two of this process, but I do want to leave you with this message: how hospitable are we? Do we welcome those who might be different from us? Do we welcome those of different races, ethinic groups and sexual orientations? Can we provide ways to actively live that out in our own lives, but also as a community?
This question is just as important as the congregation's financial health or choosing a new pastor. I would say it is even more so. The fact is, many in my generation and the generation behind me, think the church is full of hateful, bigots. Now I know that isn't true, but there are many who have bad experiences and that has colored their whole lives. The only way that can change is by having a group of people who can prove to people that their negative perception isn't all true. That means creating and maintaining communities of inclusion and hospitality that are truly living this gospel out as Jesus did.
During my time with Community of Grace, I was amazed out how many people had a negative perception of Christians. Some people had been treated harshly because of their sexual orientation. But there were other reasons people stayed away from church; a manipulative pastor, a cold congregation and so on. I realized that the church has a big job on their hands: trying to change the perception of a group that is supposed to be about love.
A few years ago, my partner Daniel was looking for a new car. We stopped at a Toyota dealership here in the Cities and met a nice older woman named Nancy. She showed us the car we were interested in and was all around a helpful person. She was well aware that we were a couple and wasn't scared away. What was amazing is that she shared a part of her life with us. She told us of her children and what they were involved in. I was impressed by the experience, and when my friend Erik was looking for a car, sent him her way. He ended up buying a car from her.
When people met Jesus, they wanted to tell others. We who are called the followers of Jesus, encounter people who will not know Jesus unless we are Christ to them. Get this wrong and we lose more than a potential member; we end up becoming an obstacle.
When people darken the doors of this faith community or your own home, they are looking for something. What will our answer be? Will we be like Christ and say, “Come and See,” or will we tell them to get lost?
Hospitality isn't just about manners; it's about the gospel itself. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Tuesday Prayer
Another Tuesday prayer from Erik. Again, if you are interested in using these prayers, please email him.
Tuesday Prayer based on texts for the Third Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (1)
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
If you walked past my cubicle at work today
saying, "Follow me, and I will make you a helper of humans,"
would I immediately follow?
What kind of person must you have been, while on earth,
to inspire such decisive action?
Despite our caution, call us every day
to follow again in your way of love,
of justice, of service.
Remind us that our stuff is only stuff
while the journey makes us who we are
and draws us close to you.
Call us today, Lord.
Amen.
© 2008 Erik Doughty. Permission to reproduce this work is granted only when the author is credited.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Persepolis
Last night, Daniel and I went out on a very, very cold night in Minneapolis to see the movie "Persepolis." Persepolis is based on a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi that tells her story of growing up in Iran during the waning days of the Shah and as the Islamic hardliners took over. Being an animation geek and interested in world politics, this was a movie I was interested in seeing.
And wow, what a movie. The animation is great, but what moves this film is the story. It focuses on Marjane, headstrong girls as she comes of age during some important times in history.
I left the film feeling a lot of what I deal with is not that bad, and that Iran is a lot more complex than the images of people saying "death to America." As Marjane said in a recent interview:
"If you understand that a guy who is dying is exactly like you, who likes to go to the movies, and eat ice-cream and make love to his wife and has a mother and children and hopes etcetera, then it becomes much more difficult. So if this movie can participate in that fact and say 'Hey! It's just a matter of human beings, no matter where you come from, all of use we are human, let's think about that.' Maybe that will be the right question."
One of the last words spoken during the film is that "freedom has a price." You realize that when you see Marjane's story which is probably duplicated millions of times in Iran.
When I was a kid watching the Iranian revolution and the hostage taking of Americans on TV, I believed that all Iranians were religious nuts. Of course, these days I don't believe that, but this movie took that message home. Some want a life of freedom, the freedom we take for granted.
If you have a chance, go see this movie. Now.
Just So You Know...
Well things might get interesting for me in the next few weeks.
Back in December, I got call from Disciplesworld magazine. They are doing a story about gay and lesbian ministers and they interviewed yours truly. It should appear in the upcoming issue. I hope it does good in allowing GLBT Christians to use the gifts God gave them in the church and I hope I don't get a lot of flack for it. Oh well, I am a big boy- and God is with me.
Back in December, I got call from Disciplesworld magazine. They are doing a story about gay and lesbian ministers and they interviewed yours truly. It should appear in the upcoming issue. I hope it does good in allowing GLBT Christians to use the gifts God gave them in the church and I hope I don't get a lot of flack for it. Oh well, I am a big boy- and God is with me.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Old Man and the Queen
As several denominations struggle with the issue of gay pastors, I am reminded of something that happened to me a few years ago.
I had just graduated from seminary and was doing my CPE at a local nursing home. I was still involved at the church where I was an intern and was asked to serve on the church board. It came to a vote and I was voted in nearly unanimously. I say nearly because one person voted against me. I knew who it was and so did many others. It was an elderly member of the church. He had some idea I was gay and many people assumed that was why he voted against me. After the meeting concluded, he asked me to come with him into another room. He explained that he prayed and studied the scripture on the issue of homosexuality, but his conscience was not swayed in favor. As he said this, he began to cry.
I was and still am touched by this guesture. He did have to speak to me to explain his actions, but he did. He might not approve of who I sleep with, but he did treat me with respect. This wasn't simply about being right for him, but about being loving.
Yeah, I know that his actions were hurtful. Yes, it would have been nice had he voted in favor. But I could respect his decsion even if it was wrong, because he valued me enough to respect me.
Why am I sharing this? I guess because sometimes those of us who fight for justice for GLBT folk tend to paint everyone and anyone who might disagree as evil and backward and not worth listening to. Many pro-gay people think saying anything that is against being gay is hurtful to gays and react strongly to anything that might be hurtful to gays.
But the thing is, there is a difference between words and people that do mean to harm and those that are just not there yet. There are people that truly hate gay people, but not everyone who might have an opinion opposing gay marriage or gay ordination is necessarily a bigot. And the fact is, I'm a big boy-I can handle an old guy.
I truly believe we must work for justice and inclusion in the church. But grace has to be part of the plan. The old man's opposition was tinged with grace and for that reason I could also respond in grace.
I still see the old man-he is now in his early 80s, but still going strong. We are friendly to each other and he still treats me with the utmost respect and even sees me as Biblical scholar (?). And I love his tenor voice-which is still strong after all these years. I have no idea how he feels about me being gay or having a husband. But I do know that he has taken the command of love very seriously and I will truly weep the day this man leaves the scene. He has taught me about grace; and for that I am ever thankful.
Great, now I'm tearing up...
I had just graduated from seminary and was doing my CPE at a local nursing home. I was still involved at the church where I was an intern and was asked to serve on the church board. It came to a vote and I was voted in nearly unanimously. I say nearly because one person voted against me. I knew who it was and so did many others. It was an elderly member of the church. He had some idea I was gay and many people assumed that was why he voted against me. After the meeting concluded, he asked me to come with him into another room. He explained that he prayed and studied the scripture on the issue of homosexuality, but his conscience was not swayed in favor. As he said this, he began to cry.
I was and still am touched by this guesture. He did have to speak to me to explain his actions, but he did. He might not approve of who I sleep with, but he did treat me with respect. This wasn't simply about being right for him, but about being loving.
Yeah, I know that his actions were hurtful. Yes, it would have been nice had he voted in favor. But I could respect his decsion even if it was wrong, because he valued me enough to respect me.
Why am I sharing this? I guess because sometimes those of us who fight for justice for GLBT folk tend to paint everyone and anyone who might disagree as evil and backward and not worth listening to. Many pro-gay people think saying anything that is against being gay is hurtful to gays and react strongly to anything that might be hurtful to gays.
But the thing is, there is a difference between words and people that do mean to harm and those that are just not there yet. There are people that truly hate gay people, but not everyone who might have an opinion opposing gay marriage or gay ordination is necessarily a bigot. And the fact is, I'm a big boy-I can handle an old guy.
I truly believe we must work for justice and inclusion in the church. But grace has to be part of the plan. The old man's opposition was tinged with grace and for that reason I could also respond in grace.
I still see the old man-he is now in his early 80s, but still going strong. We are friendly to each other and he still treats me with the utmost respect and even sees me as Biblical scholar (?). And I love his tenor voice-which is still strong after all these years. I have no idea how he feels about me being gay or having a husband. But I do know that he has taken the command of love very seriously and I will truly weep the day this man leaves the scene. He has taught me about grace; and for that I am ever thankful.
Great, now I'm tearing up...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Searching for Home
I've been a busy for a pastor who doesn't have a call. For the past few weeks, I've been doing supply preaching at several Disciple churches as well as one Lutheran congregation. (And I had to turn down an opportunity to preach at Presbyterian congregation because I was already booked.) I like this chance to do preach and meet people from the various churches, many I've known for a few years.
But even though I like the chance to preach, I really miss not having a call. In a way, I feel sort of landless, not really able to put down roots some place and leave my mark. Even at Lake Harriet, where I do a lot of preaching, I have to be careful and respect the Associate Pastor's role and the wishes of the congregation.
At the same time I feel rootless, I am also thinking something big is coming down the pike. I can't say what it is since I don't know, but I think something is coming. All the while I'm still putting feelers out for the new church and I next month I will meet with the Minnesota Conference of the UCC to hopefully get standing in the UCC as well as the Disciples.
I'm starting to wonder if God is telling me to hold on. Maybe this feeling that something will happen soon is God's way of telling me to just be patient. I guess until then, I will just keep doing what I am doing.
But even though I like the chance to preach, I really miss not having a call. In a way, I feel sort of landless, not really able to put down roots some place and leave my mark. Even at Lake Harriet, where I do a lot of preaching, I have to be careful and respect the Associate Pastor's role and the wishes of the congregation.
At the same time I feel rootless, I am also thinking something big is coming down the pike. I can't say what it is since I don't know, but I think something is coming. All the while I'm still putting feelers out for the new church and I next month I will meet with the Minnesota Conference of the UCC to hopefully get standing in the UCC as well as the Disciples.
I'm starting to wonder if God is telling me to hold on. Maybe this feeling that something will happen soon is God's way of telling me to just be patient. I guess until then, I will just keep doing what I am doing.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tuesday Prayer
Another Tuesday prayer from Erik. Again, if you are interested in using these prayers, please email him.
Tuesday prayer based on texts for the Second Sunday after Epiphany:
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11 (8)
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42
"Come and see," you invited
and they followed, taking a risk--
now we read it as faith,
but maybe at first, curiosity?
Give us curious minds,
listening ears,
walking feet.
Pull us along with your words,
that as we learn more of the Word
in our listening and speaking,
acting and risking,
others will find their own invitation,
piqued curiosity,
and faith.
Amen.
© 2008 Erik Doughty. Permission to reproduce this work is granted only when the author is credited.
Monday, January 14, 2008
What On Earth Is Heaven For?
During my Senior year of seminary, I wrote a short paper for my final systematic theology course where I suggested that maybe we should be somewhat agnostic when it comes to heaven. I said that we should focus on the present time and let the future worry about the future.
That didn't sit well with a fellow student who had lost her husband in a tragic accident a few years prior. She had to believe there was a heaven, that there was hope.
A few years later, I conducted my first funeral. It was for a guy my age who had committed suicide. I said preached about hope and the "great gettin' up morning" when all the tears shall be wiped away.
I've come back the conclusion that there is a heaven, and afterlife. I have no idea what it will be like or who will be there, but that isn't my concern; and I don't spend too much time thinking about it.
I think in the past, the concept of heaven has been used to get people to not think about the unjust situations they are living in, and focus on "pie in the sky." But I also know that heaven was also viewed as a future hope where death would not have the last say.
In some way, I see heaven eschatologically; I believe that heaven, whatever it is, is the total fullfilment of the kingdom of God, a place where there is no weeping or crying and dying. We experience some of that now, but will see it in its fullness in the not yet.
So why am I talking about heaven? Adam Walker Cleaveland, has a good post by Brian McClaren about what the kingdom of God means to him. McClaren says the kingdom of God is not about heaven.
I would agree to a point, but then I am stuck with this question? Does heaven matter? Is it something that now has to be jettisoned?
Now, following Jesus is a lot more than simply getting to go to heaven. I would agree that we are called to follow Christ. But I get worried that we are trying to solve one problem, focusing on heaven to the exclusion of issues of justice, by creating another one: jettison the message of hope expressed in heaven.
If fundamentalists focus too much on Jesus as someone that takes away our sins to the exclusion of the Son of God who brings good news to the poor, then liberal Christians focus on Jesus as some kind of wise teacher who gave us a new way to live instead of God sharing God's lot with humanity.
I have to have a heaven. Not a place with angels where good people go, but a hope that in the end, God will rule; the Lamb who was slain will reign and where sin will be no more. It is that hope that propels me to do justice; not as fire insurance, as someone I knew once said, but in working with God to bring about a bit of that future hope now.
That didn't sit well with a fellow student who had lost her husband in a tragic accident a few years prior. She had to believe there was a heaven, that there was hope.
A few years later, I conducted my first funeral. It was for a guy my age who had committed suicide. I said preached about hope and the "great gettin' up morning" when all the tears shall be wiped away.
I've come back the conclusion that there is a heaven, and afterlife. I have no idea what it will be like or who will be there, but that isn't my concern; and I don't spend too much time thinking about it.
I think in the past, the concept of heaven has been used to get people to not think about the unjust situations they are living in, and focus on "pie in the sky." But I also know that heaven was also viewed as a future hope where death would not have the last say.
In some way, I see heaven eschatologically; I believe that heaven, whatever it is, is the total fullfilment of the kingdom of God, a place where there is no weeping or crying and dying. We experience some of that now, but will see it in its fullness in the not yet.
So why am I talking about heaven? Adam Walker Cleaveland, has a good post by Brian McClaren about what the kingdom of God means to him. McClaren says the kingdom of God is not about heaven.
Now “the kingdom of God” isn’t the gospel. It’s “the good news” of the kingdom of God that is the gospel. And what is that good news? On Jesus’ lips, it was that the kingdom of God was “at hand” - which was a way of saying it is near, or here, or available, or a live option - something you can reach out and touch. In other words, the kingdom of God isn’t something you simply hope for someday. It is something you come to terms with today. That “coming to terms with” means, for starters, that we repent - we rethink everything in light of this message. And it also means we trust Jesus as the king - so we decide to “take on his yoke,” learn his way, and follow him, so we can be like him.
I would agree to a point, but then I am stuck with this question? Does heaven matter? Is it something that now has to be jettisoned?
Now, following Jesus is a lot more than simply getting to go to heaven. I would agree that we are called to follow Christ. But I get worried that we are trying to solve one problem, focusing on heaven to the exclusion of issues of justice, by creating another one: jettison the message of hope expressed in heaven.
If fundamentalists focus too much on Jesus as someone that takes away our sins to the exclusion of the Son of God who brings good news to the poor, then liberal Christians focus on Jesus as some kind of wise teacher who gave us a new way to live instead of God sharing God's lot with humanity.
I have to have a heaven. Not a place with angels where good people go, but a hope that in the end, God will rule; the Lamb who was slain will reign and where sin will be no more. It is that hope that propels me to do justice; not as fire insurance, as someone I knew once said, but in working with God to bring about a bit of that future hope now.
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