How Do We Tell Our Children?

As a pastor with a spouse who is a ministry professional, Sundays are a busy day in our house. There is generally a mad scramble to get everyone ready and on their way out the door on time. Yesterday was no exception to the pace of life.

Generally my wife and I each take one of our children to worship with us (we serve in separate places). That ride to worship is always an interesting time. In my car we often listen to some kind of music. Yesterday my 6-1/2 year old and I were listening to The City Harmonic's album "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)" As we pulled up to the parking lot of the church, we neared the end of the second track, "Spark" where they include a portion of Martin Luther King Jr's last speech which then leads into a drum heavy groove for a song based on King's words.

As we listened to the words, my inquisitive 6-1/2 year old daughter asked "why did they record Martin Luther King's speech?"

She knows that King was an important historical figure and what he stood for, so I explained that because of his prominence they recorded and broadcast his important words so that more people could hear them. We then began talking about how he used the image of Moses leading God's people to the promised land (a story she is versed in as our Children's Music and Drama group is participating in a production of that story this Spring).

As I talked about King's role and why his words are still important today, the words simply would not come out.  It wasn't that I didn't have words I wanted to say, it's simply that the words got choked in my throat amid the tears that were coming. This has happened to me before when I've tried to sing particular hymns in the church that seem to speak of a ideal world that currently doesn't exist.

How do I tell my daughter, my innocent child, that the words that King spoke in 1968 are still relevant today and still need to be broadcast, listened to, digested, and heard?  How do I tell her that the fight that King and the many who were involved in the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960's is a fight that is still going on today? How do I tell her that in 2015, the color of someone's skin or the heritage they represent still determines whether or not they get a fair chance in life?

I'm not sure how I tell her those things, but I do know this... part of my call, my heart's great passion, is to use the platform I have been given, the voice that I have been privileged with, to stand alongside and give voice to those who are still not being heard.

Listen to the words that King spoke in 1968. Listen closely to what he is saying.  If these words offend you today, if these words make you feel uncomfortable today, if these words call you to stand up for someone and challenge a system that has for too long been broken, then heed these words and hear the call on your life. Do not let today be a day that passes you by. As Ghandi said, "be the change you wish to see in the world."

In the Face of Tragedy, There Are No Easy Answers

Once again the headlines of the national news have been overtaken by events that defy explanation. When I first saw the story break on our local news Saturday night, I knew we were in for the long haul and that the national media would be covering several angles of the story of two 12-year-old girls who stabbed their 12-year-old "friend."

Serving as a pastor in a congregation not far from where the crime was committed and knowing that families from our church have children in the same school as the victim and the alleged attackers, I have been keeping an eye on the story. Well, let's be honest, because I occasionally turn on the news and look at a newspaper I have little choice in whether I hear updates on the story, because it has gripped our community. And it should.

As I listen to the stories and see how various media outlets share the details of this tragic event, I find myself with a certain angst. As one who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication and worked in the Media industry for years, I understand that the media have a responsibility to tell the story. I understand the media have a duty to grab our attention. I understand that the media want you to turn to them versus their competitor as your "source." But I have to admit I'm sickened by some of the images that were chosen - like this one that was used to draw attention to the story on a local TV Station Facebook page. I have asked for years why the Media must sensationalize stories that have so many layers to them and are easily misunderstood. Why must the media serve to raise the fear when our own natural instincts provide enough?

Then I watch and listen to the public response to an incident like this stabbing and I listen to scared parents and community members who are trying to find answers to their questions. And, yes, it is only natural that we want to have our questions answered, but I don't think there are simple, easy, or sufficient answers when we are faced with a story of a 12-year-old girl being stabbed by her 12-year-old friends.

It's easy to blame the media (internet, movies, magazines, books). It's easy to blame parents. It's easy to blame society. It's easy to blame mental illness (which in this case to the best of my knowledge has not been evidenced in either of the suspects). It's easy to blame access to the weapon. The list goes on and we try to find an answer to why an event like this would take place.

I think the reality is that there are no easy answers. It could be a combination of the factors above or it could be none of them. Honestly we will never know and we will be left with more questions than answers.

I listened yesterday as a local radio talk show host raised the question of culpability of the father of one of the suspects who apparently was aware of his daughter's interest in the website that is supposed to have fueled the idea for the two girls to stab their friend. I listened as callers offered advice of "what the father should have done" or "what the father could have done" or "since the father knew he should be held to the same standard as the girls" and my thought was "how do we know the father didn't try to do these things that you listeners have suggested, have you asked him?"

I can't imagine being the parent of the suspects or the victim. I imagine there have been many sleepless nights and many questions - I doubt there have been many sufficient answers. I know that isn't very gratifying, but then what is gratifying about senseless violence? What is gratifying about innocence lost?

The truth is that we live in a broken world. We try our best as parents and community members to raise our children well, but sometimes our best isn't enough. Teachers try their best to influence their students to make good choices and learn from the horrors of the past, but sometimes the lessons go unlearned. Pastors and church members try to share the message of the good news of the Gospel in hopes that we provide an alternative to the lies of a broken world, but often our message is viewed as out-of-touch with reality. Does this mean that we stop trying? By no means.

We will always be left with tragedy in our midst. We will always be left with questions that have no answers. Our choice is whether we try to mask that pain with blame and conceit of easy answers or whether we are willing to cry with those who are hurt and seek to unpeel the many layers of the situation.

The Power of Prayer

With my wife being out of town the last couple days (right on the heels of me being out of town a couple of days) our kids are particularly on edge. The nearly-6-year-old has a tooth about ready to come out (her first) and she's nervous as can be about that. The nearly-four-year-old has been in a cycle of tantrums lately and had a great one this morning over putting her tights on - then when I asked if she needed help, she refused to say please so I explained I wouldn't help her until she did. An hour later she finally said please (as I was telling her I would put here in the car with no pants or dress on). If that is a parenting "victory" it was a hollow one as best.

Through the whole experience I remained surprisingly (to me) calm. I haven't been sleeping well as I've been battling just a touch of a cold. Generally I take things like this personally, but somehow I remained calm. Yes, I raised my voice at times, but I didn't lose control (at least I didn't think so, and my daughters didn't cry which is their usual response when I've lost control in the past).

As I drove them to school and lovingly sent them each off, I couldn't help but reflect on the calm that seemed to fill my heart despite the stressful morning. Near as I can figure, prayer must work and someone must be praying for me to be patient with my daughters and for me to take things in stride.

Car time is good time for me and God (I still love the imagery from the quickly-canceled TV Show "The Book of Daniel" where Daniel and Jesus ride in the car together and have great conversations). This morning I kept thinking about how God has blessed me in so many ways and how despite MY best efforts, it was God that worked through me this morning to get my girls (and me) out the door and where we all needed to be on time this morning (I have GREAT adoration for single parent families).

All of this leads to my scripture reflection this morning. Not so much what I got out of a reading assigned for the day, but a reading I needed to go to for comfort and peace in a turbulent time. Afterall, isn't that one of the uses of scripture?

Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Let's Review...

I don't want to seem cold-hearted or calloused, but I've had enough of the headlines about Philip Seymour Hoffman's death.  If these words ring familiar in your head, it's because five years ago I wrote something similar about Michael Jackson's death and for the same reason .... the misuse of the word "tragic."

Today I read a well-written article by Michael Rinehart inviting us to see God's message of grace in the face of our human nature to project judgment at a time like this death. But before I could get to the heart of Rinehart's excellent message I got stopped because he referenced Hoffman's death as "tragic", and I simply couldn't agree (in fact my wife and I have had several conversations about this in the last few days).

It's unfortunate that a single word would stop me in my tracks, but I think "tragic" has been misused in media coverage and in headlines. It's not that I don't find Hoffman's death disturbing, sad, painful, or surprising, it's just that I don't find it tragic.  And maybe it's not that his death isn't tragic as much as there are plenty of headlines and stories that should be labeled "tragic" that simply aren't.

And maybe that's the real issue, we've reserved the word "tragic" only for those that we don't have a personal relationship with, that we admire from afar, that have achieved as certain status in the world.  It's as though along with the millions of dollars, the entourages of people, the ability to live above the law (or at least below the grid) celebrities are the only ones who get to meet their end in a tragic way and I think that cheapens so many who experience tragedies in their lives.

As I type these words, I admit, I may be wrong. It may be that Hoffman's death is tragic. I may have a bigger problem with the fact that we don't see the many other tragedies that surround us each day and touch our lives in more meaningful ways.  

Get To Know Me

I have to admit, I’ve never been the “cool kid.”  Clothing trends pass me by. Technology is something I wait until it’s nearly outdated to jump on. And frankly it doesn’t bother me.  So, it probably won’t come as a surprise that I’ve never really been a fan of Saturday Night Live. 

Now, in my defense, it’s not entirely my fault.  The “glory years” of Saturday Night Live were before the days I stayed up late enough to watch the show. When I finally did watch it I found there were enough skits that simply made me ask “why is this funny” that I never really made it a habit to watch.

So, it may come as a surprise that as I recently was thinking about something a Saturday Night Live skit popped into my brain.  Here’s the skit.  I confess that it probably is more memorable because John Lovitz’s catch phrase “get to know me” became a bit of a catch phrase for my friends in high school.

But I thought about this phrase because I think it captures the reality of being a Christian today.  In a recent Relevant Magazine Article Marcus Mumford of the popular group Mumford & Sons decries being called “Christian” because of the baggage that the name seems to carry with it. 

I agree that there is a lot of baggage. There are many who have (maybe not intentionally) done their part to smudge the name “Christian.”  It’s not just this generation but generations dating back to the very first Christians.  See, part of the issue is that by virtue of being Christian (that is, a follower of Jesus Christ as your Saviour) we admit to our imperfections and that we are not able to live as we ought. 

There are all kinds of sayings that resonate with this:

“The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners”

“The church would be a great place if it weren’t for the people”

Okay, so there are two sayings that come to mind (I’m sure y’all can come up with more). 

There is a lot being written these days about the Nones.  Basically, it is a demographic group that identifies as having “no religious affiliation.”  As studies will show a large part of the reason is that people in this group don’t like the image that the church has.  They will say they aren’t necessarily opposed to following Jesus, but they are tired of the church.

Many, even those of us in the church, will say, “who can blame them?” The truth is we all have a story that we can tell of when the church or someone calling themselves a “Christian” didn’t exactly act like we expect a Christian to act (see Jesus’ comments on the greatest commandment). 

But when we drill down to it, many of us will also take a moment of pause when we hear the description of “Christians” or “the church” and say “that doesn’t sound like my church.”

The problem becomes those who speak most loudly either through word or action aren’t speaking on behalf of the majority of Christians or most churches.  Or, as my friend Jonathan Rundman wrote in his song, “You Don’t Speak For Me.”

So hears my suggestion.  The next time someone says to you “I’m not a Christian because …” and their reasoning doesn’t sound much like the church you know or Christians you know.  Say to that person “Get to Know Me” or about a church “Get to Know Us.”  Invite people to be a part of what you have come to know and if they accept your invitation then continue the conversation.  Be open to what they may have to say.  It may be that they see something that you don’t because you overlook some of the “issues” because you are part of the group.  It may be that they will be introduced to a “church” or a “Christian” who doesn’t fit their mold, and be inviting them in you will have broken down a barrier and allowed a new relationship with Christ to form.

Excluding when we intend to Include

I got a post-card in the mail today.  Nice graphics, well laid-out, good information.  But I got annoyed when I saw the tagline for this new church it read, “No Perfect People Allowed”

Okay.  I get it.

It’s supposed to make me feel welcome because I know of my imperfections and for too many people the church is a place where we have to put on a “show” we have to wear a “mask” that says “everything’s okay even when everything’s not okay.”

I get it, I really do.  But it also drives me crazy.

I’ve attended churches where they tell me, unapologetically, that “neckties and nylons are not allowed.”  Again, I get it, they’re trying to be witty and tell me that I can dress casually (whatever that means anymore) when I attend this church.

But what if wearing a necktie is who I am?

What if my wife wears nylons? 

Will I be cast out of the church and told I don’t belong?

I heard a radio ad the other day for a restaurant I’ve been to once or twice (they have really good food but aren’t in a neighborhood I spend much time in and their parking can be a challenge, but I digress) and I loved their tagline …

“Where tie-dyes and neckties unite”

How refreshing.  They understand that some people will dress up, others won’t. Some are conservative and others are liberal (if labels must be used).

I love that tagline.  If it weren’t already used by a restaurant in town I’d use it for our church because I think this is exactly what Christ intended for his followers.  Not that we draw lines that divide us, but that we find the common ground and come together.

…

It is impossible in our media-saturated world to sit here today and not be aware of the school shooting in Connecticut on Friday. I had been outside much of the day, away from media – no phone, no television, no internet – but when I returned to those items of American privilege I couldn’t avoid the headlines.

Maybe this is good

Maybe we need to dwell in the midst of all that is going on in the world around us

Maybe not

I sit here now, after having a few days to process the news stories, the Facebook writings, the conversations that people are having and I frankly have no more answers than I did on Friday when I first heard the terrible news. This song rings in my head.

A few words have come to mind

Longing

Broken

Confused

Questioning

Helpless

Here I Stand

Horrified

Hopeful

Prayer

I’m not sure what to make of those words. At the same time, I could write pages on each of those words. In this “blog” world I could publish thousands of words as quickly as my fingers could type them and they could be sent out for all to read. But I’m not sure any of that really makes much difference.

It doesn’t change the facts.

Maybe it’s a part of processing the tragedies of life. Maybe it’s necessary to get these things off of one’s chest. And yet, there are untold tragedies that go unreported every day.

The child who is abused

The mother who is left homeless and jobless

The elderly man with dementia who asks the same question over and over again because he can’t remember that he already asked it or that someone answered it

The woman who lost her sight

The father whose doctor can’t diagnose his ailment

The baby born in the wrong part of the world

The hungry who beg for scraps of food

The wars that go on

And on

And on

And on

Artists work to express feelings and emotion about tragedies. I’ve been drawn for years to this song that seems to provide at least a little bit of comfort in the midst of questioning.

And here we are in the midst of Advent

A season of preparation

A season of longing

A season of questions

Why would God dare to come into an earth like this? A world filled with pain, hurt, deception, lies, and people who continue to turn their back on God? A friend of mine wrote a song that attempts an answer at such a question and yet our answers are at best imperfect.

What we need to understand is that we simply can’t understand.

God is bigger than all of the hurts. God is there listening to all of the questions. God is crying with us.

The same God who came down to earth, as a tiny baby, born in the most unlikely of places to the most unlikely parents, lived the most unlikely life and did the most unlikely thing – taking our place on the cross, defeating death, and rising to take us to heaven with him – is still here with us today.

 

We don’t have to like it

 

 

We don’t have to understand it

 

 

God is taking care of it

Thoughts on a Discontinuously Different Generation

Last week I attended a presentation by David Kinnaman, President of Barna Group, entitled “You Lost Me Live” – the premise of the event was to present the Barna Group findings on 18-29 year-olds that had grown-up in the church, but subsequently left the church. Not surprisingly, there is a book version of the findings (entitled “You Lost Me”) which covers pretty much the same material as the presentation.

Having read the book ahead of time, I was a bit disappointed that the live event didn’t delve deeper into application – now that we have the stats, what do we do about it, what are ideas that are working in some places to reach the 18-29 year-olds and keep them engaged in a life of faith, or even from the 18-29 year-olds themselves (though there was a little of this in the event) about specifically what drove them away from the church.

I’ve had time to think through some of this, and I’m really not that disappointed in the event itself. Like any event one attends, it has its purpose and that purpose may not always mesh perfectly what I would like to get out of it. Afterall, many people lit-up the Twitter-verse (is that the right “hip” phrase?) about the value of the event. I suspect many of these folks are like my wife (who attended with me) and found great value because she had not read the book. So for all of those folks – I’m glad you could get the information because I think it is helpful and important as we consider how the church engages a large number of people who otherwise feel alienated and disengaged.

Here’s what sticks in my craw. (okay, if that phrase doesn’t tell you I’m old, I don’t know what does). The response from some of the attendees to the material presented. I suspect that the response I will highlight here reflect a large number of people in many (particularly mainline) congregations across the U.S. and this disturbs me when I think about the future of the church.

Example 1. A 30-year-old panelist made the comment from the stage “what we are looking for from the church is a place where we can ask the hard questions about life and not be judged.” Seems like an innocent and reasonable request. Twitter lit up with a response “Wanting space to ask hard questions without being judged is like wanting a 0 calorie delicious cake. It exists, but its not healthy” (you can check-out hashtag #ylmlive to find it, I copied it verbatim). Wow, that’s an unfortunate statement. I can’t imagine that I would be serving in a church right now were it not for my parents, my church, and my friends giving me space to ask some hard questions and wrestling to find the answers (or in some cases, continuing to wrestle with hard questions).

I am sure the person that tweeted this response is well-meaning, but this is exactly why 18-29 year-olds have “checked-out” of the church. They’ve been told that there are absolutes and that wrestling with questions about life, science, morality, and countless other topics have absolute right and wrong answers. But as a friend of mine who is a church consultant stated, “the world really is 50 shades of grey.” Until we as the church grab a hold of the fact that we cannot impose 100% absolutes on every aspect of life, we will continue to lose the battle of being able to speak into the lives of our children and grandchildren. And when we shut-down the conversation before it can happen, we tell people “your ideas don’t matter, and therefore you don’t matter.” and frankly, the God that I know thinks that all people matter – going back to Genesis 1 – God created and called it good!

Example 2. A panelist was sharing her story of being a “young person” in a place where many of the employees are over the age of 50. Different generations think differently, they sometimes have different ideas. She has come to terms with that. She commented that she was trying to make some suggestions for ways things could work a bit better or be handled differently and she and her ideas were met with a man who said “you’re not 40 yet, you need to put in your years, work hard, and eventually your ideas will be welcome.” That comment left her feeling hurt, and again I think rightfully so (see my last blog) ... So again, twitter lights up with this comment (again, copied verbatim) “A millennial got her feelings hurt because somebody told her she "wasn't 40 yet." How do you not hurt a millennia's feelings?”

Now, one could read this one of two ways I suppose, but my sense is that what is being asked here is this “sometimes the truth hurts, so if your feelings get hurt by the truth, then what can I do about it?” And the answer lies in Jesus own words, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Now, I’ve probably said this before, if not in a blog then certainly somewhere – this assumes we love ourselves, which is a tall order for many. But think about not that her feelings were hurt, but what was said to cause it – “honey, you’re not old enough to contribute your ideas” – to which she could have responded, “okay, I can vote, drink, marry, rent cars, buy houses, fight for my country, and run for several political offices but I can’t contribute to society by putting my ideas out there and having them taken seriously within the church?”

Seems to me something is missing in this conversation and that is why 18-29 year-olds have left the church. What is missing is the idea that they can be taken seriously. That they have valid ideas and valid ways of thinking that are different than the way those who are 30+ years-old, 45+ years-old and 65+ years-old were raised to think. Why? Because, as Kinnaman points out, this generation has grown up in a society that is discontinuously different than any that have come before it (and if you don’t understand that statement, I suggest you read You Lost Me, and take seriously what is being talked about by a generation that will soon be making more of your decisions than you might want them to).

Taking My Ball and Going Home…

We all have heard the phrase spoken. Generally dealing with someone who is acting “childish” around an issue. Maybe we ourselves at one time or another have done it (I have vague memories of doing this, or something like it when I was young – my brother might have memories of it happening on multiple occasions).

“I’m taking my ball and going home” usually ends with a pout, a lower lip extended, and maybe even an audible “humph.” 

As people get older I think the tell-tale signs after the phrase tend to go away, maybe even the phrase itself goes away, but the sentiment behind the phrase continues to be there.  And the fact remains that what it really is about is two people having a disagreement about something and one person deciding that rather than continue to talk about the issue -or admit they might be wrong or admit they are in the minority (even if they are right) or arrive at a place where the two people agree to disagree - that they will end the argument by walking away. Or in the case of the “game” metaphor – make everyone else stop playing because the ball has been taken and the game must cease.

Welcome to the polarized climate of America these days.  I think the current Presidential race only amplifies what is an underlying attitude of Americans.

I watch Facebook in the wake of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates and I see people firmly digging their heels in on their side and being unwilling to listen to conversation from the other side.  I see people who when you try to engage in conversation about their perspective simply clam up and tell you how stupid you are to not see their side of the issue.  I have watched adults who rather than engage in conversation about issues they don’t agree with get up and walk out of a room.  To me this is nothing more than taking their ball and going home. And I think this might be the worst thing facing America.

I listen to a variety of talk radio shows, many of which are hosted by people who hold political views I don’t agree with.  Part of the reason I do this is to sharpen my own understanding of what I myself believe.  When I hear someone say something that doesn’t ring true for me, I ask myself “why doesn’t that ring true?” and I then list my arguments against it.  Unfortunately many of these radio talk show hosts are such bullies that they won’t let anyone who disagrees with them engage in conversation, they simply shut them down and tell them they are wrong (or worse).  They change the direction of the conversation in such a way that those who disagree with them simply can’t make a point – and this causes those who listen to these shows to think that the host is always right. Often the hosts themselves will claim a “victory” over the caller, but I think when the hosts do this to callers they are taking their ball and going home (if they actually left the airwaves it wouldn’t be looked upon favorably by their advertisers).

No doubt if you read much news you’ve heard about Florida resort owner David Siegel (wonder if there’s any relation to Bugsy Siegel, ha!) and his letter to employees which essential says that if Obama wins the election that he will be forced to lay people off due to the increased taxes that he is expecting to pay.  I read the letter. I think Siegel makes some very good points, but I question the conclusion that he comes to.  Does he really have to shrink his business?  Is there not another way to respond to the stress he is obviously feeling working 7 days a week 365 days a year? If I worked the kind of hours Siegel claims to work, I would want to retire too, but not because of policies of a particular government leader.  I would wonder why I’m killing myself over a business when there are other interests in my life – but I’m not David Siegel, I’m not going to tell him how to live his life.  I empathize with his position, but I think his conclusion is nothing more than deciding that he’s tired of playing the game of business in America because instead of winning in a landslide, the game is close and his strategy has to change to keep him from falling behind or losing.  His conclusion is that the only change he needs to make in his strategy is to take his ball and go home (or to the Bahamas), but I think there could be other options (though I admit, I could be wrong since I don’t know the first thing about the resort industry).

So, why would I take the time to share these thoughts?  It’s because I’m tired.  I’m tired of people who rather than doing the hard work of engaging with those that we disagree with in civil discourse would rather label and blame the other and quit playing the game.  I’m tired of people saying “I can’t succeed because –insert person from ‘other’ group here- is preventing me from succeeding.”

In the Gospel lesson from which I preached this last week, Mark 10:17-31, Jesus tells the rich man “sell all you have and follow me”. My sermon talked about how we all have some kind of “riches” we aren’t willing to give up – our ethnic heritage, our denominational affiliations, our theology, our ideology, whatever it is.  These get in the way of us being able to be human beings together and work together in the world. YES these are important – they shape us and inform who we are as people and how we react to the world around us, but they are NOT the only reason we exist and the only way by which we should be identified in the world.  And they certainly shouldn’t be classifications that keep us from relating with others.

As a Christian, I believe that God created all that is in this world and called it GOOD.  I also believe that God created human beings Imago Dei (in the image of God).  That means (and this is hard to admit sometimes) that the radical conservative AND the radical liberal AND everyone in between are all made in God’s image! Maybe this is what was meant when God told Moses “I am”

So, rather than taking our ball and going home can we be willing to stay for the conversation?  And when decisions are made that we don’t agree with can we move forward together rather than waiting for things to fall apart so we can say “I told you so.”  Because if anyone is going to tell us that, it should be God.  And I think we can all agree on one point … God is God and we are not God!

A Generation Left Behind?

Welcome to the world of the blog. The article below is in no way polished or complete. It is a work-in-progress and thoughts from my head on an idea. I would love your thoughts, comments, and responses (be kind, but feel free to refute what I offer). I’ve been kicking these thoughts around a while and wanted to get them “printed” in order to get some feedback on the idea.  Thanks in advance for wondering with me … and bearing with my scattered thoughts.  Article …. starts …. now…………………..

We live in a changing world, there is no question about that. I would venture to say that the world has always been changing, dare I say “evolving,” from the time of creation. Many social scientists and interpreters of culture will tell us that the rate of change has increased in the last 500 years and even more in the last century. The advent of technology has allowed information to be conveyed more and more rapidly.

I’ve mentioned before in this blog that I’ve become something of a student of generational change. I am intrigued by how people born of a certain area and geography think in a particular way. I am further intrigued by how that thinking is lived – particularly in the church.

I have read a number of books and articles on this phenomenon and I’ve been formulating an idea in my head about why this seems particularly problematic in this century. I mean, let’s face it, there is nothing new in the idea that one generation doesn’t always agree with the next. Take the example of Elvis Pressley and how the “teens” loved him while their parents thought he was “nothing but trouble” (to put it mildly). Look a bit more classically at Romeo & Juliet – their parents just couldn’t see how their love could transcend family battles. I’m sure for every generation back to creation it wouldn’t be hard to find instances where the generations butted heads.

As we consider the current generation and its relationship to older generations, we are faced with the reality that the speed and accessibility of information conveyance is light-years beyond what it was even fifty years ago. Fifty years ago the speed and accessibility of information conveyance was light years ahead of 100 years before that – so you if you plot it on a graph, you are looking at an exponential curve.

Here’s an example. A 15-year-old student is asked to write a paper on the presidential election that happened just 3 months previous. In 1932 that student would have had only newspapers and magazines to rely on for information – maybe some first-hand accounts. The student would have written the paper by hand with pencil (or pen) on paper. In 1968 that 15-year-old would have had newspaper and magazine articles but also television and radio news reports, possibly even a book that had been written and published, but even in 1968 a 3 month window would have been pretty tight for such publication. This student might have written the first draft of the paper by hand, but likely would have turned in the finally draft having used a typewriter. In 2000 the student not only has all of the resources previously mentioned, but (assuming access to a computer) the internet which logs articles written around the world, opinions by various people, and even video of the events of the election as they happened. This student would have likely started their first draft on the computer and edited it before printing it out for the teacher. Zoom forward to 2012 and students will have even faster access to the internet and these resources so that in literally seconds they can pull together the information for such a paper – and they can probably pull the information together (copying and pasting from various sources) on their phone while they are waiting for their lunch and then send the final result electronically without ever having touched a piece of paper in the process!

Now, understand that information on any topic is now this readily available. Information that used to take months to make available is available instantly. Where it used to take a week to have film from an overseas event, we can watch it as it happens. The Encyclopedia (which used to be the gold-standard for research) had an information lag-time. Essentially by the time it was published, some of the articles may have been outdated. Now, via the internet a student can learn about the most up-to-date research on cancer (or any other topic) with just a few clicks!

All of that is a long introduction to my point … as generations change so does our pecking order in society.

It used to be that in order to learn enough and experience enough of the world to be able to make highly informed decisions one needed time. Time to read and digest the information as it became available. Time to gain experience in an industry or on a job. This is becoming less and less true. (now, I readily admit there is still something to be said for experience)

I was listening to a talk radio show the other day when the host (a male in his 60’s) made a comment about a “young kid” who couldn’t possibly have the knowledge to make the statement he did because of his age. Well, yes, for a person 60 years old, when he was 30 he would not have had access to the information that today’s 30-year-olds have at their fingertips. But in our information-soaked world, even a fifteen-year-old has information that might have taken 20 years to collect in the past.

I think this becomes particularly problematic for a generation that has been told they have to “pay their dues” in order to be in a position of authority only to find that people half their age are able to come in with similar knowledge and speak with the same authority.

It used to be that as one got older their “years” counted for a certain amount of knowledge that simply could not be attained any other way. Now, that is not so much the case. Which leads me to wonder if, in some way, we have begun to displace a generation that has been waiting for their “turn”?

As I think about this, it seems that Boomers have tried their best to live with “a foot in two worlds.” One is the world of their upbringing in which they still needed to read books, newspapers, and learn from those who had done it before. A world in which the longer one did something the more one was seen as an authority in that field. The other is a world where information is readily available and information is only as good as the latest update of your technology. Where a 15-year-old can download and digest the drawings, articles, videos, and commentaries that were previously “out of reach” to the younger generation.

Imagine it as having a foot on two different tread mills – one where you are walking a steady pace and the other has you jogging or maybe running. How challenging to keep a foot in both of those worlds. You ultimately need to jump on one tread mill or the other unless you are really talented with your ability to balance. And depending on which treadmill you choose, you have just joined a different generation – one older than you or one younger than you.

As a pastor, I now bring this back to the church. A church in which the “older generations” are largely the norm. Statistics have shown that mainline churches (of which I count myself a member) are aging. It seems that we have largely decided which of the two treadmills we will place ourselves on. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we are able from our treadmill to reach out to those who are traveling on other treadmills or if we are simply going to continue at our own pace and let the others do their thing?

Freely We’ve Received …

A few years ago I was introduced to a song by Tim Hughes titled “God of Justice (We Must Go)” and I think it’s safe to say that since that time I’ve not really been the same.

The song comes to mind at some of the most seemingly odd times.  I have been preparing for a sermon series over the next four weeks on the topic of “stewardship” – seems straight forward enough, eh?  Well, as I was pondering what to put on our church’s “movable letter sign” the lyrics to God of Justice again popped into my head.  Particular the lines, “freely we’ve received, not freely we must give.” so I naturally put the line “freely we receive” on the sign.

End of story right? Wrong.

I then decided I wanted to put something on our church Facebook page with the song.  So, I started searching YouTube for videos to the song.  Plenty of them out there.  Problem is that I began to get uncomfortable with the images that were being portrayed in most of the videos.

Now, please hear me clearly on this. 

I was not uncomfortable because the images were of homeless people, people in third-world countries, or those who were obviously in need.  YES, those are legitimate needs that we are called to help take care of.

What bothered me is that as I listened to the song, I realized there are tons of “otherwise normal looking people” who we are called daily to interact with and serve.  But we have a tendency to overlook the “normal” looking folks.  Why? Maybe because we are afraid that if we help them that someone will see that we have needs and will try to help us (heaven forbid we admit our own shortcomings and need for others to help).  Maybe it’s because we assume that “normal” looking people don’t need any help. 

Let’s face it, homeless people who have disheveled clothing and haven’t showered in days simply appear to need help.  Third-world country residents who don’t have food to eat show physical signs of needing our help.  But you and I … everyday people who put on a strong face and hide our wounds and scars, could we possibly need help?

As our congregation, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Knoxville, TN continues to listen to God about what part we are called to play in God’s mission, I am becoming more and more convinced that our role is to care for the everyday needs of everyday people.  To breakdown our strong exteriors and be open enough with one another that we can be vulnerable and seek the help we really need.

It starts with the widow who needs companionship asking friends to stop by for tea. It starts with the couple trying to make ends meet financially asking others to pray for financial strength and wisdom. It starts with the grandparent raising their grandchild calling on those around them to help when the stress grows too great.  We need to receive the love and care of our neighbors and then in turn we need to share love and care with those around us.

That’s what I hear today when I hear “freely we’ve received, now freely we must give.”

shame, shame

A friend of mine recently posted an article on Facebook that made me think twice.  I had never really thought about the shame associated with life in poverty, afterall, I have been priviliged to always be able to put food on my table one way or another. 

Even during times of unemployment or low income, I always was able to get credit and charge the food I needed if I wasn’t in a position to pay cash.  I am not proud to say that I’m still paying off those meals (called debt) and part of the reason is that I am too proud to ask for help and I have always figured “it will get better” and I will one day be able to pay off these debts (which I will).

I admit, there are those that abuse the system of food assistance. Those that could find other means to feed their family and take advantage of the system. But there are those who are trying hard to provide for their families but can’t and for those people the system provides the necessary food to get by from day to day – and to those people we do a real disservice when we blame them for the situation they find themselves in and lump them into a category of those that “are looking for something for nothing.” (or utter worse phrases).

As I read the article my friend posted, I was struck by the line about shame, “Turning poverty into a mark of shame in our national conversation makes it easy for us to diffuse responsibility and blame our neighbors in need instead of helping them.”

It reminded me of the many issues in life that people face, by no fault of their own, that bring them shame.  A few weeks ago a young man came into my office at the church and asked if I had time to talk, I said sure and invited him to sit down.  He asked if his mother and wife could join the conversation, I saw no reason why not.  As we talked he shared about his struggles with depression and bi-polar disorder and how he was looking for some help.  He didn’t know where to turn. He was ashamed to have to seek assistance.  I offered what help I could, referred him to some local resources, and let him share his struggles with me.  He was on his way and hasn’t returned.  I pray he got the help he needs.

There are tons of issues and experiences that people face that they feel ashamed to tell anyone about. The loss of a job. Infertility. Depression. Addiction. Miscarriage. Debt. the list goes on and on and on.

As a society we’ve swept many of these experiences and diseases under the rug.  We don’t talk about them – partly because we don’t know what to do with them – partly because they reveal our own shortcomings and inability to deal with our own situations.

In many of these instances we shame the people who are dealing with the situations. We blame a consumeristic lifestyle for the debt an individual finds themself in. We blame the alcoholic parent for the abusive nature of the child. We label the over-energetic and inquisitive child as ADHD. The list goes on because labeling and dismissing these situations is easier than loving the unlovely.

There are homeless people who stop by my office at the church because they long for someone to listen to them, so I do – even though they smell, even though I may have “other things to do” – but that doesn’t make me a saint.  In fact, I would guess there’s always something more I could do for them.

And there is.  We can treat everyone we encounter with dignity and begin to break down the “us and them” walls.  Until we stop seeing people as “items to be labeled and sorted” and seeing them as “children of God” we have more work to do.  Until we as a church embrace the grieving mother who just had a miscarriage and recognize that loss with her, we have more work to do. Until we as a church call people by their given names (which means we need to take the time to get to know their names) instead of the labels that society gives them: poor, uneducated, depressed, addict, affluent, selfish – we have more work to do.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we all have a label that we would rather not share with the rest of the world.  Maybe it’s time we begin to wear the labels on the outside instead of burying them deep within so that those who are broken will find comfort in our company, comfort in the fact that Christ loves the unlovely, comfort in the church – because it is a place where flawed humanity can gather and rest.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." ~Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

Broadcasting to Narrowcasting: reacting to a changing world

I have a theory.  Well, I have a lot of theories, but the one theory I’ve been thinking about lately goes something like this …

The world is changing. We can choose to change with it or get left behind.

Okay, so it’s not really my theory. I’m not sure who owns that theory, but someone wiser than I put those words out there a while ago, probably dealing with a whole other set of circumstances and situations. But I think those words are as true today as they have ever been.

If we can’t accept that we are living in a changing world, think about life ten years ago.  WOW, what a different world. We were fresh in the wake of 9/11, technology was king, but we still hadn’t dreamed of some of the technologies that have consumed our lives like they have today.  Zoom to just five years ago, Facebook was making a splash on college campuses, but not in the mainstream, the real estate bubble was still stretching, and people were optimistic about the economy. Zoom forward to three years ago, or last year.  Think about all of the changes in the world around you. 

Now, think about your church.  What has changed fundamentally in the church in that same period of time? Probably not nearly the list of items are coming to mind that came to mind with technology. I wonder why that is? Are we that resistant to change or do we simply not see the need to change with (or ahead of) the world around us?

I’ve got a theory on this too.  It’s not grounded in any research other than observing the world around me, but here goes:

We are busy broadcasting when we should be narrowcasting.

Let me explain.  Think about television as recently as 20 years ago. There were basically 3-5 channels that everyone received at their home.  Major Networks, PBS, and if you’re lucky an independent station of some kind.  Now we have no less than a few hundred options available via cable TV (of course for those that choose not to pay for cable you’re lucky to get 3-5 channels). 

20 years ago we watched what was on one of those 3-5 channels and enjoyed whatever it was.  Sure, there were times we turned the TV off (gasp) because there was “nothing on” but for the most part we found whatever was on to be entertaining.  Now, with hundreds options we find the channels that interest us and rarely (if ever) turn to the channels that have “less to offer.” Television has moved from broadcasting (programming shows with a generalized mass appeal) to narrowcasting (programming shoes to a specific audience). 

We now find 10 options for sports, so the sports channels have to broadcast every sport from Baseball and Basketball to LaCrosse, NASCAR, Cricket, and sailing.  There are cooking channels, news channels, home decorating channels, old-time movie channels, the list goes on and on and on.

Meanwhile, in the church, we continue to try to be “all things to all people.”  From the smallest church to the largest we think we need to have ministries for everyone from cradle to grave.  But what if we started gearing what we do in the church to follow the idea of narrowcasting?

Don’t get me wrong, I think multi-generational ministry is very valuable. I think it’s great when a church can have the resources (people, space, creativity, money) to serve all of the age groups (using my television analogy, I think this is still what the major networks offer). But I also see a lot of small struggling congregations who think their success lies in “getting more young people” or “finding a few empty nesters with more experience (and deeper pocketbooks)”.

What if smaller congregations focused on a single age group?  What if we narrowed the focus of our ministry?  What if as a small congregation we focused on being the BEST Bible Study church in town? What if we focus on being the “church that serves Baby Boomers”? What if we offer the choir that goes to all the local nursing homes once a month? What if we are THE church that welcomes every new baby in town with prayer and connections to resources for the family?

Now that’s not to say we’re going to put up signs that say “no children allowed”.  In fact, I think if we focus on a core identity it might break down some of the barriers that currently exist to welcoming who we want to welcome today.

Maybe what I’m really suggesting here is nothing new. Maybe it is just refining the idea of mission and vision to include the particular audience we feel called to serve. 

Maybe it is just not feasible to narrowcast in the church? but what most congregations are doing now is barely keeping the doors open, so what do we have to lose?

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust: What Does This Mean?

Here is my sermon from Ash Wednesday 2012 based on the Biblical texts of Joel 2:1-2,12-17 and Matthew 6:1-6,16-21.

Have you ever wondered why we gather on Ash Wednesday and mark ourselves with the sign of the cross in Palm ash? Or – phrased as a “good Lutheran question” – What does this mean?

Many of us can recite “from dust you have come, to dust you shall return” –
We understand our very own finitude -
This morning, I heard a radio commentary from an 84-year-old veteran of the airwaves discussing his own “coming to terms” that more of his life is behind him than is in front of him. He rejected the idea that “84 is the new 54” (or maybe 64) and admitted that he squarely fits in the category of “elderly.” He then went on to discuss an 89-year-old woman who is planning to run a half marathon around Mt Kilimanjaro - so “old age” is not just “lying down to die” as many of you will attest.

Historically, we seem to have taken this Lenten season to be a time to beat ourselves up and wallow in our own darkness and sin – WOE IS ME – I AM MORTAL – I AM SINFUL – I DESERVE TO DIE

IS THIS REALLY WHAT GOD INTENDS FOR US? DOES GOD REALLY WANT US TO WALLOW IN OUR HUMAN CONDITION?

It seems unlikely that God brought Jesus into the world to SAVE us from our sin only to have us WALLOW in it like pigs in the mud!

In fact, this might be the very point of what Jesus is telling us in our Gospel lesson this evening:

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them …
…and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. – 3 TIMES WE READ THIS!

So, where do we get this outward sign of the ashes? Why do we mark ourselves for the world to see?

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures – Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, Jonah and In the New Testament Matthew and Luke – we are given accounts of ashes being associated with repentance. But we never find an account (you might expect it in Acts) of early worshippers marking themselves with Ashes the Wednesday that Lent begins.

Liturgical Historians point to the era of 960 to the 12^th Century as the time when Ash Wednesday Liturgies can be documented. But these documented occurrences happen as a confluence of two practices of the early (4^th Century) church.

One practice was the Order of Penitents …a time when individuals would go to the priest for confession of the “worst” sins and receive penance that would take some time to complete. Often this was done during the season of Lent and one who was in this process was marked with the ashen cross to indicate they should be “excused” from worship after the sermon and before Holy Communion.

This coincided with the practice of the Catechumenate of this era – when the season of Lent would have been a time for new believers to be immersed in the doctrine of the church. To learn the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments – so that when they were Baptized –usually at the Easter Vigil – they would know what they were committing to in becoming a Christ-follower!

For those that were not part of either of these groups – they would engage in a time of prayer and fasting on behalf of these two groups. To support them and be in community with them.

As time continued, the catechumenate faded away … families were baptizing children at a younger age and rather than Baptism being a sign of a fully-formed believer, it was an entry-rite into a lifetime of learning as a believer. The order of Penitents also faded away – but left behind were the remnants of those practices, the season of Lent beginning with Ash to mark the forehead of believers as they began to contemplate Christ’s death and sacrifice for our sin.

The ash seems to resonate with the prophet Joel who calls us to make a scene:

“Blow the Trumpet, sound the alarm”
WHY?
Because God says “RETURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, with fasting, weeping, and mourning – for the LORD IS MERCIFUL, SLOW TO ANGER AND ABOUNDING IN STEADFAST LOVE.”

But Jesus reminds us that we do not make the scene to be seen –

“Remember why you are doing this,” says Jesus. “not so that others see you doing it, but because YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED.” (my paraphrase)
You need to turn from your sin, You need a physical sign of the dirtiness of your life – so that when you wash away the ashes, you are reminded of the waters of Baptism that wash you clean from your sin.
“ … and when you come to God giving alms, fasting, and praying – THE LORD WHO SEES WHAT YOU DO IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Luther might ask “What Does This Mean?”
We at Gloria Dei are asking “What in God’s Name am I doing HERE?” Tonight, Ash Wednesday, we are being given a physical reminder that we are indeed sinful creatures … but more importantly, as we wash away the ash, we are reminded of our baptism, that we are a MADE NEW in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The good of inconvenience

The say death comes in threes – if that’s the case, I’m good for a while.  I’ve taken part, in one way or another, in three funerals in the last few weeks.

As a pastor, I get a unique view of these events. I get called to the hospital to sit with a man as he watches his wife pass away. I get called by a family when their loved-one who has been battling cancer for years finally ends the battle. I get to sit with my wife when a close family friend passes away. 

I also get to be the one to proclaim a word of hope in the midst of sorrow. I get to be the one that asks the difficult questions about what scriptures were important in a loved one’s life.

I get to be the one who witnesses love shared by friends and families. I get to be the one who watches loved ones laugh and cry as they remember their love one who has just passed away.

I also get a lot of quiet time to watch and contemplate death. 

At a recent funeral I was talking with the funeral director about that very fact. I think more than anyone funeral directors contemplate death since they face it every day – not in an unhealthy way (though for some it may be) but in a way that they are constantly reminded that we all are on a journey in life and no matter what science discovers and finds there is no changing the fact that our journey through this world ends in death.

As I thought about death recently I discovered how very inconvenient it tends to be. 

Death doesn’t wait for us to make all of our arrangements. Death doesn’t make sure our calendar is clear of other engagements. Death doesn’t allow us to make travel plans in enough time to get the best discounts and rates. Death doesn’t always allow for us to say goodbye to those we love and care about. 

Yet, in the face of the inconveniences of death, we drop the less important and replace them with the more important.  We drive across country to be with the ones we love. We cancel appointments and pass on opportunities that conflict with the scheduling of funerals. We don’t worry about the details, there’s always tomorrow for that. We simply run to the people that are important to us and we spend time with them – often doing nothing more than sitting together and being present.

As I think about it, maybe the best thing that death does for us is help us to re-prioritize our lives. It helps us to finally say no to things that we don’t really need to be part of. It helps us to remember that family and friends are important and they won’t always be with us.

In a 24/7 world where the stores are open for our every whim, where our calendars are beyond full because of all of the “important” things we need to accomplish, it is probably good for death to enter our lives at inconvenient times to remind us that being inconvenienced is good.

Life, death, and Christ’s Resurrection

Since Easter Sunday I have been given many opportunities to ponder life and death.  It seems to be all around us.  With the spring season comes new life – animals are born into nature, trees and flowers bloom, people are invigorated by the changing season.  It seems logical that the Christian church celebrates Easter in just such a setting because of the new birth that comes to us in Christ’s resurrection.

In the midst of this newness of life, we still encounter the inevitable reality of death.  On Wednesday massive storms ripped through the Southeast leaving many dead in their wake.  Houses were destroyed, personal property damaged, limbs ripped from trees. The fragile new life in nature met nature’s most powerful force.

Over the weekend I was informed of multiple deaths that touched our congregation.  One was a pastor who had served here as an interim minister a number of years ago, the other was a man who as a child had been a charter member of the congregation.  Both had lived very full and meaningful lives and were called home to be with God leaving in their absence family members trying to make sense of a new way of living.

Last night I became aware of the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by US Forces.  I’m not sure what my reaction to such news is.  Bin Laden has certainly been behind his share of terror and inhumane action, but does that give someone else the right (or duty) to take his life?  As I ponder this question, I recall Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his role in the failed plot to assassinate Hitler.  Reflecting on his role Bonhoeffer writes:

"the ultimate question for a responsible man to ask is not how he is to extricate himself heroically from the affair, but how the coming generation shall continue to live."

"when a man takes guilt upon himself in responsibility, he imputes his guilt to himself and no one else. He answers for it...Before other men he is justified by dire necessity; before himself he is acquitted by his conscience, but before God he hopes only for grace."

“the blood of martyrs might once again be demanded, but this blood, if we really have the courage and loyalty to shed it, will not be innocent, shining like that of the first witnesses for the faith. On our blood lies heavy guilt, the guilt of the unprofitable servant who is cast into outer darkness.”

I can only wonder what is currently going through the minds of those who were ordered to carry out the killing of Bin Laden.  I can only wonder what goes through the mind of President Obama as he considers his role in bringing a man to death.  I can only wonder what the real ramifications of this very visible death will be. 

I imagine that Bin Laden might be the criminal who was hung to die next to Jesus.  I’m not sure if he is the criminal who asked Jesus to remember him or if he is the criminal who derided the one who asked Jesus to remember him.  But I trust that if even Osama Bin Laden asked Jesus to remember him in the Kingdom, Jesus’ answer would be, “today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Good Friday

In a rare move on my part, I actually wrote out the entire manuscript of my sermon for the Good Friday service (yes, I seem to have channeled a bit of Rob Bell’s formatting style). I have included it here:

Good Friday, April 22, 2011

John 18 -19:42

I remember sitting in the pews of the church I grew up in.

I can vividly see the sunlight cascading through the skylight.

I recall the honey-oak finish of the pews, their hardness that somehow seemed comfortable.

I can hear the call of the organ from the speakers behind the “faux” pipes on the walls.

I could tell you which pew “belonged” to our family – we sat there every week – until they removed it to make room for the “music loft”.

I remember the Pastors who led worship – they would enter from the back, with regal formality which later gave way to a casual reverence, dressed in their robes.

I remember the beautiful paraments that stretched from floor to ceiling – 40-feet in the air!

I can see myself sitting there through the years, singing hymns, listening to prayers, watching the “family” that I grew up around telling the story of Jesus.

I remember how practices changed over time.
How the Communion Elements which used to be processed to the altar with the offering started appearing on the altar when worship began
How the men who used to all wear suits began losing the jacket, then dressing in slacks and polos and then jeans
How the acolytes used to light different candles at different times of the service then they began lighting them all at the same time.

And none of it had any real meaning.

It was all just stuff

Until

Good Friday

I was maybe 7 years old.

I don’t remember what the pastor said,
all I remember is my reaction.

I remember crying uncontrollably.
Weeping.

I remember my mom reaching down to ask me what was wrong –

- I couldn’t answer her,
I didn’t know how to answer her

All I know is that at that moment I realized

JESUS DIED FOR ME

Not nameless humanity

ME

It didn’t matter that Jesus died for my parents, my brother, my friend Jim, for Shirley, Dick, or Pat

JESUS DIED FOR ME

The colors of the worship center can fade from my memory, but I will always know deep in my heart that Jesus Died for me

Until we own our relationship with our Saviour, the one who died on a cross for us, we can easily get caught up in a lot of attitudes, a lot of details, a lot of stuff.

We think that the color of the carpet makes a difference.

We think that by dropping some food in the box for the food pantry we’ve done enough to help the hungry.

We think that our translation of the Bible is the only one.

We feel hassled when we are asked to donate clothes and blankets for the homeless.

We think that music of our preferred style is the most important.

We think that if people don’t agree, then they are going to hell, or at least not to the same heaven we are

We think that by paying taxes that provide a hospital we’ve done enough for the sick.

But when we own our relationship with our Saviour, all of that STUFF drifts away.

When we own our relationship with our Saviour, our attitudes change.

When we realize that Jesus Christ died on a cross for YOU and ME, not a nameless humanity, nothing else matters – and we begin to live differently.

When we come to terms with the idea that Jesus cares enough for each individual that he
knows us by name,
knows what food we like,
knows what color we like,
knows the good we’ve done,
and also knows the times we failed
and despite all of that – CHOSE to die anyway
we look at the world differently.

It fundamentally changes WHO we ARE and HOW we live.

Some may call them rose colored glasses.
And maybe that is true
– because when we take the crucifixion seriously our vision is stained
by the blood of Jesus who was willing
to take our place on a cross so that we don’t have to experience
the full pain,
the full suffering,
the full shame
or the full humiliation of our sin.

And we begin to live in a way that proclaims a hope that no one else has to either.

Amen.

a little self-respect

I have to admit, I’m probably among the world’s worst proofreaders.  I think it’s partly that I get bored with looking for the details and try to grasp just the essence of what I am trying to say.  Maybe it’s that because I know what I’m trying to say I breeze past the idea that I might not actually be saying it.  But, I think if anyone is going to post something on a blog or a newsletter of some sort a little bit of self-respect dictates that proofreading is necessary. 

This comes to mind today as I read a blog, linked from a newsletter that I read regularly, that had countless typos and errors in it.  In some cases I would have thought that spellcheck might have alerted the writer to the issues, in other cases simply reading the document a second time would have helped. 

Maybe I’m just out of touch with the “technology generation” (is that what we want to call people who have lived their whole lives connected to the internet?) and the need to communicate using the correct words and decent grammar is passé.  But when I get distracted by the errors, I have to think that communication is getting lost.

I’m not sure that my opinion really matters.  I’m sure most people in the world don’t care.  But there, I shared my thoughts, and you apparently read them, so from here on, I will do my part to do my duty to use good grammar and spell words as correctly as I can. 

Inside the mind of a Pastor

This morning while I was worshipping I was thinking that it would be really wonderful for members of the church (and general public) to get a glimpse into the thought process that goes on in my mind in the midst of worship.  This thought hit me because there were a number of profound thoughts that came about but then left about as quickly as they showed up.

Worship at Gloria Dei starts with this wonderful tradition of the choir singing from the hallway just outside our sanctuary (since the space is small it works – for those in larger congregations it might not work as well).  This is a most unique time for me because it usually comes as a moment of quiet contemplation right on the heels of a lot of laughter and casual conversation with folks arriving for worship.  This moment helps to focus my mind as I begin to consider what is about to happen.  Sometimes the particular chorus that is sung brings thoughts to my mind about what I’m about to say or do – other times it is just a moment of peace before the “storm”.

When I enter the worship space a million thoughts rattle through my brain, what page are we on, is everyone here, hope the choir gets seated without incident, did I turn off the toaster oven this morning?  I’m sure these are the same thoughts that go through people’s minds as they sit in the pew were I to interview them.

What strikes me is that in any given morning a line to a hymn or a phrase from a prayer or scripture may strike me in a particularly meaningful way.  These are the moments that I really wish the congregation had a window into my brain – obviously these are very wise statements that need to be shared, but usually by the end of the prayer, hymn, or scripture reading my brain has moved on to something else – so maybe it’s not as important as I thought.  Or maybe it’s the first of several times I will think that thought and I will remember later – at a more appropriate time – the thought and share it with people.

Yes, there are moments I wish people could know my thoughts.  Then I am reminded that God knows my every thought and maybe it is important that these thoughts stay in my brain and between me and God.  Maybe it is our conversation in the midst of worship meant just for me.  Hmmm ….

Ain’t technology grand?

I have to admit, I’m not one of those technology people who jumps on the latest craze the moment is released.  In fact, I’m one who sits back and watches and wonders as others try out new things, lament about all of the issues and then I slowly but surely embrace technology once it is firmly established.

I recall being a little slow on the CD band wagon.  I just wasn’t sure I wanted to be shelling out $15 for my favorite artist on a digital disc when $9 for that cassette was working just fine.  But eventually I jumped on board and my wife will attest that it has been a landslide ever since (if anyone has ideas for how to store over 1000 CDs let me know – because I’m not getting rid of those discs now that I have them).  I was slow onto the cell phone scene and finally have allowed myself to go the route of the smart phone and am trying to figure out how to justify the data plan that goes with the new smart phones. 

But here’s the thing … every time I do finally embrace new technology I LOVE IT!! 

Today I sit in my office setting up my new work computer and it is phenomenal!  Now, I didn’t get anything too exciting, and it is still day one (oh, the issues are bound to come) and yes I did curse a little as I couldn’t figure out why the wireless connection wasn’t happening (until I learned about this cool little button that did it all for me), but now that I’m relaxing a little and testing things out I’m finding all kinds of cool features.  Like this button that lets me update my blog easily!  WOW – this is why I haven’t been updating up until now, because it was too much work (yeah, right, the novelty of this button will wear off soon enough and I’ll go back to not writing very often – you just wait and watch).

I wonder if that’s how our faith life is?  We hear a great sermon, we see a great concert, we do something that gets us all excited but then the newness wears off and we’re back to square one.  How can we keep things fresh and new in our faith life?  Well, reading the Bible for one.  Going to worship, involving ourselves in fellowship for another.  Serving others.  There are tons of ways, we just have to commit to keeping things fresh!  And the best part of keeping our faith life fresh is that it doesn’t come at the cost of a new phone or a new computer (or whatever the latest techno gadget is).