Last month, the city of Minneapolis designated our dog Fawkes a “Potentially Dangerous Animal.” Ugh. For those not in-the-know (like me until recently), this designation is level one in Animal Control’s disciplinary scheme. Level two is “Dangerous Animal.” Level three is “Destruction Oder.” All in all, then, Fawkes got the lightest treatment. Phew.
It came about because Fawkes “nipped” (i.e. slightly bit) our foster boy in early November, while the two were sitting together on a chair. T might’ve squeezed the dog around her tail, or hugged hard. We’re not clear. We were in the room with heads turned. There was no growl. Fawkes simply reacted, and her single chomp caused a small puncture that’s since healed. He’s fine, thank God.
But that little wound was enough to concern Animal Control, since dogs really shouldn’t use teeth to express displeasure. Had T been physically attacking her, that would’ve been a different story. Her behavior here, though, was unprovoked. At least, not in response to a physical threat. Rather, she reacted from some mix of his size v. hers, stress and anxiety. Such is what the trainer we subsequently brought in hypothesized.
Needless to say, we’ve been on egg shells since the designation. The county’s foster care licensers require that we separate T from Fawkes unless we’re training or walking. Animal Control is making her always wear a muzzle when outside and be on a three foot leash. They may let her run in the back-yard, once they inspect whether our fence is adequate. Until then, she’s an inside-dog. So life has changed for the Isners.
Plus, I’ve also been constantly scouring my memory of the past five years, wondering what I did wrong with Fawkes, how I failed her, why I’m not a good puppy daddy. To which the trainer said something that made me feel better. Sure, she admitted, we could’ve been better about training. Most dog owners can. But Fawkes reacted/snipped at other dogs in puppy class, meaning there’s a history. Hence, the trainer’s comment, “Compare Fawkes to an alcoholic. She just has an aggressive tendency. It’s not terrible, but it’s there. There’s no cure. We can modify her behavior a bunch to make everyone safer. But it’ll be lifelong. You simply have to accept her for the dog she is.”
Ever notice how- for almost every significant relationship- you don’t really choose who you love? Your parents, children, broader family, even many friends. You love them because that’s who was there, who was ‘assigned’ to you by The Universe. And even people to whom you say, “You. I chose to love you,” reveal new things over time or change. I didn’t see this about Fawkes when she was young, not entirely. I’ve changed, she’s changed, our family circumstances changed. One of my wedding vows was “To love what I already know of you, and trust what I know not yet.” I still consider that profoundly right.
Fellow church folk are like that too; by and large, unchosen. They’re still family. But once you officially “join,” you’ve given up veto over who else gets in. The next new members won’t ask your permission to join. They’ll simply step forward when invited during worship. And we can have several responses. 1) Shrug our shoulders, avoid connecting with them, maintain “control” over whom we love. Or 2) Joyfully accept the cards God’s universe deals, finding ways to make them a winning hand.
When it comes to new Plymouth Creekers joining, that’s rarely a serious difficulty. You’re all lovely! But even in my dog’s case, with her real challenges, life won’t be miserable unless we chose to stop loving her. Maybe that will have to, one day, and put her down for safety reasons. I hope not. We planning to adjust our routines, our expectations, our training schedules to accommodate and shape this unfortunate character trait of our otherwise beloved Fawkes. Indeed, I pray that now that we know her better, we’re better able to provide her more of what she really needs, not just what we hoped she needed. That’s how to truly love, after all. May we all be so worthy.
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Full service…
Here’s a conversation I unexpectedly endured at the drycleaners last week. It was the day after the shootings in San Bernardino, but before any information about the attackers had been released save for their names and his place of birth:
Drycleaner employee, “Shame what happened in California.”
Me, “Absolutely!”
Employee, “I think they’ll find it was terrorism.”
Me, “Oh? Uh, All mass shootings are terrorism.”
Employee, “Sure. But his name. It’s so foreign…”
Me, “Umm...he was an American, born and raised, right?”
Employee, “But the Muslim name; it’s gotta be like Paris.”
Me, “There are Muslim Americans.”
Employee, “I’m just saying. His name’s suspicious.”
Me, “I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
Employee, “Listen, the name…”
Me, “I said I don’t want to talk about this.”
The employee awkwardly- and loudly- said thank you as I quickly left, growling. The word “bigoted” escaped my mouth, louder than I anticipated.
Of course, the employee happens to have guessed right, in part. We now know that the attacks were carried out by people with affinities toward radical, violent Islamic ideology. I further read that they were planning other violence, but got sidetracked by this workplace dispute. Not, shall we say, a stereotypical terrorist event. Tragic nonetheless.
That said, I remain angry about the employee’s behavior. The reason, I think, is obvious: Calling an Arabic-sounding name “foreign” is bigotry. And especially when the tone of one’s voice treats “foreign” as akin to “malevolent” or “untrustworthy,” which this person made clear was the intent. I don’t care if the killers did, in fact, intend to commit terrorism. The employee had no grounds for making that huge leap, and severe moral condemnation, other than these folks’ names.
I mean, consider the consequences if we accepted that reasoning. Then, any neighbor named Mateen or Sadia, Abdeel or Yasir (i.e. Board members for our local, friendly Mosque) would be legitimate objects of suspicion, worth keeping at arm’s length, needing a close watch. After all, it would be argued, some radical Islamic terrorists had similar-ish names. They aren’t included in what we call “normal.” Who cares if their grandparents were born in St. Cloud?!
Well, I certainly care. My sister lived in San Bernardino for years; her father still does. That doesn’t make me any more interested now in painting all Muslims with the broad brush of “terrorist.” I mean, I didn’t feel that way about “Roberts” or Christians in the aftermath of the Colorado Springs (where I went to college) Planned Parenthood shooting either. Thus, I won’t start acting more apprehensive about Muslim neighbors- citizens or immigrants- because a misguided couple perpetrated evil.
Yet I’ve heard anti-Muslim rhetoric escalating. My encounter at the drycleaner. From politicians and pundits. Liberty University’s President, Jerry Falwell the Younger, encouraged students to carry concealed weapons so they can, “End those Muslims before they can come in and kill.” I read that he misspoke, meant to say ‘terrorist.’ The slip-up is telling. This is, alas, normal human behavior. When we get afraid, we look for someone to blame, to demonize. Normal human behavior and Godly human behavior are NOT, however, always the same.
Indeed, consider this. One of the worst things ISIS does is see the world in black-and-white terms: “We are Good. Everyone else is Bad.” Hence, they can kill whomever is not “Us,” whomever doesn’t share their beliefs and values. We should never do that, never see the world so simply, treat God’s children so cavalierly, regard unknown neighbors so judgmentally. Jesus said to “pray for our enemies,” i.e. recognize their humanity, see God’s image in them too. I’m convinced we can do that even while we oppose their violence with force. The point it is, when we follow the lead of ISIS-type terrorists and pretend we’re in a clash of civilizations, good guys v. Muslim evil guys, we feed their propaganda. What’s worse, we alienate decent neighbors in the process, and so act like bad Christians.
Soon, I’ll go get my laundry. I hope that employee isn’t working. But suppose so…What do you think I should say? Anything? In the meantime, may we all pray for peace.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Drycleaner employee, “Shame what happened in California.”
Me, “Absolutely!”
Employee, “I think they’ll find it was terrorism.”
Me, “Oh? Uh, All mass shootings are terrorism.”
Employee, “Sure. But his name. It’s so foreign…”
Me, “Umm...he was an American, born and raised, right?”
Employee, “But the Muslim name; it’s gotta be like Paris.”
Me, “There are Muslim Americans.”
Employee, “I’m just saying. His name’s suspicious.”
Me, “I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
Employee, “Listen, the name…”
Me, “I said I don’t want to talk about this.”
The employee awkwardly- and loudly- said thank you as I quickly left, growling. The word “bigoted” escaped my mouth, louder than I anticipated.
Of course, the employee happens to have guessed right, in part. We now know that the attacks were carried out by people with affinities toward radical, violent Islamic ideology. I further read that they were planning other violence, but got sidetracked by this workplace dispute. Not, shall we say, a stereotypical terrorist event. Tragic nonetheless.
That said, I remain angry about the employee’s behavior. The reason, I think, is obvious: Calling an Arabic-sounding name “foreign” is bigotry. And especially when the tone of one’s voice treats “foreign” as akin to “malevolent” or “untrustworthy,” which this person made clear was the intent. I don’t care if the killers did, in fact, intend to commit terrorism. The employee had no grounds for making that huge leap, and severe moral condemnation, other than these folks’ names.
I mean, consider the consequences if we accepted that reasoning. Then, any neighbor named Mateen or Sadia, Abdeel or Yasir (i.e. Board members for our local, friendly Mosque) would be legitimate objects of suspicion, worth keeping at arm’s length, needing a close watch. After all, it would be argued, some radical Islamic terrorists had similar-ish names. They aren’t included in what we call “normal.” Who cares if their grandparents were born in St. Cloud?!
Well, I certainly care. My sister lived in San Bernardino for years; her father still does. That doesn’t make me any more interested now in painting all Muslims with the broad brush of “terrorist.” I mean, I didn’t feel that way about “Roberts” or Christians in the aftermath of the Colorado Springs (where I went to college) Planned Parenthood shooting either. Thus, I won’t start acting more apprehensive about Muslim neighbors- citizens or immigrants- because a misguided couple perpetrated evil.
Yet I’ve heard anti-Muslim rhetoric escalating. My encounter at the drycleaner. From politicians and pundits. Liberty University’s President, Jerry Falwell the Younger, encouraged students to carry concealed weapons so they can, “End those Muslims before they can come in and kill.” I read that he misspoke, meant to say ‘terrorist.’ The slip-up is telling. This is, alas, normal human behavior. When we get afraid, we look for someone to blame, to demonize. Normal human behavior and Godly human behavior are NOT, however, always the same.
Indeed, consider this. One of the worst things ISIS does is see the world in black-and-white terms: “We are Good. Everyone else is Bad.” Hence, they can kill whomever is not “Us,” whomever doesn’t share their beliefs and values. We should never do that, never see the world so simply, treat God’s children so cavalierly, regard unknown neighbors so judgmentally. Jesus said to “pray for our enemies,” i.e. recognize their humanity, see God’s image in them too. I’m convinced we can do that even while we oppose their violence with force. The point it is, when we follow the lead of ISIS-type terrorists and pretend we’re in a clash of civilizations, good guys v. Muslim evil guys, we feed their propaganda. What’s worse, we alienate decent neighbors in the process, and so act like bad Christians.
Soon, I’ll go get my laundry. I hope that employee isn’t working. But suppose so…What do you think I should say? Anything? In the meantime, may we all pray for peace.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Monday, November 30, 2015
New chapters,
Many of you have heard that on November 29, I informed the congregation that I’d accepted a new call. Sometime around March next year, I’ll become the Senior Minister of First Christian Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
Therefore, January 31st will be my final Sunday at Plymouth Creek. Praise God that means we’ll have another Advent together! Another Christmas Eve candle service that will end with lights off, Silent Night lifting into a darkening evening. Maybe we’ll even do a truncated Cinema Sermon Series after the New Year, if you’re up for it. Let me know!
By then, it will have been seven and one-half years since I was welcomed into this community. And what a welcome it’s been! It started with dear Pat Farr telling me- my first Sunday- that I couldn’t be the new minister because I looked like I was still in high school! She was right. So I’ve grown a beard. I recall how the chairs were lined up straight back then, and our musicians were in a corner, hidden from view. They nevertheless directed the choir to sing more richly than I expected from such few voices. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, indeed!
Thy Word Worship Center worshipped in our space still, and for the next few years. I regret that we weren’t able to build longer-lasting, mutually respectful relationships with that lovely church. That said, I’m proud they remain “in business.” Though we had to say goodbye, we shouldn’t let that color over the fact we were good for each other, for a time.
Same goes for Yellow Brick Road Child Care. It’s likely they’ll move to a new building in the coming year. They’ve grown too large for our current space, and the building expansion just didn’t work out. I was looking through notes from our first architect interviews, well over a year ago. Everyone anticipated that our project would be in the $80-$120 per square foot range, max. The best bid we actually got this summer, after scouring the market multiple times, was over $200/square foot! Needless to say, that blew past the outer reaches of our plan, despite the best guidance we could find and the due diligence our leadership did.
I’m hoping we’ll settle on a clear plan for that arena before I leave, and will work hard to help create it. Regardless, please always remember that the 100s of kids YBR has served (very well, I might add!) over the past decade will grow up knowing that a church welcomed them during their earliest years, supported their development and future success. Thus, when they’re lonely, afraid or- God forbid- abused as, say, young adults, they’ll be more likely to turn to a local church for support, to God for guidance. In other words, this was never just about money. It was ministry. And good ministry too!
I could go on about other good stuff we’ve accomplished together- the garden, the bus, baptisms and weddings, funerals and new members- but there’s only so much space. Besides, our agenda now isn’t simply to remember what has been, but also to plan for, pray for, be excited for what will be. God, after all, is never done “doing a new thing”.
For the past several years, we’ve named as our vision “to become a beacon of Christian openness and service in the NW suburbs.” I think we made demonstrable, wonderful steps in that direction. Thus, to my mind at least, that chapter’s been written and written well. Meaning that a new vision is called for! And it’s one, I’m convinced, that springs from the deep wells of God’s grace and the magnificent dreams God’s still crafting for this church.
I won’t lead you to name and claim that vision, obviously. But I can say that I’m proud of what we’ve done together. I’ll spend the next two months supporting your efforts to turn the page, and will follow along gladly for years as you continue this glorious journey with Jesus toward the full coming of God’s Kingdom on earth. What a privilege to be included in that mission, amen?!
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Therefore, January 31st will be my final Sunday at Plymouth Creek. Praise God that means we’ll have another Advent together! Another Christmas Eve candle service that will end with lights off, Silent Night lifting into a darkening evening. Maybe we’ll even do a truncated Cinema Sermon Series after the New Year, if you’re up for it. Let me know!
By then, it will have been seven and one-half years since I was welcomed into this community. And what a welcome it’s been! It started with dear Pat Farr telling me- my first Sunday- that I couldn’t be the new minister because I looked like I was still in high school! She was right. So I’ve grown a beard. I recall how the chairs were lined up straight back then, and our musicians were in a corner, hidden from view. They nevertheless directed the choir to sing more richly than I expected from such few voices. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, indeed!
Thy Word Worship Center worshipped in our space still, and for the next few years. I regret that we weren’t able to build longer-lasting, mutually respectful relationships with that lovely church. That said, I’m proud they remain “in business.” Though we had to say goodbye, we shouldn’t let that color over the fact we were good for each other, for a time.
Same goes for Yellow Brick Road Child Care. It’s likely they’ll move to a new building in the coming year. They’ve grown too large for our current space, and the building expansion just didn’t work out. I was looking through notes from our first architect interviews, well over a year ago. Everyone anticipated that our project would be in the $80-$120 per square foot range, max. The best bid we actually got this summer, after scouring the market multiple times, was over $200/square foot! Needless to say, that blew past the outer reaches of our plan, despite the best guidance we could find and the due diligence our leadership did.
I’m hoping we’ll settle on a clear plan for that arena before I leave, and will work hard to help create it. Regardless, please always remember that the 100s of kids YBR has served (very well, I might add!) over the past decade will grow up knowing that a church welcomed them during their earliest years, supported their development and future success. Thus, when they’re lonely, afraid or- God forbid- abused as, say, young adults, they’ll be more likely to turn to a local church for support, to God for guidance. In other words, this was never just about money. It was ministry. And good ministry too!
I could go on about other good stuff we’ve accomplished together- the garden, the bus, baptisms and weddings, funerals and new members- but there’s only so much space. Besides, our agenda now isn’t simply to remember what has been, but also to plan for, pray for, be excited for what will be. God, after all, is never done “doing a new thing”.
For the past several years, we’ve named as our vision “to become a beacon of Christian openness and service in the NW suburbs.” I think we made demonstrable, wonderful steps in that direction. Thus, to my mind at least, that chapter’s been written and written well. Meaning that a new vision is called for! And it’s one, I’m convinced, that springs from the deep wells of God’s grace and the magnificent dreams God’s still crafting for this church.
I won’t lead you to name and claim that vision, obviously. But I can say that I’m proud of what we’ve done together. I’ll spend the next two months supporting your efforts to turn the page, and will follow along gladly for years as you continue this glorious journey with Jesus toward the full coming of God’s Kingdom on earth. What a privilege to be included in that mission, amen?!
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Monday, November 23, 2015
Eyes opening…
I’ll admit. I’ve often been smug around the holidays, even judgmental. At issue, was the hype and hysteria surrounding Black Friday, all it symbolized, all it idolized. To think we’ve grown so accustomed to constant consumption that people forgo Thanksgiving meal time simply to get better deals at Walmart. To imagine we’re so comfortable with coveting that shoppers have fights over who gets the fashionable new toy first. Oh, the shame! I’ve said such stuff regularly before.
Then, over the past year, whenever I’ve taken the foster boy to Toys R Us, he’s begged for this particular red Ferrari remote control car. He’s right. It’s awesome. Large, fast, stylish. I understand the kid’s drooling. Unfortunately, it’s not inexpensive. He keeps saying anyway, “Can I get it?” I’m like, “Just save your money kid, for the next five years.” Nevertheless, I’ve filed it in my memory for just this moment to arrive: Christmas Season.
In other words, we’re about to buy presents. Plus, his birthday is a week before Christmas. And while I know that he’ll still be quite excited if we get him cheaper toys then that RC Ferrari…well, I still know how much he’s dreamed about that RC Ferrari. Should we give in and pay up, or hold out and stay solvent? That’s become the debate. I know the choice isn’t that dramatic (it’s not a real Ferrari, after all!). But I’ve gone back and forth a lot. An unexpected turn about a week ago, however. It dawned on me that maybe…maybe…MAYBE the Ferrari will be on Black Friday sale! If so, best of both worlds, right? We don’t pay full price for this toy we know that he passionately desires. The only sacrifice will be sleep after Thanksgiving. Whatever.
At least, that’s the idea I’ve been wrestling with recently. So to all those who’ve been the unknowing object of my judgmental/anti-Black Friday attitude before, I’m very sorry. I was being haughty. However, I’m befuddled now, because I still don’t like that naked consumerism is held up as an unalloyed good around this time, every year. It’s not! Given the environmental impact of all the waste we generate to keep buying more disposable stuff, given the pressure it puts on families who can’t afford a lavish Christmas to go into deeper credit card debt, given that Jesus said, “Love God with all your everything,” and not, “Love presents.” Just because a special sale makes buying more a bit more affordable doesn’t mean we should buy more. Obviously. Yet, we do.
Solutions? I’m still searching! I think for this year, though, now that I’m less resistant to viewing Black Friday shopping as a good idea, I’m giving myself the following rule of thumb. If I go, all purchases must be something I know I’d otherwise make. I.e. I may go get that Ferrari. But if I see something I didn’t actually plan on grabbing, I will (hopefully) not allow myself to talk myself into believing I need it.
Presumably, other folk have already figured this out, or something better. The experience is new for me, though. Tabitha and I aren’t big gift givers, or receivers. We’ve never felt much Black Friday pressure for one another. Then, we became foster parents, and learned over the past year that our foster son feels extra loved when he gets a gift. Especially if the gift is one he’s been wanting. So I’ve had fun thinking about what he wants, how we can get it for him, what’s too much, what’s just right, etc. Because that’s not a conversation about consumption. It’s about relationship building, fostering deeper attachments, joyful connections for a boy who deserves them.
Makes me wonder if all this time, our Heavenly Parent has been scheming ways to help us receive those gifts that make us feel specially known, particularly cared for? I hope so. I’d like to think God cares that much for us. In fact, I do think that! And maybe best of all- I now realize- is that God’s not holding out for Black Friday sales. Good Friday showed that God will pay any price to shower us with love.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Then, over the past year, whenever I’ve taken the foster boy to Toys R Us, he’s begged for this particular red Ferrari remote control car. He’s right. It’s awesome. Large, fast, stylish. I understand the kid’s drooling. Unfortunately, it’s not inexpensive. He keeps saying anyway, “Can I get it?” I’m like, “Just save your money kid, for the next five years.” Nevertheless, I’ve filed it in my memory for just this moment to arrive: Christmas Season.
In other words, we’re about to buy presents. Plus, his birthday is a week before Christmas. And while I know that he’ll still be quite excited if we get him cheaper toys then that RC Ferrari…well, I still know how much he’s dreamed about that RC Ferrari. Should we give in and pay up, or hold out and stay solvent? That’s become the debate. I know the choice isn’t that dramatic (it’s not a real Ferrari, after all!). But I’ve gone back and forth a lot. An unexpected turn about a week ago, however. It dawned on me that maybe…maybe…MAYBE the Ferrari will be on Black Friday sale! If so, best of both worlds, right? We don’t pay full price for this toy we know that he passionately desires. The only sacrifice will be sleep after Thanksgiving. Whatever.
At least, that’s the idea I’ve been wrestling with recently. So to all those who’ve been the unknowing object of my judgmental/anti-Black Friday attitude before, I’m very sorry. I was being haughty. However, I’m befuddled now, because I still don’t like that naked consumerism is held up as an unalloyed good around this time, every year. It’s not! Given the environmental impact of all the waste we generate to keep buying more disposable stuff, given the pressure it puts on families who can’t afford a lavish Christmas to go into deeper credit card debt, given that Jesus said, “Love God with all your everything,” and not, “Love presents.” Just because a special sale makes buying more a bit more affordable doesn’t mean we should buy more. Obviously. Yet, we do.
Solutions? I’m still searching! I think for this year, though, now that I’m less resistant to viewing Black Friday shopping as a good idea, I’m giving myself the following rule of thumb. If I go, all purchases must be something I know I’d otherwise make. I.e. I may go get that Ferrari. But if I see something I didn’t actually plan on grabbing, I will (hopefully) not allow myself to talk myself into believing I need it.
Presumably, other folk have already figured this out, or something better. The experience is new for me, though. Tabitha and I aren’t big gift givers, or receivers. We’ve never felt much Black Friday pressure for one another. Then, we became foster parents, and learned over the past year that our foster son feels extra loved when he gets a gift. Especially if the gift is one he’s been wanting. So I’ve had fun thinking about what he wants, how we can get it for him, what’s too much, what’s just right, etc. Because that’s not a conversation about consumption. It’s about relationship building, fostering deeper attachments, joyful connections for a boy who deserves them.
Makes me wonder if all this time, our Heavenly Parent has been scheming ways to help us receive those gifts that make us feel specially known, particularly cared for? I hope so. I’d like to think God cares that much for us. In fact, I do think that! And maybe best of all- I now realize- is that God’s not holding out for Black Friday sales. Good Friday showed that God will pay any price to shower us with love.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Listening…
Several years back, I was cleaning my garage, which faces an alley, when a police officer walked by. He was systematically searching for a robbery suspect. This happens regularly in Northside alleys, I’ve since learned. But I hadn’t seen it before, so asked, “Is everything alright, Officer?”
He responded, “Just fine. Still, have you seen anyone…suspicious?” He meant both that day and more broadly. I told him no, but he must’ve seen my perplexed brow furl. After all, what counts as “suspicious”? But I wanted to help when asked, so I thought and thought but couldn’t bring anyone useful to mind.
Noticing my confusion, he explained further- “Don’t worry about being offensive. If someone looks shady to you, always call the police and don’t hesitate…whatever his race…understand?” The implication was clear. This officer was informing me that I had every right to fear young black men, to call the cops whenever I encountered any I deemed scary. To do otherwise, he strongly implied, was “politically correct” hogwash, and dangerous. He walked on.
This memory came to mind Sunday evening when I heard that a young black man was shot by Northside police on Saturday. And that some neighbors were forcefully protesting the shooting. The situation sounded tense. As I write on Monday, many details are hazy or contested. Perhaps we’ll receive a clearer picture soon. Until then, I’m guessing we’ll hear, instead, loud protests against police misconduct, along with loud outrage from people who think we shouldn’t ever criticize cops.
First things first: Pray for the deceased man’s family. And for the officer who shot him.
That said, and whether or not the shooting was justified, I suspect our city will soon debate if this incident is symptomatic of consistently poor police behavior or something else. People will share statistics, personal vignettes, indignation. I imagine, however, that most have already decided what to think, that many aren’t open to changing our minds about the fundamental issue. Maybe our son was a police chief, which colors our compassion for the profession. Maybe our son was singled-out by school authorities for his skin color, which impacts our trust in other authorities. My hope is we’re open. My hope is we believe we have more to learn.
My worry, though, is we’re resistant to change.
Which is why I shared the story above. Full confession: I don’t fear police. I’m a well-off white guy whom police have almost always treated kindly. I’m deferential, respectful, and truly glad for those who put their lives in harm’s way to keep mine safe. Yet, when an officer encouraged me to racially profile my neighbors, it made me worry about how he treated my neighbors. If that’s what he expects from me, what does he expect from himself? From co-workers? From my African-American neighbors? Sadly, that moment diminished my trust in his capacity to do objective police work.
Fortunately, it also contributed to me knowing others better. I’m prayerful that his was an isolated attitude. Alas, I’ve subsequently heard some neighbors of color say that they regularly experience biased policed treatment. I’m now primed to believe these neighbors more than I’d have been before a man with a badge and gun told me that race-based fear was morally and civically proper. In other words, I hope I listen more to neighbors than I once did.
And that, I think, is something I’d like to see as this issue unfolds: more active listening. From those skeptical of the existence of police misconduct, I pray for willingness to listen to neighbors who say they’re afraid, constantly. From those unwilling to trust the police, I pray for sympathy when authorities claim they’re striving to serve all. I’m aware, of course, there’s a vast power imbalance, and fraught history, and Christians ought listen especially for the cries of the less powerful, the marginalized, the silenced.
Whatever the case, I most pray fervently we don’t turn off our ears, or TVs, and move onto something simpler. Many neighbors don’t have that choice, that privilege, because this tension is a daily reality. And until we collectively solve it, more people will die. That should matter to everyone.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
He responded, “Just fine. Still, have you seen anyone…suspicious?” He meant both that day and more broadly. I told him no, but he must’ve seen my perplexed brow furl. After all, what counts as “suspicious”? But I wanted to help when asked, so I thought and thought but couldn’t bring anyone useful to mind.
Noticing my confusion, he explained further- “Don’t worry about being offensive. If someone looks shady to you, always call the police and don’t hesitate…whatever his race…understand?” The implication was clear. This officer was informing me that I had every right to fear young black men, to call the cops whenever I encountered any I deemed scary. To do otherwise, he strongly implied, was “politically correct” hogwash, and dangerous. He walked on.
This memory came to mind Sunday evening when I heard that a young black man was shot by Northside police on Saturday. And that some neighbors were forcefully protesting the shooting. The situation sounded tense. As I write on Monday, many details are hazy or contested. Perhaps we’ll receive a clearer picture soon. Until then, I’m guessing we’ll hear, instead, loud protests against police misconduct, along with loud outrage from people who think we shouldn’t ever criticize cops.
First things first: Pray for the deceased man’s family. And for the officer who shot him.
That said, and whether or not the shooting was justified, I suspect our city will soon debate if this incident is symptomatic of consistently poor police behavior or something else. People will share statistics, personal vignettes, indignation. I imagine, however, that most have already decided what to think, that many aren’t open to changing our minds about the fundamental issue. Maybe our son was a police chief, which colors our compassion for the profession. Maybe our son was singled-out by school authorities for his skin color, which impacts our trust in other authorities. My hope is we’re open. My hope is we believe we have more to learn.
My worry, though, is we’re resistant to change.
Which is why I shared the story above. Full confession: I don’t fear police. I’m a well-off white guy whom police have almost always treated kindly. I’m deferential, respectful, and truly glad for those who put their lives in harm’s way to keep mine safe. Yet, when an officer encouraged me to racially profile my neighbors, it made me worry about how he treated my neighbors. If that’s what he expects from me, what does he expect from himself? From co-workers? From my African-American neighbors? Sadly, that moment diminished my trust in his capacity to do objective police work.
Fortunately, it also contributed to me knowing others better. I’m prayerful that his was an isolated attitude. Alas, I’ve subsequently heard some neighbors of color say that they regularly experience biased policed treatment. I’m now primed to believe these neighbors more than I’d have been before a man with a badge and gun told me that race-based fear was morally and civically proper. In other words, I hope I listen more to neighbors than I once did.
And that, I think, is something I’d like to see as this issue unfolds: more active listening. From those skeptical of the existence of police misconduct, I pray for willingness to listen to neighbors who say they’re afraid, constantly. From those unwilling to trust the police, I pray for sympathy when authorities claim they’re striving to serve all. I’m aware, of course, there’s a vast power imbalance, and fraught history, and Christians ought listen especially for the cries of the less powerful, the marginalized, the silenced.
Whatever the case, I most pray fervently we don’t turn off our ears, or TVs, and move onto something simpler. Many neighbors don’t have that choice, that privilege, because this tension is a daily reality. And until we collectively solve it, more people will die. That should matter to everyone.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Thursday, November 12, 2015
All together now…
I got on Channel 12 news last week. They aired maybe five seconds of a five-minute interview I gave. So I baaaaarely made the news. Still, I’m glad for the inclusion because my very presence- I think- accomplished something that matters. Let me explain.
I knew almost nothing about Islam on September 11, 2001. The super traditional Christian high school I attended taught me a little about Muslim theology, in a class designed to help us argue about why We were right, They were wrong and non-Christians were destined for Hell if they don’t become “Us”.
Anyway, the point is that most everything I’ve encountered about one the world’s great religions has come in the aftermath of Islamist extremists attacking Americans. I’ve told you before that I’ve tried taking that education seriously, given the outsized impact that Islam has played on subsequent global events. Unfortunately, too many of our fellow citizens decided that learning about this religion wasn’t necessary. They saw enough when terrorists attacked, thus deciding that Islam is suspect and violent and Muslims are probably evil until proven otherwise.
We’ve gotten better as a society since that began. Muslims figure more prominently in public life now. Non-Muslim allies stand more consistently alongside neighbors. When our local mosque went before the city council for a building permit four years ago, there was barely a fight. Bravo to all!
Yet struggles endure. Some fellow citizens still call our President a secret Muslim, as if being Muslim is a slur. Mosques are protested by “concerned citizens.” An Islamic Cemetery in our state was rejected recently. Schoolkids in our suburb who wear headscarves report being ridiculed, picked on, asked if they’re planning to blow something up. That’s not setting anyone up for a better future.
Thus, I believe, it remains critical for Christians- still our country’s dominant religious group- to use our position of societal privilege to lend support to Muslim neighbors. Better yet, we should get to know each other! Learn not just about but from each other. Members of our nearby mosque are super accommodating toward that. Last week, I sat and chatted with several. One even tried converting me! But it was without the pressure or threat of Hell I’ve heard from fellow Christians. This guy just really loved Allah and hoped I would too. Fair enough. Won’t happen, but I wasn’t offended. By the way, pray for the guy, since his parents live in Syria.
Back to the news. Muslim integration into broader society needs more than changed attitudes, but changed power structures. We’ll have made the progress we need when Muslims run for public office without harassment, or Muslim professionals sit on local civic boards regularly. Well, I love our local social service provider- IOCP- and their annual fundraising campaign began last weekend, as you know. This year, the local mosque joined in, organizing an event of their own in the campaign, for the first time. Wahoo!
Specifically, a high schooler challenged her community to raise money and awareness to help neighbors in need by giving to IOCP. And they did. And with that simple act, our local community became more integrated, more structurally welcoming to Muslims. After all, if we’re raising money together, they are no longer “Them.” They are Us. Channel 12’s story drove that home. Because the spot wasn’t highlighting the mosque as a mosque. The theme wasn’t “Local Muslims Are Good People Too!” The story was about suburban homelessness, how it’s rising, how Plymouth residents and faith communities are responding. The mosque was the story’s example, not its focus. And that made all the difference.
Thus, my couple words were about homeless people. Not Muslims. Nevertheless, the screen read “Rev. Shane Isner,” meaning that the high-priced seminary degree I got to allow me that Reverend title was lent for this brief moment to normalizing interfaith, multicultural community. Essentially, it communicated, “Of course, Christians and Muslims work together to solve local problems.” As it should be. After all, there’s no litmus test for whether you’ve included in the Kingdom of God. All are welcome. Let’s continue making sure our actions contribute to that coming more fully on earth.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
I knew almost nothing about Islam on September 11, 2001. The super traditional Christian high school I attended taught me a little about Muslim theology, in a class designed to help us argue about why We were right, They were wrong and non-Christians were destined for Hell if they don’t become “Us”.
Anyway, the point is that most everything I’ve encountered about one the world’s great religions has come in the aftermath of Islamist extremists attacking Americans. I’ve told you before that I’ve tried taking that education seriously, given the outsized impact that Islam has played on subsequent global events. Unfortunately, too many of our fellow citizens decided that learning about this religion wasn’t necessary. They saw enough when terrorists attacked, thus deciding that Islam is suspect and violent and Muslims are probably evil until proven otherwise.
We’ve gotten better as a society since that began. Muslims figure more prominently in public life now. Non-Muslim allies stand more consistently alongside neighbors. When our local mosque went before the city council for a building permit four years ago, there was barely a fight. Bravo to all!
Yet struggles endure. Some fellow citizens still call our President a secret Muslim, as if being Muslim is a slur. Mosques are protested by “concerned citizens.” An Islamic Cemetery in our state was rejected recently. Schoolkids in our suburb who wear headscarves report being ridiculed, picked on, asked if they’re planning to blow something up. That’s not setting anyone up for a better future.
Thus, I believe, it remains critical for Christians- still our country’s dominant religious group- to use our position of societal privilege to lend support to Muslim neighbors. Better yet, we should get to know each other! Learn not just about but from each other. Members of our nearby mosque are super accommodating toward that. Last week, I sat and chatted with several. One even tried converting me! But it was without the pressure or threat of Hell I’ve heard from fellow Christians. This guy just really loved Allah and hoped I would too. Fair enough. Won’t happen, but I wasn’t offended. By the way, pray for the guy, since his parents live in Syria.
Back to the news. Muslim integration into broader society needs more than changed attitudes, but changed power structures. We’ll have made the progress we need when Muslims run for public office without harassment, or Muslim professionals sit on local civic boards regularly. Well, I love our local social service provider- IOCP- and their annual fundraising campaign began last weekend, as you know. This year, the local mosque joined in, organizing an event of their own in the campaign, for the first time. Wahoo!
Specifically, a high schooler challenged her community to raise money and awareness to help neighbors in need by giving to IOCP. And they did. And with that simple act, our local community became more integrated, more structurally welcoming to Muslims. After all, if we’re raising money together, they are no longer “Them.” They are Us. Channel 12’s story drove that home. Because the spot wasn’t highlighting the mosque as a mosque. The theme wasn’t “Local Muslims Are Good People Too!” The story was about suburban homelessness, how it’s rising, how Plymouth residents and faith communities are responding. The mosque was the story’s example, not its focus. And that made all the difference.
Thus, my couple words were about homeless people. Not Muslims. Nevertheless, the screen read “Rev. Shane Isner,” meaning that the high-priced seminary degree I got to allow me that Reverend title was lent for this brief moment to normalizing interfaith, multicultural community. Essentially, it communicated, “Of course, Christians and Muslims work together to solve local problems.” As it should be. After all, there’s no litmus test for whether you’ve included in the Kingdom of God. All are welcome. Let’s continue making sure our actions contribute to that coming more fully on earth.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Friday, November 6, 2015
Holiday habits…
We just made it through Halloween. I believe this was the last annually-occurring “significant moment” before our first anniversary as foster parents. The little guy arrived in November last year, so we had him for Christmas, Easter, summer vacation, Back to School, etc. But we hadn’t shopped for and wore costumes with him. Now we have. Check!
I think we did alright. A friend encouraged us to join her and her cousin at ValleyFair. I’d never been to this amusement park; was happy to try it. T, at first, was uncertain. Then, he found a room in which he could run around and shoot soft balls at us with air cannons. That was awesome, obviously. Things looked up. He even attempted two rollercoasters. Being Halloween, they had staff stationed near several rides for “Trick or Treating.” T liked that too! And that, basically, was all we did.
We arrived home near dark. So we made a brief appearance at our neighborhood community center. They were hosting a “Halloween Party”, i.e. costumes, kids’ games, candy. But we decided against actual Trick or Treating. After all, T’s not obsessed with candy. Neither are we big on giving him extra sugar. Besides, he gets nervous about new things, like strange houses and people. All in all, I think that was a good decision.
Part of me, however, worries that I “robbed” him of a quintessential experience of American childhood. I know, I know, “There’s always next year.” But who knows if we’ll have him next year? Or, even if we do, once you do something one way, it has a habit of becoming habit, right? A one-off activity easily transforms into precedent. Thus, next October, maybe he’ll decide that rollercoasters is what Halloween “means,” and beg we go again. Suppose the same transpires the following year. Suddenly, it’s tradition!
Would I want that? Well, in that unlikely scenario, I’d be glad to not fight every November over how fast bags of sugar get ingested. But once something becoming “tradition,” oftentimes other options get sidetracked, poo-pooed or simply forgotten. What “feels right” is what you’ve always done. Changing course can oftentimes be painful. You may even require a strong, outside force to force the issue (like skyrocketing ticket prices!).
Now, apply that thinking to religion. Our beloved Christian Season is coming. Churches and families have many things they “always do” during Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. People eat specific foods. Congregations light particular candles. Musicians play exactly the songs we expect, and they better not forget, because without “Silent Night” the season is meaningless, amen?! Amen…? Obviously, I jest. But not entirely. People protect Holiday Traditions with ferocious loyalty.
One reason we love these traditions, of course, is exactly because they’re familiar. We often provide other rationales too, tied to the stories and theologies of Christ’s birth. And some of those are great! Other times, though, it’s transparent we haven’t thought the issue fully through. For instance, every year, Christians ask about the precise details of Advent Wreath Candles. “Is this Joy Candle Sunday, or Peace Candle Sunday?” As if that’s in the Bible. Which, of course, it isn’t. It became a tradition because someone had a good idea once that others copied, continued copying, and now we assume each Sunday has one precise “meaning.”
So how about this year we commit to opening ourselves to new practices, new possibilities? For Adult Sunday School, I’ll teach about different Advent traditions from around the Christian World. Hopefully, we’ll discover interesting and fresh holiday ideas we never thought to think about. Along with that, perhaps you’ll pause to ponder what else you do; the foods you cook, the decorations you put up, the attitudes you change, the giving you plan. When you do so, think specifically about whether you do this stuff with purpose and joy, or whether they’re simply habits you’ve fallen into.
If the former, bravo! If the latter, you needn’t change, necessarily. You can! More importantly, though, I hope you’ll be fully thoughtful about your Holiday traditions and activities. Because I heard somewhere once that this season- done well- can bring tidings…of great joy… That’s right, isn’t it?
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
I think we did alright. A friend encouraged us to join her and her cousin at ValleyFair. I’d never been to this amusement park; was happy to try it. T, at first, was uncertain. Then, he found a room in which he could run around and shoot soft balls at us with air cannons. That was awesome, obviously. Things looked up. He even attempted two rollercoasters. Being Halloween, they had staff stationed near several rides for “Trick or Treating.” T liked that too! And that, basically, was all we did.
We arrived home near dark. So we made a brief appearance at our neighborhood community center. They were hosting a “Halloween Party”, i.e. costumes, kids’ games, candy. But we decided against actual Trick or Treating. After all, T’s not obsessed with candy. Neither are we big on giving him extra sugar. Besides, he gets nervous about new things, like strange houses and people. All in all, I think that was a good decision.
Part of me, however, worries that I “robbed” him of a quintessential experience of American childhood. I know, I know, “There’s always next year.” But who knows if we’ll have him next year? Or, even if we do, once you do something one way, it has a habit of becoming habit, right? A one-off activity easily transforms into precedent. Thus, next October, maybe he’ll decide that rollercoasters is what Halloween “means,” and beg we go again. Suppose the same transpires the following year. Suddenly, it’s tradition!
Would I want that? Well, in that unlikely scenario, I’d be glad to not fight every November over how fast bags of sugar get ingested. But once something becoming “tradition,” oftentimes other options get sidetracked, poo-pooed or simply forgotten. What “feels right” is what you’ve always done. Changing course can oftentimes be painful. You may even require a strong, outside force to force the issue (like skyrocketing ticket prices!).
Now, apply that thinking to religion. Our beloved Christian Season is coming. Churches and families have many things they “always do” during Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. People eat specific foods. Congregations light particular candles. Musicians play exactly the songs we expect, and they better not forget, because without “Silent Night” the season is meaningless, amen?! Amen…? Obviously, I jest. But not entirely. People protect Holiday Traditions with ferocious loyalty.
One reason we love these traditions, of course, is exactly because they’re familiar. We often provide other rationales too, tied to the stories and theologies of Christ’s birth. And some of those are great! Other times, though, it’s transparent we haven’t thought the issue fully through. For instance, every year, Christians ask about the precise details of Advent Wreath Candles. “Is this Joy Candle Sunday, or Peace Candle Sunday?” As if that’s in the Bible. Which, of course, it isn’t. It became a tradition because someone had a good idea once that others copied, continued copying, and now we assume each Sunday has one precise “meaning.”
So how about this year we commit to opening ourselves to new practices, new possibilities? For Adult Sunday School, I’ll teach about different Advent traditions from around the Christian World. Hopefully, we’ll discover interesting and fresh holiday ideas we never thought to think about. Along with that, perhaps you’ll pause to ponder what else you do; the foods you cook, the decorations you put up, the attitudes you change, the giving you plan. When you do so, think specifically about whether you do this stuff with purpose and joy, or whether they’re simply habits you’ve fallen into.
If the former, bravo! If the latter, you needn’t change, necessarily. You can! More importantly, though, I hope you’ll be fully thoughtful about your Holiday traditions and activities. Because I heard somewhere once that this season- done well- can bring tidings…of great joy… That’s right, isn’t it?
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
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