I’m of conflicted mind and heart when churches take votes. On the one hand, my idealistic inner child wants us all to just get along, you know, to decide through consensus and commonly articulated vision. That’s not because people who vote opposite one another automatically become enemies (I’ve eaten dinner with Democrats, and Republicans, at the same time!). We can disagree about what’s best for the church’s future and, most of the time, get along. Still, I worry that vote taking in churches sometimes devolves into “whomever speaks first or loudest wins,” making the vision cast by the vote not a shared vision. That hints at hierarchy and systems of dominance, and makes me nervous.
On the other hand, as an American preacher, I’ve long nurtured a respect for democracy. Every time I vote in civil elections, I light up with happiness, even when my gal/guy loses. Because the opportunity to weigh in on this country’s direction is a cherished responsibility/freedom. Same thing happens for church votes; it feels like a chance for all members to share in discerning God’s call. Therefore, I rarely think anyone votes ‘no’ to an issue at hand. Rather, I find most often that person is voting ‘yes’ for an alternative vision of the church-they-love’s future.
On another other hand, church votes remind me of what I love best about my denomination. And what makes being a Disciple of Christ tough. Some of y’all might remember when the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) officially became a denomination in 1967, with the approval of a ‘church constitution,’ The Design. Sure, our movement began in the early 19th century, but formal incorporation came later. In my opinion, what’s inspiring/scary about The Design is that it bets the farm, the bank, and our very future as an entity on one crucial claim: church happens when the people make it so.
Notice I didn’t write, “when pastors preach,” or “when some of the people make it so.” At the root of our denominational structure is the bold idea that we need each other, everyone, for this adventure to work. In church-speak, the term is ‘maximal lay involvement.’ In Christianese, it means that if church isn’t working for ‘the least of these,’ it isn’t working like it needs to. In plain English, I’m saying that without everyone’s contribution, this boat doesn’t sail right.
Take the basic Disciple of Christ claim of respect for individual freedom, and each person’s right to interpret the Bible as s/he feels led. What makes that Christian is that it reflects Paul’s profound conclusion in Galatians 5:1- “For freedom Christ has set us free.” What makes that Church is it asserts we all participate, that we share the insights, conclusions and dreams God puts on our hearts. Otherwise, we’d all think to ourselves whatever we want, never challenging one another or holding ourselves accountable to our neighbors’ experience of God’s love. And that would not be community.
Which brings me back to church votes, more particularly last Sunday’s vote. Thank you for doing that, by the way, regardless what you voted for. The vote reminded me again, that church happens when people make it so. You each, in your own way, weighed in on what this church means, and staked a claim in working for its future. If you weren’t here, please know that your fellow members took seriously the direction of the church you hold dear, and committed to welcoming your participation in our common work this next year. In both form and substance, the vote expressed the best of what Disciples, especially Plymouth Creek, do together. It affirmed that this ministry is our ministry. Thus, we covenanted to a process of spiritual growth that needs everyone’s voice, especially if you’re nervous, uncertain or downright skeptical about this process (please let me know). In words from our 2009 theme, the vote added new shape to God’s open-armed adventure with us. It articulated a call to stretch our arms wider to one another and our communities. Since any opening of arms in love is surely a faithful act, about that love I have no conflict of mind, and it puts my heart at peace. In all things,
Grace and Peace,
Shane.
Read more!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Decisions, Decisions…
Perhaps you heard by now about last Sunday's congregational meeting. If not, here's the gist:
A Proposal
At the recommendation of the Church Board, we called this meeting to discuss an interesting proposal. It began with a phone call to me from Rev. Bob Brite, Senior Minister of First Christian Minneapolis. In short, he invited Plymouth Creek to join his church in a process with six other Twin Cities churches (all United Methodists) that would last about a year. It's a process designed to foster renewed energy in churches for prayer, faith sharing (aka Evangelism) and transformation, focused around a popular and innovative series of books, the Unbinding the Gospel Series.
The Resources
This set of three books began with Unbinding the Gospel, which has received accolades across the American Christian community from a very diverse and accomplished group of church leaders. Martha Grace Reese, the book's author, wrote this book and its two follow-up companions with a grant from the Lilly Endowment, allowing her to study Evangelism in mainline churches (DoC, UCC, Lutheran, Methodist, etc.) as no one had before. Due to its unparalleled success, Lilly gave her another grant.
The Process
This time, she focused on applying the teachings of the Unbinding Series in actual churches. Her goal: over three years, lead 1000 churches through yearlong encounters with prayer and faith sharing (aka Evangelism). So she's hired coaches and organizers, and has subsidized the purchase of the Unbinding resources. We've been invited to participate, along with those seven other churches, as a cohort of learners/adventurers under the guidance of coach Nancy Lee Gauche, currently employed at Luther Seminary, among other pursuits.
The process is both simple and daunting. If we say 'yes,' as soon as possible I will lead a group of 8-10 leaders (or more…) through an eight-week study of Unbinding the Gospel. Included in this group will be three key leaders, who will fill the roles of Prayer Coordinator, Small Group Coordinator and E-vent Coordinator. This group, especially those three leaders, will join me in receiving the fruits of Rev. Gauche's coaching. In May, we'll go to some local meetings with Coach Gauche, all in preparation of the big E-vent. That will happen in the fall, where we'll work to organize six-week, small group studies of the book Unbinding Your Heart (like Gospel, but smaller and more personal, with less statistics) for the entire congregation. Let me say that again, if we say 'yes,' we'll ask The Entire Congregation to study this book together. After we're finished, we'll then go through some 'what next' discussions and processing conversations. A year later, I'll write a report for the benefit of Rev. Grace Reese's research.
Concerns You've Shared with Me
You may have a few doubts. 1) Can we really get everyone together, since we live all over the place and have different schedules and…? Let me assure you that is possible. I would work with two coordinators to arrange the details, so don't let those details distract you from the bigger question. 2) Speaking of the bigger question, isn't Evangelism problematic, dangerous, scary, disrespectful? Well, sure, it can be. And so can prayer. And yet, the claim of this process is that with earnest efforts on our behalf, faithful coaching from wise counselors and the energizing guidance of God's Spirit, all that and more can be overcome. 3) Do we have people willing to put in the time and effort to make this happen? I don't know. You tell me. It will take all of us, as well as some to commit to extra work and leadership.
Our Decision
Today, after church, we're asking you to make a decision. Do this or not? Don't think of the above comments as my endorsement, by the way. I think the process is a good one, but the question for us is whether it is good for us right now. For this to work, I will need, again, 8-10 or more people to step up and say, “I'll help lead,” and for three of those to be willing to go an extra mile. I know of at least two so far, but that leaves more room at the table for others. It will also cost some money- $1000 coaching fee, and we'll have to buy books (at a discounted rate). If we say 'no,' then it's not like we've nowhere else to go, nowhere left to turn. God is still moving in our midst, I deeply believe, and I'm excited to learn where that will lead. If we say 'yes,' then hold on for an intriguing adventure. Evangelism's received a bad name in recent years, sometimes for very good reasons. Facing those mistakes, confronting the fears of making others and ourselves uncomfortable, learning to perceive God's movement more clearly in our own lives, all of this will be challenging. But challenge and discomfort are a part of growth. That's true whether we say 'yes' today or not. It's also just fine, because our companion in any process of growth will be the God of all who loves all, and who moment by moment extends what I wish for you now and always,
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
A Proposal
At the recommendation of the Church Board, we called this meeting to discuss an interesting proposal. It began with a phone call to me from Rev. Bob Brite, Senior Minister of First Christian Minneapolis. In short, he invited Plymouth Creek to join his church in a process with six other Twin Cities churches (all United Methodists) that would last about a year. It's a process designed to foster renewed energy in churches for prayer, faith sharing (aka Evangelism) and transformation, focused around a popular and innovative series of books, the Unbinding the Gospel Series.
The Resources
This set of three books began with Unbinding the Gospel, which has received accolades across the American Christian community from a very diverse and accomplished group of church leaders. Martha Grace Reese, the book's author, wrote this book and its two follow-up companions with a grant from the Lilly Endowment, allowing her to study Evangelism in mainline churches (DoC, UCC, Lutheran, Methodist, etc.) as no one had before. Due to its unparalleled success, Lilly gave her another grant.
The Process
This time, she focused on applying the teachings of the Unbinding Series in actual churches. Her goal: over three years, lead 1000 churches through yearlong encounters with prayer and faith sharing (aka Evangelism). So she's hired coaches and organizers, and has subsidized the purchase of the Unbinding resources. We've been invited to participate, along with those seven other churches, as a cohort of learners/adventurers under the guidance of coach Nancy Lee Gauche, currently employed at Luther Seminary, among other pursuits.
The process is both simple and daunting. If we say 'yes,' as soon as possible I will lead a group of 8-10 leaders (or more…) through an eight-week study of Unbinding the Gospel. Included in this group will be three key leaders, who will fill the roles of Prayer Coordinator, Small Group Coordinator and E-vent Coordinator. This group, especially those three leaders, will join me in receiving the fruits of Rev. Gauche's coaching. In May, we'll go to some local meetings with Coach Gauche, all in preparation of the big E-vent. That will happen in the fall, where we'll work to organize six-week, small group studies of the book Unbinding Your Heart (like Gospel, but smaller and more personal, with less statistics) for the entire congregation. Let me say that again, if we say 'yes,' we'll ask The Entire Congregation to study this book together. After we're finished, we'll then go through some 'what next' discussions and processing conversations. A year later, I'll write a report for the benefit of Rev. Grace Reese's research.
Concerns You've Shared with Me
You may have a few doubts. 1) Can we really get everyone together, since we live all over the place and have different schedules and…? Let me assure you that is possible. I would work with two coordinators to arrange the details, so don't let those details distract you from the bigger question. 2) Speaking of the bigger question, isn't Evangelism problematic, dangerous, scary, disrespectful? Well, sure, it can be. And so can prayer. And yet, the claim of this process is that with earnest efforts on our behalf, faithful coaching from wise counselors and the energizing guidance of God's Spirit, all that and more can be overcome. 3) Do we have people willing to put in the time and effort to make this happen? I don't know. You tell me. It will take all of us, as well as some to commit to extra work and leadership.
Our Decision
Today, after church, we're asking you to make a decision. Do this or not? Don't think of the above comments as my endorsement, by the way. I think the process is a good one, but the question for us is whether it is good for us right now. For this to work, I will need, again, 8-10 or more people to step up and say, “I'll help lead,” and for three of those to be willing to go an extra mile. I know of at least two so far, but that leaves more room at the table for others. It will also cost some money- $1000 coaching fee, and we'll have to buy books (at a discounted rate). If we say 'no,' then it's not like we've nowhere else to go, nowhere left to turn. God is still moving in our midst, I deeply believe, and I'm excited to learn where that will lead. If we say 'yes,' then hold on for an intriguing adventure. Evangelism's received a bad name in recent years, sometimes for very good reasons. Facing those mistakes, confronting the fears of making others and ourselves uncomfortable, learning to perceive God's movement more clearly in our own lives, all of this will be challenging. But challenge and discomfort are a part of growth. That's true whether we say 'yes' today or not. It's also just fine, because our companion in any process of growth will be the God of all who loves all, and who moment by moment extends what I wish for you now and always,
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Nice to greet you; thanks for stopping by...
How long has it been since you visited Plymouth Creek’s website? If you said, “In the past week,” then your name is Kimberly. For the rest of us, it’s probably been awhile, right?
Well, don’t worry, it’s still there. Kimberly updates it often, with announcements, building usage info, worship leader schedules. So I’m probably wrong, and some of y’all do check the website to stay informed and connected. I really should do a better job myself; more than once, I’ve asked Kimberly a question, and she’s responded, “It’s on the website, which you should know.” And I should.
The other important thing our website does is introduce the church to visitors. That’s how many people visit churches nowadays. Rather than walk into the Sunday service of a church you commute past, you go home and plug the church’s name into Google. Then you peruse the website, looking at programs, theology, staff, and a general sense of the community’s people. It’s a good plan, I believe, because if you want a Disciples community with deep devotion to Mark Twain that practices yoga during the service, then Plymouth Creek is (probably) not the place for you (but who knows…). Our website reflects that, i.e., we can proclaim our story effectively on the web as much as Sunday morning. Indeed, if we are committed to radical Christian hospitality, we have a responsibility to treat our website with as much care as our time and resources allow. Because most churches probably have more electronic visitors in a given month than Sunday morning seekers. Therefore, the same care and attention we provide to people face-to-face should apply to the web.
So Kimberly and I have been working on a website redesign for the past few months. If we could provide a cup of coffee during an e-visit, we’d do that too. We’ve done what all good church planners do- we looked for what works at other churches, and stole their good ideas. Forgive me, borrowed and adapted. Currently, there’s a clear and creative concept in our minds, beginning to take form on Kimberly’s computer. Of course, with other weekly responsibilities, it’s been hard to focus on this redesign (there’s a lesson in that about pushing hospitality to the back burner). So we recommitted ourselves to a new deadline, Easter, and will work every Monday morning until then exclusively on the website. Which means, to guard webmaster Kimberly’s time, I’ll be answering phones Monday mornings during Lent. After all, while I can imagine all sorts of good ideas that could go on the website, Kimberly’s the technician with code-writing brilliance, and apparently, certain things aren’t as easy to put on the internet as they are to write on paper. But what’s there already is, as I’m excitedly telling anyone who asks, “the best small church website in existence.” By the way, if you have programming skills and want to help Kimberly with either construction or upkeep of the site, please let us know.
I write of this, besides to keep you informed and solicit ideas about what you’d like to see on the site (call me on Monday morning with your thoughts), to reignite your thinking about hospitality. The website has done it for me. It took me awhile, but I get it now, that we need to treat the possibility of electronic visitors as a great opportunity- to show our love for one another, to celebrate our dynamic sense of mission and courageous stewardship, to invite all who would to come to the open Table of Jesus in our midst. As we craft that e-hospitality, it should impact the hospitality we provide to any who walk through our doors, be they parents of Child Care children, members and visitors of Thy Word, young women in Brownie troops and especially those who come to worship with Plymouth Creek. Because, by claiming radical hospitality as a practice of this church on the web, we will be held accountable to that value and vision. When someone walks into that door, they may have been asked by our website to expect a welcoming, loving, mission-oriented, spiritually curious, theologically diverse group of believers. And I think we can, and do, live up to it. That’s why it’s the ‘best small church website in existence,’ because y’all make it so. In all things,
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Well, don’t worry, it’s still there. Kimberly updates it often, with announcements, building usage info, worship leader schedules. So I’m probably wrong, and some of y’all do check the website to stay informed and connected. I really should do a better job myself; more than once, I’ve asked Kimberly a question, and she’s responded, “It’s on the website, which you should know.” And I should.
The other important thing our website does is introduce the church to visitors. That’s how many people visit churches nowadays. Rather than walk into the Sunday service of a church you commute past, you go home and plug the church’s name into Google. Then you peruse the website, looking at programs, theology, staff, and a general sense of the community’s people. It’s a good plan, I believe, because if you want a Disciples community with deep devotion to Mark Twain that practices yoga during the service, then Plymouth Creek is (probably) not the place for you (but who knows…). Our website reflects that, i.e., we can proclaim our story effectively on the web as much as Sunday morning. Indeed, if we are committed to radical Christian hospitality, we have a responsibility to treat our website with as much care as our time and resources allow. Because most churches probably have more electronic visitors in a given month than Sunday morning seekers. Therefore, the same care and attention we provide to people face-to-face should apply to the web.
So Kimberly and I have been working on a website redesign for the past few months. If we could provide a cup of coffee during an e-visit, we’d do that too. We’ve done what all good church planners do- we looked for what works at other churches, and stole their good ideas. Forgive me, borrowed and adapted. Currently, there’s a clear and creative concept in our minds, beginning to take form on Kimberly’s computer. Of course, with other weekly responsibilities, it’s been hard to focus on this redesign (there’s a lesson in that about pushing hospitality to the back burner). So we recommitted ourselves to a new deadline, Easter, and will work every Monday morning until then exclusively on the website. Which means, to guard webmaster Kimberly’s time, I’ll be answering phones Monday mornings during Lent. After all, while I can imagine all sorts of good ideas that could go on the website, Kimberly’s the technician with code-writing brilliance, and apparently, certain things aren’t as easy to put on the internet as they are to write on paper. But what’s there already is, as I’m excitedly telling anyone who asks, “the best small church website in existence.” By the way, if you have programming skills and want to help Kimberly with either construction or upkeep of the site, please let us know.
I write of this, besides to keep you informed and solicit ideas about what you’d like to see on the site (call me on Monday morning with your thoughts), to reignite your thinking about hospitality. The website has done it for me. It took me awhile, but I get it now, that we need to treat the possibility of electronic visitors as a great opportunity- to show our love for one another, to celebrate our dynamic sense of mission and courageous stewardship, to invite all who would to come to the open Table of Jesus in our midst. As we craft that e-hospitality, it should impact the hospitality we provide to any who walk through our doors, be they parents of Child Care children, members and visitors of Thy Word, young women in Brownie troops and especially those who come to worship with Plymouth Creek. Because, by claiming radical hospitality as a practice of this church on the web, we will be held accountable to that value and vision. When someone walks into that door, they may have been asked by our website to expect a welcoming, loving, mission-oriented, spiritually curious, theologically diverse group of believers. And I think we can, and do, live up to it. That’s why it’s the ‘best small church website in existence,’ because y’all make it so. In all things,
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
The E Word…
A ministerial colleague (named Guy) has a button on his office door with this phrase. I love it. You see, he’s the Minister of Evangelism where I last served. Get it. E-Word; Evangelism. Funny Guy.
He’s also smart. He knows this word is truly a bad word to many people. Ask many Christians, “When’s the last time you did some evangelism?” and they might sneer, or just walk away. Or they might say, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not that kind of Christian.” Because that’s what many of us think, right? There’s a certain type of Christian who does evangelism, and I’m not one.
Does that word evoke feelings of distaste, mistrust, awkward memories of hateful preachers shouting hellfire and damnation you and your friends on a sidewalk during college (ask me about it some time; crazy story)? I feel that way occasionally. My sense of Christian faith prioritizes love over everything else. I don’t believe that my understanding of God (or my church’s) is the only certain, secure path to attain God’s favor. Indeed, I don’t maintain friendships with people of various faiths (or no faith) in the hopes of converting them, some day, away from eternal perdition. I pursue these friendships because I love my friends, and they love me.
But the secret folk don’t mention enough is this: Evangelism is about much more than scaring people out of hell. Much more. Much, much more. Evangelism (meaning, “proclaiming good news”) is about the very power upon which Creation rests, through which Creation continues to evolve, toward which all creatures move in the most absolute sense. Evangelism declares God’s love through Jesus. Christians need nothing further. Why settle for fear when Love initiates and culminates every moment of your, and your neighbor’s, life?!?
I mention this seemingly offbeat subject because we’re having a congregational meeting the first Sunday in March. At February’s Board meeting, we realized the congregation needed a chance to offer input on an impending decision. Specifically, we’ve been invited to join an Adventure in Evangelism. Doing so will require time and effort, and a bit of cash, so gauging church support and readiness is important. Knowing you may read this after the meeting, I won’t hash out details here. Rather, I have a thought that puts the invitation in the context of what we say and do together already.
And that thought is…Mission. Or more specifically, Evangelism is an important part of Christian Mission. Christians have always known this, although in recent times some have removed it from the radar, often for very good reasons. Instead, we’ve defined Mission as compassion, good deeds, helping the poor, etc. (stuff we must continue to do). However, the more I’ve thought about this invitation to Adventure in Evangelism, the more I’m convicted that the good news we speak with each other must not remain locked in our possession. Whether or not we say ‘yes’ to this invitation.
Because Plymouth Creek has good news to declare! We do church in a wonderfully unique way, and the freedom of conscience, diversity in belief, adventurous stewardship, mutual love that we share, if proclaimed beyond our walls, can change lives for the better. I hope you believe that. I do. What’s more, proclaiming good news doesn’t require a type-A, extraverted personality. PCCC is stunningly creative, and besides, love is still love if whispered on the breeze rather than shouted from the hilltops. So don’t think I’m asking you to be something you’re not. Rather, I’m inviting you to be more of who you already are: a faithful Christian who understands that God’s love through Jesus is great news for anyone with ears to hear. And knees upon which to pray.
So are you prepared to proclaim good news? I think I am, but it still makes me nervous. So I pray, lots. But walking into this year, focused on God’s Open-Armed Adventure, I knew that nerves would happen. Adventure demands it. Still, since our co-adventurer is the God of all who loves all, peace that passes all understanding can be ours as well. And our neighbor’s.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
He’s also smart. He knows this word is truly a bad word to many people. Ask many Christians, “When’s the last time you did some evangelism?” and they might sneer, or just walk away. Or they might say, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not that kind of Christian.” Because that’s what many of us think, right? There’s a certain type of Christian who does evangelism, and I’m not one.
Does that word evoke feelings of distaste, mistrust, awkward memories of hateful preachers shouting hellfire and damnation you and your friends on a sidewalk during college (ask me about it some time; crazy story)? I feel that way occasionally. My sense of Christian faith prioritizes love over everything else. I don’t believe that my understanding of God (or my church’s) is the only certain, secure path to attain God’s favor. Indeed, I don’t maintain friendships with people of various faiths (or no faith) in the hopes of converting them, some day, away from eternal perdition. I pursue these friendships because I love my friends, and they love me.
But the secret folk don’t mention enough is this: Evangelism is about much more than scaring people out of hell. Much more. Much, much more. Evangelism (meaning, “proclaiming good news”) is about the very power upon which Creation rests, through which Creation continues to evolve, toward which all creatures move in the most absolute sense. Evangelism declares God’s love through Jesus. Christians need nothing further. Why settle for fear when Love initiates and culminates every moment of your, and your neighbor’s, life?!?
I mention this seemingly offbeat subject because we’re having a congregational meeting the first Sunday in March. At February’s Board meeting, we realized the congregation needed a chance to offer input on an impending decision. Specifically, we’ve been invited to join an Adventure in Evangelism. Doing so will require time and effort, and a bit of cash, so gauging church support and readiness is important. Knowing you may read this after the meeting, I won’t hash out details here. Rather, I have a thought that puts the invitation in the context of what we say and do together already.
And that thought is…Mission. Or more specifically, Evangelism is an important part of Christian Mission. Christians have always known this, although in recent times some have removed it from the radar, often for very good reasons. Instead, we’ve defined Mission as compassion, good deeds, helping the poor, etc. (stuff we must continue to do). However, the more I’ve thought about this invitation to Adventure in Evangelism, the more I’m convicted that the good news we speak with each other must not remain locked in our possession. Whether or not we say ‘yes’ to this invitation.
Because Plymouth Creek has good news to declare! We do church in a wonderfully unique way, and the freedom of conscience, diversity in belief, adventurous stewardship, mutual love that we share, if proclaimed beyond our walls, can change lives for the better. I hope you believe that. I do. What’s more, proclaiming good news doesn’t require a type-A, extraverted personality. PCCC is stunningly creative, and besides, love is still love if whispered on the breeze rather than shouted from the hilltops. So don’t think I’m asking you to be something you’re not. Rather, I’m inviting you to be more of who you already are: a faithful Christian who understands that God’s love through Jesus is great news for anyone with ears to hear. And knees upon which to pray.
So are you prepared to proclaim good news? I think I am, but it still makes me nervous. So I pray, lots. But walking into this year, focused on God’s Open-Armed Adventure, I knew that nerves would happen. Adventure demands it. Still, since our co-adventurer is the God of all who loves all, peace that passes all understanding can be ours as well. And our neighbor’s.
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Famines and Feasts…
What are you giving up? You know, for Lent I mean. It’s like the Christian version of New Year’s Resolutions, but so much more hopeful. Not just because it ends with Jesus overcoming death and all that, but because we know there’s an end date. A stopping point. A return to life as we’ve done it thus far, which isn’t really the case with New Year’s Resolutions (though I suspect that’s not the point anyway). Still, it’s easier, I surmise, to give something up for Lent, since we know it’s just a temporary imposition in the first place.
Or perhaps, instead of ‘give something up,’ as is typically said, I should say ‘alter your routine.’ Maybe you’ve heard of the recent amendment to this tradition; some folk don’t abstain from something during Lent. Instead, they ‘take something up,’ they add an activity to supplement life as we’ve lived it with a temporary practice of everyday holiness. For some, that takes the form of additional prayer each morning, for their family perhaps, or for something they’ve not been praying for already, like justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or discernment to confront the threat of global warming. Others will find a book for daily Lent devotionals. Last year I read Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People (ask the Servant Leaders about it; we read it together during my first couple months here at Plymouth Creek). This year, I’ll join others in the church by reading Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living for a few minutes each day. Or you could take a ‘prayer walk’ around the block, for a mix of exercise spiritual and physical. Or read through the four Gospels before Easter. Or journal your daily adventures with a prayerful touch each night. You get the picture.
I think people have reverted to this ‘alternate tradition’ because the original idea, abstaining from normal activities, carries such negative undertones. Sometimes that’s the result of a misunderstanding- that people should use Lent to rid themselves of sin. So let’s be clear: you don’t give up doing bad things for Lent. It’s not meant to be a spiritual crutch (although, if it takes Lent to help you overcome nasty habits, then go for it). Rather, it’s a chance to replace something you enjoy with space to remember your first love, the God of all who loves all. Sometimes, the aversion to ‘giving things up’ is a critique of negative spirituality, i.e. folk are rightly skeptical of any spiritual understanding that treats our bodies and desires as evil in of themselves. So they avoid spiritual practices that encourage finding God through less, preferring an understanding of God that encourages more and more ‘life abundant’ (John 10:10). But whatever the case, I think that a ‘both and’ approach to this unique Christian tradition is worthwhile. Give something up, take something up, make your pick.
After all, in the life of Christian discipleship, it’s always good to be on the lookout for faithfulness, for the chance to take a further step in learning about God, approaching God, coloring your routine with God’s justice and mercy. We do that Sunday after Sunday, I hope. But one day a week doesn’t a disciple make, as we know. So, through the wisdom of saints who came before us, the Christian tradition proposes that each year we try jump starting our lives with a season of reflection. It doesn’t have to mean doing Lent as folk have always done it (like giving up red meat on Fridays, or coffee in the morning). Some people are practicing a ‘carbon fast’ this year; they’re cutting out parts of their routine that unnecessarily produce carbon emissions, like vegetables grown overseas, or plastic water bottles. In other words, they’re using this season to reflect more fully on how God calls them, in this day and age, to pattern life as faithfully as possible. You don’t have to tell anyone, of course. Lent doesn’t require you shout your witness from the mountaintop. But if you’ve never practiced Lent, or if it’s been awhile, think about maybe participating this year. Regardless what happens, I can guarantee it has ‘adventure’ written all over it. In all things,
Grace and Peace,
Shane
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Or perhaps, instead of ‘give something up,’ as is typically said, I should say ‘alter your routine.’ Maybe you’ve heard of the recent amendment to this tradition; some folk don’t abstain from something during Lent. Instead, they ‘take something up,’ they add an activity to supplement life as we’ve lived it with a temporary practice of everyday holiness. For some, that takes the form of additional prayer each morning, for their family perhaps, or for something they’ve not been praying for already, like justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or discernment to confront the threat of global warming. Others will find a book for daily Lent devotionals. Last year I read Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People (ask the Servant Leaders about it; we read it together during my first couple months here at Plymouth Creek). This year, I’ll join others in the church by reading Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living for a few minutes each day. Or you could take a ‘prayer walk’ around the block, for a mix of exercise spiritual and physical. Or read through the four Gospels before Easter. Or journal your daily adventures with a prayerful touch each night. You get the picture.
I think people have reverted to this ‘alternate tradition’ because the original idea, abstaining from normal activities, carries such negative undertones. Sometimes that’s the result of a misunderstanding- that people should use Lent to rid themselves of sin. So let’s be clear: you don’t give up doing bad things for Lent. It’s not meant to be a spiritual crutch (although, if it takes Lent to help you overcome nasty habits, then go for it). Rather, it’s a chance to replace something you enjoy with space to remember your first love, the God of all who loves all. Sometimes, the aversion to ‘giving things up’ is a critique of negative spirituality, i.e. folk are rightly skeptical of any spiritual understanding that treats our bodies and desires as evil in of themselves. So they avoid spiritual practices that encourage finding God through less, preferring an understanding of God that encourages more and more ‘life abundant’ (John 10:10). But whatever the case, I think that a ‘both and’ approach to this unique Christian tradition is worthwhile. Give something up, take something up, make your pick.
After all, in the life of Christian discipleship, it’s always good to be on the lookout for faithfulness, for the chance to take a further step in learning about God, approaching God, coloring your routine with God’s justice and mercy. We do that Sunday after Sunday, I hope. But one day a week doesn’t a disciple make, as we know. So, through the wisdom of saints who came before us, the Christian tradition proposes that each year we try jump starting our lives with a season of reflection. It doesn’t have to mean doing Lent as folk have always done it (like giving up red meat on Fridays, or coffee in the morning). Some people are practicing a ‘carbon fast’ this year; they’re cutting out parts of their routine that unnecessarily produce carbon emissions, like vegetables grown overseas, or plastic water bottles. In other words, they’re using this season to reflect more fully on how God calls them, in this day and age, to pattern life as faithfully as possible. You don’t have to tell anyone, of course. Lent doesn’t require you shout your witness from the mountaintop. But if you’ve never practiced Lent, or if it’s been awhile, think about maybe participating this year. Regardless what happens, I can guarantee it has ‘adventure’ written all over it. In all things,
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Sunday, February 15, 2009
I guess we’ll have to leave that on the table before us…
Perhaps you remember that at the beginning of our 2009 Congregational Theme, we also changed Adult Sunday School trajectory. The ‘title’ of this new Sunday School experiment is “The Basic Christian Adventure: The Life of Jesus.” Our mission for this Bible Study is simple- Learn whatever we can about the rare stories that all four Gospels share. I’ve known for awhile that each Gospel is its own adventure, and as such has stuff in it that other Gospels don’t. But I’d never studied them as a unit, focusing on those few vignettes of Jesus’ life they tell in common. So we’ve been doing that for a few weeks now, and I thought it’s time for an update.
We began at the beginning, and focused weeks one and two on Jesus’ Baptism (only Matthew and Luke have infancy narratives). Or at least that was the plan. Quickly, we discovered these stories have as much, if not more to say about John the Baptizer than about Jesus (especially Luke and John). How strange! Why spend so much time on a figure in Jesus’ story that seems secondary? Perhaps Tom Jarvi put it best, “Well, he’s part of the story.” And that’s right, so much so that early Christian communities couldn’t keep him off their mind. After careful consideration, it seems clear that just before Jesus branched out on his own in the northern province of Galilee, gathering Disciples and preaching about “The Reign (or Kingdom) of God,” he was down south among the disciples of John (was he one of them?). Something remarkable happened, either John was arrested or the religious authorities became agitated or Jesus had a “come to Jesus moment,” and Jesus got baptized and went north, some of John’s disciples in tow. ‘Going north,’ therefore, marked a transition in Jesus’ life, when he changed somehow from Joseph the Carpenter’s son to an outspoken teacher, healer and general thorn in Rome’s side. Have you ever ‘gone north’? Have you experienced a transition in your life in pursuit of God when the game suddenly changed?
Next we tackled that awesome story about Jesus in temple, overturning tables and getting angry. For anyone who thinks Jesus was all soft velvet and sunshine, this story is a wake-up call. In fact, coupled as it is in three of the four Gospels (except John) with the Triumphal Entry (aka Palm Sunday), we get a picture of ‘Jesus the rascal,’ who staged dramatic acts of prophetic witness designed to confront his society with what, in his view, was their indifference to the poor and marginalized, their using God’s Temple as refuge of hypocrisy (‘den of thieves’), and a general lack of concern for a just society and heartfelt worship of the God of all who loves all. Even in John (where this story occurs at the beginning, not the end of Jesus’ ministry), we experience a Savior who won’t permit comfort to triumph over right living, wealth to exhume benevolence, order to supplant the dynamic pursuit of a mysterious, all-loving God. Have you ever looked around and wanted to overthrow some tables? Have you ever done drastic to restore God’s mercy and justice to a situation that’s left you heartbroken?
Last week, we began studying the “Feeding of the Multitude (or 5000),” as it appears in Mark and John, and we continued this morning with Matthew and Luke. The conversation was, again, quite good, and we struggled mightily with what really happened, how it happened, how to understand miracles in general, and what that calls for in our lives. We noticed that each of these stories describe the event in language we use during Communion every Sunday (Jesus took bread, broke it, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples). This made us wonder how such a dramatic story reinvigorates our worship at ‘the table before us,’ where God can fill us to satisfaction with what seems like but a crumb. We left things in the heat of a controversy over the power of God. Can or does God break God’s own rules, and circumvent natural law to intervene in particular cases of need? What might that say about God’s priorities, God’s justice, God’s love?
In coming weeks, we’ll study, among other things, the trial, death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as that wonderful tale about a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. There’s still room at the table, you should know, so come at 8:45(ish), and join the discussion. Or perhaps I should say, “Are you ready for this most basic, and ever-enlightening Adventure?!?” In all things, I wish you,
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
We began at the beginning, and focused weeks one and two on Jesus’ Baptism (only Matthew and Luke have infancy narratives). Or at least that was the plan. Quickly, we discovered these stories have as much, if not more to say about John the Baptizer than about Jesus (especially Luke and John). How strange! Why spend so much time on a figure in Jesus’ story that seems secondary? Perhaps Tom Jarvi put it best, “Well, he’s part of the story.” And that’s right, so much so that early Christian communities couldn’t keep him off their mind. After careful consideration, it seems clear that just before Jesus branched out on his own in the northern province of Galilee, gathering Disciples and preaching about “The Reign (or Kingdom) of God,” he was down south among the disciples of John (was he one of them?). Something remarkable happened, either John was arrested or the religious authorities became agitated or Jesus had a “come to Jesus moment,” and Jesus got baptized and went north, some of John’s disciples in tow. ‘Going north,’ therefore, marked a transition in Jesus’ life, when he changed somehow from Joseph the Carpenter’s son to an outspoken teacher, healer and general thorn in Rome’s side. Have you ever ‘gone north’? Have you experienced a transition in your life in pursuit of God when the game suddenly changed?
Next we tackled that awesome story about Jesus in temple, overturning tables and getting angry. For anyone who thinks Jesus was all soft velvet and sunshine, this story is a wake-up call. In fact, coupled as it is in three of the four Gospels (except John) with the Triumphal Entry (aka Palm Sunday), we get a picture of ‘Jesus the rascal,’ who staged dramatic acts of prophetic witness designed to confront his society with what, in his view, was their indifference to the poor and marginalized, their using God’s Temple as refuge of hypocrisy (‘den of thieves’), and a general lack of concern for a just society and heartfelt worship of the God of all who loves all. Even in John (where this story occurs at the beginning, not the end of Jesus’ ministry), we experience a Savior who won’t permit comfort to triumph over right living, wealth to exhume benevolence, order to supplant the dynamic pursuit of a mysterious, all-loving God. Have you ever looked around and wanted to overthrow some tables? Have you ever done drastic to restore God’s mercy and justice to a situation that’s left you heartbroken?
Last week, we began studying the “Feeding of the Multitude (or 5000),” as it appears in Mark and John, and we continued this morning with Matthew and Luke. The conversation was, again, quite good, and we struggled mightily with what really happened, how it happened, how to understand miracles in general, and what that calls for in our lives. We noticed that each of these stories describe the event in language we use during Communion every Sunday (Jesus took bread, broke it, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples). This made us wonder how such a dramatic story reinvigorates our worship at ‘the table before us,’ where God can fill us to satisfaction with what seems like but a crumb. We left things in the heat of a controversy over the power of God. Can or does God break God’s own rules, and circumvent natural law to intervene in particular cases of need? What might that say about God’s priorities, God’s justice, God’s love?
In coming weeks, we’ll study, among other things, the trial, death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as that wonderful tale about a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. There’s still room at the table, you should know, so come at 8:45(ish), and join the discussion. Or perhaps I should say, “Are you ready for this most basic, and ever-enlightening Adventure?!?” In all things, I wish you,
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A More Perfect Union…
Forgive the obvious drama of that phrase, but I really like it. You may recognize it from President Lincoln’s first Inaugural Address, which I read and wrote about to you a few weeks back. To Lincoln, I believe, this phrase signified an important insight into the nation he led. We began as a union of disparate communities from different places across the continent (or at least the East Coast), pledging nevertheless to live together under one banner for the purpose of a common cause. Lincoln seems to suggest that this union of communities and colonies amounted to something great, but his great insight was that this union could be, proper grammar aside, even more perfect. Indeed, as his years in the presidency showed, ideals forever outpace our efforts to embody them; it’s what keeps us moving forward. So he called his country to strive for something more, while celebrating the joys of the union they already experienced. If only the call was headed…
This concept rattled through my untidy mind last week, after what was the second of recent meetings between leadership from Thy Word Worship Center, Yellow Brick Road Child Care and Plymouth Creek. Things actually began before I arrived as pastor, not just because y’all invited YBR and TW to share our space some years back, but also because Chana and Al met with the pastors of Thy Word about a week or two before my coming to discuss certain matters of mutual concern. It became clear then, and continues to be so, that ongoing dialogue between our organizations, in some formal capacity, would prove productive for meeting whatever challenges arose, anticipating what had yet to surface, and planning shared opportunities for work and mission. So in December, due in part to an issue of property mistreatment that needed confronting (alas), we realized this vision and sat down together. It was very good, I must say, and we resolved to meet again in January (last week).
The topics we discussed were both broad and specific. We wanted to clarify each organization's expectations about building use, and challenge ourselves to adopt more effective and life-giving methods of communication (Dr. Leman Nutall said it well, "I'd like to talk with folk more often than just when something goes wrong"; a wise man, I've come appreciate). We learned there was confusion about who's cleaning the bathrooms when, and have since established a more equitable distribution of labor (our part is to perform a quick inspection of the restrooms during cleanup after fellowship hour). We adopted a better way to inform each other of upcoming events. We admitted instances of lapsed oversight; sought common ground on shared frustrations. And we committed to working together not only to respect this space ("God's House" as Dr. Leman suggested), but also to using our partnership for pursuing mission together. Thus, Thy Word and YBR will join Plymouth Creek in our March Mission Adventure of supplying food to the MN Foodshare.
In short, we want to work together to form a more perfect union. I say this because it is our shared understanding that these relationship are not just those of landlord to tenants. Plymouth Creek opens its doors to other organizations as an outgrowth of our commitment to Christian Hospitality. As such, we have a stake in each other’s future, and want our efforts to help others achieve their mission. With Thy Word, the mission is similar: love God, neighbor and self. With YBR, it’s a bit different, but something we value too: provide high-quality care for beloved children at prices below market average. We know, of course, that hospitality sometimes means putting up with stuff we’d rather not. Things sometimes get moved, or dirtied, or broken. And because of that we’ve resolved to continue these regular meetings- to support one another, to stay focused on our common mission and perfecting union, to discuss issues openly, in one another’s midst, and to find resolution to conflict. Thus, I urge you, if you notice ways to enhance our partnership with YBR and TW, please let me know your observations and possible solutions, and we’ll include those in the conversation. Or let me know if you’d like to join the discussion. As I’ve heard before, the Table is open…
And above all, I hope we continue to celebrate this unique arrangement; a vibrant nesting congregation and a loving child care center. Far more than the income they provide our operating budget, I appreciate the many ways these partners help us fulfill our mission as a church; the many new things I’ve learned by spending time with their leaders and their members; they very real way in which my saying ‘them and us’ is really becoming just ‘us.’ As I reflect on these relationships, I’m called perpetually to remember that fundamental ingredient of Christian faith, hospitality, or as President Lincoln put it, at the end of his address, “the better angels of our nature.” In all things, I wish you,
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
This concept rattled through my untidy mind last week, after what was the second of recent meetings between leadership from Thy Word Worship Center, Yellow Brick Road Child Care and Plymouth Creek. Things actually began before I arrived as pastor, not just because y’all invited YBR and TW to share our space some years back, but also because Chana and Al met with the pastors of Thy Word about a week or two before my coming to discuss certain matters of mutual concern. It became clear then, and continues to be so, that ongoing dialogue between our organizations, in some formal capacity, would prove productive for meeting whatever challenges arose, anticipating what had yet to surface, and planning shared opportunities for work and mission. So in December, due in part to an issue of property mistreatment that needed confronting (alas), we realized this vision and sat down together. It was very good, I must say, and we resolved to meet again in January (last week).
The topics we discussed were both broad and specific. We wanted to clarify each organization's expectations about building use, and challenge ourselves to adopt more effective and life-giving methods of communication (Dr. Leman Nutall said it well, "I'd like to talk with folk more often than just when something goes wrong"; a wise man, I've come appreciate). We learned there was confusion about who's cleaning the bathrooms when, and have since established a more equitable distribution of labor (our part is to perform a quick inspection of the restrooms during cleanup after fellowship hour). We adopted a better way to inform each other of upcoming events. We admitted instances of lapsed oversight; sought common ground on shared frustrations. And we committed to working together not only to respect this space ("God's House" as Dr. Leman suggested), but also to using our partnership for pursuing mission together. Thus, Thy Word and YBR will join Plymouth Creek in our March Mission Adventure of supplying food to the MN Foodshare.
In short, we want to work together to form a more perfect union. I say this because it is our shared understanding that these relationship are not just those of landlord to tenants. Plymouth Creek opens its doors to other organizations as an outgrowth of our commitment to Christian Hospitality. As such, we have a stake in each other’s future, and want our efforts to help others achieve their mission. With Thy Word, the mission is similar: love God, neighbor and self. With YBR, it’s a bit different, but something we value too: provide high-quality care for beloved children at prices below market average. We know, of course, that hospitality sometimes means putting up with stuff we’d rather not. Things sometimes get moved, or dirtied, or broken. And because of that we’ve resolved to continue these regular meetings- to support one another, to stay focused on our common mission and perfecting union, to discuss issues openly, in one another’s midst, and to find resolution to conflict. Thus, I urge you, if you notice ways to enhance our partnership with YBR and TW, please let me know your observations and possible solutions, and we’ll include those in the conversation. Or let me know if you’d like to join the discussion. As I’ve heard before, the Table is open…
And above all, I hope we continue to celebrate this unique arrangement; a vibrant nesting congregation and a loving child care center. Far more than the income they provide our operating budget, I appreciate the many ways these partners help us fulfill our mission as a church; the many new things I’ve learned by spending time with their leaders and their members; they very real way in which my saying ‘them and us’ is really becoming just ‘us.’ As I reflect on these relationships, I’m called perpetually to remember that fundamental ingredient of Christian faith, hospitality, or as President Lincoln put it, at the end of his address, “the better angels of our nature.” In all things, I wish you,
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
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