Friday, July 24, 2009

Moving Forward

Sometimes it is difficult to make a decision because you don't want to have to start living with the consequences. Every decision has its consequences. There isn't one decision that doesn't. It's universal. Consequences follow decisions but decisions must still be made.

Should you make a decision based on which consequences are most desirable? Sometimes. Sometimes understanding the consequences helps make a decision. Knowing, to the best of your ability, what needs, events, circumstances will arise based on the decision helps you choose which set of circumstances is best.

Should you make a decision based on what is right and disregard the consequences? Sometimes. Sometimes deciding to do the right thing is more important than the consequences of the decision.

Nonetheless, decisions must be made.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Holy Ground (to me)

When in Nashville this past week we took the youth to spend a day as servant to the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. Thanks to Mac Ice and the staff at the Historical Society we had a productive, helpful day and a nice lunch at the Mellow Mushroom.

We spent hours going through boxes of newsletters from the non-instrumental Church of Christ. Each newsletter had to be placed with others of its kind, then placed in chronological order, then stacked in alphabetical order. We got a lot done but there was plenty left undone. There were thousands of newsletters still in the boxes and all the newsletters still had to be cataloged. Still, we made a big dent in the job and I felt good about the way our youth group worked and gave themselves to the task.

Being at the Historical Society really touched my soul. Disciples history is important to me. The Stone/Campbell Movement set my heart free and gave me new life in Christ. I am fascinated by its stories. I love being so close to Cane Ridge and I go at least once every year.

In the archives at the Historical Society are handwritten, original documents from the movement's founders and expanders. That makes the place holy ground to me. I had my first opportunity to research original documents when I was in seminary and it was inspiring to touch something written by hand so long ago. I didn't get my hands on any originals this week because they would have had me arrested, but, I could feel them, and I could see them. Holy ground.

I was there.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Mission Trip

I was telling someone last evening about the upcoming Youth Summer Mission Trip. "We're going to Nashville to work with a homeless shelter," I said. The quick reply was, "we have those here." Implied in the comment is that old saw about "charity begins at home." That old saw is not and has never been an excuse for being charitable only at home.

A trip for mission serves many purposes besides the most obvious one -- you are helping a population with need. With the youth group there is group building time. Community is waning these days. We need to learn how to be together and how to get along with one another, and how to be in tight quarters together. There is a reason the military does basic training with everyone in barracks together all the time. It teaches teamwork and a sense of reponsibility to one another.

Another purpose served on mission trips is that you get to see a context other than your own. Central Kentucky can, at times be a little parochial. We see the same things, hear the same news, listen to the same politicians and preachers. Expanding the view of the world a little is a good thing. Yes, there are homeless people in Lexington, and yes, there is a homeless shelter here that needs support but, helping in another community can widen the field of vision just a little.

There is also a benefit to the group in playing together, which we will also do on the trip. Fun will be a significant component to the trip because we learn and work better when we are happy.

"Yes, we do have homeless shelters here," I said to the polite woman. "We have been there too. Our youth group has worked there and at other agencies that interact with the homeless population." She turned away to another conversation with another person, untouched by my response. I hope the youth and the people with whom we interact in Nashville next week are not unmoved by the experience.

Peace and Love,
Jerry

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

A Lesson Learned

There is a young woman at the church I serve who when much younger gave me a passage of scripture onto which I daily cling. When she was a child she would sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made."

I cling to it.

When I wake up grumpy -- "This is the day,......"
When I get a little put out with a church member -- -- "This is the day,......"
When I am sick -- "This is the day,......"
When I worry about my parents, miss them, -- "This is the day,......"
When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, -- "This is the day,......"

It is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. When I tell her how much it has meant to me the moment gets a little awkward, so I don't mention it very often.

However, this reminds me that too often we talk to children and don't listen to them. We can miss a lot living that way. In fact, we should endeavor to listen before we speak in all situations with children and with adults. It's a better way to be and it leads to understanding while steering clear of misunderstanding.

Anyway, I share the gift with you my loyal readers. This indeed is the day the Lord has made and no matter what comes this day let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Aint Gonna Study War No More

I am a "Trekkie." I openly admit it. There are several reasons why I like Star Trek in its many permutations -- but the one I offer here is that Gene Roddenberry and his Star Trek cohorts and actors dreamed of an existence where all people on earth were together as one. Star Trek has always had a social conscience.

Many of the difficult issues of our time have become main episodic themes. Star Trek tackled racial tensions and provided us with the first interracial kiss on television. They wrote an episode about government determining sexual orientation. The "Prime Directive" stated that they crews of the ships could not influence cultures with which they came into contact by any means. It is a doctrine that affirms self-determination. Finally, the various Enterprises, Voyagers and the like were built for exploration and not war. Oh, they had capabilities to defend themselves and inflict casualties but they always preferred diplomacy. They lived on an earth that had done away with war and they dreamed of a peaceful galaxy.

As we experience Memorial Day this weekend I hold out hope for an earth where there is no more war. As long as humans kill humans for national reasons the Kingdom of God will not have fully come. I should say I patently reject any apocalyptic verbiage that speaks of the coming of the Kingdom of God as a war. If Isaiah was correct then the Kingdom of God that is coming will be a Kingdom where swords are recycled into implements of food production; where even animal enemies live in peace.

This is the hope in which I live each day. This is the context of my ministry inside and outside the congregation. Memorial Day will remind us never to forget the sacrifices that have been made for our national cause, but the coming Kingdom of God will transcend all generations, all national boundaries and the practice of war. We don't refer to Jesus as the Prince of Peace because it makes us feel warm inside.

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Lost & Found

They have a bin in the schools, and sometimes at churches labeled, "Lost and Found." Both items in the same place; the ones that have been lost and the ones that have been found. Mingled together because they are one and the same thing. What has been lost has also been found. There is irony in that, but, isn't there also an immutable truth? Lost and found belong together. They are one and the same thing. They are we.

Friday, May 8, 2009

A Tangled Web

Humans are social. We can live in isolation but, we live better when we interact. Unlike dogs we aren't too good in packs. Packs or herds of us tend towards trouble but, we are better when we interact. Going it alone is for short periods of renewal and restoration.

And, in a way, we are all dependent on one another. We are all connected to one another. Life is a great big web of interaction. Even those who like to go it alone are dependent, though they might not acknowledge it, on others. The clothes we wear; the food we eat; even the air we breathe and the water we drink makes us interdependent.

All of life as we know it is dependent upon God the Creator, God the Sustainer. Without the one who brought into being all that is we would not have the next breath.

However, not all interaction with other humans leads us toward the deep spiritual path of acknowledging dependence on God. Some human interaction may have us pleading with God for intervention.

People are people. Sometimes good. Sometimes not so good. Nonetheless, we are better when we interact than we are when we try to close in, shut down and believe we are better off alone.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

All Things New

In Revelation, that oft-quoted and yet strangely mysterious epistle, the writer has God speak these words, "See, I am making all things new." (Rev 2.15) I understand the meaning, but, I think it practically has run up against some pretty stubborn human roadblocks in the church.

Some church people don't seem to like new.

It seems they like what they know, what they have known, "that old-time religion." After all it was good for Paul and Silas and so it's good enough for them.

Here in our town, and I suspicion it's true in most American towns, the churches that are experiencing growth among the unchurched are all about making things new. They embrace technology in worship. They use multi-media presentations rather than monologues for the message. They are leaders in website development, electronic communication and social media. In essence, they are cutting edge and they are expanding the boundaries of the Kingdom of God.

Lots of church folks eschew the new. They prefer the familiar.

This is on my mind today because I have been interviewed for a popular blog about art and religion called "Iconia." You can read the interview here: http://iconia.canonist.com/ One of the queries put to me was, "You recently joined Twitter, where you join quite a large number of ministers, priests, and pastors using social media. Why do you think Christian leaders are embracing new media at a much quicker rate than other religious leaders?"

I am on Twitter because I get a pulse on what's happening. It's cutting edge. It's new. It's a new way to reach people, just as is this blog.

God is about making all things new. I suppose stubborn humans could thwart that to some degree but I also supsect God will have God's way in the end. In the meantime, we need to reconsider why we are often so quick to eschew the new; especially if what is new brings us a new brother or sister in Christ.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Stale Jesus

A person whom I met on Twitter has asked me to talk a little about the CCDOC and art. Art in the church building can be a tricky thing. For some reason we want to see stale pictures of a very white, almost blonde Jesus hanging on the walls and call that church art.

Now art doesn't have to accurately represent reality -- that's why it's art but, images teach. Images of a white, blonde Jesus train our brains to think he was a PLU (person like us). When Jesus looks like you then he probably thinks the same things you do, dislikes the things you dislike and so on.

Our view of the world has been undergoing radical change since the 1960's. Social scientists predict that a plurality of Americans will be non-caucasian in the not-too-distant future. The internet has us in touch with people around the world at all times of day and night, and it is so instantaneous that Twitterers often give us eyewitness news well before any news agency can report it.

Why then do we hold on to a stale image of Jesus?

Before we hang pictures that are faded, dated, and worn, let's loook for pieces that reflect the diversity and the beauty of God's creation, lest our faith, like our images get a little stale.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Narrative Theology

I had an interesting chat with a fellow Twitterer tonight on "narrative theology." Here is a link to a Wikipedia article on narrative theology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrative_theology

It seems to me all of theology is narrative in nature. It is the tale of the ongoing conversation between human and divine. It unfolds as a story; a narrative unfolds. It is dramatic. It is interesting. It is episodic. It has character development and a great plot. Narrative.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

C and E Christians

I have been asked more than once this week what I thought about people who show up for worship only on Christmas and Easter. I say, "welcome." I am glad to see people in worship no matter the occasion. If they have a positive experience they might just be back, who knows. So, I make it a point not to make a point at the expense of C and E Christians. I am just glad they chose to be with us.

One person said this week they thought it was a little disingenuous to not show up all year and them just pop in on Easter. I told her that it was not disingenuous at all. Any decision to be in worship is a good decision, and a step in a good direction.

As I see it the onus is on the congregation to be welcoming and to offer opportunities for the nurture of faith to these who are part-time. The decision to be in worship that day might just be a precipitous moment in their lives. Who can say.

So, I say, "welcome." The door is open.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Holy Week

Liturgical church is comfortable to me. It always has been. Not all of us were raised with liturgical church and are less than enthusiastic about it; because we tend to be most comfortable, it seems, with what we were raised with in church.

The liturgical calendar keeps us focused. It is itself a Christian Education tool. It unfolds the story for us from the beginning of the creation as we know it, to the resurrection and beyond. The liturgical calendar helps us to remember and it helps us to move toward the future. The liturgical calendar tells the whole of our heritage in 3 years, then, for good measure, it repeats it again, and again.

Holy Week is such a focused period of time. Within one week we move from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection and the empty tomb. It is high drama. You may think it not right to refer to the story that way, but, human life is filled with drama, and the human life of Jesus was no exception. The story we tell is dramatic and it is inspiring.

Today I spent an hour in the sanctuary being quiet and still. It opened up the pores of my spirit to the fresh breath of God's spirit. At the noon prayer service we prayed with power today. We all felt it. It was palpable. Holy Week reminds us just how close God is.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Passionate Enthusiasm

I read the Lexington Herald-Leader online and I really enjoy reading the comments the other readers make about stories. Reading the comments gives a window into the heart of central Kentuckians. Whether that is a clear window or not is debatable but what is not debatable is the passionate enthusiasm of the responders.

That has been especially true of the comments regarding every story published about the departure of UK men's basketball coach, Billy Clyde Gillispie and the hiring of his successor. My goodness what passionate enthusiasm.

When I came to Kentucky for the very first time in October, 1984 to interview with First Christian Church in Richmond I was told there were three words I needed to learn to live in Kentucky and when I learned them I would be OK. "Jesus is Lord" I wondered? Nope, "Go Big Blue."

Now, I love UK basketball. I love the passionate enthusiasm of its fans, the students at the University and the attention the program rightly gets from the national media. I wouldn't dare argue with scheduling church things around UK games. I learned that in Texas when we had to rearrange programming for Dallas Cowboy games.

I just wonder why so much passionate enthusiasm is heaped upon UK men's basketball and withheld from other areas where passionate enthusiasm might turn things around. Can we offer some passionate enthusiasm to the Easter Sunrise Service, to the 10:45 service? Could we bring some passionate enthusiasm to bear on our hymn singing? What about committee work or Board meetings? What difference could passionate enthusiasm make to the Disciples for Habitat or the Good Friday Food Pantry?

Can I get an "amen?"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What is Church Transformation?

This is from George Bullard, Church Consultant and a member of The Columbia Partnership.

Congregational Transformation is...
+ About allowing God's call to pull the congregation forward into the future.
+ A process of continual transformation that acknowledges the dynamic nature of congregational life
+ An ongoing spiritual and strategic journey
+ About reaching the full kingdom potential of a congregation in response to God's call
+ About re-imaging a congregation in the image of God
+ About soaring with the God-inspired strengths present within the gifts, skills and preference of the congregational participants
+ About building an enduring visionary leadership community as carriers of the vision of the congregation
+ About the transition of people in relationship to God and one another before changing programs, ministries and activities
+ An affirmation of past, present and future generations of people
+ A deep long-term solution

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Genesis

At the Churchwide Planning Retreat last Saturday I was urged to begin a weblog. Here it is.

I don't know what I will be writing about, but, a wise person suggested I keep this updated every other week to keep it fresh. That sounds like sound advice to me.

There are a lot of things going on at Providence Christian Church. "Transformation" is high on our list. Transformation takes work and energy and passion and focus and people who are willing to risk failure in order to serve God with heart. We must passionately want to bring real change to the lives of the people who enter our church. If the Gospel only promises eternal life but does little to change current life it rings hollow. Transformed people embody the Gospel.

Let this Blog be a place where we stay in touch. I ask you to make comments; suggest topics; give me prayer lists; suggest prospective members; do what you can for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Peace and Love,
Jerry