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.

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.

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.

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.

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.