Always Something There to Remind Me...

"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

"The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom.

"And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.'

"But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'

"So the rich man said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'

"But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'

"The rich man said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'

"And Abraham said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

(Luke 16:19-31, RSV, adapt.)

As Jesus does so often, he painfully helps us to refocus on one of his great passions: ministry to, for, and with the poor. This time, in the midst of a conversation about financial stewardship and keeping the law, he proclaims in brilliant parabolic form that serving the poor can have an impact on our eternal destiny.

This is not simply a parable about heaven and hell; it's a terrifying parable about sins of omission.

Jesus doesn't tell us that the rich man deliberately mistreated Lazarus; he teaches us that the rich man simply went about his life while poor Lazarus suffered. The rich man's failure to help Lazarus landed him in Hades.

I am convinced that the Church is represented in this parable by the rich man. We are so preoccupied with so many things...good things...and we simply go about our lives...while Lazarus suffers. How many people in need did you drive past or near this week? What gives us the right to simply drive by while someone is suffering? I ask these questions as a guilty sinner.

We talk about growing churches...through evangelistic services, additional worship opportunities, new Bible studies, added technology...and I am guilty as charged. What if I could engage myself in ministry with the poor with the same vigor and passion I have for other aspects of ministry?

This passage, from the lectionary selections for the week, reminds me that Jesus never addressed building projects, technology, or additional worship opportunities. He never seemed to care how many people showed up for an event. But he was passionate about helping the poor, and in compelling those who would be his disciples to do the same.

Heavenly Father, I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit you would gift me, Jefferson church, and Western PA Conference with the same compulsion your Son had for helping the poor, that we would be known not as people with open hearts, minds or doors, not as people on the cutting edge of technology, but as people who are passionate about serving those to whom the Messiah referred as "the least of these" in our world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Where the Past Comes Alive...

...so, I was watching a program on the History Channel (about the development of the doctrine of Hell), and in the corner of the screen a little ad appeared saying, "Find out about the Scriptures of Christianity...only at History.com". Wow.

Now, I don't want to eisegete what I saw; there's already too much eisegesis in our pulpits, in our books, and in the blogosphere. But...what a wonderfully loaded phrase!

First, there's the implication that we can only find out about the Scriptures on that particular website...a secular site devoted to history from a particular historiographic perspective. Don't get me wrong...I love the History Channel, watch it occasionally (though not regularly), and generally enjoy its programming. While I haven't investigated its website, I'm sure it has some nice info on the Bible and is probably correct much of the time. But, the notion that their website is the "only" place to find out about the Bible is interesting. (Again, I know the little ad was written from a marketing perspective, not a theological perspective, but, hey...so are many sermons preached each week!)

Second, there's an additional implication that the Bible is strictly "history". The ad wasn't on the Discovery Channel or the Learning Channel; it was on the History Channel. There are many devoted Christians who view the Bible as strict history...both liberals and fundamentalists...but that doesn't make it so. The Bible is, theologically speaking, our story, transcending history even while sharing some space with history, and we are fully expected to continue the narrative. It's more than history; it's alive, in a very special, unique way. The best place for a program on the Bible isn't the History Channel, it's ESPN!

Despite the wonderful nature of this divine and human book, we can make it so boring. Few things are as painful to sit through as a boring sermon. The material doesn't need "dressed up" or "modernized" or "made relevant" (it already is relevant) as much as it needs faithful passion and a desire to be used of the Spirit to show the life of the Scriptures...in pulpits, in coffee shops, in hospitals, at the Eucharistic Table, in living rooms, in workplaces, wherever.

So, what are you doing to help the Bible to come alive to the people in your life? To yourself?

N.T. Wright on the Bible & Narrative theology

"It's not, for a start, a list of rules, thought it contains many commandments of various sorts and in various contexts. Nor is it a compendium of true doctrines, though of course many parts of the Bible declare great truths about God, Jesus, the world and ourselves in no uncertain terms. Most of its constituent parts, and all of it when put together (whether in the Jewish canonical form or the Christian one), can best be described as story. This is a complicated and much-discussed theme, but there is nothing to be gained by ignoring it.

"The question is, How can a story be authoritative? If the commanding officer walks into the barrack-room and begins 'Once upon a time,' the soldiers are likely to be puzzled. If the secretary of the cycling club pins up a notice which, instead of listing times for outings, offers a short story, the members will not know when to turn up. At first sight, what we think of as 'authority' and what we know as 'story' do not readily fit together.

"But a moment's thought suggests that, at deeper levels, there is more to it than that. For a start, the commanding officer might well need to brief the soldiers about what has been going on over the past few weeks, so that they will understand the sensitivities and internal dynamics of the peace-keeping task they are now to undertake. The narrative will bring them up to date; now it will be their task to act out the next chapter in the ongoing saga. Or supposing the secretary of the club, having attempted unsuccessfully to make the members more conscious of safety procedures, decides to try a different tack, and puts up a notice consisting simply of a tragic story, without further comment, of a cyclist who ignored the rules and came to grief. In both cases we would understand that some kind of 'authority' was being exercised, and probably all the more effectively than through a simple list of commands.

"There are other ways, too, in which stories can wield the power to change the way people think and behave - in other words, can exercise power and/or authority...A familiar story told with a new twist in the tail jolts people into thinking differently about themselves and the world. A story told with pathos, humor or drama opens the imagination and invites readers and hearers to imagine themselves in similar situations, offering new insights about God an human beings which enable them then to order their own lives more wisely.

"All of these examples, and many more besides which one might easily think of, are ways in which the Bible does in fact work, does in fact exercise authority. This strongly suggests that for the Bible to have the effect it seems to be designed to have it will be necessary for the church to hear it as it is, not to chop it up in an effort to make it something else..."

- Bishop N.T. Wright, from The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture (Harper San Francisco, 2005), pp.25-27.

Patriot Games

How the mighty have fallen...at least in part.

One of the top news stories this week has been the scandal stemming from the fact that Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, apparently cheated during last week's game against the New York Jets. Belichick, the most successful coach of the 21st century (to date), is a three time Super Bowl champion as a head coach (with two more rings as a defensive coach under Bill Parcells) and is widely considered to be the best coach in football today. His Patriots are favored by many to win their fourth world championship this season, which would make Belichick only the second head coach to win four rings (the great Chuck Noll, of course, being the first).

Upon hearing the cheating allegations, my first thought was, "Why?" The Patriots are already so loaded with talent and with solid coaching that they are worlds ahead of almost every other team in the NFL. Why cheat when you can win convincingly without cheating?

My next thought, though, was theological. I agree with most theologians and leadership gurus that the first quality of a leader is character...personal integrity. Belichick is obviously a gifted leader, destined for the Hall of Fame. Yet, he violated "rule #1" of leadership. This will tarnish his legacy for decades to come. He may still win many games and even more Super Bowls, but his legacy will always include the fact that he was punished by the NFL for cheating.

"You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain..."
- Exodus 18:21 (NRSV)

In the post-Clinton era, we often hear about character and integrity issues connected with sex. I don't want to diminish that; much is revealed about our character in how we enjoy the God-given gift of human sexuality, and whether or not we are steadfast regarding our most important vow this side of heaven...the vow to be faithful to our spouse.

But there are other things which testify to our character. Honesty is very important. One of the most disturbing parts of our Annual Conference gathering each year is when we ask colleagues, "How's it going with your church?" The answer is almost always the same: "Great! We're doing new things, taking in new members, and growing tremendously!" Sadly, one look at our Conference statistics demonstrates that most congregations are not growing; whether or not they're trying new things may be a moot point. I've always appreciated a particular brother (whose name I shall withhold) who is usually painfully honest: "Things are horrible. The people don't want to be discipled or to make disciples. They're content to watch their ministry die." He is a man of character in his honesty.

In ministry, we don't have "Super Bowls". We don't compete against one another for rings and championships. Or do we?

The notion of "dishonest gain" is one which continually plagues me. I have no desire to grow JUMC by "sheep stealing", or taking folks from other area parishes; I'm more interested in Kingdom-building than building up "my own" numbers.

When folks have left another area church for "mine", quite without my help, it pains me. I always encourage people to return to their own congregations, and usually let them know that it will be months before I get around to transferring their membership...if I get to it at all. They've taken vows in and to another congregation; that should mean something.

To target members of another congregation is "dishonest gain", and demostrates one's integrity and character. One's ministry may continue to grow, just as Belichick may continue to win, but character speaks for itself, and the quality of leadership can be called into question.

At any rate, this "cheating" is what Bill Belichick's problems brought to my mind. I pray that by the Spirit's power I will be vigilant, and be more interested in my own integrity than in the numbers games and "dishonest gain".

It was 41 years ago today...

"The Monkees" TV show debuted on NBC. After its first season, the show won the Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series.

I'm a big Monkees fan; I love the show and the music, and I've seen them in concert several times. It's a dream of mine to see them inducted someday into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

NFL Kick-off!

The 2007 season starts tonight! Hallelujah! The New Orleans Saints play the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts this evening, and it could be a great game!

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Hell itself to play the Cleveland Browns, arguably the worst team in the league. This game is, I think, more important for the Steelers than the Browns. People expect the Browns to lose, but if the Steelers lose in Mike Tomlin's regular season debut, questions will abound.

I hope, of course, that the Steelers go all the way, but I think that's unlikely. My guess is that they go 10-6 and win the AFC North. Cincy is not as good as advertized and Baltimore won't be as surprisingly good as last season.

As of today, I'm picking the New Orleans Saints over the Chicago Bears in the NFC title game, and the New England Patriots over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC title game. My pick for the Super Bowl is New England over New Orleans, with Tom Brady gaining another Super Bowl MVP title and his fourth ring, putting him alongside Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana in very elite company.

Thank God for football!

Feasting at His Heavenly Banquet

On Sunday, we were blessed to celebrate the Lord's Supper at JUMC. Following morning worship, I drove to our local hospital to share the sacrament with a patient and his wife who are part of our congregational family. It was a blessed time.

As I shared with these precious souls, I was reminded of the power of liturgy. Typically, I use a "Great Thanksgiving" from our Book of Worship, or one I've written or adapted, and the laity follow along with the printed liturgy found on pages 15-16 in our Hymnal. When sharing the sacrament in a hospital or nursing home, as an extension of our congregational celebration, I usually use the service found on pages 7-10 of the "pocket edition" of our Book of Worship.

As I led the man and his wife in the liturgy, the power of the ritual took on a significance far greater than my own eloquence (or lack thereof) could provide. Early in my ministry, I often simply uttered informal words of institution as I shared in "out of sanctuary" settings, but I've learned that disciples who are sick, suffering, or feeling isolated are reassured and comforted through the familiar words of a more formal liturgy. Liturgy, in great measure, forms our discipleship. In times of need, we will likely not remember what the pastor preached about six months earlier, but we may well remember such oft repeated phrases as...

"Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again" or

"Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen."

Certainly, the two souls I shared with in the hospital on Sunday could relate to and draw strength from these words, which, because of liturgical repetition, they know so well.

I sometimes fear that in our efforts to be "current" or "contemporary", we too quickly reject the important liturgical practices which have formed God's people for centuries. As Pope Paul VI wrote, "Liturgy is like a strong tree whose beauty is derived from the continuous renewal of its leaves, but whose strength comes from the old trunk, with solid roots in the ground." A balance is needed between the depth of traditional liturgy and 21st century notions of worship and practice.

At any rate, Sunday's excursion was a good reminder for me, for which I thank God.

What are your practices regarding Eucharistic celebration? When you celebrate the sacrament with dear folks in hospitals or personal care homes, how do you do it? How can I be more faithful in my own pastoral journey?

Our Christian subculture

Robyn's van is getting new brake pads and rotors put on, so today I had to take her to work and pick her up at the end of her shift. I arrived in the Waterfront in Homestead a little early, so I went to the nearby Barnes & Noble bookstore to hang out for a while. I love bookstores.

One of my first stops in the bookstore was the Religion section. Secular bookstores rarely have Bibles stocked for a "Bible geek", so it didn't take long to exhaust my interest in that book rack. There were three additional racks marked "Christianity", though, so I figured I might find something.

I was saddened and surprised. The racks contained so much of what I would term "pop theology lite". I won't mention names or specific titles, but it was mostly fluffy crap. There as some stuff about the end of the world (it's soon, in case you didn't know), some stuff about how to be really, really happy (complete with pictures of the most lily-white, bright-toothed smiling people you've ever seen), and some stuff about how to get rich...the Jesus way (never mind the fact that Jesus lived a life of itinerant poverty and died seemingly quite poor). Many of the books were from folks of whom I've never heard...apparently self-appointed "experts" out to share their particular version of the gospel.

Is that Christianity? I don't think so; I certainly hope not. Despite my clergy status and love for traditional liturgics, I haven't really been immersed in the "Christian culture" in some time; I almost feel at times that it was a part of my youth which I've since outgrown.

One thing I know for sure is that what I saw on the multitude of racks at the bookstore does not match up well with the Christian faith as taught in the Bible (which, again, had only one rack) or in the writings of the early Church fathers, the Reformers, the Book of Common Prayer, John Wesley, or our hymnody at its best.

Somebody must like this stuff. But I can't imagine who that might be (I watched for a while, but none of those books were purchased while I was there).

It was just bizarre to me that these books and authors represented Christianity. And if I was put off, I can only imagine what non-Church people must think.

A quote came to mind...one which I've carried with me for a year. A friend recommended a book to me which was a good read, and this particular quote has stayed with me...

"Jesus and his teachings will not seem as strange or repellant to non-Christians as will the Christian subculture we have created."- Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, p. 82.

This is what I was witnessing at the bookstore. People think that these books and authors actually represent Christianity. No wonder the mainline Church is in trouble.

I don't have any answers to this dilemma. I'm sure a rack of books including the Book of Common Prayer, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, Resident Aliens, City of God, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down, and Against Heresies wouldn't have fared much better, even if the theological depth of the selections would have increased a thousandfold.

My point is that Kimball's indictment is real. And I'm guilty, too; all I bought was the latest issue of "Christianity Today".

Gospel truth

A paraphrase of Jesus' words in Luke 12:54-56 by St. Bob

Sunday review

What a tremendous day we had on Sunday at JUMC!

The day began for us with worship at Round Hill Park (in nearby Elizabeth, PA). This was the first time we held our Sunday morning worship service outside of our church facilities, and it was great! Attendance exceeded our expectations...a full house in our rather large outdoor pavilion! It was a somewhat "contemporary" service in comparison to our usual traditional/blended service (actually, more of a "folk" thing than a "rock and roll" thing). I played guitar and we sang a variety of hymns and non-hymnal selections, preached, and focused on a very informal, conversational, celebratory tone. One young man said it was the first time he'd seen a pastor preach in a t-shirt and shorts!

After that great worship experience, we enjoyed our annual church picnic and had a phenomenal time. The weather was perfect, and the food was delicious. Volleyball...football...bingo...a friendly auction...lots of games for the kids, who also played in the nearby forest and playground...and great fellowship. What an afternoon we had!

Had the day ended there, it would have been a blessing. But, at 6 PM, we took part in a very special service that I believe will bear much fruit in our area.

One of the first things I did after arriving at JUMC is contact other area clergy in the hopes of forming a ministerium or some sort of cooperative ministry. It took a while, but last evening, 12 of 13 congregations in West Jefferson Hills School District gathered in the Thomas Jefferson High School auditorium for a "back to school" service of prayer and blessing. There we stood...Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, United Methodists, and independents...praying with and for one another and for the upcoming school year. It was a moment filled with hope and "pregnant with possibility". Several in attendance shed tears of joy, not merely for the school prayers, but for the fact that the Christians were united. It was a true blessing.

If my sisters and brothers in ministry haven't made ecumenical activity a priority, I would urge them to do so. Surely, Jesus' prayer in John 17 is reason enough to actively work toward Christian unity, but the fruit can be among the sweetest we taste as clergy. I have been blessed by these activities in each of my parish appointments.

Finally, we returned home, got the kids ready for their first day of school (Hallelujah!), and watched the Steelers play...a fine end to a lovely day.

How blessed I am to be a part of JUMC. Such wonderful people. Such great opportunity for ministry. God is so very, very good.

Today, the kids went to school (see the "Hallelujah" above), and Robyn is experiencing her first day of work at Bravo at The Waterfront. We've been happy to sacrifice over time so that Robyn could be at home with the kids...and that's been 15 years. I've been blessed to have such a wonderful wife who is so committed as a mom. She's excited and anxious about re-entering the work force outside the home. I told her that if it doesn't work out, that's just fine. I ask for prayers for Robyn as she makes this transition.

Meanwhile, work continues on our education building. The framework for the new roof should be completed this week, with the rest to follow relatively quickly. The new windows and doors are about two weeks away, and the new corridor which will connect our education building to our church building will be the final piece of the puzzle. I'll try and post some pictures of the work in progress. What a mighty God we serve!

Willimon quote

"Reaching out to speak to the world, we fell in face down. Too troubled by our expectations of what our audience could and could not hear, we reduced the gospel to a set of sappy platitudes anybody could accept and no sensitive, thinking person could resist. 'Open minds, Open hearts, Open doors.' Our testimony got reduced to whatever the market could bear. In the process of such 'preaching', distinctive Christian speech was jettisoned and the discourse of instrumental, utilitarian, therapeutic Deism is the dominant homiletic mode. Finney’s pragmatism triumphs. A-theistic, simplified wisdom now dominates popular preaching (Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life) because preaching is no longer an expression of the peculiar actions of a Triune God."

- Bishop William Willimon of North Alabama Conference

Thanks to John Meunier for directing me to the Bishop's post, "What if Wesley Was Right?" )

It's No Fun Being An Illegal Alien

A little over a year ago, Elvira Arellano, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, took refuge in Chicago's Adalberto United Methodist Church with her 8 year old son Saul, who is an American citizen. Ms. Arellano sought "sanctuary" rather than be deported. Several days ago, she left Chicago to participate in an activist event in Los Angeles, where she was arrested. I believe (but am not entirely certain) that she has already been deported to Mexico. The UMNS news story can be found here.

The debate over immigration, particularly regarding those who enter the United States illegally (as Ms. Arellano did a decade ago), has become extremely divisive in this nation. Undoubtedly, along with the so-called "War on Terror" (specifically its Iraqi phase), the issue will continue to be a dominant one until we reach the November 2008 Presidential/Congressional election.

The questions I've wrestled with regarding the immigration issue are, "What should my opinion be?" and "What should we as the Church do about this issue?"

There is no official doctrine regarding this issue in The United Methodist Church, nor should there be. There are a few resolutions (118, 119, 265, 266, 302) in our Book of Resolutions which deal with the issue, though these will likely be amended and broadened at General Conference 2008. Additionally, while these reflect the official position of the Church, United Methodists are not bound to support these opinions; they are not doctrinal standards to which we must adhere.

The Bible contains numerous passages about showing mercy to the alien or "sojourner" in our midst. Certainly, the Church is bound by these admonitions. And, when laws are unjust, civil disobedience is a viable option and, at times, a responsibility; God's expectations trump any expectations from the State. Many Americans also make it relatively easy for illegal immigrants to enter the United States, by indiscriminately offering jobs and aid.

At the same time, there are legal means for people to enter the United States, and those who break the law should not be favored over those who are attempting to obey the law. That's entirely unjust.

So, here's where I am, with recognition that my position is prayerfully fluid and may change completely tomorrow...

* The Church is not an American institution; Christians are first and foremost disciples of Jesus Christ and citizens of his Kingdom, and only secondarily citizens of any secular state. Our ultimate allegiance belongs to Jesus, not to any worldly nation. If the demands of discipleship conflict with American interests, faith must come first.

* I believe the Church has the sacred right to offer sanctuary to anyone who asks for it, whether that person be an illegal immigrant, an accused child molester, an escaped murderer, or Osama Bin Laden. If nothing else, it gives us the opportunity to defuse a potentially explosive situation, seek justice as well as mercy, and provide a witness for Christ to all involved.

* The current debate has displayed ugly inferences of racism from every side; the Church needs to stand against racism and try to inspire language that does not drip of this venom.

* It's likely that immigration laws need to allow more immigrants entrance in a legal fashion and that their entry should be expedited, not caught up in "red tape" for great lengths of time.

* I'm not sure any border fence will work, and it's such an ugly symbol.

* American leaders should demand that Mexican leaders patrol their side of the border more diligently, and end practices in that nation which encourage illegal immigration. Additionally, companies which employ illegal immigrants in America should be severely penalized, perhaps to the point of being forced out of business. It seems to me that in many cases, these are the real criminals. If this temporarily hurts the American economy, so be it; there will be recovery, and probably a very quick recovery, as other companies move in to replace those damaged by illegal employment.

* Parents should not be separated from their children, as a general rule. On the other hand, any parent who knowingly commits a criminal act has already shown a willingness to endure separation, whether that crime is shoplifting, murder, or illegal immigration. It seems to me that Ms. Arellano made her decision some time ago. While I truly feel for her and her situation, and especially for her son, she knowingly and willingly committed a crime. Sadly, I'm not sure that Church officials - Bishops, pastors, and laity - did anything more than encourage her to do so. That's a bad witness on our part.

* We need to remember that most of us have roots in illegal immigration. many of our ancestors (such as those of my wife...and thus my children) came to the "new world" as explorers, colonists, and "pioneers", and were surely "illegal immigrants" in the eyes of native Americans. More importantly, Abraham journeyed from Mesopotamia to the "promised land", whether the inhabitants wanted him there or not; the Hebrews, after the exodus from Egypt, entered Palestine much to the chagrin of the Canaanites. If not for these "illegal immigrants", our faith history would be very different. And, lest we forget, God sanctioned and at times even commanded these actions.

Given this, the Church needs to find a way to welcome the alien, show mercy, and work for more open immigration policies in America while also strongly encouraging adherence to the law. Should a situation arise again such as the sad case of the Arellano family, we should find a way to offer sanctuary while doing all we can do to find a legal and just resolution. Perhaps those involved did their best, but my impression has been that they seemed tied more to political partisanship than to any sense of real resolution.

Every time someone on TV, the radio, or the Internet screams about immigration policy, whether on the Right or the Left, we should pray, pray, pray. And until we hear a definitive word from above regarding American immigration policy, we should probably err on the side of mercy and grace.

Prayer Collect for the People of Jamaica

Gracious Heavenly Father, who desires mercy for all people, we pray tonight for the people of Jamaica and the islands of the Caribbean, who are suffering in the face of Hurricane Dean. Be with all those in the path of this horrific storm, that the winds may slow and the waters may recede. By the power of your Holy Spirit, strengthen all who are afflicted by the tempest and all those who, in the days and weeks ahead, will be working faithfully to bring relief and help to those in need. In some miraculous way, help your holy Church to embody your compassion, through word and deed, for those who hurt, that the name of your Son might be known more fully as the true name of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

How in the world are you?

"Jesus said, 'I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
"Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.'
"He also said to the crowds, 'When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, It is going to rain; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, There will be scorching heat; and it happens.
"You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?'"

- Luke 12:49-56 (NRSV, adapt.)

Many like to think of Jesus as someone who unites, who brings people together, who can heal broken relationships and reconcile estranged sisters and brothers. Given this image, many Christian leaders, particularly Bishops and other institutional figures, model their own ministries on this model. After all, as United Methodist Elder Thomas Hawkins wrote in Faithful Leadership (1999), "How we lead is how we see Jesus."

But there is another side to Jesus' ministry concerning which we don't always like to focus. Jesus didn't speak very often of uniting, but he did speak powerfully about his role as the 'Great Divider'. When it comes to Jesus, families, friends, and communities will be torn asunder, and society itself will be (at times) violently opposed to the One who is God Incarnate.

As I am someone who unapologetically supports aggressive Christian non-violence, you might think Luke 12 to be problematic for me. Far from it. My favorite image of creation in the Old Testament isn't the wonderfully majestic litany of Genesis 1, nor is it the intimate "campire tale" in Genesis 2; rather, I truly love the image of YHWH the rather violent 'Divine Warrior' subduing the monsters of chaos we find in places like Psalm 74, Psalm 89, and Isaiah 51. I (usually) don't take the warrior motif literally, of course, but I understand its great power, particularly for our ancestors in the faith. We as Jesus' disciples may be called to nonviolence, but there's no denying that violent imagery is part of who we are as fallen human beings living in a broken world.

In this vein, Jesus' talk of aggressive division speaks to me of a significant spiritual truth. According to John 15, Jesus said, "Servants are not greater than their master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." Just as Jesus divided people and suffered for it, we should expect the same. How can the Church expect to be a uniting force in a culture steeped in brokenness and sin, which is utterly opposed to Jesus and all for which he stands?

In Luke 6, we read, "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets." This is what we should expect as the people of God, called to love our enemies, to proclaim salvation, to refuse to honor violence, to care for "the least of these", and to live for Jesus.

The Church ought to be rather stubborn when it comes to being the Church. "Open hearts, open minds, and open doors" may be a catchy advertizing slogan, but would make for a pretty faulty mission statement. We're simply far too obstinate. Pliny, a Roman governor of long ago, once wrote to Emperor Trajan upon executing some Christians who refused to worship Caesar and stop caring for the poor in ways deemed 'un-Roman', "Whatever the nature of their creed, a stubbornly disobedient and inflexible obstinacy certainly deserved punishment."

Winston Churchill once said, "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something sometime in your life."

French theologian Jacques Ellul once wrote, "Christians should be troublemakers, creators of uncertainty, agents of a dimension incompatible with society."

I don't often quote dispensationalists, as I find their theology to be distressingly bizarre and eisegetically unorthodox, but radio commentator J. Vernon McGee began his Bible programs with the wonderful question, "How in the world are you?" That's a question we should ask ourselves often as the Church. Are we so "in the world", so friendly with the world, so enamored with culture, that we are no longer the countercultural voice of the gospel? Jesus ate with sinners, hung out in places deemed unworthy of religious people, and did things in a way that shocked the establishment...but, at the end of the day, it was determined that he was so unfriendly toward the culture that he needed to die. Painfully.

As the Church, let's not get so comfortable with culture that we forget that we are called to be the most powerful countercultural agent on the planet, at times as divisive as our fire-bringing Lord.

Gentlemen Don't Prefer Bonds

What is there to say about the biggest news story this week?

Former Pittsburgh Pirate Barry Bonds hit the 756th home run of his career, making him baseball's all-time home run king. Regardless of how long his record stands (probably not for long, given the relative youth of Alex Rodriguez), he will surely go down in history as the greatest home run hitter of his era, as Henry Aaron and Babe Ruth were in their own respective eras.

I understand that the home run record is probably the most sacred record in all of sports, and that generations of ball players (and kids on playgrounds across America) defined their play in the light of Aaron and Ruth. Still, my comment on Bonds' achievement is this: big deal.

Henry Aaron was not only a great athlete, he is a man filled with dignity and integrity. One of the most famous men on the planet, he nevertheless lives a relatively quiet, subdued life. He has been a committed husband and father, civil rights pioneer, and humanitarian. He has also been one of the finest ambassadors baseball has ever known. Henry Aaron gives children of all ages someone to admire for more than simply hitting a ball; he is an exceptional man.

Barry Bonds hits home runs. Famously temperamental and at times even mean, his career has been mired in controversy and scandal involving allegations of steroid use and perjury. Many believe that given the high probablity of steroid use, Bonds' achievement this week is the result of cheating, and should not be compared to the authentic achievements of Aaron and Ruth.

I should note that to date nothing has been definitively proven regarding the allegations against Bonds. The courts and baseball officials are still in the process of pursuing the charges, which may turn out to be completely false or at least unprovable. And, to be fair, Bonds' public persona may be very different from his private life; one hopes this is the case.

But, there's a lesson which remains for us to learn. Records and achievements at work are fine, whether home run records, Super Bowl rings, money earned, or Sunday worship numbers. But, at the end of the day, what really matters is what kind of person we are. How do we treat others? Our spouses? Our children? Sisters and brothers in Christ? Strangers? The "least of these"? Henry Aaron is beloved not simply for his home runs, but for the kind of man he is; Barry Bonds is derided, fairly or unfairly, for the same reason.

To celebrate achievements such as this is not necessarily a bad thing, but there are other aspects of our lives which are of far greater import, which matter more to God and to those whom we love.

So, today I'll make a nice chicken dinner for my wife and then take the family to a movie. That one extra hour working on my sermon and that one extra visit I could make and those extra moments I could spend planning can all wait. I'm off to help forge a real legacy.

Sunday's preaching text

"Now faith is
being sure of
what we hope for
and certain of
what we do not see.
This is what the ancients
were commended for.
By faith we understand
that the universe
was formed
at God's command,
so that what is seen was not made
out of what was visible."

- Hebrews 11:1-3 (TNIV)

62 years from Hell

62 years ago today, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, another was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.

Without question, fascism needs to be opposed, and the Church has powerful and nonviolent ways to do so. But Americans tend to canonize World War Two, as if it really were a good example of "just war". We forget that this war violated "just war" principles...first by demanding "unconditional surrender", then, of course, by dropping atomic bombs on Japan. Many Americans remark that had the bombs not been dropped, forcing Japanese surrender, an invasion might have cost a million or more American lives, as if those lives were somehow of greater value than the tens of thousands...hundreds of thousands of Japanese lives which were ended.

One of the great problems of "just war" thinking is that once we allow that little compromise from Jesus' directives, the next steps are easy...to unconditional surrender, to the internment of Asian-Americans, to cluster bombs in Kosovo, to Abu Ghraib and Gitmo, to Auschwitz and Birkenau, to the dropping of nuclear weapons. For the Church, there can be no compromise when it comes to Jesus' commands, because when we compromise (or simply ignore) our Lord, millions may die.

May God forgive all those responsible for the atomic attacks on Japan, as well as all those who helped to create those conditions; may God forgive Jesus' Church, which failed to be a voice for peace during the 1940s, and continues that failure into the 21st century; may God have mercy on victims of war throughout the world.

May God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help his people to be more peaceful and his Church to be more obedient to Jesus Christ, Lord of the Church and Lord of All.


"Just War: a secular version of “holy war”,
our religion: Righteous Indignation.

Just wait till March when we march,
gas masks our featureless faces.

Just wait till April when we shower
like rain on the just and unjust.

Propaganda? The biggest lie
is “civilians won’t die.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Do unto others,
before they do unto you.”

Why do we both have God on our side?
Could it be that God just loves a good fight?

And here we insert the societal shrug,
askance, resigned:

It’s only human nature;
it’s just war." - Bruce Niedt

The Dreamer

INFP - The "Dreamer"

INFPs are introspective, private, creative and highly idealistic individuals that have a constant desire to be on a meaningful path. They are driven by their values and seek peace. Empathetic and compassionate, they want to help others and humanity as a whole. INFPs are imaginative, artistic and often have a talent for language and writing. They can also be described as easygoing, selfless, guarded, adaptable, patient and loyal.

Temperament: NF (Visionary)
INFP Population Total: 2%

"...the King's Champion or Defender of the Faith..." - The Portrait of a Healer Idealist (Keirsey)

"...on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life." - Portrait of an INFP (The Personality Page)

"Highly creative, artistic and spiritual, they can produce wonderful works of art, music and literature. INFPs are natural artists. They will find great satisfaction if they encourage and develop their artistic abilities. That doesn't mean that an INFP has to be a famous writer or painter in order to be content. Simply the act of "creating" will be a fulfilling source of renewal and refreshment to the INFP. An INFP should allow himself or herself some artistic outlet, because it will add enrichment and positive energy to their life." - INFP Personal Growth (The Personality Page)

"Their job must be fun, although not racous, and it must be meaningful to them. They need a strong purpose in their work." - INFP - The Dreamer (Lifexplore)

Storage

"Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.'

"But Jesus answered, 'Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?' "And he said to them, 'Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.' "Then he told them a parable: 'The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops? Then he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.

"But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?

"So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.'"

- Luke 12:13-21 (NRSV)

I've noticed that in almost every community I encounter on my journey, there are "storage units" being built. These are for folks who simply have so much "stuff" that they can't fit it all in their home.

Now, I can see the need for these if a person or a family is in transition and needs some temporary extra space as they move from one home to another. But, my guess is that much (perhaps most) of these storgae units are for folks who have simply gathered more than will fit comfortably in their homes.

What a strange world in which we live!

The rich man in Jesus' parable simply had too much, and needed extra storage space. This is a concept foreign to much of our culture; we are taught that one can never have too much.

Part of the problem, of course, is discerning what is of real value and what can be discarded. Certainly, people and relationships are what truly matter. And, we all have some precious mementos which we would find it difficult to discard...photos of family or friends, cherished editions of the Bible, old love letters, Beatles records...the list can go on.

I am convinced that we all need a certain measure of the spiritual gift of discernment. As disciples of Jesus the parable-teller, we need to discern what truly has value and what can be discarded. This is true not only for our material life, but our spiritual life as well. What "stuff" have I collected through the years in my heart, in my spirit, that I simply need to discard? I don't need more storage, and if I can get rid of things which don't matter too much, I have more room for love...for grace...for compassion...for Robyn...for Jesus.

My prayer is that I can go on to perfection and learn to "travel light" as I continue on this journey of faith.

Farewell Bill Walsh

God bless Bill Walsh (1931-2007).

Walsh served as Head Coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s. During that time, he led the 49ers...once the laughingstock of the NFL...to 3 Super Bowl championships. More than that, he is one of those rare people to have really changed the way football is played, by developing what is commonly known as the "West Coast Offense", a system which focuses on quick, short passes to move the ball down the field before a defense has time to react. His system has been adapted by many, many other coaches, and is used at every level of play. His disciples and their own apprentices have dominated NFL coaching positions for 20 years. He is also largely responsible for recognizing and developing Hall of Fame talent such as Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young (my favorite Mormon). Walsh was himself inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

The passing of Walsh begs the question as to his place among the greats. While Chuck Noll, for instance, wasn't the great innovator that Walsh was, Noll won more Super Bowls in a shorter span of time, dominating his era like no coach since. Tom Landry and Don Shula had great success over long periods of time, but won fewer Super Bowls than Noll or Walsh. There are many other great names to consider, including Bill Belichick, Paul Brown, Joe Gibbs, George Halas, Vince Lombardi, and Bill Parcells, to name a few.

Perhaps in a future post, I'll sort this out. But, for now, I'm thanking God for the fun that Bill Walsh brought to this world, and I pray that, while I prefer a running game and "hard hitting defense" focus, the fun will continue.