PASTORAL PONDERINGS - May 2012
I was with a group of local clergy when the conversation turned to the ways ministry has been changed by modern technology. Before long my colleagues were pulling out their smart phones and comparing their "apps." Most popular was the Free Candle application that allows a person to choose from dozens of colors and shapes of candles to display on the phone's screen. By flicking a finger across the screen, a flickering flame appears on the candle; by blowing on the phone, the flame goes out!
The virtual worlds that get created by our modern technologies offer us more convenience (no need to hunt for matches!) and less messiness (no dripping wax!) than the natural world in which we live, but one worries if we might soon forget our responsibility to take care of this real world.
One way to approach such dilemmas is to "opt out" of society as it depends upon new technologies. I have respect for the Amish and others who have chosen similar paths, but I don't find myself drawn to such radical resistance against modern life. It seems to me that so much of ministry is about meeting people where they are, and that means being in the thick of this electronic culture.
If we're not going to avoid new technologies, then we have to become very intentional about how we shape our faith community amidst such a culture. This means, for example, valuing virtual relationships, but clearly valuing real, live, flesh-and-blood relationships more, messy and inconvenient though they may be.
The resurrection stories of Jesus tell about his flesh-and-blood return to the earth. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is about his disciples (i.e., us!) becoming the flesh-and-blood expression of Christ's continuing love here on earth. There's no need to download any app in order for us to make ourselves available for the Spirit's work in this real world.
PASTORAL PONDERINGS - April 2012
Through the season of Lent we have been studying the Psalms in our Soup and Scripture studies, but one of the Psalms we will not have time for is Psalm 14 (and its parallel in Psalm 53). That Psalm begins: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This is not really concerned with atheism as we commonly understand it, but with powerful people who think there are no consequences when they disregard and exploit poor people. The psalmist is saying it is foolish to believe that God isn’t paying attention to how we treat those that society has cast aside.
Holy Week begins on April Fools' Day this year. From the Palm Sunday parade into Jerusalem, to the disruption Jesus brought upon the buying and selling of sacrificial animals at the Temple, to his anointing with costly perfume at Bethany, to his arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion, burial, and then the empty tomb on Easter morning, there was a lot of the psalmist's sort of foolishness going on. Jesus sought to promote the dignity of all people, but was cast aside as another poor person trying to disrupt what the powerful ones claimed was the natural order of things. Jesus' resurrection shows the powerful that God was paying attention.
Writing about the cross in First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul noted that "the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom," and that Christ’s followers have become "fools for Christ." Thank God there is room for some foolishness in the Church!
May such "foolish" beliefs as these guide our living: that compassion overrules competition, that love trumps hate, and that life prevails over death.
PASTORAL PONDERINGS - March 2012
The batteries in my car door lock remote died a couple of years ago. I was told those batteries can’t be replaced and the costly alternative is to replace the locks. So I have grown accustomed to the old-fashioned way of opening my car door – inserting an actual key! Recently, however, something inside the driver’s door has also come loose, so the key doesn’t even work on that side any more. Now every time I lock my car, when I want to get back in I have to insert the key in the passenger door, unlock and open that side of the car, and then unlock the driver’s side from the inside. The inconvenience is a bit annoying; what’s worse, however, is worrying about other people watching me. I’m sure someone must have thought I was opening the passenger door for an imaginary friend!
Sometimes, I confess, the season of Lent can feel like just that sort of annoying inconvenience. Giving something up, making time for additional Wednesday evening gatherings, removing the word “Alleluia” from Sunday morning services, and looking for new ways to give of myself and my money can seem to be nuisances that I could easily do without. And besides, how silly do others think it looks to add these hassles to my life?
But when I remember that the purpose of Lent is spiritual growth – literally seeking to grow my spirit! – I realize that I really cannot do without these things. And who says they must feel like hassles anyway? I can see ways my extra contributions bring joy to others. We get to try new ways to praise God apart from alleluia-ing. We have great food and fun at our Wednesday soup & scriptures. And if I can give up something like anxiety or discouragement, or give up on giving up, I can actually begin to feel my spirit rejuvenate.
The batteries in my car remote may not be worth fixing. But I trust the power in our spirits can be rejuvenated. May we each find our way through our Lenten disciples to renewal, new life, resurrection!
PASTORAL PONDERINGS - February 2012
The more I read about basenjis, the more I realize that our dog, Metro, is different from many dogs. According to one website:
"Peculiar traits and habits, stubbornness and individuality make this unique dog a challenge for most families. Age-old instincts are strongly embedded in this breed and caution must be used at all times to keep your basenji securely leashed while walking."
Twice last month Metro shook himself free from his leash and collar. All the treats in the house would not entice him to "Come." We tried to play fetch with his favorite toys, but he took them further away, rather than returning with them. I backed my car out of the garage, opened the door, and offered him a ride, since he usually loves car rides. But he still didn't come close enough to be caught. It took 45 minutes before he was worn out enough that we could catch him.
During the season of Epiphany (the weeks between Christmas and Lent), I am reminded that God is a lot like our basenji. God likes to surprise us, and sent Jesus to shake free from the collars that we like to imagine could keep our world under control. He wasn't restricted to stay in heaven, but came to earth to engage us. He wasn't constrained by national boundaries, but shared love with outsiders just as much as insiders. He wasn't limited by prevailing leadership models, but selected some of the simplest commoners to carry his message. He wasn't confined by any set of political or religious or economic rules, but performed ministry however, whenever, and wherever it was needed. He wasn't even held back by death, but returned to life to continue to express his love for the world.
Now when I walk Metro, I use two leashes connected to two different collars. If he shakes loose from one, there should still be another set to keep him following me.
But no number of collars will effectively hold onto God. Instead, it is we who must learn to listen and to follow where God will take us.
PASTORAL PONDERINGS - January 2012
All too quickly, it often seems to me, the sights and symbols of Christmas get taken down, packed away, and mostly forgotten until the next Advent season rolls around. The poet Ann Weems expresses these feelings at the start of a poem titled “Boxed” (from her book Kneeling in Bethlehem):
- "I must admit to a certain guilt
- about stuffing the Holy Family into a box
- in the aftermath of Christmas."
The Christmas program pictures are meant to help us remember some of the scenes of this Christmas as we move into the coldest days of wintertime.
The "talking animals" at this year's Christmas program are pictured to the right. Caden Hart (sheep), Cameron Hart (goat), Jacob Smith (donkey), Abbey Edlemon (cow), Chandler Ozmon (dove), and Sophie Pepper (dove) reminded us of the wonder of the birth of Jesus. Thanks also to Lucas Smith (narrator), Samantha Ozmon (dove), Sally Kent (director and substitute sheep!) and Becky Christy (music coordinator).
Our Mitten Tree was loaded with mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and even a jacket to provide warmth to clients of the Friendly House!
Ann Weems’ poem closes with these words:
- "This year, when it's time to pack the figures away,
- we'll be more careful that the Peace and Goodwill
- are not also boxed for another year!"
May our New Year be filled with reminders of the One who comes to live and grow and love and play among us.