This week, 33 retired bishops from the United Methodist Church signed a statement asking the church proper to remove the ban on gay and lesbian pastors in our churches. This is not an new debate in the church. In 1999, 15 of our retired bishops did the same. Certainly this is a subject which will require some prayer and considerate conversation in order to navigate the path which we seem destined to walk.
I attended a very liberal seminary where I was forced to expand my thinking about the world, culture, and God's people. Admittedly, it was difficult for me as a conservative to realize that the world was changing so rapidly and that the Kingdom of God might be larger than I give it credit for being. I saw many Spirit filled people who happened to be open about their sexual orientation and yet, in spite of my religious upbringing, I could see their effectiveness in ministry.
Yet at the root of this problem for me is not whether gays or lesbians should or should not be allowed to minister in our denomination. Rather it is the question of what the debate will do to us without prayer and love. I do not proclaim to have a gift of prophesy, but I do see what this issue has done to splinter and fracture other denominations. A sister church of ours has recently given birth to a new denomination in the United States. Is that where we are headed?
The problem is, as opposed to the sister church, our denomination appears to be more evenly divided. Will there be a Divided Methodist Church coming to a neighborhood nearby? I do not speak from fear, but from the voices of congregants who threaten to leave the United Methodist Church if we approve full clergy rights to gays and lesbians. This comes at a time when our church is already panicking over the diminishing numbers in our churches. Can we afford to say, "follow your convictions" only to watch our denomination divide bay a third or in half?
Those with the hardest path are the moderates. Those following the Via Media who seek the middle way of loving our neighbor while at the same time seek God's righteousness. We will be in a place where we will have to take sides and I don't like that prospect. It goes against my Wesleyan teaching and Methodist heritage which says that the Kingdom of God is bigger than we can imagine.
I love my brothers and sisters in the faith, regardless of race, national origin, theological leaning or sexual orientation. I hope and pray that we find a way of negotiating this road in a way that shows God's love to the world. A love that unites and doesn't divide. A love where all God's people can work for the common good of God's Kingdom. Please United Methodists... proceed with love and prayer! AMEN
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, April 30, 2010
It's Everyone's Loss
The title song to the TV show (and movie) MASH tells us that "suicide is painless". I never thought much about it until last week when I found out that a former childhood friend and Facebook friend had taken his life. Charlie was a talented musician and and studio engineer. The musical world is used to its rising stars burning out, but rarely like this.
You see, Charlie was more than a musician. He had friends. He had parents. He had a fiance. So many people touched by one or as the poet wrote, no man is an island. Each of these suffers today because of their loss. A sister wrote me to say that no one understands why except it wasn't and one big thing, only little things that added up to influence this choice.
Charlie's death touched me as well. We weren't close. In fact, I had just found him on Facebook back in the Fall. He shared the story of his life, a meandering tale of success and loss. He was like many of us, following his path where it led him. I found out by logging onto his Facebook page and seeing the notes from a female admirer. I thought to myself it was hardly appropriate, until I got further down the conversation and saw that this was written in memorial.
I struggled with this for several days, and so today, I am writing about my feelings. Of all the things that I have learned from Charlie's death, the most poinient lesson, is that suicide is not painless and my life was more for knowing him and somehow less for the loss.
You see, Charlie was more than a musician. He had friends. He had parents. He had a fiance. So many people touched by one or as the poet wrote, no man is an island. Each of these suffers today because of their loss. A sister wrote me to say that no one understands why except it wasn't and one big thing, only little things that added up to influence this choice.
Charlie's death touched me as well. We weren't close. In fact, I had just found him on Facebook back in the Fall. He shared the story of his life, a meandering tale of success and loss. He was like many of us, following his path where it led him. I found out by logging onto his Facebook page and seeing the notes from a female admirer. I thought to myself it was hardly appropriate, until I got further down the conversation and saw that this was written in memorial.
I struggled with this for several days, and so today, I am writing about my feelings. Of all the things that I have learned from Charlie's death, the most poinient lesson, is that suicide is not painless and my life was more for knowing him and somehow less for the loss.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Question Two
What effect has the practice of ministry had on your understanding of humanity and the need for divine grace? Wow. I wish I had read the first question in light of the second one! However, the two are very much tied together in very inseparable ways. This unfortunately will not suffice with the Board of Ordained Ministry, so I had better give it the old college try.
One can only speculate on the ways which God works in and through us. There are those unexplainable events in our lives which seem to be either coincidence or divine intervention. The check arrives at the time we need it, turning left would have resulted in an accident, or the mysterious disappearance of a fatal disease causes us to place the thanks in God's hands. We should do this for as the Scripture tells us... all good things come from God.
The much less mysterious and more measurable cause and effect comes when we act as agents for the Divine. As such we can become imitators of God or work against the Kingdom either overtly or passively. An example of this would be the current state of affairs with the National Health Care Plan. Many people in this debate have used the name of God to promote their preference. If our own preference is to protect our own wallets or prevent the "undeserving" to receive medical treatment, or because we don't like a particular political party, I would argue that God's interests of the care for humanity is being neglected. (That is if a viable plan were available) On the other hand, there are some people who argue for the care of our neighbor out of obligation to the greatest commandment which says we are to love. (Ok that is a biased example)
I would say that humanity, in light of my practice of ministry is much in need of God's grace. I says this because we all lack the ability to make unbiased Kingdom judgments. The church has as one author accuses become judgmental, irrelevant, and homophobic. There are people outside the Church in need of communities of faith, which we would exclude. Both sides need God's grace.
In the broadest possible terms... We are all deficient in one way or another. Humanity, whether expressed in terms of individuals or bureaucracies, need the kind of help that only God can provide. How do we do this? I believe it is only through the practice of ministry in light of that great commandment. If we love God and our neighbor, we will be less likely to base decisions on selfish bents.
Ok... I need to work on these first two questions. You may see them again.
One can only speculate on the ways which God works in and through us. There are those unexplainable events in our lives which seem to be either coincidence or divine intervention. The check arrives at the time we need it, turning left would have resulted in an accident, or the mysterious disappearance of a fatal disease causes us to place the thanks in God's hands. We should do this for as the Scripture tells us... all good things come from God.
The much less mysterious and more measurable cause and effect comes when we act as agents for the Divine. As such we can become imitators of God or work against the Kingdom either overtly or passively. An example of this would be the current state of affairs with the National Health Care Plan. Many people in this debate have used the name of God to promote their preference. If our own preference is to protect our own wallets or prevent the "undeserving" to receive medical treatment, or because we don't like a particular political party, I would argue that God's interests of the care for humanity is being neglected. (That is if a viable plan were available) On the other hand, there are some people who argue for the care of our neighbor out of obligation to the greatest commandment which says we are to love. (Ok that is a biased example)
I would say that humanity, in light of my practice of ministry is much in need of God's grace. I says this because we all lack the ability to make unbiased Kingdom judgments. The church has as one author accuses become judgmental, irrelevant, and homophobic. There are people outside the Church in need of communities of faith, which we would exclude. Both sides need God's grace.
In the broadest possible terms... We are all deficient in one way or another. Humanity, whether expressed in terms of individuals or bureaucracies, need the kind of help that only God can provide. How do we do this? I believe it is only through the practice of ministry in light of that great commandment. If we love God and our neighbor, we will be less likely to base decisions on selfish bents.
Ok... I need to work on these first two questions. You may see them again.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Question 1
So today I begin to reflect upon the historic questions which are required of United Methodist Clergy preparing for ordination. Although I am not required to begin for a few months, I like to approach tasks like this in means that are sometimes "outside the box" I did the first set of questions for provisional elder status as a set of sermons before writing them as papers. This set, I am looking at as topics for my blog.
The first question is under the general heading of Theology and is: How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of God? (para 335.a.1)
First I would have to reflect upon what I perceive to be the practice of ministry. Within the scope of my work as a pastor, that would cover much for we minister in worship and liturgy, in the sacraments, in exposition of the Word, and of course in speaking and praying with those in our charge. Of course there is visitation and hospital visits and all of the other tasks. It is in those areas (and others) that we touch the lives of others and are touched by them as well.
The second part is "how has this practice affected my experience with God". My experience with God has been greatly affected by my interaction with those within my charge. I have in many ways continued the spiritual journey which began in seminary. I have been challenged in what I believe and say, and at the same time have challenged myself in what it is that I believe. No longer do I feel compelled to regurgitate only what I have read and heard, but in a real credal sense have been hammering out my relationship to God and others.
Ministry among others of various beliefs causes us to adapt and at the same time stand our ground. Pick your battles, a former District Superintendent once said. Actually what he said was "Is that the cross you want to be hung upon"?
I am learning that within ministry God calls all kinds of people, conservative and liberal... out spoken and quietly reserved. Those who are pro choice and those who are not. Yet all need to be affirmed that God loves them. That applies across the board in every imaginable topic. In reflection, it makes one realize that God's love and scope in seemingly limitless. That word grace is much more than we give it credit.
I am also seeing through the eyes of a sinner and realizing that if I am forgiven and loved, then God loves and forgives "those people" as well. My sin is no better nor worse than anyone else's. Otherwise, God's mercy and grace is something we earn or work for, and that is simply not the case.
I am experiencing God in new ways and see God in light of those who God sent Jesus to save. I am seeing and experiencing God in new ways with the help of the Holy Spirit. And realizing that the Kingdom of God is a much nearer and larger place than we could possibly know.
And so, I am left with affirming the popular phrase which is sometimes seen in t-shirts and greeting cards... Be patient. God ain't done with me yet.
The first question is under the general heading of Theology and is: How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of God? (para 335.a.1)
First I would have to reflect upon what I perceive to be the practice of ministry. Within the scope of my work as a pastor, that would cover much for we minister in worship and liturgy, in the sacraments, in exposition of the Word, and of course in speaking and praying with those in our charge. Of course there is visitation and hospital visits and all of the other tasks. It is in those areas (and others) that we touch the lives of others and are touched by them as well.
The second part is "how has this practice affected my experience with God". My experience with God has been greatly affected by my interaction with those within my charge. I have in many ways continued the spiritual journey which began in seminary. I have been challenged in what I believe and say, and at the same time have challenged myself in what it is that I believe. No longer do I feel compelled to regurgitate only what I have read and heard, but in a real credal sense have been hammering out my relationship to God and others.
Ministry among others of various beliefs causes us to adapt and at the same time stand our ground. Pick your battles, a former District Superintendent once said. Actually what he said was "Is that the cross you want to be hung upon"?
I am learning that within ministry God calls all kinds of people, conservative and liberal... out spoken and quietly reserved. Those who are pro choice and those who are not. Yet all need to be affirmed that God loves them. That applies across the board in every imaginable topic. In reflection, it makes one realize that God's love and scope in seemingly limitless. That word grace is much more than we give it credit.
I am also seeing through the eyes of a sinner and realizing that if I am forgiven and loved, then God loves and forgives "those people" as well. My sin is no better nor worse than anyone else's. Otherwise, God's mercy and grace is something we earn or work for, and that is simply not the case.
I am experiencing God in new ways and see God in light of those who God sent Jesus to save. I am seeing and experiencing God in new ways with the help of the Holy Spirit. And realizing that the Kingdom of God is a much nearer and larger place than we could possibly know.
And so, I am left with affirming the popular phrase which is sometimes seen in t-shirts and greeting cards... Be patient. God ain't done with me yet.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Credo
Earlier today I was privileged to be a part of a theological discussion about the line of the creed that says that Jesus descended to the dead. The writer said that she would remain silent during that part of the creed. This led to several points as to where Jesus truly was during the two days between the cross and the resurrection.
What I found compelling wasn't the various opinions about the where-abouts of the savior. What was interesting was that one could leave out a point of the creed and while being integral to their personal theology, not disrupt the worship of God. In this, the person was stating "This is what I believe" or "I trust this to be true".
When we recite a creed in worship, (my tradition seems to favor the Apostle's Creed) we are not affirming what we believe as individuals (although that is happening as well) but we are saying that these beliefs are important to our identity as Christians. They represent ancient scholarship which ties us directly to our fore bearers. They also reflect an ancient war against gnostic teachings which if we are not careful, can fall into very easily.
Not too long ago, I was called out as sacrilegious. My statement was not where Jesus was during the pre-resurrection time, but where we shall be when we die. Along with Bishop NT Wright, I affirm that there is more about the new heavens and earth than about a future heavenly home in the Scripture. A lady in the back of the class uttered that word "sacrilegious".
While I admit that the cynic in me causes me to ask these controversial questions sometimes, I will say that I am cautious about how I revere God and equally so when I question historical theological stances. For I am careful not to add the title of heretic to the aforementioned moniker.
Thus when I recite the creeds I say them in completion, and know I can trust what they say. The council of Nicea left little wiggle room in it's statement of "We Believe" or Credo. I am unworthy to stand on their shoulders, so at this point I will trust their scholarship.
What I found compelling wasn't the various opinions about the where-abouts of the savior. What was interesting was that one could leave out a point of the creed and while being integral to their personal theology, not disrupt the worship of God. In this, the person was stating "This is what I believe" or "I trust this to be true".
When we recite a creed in worship, (my tradition seems to favor the Apostle's Creed) we are not affirming what we believe as individuals (although that is happening as well) but we are saying that these beliefs are important to our identity as Christians. They represent ancient scholarship which ties us directly to our fore bearers. They also reflect an ancient war against gnostic teachings which if we are not careful, can fall into very easily.
Not too long ago, I was called out as sacrilegious. My statement was not where Jesus was during the pre-resurrection time, but where we shall be when we die. Along with Bishop NT Wright, I affirm that there is more about the new heavens and earth than about a future heavenly home in the Scripture. A lady in the back of the class uttered that word "sacrilegious".
While I admit that the cynic in me causes me to ask these controversial questions sometimes, I will say that I am cautious about how I revere God and equally so when I question historical theological stances. For I am careful not to add the title of heretic to the aforementioned moniker.
Thus when I recite the creeds I say them in completion, and know I can trust what they say. The council of Nicea left little wiggle room in it's statement of "We Believe" or Credo. I am unworthy to stand on their shoulders, so at this point I will trust their scholarship.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
It is Finished
These words of Jesus are perhaps the most important, and least quoted of the Scriptures. In them, the work of creation is made complete. Jesus echoes the words of the Father who on the sixth day said that all was good before He rested. In six days, God created us and all that was needed to sustain us physically. Now the lifeless body of the Son hangs on a cross to provide us spiritual and eternal sustenance.
After God created the world, He faced the heartbreak of expelling his favorite creation from the garden. He witnessed the first murder. He saw our pride and arrogance. Yet God fed us and clothed us. Led us from captivity in Egypt and never abandoned us in captivity in Babylon. God gave us prophets, priests, kings and judges. Yet it was only on the cross that we were reconciled. It was in an empty tomb that his promise was confirmed.
It was in this moment on the cross that we were restored to the relationship with God which He sought from the beginning. That is the meaning of "It is finished". The grand design of God to offer us salvation was made complete and creation was restored. Heaven and earth intersected once more in a way that we could reach beyond the veil and know our God. What was started in the garden, was completed on the cross and affirmed on the third day by the resurrected Savior.
May our Easter be rich and draw us ever nearer to God! AMEN
After God created the world, He faced the heartbreak of expelling his favorite creation from the garden. He witnessed the first murder. He saw our pride and arrogance. Yet God fed us and clothed us. Led us from captivity in Egypt and never abandoned us in captivity in Babylon. God gave us prophets, priests, kings and judges. Yet it was only on the cross that we were reconciled. It was in an empty tomb that his promise was confirmed.
It was in this moment on the cross that we were restored to the relationship with God which He sought from the beginning. That is the meaning of "It is finished". The grand design of God to offer us salvation was made complete and creation was restored. Heaven and earth intersected once more in a way that we could reach beyond the veil and know our God. What was started in the garden, was completed on the cross and affirmed on the third day by the resurrected Savior.
May our Easter be rich and draw us ever nearer to God! AMEN
Monday, March 29, 2010
Us Versus Them
Recently, a popular book called Unchurched opened the dialogue between the "church" and those who are outside of the church. The charges leveled are that the church has become irrevelant, judgmental, and homophobic. I think that if we were to boil this down to the root problem it is that we have an us versus them attitude. There are those who wish to transform the church and those who wish for it to always remain the same. This operates at every level, whether social, political, and theological.
Several months ago, some folks became defensive about their pastor (me). The feeling was that I am just too liberal. At the time, I was fresh out of seminary and may have given them some ammunition to support that belief. Recently another family has accused me of being too moderate (the middle road). I hope and pray that they are accurate in their assessment.
There is a fear that if "they" come into "our" church, "we" will have to compromise our convictions. See how they pronouns divide? The five hundred pound gorilla in the room is versus. Yet, the question arises of why we are the church. Is it to surround ourselves with people who are just like us, or to transform the world into the Kingdom of God which will contain all kinds of people... male/female, Jew/Greek, slave/free.
Could that also include the things that are not so obvious? Could the local church be a place where liberal and conservative can worship together? White and minority? How about heterosexual and homosexual? Isn't that the risk we take as Christians, that when we are united into the Kingdom, we will be aligned with people not like "us"? Could we not be a church which unites (and) rather than a church that divides (or).
I am not worried about other's perceptions as much as how those who need to hear that there is a God who loves them, but cannot over the shouts of the judgmental. How many do we consign to Hell by condemning them due to a lifestyle or a political/sociological idiology? In other words, if one is told that they are going to Hell, could it not be a self fulfilling prophesy? Are we not responsible at that point for the choice they make? Is it not like the cancer patient who upon hearing their diagnosis, can hear nothing after the word cancer?
Just pondering...
Several months ago, some folks became defensive about their pastor (me). The feeling was that I am just too liberal. At the time, I was fresh out of seminary and may have given them some ammunition to support that belief. Recently another family has accused me of being too moderate (the middle road). I hope and pray that they are accurate in their assessment.
There is a fear that if "they" come into "our" church, "we" will have to compromise our convictions. See how they pronouns divide? The five hundred pound gorilla in the room is versus. Yet, the question arises of why we are the church. Is it to surround ourselves with people who are just like us, or to transform the world into the Kingdom of God which will contain all kinds of people... male/female, Jew/Greek, slave/free.
Could that also include the things that are not so obvious? Could the local church be a place where liberal and conservative can worship together? White and minority? How about heterosexual and homosexual? Isn't that the risk we take as Christians, that when we are united into the Kingdom, we will be aligned with people not like "us"? Could we not be a church which unites (and) rather than a church that divides (or).
I am not worried about other's perceptions as much as how those who need to hear that there is a God who loves them, but cannot over the shouts of the judgmental. How many do we consign to Hell by condemning them due to a lifestyle or a political/sociological idiology? In other words, if one is told that they are going to Hell, could it not be a self fulfilling prophesy? Are we not responsible at that point for the choice they make? Is it not like the cancer patient who upon hearing their diagnosis, can hear nothing after the word cancer?
Just pondering...
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