I have been out of seminary for 12 years now, and have served 2 great churches. These churches like all of us as individuals, have their unique traits that can be celebrated, along with the things we wish could be done differently. But they both have one thing in common. They are institutions take work. More on that in a moment.
As a seminary student I was bombarded day in and day out with the task of thinking critically and theologically. It surrounded everything we did which of course was important. I think I have forgotten more about theologians such Moltmann, Niebuhr(Both of them), Schliermacher, and other theologians and Biblical scholars, than I thought I would ever know. But in my educational work to become a pastor, this was the world we lived in. The assumption was when it came to the other stuff, you would learn that in your field placements. However, those placements usually gave you a chance to visit folks, run the church youth group, and preach every now and then. Again all fine things but not the nitty-gritty of life in the church. I am grateful for all I learned (even what I forgotten) but there was something missing.
All the theology in the world does not help you run a building campaign, deal with people who think the custodian isn't doing their job, deal with the leaky faucet in the kitchen, or deal with the kitchen licensing inspector. Theology has no regard for meeting with an engineer along with your board of trustees to go over plans for a new parking lot project. All the theology in the world won't help you find a creative approach to getting more money to keep from reducing the rest of your staff.
The great secret that nobody tells you in seminary or as you prepare to go to seminary is that about half of your pastoral work will be occupied with administration. As I say to some of my folks when they ask me a budget question or a statistical question that calls me to crunch numbers quickly: "I went in to ministry thinking their would be very little math. Yeah that wasn't true." The danger for us is it can be easy to administer our life away and not focus on the real reason we went into this vocation, which is our relationship with God. So what do we do?
First: Prayer is vital. Without prayer, however you do it, (my best prayer times are usually as I'm getting ready in the morning) our focus for our work is incomplete at best, and unfounded at worst. Be in prayer every day even about the small stuff. Prayer reminds us that we are still developing our relationship with God, even as we try to help others do the same.
Second: Know your Mission. Ask yourself and for that matter your board chairs and staff how in everything that we do are we fulfilling our mission of the church. Even letting an employee go can be a mission fulfilling experience. Not a pleasant one but if it is necessary to move forward with the mission, it counts. I ask everyday, how does our parking lot project, fixing the broken doors, dealing with issues regarding a parishioners last will, filing court documents for said will, and filing reports,meet the mission of the church. There needs to be a way for them to fulfill the mission of your church. If not then look at how and why you are doing what your doing.
Third: Stay connected. Jesus withdrew for rest and renewal, but his ministry mattered because he stayed connected. He connected with his disciples, those he taught, the miracles he demonstrated kept them connected to him and ultimately through him, connected to God. Seek the counsel of colleagues and friends, but also stay connected with the people God has called you to serve. Any church meeting can be a spiritual fulfilling event if we all stay connected to one another.
I'm sure there are others that one could add to the list, but those are the 3 things I do to stay grounded with my theological training amidst the seemingly mundane work in the church. Take what you learned and use it. It's all about God in the end.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
On the Death of Bin Laden
We awaited for about an hour for the President to finally come and tell the American people what we already knew. Thanks to Twitter which both alerted me to the speech, and then swirled with reports that the President would announce that Osama Bin Laden had been captured or killed.
My immediate reaction was "good." And then I wondered why I felt good. Part was a sense of relief and closure that many American and especially 9-11 victims were longing for. I'm glad for this but I am also troubled and conflicted. My pacifist side says that I should not rejoice at his death and that he should have been brought to trial. My just war side says, well if he was resisting to the death, then so be it. But in either case I don't think any of us should rejoice over death. Especially as we follow the One who came to conquer death.
Reflecting in this Easter season, and in talking with confirmands, I have often talked about the meaning of Jesus crucifixion and death. I have come to the conclusion that Jesus plan originally wasn't to die, but our failure to follow him lead to that being the only way Jesus could reconcile the world to God. In the end it was necessary but could not be called right.
When we kill or execute someone who is our enemy, (whom we are called to love by Jesus) the initial satisfaction is there but then what happens next. Can we truly say justice has been served. Does Bin Ladens death make up for the thousands that he had a hand in killing? Maybe for some. Was justice served? I think Jesus exemplified that there is little justice in redemptive violence.
I think my only conclusion at this time can be that I'm glad he is no longer a threat. Perhaps his death was necessary, perhaps it provided closure for some, but I don't think it can be called right.
My immediate reaction was "good." And then I wondered why I felt good. Part was a sense of relief and closure that many American and especially 9-11 victims were longing for. I'm glad for this but I am also troubled and conflicted. My pacifist side says that I should not rejoice at his death and that he should have been brought to trial. My just war side says, well if he was resisting to the death, then so be it. But in either case I don't think any of us should rejoice over death. Especially as we follow the One who came to conquer death.
Reflecting in this Easter season, and in talking with confirmands, I have often talked about the meaning of Jesus crucifixion and death. I have come to the conclusion that Jesus plan originally wasn't to die, but our failure to follow him lead to that being the only way Jesus could reconcile the world to God. In the end it was necessary but could not be called right.
When we kill or execute someone who is our enemy, (whom we are called to love by Jesus) the initial satisfaction is there but then what happens next. Can we truly say justice has been served. Does Bin Ladens death make up for the thousands that he had a hand in killing? Maybe for some. Was justice served? I think Jesus exemplified that there is little justice in redemptive violence.
I think my only conclusion at this time can be that I'm glad he is no longer a threat. Perhaps his death was necessary, perhaps it provided closure for some, but I don't think it can be called right.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Win Or Loose, Butler Is Relevant. Are We?
Tonight, the Butler University Bulldogs will again take on a powerhouse basketball program the University of Connecticut Huskies for the Division 1 College Basketball Championship. Now after loosing last year to my Duke Blue Devils, I was in the minority of most of the nation who was pulling for them. Now I find myself pulling for them too. Because other than when you play my guys, I like a good underdog story.
But after 2 consecutive appearances in the championship game, win or loose, Butler has now made itself known as a competitor. We pay attention to them now because we have seen that they matter. They may be a smaller school from a smaller conference, but they have made their presence known. They took some risks, had some setbacks this season, but in the end came out willing to risk it all, for the sake of winning it all, even if they may not make it all the way.
I got to thinking about our churches in this day in age. As I think about this. Is our slow but steady decline in the United Methodist Church happening because we are willing to take all kinds of risks, and simply loosing. Unfortunately I don't think so. Instead many of our churches play it safe, catering to our own needs unwilling to adapt to a changing world and a changing society. Too many are unwilling to step out and not just welcome, but invite new people who can bring the gifts and graces God has blessed them with and bring the good news of Jesus Christ to a world that needs to see we are willing to root for them, and that they too can win.
When teams get out to a lead, sometimes they play it safe and try to protect their lead. I have seen it happen time and again, that when they do this teams can end up loosing or come very close to loosing. Usually when this happens it is because they are trying to simply protect what they have (their lead) instead of focusing on continuing to do the things that got them there. We have been protecting our lead, but even since we have lost it, we are still trying to protect what we have, instead of getting back to the things we have done well.
Butler has adapted to their environment and put out a winning team. Will the United Methodist Church do the same? Will Jesus continue to call on us to bring his message if we aren't willing to adapt and take new risks for his sake?
But after 2 consecutive appearances in the championship game, win or loose, Butler has now made itself known as a competitor. We pay attention to them now because we have seen that they matter. They may be a smaller school from a smaller conference, but they have made their presence known. They took some risks, had some setbacks this season, but in the end came out willing to risk it all, for the sake of winning it all, even if they may not make it all the way.
I got to thinking about our churches in this day in age. As I think about this. Is our slow but steady decline in the United Methodist Church happening because we are willing to take all kinds of risks, and simply loosing. Unfortunately I don't think so. Instead many of our churches play it safe, catering to our own needs unwilling to adapt to a changing world and a changing society. Too many are unwilling to step out and not just welcome, but invite new people who can bring the gifts and graces God has blessed them with and bring the good news of Jesus Christ to a world that needs to see we are willing to root for them, and that they too can win.
When teams get out to a lead, sometimes they play it safe and try to protect their lead. I have seen it happen time and again, that when they do this teams can end up loosing or come very close to loosing. Usually when this happens it is because they are trying to simply protect what they have (their lead) instead of focusing on continuing to do the things that got them there. We have been protecting our lead, but even since we have lost it, we are still trying to protect what we have, instead of getting back to the things we have done well.
Butler has adapted to their environment and put out a winning team. Will the United Methodist Church do the same? Will Jesus continue to call on us to bring his message if we aren't willing to adapt and take new risks for his sake?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 1st Epistle
March has come and the season of Lent is upon us. A couple of years ago I wrote about how inconvenient it was that Easter was so early in March. In fact then, it fell on March 23rd and by the dating formula, it could only possibly be one day earlier. Well that was then this is now.
This year Easter is an entire month later on April 24th. This time in the calendar cycle Easter can only possibly be one day later. So we have a little more time. But it is still not the most convenient of dates. Many of us on the staff have been talking about how it seems like we are missing something, that we feel we should be working on something besides what we normally do. It’s throwing us off and makes us feel uneasy.
What I have found is that in the same way the early date was inconvenient, so is the later. We like our schedules as a people and we like to be able to control and predict how things are going to happen. But as we start this Lenten journey we are reminded, that for Jesus and his disciples things didn’t go the way they wanted them to happen. In Jesus going to the cross and in his death, he accomplished something far greater than anything we could have predicted to happen with his resurrection.
The overall point is this: sometimes Jesus moves us along very quickly, other times Jesus calls us to wait patiently. But Jesus is always calling us, not necessarily to make things into what we want, but to transform our hearts and minds and to transform the world, in the way he would have them be. This Lent, be patient, listen for Jesus calling as we discipline ourselves toward a more holy life, and discover the wonders that God has given us, as we walk and wait along the road with him.
Peace and Prayers
This year Easter is an entire month later on April 24th. This time in the calendar cycle Easter can only possibly be one day later. So we have a little more time. But it is still not the most convenient of dates. Many of us on the staff have been talking about how it seems like we are missing something, that we feel we should be working on something besides what we normally do. It’s throwing us off and makes us feel uneasy.
What I have found is that in the same way the early date was inconvenient, so is the later. We like our schedules as a people and we like to be able to control and predict how things are going to happen. But as we start this Lenten journey we are reminded, that for Jesus and his disciples things didn’t go the way they wanted them to happen. In Jesus going to the cross and in his death, he accomplished something far greater than anything we could have predicted to happen with his resurrection.
The overall point is this: sometimes Jesus moves us along very quickly, other times Jesus calls us to wait patiently. But Jesus is always calling us, not necessarily to make things into what we want, but to transform our hearts and minds and to transform the world, in the way he would have them be. This Lent, be patient, listen for Jesus calling as we discipline ourselves toward a more holy life, and discover the wonders that God has given us, as we walk and wait along the road with him.
Peace and Prayers
Monday, February 21, 2011
Exercising Your Rights
As I write this, thousands of protesters continue to assemble at the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. They are making their voice heard in response to the new Governors attempt to not only strip public employees of their benefits, but of their right to collective bargaining itself. While I could go on about how these rights have shaped our modern world, and how those who would quickly dismiss unions as unnecessary today would do well to remember that we owe the fact that most people work an 8 hour day, overtime, health benefits, and vacation time are all a result of strong unions advocating for such things to promote a healthy and stable work force. These benefits are offered to non union employees today because unions helped make them the norm. But there is a major political shift in the right wing that is seeking to strip those away, to place more profits in the hands of CEO's and leading us back to the dark ages of the late 19th and early 20th century. But I'm not going to write about that.
Instead, I want to talk about exercising your rights. I'm glad the the protesters are making their voice heard and exercising their 1st Amendment right to peacefully assemble and petition their government for the redress of grievances. This is an important right but in the end will only be symbolic. Eventually the legislature will more than likely enact these measures. A year from now they all may have to face the consequences of that as Wisconsinites will more than likely lead a recall effort against the Governor and said legislators. But that is a year from now.
All of the protesters only a few month's ago, had an opportunity to prevent this from happening. I think it would be fair to say that many of them and many who are not protesting but support them, did not vote. Voter turnout on average in the last election that put these new hard right Republicans into office, was estimated to be at just a little over 40 percent. Really? In the worlds supposedly greatest democracy, only 40 percent bothered to vote. Voting is the greatest right and responsibility that many could have. Yet sadly many Democrats and independents, stayed home last November, for many reasons. Some were mad that they didn't get everything they wanted from the last election (perhaps justifiably so), while others didn't like either candidate, or some take the negative attitude, that they are all crooks so they don't deserve my vote.
What has resulted in Wisconsin and in other states as well is the non-voters are seeing the chickens coming home to roost. Failure to engage in the democratic process, means that you get the leaders you get even if they are not qualified, because that is who was voted in. Now we are seeing what kind of leaders that they are and it is scary. I hate to say I told ya so but...
Suffice it to say voting matters. Staying informed matters, and engaging your leaders matters. Everyone in this next election cycle needs to lay down their apathy, or even their single issues, and look toward the betterment of the whole. Otherwise, we get the kind of leaders and government that we get.
Instead, I want to talk about exercising your rights. I'm glad the the protesters are making their voice heard and exercising their 1st Amendment right to peacefully assemble and petition their government for the redress of grievances. This is an important right but in the end will only be symbolic. Eventually the legislature will more than likely enact these measures. A year from now they all may have to face the consequences of that as Wisconsinites will more than likely lead a recall effort against the Governor and said legislators. But that is a year from now.
All of the protesters only a few month's ago, had an opportunity to prevent this from happening. I think it would be fair to say that many of them and many who are not protesting but support them, did not vote. Voter turnout on average in the last election that put these new hard right Republicans into office, was estimated to be at just a little over 40 percent. Really? In the worlds supposedly greatest democracy, only 40 percent bothered to vote. Voting is the greatest right and responsibility that many could have. Yet sadly many Democrats and independents, stayed home last November, for many reasons. Some were mad that they didn't get everything they wanted from the last election (perhaps justifiably so), while others didn't like either candidate, or some take the negative attitude, that they are all crooks so they don't deserve my vote.
What has resulted in Wisconsin and in other states as well is the non-voters are seeing the chickens coming home to roost. Failure to engage in the democratic process, means that you get the leaders you get even if they are not qualified, because that is who was voted in. Now we are seeing what kind of leaders that they are and it is scary. I hate to say I told ya so but...
Suffice it to say voting matters. Staying informed matters, and engaging your leaders matters. Everyone in this next election cycle needs to lay down their apathy, or even their single issues, and look toward the betterment of the whole. Otherwise, we get the kind of leaders and government that we get.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Preaching in the 21st Century
I was inspired to write today when I read an article about preaching from a colleague of mine Rev. Sondra Willobee, which was published in Worship Arts magazine.
Her article was about the importance of editing your sermon. On the whole I agree, that if one is going to be preaching from a text, it is always important to go back over it for the sake of clarity. I also agree that things that might read well on paper do not always translate well in oratory.
Where I disagreed was with a particular example of editing that was used. I am paraphrasing because I confess, I passed the magazine on to someone else, but the point of it was she used a particular example from her life as an illustration, but on reading it again she remembered a seminary professor saying never to make yourself the hero or the victim in your sermons so she took it out. Now while I agree that all preachers walk a thin line of being self-aggrandizing, I also believe that this is an example of one of those shifts that many mainline churches have failed to grasp, the need for authenticity.
In the 20th century, it was frowned upon for the pastor to indicate that they may have any flaws in their personal life. Preaching was mostly Biblical exhortation that was meant to inspire belief. Today, things are much different with the new generation. People under thirty are looking for authenticity from the church, which is far different from their experience of church growing up. That is also why so many are not in the church today. When a pastor shares their own personal struggles, and their own personal discoveries on their journey of faith, that communicates something. Instead of taking away credibility as was thought in the modern era, in post-modernity, this actually gives the sermon and the pastor more credibility with those who are seeking.
For the millennial generation if pastors are not able to demonstrate their authenticity, then they have no time for them. They do not assume that pastors have the perfect life, the evidence is too overwhelming to believe otherwise. But when we share a bit of ourselves, then we as pastors demonstrate that we have struggled, we have failed, but we were also supported and came out on the other side of the struggle. This generation will identify with and see that as followers of Jesus we can teach them something. I have learned to share a bit more of myself, and it has shown.
Now again we must be cautious not to pat ourselves on the back or call for a pity party for poor ole' me. But at the same time, when we show our authenticity, others can also feel free to share their struggles and see that Christians including pastors are not perfect, but forgiven and striving after a more full relationship with God by following Jesus. Even if we never fully achieve it. What better example of God's grace is there? Preach on.
Her article was about the importance of editing your sermon. On the whole I agree, that if one is going to be preaching from a text, it is always important to go back over it for the sake of clarity. I also agree that things that might read well on paper do not always translate well in oratory.
Where I disagreed was with a particular example of editing that was used. I am paraphrasing because I confess, I passed the magazine on to someone else, but the point of it was she used a particular example from her life as an illustration, but on reading it again she remembered a seminary professor saying never to make yourself the hero or the victim in your sermons so she took it out. Now while I agree that all preachers walk a thin line of being self-aggrandizing, I also believe that this is an example of one of those shifts that many mainline churches have failed to grasp, the need for authenticity.
In the 20th century, it was frowned upon for the pastor to indicate that they may have any flaws in their personal life. Preaching was mostly Biblical exhortation that was meant to inspire belief. Today, things are much different with the new generation. People under thirty are looking for authenticity from the church, which is far different from their experience of church growing up. That is also why so many are not in the church today. When a pastor shares their own personal struggles, and their own personal discoveries on their journey of faith, that communicates something. Instead of taking away credibility as was thought in the modern era, in post-modernity, this actually gives the sermon and the pastor more credibility with those who are seeking.
For the millennial generation if pastors are not able to demonstrate their authenticity, then they have no time for them. They do not assume that pastors have the perfect life, the evidence is too overwhelming to believe otherwise. But when we share a bit of ourselves, then we as pastors demonstrate that we have struggled, we have failed, but we were also supported and came out on the other side of the struggle. This generation will identify with and see that as followers of Jesus we can teach them something. I have learned to share a bit more of myself, and it has shown.
Now again we must be cautious not to pat ourselves on the back or call for a pity party for poor ole' me. But at the same time, when we show our authenticity, others can also feel free to share their struggles and see that Christians including pastors are not perfect, but forgiven and striving after a more full relationship with God by following Jesus. Even if we never fully achieve it. What better example of God's grace is there? Preach on.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What It Says About Us
This weekend, another class of football greats will be enshrined in the pro football hall of fame. Many greats that I watched play such as Emmit Smith, Jerry Rice, and John Randle will be enshrined. They deserve it of course. Thier accomplishments speak for themselves. Other such as Broncos running back Floyd Little, and Lions cornerback, now Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau are also finally being honored this weekend. I never saw any of them play, I was too young and I am 37.
As I have listened to these folks being interviewed the question was asked of Floyd Little, why do think it took so long, are you upset this didn't happen sooner? Little responded appropriately that there is never a bad time to go into the Hall of Fame as long as you get there. While that is the right answer it does beg the question, why now and not then?
When Don Sutton was finally elected to the baseball hall of fame, he answered the question a little more honestly saying that he didn't know why now and not before. He hadn't thrown another strike out, his ERA has not lowered, but here he is now so he would take it. In the case of LeBeau, he has been retired longer than I have been alive (38 years). He has not had a single interception, or tackle, or forced fumble, or return for a touchdown. But now 38 years after he is done playing, the committee is recognizing his performance as a player.
I once read an article that said any attempt to rate the presidents of the United States, really says more about us than it does about them. It reflects our current bias and cultural preference as opposed to the issues they faced when they had to govern. That is probably true when it comes to deciding what is a Hall of Fame career as well. Good for this current group who finally recognized these players, abilities and contributions to the game. Perhaps it says something about us that we can recognize what they have done as opposed to those in the past who couldn't. In the end perhaps Little is right. No matter if you have been in for 38 years or newly inducted yesterday, everyone calls you the same thing, a Hall Of Famer.
As I have listened to these folks being interviewed the question was asked of Floyd Little, why do think it took so long, are you upset this didn't happen sooner? Little responded appropriately that there is never a bad time to go into the Hall of Fame as long as you get there. While that is the right answer it does beg the question, why now and not then?
When Don Sutton was finally elected to the baseball hall of fame, he answered the question a little more honestly saying that he didn't know why now and not before. He hadn't thrown another strike out, his ERA has not lowered, but here he is now so he would take it. In the case of LeBeau, he has been retired longer than I have been alive (38 years). He has not had a single interception, or tackle, or forced fumble, or return for a touchdown. But now 38 years after he is done playing, the committee is recognizing his performance as a player.
I once read an article that said any attempt to rate the presidents of the United States, really says more about us than it does about them. It reflects our current bias and cultural preference as opposed to the issues they faced when they had to govern. That is probably true when it comes to deciding what is a Hall of Fame career as well. Good for this current group who finally recognized these players, abilities and contributions to the game. Perhaps it says something about us that we can recognize what they have done as opposed to those in the past who couldn't. In the end perhaps Little is right. No matter if you have been in for 38 years or newly inducted yesterday, everyone calls you the same thing, a Hall Of Famer.
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