I just went to Hobby Lobby to pick up some black cord to hang a cross necklace I plan to give to a friend who is being Ordained to the office of Minister and Word and Sacrament on Sunday. It is the Women in Ministry cross from one of the vendors at the General Assembly Exhibit area and I just fell in love it. I of course had to buy myself one too. It came with a nice black ribbon, but I thought that black shiny rat tail cord would look nicer than the ribbon and the ribbon was bit on the short side, especially for a liturgical cross.
OK, I have to have a rant here.
I walk into the store, browsed briefly at the clearance table in the front and saw nothing that really caught my eye and the proceed to walk down one of the isles where all I see is Red, and Green ribbon. I think to myself, 'hum, those are Christmas colors", then I get mad because I realize it is only July 24th. I then look up the next isle and see Christmas cards, and other items. Santa figurines made in China by children who could never afford to buy the low priced item or have any idea why a Nordic god (Thor) guised as a jolly elf who lives at the North Pole has come to symbolize the Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. I know that China is a country that has had missionaries from our Denomination. I know someone, just like Ruth Grahamn Bell, whose parents were missionaries in China, yet I also know that it takes great courage to profess Christ in China. I might be wrong when I say that the people who make all our kitch and nick nacks need our prayers and to know the love of God in Jesus Christ more than we need another plaster Santa Claus.
Well I looked around the yarn department like I always do, but I wasn't in the buying mood. I found some nylon cord that would work for my necklaces but I didn't want to 500 yards of nylon cord (althought I know I could have crocheted or knitted a purse from the left overs). I finally found what I needed over in the fabric department amongst the other (non green and red) ribbon.
I walked back up to the front of the store and realized that four of the seven isles have been attacked by the Commercialization of Christmas monster. I commented to the young man who checked me out, "It’s awfully early for Christmas isn't it." He replies, "I don't get to decided what gets displayed."
So I mark today. July 24, 2008 as the earliest date that I have seen Christmas items on display for sale in preparation to a holiday that is celebrated 145 days from today and has nothing to do with all the kitch that is marketed to us. I'm all for planning ahead and being prepared but this is just ridiculous.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Books Becoming Real
I picked up a couple books at at Border's last week while I was on vacation. One was a book on grilling that I mailed off to my spoilee in the BBQ Swap on Ravelery. Two others had to do with church stuff. One I've been wanting to read entitled Un-Christian, which is a Barna study on how young adults perceive the church and the second was Shane Clairborne's Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, which I picked up on a whim.
Those books that I pick up on a whim are often the best books. I stared Clairborne's book and will probably be up most of the night finishing it. It's a easy read and pretty inspiring. It reminds me, so far of the intensity to do something with my faith that I felt when I was in college. That same intensity that Clairborne writes about had me volunteering at the homeless shelter at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis my senior year in college. That same intensity had me not worried about going into the rougher neighborhood to do my field ed my first year in Seminary.
Somewhere I lost some of that intensity and traded it for comfort and I'm not comfortable with that and hope that I get gain back that intensity again because the trappings of comfort really don't bring comfort and I've seen in my own life that God really does take care of what we need.
Well...that's not what I was going to blog about. I was going comment on how these two books have become real. They became real because as I was at my desk over at the church today, my coffee spilled on my desk and all over the two books and some papers (like a survey I need to return to Research Services...sorry Jack and Deborah) and these two books. Of course I could have got mad at myself and called myself stupid, etc...but I didn't. I realized that these two books wanted to be real (like the Velveteen Rabbit) and they too wanted to enjoy a cup of coffee.
Oh, they've been marked. I can't put them up on Book Trader or Paper Back Swap or Book Mooch or sell them on Amazon Marketplace when I'm done reading them and maybe that's the difference between 'just a book' and book that becomes real.
Those books that I pick up on a whim are often the best books. I stared Clairborne's book and will probably be up most of the night finishing it. It's a easy read and pretty inspiring. It reminds me, so far of the intensity to do something with my faith that I felt when I was in college. That same intensity that Clairborne writes about had me volunteering at the homeless shelter at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis my senior year in college. That same intensity had me not worried about going into the rougher neighborhood to do my field ed my first year in Seminary.
Somewhere I lost some of that intensity and traded it for comfort and I'm not comfortable with that and hope that I get gain back that intensity again because the trappings of comfort really don't bring comfort and I've seen in my own life that God really does take care of what we need.
Well...that's not what I was going to blog about. I was going comment on how these two books have become real. They became real because as I was at my desk over at the church today, my coffee spilled on my desk and all over the two books and some papers (like a survey I need to return to Research Services...sorry Jack and Deborah) and these two books. Of course I could have got mad at myself and called myself stupid, etc...but I didn't. I realized that these two books wanted to be real (like the Velveteen Rabbit) and they too wanted to enjoy a cup of coffee.
Oh, they've been marked. I can't put them up on Book Trader or Paper Back Swap or Book Mooch or sell them on Amazon Marketplace when I'm done reading them and maybe that's the difference between 'just a book' and book that becomes real.
Friday, July 4, 2008
GA One Week Latter
I spent the day today celebrating Independence Day with family. It was a wonderful day that started off slowly and gently. It was a nice way to get back into the swing of things as everything begins again on Sunday when I am 'officially' done with my vacation. I'm glad I took a week of vacation and negotiated that my congregation 'give' a week of my time to the larger church so I could attend GA as a Commissioner. I needed a week down after getting back to unwind and to transition back to thinking about things on a congregational level rather than on a macro or institutional level.
I know the two are related or connected but often times the linkages between the macro and the micro levels just don't work as well as they could. My biggest challenge for the upcoming week will be the evening event I do for my congregation in interpreting the General Assembly to them. I am excited about the Belhar Confession, and the new Social Creed, but don't think my congregation will be as enthused as I am. Their concerns are more mundane than social pronouncements or even the definition of marriage. My folks are concerned with how keep their building maintained and doors open in the face of limited financial resources and personal energy resources of people who are able to do the work.
I might be personally jazzed about the Emergent church movement and its opportunities and potential but communicating this to my congregation will involve translation of terms and language that I don't think exists. It's more than a generation gap, its more than a cultural gap, its more than a difference in values or perspectives, it a difference in how to approach the world and I'm not sure if I even have my head wrapped around this enough to talk intelligently on this topic.
And of course there is the big elephant in the room that I'm going to have to talk about and that is the change in the AI regarding ordination standards. I have been following this debate in the church since I was in seminary, which is now beginning to be a while back (my age is catching up to me or am I catching up to my age....question to ponder in the future). I know that the Definitive Guidance said and did. I know what the 1996 addition of G 6.0106b to the BOO did and that each time any change in the BOO regarding the removal or revision of this has been sent to Presbyteries it has failed. I wonder if this attempt to remove what is commonly known as the 'fidelity and chastity" amendment will fail again or will this revision pass. At this time, the General Assembly changed the AI but nothing has changed because of G 6.0106b still stands, except that the new AI will allow a person to name a scruple to G 6.0106b, which they could not do previously or so the GAPJC said in the Bush decision they could not, the new AI would allow scrupling of behavior or action....but G 6.0106b still stands...unless a majority of the Presbyteries vote for then new wording. Over the next two years we as Presbyterians in this internal family discussion are going to have deal with the elephant in the room.
May we as a family of faith do so with love, and kindness, and respect, and humility. I'm still not sure where I am personally on the this and I'm not sure how I will answer a question that asks about my personal opinion on the matter. I've approached this primarily from a polity perspective and have continually asked myself in my approach is the good polity? I know that if I'm wrestling with this others are too. I can explain the polity...it's the other explanations where the struggle lies as if say one thing, I'm labeled one way or being in a particular camp, if I say something else, the same thing happens just that its on the other side. It's not a fight. I think there is a way through this, I hope we can find it.
Wresting is good, fighting is not. Jacob wrestled with God and became Israel. Jonah wrestled with God and ended up in Nineveh and in spite of his reluctance to deal with THOSE people (Jonah had a deep seeded dislike for the people of Nineveh). In spite of Jonah's own feelings and his half baked attempt to carry out God's prophetic word to the people of Nineveh, Johna was effective in bringing change on those he believed to be un-redeemable (the people of Nineveh).
For those outside the Presbyterian Church (USA), this family discussion or family fight is bringing attention to us as it always had. May we lead in how we struggle with this issue. It's a tough issue. I have friends who hold a very strict understanding of ordination standards (and some of those I think still struggle with the ordination of women and divorced people) and I have other friends who are gifted but excluded from ordained office because they happen to gay or lesbian. At different times in my life I have held both positions and some in between, now I struggle to find a way to talk intelligently about this issue in a way that is respectful to the rainbow of perspectives on the issue that reflects the justice, compassion, and humility of Christ. May God go with us...
Then....there is the argument that none of this really matters because it's taking away time and energy and attention from 'real' ministry...feeding the hungry, healing the sick, embracing the downtrodden, making disciples.
Maybe if we looked at the questions through the question of what does it mean to follow Jesus? Or following up on the GA theme of Do Justice, Love Kindness and Walk Humbly with God...will that be an adequate lens to give us a new perspective?
I know the two are related or connected but often times the linkages between the macro and the micro levels just don't work as well as they could. My biggest challenge for the upcoming week will be the evening event I do for my congregation in interpreting the General Assembly to them. I am excited about the Belhar Confession, and the new Social Creed, but don't think my congregation will be as enthused as I am. Their concerns are more mundane than social pronouncements or even the definition of marriage. My folks are concerned with how keep their building maintained and doors open in the face of limited financial resources and personal energy resources of people who are able to do the work.
I might be personally jazzed about the Emergent church movement and its opportunities and potential but communicating this to my congregation will involve translation of terms and language that I don't think exists. It's more than a generation gap, its more than a cultural gap, its more than a difference in values or perspectives, it a difference in how to approach the world and I'm not sure if I even have my head wrapped around this enough to talk intelligently on this topic.
And of course there is the big elephant in the room that I'm going to have to talk about and that is the change in the AI regarding ordination standards. I have been following this debate in the church since I was in seminary, which is now beginning to be a while back (my age is catching up to me or am I catching up to my age....
May we as a family of faith do so with love, and kindness, and respect, and humility. I'm still not sure where I am personally on the this and I'm not sure how I will answer a question that asks about my personal opinion on the matter. I've approached this primarily from a polity perspective and have continually asked myself in my approach is the good polity? I know that if I'm wrestling with this others are too. I can explain the polity...it's the other explanations where the struggle lies as if say one thing, I'm labeled one way or being in a particular camp, if I say something else, the same thing happens just that its on the other side. It's not a fight. I think there is a way through this, I hope we can find it.
Wresting is good, fighting is not. Jacob wrestled with God and became Israel. Jonah wrestled with God and ended up in Nineveh and in spite of his reluctance to deal with THOSE people (Jonah had a deep seeded dislike for the people of Nineveh). In spite of Jonah's own feelings and his half baked attempt to carry out God's prophetic word to the people of Nineveh, Johna was effective in bringing change on those he believed to be un-redeemable (the people of Nineveh).
For those outside the Presbyterian Church (USA), this family discussion or family fight is bringing attention to us as it always had. May we lead in how we struggle with this issue. It's a tough issue. I have friends who hold a very strict understanding of ordination standards (and some of those I think still struggle with the ordination of women and divorced people) and I have other friends who are gifted but excluded from ordained office because they happen to gay or lesbian. At different times in my life I have held both positions and some in between, now I struggle to find a way to talk intelligently about this issue in a way that is respectful to the rainbow of perspectives on the issue that reflects the justice, compassion, and humility of Christ. May God go with us...
Then....there is the argument that none of this really matters because it's taking away time and energy and attention from 'real' ministry...feeding the hungry, healing the sick, embracing the downtrodden, making disciples.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Technology Generation Gaps
I subcribe to an e-newsletter called Church Leader Intellegence Report (sounds important doesn't it) and it is put out by the same people that put out the SermonCentral stuff found at SermonCentral.com. The theology is not Reformed and I don't use the sermon site (there are numerous other sites that are far better for sermons that are more theologically sound, but I digress) but do find the newsletter interesting because the cultural data in the off shoot newsletter is sometimes helpful and interesting, like this piece in today's letter.
The Barna Group defines “mainstream” technology as those used by 50% or more of the population; and “emerging” technology is used by 20% to less than half of the population. Among Elders (age 62+), two of the 15 areas studied were deemed mainstream (email and search), while another two were emerging (IM and online purchases). Boomers (age 43-61) had two mainstream and four emerging areas. Busters (age 24-42) had four mainstream and four emerging technologies. Mosaics (age 23 and under) had eight mainstream categories and another three emerging. In other words, out of the 15 areas of technology assessed, Elders widely embraced or were becoming comfortable with four, Boomers six, Busters eight, and Mosaics eleven. Barna Update, 5/26/08
Here's the link to the BARNA Technology Study on the use of Social Networking, Online Entertainment, and Church PodCasts
This morning I was reading my weekly Church Leaders e-newsletter and this little gem grabbed my attention. As a pastor and social gerontologist having just returned from the PCUSA’s General Assembly where we elected a very tech savy moderator, I found these figures interesting and from my experience basically right on.
During this Assembly I can say I picked up one more technology that is mainstream and that I am now comfortable with using. That was how to effectively use text messaging. I received several text messages from a couple of different people and was able to respond effectively to them. I even taught my DH how to text and we chatted a couple of times. I’m in the demographic group between the Boomer and Buster [it depends on which demographer you use – some say I’m a Boomer and some say I’m part of Gen X or the Baby Busters]
Well, I found this tidbit interesting in hat those who were Elders are embracing technology, only slower. I can begin to see all kinds of opportunities for this and ways to begin to bridge and build relationships the generations. This isn’t BAD news for me but GOOD NEWS. I can see all kinds of possibilities for utilizing these technologies to enhance ministry or organizational communication and connection.
What are your mainstream technologies? And what are your emerging technologies? Good questions to ask your church or organizational leadership and membership.
The Barna Group defines “mainstream” technology as those used by 50% or more of the population; and “emerging” technology is used by 20% to less than half of the population. Among Elders (age 62+), two of the 15 areas studied were deemed mainstream (email and search), while another two were emerging (IM and online purchases). Boomers (age 43-61) had two mainstream and four emerging areas. Busters (age 24-42) had four mainstream and four emerging technologies. Mosaics (age 23 and under) had eight mainstream categories and another three emerging. In other words, out of the 15 areas of technology assessed, Elders widely embraced or were becoming comfortable with four, Boomers six, Busters eight, and Mosaics eleven. Barna Update, 5/26/08
Here's the link to the BARNA Technology Study on the use of Social Networking, Online Entertainment, and Church PodCasts
This morning I was reading my weekly Church Leaders e-newsletter and this little gem grabbed my attention. As a pastor and social gerontologist having just returned from the PCUSA’s General Assembly where we elected a very tech savy moderator, I found these figures interesting and from my experience basically right on.
During this Assembly I can say I picked up one more technology that is mainstream and that I am now comfortable with using. That was how to effectively use text messaging. I received several text messages from a couple of different people and was able to respond effectively to them. I even taught my DH how to text and we chatted a couple of times. I’m in the demographic group between the Boomer and Buster [it depends on which demographer you use – some say I’m a Boomer and some say I’m part of Gen X or the Baby Busters]
Well, I found this tidbit interesting in hat those who were Elders are embracing technology, only slower. I can begin to see all kinds of opportunities for this and ways to begin to bridge and build relationships the generations. This isn’t BAD news for me but GOOD NEWS. I can see all kinds of possibilities for utilizing these technologies to enhance ministry or organizational communication and connection.
What are your mainstream technologies? And what are your emerging technologies? Good questions to ask your church or organizational leadership and membership.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Back Home in the Heartland
I made it safely home from San Jose and my head is so full of thoughts and ideas and my emotions are all over the places. Being a General Assembly Commissioner, is truly a once in a life time opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the experience of being a Commissioner, although tedious at times, it is an experience that I treasure having had. Now begins the big task of interpretation. I will not be sitting for days, listening, praying, reflecting, praying, and voting, but interpreting what happened when 750 Presbyterians from 173 Presbyteries got together in a big room in San Jose, worshiped together, prayed together, debated together and voted. Somehow in that process God's Spirit was moving and decisions were made and those decisions made some people mad and some people happy. I will need wisdom as I go about the job of interpretation.
The media, specifically the secular media, makes headlines that are meant to grab attention rather than convey fact.
As the incoming General Assembly Mission Council, Vice Chairperson, said in his blog, I'm still processing. As I process, I'll post more comments here...until then...let me process what happened.
The media, specifically the secular media, makes headlines that are meant to grab attention rather than convey fact.
As the incoming General Assembly Mission Council, Vice Chairperson, said in his blog, I'm still processing. As I process, I'll post more comments here...until then...let me process what happened.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
John Calvin Mask.....
Having a little fun after the first day of the Assembly on Friday night. These masks are of John Calvin and I wish my photo of me taking a picture of me with the mask was clearer, but it isn't. Next year is the 500th Anniversary of Calvin's birth so expect a big Reformed Tradition party next July!
Litugical Art from Sunday's Worship
These are amazing. Please tell me these images don't make you happy!
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