On Sunday morning, Pastor Larry spoke about courage as one of the most important characteristics of a Christian. He quoted Rev. William Sloane Coffin, pastor of Riverside Church in New York: "...of all Christian virtues, courage is the most important." I don't remember courage being one of the "gifts of the spirit" often lifted up when we think of the things needed to be a Christian. I guess that says a lot about the world in which I grew up; it seems like it took much more courage to not claim to be a Christian when I was growing up.
But when I say that, I have to reflect on the sort of Christianity that is fostered by not needing to be courageous; it is a Christianity that tends to take far too much for granted. Such a faith always assumes that the Church will be there, that the doors will be open and that people will know the love of God. Such a faith is built on the assumption that being Christian is the primary "Operating System" of the society in which we live...and that the form and beliefs of all Christians are in sync with one another. I think that we, as a society, have operated under these and other assumptions like these for far too long; and that it has led to a weaker and far less courageous Christianity.
Pastor Larry also quoted Doris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007, saying "You must find the courage to swim against the collective stream of mediocrity and never resign yourself to the limitations imposed by others." When we approach Christianity with these words, we begin to hear an encouragement to change the way we, in this country, have often lived out our faith. Let me quickly add that this is not true for all Christians in America, but many have born the name "Christian" without living out the depth of that calling.
Bishop Schnase begins his book of meditations, Practicing Extravagant Generosity, by focusing on changing our concept of stewardship to one of generosity; he says that he has to explain the concept of stewardship to his teenage sons, but "They know generosity when they see it." We are invited to begin exploring the concept of generosity through the story of nesting birds, birds who create a nest for the next generation rather than for themselves. He continues to explore and reflect on sowing seeds, acting in partnership with God, and practicing giving. Bishop Schnase uses short stories to encourage us to see generosity in new ways.
Gently, Bishop Schnase is inviting us to have the courage to begin living increasingly generous lives. Doing so will not only change the lives of those who receive our gifts, it will change us in the doing. We will be exploring at an ever deepening level what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, a disciple that not only claims the name of Christian, but one who makes a difference in the world. We are both being called and invited to have the courage to do a bold thing, even if it makes our stomachs a bit "queasy."
We are not called to be disciples of the comfortable life; we are called to be disciples who make a difference in the world, to be practitioners of self-giving love. This may represent a change from the call you thought you once heard in the church. I invite you to courageously explore what being a Christian in this light might mean for you.
One last quote: "Once you make the unequivocal internal commitment to do something--when you absolutely know this is the time and the place to act--the world around you will shift in all sorts of apparently miraculous ways to make it happen." (Sarah Susanka) Let's look for ways of committing wholeheartedly to the call of Christ; when we do so, the world will act in concert with us and we shall be changed. Be brave this week and practice acts of generosity!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Justice is Love with Legs
When I went to seminary, I felt like I had finally come home; the teaching of professors at Iliff School of Theology was a "Theology with Skin On" in a way I had never before experienced. I began to learn that Christianity, as an incarnational theology, was about action at least as much as about belief. I began to understand God's option for the poor and the outcast in new ways. As I did so, I was challenged to begin to practice my understanding of what God calls us to be as disciples.
In United Methodist Church circles, our current conversations are often about how we can shape disciples "that make a difference." It isn't about believing in a particular way; it is about living a life that has been transformed by God's love and then acting in such a way as to share that love with others. We use the language "risk-taking mission," which is something that goes beyond compassion and moves us toward societal change.
As my husband John would be sure to tell you, I tend to be a bit "all or nothing" in my approach to the world. So, when I began to take this lesson to heart, I believed that we should move away from charitable work and work exclusively in activist practices. I moved rapidly beyond compassion and mercy and went directly to justice and transformation. It was a radical change for me, and a bit startling for others. Needless to say, I need a pretty large dose of grace added to my thought and action!
My second appointment was to Northeast Omaha where I served both Pearl Memorial and Asbury United Methodist Churches. One of the ministries of the parish was a neighborhood food pantry that had begun out of the compassionate actions of members who began to bring food to church for some neighbors who were going hungry. As the need was great, the ministry grew and grew, and by the time I left that appointment, the pantry served between 200-300 people per month. I learned first hand just how necessary are the safety nets of programs like food pantries and weekend Backpacks (one of our current mission programs); they just need to be coupled with other ministries that seek to transform our communities into places where no one will go hungry.
The members of Pearl and Asbury taught me a great deal about both grace and risk-taking mission. They understood the importance of serving others at the point of their need AND working to change the systems of injustice that contributed to the problems. As Bishop Schnase says in his book Five Practices of Fruitful Living, "I never would have chosen this for myself," but I am intensely grateful for the opportunity to have lived in the neighborhood and to have served in a mission community.
"Justice is love with legs" is an expression that talks about the political expression of God's love. Bishop Schnase says that it is "...when the followers of Jesus learn to love strangers by relieving suffering through programs that prevent diseases, healthcare systems that serve all people, and labor policies that are fair. Social justice ministries seek the conversion of social structures toward greater justice, helping people to flourish." We learn to love others, not just by helping meet a current need, but by working to change the systems that have created the situation in the first place.
The United Methodist Church Nebraska Conference sent me to a place where I could be transformed; my heart was "broken open" by a love that was both compassionate and justice-oriented. In that place, I learned to love and live out the teaching of Micah 6:8: "...what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NRSV) I am thankful for the experience and the lessons...
In United Methodist Church circles, our current conversations are often about how we can shape disciples "that make a difference." It isn't about believing in a particular way; it is about living a life that has been transformed by God's love and then acting in such a way as to share that love with others. We use the language "risk-taking mission," which is something that goes beyond compassion and moves us toward societal change.
As my husband John would be sure to tell you, I tend to be a bit "all or nothing" in my approach to the world. So, when I began to take this lesson to heart, I believed that we should move away from charitable work and work exclusively in activist practices. I moved rapidly beyond compassion and mercy and went directly to justice and transformation. It was a radical change for me, and a bit startling for others. Needless to say, I need a pretty large dose of grace added to my thought and action!
My second appointment was to Northeast Omaha where I served both Pearl Memorial and Asbury United Methodist Churches. One of the ministries of the parish was a neighborhood food pantry that had begun out of the compassionate actions of members who began to bring food to church for some neighbors who were going hungry. As the need was great, the ministry grew and grew, and by the time I left that appointment, the pantry served between 200-300 people per month. I learned first hand just how necessary are the safety nets of programs like food pantries and weekend Backpacks (one of our current mission programs); they just need to be coupled with other ministries that seek to transform our communities into places where no one will go hungry.
The members of Pearl and Asbury taught me a great deal about both grace and risk-taking mission. They understood the importance of serving others at the point of their need AND working to change the systems of injustice that contributed to the problems. As Bishop Schnase says in his book Five Practices of Fruitful Living, "I never would have chosen this for myself," but I am intensely grateful for the opportunity to have lived in the neighborhood and to have served in a mission community.
"Justice is love with legs" is an expression that talks about the political expression of God's love. Bishop Schnase says that it is "...when the followers of Jesus learn to love strangers by relieving suffering through programs that prevent diseases, healthcare systems that serve all people, and labor policies that are fair. Social justice ministries seek the conversion of social structures toward greater justice, helping people to flourish." We learn to love others, not just by helping meet a current need, but by working to change the systems that have created the situation in the first place.
The United Methodist Church Nebraska Conference sent me to a place where I could be transformed; my heart was "broken open" by a love that was both compassionate and justice-oriented. In that place, I learned to love and live out the teaching of Micah 6:8: "...what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NRSV) I am thankful for the experience and the lessons...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Growing in Grace
Intentionally growing in our understanding of God is the focus of our worship for this Sunday. In particular, we will be hearing about how United Methodist Women have historically practiced learning and doing together. I am looking forward to our guest speaker, Marilyn Zehring, who will bring an exciting perspective to our conversation.
That being said, you all should know that I tend to do this intentional faith development stuff to the nth degree; I am a fiend for continually learning and exploring the ways that God intersects daily life. I will do this all on my own--but love having one or two people who want to join along with me. I find the process fascinating; it is a delving into who I am, followed by a reaching out to who God is, followed by a return to the depths of my being to sort out how the intersection of these two beings creates something new and more in both. I do this best through some creative medium, whether that be poetry...a collage...or some other artistic expression. My favorite venue includes pictures and words combined...
That being said, you all should know that I tend to do this intentional faith development stuff to the nth degree; I am a fiend for continually learning and exploring the ways that God intersects daily life. I will do this all on my own--but love having one or two people who want to join along with me. I find the process fascinating; it is a delving into who I am, followed by a reaching out to who God is, followed by a return to the depths of my being to sort out how the intersection of these two beings creates something new and more in both. I do this best through some creative medium, whether that be poetry...a collage...or some other artistic expression. My favorite venue includes pictures and words combined...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Something New
In an attempt to invite greater conversation about the things that impact our lives, I have decided to join the blogosphere. In particular, I hope that this space will provide reflection about Sunday services at First UMC in Lincoln.
As we move through the seasons of our lives together, I hope that this format will provide new ways of conversing and reflecting together. Be careful, though; things discussed and commented upon may find their way into some up-coming sermon!
As we move through the seasons of our lives together, I hope that this format will provide new ways of conversing and reflecting together. Be careful, though; things discussed and commented upon may find their way into some up-coming sermon!
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