Easter Isn't for Wimps

Funny thing about most of the resurrection accounts in the gospels:  the disciples are usually huddling behind closed doors, hiding in living rooms, or traveling to distant mountains before Christ appears to them.  Their old fears did not evaporate quickly, and that first Easter was filled with anxiety and trepidation on many fronts.

I wonder if our own Easters have become too tame?

To proclaim that Christ lives is, after all, a proclamation that the powers of this world (political, social, economic) no longer hold sway over our existence and that, since Christ has been raised, we need not put our trust in princes or armies or feel the need to create a future based on the temporary--which is, of course, passing away.  God has already won the battle and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.

Easter, at least at the beginning, was revolutionary--and a revolution.  The gospel changed so many lives that it eventually changed the world.

This Easter can be a revolution if we would have it.  It could be a revolution built on love and grace and life.  We might find that our old fears can be cast out by the greater love of God.  We may discover that we don't have to live in fear, but as the scriptures attest . . . when our love is perfected, love casts out fear.  We may discover that the church is a resurrection people and when we work together to be Christ's hands and feet . . . the kingdom comes.

As Mother Theresa once said:  "We cannot do great things . . . we can only do small things with great love." 

Sounds like Easter to me.  And I hope you will know that "Christ is risen, indeed!"

The Path

Much has been written through the centuries about the path that Jesus walked.  It was a path, however, that did not begin at holy week--but a path that began along the footpaths of Galilee and the water's edge. 

St. Augustine wrote about the path to the city of God.  Dante had the Divine Comedy.  John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress.  And there have been many others.  Catholics still commemorate the final path leading to Calvary through the stages of the cross.

Now we walk the path of Holy Week.  But we cannot forget that Christ walks with us through the hardships of life.  And we dare not forget that if we are following his lead, it is Christ's path that we are following, not our own. 

The path of Christ leads us to our full humanity--where we can serve, grow and give to others in ways as Jesus did.  This is the path of service.  And there are other paths of grace, where Christ himself bears our sorrows and sufferings.

As we enter holy week, take stock of your path . . .

What path are you on?  Is it God's path?  Is it fulfilling?  Are you finding strength, grace and sufficiency in it? 

The path of Jesus always leads to life.

Who's In Your Court?

Now that the NCAA brackets are set we can begin to enjoy the various stories and sub-plots that develop.  There will be great teamwork, superb execution, and "cinderellas".  And after some games, people will storm the court in celebration.

The game of basketball also provides some insightful ponderings for faith.  It takes, for example, great teamwork to be a church.  Everyone needs to "practice" well in order to play well.  And we may also consider who is in our court.

Who would you include?  Who are those who have taught you, impacted you, inspired you, challenged you, mentored you to greater faith?  

Most likely we can all name people who have coached us in the faith, mentored us through times of stress or difficulty.

Take a moment to consider the people on your team.  I'll bet you have more people in your court than you might realize.  

Vitamins

As I have aged I've found myself taking more vitamins and health-products.  For example, I swallow fish oil--which they say helps lower cholesterol. I take vitamin E, vitamin D, and during the winter, healthy doses of vitamin C.  I eat other tablets intended to improve my joint flexibility.

At any rate, these vitamins and minerals must be working.  I'm still kicking.

As we consider vitamins for our bodies, we may also consider what we are ingesting of a spiritual nature.  That's one of the aspects of our Methodist heritage that I appreciate . . . we are concerned about the whole person: body, mind and spirit.

So, yes, diet and exercise are important.  But so are spiritual disciplines and practices.

For example, Methodists have always emphasized the importance of assembling together.  It is in relationship to others that we grow in our faith--rarely in isolation!  My personal prayers are not nearly as important to God as our congregational prayers.  Worship is not a solitary act--but communal.  There is much more that we can accomplish together.

Methodists also emphasize learning, and the need to continue to grow our minds.  Outside of Catholic universities, Methodists have established more universities around the world than any other Christian group.  The same could be said for hospitals and agencies devoted to healing.  We've always affirmed the role of thought, and holy conversations, and education in our theology and our practices.

Finally, Methodists have always been a heart people, too.  Since we are to be engaged with God as whole persons, we want to live out our faith with our whole hearts.  Nothing half-hearted.  No half-hearted or feeble efforts.  Work for God with passion and delight. 

We want to do all that we do for the glory of God.

Thinking Wesleyan

Thinking Outside the Church is part of our Wesleyan heritage . . . and in the years ahead, we may need to embrace even more of our theological past to create our future.

Consider, for example, the church itself--and how Wesleyans have always defined "the church".  In other traditions, the church is sometimes regarded as a gathering of God's elect, a collection of people who had been called out of the world.  In some traditions, even Christ's sacrifice at Calvary is deemed effective only for those who are elected by God's favor.  God abandons the rest of humanity, or does not "call" them to redemption.

In Wesleyan theology there is an affirmation that God's grace has been, and is, effective for all humanity. Christ died for the world (everyone) and God continues to call all people.  The church is not a collection of elected people, but a body of redeemed people who have responded to God's grace and who are sent by the Spirit to serve others.  Instead of election, the Wesleyan way emphasizes the grace of God, the free will of humanity, and our partnership with the Holy Spirit to continue the work of Christ for the redemption of the world.

There is a difference in how we express our understanding of the world, the church, and of life itself. 

For example, sometimes you will hear folks say, "Everything happens for a reason."

In Wesleyan theology, we do not see evil, destruction, war, hunger, death, or poverty as part of God's plan for humanity.  Rather, we believe that much happens in life that is harsh or evil, but with God's help we can endure some hardships, change others, and work to create a better path.  Much happens in life that is beyond our control, certainly, but God's grace pervades all of life (and all lives) and by faith we can set out with God, every day, to create new paths and new forms of service and healing.

How we understand God and the world around us does impact our belief about the church.  In Wesleyan theology, we are not called to be "insiders", but "outsiders".  Hence, we are called "out" to be the church, to serve as the church, and to look beyond the church to where God is calling us to go.

What do you think of the Wesleyan way? 

Is the Gospel Relevant?

Evidently my last blog struck a vein and there's some interest in exploring the question:  "How can the church be relevant in an age where the church is increasingly perceived as irrelevant?"

Again, I'm not sure I have answers, but the question is important and vital to explore.

Here's an insight:  In the most recent issue of the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Denmark author and substance abuse expert Sebastien Tutenges explores the prevailing phenomenon of the "Night Life" (nightclubs, pubs, dance clubs, etc.) experience that has swept through Europe's younger generation.  There are differences between Europe and America as far as religion and history is concerned, but there is no doubt that nightclubs have now become a huge draw for the under-30 set.  His observations, however, hint at a search for meaning and relevancy . . . and the relationships that younger people find in nightclubs that they do not find in the church/religion.

Some of his insights?

Younger people, especially, are looking for friendship and connections that they cannot find through social media and technology.  Being with, partying with, and having fun with friends is paramount.  Inside this atmosphere there is both an affirming grace (honesty, transparency, friendships) and darker elements (drugs, sexual promiscuity, law-breaking). 

As Tutenges suggests, the church has not yet figured out how to bridge over to younger people, especially . . . those who are indeed looking for meaningful connections and a meaningful life.  If there is anything, of course, that the church has to offer it is meaningful relationships/friendships.  But perhaps the church has not demonstrated this in our outreach or friendships.  In America, we are still waiting for young people to come to the church without being proactive and offering exciting alternatives to the nightlight environment.

Tutenges doesn't provide answers, necessarily, but he does point out that younger people are searching for meaning . . . but they will not tolerate phoniness, judgmentalism, shallowness, or rote answers to life's problems that smack of fundamentalism or certainty at the expense of wonder.  In short, relevancy is everything.

Are we facing challenges as a church in meeting these strict demands?  Absolutely!  But this is also an exciting time to be the church.  Perhaps never before in human history have there been so many questions about God, about meaning, about the future. 

Perhaps the next question is:  are we up to the task of reaching out?

Thinking Outside the Church

Late last fall (2012) I became part of a web-based "think-tank" for the church--a kind of conference-call fellowship of pastors from across the country who meet periodically via Skype to brainstorm new ideas for the church, and to address the rapidly-changing landscape of American culture.  For the most part, I just listen in, but I do interject some thoughts from time-to-time.

One thing is for sure . . . the church across America is still catching up to the changes that have taken place in society.  Mostly, the church is now struggling for relevancy in a culture that, increasingly, sees the church (or any organized faith) as irrelevant.  And in ever-increasing numbers, those who are part of the church are feeling this way, too.  High percentages of younger people (and older for that matter) are opting out of the church all-together, and they don't seem to be coming back. 

The relevancy of the church (or more importantly, the relevancy of Christ) goes far beyond forms of communication or even substance.  The church now faces the awesome task of living and teaching the gospel in real time--not church time, or our time, or when we find time.  

Rather, those in our "think-tank" all seem to agree that relevancy must be discovered and lived in relationship.  In essence, it's not going to be about how we reach out, or where we reach out, or what methods we use to reach out . . . but we will need to reach out and relate to those outside the church.  It really is about us!  Or, to put it another way . . . we will need to be evangelists (but not in the traditional sense--that's irrelevant!) who are eager to relate to others. 

Those in our "think-tank" also challenged each other some months back to spend more of our time as pastors outside the church.  I've been far more intentional, since then, to meet in places other than my church office for conversation.  Restaurants, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts (and yes, Walmart) have all become meeting places for me . . . and I try to listen in.  Where there is an opportunity, I invite others to Calvary, to find relevancy . . . which is to say, real relationships among real people.  And if people find relevancy in relationships, they will find relevancy with God.  That's how it works.  Well, at least that's how I understand the gospel.

There are many other ideas that we bat around . . . but that's another story for another blog.  Thanks for reading, Calvary.  Tell someone else about this blog.  Let's be relevant.  And let's start a conversation.

What do you think of these ideas?

 

Gifts of Music

On Sunday morning Calvary was blessed to have the Purduettes offer their gift of music.  Their spirit was infectious, and it was evident that everyone was lifted by the praise.

Music, indeed, is a blessing. 

We are also blessed at Calvary every week by our music.  Our choirs, bells, children, teens, and our various bands all offer something unique to our worship.  And we can't forget that Mark, Emily, Brent, and Michael each bring their unique staff gifts and leadership every day.

Music doesn't happen, of course, with the support of a people.  Even in the ancient temple, where the Psalms were originally composed and performed, there were musicians and song leaders who were supported by the tithes and offerings of God's people.  Without such gifts and offerings, many of the Psalms may not have been composed.

So . . . thank you for bringing the Purduettes to Calvary with your gifts.  And thank you for making music possible every week through your generosity.

Music is a gift . . . and it takes many gifts to sing the song.