My Non-Resolutions

I have never set new years resolutions. I do set goals, but rarely do they fall around the new year and more often my goal setting occurs in the summer time. In some ways I can understand why people make new years resolutions, it’s a good time to decide to try to change something because it’s a new year, even if that is more symbolic than practical for the reason. This year I’ve been thinking about resolutions and like every year wondering if I should make one this year, and most likely I won’t. But if I were going to, here are some things I would resolve to do-

1. Invite people for dinner so I would be forced to cook and be more social.

2. Quit pressing snooze ten times every morning.

4. Exercise.

5. Buy more socially aware.

6. Finish the blanket I’m crocheting.

These are a few resolutions I won’t be making, but maybe should. What are yours?

Cultural Interpretation

I often find myself thinking about things very differently than most adults in the church. I desire to see a change that many older Christians don’t seem to think about so much- a shift toward a more “New Testament” style church. And most of the time I think I am right and those who aren’t thinking this way are just out of it and have become content with the way things are. But I don’t know that this is really true. I am part of a generation that thinks about things differently- a generation that is more justice oriented. A generation that is great at looking at righting the worlds wrongs while over indulging in our own pleasures. And I think this, more than a more enlightened or biblical view, is the primary reason behind most of my thinking. I remember in college learning about the cultural influences of interpretation of the Bible. I don’t think we need to fight the cultural influences so much as be aware of the fact that our culture affects our interpretation. When I read something that I think suggests some sort of better way of doing/being church, I need to be aware of the influence my culture is having on this interpretation. Older Christians may not be more correct than me, but they may not be any less correct either. Perhaps the Bible- written for specific cultures- is to some extent adaptable to different cultures. This is a fine line to walk, I realize, and I’m not saying it is, but it seems like for every generation different things are going to connect with them simply because of the world they are a part of. When I read about the cultures the different letters were written to, these groups of people are engaging in Chrisitianity in an extremely cultural way. We even read about different traditions and practices of the early church that are nearly mirror images of cultural practices. And yet, at other times it is clear that some cultural practices are not acceptable. Like worshipping the different Greek/Roman gods (something like American’s worship of money perhaps?). If the Bible was written in a vaccuum, I would fully support it being word for word what we need to follow and obey. But since it is written for specific cultures, I think we need to read it in the context of those cultures and see how our culture connects with those cultures instead of attempting to implement the exact same practices of the early church. This certainly doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be building our church today around the early church, but that certain practices may not adapt to our culture and that’s okay. Then again, we could say the same thing about the Ten Commandments only applying to the Israelites and not to our culture today if we go down this path.

From here to there

Over the past two weeks I have thought of numerous things that I wanted to blog about. Today I return to blogging and figure the easiest thing to do is short bits about all of it. Perhaps I’ll come back to one or some later and develop the thought more.

1. Why do so many people believe mega churches are the “best” way to do church? I don’t think mega churches can really be the church without creating their own sub-church within the church.  Not to mention all the other issues that arise with mega churches.

2. What does it mean to be unequally yoked? My brother is dating a non-Christian who he is planning to marry. I have several issues with her, but the biggest thing is that she isn’t a Christian. He is a Christian, but has absolutely no faith community of any sort around him. They’re having sex. There’s no one to call him on it and hold him accountable. And he doesn’t have that possibility from the person he plans to marry. Scary.

3. One of the most Christ-like people I know is agnostic. She has dedicated her life to serving others. She is content to have little. She is sacrificing her own comfort and pleasure to spend the next year in Slovakia working with Habitat for Humanity. Every summer and long break during her college years was filled with travels to third-world countries doing similar work. She fights for the rights of everyone. She loves better than pretty much anyone else I know. I would rather follow her than most mainstream ministers. What does it really mean to be Christian?

4. What is the purpose of our large group youth program? Is the current purpose really the purpose we should have? What’s the balance between fun and learning. Are youth learning from the time? Where do we go from here?

5. The RCA is moving toward a new form of church leadership. The elders (church leaders) are no longer one big group, but instead they are designating some elders as shepherding (ie- relational) and others as governing (ie- administrative/planning). I have an issue with this. I don’t like the idea of the people planning the future of the church being separate from the people caring for the people of the church. I understand the idea of allowing people to serve where they are most gifted, but I don’t think this is the right way to do that. Am I wrong to feel this way?

6. I got Rock Band 2 for Christmas. It’s a lot of fun. I’m already coming up with ideas of how to use it at church. Rock Band night at Agape Cafe anyone? I am impatiently waiting for them to get the Rock band store up and running for the Wii…

The Numbers Game

I hear and read over and over again not to play the “numbers game”. Don’t focus on how many youth are coming to youth group and events, focus on what they are getting from the time they are there. But I’m struggling with this because I believe that numbers are a good indicator of how well the youth are responding to what is happening. I must confess, I’m not okay with lower numbers. I’m not okay with losing kids who were already coming. I’m okay with no significant numerical growth. But when it goes the other way, it’s not cool. What’s wrong with what we are doing? This year I have been intentional about making some changes. I anticipated lower numbers because of these changes. But it’s harder than I was expecting. I want to reach all of the youth while still making important changes. I want everyone to feel welcome and want to come. But that’s not what is happening. So I wonder if I’m doing something wrong. Should we have left things how they were? Have we lost some relationship because of the changes? The changes were meant to increase the opportunity for building relationships, but I’m not sure they have. Where do we go from here? Do we “cater” more to the wants of the youth? I have heard from some people that the kids want more games and that they don’t need to learn so much during youth group because they go to a Christian school. This frustrates me. A lot. From what I hear from kids they aren’t learning much about spirituality, but more about Christianity. There’s a big difference in my opinion. I think the Christian school is wonderful. But I don’t think it replaces the need for youth group to be more than fun and games.

I want to have fun. I want youth group to be something kids look forward to because I truly believe that is the only way they will gain anything from it. But I am frustrated when leaders seem to believe that it is more important to play games than to have spiritually significant time. Then again, perhaps there isn’t spiritually significant time as it is right now. Which is also frustrating. Aah, the joys of youth ministry. Any advice?

Winter Ramblings

I need a garage. Or miracle de-icer. Or a remote car starter. Maybe all three.  A layer of ice so thick my ice scraper was a joke and my car doors were so frozen shut it took me 10 minutes to pry one open. My car sat idling for 30 minutes before it thawed enough ice to clear the window enough to see out. Barely. I couldn’t see anything behind me. I almost got hit by a woman whose van wouldn’t make it up the slippery hill, but I couldn’t back up because I couldn’t see anything behind me. It took me an hour and half to get in to work. It usually takes 15 minutes. Tops. I couldn’t feel my toes. I ended up drinking “iced” coffee. I’m pretty sure my ears are permanently red. My arms feel like they are going to fall off. I’m barely thawing. And yet I love winter. Today I question my sanity. But I would rather be a snow woman than a sand castle. I think I need to invest in some miracle workig de-icer. The stuff I had is gone and it didn’t work very well. I was grumpier yesterday than today- yesterday when it was nearly 50 and all the beautiful snow melted. At least today it’s acting like winter. On my drive in to work I started trying to figure out if there was some message in this whole mess. I am fairly certain the only “message” is that I should be especially grateful for a job that doesn’t require me to be in the office at a precise time. Because I totally would have been reemed out and had pay docked for being 45 minutes late at most jobs. I covet those people with garages today. And yet I love winter. Maybe I really am crazy.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

I rarely if ever pay any attention to the silly things that are going around Facebook, but this one sounded fun- and it was kinda creepy some of the songs that came up as “answers”. I’m only including the ones that seemd to ironically fit. Happy Saturday

 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Starts With Goodbye- Carrie Underwood

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
This Is A Story Of A Girl- Nine Days

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Angel of Music- Phantom of the Opera

 

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
 My Last Breath- Evanescence

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Carnival Town- Norah Jones

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Once You’ve Loved Somebody- Dixie Chicks

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
 XXX’s and OOO’s- Trisha Yearwood

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Life Support- Rent

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Don’t Take the Girl- Tim McGraw

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Image Of- Michelle Tumes

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
It’s The End of the Road- Matt Goss

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Texas Pride- Miranda Lambert

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Made to Love- Tobymac

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Sunshine and Summertime- Faith Hill

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Love Potion #9- Herman’s Hermits

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Lights and Sounds- Yellowcard

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald- Gordon Lightfoot

Sola Scriptura distorted

I am strongly Reformed in my beliefs. Part of this is growing up with it, and part of it is that I find it most closely follows what the Bible teaches. But one thing I am starting to struggle with is the idea of “solo-scriptura”. Now, don’t go running to the nearest council member to report that I need to be fired for having heterodox ideas. I fully support and believe in Scripture alone to define beliefs. What I’m struggling with is far less related to the actual intent of solo scriptura and more related to what we have made it into.

For some reason, we have gotten the notion that everything should revolve around the Bible. That our spiritual growth and well being depend on reading the Bible regularly. And praying. I don’t know about you, but for me that just doesn’t really foster a deeper relationship with God. So much of my Bible reading and study has been academic and is related to lesson writing that while I find value in this practice, other things are needed to really deepen the relationship.

If I am going to have a relationship with God I need to do more than read the Bible and pray. I need to find ways to actively engage in God’s work today. I need to hear other voices interpreting the Bible, I need to learn other people’s ideas for living the Christian life, I need to grow in community, I need to meditate and reflect and confess and be amazed by nature. I need to be open to every way that God is trying to break into my world and make himself known to me.

I feel like when we put so much focus on two practices we are putting God in a box. A very small, cramped, box. I feel like when we are so focused on the Bible as the means to the relationship it is like eating only grains and nothing else. Grains are very good for you and very important to a healthy diet. But when eating only grains you are missing out on important nutrients found in other types of food- like protein found in meats and vitamins found in fruits and vegetables. Yes, I can survive on only grains- it’s better than trying to survive on junk foods- but it will be very hard for me to truly thrive on such a limited diet.

The Bible needs to be one of those staple foods in our diet. It needs to be the base of our pyramid. But it cannot be the entire pyramid. Fasting doesn’t need to be a staple like the Bible, but it should be a meat. Serving is like a vegetable. We need to balance our diet. Reading other books is like eating an apple.  Sacraments are like a bowl of yogurt.

Sola scriptura is a foundational tenet of the reformed faith. But we need to make sure we aren’t drawing this too far and ignoring other things that are equally important to our spiritual health. It is not meant to apply to our spiritual disciplines so much as it is meant to apply to our theology formation. Let’s start teaching more disciplines or we are going to be an unhealthy group, if we aren’t already.

The Marriage of the Church

I am reading “Real Sex” by Lauren Winner right now. It’s a book about chastity, but really, it’s a book about being Christian. I have long believed, as have most Christians, that marriage is symbolic of our relationship with God. But Winner took this a slightly different way than I ever have thought about- she writes about a married couple who has made it through a rocky relationship-

“When I see them…I feel optimistic about the plausibility of staying a faithful Christian, of not drifting from the church when I grow bored or indifferent or angry. I remember that the Bible tells me over and over that marriage is like the relationship between God and His beloved…Marriage presupposes fidelity, and married people are a sign to the church of God’s own radical fidelity toward all of us. He loves us, and is faithful to us, when we cheat on Him. He loves us, and is faithful to us, when we insist that our love has died on the vine.”

It is so easy for me to get fed up with and irritated by the church. We are not living as Christ would want us to live, we are not really being the church. The church gets too focused on itself and doesn’t focus enough on those outside itself. But these are all things that have direct correlation to a married couple. I am certain they get fed up and irritated with one another. They don’t always live the way they should, and sometimes they don’t act like they are married. One of the things I see from the outside a fair amount is a married couple that becomes too focused on only one another and forgets about everyone else around them. But this doesn’t break up the marriage. Indeed, in a healthy marriage these challenges should strengthen the relationship as they challenge one another to be better at being married. The same needs to be true of my relationship to the church- both the church of Christ and the local “church” to which I belong. It is part of my responsibility as a member of the community to challenge and encourage the church to be more the community God calls us to be and less the community we have become complacent and comfortable in.

But this is difficult. It is often easier to complain and get frustrated and ignore the issues than to work toward change and a better relationship. But in a marriage if you ignore the challenges and problems it gradually makes your relationship fall apart until you have to start over from nothing. I’m not sure what my role is in the church and challenging the things we have grown comfortable with, but I do not doubt that if I don’t do something the relationship- between the church and the world specifically- is going to completely fall apart. And that will lead to the relationship between the church and myself crumbling as well.

How do we work to restore the broken relationship? How do we lovingly challenge the church to move out of the familiar and comfortable to that which will probably be awkward and uncomfortable? It may seem to some like it’s too late, but it’s never too late. We just might need to start over from the beginning.

Augustine’s Prayer

I like praying other people’s prayers. They are usually much better at saying what I want to say, and they fill a void when I cannot find the words to say, allowing me to continue praying. This is one of my favorites for starting the day.

Morning prayer from St. Augustine

Lord, for tomorrow and its need,

I do not pray;

Keep me, my God, from stain of sin

Just for today.

Let me both diligently work,

And duly pray.

Let me be kind in word and deed,

Just for today.

Let me be slow to do my will,

Prompt to obey;

Help me to sacrifice myself

Just for today.

And if today my tide of life

Should ebb away.

Give me thy Sacraments diving,

Sweet Lord today.

So for tomorrow and its needs

I do not pray,

But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord

Just for today.

Already, Not Yet

Back in April our church went through a significant transition- we said good bye to the interim pastor the same day we made the decision to call our new pastor. This was an auspicious move- we would have a few months during the spring/summer without a senior pastor at the church, but by the fall and the rekindling of all the various activities we would have our new pastor here. The summer came and went. The fall came and went. January is looking promising. The wait is frustrating. Having a pastor who isn’t able to be here is worse (I think) that not having a pastor at all. Waiting for the time when he can join us pushes me to the limits of patience. And yet, I can’t think of any better season to be dealing with this. Advent is all about waiting for the fulfillment of what has begun. The Savior has already come, but we are waiting for him to come again. I am not sure that I have ever really understood this as well as I am this year. Of course, waiting for our pastor to come is certainly not the same as waiting for the savior of the world to return.

Advent is a time of waiting, a time of preperation. For reasons beyond the waiting for our pastor, I have been struck by the need for preperation. Everywhere around people are preparing for Christmas. Buying and wrapping presents, planning parties, sending cards, hanging lights, trimming trees, buying food. I am too. But this year I am trying to be more intentional about preparing for the return of the King. I want to make this year about the Savior who has already come and the Savior who has not yet returned. As I celebrate Christmas- the birth of the Savior- I want to also prepare for the Savior’s return. How do I do this? How are you doing this?