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| Grace Interrupted |
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Pastor John notes -- as others have noted -- that one of the unique 'gifts' that the Lutheran tradition offers Christianity is its emphasis on Grace and understanding of God's unconditional love.
So, I am stumped -- mystefied, really -- at our inability as a congregation -- meaning Peace -- to fully extend a welcoming of Grace to every member of our community.
Months ago, while we were in the midst of a series entitled Can U Hear Me Now?, I raised up to our leadership generally -- and our Leadership Council specifically -- adoption of a statement of Affirmation of Welcome:
As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society. We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following: - that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
- that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the membership of Peace Lutheran Church upon making a common, public Affirmation of faith; and
- that as members of this Peace Lutheran Church, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation.
To this pont in time, nothing has changed.
Yes, there has been some open discussion concerning the church, hypocrisy, and to a small extent, issues of sexuality. And, I'll concede, that the issue of homosexuality and the church is a hot button issue. How one interprets and applies God's Word varies -- and I know there are some who condemn homsexuality itself as a sinful condition, and for them the thought of inclusiveness is tantamount to compromising their own values and beliefs.
And, that might be so.
But does being inclusive -- aside from obeying God's commandments -- diminish God in any way? By Christ's own teaching, we are told to love God, and to love our neighbor. We are taught to share God's love. The condemnation and judgement role has not been given to us at all; why we dwell on it is beside me. In fact, to be in that space -- where much of Christianity appears to be -- strikes me as not being very Christ-like, more God-like. And, that my friends, is a crisis of faith.
It is Grace Interrupted.
It is the Lord Me -- and just as wrong as Satan, and Adam and Eve -- treading on forbidden ground. Playing God. Falsely raising us up, and shrinking God down to size. It's just plain wrong.
By comparison, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ at St. Mark have affirmed themselves as a welcoming congregation -- as THE message on the Home page of their web site proclaims:
As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, St. Mark Lutheran Church affirms the boundless love of God for all of God’s children. All people are welcome to worship with us, to join our congregation, to participate in the mission and ministry to which God is calling us in our community, and to share in all aspects of our life together as the people of God.
St. Mark Lutheran Church explicitly welcomes all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual identity, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economic and professional status, education, or physical and mental abilities.
We specifically affirm that all people are: - Beloved children of God
- Welcome to share in the full fellowship we all enjoy as brothers and sisters in Christ
- Welcome to participate in all aspects of the life and ministry of St. Mark Lutheran Church as members of the congregation.
Without getting cute with words, or playing the game of political correctness, I like how the congregation of St. Mark have embraced the essential truth of Christ's teaching and God's Word.
As there are but two congregations in the Virginia Synod who have ventured into this space, perhaps our leadership takes solace in being the "norm" rather than the exception. But I do not. I disagree sharply. I think it is a glaring failure -- especially for a congregation whose leadership is generally viewed by many in Synod and ELCA circles as "getting it right".
And I realize that is arrogance on my part -- to sit in judgment of others called to lead the congregation and make decisions like this.
Yet, it feels to me that only political expediency is being served here. That somehow we are not adult enough to discuss differences, resolve them, and move on. That we are compelled to mimmick the children of Israel in their cyclical pattern of obedience followed by loss of faith and ultimately disobedience -- and we are stuck now in a holding pattern.
We've allowed fear to take over this one issue, and placed our 'good order" above God's -- and that's just not right.
Our national church body, the ELCA, has already affirmed what appears on St. Mark's home page. I believe a majority of people at Peace believe and live out this promise.
I have adopted a new nametag which uses the Peace Lutheran Dove symbol placed inside a circle, with the colors of the rainbow, and the words "All Are Welcome In This Place". This is my reminder to myself that welcoming people to Christ through the "doors" of Peace is a part of my calling in obedience to God -- as much as I hope it is understood as a message that ALL are indeed welcome.
It reminds me to welcome all people with a glad and open heart. To share God's unconditional love. To reserve the business of being God, to God. That all people are God's children. That God seeks reconciliation with all hs children. That we are of all colors and stripes, but of one world. That in and through Christ, the church is one body. That Christ died on the cross for all. That our call is to welcome and invite, encourage, and -- ultimately -- help "make" disciples.
Peace to all,
--eric
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| I am so thankful that I have met a GOD who does not measure out dollops of Grace to a few but pours it out abundantly for all. May we do the same. Thank you. |
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Ken |
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July 25, 2008 at 7:58am |
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| Eric, thank you for your continued witness on this. I don't know what we should do with this, I really don't. I agree that it is fear of conflict, fear of change, fear of something that is keeping this in a holding pattern... but how to break the pattern without breaking fellowship? Can we learn something more specific from St. Mark Church about this? Not just the stance they have taken, but how they got there in one piece? |
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Kathy |
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July 25, 2008 at 9:04am |
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| Have Christians become so familiar with the words grace and love that we have lost touch with the actual concept the words represent? Ken asks a great question: How, with all the polarization within our churches, does a local church reach St. Mark's point without spliting? I imagine it must have been practicing such grace before it ever put the words on paper. Grace and Peace to you and your church! |
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I asked about that. I am told that it took one very committed member of their Church Council to make the proposal, educate the Council and inform the congregants, and that the resolution passed without opposition at a congregational meeting. I am told that 4 families left as a result of the decision. The learning point for me -- having the advantage, perhaps, of knowing St. Mark somewhat (about 15 years) -- is that St. Mark has always had strong lay leadership, even when it has had difficulties -- and that lay leadership has always held a very strong passion for justice. If one were to view St. Mark and Immanuel in tandem, they probably look like bookends -- one socailly and economically conservative, one socially 'liberal' and economically conservative. perhaps the social liberalism, combined with faculty in the membership, create a climate of acceptance -- you know, when I was a student they kept the doors open at night for us -- despite the risks, it was more important to be open and welcome.
By no means do I mean to compare one congregation with another, saying this one is good, better, best, or vice-versa. But I do think it appropriate to draw comparisons in how these churches relate to mission and to community. And, here, I'll be blunt. We have so-called leaders who will trash other churches and faith expressions without hesitation -- it is a minority for sure -- but that we allow it without comment places the shame of this sin on all of us. We could stand -- honestly -- to lose a few families.
There really ought to be mainstream churches which can open their doors wide, and to my mind, the Lutheran church is well suited to take a leadership role. But not as long as we behave like fearful, prideful, stupid people. |
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