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There was a story on NPR last week that really ruffled my feathers. The title of the program is "Camp Offers Training Ground For Little Skeptics" and the story is about a kid's camp called Camp Inquiry. Here's a brief snippet:
Chloe and a dozen other campers begin discussing God, the planets and humanity's place in the universe. But at Camp Inquiry, which has a secular humanist focus, God takes a back seat to reason. Of course, the camp schedules familiar camp activities like hiking, swimming, and arts and crafts for kids ages 7 to 16; but the thrust of the camp is to teach children to think skeptically about everything, including religion and the supernatural.
This got to me on so many levels. First, it pushed my "I gotta defend my faith" button, then my "I'm a skeptic too" and finally my "stupid Christians" buttons.
One of the kids said that "as soon as someone mentions faith in an argument, the argument is over ... faith and the scientific method can't be combined in the same argument." That's so right. So why do we argue it? One of the father's who is an atheist while his wife is Christian had this to say, "as soon as they read Richard Dawkins, I win." Is that what this is all about; I'm right so you're wrong, us versus them?
We gotta stop drawing lines like this. I've gotta be able to question the existence of God, have doubts, be a skeptic, even be an atheist some days. I need a place where I can be myself; to think, question & grow. This is Camp Inquiry's motto, couldn't it be the church's as well?
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There's a really good article in The Lutheran called Black & white in the ELCA. It's got some great thoughts on justice and how 'the blessed' and 'not so blessed' look at the role of church, pastor, Jesus & justice so differently. This might help us frame the need to participate in IMPACT and other social justice ministries at Peace as well as working on our vision of being radically welcoming.
"Whites, owners, of the dominant culture, assume the system is 'just fine'. The pursuit of justice goes to the social ministry committee who decides how to assist the 'least of these' to help the disadvantaged. Those who feel they are 'blessed' decide how many dollars to give 'the blessed out'. The great focus in the white church is on the individual, not culture or society."
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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 have been given a book (by my favorite book fairy.. err ...gnome perhaps is a bit more imagery-correct), The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg that has made me gasp with joy and feel a true and deep sense of belonging to Christianity. (Aside from all the work God is doing in and on me)
And so I will share and blog. If you are reading this book or have already.. feel free to share.. if you haven't but want to discuss the ideas being blogged about.. feel free to share as well.
In the preface:
The heart.. and all it's metaphors... is how the book begins... the author suggests several meanings and understandings.. one being.. the heart is what is most central, the core/essence of Christianity... as well as the heart being an organic metaphor of something alive, pulsating.. the source of life.. but attention was drawn to this quote:
"Futhermore, as in the phrase 'head and heart' heart suggests something deeper than the intellect and the world of ideas."
For me.. God is deeper than my 'thinking' .. God's Spirit moves me in ways that are sometimes.. not particularly logical in appearance...
And then we begin to look at how "Christians in North America are deeply divided about the heart of Christianity." Mr Borg suggests an occuring paradigm shift happening between 'earlier and emerging' ways of seeing Christianity and of being Christian.
A pardigm is defined as " a comprehensive way of seeing, a way of seeing a 'whole'.
"Our time of conflict is more than specifics, for it concerns a change in how the Christian tradition and the Christian life are viewed as a whole"
Just these very first few pages welcomed me. God called me back about 10 years ago... but it's only been in the last 5 years and really only 3 that I felt at home in church. And this was due to the conflicts presented to me by many Christians which seemed to strongly disagree with the life that God was showing me. God was showing me through scripture and experience that His Kingdom was loving, His Kingdom was inclusive, and His Kingdom was about relationships. His Kingdom was not at odds with science. That I was being called to a whole life, a whole way.. a whole heart.
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It's amazing how something kind of cheesy can also be kind of profound. Peace is borrowing an indoor labyrinth this week and I had my first chance to walk it today. I've heard about walking the labyrinth for several years now, especially amongst the emerging crowd, so I've been wanting the chance to try it.
As you walk into the labyrinth, you are supposed to release and let go of the details of your life. For a few minutes, I couldn't let go of the cheese factor, walking barefoot on a canvas palette painted with a purple maze. Next I found myself going through my mental to do lists. No, I reminded myself, I'm not supposed to do, I'm supposed to un do. Then I started noticing where I was walking. At times I would get close to the middle and then be led away again. That's interesting. I tried not to cheat and look ahead to what was coming next and before I knew it I was in the center.
Now I don't know what labyrinth protocol is on silence or not, but I decided to walk the labyrinth with background music. While I'm in the center, Alison Krause is singing "take my life and let me be, a living prayer, my God to Thee" and that is totally how I'm feeling today. I think the labyrinth is a good metaphor for my faith journey. Sometimes I feel like I'm just moving in circles, as my faith ebbs and wanes, but is never fully formed. Then there is the rare occasion where my faith crystallizes into truth, purpose and understanding. However, as the seconds, minutes, hours and days pass, my faith tends to get muddled up as I circle out of the labyrinth once more. I guess I just need to remember to return to the journey, especially when it seems kind of cheesy and hopeless.
If you have the chance, I encourage you to come walk the labyrinth.
7/1, I'll be here until 8pm
7/2, 10am-2pm, 5-8pm
7/3, 10am-2pm, 5-8pm
7/5, 5-8pm
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