We had a crazy storm today! Trees are down all over North Chatt, Red Bank, and along the Hixson border. I hope everyone is safe and warm, especially those without electricity tonight.
We lost power at the church instantly when the tornado-force winds hit. We also headed downstairs quite briskly. After the wind and rain subsided, it was evident why we lost power: two trees took out the powerlines at Mississippi and Tremont. (as a total aside, maybe a good infrastructure investment would be buried powerlines throughout the country... but what do I know, I'm just a pastor...).
When we emerged from the basement, we were getting our bearings upstairs and marveling that the heavy iron patio furniture had been tossed around the church patio, when a slightly shaken looking couple came through the door. Turns out they are from Wisconsin and they're house hunting because the husband is starting a new job with VW in a couple of weeks. Apparently they were driving and then got hit with the rain and the wind and at the first available moment, made a dash into the safest place they could see: Northside Church! They said they needed shelter from the storm.
What a wonderful role for our church building to fulfill! I hope we continue to be a shelter, not just from the storm, but for all who need a safe place to be.
Now kick back and enjoy some Bob Dylan.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Bono Interview
A friend directed me to this interview with Bono, lead singer of U2, which is an excerpt from a new book about him.
Here's a link to the excerpt: http://www.thepoachedegg.net/the-poached-egg/2010/09/bono-interview-grace-over-karma.html
I was pleasantly surprised, because as much as I like U2, I've always thought of Bono as kind of a tool. I stand corrected. Here is one of my favorite lines from the interview: "If only we could be a bit more like [Jesus], the world would be transformed." Indeed it would!
Here's a link to the excerpt: http://www.thepoachedegg.net/the-poached-egg/2010/09/bono-interview-grace-over-karma.html
I was pleasantly surprised, because as much as I like U2, I've always thought of Bono as kind of a tool. I stand corrected. Here is one of my favorite lines from the interview: "If only we could be a bit more like [Jesus], the world would be transformed." Indeed it would!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Community vs. Members
This evening at our monthly Session meeting one of my elders raised a very thought provoking issue. We had just approved the adult baptism of a guy who, along with his two children and his girlfriend, has become a wonderful part of our church over the past few months. The issue she raised was if someone had to become a member of the church when they were baptized. I explained that's how it works--you are baptized into the church, and therefore become a member. Another elder pointed out that's why we don't do private baptisms; one cannot be a Christian outside of a Christian community.
Which makes me wonder: Is the issue about semantics? Does 'church member' carry negative connotations that 'part of this Christian community' doesn't? Maybe 'church member' brings up images of an exclusive club, membership cards, joining fees, obligations, insiders and outsiders.
Maybe being a 'member' is passe. Maybe no one cares about 'church membership.'
What does matter is being part of a community where you are cared for, where you are safe, where you can grow and become the person God wants you to be. That's what the church is (or should be!). And what is baptism? The rite of initiation into that community. God's grace at work within an individual saying, "Hey, come here, this is where you belong."
People aren't into joining the church. Can't blame them, actually. With all the baggage 'joining' and 'church' bring along? No thanks. However, people are desperate for true community; desperate for a place to belong, where they can say, "Here. This is it. These are my peeps."
But when does someone move from not part of the community to part of the community? It happens organically, sure. It might be tough to place a date and time on it. But it does happen, and that is a milestone for the individual and the community. Everywhere else in life we mark important milestones--with gold rings or gold watches, ceremonies and certificates. How do we do it in a meaningful, appropriate, and appealing way in the church?
So maybe we update the words. One no longer 'joins the church,' one 'becomes a part of the local Christian community.' Changing the way we talk about it is one thing. Changing how we use our new words/concepts when interpreting our church polity, that takes a bit more effort, but can be done.
Bonus Content
What about children who are baptized and welcomed as members of God's family? The answer is in the question: They are members of God's family. Because their parents are part of the church community, the children will be raised as part of the community. They are not old enough to take personal responsibility for the community (that comes at Confirmation), but they are, nonetheless, members of the faith community.
Which makes me wonder: Is the issue about semantics? Does 'church member' carry negative connotations that 'part of this Christian community' doesn't? Maybe 'church member' brings up images of an exclusive club, membership cards, joining fees, obligations, insiders and outsiders.
Maybe being a 'member' is passe. Maybe no one cares about 'church membership.'
What does matter is being part of a community where you are cared for, where you are safe, where you can grow and become the person God wants you to be. That's what the church is (or should be!). And what is baptism? The rite of initiation into that community. God's grace at work within an individual saying, "Hey, come here, this is where you belong."People aren't into joining the church. Can't blame them, actually. With all the baggage 'joining' and 'church' bring along? No thanks. However, people are desperate for true community; desperate for a place to belong, where they can say, "Here. This is it. These are my peeps."
But when does someone move from not part of the community to part of the community? It happens organically, sure. It might be tough to place a date and time on it. But it does happen, and that is a milestone for the individual and the community. Everywhere else in life we mark important milestones--with gold rings or gold watches, ceremonies and certificates. How do we do it in a meaningful, appropriate, and appealing way in the church?
So maybe we update the words. One no longer 'joins the church,' one 'becomes a part of the local Christian community.' Changing the way we talk about it is one thing. Changing how we use our new words/concepts when interpreting our church polity, that takes a bit more effort, but can be done.Bonus Content
What about children who are baptized and welcomed as members of God's family? The answer is in the question: They are members of God's family. Because their parents are part of the church community, the children will be raised as part of the community. They are not old enough to take personal responsibility for the community (that comes at Confirmation), but they are, nonetheless, members of the faith community.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Do Not Be Frightened or Dismayed
One of my favorite pieces of Scripture is God's assurance to Joshua as young Josh takes the mantle of Moses and prepares to lead the people into the Promised Land. I'm sure Josh felt a lot of things, among them fear and dismay. Yet in the first 9 verses of Joshua chapter 1, God tells him three times to be "strong and courageous" (vv6, 7, & 9). The final time attaches the words from the title of this post as well as a promise of God's abiding presence.
Frightened and dismayed. If your life is anything like mine, it has a tendency to get both frightening and dismaying at times. Closing on a house is the current dismay for me. It'll pass, I know. But frustration dragging out for 3 months weighs one down. Of course, it could be much smaller and simpler: the ocular celulitis Jack had last week. It just looked like his eye was bruised, but apparently it's a very dangerous infection. Jack was the personification of frightened and dismayed when he got antibiotic shots at the doctor's 2 days in a row.
You've got your own life and your own things that are frightening and dismaying. You don't need to borrow mine.
God's commandment to "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed" could almost be rendered: "Don't let this crap overwhelm you." God knows it's going to be tough, that's why this commandment is followed by "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
To you, to me, to anyone who struggles to be strong and courageous in the face of a life that can be scary and distressing, hear these words: Don't let this crap overwhelm you. You're not alone! It's OK to ask for help; from God and from each other.
Frightened and dismayed. If your life is anything like mine, it has a tendency to get both frightening and dismaying at times. Closing on a house is the current dismay for me. It'll pass, I know. But frustration dragging out for 3 months weighs one down. Of course, it could be much smaller and simpler: the ocular celulitis Jack had last week. It just looked like his eye was bruised, but apparently it's a very dangerous infection. Jack was the personification of frightened and dismayed when he got antibiotic shots at the doctor's 2 days in a row.
You've got your own life and your own things that are frightening and dismaying. You don't need to borrow mine.
God's commandment to "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed" could almost be rendered: "Don't let this crap overwhelm you." God knows it's going to be tough, that's why this commandment is followed by "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
To you, to me, to anyone who struggles to be strong and courageous in the face of a life that can be scary and distressing, hear these words: Don't let this crap overwhelm you. You're not alone! It's OK to ask for help; from God and from each other.
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