Different Takes, Same Text

Today's Scripture (1Peter3:18-22) was a prime example of this simple truth -- each pericope (fancy word for passage of Scripture) contains many themes and truths that can be expounded upon. 

I focused on the forgiveness of God being available to everyone, and included the interpretation of the odd phrase in vv19-20 about the 'spirits in prison in the time of Noah.'

Equally valid would have been a sermon the the suffering of Christ for our sins, baptism as a the representation of God's grace and how that works, or even focused on Christ's identity and purpose.

So, there are many different directions to focus a Scripture.  That is different from saying 'any interpretation is valid;' but that's a post for another day. 

Lenten Practices 2012

I'm always caught a little off guard by the beginning of Lent.  It doesn't matter if Lent comes early (like this year) or super late (like last year).  I'm always surprised when it begins.  I usually discover that Ash Wednesday is just around the corner when someone casually remarks that they are giving up sweets, meat, alcohol, or something else for Lent.  My standard response is, "Oh, man!  Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, isn't it?!?"  To which I get a quizzical nod, like:  "You're asking me?"

The prayer beads Erica gave me a couple years ago, 
ashes, and the lid to our baptismal font. 

So this year it happened again -- but I had a full two weeks heads-up, and I had already been thinking about our Ash Wednesday service, so I'm counting both of those as wins.  I also asked a few colleagues and friends what they were doing for Lent, did a little reading, visited some blogs and websites, and came up mostly blank.

I love the idea of giving something up for 40 days as a sign of devotion to Christ.  I also like adding a spiritual discipline to deepen my faith connection to God.  I've done both before and it's been meaningful.  This year I've decided to return to the Sermon on the Mount, the location of Christianity's 'classic' faith practices:  Alms (Matt 6:1-4), Prayer (Matt 6:5-13), and Fasting (Matt 6:16-18).

The focus of these practices in Matthew is that they are done not to be noticed and receive praise from others, but because they restore us to a right relationship with God.  I'm not bragging about what I am doing for Lent, I am only sharing my journey in hopes that it leads others into deeper devotion and commitment to our Lord.

Alms:  I am committing to carrying around four $5 bills each week and giving them away.  For the sake of argument, I'll consider the week as Monday - Sunday.  I might give to a homeless dude downtown, someone at the grocery store, or even a random fundraiser I come across.  It doesn't matter where I give the money, only that it meets a need and I don't tell anyone about it. 

Prayer:  I will carry my prayer beads with me all 40 days of Lent, and will pray using them in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.

Fasting:  Although the Didache suggests fasting be done every Wednesday and Friday (and John Wesley agreed!), I will take a page from the Catholic practice and fast Tuesdays with a morning and afternoon collation of bread and water.  I like Landon Whitsit's suggestion that fasting is going without something we need, not just something we want. 

So, there's my 2012 Lenten practice in a nutshell.  What are you doing/not doing this year?

A Tidbit From 2 Corinthians 4

⁵For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. ⁶For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The imagery of light is a powerful one.  Thinking of ourselves not as the producers of light, but the conduits of God's light puts it in proper perspective.  It takes our own ego out of the equation -- and Lord knows we all enjoy our own ego -- and makes it about what God is doing in our hearts and in our relationships through Jesus Christ.

How do people see God today?  Through you.

Oh yeah, and I'm on Facebook now!!

http://www.facebook.com/revbenskidmore

Naaman

Thanks to Ty & Hank McMahon for filming this.

The Job

This strikes me as about right, which is why it's funny.  

How about your job?  Any entertaining insights?

Red Herrings

When it comes to the church, I have discovered two red herrings that everyone loves to get distracted by:
1)  Membership Numbers
2)  Budget Numbers

Not that these two things aren't important, it's just that they aren't that important.  Actually, membership and the budget are of tertiary importance to what we're all about as the church.

Of primary importance is allowing the grace and love of Jesus Christ to transform lives.

Of secondary importance are a whole bunch of things that can be summed up in one word:  Discipleship.  Discipleship is how we encounter Jesus Christ and how we introduce others to Jesus Christ.  We should talk about how many people are worshiping with us regularly, engaging actively in the community of the church, and growing in their relationship with Christ. 

Back to the two stinky fish:  Membership and Budget Numbers.  
Why are they stinky fish?  Because they distract from what is really important.  Think about it:  If the church says "We're planning a $300,000 budget for next year.  That's a 5% increase over this year."  Guess how much people are going to be inclined to give?  Somewhere around 5% more.  The focus instead, needs to be on why we give (as an act of worship to honor God), and how we give (first, off the top).  Proper use of money is part of discipleship, not part of a budget.  If everyone gave as a faith offering rather than a tax write off, no church would ever hurt for money again.

Membership distracts because it focuses on getting names on a roll rather than engaging in relationships that will transform lives.

So are Member Numbers and Budget Numbers helpful for anything?  Absolutely!
Membership, when we stay on top of it, tells us who has publicly committed to supporting the mission of our church.  It's a declaration that "You can count on me!"

Sure, the budget is a really useful tool.  When used appropriately, it helps the Session to be good stewards of what God has given us to accomplish God's mission.  When used inappropriately, it becomes a secular imposition in the church and a hurdle to faith development.  The budget should support the work of the church, not the other way around.

"The Church is always and everywhere a living people, gathered together from the peoples of this world and journeying through the midst of time.  The church is essentially en route, on a journey, a pilgrimage.  The Church which pitches it's tents without looking out constantly for new horizons, which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its calling."  ~ Hans Küng