PASTORAL-PROPHETIC INTEGRITY

Once a month I have breakfast with a bunch of guys from our congregation, a couple of whom have stopped attending.  They are all conservative Republicans.  Our conversations are about life issues, politics, cultural shifts, church, Bible, and Jesus.  Our disagreements are significant on many issues. Yet, we are civil and we listen to each other.  It is Bible and Jesus what bind us together. 

Our conversation usually steers towards pastoral leadership and the question: What does it mean to be a pastor?  Why? Because they are all critical of our pastor because he talks too much politics and social issues.  I suspect a good portion of their criticalness is because his positions lean to the "left" and they are quite "right."  Personally, I am pleased with his positions and focus, and given the other staff and their pastoral bents, there is a nice balance, and fleshing out of the fullness of the Biblical witness.

At our last breakfast, I commented that the pastor is to preach Christ, and to flesh out the fullness of the Biblical witness.  Sometimes that means lifting up the comfort, the forgiveness, the reconciling love of Christ,  and at other times proclaiming the edgy, critical challenge of Christ and the Biblical witness.  There is a balance between comfort and criticism, comfort and challenge.  Text in point: Luke 4, when Jesus returns to his home town, enters the synagogue and reads from Isaiah.  The text from Isaiah enjoins us to "bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free."  Furthermore, Jesus says his message will reach to the non-Jews because he will be rejected by the Chosen People.  The result of this exchange?  They take Jesus to a cliff and prepare to throw him over the edge.  Yet, here comes God's deliverance and Jesus "passed through the midst of them and went on his way." 

Pastoral leadership is crucial to the life and ministry of the congregation.  The ELCA is facing challenges as it confronts the exodus of about 1,000 congregations that have left the ELCA and joined other Lutheran expressions.  The main reason is how we interpret scripture.  The ELCA is not "literalistic" in its Biblical interpretation.  We give credit to historical context, meanings of words, the truths revealed through archeology, the insights of science, and the paradox within the witness.  Interpretation means asking questions and engaging doubt, allowing uncertainty to be part of the interpretive mix.

When it comes to social issues and politics, the ELCA encourages engagement of the issues, both from the pulpit and in study and action.  We cannot endorse candidates, but we are called to deal with the nuances and realities of the issues, putting all through the sieve of the Biblical texts.  This responsibility is made clear in the standard Letter of Call to pastors and in the Affirmtion of Baptism.

The ELCA expects pastors to bear witness to the fullness of Holy Scripture, to the fullness of Christ's life and message.  The ELCA is very Barthian: the pastor (and people) are to live a witness with "scripture in one hand and the newspaper in the other."  We also agree with Bonhoeffer: "We cannot experience the reality of God without the reality of the world; nor the reality of the world without the reality of God." The full world!  All the world!  "For God so loved the world...." The ELCA is not good at "spiritualizing" the Christian life, urging the faithful to somehow "live above" the fray.  We are kind of a "down and dirty" group.  Luther left the monastery for a reason!  

The question for the pastor is how he/she will present the fullness of the Biblical witness: the comfort and the challenge, the embrace and the criticality, the personal and the political to the congregation.  It is their calling, their responsibility, the measure of their faithfulness, the mark of their Biblical integrity.

My experience in the ministry has taught me that most pastors do a pretty good job living out the pastoral skills of comforting, speaking of God's forgiveness and acceptance.  The greatest challenge and the greatest gap has been that of PASTORAL FORMATION OF PEACE AND JUSTICE witness.  There is an imbalance between the PASTORAL  and the PROPHETIC witness, with the weight of time and effort going into the PASTORAL basket.  There needs to be a restoration of the balance.

Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, is going through a curriculum design process.  Their is a gap between PASTORAL FORMATION and PROPHETIC FORMATION.  The Joint Peace with Justice Committee is going to present a proposal to correct this balance.  We believe this correction is necessary for the faithful proclamation of the fullness of God's Word.

NEXT TIME: A DESIGN FOR PROPHETIC FORMATION 

Peace!

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

The Biblical witness has taught me that faithfulness involves good stewardship of our financial house.  Dealing with debt and paying bills has Biblical groundings.  When I was at Sky Ranch, we had the challenge of addressing a $235,000 debt that was costing $25,000 a year in interest.  Recently, at Luther Theological Seminary, the president was let go because under his stewardship the seminary debt had sky-rocketed.  Personal indebtedness in our country is huge.  Then we have the national indebtedness of about $16 trillion!  

How we deal with debt is a moral question.  Many of our national leaders believe that lowering taxes on everyone is the answer. Then, cutting entitlements on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are necessary.  Of course, leaving the defense budget in tact is necessary, even though our DB is the size of the next 15 major countries combined.  Is there another way that ensures compassion and justice for everyone?  I was intrigued by an article in the Huffington Post that listed 10 ways to deal with debt that protected entitlements.  I think they are helpful:

1.  PRISON REFORM: The USA has 5% of the world's population and 25% of the world's incarcerated population.  The cost is $680 billion over 10 years.  How about releasing nonviolent elderly prisoners, offer treatment and counseling to nonviolent offenders, shorten sentences for good behavior prisoners, and substitute probation for jail time?

2.  END THE DRUG WAR: We spend $15 billion a year on the fight, plus pay for the incarceration of offenders, most of whom are committed a nonviolent drug offense.

3.  LET MEDICARE NEGOTIATE WITH BIG PHARMA: We spend 15% of our total economic output each year on health care.  This is 50% more than Canada. Medicare spends approximately $50 billion a year on prescription drugs.  One economist says that USA folks spend 10 times more than what they need to pay if Medicare could negotiate with drug makers.

4.  ELIMINATE OFF-SHORE TAX HAVENS:  Save $100 billion a year.

5.  DEPRIVATIZE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT WORK: Private contractors are paid nearly double what a government worker is paid.

6.  PRINT MORE MONEY: Accept moderate inflation.  Make debt more manageable. 10.8 million homes are underwater.  Student debt is at $1 trillion.  Inflation can be controlled.  Right now, give people a break.

7.  PRINT LESS MONEY: Mint $1 coins rather than $1 bills.  Over 30 years the government could save $4.4 billion.

8.  IMMIGRATION: LESS DETENTION AND MORE ANKLE BRACELETS: The government spends about $122 a day to detain immigrants, most of whom are nonviolent.  $15 will pay for an ankle bracelet.

9.  FINANCIAL SPECULATION TAX: Tax every Wall Street trade at the ultra low rate of 0.25%. This would raise about $150 billion a year!

10.  CARBON TAX:  Taxing greenhouse gases would raise $80 billion a year and up to $310 billion a year by 2050!

Entitlements need to be preserved as a moral foundation.  As we can see, there are ways to address our national debt and take care of our people.  Certainly, no strategy is perfect.  But the above suggestions are worth a try, and my guess is that most would work well together, freeing us up to address the pressing issues of our nation.  Let's give it a try!  Show me the money!  Well, here it is!

Peace!

A MOJITO, A TOAST, A BEQUEATH

Linda and I concluded 2012 by lifting a Mojito (a combination of rum, triple sec, lime, powdered sugar, and 7-Up), toasting to a better 2013, and bequeathing Philippians 3:13-14 to ALL: "Forget what lies behind, and press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ." Then, we watched the ball drop over Times Square and fell asleep.

To what do we toast?  To what do we hope?  To what do we work towards?  What is the goal, the prize, the upward calling of God in Jesus Christ?  What is the will of God? 

1.  A WASHINGTON, A STATE HOUSE THAT SEEKS THE COMMON GOOD: Commitment to the common good would pass laws, spread wealth around, seek justice, provide opportunity for ALL people.  

2.  CARE, SUPPORT, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEAST OF THESE: Medical support, educational grants, educational investment, job opportunities, healthy food to encourage growth in ability to contribute to society.

3.  GOVERNMENT THAT MOVES BEYOND GRIDLOCK AND IDEOLOGICAL RIGIDITY: Take the best from each political persuasion and blend actions which will serve ALL.  Listen to each other, learn from each other, and then let the well-being of ALL people be the moral guide for action.  Expect that elected officials seek the good of the ALL, see the big national picture as well as those of their constituents.

4.  ECONOMIC REFORM: Less supply side and more Keynesian economic practice.  Wealth does not trickle down.  Wealth builds out from the people.  Corporations exist for people first, not profit.  Find balance between people and profit.  Practice a balance between globalism and patriotism.  Create process for dealing with debt, yet to also invest heavily in the future.

5.  CUT THE FAT AND ELIMINATE OUTMODED MILITARY "TOYS" FROM THE DEFENSE BUDGET: We cannot be the "cops of the world" (to quote a Phil Ochs' song).  Expect other nations to shoulder their share for their own defense.  Free up more resources for human need and debt relief.

6.  CUT EXPENSES BUT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL: Discover creative ways to decrease medical costs while providing sufficient medical and mental health care for ALL.  Make deals with "big pharma", require providers to work as teams, pay for outcomes rather than number of tests.  Commit to addressing obesity epidemic through changing of diet and education.  Secure Medicare and Medicaid for the long-term.

7.  SECURE SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security does not add one penny to our debt.  Do not cut.  Expect people to pay into SS at a higher level of salary.   

8.  ADOPT NEW GUN SAFETY LAWS:  Eliminate assault weapons, eliminate large ammo clips, require trigger locks, eliminate gun-show loopholes, require registration of all guns, provide mental health screenings and limitations.  More guns is not the answer to our national tragedy of death.  Work with the NRA and gun owners to design a safer national policy.

9.  IMMIGRATION REFORM:  Reintroduce the Dream Act.  Find ways for immigrants to earn citizenship, become educated, receive health care without having to live in fear, pay taxes, to remain in the USA and work for the betterment of our nation and their families.

10.  TAX REFORM: Require all people to pay their fair share.  There is a cost for living in a free society.  Increase tax rates for the upper wage earners.  Eliminate off-shore tax shelters, lower corporate taxes, limit deductions (not on charity support).  

11.  INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE: Spend more to repair our nations aging bridges, roads, schools.

12.  INVEST IN EDUCATION: Hire more teachers and upgrade our programs, buildings and technological requirements.  Internet for all! Discover ways for schools and districts to have adequate funding, not tied solely to property taxes.  Spread the wealth to all schools.  Invest more resources in lifting up the poor and least advantaged.  Learn from Finland and the Scandinavian countries.  Invest more in job training and retraining.

13.  STRONG COMMITMENT TO CLEAN-GREEN ENERGY: Investment in solar and wind energy, electric cars, greater building insulation, creative architectural designs that utilize natural lighting and rhythms, less reliance on fossil fuels, elimination of fracking.

14.  CREATION OF A NATIONAL SERVICE CORPS: Require high school or college graduates to serve the well-being of the nation, either through their regular employment or through work programs provided by the government.  Everyone should be expected to work for the national good.  For those having difficulty finding work, the NSC would provide work and training.  

15. REGULATE WALL STREET, BANKS, AND INVESTMENT FIRMS:  There are limits to the types of investments these groups can formulate.  Transparency of investments, limits to hedge funds, taxing of capital gains.

16.  ELECTORAL REFORM:  All people need to be able to vote.  It is a basic right in our democracy.  Provide enough voting machines, initiate on-line voting, provide adequate time for voting, encourage early voting, eliminate unnecessary voter ID requirements, provide a common voting rights strategy for all states.

17.  CELEBRATE AND EMPOWER DIVERSITY:  The United States is a mosaic of cultures and races.  Discover how we can find joy in this diversity and empower the gifts of all within this mosaic for the well-being of all.

18.  REPENT AND REFORM: We need to kneel and beg forgiveness from God and each other for our failures to act justly.  Then we need to change our ways, to act anew, enabled and empowered by God's Good Grace.  God will GUIDE and PROVIDE.

19.  PRACTICE MERCY: A modern, unnamed theologian defines mercy: "Entering the chaos of another." The character of a government, of a nation, is how well we practice this action.

As Christians, we are called to seek and do the will of God.  To this end we toast and work.  Lift the glass and sweat!  Press on towards the upward calling of Jesus Christ!

Happy New Year!

Blessings and Peace!