In a toxic world, we are created and called to GO TO GOD and COME TO JESUS. The promise of God in Christ is that God/Jesus will RESPOND, and the response will be life-giving.
"Toxic" has become a frequently used word to describe the condition of our politics, our church, and our world. Gridlock in state and national politics, passage of Taliban-like laws relating to women's health, voter suppression laws, passage of right-to-work laws which harm the middle class and further stifle unions, corporate high-jacking of our electoral process, unemployment and foreclosures, poverty and racism, the Trayvon Martin tragedy, continual wars, rifts in the Church, and the list extends ad infinitude. Where do we find life and hope?
Our congregation's Lenten series focuses on Old Testament texts. I was asked to preach on a text from the Book of Numbers, chapter 21, verses 1-9. This text provides life and hope through the rhythm of GOING TO GOD, COMING TO JESUS, and God RESPONDING.
The people of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for decades. Nearing Canaan, they encountered a Canaanite tribe and snakes. Here's what happened and how life and hope surfaced.
1. A Canaanite tribe attacked the People of Israel, killing some and taking others captive. The Israelites CALLED OUT to God, asking that God deliver them, promising they would destroy them and their towns. God said yes! The Israelites were victorious! I do not subscribe to the notion that God wills the killing of people. Considering that the Book of Numbers was written hundreds of years after the occasion, Old Testament historians had a theological axe to grind, and tended to kowtow to the warrior god as doing the will of God in order to justify the invasion of Canaan and the settling into their new Promised Land. Furthermore, there was considerable nationalistic hubris throughout the Exodus narrative, resulting in justification of invasion violence. The larger point in this story is that the people of God CALLED OUT to God and God RESPONDED by giving them strength to act because God sides with the oppressed, the alien, the stranger, the abused, and God had a made the promise of a Land. God was assuring the People of God that they were not powerless, but powerful because of God's grace, that God would guide and provide for their new home.
We are created for action, to step-up, and stand-up in the face of unwarranted violence. I recall what MLK, Jr. once said: "When your back ain't bent, nobody can ride you." The strong response to the Trayvon Martin tragedy is consistent with the action within these verses in Numbers. Historically, the march from Selma to Montgomery which we celebrate this week, was a push-back against injustice. Going to God and Coming to Jesus about these issues invites the action of God to transform the injustice into hope and life. Similarly, our calling out, followed by God's response, ignites our further response. Today, we are left with the question of what parts of life need our push-back, our invoking the action of God?
2. The people complained, CALLED OUT to God and Moses, because there was no water, no food, no food they liked. Complaint is not lack of faith. The prophets complained about the lack of justice. Job complained about his misfortunes. But in this text, complaint was linked with lack of faith, denial of God's grace, and disobedience. They "spoke against God and Moses." They had the integrity of their honesty. It was perhaps natural that the people felt betrayed. They had trusted Moses and God that they were to be led to a new home land, but with all this suffering? But there was a breakdown in faith and they began to follow their own whims. Therefore, God RESPONDED by sending snakes to bite and kill them. Here again, I do not subscribe to God sending snakes to kill people. In the desert, snakes happen! This is a metaphor based on reality, telling us that disobedience and turning against God is sinful. Where there is sin there are pain, consequences, and accountability. Sin is a fracture in relationship. In the OT, the snake was a symbol of evil, lying, deceit, Satan, of the fracture in our relationship with God and each other.
David Brooks, editorial writer for the New York Times, recently wrote an article entitled: "The Monster Lurking in Our Souls". He was writing in response to the tragic shooting of Afghanistan civilians by Staff Sargent Robert Bales. Bales was a model soldier and husband. But he snapped. Brooks writes that all of us have our dark sides, quoting John Calvin, who believed that "babies came out depraved", G.K. Chesterton that "The doctrine of original sin is the only part of Christian theology that can be proved", and C.S. Lewis saying "There is no such thing as an ordinary person. Each person you sit next to on the bus is capable of extraordinary horrors and extraordinary heroism." Crying out to God, to Jesus, in confession is proper Christian discipline. The People of Israel CALLED OUT to God in confession, and God RESPONDED in mercy.
Complaint is a valid response to many of life's rhythms. Yet, while we complain, can we still bend our knees? Can we chant our kyries in obedience? Kyries invite God's merciful response. Kyries sing our vulnerabilities. Kyries express trust in God's grace in our powerlessness. Complain, yes! But complain and believe!
3. Suffering from snake bites, the People of God CALLED OUT to God and Moses, confessing their sins, and asking God to remove the snakes from their midst. God RESPONDED by promising that if they were bitten in the future, they were to look upon a bronze snake that Moses was to construct, and they would live.
It is important that our CALLING OUT be specific. Why are we calling out, coming to Jesus? It must be because of this and that, this person, that situation. Calling out needs focus. God wants us to acknowledge the truth within our hearts, so that in calling out, we too have "skin in the game", that God's response also commits us to response through God's grace. Calling out is intercession involving the unity of God's action and our action. Certainly, God can transform by God self, but we are God's faithful servants and called to be God's instruments. As we call out to God, come to Jesus, we are also calling out ourselves. Obedience to God couples with obedience to ourselves.
As we live in our toxic world, we are given the GRACE to CALL OUT to God, GO TO GOD, COME TO JESUS, in the confidence that God in Christ will RESPOND in ways that grant hope and life! Living in our toxic world necessitates that we CALL OUT to God, because in our CALLING OUT, our GOING TO GOD, COMING TO JESUS, we are RESPONDING to God's grace, practicing obedience, living intentionally, straightening our backs to face the world, and insisting upon peace and justice, equality and dignity, with the strength of the promises of God's RESPONSE. CALLING OUT takes faith, humility and courage, how God responds may not always be nice, the journey is fraught with hope and peril, suffering is on the table, and expectations may at times seem out of reach, but the Promised Land is real, we are beckoned, we are focused for discipleship, and life and hope are guaranteed!
We are created and called to GO TO GOD and COME TO JESUS! In this is life in a toxic world!
Blessings and Peace!
Ron
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Theology Over Ideology
Christians are called to believe, think, and act THEOLOGICALLY. Our theology is to shape our ideology, not the other way around. THEOLOGY is about living in and out of relationship with God, being shaped by God's grace to do God's will. IDEOLOGY is about living in and out of political and social values shaped by culture, philosophy, and personal bias, for the purpose of doing our will.
I belong to an ecumenical progressive ministry called ISAIAH. Its purpose comes from Isaiah 58: to be a "repairer of the breach, a mender of cities." Towards this end, ISAIAH is committed to addressing major issues such as education, budget, voter ID by impacting legislation through influencing our state legislators. This means lobbying. No, we don't bribe, get big bucks, or kickbacks! We visit, have thoughtful conversation, listen, and share our views.
Recently, I was part of a lobbying team which visited two Republican legislators. One visit was particularly illuminating. We shared our views on an education proposal for equal access and opportunity for all. Finally, the legislator said, "I have noticed that the proposals of the Joint Religious and Legislative Council (another progressive ecumenical ministry) and ISAIAH tend to be similar to the DFL ideology."
At this I jumped in, saying, "It is not about ideology, but theology. I notice that you have a Bible on your lamp stand. ISAIAH understands the Bible as God calling us to insure equal access, equal opportunity, equal justice for all people. ISAIAH welcomes all people towards this effort, Republican and Democrat." I also said, "Jesus takes sides. Jesus wills that all people have enough for life, that there be dignity, access, opportunity, justice, and life for all." I tried to lift up THEOLOGY over IDEOLOGY, and to say that THEOLOGY must shape our IDEOLOGY, that THEOLOGY brings Christian folks together politically for the sake of the common good.
It was a time of witness as well as policy conversation. The tone changed from confrontation to contemplation, from argument to listening, from IDEOLOGY to THEOLOGY. In the end I felt a union of concern and spirit. Will his votes change? Yet, we witnessed, listened, and advocated.
At a recent ISAIAH training session, we focused on how to lobby, how to advocate, how to move the conversation beyond ideology to theology. Part of the answer is to focus on VALUES. Hence, we have developed GROUNDING QUESTIONS, asking: Will our leaders
1) CREATE racial equity in our state?
2) UNITE us rather that divide us?
3) CREATE prosperity for all rather than concentrating on wealth?
4) EXPAND participation and power in public decision making?
5) MOVE us from gridlock into working together creatively?
It is ISAIAH's belief that addressing the various issues of our time through asking these questions can lead to common ground for the common good. Why? Because these questions are VALUE QUESTIONS which lead us to conversation about the state of our common humanity and what we can do together to provide for ALL.
I think these questions put THEOLOGY on the table, and direct the conversation towards actions which unite for justice and the common good, rather than create an IDEOLOGICAL barrier of gridlock and abuse of power.
THEOLOGY shapes IDEOLOGY. The power of the Church is its THEOLOGY and reliance on the Word, in which Christ is proclaimed, who in turn transforms life and politics.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
I belong to an ecumenical progressive ministry called ISAIAH. Its purpose comes from Isaiah 58: to be a "repairer of the breach, a mender of cities." Towards this end, ISAIAH is committed to addressing major issues such as education, budget, voter ID by impacting legislation through influencing our state legislators. This means lobbying. No, we don't bribe, get big bucks, or kickbacks! We visit, have thoughtful conversation, listen, and share our views.
Recently, I was part of a lobbying team which visited two Republican legislators. One visit was particularly illuminating. We shared our views on an education proposal for equal access and opportunity for all. Finally, the legislator said, "I have noticed that the proposals of the Joint Religious and Legislative Council (another progressive ecumenical ministry) and ISAIAH tend to be similar to the DFL ideology."
At this I jumped in, saying, "It is not about ideology, but theology. I notice that you have a Bible on your lamp stand. ISAIAH understands the Bible as God calling us to insure equal access, equal opportunity, equal justice for all people. ISAIAH welcomes all people towards this effort, Republican and Democrat." I also said, "Jesus takes sides. Jesus wills that all people have enough for life, that there be dignity, access, opportunity, justice, and life for all." I tried to lift up THEOLOGY over IDEOLOGY, and to say that THEOLOGY must shape our IDEOLOGY, that THEOLOGY brings Christian folks together politically for the sake of the common good.
It was a time of witness as well as policy conversation. The tone changed from confrontation to contemplation, from argument to listening, from IDEOLOGY to THEOLOGY. In the end I felt a union of concern and spirit. Will his votes change? Yet, we witnessed, listened, and advocated.
At a recent ISAIAH training session, we focused on how to lobby, how to advocate, how to move the conversation beyond ideology to theology. Part of the answer is to focus on VALUES. Hence, we have developed GROUNDING QUESTIONS, asking: Will our leaders
1) CREATE racial equity in our state?
2) UNITE us rather that divide us?
3) CREATE prosperity for all rather than concentrating on wealth?
4) EXPAND participation and power in public decision making?
5) MOVE us from gridlock into working together creatively?
It is ISAIAH's belief that addressing the various issues of our time through asking these questions can lead to common ground for the common good. Why? Because these questions are VALUE QUESTIONS which lead us to conversation about the state of our common humanity and what we can do together to provide for ALL.
I think these questions put THEOLOGY on the table, and direct the conversation towards actions which unite for justice and the common good, rather than create an IDEOLOGICAL barrier of gridlock and abuse of power.
THEOLOGY shapes IDEOLOGY. The power of the Church is its THEOLOGY and reliance on the Word, in which Christ is proclaimed, who in turn transforms life and politics.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
Monday, February 27, 2012
Lessons of Lent: Temptation or Obedience?
We have begun our Lenten Journey. We are marked by the Cross of Jesus. We are presented with the Lessons of Lent: Temptation or Obedience.
The Temptation Story in the Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11 presents us with two opposing choices: God in Christ (OBEDIENCE), or Evil (Satan, Leviathan) (TEMPTATION). Our response indicates how we will respond to today's challenges.
Obedience to the TEMPTATIONS of Evil-Satan-Leviathan are, according to Matthew: 1) Eating well, filling our bellies, enjoying a satisfying meal, becoming obese physically and personally; 2) Celebrity, doing magic to the applause of spectators, glorying in fame; 3) Power and wealth, political influence, villas by the sea, mansions beside the lake, private jets, and all the perks of position.
On the otherhand, OBEDIENCE to God and the Way of Christ are: 1) Food for the stomach, mind, and heart: FOOD OF THE WORD; 2) Refusal to focus life on fame and self-glory; 3) Choosing to worship God, to place God in Christ at the Center of life, trusting that God will guide and provide according to God's gracious will.
What follows this story is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The Way of OBEDIENCE is the Way of the Sermon on the Mount.
OBEDIENCE to the Word, to God, to Christ, to the Cross calls us to compassion, empathy, justice, mercy, peacemaking, nonviolence, suffering for others, love of enemies, honoring marriage and relationship, inclusion, celebration of diversity, seeking reconciliation, forgiveness, generosity, prayer, humility, creation care, concern for the common good, and discipleship.
Yielding to TEMPTATION brings greed, profit at the expense of people, war, violence, abuse of power, self expression for the sake of self, waste of resources, environmental scourging, arrogance, abuse of bodies, racial and gender prejudice, economic inequality, neglect of the least of these, pre-occupation with pleasure to the exclusion of concern for the common good, and purposeful infliction of pain for the sake of self protection and love of power.
Specifically, the TEMPTATION side is exemplified by the rush to institute VOTER ID laws in order to exclude the votes of the most powerless and vulnerable. RIGHT TO WORK laws will further depress the earning power and safety net of the middle class. Prevention of GAY MARRIAGE will deny the civil rights of gender choice. The TABOR amendment (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) will strangle budget and tax reform and funnel more money to the upper 1% to the detriment of support for education, infrastructure, and health care. Intrusion into WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES such as contraception and abortion rights, through invasive procedures is a violation of privacy and the dignity of choice. Further TAX-CUTTING for the upper 1% and failure to hold businesses financially accountable for OFF-SHORING their wealth, will lead to more education cuts, infrastructure neglect, more unemployment, continued erosion of the middle class, and continued rise in poverty. Chipping away at OBAMACARE will prevent more people from receiving necessary health care. Eliminating REGULATIONS and preventing the VOLCKER RULE from going into effect will further unplug the dam of careless speculation which led us into this economic hole.
TEMPTATION is about ABUSE OF POWER for the sake of the POWERFUL. Temptation scraps the Sermon on the Mount.
Yes, we all yield to temptation. Yes, we all have mixed records of obedience. Yet, God's grace calls us to yield to John the Baptist's call for repentance, and repentance opens us to obedience. Again and again and again. We can start over.
Lessons of Lent.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
The Temptation Story in the Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11 presents us with two opposing choices: God in Christ (OBEDIENCE), or Evil (Satan, Leviathan) (TEMPTATION). Our response indicates how we will respond to today's challenges.
Obedience to the TEMPTATIONS of Evil-Satan-Leviathan are, according to Matthew: 1) Eating well, filling our bellies, enjoying a satisfying meal, becoming obese physically and personally; 2) Celebrity, doing magic to the applause of spectators, glorying in fame; 3) Power and wealth, political influence, villas by the sea, mansions beside the lake, private jets, and all the perks of position.
On the otherhand, OBEDIENCE to God and the Way of Christ are: 1) Food for the stomach, mind, and heart: FOOD OF THE WORD; 2) Refusal to focus life on fame and self-glory; 3) Choosing to worship God, to place God in Christ at the Center of life, trusting that God will guide and provide according to God's gracious will.
What follows this story is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The Way of OBEDIENCE is the Way of the Sermon on the Mount.
OBEDIENCE to the Word, to God, to Christ, to the Cross calls us to compassion, empathy, justice, mercy, peacemaking, nonviolence, suffering for others, love of enemies, honoring marriage and relationship, inclusion, celebration of diversity, seeking reconciliation, forgiveness, generosity, prayer, humility, creation care, concern for the common good, and discipleship.
Yielding to TEMPTATION brings greed, profit at the expense of people, war, violence, abuse of power, self expression for the sake of self, waste of resources, environmental scourging, arrogance, abuse of bodies, racial and gender prejudice, economic inequality, neglect of the least of these, pre-occupation with pleasure to the exclusion of concern for the common good, and purposeful infliction of pain for the sake of self protection and love of power.
Specifically, the TEMPTATION side is exemplified by the rush to institute VOTER ID laws in order to exclude the votes of the most powerless and vulnerable. RIGHT TO WORK laws will further depress the earning power and safety net of the middle class. Prevention of GAY MARRIAGE will deny the civil rights of gender choice. The TABOR amendment (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) will strangle budget and tax reform and funnel more money to the upper 1% to the detriment of support for education, infrastructure, and health care. Intrusion into WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES such as contraception and abortion rights, through invasive procedures is a violation of privacy and the dignity of choice. Further TAX-CUTTING for the upper 1% and failure to hold businesses financially accountable for OFF-SHORING their wealth, will lead to more education cuts, infrastructure neglect, more unemployment, continued erosion of the middle class, and continued rise in poverty. Chipping away at OBAMACARE will prevent more people from receiving necessary health care. Eliminating REGULATIONS and preventing the VOLCKER RULE from going into effect will further unplug the dam of careless speculation which led us into this economic hole.
TEMPTATION is about ABUSE OF POWER for the sake of the POWERFUL. Temptation scraps the Sermon on the Mount.
Yes, we all yield to temptation. Yes, we all have mixed records of obedience. Yet, God's grace calls us to yield to John the Baptist's call for repentance, and repentance opens us to obedience. Again and again and again. We can start over.
Lessons of Lent.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Bonhoeffer's Church of the Word
The focus of my last blog was Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. I described the church using three adjectives: performance, production, and personality. It was Christianity lite, a half-a-loaf blend of money, success, and material American culture, mixed with the spoken and musical Word. No doubt spiritual needs were addressed and Christ was presented and celebrated. But the depth of Christ and the Cross were shallow. Here is where I find Dietrich Bonhoeffer helpful.
In his sermon on 28 May, 1933, delivered at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, Bonhoeffer focused on Exodus 32: 1-7, 9f, 15, 30-34. He contrasted the Church of Aaron with the Church of Moses.
He describes the Church of Aaron, the PRIESTLY church thusly: 1) It is IMPATIENT. We want visible results now because we are anxious, because we are fearful that God has forgotten us. We refuse to live by God's time because our lives are in peril and we need reassurance NOW; 2) It is about ME. Give me satisfaction. Prove to me that God is alive. Satisfy me. Bless me. Give me peace. 3) It demands SPLENDOR. We want pizzaz! We want lights and gold and sparkle and fashion and flowing robes and make-up and smoothness and comfort and ease and glory and positive feelings and cameras and.... Bonhoeffer writes: "Bring precious adornment, gold, jewellery, bring it as an offering. And they will come, without exception.... The human race is ready for any sacrifice in which it may celebrate itself and worship its own work.... The church of Aaron is lavish with its god.... Who would want to stand aside from this pious joy, this unparalleled exuberance, this achievement of human will and ability? The worldly church now has its god, come, celebrate him, enjoy yourselves, play, eat, drink, dance make merry, take yourselves out of yourselves! You have a god again.... The worldly church celebrates its triumph, the priest has shown his power.... then the orgy begins." This is the church of the world.
The church of Moses, on the other hand, is a distinct contrast according to Bonhoeffer. It is the PROPHETIC church: 1) The church TREMBLES for the people because it is disturbed at their godlessness; 2) The church of Moses is a PROPHETIC CRITIQUE, sounding a discord amidst the glory and partying. The church of Moses has notes of darkness, fear and threat at this idolatry of self glorification: "The living God has come among them, he rages against them." 3) Relief comes through the SUFFERING CHRIST who makes intercession for us, forgives us, in his Cross.
Bonhoeffer writes that the church is always the church of Aaron and the church of Moses "at the same time". There is a consistent tension between the "oughtness" of the church and its "isness", between its brokenness and its holiness, between its worldliness and its sanctification, between its PRIESTLY and PROPHETIC character, between its sinfulness and saintliness, between being guided by the Holy Spirit and by its own agenda, between success and obedience.
The Colorado Confession always poses the question: What does it mean to be the Church of Jesus Christ today? May I suggest lessons from Lakewood and Bonhoeffer. The Church of Jesus Christ: 1) Waits on God and refuses to yield to satisfying its own desires. Our immediate satisfaction takes second place to patient waiting; 2) Trusts that we are safely in the hands of Jesus at all times; 3) Places the Word in the center instead of pleasure; 4) Affirms faith before sight; 5) Replaces glitz with the Cross; 6) Focuses on the Lordship of Jesus rather than the personality of the priest; 7) Defines success as suffering for others; 8) Allows itself to be consistently critiqued by the prophetic Word, embracing discord; 9) Replaces blessing with freedom. Blessing is for me and freedom is for ALL; 10) Thee instead of me; 11) The Lord's Supper and Holy Baptism trump production, personality, and performance; 12) Commits itself to peace and justice for others through the Cross of Christ rather than worshipping at the altar of blessings for me; 13) Obedience before dancing; 14) Engages the world in the light of the cross rather the cross through the darkness of the world; 15) Affirms grace alone, faith alone, and Word alone, rather than glitz, success, and personality.
We of the Colorado Confession are presented with questions: What is the character of our congregations? What church do we create by our words and deeds? How do our congregations reflect Christ? How relevant are Bonhoeffer's distinctions for the church today?
The church, the congregation, is the Body of Christ in the world. This truth makes me shudder, but also gives me hope.
Peace!
Ron
In his sermon on 28 May, 1933, delivered at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, Bonhoeffer focused on Exodus 32: 1-7, 9f, 15, 30-34. He contrasted the Church of Aaron with the Church of Moses.
He describes the Church of Aaron, the PRIESTLY church thusly: 1) It is IMPATIENT. We want visible results now because we are anxious, because we are fearful that God has forgotten us. We refuse to live by God's time because our lives are in peril and we need reassurance NOW; 2) It is about ME. Give me satisfaction. Prove to me that God is alive. Satisfy me. Bless me. Give me peace. 3) It demands SPLENDOR. We want pizzaz! We want lights and gold and sparkle and fashion and flowing robes and make-up and smoothness and comfort and ease and glory and positive feelings and cameras and.... Bonhoeffer writes: "Bring precious adornment, gold, jewellery, bring it as an offering. And they will come, without exception.... The human race is ready for any sacrifice in which it may celebrate itself and worship its own work.... The church of Aaron is lavish with its god.... Who would want to stand aside from this pious joy, this unparalleled exuberance, this achievement of human will and ability? The worldly church now has its god, come, celebrate him, enjoy yourselves, play, eat, drink, dance make merry, take yourselves out of yourselves! You have a god again.... The worldly church celebrates its triumph, the priest has shown his power.... then the orgy begins." This is the church of the world.
The church of Moses, on the other hand, is a distinct contrast according to Bonhoeffer. It is the PROPHETIC church: 1) The church TREMBLES for the people because it is disturbed at their godlessness; 2) The church of Moses is a PROPHETIC CRITIQUE, sounding a discord amidst the glory and partying. The church of Moses has notes of darkness, fear and threat at this idolatry of self glorification: "The living God has come among them, he rages against them." 3) Relief comes through the SUFFERING CHRIST who makes intercession for us, forgives us, in his Cross.
Bonhoeffer writes that the church is always the church of Aaron and the church of Moses "at the same time". There is a consistent tension between the "oughtness" of the church and its "isness", between its brokenness and its holiness, between its worldliness and its sanctification, between its PRIESTLY and PROPHETIC character, between its sinfulness and saintliness, between being guided by the Holy Spirit and by its own agenda, between success and obedience.
The Colorado Confession always poses the question: What does it mean to be the Church of Jesus Christ today? May I suggest lessons from Lakewood and Bonhoeffer. The Church of Jesus Christ: 1) Waits on God and refuses to yield to satisfying its own desires. Our immediate satisfaction takes second place to patient waiting; 2) Trusts that we are safely in the hands of Jesus at all times; 3) Places the Word in the center instead of pleasure; 4) Affirms faith before sight; 5) Replaces glitz with the Cross; 6) Focuses on the Lordship of Jesus rather than the personality of the priest; 7) Defines success as suffering for others; 8) Allows itself to be consistently critiqued by the prophetic Word, embracing discord; 9) Replaces blessing with freedom. Blessing is for me and freedom is for ALL; 10) Thee instead of me; 11) The Lord's Supper and Holy Baptism trump production, personality, and performance; 12) Commits itself to peace and justice for others through the Cross of Christ rather than worshipping at the altar of blessings for me; 13) Obedience before dancing; 14) Engages the world in the light of the cross rather the cross through the darkness of the world; 15) Affirms grace alone, faith alone, and Word alone, rather than glitz, success, and personality.
We of the Colorado Confession are presented with questions: What is the character of our congregations? What church do we create by our words and deeds? How do our congregations reflect Christ? How relevant are Bonhoeffer's distinctions for the church today?
The church, the congregation, is the Body of Christ in the world. This truth makes me shudder, but also gives me hope.
Peace!
Ron
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Lakewood Church: Performance - Production - Personality
On our recent trip south, I visited Lakewood Church in Houston. Joel Osteen is the minister and his wife Victoria also plays a prominent role. I had watched the services on television and was intrigued by the response and popularity of this ministry. Hence, being in Houston was an opportunity to seize the moment and experience this worship-ministry phenomenon. Also, I have always been interested in the question of what it means to be the Church? Lakewood is a "Church".
From the freeway, Lakewood Church looks like a modern business facility. Flat roof, rectangular shape, brownish facade with windows near the top. On one corner are the words LAKEWOOD CHURCH. 90 degrees away is the name: JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES with a logo that looks like a flame inside a circle.
Parking was an experience. Policemen and parking directors were everywhere. The church rents parking ramps from local businesses as well as having their own. After parking, people stream towards the church from blocks away, like blood through veins and arteries.
While walking towards the church, I was engaged by a young, single African-American woman who asked me if this was my first time at church? I said yes, that I had watched the service on television and my wife and I were traveling and happened to be in Houston, so I seized the opportunity to experience Lakewood. I asked her how long she had been attending and she said since 2006. I asked her why she kept coming back? She said she felt welcome, there was a feeling of family, and no expectations. You could find your own way. I asked her if the pastors talked about social issues, justice issues in worship. She said "No, they let you make your own decisions about that."
Entering the worship center was like entering an athletic fieldhouse which could easily be re-fitted for basketball, hockey, or football. Comfortable green theatre seating, but no cup holders made for a relaxing time. I asked the young woman if I could join her for worship. She smiled. By 8:30, the crowd filled about half of the center which holds about 18,000. The attendees were diverse, about 35% African-American, 45% White, and 20% Hispanic. Their service days are Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and one service in Spanish. After worship you can meet with Joel and Victoria for a meet and greet.
There was no cross. Anywhere! Only a flame and circle logo on the lecturn. Only a huge golden globe adorned the front. No altar. No mention of Holy Communion. Water baptism takes place every Saturday evening. Children must be at least five years old to participate.
Bible study is segmented according to age, situation, and gender, every Saturday and Sunday evenings. The theme is: "Get direction for your life".
Music and singing filled 70% of the 1:35 minute service. No organ. There was a worship choir numbering over 100 and a worship band consisting of piano, trumpets, trombone, drums and a few other instruments. Song leaders were multi-racial. All musicians were VERY TALENTED! Songs were primarily up-beat with some gentle songs mixed in to fit the flow of the service. Call it a revival! Come to Jesus! Praise and glory! People standing, raising their arms in praise, clapping, stomping their feet! There were no worship bulletins, only two huge screens filled with announcements, visuals, and words to songs.
Joel and Victoria each spoke. I would characterize Victoria's talk as "fluff and glory", and Joel's more thoughtful. Both used Biblical references. The focus was on personal empowerment, God will change your life, make you a new person, and fill your life with blessings. There was no talk about social concerns, racism, economic justice, environmental issues, other than references to being unemployed or divorced.
A portion of the service was called "Prayer Partners", when people could come forward and have a member of the congregation pray with you. Joel and Victoria were prayer partners. Many came forward to share their prayer concerns. The partners placed their hands on the people or hugged them during the prayers. Visitors were asked to raise their hands. Immediately, ushers came over to give you information on a post worship gathering and to give you business-like cards with the words "Be Our Guest" and a color picture of Joel and Victoria, which you were asked to hand out to other people you meet during the week. Joel said, if you are here seeking to change your life, give Lakewood a year of your life and you will be a new person and will be blessed.
I picked up a four-color bulletin filled with happenings: "Married Life Date Night", CPR Certification and Training, Kids Life Team Celebration, Big Game Party, Generation Hope Project-Washington D.C. (Meet special needs, clean-up parks, feed the homeless, promote literacy), Men's Outreach Encounter (Take a 24 hour time away to deepen your walk with Chrirst), An Evening with Lisa Comes when she will talk about her new book, YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE, Celebrate Recovery Inventory, Friendship "Red Hat" Fellowship, Women's Encounter Retreat, From Stressed to Blessed (Dealing with finances), Honduras Mission Trip, and Prayer Life.
My thoughts? I felt welcome. I was impressed by the inclusive diversity. The upbeat style and contemporary music leadership, along with vocal leadership was warmingly inspirational. It was performance worship at the highest level! The timing of the various elements, Joel and Victoria's entrances, musical and prayerful sections were impeccably timed. No times of silence. Keep it moving. The lighting effects were professionally arranged and timed. Joel and Victoria were well dressed for success and smooth in their delivery. Show time!
Was Jesus present? Apparently yes. Was there reference to the Bible? Yes. Were the songs gospel? Yes. Was there a feeling of family and community? Yes.
But it was all about ME. Lakewood is a "church" based upon "presentation, personality, and performance", focused on ME. I ask: Where is the cross? What kind of Christ is presented? Kiwanis and country club schmooze. This is consumer church. Performance but not prophetic. "Jack me up!" It was "half a loaf" Christianity, with focus on personal, feel good transformation and receiving personal blessings with zero call to discipleship, of entering the suffering of the world. There was not a hint of addressing anything structural or justice oriented. It was all "Jesus will bless you" with no call to lay down your life. No demands, just a comfortable seat, up beat revivalism, and banal enthusiasm. Jesus was dressed for success, complete with golf shirt, a deep tan, and martini in hand.
There are no risks being taken to address or stand against culture, economic greed, a bloated militarism, structural poverty, threats against our democracy, unjust division of wealth, or racism. Just come and receive a blessing so you can get your share of the American pie, or, figure out yourself what you can do to address societal issues. This is church without cross, without demand, without discipleship, without edge, without confession. Success, feel goodism, performance, personality, production, fluff, are its gods.
NEXT WEEK: Bonhoeffer and the meaning of church.
Peace!
Ron
From the freeway, Lakewood Church looks like a modern business facility. Flat roof, rectangular shape, brownish facade with windows near the top. On one corner are the words LAKEWOOD CHURCH. 90 degrees away is the name: JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES with a logo that looks like a flame inside a circle.
Parking was an experience. Policemen and parking directors were everywhere. The church rents parking ramps from local businesses as well as having their own. After parking, people stream towards the church from blocks away, like blood through veins and arteries.
While walking towards the church, I was engaged by a young, single African-American woman who asked me if this was my first time at church? I said yes, that I had watched the service on television and my wife and I were traveling and happened to be in Houston, so I seized the opportunity to experience Lakewood. I asked her how long she had been attending and she said since 2006. I asked her why she kept coming back? She said she felt welcome, there was a feeling of family, and no expectations. You could find your own way. I asked her if the pastors talked about social issues, justice issues in worship. She said "No, they let you make your own decisions about that."
Entering the worship center was like entering an athletic fieldhouse which could easily be re-fitted for basketball, hockey, or football. Comfortable green theatre seating, but no cup holders made for a relaxing time. I asked the young woman if I could join her for worship. She smiled. By 8:30, the crowd filled about half of the center which holds about 18,000. The attendees were diverse, about 35% African-American, 45% White, and 20% Hispanic. Their service days are Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and one service in Spanish. After worship you can meet with Joel and Victoria for a meet and greet.
There was no cross. Anywhere! Only a flame and circle logo on the lecturn. Only a huge golden globe adorned the front. No altar. No mention of Holy Communion. Water baptism takes place every Saturday evening. Children must be at least five years old to participate.
Bible study is segmented according to age, situation, and gender, every Saturday and Sunday evenings. The theme is: "Get direction for your life".
Music and singing filled 70% of the 1:35 minute service. No organ. There was a worship choir numbering over 100 and a worship band consisting of piano, trumpets, trombone, drums and a few other instruments. Song leaders were multi-racial. All musicians were VERY TALENTED! Songs were primarily up-beat with some gentle songs mixed in to fit the flow of the service. Call it a revival! Come to Jesus! Praise and glory! People standing, raising their arms in praise, clapping, stomping their feet! There were no worship bulletins, only two huge screens filled with announcements, visuals, and words to songs.
Joel and Victoria each spoke. I would characterize Victoria's talk as "fluff and glory", and Joel's more thoughtful. Both used Biblical references. The focus was on personal empowerment, God will change your life, make you a new person, and fill your life with blessings. There was no talk about social concerns, racism, economic justice, environmental issues, other than references to being unemployed or divorced.
A portion of the service was called "Prayer Partners", when people could come forward and have a member of the congregation pray with you. Joel and Victoria were prayer partners. Many came forward to share their prayer concerns. The partners placed their hands on the people or hugged them during the prayers. Visitors were asked to raise their hands. Immediately, ushers came over to give you information on a post worship gathering and to give you business-like cards with the words "Be Our Guest" and a color picture of Joel and Victoria, which you were asked to hand out to other people you meet during the week. Joel said, if you are here seeking to change your life, give Lakewood a year of your life and you will be a new person and will be blessed.
I picked up a four-color bulletin filled with happenings: "Married Life Date Night", CPR Certification and Training, Kids Life Team Celebration, Big Game Party, Generation Hope Project-Washington D.C. (Meet special needs, clean-up parks, feed the homeless, promote literacy), Men's Outreach Encounter (Take a 24 hour time away to deepen your walk with Chrirst), An Evening with Lisa Comes when she will talk about her new book, YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE, Celebrate Recovery Inventory, Friendship "Red Hat" Fellowship, Women's Encounter Retreat, From Stressed to Blessed (Dealing with finances), Honduras Mission Trip, and Prayer Life.
My thoughts? I felt welcome. I was impressed by the inclusive diversity. The upbeat style and contemporary music leadership, along with vocal leadership was warmingly inspirational. It was performance worship at the highest level! The timing of the various elements, Joel and Victoria's entrances, musical and prayerful sections were impeccably timed. No times of silence. Keep it moving. The lighting effects were professionally arranged and timed. Joel and Victoria were well dressed for success and smooth in their delivery. Show time!
Was Jesus present? Apparently yes. Was there reference to the Bible? Yes. Were the songs gospel? Yes. Was there a feeling of family and community? Yes.
But it was all about ME. Lakewood is a "church" based upon "presentation, personality, and performance", focused on ME. I ask: Where is the cross? What kind of Christ is presented? Kiwanis and country club schmooze. This is consumer church. Performance but not prophetic. "Jack me up!" It was "half a loaf" Christianity, with focus on personal, feel good transformation and receiving personal blessings with zero call to discipleship, of entering the suffering of the world. There was not a hint of addressing anything structural or justice oriented. It was all "Jesus will bless you" with no call to lay down your life. No demands, just a comfortable seat, up beat revivalism, and banal enthusiasm. Jesus was dressed for success, complete with golf shirt, a deep tan, and martini in hand.
There are no risks being taken to address or stand against culture, economic greed, a bloated militarism, structural poverty, threats against our democracy, unjust division of wealth, or racism. Just come and receive a blessing so you can get your share of the American pie, or, figure out yourself what you can do to address societal issues. This is church without cross, without demand, without discipleship, without edge, without confession. Success, feel goodism, performance, personality, production, fluff, are its gods.
NEXT WEEK: Bonhoeffer and the meaning of church.
Peace!
Ron
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Bonhoeffer and Don Quixote
Bonhoeffer treasured Cervantes' Don Quixote. He believed the beleaguered idealist was an apt metaphor for the Confessing Church. He reasoned that the church needed new weapons, a new theology, new strategies to confront the rise of National Socialism. The established state church reflected an old falsehood, a church which had burned its witness at the stake as the Nazis had burned books in the Bebel Platz in Berlin. Now, new "weapons of the Spirit" were necessary.
I led devotions for the Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the Minneapolis Area Synod and St. Paul Area Synod. We first sang Gordon Lightfoot's song, "Don Quixote", which is based upon Cervantes' book. The main character, Don Quixote, "takes a battered book into his hand", "takes a rusty sword into his hand", and "takes a tarnished cross into his hand". He always "shouts across the ocean to a shore, till he can shout no more." The final lines, after he shouts once more, are:
< We are given Gospel dreams and we must fight to bring them to reality.
How do we make them hear us? Biblical preaching and Bible study with an ear to balancing personal and political, pastoral and prophetic, global and local, community and congregation. Commitment to active involvement in personal renewal and community action. Commitment to love and justice. Commitment to timely ministry of band aid and being a "spoke in the wheel". Commitment to the possibility of martyrdom. Commitment to working ecumenically. Commitment to marching, sitting in, using Facebook and Twitter, writing a blog, attending meetings, meeting with senators and congresspersons, synod assembly actions, meeting with community leaders, writing letters, making telephone calls, meeting one on one at Starbuck's, and ....
I led devotions for the Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the Minneapolis Area Synod and St. Paul Area Synod. We first sang Gordon Lightfoot's song, "Don Quixote", which is based upon Cervantes' book. The main character, Don Quixote, "takes a battered book into his hand", "takes a rusty sword into his hand", and "takes a tarnished cross into his hand". He always "shouts across the ocean to a shore, till he can shout no more." The final lines, after he shouts once more, are:
Then in a blaze of tangled hooves
He gallops off across the dusty plain
In vain to search again
Where no one will hear.
The message, one of many, is that no one is listening because the message was false and the means of communicating the message was outdated. Says Bonhoeffer: "Here is the immortal figure of Don Quixote... who takes a barber's dish for a helmet and a miserable hack for a charger. [In Germany we have] "an old world venturing to take up arms against a new one or a world of the past hazarding an attack against the superior forces of the commonplaces and the mean."
In Luke 5:37-39, Jesus tells the parable of the new wine and old wineskins: "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled out, and the skins will be destroyed." One of the meanings is the new MESSAGE of Jesus also means new METHODS of action to be effective.
Christianity, the Church, the People of God, need to RECLAIM the radical, transforming message of Christ AND discover new ways to give witness. Otherwise, we are only lifting an old battered book, a rusty sword, and a tarnished cross: captive to anemic theology, culturally-captive church, and the pablum of personal I-centered witness.
The Colorado Confession reflects the lessons from Bonhoeffer and Don Quixote. The Confession calls the faithful to look at reality, to admit to a "dis-ease", to consider the common good, to affirm that all people are created in the Image of God and to demand that we all live like it, to be one with the poor and oppressed, to work so that all people have enough, to care for the earth, to be generous in compassion, to demand equal justice for all, to live nonviolently, to make for peace.
< We are given Gospel dreams and we must fight to bring them to reality.
There is a song, sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell, called "Make Them Hear You". It comes from the musical "Ragtime". Some of the words are: "How justice was our battle. How justice was denied". "Your sword can be a sermon or the power of the pen." "Will justice be demanded by ten thousand righteous men[women]?" "Make them hear you!"
How do we make them hear us? Biblical preaching and Bible study with an ear to balancing personal and political, pastoral and prophetic, global and local, community and congregation. Commitment to active involvement in personal renewal and community action. Commitment to love and justice. Commitment to timely ministry of band aid and being a "spoke in the wheel". Commitment to the possibility of martyrdom. Commitment to working ecumenically. Commitment to marching, sitting in, using Facebook and Twitter, writing a blog, attending meetings, meeting with senators and congresspersons, synod assembly actions, meeting with community leaders, writing letters, making telephone calls, meeting one on one at Starbuck's, and ....
What are we fighting for? Are we fighting at all? Are we saying anything? Are we making people hear us? How are we fighting? Are we open to new methods? Can we risk trying something different? Or, are we just a gathering of solemn assemblies?
Press on!
Ron
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Jesus, the Misfit!
Christmas is alive and well! Consumption is again king and queen, at least for those who have money to spend. Colorful lights yield beauty. Carols and secular songs paint musical images of the season. People fuel up their vehicles, purchase plane tickets, train tickets, bus tickets to go home or connect with significant others. Places of worship are overflowing, necessitating extra services. Candle light services are especially appealing. Christmas time is an "orgy of activity".
All because of a celebration of the birth of Jesus. What is it about Jesus' birth that stirs such outpourings? I would suggest first of all that we need beginnings. Jesus' beginning was the beginning of something totally renewing and life giving in a broken world. We are constantly crying out for new beginnings, for the energy to start over, for the hope of new possibilities! Second, it is because of the totality of Jesus' life, and how his message, his character, his mission transformed history. I heard a quote recently that conveys Jesus' Truth:
All because of a celebration of the birth of Jesus. What is it about Jesus' birth that stirs such outpourings? I would suggest first of all that we need beginnings. Jesus' beginning was the beginning of something totally renewing and life giving in a broken world. We are constantly crying out for new beginnings, for the energy to start over, for the hope of new possibilities! Second, it is because of the totality of Jesus' life, and how his message, his character, his mission transformed history. I heard a quote recently that conveys Jesus' Truth:
Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the troublemakers,
the round pegs in the square holes.... The ones who see
things differently - they are not fond of rules.... You can
quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them,
but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they
change things.... They push the human race forward, and
while some may see them as crazy ones, we see genius,
because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can
change the world, are the ones who do.
These words were spoken at Steve Jobs' memorial service.
As metaphor, they also describe Jesus. And his actions began at birth. Jesus was born in poverty during a time of Roman occupation. The historian Tacitus describes Roman rule: "To plunder, butcher, steal, these things they misname empire: they make a desert and they call it peace."
Into this desert, Jesus' birth was a life of contrast and conflict with Roman rule: nonviolence instead of violence, justice instead of war, healing instead of the sword, words instead of oppression, forgiveness instead of retribution, grace instead of greed, reconciliation instead of walls, love instead of hate, peace instead of domination.
Borg and Crossan describe the Christmas story as "a subversive parable." Subversive stories help us see differently. They subvert the conventional ways of seeing. Similarly, parables are metaphors.
I recall a line from the movie "Zorba the Greek". Zorba is trying to loosen up an uptight Britisher. He tells the Brit, "You must learn to be crazy! You must learn to dance!"(or words to that effect).
I think God realized that the world needed this craziness! Craziness clothed as a misfit. Misfit swaddled as a child. Child who would bring to life the words from Isaiah: "Comfort, O comfort my people.... Wonderful Counselor..., Prince of Peace.... The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid..., and a little child shall lead them.... They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain.... Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.... proclaim liberty to the captives.... proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.... for I the Lord love justice."
Here's to the Misfit!
A joyous Christmas to all!
Peace!
Ron
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