" Stewardship Vibes "

 

Dear Believers,

I’m returning this month to one of my favorite places!  Not really a “place,” but more of a “reality.”  The “place” moves each year, so it’s never the same “space” even.  I could say, “it must be the people,” but each time, many of the people change, too.  Yes …one of my favorite places is Stewardship Kaleidoscope—an annual conference grounded in stewardship education and generosity, giving and fundraising, where the topics almost always come closely akin to the difficult financial realities churches and church leaders are facing …but each conference always traffics in unmitigated joy! 

Most of the time, when someone says, “stewardship,” most people (especially church people) think, “money” or “conservation"—or sometimes, the conservation of money!  Which leads church people to thinking about the lack of members …and decline …and sadness or even shame.  Put a bunch of these folks in the room and you can’t imagine there’d be much joy—but you’d be wrong!  Because stewardship is God calling to us to share in what God provides; where there’s no lack of resources, no shortage of love, no absence in the face of need, where we’re met with an abundance rather than enough.  For conference-goers, who may register for and show up all down in the mouth, worried and scared, afraid of not having what they need for their congregations, the conference becomes a lived in promise of the Psalmist decree—“weeping may endure for the night, but JOY comes in the morning.”  For most, simply showing up will end long nights of worry and anxiety! 

Most of us often think we know “JOY.”  But I’ve found over the years that JOY—born of gratitude—often goes missing in our lives.  Yes, most of us would say we experience times of joy; but I’ve learned by experience and with others, that these are like puddles after a rain, arriving and departing again, leaving us …wanting.  That even though we maintain lives rooted in worship and spiritual practices among a supportive community of fellow believers, our Joy is not always deep or abiding …and I’ve been shocked to find you may not even notice it!  You won’t even wonder where all your joy went; then, you’re hanging out with people who understand gratitude …when you realize your lack. 

Stewardship people know that JOY is almost always born of gratitude.  And gratitude is like a muscle that needs to be built up and exercised.  One of the easiest ways to begin is adopting language of gratitude—asking yourself: “What am I most grateful for?”  And “What am I lease grateful for?”  Simply talking “gratitude” begins to reveal the reliably JOYFILLED crevasses in every day.  But when you begin talking about gratitude, you more easily discover how to live IN gratitude; and when you LIVE IN gratitude, you can have different responses.  Like, having car trouble—you can be “least grateful” for the trouble, but “grateful” for a friend who can give you a ride.  “Least grateful” about having to find money for a repair; but grateful your store of riches includes someone who can give you a ride to Wal-Mart.  Stewardship people see differently, somehow knowing a deep, abiding sense of God’s presence, love, and joy. 

Stewardship people realize the whole economy of gratitude works the other way, too.  You hear stories like, “I didn’t want the waitress to be happy with a 15% tip for good service; I wanted her to feel ecstatic and know the joy of real appreciation.”  Or “That man might have been just fine with a $20 bonus for going out of his way, I just wanted to see the look on his face when it was a $50 bill instead!”  And …it’s never about the money; it’s always about passing around JOY!  …Joy that somehow always finds a way back to the one who gives it. 

It’s been one of the great privileges (and joys) of my life to serve on the planning team for the conference for nearly a decade.  It’s taught me that joy is almost always right in front of me.  And that’s surely been true, at First Presbyterian Church in Camden, too!  I’m so incredibly grateful for your witness and all that God’s love has provided for us! 

" Church World Part 2B "

 

Empty Tomb Witnesses, Resurrected Jesus Seekers, Good News Bearers, Faith-Sharers,

Some of you may be wondering …what is General Assembly?  And why was the preacher spending two weeks in meetings online and in Salt Lake City?  The short answer is that General Assembly is “the highest council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—a deliberative, discerning body, responsible for leading and guiding the whole church in ministry and mission.  And though I was not elected, and didn’t have a vote, I also serve as the Presbytery’s Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of the Pines, and presbytery staff have supportive roles at the assembly. 

1,340 people registered on-site in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The Assembly gathered in one of the large plenary venues at the Salt Palace convention center downtown.  166 Presbyteries sent nearly 500 commissioners from across the country; additionally Presbyteries were represented by mid-council leaders and stated clerks who observe, but who don’t have privilege of voting.  Each Presbytery could also send a Young Adult Advisory Delegate.  11 PCUSA seminaries were invited to elect a Theological Student Advisory Delegates.  There are also a handful of Ecumenical Advisory Delegates and Missionary Advisory Delegates.  About half of the people registered are commissioners and advisory delegates.  The remaining participants are General Assembly staff, presbytery and synod leaders and stated clerks, support volunteers from the local presbytery, stage crew, musicians, resource persons, agency staff, and visitors/observers.  It’s a little bit like watching CSPAN …except there’s always about 1,000 people in the room, half of which are actively making decisions. 

Most days at the assembly are structured similarly.  Each day begins in worship; exciting preachers, rich liturgies, special music, and full-throated singing.  Plenary meetings often began with special greetings from ecumenical representatives, or greetings from churches across the globe.  And then sessions of listening to committee reports and voting on committee recommendations.  There’s a break for lunch, usually a group meal for commissioners, before a long afternoon session.  There’s a break for dinner, usually another group meal of predictable hotel kitchen fare, followed by an evening session where meetings lasted until about 9pm. 

The first day of the Assembly, the Assembly elects co-moderators from among the commissioners.  There’s a process for standing for moderator, so you have to declare your intention to stand many weeks before the Assembly; this assembly chose between two co-moderator teams and this Assembly elected Reverends Cece Armstrong and Tony Larson, Minister commissioners from South Carolina. 

What’s all the excitement about?  All assembly committees are responsible for action items for the General Assembly to take bold, prophetic action in response to issues and concerns.  A lot of this year’s work centered around different proposals to direct invested funds away from companies who make and use fossil fuels.  Another proposal seeks to change descriptions in part of the Book of Order, to more explicitly address forms of discrimination by adding some new language: 

“God unites persons through baptism, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, [gender identity, sexual orientation,] disability, geography, or theological conviction.  There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person.”

Still other proposals addressed gun violence, climate change, the unification of 2 national church agencies, a new unified budget for those agencies, and a host of new church initiatives. 

The exciting part—seeing, feeling, and witnessing to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit.  Seeing old friends and making new ones.  Spontaneous hymn sings, and dance breaks.  Feeling the joy and love of Jesus manifested with, in, and through so many people.  It’s life altering and faith-changing.  And I’m so grateful for the opportunity to participate and be of service. 

" Church World "

 

Empty Tomb Witnesses, Resurrected Jesus Seekers, Good News Bearers, Faith-Sharers,

During my recent travels, someone asked me, “What do you like to do?”  …which was really a way of asking me what my hobbies were.  What’s been true for me for quite some time is while I’m a pastor serving a congregation, I’m also immersed in the work of the Church.  “Church” is my vocation and my calling …and it’s what I do for fun!  I’ve traveled for several church-related meetings recently and more meetings are up ahead: 

This coming month a lot of unique “Church” meetings and things are happening! 

W  June 2^nd there is a CONGREGATIONAL MEETING for the congregation to take actions related to the sale of church property (a proposal to sell the manse), to elect a member of the nominating committee, and to continue or dismiss the Pastor Nominating Committee. 

o   There will be a proposal to sell the manse. 

o   There will be the election of a member of the nominating committee (Bill Bacon has agreed to serve)

o   The congregation will decide to continue or dismiss the PNC. 

o   If you have questions or concerns related to these action items, please contact members of session or the pastor! 

W  June 8^th, the Presbytery of the Pines meets together in Ruston, LA.  A part of this meeting will be the presentation of 6 ruling elders who have completed the commissioned pastor program and are ready to be commissioned to serve congregations.  The Presbytery will be examining these candidates and certifying them ready for service.  The Presbytery will also hear a report on the Presbyterian Church in Chile, from George Wortham, who has recently taken a trip to Chile, with updates and ways that the work of the church there might inspire the work of the Church in our own country. 

W  June 29^th through July 4^th, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be meeting in person in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Presbyterians everywhere are invited to follow the work of the Assembly, much of which will be live-streamed. 

o   The General Assembly is the highest Council of the PCUSA.  It is made up of minister and elder commissioners from 166 Presbyteries; there are also Young Adult, Theological Student, and Ecumenical Advisory Delegates who participate.  Executive Presbyters, Stated Clerks, and observers also attend, but don’t participate. 

o   The Assembly will vote on proposed amendments to the Constitution, approve reports, and respond to business items from Presbyteries and Synods or commissioners, or proposals from General Assembly entitles. 

o   Assembly news and information is available at www.ga-pcusa.org.  There will be links to the live-feeds and news reports. 

Welcome to my vocation AND my hobby!  …The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its expression of God’s love in the world!  God invites us to all to fulfill our calling in sharing God’s love with the world!  A part of that can be the work and witness of the Church at every level! 

“ Traveling Mercies ”

 

Empty Tomb Witnesses, Resurrected Jesus Seekers, Good News Bearers, Faith-Sharers,

The end of this year’s Easter season is coinciding with a lot of travel for me.  In April I traveled to Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado; and in May, before we get to Pentecost, I’ll be going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Pentecost—which we celebrate on May 19^th, this year, was a celebration that brought Jews back to Jerusalem from various parts of the world.  For Jesus’ disciples, the stories of Jesus’ resurrection appearances include a journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus; and at least in John’s gospel, the days following Jesus’ resurrection finds many of the disciples back in Galilee.  …So I guess, Easter-done-right, has believers on the road? 

One of my favorite Easter images is that the meaning of the resurrection is that Jesus is “loosed in the world.”  Though Jesus was crucified and died, God raised Jesus.  He is not held by death, but is given back to life and Jesus feely appears …well, anywhere!  And now, like children at an Easter-egg hunt, believers are put to looking for Jesus …well, everywhere! 

Most of the New Testament contains writing and stories that come AFTER Jesus was raised.  There are a handful of stories about the few weeks following the crucifixion and resurrection, but most of the New Testament is in the form of letters and stories that come YEARS after, and much of it, from believers who are traveling far and wide from Jerusalem.  Whether it’s Paul, racing to set up “outposts” of faithful believers first in Asia and then in Europe, or Peter who is visiting other communities of Jewish believers and opening them to the fellowship with Christians, to the hints of other nameless witnesses who are the readers of these letters and the gospels as they get written down and distributed.  In fact, we are representatives who have received these same words and stories and are still looking for Jesus today—separated not only by geography but also time.  We’re still chasing Jesus. 

The gospels share with us that for several years, a group of believers followed Jesus, traveling from place to place, witnessing acts of kindness and miracles.  In Galilee, in Samaria, along the Jordan, around the Sea of Tiberias (the sea of Galilee), to Tyre and Sydon, Nazareth, Bethlehem—all the places Jesus’ story visits.  And then, Jesus is resurrected—and he’s freed from the usual “confinements” of human life, he passes through walls and doors, he’s able to move straight to different places over distance, and it seems clear that Jesus is out in front of us, and we’re always trying to catch up …finding the places he’s been already and appeared to people and done thing …as if there were a Jesus trail of good news and good works.  We’re still chasing Jesus! 

Pentecost usually marks the time in our culture when we take to the open road, traveling to and fro to visit family or to re-create ourselves by way of rest and relaxation.  …Don’t forget to look for Jesus!  And whether you’re traveling, or you’re in the same place for a while …don’t forget to look for Jesus!  He’s not stuck only in the things we’ve known him to be, before—he’s loosed!  He’s slipped the bonds of human limitations and finds ways to enliven and enlighten.  So when you see him, make a note, share the news, tell others! 

“Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has been raised; he is not here.  Look!  You will see him!  …Go …and tell!” 

 

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Jesus dies; but God raised Jesus in the Resurrection, and that changes everything!  Get ready.  The tomb was empty.  Christ is risen!  And so are we!  Find Jesus and tell your stories, of all the places where you’ve seen and heard him.  So we can be amazed and encouraged and transformed together! 

“Resurrection …is the End of the World ”

 Cross Seekers, Empty Tomb Finders, Good News Bearers,

These days we celebrate Easter like clockwork.  While the date for Easter is fluid …tied to the moon phases in relationship to when the Passover is—we look forward to it every year.  We count the days of Lent (forty, plus Sundays); we anticipate Holy Week, lost eggs, marshmallow peeps, Reese’s eggs, Cadbury eggs, and an empty tomb—as if all these things are “normal.”  We mark Easter, as if it’s NORMAL! 

As I shared with you last month, Biblical scholar and preaching guru Thomas Long would remind us that Easter changes everything! 

“ …Easter …is instead the end of this word.  Easter destroys the perceived world at hand, and before we sing about the joy of Easter’s new reality, it is crucial to feel the shock and to see the destructive power of the Resurrection on the old reality. ” 

Everything about resurrection is disorienting—or should be!  From the fact that the dead are raised, to Jesus’ walking through walls with real wounds from his crucifixion, to expectations about our own demise and rising.  In our world, the dead are supposed to remain dead—the walking dead, is only a TV show! 

But what are we to do when little seems to really change about our lives?  When the “difference” in resurrection is mostly a story for us about the one who was raised?  When what we hope for, isn’t what is seen?  When Long declares that the world was CHANGED BY GOD who does resurrection, what are we supposed to experience?  What should we be looking for? 

 

Death doesn’t win.  This year marks 4 years of COVID.  So many died.  But death isn’t the last word.  War in Ukraine drags on and on; there’s war in Gaza; there’s violence in Haiti; drought and starvation and gang violence and broken government hold much of Africa’s nations hostage it seems; there’s terrorism; violent rhetoric and dehumanization …yet, death doesn’t win.  Sin, cannot triumph.  The victory—is God’s! 

Honestly …I don’t know “how” this works.  I must believe God’s promises, and what God has done.  God raises Jesus.  God declares, we are raised, too.  None …are lost.  And yet, so many are lost in this life. 

But this allows us to live our life for others.  This allows us to give fully of ourselves as Jesus does.  This allows us love …with reckless abandon.  This allows us to live freely with the Kingdom of God in our heart, in our minds, in our hands.  So, this is not just Jesus’ resurrection …it’s our resurrection.  It’s our laying down the life of the world and taking up the life of the Kingdom of God. 

For Easter, God says: This world is finished; our life together isn’t!  …Goodbye old world.  Easter’s come and gone.  Now it’s time to live like it. 

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Jesus dies; but God raised Jesus in the Resurrection, and that changes everything!  Get ready.  The tomb was empty.  Christ is risen!  And so are we! 

“ What Is God: Resurrection! ”

Jesus Followers, Cross Seekers, Good News Bearers,

Well known preacher and teacher, Thomas Long, begins a recent article in a preaching journal with a story about the gathering of scholars who wrote the Westminster Confession of Faith.  He reminds readers of this moment when one of the members of the Westminster Assembly raised the question, “What is God?”  But when none in the Assembly had enough sand to try and offer an answer, they turned to the youngest person in the room to give a formal answer, a young 30-something Scottish Pastor named George Gillespie.  Unlucky enough to be called upon, “I need God’s wisdom,” he said, his voice surely cracking.  “Will you join me in prayer?”  And then he prayed:

“ O God, thou art a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in thy being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. ” 

Though Gillespie’s offering was simple and majestic, the Assembly did what assemblies often do, beefing up the words, piling on the descriptions, and trying to include every possible definition in what seems like a William Faulkner-esque sentence.  Good for them! 

Long simply recalls that when Moses spoke to the burning bush and asked who it was that was there, all he received was the reply “I am who I am.”  And then goes on to quote theologian Robert Jensen’ s answering the question, “Who is God?” this way: “God is whoever raised Jesus from the dead, having before raised Israel from Egypt.” 

Easter is coming—arriving before your next newsletter!  Easter is coming, and Jensen’s radiant definition implies we need a new definition of God—that we must refashion our understanding of God in light of what God did in the Resurrection!  What is God?  God is what raised Jesus from the dead!  This is Long’s way of saying, “Easter changes everything!”  He writes:

“ …Easter is not a way to get along better in the world as it is but is instead the end of this word.  Easter destroys the perceived world at hand, and before we sing about the joy of Easter’s new reality, it is crucial to feel the shock and to see the destructive power of the Resurrection on the old reality. 

 

“…The Resurrection …is instead the unmasking of the present reality, the world we assumed was permanent, the world of business as usual, the world of inevitable death.  Easter is an earthquake destroying the reality we thought could never change, a world in which dead people stay dead and in which some little tyrant is always placing guards in the cemetery to make sure it remains that way.  Easter is a lightening -bold illuminated flash forwarded to that time when “The Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”  That joyful good news of Easter is an obituary and a birth announcement combined: the old world has passed away and the new has come. ” 

 

“ …Easter calls for a change of citizenship.  The frightening demand, the more-astounding-than-can-be-imagined invitation, of Easter, is to leave the familiar but dying world behind and to enter the new, unexpected, and uncertain world revealed in the Resurrection. ” 

 

Long suggests we cannot look at Easter in the way we’ve been used to celebrating it.  It’s not a moment in which to cheer, “Up from the grave [Jesus] arose!” or, to simply exclaim, “the tomb is empty,” as if, once again, “Jesus were the reason for the season.”  No.  Instead, the world was changed by the God who does resurrection.  It is no longer the world to which we are accustomed; it is the world God would make it to be because …RESURRECTION! 

That takes some getting used to.  And …well, we’re not used to it! 

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Jesus dies; but God raised Jesus in the Resurrection, and that changes everything!  Get ready.  Gird your loins.  Easter is coming.  The journey was already started! 

“ Followers …and Sharers of the good news ”

 

Star-Followers, Jesus Followers, Good News Sharers,

As we take a deep breath for a couple of weeks in February—free of the Christmas exuberance and yet unfettered by the Lenten disciplines that arrive mid-month—Jesus is being revealed for us in several lectionary stories from the beginning of his ministry.  “Epiphany” is more familiar as a date on the calendar when we remember the visit of the Magi as told in Matthew’s Gospel; but what is pivotal in Matthew’s story is that the Epiphany is the first story in a series of stories that reveal Jesus to be …in the world.  Not just as a baby! 

Going a bit further in the gospel narratives, we see Jesus revealed as a healer, as Jesus casts out unclean spirits and with authority over demons, when Jesus touches the untouchable, feeds the hungry, restores the broken, repairs the brokenhearted.  Jesus is in OUR WORLD, restoring human wholeness and righteousness.  We witness Jesus became the living reality of what the prophet Jonah testifies about God …that God:

“[is] a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.” 

Jesus is the living manifestation of God.  We see this in how he treats his followers, how he speaks to crowds of people, how he reacts in the presence of those who are broken, how he treats Pharisees and scribes even.  Who he eats with.  If he’s willing to touch someone.  How Jesus responds to needs as they arise …in a synagogue, on a mountaintop, along the roadside. 

And yes, while we follow the Epiphany star, while we confess Jesus as Lord and pledge to “follow him,” even when he says we will “fish for people,” even when we may not fully understand, we are graciously and generously being armed with powerful bits of “good news”:

God doesn’t leave us; God is with us.  God doesn’t lose focus; God claims us.

God reveals to us the one who is anointed to share good news with the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the oppressed and release to the captive, to proclaim the year of God’s favor—so that we might also bear witness and share this good news!  …We’re called to be followers—yes!  But aren’t we also called to be sharers? 

I don’t know about you, but I think the world could use a bit more of grace, mercy, and steadfast love, so that it contributes to less punishment and less anger.  Not that bad actors get a free pass, but that we help build the world’s capacity toward resilience.  Life is already hard enough, without us trying to heap on more problems—like trying not get angry by getting even. 

As we encounter gospel stories where Jesus begins to move about the Galilean landscape, as he walks and talks with disciples and strangers, as he demonstrates his authority to change lives and restore the life God intended for human beings—where are the moments in our own lives, where we do the same?  Where we “share” by reenacting the moments where Jesus is Jesus? 

In other words, a step beyond “What would Jesus do?”—to get to, “this is what I saw Jesus do, so this is what I’m going to do.” 

Remember.  We come on Sunday, bringing the world around us to God.  And we leave worship to take God with us back into the world. 

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Jesus is born, he has been revealed in the world, so that now he can also be revealed through what we do. 

“ Christmas Time, Giving Time, New Time, Life Time ”

Jesus Followers,

Sometimes I feel like the joy of Christmas for too many is getting through the rush to the manger, to see the baby.  Like the shepherds, who’d been invited by the angels, before going with all possible haste to find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  RUSH through the season to get to the end!  …There should be more than this to Christmas, don’t you think?  

A few years ago, at the stewardship conference I serve on the planning team for, one of the speakers presented a radical “new” idea …have the stewardship campaign starting in January, rather than September or October.  The original idea came from someone who recognized that the natural conclusion to the Christmas story is gift-bearing.  People still groaned. 

When it was pointed out that most people experience a “come to Jesus moment” when the Christmas euphoria wears off, and it’s time to pay the credit card bills—someone saw an opportunity for the Church to talk about another relationship to money that can be life-giving, rather than life-sucking.  Many still doubted. 

When it was suggested that most of us are pre-conditioned to naturally consider our money in relation to our “contributions” because of tax season, some thought a stewardship campaign before “tax day” could be timely and helpful, and useful toward more “contributions.”  And still, some saw only unwelcome change. 

When it was demonstrated that the church had good things to say about money, and our relationship to money, and that money empowers mission and ministry …it seemed a whole lot better to who a whole lot more folks to start talking about money in the new year, rather than the old year.  But…. 

I don’t know that this presenter with bold stewardship ideas actually got very far, even though the presentation was compelling.  Old habits are hard to break; but this isn’t about giving money.  Instead, the “end” of Christmas isn’t simply that a baby was born, or even THE baby was born.  Rather, Christmas should remind us all that there’s work to do now.  Christmas joy and the incarnation should invite us to live in bold, new, reimagined ways. 

Jesus has arrived …in us.  WE can now be God’s gift to the world, in the form of Kingdom values and Kingdom living.  …Now that the baby is born (like when most other babies have been born) …the real work begins!  How are you doing, Church? 

If the reason for the season was Jesus—now’s the time to get to work.  Here’s how the prophet Isaiah describes us: 

" The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.  They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. "  

We may be used to doing it another way.  Christmas means …dare I say—“a new way.” 

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Jesus is born, now he’s in us. 

" Prince of Peace "

Jesus Followers,

My prayer, every year for Advent and Christmas, for as long as I can remember—even back when I was a child—has been for peace on earth and good will among people.  Disappointed isn’t the right word for how I feel about the seeming failure of God’s gift of Jesus to accomplish this …but my life somehow feels like a perpetual advent—waiting. 

There is a moment in this season, every year, in which I often feel that “all the world is hushed.”  There’s an experience I have of timeless holiness where the world itself appears to me to stop being a whirling dervish and I feel a moment of sweet relief—a familiar hushed-ness, as if I can hear the whole world take a collective breath in a pause that lasts …never long enough. 

Unlike some other years, this year, there’s war again in the Middle East, in Israel,

with Palestine.  I took this photograph 14 years ago while visiting Bethlehem—so it’s never lost on me these days that Bethlehem is physically located in Palestinian territory, is perpetually being fought over, while separated from Israel by a huge wall.  The place where Jesus—the Prince of Peace—was born, now is seemingly forever at the heart of a conflict between human beings, where the Church of the Nativity stands in the shadow of another part of this wall, with a similar turret not far away.  It’s shocking. 

While the world screams for peace, we’re often still building walls by which to accomplish that peace rather than building the relationships that could lead to peace.  Maybe we come by this naturally.  One of the popular seasonal additions to the Food Network on television is called, “Holiday Wars.”  …Holiday WARS.  Let that sink in a little bit! 

For years, we’ve been used to the idea of armed conflict among shoppers for Black Friday deals.  More recently, stores have used our inability to avoid conflict with relatives at Thanksgiving dinner, to provide an “escape” by staying open on Thanksgiving Day—as if somehow, that’s a needed service (now there are even incentives NOT to behave?!?).  “My kid has to have that toy,” or, “my family needs that even bigger TV”, so I’m justified if I come to blows for it, right?  AND, it’s even acceptable to abandon every Thanksgiving decorum in order to ensure we get it! 

…So I come to treat every Advent as a time in which to begin again toward peace.  To try and slow down, to breathe deep, to step into the subtle messages from stories of long ago.  I try to remember what love incarnate is supposed to look like …and feel like.  Both to be loved and to love. 

It’s too easy of an “out” to simply blame it on “the world’s gone mad.”  The world being mad is maybe the primary reason that God sends Jesus to us.  It was into a mad, mad world that God put Jesus.  A savior, a king, born to an unwed peasant girl in a stable; someone without power, who would transform the world, who could help the world be a little less mad, transfiguring the lives of people, one at a time and entrusting others to see and believe in a different kingdom, a different order, in which LOVE reigns.  …So, I light my candles.  I wait in expectant hope of this Advent and Christmas being the one of true peace. 

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Out of chaos, into hope and love and light and joy! 

“ The Part about NOT Following Jesus ”

 Jesus Followers, 

While “stewardship” is usually the word we use to describe “giving to the church,” I hope you’ve both seen written and heard proclaimed that it’s primarily or even more rightly about how we are called to live, how we are invited to use the gifts God has placed within our reach, and about seeing the Kingdom of God and how we might “fit” as a part of it.  Yes.  Our money is a part of how we respond to God and a part of how we might “fit” into the work of the Kingdom—but it’s certainly not the only part.  Let’s face it.  If looking good “with our money” were how this worked, we would simply have people write checks toward their place in heaven.  Can you hear all the personal appeals… 

“…there could be streets lined with gold, if you join heaven’s pre-payment plan.” 

You don’t need me to tell you that this isn’t how it works; you know already that our congregation’s mission and vision operates differently:  WE love because God first loved us!   

You know already, probably, that stewardship and following Jesus go hand in hand.  They’re about living fully and faith-filled lives following Jesus—who is the epitome of how God loves.  It’s about incorporating and using all the gifts we’ve been given to “make life on earth as it is in heaven” (to borrow from what Jesus teaches us to pray and do).   

But this month in worship, we’re facing some of Jesus’ most challenging stories.  You’ve heard about following Jesus.  …I wonder if you’d be willing to think about it differently.   

In his book, The Jesus Way: A Contemporary Approach to the Teachings of Jesus, Eugene Peterson asks:  

What if Jesus' messiahship was about creating a messianic community filled with the Spirit who would join him in turning the world right side up ...getting heaven into us rather than getting us into heaven? 

…What if Jesus weren’t just the one we followed, but the one who “gets heaven into us?”   

Maybe start with an image like communion—where we literally take Christ in—as a catalyst for transforming us.  …Like God, who at the time of creation, took chaos as a building block, transforming it as creation.   

What if we’re not just “following Jesus,” but supposed to be transformed into Jesus-ness …being made into little pieces of heaven-ness ourselves?  So that we are turning the world into the image that’s resident in each of us—the creator, or just as Jesus teaches us to pray, “on earth as it is in heaven.”   

It might mean then, that not just following Jesus, but that we are invited (or CALLED) to use God’s gifts “on earth as it is in heaven.”  And “stewardship” is how we manage what we’ve been given.   

…Then, it would help if we began to talk about heaven as something we’ve already been given; rather than simply believing, it’s only yet to come.   

It is my privilege to remind you that Jesus loves you.  So do I.  God wants the best for us and is inviting us to fulfill our calling.  Out of chaos, into hope and love and light and joy!