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It occurs to me, as a part-time political junkie, and increasingly committed follower of Jesus, flipping through the Cable News Channels, and reading media accounts -- is anyone listening?
Does it even make sense that media outlets selectively choose what part of a 'story' to tell, then ask you an opinion poll question -- often leading -- as 'what do you think'?
We have heard from the pulpit how the next generation of young adults is trained to be skeptical. Forgive my own skepticism, then -- and I sadly am no longer a young adult -- but I wonder if they have been trained not to ask questions, rather to doubt everything. That may be a fine line -- but I think that what we have in play is chronic cynicism, and that is not skepticism. It is tuning out... not listening... putting out a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on one's forehead.
As for the general public? I'd probably be wrong to pretend to know the prevailing attitude -- skepticism, cynicism.... optimism, anyone?
Part of the difficulty is the filter through which we read the world -- our depndency on the media for usable (aka condensed) information -- our often imperfect lens of family history and personal experience. And time. Who has the time to sort this 'stuff' out?
This is just my opinion -- for what it is worth -- but our news media has derailed itself completely. It is increasingly difficult to find the facts, let alone discern the truth. And, not being a conspiracy theorist, it is frustrating -- and angers me greatly -- to see and hear the spin machine so totally out of control.
I listened to both of Reverend Wright's speeches -- one to the NAACP in Detroit, one to the National Press Club. I listened to each in full. What I heard was an eloquent preacher describe his theology -- Liberation, Transformation, and Reconciliation. Remove the voice and the cadence and an occasional choice of words -- and if you can get copies of the actual transcript, read them -- and you might as well be listening to our own pastor.
But that is not what happens here. I seriously doubt that more than a handful of people watched Wright on C-SPAN. So, you are left with commentary disguised as fact, and such an obvious validation of Wright's own complaints about the media. Compare the soundbites to the whole. Compare the talking heads' commentary to what was actually said. Folks, its no contest.
When Bill O'Reilly speaks of "hateful rhetoric", where is the hate? The only hate I hear is Bill's dislike for the truth. I heard none coming from Wright. Not even a 'biteful'.
FOX's Hannity & Colmes headlines "Wright threatens O'Bama". Indeed, the Reverend pointed out, in a Q&A, that should O'Bama become President, he will "come after him, too" [if needed] over US policy that is wrongful. Does the "pithy" tag line belie the intent of the message? I think so.
'Loon" and 'Kook" -- now those are clearly thoughtful, objective terms. Never mind, Bill, who asserted that Reverend Wright said "any criticism of any of his comments is a criticism of black churches."? That is not what was said. and O'Reilly's 'new math' example -- that criticism of Wright = criticism of black churchgoers = racism -- is Bill's words, Bill's logic, and Bill's paranoia. He can spare us.
I could go on -- but what's my point? That we have a tendency not to listen carefully, that we jump to conclusions when we get vested emotionally in issues, that we don't take time to walk in another person's shoes, that we react defensively when honest questions are asked and the stus quo is challenged? Yes. Exactly.
And its not just 'out there', but we are a part of it. Which is why the current sermon series hits so closely, causes discomfort and frustration and pain, and rather not be a part of our dialogue. I just wonder, should the title be "Do U Hear Me Now"?
Or is God asking: "Is Anyone Listening?"
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How absolutely awesome it was to be able to go to a Men's Small Group today and NOT waste one second listening to or one syllable saying anything negative about Peace! To engage in meaningful discussion about our faith, and our lives, and how we live them, and sometimes fall down, as we try to follow Jesus. To be open and honest and critical without extending judgment.
Thanks to Russ and Paul who put this group together and capably led this sharing.
Take It to The Limit, inspired by Andy Stanley. Sundays, at 9:45-10:45AM, Peace South Campus. Men only.
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I was fussing over plan drawings of our "new" South Campus yesterday, worrying myself over details. I -- actually, Peace and I -- are going through some changes together -- peace taking on more space with the departure of Allstate, me absorbing some of that space (God willing) as my practice grows -- and I have to move.
If one can confess one's self-interest publically, I admit to briefly envying that corner office with the private entrance and the bathroom and the storage room -- aka the Youth Room. Of course, God, or at least Peace, have other plans, and I am likely to move to where Allstate is -- and that's OK. I am thankful for the opportunity to be co-located.
And then I muse over what happens in that room. Like Vegas, what happens there stays there but it is a badly kept secret that it has become a favorite spot for more groups than just our Youth at Peace. In fact, they deserve some kudos for sharing that space with the rest of us. A lot of what goes on there can be, ahem, boisterous -- and I give thanks for the sound insulation in those walls between my office and that room. But I think that is cool -- a place where people -- of all ages and all genders -- meet to share -- and laugh -- and pray together. Think what you will of the church across the street -- this space -- sans cross, communion rail, organ, and altar -- is holy ground. God is there. Every day.
Which brings me back to the youth. What a blessing we have among us. Their testimony in worship a few weeks ago was inspiring, mostly because it was so honest. Adults know just how hard that is -- to get before your peers, not to mention strangers -- and expose your spiritual side. In a few more weeks we will see a very large Confirmation Class go through a ritual familiar to many of us. My prayer is that it is not the last time they share themselves with us, and that it is the next step in a long journey in Christ's footsteps.
Outside my window right now, there is a father cardinal watching over mom and some eggs. He is squawking at me, and raising a fuss. Mind you -- I am inside the house typing away on this keyboard -- two feet from an open window. He is in the thicket of a very tall holly tree-bush on the side of the house, shielding the window. Imagine, I am disturbing his quiet time, encroaching on his space, threatening his family. As he squawks, what is he trying to say? And why now?
God only knows.
A small reminder that we are all just one piece of an amazing creation. That life goes on outside our own personal space. That God is all around us -- in other people, in nature. That life begins anew, and that Youth hold so much promise. That as adults, our inclination is to be protective. That as Youth, the inclination is to be restive. That we depend upon one another.
For now, I'll close the window and draw the shade, to give the family some privacy -- and look to the future when those eggs open and its more than dad squawking at me.
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I was struck last evening by something someone said in our small group adult education workshop series using LifeKeys: "I need to find balance in my life." This individual was discovering that they had many more life gifts than they were using in a life dominated by work. They weren't suggesting being less active, rather, redirecting some energy to nurture and grow those gifts that have been neglected in their "day job". To kick back. To have fun. To recenter. To recreate.
That sounds so spiritually uplifting. Discovering, recovering really, a part of you that has been set aside. There's a whole new sub-world out there, and isn't that an exciting proposition? Gifts to share! Surprises!
We discovered in one small group all kinds of hidden gifts. Some were outright delightful surprises that made us laugh. How wonderful God is to give us these gifts, and now to bless us with gifted leaders to help us go "treasure hunting". Thanks be to God, and to Debra and Debbie for leading us.
The absolute best part of this workshop has been gathering together as a group and sharing.
It causes one to pause, and wonder, how much more treasure is "buried" among members and friends of Peace?
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I don't know about you, but I have been struggling mightily with this 'Church thing'. The current worship series 'helps' to bring some of the issues behind the struggles to the fore.
Lately we -- at least a subset of Peace -- have been exposed to changes and challenges of how 'church' has been done. Underlying those changes, and challenges, are questions of some fundamental Christian values and beliefs.
For me personally, I have found that being exposed to a broader perspective of faith, and the questioning of core beliefs and values, has been and continues to be, a healthy endeavor. I pray so. It began with a commitment to 'try out' (small group discipleship) triads -- a desire to give life to what I percieved in my faith to be 'dry bones' -- a rote belief in the creeds and orthodox liturgy of my ancestral Lutheran heritage (and the only faith life I had hitherto known).
But, I can sense a personal 'crisis' -- of sorts -- coming. The more I read of the Bible, the less certain and comforted I feel. The more I read and study, it seems that questions exposed outnumber questions resolved -- and, that, is scarey.
Anyway, I post this particular blog as much to acknowledge to myself my doubts as to ask, parenthetically, what gives you comfort, and what gives you pause?
Related, I have been exploring the work(s) of a number of well known non-traditional (aka emerging church) leaders and trying on some of their thinking. It has been both an exciting, and troubling, time. I like to be bold, on the one hand, careful, on the other, and as close as possible to the 'truth' as I can. That, too, is what I pray for. That I not be led astray.
I recently had the wonderful experience of reading Velvet Elvis, by Pastor Rob Bell. You may know him at Peace by several of the short videos he has produced and that we have shown from time to team at worship and/or Adult Bible Study. If you have read the book, and dealt with the issues Pastor Bell raises, I invite you to read an opposing viewpoint (to not have read his book would make putting the rebutal in proper context difficult, though not impossible).
http://www.reformation21.org/Past_Issues/2006_Issues_1_16_/2006_Issues_1_16_Shelf_LIfe/February_2006/February_2006/148/vobId__2030/pm__338/
I raise this up, because I usually find myself restless with what I percieve to be 'foot dragging' among my more tradition-minded friends at Peace -- those whose resistance to change arguably makes us less accessible and/or relevent to our community.
I honestly don't know what to make of church right now. As I've explored the landscape, I've probably not moved too far in any one direction is terms of personal beliefs about God, about Christ, etc. What I do question is how important, relatively speaking, are these tenets of belief to my salvation and to my servanthood. How vital are my beliefs to bringing someone else to know Christ, and to know God's love?
Peace,
--eric
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