Trans-cendental

Fitness Regimen Needed

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

OK, I'm overweight and I know it. I eat the wrong things and I don't get enough exercise. I have a treadmill in my bedroom, and yet I rarely use it. I lack motivation. I lack self-discipline. I need to start a new habit.

I think a lot of churches are this way. Sure, we could get out and stand up for an issue. Yes, we could volunteer at a homeless shelter. We could do a lot of things.

But our priorities lie in our own comfort and inertia:

Some churches don't have the money for mission and ministry because we are building a new building. Or buying new carpet. Or we're doing something else that makes the sanctuary more comfortable while we watch the big screen and the action on the stage...er, chancel.

Some churches have gotten lazy - and big. They have a lot of ministries or teams or groups to do all the things that the church has to do to keep being the church it is. These are the survival ministries: they make sure that what has been done is still done and that everything in the church appears as it has. These core ministries are sacred: to alter or lose one could threaten the life of the church.

Some churches are comfortable and risk-averse. But this is also unhealthy. These churches don't have the energy they once did, and a lot of that is due to their size (self-supporting ministries) and lack of exercise (not doing outward ministry).

There is a cure. Churches need to get up and start moving. Cut their diets of bureaucracy. Start doing work that serves others.

Like people, a church can't just go from being sedentary to being a triathlete. Small steps should be taken. Perhaps consolidate a couple of ministries or drop something that's not working rather than doing wholesale liposuction on its structure. And it's good to consult a physician (through prayer, in this case) before starting any fitness regimen.

But bloated, lethargic Western churches need to get healthy, and they need to start now.

As for me? I promise to run on the treadmill.

Tomorrow.

Finding the Prophetic in the Pastoral

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:01 -0600

The name "Christian" was originally a pejorative term for followers of Jesus. "Little Christs" they were called.

So those of us who call ourselves Little Christs might want to look to our "big brother" as an example.

Many non-Christians revere Jesus as a prophet. There is much in Jesus' teachings that is prophetic. Yet there was also much in Jesus' actions that was prophetic.

Jesus healed the sick. What many of us today would consider "doctor work" was much more. In healing the sick, Jesus restored people to community. He changed their status from untouchable to respectable.

Jesus ate and drank with sinners. What many of us today might call "slumming" was much more. In eating and drinking with sinners, Jesus restored people to community. He changed their status (at least among his followers) from undesirable to acceptable.

Jesus fed the multitudes. What many of us today might call "line cook's work" was much more. In feeding the multitudes, Jesus strengthened people. He changed their status from hungry to full.

Jesus cast out demons. What many of us today might call either "exorcism" or "psychiatry" was much more. In casting out demons, Jesus made people whole. He changed their status from struggling to healthy.

So what about prophetic churches?
More after the fold...

Is the Prophetic the Enemy of the Pastoral?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:10:28 -0600

What can a prophet expect in life?

Job is considered by some to be a prophet. The consequences? Death of his livestock. Death of his servants. Death of his family. Personal health issues.

How about Moses? Pharaoh tried to have him killed, and then the people he leads out of Egypt turn their backs on him. He dies before reaching the promised land.

It was said that Samuel should be put to death. Who said that? His mentor Eli.

Miriam? Smote with tzaraath, a skin disease.

Jeremiah? Beaten by his own brothers, imprisoned by the king, and threatened with death.

Jonah? Tries to avoid the prophet's way, and ends up in a storm at sea and swallowed by a large sea creature.

Jesus? Nailed to a cross to die.

So perhaps it's unsurprising that progressive churches - which tend to be prophetic churches - are not going to have the easiest of times. But does that mean prophetic churches have to abandon encouragement of their members?

Why For-Profit Insurance Doesn't Work for Health Care

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:34:10 -0600

The free market works best, right? Supply and demand set the correct prices for goods and services. The consumer chooses the best options and thereby makes the best supplier successful.

This actually works for a lot of things - even for health care providers. For example: consumers will continue to use providers who offer a good ratio of quality care vs price. If the price goes too high, consumers will choose a cheaper provider. If the quality of care goes too low, consumers will choose a better provider.

Likewise, providers have an incentive to keep consumers (patients). It doesn't matter whether the patient sees the physician annually for a checkup, or weekly for chemotherapy: it is profitable to retain the patients you have and, when possible, add new ones.

Where this doesn't work is with insurance.

Pizza and Polity

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:44:04 -0600

Learn how General Synod works and about the resolutions at General Synod 27.

This is an informal discussion with a UCC member who attended General Synod 27 and the United Church of Christ History and Polity Course.

Tuesdays at 6:30 at the home of Cindi Knox and Mary Dycus.
Please call 815-254-6920 or go to http://cindik.com/contact/ to reserve a space and express your preference of pizza thickness and toppings.

Please bring something to drink.

July 14: How General Synod works

July 21:

1. Toward Unified Governance for the National Setting of the United Church of Christ - Substitute Resolution - Approved

2. Amendment to the Proposed Changes to the Constitution and Bylaws - Approved

July 28: TBA
August 4: TBA
August 11: TBA
August 18: TBA
August 25: TBA

How much longer should we wait for the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:11:35 -0600

How much longer should we wait for gay, Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to be able to serve honorably in the military?

"These things take time", we are told. In the 1990's William Jefferson Clinton talked about lifting the ban, but instead settled on a compromise that requires dishonesty. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" has become "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as the military aggressively removes people from service because they were at a Pride event or posted something on a website.

Nearly two decades later, people are still being separated from service because of who they are rather than how they perform as soldiers. This is an unacceptable way to treat these brave individuals who voluntarily serve our country by putting their lives on the line. This is an unacceptable way to treat those people with whom they serve by breaking up teams that have worked together for months or years. This is an unacceptable way to treat Americans who rely on these trained individuals to protect them.

How much longer should we wait? This change is past due. Every second of delay is merely adding to the tardiness of the required action.

The President has said it requires legislative action, and Harry Reid has said the President should take action. They're both right. The President should take action immediately to protect our soldiers by suspending action under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" while the Congress immediately moves to pass legislation that prevents the military from using sexual orientation or gender identity as criteria for removing servicemembers.

Now.

Today.

This hour.

This minute.

The lives of GLBT soldiers depend on it.
The lives of all soldiers depend on it.
The lives of all Americans depend on it.

1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.

- The Dallas Principals

If You Think Hate Crimes Are Thought Crimes

Wed, 06 May 2009 07:52:00 -0600

Autumn Sandeen, in her post on Pam's House Blend, has a good point about opposition to hate crimes laws based on free speech.

If you think hate crimes are thought crimes, and that hate crimes laws attack freedom of speech, you may want to look at what you're trying to protect.

You're protecting a man who murdered a 15 year old girl for being Lesbian.

You're protecting two men who murdered a young man for being gay.

You're protecting two men and two teens who repeatedly gang raped a 28 year old woman because she was Lesbian.

You're protecting a man who murdered a young transgender woman.

Hate crime legislation does not prevent your pastor from saying "homosexuality is a sin". It doesn't even make it a crime for Westboro Baptist Church to march with signs that say "God Gates Fags" and "Matthew Shepherd Is In Hell".

Hate crime legislation enhances penalties for those crimes where the victim was selected because of race, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation - whether actual or perceived - and which were committed to cause fear in a group of people.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

References:

Was Allen Ray Andrade Expressing The Kind Of Christian Free Speech That FOTF Is Talking About? [Pam's House Blend]
Ryan Skipper [Wikipedia]
Man Charged With Bias Crime for Girl’s Killing in Newark [NY Times]
Lesbian Rape Called Hate Crime by Police [LA Criminal Defense Blog]
Transgender murder, hate crime conviction a first [CNN]

Church near Joliet

Mon, 04 May 2009 13:09:47 -0600

I live in Joliet, and am a member of a UCC church near Joliet.

A Call for Progressives to Reclaim Christianity

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:41:31 -0600

I have met a lot of progressive Christians, so I know we exist. Yet we're not seen or heard as often as conservatives. I wondered why.

Genderqueer Celebration at Chicago Theological Seminary

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:21:03 -0600

Yes, you read that correctly.

April 23, there was a genderqueer celebration at Chicago Theological Seminary. There was also an auction - a fundraiser for "top surgery" for an FTM seminarian.

It was an evening of prayer, drag performances, music, and personal testimonies.

There were at least three trangender seminarians in attendance, and many other LGB seminarians and seminary faculty and staff, not to mention straight-but-supportive seminarians, faculty, and staff.

Most of the big-ticket (read $400-700) auction items went to faculty and staff.

For every heavily funded institution like Bob Jones University, there is a liberal seminary like CTS struggling to prepare progressive religious leaders.

They can use your support.

Happy anniversary, Mary

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:54:37 -0600

Ten years ago today, Mary and I promised ourselves to each other in Holy Union in a church in Oak Park, IL. Twenty years ago, we met in a bar named Suzy B.'s in Chicago. In those two decades, we dealt with a lot of things:

When is it convenient?

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:16:17 -0600

I was thinking today about our tendency to help when it's convenient.

When we have a few extra dollars, we contribute to charity.

When we have extra food, we give some to the food bank (some of us offer the dented cans or things we don't want to eat).

Yet need does not wax and wane with availability. Homeless people don't disappear when there's a shortage of beds in shelters. People don't magically have enough winter clothing when there are no coats available. People aren't magically filled when there is no food available. And the needs of people for community don't disappear when churches decide they have no room for "people like that".

Earth Hour begins

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0600

Here in Joliet, IL, USA, North America, Earth, Earth Hour has arrived and our home has powered down for an hour. See you on the flip side (maybe sooner if the battery backups actually hold the network together - we'll see!)

This is a scheduled post, so it should get posted no matter what.

Earth Hour: http://www.earthhour.org/home/

Earth Hour

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:37:00 -0600

At 8:30PM local time tonight, people all over the world are turning off their lights for an hour to support work to reduce global warming.

See http://www.earthhour.org/home/

I'm planning on opening the main breaker on the house. We'll see whether the battery-backed-up sump pump will keep up (we're getting rain and snow tonight).

The End of Evangelicalism as We Know It

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:19:14 -0600

Evangelicalism on the outs, says author

Could this be the end of Evangelicalism as we know it?

I grew up in an Evangelical church. I believe that Evangelicalism done well can be powerful and good. Unfortunately, it has largely been done poorly, viciously, and cruelly. Many evangelical groups have taken the easy way of creating an enemy and fighting against it, rather than using the church to heal and grow individuals to be caring members of society. The former is easy but weak, the latter is more difficult but hardy.

Like the financial giants made up of easy money in the form or bloated, empty investments, there are many churches that are filled with lots of people who haven't been given what they need to be part of effective communities of faith. And so there will be a huge contraction, recession, perhaps even depression.

The real tragedy here is not in the collapse of giant churches and the loss of income for their pastors. It's in the disillusionment and spiritual homelessness of the people who went to these houses of worship looking for something meaningful and came back with emptiness.

Whether these people seek another Christian community, another religious community, or a non-religious community, they are going to be looking for something to hold on to. I urge those of you who will be meeting these people to not hold their previous affiliations against them, and to instead embrace these brothers and sisters of ours as they seek to remake their worldviews. They will be very vulnerable, and they need the love they may - or may not - have shown us.

Let us be the example many Evangelicals could not.