This phenomena repeats itself frequently in our household. I'm trying to watch a game on TV or we're watching a movie, and son number one Ben rambles into the room, and into the viewing path. No matter which seat we've chosen with what angle to the screen, Ben finds a way to stand in the direct line of sight.
As I was growing up, the Shively household would exclaim under these circumstances, "You make a better door than window!" Ben's a fantastic door at times!
Entering this new year, I'm wondering what other line-of-sight obstructions keep coming up, those things which cause clear vision to be blocked, goals to be interrupted, purpose to be distracted. It's fairly easy to get Ben to move out of the way; not so easy to peer around some of these other distractions.
And there's always the turnabout scenario, when my kids catch me ambling into a room and stopping directly in front of their vision field. "Dad, you make a better door than a window." I'm sure it happens in other areas of life too, where I get in the way of others, maybe even in God's way.
So for this new year, I'm going to try to be a better window than a door, or at least if I end up being a door, I'll try to be an open one.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Webcasts coming up
In just a couple weeks, October 23-25, I'll be preaching, giving a keynote presentation, and offering a workshop at the Western Plains District Church of the Brethren Gathering. This fifth annual event focusing on worship, learning, and fellowship is held near Salina, Kansas, but this year will be accessible to people all around the world through the wonders of webcasting.
This venture is very exciting because it networks both a physical gathering and a virtual web of participants, fostering common conversation and shared formation. It's also somewhat intimidating for me as a presenter because it will require paying attention to these extended audiences. In the end, though, I expect this endeavor to teach all of us a lot about the webinar format and the power and limitations of this form of communication.
Obviously lots of organizations and schools have been using the webinar format for some time now, but for us Brethren the October event is a pretty major step. You're invited to join in and then let us know what the experience is like for you.
Click here or on the title of this blog post to see detailed information about all the presenters and the schedule for the event. Many of the broadcast sessions will also be archived for access after the event.
This venture is very exciting because it networks both a physical gathering and a virtual web of participants, fostering common conversation and shared formation. It's also somewhat intimidating for me as a presenter because it will require paying attention to these extended audiences. In the end, though, I expect this endeavor to teach all of us a lot about the webinar format and the power and limitations of this form of communication.
Obviously lots of organizations and schools have been using the webinar format for some time now, but for us Brethren the October event is a pretty major step. You're invited to join in and then let us know what the experience is like for you.
Click here or on the title of this blog post to see detailed information about all the presenters and the schedule for the event. Many of the broadcast sessions will also be archived for access after the event.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Collecting mentoring stories
Can you help me?
I'm looking for stories about how young people are being/have been mentored by older adults. At a workshop at National Older Adult Conference in September, I'll be leading a discussion around how one generation lives their legacy by helping emerging generations shape their legacy. A particular interest is how these relationships shape faith.
Ideal stories describe how you've been mentored, or how you have been mentoring young people (kids, youth, young adults, even young families qualify as "young people"), and would include both the mentor and the mentee reflecting on the relationship, describing how it works, how it came about, what the commitment is to each other, what each has learned from the relationship, and what the relationship means to those involved. If both can't contribute to the reflection, the story told from either point of view is welcome.
I'd prefer to have 3-5 minute video clips that you could send to me digitally, or audio/podcast files of the same length. But I'd also take stories told in written form as long as they're 1-3 pages in length. These clips don't have to be professional quality, but they do need to be something that you're willing for me to show/share with workshop participants.
Your material needs to be in my inbox by August 31.
Email me if you have questions or are able to contribute.
I'm looking for stories about how young people are being/have been mentored by older adults. At a workshop at National Older Adult Conference in September, I'll be leading a discussion around how one generation lives their legacy by helping emerging generations shape their legacy. A particular interest is how these relationships shape faith.
Ideal stories describe how you've been mentored, or how you have been mentoring young people (kids, youth, young adults, even young families qualify as "young people"), and would include both the mentor and the mentee reflecting on the relationship, describing how it works, how it came about, what the commitment is to each other, what each has learned from the relationship, and what the relationship means to those involved. If both can't contribute to the reflection, the story told from either point of view is welcome.
I'd prefer to have 3-5 minute video clips that you could send to me digitally, or audio/podcast files of the same length. But I'd also take stories told in written form as long as they're 1-3 pages in length. These clips don't have to be professional quality, but they do need to be something that you're willing for me to show/share with workshop participants.
Your material needs to be in my inbox by August 31.
Email me if you have questions or are able to contribute.
Monday, August 10, 2009
No Fear
On August 2, 2009 I had the privilege of preaching at the Northern Plains District Church of the Brethren conference. The Sunday morning sermon was based on 1 John 4:16b-21 and was entitled "No Fear."
In the sermon I reflected on how fear has become a commodity in culture, and also in the church. For the Christians especially, fear is a false commodity. The real economies of Gospel living are based on love, a radical, other-wordly love as expressed by God through Jesus.
Because a number of persons who heard this sermon asked for a copy, I am posting the link here.
Click here for a copy of No Fear - Northern Plains District Conference
In the sermon I reflected on how fear has become a commodity in culture, and also in the church. For the Christians especially, fear is a false commodity. The real economies of Gospel living are based on love, a radical, other-wordly love as expressed by God through Jesus.
Because a number of persons who heard this sermon asked for a copy, I am posting the link here.
Click here for a copy of No Fear - Northern Plains District Conference
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Servanthood
Heard a very good sermon today by John Breidenstine. John and I grew up in the same congregation in Lancaster. John's a foreign diplomat stationed in Sonora, Mexico. He and his wife Judith are also students at Bethany Theological Seminary through the Connections distance education program.
What made for such a great sermon? Integrity. It wasn't that John was so dynamic. He's really a pretty "understated" guy. It wasn't that he shared any radically new thoughts on servanthood. I didn't hear anything that I hadn't heard before, or probably even preached before myself. But John and Judith and their son Victor really exemplify the servant posture and the pursuit of God's will for their lives that John was speaking about today.
One example of that integrity is found in this YouTube post that they put together recently. It documents the work of one mission in Hermosillo that they are actively involved in. Read John 13. Watch this video. Think about living with integrity. Live a life of service.
What made for such a great sermon? Integrity. It wasn't that John was so dynamic. He's really a pretty "understated" guy. It wasn't that he shared any radically new thoughts on servanthood. I didn't hear anything that I hadn't heard before, or probably even preached before myself. But John and Judith and their son Victor really exemplify the servant posture and the pursuit of God's will for their lives that John was speaking about today.
One example of that integrity is found in this YouTube post that they put together recently. It documents the work of one mission in Hermosillo that they are actively involved in. Read John 13. Watch this video. Think about living with integrity. Live a life of service.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Power of the Towel
Power's a tricky commodity. We all have it. We all use it. It's not necessarily equally distributed among people, and it can be used for good or ill. There are different types of power: some power is earned, some is inherited, some is imposed.
One form of power which Jesus taught is power in servanthood. This type of power is most clearly exemplified in the John 13 story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet. In an outrageously counter cultural act, Jesus performed a power-filled act of service for his disciples, an act typically reserved for the powerless slave.
The faith tradition of which I am a part, the Church of the Brethren, recognizes the power of washing feet. It's symbolism indicates a world turned upside down, where power is shared and relinquished for the good of the other and the good of the community. As feet are washed in basins and dried with towels the balance of power is re-distributed, and the ultimate power in the universe, God in Jesus, is recognized as a serving, sustaining power.
Some years ago I wrote and recorded a song that captures a bit of this sentiment. A few of my friends and acquaintances have been reminding me of it lately, I suspect for its musical value, or perhaps some sentimental connection they have to it, or maybe because I need to be reminded of the posture of power that comes with a towel in hand. Whatever the impetus, here's the song. Feel free to use it in any way that's helpful to you and your faith community, except for selling it! (After all, it is copyrighted material).
One form of power which Jesus taught is power in servanthood. This type of power is most clearly exemplified in the John 13 story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet. In an outrageously counter cultural act, Jesus performed a power-filled act of service for his disciples, an act typically reserved for the powerless slave.
The faith tradition of which I am a part, the Church of the Brethren, recognizes the power of washing feet. It's symbolism indicates a world turned upside down, where power is shared and relinquished for the good of the other and the good of the community. As feet are washed in basins and dried with towels the balance of power is re-distributed, and the ultimate power in the universe, God in Jesus, is recognized as a serving, sustaining power.
Some years ago I wrote and recorded a song that captures a bit of this sentiment. A few of my friends and acquaintances have been reminding me of it lately, I suspect for its musical value, or perhaps some sentimental connection they have to it, or maybe because I need to be reminded of the posture of power that comes with a towel in hand. Whatever the impetus, here's the song. Feel free to use it in any way that's helpful to you and your faith community, except for selling it! (After all, it is copyrighted material).
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Singing strength
According to Pete Seeger (emphasis mine):
People ask, is there one word that you have more faith in than any other word, and I'd say it's participation. I feel that this takes on so many meanings. The composer John Philip Sousa said, 'What will happen to the American voice now that the phonograph has been invented? Women used to sing lullabies to their children.'
It's been my life work, to get participation, whether it's a union song, or a peace song, civil rights, or a women's movement, or gay liberation. When you sing, you feel a kind of strength; you think, I'm not alone, there's a whole batch of us who feel this way. I'm just one person, but it's almost my religion now to persuade people that even if it's only you and three others, do something. You and one another, do something. If it's only you, and you do a good job as a songwriter, people will sing it.
-from The Protest Singer: An Intimate Portrait of Pete Seeger by Alec Wilkinson, page 106
People ask, is there one word that you have more faith in than any other word, and I'd say it's participation. I feel that this takes on so many meanings. The composer John Philip Sousa said, 'What will happen to the American voice now that the phonograph has been invented? Women used to sing lullabies to their children.'
It's been my life work, to get participation, whether it's a union song, or a peace song, civil rights, or a women's movement, or gay liberation. When you sing, you feel a kind of strength; you think, I'm not alone, there's a whole batch of us who feel this way. I'm just one person, but it's almost my religion now to persuade people that even if it's only you and three others, do something. You and one another, do something. If it's only you, and you do a good job as a songwriter, people will sing it.
-from The Protest Singer: An Intimate Portrait of Pete Seeger by Alec Wilkinson, page 106
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Parade or parody?
Today we went to our town's 4th of July parade. I'm glad we went. It was fun and gave us some great insight into our community. The highlights were the Asian dancers, the high school marching bands (go Larkin!), the old cars and lots of diverse families lining the streets. There were also some things that raised questions for me.
How can we celebrate the blessings of our country without equating such privilege primarily with the military? It seemed that much of the parade was lifting up military personnel and politicians, the primary players in war-making. What would a parade that celebrates the unique freedoms and ingenuity of our nation look like? How could we celebrate the birth of our country with appropriate recognition that it was inaugurated through a bloody, violent, and self-righteous sequence of events? We seem to be stuck in such an "all or nothing" rut in terms of non-critically celebrating or being categorized as anti-American. Not so on either account.
The parade also had more than its share of churches participating. I'm glad to see our community's churches trying to make an impact. But I was left wondering what the effect of their parading would be. Do our churches really think that by marching together wearing ears, noses and whiskers that the "unchurched" will want to join their journey? Or that by rolling a stained glass windowed bellfry with a cross on it down the street that parade-goers will be motivated to take up the cross and follow Jesus?
And then there are social activists: environmentalists, peace advocates, political reformists, and health care whistle blowers. Again, I'm actually sympathetic to each of these causes, but I question the effectiveness of trying to out-shout the marching bands with one's war opposition, or pulling your float with a Hummer H3 while advocating political reforms, or driving a school bus (even a bio diesel one) while challenging our environmental practices. Paradox all over the place; I just wonder how many of the participants see these ironies themselves. It's clear that those looking on see them.
Finally, I was astounded at how the two and a half hour parade was basically a mile-long commercial. From towing companies, to various city departments, to gymnastics and karate academies, to politicians, to nut makers, to towing companies (did I mention this already?), to secret societies, to local eating establishments, it seemed that we were given invitation after invitation to help improve the economy. Apparently we've become so outrageously commercialized that even our holiday parades are for sale.
Ooops, one more thing: Candy. Everyone was throwing candy to kids and adults alike. I mean everyone. Guess that's a way to ensure future business for our two major hospitals...
I know this post sounds like a summer scrooge. Perhaps I really am at heart. But the joy of today for me is found in the freedom to write this blog, to think and speak critically about the community that I am a part of, and to do so from my second property (because my first property is still suffering from the real estate depression).
Really though, the joy of today is in spending it with my family, napping on the sofa, hearing/smelling/feeling the rain water the earth, and knowing that my earthly residence is a great place (the United States of America) but that when it really comes to citizenship, my primary allegiances are to Jesus Christ and the other way of living to which he welcomes me.
How can we celebrate the blessings of our country without equating such privilege primarily with the military? It seemed that much of the parade was lifting up military personnel and politicians, the primary players in war-making. What would a parade that celebrates the unique freedoms and ingenuity of our nation look like? How could we celebrate the birth of our country with appropriate recognition that it was inaugurated through a bloody, violent, and self-righteous sequence of events? We seem to be stuck in such an "all or nothing" rut in terms of non-critically celebrating or being categorized as anti-American. Not so on either account.
The parade also had more than its share of churches participating. I'm glad to see our community's churches trying to make an impact. But I was left wondering what the effect of their parading would be. Do our churches really think that by marching together wearing ears, noses and whiskers that the "unchurched" will want to join their journey? Or that by rolling a stained glass windowed bellfry with a cross on it down the street that parade-goers will be motivated to take up the cross and follow Jesus?
And then there are social activists: environmentalists, peace advocates, political reformists, and health care whistle blowers. Again, I'm actually sympathetic to each of these causes, but I question the effectiveness of trying to out-shout the marching bands with one's war opposition, or pulling your float with a Hummer H3 while advocating political reforms, or driving a school bus (even a bio diesel one) while challenging our environmental practices. Paradox all over the place; I just wonder how many of the participants see these ironies themselves. It's clear that those looking on see them.
Finally, I was astounded at how the two and a half hour parade was basically a mile-long commercial. From towing companies, to various city departments, to gymnastics and karate academies, to politicians, to nut makers, to towing companies (did I mention this already?), to secret societies, to local eating establishments, it seemed that we were given invitation after invitation to help improve the economy. Apparently we've become so outrageously commercialized that even our holiday parades are for sale.
Ooops, one more thing: Candy. Everyone was throwing candy to kids and adults alike. I mean everyone. Guess that's a way to ensure future business for our two major hospitals...
I know this post sounds like a summer scrooge. Perhaps I really am at heart. But the joy of today for me is found in the freedom to write this blog, to think and speak critically about the community that I am a part of, and to do so from my second property (because my first property is still suffering from the real estate depression).
Really though, the joy of today is in spending it with my family, napping on the sofa, hearing/smelling/feeling the rain water the earth, and knowing that my earthly residence is a great place (the United States of America) but that when it really comes to citizenship, my primary allegiances are to Jesus Christ and the other way of living to which he welcomes me.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
taken for granted
Just back from our big annual church conference where I had the privilege of planning and leading worship Sunday morning. It's always a great experience to be on the platform at conference, to look out on this gathering of God's people, to sing and pray and worship. Like I said, it was a great experience for me.
And apparently it was also a good worship experience for at least some of those gathered. I fielded quite a few positive comments about the service, for which I am appreciative. There were also some surprises in those comments.
Early in the service the kids were called forward, and I jumped down on the floor to talk with them about fear and love. The kids were awesome: full of energy, answering the questions, giving creative and insightful answers, like only kids can do. The surprise was in the number of people who said what a risk it was to have a story like that, how brave I was to take that on, and how unusual it was to have a children's time at conference. These comments all may have something to say about why we seem to have fewer and fewer kids in our churches! I didn't even think twice about meeting the kids.
The second surprise was the category of comments that lifted up the flow and integration of worship. Again, for me that's pretty much a no-brainer. Especially at this big gathering of Brethren, continuity, flow, and direction seem like priorities for worship. I'm not talking style, but rather quality. How else would we plan and carry out worship except with our best??
The third observation was that a lot of folks found the simple hymn chorus Don't be afraid to be very powerful as part of the response to confession. Many requests for this piece, which I got from the Church of the Brethren Hymnal Supplement.
The reminder for me in these observations it to not take for granted the gifts that I've been given, and to remember that just because something is "routine" or "expected" from my point of view that it well might be new, interesting and empowering to someone else.
And apparently it was also a good worship experience for at least some of those gathered. I fielded quite a few positive comments about the service, for which I am appreciative. There were also some surprises in those comments.
Early in the service the kids were called forward, and I jumped down on the floor to talk with them about fear and love. The kids were awesome: full of energy, answering the questions, giving creative and insightful answers, like only kids can do. The surprise was in the number of people who said what a risk it was to have a story like that, how brave I was to take that on, and how unusual it was to have a children's time at conference. These comments all may have something to say about why we seem to have fewer and fewer kids in our churches! I didn't even think twice about meeting the kids.
The second surprise was the category of comments that lifted up the flow and integration of worship. Again, for me that's pretty much a no-brainer. Especially at this big gathering of Brethren, continuity, flow, and direction seem like priorities for worship. I'm not talking style, but rather quality. How else would we plan and carry out worship except with our best??
The third observation was that a lot of folks found the simple hymn chorus Don't be afraid to be very powerful as part of the response to confession. Many requests for this piece, which I got from the Church of the Brethren Hymnal Supplement.
The reminder for me in these observations it to not take for granted the gifts that I've been given, and to remember that just because something is "routine" or "expected" from my point of view that it well might be new, interesting and empowering to someone else.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Power in just enough
Just left the National Jr. High Conference for the Church of the Brethren, over 600 kids and their advisors at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA for 40 hours of worship, fellowship, recreation, learning sessions, food, and a small amount of sleep. It was my first jr. high event, and it was amazing! A few observations.
Kids in Jr. High these days have gone through things by age 14 that noone should have to go through in a lifetime. Our song leader, Ken Medema (amazing in his own right!), invited these kids to share stories about change and transformation in their lives. Some of the stories had happy endings, some don't yet have endings. But from personal struggles to family situations to faith challenges to school and neighborhood stuff, these kids collectively have seen it all and somehow have the courage to stand before their peers and advisors and speak these stories. Incredible stories, amazing kids. (you can hear the stories and the songs Ken wrote on the spot soon at www.kenmedema.com)
Speaking of Ken, these worship experiences reminded me that we don't have to "give" the body that gathers everything in order to have powerful worship, but we do need to invite something of significance. Ken's song-leading was one example of this type of invitation. Songs of substance with a unique balance of simplicity and depth. Actors Ted and Company (Jeff) provided an amazing overview of the Old Testament the first night and the New Testament the second night. In the midst of the laughter and the moments of tears, these guys effectively shared the gospel story's very essence in two comparably short segments. The power is a testimony to the script and actors, but mostly it's a testimony to The Story (the bible story). It has power that comes through when treated with respect and excellence, without the need to "control" it.
As an adult at the conference, I also enjoyed some of the side conversations with other adults. I leave this event feeling like there is both a longing for and a movement toward refreshed and transformed ways of participating together in the Gospel story, sharing God's love in the world, being the church. No idea what it will ultimately look like, but with the courage, passion and energy of youth, and the openness to new ways from those of us who are a bit more on the graying side of things, we just may find ourselves Transformed from the Inside Out!
Kids in Jr. High these days have gone through things by age 14 that noone should have to go through in a lifetime. Our song leader, Ken Medema (amazing in his own right!), invited these kids to share stories about change and transformation in their lives. Some of the stories had happy endings, some don't yet have endings. But from personal struggles to family situations to faith challenges to school and neighborhood stuff, these kids collectively have seen it all and somehow have the courage to stand before their peers and advisors and speak these stories. Incredible stories, amazing kids. (you can hear the stories and the songs Ken wrote on the spot soon at www.kenmedema.com)
Speaking of Ken, these worship experiences reminded me that we don't have to "give" the body that gathers everything in order to have powerful worship, but we do need to invite something of significance. Ken's song-leading was one example of this type of invitation. Songs of substance with a unique balance of simplicity and depth. Actors Ted and Company (Jeff) provided an amazing overview of the Old Testament the first night and the New Testament the second night. In the midst of the laughter and the moments of tears, these guys effectively shared the gospel story's very essence in two comparably short segments. The power is a testimony to the script and actors, but mostly it's a testimony to The Story (the bible story). It has power that comes through when treated with respect and excellence, without the need to "control" it.
As an adult at the conference, I also enjoyed some of the side conversations with other adults. I leave this event feeling like there is both a longing for and a movement toward refreshed and transformed ways of participating together in the Gospel story, sharing God's love in the world, being the church. No idea what it will ultimately look like, but with the courage, passion and energy of youth, and the openness to new ways from those of us who are a bit more on the graying side of things, we just may find ourselves Transformed from the Inside Out!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
A blow to my self sufficiency
At the ordination of our new associate pastor Audrey today, one of the comments that really stuck out for me was something to the effect of "we don't make ourselves." It got spun a few ways, and my mind started trolling on this statement, so I don't have the authors straight, but preacher Christy and pastor Audrey both contributed to these thoughts.
The reality that others make us, we don't make ourselves, is absolutely contradictory to the great American claim to self-sufficiency, "boot-strap" success, and individualism. We're instructed from our infancy that we can make ourselves into anything we want. Well, that's just not true. We can certainly obstruct growth into full grown, creative, loving humans, but we can't make ourselves into these things all by ourselves. It does take a community of teachers, mentors, friends, antagonists, and people experiences to become who we are, for better or for worse.
Pastor Audrey also observed that we pastors can't decide that we're going to be a pastor. We're only pastors by virtue of the call of the community that we serve. We do not engage others with deep spiritual matters unless the other invites us into their life or places themself voluntarily in a situation where they hear from us, engage with us, consider what it is we have to offer.
Finally, these thoughts took me to what I think is the bottom line. We don't make ourselves because it is God who has made us. Psalm 100:3 says it succinctly: Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Thanks for the reminder Audrey. And congratulations on your ordination, pastor!
The reality that others make us, we don't make ourselves, is absolutely contradictory to the great American claim to self-sufficiency, "boot-strap" success, and individualism. We're instructed from our infancy that we can make ourselves into anything we want. Well, that's just not true. We can certainly obstruct growth into full grown, creative, loving humans, but we can't make ourselves into these things all by ourselves. It does take a community of teachers, mentors, friends, antagonists, and people experiences to become who we are, for better or for worse.
Pastor Audrey also observed that we pastors can't decide that we're going to be a pastor. We're only pastors by virtue of the call of the community that we serve. We do not engage others with deep spiritual matters unless the other invites us into their life or places themself voluntarily in a situation where they hear from us, engage with us, consider what it is we have to offer.
Finally, these thoughts took me to what I think is the bottom line. We don't make ourselves because it is God who has made us. Psalm 100:3 says it succinctly: Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Thanks for the reminder Audrey. And congratulations on your ordination, pastor!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Scheming swindlers
Quote that my colleague Lowell loves, and so do I. It meant something a little different when I worked for the seminary, but it still has a point, meaning I feel the prick when I consider it:
"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church's prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament."
-Soren Kierkegaard
I think we could substitute lots of alternatives of "religious" pursuit for "scholarship." Think of all the "prodigious invention[s]" that serve as a protection from the gospel. The church itself. Busyness. Good works. Religious practice. Doctrine. Name the ones for you.
The point is not that any one of these disciplines or activities is inherently wrong or anti-biblical. What I hear Kierkegaard warning against, though, is the trap of these things taking the place of the biblical mandate, the Word itself.
It is far from easy to be a biblical people. Just ask us brethren. When asked what's at the core of our faith we often start with peace, or simplicity, or service. These are all important elements of biblical faith, but if we were to be true to our founders it is really the bible and the Jesus of the bible that are at the core of our faith and our practice. In order to be connected to that core, we are required to purge our defenses and live like the gospel: radically.
Being biblical is far from simple, and certainly not easy. My own life is challenged by nearly every step. I fail miserably stride after stride, and I know it. But I try to be aware of the defenses that I erect between me and the bible, and pray that God will treat them like the walls of Jericho. Then we might be free for scholarship, service, faithful practice, and full lives of activity as people of the Word, rather than as a bunch of scheming swindlers!
"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church's prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament."
-Soren Kierkegaard
I think we could substitute lots of alternatives of "religious" pursuit for "scholarship." Think of all the "prodigious invention[s]" that serve as a protection from the gospel. The church itself. Busyness. Good works. Religious practice. Doctrine. Name the ones for you.
The point is not that any one of these disciplines or activities is inherently wrong or anti-biblical. What I hear Kierkegaard warning against, though, is the trap of these things taking the place of the biblical mandate, the Word itself.
It is far from easy to be a biblical people. Just ask us brethren. When asked what's at the core of our faith we often start with peace, or simplicity, or service. These are all important elements of biblical faith, but if we were to be true to our founders it is really the bible and the Jesus of the bible that are at the core of our faith and our practice. In order to be connected to that core, we are required to purge our defenses and live like the gospel: radically.
Being biblical is far from simple, and certainly not easy. My own life is challenged by nearly every step. I fail miserably stride after stride, and I know it. But I try to be aware of the defenses that I erect between me and the bible, and pray that God will treat them like the walls of Jericho. Then we might be free for scholarship, service, faithful practice, and full lives of activity as people of the Word, rather than as a bunch of scheming swindlers!
Monday, May 11, 2009
On the "e" word
Lots of Christians have a deep ambivalence toward the "e" word, evangelism that is. The following is an open letter that I sent recently to some fellow disciples:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
If you were given five minutes to tell your story right now about how Jesus’ love has impacted your life, could you do it? If I were to spend the next five minutes telling you about the love of Jesus in my life, would you recognize God’s work and could you be patient enough to listen? If we encountered one another on the street or in the store or over the phone today, would you be ready to express Jesus’ love for you, and for me, in meaningful ways?
Evangelism is not a program or a project. Evangelism is a way of moving about in the world. In my humble understanding the word evangelism means that as we join in God’s work in the world we help others recognize the power and presence of God. We want to be equipped with eyes to see, ears to hear, lips to tell, hands to serve, and hearts to compel us into such loving relationships with the world. We want to recognize God’s reconciling and redeeming work, made flesh in Jesus Christ, in our daily lives!
Sharing in the Good News is risky business because it means not only that the lives of others might be changed, but also that our lives might be transformed. God’s witness may show up in us to impact others, or in others to impact us. We can never be sure, but we endeavor to be ready.
I wish to encourage you to enhance your skills and enrich your passion for sharing in the good news of the Gospel with your family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, strangers, and even enemies throughout your local communities and social networks! Don't know how?? No excuses: ask your pastor, talk to someone that you know who easily shares their faith, visit http://www.evangelismconnections.org/, practice sharing with your friends, take small steps to share the love of God.
Begin today!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Bricks without straw
The fifth chapter of the book of Exodus from the Old Testament of the Bible is part of the story of the Israelites in captivity to the Egyptians. In this fifth chapter the prophet Moses, through his mouthpiece brother Aaron, has told the slaveholding Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the desert so that they might worship God. God has proposed a three day journey and festival. Pharoah predictably is having none of it! No vacation days for his laborers!
Instead Pharaoh decides to make the Israelite slaves' work even more difficult. He takes away their supply of straw used in the making of bricks and insists that the slaves find the straw on their own, without reducing the output of bricks. Essentially Pharaoh has given them an impossible task: scrounge for your straw, but keep massive quantities of bricks flowing to my warehouses.
I don't intend to push the metaphor too far, but reading this passage pulled me up short and caused me to wonder about the way life and work is progressing these days, especially for those of us who count ourselves among the community of Christians.
Our resources seemingly diminish day by day, in spite of God's abundance. Our "supply chain" has huge gaps in it, and yet we insist on the same results we've enjoyed before. What we probably need most is a festival in the desert, but it's the last thing to climb to the top of our priority list. We beat each other up, but in reality we are our own source of angst. Like the Israelite foremen we look around and realize we are in trouble here!
The promise comes in the next chapter. "I am the Lord and will bring you out from under the yoke," says God. For the Israelites this promise was difficult to hear and trust. Under great duress they resisted Moses, Aaron and God. Even with signs, miracles, plagues and trials, God's message was slow to sink in for both the Israelites and the Egyptians. But as the story progresses, God continues to demonstrate faithfulness.
Two key thoughts for today: Stop insisting that others keep making bricks without an abundant supply of straw. And trust that when God speaks there is power and promise.
Instead Pharaoh decides to make the Israelite slaves' work even more difficult. He takes away their supply of straw used in the making of bricks and insists that the slaves find the straw on their own, without reducing the output of bricks. Essentially Pharaoh has given them an impossible task: scrounge for your straw, but keep massive quantities of bricks flowing to my warehouses.
I don't intend to push the metaphor too far, but reading this passage pulled me up short and caused me to wonder about the way life and work is progressing these days, especially for those of us who count ourselves among the community of Christians.
Our resources seemingly diminish day by day, in spite of God's abundance. Our "supply chain" has huge gaps in it, and yet we insist on the same results we've enjoyed before. What we probably need most is a festival in the desert, but it's the last thing to climb to the top of our priority list. We beat each other up, but in reality we are our own source of angst. Like the Israelite foremen we look around and realize we are in trouble here!
The promise comes in the next chapter. "I am the Lord and will bring you out from under the yoke," says God. For the Israelites this promise was difficult to hear and trust. Under great duress they resisted Moses, Aaron and God. Even with signs, miracles, plagues and trials, God's message was slow to sink in for both the Israelites and the Egyptians. But as the story progresses, God continues to demonstrate faithfulness.
Two key thoughts for today: Stop insisting that others keep making bricks without an abundant supply of straw. And trust that when God speaks there is power and promise.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Who's afraid ...
...of the big, bad wolf? Well, if you're a leader, you can't afford such fear. There may be times when fear is appropriate, but it's not in the face of those things which huff and puff. The wolves may blow lots of air, it may even be powerful air, but it will not knock you down, especially if you lean into it like a Chicagoan does on a windy winter day.
Continuing with the animal metaphors, often our fear of the elephant in the room causes us to behave suspiciously, deceptively, untruthfully. It is exactly at those moments, however, when what we need to demonstrate above all else is integrity. Integrity in this moment, when confronted with a wolf that resembles an elephant, is honest, unapologetic, realistic, compassionate, and direct.
Apparently such integrity is not very common.
At an event this past weekend I stood before a gathering of folks which included one of those elephants. I acknowledged the elephant, welcomed the wolf, and moved on. I felt like I did it with integrity. Others seemed to think so as well.
What surprised and saddened me, though, was the number of people who thanked me for being honest, unapologetic, realistic, compassionate, and direct. They didn't all agree with me and some were angry about how the elephant ended up in the room in the first place, but they thanked me for addressing it forthrightly, and then several of them finished their sentence with something like, "... because we don't hear that from our leaders."
I don't raise this encounter to highlight my own leadership, but rather to remind others who lead how important it is to lead with integrity. There are many dimensions to integrity, some which have to do with ethics and others which have to do with transparency and honesty. Doing what's required and doing what's right may not always be the same thing. I may have been required only to make a basic presentation. But what was right was to truthfully acknowledge in public the difficult elephant which sat in the room. You don't HAVE to name the elephants, especially those that you have a hand in creating, at least not technically. But in terms of integrity, what other choice is there?
That's the part that mystifies me: what other choice is there? At least if you're a leader. Don't be afraid of the big, "bad" wolf. Lean into the wind. Point out the elephant. Lead.
Continuing with the animal metaphors, often our fear of the elephant in the room causes us to behave suspiciously, deceptively, untruthfully. It is exactly at those moments, however, when what we need to demonstrate above all else is integrity. Integrity in this moment, when confronted with a wolf that resembles an elephant, is honest, unapologetic, realistic, compassionate, and direct.
Apparently such integrity is not very common.
At an event this past weekend I stood before a gathering of folks which included one of those elephants. I acknowledged the elephant, welcomed the wolf, and moved on. I felt like I did it with integrity. Others seemed to think so as well.
What surprised and saddened me, though, was the number of people who thanked me for being honest, unapologetic, realistic, compassionate, and direct. They didn't all agree with me and some were angry about how the elephant ended up in the room in the first place, but they thanked me for addressing it forthrightly, and then several of them finished their sentence with something like, "... because we don't hear that from our leaders."
I don't raise this encounter to highlight my own leadership, but rather to remind others who lead how important it is to lead with integrity. There are many dimensions to integrity, some which have to do with ethics and others which have to do with transparency and honesty. Doing what's required and doing what's right may not always be the same thing. I may have been required only to make a basic presentation. But what was right was to truthfully acknowledge in public the difficult elephant which sat in the room. You don't HAVE to name the elephants, especially those that you have a hand in creating, at least not technically. But in terms of integrity, what other choice is there?
That's the part that mystifies me: what other choice is there? At least if you're a leader. Don't be afraid of the big, "bad" wolf. Lean into the wind. Point out the elephant. Lead.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Art of Movements
Today was day one of Exponential09, an energizing gathering of church planters from all around the U.S. This year's theme is the Art of Movements. Here are just a few quick take aways from today's presenters.
"How difficult it is to find a place to belong." Erwin McManus cited the difficulty that many in the church and our culture have with the difference between proximity and intimacy. He said that we have learned "how to sit next to a stranger and make sure that they stay a stranger." He used lots of illustrations from riding in airplanes, something I can relate to!! There is a need in our world for real intimacy. McManus ended his remarks by challenging us to "stop trying to get popular in the Christian world and start doing something that matters."
Dave Ferguson outlined five keys to movements. Apostolic leadership. Shared dream. Gospel of Jesus (Good News). Genuine community. Rapid reproduction.
Communitas was the focus of a teaching by Alan Hirsch. He reminded us of the significance of liminal spaces for learning new things and gaining new perspectives, what he described as "learning in context, out of our comfort zone." Hirsch provided a harsh critique of the established church, declaring that "it doesn't like risk, and it avoids taking risks in the name of the safety of our children." This self-preservation actually produces the opposite of the desired results according to Hirsch. He urged leadership to understand part of its role as to introduce disequilibrium, to regulate stress, and to consider the skills that Ron Heifetz describes as adaptive leadership. He reminded us that one of the disciplines of leadership is to cast vision.
There is lots to think about at the end of this day, and another day and a half to go. One of the best parts of this year's event is that ten other Brethren are here, and we're having good sidebar conversations with one another, and building trust through relationships, another key to movements that we heard described.
"How difficult it is to find a place to belong." Erwin McManus cited the difficulty that many in the church and our culture have with the difference between proximity and intimacy. He said that we have learned "how to sit next to a stranger and make sure that they stay a stranger." He used lots of illustrations from riding in airplanes, something I can relate to!! There is a need in our world for real intimacy. McManus ended his remarks by challenging us to "stop trying to get popular in the Christian world and start doing something that matters."
Dave Ferguson outlined five keys to movements. Apostolic leadership. Shared dream. Gospel of Jesus (Good News). Genuine community. Rapid reproduction.
Communitas was the focus of a teaching by Alan Hirsch. He reminded us of the significance of liminal spaces for learning new things and gaining new perspectives, what he described as "learning in context, out of our comfort zone." Hirsch provided a harsh critique of the established church, declaring that "it doesn't like risk, and it avoids taking risks in the name of the safety of our children." This self-preservation actually produces the opposite of the desired results according to Hirsch. He urged leadership to understand part of its role as to introduce disequilibrium, to regulate stress, and to consider the skills that Ron Heifetz describes as adaptive leadership. He reminded us that one of the disciplines of leadership is to cast vision.
There is lots to think about at the end of this day, and another day and a half to go. One of the best parts of this year's event is that ten other Brethren are here, and we're having good sidebar conversations with one another, and building trust through relationships, another key to movements that we heard described.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Easter-tide
The uncompromising leap of faith for me is the resurrection. Nothing else in my knowledge about, experience of, and relationship with God has real significance without Easter. I deeply appreciate the role of the sacrificial cross. I seek to emulate the ministry practices of Jesus. The historical and personal interaction of God with the people of Israel is a key framework for the holy story. The emergence of a new body of Christ, the church, is inspiring and hopeful. But none of it means anything to me without resurrection.
For me, the element of faith that makes the primary difference in life and ministry is this audacious victory over death. While admirable, giving oneself up for the good of others is not wholly unique. Recently we witnessed a ship's captain, Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, give himself up to Somalian pirates to save his crew and cargo. In the tradition of the Brethren of which I'm a part, we look to Ted Studebaker as a person who put his own life on the line to provide ministry to those in Vietnam during war time. I imagine there are hundreds if not thousands of stories where selfless people have been killed or severely wounded while looking out for the best interests of others. Such behavior is exceptional, admirable, and even amazing. But it is readily believable because we see it repeated throughout history.
What we do not see repeated throughout history is the resurrection. There is only one decisive victory over death that stands for all of humanity. It is the declaration, "He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:5) that signals the once-for-all, mind-blowing defeat of death. More than just living out the improbable, God's insistence on life overcomes the impossible. In this moment we know definitively that for God nothing is impossible.
Realizing that death never claims the victory gives me the courage and perspective to go on in ministry and mission. In seasons of difficulty, resurrection reality provides a backdrop which keeps things in right relationship with God, with the world, with the church, with me. When leadership results in persecution or struggle, Easter life supercedes the actions and the reactions, empowering the freedom to make difficult decisions.
I am grateful for this Eastertide that washes through our church and through my life. To God be the glory. He is not here. He has risen.
For me, the element of faith that makes the primary difference in life and ministry is this audacious victory over death. While admirable, giving oneself up for the good of others is not wholly unique. Recently we witnessed a ship's captain, Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, give himself up to Somalian pirates to save his crew and cargo. In the tradition of the Brethren of which I'm a part, we look to Ted Studebaker as a person who put his own life on the line to provide ministry to those in Vietnam during war time. I imagine there are hundreds if not thousands of stories where selfless people have been killed or severely wounded while looking out for the best interests of others. Such behavior is exceptional, admirable, and even amazing. But it is readily believable because we see it repeated throughout history.
What we do not see repeated throughout history is the resurrection. There is only one decisive victory over death that stands for all of humanity. It is the declaration, "He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:5) that signals the once-for-all, mind-blowing defeat of death. More than just living out the improbable, God's insistence on life overcomes the impossible. In this moment we know definitively that for God nothing is impossible.
Realizing that death never claims the victory gives me the courage and perspective to go on in ministry and mission. In seasons of difficulty, resurrection reality provides a backdrop which keeps things in right relationship with God, with the world, with the church, with me. When leadership results in persecution or struggle, Easter life supercedes the actions and the reactions, empowering the freedom to make difficult decisions.
I am grateful for this Eastertide that washes through our church and through my life. To God be the glory. He is not here. He has risen.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Brutal week
This has been one brutal week! It fell to me to eliminate an entire program area, which equates to terminating eight positions. One of those positions morphs into a different one, but that still means that seven highly competent, fiercely committed, exceptionally resilient servants of Christ and his church are out of a job effective April 6. Brutal. And the congregations, districts and leaders that this staff served will now not have these advocates and companions on their journey.
I'm ambivalent about the role of my faith in the face of such difficult tasks. I take comfort from my relationship with God and draw strength as a follower of Jesus. For the thousands of people who have had to tell their co-workers the same bad news, I don't know how they could do it without the reserve of strength that I know in Christ.
On the other hand, because my colleagues are also sisters and brothers by virtue of our shared faith in God, it tears my heart out to terminate their positions and lay them off. I love these people and care about their well-being, and here I am inflicting pain and difficult transition on them. Would that I were merely a heartless secular curmudgeon.
Then again, God is a transforming God who journeys with us through the difficult times. Sometimes that transformation takes a push, a shove, or a strong tug. I trust that one of the outcomes of these painful personal, financial and organizational times will be a transformed people of God. Regardless of where I personally am when that transformation takes hold, I believe that God is about to do a new thing, as promised.
But the reduction of key staff and the deep cuts in ministry resources makes me wonder how we can be so presumptuous as to think that this is about transformation. What is the vision that is driving our changes? Where there is no vision, God's people will perish. If profit were the bottom line, in some ways it seems that it might be easier to take whatever measures are necessary to maintain financial solvency. But profit's not our motive, so when does sustaining financial solvency actually work against the core of the mission and the long term vision that God has for us?
I don't know. I think I wish I did, know that is, what this all means and whether or not we've made the right decisions. But I don't know that they're the right decisions, only the best decisions I (we) could make at this time, given this context, these conditions, the direction of the leadership that I trust and honor in our denomination.
It is not in knowing the rightness of our decisions that the final truth reveals itself for me. It is in that space where I must rely fully on the grace of God to transform what we have done into what needs to be done for the sake of God's mission on earth and in heaven. May it be so.
I'm ambivalent about the role of my faith in the face of such difficult tasks. I take comfort from my relationship with God and draw strength as a follower of Jesus. For the thousands of people who have had to tell their co-workers the same bad news, I don't know how they could do it without the reserve of strength that I know in Christ.
On the other hand, because my colleagues are also sisters and brothers by virtue of our shared faith in God, it tears my heart out to terminate their positions and lay them off. I love these people and care about their well-being, and here I am inflicting pain and difficult transition on them. Would that I were merely a heartless secular curmudgeon.
Then again, God is a transforming God who journeys with us through the difficult times. Sometimes that transformation takes a push, a shove, or a strong tug. I trust that one of the outcomes of these painful personal, financial and organizational times will be a transformed people of God. Regardless of where I personally am when that transformation takes hold, I believe that God is about to do a new thing, as promised.
But the reduction of key staff and the deep cuts in ministry resources makes me wonder how we can be so presumptuous as to think that this is about transformation. What is the vision that is driving our changes? Where there is no vision, God's people will perish. If profit were the bottom line, in some ways it seems that it might be easier to take whatever measures are necessary to maintain financial solvency. But profit's not our motive, so when does sustaining financial solvency actually work against the core of the mission and the long term vision that God has for us?
I don't know. I think I wish I did, know that is, what this all means and whether or not we've made the right decisions. But I don't know that they're the right decisions, only the best decisions I (we) could make at this time, given this context, these conditions, the direction of the leadership that I trust and honor in our denomination.
It is not in knowing the rightness of our decisions that the final truth reveals itself for me. It is in that space where I must rely fully on the grace of God to transform what we have done into what needs to be done for the sake of God's mission on earth and in heaven. May it be so.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Calling and work
In July I began a new job. Recently I was asked how it was going. After a little thought, I responded that it's "not the job I signed up for." And that's true. At the time I thought I was joining the staff of a fiscally sound and potentially growing ministry department. None of us anticipated the depth of the economic recession and its impact on investment earnings and the charitable giving that we rely on to meet our budget.
So instead of expanding and initiating new and creative ministries, I've found myself in a position to help determine how we can scale back and stay within our financial means. I recognize that this is a common story in our world today, but not exactly what I signed on to do.
While the work is very difficult and downright unpleasant at times, however, and while it's not the job that I thought I was signing on for, there is one thing that has not changed. I'm still clear about what my calling is.
My calling is not tied to my job. Whatever the circumstances I find myself in, the overarching purpose for my work remains the same: to equip the church to train disciples to join in God's transforming work in the world.
It doesn't matter what the economic conditions are, or what the unexpected challenges are of the job. The calling is going fine; it hasn't changed a bit.
So instead of expanding and initiating new and creative ministries, I've found myself in a position to help determine how we can scale back and stay within our financial means. I recognize that this is a common story in our world today, but not exactly what I signed on to do.
While the work is very difficult and downright unpleasant at times, however, and while it's not the job that I thought I was signing on for, there is one thing that has not changed. I'm still clear about what my calling is.
My calling is not tied to my job. Whatever the circumstances I find myself in, the overarching purpose for my work remains the same: to equip the church to train disciples to join in God's transforming work in the world.
It doesn't matter what the economic conditions are, or what the unexpected challenges are of the job. The calling is going fine; it hasn't changed a bit.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thermal lunch boxes
I pulled open the door on the refrigerator at the office to put my tupperware full of rice and broccoli on the shelf, and was struck with amusement by what I found. The fridge had several insulated lunch boxes taking up shelf space. Now you tell me: if you have a container designed to keep the inside air in and the outside air out, and the inside temperature consistent in spite of the temperature of the outside air, why put a closed, thermal lunch box in the refrigerator???
There must be a ton of metaphor opportunities here. Not trusting the container to do its job. Not paying attention to how the container's being used. Unnecessarily taking up shelf space. Overcompensating for what might possibly be a small loss of some essential quality (cooling). Under-utilizing the equipment/tools/gifts that we have (using the lunch box simply as a lunch box without the cooling function).
With regard and apologies to my colleagues, it's a thermal lunchbox! What thermal lunchboxes do you have in your fridge??
There must be a ton of metaphor opportunities here. Not trusting the container to do its job. Not paying attention to how the container's being used. Unnecessarily taking up shelf space. Overcompensating for what might possibly be a small loss of some essential quality (cooling). Under-utilizing the equipment/tools/gifts that we have (using the lunch box simply as a lunch box without the cooling function).
With regard and apologies to my colleagues, it's a thermal lunchbox! What thermal lunchboxes do you have in your fridge??
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Problems & conditions
The effects of the current global economic crisis are palpable. Move about for a few moments in any public venue and you'll feel the anxiety, fear and sorrow. More and more of us are facing the loss of jobs, the decline in expendable dollars, and mounting costs. For those of us who still have jobs, there's the emotional strain of knowing that we have while others do not, and even the fact that many who have jobs retain them only after laying off fellow employees that they respect. The current pain cuts in all directions.
When faced with painful challenges, it's natural to want to fix the problem, to set out to find the strategic answer to the perplexing questions. Products of the rational modern age, we are deluded by the concept that "no matter how big the problem, we can overcome it with a little good 'ole American ingenuity." To solve a problem, we pose a set of possible strategies, evaluate those strategies based on their effectiveness in solving the problem, apply the chosen solution, and expect the problem to go be overcome. If for some reason our chosen strategy doesn't work, then we either chose the wrong strategy or didn't apply it well enough. We did something "wrong" and return to our problem-solving mode expecting better results next time.
But what about those problems that we face that can't be strategically overcome? Church consultant Gil Rendle helped me with this dilemma by pointing out that we've been trained to treat every challenge as a problem to be overcome, whereas life's reality is that not everything is a problem to be overcome; sometimes we mistake conditions for problems.
Conditions are those parts of our life that we cannot change by simply identifying the right solution. Our current economic situation is a condition. For instance, within charitable organizations, it doesn't matter what strategies we apply for fundraising. The condition is that there is simply not the money available from donors. There is not a "right" strategy to overcome the declining contributions.
What is called for instead of solutions is a new set of frameworks or paradigms for life in the face of the these conditions or new realities. We don't just need more, bigger donors to sustain the church's life. We need a whole new fiscal framework for life as the church. What's required is not better fundraising techniques, but rather a fundamentally new relationship between money and ministry.
Being able to differentiate between problems and conditions is a critical skill for leaders. Knowing the difference and responding accordingly will help our organizations flourish in a world of shifting conditions and complex problems.
When faced with painful challenges, it's natural to want to fix the problem, to set out to find the strategic answer to the perplexing questions. Products of the rational modern age, we are deluded by the concept that "no matter how big the problem, we can overcome it with a little good 'ole American ingenuity." To solve a problem, we pose a set of possible strategies, evaluate those strategies based on their effectiveness in solving the problem, apply the chosen solution, and expect the problem to go be overcome. If for some reason our chosen strategy doesn't work, then we either chose the wrong strategy or didn't apply it well enough. We did something "wrong" and return to our problem-solving mode expecting better results next time.
But what about those problems that we face that can't be strategically overcome? Church consultant Gil Rendle helped me with this dilemma by pointing out that we've been trained to treat every challenge as a problem to be overcome, whereas life's reality is that not everything is a problem to be overcome; sometimes we mistake conditions for problems.
Conditions are those parts of our life that we cannot change by simply identifying the right solution. Our current economic situation is a condition. For instance, within charitable organizations, it doesn't matter what strategies we apply for fundraising. The condition is that there is simply not the money available from donors. There is not a "right" strategy to overcome the declining contributions.
What is called for instead of solutions is a new set of frameworks or paradigms for life in the face of the these conditions or new realities. We don't just need more, bigger donors to sustain the church's life. We need a whole new fiscal framework for life as the church. What's required is not better fundraising techniques, but rather a fundamentally new relationship between money and ministry.
Being able to differentiate between problems and conditions is a critical skill for leaders. Knowing the difference and responding accordingly will help our organizations flourish in a world of shifting conditions and complex problems.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Blind spots
There are lots of driving habits (by other drivers, of course!) that bug me. Those that speed by me, pull in front, and then slow down. Those that haven't learned how to merge. Those that tailgate. Bright lights coming at you, and never turned down. Distracted cell phone users.
But perhaps the driving habit that I hate the most is the "blind spot driver," the one who races up behind, pulls over to pass, and then sits in my blind spot. What's up with that? It must have happened half a dozen times on my way to and from Indianapolis this past weekend. If you're going to pass, pass. If you're not, then get behind me!
Sometimes I can dismiss a bad driving move as an accident. Perhaps they didn't see me, or maybe they misjudged the speeds a little bit. Sometimes I can see that they're distracted by their phone or stereo or someone in the car. I don't like those things, but at least I understand them.
But driving in the blind spot is just rude. After all, it's them in my blind spot, not me in their blind spot. They can see me just fine, at least the front half of my car. Since I've usually seen them coming in my rearview mirror for a couple miles, they apparently have been traveling at a higher rate of speed than me. Why change now? My cruise control has not deviated. And can't they see that I'm about to run into the back of a slow moving Pinto, while they keep me blocked in?
I don't like blind spot colleagues or leaders either, those folks that kind of hover where you can't really see them, don't really know what they're up to, can't really figure out why they're lingering around where they are. Blind spot leaders prevent others from moving forward at the rate they need to travel and block the ability of those around them to respond most efficiently to the obstacles which arise in front of them. The hovering nature of blind spot leaders limits in many ways, but does almost nothing to help others keep moving along on their journey.
God grant me enough awareness to stay out of the blind spots of my fellow journeyers.
But perhaps the driving habit that I hate the most is the "blind spot driver," the one who races up behind, pulls over to pass, and then sits in my blind spot. What's up with that? It must have happened half a dozen times on my way to and from Indianapolis this past weekend. If you're going to pass, pass. If you're not, then get behind me!
Sometimes I can dismiss a bad driving move as an accident. Perhaps they didn't see me, or maybe they misjudged the speeds a little bit. Sometimes I can see that they're distracted by their phone or stereo or someone in the car. I don't like those things, but at least I understand them.
But driving in the blind spot is just rude. After all, it's them in my blind spot, not me in their blind spot. They can see me just fine, at least the front half of my car. Since I've usually seen them coming in my rearview mirror for a couple miles, they apparently have been traveling at a higher rate of speed than me. Why change now? My cruise control has not deviated. And can't they see that I'm about to run into the back of a slow moving Pinto, while they keep me blocked in?
I don't like blind spot colleagues or leaders either, those folks that kind of hover where you can't really see them, don't really know what they're up to, can't really figure out why they're lingering around where they are. Blind spot leaders prevent others from moving forward at the rate they need to travel and block the ability of those around them to respond most efficiently to the obstacles which arise in front of them. The hovering nature of blind spot leaders limits in many ways, but does almost nothing to help others keep moving along on their journey.
God grant me enough awareness to stay out of the blind spots of my fellow journeyers.
Distracting Shell
I usually avoid Shell gas stations, but this morning I needed to refill a rental car and it was the station on the way. I don't think I'll stop again any time soon. It has nothing to do with the gasoline, although there are some issues with their practices. No, it's simply because I found my experience there to add a level of chaos to my life that I really didn't need.
Shell is one of those stations with the television screens over the pumps. As I started pumping, I was thinking about a number of things related to my day, and then this screen lit up and the speakers started blaring out commentary. I don't even know what was on the screen, only that I was totally annoyed by this intrusion into my thoughts.
What are the limits to external stimuli in our culture? Apparently none. The amount of distraction in our world is astounding. Radios, TVs, cell phones (and their users), traffic, conversation, billboards, signs, mail; you know what I'm talking about.
I've started turning the radio off in my car. It's one of the few places where I can get a few minutes of relative peace and quiet. And I can't wait to get back in the car after pumping gas, for the last time, at Shell!
Shell is one of those stations with the television screens over the pumps. As I started pumping, I was thinking about a number of things related to my day, and then this screen lit up and the speakers started blaring out commentary. I don't even know what was on the screen, only that I was totally annoyed by this intrusion into my thoughts.
What are the limits to external stimuli in our culture? Apparently none. The amount of distraction in our world is astounding. Radios, TVs, cell phones (and their users), traffic, conversation, billboards, signs, mail; you know what I'm talking about.
I've started turning the radio off in my car. It's one of the few places where I can get a few minutes of relative peace and quiet. And I can't wait to get back in the car after pumping gas, for the last time, at Shell!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Questions & suggestions
What's the difference between a question, a suggestion, and a criticism? I think it's often the attitude of the person on the receiving end of the words. To one person a set of words is heard as a simple question. The same words to someone else might simply be received as a suggestion. Another person only hears criticism.
For organizations to function at their best, leaders must have the capacity to hear questions as questions, suggestions as suggestions, and criticisms as both questions and suggestions.
What happens when leaders don't have this capacity? Lots of unhealthy things. The organization's shared anxiety increases. The ability of the organization to learn is undermined. Employees lose confidence in their leaders, and leaders lose confidence in their employees. Crippling competition displaces creative collaboration.
In order to have the requisite attitudes, leaders must have the ability to distinguish between what they can control and what they can't. In the end the only area of ultimate control is self control. Leaders must hold the belief that the way they act and react has an impact on the situation. And this belief has to translate into responsibility.
If we are to lead we'd do well to audit ourselves for how we react to questions and suggestions. If we find ourselves threatened, we need to ask why. We also need to audit how often we hear criticism. We can lessen the amount of criticism we hear by hearing instead the questions and suggestions that will increase the capacity of life together.
What are the questions, suggestions, and criticisms that you're listening to these days?
For organizations to function at their best, leaders must have the capacity to hear questions as questions, suggestions as suggestions, and criticisms as both questions and suggestions.
What happens when leaders don't have this capacity? Lots of unhealthy things. The organization's shared anxiety increases. The ability of the organization to learn is undermined. Employees lose confidence in their leaders, and leaders lose confidence in their employees. Crippling competition displaces creative collaboration.
In order to have the requisite attitudes, leaders must have the ability to distinguish between what they can control and what they can't. In the end the only area of ultimate control is self control. Leaders must hold the belief that the way they act and react has an impact on the situation. And this belief has to translate into responsibility.
If we are to lead we'd do well to audit ourselves for how we react to questions and suggestions. If we find ourselves threatened, we need to ask why. We also need to audit how often we hear criticism. We can lessen the amount of criticism we hear by hearing instead the questions and suggestions that will increase the capacity of life together.
What are the questions, suggestions, and criticisms that you're listening to these days?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
One of them
Today's quote of the day in the N.Y. Times is the report of a young woman who, when asked what she did for a living, told a third party acquaintance she worked in the banking industry, and the reply was, "Oh, you're one of them."
It reminds me of the reaction I sometimes get when I tell church people that I work for the national staff. After I accepted my current position with the denomination I was in a group of pastors and church leaders that I'd been working with for over a year. They were thanking me for my work with them and sharing comments about the process that we'd been through together.
The funny thing was that it sounded more like a post mortem than congratulations. It was almost like, "Oh, you're one of them now. It was great knowing you, but now you've gone over to the other side." I found myself protesting, "But it's still me. I've not changed. The things I know and love and am passionate about and committed to are no different than the last time we were together." In fact, I was acting on those very things, wanting to offer them to the wider church!
How often do we dismiss people with gifts, talents, personality, and passion because we identify them as "One of them?" We categorize people all the time, before we even have a chance to know them. And we categorize them after we get to know them.
Eric H. F. Law, diversity training specialist who founded the Kaleidoscope Institute, has a great video on YouTube about perception and how we stereotype others. You can watch it here.
I think about Jesus and how he approached the other. I don't know of anywhere in Scripture where he dismissed the other by saying, "Oh, you're one of them." If he would have done that he wouldn't have eaten at the home of Zaccheus, or conversed with the Samaritan woman, or given the Pharisees the time of day.
It will be a different kind of world when we can overcome our penchant to say, "Oh, s/he's one of them." It will be a better world.
It reminds me of the reaction I sometimes get when I tell church people that I work for the national staff. After I accepted my current position with the denomination I was in a group of pastors and church leaders that I'd been working with for over a year. They were thanking me for my work with them and sharing comments about the process that we'd been through together.
The funny thing was that it sounded more like a post mortem than congratulations. It was almost like, "Oh, you're one of them now. It was great knowing you, but now you've gone over to the other side." I found myself protesting, "But it's still me. I've not changed. The things I know and love and am passionate about and committed to are no different than the last time we were together." In fact, I was acting on those very things, wanting to offer them to the wider church!
How often do we dismiss people with gifts, talents, personality, and passion because we identify them as "One of them?" We categorize people all the time, before we even have a chance to know them. And we categorize them after we get to know them.
Eric H. F. Law, diversity training specialist who founded the Kaleidoscope Institute, has a great video on YouTube about perception and how we stereotype others. You can watch it here.
I think about Jesus and how he approached the other. I don't know of anywhere in Scripture where he dismissed the other by saying, "Oh, you're one of them." If he would have done that he wouldn't have eaten at the home of Zaccheus, or conversed with the Samaritan woman, or given the Pharisees the time of day.
It will be a different kind of world when we can overcome our penchant to say, "Oh, s/he's one of them." It will be a better world.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Always learning
Just watched the Bulls defeat the Suns, a pretty surprising victory given how hapless a basketball team the Bulls have been for much of this season. Down by twelve points and the game clearly over with under a minute to play, the Suns took two timeouts. In each timeout their coach drew up a play.
For the fan waiting to celebrate the victory or wanting the futility to just be over, these timeouts are pretty frustrating. But to a team that is learning for a future game, it's good strategy. And it's not only good for the losers. I'm sure that while the Suns were drawing up plays to use in the future, so too were the soon-to-be-victorious Bulls. A timeout, after all, is time designated for learning.
It's a simple commitment, to always keep learning, but it's a commitment that is easy to break both when things are going well and when things have gone bad enough to want to simply get beyond them. Quality teams, organizations, and leaders don't get distracted by success or failure to the extent that they fail to continue learning.
So a timeout with 22 seconds left and the game well over is time well spent. Where do you need to call a timeout for yourself or for a team, organization, or congregation that you're a part of? What is there waiting for you, and me, to learn?
For the fan waiting to celebrate the victory or wanting the futility to just be over, these timeouts are pretty frustrating. But to a team that is learning for a future game, it's good strategy. And it's not only good for the losers. I'm sure that while the Suns were drawing up plays to use in the future, so too were the soon-to-be-victorious Bulls. A timeout, after all, is time designated for learning.
It's a simple commitment, to always keep learning, but it's a commitment that is easy to break both when things are going well and when things have gone bad enough to want to simply get beyond them. Quality teams, organizations, and leaders don't get distracted by success or failure to the extent that they fail to continue learning.
So a timeout with 22 seconds left and the game well over is time well spent. Where do you need to call a timeout for yourself or for a team, organization, or congregation that you're a part of? What is there waiting for you, and me, to learn?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Evil and non violent resistance
Just finished a book called Baby Jesus Pawn Shop (The Permanent Press, 2008) by Lucia Orth. It's a powerful novel with the backdrop of Marcos-dominated Philippines. There are intersecting story lines of politics, love, class, and decisions that scrape raw the complexities of morality and ethics. Without giving away the plot, the following is a quote from the character named Doming as he comes to grips with his own emotions, desire, calling, and anger:
I'm impressed with this form of resistance portrayed by the fictional Doming. But it's not just for made-up characters in novels. It's also been the choice of real-life world-changers like Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. It was the commitment of Ted Studebaker, one of thousands of little known martyrs choosing nonviolent responses to violent evils. And it is the principle message of God in his son Jesus. Resist the evils of the world, absolutely resist, but do it through uncompromising love and tenacious passion and creative reshaping of the story of human history.
If I mirror the evil in their hearts with my own inclination to violence and revenge--that worm that gnaws us all--it will eat away at my soul. But if I name it, then I am made whole. So I can not keep silent against the dragon's violence, no matter how bloodied I become. Call it by name in story and song and imagination. And laughter. That, too, is a form of resistance... (p. 360)What evils do we confront? What inclinations arise in us? How might we use story, song, imagination, laughter, creativity, artistry to confront evil? How bloodied are we willing to become?
I'm impressed with this form of resistance portrayed by the fictional Doming. But it's not just for made-up characters in novels. It's also been the choice of real-life world-changers like Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. It was the commitment of Ted Studebaker, one of thousands of little known martyrs choosing nonviolent responses to violent evils. And it is the principle message of God in his son Jesus. Resist the evils of the world, absolutely resist, but do it through uncompromising love and tenacious passion and creative reshaping of the story of human history.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
When we sing
Just got back from church choir practice where I'm serving as a "guest" director for February while director Wil is on vacation. It was enjoyable to be back in front of a choir, and especially a good choir, although I'm enjoying the break from doing it every week "full time."
Choirs are amazing organisms. They are living, breathing, moving, creating creatures. And they're inherently about artistic leadership. The choir experience is several things for me.
Spiritual practice: Whether it's rehearsal or the worship service, singing with a church choir is a spiritual practice. The singing is in and of itself a form of worship, of naming the holy, of being consciously in God's presence, of offering prayer, of expressing the range of emotions, and building a spiritual community. Practice is not just practice; it is a way of connecting with God.
Building a community: Choral music is about the space between the notes, the rests. Breath is drawn in during the space between the notes, and in taking a breath together a community is formed that is of one breath. So the community begins with the breath and then is enhanced with the notes and melodies, the combination of sound, dynamic, texture, volume and tempo. These are the creative dimensions of community.
Building body rhythms: Singing is inherently a physical act. I am reminded of this physicality by how out of breath I was at times! But it's not just the breath. Singing recalibrates the pulse. It awakens muscles throughout the body. It requires a focused mind. It taps emotion. When we do it together it gives rhythm not only to a own bodies, but the corporate body.
Musical accomplishment: For me this is secondary to the other things I've named, but it's still important. The notes on the page come to life in a way that makes sense and is pleasing to the ear. The ideas of a composer find expression through the shared creative process with the musicians. There are correct notes to be mastered. That mastery then frees the interpretation and expression.
When we sing . . . what a privilege!
Choirs are amazing organisms. They are living, breathing, moving, creating creatures. And they're inherently about artistic leadership. The choir experience is several things for me.
Spiritual practice: Whether it's rehearsal or the worship service, singing with a church choir is a spiritual practice. The singing is in and of itself a form of worship, of naming the holy, of being consciously in God's presence, of offering prayer, of expressing the range of emotions, and building a spiritual community. Practice is not just practice; it is a way of connecting with God.
Building a community: Choral music is about the space between the notes, the rests. Breath is drawn in during the space between the notes, and in taking a breath together a community is formed that is of one breath. So the community begins with the breath and then is enhanced with the notes and melodies, the combination of sound, dynamic, texture, volume and tempo. These are the creative dimensions of community.
Building body rhythms: Singing is inherently a physical act. I am reminded of this physicality by how out of breath I was at times! But it's not just the breath. Singing recalibrates the pulse. It awakens muscles throughout the body. It requires a focused mind. It taps emotion. When we do it together it gives rhythm not only to a own bodies, but the corporate body.
Musical accomplishment: For me this is secondary to the other things I've named, but it's still important. The notes on the page come to life in a way that makes sense and is pleasing to the ear. The ideas of a composer find expression through the shared creative process with the musicians. There are correct notes to be mastered. That mastery then frees the interpretation and expression.
When we sing . . . what a privilege!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Beach combing
Got back last night from a quick trip to Cocoa Beach, FL for a meeting. Given the deep freeze we're experiencing in the midwest, it was nice to thaw out a little. The best part of the trip for me was the chance to walk on the beach. A few observations from my two hour noontime stroll.
Eternal optimism does exist: These are the guys (they were all men) who walk the tide line with their metal detectors. With their sieve-like scoops, many pounds of gear, sound enhancing earphones, and saucer tipped pole, they tread and retread the retreating shoreline looking for a buried treasure. Not once did I see one of them get a hit. But they keep on. That looks to me a lot like optimism.
Beauty and power are rejuvenating: The power of the surf and the beauty where the ocean meets land refresh my soul. There's something about the rhythm of the tide that is reassuring; like any good rhythm it has both an emotional impact and a physical influence: it changes the way we breathe and the rate the heart beats. But the tide is also so powerful that it restores perspective: nothing in life can be as big as the sea, or as powerful as the God of the seas.
It pays to ask: After arriving at the airport early, really early, I enjoyed a leisurely dinner and headed to my departure gate. There was an earlier flight on the same route that was preparing to depart. I asked, and they put me on the earlier flight, getting me home over two hours earlier. A little luck, a point of grace, either way very nice!
Warm, sunny places in January is a good idea.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Vital church
I had the privilege of attending a building dedication in Milledgeville, IL today for the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren. Brought greetings and enjoyed the potluck! Pastor Rick is a great servant of Christ that I got to know through a continuing ed program in 2007-2008. The congregation is really thriving in a rural setting.What I observed:
A pastor who intentionally made a decision to have a long-term ministry is having a big impact. I think he's been there 18 years, and won't be going anywhere soon. He commented that there were times he could have left, potential conflicts, things that weren't easy, but he made the choice to stay and now the church (and he) is reaping the rewards.
It is possible to share leadership with younger generations. The building project was coordinated by a young man in his late 20s who is also the chair of the church board. The rest of the board is made up of reps from young adults, middle-agers, and seasoned participants.
Vitatlity is contagious. This church knows what there mission is in their community, serving Jesus. The building is significant, but secondary. They share leadership in all things, including the physical work on the building, worship, disaster relief work, church administration, and more. They respect and honor one another. The building project was paid for in cash, with some reserve left over.
I thank God for congregations like Dutchtown, and pastors like Rick. Well done; keep doing!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Changing lanes
Getting off the tollway this afternoon I had one of those "what are you doing?!" moments as a driver in the adjoining lane of a two lane exit cut me off, without a signal and with one of those casual, unaware floating lane changes. Luckily I had an eye on her and was able to brake and avoid any contact. I did, however, lay on the horn!
I wish I could say it ended there, but less than a mile up the road, she did almost exactly the same thing again, forcing her way into the very small space between my car and the one in front of me. I don't know what she was doing, but she sure wasn't focused on her driving and what was going on around her!!
It's seems to me that one of the requirements of leadership is to stay awake enough that we don't change our lanes like this driver did. Leadership requires a better awareness of what's going on around us, who else and what else is in our sphere of influence, and how we interact within that sphere. Granted, we can't always be aware of everything, but if a horn blows, take notice and do your best not to repeat the same mistake again. Presumptive or distracted actions will frustrate our environment more than help it. And if we do arrive at our destination, we don't want to be surrounded by ticked off drivers!
Leaders need to change lanes; just do it with conscious awareness whenever possible.
I wish I could say it ended there, but less than a mile up the road, she did almost exactly the same thing again, forcing her way into the very small space between my car and the one in front of me. I don't know what she was doing, but she sure wasn't focused on her driving and what was going on around her!!
It's seems to me that one of the requirements of leadership is to stay awake enough that we don't change our lanes like this driver did. Leadership requires a better awareness of what's going on around us, who else and what else is in our sphere of influence, and how we interact within that sphere. Granted, we can't always be aware of everything, but if a horn blows, take notice and do your best not to repeat the same mistake again. Presumptive or distracted actions will frustrate our environment more than help it. And if we do arrive at our destination, we don't want to be surrounded by ticked off drivers!
Leaders need to change lanes; just do it with conscious awareness whenever possible.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Silence
For one hour this afternoon I was able to be in the chapel and remain in uninterrupted prayer. For a father of three, husband, church executive, and participant in a pretty furiously-paced life, the time was a welcome gift. I know that I should be making regular commitments to practicing prayer in this form. When given the opportunity, it restores my soul. But the reality is that I'm not very good at finding the space for solitude.
It's not that I don't pray. In fact I've cultivated breath prayer and prayerful presence as a mechanism for "redeeming" the frenetic pace of life. But it's not the same as periods of silence and solitude.
The 46th Psalm directs: Be still, and know that I am God! The stillness is not just a break from the hectic pace of life, but it is a form of knowing God. A strong case for practicing the art of solitude and silence.
I'm grateful for the gift of today. I will be longing for and creating other spaces in my life for such stillness and knowing.
It's not that I don't pray. In fact I've cultivated breath prayer and prayerful presence as a mechanism for "redeeming" the frenetic pace of life. But it's not the same as periods of silence and solitude.
The 46th Psalm directs: Be still, and know that I am God! The stillness is not just a break from the hectic pace of life, but it is a form of knowing God. A strong case for practicing the art of solitude and silence.
I'm grateful for the gift of today. I will be longing for and creating other spaces in my life for such stillness and knowing.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Less is more
Tonight we had the opening worship service of our annual staff retreat/meeting. The focus was Transformation: The Process of Increasing and Decreasing in Christ. We entered Christ's presence seeking release from our fear and access to our feelings so that we might decrease in ourselves and increase in Christ. A few random thoughts that struck me:
What does leadership look like that is a process of letting go, instead of a process of exercising control?
How do we as a denomination work toward less is more, so that our structures and histories don't weigh us down for the missional work that we are called to support, enhance, and do?
If we let our light shine, we will necessarily be transformed, like a candle that changes as it gives light. So let our light burn brightly that we might be transformed. (Thanks for that image, Jay!)
What does leadership look like that is a process of letting go, instead of a process of exercising control?
How do we as a denomination work toward less is more, so that our structures and histories don't weigh us down for the missional work that we are called to support, enhance, and do?
If we let our light shine, we will necessarily be transformed, like a candle that changes as it gives light. So let our light burn brightly that we might be transformed. (Thanks for that image, Jay!)
Historic and Mundane
On such an historic day I find the juxtaposition great with the mundane meetings, correspondence, and routine of my day. It's not that I view the ministry of administration in the church's life as insignificant, but rather that such work placed against the backdrop of the hopefulness of President Obama's inauguration seems pale and somewhat insignificant.
The juxtaposition does make me wonder what President Obama will feel like tomorrow or next week, or next month, or next year, as the weight of the day to day tasks of presiding over this country begin to feel more commonplace and even mundane. At least we hope that there might be a point where the sense of crisis turns more toward the mundane.
The case has been made that our character is shaped and demonstrated not so much in crisis or in the midst of energetic new beginnings or in the face of notably large decisions, but rather our character is defined by our ability to pursue the mundane to the best of our abilities and the fullness of our capabilities.
At least that's how I hope I lived this day, this historic day full of the mundane.
The juxtaposition does make me wonder what President Obama will feel like tomorrow or next week, or next month, or next year, as the weight of the day to day tasks of presiding over this country begin to feel more commonplace and even mundane. At least we hope that there might be a point where the sense of crisis turns more toward the mundane.
The case has been made that our character is shaped and demonstrated not so much in crisis or in the midst of energetic new beginnings or in the face of notably large decisions, but rather our character is defined by our ability to pursue the mundane to the best of our abilities and the fullness of our capabilities.
At least that's how I hope I lived this day, this historic day full of the mundane.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thanks to Bob Hunter, diversity training specialist, leader, and activist for this link to three speech exerts from MLK. From the third speech on Vietnam, King refers to the "deadly arrogance (of the U.S.) that has poisoned the international situation all these years." King speaks on behalf of God when he says: I (God) will rise up and break the backbone of your power and I will place it in the hands of a nation that doesn't even know my name.
It makes me wonder about the situation we find ourselves in now: two over-reaching wars on foreign soil, economic depression, environmental crisis, loss of standing in the international community, fear and intolerance. Perhaps it's these last two, fear and intolerance, that most resonate with the prophetic ministry of King. At the core of the civil rights struggle is the fundamental need and desire to overcome fear and move beyond intolerance. Some days it really doesn't seem like we've come too far. Maybe those prophetic words have become more real than we'd like to admit.
I, like much of the U.S. and the world, am optimistic about our new president, Barack Hussein Obama. He represents the opportunity for a new season of maturation in our nation. He bears a huge responsibility for leadership toward a new period of growth for the U.S. and the world. But he is not THE answer to our crisis. Together we must commit ourselves to new patterns and practices of relating to a diverse world, caring for a threatened creation, building responsible and just economic systems, and nurturing our children toward a sustainable future.
King reminds us that there are two steps toward such a world. The first is "Be still and know that I am God." The world is first and foremost God's. While action is indeed required by each of us, that action begins in listening to the voice and sensing the presence of the Holy One. Then comes the action, following Jesus, taking up the cross daily toward truth and justice and peace.
I long to live in a world of such listening and action.
It makes me wonder about the situation we find ourselves in now: two over-reaching wars on foreign soil, economic depression, environmental crisis, loss of standing in the international community, fear and intolerance. Perhaps it's these last two, fear and intolerance, that most resonate with the prophetic ministry of King. At the core of the civil rights struggle is the fundamental need and desire to overcome fear and move beyond intolerance. Some days it really doesn't seem like we've come too far. Maybe those prophetic words have become more real than we'd like to admit.
I, like much of the U.S. and the world, am optimistic about our new president, Barack Hussein Obama. He represents the opportunity for a new season of maturation in our nation. He bears a huge responsibility for leadership toward a new period of growth for the U.S. and the world. But he is not THE answer to our crisis. Together we must commit ourselves to new patterns and practices of relating to a diverse world, caring for a threatened creation, building responsible and just economic systems, and nurturing our children toward a sustainable future.
King reminds us that there are two steps toward such a world. The first is "Be still and know that I am God." The world is first and foremost God's. While action is indeed required by each of us, that action begins in listening to the voice and sensing the presence of the Holy One. Then comes the action, following Jesus, taking up the cross daily toward truth and justice and peace.
I long to live in a world of such listening and action.
Museum log
Yesterday I went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago with my two boys and my friend Ron. It's an awesome museum, and it was packed. In addition to January offering free admission and it being a holiday weekend for school kids, it was also Boy Scout day. A few random thoughts on the exhibits that drew our attention the most.
The farm exhibit boasts an eight row combine with a cutaway to the thresher and engine. Boys will be boys, and they stood in line for a while to be able to climb into the operator's compartment and give the wheel a turn or two. The technology in farming these days is amazing: gps, yield monitors and counters, capacity in general. It was even more interesting because Ron grew up on a farm and is a corn scientist. We got a lot of the back story.
A full scale train layout that included a replica of downtown Chicago was also a hit. The model took us from Chicago out to Seattle and back. One thing we noticed about the layout was the absence of church buildings, especially in the small towns that you know have at least three churches at the town square!! Was not having churches an oversight or intentional?
Another fascinating exhibit is the U-505 German sub exhibit from WWII. I am a pacifist, radically opposed to war and passionate about finding non-violent resolution to conflict. So I look at the exhibit perhaps a little differently than many people. What I see in the exhibit is the brute force of war, the absolutely destructive power of this machine which was built solely for the purpose of destruction. Entering the exhibit area there is a wall which shows all the merchant ships destroyed during a five year period or so. There were hundreds of vessels sunk. I wonder about the people on those vessels, the lives impacted by their loss, the economies affected, the horrors of war. Of course there are people all around the world today that can testify to those WWII horrors and the contemporary horrors of war. One tension for me is that I do find the technology fascinating: how the vessel works, how the crew lived in it, and the process for getting the U-505 into its current museum space is a testimony to will-power, creativity, and technical skill.
My ten year old son Noah showed me how a techno-kid goes through the world. He played his gameboy in the van on the way to the museum. Then he gravitated to every interactive exhibit with a computer screen. One of his favorites was actually the room with race car and skiing simulators. He would have spent hours in there, a place which to me was best described as a game room! Then on the way home he figured out some things on my new phone that I was having trouble with.
Finally, at 4:00 p.m. the museum closed and we headed to the van. We were on the bottom level of the submerged garage. We sat in noxious fumes for almost exactly an hour before exiting. We were an hour late to meet our wives and daughters, and without cell-phone reception they were a little worried when we finally got to open air. But it also made a great case study in human behavior. Most people sat patiently in their vehicles, inching up as the opportunity presented itself and creating space for others to merge. Some people got out of their cars and tried to see what the delay was by walking up the exit ramp - frustration was evident on their faces. At one point a few people started blowing their horns, then a few more added in, then an all-out symphony was created on the spot. The pickup truck in front of us showed its displeasure by burning rubber on the way out the exit gate. Now there really could/should have been a better design for moving that many cars; but come on! How we deal with adversity, and what we understand as real adversity, are questions worth pondering.....
The farm exhibit boasts an eight row combine with a cutaway to the thresher and engine. Boys will be boys, and they stood in line for a while to be able to climb into the operator's compartment and give the wheel a turn or two. The technology in farming these days is amazing: gps, yield monitors and counters, capacity in general. It was even more interesting because Ron grew up on a farm and is a corn scientist. We got a lot of the back story.
A full scale train layout that included a replica of downtown Chicago was also a hit. The model took us from Chicago out to Seattle and back. One thing we noticed about the layout was the absence of church buildings, especially in the small towns that you know have at least three churches at the town square!! Was not having churches an oversight or intentional?
Another fascinating exhibit is the U-505 German sub exhibit from WWII. I am a pacifist, radically opposed to war and passionate about finding non-violent resolution to conflict. So I look at the exhibit perhaps a little differently than many people. What I see in the exhibit is the brute force of war, the absolutely destructive power of this machine which was built solely for the purpose of destruction. Entering the exhibit area there is a wall which shows all the merchant ships destroyed during a five year period or so. There were hundreds of vessels sunk. I wonder about the people on those vessels, the lives impacted by their loss, the economies affected, the horrors of war. Of course there are people all around the world today that can testify to those WWII horrors and the contemporary horrors of war. One tension for me is that I do find the technology fascinating: how the vessel works, how the crew lived in it, and the process for getting the U-505 into its current museum space is a testimony to will-power, creativity, and technical skill.
My ten year old son Noah showed me how a techno-kid goes through the world. He played his gameboy in the van on the way to the museum. Then he gravitated to every interactive exhibit with a computer screen. One of his favorites was actually the room with race car and skiing simulators. He would have spent hours in there, a place which to me was best described as a game room! Then on the way home he figured out some things on my new phone that I was having trouble with.
Finally, at 4:00 p.m. the museum closed and we headed to the van. We were on the bottom level of the submerged garage. We sat in noxious fumes for almost exactly an hour before exiting. We were an hour late to meet our wives and daughters, and without cell-phone reception they were a little worried when we finally got to open air. But it also made a great case study in human behavior. Most people sat patiently in their vehicles, inching up as the opportunity presented itself and creating space for others to merge. Some people got out of their cars and tried to see what the delay was by walking up the exit ramp - frustration was evident on their faces. At one point a few people started blowing their horns, then a few more added in, then an all-out symphony was created on the spot. The pickup truck in front of us showed its displeasure by burning rubber on the way out the exit gate. Now there really could/should have been a better design for moving that many cars; but come on! How we deal with adversity, and what we understand as real adversity, are questions worth pondering.....
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Learning along
I got a new mobile phone today. Our corporate-issue cell phone plan's been discontinued, so we're all on our own. It was an opportunity to upgrade my phone and service. After an hour or so of set-up and play with the new smartphone, I still hadn't found the ringer volume settings, a basic and essential funtion. A quick Goodsearch check pointed out the icon right there on the screen. Question answered, "problem" solved. An old dog can still learn new ways to do basic tricks.
At a more significant level, I'm in the middle of annual reviews for staff. The review process is a great time to reflect on what we're learning, where we need to do additional learning, and how our learning impacts our ability to minister effectively.
I love that I have a staff that wants to learn. But sometimes what we need to know is evasive, like a hard-to-find volume button. Even when it's incredibly simple stuff, if we're not seeing it, it can be terribly frustrating. That's the advantage of working in a team. We can help point out the obvious to one another. We can be one another's Goodsearch. And in so doing we continue to learn along the way.
At a more significant level, I'm in the middle of annual reviews for staff. The review process is a great time to reflect on what we're learning, where we need to do additional learning, and how our learning impacts our ability to minister effectively.
I love that I have a staff that wants to learn. But sometimes what we need to know is evasive, like a hard-to-find volume button. Even when it's incredibly simple stuff, if we're not seeing it, it can be terribly frustrating. That's the advantage of working in a team. We can help point out the obvious to one another. We can be one another's Goodsearch. And in so doing we continue to learn along the way.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Rage and God's love
I got one of those calls from home today that I hate to get. Ben was in a rage.
Ben's 13 so you might think it's early teenage angst. I'm sure that's part of it. He's also literally short a few "screws," having been born with Williams Syndrome which means he's missing part of the 7th chromosone. Most of the time he's an absolute delight. But occasionally he can get really angry and lose control.
School was canceled today, so the regular schedule was disrupted, and since it was so cold outside, never reaching zero degrees with a much colder wind chill, Ben was denied one of his favorite activities, spending hours at the curb digging in the snow. Something pushed his trigger and he started breaking things, being aggressive with mom, and terrorizing the house. That's when I get the call.
We can rationalize Ben's behavior and we do work to provide an environment in which it is less likely. We also don't dismiss Ben's behavior without appropriate consequences.
But what gets me the most about Ben's periodic rage is what it does to me. I catch myself also filling with rage. And for me, a fairly self-aware, self-controlled adult, it takes everything I can muster not to act back in rage. I wish I could say that I'm always in perfect control; I'm not. But it strikes me that if I have all the capacities necessary to control myself and find it so difficult, how difficult must it be for Ben.
My own emotional wrestling also gives me a little insight into how people whose lives are out of control, who feel like everything is working against them, who don't know what to do to change their situation, can become so frustrated and desperate. In these challenging economic times, it doesn't surprise me that people take dramatic measures like suicide and faking their death in response to the rage that builds up inside them. It doesn't surprise me, but it pains me.
There's an irony in this afternoon's events. When I got the call I was working on a worship service about moving beyond fear to love. These words adapted from Psalm 33 were resonating in my mind:
If you are looking for God’s love, take heart:
God’s unfailing love is offered to you today.
If you fear the Lord, be assured:
God’s unfailing love watches over you.
If bad times are overwhelming you, have confidence:
God’s unfailing love keeps body and soul together.
If you are lost and alone, have hope:
God’s unfailing love will save you.
If you feel threatened and afraid, be encouraged:
God’s unfailing love protects you.
As I drove across town wondering what I'd find at the house, this promise reassured me and helped me get control of my rage. For folks without this promise ringing in their ears and hearts, I can't imagine how they cope. God's love is stronger than the rage, but what do you do if you don't know that God's unfailing love is for you?
Ben's 13 so you might think it's early teenage angst. I'm sure that's part of it. He's also literally short a few "screws," having been born with Williams Syndrome which means he's missing part of the 7th chromosone. Most of the time he's an absolute delight. But occasionally he can get really angry and lose control.
School was canceled today, so the regular schedule was disrupted, and since it was so cold outside, never reaching zero degrees with a much colder wind chill, Ben was denied one of his favorite activities, spending hours at the curb digging in the snow. Something pushed his trigger and he started breaking things, being aggressive with mom, and terrorizing the house. That's when I get the call.
We can rationalize Ben's behavior and we do work to provide an environment in which it is less likely. We also don't dismiss Ben's behavior without appropriate consequences.
But what gets me the most about Ben's periodic rage is what it does to me. I catch myself also filling with rage. And for me, a fairly self-aware, self-controlled adult, it takes everything I can muster not to act back in rage. I wish I could say that I'm always in perfect control; I'm not. But it strikes me that if I have all the capacities necessary to control myself and find it so difficult, how difficult must it be for Ben.
My own emotional wrestling also gives me a little insight into how people whose lives are out of control, who feel like everything is working against them, who don't know what to do to change their situation, can become so frustrated and desperate. In these challenging economic times, it doesn't surprise me that people take dramatic measures like suicide and faking their death in response to the rage that builds up inside them. It doesn't surprise me, but it pains me.
There's an irony in this afternoon's events. When I got the call I was working on a worship service about moving beyond fear to love. These words adapted from Psalm 33 were resonating in my mind:
If you are looking for God’s love, take heart:
God’s unfailing love is offered to you today.
If you fear the Lord, be assured:
God’s unfailing love watches over you.
If bad times are overwhelming you, have confidence:
God’s unfailing love keeps body and soul together.
If you are lost and alone, have hope:
God’s unfailing love will save you.
If you feel threatened and afraid, be encouraged:
God’s unfailing love protects you.
As I drove across town wondering what I'd find at the house, this promise reassured me and helped me get control of my rage. For folks without this promise ringing in their ears and hearts, I can't imagine how they cope. God's love is stronger than the rage, but what do you do if you don't know that God's unfailing love is for you?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Least common denominator
I was helping Noah with his fractions homework tonight. It won't be long before his math requires me to do some refreshing myself, but for now we spent some time working on fractional equivalents and least common denominators for adding. Needing to multiply by variations of one is understandably a somewhat confusing concept for a fifth grader, but Noah's catching on.
The idea that you can multiply a given by variations of one to make it possible to add fractions got me to thinking about our life of faith, and life in the church. So often we have trouble with the idea that sometimes we need to multiply in order to get things to add up. We always want to reduce things to the common, but neglect to take into account that reductionism doesn't necessarily lead to commonality.
Especially in our diverse world we need to continually be looking for the multiples that will get us on the same page. Jesus did this by finding commonality with a huge range of scoundrels, pharisees, and ordinary folk, and yet so often we in the church have such limited capacity for creatively helping things add up.
I'd like to learn from fractions, increasing our options for finding common ground rather than insisting that our prime denominator dictate the equation.
The idea that you can multiply a given by variations of one to make it possible to add fractions got me to thinking about our life of faith, and life in the church. So often we have trouble with the idea that sometimes we need to multiply in order to get things to add up. We always want to reduce things to the common, but neglect to take into account that reductionism doesn't necessarily lead to commonality.
Especially in our diverse world we need to continually be looking for the multiples that will get us on the same page. Jesus did this by finding commonality with a huge range of scoundrels, pharisees, and ordinary folk, and yet so often we in the church have such limited capacity for creatively helping things add up.
I'd like to learn from fractions, increasing our options for finding common ground rather than insisting that our prime denominator dictate the equation.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Slide trombone and artistry
Tonight Noah had his first concert as trombonist in the 5th grade band. A proud moment for this dad as he followed in my footsteps and the footsteps of my dad. And he's playing the same horn that grandpa and I both played. He chose the 'bone all on his own. His teacher says he has natural talent.
Of course the music wasn't great by standards of musical excellence. There was no dynamic variation, mostly right notes, relative tuning, robotic time keeping, and all unison.
But, there were broad smiles all around, major gigabytes of photos taken, enthusiastic waves, and raucous moments of applause. The kids and their director did great! The criteria for appreciating the meeting didn't have much to do with "musical excellence," anyway.
It did get me thinking, though, about artistry and how it is developed. The first building block of artistry is passion. The second building block is competence. These kids have the passion. They don't have the competence yet, though. The challenge will be to keep the passion intact enough so that once they develop more competence they can enjoy becoming artists.
For now, though, the passion of playing the slide trombone in the 5th grade band is more than enough to make this dad smile!
Of course the music wasn't great by standards of musical excellence. There was no dynamic variation, mostly right notes, relative tuning, robotic time keeping, and all unison.
But, there were broad smiles all around, major gigabytes of photos taken, enthusiastic waves, and raucous moments of applause. The kids and their director did great! The criteria for appreciating the meeting didn't have much to do with "musical excellence," anyway.
It did get me thinking, though, about artistry and how it is developed. The first building block of artistry is passion. The second building block is competence. These kids have the passion. They don't have the competence yet, though. The challenge will be to keep the passion intact enough so that once they develop more competence they can enjoy becoming artists.
For now, though, the passion of playing the slide trombone in the 5th grade band is more than enough to make this dad smile!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)