August 16, 2017

When “All” doesn't mean all

There are churches who advertise, “Everyone welcome,” but experience has taught me that “Everyone” is often limited to, “Everyone who believes and behaves exactly as we do.” In response to this, I have often countered that when the Episcopal church (in general) and St. John's (in particular) says, “All are welcome,” we mean all – Democrats and Republicans, yellow, brown, black, and white, male and female, gay and straight, single, married, divorced, and remarried, poor and wealthy, saints and sinners, all means “All,” y'all.

However, with the recent rise and visibility of hate groups, the events this past weekend in Charlottesville, the news of the vandalism at Boston's Holocaust memorial, and the promise of these groups to become more active and visible, we should think seriously about what we mean by “All.”

Yes, all are welcome; and now, more than ever, we need to be outspoken about who is welcome. The list (or partial list if you can add to it) of who is welcome is in that first paragraph, and we should proclaim that as often as we can. I believe with my whole heart that St. John's is a special place where, as St. Paul said, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” is present and doing remarkable things.

At the same time, not all will be tolerated; and now, more than ever, we need to be just as outspoken about who will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate individuals who fight for segregation, removal, elimination, or degradation of others based on gender, skin color, sexuality, or nationality. We will not tolerate individuals who espouse a gospel of hate over the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will not tolerate individuals who believe the best place for minorities is under the boot of the majority. We will not tolerate individuals who twist the loving words of Christ and the Apostles into self-serving quotes of dominion and domination.

How might we be outspoken about this? Here are a few ideas. Refuse to accept stereotypes, name-calling, ridiculing, and belittling jokes by naming the offending acts, calling out the person saying these things, and ask pointed questions, i.e. “Is that really how you see/what you think of X?” Refuse to excuse bad behavior (“Boys will be boys”) and publicly name it for what it is – sexual harassment or abuse. Stop victim-blaming and speak up when it happens. Publicly question those who use the Bible as a club to beat others into submission.

And if you need some biblical help, here are a few places to begin:

“You shall love the alien as yourself” – Lev. 19:34

“Do justice, love kindness” – Micah 6:8

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, for all are one in Christ” – Gal. 3:28

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: care for orphans and widows” – James 1:27

“Love your neighbor as yourself” – Luke 10:27

By not bringing racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism and other hateful, sinful acts into the light, we are complicit in their spread through our silent approval.

Discipleship is hard. Speaking out against hate and bigotry is hard. But if we don't do it, who will?

August 9, 2017

I have accepted a call . . .

With those words I notified the Vestry on August 11, 2016 that I would be leaving the parish at the end of September and begin serving the parish of St. John's on November 1. On August 12, the official notice was broadly distributed to both parishes.

It was on August 2 or 3 in which I had a conversation with David Davis following up on my visit to Hagerstown. my wife and I had plenty of time to talk it over (being stuck at BWI helped), and came to the conclusion that this was the place. It was during that phone call where I accepted the offer to become the next rector of St. John's. And knowing how things happen, I asked that we keep silent and coordinate our announcement until August 12, allowing me to notify my Vestry first.

The time frame on my arrival in Hagerstown was presented as, “How soon can you get here?” But she had a diocesan D.O.K. meeting to coordinate, and I was in the middle of overseeing a somewhat major construction project that raised the chancel floor, moved the altar forward, and sent the choir behind the altar. Add to that the issue of finding a place to live and being able to see friends, family (and the Pacific Ocean) one last time before heading east – and that's how we settled on a November 1 start date.

With the help of several friends, we got packed up and planned the trip. I worked the first half of the football season before saying goodbye to that amazing group of men. Movers were selected, a car was shipped, and the great western farewell tour was underway. Stops in Seaside/Cannon Beach and Portland, OR; Olympia, Puyallup-ish, Wenatchee, and Spokane, WA; Sheridan and Bozeman, MT; Rapid City and Sioux Falls, ND; Someplace in MN; Chicago-land, IL; Detroit-area, MI; Canton, OH; and finally Hagerstown were on the itinerary. All along the way we saw friends and family and a few unexpected sights.

Many of you have heard this story before. Some have heard bits and pieces of it. I apologize if I'm repeating myself.

But the reason I'm making this the topic of today's Wednesday Word is that I looked at the calendar last week and realized that it was just about a year ago when the official announcement was made, and it seemed appropriate to recognize that.

My family and I have been here not quite a year. In that time we have felt welcomed and loved. Yes, there have been a few moments of difficulty, but there has never been a time when we think we made the wrong decision. As I look back on this past year, and as I reflect and write this edition of the Wednesday Word, the word of the day is . . . joy. That one small word expresses exactly what it means to be here. I hope you find this place to be as joy-filled as we have.

Blessings

August 2, 2017

Why do you do what you do? And do your parishioners understand what they are doing?

Paul

Every Thursday afternoon I spend about an hour and a half with a few other clergy from Hagerstown. It's a non-denominational gathering to discuss the lectionary texts for the NEXT week. There are a few regulars in the group, a few semi-regulars, and then there are those who just drop in randomly. Last week we had a good-sized group that included myself and pastors from the Methodist, Lutheran, UCC, and Reformed traditions. And Paul.

I haven't quite figured out to what church Paul is attached, but I think it's somehow linked with the Brethren. Either way, I like Paul. He looks like an old cowboy, has a slight western drawl, is smart as a whip, and can pose insightful and cutting questions. He's also from Wyoming, which may be why I like him so much.

Last week we were talking about this coming Sunday, August 6. For a majority of those gathered around the table this will be “Communion Sunday,” that once-a-month Sunday when they celebrate Communion in their tradition. The discussion revolved around why only once-a-month, mechanics (the “how” of how it's done), whether this is a memorial or sacrifice, certain people's annoyance with the process taking too long, wine or grape juice, sacraments or symbols, and a few other clergy-type issues. All the while Paul sat and listened.

And then he asked, “Why do you do what you do? And do your parishioners understand what they are doing?” This question was based on his experience of asking, “Why do you do what you do?” to any number of people of different denominations and getting what he called, “The glossy-eyed standard catechetical response that really doesn't say much of anything.”

We all had a variety of answers, and he continued to push us on our answers until we started to get away from what he thought was the right “book answer” and more into personal “honest answers.”

Talking with Paul is always interesting and challenging, and I appreciate his occasional challenges and push-backs.

So I'll ask you: What do understand to be happening in our liturgy? What do you see as your role in the liturgy? What is the role of Communion in your life? What is your role in the Communion event?

Can you articulate any or all of these answers to another person?

If you can answer these questions, then you have the basis for evangelism. If you can't answer these questions, I suggest you begin practicing (coffee hour is a good place to start), because you never know when you just might run into Paul.

Blessings,

July 26, 2017

So if it seems to you that you have understood the divine scriptures, or any part of them, in such a way that by this understanding you do not build up this twin love of God and neighbor, then you have not yet understood them.

St. Augustine, Teaching Christianity, Book I

People are awfully good at picking and choosing their favorite bible verses, and/or bible verses that uphold their particular viewpoints, biases, prejudices, and fears.

Slavery was upheld in many churches because of its biblical support, and abolitionists were labeled as the worst kind of sinner for going against the direct word of God.

Women were, and are, relegated to second-class citizens in and out of the church based on scriptural quotes.

Equality of almost any kind, whether racial, gender, sexual orientation, or economic, is often denounced by Christians as being unbiblical.

The poor and destitute are told they must remain that way due to not only a limited reading of scripture, but due to a simple mean-spirited attitude of those espousing such views.

In my opinion, if you quote scripture to support racism, you are doing it wrong; if you quote scripture to keep women in their place, you're doing it wrong; if you quote scripture to lift up the rich and put down the poor, you're doing it wrong; if you quote scripture to support ideas based on separation and hate, you're doing it wrong.

The message you have heard from the beginning is that we should love one another. (1 Jn. 3:11).

Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. (1 Jn. 2:9)

For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16)

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matt. 22:37-40)

Some people may condemn me to hell for not being exclusionary enough, or for allowing “those people” to taint the church, or for leading others astray; but if I stand condemned, I also stand with St. Augustine.

How do your dealings – financial, social, political, professional – build up the twin loves of God and neighbor?

Blessings,

July 19, 2017

92, 92, 88, 100.

Preseason Test Results

My new officiating group does things a little differently than I'm used to. For starters, they begin meeting in May. Another thing they do is send out preseason tests. The above numbers are my test scores for the first four tests we've been given.

My friend Jane saw those scores and said, “So you're not perfect, but you're consistently good.”

That not only sums up officiating (we're not perfect, but we're consistently good), but it's also a good way to look at our life.

Do we always to the right thing as individuals, as business people, as parents, as children? The answer, of course, is, “No.” We make mistakes. We get angry. We may sometimes act unethically. We may be more selfish than we should. We are not perfect; but if we look back over our life, have we been consistently good?

This can also apply to our life in the church and as disciples of Christ. Do we pray regularly, or only on Sundays or when facing trouble? Do we make Sunday worship a priority in our lives? Do we follow through on our pledges of time, talent, and treasure? Do we work to live into our baptismal vows of loving God, loving neighbor, and respecting the dignity of every human being? Again the answer to how well we do these things is probably, “Not as well as I would like.”

The good news is that we are not asked to be perfect. We are not asked to be mistake free, but we are asked to learn something from each mistake. We are not asked to always be the nice guy or gal, but we are asked to respect the dignity of every human being. We are not asked to be in attendance at every worship service the church offers, but we are asked to make worship a priority.

Some days we score a 92. Some days we only score an 88. Some days go right and we manage to score a 100. But it's important to remember that it's not necessarily the scores that matter, it's whether or not we are working to improve. Are you better today than yesterday? Is the sum total of our life more positive than negative?

What areas of your life would you like to improve? What areas of your life would you like to make a priority? And how do those things mesh with our baptismal covenant?

Because in the end, we aren't asked to be perfect, but we are asked to be consistently good.

Blessings,

July 12, 2017

The Bible is not a series of metaphysical claims, but is primarily a story of how communities of faith have responded to the presence and activity of God in their midst.

Samuel Wells, What Episcopalians Believe, p. 47,

This sentence came in a larger discussion about a variety of acts recorded in the Bible – things such as creation, the origin of species, the virgin birth, and any number of other miracles. This sentence stood out to me because, once again, I happened to come across yet another church that advertised itself as a “Bible believing church.”

I don't know about you, but when I see or hear those words my first instinct is to run away.

When a church advertises itself as “Bible believing,” it tells me that one of their core beliefs is that other churches do NOT believe what the Bible has to say.

When a church advertises itself as “Bible believing,” it tells me that they focus more on segregation than on inclusion.

When a church advertises itself as “Bible believing,” it tells me that what they believe are the verses confirming their preexisting prejudices.

St. John's in particular, and the Episcopal Church in general, is also a Bible believing church – we just don't feel the need to advertise that fact. But maybe we should.

It seems that Christianity has been hijacked by fundamental dominionists with loud voices and platforms that spread a particularly segregated and virulent form of the faith. Things like a six-day creation, the sin of Ham, women must remain silent, women should submit to their husbands, a lack of care for creation because Jesus is coming soon, or any number of efforts to protect the powerful as blessed while ignoring the less fortunate for any number of real or imagined sins, are just some of how the Bible is used as a weapon by a certain segment of Christianity.

But I also am a Bible believing Christian. I believe that in the beginning, God created; the how and the time-frame are immaterial. I believe that Ex. 22:21-22, Deut. 10:16-18, Amos 5:24, Jonah 4:10-11, Micah 6:8, Matt. 22:34-40, Matt. 25:31-46, Luke 2:7, John 10:16, Acts 10:9-34, Gal. 3:28, 1 John 4:16b-21, Rev. 7:9, and Rev. 22:1-2 (among others) are just as valid today as when they were written. I believe that the Bible is not to be used as a weapon to tear down, abuse, and cast out, but that it is to be used as a tool to build up, heal, and restore. And I believe that the Bible is not only a record of how communities of faith have responded to the presence and activity of God in their midst, but that it also challenges us to live in faithful relationships with God and others in the here and now.

We are a Bible believing church. It's up to us to cut through all the noise and help people understand that that isn't a bad thing.

July 5, 2017

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- Declaration of Independence, second paragraph

Yesterday was the 4^th of July and the annual celebration of those thirteen colonies that declared (among other things) themselves “to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved . . .” That celebration probably included some form of fireworks, too much food, music of varying tastes, and, hopefully, a recognition that in this country all men are created equal.

But if we are honest with ourselves, we must also recognize that those self-evident truths spoken of so eloquently 241 years ago are still far from being realized. We still have far to go when, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, the death penalty was sought in 38.7 percent of cases in which the defendant was black and the victim was white, with that percentage dropping to 0.0 percent when the defendant was white and the victim was black (https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/chattahoochee-judicial-district-buckle-death-belt-death-penalty-microcosm). We still have far to go when a local HOA states in its bylaws that a house may not be sold to a person of color. We still have far to go when the Texas Supreme Court voted 9-0 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality is not all-encompassing and still up for evaluation (http://fusion.kinja.com/texas-all-republican-supreme-court-delivers-a-big-blow-1796552886). We still have far to go when access to healthcare is based on income rather than need. We still have far to go when women consistently draw lower salaries than men.

It's not often that the secular and sacred intertwine, but when we look at the lofty ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence in conjunction with our Baptismal Covenant, they do.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . .”

When you see the evil of discrimination rising to prominence, whether that be based on gender, race, sexual orientation, or nationality, will you persevere in resisting that evil?

When you witness the condemnation of others, will you proclaim the Good News of God in Christ?

When you see acts of hatred being perpetrated in the name of whatever cause calls for violence, will you love your neighbor as yourself?

When you witness the ostracizing of others due to any difference or lack of perceived purity, will you strive for justice and respect the dignity of every human being?

It just may be that when the Church can live into the ideals of the Baptismal Covenant, our nation might finally live into the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.