Last week the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA voted by 56-44% to adopt a document that allows for local congregations to choose as their pastor a gay person who is engaged in a committed monogamous relationship. Since that time, it would seem as if all "hell" has broken loose. This is unfortunate.
While I understand there are those who believe this is an issue of scriptural authority and thus argue that the ELCA has chosen to ignore scripture in its attempt to be cultural relevant. I would disagree. Having read the documents, and having studied some of the issue, what i see is a church that takes the scriptures so seriously that we are not going to allow our prejudice to blind us. Quite honestly, there are scholars who disagree about the passages in question. Quite honestly, there is a serious question of biblical hermeneutics that leads to a division of the house. Over the centuries the church has had to struggle with issues of inclusively or exclusivity, universality or uniqueness, and law or gospel. Ultimately for me, I see God's movement in history toward inclusion of those who were once considered to be outside the pale of God's grace. I believe this to be God's movement in my life.
Others believe this is a question of tradition, and that the ELCA has broken with the long-standing traditions of the Christian faith. Yes, I would agree this is a momentous event and its importance should not be diminished. Yet if we look at the tradition of the Lutheran "tribe," one can only appreciate that this is a movement of God's people that will not allow the church to be held captive by custom and tradition. This is a church that was founded by a heretic who stood before the throne of Christendom and yet was unwilling to compromise simply because he stood alone. Armed with a sense of the Holy Spirit, Luther's response to tradition and authority was to boldly expand the churches understanding of God's grace. Today we give thanks for the heretics of yesterday for they serve as our heroes today. Here too, I stand.
Another concern is that we are breaking with our ecumenical partners around the world. Yes, different ecclesiastical orders see this differently. Yet, there already is division within the Body of Christ as to who is prepared and fit for ordained ministry. Some deny that married clergy can serve. Others would say that divorced clergy or that women cannot serve. Despite these differences, we nonetheless can work together as we agree on the one essential of Christ's saving action at the cross. This may make life together messier, but then that is the nature of relationships as we seek to be graced by the different gifts of one another.
Finally we get to the pastoral issues. What will we teach and how will we live in community together when we disagree on such matters. I am not too concerned as to what we will preach, as again I believe that we have disagreed about many passages in the Bible in the past (as well as our theological reflections) and yet we are able to commune one with another. I would suggest that this is a time for us to remember our sacramental identity. In baptism we believe God calls and chooses us. We believe that the Holy Spirit is released among us. Whatever we believe about the nature of one's sexuality we are united in the promise of our baptism. The same is true in the promise of the Eucharist. This is not an action dependent upon our worth, for we know our anthropology, but this is God's work uniting his people around the great command Jesus gave his disciples, "Love one another as I have loved you." As God has loved us, it is founded in such love that the church will bind itself together.
I understand that people are hurting and disappointed. Of course there are others who are truly rejoicing. For some it feels as if that which we believed was true has been taken away from them. Others feel that the walls of legalism have finally been battered down by God's grace. Regardless of how you read this issue, I for one believe this is a time for us to cast off all idols and trust in the Holy Spirit working through the church as a Body as we share in a bond of love found in Christ. Let us focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. Let us know that the journey of faith is not for the faint of heart, but trusting that God will not allow us to make this journey alone.
Peace.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Keys
I am aware that I always have keys in my pockets. The only time I am confident I will not is when I am in bed. Maybe that is why we are able to dream when we sleep because we are no longer about locking things up.
We keep keys around to lock and unlock things. They give us a sense of security and safety. They provide us a sense of importance. The more keys we have, the more impressive our responsibilities.
Keys, however, get in the way. If you don't have the right key, you cannot get in. You may simply want to drop something off for a friend, but now you are stymied because you don't have a key.
We use keys all too often to lock ourselves away. Those in prison are not the only ones locked up. How often do we lock up our hearts so that we will not get hurt, or we lock up our thoughts because we don't want to be challenged by a new way of thinking.
Jesus gave us the keys to the kingdom. His image is of something new, something to explore, something we haven't experienced yet. He is unlocking the door to a future that is open to us.
Too bad, we often refuse to step into that future because we are locked behind dogma, traditions, or just our fears. Too bad we trust more in what we have stored inside our vaults rather than trusting in the generosity of this God who is not bound by time or space. Perhaps now is the time to allow the Holy Spirit to unlock our hearts and minds so that we might be in one accord with this Jesus new creation, and that we might be able to love as generously as he shows love for us.
Keys can be used to keep us trapped or allow us to experience true freedom. Jesus said that the truth shall set us free. Receive this key and step out in faith.
Peace,
Pal
We keep keys around to lock and unlock things. They give us a sense of security and safety. They provide us a sense of importance. The more keys we have, the more impressive our responsibilities.
Keys, however, get in the way. If you don't have the right key, you cannot get in. You may simply want to drop something off for a friend, but now you are stymied because you don't have a key.
We use keys all too often to lock ourselves away. Those in prison are not the only ones locked up. How often do we lock up our hearts so that we will not get hurt, or we lock up our thoughts because we don't want to be challenged by a new way of thinking.
Jesus gave us the keys to the kingdom. His image is of something new, something to explore, something we haven't experienced yet. He is unlocking the door to a future that is open to us.
Too bad, we often refuse to step into that future because we are locked behind dogma, traditions, or just our fears. Too bad we trust more in what we have stored inside our vaults rather than trusting in the generosity of this God who is not bound by time or space. Perhaps now is the time to allow the Holy Spirit to unlock our hearts and minds so that we might be in one accord with this Jesus new creation, and that we might be able to love as generously as he shows love for us.
Keys can be used to keep us trapped or allow us to experience true freedom. Jesus said that the truth shall set us free. Receive this key and step out in faith.
Peace,
Pal
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Fatherhood
Yesterday my son left to find his fame and fortune. With High School diploma in hand, and the determination to move on with his life, he returned to his roots in Northern California. As we waved goodbye watching him pull out of the driveway, neither he nor us his parents had any idea about how this will all turn out.
Before he left, the two of us, father and son, took one last road trip together down to Rocky Point, Mexico. As we drove across the desert we listened to his country western CD telling us stories of heartache, loss, and the battle for right. It felt like we should be engaged in deep and weighty conversation, but this was two guys who were feeling more than our words could capture. Every once in awhile we would interrupt the music with inane chatter or gross humor, but only rarely did we let ourselves get to the places where our feelings were raw like an oyster in the half shell.
Nevertheless, two days gives you plenty of time to talk, and so we did begin to tell the stories that had shaped our lives together. We laughed about the silly things, and smiled about the stupid things. We reminded ourselves of the petty fights that seemed so important and now just make us laugh. We celebrating those moments when as father and son we stood together to face the titans of this world. And remembering the lessons passed onto me by my father when I was leaving home, I too tried to impress upon my son some of those timeless truths that would guide him as he begins to take control of the wheel of his ship of state.
Most important of all, while the words were uttered as well, it was simply a time spent together that said, "I love you." I love you enough to spend time with you. I love you enough to let you go and grow apart from me. I love you enough that should you ever need to return the door is open. My heart will never be closed to you.
As I reflect upon my son's choice, it makes me reflect upon what is happening in my church, my denomination, the ELCA. This week it will meet and discuss the issue of ordination of openly gay people. Obviously this is a hot button topic. In our church, however, like many other denominations, people of faith honestly disagree regarding their understanding of Scripture, tradition, and scientific knowledge. What is being proposed is rather than casting out one side or another, that being bonded in the love of Christ we simply agree to disagree at this time. Much in the same way we agree to disagree and yet remain in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ from other tribes of the Christian body. As one who constantly says I am a Lutheran today because they let me in and didn't ask me to check in my brain once I got in, I have no problem with what is being proposed.
Yet how does this connect to my son's departure? Somehow, I picture our Father in heaven letting us go to find our "fame and fortune" in the world. Not always will we act in the way he would choose for us, but nonetheless he gives us the freedom to test our wings. Somehow, I see a parallel between my son's new adventure and what we in our particular church tribe are experiencing as we enter into this discussion over this taboo issue. And as we pull out of the driveway I have this sense that while we have no idea where it will lead, we nonetheless are willing to do so simply trusting that our heavenly Father will never abandon us or close the door on us. I trust that our love for God and love for others will prove to be a stronger bond than any differences we might have.
Despite every Father's attempt to "lay down the law" it seems that in the end grace prevails. May my son find grace; may my church find grace, may the world find grace, and finally may I, most needy of all, once again find God's grace which has been there all along.
Peace,
Pal
Before he left, the two of us, father and son, took one last road trip together down to Rocky Point, Mexico. As we drove across the desert we listened to his country western CD telling us stories of heartache, loss, and the battle for right. It felt like we should be engaged in deep and weighty conversation, but this was two guys who were feeling more than our words could capture. Every once in awhile we would interrupt the music with inane chatter or gross humor, but only rarely did we let ourselves get to the places where our feelings were raw like an oyster in the half shell.
Nevertheless, two days gives you plenty of time to talk, and so we did begin to tell the stories that had shaped our lives together. We laughed about the silly things, and smiled about the stupid things. We reminded ourselves of the petty fights that seemed so important and now just make us laugh. We celebrating those moments when as father and son we stood together to face the titans of this world. And remembering the lessons passed onto me by my father when I was leaving home, I too tried to impress upon my son some of those timeless truths that would guide him as he begins to take control of the wheel of his ship of state.
Most important of all, while the words were uttered as well, it was simply a time spent together that said, "I love you." I love you enough to spend time with you. I love you enough to let you go and grow apart from me. I love you enough that should you ever need to return the door is open. My heart will never be closed to you.
As I reflect upon my son's choice, it makes me reflect upon what is happening in my church, my denomination, the ELCA. This week it will meet and discuss the issue of ordination of openly gay people. Obviously this is a hot button topic. In our church, however, like many other denominations, people of faith honestly disagree regarding their understanding of Scripture, tradition, and scientific knowledge. What is being proposed is rather than casting out one side or another, that being bonded in the love of Christ we simply agree to disagree at this time. Much in the same way we agree to disagree and yet remain in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ from other tribes of the Christian body. As one who constantly says I am a Lutheran today because they let me in and didn't ask me to check in my brain once I got in, I have no problem with what is being proposed.
Yet how does this connect to my son's departure? Somehow, I picture our Father in heaven letting us go to find our "fame and fortune" in the world. Not always will we act in the way he would choose for us, but nonetheless he gives us the freedom to test our wings. Somehow, I see a parallel between my son's new adventure and what we in our particular church tribe are experiencing as we enter into this discussion over this taboo issue. And as we pull out of the driveway I have this sense that while we have no idea where it will lead, we nonetheless are willing to do so simply trusting that our heavenly Father will never abandon us or close the door on us. I trust that our love for God and love for others will prove to be a stronger bond than any differences we might have.
Despite every Father's attempt to "lay down the law" it seems that in the end grace prevails. May my son find grace; may my church find grace, may the world find grace, and finally may I, most needy of all, once again find God's grace which has been there all along.
Peace,
Pal
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Haiti
Tonight we tell about our experience in Haiti. A country on the brink of helplessness or hopefulness. We get to make the difference by whether we choose not to act or choose to get involved. This is a place that you will want to get involved. Go to the link for hopeinhaiti.org. You will be glad you did. That's all for now. Peace.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Da BEACH
I just spent the good portion of a week with a group of Middle School youth at the Beach. We call it Beach Camp. It's really an excuse to have time with them and to give them time to bond as a group. It's so simple and yet the results are amazing.
The funny thing is that we plan for devotional time in the morning and at night, and we do a pretty good job of making it interactive and fun, but even though God is evident in those moments, he doesn't limit himself to the times we make room for God.
It's at the beach when God comes out in all his shinning glory. Whether it be kids jumping through the waves, or volleyball players digging for a return, or just the simple act of burying your pastor in the sand. God appears when we least expect it. We don't even have to say something profound and ruin it. All we need to do is laugh and smile, slap someone on their sunburned back, and experience God's dream for human community. There is a sense of contentment or shalom that we feel even if we cannot describe with words.
All too often we want to keep God in the church, or at least in a Mission Trip sponsored by the church. All too often we in the church want to tell the world come to us and we will show you God. The truth is that God is out there and we in the church need only to get outside our walls to experience God delight. As some, more lately, have said, we in the church do not have a monopoly on God, rather it is our job to go out there and find what God is doing in the world and lend a helping hand.
Wouldn't it be nice if all the church was known for is the people who are willing to lend a helping hand? Wouldn't it be nice if we were a little more accessible to others, rather than so busy running our programs or debating our theological points of view? Wouldn't it be nice if we just went to the beach and experience creation, humanity, sin and grace all under the glorious beams of God's love.
Peace,
Pal
The funny thing is that we plan for devotional time in the morning and at night, and we do a pretty good job of making it interactive and fun, but even though God is evident in those moments, he doesn't limit himself to the times we make room for God.
It's at the beach when God comes out in all his shinning glory. Whether it be kids jumping through the waves, or volleyball players digging for a return, or just the simple act of burying your pastor in the sand. God appears when we least expect it. We don't even have to say something profound and ruin it. All we need to do is laugh and smile, slap someone on their sunburned back, and experience God's dream for human community. There is a sense of contentment or shalom that we feel even if we cannot describe with words.
All too often we want to keep God in the church, or at least in a Mission Trip sponsored by the church. All too often we in the church want to tell the world come to us and we will show you God. The truth is that God is out there and we in the church need only to get outside our walls to experience God delight. As some, more lately, have said, we in the church do not have a monopoly on God, rather it is our job to go out there and find what God is doing in the world and lend a helping hand.
Wouldn't it be nice if all the church was known for is the people who are willing to lend a helping hand? Wouldn't it be nice if we were a little more accessible to others, rather than so busy running our programs or debating our theological points of view? Wouldn't it be nice if we just went to the beach and experience creation, humanity, sin and grace all under the glorious beams of God's love.
Peace,
Pal
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