Living Stones

Yesterday I heard something that disturbed me - in fact it made me see red. I discovered that one of our members has made some racist comments. In the past two years Mt. Bethel has become more diverse in its membership and we even recieved a 7-member African-American family into the congregation just a few weeks ago. Somehow, one of my members still thinks it's 1964. I didn't hear the comment directly and I'm partly glad about that. If I had been present, the situation wouldn't have been pretty.

This morning, I'm preaching from 1 Peter 2: 2-10. This is the text usually reserved for arguments about predestination, but I'm focusing more on other parts of the text today. Peter speaks of Christ being the living stone, rejected by the builders, but held precious by God and used as the capstone or cornerstone. Peter also suggests that we are living stones like Christ, constructed into a spiritual house.

Across history, stones have been assembled for different purposes. Some structures have been more permanent than others and each has had it's own purpose. I was captured this week by stories of structures that were designed for one purpose and eventually came to serve another - for instance, there are old Soviet bunkers and barracks in Eastern Europe that were once used to persecute Christians that are now being used for church houses.

I'm tired of hearing bigoted comments. This year's election of a new president has brought out more of those remarks than I believe I've heard in my previous 28 years of living. I've heard people that profess faith in Christ make some of the most damaging, hurtful comments in these last months and I've about had enough. Are we the church, or just another bunker? Are we the wall that keeps people out or are we the doorway to Christ?

Outside of praying and doing my best to preach and teach hope, peace, love, and harmony, I'm trying to figure out what to do about confonting certain narrowsightedness. If one of these living stones becomes a detriment, how long do you try to reshape it before you simply remove it? When that point comes, how do you remove it?

Splits

On my last post, Mezzo Forte left a great comment - much of which I agree with.  She commented on one thing that I'm not sure quite how I feel about.  That topic is of church splits.

I believe that at any time in church history, since the time of Martin Luther, you can probably find someone, somewhere talking about the need for or possibility of a denominational split.  Lately, there has been some talk about it in the United Methodist Church as well.  No, it's nothing serious right now.  I don't think that the thought has gained any strong sense of support, though the idea has lingered.

Some Methodists talk about the widening chasm of thought on some topics (namely ordination and/or marriage of homosexuals) and speak as if all hope is lost.  To some, the only option is for United Methodists to simply be Methodists and give up on the whole "united" thing.

I'm torn.  If a decision was being made tomorrow, I don't know that I could vote, knowing what I know right now.  Maybe that's why there's not a significant push for a denominational parting-of-ways?

As a pastor, I'm not a fan of divorce.  However, I acknowledge that the solution to eliminating divorce isn't the prohibition of it, but closer scrutiny of a couple to be wed and tools for building a stronger marriage.  For the modern marriage that has been poorly developed, where issues seem irreconcilable, divorce might actually be advisable.  Are churches exempt from this way of thinking?

At the other end of the discussion, I believe that dialogue amongst United Methodists is a cornerstone of the denomination.  If we've become so embittered by the difference of our opinions that we can't constructively discuss them, then we've forgotten what it means to be United Methodist.  I certainly don't have a lock on everything theological - nor does anyone else.  I know that for each of these issues and what I believe about them, there is someone else at the other end of the spectrum.  I believe that we provide balance for each other.  We keep the conservative from becoming immovable and stubborn and we keep the progressive from abandoning thousands of years of tradition and theological development.

What do you think?

Being the Church

It's Monday and I feel the need to brag on my church - I don't think I do that enough.

Yesterday morning, I got to the church early to enjoy breakfast with the Men's Club and followed that up with my routine of turning on the sanctuary lights and laying out everything I would need for worship.  One of our Trustees was also in the sanctuary, trying to figure out why it was 54 degrees indoors and the furnace wasn't kicking on.

Our sanctuary runs on two furnaces and two A/C units.  The furnaces are older than I am - probably installed in the 1950's.  One furnace has been out for about 3 weeks now and the heating & air people have ordered a replacement burner that will hopefully be here this week.  Over the weekend, the other furnace decided to end its life as well, leaving us with a dilemma.

In 20 minutes time, the people of this church pulled together and moved worship into the Fellowship Hall.  It required a reset of the chairs in the hall, transporting hymnals and bibles from the sanctuary, and setting up the altar.  You'd think we had done this dozens of times considering the great ease that it seemed to be done with.

We worshipped yesterday morning in an unfamiliar place for worship, but the Spirit was moving.  Nobody complained, everybody was involved, and worship seemed to be a little more lively.  To tell the truth, I think throwing us out of our routine actually worked to our favor.

After the service, there was more time than usual spent fellowshipping and making friends of new visitors.  Before I could collect all of my things from worship, every hymnal, bible, and pew pad was back in its place in the sanctuary.  The altar was carried back and set up.  The chairs and tables in the fellowship hall were rearranged to be ready for the week. 

Sunday could have been a lot more stressful.  Thanks to the teamwork of about 50 men, women, and teenagers, we breezed right through and still put our best foot forward with our guests.

For any members who are reading this post, I thank you.  The world would be a better place if every follower of Christ could work with this sort of teamwork and commitment to putting our best foot forward.  You all ministered to me on Sunday.

To all my friends that are church planters, you can't have my setup people.  Keep your hands off.

C'mon People!

I'm watching the inauguration online today.  CNN has it broadcast with people's messages from facebook alongside.  I'm also getting numerous emails from people on both sides of the aisle, politically speaking.  I have to say I'm disappointed.

Folks, the elections took place November 4th.  I'm tired of hearing people moan and complain about either Barack Obama taking office or complain about the people complaining about Bush.  Guess what...regardless of your beliefs or feelings about either man, Bush finishes his term today and Obama starts his. 

I'm an itenerant minister.  That meanst that every few years, I will move at the direction of the Bishop and his or her Cabinet.  In that regard, I can relate to some of what both Bush and Obama must be feeling today.  Starting off in a new place, in a new position is scary enough without people's silly, illogical frustrations getting in the way.

Many of you have spoken to one side or the other.  I've worked with many of you in local churches and I've depended on your openness and willingness to work together for the sake of the Gospel.  You gave me a chance, not because of my political stances, what my name or race is, or where I am from, but because I was willing to serve.  Because of that, I am able to do what I do.  It's when people are sore about the departure of the one who preceeded me or decide they don't like me before they know me that I am hindered.

Today, there is a transition of power, I believe, from one GREAT man to another GREAT man.  The best thing we can do as Americans is love the man leaving and support the one coming in.  Do that, just as you do for the pastor who leaves and the new one that arrives.  Don't let some politician or anyone else cause you to stoop to pettiness.

I'm certainly not going to count someone out of the fight before it ever begins.  I'm also not going to look down on a man, though lacking in eloquence, who has sacrificed much for the sake of leading this country through very difficult times. 

Before you say anything else about these men, ask yourself, "Is what I'm about to say helpful to the forward progress of this country?  Is it divisive or edifying?  Does it reflect my faith in Christ?"

I'm off my soap box.