so below are my notes from today. it was an interesting day, with ups and down, static and dynamic periods, monotony and laughter. the numbers simply indicate a timeline, 1 is the beginning of day...
Things I noticed in the afternoon and evening business meeting:
1. this is so much easier to follow when I can follow along online… and on the last day i finally got the website to work on my laptop in the convention center
2. the job of moderator must be very, very tiring
3. i am encouraged by the number of folks I have seen with grey hair who are in support of the LGBT community (signified by rainbow scarves). who says this is a generational difference of opinion
4. i am frustrated by the length of discussion on issues that seem as if the discussion will have no actual impact on the issue at hand. for example, who is going to listen to what the PCUSA says about the war on iraq? maybe folks will, but i am skeptical.
5. on the other hand, the resolution on the war in iraq, overture 11-10, there is a move to take out much of the language that i feel is just (i.e. getting the US permanently out of iraq soon, cleaning up the environmental mess we made, etc.) and true to the gospel, which just waters down what little we are actually saying and what little impact it might have. It does not seem at all radical to me to ask the u.s. government to return the control and revenue from all iraqi oil resources to iraq. and yet, we are not doing that
6. divestment is a much more complicated issue than i was aware of. one of the companies up for divestment is caterpillar. a commissioner made a good point that caterpillar equipment does as much good as damage—cutting fire breaks, rebuilding levees etc. so to divest is to fail to support that good work. and yet, the boycott—and if I understand enough, divestment is basically a boycott—is a tested and effective tool for social change. whereas many of the other resolutions we may make on social issues, divestment may actually have an impact. can you imagine if everyone who wanted significant social change in the middle east withdrew investment from all american companies that perpetuate injustice in that region? oh the change that would be wrought. what to do, what to do?
7. we are not as pacifist as i thought
8. i want to give props to rev. eric ledermann, who reminded us on item 11-33 that we need to actually send these resolutions to those in leadership of our government if these recommendations are to have any effect. he proposed an amendment that passed to require sending the resolution to the president and the congress regarding our opposition to pre-emptive military action against iran.
9. do not reference nuclear power and say we did not use it to destroy anything unless you want to conveniently forget Nagasaki and Hiroshima… where we did in fact drop the bomb. oops. kind of embarrassing… and is that a really a good metaphor for anything that might “destroy” the church?
10. “as Presbyterians, our gift to the world is the matter of covenant…” –rev. carl mazza
11. at the microphone that is up right now, all the people waiting to speak are white men over the age of forty
12. “i was delivered of a spirit of homosexuality.”
13. oh the passion on the floor of the assembly.
14. what does casserole eating have to do with the definition of marriage?
15. “it is time for us to get comfortable being uncomfortable”… an elder
16. i have seen courage today like i have rarely seen. a theological student advisory delegate identified himself as in a loving a same gender relationship on the floor of the general assembly, testifying to his pain and his hope that the church talk and study this honestly… amen.
17. and we are back to the vote that I was sad to miss (to keep or not to keep g 6.0106b… see previous post), but in fact the body is divided over the motion, the body is divided over whether to reconsider, one YAD even called it a “parliamentary stunt”… let’s see how is goes
18. we are not reconsidering… yay!
19. one of the commissioners reminded us to be pastoral and stop calling names… thank you, we needed that
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
too decently and in order
why do those presbys have to be so efficient?
i had to work this morning and so could not make it to general assembly until the afternoon business meeting. i wanted to see the debate and vote on the agenda of the church orders and ministry committee, which was scheduled for the afternoon... because i am in favor of the following change to G 6.0106b:
this...
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
would be replaced with this...
Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate’s sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.
just in case the debate took too long, they moved it to the morning. as i understand it, they efficiently approved the change, and i missed it.
hallelujah, amen.
i had to work this morning and so could not make it to general assembly until the afternoon business meeting. i wanted to see the debate and vote on the agenda of the church orders and ministry committee, which was scheduled for the afternoon... because i am in favor of the following change to G 6.0106b:
this...
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
would be replaced with this...
Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate’s sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.
just in case the debate took too long, they moved it to the morning. as i understand it, they efficiently approved the change, and i missed it.
hallelujah, amen.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
worshipping with the whole body...
... means you don't always feel like you are truly worshipping.
as a seminarian, i find myself over-analyzing often, unable to let go and just be in the presence of my community. today was one of those days.
the praise team from one of the local churches was singing a contemporary song about our heart and our desire being to see all the nations in worship... there was a specific reference to "every race upon this earth" in one of the verses. and yet, the worship team was all white... in a room and a denomination that is not. this inconsistency... can i perhaps even say implicit racism... really broke my heart, especially with such a moving sermon about micah 6:8 and the cal to humility.
as a seminarian, i find myself over-analyzing often, unable to let go and just be in the presence of my community. today was one of those days.
the praise team from one of the local churches was singing a contemporary song about our heart and our desire being to see all the nations in worship... there was a specific reference to "every race upon this earth" in one of the verses. and yet, the worship team was all white... in a room and a denomination that is not. this inconsistency... can i perhaps even say implicit racism... really broke my heart, especially with such a moving sermon about micah 6:8 and the cal to humility.
translating intent?
the general assembly is discussing the translation of the hiedelberg catechism. of course, even translating comes back to sex. the section most deeply in question is whether homosexual perversion should be included in a list of sins that keep someone from heaven. so, though this debate is on translation, that issue is muddled with ideology, theology and sexuality.
can we translate intent? should we?
these confessions are used in their english form in congregations. no one looks at the other versions and certainly almost no one looks at the history of translation and controversies that accompany these texts. generally, their presence in the book of confessions is what gives these documents their authority. so, to me it is important that we have the best scholarly translation (translation of the words, not of the intent or the ideology) that our scholars can offer at the time available to everyone in the official book.
i believe we just passed the new translation. amen.
can we translate intent? should we?
these confessions are used in their english form in congregations. no one looks at the other versions and certainly almost no one looks at the history of translation and controversies that accompany these texts. generally, their presence in the book of confessions is what gives these documents their authority. so, to me it is important that we have the best scholarly translation (translation of the words, not of the intent or the ideology) that our scholars can offer at the time available to everyone in the official book.
i believe we just passed the new translation. amen.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
“Presbyterian is a glorious adjective and an idolatrous noun.”
... dude from the national council of churches.
today began the whole assembly business meetings since the committees did their work. i am impressed that over and over, the committees seemed to be working very, very hard at compromising and working through disagreements in love, rather than clinging to needing to be right. There is must more trust in the body than i expected, and much more humility and selfless devotion to the good of the community (in a good way).
rev. brc was up there banging his gavel and trying to do his best to follow robert's rules (in jeans... AMEN!).
i have mixed feelings about robert's rules. the system keeps us mostly decently and in order, but restricts who can be heard and who can listen. if you are not familiar with the system, the discussion can be hard to follow. technology is supposed to help that, by posting information on large screens and online. but, the way that the that can actually work in the world is not so smooth. i am frustrated that, even though i am a seminarian and so should educated in some of this, even i have trouble following the meetings. can this be more accessible (and likely then more relevant) to the rest of the world?
today began the whole assembly business meetings since the committees did their work. i am impressed that over and over, the committees seemed to be working very, very hard at compromising and working through disagreements in love, rather than clinging to needing to be right. There is must more trust in the body than i expected, and much more humility and selfless devotion to the good of the community (in a good way).
rev. brc was up there banging his gavel and trying to do his best to follow robert's rules (in jeans... AMEN!).
i have mixed feelings about robert's rules. the system keeps us mostly decently and in order, but restricts who can be heard and who can listen. if you are not familiar with the system, the discussion can be hard to follow. technology is supposed to help that, by posting information on large screens and online. but, the way that the that can actually work in the world is not so smooth. i am frustrated that, even though i am a seminarian and so should educated in some of this, even i have trouble following the meetings. can this be more accessible (and likely then more relevant) to the rest of the world?
more committee time
General Assembly has driven home the difficulty of living a life in the public. to be a pastor is to be in the public life. if i want to be a pastor, i will be in the public life in many ways. it requires a thicker skin than i have. much of what goes on in public is nothing about me (even if said in reference to me), and on one level i know that... but on another level, i cannot remember it when i am hurt. a deep and abiding faith, trust and confidence in God’s love for me can grow that skin, that place of security, where i am stable despite the chaos, ambiguity and straight up hostility around me. i hope it grows fast.
i have also become vary wary of the camps in the church. the politicking that goes on does not have to be negative or hurtful, but from some of the camps it is. the process seems manipulated sometimes. the strength of being presbyterian is in our communal process, but when that process is not entered authentically and honestly, it does not work.
but, even at the end of the day, there is hope. the high school dance of GA is the witherspoon society dance, wear the eldest and wisest commissioners get down with the newbies, and everyone relaxes and has a good time. whoever calls us the frozen chosen has never been to one of these shindigs.
i have also become vary wary of the camps in the church. the politicking that goes on does not have to be negative or hurtful, but from some of the camps it is. the process seems manipulated sometimes. the strength of being presbyterian is in our communal process, but when that process is not entered authentically and honestly, it does not work.
but, even at the end of the day, there is hope. the high school dance of GA is the witherspoon society dance, wear the eldest and wisest commissioners get down with the newbies, and everyone relaxes and has a good time. whoever calls us the frozen chosen has never been to one of these shindigs.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
hazy days
it is a dry, dry summer, and has been unseasonably hot here. as a result, lightening (which i have never seen in the bay area) has caused hundreds of fires in the area. so, today, there is a strange smoky haze all around thy bay.
today, i feel like my brain is clouded by the same strange smoky haze, probably also from too many mental fires burning.
i can't wait for the air to clear.
today, i feel like my brain is clouded by the same strange smoky haze, probably also from too many mental fires burning.
i can't wait for the air to clear.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
committees
GA is so new to me, that even the procedural parts of some of these meetings are fascinating to me. There is theology and ideology underlying it all. If this bores you… stop reading now. Below are the notes from sitting in on a bit of the initial Church Orders Committee meeting that deals with issues around ordination.
Our purpose as a committee: “We have been called to discern the will of Christ as best we are able in relationship to the issue brought before us.”
We are not to seek out our own will, the will of those at home, or constituent groups that we a part of … but to discern the will of Christ.
A committee but not the General Assembly. Make recommendations, so work needs to be done well, but the full assembly makes final decisions on these matters.
Worship, pray and read scripture together, to remember that we are all one in Jesus Christ, despite differing perspectives. Embody that vision for the church (vision of unity of the body). Listen very carefully to each other, to authentically listen to our brothers and sisters, the advocates, etc. Listen, but the final task is to listen for the voice of Jesus.
Processes to help that happen:
--Parliamentary procedure (does Robert’s rules really help us discern the will of Christ? I guess we shall see.)
“Parliamentary procedure is not a weapon. It is a not a club. [The moderator] needs to be fair, [he] may not be nice.”
--Hearing from a variety of persons who represent different kinds of gifts, perspectives and information.
If you wish to speak before the committee, you must speak to the moderator (this is So Presbyterian… order, order, order). But, I have seen it done at Presbytery meetings, and this seems very effective.
Guidelines on how Presbyterians can live together in times of disagreements. Operating principles for this kind of process… where can I get a copy?
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms. Can a denomination survive without so many acronyms?
General Assembly has gone online this year. I think this is a brilliant move—and ironic considering brc’s election. It keeps us greener (can you imagine the paper waste from a week of meetings with almost two thousand people?)… but, it is slowing business down at almost every turn it seems. Oi.
The one item of business for tonight is the adoption of an agenda for the committee. Within three questions for clarification on the proposed agenda, there was a commissioner with a decently and in order comment (Can people asking question come up to the microphone?)… we are so presby.
These meetings are run as hearings essentially… it sounds a lot like the congressional hearings that I do not watch on CSPAN. There are items that are in conflict with each other—overtures wanting a section of the book of order removed that others want to strengthen. So the order in which these issues are considered matters, as well as the timing of voting. Do you discuss it all before taking any action, or do you vote on each and every issue individually? Oi.
I need to read the items. And maybe, just maybe, I could get back to part of this committee meeting…
Our purpose as a committee: “We have been called to discern the will of Christ as best we are able in relationship to the issue brought before us.”
We are not to seek out our own will, the will of those at home, or constituent groups that we a part of … but to discern the will of Christ.
A committee but not the General Assembly. Make recommendations, so work needs to be done well, but the full assembly makes final decisions on these matters.
Worship, pray and read scripture together, to remember that we are all one in Jesus Christ, despite differing perspectives. Embody that vision for the church (vision of unity of the body). Listen very carefully to each other, to authentically listen to our brothers and sisters, the advocates, etc. Listen, but the final task is to listen for the voice of Jesus.
Processes to help that happen:
--Parliamentary procedure (does Robert’s rules really help us discern the will of Christ? I guess we shall see.)
“Parliamentary procedure is not a weapon. It is a not a club. [The moderator] needs to be fair, [he] may not be nice.”
--Hearing from a variety of persons who represent different kinds of gifts, perspectives and information.
If you wish to speak before the committee, you must speak to the moderator (this is So Presbyterian… order, order, order). But, I have seen it done at Presbytery meetings, and this seems very effective.
Guidelines on how Presbyterians can live together in times of disagreements. Operating principles for this kind of process… where can I get a copy?
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms. Can a denomination survive without so many acronyms?
General Assembly has gone online this year. I think this is a brilliant move—and ironic considering brc’s election. It keeps us greener (can you imagine the paper waste from a week of meetings with almost two thousand people?)… but, it is slowing business down at almost every turn it seems. Oi.
The one item of business for tonight is the adoption of an agenda for the committee. Within three questions for clarification on the proposed agenda, there was a commissioner with a decently and in order comment (Can people asking question come up to the microphone?)… we are so presby.
These meetings are run as hearings essentially… it sounds a lot like the congressional hearings that I do not watch on CSPAN. There are items that are in conflict with each other—overtures wanting a section of the book of order removed that others want to strengthen. So the order in which these issues are considered matters, as well as the timing of voting. Do you discuss it all before taking any action, or do you vote on each and every issue individually? Oi.
I need to read the items. And maybe, just maybe, I could get back to part of this committee meeting…
overwhelmed yet again
family, friends and mbcc-ers were invited onstage for bruce's installation. yet again, i found myself hugely overwhelmed at GA, this time by hope.
as much as i believed in bruce, god's call for bruce, his skills, yada, yada, yada, i was not at all certain or confident he would be elected. i was not sure the church was ready. (of course, i am no expert on the pulse of the denomination). he is young. he is dynamic. he is passionate. he is about the questions and not the answers... and he is progressive. could the PCUSA really go that way with their next moderator? i did not know, and someone deep in my cynicism, i thought there was no way we could.
was i ever wrong.
as i stood on the stage, reciting scripture with the crowd and listening to sarah (mama of moderator) and evelyn (eldest daughter of moderator) pray for the assembly and bruce's journey as moderator, i was overwhelmed by the hope. i am a part of a community that is moving forward. i am part of a community that is passionately engaged. i am part of a community that is "embracing our future." i am part of a community that is anything but dead.
it is going to be an interesting week.
and the evening ended with a celebrity sighting... my first in life. in search of some food and beverage, the only place we could find near our hotel was a local joint called original joe's jimmy fallon was eating there and i caught a healthy look at him on his way out.
and it wasn't the best part of the night at all. not even close.
as much as i believed in bruce, god's call for bruce, his skills, yada, yada, yada, i was not at all certain or confident he would be elected. i was not sure the church was ready. (of course, i am no expert on the pulse of the denomination). he is young. he is dynamic. he is passionate. he is about the questions and not the answers... and he is progressive. could the PCUSA really go that way with their next moderator? i did not know, and someone deep in my cynicism, i thought there was no way we could.
was i ever wrong.
as i stood on the stage, reciting scripture with the crowd and listening to sarah (mama of moderator) and evelyn (eldest daughter of moderator) pray for the assembly and bruce's journey as moderator, i was overwhelmed by the hope. i am a part of a community that is moving forward. i am part of a community that is passionately engaged. i am part of a community that is "embracing our future." i am part of a community that is anything but dead.
it is going to be an interesting week.
and the evening ended with a celebrity sighting... my first in life. in search of some food and beverage, the only place we could find near our hotel was a local joint called original joe's jimmy fallon was eating there and i caught a healthy look at him on his way out.
and it wasn't the best part of the night at all. not even close.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
BRC is moderator
the smoke has cleared, the tears have flowed, and the rev. bruce reyes-chow is the moderator of the 218th general assembly of the PCUSA.
more later. now it is time to party!
more later. now it is time to party!
represent
commissioners from presbyteries in ohio have asked more questions than folks from any other states. go buckeyes!
the proudest moment for me as a buckeye... a pastor--Frances Miller-- from cleveland asking the moderatorial candidates how they would respond to a transgendered parishioner who feels that the church is taking Jesus from him.
it is unlikely, our church being what it is, that a transgendered person could be a commissioner. we have a long, long way to go. but even in small ways, more and more voices are being heard in the PCUSA... even on the floor of GA. for that, i am grateful and encouraged.
praise God.
the proudest moment for me as a buckeye... a pastor--Frances Miller-- from cleveland asking the moderatorial candidates how they would respond to a transgendered parishioner who feels that the church is taking Jesus from him.
it is unlikely, our church being what it is, that a transgendered person could be a commissioner. we have a long, long way to go. but even in small ways, more and more voices are being heard in the PCUSA... even on the floor of GA. for that, i am grateful and encouraged.
praise God.
decently and in order...
this moderator gig is not easy. and when you are running the election of the next moderator, you must be very tired.
the four candidates are in the process of answering questions. four commissioners first nominated the four candidates. the four candidates then gave opening speeches. after an hour of questions (right now a very very brave youth advisory delegate just asked a question about inclusivity in the ordination process), voting will begin.
these four men have all served the PCUSA with all their hearts in the best way that they can. i am biased toward one candidate for sure.
the process is decently and in order... mostly. we do our best.
one of the candidates used a manure metaphor to talk about fertilizing the church. i had a hard time behaving decently and in order for that. it hard not to wonder what other manure we wade through in the process of trying to fertilize the church that does absolutely nothing to promote growth.
more later as the process moves...
the four candidates are in the process of answering questions. four commissioners first nominated the four candidates. the four candidates then gave opening speeches. after an hour of questions (right now a very very brave youth advisory delegate just asked a question about inclusivity in the ordination process), voting will begin.
these four men have all served the PCUSA with all their hearts in the best way that they can. i am biased toward one candidate for sure.
the process is decently and in order... mostly. we do our best.
one of the candidates used a manure metaphor to talk about fertilizing the church. i had a hard time behaving decently and in order for that. it hard not to wonder what other manure we wade through in the process of trying to fertilize the church that does absolutely nothing to promote growth.
more later as the process moves...
it's go time
let me just say, three thousand presbys in one place can be a little overwhelming.
san jose has been taken over, invaded even. there are color coded name tags that tell you how important someone is... brown for observers (and our name tags are not as nice) at the bottom of the pecking order, exhibitors, youth advisory delegates, theological student advisory delegates, seminary staff, general assembly staff, and commissioners (at the top of the pecking order). even i have run into people i know from other parts of the country and i didn't think i new very many presbyterians.
the vibe, the buzz around the moderator campaign is truly very energizing. the kinds of discussions that we being had about the future of the church--in a hopeful, positive and engaging way--encourage me. there is no way to know how it will turn out until the vote, but all our t-shirts have been given away, and our booth is constantly full.
i have met so many interesting and fabulous pastors, many of bruce's friends and colleagues who are spending time in the booth as well, and am excited to know that this very cool group of folks may some day be my colleagues.
there is hope!!!
ps--this is my 99th post... my 100th will likely be a response to how the moderator election turns out...
san jose has been taken over, invaded even. there are color coded name tags that tell you how important someone is... brown for observers (and our name tags are not as nice) at the bottom of the pecking order, exhibitors, youth advisory delegates, theological student advisory delegates, seminary staff, general assembly staff, and commissioners (at the top of the pecking order). even i have run into people i know from other parts of the country and i didn't think i new very many presbyterians.
the vibe, the buzz around the moderator campaign is truly very energizing. the kinds of discussions that we being had about the future of the church--in a hopeful, positive and engaging way--encourage me. there is no way to know how it will turn out until the vote, but all our t-shirts have been given away, and our booth is constantly full.
i have met so many interesting and fabulous pastors, many of bruce's friends and colleagues who are spending time in the booth as well, and am excited to know that this very cool group of folks may some day be my colleagues.
there is hope!!!
ps--this is my 99th post... my 100th will likely be a response to how the moderator election turns out...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
let the games begin
today and tomorrow, thousands of presbyterians will descend on san jose. this is my first big presbyterian event. in some ways, i feel like it is my first real introduction to the way the whole denomination works. in the next week i will meet more people than i can remember, but hopefully it will be more than that. hopefully it will be the experience of a true community, growing and moving as we do God's work.amidst all of this is the moderator election. the rev. bruce reyes-chow, my field education mentor, is standing for the position (we do not call it running... to political). he offers a vision of hope for the church that refuses to be mired in the churches failures and problems, and rather looks for the ways that God is moving among us. he open space for dialogue amongst all kinds of people and can facilitate conversation, even when there are disagreements. by saturday evening, the campaign will end. all the work will be done, and we will have results.
above is a painting i completed for bruce's campaign booth. it is a vision of the PCUSA, and this weekend, folks who visit the booth will be invited to contribute their vision to this artwork by writing what they hope for the church on it. a graffiti wall of sorts.
we shall see.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
solstice moon
i had a fascination with the moon when i was little. i was in utter awe that it could follow me absolutely wherever i went.
as i got a little older, i started to identify the moon as a primary metaphor for understanding God. who else could follow me everywhere?
this metaphor becomes increasing powerful for me. the moon is there even when i cannot see it--as is God. the force of the moon impacts the tide in unseen ways--as God impacts history in unseen ways. when we see the moon differently, during different times of the lunar cycle, or different times of the year, the moon itself has not changed, our perception of it has--as it is with God.
this evening, the trick of the solstice moon gave me a particularly breathtaking perspective, it rose large and golden over lake merritt. though no different than the moon that rose yesterday, i saw it differently.
i look for those same glimpses of God.
as i got a little older, i started to identify the moon as a primary metaphor for understanding God. who else could follow me everywhere?
this metaphor becomes increasing powerful for me. the moon is there even when i cannot see it--as is God. the force of the moon impacts the tide in unseen ways--as God impacts history in unseen ways. when we see the moon differently, during different times of the lunar cycle, or different times of the year, the moon itself has not changed, our perception of it has--as it is with God.
this evening, the trick of the solstice moon gave me a particularly breathtaking perspective, it rose large and golden over lake merritt. though no different than the moon that rose yesterday, i saw it differently.
i look for those same glimpses of God.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
cult or covenant?
"Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
the theme for general assembly is micah 6:8, but i think by not including verse seven, it leaves out an important focus of the scripture.
i have been pondering this text for awhile now and finally decided to hit those resources they taught us about in our good old intro biblical studies class. school does come in handy. as does the things academics write...
the call in micah 6:8 is what God wants for us, what God hopes for us. it represents an age-old shift--a shift not evident without verse 7--from doing to being, from cult to covenant. a cultic understanding of religion would be one in which the act of requires that certain things be done. in this text, it is the perspective that something must be sacrificed to make yourself right with God. the covenantal understanding is one in which we simply are in the faith the person that God calls us to be--because this way of being is the natural outcome of faith.
this was the shift micah was trying to make. this is the shift calvin tried to make. this is even the shift that rev. BRC is trying to make as he stands for moderator of the PCUSA.
will this always be a struggle?
it is also tempting to say that we made the shift without actually doing it. if we see no evidence of this new way of being--of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly--it is easy to feel that we have not "achieved" the right faith. if it were something we could achieve, then we never made the shift.
i want to do, do, do. always have. what do i need to do to become a pastor? what do i need to do to be a good wife? what do i need to do to be a good person? what do i need to do?
so, good calvinist (?) that i am... shifting i will try. micah said so.
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
the theme for general assembly is micah 6:8, but i think by not including verse seven, it leaves out an important focus of the scripture.
i have been pondering this text for awhile now and finally decided to hit those resources they taught us about in our good old intro biblical studies class. school does come in handy. as does the things academics write...
the call in micah 6:8 is what God wants for us, what God hopes for us. it represents an age-old shift--a shift not evident without verse 7--from doing to being, from cult to covenant. a cultic understanding of religion would be one in which the act of requires that certain things be done. in this text, it is the perspective that something must be sacrificed to make yourself right with God. the covenantal understanding is one in which we simply are in the faith the person that God calls us to be--because this way of being is the natural outcome of faith.
this was the shift micah was trying to make. this is the shift calvin tried to make. this is even the shift that rev. BRC is trying to make as he stands for moderator of the PCUSA.
will this always be a struggle?
it is also tempting to say that we made the shift without actually doing it. if we see no evidence of this new way of being--of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly--it is easy to feel that we have not "achieved" the right faith. if it were something we could achieve, then we never made the shift.
i want to do, do, do. always have. what do i need to do to become a pastor? what do i need to do to be a good wife? what do i need to do to be a good person? what do i need to do?
so, good calvinist (?) that i am... shifting i will try. micah said so.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
ballet and burglary
"has a ballerina ever responded to burglary?"
apparently, just like every city, san jose wants to hire more cops. the police department wants more cops than the mayor says they can afford. this is not new. of course, whenever and wherever this discussion is had, someone suggests that other services be cut... primarily public support of the arts.
"has a ballerina ever responded to burglary?"
maybe yes, maybe no. i get the point. the cop will respond. the cop is paid to respond. the ballerina performs. blah, blah, blah. what frustrates me with this kind of conversation is that there is no public consideration of the function of the arts outside of entertainment. i guess i should no longer be surprised by the shallow level of public discourse, particularly around the arts. but i am still sad about it.
no one mentions that ballet may not respond to crime, but it can sure prevent it. arts (done well) are a part of a healthy community and nurtures healthy individuals who do not rob each other. to deal with the problem of crime, we can no longer just deal with the most obvious level of consequences of a whole system that grows people to be a certain way.
art responds to crime.
apparently, just like every city, san jose wants to hire more cops. the police department wants more cops than the mayor says they can afford. this is not new. of course, whenever and wherever this discussion is had, someone suggests that other services be cut... primarily public support of the arts.
"has a ballerina ever responded to burglary?"
maybe yes, maybe no. i get the point. the cop will respond. the cop is paid to respond. the ballerina performs. blah, blah, blah. what frustrates me with this kind of conversation is that there is no public consideration of the function of the arts outside of entertainment. i guess i should no longer be surprised by the shallow level of public discourse, particularly around the arts. but i am still sad about it.
no one mentions that ballet may not respond to crime, but it can sure prevent it. arts (done well) are a part of a healthy community and nurtures healthy individuals who do not rob each other. to deal with the problem of crime, we can no longer just deal with the most obvious level of consequences of a whole system that grows people to be a certain way.
art responds to crime.
Friday, June 6, 2008
getting pumped for GA!
PCUSA: rev. bruce reyes-chow for moderator?
abby kk: yes, please.
if only i could vote.
since i can't... i make buttons.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
hanging up
grief is a sneaky, a sly, slippery shadow that suddenly you can find yourself standing in, not even quite sure how you got there--or how to find the sun again.
the joy of the dvr and the movie channels is the movie lover that i am is always satisfied. there is always something i want to watch waiting for me on my dvr. so today, while i cleaned, i watched hanging up... a drama from 1998 with meg ryan, lisa kudrow, diane keaton and walter matthau. i so it once, in high school, and remembered it as quite funny. perfect to help motivate me to get the apartment under control.
was i ever wrong.
it is a beautiful movie. the three ladies are sisters, and walter matthau is their aging father dealing with memory loss and eventually a stroke... oi. in high school, my parents were immortal. and luckily enough, my grandparents were all healthy. my family seemed indestructible. at the time, the movie was funny.
this time around... not a comedy at all. this year has reminded me that my family is everything but indestructible. and in the business of the semester, i often avoided dealing with it without having to try very hard.
this time when grief snuck up on me, i knew why... this silly movie... and i am going to look for the sun, but try not the run from the shadow so quickly this time.
the joy of the dvr and the movie channels is the movie lover that i am is always satisfied. there is always something i want to watch waiting for me on my dvr. so today, while i cleaned, i watched hanging up... a drama from 1998 with meg ryan, lisa kudrow, diane keaton and walter matthau. i so it once, in high school, and remembered it as quite funny. perfect to help motivate me to get the apartment under control.
was i ever wrong.
it is a beautiful movie. the three ladies are sisters, and walter matthau is their aging father dealing with memory loss and eventually a stroke... oi. in high school, my parents were immortal. and luckily enough, my grandparents were all healthy. my family seemed indestructible. at the time, the movie was funny.
this time around... not a comedy at all. this year has reminded me that my family is everything but indestructible. and in the business of the semester, i often avoided dealing with it without having to try very hard.
this time when grief snuck up on me, i knew why... this silly movie... and i am going to look for the sun, but try not the run from the shadow so quickly this time.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
summertime, summertime, sum, sum summertime
This summer is an experiment for me. I am wading through the call of God in Micah 6:8, that I know what is good, and what is left is for me to do it. I am also encountering the Jesus of Matthew 25, who is hidden in those people where I would least expect to find him. I believe that these two passages are intricately tied together in the way that I must practice them in my life.
Right now, I am reading Parker Palmer’s The Company of Strangers: Christians and the Renewal of America’s Public Life. He establishes public life as each and every encounter that we have with a stranger—at the grocery, riding the bus, taking out the garbage, ordering coffee—and reminds us that our lives are increasingly set up to avoid any contact with strangers.
From when we are small, we are told not to talk to strangers. This is very practical advice to give a gregarious four year old who would talk to a wall if there is nothing else to converse with. Many children easily place their trust in people, which can put them in danger. As adults many of us still fear strangers, but for different reasons. We have had our hearts broken, our trust betrayed, or have been physically hurt. We are afraid to let that happen again.
As an intern, the hardest part of church for me was talking to strangers. There is some irony to this. Everyone in the church used to be a stranger, even the people I now consider myself to know relatively well. Every relationship starts somewhere. Knowing that many of these encounters worked out well, what in me held me back from talking to people I didn’t recognize, people who came to church for the first time, or even long time members I just didn’t know?
This summer, I hope to explore what holds me back, and even more importantly, step out into practicing what can help me grow towards fulfilling God’s call to encounter and love the stranger.
"We miss understand public life if we equate it with politics, with the activities of the government. Not only do we misunderstand it, we also strangle our sense of public possibilities. The heart of public life is simply the interaction of strangers, and that is a basic and vital human experience." Parker Palmer, The Company of Strangers, p. 25
Right now, I am reading Parker Palmer’s The Company of Strangers: Christians and the Renewal of America’s Public Life. He establishes public life as each and every encounter that we have with a stranger—at the grocery, riding the bus, taking out the garbage, ordering coffee—and reminds us that our lives are increasingly set up to avoid any contact with strangers.
From when we are small, we are told not to talk to strangers. This is very practical advice to give a gregarious four year old who would talk to a wall if there is nothing else to converse with. Many children easily place their trust in people, which can put them in danger. As adults many of us still fear strangers, but for different reasons. We have had our hearts broken, our trust betrayed, or have been physically hurt. We are afraid to let that happen again.
As an intern, the hardest part of church for me was talking to strangers. There is some irony to this. Everyone in the church used to be a stranger, even the people I now consider myself to know relatively well. Every relationship starts somewhere. Knowing that many of these encounters worked out well, what in me held me back from talking to people I didn’t recognize, people who came to church for the first time, or even long time members I just didn’t know?
This summer, I hope to explore what holds me back, and even more importantly, step out into practicing what can help me grow towards fulfilling God’s call to encounter and love the stranger.
"We miss understand public life if we equate it with politics, with the activities of the government. Not only do we misunderstand it, we also strangle our sense of public possibilities. The heart of public life is simply the interaction of strangers, and that is a basic and vital human experience." Parker Palmer, The Company of Strangers, p. 25
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