Like many midwest sports fans, I've been captivated by the drama around conference expansion. I also have been thinking about Sam Mellinger's article in the KC Star on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, titled: Cash Carries The Day Again. He's a fine writer with helpful insights on sports. But ... I reacted harshly to this observation and comment: Greed is why this conference formed. Greed threatened to rip it apart. And in the end, greed kept it together. There's nothing wrong with that.
Actually Sam, greed as a core value and motivation is more likely to lead away from the fulfillment of one's goals and priorities. It usually means short term gains at the cost of long term liabilities.
The Gulf of Mexico is filling up with oil because safety measures were bypassed or minimized in order to get the well online. The Great Recession brought huge losses because banks and Wall Street could not contain their greed and accept slimmer profit margins.
You don't have to be a Christian to observe that greed is a lousy core value. What is profoundly disturbing is that so many people of faith don't seem to get it.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sanctuary 2
Sanctuary also can be understood as a holy place set apart for the worship of God. Yesterday was my last day of leading worship at Christ UMC. Ideally worship in a "sanctuary" is worship in a space that represents the realm of God ... both today and the anticipated new heaven and earth.
When I came to Christ UMC part of the challenge was that I did not enjoy the worship space. The stained glass windows did not inspire me. Part of the Sunday morning rhythm has been to gather with a few folks in the sanctuary for silent prayer for the morning events followed by Holy Communion. These moments of silent prayer gave me opportunity to gaze upon the rectangular swatches of colored glass.
I realized my previous experience had often been for evening meetings which provided no sunshine to illuminate the windows. This made the sanctuary dark and uninviting. But after a few weeks of Sunday morning prayer, I began to associate each window as an image in a kaleidoscope (an important metaphor for spiritual formation in my journey). Each week the windows were different. I began to understand the chunks of stained glass as a person gathered to worship. Sometimes the light would shine brightly ... the yellows would stand out or a deep red or an aqua.
I began to associate the subtle changes of light through the stained glass with the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit within the life of the congregation. The Lord helped me learn how to worship in that space. I will miss the kaleiscopic shifts of light and love and grace within the people of Christ UMC along with the sanctuary in which we celebrated the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
When I came to Christ UMC part of the challenge was that I did not enjoy the worship space. The stained glass windows did not inspire me. Part of the Sunday morning rhythm has been to gather with a few folks in the sanctuary for silent prayer for the morning events followed by Holy Communion. These moments of silent prayer gave me opportunity to gaze upon the rectangular swatches of colored glass.
I realized my previous experience had often been for evening meetings which provided no sunshine to illuminate the windows. This made the sanctuary dark and uninviting. But after a few weeks of Sunday morning prayer, I began to associate each window as an image in a kaleidoscope (an important metaphor for spiritual formation in my journey). Each week the windows were different. I began to understand the chunks of stained glass as a person gathered to worship. Sometimes the light would shine brightly ... the yellows would stand out or a deep red or an aqua.
I began to associate the subtle changes of light through the stained glass with the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit within the life of the congregation. The Lord helped me learn how to worship in that space. I will miss the kaleiscopic shifts of light and love and grace within the people of Christ UMC along with the sanctuary in which we celebrated the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Sanctuary 1
Sanctuary can be defined as a place of refuge and protection from oppression. Years ago I had dinner in Jerusalem with a couple who were from the Netherlands. During WWII they were provided refuge from the Nazi's by a Christian family in the Netherlands. This kind of civil disobedience and risk-taking is joyfully affirmed when we talk about resistance to the Nazi's or discuss the Underground Railroad that provided refuge and escape for slaves in America.
Christians in Arizona may soon face similar choices. The current issue of Christian Century (June 15, 2010) outlines the challenges. UMC pastor Rosemary Anderson tells about a parishioner who has lived in Phoenix for 20 years. This woman has four children all born in the USA. She recently was stopped by police for driving too slow. She could not provide proof of legal residence. Nothing happened but it was an example of what may be coming. When Arizona SB 1070 takes effect, she could be deported.
I do not suggest that immigration issues are easily resolved. Clearly a criminal element needs to be addressed. But it will be easy to target church going illegals while those posing genuine challenges to civil society are left to their bad behaviors. Already people who support the Arizona legislation are withholding financial support for congregations whose leaders oppose it.
There are 35,000 United Methodists in Arizona along with many other Christians of other persuasions. Let us pray for their faithfulness in the midst of conflicted choices.
The Lord is our refuge and strength.
Christians in Arizona may soon face similar choices. The current issue of Christian Century (June 15, 2010) outlines the challenges. UMC pastor Rosemary Anderson tells about a parishioner who has lived in Phoenix for 20 years. This woman has four children all born in the USA. She recently was stopped by police for driving too slow. She could not provide proof of legal residence. Nothing happened but it was an example of what may be coming. When Arizona SB 1070 takes effect, she could be deported.
I do not suggest that immigration issues are easily resolved. Clearly a criminal element needs to be addressed. But it will be easy to target church going illegals while those posing genuine challenges to civil society are left to their bad behaviors. Already people who support the Arizona legislation are withholding financial support for congregations whose leaders oppose it.
There are 35,000 United Methodists in Arizona along with many other Christians of other persuasions. Let us pray for their faithfulness in the midst of conflicted choices.
The Lord is our refuge and strength.
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