Sunday school is an institution within the institution of the Church. Born within the US during the 19th century, it was an effort to provide basic education to the working class of the day. Many children were working and had little to no access to any kind of education. Sunday school provided that outlet that enabled literacy to grow. As education moved to the prevue of the state, Sunday school focused its efforts solely on Christian education.
Sunday school holds many good memories for me. From the wonderful teachers that blessed me with their knowledge and faith, like Mr. Macris to the stories I learned through songs, flannel boards and film strips, it provided me with the foundation of my faith. This education is an important part of faith, but not its sole purpose.
Education does provide us knowledge about God, the scriptures, the history of the church and more. Yet, our faith needs much more than just information. Memory verses can provide a tool to help us when we need a word to hold onto ("be still and I know that I am God", Psalm 46:10 has been an important one for me). Faith is more than just memory work though.
Conversations have been happening among the leadership of Trinity. We are acutely aware of several realities that have joined together that make our "job" as a church more difficult. Sunday school and worship are often viewed as an "extra", if we have time kind of event. We face "competition" from a variety of other activities that are no longer "banned" from Sunday mornings. Attending and participating in church is no longer a "given" in people's lives for a variety of reasons (which we can explore in another blog entry).
With more "none's" in todays' culture (meaning someone who has no specific religious affiliation), we can no longer assume biblical literacy and faith formation being a part of people's everyday lives. Faith, if a part of people's lives, is often regulated to worship and Sunday school, a couple hours a week.
While it would be much easier to just bemoan these realities and to try to restore the former ways and relationships of people to the Church, this is a reality that is not going back in time. And while, it can be decidedly frustrating for myself as a pastor to try to deal with - it can also be very exciting! Rather than settling into the comfortable ways of ministry when everyone came to worship and faith was assumed - now is a time for renewal; now faith can no longer be taken for granted!
Initial changes are just a matter of semantics (but just as difficult as anything else). In order to more adequately reflect our ministries of Christian education, we are changing some names. No longer will we be calling it "Sunday school" but rather "Faith Formation" ministries. For we are doing more than just educating children and adults, but inviting them to grow together in faith, exploring the ways in which our faith influences our daily lives. We will move from ministry labels of "Confirmation" to "Affirmation of Faith" and Bible study to ...(well, I'm still figuring out the best way to reflect this change for adults; let me know if you have any ideas).
These name changes are quite difficult as we have been hard wired for terms like Sunday school and confirmation. In fact, both terms will probably be listed for awhile as that transition is accomplished. Hopefully, the name changes will stop us short and force us to ask "what does this mean?" and "how is my faith being formed?" It forces me to look at all those things that I have taken for granted and assumed in my own faith life.
This is what I want us to explore in these blog entries for awhile. As always, I long for your input and feedback. What is forming your faith? How has Sunday school, Bible study, etc. been important in this formation. What have you taken for granted?
Monday, August 19, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
We are the church together today (part 2)
As I mentioned in Monday's blog, this week is the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh. While I am here at home in Brewster, it has felt very much like I have been there with the gathered assembly even when busy with our own ministry here.
Social media - for all its shortfalls (but that's for another time) - has linked us in new ways that we have never experienced before. Through the Livestream of the assembly, watching the gathering in just about "real time" or when I have missed something and can go back to view different parts (and forward through others) - all of this has been a gift. Through comments and updates on Facebook and Twitter, I have been able to join in conversations about all that has taken place.
If you haven't had a chance to do so, please check it out.
Some brief highlights from the parts that I have watched:
1) Election of the new Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
In multiple ballots, she was elected yesterday. Unlike secular world elections this was not about who won and who lost. This was not a criticism of the current Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson (who has served 12 years); in fact, though he "lost", the outpouring of support and respect for him was great! He has served faithfully and wonderfully as our leader for these past years.
Bishop-elect Eaton is not someone I had heard about previously; she was just re-elected as the Bishop of the NE Ohio Synod where they are both celebrating and mourning her new call as Presiding Bishop.
This was truly a CALL for this ministry position to work with all of us in the ELCA.
2) Immigration reform
I have not yet watched the full debate and conversations about this very real world issue. However, the introduction of such an issue reminds us that we are a Church that is not apart from the world, but one who lives in the world and seeks to find the ways in which God's grace can bring hope to all people.
3) Bishop Hanson's report
Using a phrase from a colleague's sermon a day or two before, Bishop Hanson reflected with us on "What if the Holy Spirit is writing new chapters for the book of Acts among us now". He shared the ways in which he has already experienced these new chapters and the ways in which each of us are called to participate in Holy Spirit's new chapters in our midst today.
What might those new Acts chapters look like here for us at Trinity Lutheran in Brewster?
Even as we reflect on our past 75 years, how are we experiencing the Holy Spirit at work among us today? How are we fluent in the Gospel?
These are just a few reflections. I invite you to watch some of the assembly as well - they do have links for the worship services as well as the plenary sessions at www.elca.org
Social media - for all its shortfalls (but that's for another time) - has linked us in new ways that we have never experienced before. Through the Livestream of the assembly, watching the gathering in just about "real time" or when I have missed something and can go back to view different parts (and forward through others) - all of this has been a gift. Through comments and updates on Facebook and Twitter, I have been able to join in conversations about all that has taken place.
If you haven't had a chance to do so, please check it out.
Some brief highlights from the parts that I have watched:
1) Election of the new Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
In multiple ballots, she was elected yesterday. Unlike secular world elections this was not about who won and who lost. This was not a criticism of the current Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson (who has served 12 years); in fact, though he "lost", the outpouring of support and respect for him was great! He has served faithfully and wonderfully as our leader for these past years.
Bishop-elect Eaton is not someone I had heard about previously; she was just re-elected as the Bishop of the NE Ohio Synod where they are both celebrating and mourning her new call as Presiding Bishop.
This was truly a CALL for this ministry position to work with all of us in the ELCA.
2) Immigration reform
I have not yet watched the full debate and conversations about this very real world issue. However, the introduction of such an issue reminds us that we are a Church that is not apart from the world, but one who lives in the world and seeks to find the ways in which God's grace can bring hope to all people.
3) Bishop Hanson's report
Using a phrase from a colleague's sermon a day or two before, Bishop Hanson reflected with us on "What if the Holy Spirit is writing new chapters for the book of Acts among us now". He shared the ways in which he has already experienced these new chapters and the ways in which each of us are called to participate in Holy Spirit's new chapters in our midst today.
What might those new Acts chapters look like here for us at Trinity Lutheran in Brewster?
Even as we reflect on our past 75 years, how are we experiencing the Holy Spirit at work among us today? How are we fluent in the Gospel?
These are just a few reflections. I invite you to watch some of the assembly as well - they do have links for the worship services as well as the plenary sessions at www.elca.org
Monday, August 12, 2013
We are the Church together
Yesterday during worship, I mentioned that the ELCA Churchwide Assembly would be meeting this week in Pittsburgh. (This has been a bi-annual assembly, but will soon change to every 3 years). I hate to admit it, but I received only polite stares and nods of heads. Now, I don't know if it is because people had no idea what I was talking about and/or they didn't have any particular interest in it.
To talk about the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is it's own kind of anomaly. The ELCA can be that place in Chicago where the churchwide offices are or just some sort of vague notion about Lutherans. We might know that we are an ELCA congregation, but that might be as far as it goes.
In this day and age, as denominations (particularly mainstream churches such as the ELCA) are diminishing in size and centrality in people's lives, is becomes its own kind of adiaphorous (indifferent) of being. For decades, people have "shopped" for churches, not based on its denomination but rather other criteria such as hospitality and welcome, children's ministries, etc. We are at the point now in our culture that even this kind of shopping has waned.
So, the questions remain - what is the purpose or the point of having denominations? Do we even "need" them?
There are plenty of arguments on both sides of these questions. And I, for one, get frustrated with the institutionalization of faith. While there may be some value to the institution, it is when it becomes more important that discipleship that we have already lost something.
Yet, having attended a Churchwide assembly six years ago as well as numerous National Youth Gatherings, these kinds of events do remind us about what it means for us to be the Church. In these events, we can see the Church sharing its faith through a wide variety of ministries - world hunger and justice ministries, mission outposts, colleges & seminaries, and so many different churches that make up the ELCA. Attending these gatherings can open us to see beyond our own local congregations and our own ministries to what is happening in places like Denver (CO), Oaks (OK), Athens (OH) and more.
Yes, the business can get boring (especially those amendments to the amendments) as the assembly turns to the more institutional portion of being the Church. However, worshipping, praying and deliberating in faith about who God is calling us to be as the Church in this ever-changing world can be inspiring and exciting.
While, we can't all be in Pittsburgh this week, we can participate virally. Here is the link for the livestreaming of the Assembly http://new.livestream.com/elcacwa
You can also visit www.elca.org or the Facebook page to get up to date information (the first ballot for the election of the Presiding Bishop will begin this evening).
This gathering may be not all the Church is called to be, but it can be a glimpse. Take a gander and see what God might be up to!
To talk about the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is it's own kind of anomaly. The ELCA can be that place in Chicago where the churchwide offices are or just some sort of vague notion about Lutherans. We might know that we are an ELCA congregation, but that might be as far as it goes.
In this day and age, as denominations (particularly mainstream churches such as the ELCA) are diminishing in size and centrality in people's lives, is becomes its own kind of adiaphorous (indifferent) of being. For decades, people have "shopped" for churches, not based on its denomination but rather other criteria such as hospitality and welcome, children's ministries, etc. We are at the point now in our culture that even this kind of shopping has waned.
So, the questions remain - what is the purpose or the point of having denominations? Do we even "need" them?
There are plenty of arguments on both sides of these questions. And I, for one, get frustrated with the institutionalization of faith. While there may be some value to the institution, it is when it becomes more important that discipleship that we have already lost something.
Yet, having attended a Churchwide assembly six years ago as well as numerous National Youth Gatherings, these kinds of events do remind us about what it means for us to be the Church. In these events, we can see the Church sharing its faith through a wide variety of ministries - world hunger and justice ministries, mission outposts, colleges & seminaries, and so many different churches that make up the ELCA. Attending these gatherings can open us to see beyond our own local congregations and our own ministries to what is happening in places like Denver (CO), Oaks (OK), Athens (OH) and more.
Yes, the business can get boring (especially those amendments to the amendments) as the assembly turns to the more institutional portion of being the Church. However, worshipping, praying and deliberating in faith about who God is calling us to be as the Church in this ever-changing world can be inspiring and exciting.
While, we can't all be in Pittsburgh this week, we can participate virally. Here is the link for the livestreaming of the Assembly http://new.livestream.com/elcacwa
You can also visit www.elca.org or the Facebook page to get up to date information (the first ballot for the election of the Presiding Bishop will begin this evening).
This gathering may be not all the Church is called to be, but it can be a glimpse. Take a gander and see what God might be up to!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Used Bibles
From time to time, I have asked confirmation students (in particular) to make a note or to highlight something in their Bibles. There seems to always be at least one of them that is "horrified" by this request. "This is a sacred book; you're not supposed to write in them", they would cry.
We're taught from an early age to not write in our books and when we have done so, it has elicited a scolding from our parents or teachers. We are told to respect books and the authors who created them. It is not until we go to college that that we find ourselves even highlighting our textbooks.
Yet, the Bible is the living Word. We are called to engage in conversations with the writers, the early church communities and most certainly with God. Through our notations, we interact with the Word. We talk back to the word that has encouraged or challenged us. We mark those words that speak to us in particular times in our lives. Highlights are drawn for those words that we want to come back and remember.
In about a month, we will be giving our 3rd graders brand new Bibles. They will crack the spines as they explore their pages, learning how to find particular verses. This will mark their ongoing relationship with God as they engage with the Word. They will be encouraged to create their own version of a "used Bible".
As they begin to make their own marks on these pages, what verses or stories would you want to share with them? Do you have favorite passages that you turn to again and again? What markings might you share from the use of your own Bibles?
We will be collecting these verses to make into bookmarks for our young people. You are asked to submit them within the next few weeks so that they might be prepared for them. You may either email them or share them in a comment here. Or you can give them to me. If you do not know the exact citation, write down what you remember and we will see about finding that for you.
We're taught from an early age to not write in our books and when we have done so, it has elicited a scolding from our parents or teachers. We are told to respect books and the authors who created them. It is not until we go to college that that we find ourselves even highlighting our textbooks.
Yet, the Bible is the living Word. We are called to engage in conversations with the writers, the early church communities and most certainly with God. Through our notations, we interact with the Word. We talk back to the word that has encouraged or challenged us. We mark those words that speak to us in particular times in our lives. Highlights are drawn for those words that we want to come back and remember.
In about a month, we will be giving our 3rd graders brand new Bibles. They will crack the spines as they explore their pages, learning how to find particular verses. This will mark their ongoing relationship with God as they engage with the Word. They will be encouraged to create their own version of a "used Bible".
As they begin to make their own marks on these pages, what verses or stories would you want to share with them? Do you have favorite passages that you turn to again and again? What markings might you share from the use of your own Bibles?
We will be collecting these verses to make into bookmarks for our young people. You are asked to submit them within the next few weeks so that they might be prepared for them. You may either email them or share them in a comment here. Or you can give them to me. If you do not know the exact citation, write down what you remember and we will see about finding that for you.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Human Flourishing, part 2
Last week, I talked about human flourishing or rather, I posed a few questions related to this topic. I was hoping to receive some feedback and responses, but I hope, at the very least, you have been thinking and praying about these questions.
What does it mean for you to flourish?
Living our lives to the fullest and celebrating the lives that we have been given are part of what human flourishing is about.
Think about all the good things that make up your life. Name them. Write them down. How are they gifts from God to you? What are you doing with the life that God has entrusted to you?
What does it mean for you to flourish?
What are ways in which you do or you have flourished in your life?
What does flourishing look like for you?
From the dictionary definitions, flourishing sounds extravagant, a luxury. Our questions in response to those posed might be more along the lines of who has time to flourish?. Most of the time, it seems as if we are doing all we can to just make it through one more day, to accomplish all that needs to be done - and then, there is no energy to flourish. Instead, its just time for bed before another round of our crazy lives.
Yet, what kind of life is that? Just "surviving" to live another day? Blurry lives?
As some of you may know, my first dad died when I was barely 4 years old. While there is much that I don't remember about him and about that time after his death, there was a message that exuded from my mom over the years (more implicit than explicit) that each day is a gift and to live into that day in the fullest way possible. Some days this was easier than others, but as the psalmist wrote, "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24).
Flourishing has much to do with seeing each day as a gift and a blessing from God.
The other message I heard as I was growing up was from my stepfather (also a pastor) whose main "mission statement" was to Celebrate Life. It was lifted up in his sermons, a message board and signs and even buttons. It made its way into his weekly benediction which I further adapted and use both in his honor and to lift up the message he taught me:
May the good Lord bless
you and keep you; May the Lord’s face
shine upon you and be good to you; May the Lord fill you
with peace, love and much laughter; And may He set you free
to celebrate the life that God has given you in all its fullness! In the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
As I mentioned, I found this this concept of human flourishing on the website, Yale Center for Faith and Culture. They shared these thoughts about God and Human Flourishing:
For many today, God seems an enemy of human flourishing. Yet in the Christian tradition, God is portrayed as a lover of creation - so much so that the early church father Iranaeus could say "the glory of God is a human being fully alive.".
Are you fully alive? What might help you live into the fullness of this gift? With these thoughts in mind, how might your perspective on the flourishing of your own life change?
Yesterday, I challenged the congregation to set their alarms for 3:16pm every day. In that moment to give thanks to God for the gift of time and for that in which you are engaged in that moment. May this simple practice help you to see your life as a gift that has been entrusted to you from God that you may flourish in it.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Human flourishing, take 1
Over the past couple of years, myself along with Charlie Germain, Dorothy Kafalas and others have attended a series of free lectures at Yale Divinity school once a month. While the focus of these presentations have been related specifically to youth ministry, the content focused more on faith development.
One of the speakers, Dr. Miroslav Volf is a professor of systematic theology at Yale. He is also one of the directors of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. A part of the center's focus is on God and Human Flourishing. The title intrigues me the most.
Human flourishing?
What does it mean for us to flourish?
Merriam Webster defines it as follows:
One of the speakers, Dr. Miroslav Volf is a professor of systematic theology at Yale. He is also one of the directors of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. A part of the center's focus is on God and Human Flourishing. The title intrigues me the most.
Human flourishing?
What does it mean for us to flourish?
Merriam Webster defines it as follows:
1: to grow luxuriantly : thrive
2a : to achieve success : prosper <a flourishing business>
b : to be in a state of activity or production <flourished around 1850>
c : to reach a height of development or influence
3: to make bold and sweeping gestures; to wield with dramatic gestures : brandish
What does it mean for you to flourish?
What are ways in which you do or you have flourished in your life?
What does flourishing look like for you?
Before I begin to share my own thoughts related to these questions, I invite you to reply and share your thoughts with myself and others.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Happy anniversary to me?
Today is my anniversary!
No, not my wedding anniversary (that's July 21st). Not my ordination anniversary (Nov. 2) and not the anniversary of when I started my pastoral relationship with the good people of Trinity (Sept. 1st).
Forty eight years ago today, I was baptized at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Lancaster, CA. My aunt Janet and my Uncle Dickie were/are my godparents. This was the beginning of my relationship with God within the community of faith. This particular congregation was the closest Lutheran church to Edwards AFB where we lived (about a half hour drive from the base). Michael and I went to the building when we were in California a few years ago (alas, it wasn't a Sunday and nobody was there).
While my relationship with a community of faith began there, it did not stay there. While my parents had a relationship with folks there for the short time they lived there, it did not continue there. It moved to a variety of places as we moved, settling for longer periods at some more than others, but always moving. We gathered with the faithful in places as far apart as First English in Austin, TX and St. Timothy's in North Greenbush, NY.
I've been a part of a variety of worshipping communities as I have moved out on my own. From the FOCUS churches in Albany with 5 different denominations working together with the poor in that city, to the church and college partnership on internship with Christ Lutheran and Ohio University in Athens, OH to the congregations that I have served as pastor across NY state in Elma (St. John's), Cobleskill (Zion) and now in Brewster (Trinity).
While the anniversary of my baptism is - on the one hand - about an event in my own life, as I have reflected upon this day, I find myself thinking more about each of these communities of faith. It was within each of them that I was introduced to God, nurtured in faith and understanding, where I experienced what Christ's love and forgiveness is like, and where I have been blessed to "celebrate the life that God has given me".
Baptism is about the gift of God's grace. It is about the ways in which that grace is lived and shared within the family of Christ. It is the ways in which we learn to live and share it within all of our relationships from childhood to adulthood, within the congregation as well as in the wider world. It is about our relationship with God and how that is expressed with others.
I may not know much about the current congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (though I can google them). My relationships with other congregations that I have participated with may have changed. Yet, this day I am thankful for each of those places who revealed the gift of baptism to me. While this may be "my" baptismal anniversary, it is really about all communities of faith and the ways in which they live out this gift of faith.
Thanks be to God for all of them!
No, not my wedding anniversary (that's July 21st). Not my ordination anniversary (Nov. 2) and not the anniversary of when I started my pastoral relationship with the good people of Trinity (Sept. 1st).
Forty eight years ago today, I was baptized at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Lancaster, CA. My aunt Janet and my Uncle Dickie were/are my godparents. This was the beginning of my relationship with God within the community of faith. This particular congregation was the closest Lutheran church to Edwards AFB where we lived (about a half hour drive from the base). Michael and I went to the building when we were in California a few years ago (alas, it wasn't a Sunday and nobody was there).
While my relationship with a community of faith began there, it did not stay there. While my parents had a relationship with folks there for the short time they lived there, it did not continue there. It moved to a variety of places as we moved, settling for longer periods at some more than others, but always moving. We gathered with the faithful in places as far apart as First English in Austin, TX and St. Timothy's in North Greenbush, NY.
I've been a part of a variety of worshipping communities as I have moved out on my own. From the FOCUS churches in Albany with 5 different denominations working together with the poor in that city, to the church and college partnership on internship with Christ Lutheran and Ohio University in Athens, OH to the congregations that I have served as pastor across NY state in Elma (St. John's), Cobleskill (Zion) and now in Brewster (Trinity).
While the anniversary of my baptism is - on the one hand - about an event in my own life, as I have reflected upon this day, I find myself thinking more about each of these communities of faith. It was within each of them that I was introduced to God, nurtured in faith and understanding, where I experienced what Christ's love and forgiveness is like, and where I have been blessed to "celebrate the life that God has given me".
Baptism is about the gift of God's grace. It is about the ways in which that grace is lived and shared within the family of Christ. It is the ways in which we learn to live and share it within all of our relationships from childhood to adulthood, within the congregation as well as in the wider world. It is about our relationship with God and how that is expressed with others.
I may not know much about the current congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (though I can google them). My relationships with other congregations that I have participated with may have changed. Yet, this day I am thankful for each of those places who revealed the gift of baptism to me. While this may be "my" baptismal anniversary, it is really about all communities of faith and the ways in which they live out this gift of faith.
Thanks be to God for all of them!
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