Tear Down the Silos and Pitch a Tent

As 2020 begins I am in the early stages of a new project.  I had been saying for a couple of years that I did not want to write another book.  First-off, I know from experience it is a lot of work.  Secondly, I knew the book I wanted to write would make some people uncomfortable, maybe even angry.  As a confirmed affirmation addict I was not sure I wanted to take that risk. 

Two events changed my mind.  While I was recuperating from my August hip replacement surgery I had trouble sleeping.  Restless night give you time to think.  Many of the thoughts seemed to focus on the future of mainline denominations in America.  I am sure it was God sending me a message.  The concept for my next project was becoming clear.  Still I put it off.    

Then in October our oldest son, Peter, received a call to be mission developer mission in Towson, Maryland.  I watch Peter and his family struggle with the decision.  It was clear that God had plans that even he did not understand.  He admitted to continually saying “no” but God kept sending a “yes” messages.  In the end Peter accepted the call.  He will start his new ministry in a few weeks.  Our oldest grandson, Andrew (age 16), will accompany him.  Amy, and the other two boys, Caleb (13) and Jonathan (12), will finish the school year here in Texas before moving.  Peter’s leap of faith provided the nudge I needed. 

So, I am beginning work on Tear Down the Silos and Pitch a Tent: The Future of the Church in America.  God has given me a vision of a church that looks very different from that of the typical congregation most of us grew up with.  While I am excited about the future of Christianity, there are probably more questions than answers at this point.  I just know the traditional formula of putting up a building and expecting people to come no longer works.  While the traditional model for parish ministry served us well for decades, in most cases does fit our current culture. 

I would ask for your prayers as I move forward.  My hope is to not just write a book, but provide a resource that worship communities can use as they look to the future.  I have no time table but promise to keep you updated. 

Joy to the World, Always

I am writing this in the afternoon of December 24^th.  In a few hours I will be singing in the bass section of the choir for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at our church.  One of the extreme blessings of being part of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – Carrollton, Texas, is the opportunity to sing in the vocal ensemble once a month and be part of the festival choir that sings for holidays.  Tonight the choir will join the church orchestra to again celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.  An added blessing is the opportunity to work under the direction of our daughter, Katie Seale, who serves as director of worship and the arts at Prince of Peace. 

Tonight the hymn Joy to the World serves as the bookends of the service.  We are doing it as a choral anthem as a call to worship and again at the close of the service as a congregational hymn. 

I recently learned that Isaac Watts who composed the lyrics never intended for the song to a Christmas carol.  In 1719, Watts published a book of poems in which each poem was based on a psalm. But rather than just translate the original Old Testament texts, he adjusted them to refer more explicitly to the work of Jesus as it had been revealed in the New Testament.  Psalm 98 was the basis for one of those poems. Watts intended to focus on Jesus’s role as King of both his church and the whole world. More than a century later, the second half of this poem was slightly adapted and set to music of George Frederic Handel. Since that time it has become one of the most famous of all Christmas carols.

The fourth verse especially delivers a message we need not just at Christmas but every day of the year.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love.

What a powerful reminder at a time when the world needs God’s truth and grace more than ever.  May the message of the hymn keep us focused on our calling to be messengers of grace, peace, mercy and truth not just during this season but throughout 2020 and beyond. 

Livinginsin.com

I spend one afternoon every week volunteering at DFW International Airport. As a DFW Ambassador I assist traveler negotiate their way around the five terminals that make up the largest airport (50 square miles) in the country.  On a typical shift I assist around a hundred harried visitors.  In some cases I even escort people who I am convinced would never find their way to the gate unless someone held their hand.  I have even helped people get reconnected with their lost passports, always a satisfying task.  I have met some interesting people along the way.  I especially enjoy hearing people’s stories.

A few weeks ago a couple came to me to ask for suggestions.  Their flight had been delayed for three hours and they were looking for ways to pass their time.  From appearance I assumed the two were probably about my age.  Time was I would have assumed they were married but things being what they are I have learned to not presume anything.  After asking where they were from, I asked “How long have you two been together?”  We’re not married, just good friends.” the fellow announced.  It turns out they were good friends in high school but now shared the common experience of having a spouse die.  They live about a hundred miles apart but enjoyed weekly rendezvous.  They also vacationed together regularly. This time they were heading to Reno.  “My friends just laugh at me,” he noted.  “My hashtag is “livinginsin.com.”

I guess that is what we have come to.  People have found creative ways to respond to God’s observation that, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)  These days that companionship can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes.  A recent poll of those under forty determined that more people had lived with someone outside of marriage than had been actually been married.  I am not sure if that even includes those involved in same-sex relationships.  According to the same poll about two-thirds of adults over fifty also view couples living together outside of marriage as being acceptable.  

It is an interesting time to be a disciple of Jesus.  Sharing grace and mercy has never been more challenging, but then I am hard to press to think of a time when people did not need to hear it loud and clear. 

A NASCAR Lesson in Discipleship

I am an avid NASCAR fan.  As a Lutheran, it seems like the perfect sport for me to be following.  What other sporting event begins with an invocation and allows me to carry in my own beer.  I especially enjoy the intensity of watching a race live.  When they are racing at Texas Motor Speedway, I am probably there.  Attending a summer race at the speedway in Michigan has become a tradition for my brothers and me.   My interest in racing started early.   I remember watching Monday night races at Motor City Speedway in Detroit on TV.  When I was old enough to drive I took my brothers to watch the Saturday night races at the quarter-mile track in Mount Clemens.  I was a fan of The King, Richard Petty, long before the races were broadcasts live on television.  A few years ago my family gave me the gift of driving school for Christmas.  I got to spend a Saturday evening at the speedway learning for to drive a stock car and then got to spend time on the track.  You can check it out on Youtube/NASCAR Grandpa. 

I am also able to draw many parallels between stock car racing and the walk of discipleship.  NASCAR is a team sport.  Behind every driver is a crew of professionals.  There is a specialist for almost every aspect of the car.  The cars are hand-built from the tires up.  When the cars arrive at the track for each race they are set up for that particular race.  The crew then makes fine-tuned adjustments to accommodate weather and track conditions.  One of the most decisive aspects is the balance of the car.  A half-pound of air added to a tire can make a critical difference.  A perfectly balanced care is able to reach optimum speed.  It’s a fine balance.  Step over that line and the car is out of control. The race team that does the best job often finds themselves celebrating in Victory Lane.

 

In many way that is like the balance that contemporary Christians are trying to achieve.  We are called to be disciples in a changing world.  In Romans 11, Paul challenges us to “not conform but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  At the same time we are called by Jesus to be people of love, compassion and mercy.  The Gospels provide countless examples of Jesus showing grace and forgiveness toward those who were living lifestyles that ran counter to God’s plan.  It is a fine line.  How do we stay true to God’s desires when it comes to a moral lifestyle, yet show love toward those whose actions seem to run counter to God’s plan? 

I sincerely believe the answer does not lie inside church walls.  Jesus does not call us to a world where we are insulated from the current culture.  Instead He challenges us to be living, breathing disciples who share His message of hope.  That requires self-control on our part and compassion toward those who are lost.  It is a delicate balance.