Let the Dead Bury their Dead, Except...

The town of Famersville, Texas is in the news these days.  Farmersville is a town of about 4,000 located in Collin County, just north of Dallas.  To put things in perspective, the suburb of Plano is also in Collin County.  There are five Islamic Centers and 22,000 Muslims living in Collin County.   To this point they have had no place to bury their dead.  The Muslims have purchased property in Farmersville for that purpose.  The local residents, led by one local pastor, have objected.  There is a Buddhist Center in town and the Mormons recently built a church; no objections.  A Muslim Cemetery: “No way.”  “The concern for us is the radical element of Islam,” David J. Meeks, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, said of the Islamic Association’s planned cemetery west of the city.

There are Muslim Cemeteries in Dallas, Fort Worth and adjacent Denton County, but none for the Muslims in Collin Country.  I suspect that some of this might be associated with the “radical element” Pastor Meeks referred to, but my guess is some of it is driven descriptions of Muslin burial practices.  Islamic practices forbid the embalming of the dead.  The bodies are placed in coffins after being washed in warm water.  They then are buried six to seven feet underground.  Texas State law does not require that bodies be embalmed before burial, so the Muslims are not breaking any rules.  Islamic law does not even allow for prayers to be said over the body, so there will be no religious services held at the cemetery.  It will just be a burial ground. 

Why am I writing about this?  It serves as a perfect example of one reason unbelievers, especially millennials, have a negative opinion of the church.  Christian Churches are often known more for what they are against, than what they stand for.  The fact that this campaign is led by a local clergyman is especially troubling. 

The response from the Islamic Community has been enlightening.  “We’re talking about a community that wants to have a place to grieve closer to home,” spokesman, Abdur-Rashid stated. “This is an opportunity to have a good interfaith dialogue and inter-community dialogue.”  

What a unique opportunity.  Muslim seek a dialogue on a religious issue.  Seems to me that would provide Christians with an equal opportunity to not only talk about our burial rights, but the faith and hope element that accompany them.  Are we going to convert any Muslims… Probably not.  In this case that should happen through the way we live.  Personally I want to be known for what I believe and live for, not for what I stand against.  

The Upside... And Down Side to Traditions

I have very mixed memories of last summer.  A year ago about this time, Barb and I were in the midst of a road trip up north.  We saw a lot of family and came back with many memories. The time behind the wheel took its toll on my back.  About two weeks after returning home I woke up one morning with an excruciating pain in my left leg.  I managed to crawl down the steps to the family room where the recliner became my home for the next three weeks.  Being on my feet for any longer than 15 seconds became almost impossible.  The diagnosis was a bulging disc in my lower back. Three weeks of treatment by a chiropractor cured the problem.

While I was laid-up, the pain in my leg made even shifting positions in my recliner difficult. Sleeping was well nigh impossible because I could not get comfortable.  I could take ibuprofen and sleep medication, but even then rest would not come.  I discovered two friends, one old and one new, that got me through the difficult nights.  Each evening the pattern was the same.  I watched old episodes of situation comedies on Hulu (new friend) and then would open our copy of the "Red Lutheran Hymnal" (old friend).

I grew up with that hymnal.  My parents sang in the choir, so I would end up sitting in the pew (half-way back on the left side) with grandma.  George Kurz was the only pastor I knew.  He was a "three Life Saver" preacher.  When he got into the pulpit, grandma would offer me a spearmint Life Saver. It usually took three.  I don't remember much of what Pastor Kurz said, but I still can sing many of those hymns from memory.  While I was convalescing I sang them all; from "Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty" to "Jerusalem the Golden."

Hymns are that way.  My friend, Robert, and I sometimes sing them together.  I met Robert while he was in the hospital.  I was the chaplain and he became more than a patient.  Robert is a former football player (college and NFL).  When Robert moved to a rehabilitation center, he made me promise I would continue to visit.  Now I stop by his house at least once a week.  Robert only leaves his bed for doctor visits.  Robert grew up sitting next to his grandmother in church too.  It was a Methodist Church, so Robert knows a whole different set of hymns.  Even on the difficult days, those familiar words can bring a smile to his face.  Robert and I not only have very different faith traditions, but we have taken very contrasting paths.  I seldom miss attending church on Sunday, my guess is Robert has not entered a sanctuary in decades.  We both find comfort in the traditional hymns of our youth.

Unfortunately, those same traditions can become an obstacle.  When we become en-cultured, it can cause us to view our way as the only way.  We become so comfortable with hymns and liturgy, that we resist those things that disrupt our routine.  Even if we enjoy contemporary songs and a less formal worship style, we can still suffer the same syndrome.  We resist those things that push us outside our comfort zone.  This can effect our relationship with millennials.  They might not be able to relate our traditions.  There culture, interest and concerns might be very different than ours. Reaching out to them might push us outside our comfort zone.  That is okay.  It is what Jesus did and you can be assured He is standing with you in your ministry to those teens and young adults.

Relevant: The Church and Millennials

I normally do not use my blog to make personal announcements but I am making a exception because I have some exciting news to share.  As the title of my blog makes clear, I have a passion for millennials.  My last book, Passing the Torch, opened the door for the discussion on how the church has missed the boat when it comes to conveying faith and values to those born in the last two decades of the Twentieth Century.  Over the last year and a half I have been working on a new project which takes the issue of millennials and the church to a new level.  The project is titled Relevant: The Church and Millennials.  

I am now excited to announce that I have signed a contract to have the book published.  I will be working with Westbow Press, the self publishing arm of Zondervan - Thomas Nelson.  Zondervan - Thomas Nelson is the largest publisher of Christian books. Partnering with them is great from a marketing perspective.  The book will also be available on major book websites like Amazon.  It will also be available in all the various e-book formats, including Kindle and Nook.

So what can you expect from the book?  The first portion of the book will highlight all the factors that should make the church marketable to teens and young adults.  It starts with Grace, the unique gift that only a Christian can know and appreciate.  It also talks about how the sacraments, Baptism and The Lord's Supper, are exactly what millennials crave and need.  The second portion of the book will deal with some of the issue that prevents most churches from being effective at reaching millennials.

I anticipate the book being available sometime early this fall.  In the mean time I would appreciate your prayer for the success of this project.  The church is losing its teens and young adults.  It is not too late to reverse the trend.  Prayers will not be enough.  My hope is that church professional and lay leaders will use the book as a resource.  My desire is that it be a starting point in initiating change. As with my other projects, I will be available to talk about the book and the issues it addresses.  I would enjoy visiting with the leaders at your church on how to make your ministry to millennials more effective.

It starts with you.  Spread the word.  The church is still "Relevant!"

Reflecting on Traditional Marriage

At lunch after church yesterday our son and pastor, Mark, commented that I should have no problem coming up with an issue for my blog this week.  Indeed, the Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage last week is both monumental and disturbing. Like other Christians who still hold to the traditional definition of marriage, I grieve.  Social media has been alive as people on both sides react, sometimes in anger. I have commented on this issue in the past, but in light of the recent decision I felt a need to revisit. There are three factors I believe we need to keep in mind.

Jesus made it clear during his earthly ministry that there is to be a separation of church and state.  "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21) Governments often strays from the plan God has for us, because they do not operate according to biblical principles.  When those principles collide, it is the Christians responsibility to respect the decision but still bow to God's command.  As I understand it, the court's decision allows for just that; churches can decline to marry gay/lesbian couples based on their religious principles.

Secondly: Paul challenges the Romans, "Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God will is - his good, pleasing, perfect will." (Romans 12:2)   The Bible is full of examples of individuals who were forced to live in pagan cultures, but continued to let their lights shine.  One of the best examples is Daniel and his contemporaries who lived in exile in Babylon.  The more they stood strong, the more their influence.  In this case our response should be to strive to make our traditional marriages stronger.  Christians homes must be models of both love and grace.  That, not our words, should be our testimony.

Thirdly: I do not know if you caught it, but  in the title I used the term, "traditional definition of marriage" and not "biblical definition."  Dallas Morning News columnist, Steve Blow, penned an interesting perspective yesterday.  Steve Blow is a Christian and often his commentaries reflect that.  In commenting on the court's decisions, he warned that those who attack it based on a biblical definition of marriage might have a problem.  He pointed out that the biblical perspective seems to evolve.  There are cases of polygamy and concubines.  In many cases, marriages were arranged.  Which definition of marriage do we use?  When I listen to those on the gay/lesbian side, they seem to be able to defend their lifestyle using scripture.

The one biblical principles that seems to be consistent is Grace.  We are called to love all people unconditionally.  Why?  Because God does.  Jesus died to for all people.  During his earthly ministry Jesus lived in a sinful, broken world.  He also loved the residence of that broken world.  What he found repelling was hypocrisy.  Before we call for those who are gay and lesbians to repent, we need to be ready to confess our sins as well.  When we celebrate grace, we bear the image of Christ and in time the world will get the message.

Reacting to the Charleston Tragedy

Like all Americans, I was shocked by the shooting that took place at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.  Nine people were murdered by twenty-one year old Dylan Roof.  There can be no doubt that this was a racially motivated hate crime. While I was appalled at the act, I was even more dismayed when I learned that Dylan had at least a casual connection to a faith community. His family are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina.  While there is no indication as to how engaged life of the church Dylan was, we do know his sister was due to be married soon in the church; the wedding has since been cancelled.  The pastor of St. Paul, Rev. Herman Yoos, noted that after he visited with the family on Saturday, they decided to attend worship on the Sunday following the shooting.

I find any hate crime offensive.  The fact that it took place in a church context is an abomination. Churches are supposed to be sanctuaries.  If there is an irony in the killings in Charleston, it is that in the midst of the tragedy there is a message of peace and hope.  The congregation that is Emanuel AME Church gathered Sunday to mourn, but also to proclaim a message of hope.  Overcoming evil with faith in God was a theme throughout the service. The pastor called for justice but also declared that, "No evildoer, no demon in hell or on Earth can close the doors of God's church."

Emanuel AME church is not the first to suffer tragedy, and unfortunately it won't be the last.  In time of tragedy the community of believers needs to be united in a message of hope and forgiveness. A gun man broke into the Amish School in Pennsylvania a few years back and killed all the little girls. The victim's families responded by embracing the relatives of the shooter.  They shocked the world by announcing that they had forgiven the shooter.  That is scandalous in the eyes of the world, but makes total sense in the context of a Savior who from the cross proclaimed forgiveness toward those who put him there.

That is the message that must come through loud and clear each time the sanctity of the church collides with the brokenness of this world.   True peace and hope can only be found in the context of the Christian faith.  That is a message the world must hear.

Why do We Focus on Some Sins and Ignore Others?

I read a report on our nation's changing attitude toward the gay/lesbian issue.  The author of the study was Gregory Smith of Pew Research.  The question was: Would you be upset if your child was gay/lesbian?  The question was posed to over 2,000 Americans across the age groups.  As expected, the openness to gays and lesbians increased as ages decline.  Among the silent generation (roughly those over 65) 55% said they would be bothered, while 29% of millennials (ages 18-35) would be upset.  Boomer (ages 50-65) and members of generation X (ages 35-50) fell somewhere in between at 47% and 36% respectively.

There was one aspect of the study that bothered me.  It is the use of the term "upset."  There are lots of things that cause me concern and "upset" me.  The gay/lesbian issue is one of them, so as it is worded I probably would have said "yes."  But I am also concerned about our nation's declining values and economic disparity.   It troubles me that some people have substance abuse issues and others are addicted to pornography.   Bottom line: Any sin or violation of God's desire for his people troubles me.

It still troubles me when a young person who I have ministered to in the past announces to the world that they are gay/lesbian.  Several of my former students from Lutheran High are married to same sex partners.  Am I concerned and upset about that, yes, but I am also troubled when former students have substance abuse issues, experience broken relationships and divorce, or disassociate themselves with the church.   Sure, I am upset, concerned and troubled, but I still love and care about them.

That is where we have gone wrong as a church.  We are willing to tolerate some sins but choose to make a "big deal" out of others.  I recall one situation at a church I served years ago.  One of the lay leaders of the congregation had a serious drinking issue.  Most people knew it but we tolerated that and actually tried to protect him: Yes, even I drove him home on one occasion.  Then another "pillar of the church" had an affair that ultimately led to a divorce, and the entire congregational community ostracized him.

We are all broken people.  I have my spiritual struggles, and I regularly confess them to God.  I am grateful that I have a Savior who accepts me for who I am, and continues to empower me to become who he wants me to be.  I also am surrounded by family and friends who love me as well.  I am blessed to be part of a community that supports and encourages me.  I truly believe that is what the world desires.  We are all surrounded by brokenness.  Embrace those who are struggling with issues like their sexuality, or substance abuse.  Love them, and help them to grow in their relationship with the Savior who has the power to help them overcome the sins of this world.

So, What do we do With Caitlyn Jenner?

Almost nothing shocks me anymore.  So I must admit that I just wanted to yawn and move on after the news came out about Bruce Jenner's transition to Caitlyn.  Sure, he was an Olympic athlete, who was the picture of  physical fitness and masculinity when he appeared on the front of a Wheaties Box.  I guess his association with the Kardashian clan has caused him to remain in the gossip pages.  With a sex change, we could check another box on the list of scandalous acts.  Still, this one will not go away.

I opened the Dallas Morning News yesterday to find a front page article titled Free to be Themselves. There really were two separate stories, but the one I found most enlightening was on a new children's clinic that treat transgender children.  Children's Medical Center of Dallas has established the program.  "People have this idea that transgender people are just weird and awkward and troubled.  That is because historically people came out as trans-gendered adults when they spent so much of their lives depressed because they were not being themselves," noted Dr. Ximena Lopez.  Dr. Lopez is the director of the center and also a professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

I recall a conversation with my good friend, Liz Krause, a few years back.  Liz is a biology teacher, but she is also is a very traditional Lutheran when it comes to her theology.  I was looking for insight into the whole gay/lesbian issue.  OK, I will admit a bias, but I also knew that it came out of ignorance.  Liz set me straight in saying that, "Yes, some people are born that way."  As a result of that conversation I came to the conclusion that God loves gay/lesbian people the same way he loves those who are "straight."  The bottom line is we are all lost souls in need to a Savior.  Now I am called to accept those who are trans-gendered is the same way.

OK, I still will admit a level of discomfort.  I believe that is rooted in the belief that the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender lifestyles go against God's desires for us.  Discomfort: that is nothing new due to the changes we have gone through when it comes to culture and values.  My pastor continues to remind me that I need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

I seriously doubt that any of us are ever going to have contact with Caitlyn Jenner, but it is also highly unlikely that we can avoid contact with someone in the GLBT community.  They might be a neighbor or someone we work with.  It might even be a member of your own family.  So, what do we do with them?  My response has to be to model what I see in The Gospels.  Jesus dined with such people.  He had conversations with such people.  He loved such people.   He viewed them as lost souls, and without a relationship with them there was no way for them to know the hope.  We also need to remember that it was the "religious authorities" who were most critical of Our Savior for associating with such individuals.   We also need to remember that he labeled those who sat on the side and criticized him as "hypocrites."