Last Friday we went out to the Holidazzel Parade and it was really cold, well into the negative digits and on our walk back to the North Loop we past this garage that was full. Thought it was a nice image and captures the attitude that us Minnesotans take during the winter. No frigid weather will keep us from heading out and having a good time.
I mentioned a quote from a book by Henri Nouwen in November (here) and since finishing that book have really connected and identified with Nouwen as an author and a man of God. In much the same way as I have connected with Andrew Murray (19th Century author) who I have read a number of his books.
A few weeks ago a friend gave me another book by Nouwen (‘The Wounded Healer”) which I finally have had some time to read through parts of and am really enjoying it again. ‘The Wounded Healer’ was written in 1972 and during the middle section of the book discusses the current youth (of over 35 years ago) and the leaders that will be needed to reach them for God.
In describing the youth he raised three points: Continue reading
I just posted about an hour ago about the passing of the second founder of the Moral Majority (which later evolved into the Evangelical Right).
Now i was catching up on feeds for the day and came across this.
Rebecca Hancock told FOXNews.com that Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Jacksonville, Fla., was against her relationship with boyfriend Frank Young because the two were sexually active but not married.
When she wasn’t willing to obey the church’s orders to leave him, she decided to leave the church instead, allowing her two children to remain active members.
Now, she says, church elders have given her the worst ultimatum yet: In a Dec. 8 letter, they told her she either has to meet with them and end her “immoral” relationship or she will face public humiliation.
What?……
That is actually a part of my favorite story about Christ. that one where he doesn’t love, but instead slanders those who are trying to love him. As opposed to how he treated the woman at the well, and the woman caught in the act of adultery. Well I can only hope/pray that someone can reach out to Rebecca and her boyfriend Frank in love and humility.
This is another example of the church thinking that they are the moral authority in our culture instead of the bringers of love and hope to those who fall short of the expectations God has set (moral and practical).
What is the most startling about htis is how easy it is for each one of us to repond as this church did and not how Christ did. Gives me a greater humility and understanding of the weight we carry as we minister on behalf of Christ.
Yesterday evening I came across in one of my feeds this article about the passing of Paul Weyrich. His name didn’t initially strike me but the movement that he helped create (along with the late Jarry Falwell) has influenced and, in my opinion, abused the church in America for the last 3 decades.
Those two (along with many others) founded the Moral Majority back in the late 1970′s (wikipedia). This movement morphed and changed over the years into the much discussed evangelical voting block we heard so much about during the 2000 and 2004 elections. Let me first express my excitement that this voting block left the pundits confused after the last election when we didn’t go en-mass to vote and elect one candidate. Such a great day!
Why am I excited about this? because the church was never meant to be political, and it only became political because men and women of God lost faith in their God to do big things. Instead of loving people, helping those who are oppressed and worn down, the church decided to shoot right for the top. Despite the fact that Jesus wanted nothing to do with the government, and there is no oppression from the government towards the church or its followers.
So with the passing of Paul Weyrich the end of an era is continuing further. There are leaders of the church rising who aren’t buying the lines our forefathers are telling us about political advocacy. Instead we look to men and women like Dorothy Day and Mother Theresa who lived their values as the ultimate form of christian service.
There will always be polarizing issues in the church, but lets not focus on them. Lets focus on love and how we who have been given love, should love in return. The selfless love that hurts and suffers with others because it loves those who hurt and suffer. Let this be the next movement of the church built on love.
This sermon was given during a preaching course at Bethel Seminary (CP720, you should take it!). The context was given to me after my first sermon in the course. I was to be preaching the Sunday after the tragic death of two youth in our church. Not the best context to preach into (I was the only one who they fictitiously killed people for) but I felt like I handled it well. I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
So, what did ya think? Leave a comment below!