Friday, November 11, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Websites worth viewing
I was born and raised in an era of nightly news brought into the home by the 3 networks. As cable news and internet news sites proliferated there has been exponential growth in quantity but reduced quality across the board. Here are some of the websites I feel are worth a look, faults and all. I'm not always on board with the opinions/blogs posted, but the news feeds are essentials. FAIR is still one of the best - Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting - http://www.fair.org/index.php. Others of note are Think progress http://thinkprogress.org/ , Truth Out http://www.truth-out.org/, and Buzz Flash http://blog.buzzflash.com/. My wife volunteered for a number of years at community radio station KGNU and not only brought me on board but introduced me to radio/internet Democracy Now, based out of NYC http://www.democracynow.org/. Have a read or a listen. Above all else, keep informed.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
How the Call Process for Lutheran Pastors is different from anything else
The call process (I speak only from the Lutheran system) is like no other job search.
First, you can’t send out your resume. Your “papers” are regulated both by the bishop & synod office as to where they will be sent - they won’t send them to all of the synods/bishops in CA or the US. If you try to get your name into a synod or a congregation on your own the synod will take steps to see you never receive a call and will even contact your own bishop to try to impose “sanctions.”
Our Availability for Call form is 12 pages of essay questions about both your work and your faith life history, including details of your personal life/lifestyle. Then, you may have to fill out an additional "Mobility" form for their synod, anywhere between 3 - 10 pages.
Some bishops insist that you fly out, on your own dime, to meet with them in person, before they will even consider allowing your name/papers to be taken into account. If you are deemed worthy, then your paperwork is considered by synod staff members as to whether they will forward it to congregations looking for names of pastors.
If a congregation receives your name from these gatekeepers then it’s on to the next step.
In one sense, it's somewhat similar to being the director of a non-profit [the director of a local United Way for instance].
You are interviewed by the "board of directors", i.e., call committee. The 1st interview is sometimes via phone or in person. Here the similarities diverge completely.
Now, think of all the strange, open ended questions you’ve been posed on job interviews, and that is standard among most call committees, despite a 100+ page guidebook they are given.
If you’ve encountered a non-functional human resources department you know what I mean.
If you are in a local geographical area members of the call committee will visit your church – sometimes before you have even interviewed with them, as was the case last month with me. Not just one, but 2 or 3 or more will show up on a Sunday morning to listen to your preach, lead worship, etc. Imagine preparing to interview for a job and your perspective employers drop in (incognito) to check up on how you work.
There is a 2nd interview. Sometimes they will ask you to take a “Sunday off” from your home congregation and come preach at their congregation. Then the call committee votes on you as to whether or not to recommend you to the church council. The church council then votes on whether to recommend you to the church members for a vote. Then a meeting is called where all of the church members discuss you, your paperwork, the findings of the interviews, and then they all vote on whether or not to extend you the call. If you turn down the call and the synod doesn't like your reason(s) you can be listed by them as "difficult". This means your chances of another call are limited to slim & none.
Did I mention that they can ask you questions you don’t often face at an interview as a director for a small company or non-profit? Are you married, pregnant, gay, straight, liberal, conservative, etc.?
Fortunately, the synod I’m in is doing their best to find me a congregation that is an even better fit for my skills and my interests. Unfortunately, most other synods are not as competent.
Think of a company with 4 million members where every "division" or "district" operates on its own set of rules and regulations. I forgot to mention that some churches also want to interview your spouse. This is just a snippet of the call process.
First, you can’t send out your resume. Your “papers” are regulated both by the bishop & synod office as to where they will be sent - they won’t send them to all of the synods/bishops in CA or the US. If you try to get your name into a synod or a congregation on your own the synod will take steps to see you never receive a call and will even contact your own bishop to try to impose “sanctions.”
Our Availability for Call form is 12 pages of essay questions about both your work and your faith life history, including details of your personal life/lifestyle. Then, you may have to fill out an additional "Mobility" form for their synod, anywhere between 3 - 10 pages.
Some bishops insist that you fly out, on your own dime, to meet with them in person, before they will even consider allowing your name/papers to be taken into account. If you are deemed worthy, then your paperwork is considered by synod staff members as to whether they will forward it to congregations looking for names of pastors.
If a congregation receives your name from these gatekeepers then it’s on to the next step.
In one sense, it's somewhat similar to being the director of a non-profit [the director of a local United Way for instance].
You are interviewed by the "board of directors", i.e., call committee. The 1st interview is sometimes via phone or in person. Here the similarities diverge completely.
Now, think of all the strange, open ended questions you’ve been posed on job interviews, and that is standard among most call committees, despite a 100+ page guidebook they are given.
If you’ve encountered a non-functional human resources department you know what I mean.
If you are in a local geographical area members of the call committee will visit your church – sometimes before you have even interviewed with them, as was the case last month with me. Not just one, but 2 or 3 or more will show up on a Sunday morning to listen to your preach, lead worship, etc. Imagine preparing to interview for a job and your perspective employers drop in (incognito) to check up on how you work.
There is a 2nd interview. Sometimes they will ask you to take a “Sunday off” from your home congregation and come preach at their congregation. Then the call committee votes on you as to whether or not to recommend you to the church council. The church council then votes on whether to recommend you to the church members for a vote. Then a meeting is called where all of the church members discuss you, your paperwork, the findings of the interviews, and then they all vote on whether or not to extend you the call. If you turn down the call and the synod doesn't like your reason(s) you can be listed by them as "difficult". This means your chances of another call are limited to slim & none.
Did I mention that they can ask you questions you don’t often face at an interview as a director for a small company or non-profit? Are you married, pregnant, gay, straight, liberal, conservative, etc.?
Fortunately, the synod I’m in is doing their best to find me a congregation that is an even better fit for my skills and my interests. Unfortunately, most other synods are not as competent.
Think of a company with 4 million members where every "division" or "district" operates on its own set of rules and regulations. I forgot to mention that some churches also want to interview your spouse. This is just a snippet of the call process.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Even competent Lutheran pastors have their theology called into question
Many people believe they are a biblical scholar and theologian. Of those within the church, there are some who believe the pastor, in their opinion, is neither.
ELCA/ELCIC Lutheran pastors attend 4 years of seminary, studying hermeneutics - exegesis, homiletics, ancient Hebrew & Greek, process vs. systematic theology, etc. Some wonder why a BA in Religion studying world religions, ethics, liberation theology and so forth is helpful. To be a competent pastor includes being a working theologian and Biblical scholar - along w/spiritual guide, counselor, CEO of disciples. You are there at hospitals and homes when people die, you officiate at funerals and baptisms as well as marriages. You walk with people as they journey through difficult and vulnerable periods of life – unemployment, divorce, illness, and the like. There are many rewards but also many stumbling blocks.
On a recent Sunday some parishioners questioned my theology & biblical scholarship right before worship service began. This happens numerous times over a call, especially one that spans a couple dozen years. We all take criticism in the workplace. For pastors the repercussions can be: parishioners will or will threaten to withhold financial support, stop volunteering, leave the church, and so on. Some will try to make church a “hostile worship environment.” I’ve found myself to be the target of anger, the recipient of contempt, dealing with people as they triangulate their fears and concern while having to remain compassionate and objective.
As a pastor you are called to forgive anyone who repents but some parishioners don’t in kind. Since congregations are family systems, you need to be well versed in systems theory and how it applies to the local parish, how to remain non-anxious in an anxiety laden situation. You have to be prepared to pray in all circumstances, discern how to give vision and mission for people in both a local and global scope and motivate them to give themselves over to love of neighbor, strangers and enemies, all while modeling these behaviors yourself in a healthy manner. This is only a partial list of what a pastor routinely encounters in her or his call. Pastors perennially rank in the top 10 of white collar most stressful jobs.
People inside and outside of the church have certain notions of what pastors do and don’t do, what they know and don’t know, how they should perform their “job” (it’s a call, not a job).
I’m called to Word & Sacrament ministry. I serve the “Good Shepherd” so in a sense, I’m a sheep dog of faith. While Lutherans hold to the priesthood of all believers – we’re all disciples/apostles – as pastors are called to be shepherds/sheep dogs, we have been trained so to speak, we have a certain skill set. However, as I was reminded yet again last Sunday, some believe we pastors don’t know what the h-e-double hockey sticks we are doing. I offer this:
I took a physics course in high school. It doesn’t make me a physicist.
I took a computer course in high school. It doesn’t make me a computer programmer.
I took math through high school and my 1st year of college/university. It doesn’t make me a mathematician.
I was a cook at a couple of restaurants. It doesn’t make me a chef.
When people read the Bible it doesn’t make them Biblical Scholars.
People develop their own understanding of the cosmos, universe and the divine, i.e., faith. It doesn’t make them theologians.
I’m a pastor. It doesn’t make me an adversary.
Just some perspective.
ELCA/ELCIC Lutheran pastors attend 4 years of seminary, studying hermeneutics - exegesis, homiletics, ancient Hebrew & Greek, process vs. systematic theology, etc. Some wonder why a BA in Religion studying world religions, ethics, liberation theology and so forth is helpful. To be a competent pastor includes being a working theologian and Biblical scholar - along w/spiritual guide, counselor, CEO of disciples. You are there at hospitals and homes when people die, you officiate at funerals and baptisms as well as marriages. You walk with people as they journey through difficult and vulnerable periods of life – unemployment, divorce, illness, and the like. There are many rewards but also many stumbling blocks.
On a recent Sunday some parishioners questioned my theology & biblical scholarship right before worship service began. This happens numerous times over a call, especially one that spans a couple dozen years. We all take criticism in the workplace. For pastors the repercussions can be: parishioners will or will threaten to withhold financial support, stop volunteering, leave the church, and so on. Some will try to make church a “hostile worship environment.” I’ve found myself to be the target of anger, the recipient of contempt, dealing with people as they triangulate their fears and concern while having to remain compassionate and objective.
As a pastor you are called to forgive anyone who repents but some parishioners don’t in kind. Since congregations are family systems, you need to be well versed in systems theory and how it applies to the local parish, how to remain non-anxious in an anxiety laden situation. You have to be prepared to pray in all circumstances, discern how to give vision and mission for people in both a local and global scope and motivate them to give themselves over to love of neighbor, strangers and enemies, all while modeling these behaviors yourself in a healthy manner. This is only a partial list of what a pastor routinely encounters in her or his call. Pastors perennially rank in the top 10 of white collar most stressful jobs.
People inside and outside of the church have certain notions of what pastors do and don’t do, what they know and don’t know, how they should perform their “job” (it’s a call, not a job).
I’m called to Word & Sacrament ministry. I serve the “Good Shepherd” so in a sense, I’m a sheep dog of faith. While Lutherans hold to the priesthood of all believers – we’re all disciples/apostles – as pastors are called to be shepherds/sheep dogs, we have been trained so to speak, we have a certain skill set. However, as I was reminded yet again last Sunday, some believe we pastors don’t know what the h-e-double hockey sticks we are doing. I offer this:
I took a physics course in high school. It doesn’t make me a physicist.
I took a computer course in high school. It doesn’t make me a computer programmer.
I took math through high school and my 1st year of college/university. It doesn’t make me a mathematician.
I was a cook at a couple of restaurants. It doesn’t make me a chef.
When people read the Bible it doesn’t make them Biblical Scholars.
People develop their own understanding of the cosmos, universe and the divine, i.e., faith. It doesn’t make them theologians.
I’m a pastor. It doesn’t make me an adversary.
Just some perspective.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The “Un Rapture” of May 21st, 2011
The latest prediction of the Christian “rapture” is scheduled for tomorrow, May 21st. Keep in mind that such predictions have been “foretold” for centuries. These forecasts have been based upon such Biblical passages as:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: The coming of the Lord
Matthew 24: 3-31; 36-44: Signs of the End of the Age
Mark 13:1-27; 29-32 (NRSV): The coming of the Son
Revelation 20:1-10: The Thousand Years – Revelation based upon the Book of Daniel
2nd Esdras – from the books of the Apocrypha (Latin Septuagint version)
The destruction of the Temple (Jerusalem) in 70 AD is a touchstone event.
Since the Reformation [thank you Luther, et al] some of the names and notions connected to the “rapture” are:
Increase Mather – Boston 1680’s
A Chilean Jesuit, Manuel Lacunza, who published a book in 1812 entitled The Coming of the Messiah in Glory and Majesty.
A commentary on the book of Revelation in 1690 by a Jesuit priest named Francisco Ribera, credited with a method of interpretation called futurism.
John Nelson Darby – Plymouth (England) Brethren leader & futurist.
Dwight L. Moody– Moody Bible Institute & Moody Church.
Cyrus Scofield – Scofield Bible
Hal Lindsey – Late, Great Planet Earth
Tim LaHaey & Jerry Jenkins – Left Behind
Christian eschatology, the end time [ἔσχατον], is not represented by those who make claims to the “rapture”, especially in predicting its arrival: Matthew 24 & Mark 13 make clear to those who believe in the return of Christ (Christian Messiah) that the time is unknown to all but God (heavenly parent). The Biblical prediction is that many false prophets and messiahs will attempt to lead the faithful astray. The May 21st prediction and those who adhere to this claim would fall into this category.
Eschatology can be found within various world religions: Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism.
So enjoy your May 21st because people of all faiths will be around May 22nd and past 2012 – see Mayan prediction for the ἔσχατον – and I’ll be in church the next day, Sunday.
A relatively accurate description of the rapture can be found, of all places, on:
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Easter Sermon 2011
[open ringing cell-phone]It’s Easter Morn. Who’s on my horn? Hello God!
“It’s God.” “God says hello.”
What about the ban on cell phones in church? Well, we’ve been expecting to hear from you, so I waived it just for this Sunday. Yes, beginning next Sunday, no more cell-phones on while we worship you. Unless someone is on call for rescue, firefighting, or medical emergencies. Okay. We promise. Yes, you’re right, we don’t always keep our promises to you. You always keep your promises to us. Fair enough.
You know, we’ve been talking about you this morning. Yes. Of course you knew that.
Absolutely, we’ve also been talking about Jesus. Following him? Not just on Easter? Everyday? Agreed.
What’s that? Uh huh. Uh huh. No problem. I’ll tell them. Billions more to talk to today. We understand. Thanks God. We love you too. [close cellphone]
I’m supposed to remind you, that you don’t need a phone to talk with God. Prayer is still the preferred method. Oh, and at least daily. Nothing formal needed, any place, any time.
God is very happy to see us all in church today. We’re invited back to the House of the Lord every Sunday. God says don’t be a stranger. Enjoy your Easter. You’re welcome.
We’re supposed to gather, together, and give thanks and praise, through bad times and good times, in sickness and in health, for better for worse. None of us exists in our own little world. We are a global community. We need each other.
Now, today we celebrate something you won’t find as an “app” on your cell-phone, or surfing the web on your laptop. You can read about on your Kindle and even see it portrayed in cinema and TV, but they won’t bring it home for you. You won’t find it through your house, your work, your MP3 or Play-station. Even though technology is a useful tool what we celebrate today is beyond earthly possessions or pursuits.
It’s found in the souls of those who believe, anyone willing to trust beyond themselves and this mortal coil. It’s the reason for the Easter Season – which only begins today.
We celebrate the risen Christ. From Christ crucified to a new life, the greatest love. That someone risks their life to save another life is a great act of love & service.
To give your life for everyone and anyone, to deliver the ultimate victory over death, that’s the greatest love of all. The God of the covenant who gifts the promise of grace, the Word of forgiveness, the promise of new life that spans eternity. That’s what we celebrate today, every Sunday, everyday.
For us this is Good News. Good News we have to share with the world. Good News that people can forgive one another – we understand, because we’ve experienced forgiveness through God. Good News that there is a justice above and beyond human law & national politics, real justice, and a pledge that we will act on God’s behalf and set the captives free.
Good News, in a world where hate flourishes we deliver a message that you are loved, people are loved by God, even when it appears no one loves them. We love even those deemed unlovable. In a world where people are hurt and lonely, the servants of God bring the Word of healing, that no one is alone, because God is always with you, rain or shine. We, the body of Christ as we are called, bring Good News of hope for the hopeless, we feed the hungry, we walk humbly with our God.
2 billion of us. We, the brothers and sisters in Christ, bring Good News of a great joy this day. Unto you, from the city of Jerusalem is risen a Messiah, a Savoir, who is Christ the Lord. There’s more to this story of Good News. Come back any Sunday and I’ll tell you more.
Χριστός ανέστη. Amen.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The latest Word - Glenn Beck
If you follow the Colbert Report/Daily Show or read the Christian Century, you’re aware of the Glenn Beck (Fox News) screed from March 2nd 2010: “I beg you, look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church website. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social/Economic justice, they are code words 9ideas espoused by Nazis and Communists). Now, am I telling people to leave their church? Yes.”
Bread for the World, Jim Wallis (Sojourners) and other progressive Christians have renounced Glenn for his comments. He’s made numerous outrageous claims before and after this example. His past nonsensical tirades and rants have been fodder for a number of commentaries. He has elicited a backlash from progressive Christians for such diatribes. Now, as he has announced his resignation in 2011, it appears that his own colleagues at Fox are glad to disassociate themselves from Glenn. Falling ratings and advertisers still must not have been enough for Ruppert Murdoch to be rid of Glenn, as he still thrives in his time slot.
Glenn appears to have succumbed to his hyper rants and daily dire predictions that have little or no basis in fact (what he has purported as truths have been refuted time and again). While facts presented by other Fox News personalities have often been refuted by truth, Glenn had taken the step of presenting himself as a prophet – and in my opinion with a Messianic complex. Glenn will still preside on talk radio so his followers need not despair.
That’s the Word!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tritium leak into drinking H2O supply
There's been a leak of 73,000 litres (size of average pool) of Tritium into Lake ON (source of drinking water for 6 million of us in Toronto) from the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant - due to a failed pump seal.
Tritium is a radioactive form (isotope) of hydrogen. By mixing tritium with a chemical that emits light in the presence of radiation, a phosphor, a continuous light source is made (as those found on watch dials). The radioactive decay product of tritium cannot penetrate the outer layer of human skin. The main hazard associated with tritium is internal exposure from inhalation or ingestion. http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/tritium.htm
The United States
For years Kara and I lived near Rocky Flats (nuclear weapons production plant – DOE & Dow Chemical, Rockwell Intl) before and during its cleanup. One of my former parishioners worked as part of the clean up effort of nuclear waste & by-products. Various contaminant incidents occurred over the decades (leaks of PCB, chromic acid, dioxin CCL4, beryllium, plutonium, actinide, and tritium).
In other words, we are no strangers to such incidents. Here's what I've learned. When you've lived near Rocky Flats you take no corporation (e.g., Dow Chemical & Rockwell) or government agency (DOE) at their word. Their job is to put a positive spin on the situation no matter what. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Flats_Plant
Happy St. Patrick's Day? Perhaps today I ought to shower in Guinness.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Working & Living next to nuclear power plants
The tragedy of the earthquake & tsunami in Japan is devastating. Our prayers are with the people now and into the months and years ahead. Adding to this situation are the problems with the nuclear power plant - not so much damage by the quake but the tsunami - with explosions and possible loss of containment (1st, secondary, et al). The health and environmental concerns are considerable and I empathize with the tens of thousands being evacuated to a "safer distance.".
While governments tout and support the future of nuclear energy there still exist significant issues.
If like me you work next to & live by a CANDU or perhaps a BWR or ABWR, full containment is theoretical but not always realistic. A vast array of factors can reduce the probability of containment in the event of an accident. For example, the quality of the cement housings, if found to be substandard in initial construction and/or refurbishing, can lead to cracks with potential exposure risks (reactor, turbine and vacuum buildings). Problems with fuel rods, steel tensile strength/, piping systems, shutoff valve systems, metal fatigue, computer problems, human error are all significant variables. When a number of these are added together safety diminishes considerably. The lack of reprocessing and breeder reactors coupled with waste storage and 10,000 year 1/2 life of spent fuel are additional environmental/health concerns.
Economically speaking cost overruns (almost always occur) with construction/refurbishing, decommissioning costs, etc., are substantial. In addition, nuclear power is tied into the central grid system which exhibits a host of inefficiencies as compared to a non-centralized system - which can be accessed through alternative energy sources for instance.
While giving off low carbon emissions, nuclear continues to be fraught with health and environmental quandaries.
This just scratches the surface of the inherent predicament of current and future nuclear power generation (even with SFR's and the like). Say what you will, I don't have to go to the local pharmacy to pick up iodine pills (as I do now with the CANDU) in order to protect against a future solar or wind "power plant accident" or have to display pamphlets on "what to do in case of a nuclear emergency" as I do now at church.
While governments tout and support the future of nuclear energy there still exist significant issues.
If like me you work next to & live by a CANDU or perhaps a BWR or ABWR, full containment is theoretical but not always realistic. A vast array of factors can reduce the probability of containment in the event of an accident. For example, the quality of the cement housings, if found to be substandard in initial construction and/or refurbishing, can lead to cracks with potential exposure risks (reactor, turbine and vacuum buildings). Problems with fuel rods, steel tensile strength/, piping systems, shutoff valve systems, metal fatigue, computer problems, human error are all significant variables. When a number of these are added together safety diminishes considerably. The lack of reprocessing and breeder reactors coupled with waste storage and 10,000 year 1/2 life of spent fuel are additional environmental/health concerns.
Economically speaking cost overruns (almost always occur) with construction/refurbishing, decommissioning costs, etc., are substantial. In addition, nuclear power is tied into the central grid system which exhibits a host of inefficiencies as compared to a non-centralized system - which can be accessed through alternative energy sources for instance.
While giving off low carbon emissions, nuclear continues to be fraught with health and environmental quandaries.
This just scratches the surface of the inherent predicament of current and future nuclear power generation (even with SFR's and the like). Say what you will, I don't have to go to the local pharmacy to pick up iodine pills (as I do now with the CANDU) in order to protect against a future solar or wind "power plant accident" or have to display pamphlets on "what to do in case of a nuclear emergency" as I do now at church.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-02/chocolate-mission
http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-02/chocolate-mission
For those of you who love chocolate but not the bitter aftertaste of exploiting children and adults, organic, Fair-trade chocolate is the way to go. Here is another example of how everyone can win in the global economy when we follow Micah 6:8 +_+
For those of you who love chocolate but not the bitter aftertaste of exploiting children and adults, organic, Fair-trade chocolate is the way to go. Here is another example of how everyone can win in the global economy when we follow Micah 6:8 +_+
Saturday, February 19, 2011
o' logos - the Word
The power of the word – o logos.
In 2008 I watched on TV an interview with Pastor Crefflo (sp.) Dollar, a Televangelist with a mega church (over 10,000 members) who preaches on how God will bless you financially and how it will always work out that way for everyone who believes. He and Benny Hinn were among a number of pastors under investigation by the U.S. congress. In the interview Crefflo said "my church members gave me my Rolls Royce (automobile) as a gift (it's a blessing from God). I'm not giving it back because of the investigation by congress." Pastor Joel Osteen (televangelist) also preaches a message of financial blessing upon God's people who believe - no matter who they are or what their circumstances. Richard Roberts, son of Oral Roberts (televangelist and OR University founder) stepped down from leading the ORU ministry amidst allegations of mishandling over $50 million of ministry funds. The Religious News Service and The Christian Century reported on these words in 2007:"I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear. The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that."- TV evangelist Pat Robertson's prediction (based upon what God had told him) that terrorists would attack the U.S. in late 2007. I mention these purveyors of words because they claim to preach the "Word." Most of what they transmit is either contrary to the Word or the spirit of the Word. People of faith recognize how important are the words we use. Words express our faith, confess our sins and forgiveness, give grace and love to one another, words give shape to our prayers for friends, family, neighbors and perceived enemies. Words are powerful and the means by which we verbally communicate who we are as disciples. There is one thing a bishop should say to another bishop: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour" - Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, chiding conservative bishop's for their criticism of the Episcopal Church's acceptance of gay clergy and same-sex unions. The ELCA has approved same gender blessings while most states prohibit same gender marriage. In Canada same gender marriage is the law of the land while the ELCIC wrestles with same gender blessings. Both the ELCA & ELCIC have spoken out against human trafficking and the sex trade of women and children but relatively few congregations have spoken out to effect change. Words, especially the Word, are powerful active instruments in communication, in relationships to one another and the divine, and active means by which to bring about change in the world. Let us use our words wisely. Hebrews 4:12a, New Testament, NRSV): "Indeed, the Word of God is living and active."
In 2008 I watched on TV an interview with Pastor Crefflo (sp.) Dollar, a Televangelist with a mega church (over 10,000 members) who preaches on how God will bless you financially and how it will always work out that way for everyone who believes. He and Benny Hinn were among a number of pastors under investigation by the U.S. congress. In the interview Crefflo said "my church members gave me my Rolls Royce (automobile) as a gift (it's a blessing from God). I'm not giving it back because of the investigation by congress." Pastor Joel Osteen (televangelist) also preaches a message of financial blessing upon God's people who believe - no matter who they are or what their circumstances. Richard Roberts, son of Oral Roberts (televangelist and OR University founder) stepped down from leading the ORU ministry amidst allegations of mishandling over $50 million of ministry funds. The Religious News Service and The Christian Century reported on these words in 2007:"I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear. The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that."- TV evangelist Pat Robertson's prediction (based upon what God had told him) that terrorists would attack the U.S. in late 2007. I mention these purveyors of words because they claim to preach the "Word." Most of what they transmit is either contrary to the Word or the spirit of the Word. People of faith recognize how important are the words we use. Words express our faith, confess our sins and forgiveness, give grace and love to one another, words give shape to our prayers for friends, family, neighbors and perceived enemies. Words are powerful and the means by which we verbally communicate who we are as disciples. There is one thing a bishop should say to another bishop: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour" - Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, chiding conservative bishop's for their criticism of the Episcopal Church's acceptance of gay clergy and same-sex unions. The ELCA has approved same gender blessings while most states prohibit same gender marriage. In Canada same gender marriage is the law of the land while the ELCIC wrestles with same gender blessings. Both the ELCA & ELCIC have spoken out against human trafficking and the sex trade of women and children but relatively few congregations have spoken out to effect change. Words, especially the Word, are powerful active instruments in communication, in relationships to one another and the divine, and active means by which to bring about change in the world. Let us use our words wisely. Hebrews 4:12a, New Testament, NRSV): "Indeed, the Word of God is living and active."
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