A Church that wrestles with the questions

From my Eastern Synod Witness/Evangelism Blog:

REACH INWARD-OUTWARD TO THOSE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS

• As Lutherans we are the “teaching” church, as we began with a campus pastor and teacher (university/seminary) in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther. We are a church where we wrestle with the questions  of faith. John Dominic Crossan is a n excellent source for those who wish to wrestle with the questions. He’s written many books, and one of his latest can be of great help: “How the Read the Bible and Still be a Christian.”

  

  For those already in the door, and those we invite inside, Crossan is a great resource. He challenges are held beliefs while still showing a way to still count yourself as a faithful Christian.

  http://www.johndominiccrossan.com/
  markvanhouse
  June 20, 2016

Unconventional Lutherans

Feminist Lutheran Kara Johnston recently posted on Face Book about ELCA Lutheran Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, who serves in my former Synod (Rocky Mountain Synod):
"Singing in the midst of evil is what it means to be disciples.
Like Mary Magdalene, the reason we can stand and weep and listen for Jesus is because we, like Mary, are bearers of resurrection, we are made new. On the third day, Jesus rose again, and we do not need to be afraid. To sing to God amidst sorrow is to defiantly proclaim, like Mary Magdalene did to the apostles....that death is not the final word. once again, that a light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot, will not, shall not overcome it. And so, evil be damned, because even as we go to the grave, still we make our song alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia." Nadia Bolz-Weber from her book, Pastrix; the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

Pastor Nadia’s ministry in Denver has been ground breaking and unorthodox. She's reached the 20 - 40 somethings, the over 60's, poor and rich in the tradition of the emerging church. She's spoken to 10's of thousands of Lutheran youth in the ELCA. Nadia doesn't look and sound like most pastors (my Lutheran tattoos are temporary), but through her "course" language she speaks the Good News, an unlikely pastor to an unlikely people (outsiders and insiders).

We say we want to and will reach out to the outsiders and strangers. Nadia has done just that. I recommend we consider some of the lessons learned by Pastor Nadia and think how we might apply ourselves to welcome and invite those who are different, those who are not in most of our congregations, the 20's to 40's somethings, the outsiders, the least of these,the sinners and saints, etc. Check out one of her New York Times Bestselling Books - from 2013 "Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint"  (Warning - Explicit Language Content) or her 2015 "Accidental Saints, Finding God in All the Wrong People."

You can view her on YouTube and also check out her website: http://www.nadiabolzweber.com/

Where are the Lutheran Feminists & Theologians?

The past 2 1/2 years, since my last post here, I've concentrated on Face Book, e-mails and on rare occasion Twitter to speak on topics related to Lutheran Feminist Theology.
There are Lutheran Feminists blogging such as Caryn D. Riswold  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/carynriswold/

In Mary J. Streufert's 2010 book "Transformative Lutheran Theologies, Feminist, Womanist and Mujerista Perspectives (Fortress Press), contributors to various chapters include prof. Riswold, prof. Alicia Vargas (PLTS), prof. Marit Trelstad (PLU), Beverly Wallace - Shaw Divinity School, prof. Deanna A. Thompson among others.

There is also the annual meeting of the Lutheran Women in Theological and religious Studies, which includes some of those named above and others who gather. The November 2015 meeting included topics such as "Setting the Context: A Vision for Public Engagement"  - Caryn D. Riswold, Being Lutheran and Coming Out Feminist on the Other Side of the Gutenberg Parenthesis, and a panel discussion including Beverly Wallace and Deanna Thompson.

The Lutheran Feminists are out there, teaching, writing and lecturing.
Feminist Lutheran pastors are preaching and teaching in the local context.

I've started blogging again so I'll post in the coming weeks and months.

That's the Word.
Micah 6:8

6 years ago - celebrating 20 years of Lutheran Ordained Ministry

I've been doing most of my posting on Face Book. Now I'm going start posting again by submitting my sermon notes - from the church website (peacelutheranchurch.ca) - from my 20th Anniversary of ordination. While the words are 6 year old they still ring true for me today. Oh, I'm still surprised.
Grace and Peace to You from God and the Risen Messiah.
20 years of Lutheran Ministry:
As opposed to Homer's Odyssey of Greek literature, my 20 year journey is one of Christo-Centric belief, based upon the Judeo-Christian faith. The lessons and Gospel readings today represent a few of the Biblical texts which have informed my ministry for 2 decades. I have been surprised by where God has led me and what God has done through the people of God. You know much of what I believe, what I‘ve learned, what I've experienced and hold to be true. No doubt you've speculated upon and inferred certain other truths about my pastoral proclamations.
While I cannot encapsulate 20 years in less than 20 minutes, I'll give you a few insights on the faith I lay claim to for you and me. My faith is in God first and foremost, and would be so whether I had been called to ordained ministry or another calling in this life.
It was in my first 6 months of ministry, I was at the hospital with the parents when the news was delivered and that week my first funeral as a pastor was for a stillborn baby. I officiated my first wedding and baptism that first year. In 20 years I've presided at over 75 weddings, close to 100 funerals and over 70 baptisms, and I hope in the next 20 years that baptisms will outnumber the rest 3 to 1. Be it baptism or funeral, the message of hope and new life is preached. I have held the hands of the living and the dying, I have journeyed with them through tragedy and triumph.
I am sure that without an honestly child and youth friendly church there will be no church in the future. I am convinced that as the emerging church of the New Testament we also must reach out in new ways that remain faithful to our Christian beliefs, through new music, new liturgy, new song, new technology.
I am a Lutheran Feminist Pastor and student of theology, so I advocate the biblical pronouncement you heard from Genesis, that we are created in the image of God, male and female and in the same breath from St. Paul, we are neither male nor female, but a new creation in Christ. To speak of Yaweh and Elohim is to respect the name of our creator as surely as God and Lord are used.
We are in covenant relationship with God and as Luther phrased it, simultaneously saint and sinner (simul justus et peccator). I champion the notion that Divinity connects Faith with Science, Politics and Economics, evidenced in a universe of infinite time and distance, greater than all of humanity. As such I agree with Albert Einstein in the existence of God. Theorems seek proofs, the mechanics of the what and how. Faith seeks the why and the possibility of what supersedes the cosmos.
As an ordained Lutheran Minister I'm called to Word and Sacrament ministry first and foremost, to preach and teach and administer the sacraments of communion and baptism. I am called to be a shepherd, a faith guide for a holy people, children of redemption, saved by grace through faith, liberated to do good works. I am to encourage and nurture the spiritual growth in God's children of all ages.
I state that faith and doubt are inextricably intertwined and a necessary condition for one another. I learned this from certain pastors of my home congregation, Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Austin MN. To them and to my initial family of faith I am deeply indebted.
I affirm that conflict is inherent in a faith family and the mark of a healthy congregation is one which deals with conflict in a just manner, which sets boundaries of Christian behavior while remains boundless in forgiving all repentant sinners, pastors and parishioners alike. I am heartened by the Lutheran church which brings together divergent theological approaches. I cherish our ability to agree to disagree, to establish consensus, as much as being in full agreement with each other.
I am blessed to be called as pastor among you at Peace Lutheran. I am thankful for all of the supportive church members I've served these past years and the support I've received from my spouse, my family and friends. I thank my brother Wade in particular, who as a youth was there the
day I moved into the Seminary, the day I graduated and the day I was ordained. (I was surprised and overjoyed to have wadE and his wife Michelle, along with my cousin Julie and her husband Joe at the worship service today). I am further blessed with a parish nurse that makes possible the ministry I perform. I'm thankful for supportive staff and council members and all of you who pray for me, as I do for you, every week of the year.
I am grateful for my religion teachers at St. Olaf College, a Lutheran Liberal Arts "university" and the faculty who taught me at Luther Seminary.
I continue to hold myself and all Lutheran Pastors to a high standard of Biblical inquiry and theological acumen in accordance to the precedent set by Martin Luther.
I believe that neither Rev. Lovejoy of the Simpsons nor televangelists are true representatives of the faith. I am intolerant of poor theology and seek to quell Biblical illiteracy with the aid of Sunday School teachers and Adult Education within the parish. I boldly preach Christ Crucified. That is, I preach the grace of God which sets us free from sin and death and brings new life. This message is one we have to offer the world and is of utmost importance. It is of a God who loves all creation, values each one of us as spiritual beings of immeasurable worth, delivering salvific hope.
I'm beholden to the Lutheran tradition of opposing "Cheap Grace", the "Prosperity Gospel" and other such contortions of God's Word and I counsel you to eschew such false teachings.
I am called to support and encourage you to be faithful stewards of the Good News, to follow Jesus even when the cost of discipleship exacts what appears to be a heavy toll.
I embrace inclusivity, the use of inclusive language, ecumenical partnerships with those who uphold religious equality. I reinforce that Sunday worship is the beginning of the week for all Christians. Sabbath is the most important time for all Christian households and we honor the 3rd Commandment by worshipping together as a family of faith. Christian people have many reasons for not attending church – I've occasionally felt the same on a Sunday morning – yet few offer validity.
Our calling as the priesthood of all believers is to be diligent in our servitude and reconciliation to God and one another. This begins and Sunday and strengthens us through the week.
I advocate weekly worship, daily prayer, love and care of neighbor, tough love of enemies, reading the Word, discerning Biblical texts which at times are comforting, perplexing, exasperating and inspiring, and thanking God at all times.

There are Lutherans and non Lutherans I admire:
• The Lutheran Feminist I admire most is my wife, Kara Johnston.
• I have great admiration for my youth group workers, Bruce and Sue Bee.
• My favorite corporate steward of creation is founder and Chairman of Interface Inc., Mr. Ray Anderson.

Some of the People of Faith I genuinely respect are:
• The Old Testament Prophets
• John the Baptist
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther and his Wife Katherine Von Bora
• Mohandas Gandhi, who followed the teachings of Jesus
• Fellow Swedes, Nobel Laureate Dag Hammarsjkold and Rev. Dr. Krister Stendahl Soren Kierkegaard
• Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Rev. Kelly Fryer
• Rev. Peter Steinke
• Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu - in particular his Reconciliation Commission of South Africa
• As for Lutheran Theologians - my New testament professor and presider at my ordination Dr. Rev. Paul Berge and the late Rev. Dr. Gerhard Forde, an extraordinary Luther Scholar and my seminary advisor. It was Dr. Forde who supported my senior thesis at Seminary, Pastor's as Prophetic Voices of the Gospel.
• The Church historian of our time and Lutheran treasure, Dr. Martin Marty.
• Synodical and National Bishops Wayne Weissenbueler, Herb Chilstrom, Mark Hanson, H. George Anderson and Michael Pryse.
• I feel privileged to be in the ELCIC and have Susan Johnson elected as the First Woman Bishop of the ELCIC and of all the Lutheran Denominations in North America. This is indicative of the ELCIC, which has vowed to welcome people of all races, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender and sexuality. I hold that as Lutherans our tent is big enough to shelter all who seek God. God will provide for us.

I promote our congregation as a welcoming, loving, healing presence in a broken world.
When it comes to stewardship, the majority of those church people who give generously, by a percentage of their income, are those on the lower end of the North American Socio-Economic Scale. In North America, the average giving of Lutherans, to the church, is just over 2% of income. As a congregation I believe we can better that mark. The Old Testament calls us to tithe (which Kara and I do our best to observe).
Jesus calls us to sacrifice all. To be honest, I'm still working on that one. How about you? I say let's start with gracious giving and we'll venture forth from there.
While we strive to be stewards of God's creation most of our world continues to pollute and lay waste to the earth. Individual and societal greed abounds while we offer our times and our talents to serve the Lord. When Corporate CEO's resign with payout packages of $200 million dollars (Exxon, Home Depot), televangelists and self proclaimed faith healers as Benny Hinn can fill the Air Canada Centre 3 consecutive nights and bring in $200 million a year and live in a $10 million dollar gated community
home, when governments squander millions upon millions of dollars while billions of people eke out an existence on $1 dollar a day or less, your voices must be heard.
You who live your lives by being good stewards of God's creation, you must encourage your neighbours, corporations, believers and government to do likewise. As you are well aware, after the kingdom of God, Jesus teaches most about stewardship, with special emphasis on bringing Good News to the Poor.
While we are a gracious, generous people we can always improve upon our stewardship and excel in honoring what God has gifted to all people.
In worship we will persistently wrestle with numerous difficult issues pertaining to God's justice. In our walk of faith together, we will address those issues which affect children, the disposed, the poor and the marginalized: endemic violence, terror, poverty, starvation, curable illnesses which we neglect to heal, prisoners of faith and conscience we neglect to visit or support, rampant injustice, racism, sexism, human trafficking and modern day slavery, indifference to human suffering, greed and corruption. Jesus spoke out against and actively worked against such injustices, so shall we as a community of faith. The prophets spoke most harshly to God's people concerning this. We can do nothing less than to do justice through the help of the Lord. With God nothing is impossible, everything is possible. The prophets believed it of God's People and so do I. I believe in you.
So with all of this I look forward to the next 20 years. I am hopeful. I am rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit, I am enlightened by the will of God, and I celebrate with you the way, the truth and the life. It's been a good 20 years. What's in store for the next 20?
Finally, for you baseball fans: Carmen, the wife of baseball legend Yogi Berra, once asked him something like this "Yogi, you're from St. Louis, we live in New Jersey and you played all your ball in New York. If you happen to go before I do, where would you like me to have you buried?"
Yogi replied: "Surprise Me." May it be the same for me the next 20 years of ministry. God, surprise me.
Grace Be With You.
AMEN

When the Gun control debate is personal.

I'm the former pastor & friend of Anthony & Stacie, murder victims of an assault rifle, legally obtained by an in-law whose previous gun charges should have prevented this, but the gun laws didn't apply. Again, as a former NRA member & gun owner, it's time to ban assault rifles: 1 step in a culture wide change, as per my previous posts suggestions.

Gunman's 3 weapons, 3 victims ID'd in Saturday shooting          http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22341460/gunmans-3-weapons-3-victims-idd-saturday-shooting

A man who police say fatally shot three people in an Aurora townhome before officers shot and killed him on Saturday  

 The Netherlands has the highest "consumption" of violent video games. Canada is home to 1 of the largest producers of violent video games. Both have very low gun murder/assault rates. It's time to take steps to change the gun culture of the US. Real gun control will leave intact the intent of the 2^nd amendment by leaving citizens with more than enough guns to equip militias against foreign/domestic invasion: especially England, the source for the intent of this amendment. the source of the intent of this amendment.

The Colbert Report - January 14, 2013  www.thecomedynetwork.ca

Joe Biden develops gun law recommendations, Ted Nugent references Rosa Parks, and Piers Morgan talks gun control.

Stephen Colbert: "The Second Amendment trumps all the other amendments, because it's the one that's packing." Comedic yet astute observation of the sad state of the current debate.

Say what you will about Obama, when my 2 former parishioners were gunned down 2 weeks past, by a family member who had purchased an AR-15 in Aurora, CO (the same city as the theater mass shooting), this 2^nd term president took steps to take action on gun control. While not perfect they are nonetheless welcomed by the majority of Americans. Republican have been vehemently opposed, especially to enact enforcement capabilities by the ATF which were legislated out of law by a Republican Rep. from WI.

As a former member of the NRA & a hunter, I say that there is no need for 300 million legally purchased guns in the US. And assault rifles should be banned without question. The current laws & enforcement do not work, as in the case of my former parishioners – an in law who was arrested 3 times on handgun violations, stemming from a concealed weapons charge and intoxication while brandishing a handgun. Before I moved to Canada I disposed of my guns through local law enforcement and law enforcement members of my former congregations are staunch supporters of gun control.

That’s one, very personal, acclamation of Obama in his 2^nd term from a voter who is neither enamored nor easily swayed by any president since Lincoln, a Republican.

Epiphany is the Season of Gift Giving

Happy Day 3 of Epiphany Season. 'Tis the season for presents. Move over St. Nicholas & solstice festivals. Remember, before you there were Magi who brought gifts: gold/frankincense/myrrh . There's your origin for Christmas/holiday gifts and the impetus for those birthday presents you enjoy. That's the Word! (I’ve been using that phrase since before Colbert was on the air so take that Stephen). +_+

Christmas Message 2012

Kala Christougenna! From the Greek, Merry Christmas! It's Christmas 2012.

People are excited about this birth all across the globe tonight.

There’s been a lot of talk about this royal birth and how we will celebrate it. It’s captured the imagination of 100’s of millions of people. A young couple whose first born will be the ruler of a kingdom. Kate will give birth to a royal heir of England with William the proud father.

This story has been given more press, more attention, than the one we observe tonight, tomorrow and the 12 day season of Christmas.

Another young couple awaited a birth of a baby, but instead of a palace setting it was in a lowly manger where. Mary & Joseph awaited the birth of their first born. Despite these humble beginnings he is born the king of kings, lord of lords.

He’s born homeless and becomes homeless once again as an adult. He’s the last person most people would give their gifts to on Christmas. Without him there is no Christmas, because he’s Christmas.

He’s unlike any royal and his kingdom isn’t built on power and prestige. He’s the prince of peace, and that’s Not Good News, Gospel, to all. His birthday is a day to celebrate the opposite of what the world holds dear: fame and fortune; power and prestige. Jesus is a radical voice who brings Gospel to the unlikely, the unloved, the overlooked, the forgotten. Is that who we will share our gifts with this Christmas?

Homiletics says: The child who is born in the postcard manger scene will grow up and be a threat to the status quo, a threat to those who wield power through force of arms or the force of their bank accounts. He will expose the inner thoughts of human hearts and call people to a way of living beyond themselves. He will talk about a God who is intimately involved in public, in politics, and with people, rather than a God who is merely private, quiet, and spiritual. He will spend his time eating and associating with people on the margins of society—the sick, the poor, the outcast.

 The only Christmas present he’s interested  in is getting  people to give the gift of love. To love neighbors, love strangers, that’s the message of Christmas, that’s what it’s all about, what really brings 2 billion people together tonight. That’s the real gift of Christmas we celebrate tonight. A birthday unlike any other where the gift is for us.

This baby king is dangerous to the world. He threatens to change everyone, to change you, into an agent of peace and goodwill, of love and grace, to value persons more than fame and fortune, power and prestige. He’s all about you and me giving away, giving of ourselves, more than the usual exchange of Christmas gifts  between family and friends. Gifts that will wear out over time, some that will quickly be forgotten, while he’s a gift that lasts a lifetime and beyond. His message, his gift, is the gift that keeps on giving beyond Christmas.

In the Minister’s Manual it reads: When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today.  When Martin Luther lit candles on a Christmas tree, according to tradition, (Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832) who would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today. It is a long time since Luther, longer from 353, longer still from that dark night brightened by a special star in which Jesus the radical king was born. Yet, as we approach December 25^th again, it gives us another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all the excitement and elaborate decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas, to consider again the event of Christmas and the person whose birth we celebrate.  Brian L. Harbour, James W. Cox, The Minister's Manual: 1994, San Fransico: Harper Collins, 1993, p. 254.

After the lights and tinsel are put away, the decorations are packed up for another year, after the food is gone, when family and friends are back home, back to work or school, even once the 12 days of Christmas have faded away, the Good News, the Gospel, the Christmas Gift remains. May you share it with all the world. Merry Birthday of Jesus! Amen.

3 famous Lutherans - quick notes

3 Famous Lutherans
Name; Occupation; Birth - Death; Known for . . .

Erasmus Alberus; "Religion"; c. 1500– 1553 ; German humanist, supporter of Luther.

Augustus I; Ruler; July 31, 1526 – Jan. 21, 1586; Elector of Saxony, 1553-1586.

Johann Sebastian Bach; Composer; March 21, 1685 – July 28, 1750; Baroque Compositions for both church and "modern" culture of his day.

An Extraordinary Sunday of Welcome

Sunday September 23rd, 2012. The texts were Mark 8 & 9 (verses 33-38), pick up your cross & welcome one such child. We were in the midst of a Season of Invitation at Peace Lutheran Church, a member of the ELCIC. The sermon ranged from what it meant to pick up your cross to inviting as Jesus did, inviting a child - one least valued throughout society then & even now in most of the world.
At the 2nd service (we have a 1st service that you could call contemporary and a 2nd service best described as traditional) I was concluding my sermon. It was in regard to the question of are we really inviting & welcoming across the societal "stratum." A man that my wife & I first met last year raised his hand. I called upon him. Now in most Lutheran churches, unless it is at a point in an interactive sermon where comments or questions are invited, people don't raise their hands. I called upon him and he shared that his journey had taken quite awhile to attend church. As a gay man, he had not felt welcomed until he had met my wife & myself & now the members of our congregation. After he finished he received a spontaneous round of applause. This from a congregation that includes progressives, conservatives and those in between, both theologically and politically, and from adults and the children of the church alike. I serve as pastor in a multi ethnic, multi-racial congregation that comprises 1st generation people from around the globe. It was one of those moments in church that was extraordinary. As a progressive Lutheran pastor, to witness God's unconditional love & grace through people of all these backgrounds, was a wondrous gift. After 25 years of ordained ministry, it is moments like these that show the world that out of 2 billion believers there are millions who welcome and yes, we do have what the world needs. You are welcome at our church anytime.

The church today

Nov 10th - Happy Martin Luther's Birthday!

Happy Martin Luther's Birthday (b. 1483)! The Dr. of Reform had just what the Christian church needed. Lutherans & those so inclined, raise a pint to Luther. “I am of a different mind ten times in the course of a day. But I resist the devil, and often it is with a fart that I chase him away.” -- Luther's Table Talk

 

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.

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 2^nd 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.

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 1^st 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.

The “Un Rapture” of May 21st, 2011

The latest prediction of the  Christian “rapture” is scheduled for  tomorrow, May 21^st.  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 21^st 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 21^st because people of all faiths will be around May 22^nd 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:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture

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.

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 2^nd 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!

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.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/03/16/pickering-nuclear-leak.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/regulator-reports-water-leak-at-pickering-nuclear-plant/article1944271/

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

Ontario’s current Standard of 7,000 Becquerels per Litre (Bq/L) for Tritium in Drinking Water was adopted from Health Canada’s 1995 Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines, and was made an enforceable Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) in 2003 via Ontario Regulation 169/03 (Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards).

http://www.odwac.gov.on.ca/standards_review/tritium/tritium.htm

The United States standard is: 740 Bq/L (US Safe Drinking Water Act).

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.

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.

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 +_+