Pen Pal's Letter and response

For the second year that I have been a pen pal for a 3rd grader at the school near where I live. It is a program through RSVP, and allows, in some instances, a role model and positive influence in the lives of children clearly missing some of that. Last year's pen pal was a boy focused on violence and power, so my focus was to try to urge a bit of caution while not saying "NO!" and to try to model strength that didn't depend on violence, along with an awareness that video games and movies are all make-believe.

This year's pen pal is as bubbly, but not so focused on violence and power. We have a common point in our love of betas (though he just told me it's spelled "b-a-t-a"), and our enjoyment of games. I also learned in his latest letter that his father wants to be a police officer - another point of contact, since my own father was in law enforcement.

I have tried for years to find those places where I can model the behaviors I would like to see in young people around them consistently and in close enough relationship that they can see those behaviors are real. I've coached Little League - and stopped in part because too many coaches and parents see it as simply a kid's big league, Youth soccer for boys and girls teams - with one program I worked hard to develop actually sending a team to the state youth soccer playoffs only a year or two after I moved away. I've worked with youth programs, and taught youth about faith and the benefits of spirituality, and enjoyed the parrying that goes until they determine you're honest with them, when you can get to the real questions.

I would that more adults, secure in themselves to the point of being vulnerable to the youth; serene enough to teach that violence isn't the only answer; and in good enough relationships to show that one doesn't need to dominate a partner in order to have a good relationship and get what one wants. Our world would be immensely improved if our children began to understand mutual respect within relationships; mutual caring with partners, friends and strangers; and to be confident of who they are to admit where they don't know, aren't strong enough, need help. Perhaps we adults will indeed learn that need some day, but I think some more pioneers are going to be needed to break the trail and set the examples. Takers? Peace!!

A Daughter's Inspiration

In sharing some thoughts by email with our daughter, I was reminded of the need to be as creative in our approach to life as possible! She lives and works in Colorado. Our son and daughter-in-law live and work in Minnesota. We are in Iowa. That makes holidays (read holy days) a little difficult at times - because we as a society have invested so much in calendars! And not always accurate calendars at that! Christmas, for instance, is ALWAYS celebrated on December 25 - why? Scholars tell us the birth of Jesus most likely occurred somewhere in April or May, and about 4 to 6 years earlier than we traditionally think. Retailers want us thinking of December 25, a pagan holy day taken over by the Church to increase its hold and influence over people. All in all, I wonder if it isn't time for us to begin clearing the calendar of commercialism, and traditional dates; and make room for families to find ways to celebrate what these holy days really mean. Why would it be wrong to gather in April or May to remember the child whose birth, death and new life turned history on its ear? Why would it be wrong to remember his tragic death for teaching a new love, for confronting oppressive powers some time other than what the calendar makers mark on their money-making lists? God isn't limited by our constraints, so why should our celebrations honoring momentous times in the lives of God's people? Something to consider, ponder and chew on. Peace!

One of those Sundays

You probably think I'm going to complain about yesterday, but, in truth, I was gratified by several things that happened. First the Adult class got into some very good discussions about Christ as the invisible image of God - what does that mean? What did it communicate about the role Jesus plays for us? And garnered one of those thank yous we all like to get, as a member of the class stopped me following worship to indicate she particularly liked the class that morning. Second, after stepping out a bit more than I usually do on the changes I think we need to be making in the church, another member paused after worship to say the whole service was very good. Third, I volunteered to do a devotional thought at the care facilities here in town in the absence of a pastor or worship team from one of the local church, but asked that arrangements be made for a pianist and songleader - that person called as we started the service to say they weren't coming - in stepped the daughter of our 103 year old member to play, if falteringly. While we didn't sing as much as we usually do when our church's team is there, we had a nice service. At the other facility, there was no song leader, but an appreciative group sang with gusto, and picked familiar hymns for us to sing. There were words of appreciation from most of the residents that we had a worship service.

It is all to easy to become comfortable with "the way things are" leading to occasional deep discomfort over a change. But if the church is to impact the world, we need to remember that Jesus comes to bring NEW life, ABUNDANT life, JOY-filled life. He is the LIBERATOR of the oppressed and enslaved. He sees the God-life within, not society's deliberate attempts to keep us fragmented and at each other's throats for crowd control. Heaven knows if we all decided to live that kind of life, the politicians would be without jobs, and so would the care agencies!

Perhaps it is too much to ask for us to push outside our comfort zones occasionally to try to be what the Master wants us to be? Perhaps Peter, Thomas, John and Judas still walk the earth with their own earthly agendas they wish to impose on the Teacher, and us. Perhaps it is time to hear Jesus again say, "Get behind me, Tempter!" Perhaps.

Getting Started

Well, my lovely bride of 34 and nearly a half years has suggested this for a while, and this slowly-learning techie is launching into blogging. A little about myself - I'm nearly 60 and have been a pastor in the United Church of Christ for over half that time. I married my bride because she absolutely ambushed me while we were in college; and if I could go back, I wouldn't change a thing about our getting together, only move up that wedding date!

I'm an example of someone whose faith was stuck in Sunday School until about midway through my college years, then it began to open. In part, this was due to some fantastic teachers along the way, and, in part, to the experiences and ponderings that began as I made the Bible a personal part of my life. Don't think that means I'm a Bible-thumper - because I'm not! I truly believe that we are to learn, ponder, struggle, and develop our own understanding of who God is, who Jesus is, what we are supposed to do with the gifts and skills we have. Every person is their own theologian, though they might as for someone else to share with them in the process.

I'm also a pastor that believes the pattern of ministry developed since professional clergy emerged - a pattern of we pay you to do all we won't do on our own - is all wrong for this day and age. If the church is to survive, we need to turn back the practice of Christian life to the early disciples - each one actively engaged in reaching out, each one willingly and humbly listening to others in order to see the wider picture from the widest possible angle. I truly believe that the ONLY role model we CAN have is Jesus' ministry - helping whoever, wherever, without stopping to judge their social acceptability before we offer. When that is taken into account, there is no one, male or female, child or adult or aged, straight or gay or bisexual or transgender, hawk or dove, Republican or Democrat, documented or undocumented that we have a right to shut out, come down on, or condemn. Jesus allowed people to condemn themselves by their actions and words, and tried to provide that which would help them see the difference available. I try to follow that pattern.

But I am all-to-aware of my own failings, including weighing too much, eating some of the wrong foods, and having acknowledged prejudices. I'm working on losing weight, eating healthier and learning to appreciate the better points of those against whom I have prejudice.

So you know a little about me, and I would invite your comments, and invite you to join me in the journey of life. Peace!